A letter from Jan 02, 2024

Dear FutureMe, I meant to write to you on Jan 1st(yesterday), but I was at the youth camp and by the time I got home I didn't have the brains to put anything together, even now as I write to you, I am sick. Ivan didn't go to work today because he was burning from a fever. It's strange- I didn't expect my new year to start off like this, but hopefully you aren't sick! I write to you in order for you to reflect on yourself, who you were and what you did in 2023. I hope you've grown and have gotten wiser. In 2023; Your hair started off as a buzzcut with some major patches but now it has grown out just almost touching your shoulders, who knew your hair would curl up like that! I still have patches from both sides near my ears and in the back at the nape, but they're easy to hide... for now. Also my left eyelash grew out but seems like it's falling out again, I hope it's fully grown out for you. I hope your hair gets better from here, not worse, but if it gets worse, please do not be in despair, trust in God's will. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 I've learned to trust God and in His plan, I've also learned that there are just some things that I will never understand, and that's okay. I've learned to forgive the unforgivable, I believe in 2023, God has strengthened my ability to forgive others, especially my husband. I've learned that I fall short greatly as a wife. I have noticed too many times where I was disrespectful and unloving towards my husband. Especially these past recent months. There are too many ways I’ve been wrong to him, but I want you to improve in this at least; Do not put him down. I know we’ve grown up with people telling us that he’s slow, and we believed it, and treated him according to the belief. We’ve disrespected him and took the lead when it wasn’t our place. You made him look terrible with the things you’ve said just to be funny or favorable. Your husband isn’t perfect and he falls short- alot. But God teaches you to give him unconditional submission/respect. By taking lead and becoming the head, you cause each other to sin, you by taking lead and him by submitting to your lead. This 2024 year, be more loving, kind, gentle, and most importantly submit to your husband. Pray for him, always, may God continue the work He’s started. Trust in God. “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 Surround yourself within mature crowds, 2023 showed me that you tend to conform to the people surrounding you. I’ve also noticed that you much more enjoy the company of people who are older than you. They are more likely to speak of deeper meaningful things. But with teenagers, it tends to be all fun and games- immature. It’s not wrong to be around the young, but don’t conform to their foolishness. Control yourself, be the example, someone they can look up to. Don’t come down to their level of childishness. It’s embarrassing to look back at how obnoxious you can get, attracting attention to yourself in a very ugly way. Be a gentle and quiet spirit that is precious in the LORD’s sight. “but it should be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.” 1 Peter 3:4 I also want to thank you, thank you for letting go of things and giving them up to God to handle. I know that going to camp to choose life in 2023 was one of the hardest and most heartbreaking things you had to do. To let go of Ivan and put him in God’s hands. And everything that you imagined to go wrong, did go wrong, but if you wouldn’t have left, who knows how much worse things would’ve gotten. At that camp you seeked out help, and your cry was heard! You’ve done your part of letting go, and God is doing His, by working at Ivan’s heart. I know you aren’t seeing the results as fast as you wished you had, but God is never early and never late. He is always on time. Trust in Him, fight for your marriage. You aren’t up against your husband, remember that. Give him up to the LORD in prayer. Stop it with your big mouth, be wise about what can be shared with others and what should stay in between you and whoever. You’ve done too much in 2023, and told people things they shouldn’t have known. Be trustworthy. In 2023; You’re still in college ARC, 2nd year 2nd semester for FASHION, but you’re thinking of dropping out. You’ve joined the church choir, closer to the end of the year. You’ve lost weight and gained it, currently you’re 158 pounds, you were 146 lb at some point. You’ve actually sewed a few garments this year, a dream come true! Do it more! You’ve gone to Cancun for your 1st year anniversary and it was a disaster, plan your trips with more activities and don’t go to resorts! But if you end up going to a resort, go only for 3-4 nights, more than that gets boring. You’ve got christian counseling help for your marriage by Andrey Z (Praise the LORD) You still don’t own a home and live with your parents. No children. You’ve officially become part of Willow Gospel church! You’ve changed and have gotten wiser, I pray you continue to grow in faith and become more and more Christ-like as the days go by. You’ve made a lot of new friends in 2023; Bogdan and Vlada Mulko, Margo P and Sophia Y from Slavik's group, Mihael Belschi and his sons from church, Alice from choir Olga Lobkov Important dates to remember; 6 years since you’ve met Ivan - Feb 11, 2024 3 years since your baptism - July 31st, 2024 2 years since your marriage - May 14, 2024 This 2024, I want you to be more; humble, kinder, loving, understanding, open, and above all MORE God-seeking! You’ve started the “read the bible in a year”, I hope you’ve actually read it! You’ve also said that you won’t eat any sweets this year! No exceptions! How did you do? How are you, 2025 self? Disappointed or satisfied? Reflect and write back! I look forward to hearing back from you!