why Ukraine?

This morning I woke up feeling really rough. I’ve had a cold for the last week+ and haven’t been getting any sleep. With the cold, I haven’t been exercising & my body can tell. I lack energy & I crave rest. I decided to go into work for half the day and take the afternoon off. On the way into the office, I stopped at Starbucks {because I have a gift card}, just to get through the morning with my eyes open. The line & the wait were absurd, I mean really, just ridiculous. But I waited because… I need my coffee, right?

ENTER: Perspective shift.

Earlier this week I finished the incredible podcast Serial, so now my morning commuter ears have turned to NPR. This morning was a story on the fighting in Ukraine that led into a story on the economic state of Russia. I became broken as they described the continuous shelling of peoples’ homes, the fleeing of families who were lucky enough to get on the few buses they could send to the area, and the townspeople who have chosen to stay and not flee, because the little they have is in their home, and outside of home, they have nothing. 

I began to weep in my car. I wept for people whose lives have been turned upside down, for mothers who have been separated from children and for men who have died for their freedom. I wept for the desperation of our world and the sin that leads mankind to destroy beauty and life. And I wept for the state of my own heart, comfortable in my home with heat and a bed, protected by a husband who falls asleep next to me at night safe and sound, spoiled by the blessings & indulgences that I’ve begun to consider necessities. 

I wept for Ukraine, and I wept for myself, because my fortitude of spirit is NOT like the spirit of Ukraine.

So… why Ukraine? Why am I writing about this nation here on my blog, a place where I post things that are personal and intimate to me? Why, if you follow me on any social media, do I sometimes post about the situations going on there? Why am I affected more by the death & destruction of this place in Eastern Europe more-so than other places around the world?

It's because 10 years ago, and again 9 years ago, I had my first perspective shift by the hand of Ukraine. Quite honestly, my time spent in Kiev and briefly in Odessa was more of a life shift, one in which I was forced to forever abandon the notion that the world existed for me and that families took care of each other like mine did and that countries created opportunities for youth like mine did. Here I encountered a people who viewed freedom as a new and precious and delicate treasure instead of as a right to which they were born into, a people who had just recently stood peacefully against corruption in the Orange Revolution to see to it that democracy got its chance.

And while these big ideas and general concepts drew me to this place, more intimately my answer to “why Ukraine?” is this:

Because the children of Ukraine are hurting and are thirsty for relationships that matter, relationships that are grounded in the love of Christ. 

Because they are yearning for a Savior who can free them from more than just a communist regime, but from the corruption of their own hearts and the brokenness of this world.

Because the day we {the American camp counsellors} left camp, the Ukrainian children chased our bus down the road with tears streaming down their faces, because for some of those kids, that week of camp was the best week of their life.

Because I watched the 2006 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals with over 100 kids crowded around a 10 inch box TV, filled with national pride and chanting for their country {& for Shevchenko of course}. And because when I got tired of standing like everyone else & sat on the ground, my Ukrainain co-volunteer, Daniele, went to his car, got the backseat out of the car, and brought it to me to have a chair. {In Ukraine, they believe sitting on the ground will make you sick.}

Because I was there when hearts turned to Jesus and Ukrainian lips sung the words “let everysing sat has breas praise se Lord,” because the “th” sound is really difficult for them.

Because the Ukrainian campers were thankful for the food that I heard the Americans on my team complain about every day. 

Because a 14-year old girl, Tanya, told me goodbye that first summer, and gave the sole birthday gift she had received that year, a ring from her mother, as a gift for me.

Because it is where my friends live: Ukrainians & Americans.

Because of the pastors who stood in the gap while the fighting took place in Kiev last year.

Because Veronica was told she would almost certainly die from the radioactivity of Chernobyl, and yet she lived and spent many summers sharing Christ with Ukrainians.

Because Radooga, the organization I worked with in Kiev, is passionate about orphans’ safety and salvation.

Because my friend Madison, who shared a room with me & 8 Ukrainian girls in 2006, has brothers & sisters adopted from Ukraine, and this sparked my initial passion to one day adopt, a passion I still have. And because her life now in the States with her Ukrainian husband is one where she is constantly giving of herself and loving others – opening her home to foster children and loving them as Christ loves all of us who wander this earth yearning for our true home.

And because of the countless others whose paths have crossed mine and whose lives have changed mine and others’. 

I write about Ukraine here at little seed because it is intimate to me, and although I don’t expect it to be as intimate to you, I encourage you to read the stories and pray for Ukraine. And maybe, you have your very own “Ukraine,” a place or a people group who have touched you & become dear to your heart. I encourage you today to remember them and pray for them, in poverty & in prosperity, in war & in peace… because we are all broken and needy regardless of the state of our bank account or home life or government. Because we are all Ukraine.

yikes.

Yikes. It's been three and a half months since I began my unplanned hiatus from this blog. I've been away too long, and now seems like as good a time as any to come back, as I sit in the dark in bed because I drank a latte too late in the day & Rynn is doing crazy karate moves in my belly. For starters I'll catch you up on where I've been, explain who this Rynn character is (not to be confused with Remi), and give you some of the highlights of the past few months & my excitement about things coming up in the future. 

When I first started this blog, I pondered the question, "What's a little seed?" 

{from 4/14/14}
A hope? An uncertainty?
A question that sprouts into too many answers.
An idea that takes root.
A possibility...

The best news I have to share with you is that we are now expecting our very own little seed... our own hope, uncertainty, possibility. Her name is Rynn Olivia Rogers & she's due sometime in June. We found out about her not long after my last blog post at the beginning of October, and even though she isn't here yet, the expectation & anticipation of life has changed us forever. We are terrified and feeling completely inadequate, but we are filled with joy and peace.

On December 18th we closed on our first house. After four places in four cities, from a tiny apartment to a beautiful bungalow, all rentals & ours only for a season, it feels so good to have a place we call home. We are still in Charlotte, a little further from the city but not much, and love the new place. Our weekdays & weekends are full of projects and dreaming and trips to Lowes. 

In the midst of all of this, we took an incredible trip over New Years to Key West with my family. We decided in lieu of gifts this year, we'd take a trip altogether.  In all honesty, I was sort of annoyed that my dad didn't want to leave the contiguous U.S., making the most romanticized places in my mind out of the question (Puerto Rico, Hawaii, tropical islands). I thought Key West would be just OK. I promise to never think that again. The place is amazing. We snorkeled the third largest reef in the world, swam every day in the ocean, kayaked through mangroves, and ate delicious seafood. It was so great that I didn't even mind having to pass on margaritas & mimosas. Coming back to the winter weather was rough, but here we are, finishing off January in Charlotte, which is not as bad as it seems after coming back from the Keys.

This month I started my second semester of horticulture classes at NC State University, with the goal of obtaining an undergrad certificate after 15 credit hours. The class is Home Plant Propagation, so get ready for some tips and photos of propagation structures & cuttings & {hopefully} successful endeavors on the garden front. Caleb & I are hoping to build some raised beds in the brand new {to us} backyard & laying some soil heating coils in at least one of them to start seeds outdoors early. C is also planning to make me a compost bin that should look something like this when completed:

{The three compartments allow storage of compost at its different stages, making usable compost accessible and allowing the piles to be turned more frequently & more easily.}

I'm thankful that my pregnancy has been never-terrible, with only minor nausea in the first trimester. I have energy {for the most part} and have still been exercising, mostly doing yoga or the elliptical and I've taken up swimming at the Aquatics Center in Uptown Charlotte. Although I can hardly believe I'm going to just keep getting bigger, I'm so thankful for Rynn's growth & healthy development. I hope as she continues to grow, that I will too - in my preparation for being a mother, my discipline in my studies, my devotion as a wife, and even the small things like my knowledge of plants & my endurance in the pool. Oh, and... in keeping up with this blog;)

I am excited for the season that is coming, but for now, I am content in the season that is today. We have so much to be thankful for, and I'm praying to grasp that daily and live out of that gratitude.

you're not a squirrel.

When did we decide {especially those of us who live in the mild temps of the southeastern United States} that winter was a time to simply exist {except of course on Christmas when we're merry and bright}? Sure the colder temps make me want to stay in bed a little longer in the mornings, and the darker nights make me want to curl up at home instead of spending the evening out & about, but winter time has a lot to offer us, especially in the garden.

You're not a squirrel. Have you seen any of the 15 Ice Age movies? If so, you know where I'm going with this. That raggedy squirrel is always trying to protect his acorn and store it away so that when the cold weather hits, he's got food to munch on. And don't we do our fair share of "squirrel-ing" away for winter too?

We pickle veggies. We make jams. We blanch & de-seed those excess tomatoes and freeze them for a winter sauce. We store up for winter.

But unlike the squirrel, these aren't our only options. We can plant for the winter.

As you've probably figured out from reading my blog, I love greens, especially kale and spinach. They are jam-packed with nutrition and so versatile in the kitchen. But in the warmer summer temperatures, kale can attract unwanted insects and spinach will wither in the heat. These guys, and many other delicious, healthy cold-hardy veggies, produce well in the winter. Other popular cool-weather crops are: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, lettuce, carrots, & cauliflower.

Fall is the time to plant so that you can harvest these crops in the winter. Mix a little freshness in with the pickles & jams this season!

{CHARLOTTE RESIDENTS: Now is also a good time to start thinking about banding your trees for the Spring cankerworms. Help protect Charlotte's beautiful trees & foliage by banding this Winter. Shout out to Renfrow's Hardware in Matthews. They are not only the best damn place to buy seeds in the greater Charlotte area, but they also carry all the supplies you need for banding. Read more about Charlotte's Cankerworm problem here.}

TIPS FOR GETTING STARTED:

Look into your Plant Hardiness zone when determining when & what to plant in your garden, particularly a Fall garden. You can get a ton of details from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Many seed packets will reference zones, so it's important to know your zone!

North & South Carolinians: I of course am partial to Clemson & NC State when it comes to tips on horticulture & agriculture. They have great resources for planting in the Carolinas. Here are a few: NC State Horticulture: Growing a Fall Vegetable Garden, Clemson Co-op Extension: Vegetable Gardening

ornamentals: a local expedition.

{Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens, Belmont NC}

It's true that edibles hold my heart & therefore maintain their place at the forefront of my blog, but I certainly adore ornamentals as well. This weekend, C & I got out of the city to do a little exploring & for me to find a little inspiration from ornamentals to make it through a work week in my cubicle.

We made the short drive out to Belmont, just 20 miles from our home in Charlotte. After exiting the interstate, we enjoyed a scenic drive alongside Belmont Abbey College's beautiful campus and cruised through a quaint & cozy downtown Belmont, then on through a little Piedmont countryside to Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens.

The gardens have a special event called ZimSculpt going on right now, which features a sampling of Zimbabwe-inspired sculptures done by the most renowned artists in the world practicing Shona sculpture. The art was fantastic, sprinkled among a collection of trees, plants, & flowers that had me as giddy as a little girl.

While I enjoyed the outside of the gardens, the Orchid Conservatory was my favorite. This greenhouse was home to a variety of air plants, succulents, beautiful & rare orchids, and many other indoor plants. Complete with an indoor waterfall & reflection pond, the sights & smells of this little haven made the trip beyond worth it.

Here are some of my favorite snapshots from our trip.

The Fall.

Gone are the days when I relished the coming of summer, glorious in all of its warmth and freedom and weeks of play. With a full-time desk job, those months of no school and lots of flexibility no longer exist, and I’ve found myself craving another season instead…

Maybe it’s the years I went without, in Los Angeles where the leaves on the palm trees never changed color and the sunshine almost always kept me warm, that gave me my first love for the fall. Maybe it’s the cozy feeling I get when I put on that sweater & scarf to step outside, or the gorgeous colors that surround me now that I’m back in the Southeast. It could even be that PSL with half the pumps and an extra shot. But more than any of these, there is something about fall that makes me feel at home.

As the weather turns chilly, I feel myself turning my attention to our home. Beyond the fun pumpkin & pine cone décor and the spiced apple scented candles, it’s the sensation of being at home that brings so much joy: curling up on the couch with some hot tea and a book, cuddling with Tucker next to the fire, cooking hearty dishes that warm the soul. After a summer spent running around from one get-together to the next, the fall offers some sweet serenity and time to turn our gaze inward.

It’s this need for introspection coupled with the anticipation of the coming of fall that has me inspired to write this blog post. Because you see, in this moment that I focus in, it’s easy to get caught up in Halloween costumes and dinner menus and decorations, what I will make for supper and what color mums I will put on my front porch. But it’s the word for the season itself that causes me to catch my selfish musings and again turn my gaze inward to the ways I fall short.

The Fall is a term used to describe the moment that Adam & Eve chose to disobey God in the perfect garden. It’s the same decision that I would have made had I been there instead. It’s a term that reminds us of the condition of our heart, a condition that leads eventually to death. As the leaves fall and the days turn cold, we prepare for the harshness of winter and the loss of life in the vegetation around us. Rare is a blossom or a shoot of green in this bitter cold. And yet… joy & life are restored with the coming of spring.

In the same way, our stories didn’t end at The Fall. Like the coming of spring, redemption came to us through a Savior, Jesus Christ, who breathed life into our decaying bones and gave us the hope of the Gospel, that through Him we could find forgiveness, hope… restoration.

I love to garden and cook and decorate my house. I love to drink lattes and pumpkin-flavored beer. But I would be selling you short to only tell you stories or give you tips about these things on my blog. My hope is that through my words, you’ll be encouraged and inspired to live life fully on this earth with the knowledge that this was never meant to be our forever home. 

spicy strawberry salsa & dinner for two.

The weekdays never go as planned, thank goodness, because they keep me on my toes and leave me with little unexpected moments to cherish. Tonight my evening of an early run (done by 6:30 at the latest, or else...) and getting most of my classwork done for the week ended up like this:

- Leave work late, home around 6:00.
- Start a video of "How God Really Feels About Bikinis" that lasts 8+ minutes.
- Head out for my run at 6:35 & immediately receive a call from the friend I was supposed to call by 6:00.
- Run a couple miles and then stop to walk, call said friend.
- Brother-in-law beeps in / switch lines / talk quickly / call friend back.
- Organize details for Labor Day Weekend in VA with said friend.
- Call back & talk to brother- & sister-in-law.
- Friend in San Francisco calls as I hang up with family, talk until Caleb arrives home.

... it's now 8:15.

Oh yeah, and what the heck are we having for dinner?

Folks, you can never go wrong with tacos. They have been my last minute saving grace on countless nights, and they never get old. In our household, we use chicken or fish, but you have complete flexibility in the meats & toppings that you choose. One of the best things about tacos is that you can utilize what you already have instead of purchasing what's needed for the meal.

Enter SALSA.

Before living in Southern California and before watching 500 episodes of "Chopped" on the Food Network, I had a very limited idea of salsa. I thought it was the stuff they bring out before a meal at your local Mexican restaurant or the stuff people brought in a jar for that Super Bowl party where no one felt like making a homemade dish. I was pleased to discover that salsa can take on many forms & flavors, involving an endless combination of veggies, spices, fruits, and herbs. And when you have a vegetable garden, this can be a great way to use what you have fresh before it goes bad.

Tonight I checked the fridge and noticed I had a few strawberries that were on the verge of spoiling, so I decided to use those for some sweetness. I added in a variety of tomatoes, jalapeños & parsley from the garden, along with freshly chopped garlic, sweet peppers, and onion that I had on hand. I included a touch of salt & cayenne pepper and a quick few drops of olive oil.

Paired with the fish that Caleb grilled and the tortillas we had, our healthy and delicious meal was ready to eat no more than 20 minutes after I got started. The weather was so nice that even though it was dark and despite the giant killer mosquitos that live under our enormous oak & pecan trees that span almost the entire backyard, I lit some citronella candles and pulled the table close to the light of the back deck so we could eat outside.

I even made this girly drink to go with my meal: Straw-Ber-Rita mixed with some prosecco & fresh strawberries.

I'm happy to say that the food and the drink and even the mosquitos seemed to fade in the background as I was finally able to pause and just be with my husband. We prayed over our food and for our loved ones, talked about our todays and our tomorrows and even our years to come. I'm behind on my schoolwork and we've got a full week ahead, but I'm thankful for that spicy strawberry salsa, the time it saved me in the kitchen, and the time it gave me with my man.

friendlier food.

I love when my favorite things collide. Food & community, be it family or friends, is one of my favorite combinations. Fun impromptu gatherings & dinners are commonplace for 20- & 30-somethings, and meal sharing, even with strangers, has become trendy {no really - check out this site that is doing just that in NYC/SF/DC & other cities: www.eatfeastly.com}.

Food has become a way to share our culture, our upbringing, our life experiences with one another. But how do we move past the cheap booze and store-bought cookies of our college years to contribute something that represents who we are?

I challenge you to get creative for your next gathering. Use that double date dinner night to introduce some fresh salad ideas to your friends, or bring an appetizer that doesn't fit the mold to your friends' to watch the game. Open up your home and try something unique, like making sushi together or a build-your-own pizza night. Brainstorm foods or wines that represent where you're from, where you've been, or where you'd like to go. Whether it's your grandmother's secret recipe or a dish you've been dying to try out, let people know you more through the food you prepare.

I truly believe that we can combat shallow relationships and mundane get-togethers with friendlier food. Let's start using food as a way to serve & love others and show them more of ourselves.