New Keyboards

\\\\have you ever moved from the computer to which you've grown accustomed to another computer\\\\/ \\\\you know...the keys press differently, the mouse moves faster or slower than yours, the layout of the keyboard is unfamiliar.

\\\\perhaps instead of a long rectangular left shift key, there are 2 keys...the closer of which is the forward slash key. \\\\\\\\\\thus every time you try to capitalize a word or select a question mark, you actually just create a long series of \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\. \\\\\\\\it's not that \\\\\\\i am experiencing this, \\\\\\\\\\i just wanted to see if any of you have struggled with this issue recently.

In all seriousness, we have been completely blown away by our friend Tanya's generousity in lending us her personal laptop until we can resolve the issue with what will now be known as "My beloved Macbook" or MBM. She has allowed us to maintain contact with all of you through this brief tech struggle and we are very greatful.


Oh, I also forgot how a non-automatic spell checker works and since Tanya's computer has \\\\\\\\\russian \\\\\\\\\windows, \\\\\i can't figure it out. \\\\\\\\\sorry for any typos.

Unwanted Vacation From Blogging

I have lowered myself to blogging from a PC today. Why, do you ask have I left the friendly confines of my beloved MacBook? Was it that I got tired of closing programs from the top left corner? Nope. Was my mind being confused by super-slick tabbed browsing? Na. Was it that my grammar and spell have gotten so good that I no longer need Macs built in spell checker? Not really. Perhaps it was the fact that my hard drive sounds like it has rocks in it and will do nothing upon start-up aside from showing an error icon that, according to my tiny MacBook manual indicates that the hard disc could not be found....

If this was your answer, you win the door prize!!!!!!!!!!

My 5 month old MacBook has bought the farm and done so roughly $400 in shipping away from the closest Mac service location....and that's one-way.

I tell you this to explain that this site, which I have spent so much thought and effort to maintain, will likely slow down considerably in the next few months until I can get our laptop back the US, repaired and back in my hands. Just thought you might like to know.

And while I'm at it...

Since I'm tossing out links to good posts today, here is one from Slick that I promise is worth the 9 hrivna it will cost you see it... oh wait, I forgot you don't have that problem.  If you don't know about "shipoopi," you must see this video immediately.  Actually if you have a fast (and unlimited) internet connection, a pair of headphones (if you're at work) and a pile of spare time you should look up Vern Fonk on YouTube.  But go to Slicks post first...

Lazy (Malaise-y?) Saturday, pt 2

I know it isn't still Saturday - here or in the States - but I just wanted to do a little follow up on the response to the previous post.  Nearly all of the feedback I have received (through comments, emails, Skype messages, verbal communication, pony express, telegram, etc.) has echoed what I am feeling.  I have heard from friends and family alike who are suffering through a spiritual malaise similar to that which I wrote about.  I have been heartened to hear the advice and solidarity in this struggle but also saddened that it is so prevalent.  Please, let's keep asking and caring and sharing these issues with each other.  I am reminded of 2 relevant quotes (or paraphrases) for which I hope one of my English teacher friends can help me with the sources:

"Men live lives of quiet desperation."

and

"No man is an island."

As a semi-post script, I want to give a little recognition to a great post by The Coach. Unbeknownst to either of us, we wrote post with much the same subject.  It is touching and poignant and it really brightened my morning.  I hope it does the same for the rest of you.

Lazy Saturday

Have you ever heard the quote that goes something like, "Don't be so heavenly focused that you are no earthly good?"  To be honest I find it to be somewhat simplistic if not outright wrong - sorry to any of you who are fond of the expression.  If you are SOOO heavenly focused then you cannot but have the vision and passion of our Lord, making you very earthly focused.

That aside, do you ever have those days when you feel like you're neither?  What I mean is this...  I'm in a spiritual rut.  Foolishly, I think I subconsciously expected that upon becoming a "missionary," I would somehow miraculously be granted this amazing insight, faith and dedication.  I guess I'm not shocked to discover after a few months that this isn't true, but my awareness of the situation doesn't seem to make it any better.  To add insult to injury, in recent days I've been feeling increasingly that my list of things I do poorly or not at all is getting longer while my list of strengths is staying the same - short.

So the situation is this, I'm not growing like I want to be spiritually while I am simultaneously feeling less and less useful.  Don't get me wrong, I love living in Ukraine.  I am NOT second guessing having chosen to move here.  Just the opposite, in fact.  I feel like I am not currently serving them as well as they deserve and I need to correct this.

I really don't know why I decided to write these thoughts on our blog but I hear venting and sharing is cathartic.  I must say it doesn't feel good at all to be this vulnerable...

Let me know what you think.  Maybe you can solve all my problems with an insightful comment.