5 August 2005

This letter was sent at the beginning of our third month in Ukraine.  The apartment we were staying in was originally rented by the Linds from our future landlord, Igor.  Back in June, Igor stopped in shortly after the Linds had gone.  He was not happy to find people living in his apartment that he did not know.  We were very blessed to have our friend Sveta there to translate.  My Russian skills were very poor at this point.  Igor had us sign a renter's agreement and registered it with the local housing authority (The Zhek).  He blamed Hilary for everything, but we were surprisingly calm and just grateful to have a translator present.  In Later years I learned that Igor was a former Soviet  Army officer, was married but his wife and daughter had moved to Israel.  He was definitely pro-Russia.  In his opinion Ukrainian wasn't even a real language.  Oh well it takes all sorts to make the world go round.  

Here is part of AnnMarie's letter written on 5 August 2005.

I received a package with the foot swabs and Equal for Alan, and 2 letters. I am so blessed. You don’t have to send more Equal because the supply you’ve sent will last Alan awhile. He only uses approx. one or two packets a day.

This past Sunday Alan officiated a wedding at the church we are attending. He looked so good in his suit. I think he is very handsome. He spoke and there was a guy who translated what Alan said. It was funny because as the bride and groom entered and walked down front everyone stood and applauded. They also applauded during the ceremony and we aren’t sure of the reason but it was a happy sound. I hope the couple was blessed by having a man from the States marrying them. That would seem quite memorable. The only bad thing was our camera’s batteries died and we didn’t get a picture. L

(Just for your information The Ukrainian pastor was out of town, and the couple's parents where not there as they were not happy about them being married in a protestant service.)

It has been quite a time here. The Lind’s arrived here on the 10^th without their new apartment being ready and so they stayed here until yesterday! Can I say that I experienced TOO MUCH COMPANY? I am so thankful that it is them with most of the stress of moving instead of us. It was awkward because this was their apartment yet it was also our new home. Michele did all the cooking and I did the dishes so I didn't have to worry out about what to fix. They have 2 kids and they were messy and fussed so that added to the stress. We fixed dinner one night and their daughter, Rachel complained she didn't like it. Their 3 year old, Nika cried every night or first thing in the morning and in the afternoon he screamed. So our home wasn't peaceful. The television was on playing a movie or Michele watched the news so it was never quiet.

Now that they are gone—it is peaceful. It was hard to gauge what is normal and what was just stress from our living conditions but I am happy to get things back to normal. Seven people in an apartment is a lot. I had wanted to sit down to write you a letter, or just read and enjoy myself but that wasn't happening. There was stuff everywhere! Oh my Gosh!

We haven't bought a television, VCR or stereo. Our computer is filling in that capacity. A washer is at the top of the list of things we want to get for our home. It has been fun going out shopping to get silverware, glasses, coffee cups and kitchen gadgets, brooms, dust pan and mop plus an iron and ironing board. We also had to buy sheets, blankets and pillows and a telephone. Good thing I had packed some towels and washcloths! I am glad we had sent the dishes you gave me and my quilt here for our bed. We still are waiting to receive a box we mailed that has our Brita water filter and Bissell carpet sweeper! We may need to buy some extra plates and bowls if we have more company. Right now it will be a package of disposable dishes in case of emergency. They are plastic instead of paper. I miss paper towels.

Could you send me a couple of pot holders? I haven’t found any and didn't think to pack them. I prefer the square ones over the mitt style. Thanks. I also would like ziplock bags. I thought you could include a few in each of your letters since letters get to me sooner than a box. All sizes since I haven’t found any here. And would you consider sending us a Reader’s Digest. It would be good reading material in the bathroom. J Smile. That would be most appreciated.

There is a lot less clutter and mess and I really like that. Has your house gotten a little more organized now that Marlene has left? I know that it will take awhile to get things where you want them. Working a bit at a time I know that there will be progress. Are you going to have a project room? Or will they just be two guest rooms?

I am so thankful that your eye surgery went so much better this time. I will be glad to hear how it goes the next time you go back for a check up and are able to get new glasses. The hardest part will be getting new frames and lenses. The frames now are smaller than before. Some optical shops offer a computer assistance that takes your picture and shows you what the new frames will look like on you. That is a plus for me since I can’t see well without my glasses. Supposedly getting glasses here is cheaper than in the States. But I don’t plan on getting new glasses for awhile.

I am looking forward to our phone call tomorrow.

I like keeping in touch with you. What I miss is giving you and getting a hug. I always hope to get mail whenever I check our post office box. I will write you again soon.

This letter is sealed with a kiss!

P.S.

To answer your question: The picture with all the balloons was taken at the church office in Oak Harbor. The balloons were for Alan’s birthday and Our 30^th Anniversary.

Final notes - We called back to the US using a prepaid "Allo" card.  It was about a dollar a minute, but it worked well on our home phone.  We had internet, but it was dial-up and slow.  We hadn't discovered Skype yet, but it wouldn't have worked on our internet anyway.  Our home phone was a party-line and someone else in the building was on our line.  We occasionally had clashes when we were on the line and they wanted to be on the line. - "Those darned Americans always hogging the line!"

I pray you were blessed in our sharing our life in Ukraine with you... 

In Him,

Alan