Wow. We've been busy. Not the normal kind of "busy" where you really aren't that busy but just feel sort of pressured to say that you are busy. I mean--BUSY. On Thursday we left for Zhytomir for last visit before we leave. I will not miss that miserable taxi van that barely has any ventilation because someone is concerned that they might die of pneumonia from the draft. It wasn't too bad this time though. We visited the graves of Lena's grandparents and then went to the "triplex" Lena's dad lives in where they also have a garden. Lena and I practiced drawing water from the well with a metal bucket--no running water at this place. But he has satellite TV. I don't have any idea as to how to explain that dichotomy. Anyway, we were quite exhausted from carrying water, fanning the embers to make chicken shashlik, watering cucumbers, picking strawberries. The neighbors were carting off some of their hogs for slaughter as we arrived. It was a good, but tiring day. Friday we realized we really have to take on this packing and cleaning matter. Our situation was/is complicated by the fact that our landlord has always refused to take any of his 50 year-old furniture out of this apartment. So we loaned it to our friends who needed it or moved it to the balcony. In order to get ready for the big moving day, we had to clean and figure out how to get everything back in its right place. We also sold some of our stuff and that all had to be synchronized so that it was possible to navigate this small space. But Friday would not pass without our finishing the last four episodes of 24. A bit disappointing. But it's been this odd connection to America and to Oleg and Oksana. Now we have caught up with the rest of the viewing world. After getting home Friday night, we were still cleaning some and Oleg came over very late at night to help us unplug the washing machine. How old that thing is--probably came on the Ark. It still works, though. Those Germans and their engineering. I think it was the machine the Gournics and Joe Stephenson used.

The big day came on Saturday. The washing machine was supposed to be picked up at 10 AM but they didn't make it till 1PM, right when others were arriving with a truck to return old furniture and move out stuff that had been sold. It was quite a circus. THANK YOU to Oleg, Vitaly, Vanya, Dima, and Sasha for helping move!! THANK YOU!! Lena also did an amazing job coordinating everything and cleaning.

Right when most things had been moved or partially put somewhere, our landlord called and wanted to come over. So they dropped in. They are a bit crazy, to say the least. Fortunately, they didn't yell at us about anything. Mostly, over the years, they have done as little as possible in terms of maintenance or repair but have repeatedly tried to get us to pay for improvements to the apartment, including refinishing their ancient Soviet furniture. Fortunately, we have only one more week to be concerned about them.

Finally, I left the apartment to take a shower at the UEC. Our bathroom was full of chairs and stools and not accessible. I had also invited Oleg, Anya, and Lena Zhyvova for dinner at the UEC and to cook one last meal together. So we chopped, talked and laughed one last time (at least for a while). They worked with me for years with our student ministry and all became Christians through the student outreach. They are remarkable people. And we prepared a meal to be eaten after church tomorrow. Church members will hopefully bring desserts and fruit. We made an eggplant dish, apple fried rice, and a rather complicated chicken salad. I have a terrible problem cooking for large groups. I never think I have cooked enough. Even now I am fighting the desire to make another dish early in the morning.

But early in the morning (Sunday) Lena's mother and brother-in-law are supposed to come by with a moving truck to take the rest of our belongings to Zhytomir. They bought some of our stuff and the rest is being given away since we can't possibly ship it to America. It's just too expensive. So mostly, we will be starting over from scratch when we arrive in America.

It's been a bit of an emotional time. Deciding what goes and what stays. Letting go of things that have been with you for many years. Thought it's difficult, I recommend it to everyone. It's maybe the only way to find out how much your "things" have control of your heart. Then, read the Sermon on the Mount. I pray that God allowing me to be a part of his purpose will always help me to maintain a holy detachment to the world of things. To enjoy the created world but never to covet it or worship it. Or to let it have too much room in my heart.

We are tired. The apartment is piled high with boxes and, simply, piles.

It's the last Sunday soon. Thankfully, I don't have to preach!

I added some pictures from Sunday.