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Last week was saturated with work. (As though there’s many weeks that aren’t!) And now this week is chucked full with something going almost every night. I randomly bake cinnamon rolls and pumpkin pies to sell and had wanted to do that this week again. Wednesday evening I gave that up. I’ve been too busy and snappy with my children, besides not spending enough time with them. Thursday I decided to not be in a hurry. It felt lovely.

I needed a few groceries in town, so decided we’ll all go to the store and then stop at a few little shops in search of a candle, because I really needed one. Reece woke early, so that meant mom’s night was finished too, even if it wasn’t. So I thought, Ok, I’ll get a good start to my day, get the laundry going and surely we can get left for town by 9. Josie was trying to brush out her own hair, the wash needed changed and Reece had another pooped diaper, credit to a case of diarrhea this week. But I thought he was over it. (This was also the reason for waking mom early because his bottom needed assistance) Every time I’m by myself trying to get all of my two children out the door I give a mental sigh of how it must be to get, say, four or five children out the door! Would I even be able to get left before lunch?! Ok that’s a bit exaggerated but you get the idea. Eventually we got left, but not at 9. Sun-mart was not busy, for which I was grateful. If you want to exacerbate the events of shopping with children, go to the store when it’s rush hour.

I’ve been inwardly lamenting that it’s fall and I don’t even have any nice smelling candles to burn! I usually burn soy candles because their not toxic like the average synthetic ones. But those are hard to find and I forgot I was out of my favorite kind, until I went to pull it out and discovered it wasn’t there! Now, the second reason for getting a candle is embarrassing. You know those little gray critters that seek for shelter in cold weather? One or two invaded our house and then just up and died behind closed doors. No, he missed the traps, and definitely hid well, because it smells like he’s behind the dishwasher or under the cabinets where it’s nigh to impossible to get to! And oh what a smelly predicament! I threatened to Jerald I’ll pull out the dishwasher myself to get it out! Unfortunately it only remains a threat because I of course, am not a carpenter. So I succumbed to fresh air and, yes, a candle! The mice know just when to die without being embalmed- usually just before company comes, which was Thursday night. Fresh air? Yes! Essential oils diffused? Yes! Candle burning? Yes! Mouse corps? Uhh… yes still kind of….😤

But it was still a good day! Someone told me this new coffee shop in town has candles. So we trotted down the street to check it out. I immediately decided we would take time to get drinks too. I explained to the lady I’m not big on coffee so she kindly offered to put in half of the usual espresso. That really helped out my taste buds and I enjoyed a salted caramel latte. It’s been my history of getting flopped drinks at coffee shops and feeling disgruntled at the money spent but not enjoyed, so this was an exceptional accomplishment. The children shared a hot chocolate which she only warmed, instead of steaming hot. A second kind gesture. Hey, I believe I’ll patronize this place some more! I also had the chance to visit with an older couple who was in there. Would I have taken time for this if I had been going at the top notch speed I often do?? They loved the children…. Don’t children often make for good conversation?! I also invited them to church for the evening service because we had a chorus group coming to give a program. Oh. And yes, I even found a candle! No, it’s not soy wax as I normally get but since it was direly needed, I made an exception.

Late afternoon the children and I also made a small batch of healthy No Bake cookies. Of course we had a mess because there was chocolate, oatmeal and 20 little fingers involved. Remember: pictures don’t do justice.

This was supper one night this week. Love fall!! Carmalized sweet potatoes and apples and fresh salad with greens off the tower garden! Josie chopped the lettuce and prepped our salads. She felt important and thoroughly enjoys helping make food.

Carmalized Sweet Potatoes and Apples

2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced

2 – 3 apples, diced

2 T. coconut oil

1/2 t. salt

2 t. cinnamon

2 T. coconut sugar or brown sugar

Using a cast iron skillet, melt oil and fry potatoes till about soft. Add in apples, stir and cover pan for a few minutes. When both are soft, stir in remaining ingredients. I like using a crisp apple like Fuji or Honeycrisp. I’ll often sprinkle in a little stevia too, if I think it’s not quite sweet enough. Feel free to adjust the salt and cinnamon too, to suit your own taste because that’s how I cook! In fact, I find it a little hard to write out recipes exactly like I make them because its very likely to vary a bit from one time to the next!

This is our aeroponic tower garden. In the winter we keep it inside and grow greens all winter long, using grow lights. If your interested in one, just email me! Because we can certainly get you one!

Some simple fall center piece ideas…

Cinnamon sticks glued onto a candle looks really fallish. I actually used masking tape inside out, just so the cinnamon sticks stuck a bit, then tied jute cord around to hold it on. I topped it off by glueing on a whole anise star. A dried orange or apple slice would look pretty too! It would probably be best to use cinnamon sticks on a battery operated candle, since it could be fire hazardous when the candle burns. But if you just want it to decorate, it’s fine and dandy! I haven’t burned this candle yet. And by the way, these are only the simple, unscented pillar candles.

Isn’t Autumn a wonderful time of the year? Go on a brisk walk and enjoy the brilliant leaves. Breathe deeply and thank God for lungs to breathe fresh air, for eyes to behold the beauty, and for the sense of smell to sniff that unique autumn scent! Savor a drink in the dark quiet of an early morning. Ok. Really. I need all this advice myself. This time, your welcome to listen in on my mind’s lecture. Other times, not welcome. I tend to have whispered sermons when I go on my strolls, discussing with myself and God about whatever concerns me at the moment.

We’re having weekend meetings and I was reminded again in last night’s message of the importance of slowing down! We can’t hear God when we’re going 100 miles an hour in our mind and work! Be still and know that I am God…. Psalm 46:10

The following blog post is written by my sister-in-law Kaylene Rhodes who is currently serving as a missionary in Ukraine.

Welcome to the beautiful land of Ukraine! This country has earned the title “Breadbasket of Europe” because of it’s rich, fertile soil. Much wheat is grown here. There are also many sunflower and canola fields. When the flowers are blooming it is a spectacular sight!

I’m serving at the Shipintsi mission under MIM. My job description is teaching. This doesn’t consume all my time because I have only a few students.  There are many things around though to help with, so sometimes I’m a cook, hostess, or seamstress. I find my life very fulfilling!

This year I have 2 full time students, Nastya and Katya, in grade 9.  They are learning English, and also have some lessons with a Ukrainian teacher in Ukrainian language and history. Last year was their first here, and they started in CLE language and reading. They knew some English and were able to rapidly work their way up. This year they started in 304.  Their sister Anya is starting in level 500, and does her work at home. She comes to school to have me check her work and then do her tests and quizzes. Their brothers, Misha and Bogdan, come as it works in their schedule.

One day a week 2 preschoolers come. Our interpreter is sending his little girl, Solomiya. He sees the need of a Christian education, but their Baptist church doesn’t have a private school. She came knowing basically no English (her mother doesn’t know it well) but is picking it up quickly. Makayla comes from a mission family and doesn’t know Ukrainian. They aren’t able to communicate much with words, but actions and gestures can speak volumes!  We all enjoy the days they come, it adds spice to our small school.

I will give you a little glimpse into our village and location. We’re in southwestern Ukraine, only about an hour from the Romanian border. The gorgeous Carpathian mountains are close to us, and we often take drives and enjoy picnics in the fresh mountain air!

Our village is a typical Eastern European one. Village sounds include barking dogs, crowing roosters, cargo and passenger trains rumbling down the tracks multiple times a day, and cathedral bells ringing to announce a death or holiday.  Weddings and parties can last far into the night, and if you happen to be a neighbor sleep may elude you until things settle down.

There are many interesting sights as well. Every so often a funeral procession will go by school on their way to the cathedral. Special assigned people will go first carrying crosses and other Orthodox emblems. Singers chant mournful songs, the hearse drives slowly, and the people walk behind it.

If it’s a nice day you will probably see a farmer taking his cow to fresh green grass. It may be in some field on the edge of the village , or a patch of grass by the road works as well. They lead the cow by a chain or rope that’s tied around her horns. I’ve never seen one tied around the neck.

Mama goat has access to the road as well as pedestrians and drivers! The kids weren’t tied up, I’m supposing the owners thought they won’t wander too far from mom.

The garbage ‘truck’ goes through the village 2 times a month. They drive a tractor pulling a wagon, and have several men on the back to load and arrange the trash.

The culture is somewhat different than ours. I will give you some examples. In doing this I’m not trying to belittle either culture, I only want to give you some interesting insights.

It’s considered very rude to blow your nose in public.  They will sniff and sniff, but not blow their nose until they can get away to the bathroom.

People aren’t very friendly with strangers, neither are they quick to smile. On the flip side, they are very loyal to their friends. Hugging, kissing, and walking arm in arm are very common sights.

Smoking and drinking are chronic problems. If you know a man who doesn’t do either, you can pretty much assume he is a believer. Woman do less, but it’s not at all uncommon for them. There are a number of drunkards in the village who live from day to day, and drink to drink. Their families suffer from hunger, unheated houses, and other discomforts.

Folks take life in stride and are laid back. Time doesn’t mean as much to them as it does to we Americans. That’s something I have to constantly try to adapt to, as I’m more of a scheduled person.

Gardens consume much time and energy. Every one who is able, plants a garden. And they aren’t small either. They harvest and store loads of potatoes. Fruits and vegetables are canned or dried. Every property has multiple fruit or nut trees. They rarely plant trees just for shade or beauty.

Properties are not large. They may use most of their front yard for a garden if they don’t enough room elsewhere. Each house and its outbuildings are surrounded by a fence and gate. An open gate is a sign that someone has died. I’m guessing most natives know by now they can’t figure that for the Americans!  We leave our gates open frequently, it’s much easier to quickly come and go.

There are no such things as personal space bubbles. People cram into buses (before corona virus came on the scene), stand right behind you in line, etc. It took me awhile to get used to this, but I soon learned you can’t leave a big space between you and the next person in line. Otherwise you’ll lose your spot! Now when I go home on furlough I have to remind myself not to ‘tailgate’ people.

Our region is the most religious one in Ukraine. There are a number of Pentecostals, Baptists, and Seventh Day Adventists. But by far most people are Orthodox. There are two cathedrals in our village, and a number of little shrines on the corners of properties. They will cross themselves whenever they go by any of these. Some will even cross themselves in front of Mennonite ladies because they think they’re nuns.

The elderly are highly respected and cared for. Most often the parents will live with one of the children or maybe in a small house in the same yard. If their children are drunkards or died before the parents, the neighbors will step in and help care for them.

Here are a few other ideas and customs that are deep rooted. Women aren’t supposed to sit on concrete, especially if it is cold, because it will hinder them from having children. Opening windows in the winter time is taboo, even if it’s stifling hot. Air drafts (even in the summer) and cold water will make you sick. You must never give a bouquet with an even amount of flowers, unless it is for a funeral. Recently there was a holiday to remember the day John the Baptist was killed. You aren’t supposed to cut an apple or onion on that day, because it is round like a head.

This past Sunday we had our annual Harvest service. This is a Ukrainian Evangelical Christian custom. People bring fruits, vegetables, and flowers to church. We set up a display. There are 3 other important things to include on the display; the Bible, a pitcher of water, and bread. We have a special service of thanksgiving and singing.  There is a fellowship meal and more singing. The display is then taken apart and the items distributed among the people.

Kaylene sends out email newsletters once or twice a month, and every so often a Ukrainian recipe. If you would enjoy getting the newsletter, recipes, or if you wish to reply to this blog post, you can send her an email at theonlysister1985@gmail.com