Written by Candace on February 19, 2014 | 5 Comments

Praying for Ukraine

Some days, some weeks, just don’t go as planned. And I’m starting to learn that’s ok. Yesterday was one such day. And I’m beginning to think I’m in such a week.

We woke up Tuesday morning to terrible news from Ukraine. It’s hard to be genuinely concerned about your to-do-list when people are fighting and dying for simple freedoms in Vitaliy’s home country. Not to mention, his two sisters and brother-in-law are living in the very city where the majority of the fighting is taking place. I need to write a blog post. We need to edit these photos. It’s amazing how emotions can effect your energy and productivity levels. I’m not going to lie, I worked from bed yesterday. I answered emails while checking the latest live footage of Ukraine, reading the most up to date news articles, and trying to focus long enough to say prayers. Because what we really need is for God to move.

It’s hard to believe that only 8 months ago we walked the streets of Ukraine. In fact, we walked in the exact areas where the fighting is taking place. We were just there! But now we are here. And our family is there. And that’s hard. Prayer is real and it is comforting. It helps you focus on the only One who is able. But it doesn’t always permanently remove the fear of the unknown. It doesn’t take away the concern for your family. There still remains this heaviness in your heart. And then you are reminded to pray again. I can only imagine what Vitaliy feels as this is his people and his country.

I made myself write today. I honestly did not want to. My thoughts are all over the place and I didn’t want to formulate them. But I want to remember this time. This is history. This is part of our story. If I want to be a writer, I can’t just write when I feel like it. Sometimes you have to do art when everything in you is telling you not to. And sometimes you have to pray when everything in you is asking, what’s the point.

If you’d like to know more, watch or read. And please pray or spread the word. Thank you!

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Written by Candace on February 13, 2014 | 3 Comments

Delivering Kisses

Yesterday I had the opportunity of sharing my life story with someone.

This is always a wonderful opportunity, but certain parts of the story can be difficult to articulate because they’re painful. But when I told it yesterday, I was surprised to find myself even more emotional when sharing stories about Vitaliy. Not painful ones, no. Stories of his faithfulness, his patience and his grace. The kind of stories that make me admire him and ask God how he came to be mine. Sometimes someone’s love can be so moving it can bring you to tears. That’s the way Vitaliy has loved me for the past 9 years we’ve been together. And how easy I forget.

It takes a conscious effort to stop and think, to choose to see, all that your spouse does for you. Whether it be big or small. Done in the open or humbly behind the scenes. Either way, let’s stop and acknowledge what they’ve done and what they’re doing. Express it verbally. Or perhaps write it down, make it permanent. Surprise them! Because they may not realize you’ve even noticed.

Here’s a little idea for Valentine’s Day, but to be honest, it’s meant to be done at any time of the year. Expressing our affection for those we love should be done spontaneously and consistently. But it’s fun to get creative and go all out sometimes too! So, here we go…

Deliver some kisses! Love notes to be included. Here are five possible ways to deliver, but feel free to plan your own.

Send a bag of kisses to your husband while he’s away on a business trip. Or better yet, hide the bag in his suitcase!
Leave a trail of kisses all around the house for him to find when he wakes up.
Include a collection of kisses inside a Valentine’s Day card.
Put a kiss here and there for him to find throughout the day. In his pocket, in the car, inside his laptop, etc.
Mail an envelope of kisses to his office address to surprise him on a workday.

Gentleman, assuming you don’t want to put lipstick on and leave a kiss imprint, I’ve still got an idea for you. Replace the paper kisses above with Hershey’s kisses and attach or include a little love note with each. Every girl loves chocolate and a love note! And feel free to use any of the delivery ideas above.

Thanks to Kate from StyleSmaller for helping me bring this idea to life.

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Written by Candace on February 12, 2014 | 2 Comments

Valentine’s Day Dinner Party

In case you’ve forgotten, this Friday is Valentine’s Day. If you haven’t made plans yet, it’s never too late!

Vitaliy and I used to not like Valentine’s Day. We always thought it was unromantic to be told to be romantic. You know what I mean? However, the past few years we’ve grown to liking it because we found good ways to give it purpose. Any excuse to share and spread love sounds like a good idea to me. But it needs to be authentic and meaningful which is precisely why I love this Valentine’s Day Dinner Party from Delighted Magazine.

Here’s the scoop! Grab one or two other couples. I’d recommend keeping it small so it’s more intimate. And don’t feel the need to do anything over the top. All of the details Mandy uses in her dinner party are easy and approachable. If you don’t have time to cook a big meal, grab store bought or take-out. This night is not about impressing, it’s about connecting. Write out fun get-to-know-each-other questions on hearts to keep the conversation going and geared around celebrating love. For example, have each couple share the story of how they met. You’ll get to know your friends better while also being reminded why you fell in love with your spouse or significant other in the first place.

To see more photos, get more details, and the recipe for the bubbly drink you see here, be sure to check out the latest issue of Delighted Magazine.

Sharing your love story with others is a great way to show affection for the person you love. Give it a try!

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