Still Thankful

It's not that I haven't been thankful lately, it's just that I was hoping to tell you how thankful I was about receiving news about our 3 year temporary residency visa BUT we still haven't heard.  We even had our friend Christina call the office and they told her we had to wait for our letter..........which only the Lord knows when it will get here.  Soooooooo........here's what I have been thankful for lately:

• I'm learning to be thankful to wait on the Lord for His will regarding our visa status.  Waiting on God is something that has never been easy for me and it just so happens that I am currently studying Philippians 4:10-23 and one of the themes is contentment in our circumstances.  
• Yay........our first official homeschooling year is almost over.  Josiah has done extremely well in Kindergarten and it hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be.  I am actually excited about First grade.  I've also learned a lot about myself, mainly negative things about myself and how the Lord has been working on my heart.  I definitely won't be receiving the teacher of the year award but one positive thing is that I'm learning from my mistakes and how to improve.
• I'm grateful for the opportunity to come alongside some of the women in our church to organize our first ever women's conference.  We will have our first meeting this Sunday and we plan on having the conference in the beginning of June.  Not a lot of time to plan but we attend a real small church.
• I'm extremely thankful for the end of a school semester for Jon.  He has really enjoyed teaching this year but on top of Russian lessons and serving in the church it has really been quite a busy time but that's what we're here for so I'm not complaining.  
• Praising God for a healthy Spring so far.  
• And I am thankful for all the fun things coming up on our calendar in the next couple of weeks!!

Days 113-119

Dr. Walter Kaiser was here this week teaching an intensive on the lives of Elijah and Elisha.  We had the privilege of having him for dinner. 

I just love bath tub pictures.  The boys have a lot of fun in the bath tub together.  Usually the time is cut short because Nathan starts splashing and throwing water all over the place.

It's Lays chips!  We can get a variety of "flavors" here.  This one is a premium one of mozarella with pesto sauce.  They were actually pretty good.  I tried the other premium chips yesterday.......lamb with eggplant and roasted tomatoes.  There are also the regular chips but with some different flavors.  In Novosibirsk we could buy paprika chips which were actually my favorites.  Here in Samara you can get bacon, crab, or even red caviar chips.

It's a play date with Isaac.  The boys were actually pretty good together.  At the beginning they were talking up a storm.  I wish I would have recorded the things they were talking about.  SO FUNNY!!!

On this day we all got out to the park.  It was a gorgeous day and so nice to be out. 

My self portrait for this month and yes I am behind the wheel.  My first time in Samara.  Needless to say it was quite a scary trip but I got away with no popped tires and no fender benders!!!!

There is a lot to say about this picture.  Yes, Samara does have an IKEA but no it is not open.  When we first were thinking about coming to Samara our team leader's selling point was that Samara was getting an IKEA!!!  Wow, we thought!  GREAT!!!  4 years later and we're still waiting.  It seems that there is a little too much corruption in Samara and IKEA won't do things the crooked way.  Last we heard was that the building wasn't retrofitted for tornadoes and so the city wasn't giving them the proper documents to open.  Which is really funny because I don't think there are any tornadoes in Samara!!!

Special Evening

This past Friday evening we had the opportunity to celebrate the completion of the three year pastor training program with the above students. These men have really sacrificed a lot to go through the training and it was such a blessing to have a special dinner to celebrate with their families and all the faculty.

We had a delicious dinner, special music, the students and professors gave some parting words, and a great time of fellowship. 

                                    Jon with a couple of future pastors!

                               And here are my fellow partners in crime,
             missionary wives!  I am really so blessed
             by their friendship.

Days 106 - 112

...............pretty sand box

...................can't wait.  The World Cup is not too far away and I only care about one team!

..................new outdoor hobby for the boys

....................outdoor garages for cars

........................little kids and puddles go hand in hand

.....................it's that time again for "kvas", I'm not a fan.  It tastes like beer.

................a Russian Orthodox Church in every corner

Warmer Temperatures

These pictures are from a couple of weeks ago.  Even though I was born in Argentina, I can tell you I am a true Californian gal.  I love warmer temps and soaking up the sun.  It's amazing how one's mood changes when Spring comes around.

Time for blowing bubbles!

More bubbles.

Bug hunting!

Potty Training

I think every kid does this!  I think I may have some pictures of Jojo doing the same thing!

Days 99-105

I know this is a pretty awful picture to show but day 99 was an awful day for me.  This is what was in our hallway after my wive's group meeting.  Not a lovely sight to come home to. 

My favorite!  TULIPS!!!  Pretty soon they'll be all over the place.  I think there will be many more tulip pictures.

Our car is pretty nasty right now.  Jon will be getting it washed soon.............as you can barely see we have a navy blue car.

It's the milk barrel at the local market.  We buy our milk from the grocery store not from here!

Two tired boys ready for bed.

Flower pens.  Trying to be crafty again.

Two classy ladies sipping on some Vodka in the middle of the day.  At least they're not drinking it straight from the bottle.

Thankful, thankful, thankful........

No, I didn't forget to be thankful this week.  Here's this week's list:

• Praising God for the new insights I've had in my time in the Word.  This is only my 4th time reading through the whole Bible in a year and I can't believe how much stuff I haven't noticed in the past.  For example at the end of Deuteronomy God keeps telling the Israelites to "remember" over and over again.  Unfortunately they forgot and suffered the consequences time and time again..........kinda like me.  It's been a great reminder for me to recall God's faithfulness in my life and to daily trust in Him in all things!
• So grateful for the great time of fellowship we had tonight with the Repin family.  Roma(a student of Jons) and his family will move back to their hometown of Novorissysk at the end of May when he finishes his studies here.  It was great getting to know them and I'm super thankful because we were actually able to communicate real well in Russian!!!!
• Thankful for the opportunity to trust in God as we wait on a response regarding our 3 year Russian visa.
• Thankful that this week is over.  It's been a rough week with the boys.  I had many "Calgon take me away moments" :  )
• Thankful also for the reminder that children really are a gift from the Lord!!!  I had to keep repeating this several times in the last few days.

Adoption Blogger Day

No, we're not adopting but the Reynolds family above has adopted!  Not only have they adopted from the States but also on two occasions from Russia.  They are currently awaiting another adoption of three more siblings from Russia to add to their beautiful and growing family.  Unfortunately in light of recent current events their adoption may be halted.  I am writing this entry to request that you pray for them and for the children that await them in Russia.  The Reynolds are trusting that the process will be quick and that they will be able to bring their new kids home soon!!!


I am also writing this entry because according to this site today is Adoption Blogger Day.  You can also check it out and see how you can get the word out about successful adoption stories.  Our family has had the privilege of spending time with the Reynolds family on several occasions.  They attend Jon's home church in Sioux City, Iowa and every time we are back in Sioux City we get together with them.  They have a love for Russia and they show it in so many ways.  Being with this family is always a delight.  One reason why I haven't pointed out which children in the photo have been adopted is because all the children are treated the same way.  They aren't their "adopted" children but their very own.  This family is an incredible testimony of God's own love, grace, and mercy in every believer's life because we are all adopted and now partake as His own children.  The Reynolds also exemplify James 1:27 because not only have they cared for orphans but also for widows.  You see, Jon's mom has been a recipient of the Reynolds loving care.  Since Jon's dad went to be with the Lord the Reynolds have been selfless in reaching out to her.  So please join me in praying for them.  We are hoping that the adoption will go through and that we will get to spend time with the new children this summer on our trip to Iowa.  The children waiting to be adopted do not speak any English so you can imagine what a difficult transition it will be  for them. 

Easter Details

Coloring Eggs

Decorating Easter eggs is quite an exercise in patience.  Daddy wants perfect eggs.  The eggs don't dry fast enough for Josiah.  Nathan just wants to drop the eggs in the cups as hard as he can.  I only participated in this years egg coloring festivities by watching from the sidelines. 

Days 92 - 98

Getting the table ready for small group.

Time to change the Winter tires for Spring tires.

In the building next door there is some sort of a television news station or something.  It seems they finally got a sign to go on the outside of the building so this guy is filming the sign.

Like father..........like sons!  Except that they will one day graduate to a Mac.

Time for snacks after the Easter church service.

 Getting ready for Easter.

Jojo enjoying some dessert at our team Easter dinner.