Great happiness comes to us with little joys

I grew up in an ordinary Soviet family: father Victor and mother Tamara come from the village of Zhytomyr region. We met in Kiev, when we worked at a shoe factory. Almost all my life we ​​lived in a hostel. Our family is quite large: I have my own sister Ira and two cousins ​​Ania and Tanya, whom my parents adopted when their mother, my aunt, died. At school I had good teachers, a friendly class, so I always liked to study. My friend was the president of the school, and I was her assistant, together we organized various school events, so the school days were bright and rich and left a lot of pleasant memories.

We lived always simply and modestly, as there was never any extra money in the family. Parents never told us where to go to study after school or what profession to choose, we made the decision ourselves. It was not easy, but it helped to learn how to be responsible for your choice. One day in the eleventh class, a representative of the National Aviation University came to us for a lesson and offered to attend preparatory courses for admission to the university. Among the specialties, I found one that particularly interested me - philology, translation of technical literature. After consulting with the parents, we decided that we could pay for these courses, and so, I decided on my future profession. In 2004, having successfully passed the entrance exams, I entered the university on a budgetary form learning. It was a great happiness, because we had no money to pay for studies! In 4 years I received a bachelor's degree and found a job in the specialty - import manager in a private company. I decided not to enter the magistracy, because I already worked. And in my personal life there were changes, we with the future husband were preparing for the wedding. My husband Oleg was from the Adventist family, by that time I was already in the Seventh-day Adventist church. And I came to church this way.

My aunt lived in one of the sleeping areas of Kiev - in Troyeschina. She became friends with the Adventist family and started attending Sabbath services, but before she was baptized, she contracted cancer. She was admitted to the church by vote, then she died. Through my aunt with Adventists, my mother also met. For a certain period of time my sister and mother also attended Saturday school and worship services. But soon after the death of my aunt stopped.

A few years later, our Adventist friends invited my mother to the program that Mark Finley was conducting. Mom liked it very much, and she called me with her. On the very first evening I realized that the truth is being spoken here, and I want to learn more about it. During the program, I found answers to many questions of interest to me: "Where are we on this planet? Why do I live? What will happen to me after death? "Two weeks later, the preacher addressed the audience with an appeal, to give his life to God and I realized that I had to do it. I felt that I just could not sit in the armchair and went ahead with those who agreed to be baptized. Then I knew very little about Adventism, the doctrines of the church, and the writings of Ellen White, but on March 26, 2005, I was baptized. Unfortunately, none of my family has ever repeated my experience. At first Papa was very worried: "What kind of sect? what will happen to the daughter? ", but after a couple of months he calmed down when he saw that money was not required from me, and I do not differ in strange behavior. Mom supports me very much, and often goes to church services, but on weekends she goes to her parents in the village, helps with housework, thereby violating Saturday. Therefore, she still does not dare to be baptized. Sisters respect my choice and my religious views, but, unfortunately, do not show much interest in faith.

After about six months of visiting the church, I began to worry about the fact that I do not have special talents for service. It was at this moment that the youth leader Felix Poniatowski announced his recruitment to a Christian theater studio. It was exactly what I needed, because I already had 6 years of experience in the theater circle. At the first meeting, about ten people came, among whom was Oleg, my future husband. Although then, of course, I did not know this. The head of the studio was Lilya Ponyatovskaya, and the first serious piece we put on was the play The Happy Prince. We rehearsed for almost a year, tried very hard and became friends with the guys, including Oleg, because we got the main roles - Swallows and Prince. After the performance Oleg's mother told him: "A good girl, take a look at her," but he categorically refused to "look at me." I also had clear requirements for a young man who claims to be a "guy": serious intentions and real dedication to God. At that time, Oleg did not meet these requirements, as it seemed to me. But in the summer of the same year, my friends and I went to the camp. Do not just rest, but serve as mentors. It was there that Oleg and I got to know each other better and just "fell in love", the service changed him very much, he became calmer and more serious. I appreciated his diligence, sense of humor and an active life position. In addition, it was nice to know that he plays great guitar. The camp is over, and our friendship has developed into a more serious relationship. In a couple of months of "meeting" Oleg said that he was going to marry. At first I was a little scared, but then I realized that it was God's answer to my prayers. We always actively participated in the ministry: they were teachers of the Saturday school, leading youth meetings, mentors at the camps. Two years later, in August 2008, we got married. We have two children: Vadim is now eight years old, Eve is five.

After we decided to become a family of ministers, there is only one experience - how to make a living, if Oleg is a student, and I'm sitting at home with the kids. But God arranged everything here. Thanks to his ability to play the guitar, Oleg got acquainted with the Adventist businessman, who up to now supports us financially, allowing Oleg to earn extra money in his company in his spare time.

There was one more experience related to finance. Shortly before moving to Bucha, we were robbed - all the cash was taken out of the apartment. But thanks to the participation of friends, we realized that we have nothing to worry about - God knows all our needs and worries about them. Money returned to us within one week.

My favorite Bible verse:

Favorite this verse, probably, because I very often repeat it.

Children are my wealth and a huge blessing for our family. I would never trade the happy years, led along with them for a career, because they fly so fast. God trusts us with children only for a short time and so wants to be a good example for them, to have time to build with them the most intimate and trusting relationship, long in all life. We got wonderful personalities! And although they too are disobedient and stubborn - every day with them is filled with special joy and meaning. I am inspired by the example of my mother-in-law - Olga Bokova, who prayed for her children from birth to this day. I am very grateful to her for raising my husband and I really want our children to be like my father. I am sure that prayer helps to solve any difficulties in the upbringing of children, because it opens the door for the miraculous influence of Heaven.

I'm still madly in love with my husband! I am sure that this is the best gift of God in my life. He is for me a great example and inspiration, my support and protection. He is a minister by vocation. In our family he is a priest. Despite his busy schedule, he supports me in the ministry, helps to develop, finds time to play with children and fully provides