Lance and I got to have one day off during the Equip school. We thought about just staying home, which can be nice some days, but we decided that we would go out and explore some of the sights around Ternopil. We packed a lunch, grabbed our cameras, and jumped into the car!

First stop, Kremenets, a city about an hour away from Ternopil. We often pass this way as we go to other major cities and we often look up and see this castle on a hill. We usually say to ourselves “We should stop there someday.” Well today was that day. It was a lovely stormy day, sunny for almost all day but very windy with dark clouds rolling in. The castle is only in ruins now with most of the wall remaining and one tower but it is always so fun to see such history!

Next stop was Pochaiv, a city about 30 min away from Kremenets. We had heard that there was a lavra here (Lavra: a type of monastery consisting of a cluster of cells or caves for hermits, with a church and sometimes a refectory at the center.) There was a huge lavra in Pochaiv and is considered a spiritual center for Orthodox. They believe that Mary, the mother of Jesus, came to the monks there and left her footprint in the rock. Now all the waters the come from a spring in the rock are considered holy and to have medicinal properties.

It was an interesting experience for us, not being Orthodox. Many times these spiritual centers leave us feeling empty and lost. So many people come looking for answers or looking for God but they are only led to something else, in this case, Mary and her footprint. We had lunch in Pochaiv and then planned to head home but discovered something else…

We went home a different way and as we were driving I looked up and saw what looked almost like another castle on a hill. We thought we would pull off the main road and try to find this place whatever it was. Why not? It was an adventure day!

We managed to find it after a few turn arounds and discovered it to be an old monastery. Built in the 17th century by monks who escaped from Mongol attack in Kyiv. Over the years it served as a jail, psychiatric hospital, a stable, and an artillery warehouse. The ancient chapel is being rebuilt at the moment from damage down by water damage as well as remaining artillery fire from World War 1.

When we reached the monastery, we were able to see on the next hill over a huge lone rock surrounded by stone crosses. Would you drive away and not explore such a sight? I didn’t think so. We hiked down and over to the wondrous sight. This area is so quiet and serene, to stand amongst 17th century tombs during a growing storm in front of a mountainous rock was surreal to say the least.

The rock is called Devil’s Rock because as the story goes, the devil broke off a rock from the Carpathians and threw it at the monastery intending to destroy the monks and their monastery but the rock fell short and the monastery remains to this day.

We walked all about the rock and discovered foot & hand holds that led to the top. Again, would you walk away without trying to get to the top? I didn’t think so. We made it to the top just as the rain drops were beginning to fall and the thunder and lightning became fierce. We enjoyed the moment and sight from the top but then quickly realized that standing on top of a rock in the middle of a storm was probably not the best idea.

We made it back to our car before the torrent of rain came and continued our trek home to end our fun adventure-filled day off.

Ahhhh, run for your lives! Craziness and silliness will ensue when the Murray girls unite!

Together again!

All three sisters were together for a short time in Ukraine!

I can’t even begin to say how wonderful it was to have my sisters with me in what I have been calling home for almost three years!

We did a lot of sisterly things, like eating out…

Yum!

Shashlik!!!!

sightseeing…

Clock tower in Lviv

Looking at old churches

Castle in Lutsk

Visiting more castles

and of course, just being plain ole silly.

We need more weight!

Sadly, Alison had to leave after just 5 days together. Kathryn stuck around though to help with YWAM Ternopil’s 20 year celebration. We had a whole 9 more days together! Kathryn helped organize my kitchen, she worked hard in getting things ready for the 20 year celebration and just over all hung out with us where ever we were.

It’s pronounced Y-awe-sh, for the record.

After teaching in Cahul, Moldova, we went to Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, to apply for our Ukrainian visas. We stayed in the capital over the weekend with friends and after we received our visas (praise the Lord!!) we headed out to Iasi, Romania.

Looking out over the city

This was a quick trip. We were only there for a day and a half but it was still enjoyable. Lance has a friend who is staff with the YWAM base in Iasi. This friend has put us in contact with the girls who will be leading the DTS in Iasi. She asked Lance if he would be willing to come for a visit to explain and give some insight into leading/staffing a DTS. Since Iasi was only a few hours away from Chisinau, we couldn’t say no.

Enjoying mamaliga together

We only had one full day of DTS training but it was fun and enjoyable. They were so hospitable and we loved being able to visit a new base and hear of what God is doing there. We wish we could have had more time there, we will just have to come back another time!

Cahul is a city in southern Moldova. It’s actually a few hours away from the Romanian border. Lance and I both love going to Moldova since we both have dear friends there.

Lance teaching

This time we went for the purpose of leading a DTS staff training with YWAM Cahul. They will be starting their DTS mid June and asked us if we would lead their staff training time. It is a joy and pleasure to help them in any way we can. There are 5 staff members at this base in Moldova, which is also the only base in Moldova.

Our friends teaching

Group photo!

We started Monday morning and started out right, with worship of course. We shared the teaching time with some friends of ours from another YWAM base in Ukraine. They have been involved in DTS for many years and have great bits of wisdom to share. It was fun to be able to team teach. We shared on how our beliefs and values will effect how we act, communication, how many hours of lecture should be in a DTS and how the outreach should look as well as other topics. We had time to fellowship and play games together in the evenings. We are blessed to be able to pour into another country and equip them to be effective in what they are doing.

Last meal together

Lance also had the opportunity to share in a church!

I know this is old, pictures to follow soon.

Lance and I (just) traveled 1,989 miles… in a car. Does anyone else want to vomit at that thought besides me? Ick! Way too much time spent in a car, but it is a love hate relationship. We love getting to where we want to be, just not the time it takes to get there.

This last road trip went from Auburn, WA to Culver, Or to Baker City, Or to Nampa, ID to Lakeside, MT to Yakima, WA and finally back to Auburn, WA.

Culver, OR

We had a late Christmas and New Year’s with Lance’s family. It was a great week of just spending time with family.

Baker City, OR

We got to spend some extended time with Lance’s relatives. We wanted to have more than a “hi” and “bye” like we did at the wedding.

Nampa, ID

Lance had some relatives that were not able to make it to our wedding so we wanted to be sure and find time to talk with them.

Lakeside, MT

We have close connections and friends with the YWAM base in Lakeside. Besides catching up with our friends there, we wanted to have some time to debrief and reflect. This was a great opportunity since we are lately married and coming into a new season of our lives.

Yakima, WA

My great aunt and uncle live in Yakima and since they just recently had to move into separate assisted living homes (due to physical reasons), we thought it was important that we make a stop to visit.