Ryzan orphanage trip numero tres

I thought I would post some pics of our orphanage trip from last Saturday. It was great. We shared the Easter story and did an Easter egg hunt, painted wooden Easter eggs and had a birthday party like usual. So here are a few of my favorite pics from the day. I love it too because since this was my 3rd time going the kids remember me and there are certain ones that latch on to me more than others. Most of the pics will be of my little monkey Elena. She is 8 but smaller thans most of my preschoolers. She is the little runt so she gets picked a lot.

The Easter Story

So I'm not sure what happened to the children I have been teaching for the last three weeks but today they were completely different children! This is a good thing. They have been terrible since spring break. I guess its like visiting grandma's as a child. It take our parents at least a week and a few spankings to get us back into a routine and acting normal again.



In preschool we did the colors of the rainbow. We made a little book. They read it back to me and it went well. They enjoyed it and it was a good way for me to assess each child individually on their colors. In first grade we did a color/ following directions activity. That went well too. We also read a book and they sat quiet the whole time! This is a first. They looked mezmorized or something. But its third and fourth grade that blew my mind.



We learned about the Easter story. Russian Easter is on my birthday, April 27th. It changes every year like ours but I don't think there is a rhyme or reason to their choice of date. Anyway, not only was my kids behavior extrememly good, but they also participated which means they were understanding our conversation. So we did a KWL chart. For the non education majors out there: K-what you know, W- what you want to know and L-what you have learned. This was my first time to use this in Russia. And I am so glad we did. It was the perfect flow of conversation. So we talked about what we Know about Easter first. There were the typical answers of eggs, Easter bunny, cakes with 1 candle (Russian thing), etc. Then I was shocked. They actually said Jesus. Now it is third grade that really threw me. They said Jesus dying on the cross and then coming alive again. Then on the Want to know section, my dear sweet Sava asked Why did Jesus die?, Why did they kill Him?, and Why did He come back to life?. I was thrilled beyond explanation! I had a book to tell some things and then I just practically gave the plan of salvation. It was so cool. I let them ask questions and made sure they were understanding all the words. I was using the simplist words I could to explain it all. So on the Learned section they had great things to put up.

I was so thrilled. I would have been plenty happy with their good behavior today. But then their questions and interest in the topic. It was great. I can get away with doing this around the holidays. If I do it too often then it becomes more questionable. I had a supervisor ask me if I was only going to talk about religion for Easter. My answer was no. And that was the truth. We also talked about food, the Easter bunny, dying eggs, egg hunts, and traditions around the world.

Also one of my David's in the 3rd grade said in Russian to Polina next to him that Jesus wasn't real. She was not happy about that. She told me in English what he said. So I told him that he was real and then he rolled his eyes at me. But what was great was they rest of the class yelling at him, no He is real!

So I have to go now, but I just wanted to share my cool day with you. We are going to the orphanage on Saturday and sharing Easter as well. So the more prayers that day the better!

New Life

Though it is very overcast today, it is in the 60's here! The sun was shining for 10 days straight! I think it is the most I have seen the sun in Moscow since I came in August. Then it I think it topped off at 3 days. So I think I can say that the sun has changed my life. Yea, that sounds weird. But of course it began with spring break in Dubai. The sun was so refreshing. I love to see the ocean because it is a great reminder of how great our God is. But then to come back to Moscow and have it in the uppper 30's and raining. You could say I just wanted to go back to Dubai. But I think the Lord knew that I really needed the sun to get through the long work weeks. So the temp has been in the 50's and 60's with the sun shining! I feel like a new person! I want to be outside all the time. And I feel like there is new life springing up everywhere! They are planting flowers, the grass is growing, and there are birds everywhere! I think it is warm outside. For those who know me well you are probably thinking that I have lost my mind. But I just had over 6 months of snow, so yea its very warm! I just feel very happy. It is hard to explain. I love it. So though the sun is not shining today, I will still get out and feel the "warmth."


Okay a few people have asked exactly what did I do in Dubai. So here is a short little tid bit.
Friday: fly in, chill at the hotel, eat dinner, etc.
Saturday: spent all day at the beach! went bowling at the hotel at night.
Sunday: did the Big Bus Tour of Dubai, we had a land and sea tour. We got to get out and see cool stuff too. Did some shopping.
Monday: half day at the beach, half day in Dubai finishing shopping and sight seeing.
Tuesday: half day at the beach. Desert Safari! By far the best thing we did, besides the beach.
Wed.: tour to the Indian Ocean, let down.
Thurs: beach for 10 hours! I got so tan!
Friday: fly home :(

Dubai pics

Here are a few of my favorite Dubai pics!

New Song

So we have been singing this song at Bible study lately and I really like it. So I thought I would share it with you. It may very well be an old song but this is the first time I am hearing it. I love it.

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a perfect plea
A great High Priest whose name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me

When Satan tempts me to despair
and tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there,
Who made an end to all my sin

Because the sinless Savior died
my sinful soul is counted free
For God the Just is satisfied
to look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me

Before the throne of God, I come
Before the throne of God, I come

Behold Him there, the risen Lamb
my perfect spotless righteousness
The great unchangeable I Am,
the King of glory and of grace

My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in Heaven, He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart

One with Himself I cannot die
My soul is purchased with His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God
With Christ my Savior and my God

Dubai videos

Here are a few fun videos from Dubai!

First I narrated looking at Ski Dubai. For those who don't know, It is the biggest indoor skiing in the world. We didn't go in but you get a peek at it.

Here is one on our desert safari

Another one!

Videos

So I am going to attempt to show you some videos. I have never tried it so I'm not really sure how it works.

This past week/weekend Russians celebrate Mazlenitsa. It is a celebration to say goodbye to the winter and welcome spring. They had a special celebration for teachers. They of course had traditional Russian dances, blini, and outdoor games.

So this first video is of me sledding down a hill that the kids made at school during the celebration. It used to be about twice as wide, long, and high. But since most days are above freezing now, it is beginning to melt away. I was watching the other teachers do it and they kept falling down the sides! It was about as tall as I am. So I was trying my best to stay atop and not fall!

Here is another. We also had Women's Day on Saturday and therefore got today off of work! So this video is of the guy teachers singing to us. They did a whole little show for us. It was great!

Here is another Mazlenitsa celebration video. They were doing another one of their traditional dances.

I hope you enjoyed them! I will try to do some more again later!