Waitin' for a flood?

One day Josiah got his pants dirty so I told him to go to his room and get the jeans on the table to change into. He came back and had me snap the top button because he couldn't. As I snapped the button, I thought, "Hmmmmmm these jeans are already snug on him". I didn't think of looking at him. We went on throughout the day, ate lunch, and when Josiah stood up from his lunch, Jon said "Wow Josiah, those pants are really small on you". Josiah had put on Nathan's jeans. I couldn't stop laughing and neither could he.

Happy Birthday To Me

This past Sunday was my BIRTHDAY! Yay. This was a very big deal in our home since it gave Josiah something to look forward to. He kept saying we were going to have a family party. He started counting down the days a week before my birthday and every morning he would come and find me and give me the official countdown. I couldn't let the poor guy down so I tried to make it a special day for me........sounds selfish but he loved it. I got some wonderful and thoughtful gifts from my very darling husband. A hilarious birthday card. Josiah loved on me all day long, he wouldn't even take off his church outfit off because he wanted to leave it on all day for mom's birthday. Later in the evening my dear friend Christina surprised me with her husband and Igor and his fiancee Masha. We sat around and chatted for a while. It was really a great day and there's nothing better than feeling loved by those who are the most important to you.....family and friends.


Josiah all ready to party!



Me being surprised by the beautiful earrings Jon gave me.



Another great gift my wonderful husband gave me.



Blowing out the candle.



Our favorite Russian cake we always buy.


The yummy cake Christina made with candles that wouldn't blow it.



Left to Right: Zhenya, Christina, Igor, and Masha

Ordination

This past Sunday our church ordained two deacons(Andrey H. and Pasha R.) and a pastor(Andrey Z.). The church here in Russia ordains deacons and recognizes them as servants and leaders in the church. Even though our church already has a pastor, a decision was made to ordain another pastor. All three of these men are Godly men who serve as examples to the entire church. They love their wives and children, they love the saints, and they have a deep love for the Lord. Andrey Z. who was ordained as pastor has become a dear friend to Jon. He is also one of Jon's translators. We are truly so privileged to be serving alongside these men and praise God for how they honor the Lord with their lives.


The church council or the "brothers".



Andrey H. and his wife Tanya.



Pasha and his wife Olya.



Andrey Z. and his wife Neela

McDonalds In Samara

When we are in the States we never go to McDonalds but here in Samara it is a nice little treat. Josiah loves to go and get a happy meal. Truthfully we don't go a lot so when we do go it is quite a big deal. This time while we were eating one of the managers came over to ask us how our meal was and how it compared to the United States. I told her that the food tastes all the same and that we really enjoy coming to McDonalds. Actually, the McDonalds here is so clean, and the management does a really good job of running the place. But, one of my favorite things about going to McDonalds here is that the cherry pies are still fried and not baked.

Our Talented Wives

About once a month we do a craft or cooking day for the wives of the men who are being prepared to be pastors. This is in addition to our teaching times. This month it was my responsibility to come up with a craft...........yikes...........I am not crafty whatsoever! So, I came up with an easy idea of decorating frames and I really thought it was going to be a flop. I didn't take into account though how creative and artistic our wives are. They really enjoyed decorating their wooden picture frames and the results were pretty amazing.

One Cool Cat

Valentine's Party!

I have to say that I have never really liked Valentine's Day. I really didn't like V Day when I was single, it was just a reminder of being manless. Even after I got married it just seemed so commercial to me. Jon and I have never really done anything special for Valentines. But, after having Josiah I really have started liking it so much. It is just fun having a holiday to look forward to, doing special craft, baking heart shaped sugar cookies, and Heather's annual party. Since we've been in Samara her Valentine's party is a very anticipated event in Josiah's life. So, on Thursday just Jojo and I made our way to the Klassen home to join 11 other kids and 5 other mommies to celebrate. Heather does a great job! She puts on a very festive table with lots of goodies for lunch, then afterwards the kids got to decorate their very own heart shaped chocolate cakes. Josiah had a great time and on Friday he woke up asking to go to the party again!

 

POTATOES

Today as I was preparing dinner, I began thinking about how much I hate the preparation of potatoes. Here are my reasons:
1. Potatoes in Russia are very dirty. It is a pain to clean and scrub them. My sink is a huge mess once I am done.
2. I don't like to peel them. 9 out of 10 times I end up with a little cut from trying to peel them. It also takes forever to peel potatoes.
3. Chopping them is another pain. They are so hard to cut through.
4. I never cook them right. I think I am always in a hurry to get them done so it seems like it takes forever to get them soft enough.
5. I also hate handling hot baked potatoes. I always burn myself. Especially when I make twice baked potatoes and I have to scoop out the inside.
and last but not least.
6. My mashed potatoes are atrocious. Way too lumpy. I can never mash them enough.

Unfortunately for me, potatoes are a huge staple here in Russia. In the winter, vegetables are very short in supply so potatoes always make a great side dish. I do like eating them, don't get me wrong, just preparing them is a pain. Potatoes are pretty much guaranteed to be found on a Russian table for a meal. Potatoes along with chives, sour cream, and mayonaise (not mixed together) are total staples here and most likely you will find one if not all waiting for you at dinner or lunch.

January 2009

 

Nathan Dean

I love his expression in this picture.

 

Doctor Talk

This morning Josiah asked me what his doctors name was. I replied "Dr. Tamashiro". Then he asked me what my doctors name was ............"Dr. Frields". Then he asked what daddy's doctors name was..........."Dr. Ito". He then gave me the funniest expression and asked "R2 Ito?". It was hilarious.