"Baby, Baby Run and Tell That!"

So, I've been running lately. Now, before any of you do a doubletake to check if you are really reading Kambria Smith's blog, I should tell you it's only about two miles everyday, inconsistantly. Well, on Saturday my brothers were home when I returned from my little run and one stopped laughing long enough to ask, "Why do you run like that?"Unbeknowns to me, he and his friend had been driving as I ran alongside the road (yes I run outside...I'm just that crazy). I guess I didn't quite have the physique and stamina of the runners above, which prompted my brother's tactless question. I know he wasn't trying to be rude, so I decided to just ignore the last two words of it and ponder. Why do I run? Well, I tend to justify adding one of the freshly baked brownies (which always seem to be around) and Mom's homemade fudge sauce to my ice cream on days I run. Let's be honest, I'd probably still eat it and so that's why I run.

Since Ukraine, though, and since "adjusting" sometimes the only answer has been to get up and run. There are some inevitables tied to running.
I love that when I run I can't keep my heart and lungs from growing stronger.
I love that when I run I can't deny the permanant connection between the physical, spiritual, and mental.
I love that when I run, I rely on positive thinking.
I love that one more step can turn into miles.
I love having an end in mind and watching myself get there.
I love that when I run, the next day it is easier.
I love gaining a testimony, by DOING, that growth and improvement is a process.
I'm SO ready for a particular "process" in my life right now to be done. However, I'm seeing for myself that if I keep getting up and "running," there's no way the end can NOT come, and there's no way when I get there that I will not be much, much stronger.

D&C 130: 20-21
20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—
21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.

I'm grateful for absolutes.

...after it all

I have been home now for two and a half months and lots has happened, and it has been hard. But after it all, there are still reasons to be happy and to love and to embrace this beautiful thing called life. I echo a truth that my dear friend Lauralie recently shared on her blog. That is that this life is about enduring the refining trials and looking to the Lord in faith, always, to let Him show you what He is making of you...becuase I beleive it truly will be amazing. It will be more than I could have made of my own accord and I know, I just know it will be worth it. Thank you to family and friends who love me, who exemplify how to just rise above it and be happy. Thanks to the gospel and restored church of Jesus Chirst. Thanks to Mom and Dad, whom I dearly love.

I have organized my pictures from Ukraine and wanted to tell of a few other experiences that are now fun and happy memories. I posted them today, so I hope you enjoy them.

Last the BEST of All the Days!

(Boris was easily a favorite)

Well, the last few weeks of my Ukrainian adventure was quite the emotional roller coaster. Between fitting in all the sights to still see, finishing up lessons, getting recipes for food (in behalf of Olga (host mom)) I promised myself never to eat again, saying goodbye to my darling children, anticipating family, friends and the beauties of America (real ice cream, Gecko Grill, free and clean public restrooms...no more squatters), and treasuring up those rare Ukrainian moments like squeezing onto trams amidts women with poop splattered on their legs (Al and I really saw this...and there was no denying the smell), I remembered to slow down and experience. I spent a lot of my trip trying to capture the oddities of this foreign country so that I could go home and share them with everyone. Looking back, I realize I could have soaked up the experience as a whole much more and divided it into daily happenings much less. When it came to my kids, I think I did an alright job at this. I know it because I have a deep-rooted love for them.(Masha- cat; Kristina- cat; Vika- pig)

I could go off on the funny things they say, or their sassy crocheted shirts and spiderman leggings, or the weird toys they were eager to show me, but they truly mean so much more to me than how they get me to laugh...if that makes sense. (singing the rainbow song in Spectacle opening)

Well, the last day of school was SPECTACLE! (the Ukrainian word for performance) Tania pretty much left it up to us as to what we wanted to do so I thought, hey why not write a play for the kids. ha ha ha. If any of you have had the pleasure of viewing the annual "Tragic Christmas's" put on by yours truly and sisters, you are probably scared and wondering how I was permitted to involve innocent children in any kind of theatrical performance. Well, I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome. Every child in Ukraine has one or two special costumes that they wear for all special school events and performances (which occur often in their school years there). My basic reading class told me what costumes they had and I wrote a thrilling adventure about Bat Man, fairies, wolves, princesses, and the subject matter we focused on most: phonograms. I was SO proud of my kids. They memorized their lines in about 6 lessons, and the parents just loved it. My one-of-a-kind Dasha didn't make it the last day so I filled in as the cat. I tried uploading the video so you could hear their cute little Russian accents but it was taking too long. Oh well.

(Sasha, Sofia, Barbara, Maria, Dasha, me, Artyom, Igor, Herman, Anton, lil bro, Marina, Sasha)
(My personal favorite is Anton's wolf uni)
I miss my kids SO MUCH, but am grateful for the love and memories.