From the time I was very young, I have been blessed with spiritual experiences which I honestly believe have helped to guide me through many trials and tribulations during my life thus far. Unless a person believes in a higher power or has witnessed or experienced similar situations, it is often difficult to comprehend such stories. As a Christian and firm believer in the Lord, I would like to share a few of my personal stories.

When I was three years old, my mother, older sister and I lived with my grandparents in a small northwest Kansas town. My grandparents owned and operated the local diner and my mother worked for them. In the restaurant business, preparation often requires you to be there in the wee hours of the morning. One early morning before dawn, my older sister awakened to realize we were home alone and woke me up to share in her fright. We sat huddled together in an old recliner, crying our little eyes out. While I don’t remember how long the weeping went on, what happened next is something neither my sister nor I will ever forget. Out of nowhere came these female voices saying, “Don’t be afraid, we’re here with you.”  Needless to say we were frightened even more, since we had no idea who else that could be, in the house who was talking to us. I remember we cried even harder and louder, until one of the deepest, yet comforting voices you can ever imagine, spoke to us and said, “Don’t be afraid, I’m here with you.”  It is hard to explain but many years later when my sister and I spoke about this again for the first time since it happened, we recalled the same thing. The second voice which spoke to us calmed us to the point where we quit crying and went back to bed.  As an adult I have often thought back to that moment, and firmly believe that the Lord was watching over me and my sister and continues to do so today.

The next spiritual story I’d like to share, actually began shortly after the one I just wrote about. Around the age of four, I began having frequent fevers, and a few knuckles in my hands became inflamed. Within a short amount of time, nearly every joint was affected, and I was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Knowing that my mother would probably not be able to obtain and provide the care I was going to need, my Great Aunt and Great Uncle offered to take me into their home and raise me. While at the time, and being a mere child I could not understand it all, it was the best thing that could have ever happened to me.  My Aunt and Uncle were the most wonderful people with great morals and values and attended church every Sunday. The arthritis consumed my entire body and soon began debilitating and deforming my joints. I will never forget how my Aunt knelt beside my bed every night, praying for me to be healed. She would pray, “If it be thy will Lord, please heal her.”  She continued this for years, kept the faith and never lost hope.  My Aunt passed away a few months shy of my graduation day and the miracle she had prayed for never appeared to happen. Even though God answers prayers, it isn’t always the answer we are expecting or hoping for. From that point forward and continuing through today, I firmly believe that I was not meant to healed, because I probably would have been a different person and not the person I am today. People have told me that I am inspiration to them. Perhaps this is my purpose in life and the answer that the Lord provided to my Aunt’s prayer.

My final story takes place a couple years after my Aunt’s passing. Besides missing her dearly, my Uncle’s health had deteriorated since her death. I was staying at his bedside in the hospital during his final days. Shortly before he died, he said something to me that I will always remember and shall never forget. He said, “You make sure you take care of your brother and sisters.”  I wasn’t exactly sure what he meant for certain and also how I was supposed to do that, but in the years that followed, it became clear. You see my mother had numerous marriages and many children from various fathers. She was certainly no June Cleaver. After my Uncle passed away, with a little encouragement of a friend, I decided to move out of the small town I grew up in and move to the city. There were naysayer’s and doubters that I could make it in the big city, my mother included, but I soon proved them wrong. It has now been nearly 27 years since I moved and I am happily and gainfully employed and very independent. Over the years, at different periods in time, I have provided a home for all three of my sisters and helped them raise their children when their marriages fell apart. Apparently this is what my Uncle was talking about. He knew there would be a time when they needed my help or support and he wanted me to be there for them. I have been and will continue to be, as long as I am able.   

I have been one of the fortunate ones, to know the Lord and have experienced so much. I am blessed to have been raised by such wonderful people who instilled in me great virtues and values for living. There is great power in the Lord and I am thankful for the experiences I have had and look forward to sharing His word.

My personal life has been enriched by my involvement with the United Methodist Women. Not only have I been among women who nurture my inner life in Christ but with whom I developed many friendships. I saw many enduring friendships among them such as Nancy Johnson's friendship with Patsy West. I met both of them for the first time in 1989 when I taught the mission study of the Philippines at the School of Christian Mission. Nancy was in my class.  I was impressed with her kindness and her encouraging and gentle manner. To this day, she is a great and silent witness to the magnificence and love of Christ.

Nancy is the first born with four siblings to Miriam and Herman B. Sumpter. She has three brothers and a sister. She was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on May 29, 1944. Nancy knows the importance of the extended family, having lived with an aunt and her grandparents at a young age. Her family settled in Kansas City when she four years old. Her father's working years include sewing in the military, working at Owens Corning Fiberglass Co. and piano tuning. He is a gifted musician and plays by ear. Nancy's mother is a retired R.N.  She is known for her love of singing and producing beautiful needlework. One of Nancy's joyful memories is her father playing the piano and everyone singing.  Nancy speaks lovingly about her parents as caring, loving, and giving individuals. Her family has an interesting and notable history. Her fifth generation uncle valiantly fought during the civil war, and Fort Sumter in South Carolina was named after him. On his own, this uncle changed the name Sumpter to Sumter.

At a very young age Nancy showed her musical talents. In fourth grade she started playing the violin and was part of the All City Orchestra in Kansas City. She sang with the Kansas City Children Chorus which was part of a Starlight Theater production of Babes in Toyland. When the family moved to Raytown, she attended Raytown High School.  She sang in the high school choir and played in the orchestra. At church she was active in the youth group. After high school she worked for an insurance company for three years. In 1964 she married Tom Johnson. She and Tom are parents of five adult children and are now enjoying grand parenting eleven grandchildren with ages ranging from one and a half to twenty one years old. Nancy still does the precious task of child care. She maintains a child care business in her home. In her spare time she enjoys selling Avon which she has done for 25 years.

The church is vital in her life. She started going to Calvary E.U.B. (now known as FUMCR) at age thirteen. For years she sang in the choir sang solo at special times. Presently, she directs the Bell Choir and teaches Sunday school for the children. Her children's time during worship is very imaginative and appealing to both children and adults.  Through the years the church enjoys her and her children when they come to sing with her. All of her own children can sing or play a musical instrument. Nancy is proud of them. Their ages range from 34-40 years old. They all have their families and are involved in service-oriented occupations.  Nancy is an active member of UMW.  She has served as local president and secretary of the district UMW.

I asked Nancy to share some memorable times with the children. They are a joy to her. They love to play games and have fun but learn as well. They like to make gifts and cards for the church family. They were amazed when she told them she grew up without computers, video games, and TV. They asked how she played and concluded she must really be old! (In our UMW group she is our babe.)

I asked why she has so much love for the children and for Christ. In her own words: “I have always worked and helped with children at church. Also, in high school I babysat on the weekends and during summer vacations. I love children and believe this is what God wanted me to do. God has always been a part of my life growing up and also with raising my children. God is my strength always in good or bad times. God has richly blessed my life with such a wonderful family and a great church family. GOD IS GOOD.”

“DO YOU REMEMBER”

We were taught at an early age to brush our teeth regularly.  It wasn’t the exciting adventure with bubble-gum tasting tooth paste and musical electric toothbrushes that children now enjoy. We used plain baking soda or table salt.  Those products might have cleaned the teeth, but they didn’t leave a cool minty taste in your mouth or on your breath. 

Imagine how happy we were when some manufacturer finally made a product called “teel” tooth cleaner.  Teel was a red liquid with a tingly after taste.  It came in a small glass bottle which was bigger at the bottom than at the top.  Two drops on your tooth brush would make a lather in your mouth guaranteed to leave a fresh taste whether it stopped tooth decay or not.

                   Clara Fisher

"DO YOU REMEMBER"

 We were taught at an early age to brush our teeth regularly. It was'nt the exciting adventure with bubble-gum tasting toothpaste and musical electical toothbrushes that children now enjoy. We used plain baking soda or table salt. Those products might have cleaned the teeth, but they did'nt leave a cool minty taste in your mouth or on your breath. Imagine how happy we were when some manufacturer finally made a product called "teel" tooth cleaner. Teel was a red fluid with a tingly aftertaste. It came in a small glass bottle which was bigger at the bottom than at the top. Two drops on your toothbrush would make a lather in your mouth guaranteed to leave a fresh taste whether it stopped tooth decay or not.

Clara Fisher

Read the beginning on page "Reflections"

...“Don’t take me wrong. I actually liked the lifestyle in that compound.” Dolores shared with me about her observations of the community life in her calm and low voice. “Pam’s family, as well as others, lived a healthy life. There was no cussing, no drinking, and no smoking. They ate lots of fruits and vegetables. They were allowed to wear normal clothes. They drove cars. The children were home schooled. TV was not allowed at first, but later their parents decided that as long as they limited them to TV programs that were strictly educational and highly moral, then it was OK. Children were never allowed to eat “junk food” and gift giving was a “no-no.” Only gifts among themselves were permissible.” This was difficult for Dolores to follow, but she did, trying to be supportive.
Dolores and George had their worst suspicions confirmed after their last visit. Pam and her family and the group kept moving and the last letter they received was from an address in Puerto Rico. Letters sent to this address were returned. George steps in,  “This is a very dangerous sect. Brad and Rachel are the leaders. You needed to see their house that was like a comfortable home while the rest of the community lived in trailers. Rick was like a servant to his older brother and his wife, never questioning their authority.”
Dolores adds, “When we were there, the whole community had to work either in the restaurant or at home, taking care of laundry, cleaning, cooking and children.  The house was kept in perfect order. However, when the day was finished at the restaurant, Brad and Rachel would enjoy the hot springs nearby while the others cooked the evening meal and looked after the children.” I looked again at Rachel’s photo. She could be a very beautiful woman, if not for her Hollywood-like cold smile and her dark eyes’ piercing gaze, blood freezing even on the picture.
Jan – Pam’s younger sister says, “I do not know will I kiss my sister if I finally see her or I kick her?!” Jan has a hard time forgiving Pam. Jeff’s only brother had a very close relationship with her. This is very difficult for him. Kristin – his niece – was a constant joy in his life as he recovered from a terrible accident. Pam was always there for him during physical therapy as that was, after all, her profession. Johanna, her youngest sister, doesn’t remember Pam as much because she was too young when Pam moved away. Pam was the apple of the eye to her grandparents. On his deathbed, her grandfather Hanson lying in a semi-conscious state, had a visitor named Pam. He immediately said, “Pam, you have come back.” He went to the grave believing Pam had returned. Cousins grew up not knowing each other, and parents are left with too many unanswered questions. Pam is hopefully alive, but is she really?
I listened to Dolores and her husband’s sharing and tried not to think about how I almost lost my only daughter fifteen years ago also because of the church, though for a different reason. I was the very first woman pastor in the entire former Soviet Union.  Because of my connection with the Methodist Church in America, and to the source of humanitarian aid, the Russian mafia wanted to control my church. One day, I was informed that if I didn’t pay a certain amount, my daughter would be raped. Next day, I took my daughter to Moscow and put her, with my own hands, on a plane. Exiling my daughter to America meant choosing her safety over gambling with her life. We had too many children raped, killed, or traumatized just because of what their parents were in charge of.  I knew my daughter could simply disappear.
In the Moscow International airport we held our hands until it was the moment to depart. Neither of us knew then that she would never come back home. I was numb. I had no feelings, no thoughts anymore. All I wanted was to hide from people in my hotel room and be alone, but as soon as I touched the doorknob, I howled as a wounded wild animal.
Dolores never told me about how she felt when she realized for the first time that she might never see her daughter again, but my own experience told me that that moment was harsh. Only listening to Dolores and George, I realized how lucky I was to be re-united with my child in America. The two years of separation felt like an eternity spent half alive: nothing made sense to me, and life around me lost its colors and smells.
Dolores’ heartache doesn’t heal. The wound is deepening with the passing of time rather than shrinking. How many Christmases, birthdays, Easters were missed for Pam and her parents? How many hugs were never shared? How many smiles were never exchanged? Everyday memories come and do not want to go away. “My Pam was 54 yesterday. I had a rough Christmas. I do not even know if she is OK!” Imagine going through this agony Christmas after Christmas, for decades?
When I heard the story of the Hanson’s lost daughter, I protested, “No, not in America! This is a civilized country. This is where my daughter found freedom from fears!” But Dolores and George’s situation was different. It was not about the mafia trying to get into the church’s pocket, and threatening my children’s lives, it was about a deadly ideology that turned out to be more dangerous than the Russian Mafia. Pam was affected by the leader of her church, Rachel, who believed that “in his loving and righteous wisdom (Jesus) did not will for us to continue communication with our families.”
George hired a detective, but Pam’s new relatives were smarter than even the detectives, moving from place to place: Las Vegas, Wyoming, Utah, Montana. The results of the search were not fruitful. After many efforts to contact Pam over those years, the devastated parents finally received a long-expected letter fifteen years ago that, unfortunately, took their last glimpse of hope away. The letter first glance, was unmistakably their daughter’s familiar handwriting…but it didn’t sound like the Pam they knew, “I have chosen a different life that you don’t agree with and that is the reason I don’t desire to have any contact with you. I believe that this is more loving to you and less painful than to spend my life battling with you over beliefs and lifestyles. But instead you seem determined to pursue this course, which again has brought disruption into my otherwise fulfilled and blessed life. We are not a cult. We are a Christian family that believes in the sanctity of life-long monogamous marriage. Our church has never condoned, believed in, or practiced polygamy as did the Utah Mormons. I hope you will find the truly meaningful way to fill the void in your life. I hope you will realize how wrong your efforts to find me are and that you will never accomplish anything good by them. What you have succeeded in doing is to verify that not only were my choices right, but very necessary.”
Yes, we are not in danger to die if we do not live our lives and we are not in danger to lose our children if we are afraid to have them, but what kind of life will that be?  Dolores and George found courage to continue their lives in spite of pain and constant fear for their daughter and granddaughter. They understand that the hallmark of cults is to completely separate members from their families through any and all deceptive ways. They didn’t withdraw, though they had every right to do so. They chose to teach their children to live their lives fully and fearlessly in the midst of their own tragedy.
Dolores finds joy in making other people stronger. She has volunteered at the local school for fifteen years, helping children learn how to read. She never takes a single child’s situation lightly. She cries when they tell her about abusive parents or relatives, rape or shootings. Dolores’ personal tragedy created a compassionate heart in her.  She adopted several immigrants from different countries, helping them not only to speak English better but also to adjust more easily to a different and sometimes unfriendly new culture.
Dolores has a gift to make new friends. She had cared for her neighbor Hazel for over thirty years. This wonderful woman, Hazel, never had children of her own and would be getting to the end of her one hundred four year journey on earth alone, if not for Dolores. Only two people routinely visited Hazel in the last ten years – Dolores and George. Dolores was with her as she drew her last breath. “She was like a mother to me…” Dolores cried and kissed Hazel’s forehead.
The song from the movie the “Irony of Fate” concludes, “The orchestra rumbles with basses, the tuba player blows his horn. Think for yourself, decide yourself, to have, or not to have. To have or not to have.”
Dolores and George chose to have life and to live it fully, but they hope that one day the telephone will ring, and they will hear again the voice that was lost for years and is so precious to them. “Hi, mom, hi dad. I miss you so much…” Next year Pam turns 55.

Congratulations to Terresa McKinney for finishing college and becoming a teacher for the young children. Terresa, we all think you will be a great teacher and the children will learn a lot from you. May God bless you in your endeavor thru out the coming years! Congratulations! 

Our hopes and prayers are with all the young adults who graduated from high school, and will achieve what they want to do in the near future.

God Bless!

Winter slows us down and makes us sluggish - even grumpy.  Spring is different – we run to the shoe store to find new sandals, and we check our wardrobe, hoping that the old summer clothes still fit. It is exciting to get back on track and to entrust our skin to the first warm rays.

Gardening is the best thing to get back in shape, but every time I start gardening again, I get upset with myself for forgetting my garden hose on the ground, dry and dirty since the fall. Smart people roll their hoses neatly before the first frost and as soon as the spring comes, the hose is right there – without cracks and tangles.

Faith is like this – when our life becomes cold and windy, we forget that one day we might need to water our garden again. When the time to water our gardens comes, we find our hose dry and cracked.

Then we have only two options left: we have to either water our garden out of small cans or even the palms of our hands...or get a new hose.

It takes time and money to get back on track to take care of your garden.  Check your water hose today. I hope it is neat and whole – ready to water your flowers.

Lydia

Looking for another book to read, I was stopped by the title: “The Modern Temper” by Joseph Wood Krutch. The book was written in 1929 and talked about our human nature. The question that made me really want to read the book was about why really appreciating such writers as Sophocles or Shakespeare, we had no one for centuries who wrote anything as majestic as they did. If we place any modern writing that was written after those giants it would be like placing a shoe box next to the Great Canyon, trying to compare their qualities. Does it mean that our civilization consistently degrades from generation to generation?

Today, when I think about why the shouts “Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest!” were replaced too quickly with “Crucify him!” I decided to stop guessing – I had to know the answer! What is that in our human nature that caused such a tragic death of a young and very promising man on the cross? What all those people were thinking about when they shouted “Crucify, crucify!”? It was something in our human nature that God unmistakably used in his plans for the Messiah.

In Mark 15:10 Mark wrote “…it was out of ENVY that the chief priests handed him over.” The word “envy” is used in the whole Bible just 13 times – not much, so it is very interesting that “envy” becomes the answer on Pilate’s question about the reasons for the Jews to hate their own successful leader, who was anticipated for generations and manifested human aspiration for truth, love and purity, promised by the prophets. Jesus was all that in one person and he was highly successful in all that he did – that was the fact!

The nature of the word “ENVY” means “pain caused by success of another.” There three different words that describe our attitude toward another person’s success: envy, emulation and jealousy. Comparing with envy, emulation means the desire to match another person’s achievement in art, science or business, so it is a good feeling. Jealousy is not a bad feeling either, but a natural desire to protect the loved one or your own property, including talents from envious people.

Envy is actually the only word that has a negative meaning. Envy is considered to be “the mother of homicide.” Cyprian and Basil describe the harm of envy through the story of Cain and Abel from the Book of Genesis – the primal result of human envy. Envy is dangerous – not harmless – because it rarely stays on the level of emotions. The goal of the envyer is to “behold the victim of his envy pass from happiness to misery that he, who is admired and emulated, might become an object of pity.” (Basil). In some cultures, envy has a practical implication that is far from being innocent - “the evil eye”. Young mothers try to protect their newborns until they reach certain age from strangers, who would envy beautiful babies, just in case.

Christ entered the world where envy was very common. The Ancient world was built on competition and survival – the Olympics and gladiators’ fighting were a part of life. The folks who followed Jesus lived in that world. They were peasants with small village mentality with its backbiting, gossiping and quarrels. In that peasant world, envy was caused by a strong belief in a “limited good”.

Peasants knew from their daily experience that if someone gets more in life – land, wealth, love, food - it happens on their personal account. To see another person’s prosperity meant only one thing – it was taken away, almost stolen from his neighbors. I was born in Russia – far away from ancient Jews or Greeks, but even in my culture we have similar beliefs. I remember when my daughter was born, my friends and family told me that I would never be as pretty as I was because daughters take away their mothers’ beauty. Fears like this cause distrust and anger based on envy. It becomes too personal to remain calm and appreciative of another’s success.

Plutarch describes a person hearing an outstanding speaker expressing his envy: “As though commendation were money, he feels that he is robbing himself of every bit that he bestows on another.” It was believed that fortune, success and prestige of some members of the community came on the account of those poor, unsuccessful, deprived and because of that miserable neighbors, friends and family members around them.

How would you act with such hostility around you? Exactly! You would become reluctant to try anything big and great that can bring you success! And you do not have to tell me why. Under the threat of envy, people become reluctant to advance beyond their peers – sanctions come too soon.

Advanced people are very vulnerable, and they know that "Envy follows as sure as night follows the day." People still believe in the concept of "limited good."  If someone has more than then it becomes personal. The mentality is if someone got more land, more money, better husband, better job - you name it - they got it all on my account.

We will never have writers such as Sophocles and Shakespeare just because people learned that to be successful costs pain and suffering. It cost Christ death on the cross. People are still afraid of envy even now and do not want to succeed, suppressing their talents and aspirations.  Envy kills great potential...so people never try. I remember my mother used to say when I was little, “Do not stick out. People do not like it!” Yes, that was true: our Soviet society only accepted those, who thought and lived alike.

The movie that I just saw, “Take the Lead”, has a perfect line: “I’d kill to dance like that!” Fortunately, the girl didn’t envy – she emulated the gift of a ballroom dancer and at the end of the movie becomes a gracious dancer herself. But think where she could end if she was envious? How familiar is bullying at schools, especially among girls?! That little girl in the movie was not afraid to be criticized and laughed at – she became proactive and went against the flow, following her dance teacher, who came to one of the New York high schools to teach urban core kids to dance tango and foxtrot.

It was a delight to see the smile on the face of that girl at the end of the movie. It was exciting to see the smiling faces of all those who danced. It made me think that the Crucified One was the only one who laughed at the end, not those who killed him. The one who laughed last is the only one who really laughs.

If we continue living in fear of envy, then Christ died for nothing. He was the one who followed his path to be the One, who had success, admiration and power - and he died for us to encourage us to successful in spite of envy and fear. Let’s laugh at those who hurt us daily out of envy from the heights of our success, prosperity and popularity, as he did at the end.

Pastor Lydia

Matthew 3:13-17
Rev. Lydia P. Istomina

Christmas began a series of events that opened up the identity of Jesus Christ.  The first event was Christmas when Jesus came into the world and the word became flesh. Then we had the Epiphany of the Lord that identified Jesus Christ as the Ruler of the Universe, the Messiah and the Servant, who had come into the world to die for our sins. In verses 13-17 of Matthew we have a story of the Baptism of the Lord, which is again the moment of identification and confirmation. In previous verses in Mathew John has announced that the one who would come to baptize with spirit and fire is coming. We see how willingly John baptized the crowd and then he became reluctant to perform the baptism of Jesus.  This is how Matthew stresses the identity of Christ and his superiority. 

Why did Jesus choose to become inferior to John the Baptist? Why did he have to request to be baptized? This question is very important.  John the Baptist performed the baptism of repentance.   What is repentance? As soon as we hear this word, we get uncomfortable.  We envision a confession with a minister or a priest.  Repentance is not just opening up our dark sides and doubts to someone.  Repentance is the change of mind. Did Jesus need the change of mind? I do not think so. For Matthew, obedience and humility of Jesus was the key.   Only after Jesus obeyed God, his identity was revealed to the crowd:

“You are my Son, the beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” 

The voice from heaven does not address Jesus, but everyone.  This is exactly what I was talking about – Matthew identifies Jesus Christ as the Son of God, who submitted himself to humility of the baptism in the waters of muddy waters of Jordan.

I want to address to you now with the Book of Genesis 1:1.

“In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.”

In this verse we can catch three things: the water, the movement and the Spirit wandering above the earth.    In the story of the baptism of Jesus Christ we have the same three elements: the water, the movement of Jesus coming out of the water, and the Spirit descending on Jesus.  This similarity connects two stories and makes Jesus the beginning of a new creation.  Jesus is also the new Noah.  In the Flood story we have the righteous man Noah chosen by God to survive the flood and begin the life without sin.  The Baptism of the Lord washed away the human sin in the same way as the flood.  The third analogy that we have here is Jesus as the New Moses.  Moses delivered his people from the bondage of slavery and brought them to the Promised Land.  In the Baptism of the Lord we have the Exodus story. Jesus, as the New Moses, delivered us from slavery of sin and led us in our journey through the wilderness of disbelief.

I want to tell you a true story about one of the Russian tsars, Ivan the Great. He was able to unite a group of fighting Slavic tribes into one great country, Russia. Ivan the Great was a very courageous and very knowledgeable man.  He drove out the Tatars and established peace across the nation. The only thing he missed was a family.  He never had time to find a wife. His friends and advisers reminded him that there was no heir to the throne. If he were to die, the peace that he built would be lost. The tsar said that he did not have time to do it on his own, but if they would find a suitable wife, he would marry her. The bride was found in Greece, a daughter of the King of Greece. The King of Greece was delighted. But there had to be one condition,  “He cannot marry my daughter unless he becomes a member of the Greek Orthodox Church." According to the custom of the Orthodox Church, Ivan was to be baptized by immersion. His soldiers needed to be baptized also.

"Khvorost" from Raisa's Kitchen

This desert is fun to eat and even more fun to make!

You can express yourself in designing roses, branches, braids and etc.

Believe me, “Khvorost” turns any event into a feast.

Ingredients: 3 cups flour; 1/2 cup milk; Sunflower oil for frying; 2 eggs; 2 tbs sugar;

1 cup sour cream; 1 wineglass vodka; 1/ 2 c sugar powder; pinch of salt

Mix flour, sugar and salt and blend with the milk, sour cream, vodka and beaten eggs. Stir until the mixture is smooth then roll out very thinly and cut into strips about 4 inches long and 1 inch wide.

Slit the center of each strip and push one end of the pastry through it, or make rings with a pastry cutter and twist them into various shapes.

Fry in deep, boiling oil until golden brown, trying to “disturb” every piece of dough that you designed – it makes the dough rise. The more you “shake”  the dough the better it shows the shape of what you designed – you will be surprised.

Place “khvorost”  on paper towel to drain. Sprinkle with sugar powder. Place “khvorost” one piece on the top of the other on a large dish.

If you ever wanted to meet a walking miracle, here's your chance – Betty Brown.

After many months of surgeries and more surgeries she is on her way to recovery.  With her beautiful smile, she thanks everyone who prayed for her and sent her cards.  Betty is in a very good home now – the place is not just beautiful, but homey. That was the big difference after many months in the hospital.

Please continue praying for Betty as well as for many other people who continue having their health problems.

We begin a new midweek group on the first Thursday of April – “Walking Our Talk” for men and women, who want to bring variety into their daily schedule. The group will meet at 10 AM and after a short snack we will have a short discussion about faith. At 11 AM we will leave the church for a 30’walk in our community. We will pray for our neighbors and for our church. You will be ready to go home by 11:30. Good exercise, good fellowship. Come in your tennis shoes.