Final MOPS of the Year

We opened by singing with the kids and then they joined us for tea. We had 9 moms and 6 kids. Three of the moms were also grandmothers and they "ran" the program on our final day.

Our speaker was Linda, a grandma, from Texas. Linda has been involved with MOPS for over 15 years and it was a treat to have her here to share her wisdom and experience with us.

Lyuba and Avgusta, the other two grandmas, worked with the kids. Both of their grandkids and their daughters were in attendance this morning. Seeing two sets of three generations was a thrill for me. I hope that in the years to come we get more families involved with our program so that we can all continue to grow and learn together!!

At the circus

Last Saturday Tom and I took our friends, Alyona, Vasa and their kids to the circus. It was an intimate one ring circus with acts from different countries around the world. We were able to enjoy some of the traditional things that a circus has to offer like the clown dragging someone out of the audience to perfom with, acrobats, animals, high wire acts, cotton candy and caramel popcorn!!

Thought for today

We can teach from our experience, but we cannot teach experience.”
Sasha Azevedo

internet woes

not sure what was ging on but UTK, internet provider, was down for several days... it was hard not knowing what was going on in the world. Tom and I both read the news online everyday!!

Hopefully, it is back up for a while and I will be able to post an update on what we have been doing here lately... I have to get photos loaded first!!

under the weather

The weather here has been strange... we get a bright sunny day and then a rainy one. And I am left with muscle pain and fatigue. I wish the weather would just make up its mind!

thought for today

" Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself."
--- Author Unknown ---

Russia wins!

Tom was up late last night watching the IHF World Championship Hockey game between Russia and Canada. When the game came to an end there was a collective "oorah!" from several of our neighbors!

sunset in Kiev

I took these photos from the back of the boat of where Spencer's classes are held (University of the Nations)To me even the reflection of the sunset in the windows was truly a wonderful sight!

Thought for today

Neither big guns nor big governments can heal a human soul... people need a Big Mama!

they rolled out the red carpet...

Not knowing how long it would take for us to find the Sports Palace we left our apartment early to be on time for registration. We got there 15 minutes later which made us 40 minutes early. When we arrived we saw them literally rolling out the red carpet!

We left to see the sights around the Sports Palace returning later to find male volunteers there to welcome us to the conference with applause and cheers. There was also a cameraman there to film everyone when we came in!!

All I can show you of the conference itself is the last photo posted. No photos are allowed during the conference. The slide says "welcome... the heavens believe in you"

Most of the speakers are preaching in English and then being translated into Russian. But sometimes I had to wait for the Russian translation to understand the idiom that had just been used. Cuz, I don't speak Australian!!

Today was a long day and now we are off to bed... gotta get an early start in the morning!

we are here!

We made it here to Kiev safely!!

We ate dinner at a Ukrainian Restaurant and enjoyed the tasty foods this country has to offer and then went off to meet up with Spencer. He gave Alyona the grand tour of the boat, introduced us to his classmates, teachers and roommates. It was good to see him again!

Tomorrow is day one of the Women's Conference and we are very excited!!

the sisters unite because...

I am leaving today with my friend Alyona for the Hillsongs International Women's Conference. We will be traveling by train to the city of Kiev, Ukraine. Lisa Bevere is one of the speakers so the conference will be in English and Russian. And they are expecting women from many different countries to come.

I am looking forward to getting to know Alyona better and to hearing the incredible worship music that Hillsongs never fails to provide!

You can read the reasons why the sisters unite here: http://www.colourconference.com.ua/en/node/21

and here is more info about the conference:
http://www.colourconference.com.ua/node/16


The apartment that we are staying in has internet access so I should be able to check in and give updates from the conference!

TGIF!

We survived another day of babysitting!! I made a batch of homemade playdough with the kids, played princess, drove cars with Elijah and it was warm enough to play outside for a bit. Tom killed off all of the dragons in the house and made sure the Grinch didn't come after us!!

Russian has two separate words to ask the question "why". I am used to hearing adults use "pachemy?" (why?) most of the time. But 5 year olds seem to prefer "zachem" (for what purpose). Most of the time I was able to give her the purpose for something... I am grateful for my 5 year old language helper. She keeps me on my toes!!

What have we been up to?

Last Friday we spent time with our little friends Elijah(eelia) and Diana(dee-ahna). Their dad is out of town and their mom works one day a week. We were privileged to be asked to sit with the kids. They are not used to being with anyone but their parents.

We will be going over there again on Friday. And I am eager to see what new verbs or words I learn this time. Last week I learned to say "let's go pee!" in Russian. I didn't have that lesson in class at school for some reason. And I don't have small kids of my own so I didn't have to learn it. Not sure what tomorrow will bring but I look forward to the adventure!!

Thought for today

To know the road ahead, ask those coming back.
Chinese Proverb

Tulip Time

When we were at the park on Sunday, along with young families out for a stroll, couples holding hands, and teens whizzing by on roller blades, these tulips were part of the sights we saw. Spring here in Krasnodar is a beautiful time of year!

4 items needed for a nap in the park

A park bench














A blue sky














A lap to rest your head on














and the ability to relax!

Dirt Cake with Gummy worms!!

Layer the ingredients in this order:

Start with brownies on the bottom of the bucket...



















add the chocolate frosting



















cover with crushed chocolate cookies



















And there you have it... Dirt Cake with Gummy worms!!















Tom and I are going to baby sit for some friends of ours today and this is my little treat for the kids!!

A MOPS morning

Tom came this morning to speak on How to Teach Your Child About Sexuality. He did a great job (of course I am not biased!)

We had 6 moms in attendance with children at various ages and stages in life so the discussion time was very rich. One of the moms remarked "how great it is that we have moms here with kids older than ours so we can ask questions and learn from one another!"

thought for today

He who is not very strong in memory should not meddle with lying.


Michel de Montaigne
French essayist (1533 - 1592)

you know it's spring when

You know that it is spring in Krasnodar when the water in your apartment either doesn't work or it is coming out brown... ah, the joys of spring!!

Russian Easter

Alyona, Vasa, Diana and Elijah
Diana has the microphone and Elijah is not looking!



















Alexei and Yulia and their children,
Leeza and Misha















Tom, Alexei, Yulia and Alida

Drunken Red Square drive

In Russian news...

Police fired for drunken Red Square drive

MOSCOW (Reuters)
Three off-duty Russian policemen were fired Monday for driving drunk through Moscow's Red Square in the early hours of the morning, dressed in their police uniforms. "A medical examination revealed that all three policemen were drunk," Moscow City Police said in a statement about the incident which took place Friday."(They have) tarnished the honour and dignity of police officers." Russians are some of the world's heaviest drinkers and demographers often cite high alcohol consumption as a factor in the low life expectancy of Russian men.
The image of national airline Aeroflot's subsidiary Aeroflot-Nord was dealt a serious blow earlier this year when alcohol was found in the blood of one of its pilots who crashed over the Urals, killing 88 people on board.

Thought for today

The more a man knows, the more he forgives.

Catherine the Great

more fun in the park

Our little friend Yanna, went from not wanting to get on the slide to not wanting to stop. Big sister Ira (eera) and mom were there to help her out!