Four Fair Maidens

Yesterday we had the pleasure of celebrating Christmas Eve with several other families.   Turns out, there was as many kids as there was adults so, what better way to keep the kids busy than to decorate ginger bread cookies together?   All the kids were very creative and in the end, we all took bites out of our yummy creations.

I enjoy the Christmas season very much because I am reminded of the great love God has for us, fallen, broken sinners.   He did not spare His only, most loved Son and sent Him to the planet that was growing in the bondage of sin, leading to death.   He intervened and brought Jesus, the Light, the Hope, the Savior!   The King of all creation came as a humble baby.   Praise God for solving the ultimate problem and restoring our peace with Him through Jesus.      Below is one of my favorite Christmas songs:   Winter Snow by Audrey Assad

It's Vicki's and Alla's birthday today!! And they both turned 22! I pray God gives them a lot of wisdom and strength in different areas of life. May your faith strengthen as you get closer to the One who created you! Love you two! And miss you Vikusya! Enjoy the sun and ocean for me, will ya? :) 

This girl is very special to me.   I am very grateful to have her in my life and can’t believe she is 22 today!   Happy Happy Birthday to you my dear vi!   I am blessed to see you go older one more year, and to enjoy another year in our friendship (which is by the way, as old as we are).   May God continue His good work in you and bring you even closer to Him this next year.   Continue to grow and turn your eyes to Christ as both joys and challenges arise.   Continue to walk the walk of commitment to the faith which has eternal value and is alone able to give true purpose to our lives.    Here is to you, my favorite verse 1 Timothy 4:12  On Columbia waterfront next to PDX     

Our dear Katya has finally graduated nursing school! We are so so proud of her and all that she has accomplished! Time really flew by, it feels like just yesterday she was just beginning this journey! God has really blessed her throughout her schooling and it has been amazing to see her grow closer to the Lord through this process. She has been a great example to me as well. Watching her depend on God in every difficult situation and staying strong through prayer has been a great testimony. Kat we love you and can't wait to see what the future has in store for you! ❤ ~Tanya:) Some pictures from yesterday:

The quarter is over and I am off to Australia! I am so excited to take a break and finally meet my adorable nephew. Follow my adventure on my blog---> The Town Scribe

Today was such a blessed day to catch up with my favorite girls!!! Our Katusha finished nursing school and will be  graduating on Tuesday!! And Vicki is leaving to Australia tomorrow for 3 weeks! We're gonna miss you so much especially during this season. We had a great lunch at Olive Garden and an even better nap at Katusha's house! 😊😁😴  

I honestly don't know where to start to begin thanking God and the people He sent me along the way as I studied these last two years in the nursing program.  I cannot say enough how blessed and grateful I am for this whole process and chapter in my life wrapping up.  The databases, careplans, research papers, patient presentations, weekly exams, weekly quizzes etc. and through all of them God had led me and provided help.  (Of course, now a new chapter opens as I have to study for my state board exam but that's for another entry).   I am so grateful for the spiritual support and power of prayer from my family and friends.  I am humbled and amazed at how good God is to teach me so much about his creation of the human body-honestly, I think we just scratched the surface of everything all these years studying, there is so much more to be discovered and learned. Overall, Praise God! This is a picture of my class #Nursing Class 118 The program has a tradition: the grad

Except for those who know me very well, I prefer tea any day;)

In our bio it describes that we are cat lovers! And let me tell you, I sure am! I love kittens especially! But any kind of animal with fur will do! 😁  My aunts cat had babies! But sadly everyone of them already have homes! 

I'm so excited for this month! It's one of my favorite months of the year! I love the time spent preparing for Christmas and all of the festivities that come with it, the birthdays, the parties, and welcoming another year! So grateful to God for blessing this year and can't believe how fast it's gone!  I have never had a real Christmas tree and my fiancé surprised me this past weekend! 😁🌲❤️  Goodbye fall! 

As moves my fragile boat across the storm-swept sea,  Great waves beat over her side, as north wind blows; Deep in the darkness hid lie threatening rocks and reefs; But all of these, and more, my Pilot knows. Sometimes when darkness falls, and every light's gone out I wonder to what port my frail ship goes; Although the night be long, and restless all my hours, My distant goal, I'm sure, my Pilot knows. - Thomas Curtis Clark  How frequently I need this reminder that God is in control.  He knows the end of the story.  He's putting the puzzle pieces together making a great picture.  His faithfulness in the past gives confidence about His future plans for me.

Ecclesiastes in chapter 3 once said: To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to weep,      And a time to laugh; A time to mourn,      And a time to dance; A time to gain,      And a time to lose; A time to keep,      And a time to throw away; A time to love,      And a time to hate; A time of war,      And a time of peace. I’m very glad that in our country we still celebrate Thanksgiving Day and that God gives us peace.   It seems that the more we live, the more the world will be distracted from the true meaning of this day and become unthankful.   I’m grateful to pause and again reflect on the innumerable blessings and gifts God gives me in my life!   Seeing myself a sinner and the power of God’s work through the Gospel again confirms to me how much my Father loves me.   All praise to Him.  I want to specifically mention three things I’m grateful for: My amazing and supportive family: our home is the blessed enviro

I've been having a particularly difficult time with school this quarter and have a lot of worries about how things are going. But God provides peace by whispering to me that He's always taken care of me in the past, and that He always resolves things to be exactly how they should. It has been encouraging to see the Spirit move so boldly in me and really comfort me during this difficult time, reminding me to cast all my cares on Him; to live a godly life and everything else will work itself out.  "So I will cast my cares on you, yes I will cast my cares on you, I will rest within Your arms, knowing I am safe from harm, I WILL CAST MY CARES ON YOU"

I couldn't resist not sharing it with all of you.  Some good Russian humor, enjoy:)

What a busy time this has been for all of us!  So many commitments and responsibilities... grateful that we are one week closer to the end of the quarter.  Wanted to share with you dear girls (and readers) about a special event I was able to attend.  It was a dinner held by Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) with special speakers sharing about current treatment of Lymphoma.  I am very much interested in this field or anything Oncology related so this was definitely a treat for me.  I almost forgot to say, this was on the 30th floor at Portland City Grill!  The view was soo worth it, and the creme brulee:) Me and a classmate

We are all swamped with work and school: and it's midterms week. That is all. 

I'm in my second year of my program for Ophthalmic technician and I can't wait to graduate June 2015!! :)  I am preparing for my skill evaluation that will happen in the beginning of December. This test will be evaluated by local COT's (certified ophthalmic techs) and today was an open lab. So, of course I brought in Tanya to let me practice on her! :) We had a good time and it was fun showing off some of my skills to her ;) love ya! 

Picking my bridesmaids was very easy. I've always knows that my Tanusha would be my maid-of-honor. Vicki and Katya have been such great friends for the past 2 years as we've grown closer, and I've been getting to know Alla better and she's also Yura's sister! :)  I'm so honored that they have accepted my invitation and will all be standing by my side next year as I marry my best friend! :D  Tanya :) Vikusya :)  Katusha :)  Alla :) 

Today this happened!!! Yes!!! Maria asked me to be her bridesmaid!!! The gift was so thoughtful and the surprise was so wonderful! I am so honored to be able to share such a special moment with two people that are so dear to my heart. Maria I am so excited to be part of your big day and am so thankful that you chose me to share it with you. YAY!

The pumpkin patch was kind to us today. Head over to my personal blog THE TOWN SCRIBE  to check out my fall happenings post. 

Our family had a very special opportunity today to come together for a dinner celebrating my aunt’s 50 th birthday.   We don’t always come together because we are all “very busy people” so I treasure moments like these very much!   The fun part of the story is that our aunt lives halfway across the world so we Skype-d her to celebrate her special day, drank tea and of course, ate cake.

I am so excited to meet my adorable little nephew in 2 months!!! Strangely enough, my upcoming trip in December is not motivating me to do my homework in the least. It has been especially difficult to focus on my studies with this ridiculous, indecisive weather! I think I would find it a lot easier to study if the sun rays weren't tempting me to run free outside.  Ready for the cold, harsh fall.  Squirmy!

God is so good to me as I study in nursing school!   He is especially good to me by sending friends who encourage me along as I spend many hours behind books.   Got a chance to pick up these new colors from the scrub shop along with a peach-colored stethoscope.   Lord willing, 64 more days till my pinning ceremony!

Since my fiancé lives in Federal Way, some weekends I get the opportunity to visit him by train! Yesterday we celebrated with the whole family his parent's 40th anniversary! It was a great time of meeting some new faces and spending it with them. :)  Yesterday was such a beautiful, sunny day. Feels like summer is not leaving the PNW just yet. :D Love taking rides with this one :) The beautiful sunset yesterday!  His parents! :) 

I can't believe that my life is where it is right now. God has such a unique story for each person. I'm just amazed how He is in control of everything and brings you those special people and moments into your life. A year and 1 month ago I would've never have imagined starting a relationship and 364 days later getting engaged!!! :) I'm so grateful that I have the opportunity to be able to finish my program and have this time to prepare for the wedding. I'm praying for much wisdom, peace, and stress-free time to grow closer to God and do what He wants me to do!  "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (Psalm 73:26) My fiancé and I :)

I wanted to take a moment to congratulate one of our very own fair maidens!!! Mariya is getting married!!! I am so happy that God sent her a man who fears Him above all else and strives to be more like Him. Also, he puts up with her weirdness! haha Wishing you guys every blessings as you prepare to commit your lives to one another. Congrats again, love you guys :*

First off, I wanted to mention I am not a cat lover. Don't know who came up with the idea, but I would much rather be a dog lady if I end up staying single ;) Now that that's out, I wanted to share with you a song that has been on my mind lately. It's called "By Your Side' by Tenth Avenue North. This is one of my favorite songs and I always come back to it when things get rough and I need some encouragement. The lyrics are so powerful and are a great reminder that Jesus is always there, even when it feels like you're all alone at the moment. I also came across a cover of this song by a talented group, enjoy:  And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

"Do not Fear." "What? Not even a little?" "No, do not fear." "Surely I may show some measure of fear?" "No, do not fear." Tie this knot tight around the throat of unbelief: "Do not fear." "Do not fear" today. "Do not fear" tomorrow. "Do not fear" any day of your life. When fear comes, drive it away and give it no space. When the weather is rough, passengers on a ship can be comforted by the captain's calm behavior. One simple-minded soul said, "I am sure there is no cause to fear, for I heard the captain whistling." Surely if the captain is at ease, the passengers can be at peace. If the Lord Jesus is at the helm singing, do not fear. "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him"   Charles Spurgeon

I remember retreat two years ago when the thought of starting a friendship blog came to our minds.   We were walking the streets of Poulsbo and window shopping.   The idea was very exciting and I’m glad we finally made it here.   Honestly, I think this blog is for us more than anyone else:) Allow me to share a few things about myself.   I love airports, summer evening tea parties, sushi dates, gardening, canoeing, black and white movies, listening to life stories and stargazing.   Most of all, I enjoy the time God gives me to spend with my family and sisters in the faith.   You enrich my life with your presence and are the sunshine when the skies are gray.

Tanya and I have been on the go for the past 10 days. We flew from PDX to Florida and spent a couple days soaking up the sun and swimming in the beautiful, warm ocean at Miami South Beach. Last Saturday we got on the Norwegian Getaway cruise and sailed to the Caribbeans. We had such a great time enjoying the cruise and soaking up the sun. We were so grateful to relax before school starts next week. Here are some pics from my phone. 😊 Miami South Beach  Our colorful cruise.  The beautiful St.Thomas US Virgin Island Tanya and I went jet skiing at St.Maarten! So fun and scary! 😊 💙Mariya