FINISH WELL

‎How did 2011 start for you? How long ago was it? Maybe it seems like an eternity, or maybe just yesterday. The so called “silly season” is upon us. This time of year is the end of many things. School, clubs, Uni, sports schedules, regular monthly activities – so many things end for the year. How well do you end? At school I am encouraging the students to ‘finish well’. I too am finishing my contract at school. How will I finish?

UKRAINE CONNECTIONS

Last week I had a Skype call with Natasha and Losha and I got to see Lilya and Denis. I had a little chat with Lilya – she has grown up so much. I realised how much I miss my Ukrainian family. I am looking forward to the possibility of a trip to Ukraine next year. I have been away too long and realise how much I miss those I have come to love there over the past few years.

THE THINGS I RAMBLE ON ABOUT

Over the course of my life a number of people have told me that I ramble on, I talk a lot, I have the gift of the gab – and other flattering and not so flattering ways of putting it. I’ll admit it. I love to talk! Even my profession allows me to get paid doing a lot of talking. I’ve been thinking about the substance of the things I talk about. The substance and the reasoning. Reading the diary of Anne Frank – I wonder what tedious work it would be for someone to read my diary. I’d repeat myself often. I’d contradict myself. I’d be opinionated.

You see thoughts come and go. And in the course of any short given space of time our thoughts follow our emotions, our circumstances, the things we hear from others, the things we see, the basic feelings that we experience (hot, cold, hungry, tired etc.); and our thoughts ride upon the rollercoaster of the above mentioned factors (plus many more).

UKRAINE CONNECTIONS

Ukraine connections with me are usually two different types. There are all the expats who usually have a well organised blog or email with prayer points. I regularly try to keep well updated about Rzhyshchiv and some other towns where I have good friends. I’ll share a few below.

But then there are the little snippets of communication with my Ukrainian friends. There are emails, Skype, MSN, the odd SMS or phone call. But mostly we utilise Face Book or Vkontakte (the slightly less secure Russian equivalent of FB). Today I had a good friend reminisce about hanging out with Ruth and Jon and I. Another former UTSIM student wrote “Hello! how are you? you soon to our Rzhyshchiv come?” I guess I need to go back and help her with her grammar. Today I have also been having an MSN conversation with a good friend who has a big struggle in his life right now. Please pray for this friend.