Thursday, April 30, 2009

Update

Ok so I know it has been FOREVER since I have given ya'll any kind of update. But things have been busy and nothing too exciting has been going on. Well I guess not exciting to me. But as my mom reminded me these things here are not NORMAL to everyone else. So I will try to do better.

Our old friend Jamie came to visit for about a week. She worked with us last year and lived here 2 years. That was a lot of fun. We spent time just hanging out and eating at her favorite restaraunts here, playing card games and watching movies. It was great to have a friend come to visit. Plus she brought us goodies: Kraft Mac and Cheese, Jiffy creamy Peanut Butter, Aussie hairspray, ice breaker mints, orbit gum, Gobstoppers and stuff for the other girls too. It was so great! It was like Christmas in April! There was a little bit of craziness with her travel. B/c of weather her plane was delayed and rerouted so she got here a day late. But she got to stay a day later too. But then the driver from school didn't come to get her so she missed her flight. So she spent another day with us but had to pay some money for another ticket. It was kind of crazy. But we had a really good time with her.

This past weekend the weather FINALLY turned beautiful. Friday it was about 30*, Sat and Sun got to about 60* or 65* but then Monday got to 80*! Just in time for my birthday. It has been so nice! So we really didn't have any inbetween time. I went straight from wearing a scarf with my peacoat, to one day of springish jacket, to denim jacket one day to nothing yesterday! I was actually hot! I cannot believe it. You know we have been wearing a pea coat or more since SEPTEMBER! So this is still a bit unbelievalbe for me. I am loving it.

I had a great birthday too. I will post pics when I get home. I had a few friends over Friday night to celebrate. My friend Lydia's birthday was a few days before mine so we celebrated together. We made chili and rice and homemade choclate cake. It was so yummy. We had the best time just hanging out with friends. It was great too b/c we had co-workers, random friends and friends from church all together. Plus Lydia and I had friends that neither of us knew of the other. It was nice how everyone mingled and got to know eachother. We played fun games too. Not to mention I got some awesome present that I definately didn't expect. Monday was my actually birthday. I worked all day and taught a private lesson in the afternoon. Then my roomates treated my to Hard Rock Cafe, my fav. When we got home I spent the rest of the evening talking to family from home.

We have tomorrow off of work for Labor day. I'm so excited. We are going to take a church and monastary tour through the southeast part of the city. It should be great. So I will have a bunch of great pics for you coming soon!

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Happy Birthday to Me!!!!!!!!!!!

I do believe I feel a bit older today... and maybe a bit wiser too

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Jobs..

Well my time in Russia is coming to a close. While I am trying to savor every moment, and praying for the warmth, I am also on the job hunt. I am applying all over in the Edmond area at various different school districts for teaching jobs. Since I am not there, but rather on the complete other side of the world, this can be difficult. I am so thankful for dear friends who are already teachers at various schools and are helping me and letting me use their names, etc. But for me it is kind of a big waiting game. I just hope someone goes out on a limb and thinks I'm worth hiring even though they have never met me!

Well in all of this I am reminded of this verse:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Phil. 4.6

I have given it to Him and He has ALWAYS taken care of me in this far so I know He won't stop.

But any prayers would be appreciated!

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

19 DAYS!!!!

19 DAYS UNTIL MY BIRTHDAY!

THOSE OF YOU WHO KNOW ME KNOW THAT I ABSOLUTELY LOVE BIRTHDAYS. AS A MATTER OF FACT I THINK IT IS TIME TO START THE CELEBRATIONS NOW!

24 YEARS IS ALMOST HERE!

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Elena

Yesterday was possibly my last visit to the Ryzan orphanage. I have completely fallen in love with a little girl named Elena. During my first visit a year and a half ago, she just kind of clung to me. She was brand new and hadn't even been there a week when we first visited. So we have definitely bonded during our visits together. She even told me once that she can understand me when I talk to her even though I don't speak her language.
Well I found out yesterday that she has a brother that is there now too. His name is Valery. I met him yesterday and he is such a nice boy. I'm so glad she has him. Well I wish with all of my heart that I could adopt them. In an easier world I could. So since I can't, with Polina's help, I am going to stay in contact with them. I am going to write them letters and send a package of things they need. Polina will translate the letters for me and bring the packages with her when they go out there. So since I can't adopt them, at least I can help them a little bit.
I brought the little girls baby dolls yesterday that they had requested during my last visit. They had never had a baby doll. So there are some pics with their dolls. But I wrote Elena a letter and Polina translated it for me. Then we read it to her. It was so hard to leave her crying yesterday. But I know God will look after her and her sweet brother. Her are the pics of me and Elena from yesterday and my letter to her.
My Darling Elena,
I am writing you this letter because I do not know if I will ever see you again. If I never get the chance to spend time with you again, I want you to know how much I care about you. I love you so much. I have never loved a child so much that is not my own. If I were able to, I would take you home and love on you forever. Even though I cannot take you with me, know that I will always love you. I will always pray for you, I will always think of you.

I hope you grow up knowing how much Jesus loves you. He loves you so much that he died just so you can be with Him. It is my prayer that you believe in Him and all the promises that He has made for you. If this happens, I know we will be together again I day.
Always know that you are special, your are wanted and you are loved. Not only by me but by our Lord. Never forget this.

All my love,
Dana

Friday, April 3, 2009

My favorite little Brits...

The Fisher family is living here in Moscow and are very special to me. Daniel is a BBC producer and his lovely wife Emily raises their wonderful kids, Jude, Amy and Angus. Daniel and Emily host us every Tuesday for Bible study. Emily always makes an amazing desert. This family is truely a blessing to me. Well, every so often I get to go and babysit their kiddos. Can I just say, I love that babysitting is no longer a job for me but a pleasure. I love doing it just because. So this post is dedicated to my dearly loved Fisher family. Wow how the kids have grown this year. It will be full of pics and videos. Enjoy!


A day at the park:

AngusJude


Jude and Amy
babysitting
Storytime before bed

Amy always has a big smile for you!
How can you not love that cute little face!
I just love their facial expressions
Not a good pic of me. But here is one on Angus' 2nd birthday.
Happy 2nd to Angus!



One of the many time Angus has fallen asleep in the stoller. Too cute for words

Amy helping to make Christmas cookies. I think she will take after her momma with baking.
You could say we made a lot of cookies.



Ice skating in Jan. Angus and I were watching Mommy skate.
Daniel and Kathryn skating with Amy
Emily and I ice skating

Amy painting at Jude's birthday party.Angus painting too
This was sent by Emily. This is classic Angus
Jude playing.
Angus being a polar bear
Playing polar bears.
I just really love their imaginations!

I really love watching them play here.