And Then God Brought Me To The Other Side...

 The day it all started...

I remember that day well. It was raining. I entered my high school. 

"Have you looked at the announcement board?" One of my classmates asked me.

I went and looked. The ad was talking about Future Leaders Exchange Program--FLEX. I didn't pay much attention to it. Good English--one of the main requirements. I was in school where English wasn't the strongest subject. My high school focused on math and science subjects. 

My teacher, who taught English, suggested that I will participate. I dismissed her suggestion.

Later during the evening my mom said that if I go and participate, I'll have a chance to skip school. Well... I agreed.

Awry Assumptions

Vision is one of the most important senses. We learn a lot through vision. Our eyes allow us to get information without engaging any other senses. Eyesight is great!
Sometimes our eyes can trick us. I don't mean optical illusions. People are aware of those. But some things look totally different fro what they are. In some cases we cannot recognize their true nature until we examine them. 

Trying to Trust

At this point I am just trying to trust God. There are moments where I can say that I trust the Lord. There are times where I openly say, "Lord, I cannot trust you! Look at my life! Where are you God?". I know that many will quote Bible verses that I am already familiar with. Others say "You are looking for attention. You are being too selfish," and here is my 'favorite one', "Just get over it. Seriously, people are facing much more difficulties than you and they are doing so much better. Sweetie, you are being immature!" The worst part--those comments come from fellow Christians.I am not trying to bring down anyone. One of the hardest thing I learned that some of the attack we face as Christians will come from fellow believers.

Important Impact.

Just over a month ago I turned 26. Turning 25 wasn't such a big deal. Twenty-six is the other deal/ I am officially closer to being 30.

Beyond My Own Strength

You know that time when someone tells you are doing way too many things at once. Sometimes there is no choice. We all have different circumstances. In some cases you have to work while pursuing post-secondary education. I have to do that. So many people suggested that I need to take student loans. However that will lead to debt.

Sacred Scars

You look around. What do you see? The world that pushes its perception of beauty on you: unrealistically gorgeous women--often barely dressed-- advertising everything from cars to food. I am not saying that there are no images of men. The world is trying to convince us how we should look; it puts more pressure on women than men. Women have to do their hair. Women have to wear make-up. Women have to do their nails. Women have to wear certain clothes. All over the world we hear the phrase, "it's a tough job to be a woman"--and it sure is.

Just When We Linger Where We Should Avoid

Near the Border

Most of my life I spent on the island--Sakhalin Island. Although I was born on Kamchatka Peninsula. Several years our family lived in Kuril Islands. During my time in the US as an high school exchange student, I lived near Canadian border. Living near border is quite different.

When you live close to an international border you are more likely to meet people from a neighboring country. You encounter checkpoints. Military presence is more prominent, although not always the case. You encounter symbols of the country that's across the border: flag, coat of arms, etc. If you are lingering around border, you most likely to get arrested, in some cases you might get killed.

It's illegal to enter a country without proper identification ( passport, visa). Sneaking to another country may lead to arrest, prison sentence and deportation. It's possible to sneak in through unguarded border section.
What is the most guarded city of the country---its capital.You see capital city is where the
  But once you are inside that country--anything can happen to you. You can get arrested, deported, send to jail, or even executed.
Bible reminds us that we are sojourners. We belong to the Lord. Our home is Heaven, where God is.

And when we are lingering...

I had a great chance to go snowshoeing in February. It was so nice to get away from all hustle and bustle, to pend time with God. The path from woods lead me to a waterfront. I checked the ice. It was solid. Few minutes later I heard cracking noise. And there it was--crack on ice. My heart sank. What's next? I looked, checked the crack. It was only on the surface. It was safe. Nevertheless, I got of the waterfront. The rest of my walk was on land. That night I heard on the news about two people who went under ice on a snowmobile. Both of them died. If I fell under the ice, I would have been dead from hypothermia.
Too often we underestimate or overestimate the situation. Bible tells us to not to worry. At the same time we have to be on guard. It is so easy to fall into traps. Satan is constantly looking for the opportunities to attack us, to destroy our lives,our testimonies,and our bodies. We have to put the whole armor of God. If we don't have it on, we'll be under attack(s) for sure.

Where we are safe

 There is only one safe place for us--God's presence. While we on earth we are not safe anywhere, because we live in a war zone. Some live in places where war-- actual war--is taking place. However, every Christian is in the midst of war--spiritual war. Our bodies are temporary. Souls are forever.
To often we live on earth as if it were our permanent home. It's not--we are passing by.  This life is a journey. Heaven is the only place where we will be free of sorrows and burdens and safe. We never know what next moment brings.