Power of Encouragement

"See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness". (Hebrews 3:12-13)

I don't know about you, my friends, but I need to be very careful with my heart. At times when God seems silent, when the proverbial storms shake my proverbial boat, when things in life do not go as I wish... my heart may waver.

The passage says to encourage one another daily. It is so important to surround yourself with a people of like faith, of like passion who will always be on guard for your heart.

Here are the few things that I am doing.

1) Find friends you can share about your quiet time with. It can be your friend, or a mentor - anyone who understands the importance of accountability. Something that I am doing right now is Good Morning Girls group (for explanation of what it is click here). Good Morning Girls group has allowed me to daily touch base with several women on pursuit of God even amidst our hectic schedules. We share our struggles, pray for each other, and keep each other accountable on spending time with the Lord.

2) Be open. While not everything is meant to be shared, we often cover up our sinful attitudes rather than confess them and work through them to freedom. Have someone in your life you can be open with. For me - that someone is my husband... and as embarrassing as it may be for me to admit certain things to him - I am always glad I do.

3) Stay in the Word. Support system is extremely important and yet there may be times when you do not have the support you desire. You must read your Bible regularly to know what God is like and thus to build up your faith. Choose the pace of reading you're comfortable with and stick to it.

4) Encourage those around you. One of the greatest feelings in the world is to "make someone's day". Find someone today who you can encourage.

Thankful

The great things in my life:

AMAZING husband

loving family

wonderful in-laws

faithful friend

people I can invest my life in

my ministry

What My Mom Taught Me About Marriage

Today is my parents' 31st wedding anniversary.

I have learned a lot of things from my mother about marriage without her trying to teach me.

FAITHFULLNESS - she stood by my father's side always: through the heights of his teaching and writing career and through the valley of his terrible sickness - truly through the good times and the bad.

TENACITY - it took a lot of determination to keep our family through the critical changes in history (fall of the USSR, change of the government and all social structure), and through the critical changes of our family (getting our own apartment and sudden progression of Dad's illness).

RESPECT - I watched my mom live with her in-laws in the same small 2-bedroom apartment for 13 years (ok, so I only remember maybe the last six as I was 11 when we moved) and I never remember her arguing with them over anything. She was always quiet and respectful of their opinions.

FRUGALITY - oh how I wish I were smarter to learn more. My mom never wasted a penny. She knows all the prices for everything all over the city and she would go to great lengths to but things cheaper, to build smart yet delicious meals around what's on sale.

DILIGENCE - she never stopped. Our house was always clean, laundry always done, homework always checked, food always prepared. And all that on top of her full-time job.

And - most importantly - LOVE and SELF-SACRIFICE. Her whole life is dedicated to our family and all her choices are made for our benefit (at least within her understanding of what's best for us).

As I look back I remember times when in my anger I would resolve to never become like my mother. And now - how I wish I had learned more while I was still under her roof.

Sorry For The Cheese :)

"Admire = to have a high opinion of; esteem or respect."

OK, so if you know me at all - you have to know this about me:

On a level of 1 to 10 my skillfullness in Words of Affirmation is...

Negative Seventeen [deep sigh]

Yes, it's true. I am not good telling people what I appreciate about them. Ironically, I am married to the man whose main proverbial love language is [drum roll please]... yes, indeed - Words of Affirmation... [even deeper helpless sigh].

It's not that I do not love him or do not notice the little (and big) things that he does for me... it's just that I feel weird and awkward... even insane... saying it. And knowing that he needs me to say it - still does not help.

Last Thanksgiving I wrote him a list of all the things that he does that I am thankful for. Here is that list:

- you love me and take care of me

- you pray for me and with me

- you are always there when I really need you

- you bring me Starbucks

- you’re never too proud to say “I’m sorry”

- you want to spend the rest of your life with me

- you open the doors for me

- you carry heavy things

- you make Thanksgiving turkeys

- you are quick to make peace

- you love me even when I have bad attitude

- you come on Sidewalk with me

- you always assure me that I am beautiful

- you always make sure I have water on my nightstand

There’re so many reasons… even as I pasted this list into this post I could think of few others…

But I think the most important one would be -

YOU MAKE ME BETTER!!!

You encourage me to see the best in people.

You set an example by forgiving those who hurt us.

You reach out to others even when I feel that they've used up their chances.

You are compassionate, gentle, loving, and kind.

You stand up for what is right.

You are moved by injustice and suffering.

I LOVE YOU!!!

Let the wife make the husband glad to come home,

and let him make her sorry to see him leave.

(Martin Luther)

Trip to Dave and Buster's

This past Tuesday, June 29th, was the first official day of summer break for the kids here in New York. We celebrated it by taking the kids who won the attendance contest to Dave and Buster's in Times Square.

Here are my funny winners.


We had a nice meal - oh boy! these kids can eat!

We played games to our hearts' content

And of course we finished our day off with a nice ice-cream treat

Good times!!!

Thank you so much to everyone who sent us money to make this amazing adventure possible!

Speechless... (Unexpected Follow Up Post to He Has Not Turned Away My Prayer)

I am humbled today. Speechless.

I know that God answers prayers. I do. I am a children pastor, after all.

I know that when you pray God can move mountains and obstacles. I've seen it (even in my own life before).

I know that there is absolutely NOTHING impossible for God. I believe it.

But today... My praise and gratitude get stuck in my throat. I am overwhelmed. I have nothing to say. I am amazed. Grateful. Slightly embarrassed. Surprised. Speechless.

On Monday Courtney from Women Living Well encouraged us to ask our husbands how we can pray for them and do so daily. I did ask (see my post here) and I did pray.

I prayed for God to give my husband wisdom to make the right choices - and I have already noticed how he was becoming more decisive when I needed him to be. I prayed for promotion (we were hoping in September) but already this Friday Bryan received a phone call from his supervisor about setting up his promotion interview within the next few weeks.

I am ...

... grateful ...

I Know Who I Am - A Look At Two Countries

I had a nostalgic moment a few days ago.

I was thirsty and did not feel like drinking a 15th cup of water or like 7th cup of iced green tea (yes, it was HOT in New York). So for the first time in 8 years living in American abundance I went to the fridge, took out some raspberry jam and mixed a tablespoon of it into my cold water. Yumminess!

I have not realized that no one does that here when I noticed a confused look on Bryan's face. And posting it as a status on Facebook only confirmed that.

I was born and raised in Soviet Union. I have lived through the collapse of the biggest communist empire of the world. And in many ways my thinking, my approach to life is influenced by it.

When I moved to America, I went through a long time of wastefulness. I enjoyed abundance to the extreme. I loved the freedom I had to preach and I loved the many ice-cream flavors. I loved walking with my head high and I loved Chinatown shopping. I embraced everything America had to offer (within the Christian guidelines of course).

But today - as I look back at my 8 years in this wonderful country - despite all the assimilation I've gone through - I still mixed raspberry jam with water :)


I am grateful that I am from Belarus (Soviet Union) because:

- I love the values that had been instilled in me as a child (camaraderie, teamwork, friendship, hard work, excelling).

- I learned humility and submission, and perseverance.

- I went to an excellent school for free.

- I was part of one of the most significant moments in recent history.

- I witnessed the emptiness of human spirit without Christ on a nation-wide scale.


When I first came to the United States I was only 14 years old. When I returned, I told the Lord that I would do whatever He wanted me to do as long as I didn't have to live in America (and look at me now!). Needless to say, I had no desire of staying here when I came back to US 6 years later as an intern for Metro Ministries with Pastor Bill Wilson.

After having lived here all this time, I can see how America changed me.

I am grateful:

- for freedom to preach

- for the American dream in its best sense (believing that one can achieve anything in this country)

- for the opportunity to minister alongside people from literally all over the world this enriching my world view

- for my wonderful husband

- for God teaching me to look past the superficial and deep into a man's heart.

I remember the days of old;

I meditate on all Your works;

I muse on the work of Your hands.

(Psalm 143:5)

He Has Not Turned Away My Prayer

This is Week #3 of Courtney's Marriage Challenge (for the explanation of the challenge - read here) and this week's challenge is PRAY for your husband daily.

The title of my post "He Has Not Turned Away My Prayer" comes from Psalm 66:20. Isn't it wonderful to know that He will not turn a deaf ear when we cry out to Him! And before I receive criticism from those who seemingly received no answer to their prayers for healing, for restoration, for salvation of loved ones - I also had times when my heart was shattered by seemingly unanswered prayer (even recently) - but today I still say, I trust His wisdom more than mine. He knows what He's doing in my life.

I asked my wonderful husband last night how I can pray for him and he asked for 2 things only:

1) Wisdom to make the right choices for our family

2) Promotion

So these are the things I will commit myself to pray for daily.

Courtney has a very extensive list on her blog of things you can pray for when you're praying for your husband (taken from "The Power of a Praying Wife" by Stormie Omartian) as well as a suggestion of using your wedding band as a reminder to say a quick prayer for your husband.

As you read this post - would you please say a one sentence prayer for us as well as we seek to please our Lord with our lives and ministry.

Strong Finish

Ice cream trucks playing there annoying little songs, fire hydrants running freely and humidity that makes you feel like you're in a sauna; this combination can mean only one thing... It's summer time in New York City! Which also means Sidewalk Sunday School is drawing to a close. For our Sidewalk Sunday School final week we had a water gun raffle. The kids love to be drenched with streams of H2O expertly dispensed by highly trained Sidewalk Sunday School water gun professionals. They all look so proud when they too can drench their friends with their new water guns.

Helen and I were hoping for a big turnout for this week. After all, it is the last chance to give the kids, and their parents one last word from God before the summer. We were blessed to see 433 in attendance at our four sites on Friday with a total attendance of the week for our team of 1580.

We also announced the winners of our attendance contest. Kids who came regularly to Sunday School, filled in homework, memorized verses, brought friends and participated in various activities earned stickers on our contest board. 6 kids earned enough stickers to go with us to Dave and Buster's (a restaurant/video arcade). Additionally we are taking two of our workers in training on this outing. There were also 7 kids who came to Sunday School 12 out of 12 weeks. They received a certificate of achievement and a $5 Dunkin Donuts card.

Special trips like this are not usually paid for by the ministry so many of our friends have stepped up to help sponsor this trip. For that we are truly grateful. If you would like to help us do extra things for our kids like this please let us know. We will be posting plenty of pictures after the trip which will happen on 29th of June.

Love Without Reservation

Almost 2 years ago in July 2008 Bryan & I looked at each other and gave each other a promise to love each other as long as we both shall live.

Two years have passed... and even in those short two years we have had occasional moments when we felt like our marriage was not working right. But we gave each other a promise to to stay by each other through the good times AND the bad. Many young couples make a mistake thinking love is that strong irresistible passion, that uncontained drive to be with each other. But love is bigger than that. Love is what stays when all else fails.

Here's what I said to my husband on our wedding day:

I, Helen, take you, Bryan, to be my lawfully wedded husband, secure in the knowledge that you will be my constant friend, my faithful partner in life, and my one true love. On this special and holy day, I give to you in the presence of God and all these witnesses my pledge to stay by your side as your faithful wife in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, as well as through the good times and the bad.

I promise to love you without reservation, comfort you in times of distress, encourage you to achieve all of your goals, laugh with you and cry with you, grow with you in mind and spirit, always be open and honest with you, and cherish you as long as we both shall live.

The one part that hit me (and is still a challenge for me) is "to love you without reservation". I am honestly convinced that I have worked my way through all others pretty well so far. But what does it really mean to love my husband without reservation?

That means getting off the computer when he comes home.

That means going places where he wants to go.

That means sitting on the couch with him at the end of the day.

That means NOT doing things that I consider important (looking forward to July 12th challenge)

Oh yes - and it does mean occasionally eating out at Dallas BBQ [sigh].

Our senior pastor and the founder of our ministry Pastor Bill Wilson always says, "Marriage is never 50/50. It should be 100/100". I give 100% and my husband gives 100%. That is what will make our marriage successfull.

Most importantly, for me to love my husband without reservation equaled to love him and cherish him with my 100% without expecting his 100% back.

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If you live in Portland, OR area - here's the web page of our wonderful photographer (who even came to New York for our wedding) - http://www.memorybookphotos.com/portlandphotographer/

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A few random articles:

Oldest African American Couple (as of February 2010) - married May 13, 1924

Submission In Marriage. What It Is and What It Isn't.

Dating Days

Today is the beginning of Courtney's Completing Him Summer Challenge.

The challenge today is to go back to our dating days and do something that would remind my husband of the "youthful wife I once was" (wow - I hope it won't be that hard granted we got married only 2 years ago - lol)

Our dating started slowly and progressed rapidly. Bryan and I met through our ministry (http://www.metroministries.org/) in 2004 in Summer Camp. I was on staff and Bryan has been coming for years to camp as a volunteer. I came over to the boys' side to relay a message... and I can't even remember what the deal was but I remember thinking, "How dare he talk to me like that?" I did not like that man.

Bryan came to our internship the year after in 2005 and stayed on staff. We were both in the same training to become team leaders for our Sidewalk Sunday School ministry. I think that was the time when we both started to let go of our judgmental and negative thoughts toward each other (oh yes, I later found out that our camp dislike was mutual). As we got to know each other better we gained more respect for each other. When we became leaders, our offices were next to each other and so... we talked once in a while.

In 2007 Bryan got transferred to another team and with the new team came the new assignment to our Preschool Class on Saturdays (guess who was in there?). We had lunch once and after a while they became a Saturday tradition. We both enjoyed those times. As that semester was coming to a close, both of us were getting ready to leave on extended vacations. Bryan was going to the Philippines and I was welcoming my mom for the first time into United States. We were going to be apart from each other for most of the summer. Bryan wanted to tell me how he felt about me and so Monday morning June 25th, 2007 we met for breakfast. I don't remember Bryan actually telling me that he liked me (I am sure he might have eluded to that at some point in the conversation) - so for me nothing was changing. We were good friends - that's all. For Bryan, however, that day became the day he fell in love with me and realized that he wanted to pursue me for marriage.

(the day Bryan fell in love with me - June 25th is now Red Polka Dot Day in our family)

We had breakfast and in a few days left for our vacations. As we spent long four weeks away from each other, I realized how attached I have become and how much I missed him.

We started dating in August.

(our first official dating photo - September 3rd, 2007)

For New Year's I flew to Arizona to meet Bryan's family.

(visiting Bryan's family in Arizona for the first time - Grand Canyon)

As I look back to our dating days, I am realizing how much we sought to please each other. Everything we did was geared towards serving and loving. We spent every available moment together.

We walked... a lot!

For our first Valentine's Day I made Bryan a nice breakfast (yes - these are heart-shaped pancakes on the picture) in the morning...

... and in the evening Bryan treated me to an exquisite meal.

We had a great time - and I loved dating him. He was the most wonderful person to be with.

As the reality of marriage settled in, I wondered what happened. I no longer had the butterflies. I blamed Bryan for many things that he could have been doing better. I was often frustrated and annoyed.

Until

I realized

This has NOTHING to do with my husband!!!

I was the one who had changed. It was no longer enough for me to simply hear, "I love you". It was no longer enough to keep getting flowers. I wanted more. I wanted him to pick up his socks off the floor and put them into the laundry hamper. I wanted him to make more money. I wanted him to be more responsible. I wanted him to read my mind and know exactly which mood I was in. I wanted him to want to do the dishes (mainly because I didn't). Somehow I held him to a much higher standard now in our marriage than I did during our dating days... when just being with him was enough.

So... What's Next??

My next step was letting go of unrealistic expectations and simply enjoying our marriage. It worked for me. I may still sometimes get frustrated - but I am sure he has as many reasons (if not more) to be frustrated with me. God did not call me to be right. God called me to serve and love. And this is what I am resolving to do.

We went to Central Park today and took "couple pictures" - just like when we first started dating. And then we walked to Times Square. Just walking and talking and simply enjoying each other.

Think today: Do you have unspoken or unrealistic expectations of your spouse?

Completing Him Summer Challenge

I am busy... so busy...

Sidewalk Sunday School semester leaves me drained by the end of the day. Oh don't get me wrong - it's a great drained, knowing that your busy hours and hectic schedule are making eternal difference by pointing people to our Savior.

And yet... It's easy to leave the very people who are most important to you out of the equation. It's easy to serve everyone else around you... but your husband.


This is why I have decided to participate in Courtney's Completing Him Summer Challenge. Hop on over to see what it's all about. And if you're married - let's do this together!

Excessive Exposure

I was confronted recently with the overwhelming need that this world is in. Within less than 2 months I have visited Belarus, and saw the pictures of my friends who went on a missions trip to India, and Cuba, and Haiti. The need all around me was so overwhelming. And then I paused... and I wondered why is it that I am... NOT OVERWHELMED. It hit me... hard... like a brick thrown from the top of the Empire State Building... Has my heart hardened? Do I no longer feel the pain of those who suffer? And if so - why and how and when did all of this happen?


After long time of soul searching I believe I found the answer. Excessive Exposure. If you are a Christian here in United States, you are most likely bomarded daily with the requests of prayer, support, encouragement for ministries here in US and all over the world. And somehow knowing that you're not able to help everyone makes it difficult for us to respond with a soft heart.


"Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer" (Deuteronomy 10:16)


⁶ “ Is this not the fast that I have chosen:
To loose the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the heavy burdens,
To let the oppressed go free,
And that you break every yoke?
⁷ Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;
When you see the naked, that you cover him,
And not hide yourself from your own flesh?
⁸ Then your light shall break forth like the morning,
Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
And your righteousness shall go before you;
The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
⁹ Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer;
You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’” (Isaiah 58:6-14)


We need to repent and ask God to break our hearts for the suffering of His people.
Church needs to rise up. We can no longer turn a deaf ear.

Raising Homemakers

Raising Homemakers has launched!!!

Raising Homemakers is a website that is "dedicated to inspiring, teaching and blessing mothers who have an interest in raising their daughter in godliness and preparing them in the arts of homemaking to the glory of God"

This is why...

Attendance Contest

This semester Bryan & I are doing something new on our Sidewalk Sunday School site. We are having attendance contest for the kids. We made a board with their names on it and every time they come they get a sticker. But not just that. They also get a sticker every time they learn a memory verse by heart or bring a friend who's never been to Sunday School before. We print out homework for them to take home that has activities from the lesson that we teach. Their goal is to collect as many stickers as they possibly can. At the end of this semester of Sunday School we will be taking the kids with most stickers on their card to Dave and Buster's in Times Square and raffling out some prizes for the rest of the kids.

It will cost us $25 per child to go to Dave and Busters. We would like to take as many kids as possible.

Would you prayerfully consider sponsoring one of our kids for this trip? You can easily donate towards the trip using our PayPal button in the right column (note that this is not a tax-deductible donation). If you choose to do so - please write us a quick email or message us on Facebook so we know what that money is for. We need to receive the money by June 15th so we know how many children we can pick.

I am so thrilled to see some of these kids come every week and grow in God despite their environment. Please keep praying for them.

This is why

It's been a tough week. We have learned about two violent crimes that our Sunday School kids were involved in. One happened earlier in the week in Sheepshead Bay (read story here). Another just yesterday in the Bronx (read story here). Both of these girls had attended Sunday School.

This is why we are here.

You are not guaranteed tomorrow - so make the most of today!

Welcome to Shrek's Swamp

Just a quick slideshow to share with you all the fun we had during Shrek week at our Sidewalk Sunday School sites:

Oceans of kids

There is a celebration happening at the Sweeney home!
A birthday? - NO
An anniversary? - NO
Promotion? - NO
Having a baby? - NO

We're celebrating because of the amazing things God is doing on our sidewalk team this year.
There is an weekly attendance goal set for every Sidewalk Sunday School team of 1000. In years past we have struggled to hit even 800 in attendance but this semester we have so far broken the 1000 threshold 3 the times! In fact our attendance has improved every single week this semester. Are you ready for our most recent number?


Are You?



Wait for it



can you guess?




Give up



1270

That's right 1270 children, teenagers, and adults heard the message of Jesus Christ this week.

But they're not just coming to Sidewalk Sunday School. Our attendance for Revolution (our youth service) has also been multiplying. Helen and I have had half a dozen young people ride the bus to Revolution every week. Also, due to a lack of drivers, one of our vans can no longer pick up for that service. We told the teens if they take the train there we will take them home. Thinking that was the end of those teenagers Revolution experience we have been pleased to see 4-6 teenagers show up at Revolution ON THEIR OWN.


We are extremely excited to see what other mighty things God has in store. Keep praying and stay tuned for updates.

When Mother's Day Is Difficult...

As Mother's Day approaches I honor women in my life who have become a mother figure to me, guiding me along the way. Some I was related to, others were bound to me by Christ's love.

Yet I know many women who have mixed feelings about Mother's Day. If you need a word of comfort and encouragement this Mother's Day - you can read this article by Holley here.