Nah-kah-nets! Finally!

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Our toilet is fixed… after having a few friends come over to try and fix it, our friend Olya found a good plumber in the newspaper! Our problem was that after flushing the toilet the water kept running, sometimes for hours. We had to turn the water off to the toilet between flushes so as not to run up a huge water bill!

Olya called several numbers but Oleg was the only one who was available to come this week. At first her concern was that he would be too expensive. But, when she told me that his labor would be 500 rubles (about 20 dollars) and we that we had to pay for the part that needed to be replaced, I let her know right away that we could afford that. The part needed ended up costing 350 rubles (about 14 dollars) so for 34$ we have a toilet that works!

I left for school while Oleg was still working. When he was packing up to leave Tom asked him in Russian if he was finished… Tom just used the Russian word for done with the intonation of asking a question, the plumber answered using one English word “finished”!

I just got off the phone with Olya, I was letting her know that everything had gone well and that Tom wanted to keep Oleg’s phone number for future reference, she was thrilled. It is not often that you can find someone who does quality work from thumbing through the paper. It is better if you know someone who knows someone. You know?

So if you are ever in Krasnodar and need a good plumber just call me and I will pass on Oleg’s cell phone number!

culture questions

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

I was going over the culture questions from our lesson with Sasha. They were about setting goals, complaining and what makes a quality life... one of Sasha's answers was intriguing to me.

She told me that young men are told to do three things:

1) plant a tree
2) build a house
3) have a son

I love the imagery involved in this answer, for me it illustrates the path of patient endurance, stability and leaving behind a legacy.

There was one question that she didn't know the answer to. Spencer's language helper Vlad was also here so we asked his opinion. He couldn't answer the question either.

What does the "ideal Russian" look like?

Tomorrow I will ask my teacher at school. If you were asked about the "ideal American" or the "ideal____ fill in the blank with whichever country you are from", what would you say!?

complaining

Monday, October 15, 2007

Last week we had a lesson at school on jealousy. This new lesson we have is on complaining. I suppose today's lesson was very appropriate. The weather has changed and it is cold now. No more over 100 degree weather for us for a while.

I got an SMS from my friend Judi in Moscow, they have snow already. People around here say that we will have Moscow's weather in about a week.

Normally, our radiators are tested during the second weekend in October, but this has not happened yet. After they are tested (by running water through them to make sure no one in the building has a leak) in roughly two more weeks the radiators are turned on for the winter. They all come on at the same time and are turned off at the same time. The only way to regulate the temperature is to open a window!

If our radiators don't get turned on before the snow hits... then you will hear us complaining!

plates, Russian or American size?

Saturday, October 13, 2007














Tania set the table using what we Americans call a salad plate. Of course we were all able to refill our plates over and over again so we didn't go hungry. I still struggle with remembering not to use my dinner plates when we have Russian guests!

*** For you foodies: The tall greens in the background behind the water bottle are green onions, that cup was filled with fresh herbs to add to your own food.

Russia's bounty

Friday, October 12, 2007

diced potato with fresh dill

sliced tomato













One of my favorite things about life here is the vegetables... here is a photo of some of the fresh produce found on Sasha and Tania's farm! I sure wish you could taste them!

blah, blah, blah!!

Thursday, October 11, 2007

I have a cold.

Our internet has been down.

Tom is going to change classes and leave Spencer and I.


I don't like being sick. I have been home alone for the past few days, but being without an internet connection made that no fun. Although, thanks to Mom and Dad, I was able to pop in a few DVD's and watch some reruns of CSI, Shark and Grey's Anatomy. Today I even got to spend some time with Yanna. She is sick too so I told her mother to just bring her on over.

Tom is going to be changing classes so that he can slow down and learn at his own pace. He is ready to be more active in ministry and will be starting an 8 week seminar at the church in November. He had a meeting with Valodia and I was able to translate for them. Valodia said I made a few grammar mistakes but that he understood me. I won't be translating for Tom when he does the seminars. Our teacher Dima has a agreed to do that.

Hopefully, tomorrow will bring on health and high speed internet!

what a weekend!

Monday, October 8, 2007

Vika's birthday cake














Samson Fitness Center


















The church in Artirka meets in a fitness center owned by Tania and Sasha. Tom and I both spoke yesterday out there. It is a two hour drive there and then 2 hours back.

Tom spoke in the morning service and I spoke in the afternoon. He spoke on weathering the storms of life and I talked about codependency. During the break between the church service and the women’s group we celebrated Sasha and Tania’s daughter Vika’s birthday.

Vika is now 8 years old. Sasha killed a lamb and made shish-ka-bob with the meat and Tania prepared several different salads. Of course there was a birthday cake and lots of hot tea! We enjoyed spending time with Sasha, Tania and their three children. Tim and Joy were also there with their two children, another couple; Lena and Andrei, were there with their two children. Sasha and Tania’s oldest daughter also had her daughter with her. Sasha said that he doesn’t get to see his granddaughter very much due to his work schedule out on the farm and at the rehab center. So he kept telling his 8 month old granddaughter “I am your grandfather, the husband of your grandmother!”

surprise, surprise!

Saturday, October 6, 2007

Tom went to prayer meeting for the church leaders last night. He said it was a great meeting. They prayed for all of the ministries of the church, for each of the new ministries and for the leaders involved.

Just before the meeting started Tom found out that he was going to be speaking on Sunday in Artika at the church service. Which means tomorrow Tom and I are doing a double header. He is speaking in the morning service at church and I am speaking in the afternoon.

Please keep us in your prayers!

mountains, caves and waterfalls

Friday, October 5, 2007

Spencer and I went with our fellow classmates from school on a field trip to the mountains. We had a great day, hiking, sight seeing, purchasing honey from the side of the road and taking lots of pictures...

waterfall

Spencer with Dima, one of our teachers

Alida with Arina, one of our teachers

river view














We left the school at 8 am and returned at 9pm. One of the highlights of the day was on the hike to the waterfalls. There was a Russian man who saw Spencer slip and fall on the rocks. He showed Spencer how to position his feet on the rocks to get better support. I thanked him for his advice and he said "we all walk together in one world".

How true!

crossed that job off my list!

Thursday, October 4, 2007

I didn't go to school today because I felt like today was my deadline for getting my talk written for Sunday. I don't normally write out what I am going to say word for word... but when you have to use a translator it is best to know exactly where you are going in your talk so that you don't miss any points or forget what you were saying while you are waiting for the translator to finish speaking. I was able to get it all typed up and proof read by Tom so I am all set.

Tom was in class by himself today and he thought it ws the best class he has ever had! I understand how he feels... the fewer people in class the less time the class period lasts. Three or more people is three hours, two people is two hours and one person is an hour and a half. Jason has been busy this week with a new baby, Spencer was tired and needed a break and I needed to get my work done so Tom had the teacher all to himself!

Tomorrow our school is taking a trip to the mountains and we will be gone from 8am to about 9pm. We will take the camera and should have some beautiful photos to share when we get back!

On Saturday the women of the church are getting together to hear Linda speak on getting a MOPS group started at our church. Please pray for us as we see a great need here in our region to sevre the young mothers here. We see so many of them out pushing strollers everyday!

On Sunday we are headed out to Artirka for Vika's birthday and for me to speak at a group that Tania started. It is a secular group so I am not doing a "churchy" talk. I am speaking on codependency. I have laid out the talk so that it will hopefully lead to starting an Al-Anon meeting out there. We thought this had happened while we were in the States but we think they were waiting for us to come out and do some teaching on the need for the group before it actually begins.

Tom is preparing a series of 8 lessons to help get our church ready for serving the recovering comuunity in this area. He talked with Valodia and shared his ideas with Alexei and it looks like everyone is excited to get this going.

For Tom and I the things we have scheduled are the result of the work we have been doing to build relationships and learn this language, all the ideas we had before we came here are becoming reality!

toothpaste or cross?

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Tom gave one of our teachers some Crest toothpaste. He wrote about it in our newletter so when our guests Chuck and Vicky came they brought more Crest. Tom has been taking in tubes to her on a daily basis.

In Russian the word for "cross" is Krest. So the teachers ( who speak both English and Russian) have been having fun joking about the "crest" or the "krest".

Spencer said "Chuck and Vicky came to Russia bearing the "Krest"!

just the three of us

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Sonya has moved on to another city so she is no longer at our school, Jason was busy today with paperwork for his new son, and that left Spencer, Tom and I in class together.


I expressed my gratitude to Spencer today for how patient he is with his Dad and I in class. How many 17 year olds do you know who would be able to tolerate going to school with their parents, let alone be in the same class!?


He is truly one of a kind!

Krasnodar's birthday

Monday, October 1, 2007

This past weekend was our city's birthday! I went to some of the festivities on Sunday but I was there at night and didn't have my camera. Fortunately, Rebecca and Jeff were prepared!

Please check out their blog for photos from the celebration:

http://jeffandrebeccajo.blogspot.com/2007/09/krasnodars-birthday.html

catching up

Sunday, September 30, 2007

We have been caught up in many activities since I last wrote:

We still have guests here
Spencer is healing nicely and is back at work
our classmate's wife had their baby
we had Valodia and his family over for lunch after church today
this weekend was the 214th birthday of our city
we had a few days with no hot water
today's church service was great

We have another busy week ahead of us and I will try to write when I can!

Spencer on the mend

Thursday, September 26, 2007

Spencer had an accident yesterday... he was running home to make sure that he got Chuck and Vicky to their meeting on time and he ran into a metal post. He cut his leg. He limped home, got them to their meeting and then came back home and crashed.

He didn't want to get stitches. He cleaned it out really well and we got him bandaged up. He is walking fine and is doing much better today. He stayed home from school to rest and so did Tom.

Tom was tired from school and from two meetings back to back. Since I was in class by myself today I only had to be in school for an hour and a half.

We took Chuck and Vicky over to see the Orthodox Church and do a little shopping. Sasha came over to help us with our lessons and I was also able to convince her to eat dinner with us as well.

Please keep Tom and Spencer both in your prayers!

another day in Russia!

Wednesday, September 25, 2007

Our days have been full and our brains are overloaded!

Yesterday morning Sasha came over to help us Tom and I write out in Russian a presentation we had to do for class. We had to present a Bible verse in Russian and then explain the verse. We were on the topic of gossip. We also had to tell a story about ourselves that we heard from someone else. It went well as Goar was able to understand the stories we all told.

We took Chuck & Vicky to school with us, then right after class they went with Jason to help out with his English class in another part of town. It was good for them to experience being in a foreign language class and then in a class where they understood every word from the teacher’s mouth.

When we left our school it was pouring down rain! I didn’t have an umbrella because when I left home earlier in the day it looked like it would be sunny. I made it most of the way home before stopping to buy an umbrella. I stopped into a small local store not far from the bus stop. The sales girl laughed at herself when she was doing her sales pitch… she realized that it didn’t matter if I had a pretty umbrella or not, she focused instead on telling me how strong it was, which was good because it was coming down pretty hard!

back to school

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Yesterday was a back to school day for Tom and I. Spencer served as an excellent tour guide for our guests.

He took them to our large mall here in the city and they were able to eat at the only McDonalds here in the city. Coming home on the bus they were speaking to one another in english and were over heard by a young Russian man who had recently returened from a four month period in America as an international student. He asked for a recommendation for a church... it will be interesting to see if he turns up on Sunday.

Lena and Alexei

Monday, September 24, 2007

Yesterday after church Tom, Chuck, Vicky and I had the opportunity to go over to see Lena and Alexei’s new apartment. It is about 3 kilometers from the mall that we shop at called Krasnaya Ploshad.

Serene, quiet, fresh air, few neighbors… it is a great location to begin a new region. There is still construction taking place all around their building, they are the first ones to move in. Single family homes and two apartments buildings should bring over 200 new people to the neighborhood when construction is complete.

Alexei and Lena have one large room with a balcony that extends the full length of the apartment. You can walk down the hall to the bathroom and turn the corner and you are now in the kitchen, where a walk to the other end of the balcony would take you back into the large front room.

The walls and floors are still cement, there is no running water yet and most of their belongings are still in boxes. In spite of all that, Lena had cold drinks for us all following the 15 minute walk to their place after getting off a hot, bumpy marshutka ride. She followed the cold water with tea and cake. I helped her with the dishes and getting things set up for tea and while we were doing that she apologized for not having a sink… I reminded her that she helped me wash the dishes at my apartment in the bathtub after we moved into our place; we did that for two months before her brother installed my kitchen sink!

We are very excited for Lena and Alexei and we believe that they made the best choice of location for their first purchase, as our city begins to develop, the area they have chosen is slated to become the center of town.

10 year anniversary!

Saturday, September 22, 2007

The Church of the Open Door is celebrating it 10th anniversary as a church!


We had a great time today with a picnic, swimming, volleyball, and so much more! I posted just a taste of my photos because I am really tired after a long day in the forest.

Everyone brought food and we laid it all out together and shared everything with one another. I took a salad, some Edam and Cheddar cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, granny smith apples and trail mix. Everything was a hit especially the trail mix... I took a large container full and it was all gone before the meal was over.

Chuck and Vicky, our guests, and new friends visiting from Henderson Hills Church in Oklahoma, brought some marshmallows and it was a first for many of the children and the grown ups as well. Some ate them plain and some were roasted over the fire. We went through two bags and they wanted more!

We were near the river in a city called Gariachi Klutch, Gariachi is pronounced like mariachi! In English that means "hot key" the forest area is up in the mountains. And it was well worth the hour chartered bus ride to get there!

busy, busy, busy

Friday, September 21, 2007

Today we have guests coming in from the US, we have a meeting with Joe W. from East-West, this is the 10th anniversary of our church and we as a whole church are going to spend the day in the forest on Saturday, and we have church on Sunday after church, Alexei and Lena want us to come out and see their apartment afterward....

That made me tired just to type it all out!

to sleep or not to sleep!

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Tom is laying down to rest before we leave for school… he is still feeling the after affects of his surgery. It is taxing for him to do more than one thing a day.

Tom now has the church key and is responsible for locking up after the AA meeting on Wednesday night. That meant that yesterday was a long day for him. He had school from 1:30 to 5 and then we came home ate dinner and he had to be at the church at 7. He came home after 9 and was pretty wiped out.

Spencer is also feeling the affects of working long days. He is up each morning at 6am to do his home school assignments. Then on Monday and Wednesday he needs to be at work at 9:35 am and on Friday at 9am at KIS, the new international school here. He is helping out with the pre-kindergarten class. When he finishes work at KIS he has to get over to New View Language School for our Russian lessons. He yawns a lot but does not want to quit any of the things he is involved in.

I just hope he is not taking on his brother Nathan’s philosophy… “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.”

That is so unlike their dad… even before he had surgery his favorite part of the day was nap time!

tale of the butter dish

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

For the past two years our housekeeper Olya, has been sticking the butter dish in the fridge when she comes over.

We would try to hide it from her and we tried to explain that we liked the butter to be soft and not hard.

Finally, last week I wrote a note in Russian and placed it on top of the butter dish. It was a simple note all it said was; "Please, do not place in the refrigerator, Thank You".

Olya had been in the kitchen for awhile working and she told me that she had placed her hand on the dish to put it away, and realized there was a note and brought it to the living room to show me. She asked if the note was for her. I said yes! She asked why we like to leave it out and I explained once again that we like the butter to be soft for toast. Olya said that she kept putting it in the fridge because she thought we were just so busy we were "forgetting" to put it away!

We were able to laugh about it and now the butter dish can sit peacefully on the counter until we are ready to use it.

Her sister in law Lena, saw the note when she and Alexei were here for lunch on Sunday and:

#1 told me that I did a good job writing it... it was grammatically correct
#2 that it is an old Russian mentality to always keep butter in the fridge.

She said that butter used to not last for more than three days outside of the fridge so they were always careful to only keep it out when needed.

so there you have it... the tale of the butter dish!

news flash

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

The weekend ended and we expected to be without hot water once again... but it is still on! I hope it lasts while our guests are here. They get in tomorrow and it would not be fun for them to have to take a cold shower after such a long flight!

langauge acquisition

Monday, September 17, 2007

We had a leadership meeting at church tonight, Tom didn't make it to the meeting because he needed to rest after spending the afternoon in class.

It is still difficult to sit through a long meeting in Russian when there is still so much I don't understand. Of course I had a general understanding of what was being discussed but now and then words were used that I didn't know. I could hire a translator but the danger in that is becoming dependent on having things translated for me.

At one point in the meeting Tim asked me if I wanted to share my desires for the church... I appreciated that. And yet, I felt like I was working so hard to understand the discussion that I didn't have the energy to formulate my own thoughts on the subject.

I called Joy after I got home and told her how I felt about the meeting, she told me that there are four steps in languge acquisition:

1) the ability to Understand
2) the ability to Read
3) the ability to Write
4) the ability to Speak

I felt encouraged after that conversation. I know that two years ago I could not have sat through a two hour meeting period. Tonight I understood about 75% of what was going on. It is easier to comprehend one person at a time then it is a large group!

lunch with friends!

Sunday, September 16, 2007

We had our friends Lena and Alexei over for lunch today after church. I am so glad that we did. I didn’t realize how long it had been since the four of us had been together.

For lunch we had a shrimp salad that I made last night.

1 package frozen shrimp
1 package frozen broccoli
¼ cup pine nuts
1 T. butter
6 cups of macaroni, cooked
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1 ½ T. fresh dill, diced
Mayonnaise according to your taste

After cooking the macaroni I combined the pine nuts, shrimp, dill, cream cheese and butter in a pan and cooked it until all the butter and cream cheese melted. I poured that mixture over the macaroni and then added the frozen broccoli. I mixed it all together and put it in a bowl in the fridge. You can add the mayonnaise just before serving. I put it to the side so each person could add as much or little as they wanted. I served it with some fresh veggies that I sliced after church.

Alexei was so happy at how “healthy” our lunch was. I was happy that it all tasted good and that they ate quite a bit.

They asked how our studies were going at school. I mentioned that on Wednesday we learned the word “КОТОРЫЙ” (kahtory). This means ‘which” or “who”. I told them that I had typed out all of the ways that word changes (declines) and it added up to 36. Lena didn’t think that was possible. So I showed it to her. Words change based on gender and number. In Russian a word is masculine, feminine, neuter or plural. Each noun and adjective can also decline that many times…. Can you imagine how hard this language is to learn?! Especially for those of us who don’t enjoy studying grammar!?

After that Alexei kept working in the word ‘katory” into the conversation. He would say things like “Lena drank tea which she tried for the first time” or “there was this man who I met the other day...”

If you had the chance to meet Alexei you would know that he has quite the sense of humor and he can keep up with Tom pretty well!

moving day

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Spencer and I helped the Parhomenko's move today. It was an interesting cultural experience.

Apparently, women and teenagers are not allowed to lift heavy things. I am not sure of the exact reason why, but it seems we are more at risk to injure our spines.

Spencer picked up a box that Lena knew was really heavy and she had already told him four times not to lift the heavy ones... since he didn't listen to her she punched him in the arm! I told Spencer "she has 5 brothers, remember!".

I was allowed to help clean the apartment. I did the kitchen, bathroom, all the windows and then I dusted. Lena was doing all the rest. We started at eleven and finished at one. I had planned to go shopping with Tom but as I was walking home I decided to stop and get some fruit and veggies at the outdoor market...I started walking slower and slower, I finally realized how tired I was after working so hard!

Spencer had invited Seth over and now he, Seth and Vlad are listening to music. They played basketball for a bit and they all seemed wiped out!


***Congratulations to Erin and James on the birth of their second daughter!


Elysia Joy

Sept. 14th 2007
6:05 am
8lbs 8 oz
20in

Friday, September, 14, 2007

Cars have been speeding through our neighborhood this week due to the major repairs on the main street near our apartment. This means that children and cars are occupying the same space….which makes for some scary moments here and there.

Sometimes we can hear two drivers yelling at each other because they are both trying to go down a narrow lane in opposing directions… who has the right of way? There don’t seem to be any clear cut rules. Car horns honking, boys and girls squealing, parents and grandparents yelling for little ones to be careful were all part of the Friday night excitement!

Our hot water only works on the weekend when they quit working on the apartment building that is going up a few buildings over from us… they shut down all the hot water for the entire block. We were given no warning and have no idea how long it will last. So think of us during the week when we are taking cold showers and fighting traffic just to walk two blocks to church, to the bus stop, or to the market!

***thanks to everyone who was praying for Ann. Her surgery went well and she should be able to leave the hospital on Saturday.

the weekend!

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Our weekend starts tomorrow morning since we don't have school on Fridays! It has been a hard for week for Tom getting back into the swing of things at school and at church.

Spencer is getting high school credit working as a teachers aide at the new school. He has had a few days where he has been very tired and struggled to stay awake in class.

We have been asked if we like studying in the afternoons. Tom and I are night owls... so being up late is fine with us. We can sleep in and still get to school on time!


Our new lesson at school is about bad habits. Most of the habits in the dialogue are more serious than just popping your knuckles or cracking your chewing gum. The main dialogue in this lesson is about smoking and drinking.

In class today we each had to take turns naming our bad habits... I admitted to popping my knuckles, Spencer admitted to chewing too loudly and so on. Tom was not there today, he went home not feeling well. But, he shared that he hates to exercise!

***Please continue to pray for Tom as he recoups from surgery. Pray for our friend Ann as she has her surgery today.

what a day!

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Today was a long day for us all. Spencer got up early to go to his job as a teacher’s aide at Krasnodar International School. And Tom and I had dinner and a meeting at Tim and Joy’s right after school.

We had a wonderful evening conversing with Tim & Joy W., and Sasha & Tania Sherevlenka . We had not seen them in over 6 months and it was good to spend time with them all again.

Tania started a womens group in her village called Harmony. And she asked me to come and speak to the group about codependency. We decided on the title “Life in an Alcoholic Family”. I will be speaking on October 7th so I have time to prepare. Fortunately, I will not be expected to speak in Russian. Tania has a translator already lined up for me!

The day that we are going out to the village is the day before their daughter’s birthday. They are going to kill a sheep and have a barbeque. This will be our first birthday party in a village. I expect that we will have a lot of fun!

Joy baked and decorated a cake for Tom’s Sobriety birthday. He has been sober for 20 years! It was very sweet of her to acknowledge this day for him. In Russian tradition you say kind and beautiful words to the person you are celebrating. They all took turns saying things to Tom. Joy told us that when she let the kids know about Tom’s holiday, TJ asked if we were celebrating Tom passing his kidney stones! I guess we will have to plan a party for that day as well!!

9/11

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Not being in America we have not heard about the anniversary today. We do pray for all the families who still feeling the affects of the tragedy of 9/11.

It was a good day in class. We all did well. Tomorrow is another day and we have a new lesson to work on. This one is about getting things repaired.

Why is it that we get topics like this one after we experience them in real life!? We have had the toilet worked on, the washing machine, and the computer. We need to get our couch repaired and the first estimate we got was very expensive... so we need to call another master to come out and look at it.

We are still going without hot water during the week. Our classmates live in a building not far from us and they are experiencing the joy of not having hot water and of their not having electricity. so I suppose we have something to be thankful for... our electricity has only gone out once since we returned to Russia!

I didn't hear from Nathan today... otherwise, I would have written something about him. I think he is happy though whenever I say his name. Isn't that right, Nathan?

weekends...

Monday, September 10, 2007

After church yesterday Tom and I headed over to the mall to pick up a few things we needed for the apartment. We shopped for a bit and then decided to get something to eat while we were out. After spending a half an hour in line at McDonalds we had lunch. Currently there is only one McDonalds in Krasnodar. And it is always jam packed on the weekends!

Spencer was also in line with a few of his friends. He came by with Tobias and Seth. After getting money from me for food and for the taxi home, he tried to avoid running into us there in the mall. But somehow we kept turning up in the same places. By the time we got home however, Spencer was there with three of his friends playing video games.

Tom and I decided to watch a movie after the guys all left. First we watched Little Miss Sunshine. Then we watched Dejavue with Denzel Washington… what a breathtaking movie. I could not relax until it was over!

Today we will all be together in class. Not sure how that is going to go. We will have a full class of 6 people. Tom might need to do some reviewing with one of the teachers like I did at the beginning of the year. He will be skipping about 13 lessons and there is a lot of grammar to cover in those lessons. How well I remember!

Nathan, I hope that you are happy with this update... we are doing more than just eating sausage!

Italian Sausage Recipe

Saturday September, 8, 2007

Here is the recipe I used for the sausage:
2 pounds ground pork
1 1/2 teaspoons each cilantro and dried parsley flakes
1 tablespoon anise
1 large clove garlic, minced
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon pepper

Use a mortar and pestle to grind all the spices together then add to the ground pork mixing all the ingredients together with your hands. Allow to sit in refrigerator 8 hours before using.

When I cooked the sausage today it filled the apartment with a wonderful aroma that was so familiar to us all! I will make pasta tomorrow to go with the sausage... this recipe was so easy that I am sure that I will be making it frequently!

Italian Sausage

Friday, September 7, 2007

One of the things we like to eat but cannot find here is Italian Sausage.

While back home in the states my mother in law and I found a recipe. Today I made my first batch. It has to sit in the fridge for at least 8 hours for the flavors to blend together. If it tastes good I will post the recipe that I ended up using!

Russian History

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Our new lesson is filled with dates and names and really hard words... for some reason it is Spencer's favorite lesson. Sometimes our lessons begin with a dialogue and sometimes it is a short text. This time the text is 7 paragraphs long. I have Sasha coming over tomorrow to help us through it.

I brought home a copy for Tom. He will be joining our class on Monday. It should be interesting to have all of us in class together... I hope our teacher is ready for us, I'll be praying for her!

it is written...

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Spencer and I have been reading t-shirts just for fun… here are a few of the English ones we have seen:

Just Do It
I Love My Attitude Problem
Born to be Blonde
Bring it On
Feel the groove in your legs
USA girl forever
Baby Girl
Attitude
Imagination can change the world
Prada
G-Unit
Baby Phat
Really love Sunday morning
Witness
Ask me if I care?
Boundless Energy
Republic of Juicy
I’m the king of the world
Grow your mind
Feel the music and Rock forever
Uncle Sam
Smile just a little bit
Shopping makes me feel better

Skipping school

Tuesday, September 4,2007


Tom and I went over to the school today to give gifts to the teachers that we had purchased in America. They were so excited over each gift we gave them. After spending time visiting with them Tom wanted to go shopping.

Tanya, the director gave me permission to skip school and spend time with Tom. We were able to get curtain rods so that Tom can get our curtains hung.

That was all Tom was able to do today.

One shopping trip wore him out! It is not easy here… in America we hop in a car and go wherever we want to go. We look for the closest parking space in front of the store.

Here we have to walk to the closest bus stop or phone a taxi. Going shopping is a major ordeal. Once we finish shopping, we have to decide on the best way to get the items home. Sometimes we take a taxi if we have a lot of bags. Today we came home on a marshutka, a public van that holds about 12 passengers. Tom placed the curtain rods in the aisle and we are grateful that he didn’t hit anyone on the head as we got off at our stop!

*** the hot water only lasted the weekend... we are back to cold water again!!!

Tom is home!!!

Monday, September 3, 2007

Tim W. went to pick up Tom from the airport. Along the way he stopped and picked up a surprise for Tom… Alexei!

Tom was so excited to see his friends. It amazes me that Alexei was willing to get up and go to the airport at 4am knowing that he had to attend the first day of a two week intensive session of Biblical Studies at Kovchek today.

I got up at 5 am to be ready to answer the door as soon as they knocked. Tom woke up Spencer and the three of us spent the next 4 hours talking about Tom’s travels, his surgery, our trials with appliances and generally having a great time catching up with one another.

In the states the holiday is Labor Day, but here in Russia we decided it is “Daddy coming home day!” that just means that we skipped school to stay home and be with Tom!

Tom came home with only one suitcase… no he did not pack light, one of his bags got lost. Hopefully, it will be on the next flight and we should get it in the morning.

He had a 32 hour journey home, he is very tired and is now sleeping. He plans to sit out of school this week and will get back into the swing of things next week!

First Bell!

Saturday, September 1, 2007




















September 1st is when the first school bell of the year is rung. It is always a big celebration here.

Children from our church were a part of this mornings ceremonies at their schools. We can say "pozdravlaio" (congratulations) to a few special kids:

Pavel R. and his sister
Ruth
TJ W. and his sister
Hannah


I pray that God blesses this school year and that each of you enjoyed the morning festivities, celebrating with classmates and friends!


****news update****
and on the fourth day, we were blessed with the return of HOT WATER!
Tom leaves the states today and will be here on Monday!

day three!

Friday, August 31, 2007

Today was day three of no hot water... I used my electric tea pot to heat some water so I could wash the dishes. It took three pots of water to fill the sink!

When Aloana was speaking the other night about what life is like in Dagastan for them she mentioned not having any hot water at all. They have lived there for 3 years and have not had hot water... I won't complain about my three days!

Spencer is babysitting tonight. He is getting closer and closer to being able to buy a slick new cellphone. He already has one picked out. He has been good about calling the new students that are here with kids to see if he can work. He probably doesn't realize how beneficial skills like that will be later on in life. It is not easy to pick up the phone and drum up work for yourself. Since school started he has worked each weekend!

Tom has his bags packed and is ready to go! He is flying from Albuquerque to Washington D.C. and then D.C. to Vienna. In Vienna he has a 14 hour layover. Tom is very resourceful when it comes to down time. I have no doubt that he will find a place to stretch out and rest! His last leg of flying will bring him directly here to Krasnodar! He will get here on Monday the 3rd.

I went to a prayer meeting this morning for the East-West women who are here in the city. We are going to meet twice a month so that we can support and encourage one another. I have to admit it feels like a such a treat to get together with women who speak English!

Please keep our friend Ann in your prayers. I received an email from her husband, she needs to return to America for medical treatment. Ann and Robert were students at our language school, they are also with East-West. Ann was very supportive of me when I reached out to her regarding Nathan leaving home... she is such a sweetheart and a good friend!

Nathan is now driving solo! He got his licence and is now able to drive himself to and from work!

our day...

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Today was day number two with no hot water. There is work going on near our building and the hot water has been off since they began working.

We completed our first week of going to school in the afternoon. It is hard to get used to this new schedule. We come home very tired and very hungry. A few afternoons I remembered to put dinner in the crock pot before I left for school so we were able to eat as soon as we got home. There were a few days that I cooked the night before and just warmed it up when I got home. Today, I just made sandwiches and that was good enough!

Today was Oksana's birthday and it was also Yanna's birthday. We were able to see both of them today. Yanna, being one year old, didn't really know that it was her birthday. Olya will do one party for both girls next week on Eera's birthday. That will be fun because Tom will be home by then... and Eera loves "dya-dya Tom" (uncle Tom)

Spencer had a really bad headache today and didn't go to school. He had the whole afternoon to himself. I think he really enjoyed his time alone.

Tom saw the doctor yesterday and called last night to tell me that the doctor said for him to avoid heavy lifting for the next 4 weeks so his "guts don't fall out". He has been very wise about the weight of his suitcases and has been mailing things home... like his 15 pound anvil. It got here yesterday, I cannot wait to see what else he mails home!

in one ear...

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Spencer did a load of laundry this morning. He took the towels out of the washing machine and headed to the drying rack in the living room. As he passed me he commented on how cold the clothes were. He said very clearly "the hot water must not be working". I heard him, but, I didn't hear him... you know what I mean?

I decided to jump in the shower real quick and start getting ready for school. Imagine my surprise when I turned on the water and hopped in, NO HOT WATER!

I told Spencer that I just didn't process the information properly... but, I guarantee you I will next time!

repairs...

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Slavik was able to come over today to look at the part that was broken on our toilet. While Lena and I were in the living room on the phone trying to find a store that sold the part we needed, Slavik and Spencer were in the bathroom attempting to repair that piece and the toilet.

Slavik is so good at fixing things... he is one of those people that can easily take something apart and then put it back together. Now, the toilet flushes but it still runs for a long time after flushing.

I could make a joke about what a "relief" it was to be able to flush the toilet... but, you most likely would see that as lame!

friends indeed!

Monday, August 27, 2007

This morning Spencer called Slavik to see if he could come over and fix the washing machine. He was not able to come over because he was out of the city. This evening I called Lena Rajobova and asked her if she knew anyone who could help us with our washing machine. Five minutes later her husband, Pastor Valodia was here with Vasa, a visiting pastor who serves as a missionary in Dagestan, they worked on the washing machine and tried to also work on the toilet but it needs a few new parts. I was overwhelmed to the point of tears to have these men in my home working in my bathroom!

We just had a lesson a few weeks ago about how according to Russian culture a friend will never turn you away when you need them. It was amazing to see that in action once again.

Potato Festival

Sunday, August 26,2007

Fest celebrates Russians' potato passion By MANSUR MIROVALEV, Associated Press Writer
Fri Aug 24, 2:57 PM ET





It was a Spud-nik celebration.

Thousands of scientists, business executives and gastronomes from around the world converged on Moscow this week to lavish praise on a Russian icon: the common potato.

The occasion was Moscow Potato 2007, a chance for leading potato-heads to debate the subtleties of planting, exchange cooking tips and strategize on ways to promote the potato around the world.

Moscow was a fitting venue: While New York is known as the Big Apple, the Russian capital is called the Big Potato. And rightfully so — for the lumpy tuber holds a privileged place in Russian history and hearts.

Among Czar Peter the Great's many reforms was introducing potatoes to Russia 300 years ago. They were initially rejected by the peasantry as "Devil's Apples," but potatoes quickly caught on and eventually came to rival cabbages and beets as staples of the Russian diet.

During the worst famines of the Soviet era the potato saved millions of lives.

Organizers staged the three-day spud fest at the sprawling All-Russian Exhibition Center in northern Moscow — still decorated with Soviet statues of robust maidens bearing sheaves of grain — and at the All-Russian Research Institute for Potato Growing southeast of Moscow.

Boris Vershinin, who spent four decades breeding varieties that could thrive in Russia's harsh climes, admonishes anybody who dares disparage the potato by using the diminutive Russian term "kartoshka" for the vegetable.

"It's 'His Highness Potato,'" said the biologist from the southern city of Kislovodsk. "It's Russia's second bread."

Vershinin gave a tour of the institute's potato plots to international colleagues Thursday, squeezing intriguing specimens as he lectured on the varieties he cultivated over the years.

All the while, he expounded on the potato's legacy in Russia.

After initially overcoming their suspicions, he explained, Russian peasants learned to plant the hardy crop in fields where agriculture is risky because of unpredictable weather, high humidity and early winters.

The potato became a key ingredient in everything from borscht to vodka.

During the early 1920s, as Russian agriculture collapsed, Bolshevik commissars raided villages to confiscate grain and redistribute it. All that some peasants were left with were potatoes, but it was enough to keep many alive.

Potatoes helped ease food shortages during World War II, when there was again widespread hunger. The Soviet Union's 1947 famine could have been much more devastating without spuds, Vershinin said.

For most of the 20th century, Russia produced more potatoes than anywhere else in the world — until the Chinese took the lead in the late 1990s.

Although the Russian diet has drastically improved in the 16 years since the Soviet collapse, the potato still rules many fields here. The Ministry of Agriculture says about 7 million acres of Russian farmland are dedicated to growing potatoes.

Meanwhile, Russians have been learning to eat potatoes in new ways.

During the communist era, Russians knew such things as potato chips existed, but only because they saw them in the movies. Last year, according to market research firm Euromonitor International, Russians bought almost 130,000 tons of potato chips.

After McDonald's and other fast food giants invaded post-communist Russia, peddling french fries to the potato-loving masses, local producers responded with chains grounded in national cuisine.

Kroshka-Kartoshka, or "Baby Potato," founded by two Muscovites in 1998, hawks potatoes out of brightly colored kiosks scattered throughout Moscow and other Russian cities. Their product is served whole, baked and hot — lathered with cheese and butter and stuffed with delicacies such as marinated mushrooms, salmon or fried eggplant.

"The customers vote for us with their rubles," said marketing director Mikhail Kudryavtsev.

Strolling on Krasnaya

Saturday, 25, 2007

Strolling on Krasnaya is a weekend pastime here in Krasnodar. The street is closed off to vehicles. Teens in groups, couples hand in hand, families with children in strollers, grandparents with their grandchildren, women out with friends, are free to wander from one end of Krasnaya to the other.

As Spencer and I went walking down on Krasnaya today, we found 3 Russian-English New Testaments at the Christian bookstore, Harmony. I am looking forward to using mine in church and to begin using it in my personal devotions.




















Spencer found a small porcelain collector’s plate of Krasnodar, and I was able to shop at one of my favorite stores, L’Occitane!




















When we lived in Southern California I discovered L’Occitane while working at bank near Fashion Island in Newport Beach. Turns out that strolling Krasnaya is great for pampering ourselves... body and soul!

Friday's news!

Friday, August 24, 2007

Spencer and I started our day by running errands. We were able to successfully make our internet payment! Now, if I were able to everything in English I would have no fears or concerns... however when trying to do something like that in Russian, I get nervous that I won't say something right.

I was able to correctly ask if I could pay my bill at the UTK center in our region. The woman who helped us had to ask the other person if we could or not! I gave her our account number and she found us in the computer. Then she asked me how much I wanted to pay. It was a smooth and easy transaction.

After paying the bill, going to the post office to pick up a few packages, we headed over to Park Europe. It has an arcade that takes up most of the first floor where you can play a variety of games. The second floor has the movie theatre and the third floor has a restaurant and billiard room. There is a fourth floor, but, it is not open yet. There was also a bowling alley on what would be considered the basement level. Park Europe is located an easy walk from our building!






















The movie theatre is currently showing The Simpson's and The Bourne Ultimatum. Spencer is planning to go to the movies after church on Sunday with Tobias.

A spa is also planned for Park Europe which will be a nice treat for the ladies in the area when it opens!

The decor inside is like old world Europe. The walls look like old homes and the entire center has a wonderful feel to it. Next time we go over there I will take my camera and try to get some shots that show off the beauty of the interior.

changes...

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Spencer picked up our new schedule at school today. Our class has been moved to the afternoon. For us to change to afternoons means that our friend Lena can no longer work for us...she has other families that she works for in the mornings. I called the school to see if there was another family that she could work for. Hopefully, she will pick up something. They just purchased an apartment and it will need a lot of work to make it livable.

Highspeed internet!

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

We know that highspeed internet is not a new invention. But, since it is new to us here in Krasnodar we are excited. Now that there is more than one company and choice of plans it is cheaper than it used to be. We did not need a separate phone installed, like they told us two years ago, we have a cute little modem that is sitting on our computer desk!

So now we can surf the internet faster, watch videos online and all that jazz!

Today Spencer met with his new language helper, Vlad. Vlad is 15 and speaks a little bit of English. His Russian grammer is very good and he speaks very clearly and is easy to understand. He and Spencer will meet once a week to go over culture questions and any other questions Spencer has from the lesson. This whole time Spencer has worked with an adult language helper and has not had the opputunity to hear things about Russia from the perspective of a teenager!

Tom called late last night and we got to talk for about an hour. It was wonderful to be on the phone with him. It was hard for me when he was in the hospital to not know exactly what was happening from his perspective. I appreciated hearing from friends and family, I completely value that help, but, there is nothing like direct communication!

Thanks so much for all who have been praying for Tom and checking in here. I can tell from the Statcounter that hundreds of you have checked in over the past week from all over the United States and we are very grateful for the prayers and support!

Spencer is so happy he is dancing!

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Lena told Spencer and I about two new furniture stores near her.

So we all went together to go and find Spencer a dresser... we found this!




















We were able to ride home with the delivery men and show them our apartment. We had to pay extra for the delivery... they charged for each floor they had to climb up since we don't have an elevator! Thank Goodness we are only on the 4th floor!

Spencer had told Lena earlier today that he felt like he was still traveling since he didn't have a dresser. After they delivered it, he dusted it, put his clothes inside, and placed his old suitcase near the door to take out to the dumpster in the morning. I have not seen him this happy in a long time. He finally can relax and feel like he is at home! Thanks so much to Linda and Ed in California for making this possible!

I called Tom today at the hospital. He was still in the emergency room after all these days there in the hospital. He had some special testing done and they will get the results on Friday. They are trying to figure out the cause of the red blood cells that are showing up in his urine. At this point we don't know for sure if he actually had kidney stones that were trying to pass or not... the pain and difficulty he was experiencing could have been a side effect of the pain medication that he was given after the surgery. His stomach has some bruises on it from the infection in his incision site. He said that the spot where the infection is had swollen to the size of a fist. He is still being treated with antibiotics for the infection.

As I was speaking to him he was informed that he was being released and by now he should be resting comfortably at his parents home. He sounded very tired on the phone, we were both grateful to hear each other's voices, we had not spoken since he went into the hospital. I asked him if I should go back to New Mexico to help take care of him and he believed that this would all be over soon. His Dad took care of the paperwork to get reimbursed on the airline ticket Tom had already purchased and there will have plenty of time to reschedule another flight.

Spencer, myself, our church family, our ministry team mates, the teacher's at the language school and all of Tom's Russian friends are very eager to see him again!

edited to add:
this is from an email that I received from my friend Cathy, a nurse in Kansas. She spoke with Tom shortly after he arrived back at his parents house.

He said they had diagnosed him with an abdominal wall hematoma. He asked what that was, and I explained it is basically an area of bleeding that forms a pocket, and could occur any place there is trauma, so it is not totally unexpected after surgery. I'm guessing that was a big part of the swelling he has on his abdomen.

Thanks so much Cathy, for that explanation of the abdominal problem!

Monday, Monday

Monday, August 20, 2007

Spencer loves to get up and get out of the house and off to school before the rest of us. He has been doing that since we started language school. This morning he was at the bus stop for about 20 minutes before I got down there. Our classmate Sonja and I arrived around the same time. Spencer said that no buses had come during the time he waited.

We decided to go across the street and catch a taxi or a marshutka. The marshutkas were so packed that there was no hope of getting on one. On the other side of the street we met up with Joseph the fourth of the four classmates. A few minutes later we were joined by Jason and Joanna.

I spoke with a cab driver and he wanted to charge 3 times the normal rate for the distance we needed to travel. For some reason traffic was stalled and it seemed as if everyone in our region everyone was desperate to get to work or school at the same time.

Our group walked to the next bus stop up to see if it was less congested up there. We saw three buses coming as we walked and knew that it would take awhile for them make the turn around and reach us. We ended up catching that third bus. It was less crowded and Joanna who is pregnant was able to get a seat right away. Someone kindly got up for her!

Spencer called the school to let them know that our entire class plus Jason and Joanna would be late for school. We arrived 15 minutes late.

Spencer and I both had a hard time concentrating in class today... the blessing of having an understanding teacher is that she went easy on us! We always start class with prayer and we prayed for Tom today. Tom is still in the hospital... if the infection clears up he may go home tomorrow. Thanks for all the comments, emails and prayers we truly appreciate the support!

Tom health status

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Tom was taken to the emergency room last night. As of right now he is still in the hospital.

He is trying to pass a kidney stone, there is an infection in one of the incision sites, and he was dehydrated.

Please continue to pray for him. I don't yet know how long he will be in the hospital, when or if they are going to try and blast the stones to make them easier to pass. As soon as I hear anything I will pass on that info!

update on Tom

Saturday, August 18, 2007

It seems as if we all misjudged the source of Tom's pain. Not only was he recovering from surgery but he was passing a kidney stone at the same time!

The doctor reevaluated his pain meds and Tom seems to be doing much better now.

Please continue to pray for him!

hurray for the weekend!

Friday, August 17, 2007

what a day!

I got a phone call from Tom last night. He is doing ok. He is getting up to walk, still taking pain medication when needed and getting rest. We were able to talk last night for quite a while... which is a wonderful thing! Until I woke up this morning and I felt the aches and pain of not getting enough sleep.

I contemplated not going in to school this morning. After all it wasn't required. But, I knew that Arina had prepared lessons for me and I didn't want to just blow her off. So I got up, dressed and headed out the door for school. Arina has a personality like Nathan. She does everything in two speeds fast and faster!

We covered three lessons in two hours! She would say "do you understand?, great, moving on!"

I came home to Spencer who had done three loads of laundry! He said he wanted to see if the washing machine is working or not. It did fine for the first two loads and on the last one it started to leak. He tried calling Slavik and could not get a hold of him. So far the toilet still works.

Tomorrow we will go out and look for a dresser for Spencer. We were given a gift from friends who decided that it was time for Spencer to stop living out of his suitcase!

I am enjoying a quiet evening while Spencer is out at a birthday party. I feel very tired physically and didn't want to be a party pooper so I stayed home.

I had a language helper session this afternoon. We worked through the lessons that I had covered with Arina. Then we did the culture questions for the lesson on friendship.

From the perspective of my language helper Oksana, who is filling in for Sasha, she talked about the difference between an acquaintance, a friend, a good friend, and a close friend. She is only 24 and I am 44... she knows at age 24 what it took me until age 40 to learn!!!

Tom and stuff....

Thursday, August 16, 2007
















I got this photo by email today... it is of Nathan and Tom on Nathan's birthday. Oh to be 20 again!


All I have heard about Tom so far is that he had a rough night. Please continue to keep him in your prayers!

Spencer worked on the toilet tonight... it had been running and would not stop for the past 5 hours. He got it stopped and we will call Slavik tomorrow to see if he can come by and take a look at it.

We received two packages from America today. One of them contained a book that I have been waiting for and the other was filled with TV shows and cd's sermons that were donated to us. We were so excited to go to the post office and see what surprises were there for us!

I have school tomorrow since I am still working to catch up on the lessons that I skipped to join in the class with Spencer. It seems as if our days have been really long since we got back here to Russia. Hopefully, on Saturday I can sleep in!

waiting...

Wednesday, August 15, 2007


Tom called this afternoon before he went into surgery... it was morning for him. I have not yet heard how the surgery went.

His friend Alexei called tonight from the AA meeting. I could hear all the people in the background calling out wishes to Tom. So Tom, if you read this before we talk, Dima, Valera, Tatiana and all the gang at the Open Door wish you well!

Edited to add: Tom is now resting at his parent's home after surgery. He will go back to be checked on by the doctor on Monday before he flies home on Tuesday. We are grateful for your prayers!!

20 years ago today...

Tuesday, August 14, 2007



I remember very clearly going into labour again! It was our 7th trip to the hospital. Although my due date was not until September 3rd, I was determined not to be sent home that night. When the resident came in to see me I told him very sternly "tell Dr. F that I am not leaving here without a baby!" When he came back in he had a smile on his face and said "Dr. F says that he will see you in the morning!"



I spent the night in labour, got up the next morning and my doctor came by to see me. After measuring me, and the baby, he determined there was no way for the baby to come out naturally so I was scheduled for surgery at 6:30 pm.



Before we were blessed with Nathan in 1987 we had two children that were stillborn. Perhaps knowing that will help you understand why we were eager to have Nathan born while we knew he was alive and healthy.



Two times I was visited by the hospital chaplain back in 1985. Both times it was the same woman. When she saw my name on the board slated for a c-section she stopped in to say how excited she was that we were finally going to have a live birth.



Nathan arrived via c-section and was greeted by name by everyone in the room! We knew he was a boy so everyone was calling him by name even before he was delivered. He was given a bath by Tom and then handed to me to hold.



It is not easy being 9000 miles away from him today. I did speak with him earlier this evening. Since we are 10 hours ahead we actually woke him up to say: "Happy Birthday Nathan!!!!"



Again, Happy birthday Nathan, we truly love you and are grateful that God gifted our lives with your presence!!

Being Nice Does Matter

Monday August 13, 2007

Thank you so much Karolee for the award!! Karolee is a fellow knitter and is currently hosting the Proverbs Challenge.

This is the first award that I have gotten since I started blogging two years ago!

The award originated here: Bella-Enchanted

This award is given to those that are just nice people , good blog friends and those that inspire good feelings and inspiration! Those that care about others that are there to lend support or those that are just a positive influence in our blogging world!

My 7 choices are:

Joann

Crickl

Heartsong

Juloyes

Laundromat

Amy

Yellow


Each of these ladies is a fellow Pastor's Wife, we have all shared challenges and encouragement with one another and I value their input in my life! I always look forward to reading their blogs, hearing what is going on in their lives and am often inspired by the life lessons they share.

finally back on line!!!

Sunday August 12, 2007

Agromnaya spacibo ( enormous thanks) to Tom! I do appreciate you filling in for me honey!!

Dima came over today after church and got us back up and running. We have lost all of our files so I am sad about my photos. I was just starting to put them onto to disks before we went back to the states and sadly I didn't finish.

At least my blog photos are not lost!

We have Tom's favorite girls here right now... Yanna is trying to walk and Eera is going back and forth to and from the kitchen eating up all the bread!

We had a large American contingent at church this morning. Two of the new families from school were visiting. And all of the Americans who normally attend are back in town!

Let's see what else? Oh, the washing machine is still not working properly. We got one problem fixed and now there is a new one.

So the washing machine, computer and the toilet were all giving me fits this week! The toilet has to be flushed three times before it will quit running. Since that one is just a minor inconveince I will wait and let Tom fix that problem!

School is really keeping us busy. Homework and trying to get to know all of the new students kept us out late each night since Wedsnesday. Two nights we had people over and the other two night we were out past ten! Neither one of us had the energy to go to an internet cafe afterwards so we have been out of touch since we heard from Tom about his surgery date.

I guess that is enough rambling from me for now! I look forward to reading through all the blogs of my friends and getting back to the Pastor's Wives Forum to see what is going on over there!

Transitions & rites of passage...

Nathan drove on the freeway for the first time as he continued to practice driving & increase his experience. He was told that part of his driving test to get his license will include freeway driving. Nathan & his dad drove from Albuquerque to the next city - & he did good. His transition into adulthood signifies a shift for our family as well, because when Tom leaves for Russia, Nathan will remain in the States. It's funny how healthy & natural transitions bring a dichoomy of emotions with them!

Overwhelming needs in Russia...

Tom ran across this article in The Moscow Times newspaper.
">Link

It chronicles the desperate need for released convicts to have some sort of social rehabilitation program, which are not offered in Russia. With a 98% rate of Russian inmates being an addict & alcoholic, too much of the time when they are released from prison they simply slide back into old, destructive behaviors. Many inmates have their papers & passports lost while incarcerated, & are released with a slip of paper that says they have been released from prison. With this as their only kind of documentation, most cannot find jobs or get hired; so they return to a life of crime & addiction. The article tells of one released prisoner who returned to his former prison official asking to be incarcerated again as he was tired of being homeless & without a job. It's interesting reading & why your prayers & support are so important to the work we are doing.

A quick update....

Alida is having computer problems in Russia & is unable to post...so this is Tom filling in. Also, yesterday the washing machine went down but Alida was able to get a 'master' (repairman) to the flat within an hour who replaced the pump.
Tom's doctor appointment went very well. He will be having surgery next Wednesday the 15th. It will be an outpatient procedure & he'll return home the same day. He then has a flight leaving America on Tuesday the 21st & will arrive home in Krasnodar on Thursday the 23rd!! Alida's very excited that Tom's surgery & return to Russia will be sooner than we had anticipated! Thanx for your prayers!

still waiting...

Tuesday August 7, 2007

I woke up today knowing that Tom would have his appointment with the surgeon, that soon we would know when surgery is and when he will be coming home to Russia. It is almost 11pm and I need to go to bed. As soon as I hear any news I will pass it on.

back to school

Monday August 6, 2207

We have officially started back to school!


Spencer, myself, Sonya and Joseph came together to form a new class. I feel as if I am in overhead... hopefully this feeling won't last long. I still have a few more grammer lessons to catch up with the rest of them. I am the oldest one in the class and I feel it!


Sasha worked today and help us out a lot. Lena will help tomorrow. It looks like our schedule is coming together. And study time was easier to settle into than thought it would be.


Update:
Tomorrow is Tom's appointment with the surgeon... we are hoping for a surgery date that is very, very soon!! Pray for an open calendar! And a cheap return flight for him!!

Unique Race

Sunday August 5, 2007

Speed on heels: Russian women run in unique race
Associated Press
Sunday, July,29 2007 (Moscow):
Russian women proved on Saturday that they can do what no man in the world can: running a 100-metre race in 9 cm (3.5 inches) high heel shoes.

The new sports competition, "The High-Heel Race" was held this year in five Russian cities between July 16-28.

Last year, over 200 women took part in the first sprint race in Moscow, Petersburg, Yekaterinburg (the Urals) and Novosibirsk.

The race was such a success that the Russian edition of Glamour magazine decided to support it and turn it into an annual event.

"Generally our women are very fond of heels, make-up, hair-dos, minis and whatever in order to present themselves," said Anna Rykova, a fashion expert.

"On one hand it is not good because their attire is not an everyday one. On the other hand, (this style) attracts foreign men because our women are always looking good - from morning until night," she added.

Oksana, one of the high heel racers, said Russian girls were permanently competing. "Our girls are dressing better than girls abroad and they are paying more attention to what they wear.

Everyday for them is like a beauty contest.

"The winners of each race get cash certificates of 100,000 roubles ($4,000) to spend in the city's shopping malls.

I wish I could bottle his energy!

Saturday, August 4, 2007

Spencer was up early this morning. He spent time on the internet, ate breakfast, showered and was out the door.

Most of his day was spent digging holes at the new school. He said that it was mostly him, Jim W. and Seth doing the work. Other kids were there to help but there were only three shovels.

He came home tired and smelly, he jumped in the shower, changed his clothes and was off to help out with the English Club that is meeting at the BLTC. He was grateful that he is almost the same shoe size as his dad. He got his tennis shoes really dirty today so he walked out the door with his dads shoes on.

I remember when his little feet would have never fit in his father's shoes... those days are long gone!

two long days in a row!

Friday, August 3, 2007
Spencer stayed home today and enjoyed the quiet!

He had one visitor. Jim W. came over to borrow some of Tom's tools to help build the playground for the new school. He needed saws and a level. Spencer was able to show him where everything was and last night Tom called so he is well aware that his tools have been loaned out for a good cause!

I spent much of the day at language school. I did a four hour session with Arina. We worked on four lessons and she spent one hour on each lesson with me. It was not hard work. Just a lot of information to take in. One of the things I was practicing was about musical instruments. I was trying to say "I play the violin" but what I said was "I play the paper clip".

By the end of the fourth hour I think my brain was fried.

Lena came over this evening with Ira. It was good to spend time talking with her. I was telling her about hiring another language helper. They recommend at school having two and we just had not pursued that. We were talking about the importance of listening to more than one voice... only I said "more than one person's hair!" Lena is still interested in helping out two days a week. And we will have Sasha to help two days a week. That way everyone of us will get time in with a tutor as we are all full time this year.

Ira didn't talk much until it was time to go. I offered to help her with putting on her shoes. She will be three in September. She said to me, in Russian of course, "Aunt Alida, I learned how to do it myself!" I think all over the world children know how to say "I can do it myself!"

Spencer and I ended the day with a movie and pizza. He went to bed early, he has offered to help dig the holes for the posts that will support the playground equipment and he has also offered to help with an English class. He started to carefully enunciate each word after that phone call!

I don't know if I will see him tomorrow... if he gets called in to do playground duty he may leave before I wake up!

a very long day

Thursday August 2, 2007

I will have to write about it all tomorrow... our day began with school and ended with dinner at Brennan and Stephanie's. While there, Spencer got a chance to meet someone near his age who was helping his dad make a delivery. Spencer helped them unload the wood, cement and sand for the new playground equipment for the international school that is starting up next month.

Right now they have grades K4-10th. This will be a great blessing to many families here with children who wish to study in English.

Tom called tonight and that was exciting! We had not heard his voice in a week.

I have class for four hours tomorrow. I was put in a new class and will move ahead 7 lessons. Tomorrow Arina will work with me on the grammar for the lessons that I am skipping!

Fast Food in Krasnodar

Wednesday August 1, 2007














So far, this is the only place that I have found here in Krasnodar, that sells Raspberry Tea.

I know that might not seem like big news... yet, there are so many things that we do without, that it is like an oasis in the desert when we find something that we are used to from home.

I don't have Raspberry tea very often but on occasion, like yesterday I allow myself a treat!

the monopoly land baron!

Tuesday July 31, 2007



















When we were out shopping at the mall today with our friends, Spencer asked if we could buy a Monopoly Game. I agreed on the condition that he needed to actually play it.

Once evening hit he asked if we could play... so three hours later he had all the money, property and I was bankrupt! He said he was playing like his dad... and he was thrilled to win for the first time since he started playing the game at age 5. We have fond memories of playing Monopoly Jr!















We considered tonight's game as a language practice session since the game is in Russian. We learned a few new words and had a great time. All of the properties have Russian street names. It took a little adjustment for both of us to call the money rubles instead of dollars!

Lena is back!

Monday July 30, 2007




















She was in Maicop helping her inlaws with remodeling their home. I saw her brother Slavik (see yesterday's post), her sister in law (married to Lena's other brother Vova) and her nieces soon after we got back but I did not see her until today. She called and didn't identify herself but I knew right away who she was... it is not easy to forget the voice of one's language helper. She has worked with us since we moved here in 2005. She had been in Maicop helping her inlaws with remodeling their home.

Her first questions were about whether or not we had practiced our Russian while we were away.

After inquiring about our study habits Lena asked if I wanted some Russian practice tonight and said that she and Alexei could come over at 7 pm. When they arrived they had lots of questions about our time in America and about Tom's surgery.

I had looked up the word for gall bladder..."shoalch-nee poozeer" so when they came over I was able to tell them exactly what type of surgery Tom needed.

Alexei thinks that Tom made a wise choice to stay in America for surgery. He believes that Tom would have been cut the old fashioned way and that the procedure could not be done laproscopically here in Russia.

Lena was especially excited that we have already renewed our visas and will not have our language studies interrupted by having to leave in September like we normally do. We won't have to leave the country again until January.

Lena is going back to college to get a degree in Finance. We won't find out until August what her school schedule will be like and how much or if she will still be able to work for us.


In other news for today: Tania, the director of our school called today and asked if I would look in on the new family with East-West. I was able to tell her that I already had! We made plans to take them to the mall tomorrow.

School will start either on the 2nd of August or Monday of next week. They teachers will meet on the 1st after a one month vacation to decide on the schedule and will call us to let us know when to show up!

A man of many talents

Sunday July 29,2007















Two years ago Slavik installed my sink, today he is a new deacon at our church in Russia.

It was his Sunday to preach. Slavik is a natural. He was at home in the pulpit. I know that Tom would have enjoyed seeing Slavik up there.

He spoke on keeping your focus on God's word so that you can step out in faith. It is only when we look at our circumstances or listen to doubters around us that we are likely to fall.