I'm thinking of Ukraine

My thoughts have been going to Eastern Europe all this week. Ever since I was a little kid I have felt a connection to that part of the world.
Praying for peace and sending you all love! ❤ Laura
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About Me
I'm a young mom living in an intentional community called the Bruderhof, and vlogging about what that's like.
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What is the Bruderhof?
The Bruderhof is an intentional Christian community of people living in radical discipleship in the spirit of the first church in Jerusalem. We gladly renounce private property and share everything in common. Our vocation is a life of service to God, each other, and you. Learn more at the Bruderhof KZbin channel: ► www.youtube.co...
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[@margaretknowles3060]

Thinking and praying for Ukraine with you Laura 🙏 A few Local community members here in UK driving to Poland next week with hopefully 1000 donated sleeping bags, A 20 hour drive plus ferry crossing, please remember to pray for safe journey 🙏

[@margaretknowles3060]

To confirm there were 1500 sleeping bags donated plus hundreds of blankets ... how fantastic is that, the small team had a safe but tiring journey... 🙏 God :- The gift that keeps on giving

[@andrewdewitt7234]

Thank you for your thoughtful and prayerful response to this terrible situation.

[@bmwood0827]

Thanks for sharing Laura about Ukraine. It’s quite the connection you have. Our prayers are for them along with yours praying for peace!

[@simondavey7787]

This is one of the most beautiful videos you have ever made. A very close friend of mine is terrified and homeless in Kharkiv; I'm trying to get her to the UK. Your closing words are spot on. Thank you.

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

Thank you Simon. We will be praying for you and your friend.

[@Noone-rt6pw]

That's a predicament to be in. Getting help to them might be more challenging

[@anahovhan]

Interesting to see this connection to Armenia as I am Armenian. It’s heartbreaking to see the same devastation of war take place in Ukraine as Armenia experienced this in 2020 as well. War and suffering in any place is saddening but it is also a sign of the return of Christ and only in Him will we truly rest and be at peace. This hymn is an encouragement to be still and know that He is God (even when things around us are shaking, He remains our solid foundation): Be still, my soul; the Lord is on your side; bear patiently the cross of grief or pain; leave to your God to order and provide; in ev'ry change he faithful will remain. Be still, my soul; your best, your heav’nly friend through thorny ways leads to a joyful end. Be still, my soul; your God will undertake to guide the future as he has the past; your hope, your confidence, let nothing shake; all now mysterious shall be bright at last. Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know his voice who ruled them while he lived below. Be still, my soul; when dearest friends depart and all is darkened in the vale of tears, then you will better know his love, his heart,who comes to soothe your sorrows and your fears. Be still, my soul; your Jesus can repay from his own fullness all he takes away. Be still, my soul; the hour is hast'ning on when we shall be forever with the Lord, when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone, sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored. Be still my soul; when change and tears are past, all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

[@zaram131]

Love this song.

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

Thank you for sharing

[@javabradley7521]

Very powerful words from your friends from Ukraine: to paraphrase: “there is sin and darkness on both sides and repentance on both sides is the only prayer worth praying.” I’ve been praying that our world leaders will all truly seek peace and be moved by compassion to stop the death and destruction of war. May Christ be lifted up, and with Him faith, hope, and love.

[@bbeige54]

That would require US leadership repenting from their foreign policy of interference.

[@irenedavo3768]

Let there be Peace on Earth and let it begin with me!

[@Largefamilyfloridalifestyle]

It’s truly beautiful to see how knowledgeable and passionate you are about past and present events of your family and others ❤️ I also love the prayers you pray with your boys at night! God bless you guys ❤️ Ps. I was born in 1993 too 😁

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

That's so cool! Hope you and your family are doing well as well! ❤ Laura

[@Machtmirdochegal]

They really are amazing people especially if you see their humanity and kindness in the middle of war, watching the people be caring for a russian soldier that surrendered even letting him video call his mother is one of those moments where you're reminded that humanity can survive even in the most horrible of circumstances. Parents leaving strollers the arriving refugees with little children at the train station. People putting effort in to provide soul food, I read about an initiative providing vegan food because they still care about the nourishment of the soul and dignity in the middle of this chaos, you just can't lose hope if people still go the extra mile for the comfort of few. One coping mechanism I have in deep diving into the depravities of human history and the systematic level of it (hopefully to help prevent further repetitions, one should dream) is to look at the ones that help, that remain kind but stand up, the ones that just care even if they don't have to and looking at the resolve and resilience of the people and it shows there's no level of horror you can inflict on people if you have people that carry the idea of inner peace and freedom in their heart and every tyrant is scared of that inner fighting spirit for love. Most tyrannies ended when enough people were fed up and believed in a better future and decided to not be ignored anymore. Metal also helps, you still gotta find a healthy way that works for you to channel the frustation while being creative, you can't work to improve it when your judgement is clouded by frustation. Tyrants generally are hurt scared souls just like every other bully, they just have more means to inflict terror to try to feel strong by kicking down, that's how my parents broached the subject with injustices like this and they showed us how to stand up to it, there is strength in numbers and being stubbornly humane when it comes to resistance and deterrance, the only way they truely can win is by people giving up on empathy as a guiding light, I was born into a divided country where people died trying to leave for the other part of the country and that wall fell before I turned one because people chose love, trust and bravery over being afraid and divided, so I know about the power of humans banding together for a higher goal.

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

Thank you for your words. Those are beautiful examples of real love! Stay well 😊

[@Machtmirdochegal]

@@LaurafromtheBruderhof You too. A little suggestion, some people link initiatives that help in the description to make it easier for people to help, because some are overwhelmed with doing the research, maybe you can reach the people that are worried about their resources going towards the war effort with your specific platform. If you‘re up for it.

[@suzannepeck5610]

Laura: how rich you are to be able to reach back to the 18th century, and to Paul Mendel, and to know and be able to trace your specific heritage. How rich you and Chris are also to be able to protect your boys in the bosom of the Bruderhof, far from actual conflict. How fortunate every American is in this respect. My prayers are joining yours for peace. Suzanne Peck

[@bbeige54]

Yes. Fortunate to live in the US and not have to fear the US government’s hegemony over the world except of course mass shootings. How can one feel concerned about Ukraines plight without recognizing the US’ role in putting them against Russia?

[@brianmurphy7962]

Thank you Laura … God bless you, your family and community, pray for Ukraine !

[@hattie-thebatty-2486]

Thank you Laura for such a thoughtful & prayerful video and sharing your father's connection to Ukraine. It breaks my heart not just for the people and what they are losing but as you mentioned the architecture, so many old and beautiful building destroyed, some many centuries old.

[@Bibliobelle_]

Thank you for sharing this connection with us! Wow. 💓

[@jackienaiditch7965]

I think that those of us who are able might consider donating money, medical supplies, etc., to various charities.

[@cynthiakarazim2197]

Thank you Laura, your beautiful compassionate response to and the way you explain the troubles in our world to your children is a calm blessing. We so often fear the unknown, become saturated by media news. It’s our call to prayer, to give our petitions to God, and to nurture an atmosphere at home of safety, protection and love.

[@Bibliobelle_]

Video idea: a bookshelf tour!

[@joannewall5499]

I pray every day for the people of Ukraine, Maria Montessori said “Everyone talks about peace but no one educates for peace, in this world they educate for competition and competition is the beginning of any war. When educating to cooperate we owe each other solidarity, that day we will be educating for peace” a very wise woman

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

Thanks! Very wise words indeed.

[@missyholz]

I do pray. Just not understanding what Ukraine has done to Russia?!

[@jackienaiditch7965]

Putin wants to bring back the bad old days of a united Soviet Union. Also, He's afraid Ukraine will join NATO, which, in his eyes, would pose a security threat to Russia.

[@missyholz]

@@yuliiadyshko3874, I agree that this is unprovoked. I believe Putin is evil. I think my comment was based off of something said in the video. Prayers going up for all in Ukraine!

[@georgiaamanatides4207]

I recall you volunteered to go and help the economic migrants in the Mediterranean. Are you now, or other Bruderhof, since you are a social justice warrior, going to volunteer and go over there and help the Ukranians physically as you did the economic migrants?

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

Yes! Thanks for asking. I would love to go, but some friends of mine are going over to Austria to do similar work with children from Ukraine. I'm really looking forward to hearing about everything they experience!

[@dariuszgoralski856]

❤️

[@marshamagic8551]

My husband was ukranian

[@hondafreedom9329]

I could not any longer watch Zelenskyy and Ukraine's plight. I would cry and get angry. I knitted Ukrainian bracelets. It's so wrong. He is a hero. I am 12.5% Ukrainian (paternal grandparents' side). The types of atrocities that the Russian soldiers and Putin are inflicting turn my stomach. I think of Ukraine daily. I have Ukrainian flags and a bumper sticker. My paternal grandparents were from Poland/Russia. I speak Russian, although not fluently, and now I wish I did not. They sailed on a ship for 2.5 months from Russia to NYC to start a new life. Of course, they are not alive any longer. Zelenskyy is a true hero, but it seems obscene to hear about what is happening or watch the news because we just sit and watch. Hurts my heart terribly. My former colleague, a Librarian, her sister, and her son were refugees in Poland running from the war in Ukraine, though her husband stayed with his mother and cat. She is finally now in the U.S. with her sister (the Librarian at my former school) with her son. Slava Ukraine! Slava Zelenskyy! Slava Ukrainian people! Peace on earth. No offense, it is only from one side, and that is Russia; Putin. Ukraine does not need to do anything but defend itself.

[@louisecooper2580]

The Israelites left Egypt under Moses who took orders from God 🙏 and this is why we must be so thankful for our own situation As for the Russian President we need to send him a copy of the holy Bible with certain bits highlighted Let's pray for ☮️ Remember Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and forever

[@irenedavo3768]

Are Prayers enough?

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

Good question, but at least its a start.

[@wayneveck4593]

Visit the UK Laura

[@CherylHaurik]

Thank you so much for your videos. Sometimes, when watching the you tube videos it is a relief from the news and wickedness out in the world. The most important thing to do during these times is to trust Jesus and Pray. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

[@Fairfax40DaysforLife]

I might recommend changing this video's thumbnail. It looks like you're laughing about news from Ukraine.

[@deathmachine808]

'Thoughts and prayers' LOL. Jesus.

[@ckblackwoodmusic]

'93.... That puts you at about a year younger than me, Laura; how sickening it is to see someone in my generation born into the slavery of Christianity and spewing that poison out to thousands of people on KZbin.

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

Yes, C.K. Blackwood, it is terrible that so much evil has been done in the name of “Christianity” over the last 2000 years. But those events have absolutely nothing to do with the teachings and life of Jesus. His words have been twisted and misused to justify all manner of terrible practices but his most basic teachings to forgive and to 'do unto others and as you have them to unto you' have not been followed by many people who call themselves Christians. -Laura

[@ckblackwoodmusic]

@@LaurafromtheBruderhof I debunked that in the response to my other comment; thanks for the acknowledgement.

[@wilmafallon8712]

God bless the people in Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine government is now being exposed big time …..praise God nothing will be left unturned. 🙏

[@irenedavo3768]

Killing is wrong?