devatsit chiteeree goadah!

24 years! Today is our 24th wedding anniversary. Tom whisked me away from school and took me out to lunch. We went over to the mall. We tried to go to the nice Chinese place there called Minami. But they were closed for a meeting. So, when we saw corn on the cob at one of the other places we decided we had to have it! Afterwards we looked around the mall for awhile and Tom some some Viking Legos he wanted so that is his present. He gave me some jewelry he made. I have a new necklace, bracelet and earrings that are very cute!

Nathan is home from the farm. Last night in a text message he told Spencer that Domo had killed a chicken and a duck. Spencer wanted to make sure that Nathan had not killed the duck so he asked again "who killed the duck Nathan or Domo?" Nathan as a joke replied that "Domo killed the duck...I killed a goat!" I sent a message right away asking if I was getting goat meat! Nathan let me know it was all a hilarious joke. I was relieved. I was hoping it would be a week when they would butcher a cow. But, Tom says there are others who need the free meat more than we do. I would pay for it. I just wanted something I knew was fresh and healthy! The guys take such good care of the animals out there. All that they grow whether it is an animal or vegetable or fruit is superb!

I priced baby items for friends of ours who are expecting. They have not made an annoucement yet. The store I was at had strollers for over 700 dollars. We will not be purchasing anything there! Tom wanted to know if they came with motors?!


We got a graduation annoucment for Alex Cowley today also. She just finished up at K State with a degree in Elementary Education. We are very proud of her and still remember when she was born!

How much do you get at the ATM?

My last job in the States was as Customer Service Manager for a branch of a bank... in America. I tend to notice things with which I am familiar. I notice when the Bankomats (ATM’s) are filled. People stand outside the supermarket waiting as three guards fill the machine. I will not post the details of the security procedure that I witnessed. I do not think that would be wise. I did notice certain steps that were like what we did when we filled our machines at the bank in the grocery store that I managed in Southern California. I was second in line to use the machine when they finished. I chose to wait inside and not out and that gave me a bird's eye view of what was going on. There was a cute little old woman ahead of me who was having a hard time getting the machine to work. She tried 700 rubles. Then she tried 500. I was going to step up and help her but I was still trying to translate the screen! She turned to a woman on the side of us and asked for help. They checked her balance, which is where I would have started! She did have more than enough. Can you tell there is no privacy here? Finally, they got her to a screen that showed the amounts that her card would allow. Her choices were 100 or 200 rubles. She chose 200. This little woman walked away with about 7 dollars. I hope she can eat. I hope that is enough for whatever she needed.
I had to withdraw 2000 rubles. I needed money for a new internet card (520 rubles) and Spencer’s glaucoma medicine (795 rubles) the rest was for our bus passes for December. I cannot imagine what small amounts others have to live on. I know that we have learned to be content with what we have and to make do with less. My bankcard gives me access to larger amounts than hers did. My choices onscreen went up to 5000 rubles. Alternatively, I could choose another amount not offered on the screen. I have done it before with success. Tom and I pray for the people here around us. We pray for them to find work when they need it and we are seeking ways to help them earn money too!

mental health break

How do you take a day off from Russian? It is not easy.

Turn off the TV?...the neighbor's tv is loud enough that if I put mine on the same channel I don't need the sound.

Only watch movies in English?

The phone will still ring.

People will still drop by.

There is a book that I read from the suggested reading list for school. It is called Have We No Rights? Basically, the answer is NO. If we have chosen to live our lives for God then we have given over our lives to him. We essentially gave over our rights as well. One might argue that we still have rights. The point of the book is that if you have chosen to live in another country or have chosen a line of work that you believe God directed you to... then you are obligated to live through the consequences of that choice. I might decide that I want a day off from the Russian world. But, with a friend who is pregnant and Tom who has a meeting to go to and the boys who also have a social lives... if that phone rings it needs to be answered. There are no answering machines here.

Life goes on and there are lessons, blessings and struggles along the way. I was successful in staying in bed all day. But avoiding Russian... nope, even the movie I watched had Russian at the beginning where you select the play options!

And the phone calls... one was someone wanting to order jewelry from Tom. I would not have witnessed an answer to prayer about that business if I had not answered the phone!

Finally.. a visit to Metro!

This is a link to Metro's website:
when you get there choose the English option!

Take a look at Metro

Metro is like Costco or SAM'S. I went there today with Olya. I was thankful that we were both able to benefit from the visit. She needed to go to keep her card active for another year. And I have never been there! I found some of the cereals that we like. Sugar Smacks and Honey Nut cheerios. I also found that buying trail mix and nuts in bulk saves us money on snacks for school. I found an equivalent for Ritz Crackers. So I can make peanut butter cracker snacks for the boys. Yesterday we got two packages in the mail. One package from New Mexico (thanks mom and dad!)and one from California (thanks again J!), both contained peanut butter. We now have 6 jars! We are not sure how long they will last. Tom sat down with one jar and a spoon and was content!

Metro has large appliances so when we have enough money saved for the washing machine we will look there to see if it is cheaper. (Tom is dedicating his jewelry and cross money to a washing machine!)

Some things were as much as half the price of the supermarket. We were very excited. Olya and I split the cost on things if we didn't want a full package of something. She didn't need two boxes of Vanilla Tea so I was glad to take one and so on! We also found DVD's out there very cheap... less than a dollar fifty. When we got back to my house we could not remember who actually bought one of them! I let her take it and we'll borrow it! It was the Count of Monte Cristo.

I did good with not blowing my whole months budget in one trip. Olya and I can go again in two weeks. We both kept saying "sleydooshey ras" (next time!) And then putting an item back on the shelf. We will make sure that her husband can take us. The taxi ride there and back was expensive. And unlike Krasnaya Plowshad there were no taxi's waiting for us when we came out. We stood and waited over 40 minutes after calling one.

We drank hot vanilla cappucino from the vending machine to keep us warm. Thank goodness for my habit of keeping lots of coins in my purse!
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Spencer had a friend come over today and they played video games for a while before they went to work at the children's home. Spencer has been saving our 2 liter bottles for a bowling game he designed for the kids! Lena said she met his friend Andrew as he and Spencer were leaving.

Tom went to a psych hospital where a new AA meeting was just started by he and Alexei.

There are now TWO AA meetings in Krasnodar!!!!

This new one and one at a place downtown that Tom and Alexei also attend.

Nathan and I had this week off from our social project. My trip to Metro counts as a cultural excursion! I saw a lot of expensive cars in the parking lot and it looked like an afternoon in Orange County, CA. or Johnson County, Kansas. The business owners and the wealthy shop there. Right now they are the ones with access to the memberships.

Oh and I found a palm tree I didn't buy it yet.. I will go back when Vova can take me. Tom wants one for our Christmas tree. Olya told him he needs to buy a "yulkah" (a fir tree). He wants a Palm and Spencer agrees!

Culture Lessons Part 2

This is most likely an ongoing subject. The director of the school came in today and spoke with our class. She told us several things about the beliefs of Russians that I took notes on:

*American students have to be entertained.

Traditionally Russian schools are teacher centered. There is a lecture and a test; you either get it or you don't. It is your responsibility to 'get it' not the teachers.

*Criticism is a major motivator.
*They don't believe in encouragement.
*Public praise is embarassing.
*Americans are being watched for their reactions. (why should we cry at school? we have money, we have nice things, we have our families here! what reason to we have to be depressed?)
*Adults should be self motivated. (why should a teacher have to motivate us to learn?)
*They don't believe in dehydration. (normally students are not allowed to drink or eat during school)
*They don't believe in mold making people sick. (one family just discovered mold in the walls of their apartment)
*They believe you can get sick from eating ice cream. (they did an experiment where an American and a Russian girl ate a bowl of ice cream and the Russian girl got sick)
*Mercy is not everybody's gift.(we must remember that God does not give everyone the same gifts)

If you say that you are a Christian here it means only that you are not a Buddhist or Muslim. Everyone here is a Christian. This is a Christian nation.

It is would be more impactful to say you are a believer.

It is interesting to ask questions and hear the answers put from a Russian perspective. Tania does a great job of helping us understand the mindset and she tells us about the culture shock her teachers have to face from us on a daily basis! She also told us about a student she has up near the Alaskan border that is 72. She has spent the last twelve years of her life learning Russian. So, there is hope for us young ones!

Tom... you have a Russian wife!

Alexei told Tom he now has a Russian wife. He came over and gave me a lesson in how to make borsht. I had told several people that he was coming over and the general consensus seems to be that men make the best borsht. One of my students at Gymnasium #23 told me that he "loves his dad's borsht" especially "the red kind". Alexei gave me a shopping list. Meat, oregano (fresh), carrots, potatos, cabbage, tomato paste, bell pepper and sour cream. He had me chopping and dicing for over an hour! The meat had to simmer for over two hours. After the meat was ready we took it out of the water and diced it. And added the vegetables one at a time and allowed each one time to cook. The oregano went in last. After we added it we turned off the flame on the stove.

Alexei teased me about having a German oven. "she's a German!" a plita is feminine. The front two burners on my stove have a smaller fire than the back two. He thought that was foolish. He said "onna gloopahya!" Anyway, we managed with my "foolish stove" to get an incredible batch of borsht made that everyone enjoyed.

Lena wanted to know if Americans like leftovers. Or if we cook it once and then throw it away? We told her it was fine for us to eat something for a second day. She told us that the borsht would taste better on the 3rd or even the 5th day! Tom does not think it will last that long. I need a bigger pot. I think I may need one like Mom has. It is pretty deep!

Spencer and Nathan taught Alexei and Lena how to play video games. Lena seemed interested in the score her brother got when he was over! Vova did okay But Lena did better!

Today Tom was able to pick up money from the store that has been carrying his jewelry and he placed new items in a Christian bookstore here in town. In English the store name would be Harmony. It is called Garmonia. They took crosses and jewelry. We also had a meeting with a woman from one of the largest churches in town. She ordered some sample necklaces so she could take orders at her church. We are very excited at the interest picking up in Tom's creations. It is a form of worship for him. We hope that the interest will continue to grow!

Plates stand on the table

Learning about language teaches you more about the culture.

In Russian the dishes do not lay on the table they stand. Only the silverware lies on the table. Our dishes are set on the table in English. Does that make our dishes lazy?
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Yesterday, Ann saw Talitha standing in the doorway. She calls Talitha "Tinkerbell". Perhaps because she is so tiny and cute. When she saw her standing in the doorway Ann said "tinkerbell is chewing gum!" Tom said "That's my code word!" It sounded like that was the code to rob a bank or something. Robert caught on quick and it was the running joke all afternoon.

Today, Mike, Robert and Tom were all sick with a sore throat. It appears that "tinkerbell is chewing gum" released the virus that made all the guys sick!

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I got a special treat when I opened my email today. I heard from my oldest nephew who is away at college. It was such a blessing to get a note from him and to know that he is praying for us. He is a very special young man. His college graduation is in May of 06'. Our family is very proud and excited for him.

What kind of meat do you prefer?

When shopping at the market in a foreign country it is important to know the names of different meat. I sent Nathan out to buy some meat the other day. He came home with squirrel. He and Tom ate it. They thought it tasted a little different. Nathan knew that "belka" was squirrel so he knew what he was eating... Tom just found out today!

I went shopping for meat today and was looking for bacon. I found bear meat! Medvedinskayah Myasah. I thought to myself "is this a brand name or is this really bear meat?" It was dark and not very thick. Maybe, about an inch and a 1/4. I was in the mood for adventure but my pocketbook was not. I needed to know how to cook it and if the guys would eat it first. I came home and we all agreed to try it in chili! If it is still there I'll get it when I shop again. Then, I can let everyone know how bear meat tastes! I ended up with boring old beef, tuna and pork.

Whiter Than Snow Featured in Film!

Tom giving Volodya the cross. It hangs in the front of the church.







Communion was held today. No mention of Advent. Maybe because the big holiday here is "novee goad" New Years! Orthodox Christmas is January 7th.

Valodya and Klaus showed a professional film the church made that explains why the church exists. It speaks of the different minsitries the church offers including the Rehab center out in Arteka.

Our family was among those shown going into the church through the "open door". The name of the church has been changed to The Church of the Open Door. It was Krasnodar Bible Church. We are also seen at the baptism held at the river; the guys are singing and I am photographing the event. There is a good shot of Spencer during a service at the church. Oxcana did a great job filming different aspects of the church and the various groups. She also featured some great shots of Tom's cross "Whiter Than Snow". Valodya used the verse that Tom was inspired by in making the cross as his text to speak fromthis morning. He spoke about how each bead represented God's power to cleanse us and make our "souls" white like snow. Following his speaking we had communion.

There was a man from Salihardt among the congregation today. He was very excited that the topic was snow! They have snow about 6-7 months out of the year up there! He felt like the message was just for him!

We are going to order copies of the video in Russian to give away here. And in English to send to churches back home. So if you are from one of the churches we have spoken at a video will be on its way in the next few months. The English copy needs to be made. The Russian copies are ready!

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Last night we had dinner at Jim and Joyce's with Alexei and Lena, Sasha, and Pasha. I was telling them about the student saying "Jesus died on a armchair" Alexei said that was ok.... A Russian man said from the pulpit on a communion Sunday that it was time to "Bite" the body of Christ! EAT is kooshat and BITE is koosat! Alexei said don't feel bad even Russians make mistakes when they speak!

Hospital Visit

I went to visit a friend in the hospital today. It was a very unique cultural experience. This hospital was extremely old and immense. The only visual I can think of to give you is the view of the inside of the hospital from the old Betty Davis movie "The Snake Pit". It was a nightmare (kashmar) to see rusted guerneys and old beds. The patients have to bring their own dishes from home to eat from. Lena went with me and she had to go to the bathroom. When she complained about the toilet I didn't even bother going in. Lena never complains!

My friend is being hospitalized simply for morning sickness. They think it is very dangerous for the baby. And they will keep the mother until it is over. She may be hospitalized for two more months. She is scared and very uninformed about pregnancy. She has bruises on her arms from them trying to find a vein when taking her blood.

I answered all of her questions. She has not even been able to see her own mother. Her mother had surgery not too long ago and cannot come to the hospital. I talked with her about asking the doctor on Monday to let her go home. She has not seen the doctor since last Monday. I think she will be better at home. She will have less of a chance of contracting any infection if she is not there with all those people who are actually sick!

I spoke with a nurse midwife who has been told that women here have been advised to have abortions simply because they have a bladder or a kidney infection.

I cried when I left the hospital. Tom and I are grateful that we had our children in America. And we discussed the fact the there are probably places in the world where the hospital I was at would be considered a "good one". This is not one of Russia's good ones. Tom had his surgery at a 'good one". I wish I could get that vision out of my head. But, at the same time, I am willing to go back and take her food or spend as much time with her as needed.

Dealing with Difficult People

Nathan and I have been dreading going back to work. We both seem to get sick on the Friday that we need to be at the school we have been assigned to teach at. Today I prayed and planned out a lesson. I chose the classic Christmas poem "Twas The Night Before Chirstmas" by Clement Moore. The problem is not with the children. These are the kids of some of the wealthiest people in the city. They are bright and eager to learn. My problem is with the teacher. Here the learning is teacher centered. If the answers given are not perfect then the students are not rewarded. I tend to give credit for effort. I can hear the children making progress. And learning a new language is hard. If the children act childlike that is frowned upon. Well, even I was laughing at the description of Santa in the poem. As you read it visualize how St. Nicholas looks. The boys were reprimanded for laughing. I felt criticised when I met with her because she thought the poem was too difficult, the print too small and the subject not interesting enough to hold the childrens attention. She was into what Tom calls the "automatic no" mode. I realised in those moments of speaking with her that it was not about me, but, about her mentality. I was doing things differently. And different... is not the same as wrong.

'Twas the night before Christmas
1: 'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
2: Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
3: The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
4: In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
5: The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
6: While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
7: And Mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
8: Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap;

9: When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
10: I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
11: Away to the window I flew like a flash,
12: Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
13: The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
14: Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
15: When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
16: But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny rein-deer,
17: With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
18: I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
19: More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
20: And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

21: "Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
22: On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
23: To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
24: Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
25: As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
26: When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
27: So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
28: With the sleigh full of Toys, and St. Nicholas too.
29: And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof,
30: The prancing and pawing of each little hoof --

31: As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
32: Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
33: He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
34: And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
35: A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
36: And he look'd like a pedlar just opening his pack.
37: His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
38: His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
39: His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
40: And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

41: The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
42: And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
43: He had a broad face and a little round belly,
44: That shook when he laughed, like a bowlfull of jelly.
45: He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
46: And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
47: A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
48: Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
49: He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
50: And fill'd all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

51: And laying his finger aside of his nose,
52: And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
53: He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
54: And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
55: But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
56: "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night."

I was able to work with them line by line and they were able to recite lines 1 through 18 as a group. We also had them do it one by one. The are many teacher resources online and I found a 'seek and find' word game with words from the poem in it. That was a major hit. The kids got engrossed in seeking out the words. Plus, they learned the English words for horizontal, diagonal, backwards and vertical!

When class was over the kids clapped! And I let them take the papers home. They were excited about the "gift!" Outside, three of the boys found me as I was walking to the bus stop. We had a great conversation about cars, what countries we have visited and where we were all born. One of the boys had been to France, Japan and Italy. The teacher had told them that I don't speak Russian so they were VERY suprised when I did. Our conversation was half in Russian and half in English. They were quite impressed that I knew what a Hummer was when one passed us on the street. Even more impressed when I told them the trivia that I knew about Arnold Swarzeneggar owning the first one in America! ( I know that from watching cable TV!)

They stayed with me until my bus came. I know now who I am truly working for. Tom and I talked about the fact that we are here working for God's glory. Not for the praise of people. It does not matter if the teacher ever compliments me. I see the faces of the children light up when I walk into the room. I remember how I felt when the music teacher or the art teacher showed up! That is my role here. It is my turn to be the bright spot 2 times a month for some child. Is that a major sacrifice? Hardly.

Review Time!

Lessons 13-19 were reviewed today. We had to go over all the vocabulary from those lessons. It was hard to remember some of those words. It seems like such a long time ago!

Spencer did not want to say the word for 'boring'. If you don't say it right you are saying the word for female dog. Lena told him yesterday that it was a "plohoy russki slovah" ( a bad Russian word) and not to say it. Nathan immediately reached for a dictionary to look it up! She was saying "No, No!" But, since Nathan was spelling it wrong (in Russian ) she explained it to us. We told her it was the same in English. That the female dog word is okay to say about a dog but not about a woman!

When we were in class today and Spencer was avoiding saying the word so I finally explained to Inga, our teacher why he was doing it. Judy said that was like the day when she was trying to say that she put her pencil in her folder 'popka" only she said "pypka" which is the word for butt! Inga said that at least she used the polite word for butt. If you say the word for garden which is 'sod' with a z instead of the s you are saying the not so nice word!

Oh, the things we learn at school! We also heard about the day someone's pastor was speaking at church about Jesus' death on the cross. But instead of cross (kreste) he said kresla which is ARMCHAIR! He had to pause while everyone was laughing!

Gives Easter a whole new meaning!

Einstein gets around!

Tom has been teasing Lena each time she comes over by placing this Einstein doll in her coat pocket or in her purse before she leaves our house. Yesterday Tom had me call her into the kitchen to distract her while he stuck the doll in her purse. Lena got all the way home with it this time. She called Tom and he could hear Alexei howling with laughter in the background. Before she left our house today she had Spencer help her attach this note to Einstein and place him on the computer desk. And she scurried out the door before we could see it!

Oh my goodness, Alexei and Tom are just too much alike!
Eto Fahkt! (that's a fact) 

When Do I Eat Snack?

Have you ever heard of a mneumonic? Today in class we were talking about the weather. Janet uses a mneumonic (memory device) to help her remember the word snow in Russian. Lena, my language helper also uses one to help her remember the word snake in English.

Janet remembers "you cannot have snow for a snack" snow is snegk in Russian.
Lena remembers "snake sounds like snegk"

One day during a language lesson Lena started giggling when I said "snegk". I asked her if I said it wrong. She said. "no, you said it right. I visualised snakes!"

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Spencer, Nathan and I have a review tomorrow of the past six lessons. It is oral. That means study time tonight!

Tom is walking much better each day.

Janet gave me a copy of her notes of the Ten things women srtuggle with on the Field. It comes from a talk the founder of the language school Diane Thomas gave while I was in Ukraine!

1 Balance

2 Lonliness

3 Expectations

4 Coping with Change

5 Coping with Criticism

6 Lack of Ministry Skills

7 Health Issues

8 Money Issues

9 Devotional Life

10 Conflict and Difficulty in Team

I believe that it is not just the women who struggle with some of these issues!

A dog was chasing a chicken

It was a normal day. We saw a dog chasing a chicken. Spencer told me that would make a good blog title. So there you go. It was a comical sight. Maybe the dog didn't want the chicken on that side of the road!

This little girl is Anna. Kurt and Rochelle's daughter. She has the cutest little voice. She is fussing at Tom. He wants some of her cookies and she is emphatically telling him they are only for the little kids and he is a "BIG BOY!" and he cannot have any! Because the cookies are only for her and her little friends! Even when Tom asked if he could be her little friend she still said "NO!" He was too big!

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Today in class Inga was naming cities and asking us what country they were in. I was naming as many as possible because I didn't want Michelle to laugh at me! You see when she came over I told her about what our friend Mark from Canada used to say. Mark always said that Americans are geographical idiots. We would correct him and say that we were geographically challenged or illiterate! Fortunately, Inga didn't do any really hard ones. I mean we all know where Tokyo, Milan, Paris, Melbourne, Delhi and Peking are right? The funny one was someone stumbled over Washington. But, I won't say who because they may read this! And I don't want to get beat up after school!

I have the best mother-in-law ever!

We recieved two packages today at school. One box had a cookbook in it from Mom. The title is Best of the Best from New Mexico. As soon as I saw the cookbook I blurted out "I have the best mother-in-law ever!" Nathan responded with "now that's not something you hear everyday!" Judi H. said that her "mother-in-law is great too!" and that not liking your mother-in-law is a just stereotype. I can hardly wait to read the cookbook and get started making some of the recipes! I think I need to look for black beans and green chiles!

Melanie and Jody are moving. It is very sad. They have been the schools unofficial greeters since they got here a year and a half ago. They have taken everyone shopping and showed them around the city. Now they are headed for a city near China. Everyone is going to miss them.

Nathan went to his new class today. Spencer and I teased him because 'just for today' our class is ahead of his. Nathan had no homework because he had already done the work on Wednesday that his new class did today. I think the grammar leveled the playing field. That class used to be the fast one. Now they are a day behind us. Oh well, we are all still learning and trying to make sense of it all! It really does not matter which class get the lesson first...it is not a race. Some of the students in the other class will only be at the school for a year and it is a two year course. Our family and just two other families are staying the full two years. There are others who are hoping too. But, they are not sure.

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Please notice the mailing address is posted now on the blog and a Christmas Wish List. Some of the items are things we can always use. Like peanut butter and syrup. We try to always keep one jar and give one away. Many Russian children like Peanut Butter and it is very filling. Small packages are best to send. So they won't think we are trying to start a business!

Tom teaches!

Today was the day for Tom to speak at church. He did a great job.

He talked about how we are:

either heading into a storm
in the middle of a storm
coming out of a storm

A storm could be your business being in trouble, loss of a job, drugs/alcohol, unhealthy relationships, family conflict, abusive relationships and so on.

He spoke about how effective support comes from someone who has been there.
And how hardship can change our behaviour and our hearts if we let it. But if we don't change and grow we will keep getting the same lesson.

Storms can be a result of God working in our lives.
They can be a result of our own decisions.

Jesus identified Himself and then gave comfort.
"It is I, don't be afraid"

The disciples had to be willing to accept His comfort.

Jesus then gave direction. He wants us to be safe.

God is with us. Emmanuel.

He will offer us comfort.
We must choose to accept it.
He will guide us safely on.
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Many people were encouraged by the teaching today. Natasha, the translator, only stumbled over two words. The word for manure and the word for lightning rod. Someone from the congregation gave the word for manure. And Tom gave her the word for lighting rod!

Valodya gave Tom a huge hug. Joyce B. and Judy B. from school also came to give support. Vova gave tom a big thumbs up from the back of the church. The church even seemed to get most of Tom's jokes!
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Here is a link for the Cossack Choir that we attended last night it was powerful! We took Olya and Vova with us... it was their very first time seeing the choir live!
Kuban Cossack Choir

To translate the text into english go to:

http://babelfish.altavista.com/

and enter the link for the Choir. Choose to translate the page from Russian to English and it will do a fairly good job!

I spent four hours last night loading my photos from the event so check out my photo blog for the lastest pictures! www.sharpmomphotos.blogspot.com

Mexican dinner & a Movie

Michelle came over last night. It was great she just called and invited herself over. I loved it. I made a Mexican dinner. There were lots of jokes about it not being authentic. Oh well. If only I had been born in Mexico instead of England!

We watched Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Michelle really liked it. It was fun to spend the evening learning about her. She is from Canada. We heard about her little town. It is called Smithers and has a Swiss theme. Tourism is a big part of the commerce of the city.

She was telling us about the alcohol problems in Canada among the Native peoples. Michelle told us that in Quebec it is very dark spiritually. That was interesting to me. She may go there someday. She speaks English, French and Russian. She is still in college and does not know what she wants to do in the future yet. We told her we had no idea we would end up here. One day at a time is all we are given. And that is how God's plan unfolds.

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Tonight is the night of the Cossack Choir. I hope to get a lot of pictures!

Great Movies

Nathan, Spencer and I tried to go to the movies yesterday. However, we were not interested in seeing "The Seven Demons of Emily Rose", "Between Heaven and Earth" or "Elisabethan". So we went over to the video store and purchased a few. Then we had pizza... well Spencer and I did. Nathan had 'shashlik'. Shashlik is grilled meat on a skewer. It is very tasty!

Afterwards we strolled around the mall for a bit a found a toy store. We purchased a game that is like Scrabble. But it is for children and it is in Russian. We are hoping it will help us with our spelling in Russian!

If you have not seen "The Merchant of Venice" with Al Pacino we highly recommend it. It seemed as if it were written just for him.

"The Lion in Winter" is also very good. This is the one with Glen Close and Patrick Stewart.

Our final movie was "Eulogy". We thought it was hilarious. We seem to enjoy movies about dysfunctional families!

It was fun to purchase these movies and be able to spend our family day watching together. Movies here are very cheap. Of course we do not always know if we are purchasing a legitimate copy or not. Even when it is in a store it could still be bootleg. Some of the copies are so well done it is hard to tell. But when you see the heads of the people in the audience you know for sure!!!

Tomorrow we are required to go to a cultural event for the school. We will be seeing the Cossack Choir. The guys around here and at school have been making bad jokes because the Russian word for choir is "hor". You can imagine what is being said. "we have to go see a 'hor'!" and then laughing. And these guys are pastors, engineers and teachers.... real mature!!

American Traditions in Russia

Many of the students at school are having dinner at each others houses today. We were also invited over to someone's home. We really like them and it would be fun but spending Thanksgiving with a big group is not our tradition.

We normally go to the movies. I think it started years ago after having to go several different houses in one day back in Wichita. We finally just went to the movies. I think we saw an Indiana Jones movie with Tom's brother Dan. Since then we have gone to the movies on Thanksgiving. I don't have to make a big dinner (the guys really just want the deserts anyway) and we all can relax.

Everyone has their own idea of what makes a holiday special and for the Russia Sharps (formerly the California Sharps) it is pizza and a movie!

I got this acrostic poem last week from an old highschool friend. Thanks Darla!

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect
Hold onto God’s love and grace
Accept that he is Lord
Never forsake his unconditional love
Know that he is always there
Sending spiritual guidance our way
Great is his mercy at all times
In his hands he holds our future
Victory is ours through his power
I will trust in him in everything I do
Now is the time to count our blessings
God has been so good and we should thank him!