Celebrations

Tania's New Years party was so great. I brought Death By Chocolate per her request and they loved it. I really enjoyed meeting her friends. There were about 10 of us girls there. Most of them went to college together. All of them but 1 spoke English so that was great too. We had great food and participated in some traditional russian new years eve activities. By the end of the evening we were full and exhausted. We did get to have an interesting conversation about scripture and religions. They asked some questions about some different denominations among protestants and the Bible. It was a great time to discuss things together and find out more of where they are coming from. I had a wonderful evening and can't wait to see those girls again!!

The New Year

So I only have about 5 minutes until I have to leave but I thought I would update you on stuff. This week has been crazy. I knew when I came in to work on Wednesday and there were only 2 cars in the parking lot, it would be a slow week. Well it has been slow as far a children go. I have had between 2 and 5 in each grade! So I have had plenty of time to work on lesson plans for this next term. Well that has completely consumed my days! But then I decided to take a look at the bulletin board in the teachers office. I rarely do this becuase it is all in Russian so I can't really understand it. Well I looked at my schedule and noticed that I have a 4th grade class on Friday. I have always had 4th grade on Mon and Tue. So I asked and they were like, yea the schedule changes every January. Well that would be great and all but I asked the day before I left and they told me it would be the same! So needless to say I have missed serveral classes this week. But I guess they were not too concerned because no bothered to say anything to me. Again, that whole communication thing is not really their strong point.

But on the better things. My friend Tania that I told many of you about, she has asked us to a New Years Eve party at her flat this Saturday night. The Russian new New Year is on Jan. 13th. So of course, thanks to mom, they have requested Death By Chocolate. So I went to Stockmanns yesterday to get the supplies to make it. I spent too much on a dessert and got lost! But it turned out to be great. And this time they had chocolate syryp! So this weekend is going to be a great chance to build relationships! I am really excited. And I hope to see Masha soon, as she sent a Christmas present home with Dacey for me! So that was really exciting. Gotta go for now, I'll update you on Monday about this weekends events!

Packa!

Back in the Motherland!

We had a good 2 days of traveling and now I'm back in the Motherland. And guess what, the sun is shining today! I think that may be just for me. I have heard rumors that the sun is supposed to shine all month long. Today is it -16C, 2F. So its a little chilly, but my new coat kept me very warm this morning. The temperature is suppose to drop dramatically during the next month, but not as much now as before. I guess that is okay. I like seeing the pretty white everywhere. But no snow means sun! So really I'm okay with it. We got back to the apartment at about 6.30 last night. I had showered and was in my bed at 7.06. And I woke up at 8.15 this morning. It was so wonderful. So I'm feeling pretty refreshed, minus my sore muscles. It's time to go see my cute little preschoolers!! Till tomorrow, Packa!

THE STARS AT NIGHT ARE BIG AND BRIGHT...

DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS!!!

I'm home!! After a crazy day I arrived in Houston. It is so hot and I love it! Long story, but we missed our connecting flight in London and but put on one 3 hours later. So we got home just in time for dinner at Marios!! It was some of the best Mexican food I think I have ever had in my life!! So I apologize now if I dont' write much in the next two weeks but I will be little preoccupied by being home!

I do want to post a few pics from the weekend before I left!

Checked Out

I'm kind of glad that all my classes are canceled b/c I hate to say it but I can officially say that I have checked out. My mind is already at home! Yesterday all my classes were canceled. The only thing I did was hand 3rd grade a test and give a private lesson. So I decided to inquire about todays classes yesterday. I found out that all were canceled but one. So I take the 1 pm bus out to Zaitsevo to make it in time for class at 2. Oh wait, it was canceled!! So I do have a private lesson. Monday and Tuesday all my classes are cancelled except for my one native student that I will see on both days. And of course preschool has not decided if they will have class so I will come early, as that is my first class of the day, and more than likely it will be canceled. So I'm trying to find things to waste my time since I am stuck in the countryside. Oh by the way, classes are canceled for repition. That is the word they use for rehearsal. Their Christmas program is on Wednesday so they are all rehearsing for it. I will miss it as I will be in the US of A on Wednesday!! I can't wait!!

Tonight will be a wonderful evening of Christmas caroling at the Brinks home! And tomorrow will be an afternoon at Red Square in the snow! Then us girls will have our own small little Christmas party together. And Sunday, as part of worship, Kathryn will play the piano while Jamie paints the nativity scene. Some teacher friends are gonna come watch too! It should be a fun weekend!

9 days and counting...

Yea, you could say I'm pretty excited. I tried not to count down the days. But I can't help it. It is too close not to. I will be home in 9 days! I can't wait!

Exciting news. The girls from the other campus had a coworker ask if she could come to church with us. She came this past Sunday with us and it was great. It was my first time to meet her but we quickly became friends. She is full of questions and just comes right out and askes them. Its so wonderful. She asked what kind of rules that I live my life by. So I got to explain to her what the Bible was and how I use it. Then there was a bunch of free literature that the church was giving away. One of the books was about questions people have about the Bible and whats in it. So she took one. Then she asked me if I believe in paradise and hell and how to get to paradise. So I got to explain that too. the whole afternoon was filled with her asking us questions and us getting the chance to answer. I don't think I have ever had someone come seeking the truth as much as she is. It is a wonderful place to be in when I get to share Christs love with her! So pray for her please. Her name is Masha.

Still Alive

So its been a while since I've updated. Well thats becuase my body decided to shut down and be sick for a week. But things are looking better. Today is my first day with no fever! The doctor said I had viral plurisy. Well thats a first. It could have been worse. But things are looking better. Now I'm just counting down the days till I go home!