I realized that I haven't written about my trip to Ohio.
First off, a BIG thank you, to Emmanuel for providing for me financially so that I was able to make this trip without totally stretching every last penny. It was a huge blessing. I got a really great air deal where I was able to rent a car for only $50 more than it would have cost me if I had only bought my airfare. That was really helpful because it meant I was able to run around and pick up and drop off family and run other errands for people while we were there. Just took some of the pressure of my parents to try to organize all that stuff. Plus, I was able to pick myself up and drop myself off at the airport.
It was great to be with family for a couple of short days. I saw most of my American cousins as well as my uncle and aunt. It was great to catch up and reconnect a little with everyone. Family is somehow still family, even if we rarely get to see each other. My grandmother seemed to be holding up well under all the stress and decisions, but I did wonder how she would do once we were all gone.
I think that was the hardest thing for me--the thought of having to leave Grandma there all alone. For me, Grandpa's death is not so difficult, I know that he is in heaven and I will see him again sooner or later. It is just like when I say goodbye to many of my friends here on this earth, I don't know when I'll see them again, but I know that I will. It was hard to see him laying there in the casket, I just kept expecting him to wake up and get out. I am sad too, to lose his prayers and loving interest in my life and the lives of the rest of our family. But really, the hardest thing is knowing that Grandma is there all alone now. None of our family lives in Ohio, or even in a neighboring state, so most of the time she will be by herself. And that is hard.
But, I do know that she is still in God's hands, as are we all. He knows and I know that He will look after her just as He looks after me. And I know that He will use many of the people who are there nearby who love her to help take care of her and look out for her. Probably better than I could if I was there.
Thank you for your love and prayers and support. We all appreciate it.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Spring Morning
Today I woke up to a spring morning. I could tell before I even got out of bed. The room was just the right temperature, cool, maybe a little damp, with that fresh spring feel which would normally indicate that the hot water will be turned off soon. And the heat. If it hasn't been already. However, I no longer live in Ukraine. I control my own heat and I have a water heater of my very own in my apartment. Oddly, it is an adjustment.
One would think that having a more luxurious lifestyle would be an easy adjustment. It is and it isn't. I'm finding that there are certain things that I LOVE. Like prepared vegetables ("baby" carrots, celery, grape tomatoes, baby spinach--that you don't even have to wash!, mini peppers, chicken tenderloins or whatever they call them), thermostats in every room, paying bills online (and even automatically!), being able to go to a store and buy stuff or order it online and not have to worry about it getting through customs or finding someone to hand carry it.
On the down side, it is a struggle to watch how people waste their incomes here and then they think that they don't have enough money for the really important things. I do miss public transport and often find owning a car to be a stressful venture (on the other hand--it is nice to be able to load it up and not have to carry everything in my two little hands everywhere). It can be overwhelming how available everything is here--and of course, my money doesn't go as far. For instance, my cell phone bill here is more than ten times as much as it was in Ukraine. I also find some of the rules and regulations here difficult to remember. It is really a cultural adjustment and of course, people here think that I am an American. I'm still really learning my way around this culture. Little things trip me up (like it is okay and appropriate to be 10 to 15 minutes early here--in Ukraine if I showed up anywhere that early it would only be because I wanted a good spot in line, I tried it once or twice at church in Ukraine and the whole place was so deserted I thought that I had really messed up my time or something!). Living here is a "something" of a different color (can't remember what the "something" is supposed to be, have a lot of trouble with that with American sayings! lol).
One would think that having a more luxurious lifestyle would be an easy adjustment. It is and it isn't. I'm finding that there are certain things that I LOVE. Like prepared vegetables ("baby" carrots, celery, grape tomatoes, baby spinach--that you don't even have to wash!, mini peppers, chicken tenderloins or whatever they call them), thermostats in every room, paying bills online (and even automatically!), being able to go to a store and buy stuff or order it online and not have to worry about it getting through customs or finding someone to hand carry it.
On the down side, it is a struggle to watch how people waste their incomes here and then they think that they don't have enough money for the really important things. I do miss public transport and often find owning a car to be a stressful venture (on the other hand--it is nice to be able to load it up and not have to carry everything in my two little hands everywhere). It can be overwhelming how available everything is here--and of course, my money doesn't go as far. For instance, my cell phone bill here is more than ten times as much as it was in Ukraine. I also find some of the rules and regulations here difficult to remember. It is really a cultural adjustment and of course, people here think that I am an American. I'm still really learning my way around this culture. Little things trip me up (like it is okay and appropriate to be 10 to 15 minutes early here--in Ukraine if I showed up anywhere that early it would only be because I wanted a good spot in line, I tried it once or twice at church in Ukraine and the whole place was so deserted I thought that I had really messed up my time or something!). Living here is a "something" of a different color (can't remember what the "something" is supposed to be, have a lot of trouble with that with American sayings! lol).
Monday, March 21, 2011
Baby Steps
Today I did some marketing. I hate marketing. I'm totally stressed out now and needing attention. I got myself so stressed out that my short-term memory began lapsing (some of my friends have experienced this in me). It is embarrassing when you are trying to tell someone about your business and make a sale and you keep forgetting words or leaving them off the ends of sentences. One beauty that I came out with was, "Since you are in Salem, there is no delivery..." Which got a stunned and somewhat uncertain look. Of course, what I meant was there is no delivery fee. Sigh. She was very nice about it though and we got it all sorted out.
Part of the reason I was stressed was because I was late for my first delivery to Cherry City Cafe (www.cherrycitycafe.com). They had told me "around 8am" and I was there at 8:15, which was totally not a problem for anyone except me. I had planned on being there at 7:45am. Unfortunately, just before I walked out the door, I realized I had made a mistake in my pricelist and needed to update it. :| Then, in my rush out the door I forgot my invoice, so I haven't even been paid for the order because they kind of need a receipt before they are willing to pay! :P Oh well, live an learn. I guess certain things will begin living in my car trunk from now on, or I will have a spare in there (like my receipt pad).
Anyway, after I made that delivery I had planned out a route with five stops to bring samples too and do a little marketing. The first place I didn't even bother talking to the manager, they had lots of baked goods and most of it seemed homemade. The second place I had a good time chatting with them and am hopeful about getting some orders from them (and they have a refrigerated display!--that means I can do cream or mousse tarts and fun stuff like that :D for them). That was also where the stress was the worst and I was loosing a lot of words and totally must've seemed absent-minded. The third place is just a little drive through coffee stop (they have TONS of those here in Oregon) and she seemed interested too, but I am a little uncertain about whether I'll get orders from them. The fourth place is a tiny little coffee shop that is mainly a drive through. They do a lot of their own baking, but they definitely seemed interested in the cinnamon rolls and maybe muffins. I'm really hoping that I'll get an order from them. They seem like they would be fun to work with. The last place I couldn't find. I think I turned down the wrong road, but by the time I had more or less figured that out I was mostly home, and I decided I was too tired to go back (I got up before 5am this morning).
I hate marketing, but I have to say, no place gave me an outright "no" (of course, it is hard to turn down free samples), which is encouraging. I would really like to get three to five regular wholesale orders going. It would really increase my profit because it doesn't take very much time more to make a double batch than a single and actually, a lot of things are easier to do in bulk. Plus, most orders are actually only 1/2 dozen of one item (usually 2-3 items at least), which is a very small amount. And when I do delivery runs, it makes the time and gas spent on that more worthwhile too.
I would like to make Monday "marketing" day and every Monday for the next month or two call or go to different places and do a little advertising. The thought is daunting to me. But important if I am going to make this business work. Deep breaths. I think next week I am going to do some banks since I have to check up on business accounts anyway. Then I can offer to do platters or whatever for them. Which means I need to do another price list between now and then! aaaaahhhh
I decided on "Marketing Mondays" because this way I can get it over at the beginning of the week and feel good all week about having done something worthwhile for my business. And the nice thing about it is that I can do it in the morning and be back in time to do my real work. (this morning I made it back around 10am--I'm guessing next week will be a bit later since banks don't generally open at 8am). But it is nice to feel like I still have the whole day in front of me (even though I am tired--got up at 4:45am).
By the way, you can check out The Little Bakery website at www.oregonslittlebakery.com. I'm still working on it, but it is beginning to look like something. I still need to put up price lists and fun stuff like that, but babysteps.
Oh! And please do pray for the bakery orders. Having a few regular customers would be fantabulous!
Part of the reason I was stressed was because I was late for my first delivery to Cherry City Cafe (www.cherrycitycafe.com). They had told me "around 8am" and I was there at 8:15, which was totally not a problem for anyone except me. I had planned on being there at 7:45am. Unfortunately, just before I walked out the door, I realized I had made a mistake in my pricelist and needed to update it. :| Then, in my rush out the door I forgot my invoice, so I haven't even been paid for the order because they kind of need a receipt before they are willing to pay! :P Oh well, live an learn. I guess certain things will begin living in my car trunk from now on, or I will have a spare in there (like my receipt pad).
Anyway, after I made that delivery I had planned out a route with five stops to bring samples too and do a little marketing. The first place I didn't even bother talking to the manager, they had lots of baked goods and most of it seemed homemade. The second place I had a good time chatting with them and am hopeful about getting some orders from them (and they have a refrigerated display!--that means I can do cream or mousse tarts and fun stuff like that :D for them). That was also where the stress was the worst and I was loosing a lot of words and totally must've seemed absent-minded. The third place is just a little drive through coffee stop (they have TONS of those here in Oregon) and she seemed interested too, but I am a little uncertain about whether I'll get orders from them. The fourth place is a tiny little coffee shop that is mainly a drive through. They do a lot of their own baking, but they definitely seemed interested in the cinnamon rolls and maybe muffins. I'm really hoping that I'll get an order from them. They seem like they would be fun to work with. The last place I couldn't find. I think I turned down the wrong road, but by the time I had more or less figured that out I was mostly home, and I decided I was too tired to go back (I got up before 5am this morning).
I hate marketing, but I have to say, no place gave me an outright "no" (of course, it is hard to turn down free samples), which is encouraging. I would really like to get three to five regular wholesale orders going. It would really increase my profit because it doesn't take very much time more to make a double batch than a single and actually, a lot of things are easier to do in bulk. Plus, most orders are actually only 1/2 dozen of one item (usually 2-3 items at least), which is a very small amount. And when I do delivery runs, it makes the time and gas spent on that more worthwhile too.
I would like to make Monday "marketing" day and every Monday for the next month or two call or go to different places and do a little advertising. The thought is daunting to me. But important if I am going to make this business work. Deep breaths. I think next week I am going to do some banks since I have to check up on business accounts anyway. Then I can offer to do platters or whatever for them. Which means I need to do another price list between now and then! aaaaahhhh
I decided on "Marketing Mondays" because this way I can get it over at the beginning of the week and feel good all week about having done something worthwhile for my business. And the nice thing about it is that I can do it in the morning and be back in time to do my real work. (this morning I made it back around 10am--I'm guessing next week will be a bit later since banks don't generally open at 8am). But it is nice to feel like I still have the whole day in front of me (even though I am tired--got up at 4:45am).
By the way, you can check out The Little Bakery website at www.oregonslittlebakery.com. I'm still working on it, but it is beginning to look like something. I still need to put up price lists and fun stuff like that, but babysteps.
Oh! And please do pray for the bakery orders. Having a few regular customers would be fantabulous!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Whoot!
I got my first wholesale order today!
My taste-testing went really good, so they will send me an order next week and my first delivery will be Monday, March 21.
Thanks for praying everyone!
My taste-testing went really good, so they will send me an order next week and my first delivery will be Monday, March 21.
Thanks for praying everyone!
Different Journeys
First, an update on everything in Ohio. The funeral is going to be on Friday, I think at 11am. I am going. As a matter of fact, I was coming online to post this morning (which didn't end up happening right away) and I got an email saying that one of my churches was willing to pay for my tickets! Such a blessing! It just takes a weight off my shoulders to know that I don't have to even think about the rest of the month.
I'm flying out early tomorrow morning (5:30am--best way to get cheap flights) and the flight deal I got includes a rental car, so I'll pick myself up from the airport and be able to run around doing whatever is needed. I've also arranged to stay at a mission house run by one of our churches, so that is another blessing. God provides for all the things we need and above and beyond.
My other journey is to my taste-testing today. I'm leaving in about an hour. I'm nervous. But I've done the best I can to prepare. And I'm just hoping for the very best. But I'd still appreciate your prayers. I don't know what I'll find out today, but I would really love to get this account!
I'm flying out early tomorrow morning (5:30am--best way to get cheap flights) and the flight deal I got includes a rental car, so I'll pick myself up from the airport and be able to run around doing whatever is needed. I've also arranged to stay at a mission house run by one of our churches, so that is another blessing. God provides for all the things we need and above and beyond.
My other journey is to my taste-testing today. I'm leaving in about an hour. I'm nervous. But I've done the best I can to prepare. And I'm just hoping for the very best. But I'd still appreciate your prayers. I don't know what I'll find out today, but I would really love to get this account!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Seasons
Yesterday I was thinking about seasons.
For a number of reasons. We seem to be making the switch from winter to spring here, but that wasn't so much on my mind yesterday. Mid-afternoon I received a call that my Grandpa had passed away in the morning. He was 91. It wasn't entirely unexpected, but at the same time happened more quickly that I had thought it would. I guess I thought we would have just a little more warning. On the other hand, this way there was less suffering for him I think.
I was thinking about seasons because of all of this and everything else that has happened in the last few months. It hasn't been the easiest for our family. But to everything there is a time, and a season for every activity (Eccl. 3:1, but really you should read 3:1-8). And that is right and good and true.
The writer in Ecclesiastes was not hopeful, he was in despair when he wrote those words. Feeling that what he didn't didn't make a difference. And there is truth in that. Time passes whether we want it to or not. But we still choose how we will respond to each season. Will it be a season of trust or panic? Joy or despair?
I am sad that my Grandpa is not here anymore. I will miss him. But I know he is with Jesus and that is good and I can rejoice over that. I struggle even more with worry about my Grandma. She's never been alone, but now she is. There are no family nearby. Who will take care of her, what will happen? It is difficult not to feel guilty for leading my own life and not staying there to take care of her. But then, I know that this is a season in her life as well as mine. And I can choose to worry, or I can choose to trust that God will take care of her as He does me.
It is not an easy season. But it is a season in which I choose to be at peace because I choose to trust God that He really does know best, that He really does love us, and that He can really take care of other people--not just me, and He doesn't need me to be His personal arm of caregiving to every individual who has a need (thank goodness!). I think I am going to have to post reminders to trust for a little while. :\
We, of course, do appreciate your continued prayers. My parent's are traveling right now as are other members of our family. We are all wanting to be there, but not all of us will be able to go. I'm trying to make arrangements myself to go and work that out both schedule-wise and financially (thankfully, I got some reimbursements this week and am supposed to get my income tax returns shortly too--otherwise I would definitely be among those who couldn't make it). Please pray for all the decisions that have to be made that there would be peace all around.
For a number of reasons. We seem to be making the switch from winter to spring here, but that wasn't so much on my mind yesterday. Mid-afternoon I received a call that my Grandpa had passed away in the morning. He was 91. It wasn't entirely unexpected, but at the same time happened more quickly that I had thought it would. I guess I thought we would have just a little more warning. On the other hand, this way there was less suffering for him I think.
I was thinking about seasons because of all of this and everything else that has happened in the last few months. It hasn't been the easiest for our family. But to everything there is a time, and a season for every activity (Eccl. 3:1, but really you should read 3:1-8). And that is right and good and true.
The writer in Ecclesiastes was not hopeful, he was in despair when he wrote those words. Feeling that what he didn't didn't make a difference. And there is truth in that. Time passes whether we want it to or not. But we still choose how we will respond to each season. Will it be a season of trust or panic? Joy or despair?
I am sad that my Grandpa is not here anymore. I will miss him. But I know he is with Jesus and that is good and I can rejoice over that. I struggle even more with worry about my Grandma. She's never been alone, but now she is. There are no family nearby. Who will take care of her, what will happen? It is difficult not to feel guilty for leading my own life and not staying there to take care of her. But then, I know that this is a season in her life as well as mine. And I can choose to worry, or I can choose to trust that God will take care of her as He does me.
It is not an easy season. But it is a season in which I choose to be at peace because I choose to trust God that He really does know best, that He really does love us, and that He can really take care of other people--not just me, and He doesn't need me to be His personal arm of caregiving to every individual who has a need (thank goodness!). I think I am going to have to post reminders to trust for a little while. :\
We, of course, do appreciate your continued prayers. My parent's are traveling right now as are other members of our family. We are all wanting to be there, but not all of us will be able to go. I'm trying to make arrangements myself to go and work that out both schedule-wise and financially (thankfully, I got some reimbursements this week and am supposed to get my income tax returns shortly too--otherwise I would definitely be among those who couldn't make it). Please pray for all the decisions that have to be made that there would be peace all around.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Journeys in Faith
As I was typing in the name of my blog to come here and post today, it struck me that I am on a huge journey of faith right now. I mean, really, my whole life is a journey of faith. There is always something new and unexpected around the corner: a new experience, a move, a loss, a gain, a new challenge.
A lot of the journeys are hard. Challenging rather. I don't like the word hard. I feel like it is a word that people use because they don't really want to put in the effort to meet the desired end. At least, in my experience, people often use the word "hard" to mean time consuming. Often the issue isn't that it is actually difficult to do what they want, but it takes more time than they really want to devote.
I write a lot: my blog, my prayer letter, correspondence, chat, editing, new books. People often think that I am so gifted (not necessarily in writing, but in other things like sewing, cooking, etc.), but I think that I am just willing to rise to the challenge. To take that first step and look at the project as a new journey of discovery, about myself, God, His creation, and other people.
I came across this quote the other day in an article a friend sent: "'Inspiration comes afterwards.' ...writers put pen to paper and they start wrestling with words, and that needs to happen regardless of whether or not you're feeling inspired."
It reminds me that sometimes doing something "hard" is more just about getting out there and starting on it and then continuing on it, till it is done. I don't always feel like I have something to say when I write, and sometimes I sit down and find myself inspired, and other times I come up blank, but make myself write anyway. The same happens with most of the other projects I take on. Half the battle is getting myself to start the journey. Once I've started the journey, it may go slow, but I always get to the end somehow.
One of the reasons I'm thinking about this today is that I am feeling intimidated. I have the opportunity to do a couple of taste-testings for a local cafe and a local church next week and suddenly I have cold feet about baking and am losing my confidence in my ability to bring them something unique and delightful that will outshine my competitors. Yesterday I was on top of the world. Took me ages to get to sleep. Today, I woke up wondering what on earth I was thinking!
But, I'm not going to let the fear beat me down. I'm going to take the first step and try to enjoy the journey--without worrying about the end.
A lot of the journeys are hard. Challenging rather. I don't like the word hard. I feel like it is a word that people use because they don't really want to put in the effort to meet the desired end. At least, in my experience, people often use the word "hard" to mean time consuming. Often the issue isn't that it is actually difficult to do what they want, but it takes more time than they really want to devote.
I write a lot: my blog, my prayer letter, correspondence, chat, editing, new books. People often think that I am so gifted (not necessarily in writing, but in other things like sewing, cooking, etc.), but I think that I am just willing to rise to the challenge. To take that first step and look at the project as a new journey of discovery, about myself, God, His creation, and other people.
I came across this quote the other day in an article a friend sent: "'Inspiration comes afterwards.' ...writers put pen to paper and they start wrestling with words, and that needs to happen regardless of whether or not you're feeling inspired."
It reminds me that sometimes doing something "hard" is more just about getting out there and starting on it and then continuing on it, till it is done. I don't always feel like I have something to say when I write, and sometimes I sit down and find myself inspired, and other times I come up blank, but make myself write anyway. The same happens with most of the other projects I take on. Half the battle is getting myself to start the journey. Once I've started the journey, it may go slow, but I always get to the end somehow.
One of the reasons I'm thinking about this today is that I am feeling intimidated. I have the opportunity to do a couple of taste-testings for a local cafe and a local church next week and suddenly I have cold feet about baking and am losing my confidence in my ability to bring them something unique and delightful that will outshine my competitors. Yesterday I was on top of the world. Took me ages to get to sleep. Today, I woke up wondering what on earth I was thinking!
But, I'm not going to let the fear beat me down. I'm going to take the first step and try to enjoy the journey--without worrying about the end.
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