Tom had a meeting with the head psychologist over at the Physical Fitness, Tourism and Culture Institute today. Her name is Svetlana and she happens to be a friend of Natasha's (the head prison psychologist) they attended graduate school together.
Tom was introduced to Svetlana by V. V is the other AA member in town who has the most sobriety other than Tom and he recently started a new AA meeting in Svetlana's building. V gave Tom a call and told him it was important for him to meet this woman because of the work that she does.
Tom found out that she has received a federal grant that is funding a rehabilitation center for children who are alcoholics and addicts. She showed Tom a photo of the center it is in an old two story house here in Krasnodar. Svetlana speaks four languages, Russian, English, Armenian and Georgian. Tom said it was a pleasure to speak with her. She told him she felt relieved that other colleagues were "coming to the rescue". She says that there are not many psychologists here and not all of them know and/or understand the 12 steps.
Svetlana has invited our family to have dinner with her. Her children know Spencer. Her daughter, Raizana was one of the girls who helped us load our boxes onto the truck when we moved out of the house on Gagarina to the BLTC before our remodel. Raizana just became a Russian citizen yesterday. The family is Georgian and they worked for three years to get her documents taken care of.
We are excited about where this contact may lead. Only God knows what ground work is being laid here. It may be possible for Spencer and I to do our social project at this rehab center for kids!
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
all in a day...
Early this morning around 5 AM, the wind was blowing very hard and one of our screens was about to blow off. Tom fixed it and went back to bed. Before Tom left for school this morning he noticed that two of our screens were down so Spencer went out to find them. We were lucky. Spencer found them both. We lost one in the last wind storm. We didn't notice it was down soon enough and someone must have walked away with it.
Lena was back at work today after taking time off to care for Yanna while Ira was in the hospital. I had to write an essay about "I am grateful to God because". I wrote it out last night and then Lena helped me with my spelling errors and grammar mistakes. I wrote about the dreams I had for traveling when I was younger. Growing up I never thought I would ever have the opportunity to live in a foreign country. I was excited when we moved to California from Kansas and were able to travel throughout California. There are so many beautiful cities there... I was content and thought that we were truly blessed. I feel even more grateful for the chance to live and work abroad!
After spending time with Lena I needed to go to the supermarket. Nathan and I were about to head out when I decided we should call to see if Olya needed anything. We picked up baby food and bread and dropped it off for her on our way home.
Spencer and Andrew are playing video games. Nathan is reading in his room and Tom is doing his homework. Just another day in Krasnodar!
Lena was back at work today after taking time off to care for Yanna while Ira was in the hospital. I had to write an essay about "I am grateful to God because". I wrote it out last night and then Lena helped me with my spelling errors and grammar mistakes. I wrote about the dreams I had for traveling when I was younger. Growing up I never thought I would ever have the opportunity to live in a foreign country. I was excited when we moved to California from Kansas and were able to travel throughout California. There are so many beautiful cities there... I was content and thought that we were truly blessed. I feel even more grateful for the chance to live and work abroad!
After spending time with Lena I needed to go to the supermarket. Nathan and I were about to head out when I decided we should call to see if Olya needed anything. We picked up baby food and bread and dropped it off for her on our way home.
Spencer and Andrew are playing video games. Nathan is reading in his room and Tom is doing his homework. Just another day in Krasnodar!
Labels:
daily life,
weather
Monday, January 29, 2007
package fun
We made a big batch of brownies on Sunday. Nathan and I ventured out into the snow to purchase ice cream... how could we eat brownies without ice cream!?
Thanks Mom and Dad for the brownie mix, books and all the other goodies. Nathan is hunkered down in his room reading.
I was also able to start on some new medicine for my fibromyalgia. We got three packages in one day... it felt like Christmas.
More snow is falling and it is getting colder outside. Thankfully we have plenty of heat inside, lots of apple cider and DVDs to watch at night.
Prayer update:
Ira went home today and is doing well!
Thanks Mom and Dad for the brownie mix, books and all the other goodies. Nathan is hunkered down in his room reading.
I was also able to start on some new medicine for my fibromyalgia. We got three packages in one day... it felt like Christmas.
More snow is falling and it is getting colder outside. Thankfully we have plenty of heat inside, lots of apple cider and DVDs to watch at night.
Prayer update:
Ira went home today and is doing well!
Labels:
daily life,
prayer concerns,
weather
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Sick child
We have been praying for Ira (eera) this week. She could not keep any food down was put in the hospital. Hopefully, when she sees the doctor tomorrow she will be deemed well enough to come home. She is eating now and playing with other children in the hospital. Please remember this little one and her family. She is very dear to us!
Labels:
children,
friends,
Photos,
prayer concerns
Saturday, January 27, 2007
rainy day fun
We watched a father and son play badminton in the rain!

our play area just behind the building

ready to serve

waiting to hit the ball back.
This time last year we had temperatures of -20. This winter all we have had is heavy winds and some rain.
our play area just behind the building
ready to serve
waiting to hit the ball back.
This time last year we had temperatures of -20. This winter all we have had is heavy winds and some rain.
Labels:
Apartment Life,
children,
Photos,
weather
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Thursday's events
This funeral took place outside of our apartment building. This person has been dead at least three days. That is how long the body would have laid in state inside their home before the funeral.

Leading the funeral procession

casket lid

The body in the casket

the mourners follow
Leading the funeral procession
casket lid
The body in the casket
the mourners follow
Labels:
Apartment Life,
cultural experience,
observations,
Photos
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Happy Birthday Tom
Tom is 44! I was not able to actually post on the 24th. I tried to log onto Blogger and there was a problem. He says it was one of the best birthdays he has ever had. He enjoyed his gifts, his cake, hearing from his friends and eating pizza from a new place we decided to try out.
in other news:
For the past two weeks, there has been a session at the BLTC. Tom and I were not able to participate due to school. There will be another teaching session in April.
I went to a party for the Women students. ( I got home in time for pizza and cake with the family)
The first thing we did was sing a worship song as a round. But, it was not just singing. There were hand motions involved. As we sang we had to tap our neighbor to the left on the leg, tap each one of our own legs and then tap the underside of the hand of the woman on our right and then tap her hand two times on top. And we did this all while singing. Two women could not keep up with the action and the song... so we had to do it again!
One game involved stuffing twelve balloons into a pair of pantyhose. Once that once done we had to wear that as a hat... and then put on a scarf and some gloves, after which we had to take a slice of gum out of a package, open it and chew it. That was the hardest thing to do wearing a pair of big bulky mittens. I am happy to report my team won!
When the games were all over each one of the students was given a copy of Norman Wright’s book "Always Daddy’s Girl".
What a great evening! Two parties and loads of fun!
in other news:
For the past two weeks, there has been a session at the BLTC. Tom and I were not able to participate due to school. There will be another teaching session in April.
I went to a party for the Women students. ( I got home in time for pizza and cake with the family)
The first thing we did was sing a worship song as a round. But, it was not just singing. There were hand motions involved. As we sang we had to tap our neighbor to the left on the leg, tap each one of our own legs and then tap the underside of the hand of the woman on our right and then tap her hand two times on top. And we did this all while singing. Two women could not keep up with the action and the song... so we had to do it again!
One game involved stuffing twelve balloons into a pair of pantyhose. Once that once done we had to wear that as a hat... and then put on a scarf and some gloves, after which we had to take a slice of gum out of a package, open it and chew it. That was the hardest thing to do wearing a pair of big bulky mittens. I am happy to report my team won!
When the games were all over each one of the students was given a copy of Norman Wright’s book "Always Daddy’s Girl".
What a great evening! Two parties and loads of fun!
Labels:
cultural experience,
Holidays
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Tuesday
Lena was sick today so Spencer and I didn't have language helper sessions. And then Olya called Tom to let him know that Ira was sick so Tom didn't have a language session either.
Olya needed somethings from the store so Nathan helped her out with that. It was nice that he was around to help her out.
Today was a slow day around here... tomorrow is a special day though; Tom turns 44!
Olya needed somethings from the store so Nathan helped her out with that. It was nice that he was around to help her out.
Today was a slow day around here... tomorrow is a special day though; Tom turns 44!
Labels:
daily life
Monday, January 22, 2007
monday
The wind was blowing VERY hard today. Spencer and I could barely stand up straight as we went to the bus. It was unbelievable! I don't know how Tom made it home with groceries in tact.
After school I went downtown to purchase the cashmere yarn that is my Christmas present from Tom. It was so much fun looking at all the different colors and finally choosing something special. I love working with cashmere it is very soft.
There were two wonderful things waiting for me when I finally got home.
One:
I had asked Nathan to put the chicken in the oven at 5 so that it would be ready at 6. It was done!
Two:
Tom had spent an hour and a half in line at the post office and came home with a package from my friend Joanie. We now have seasons 2-5 of the show "24" to watch. We saw 4 episodes of season two tonight!
Fighting the wind, walking for blocks that seemed as if they would never end and being jostled around on the bus... all faded away when I walked through the door to the smell of dinner and the treat of some American TV!
After school I went downtown to purchase the cashmere yarn that is my Christmas present from Tom. It was so much fun looking at all the different colors and finally choosing something special. I love working with cashmere it is very soft.
There were two wonderful things waiting for me when I finally got home.
One:
I had asked Nathan to put the chicken in the oven at 5 so that it would be ready at 6. It was done!
Two:
Tom had spent an hour and a half in line at the post office and came home with a package from my friend Joanie. We now have seasons 2-5 of the show "24" to watch. We saw 4 episodes of season two tonight!
Fighting the wind, walking for blocks that seemed as if they would never end and being jostled around on the bus... all faded away when I walked through the door to the smell of dinner and the treat of some American TV!
Sunday, January 21, 2007
visitors at church
Today at church we had a young man from Azerbazhan. He gave what he called the "short version" of his testimony. He started off by saying that Russian was not his first language and that he didn't speak it very well. He asked us not to laugh if he made a mistake.
I overheard later that his accent was too strong and his grammar was a disaster... this is incentive to continue on in language school!
He grew up on the streets in a strong Muslim community. He talked about almost dying three times while he served in the Army. He talked about being afraid to read the Koran. But, reading the New Testament gave him comfort. He was led to Christ by one of his neighbors. This neighbor lived in one of the houses he had previously vandalised. Living as a Christian in a predominantly Muslim area is very dangerous.
Please pray for the believers there and in other places of the world where just acknowledging Christ can put your life in jeopardy.
I overheard later that his accent was too strong and his grammar was a disaster... this is incentive to continue on in language school!
He grew up on the streets in a strong Muslim community. He talked about almost dying three times while he served in the Army. He talked about being afraid to read the Koran. But, reading the New Testament gave him comfort. He was led to Christ by one of his neighbors. This neighbor lived in one of the houses he had previously vandalised. Living as a Christian in a predominantly Muslim area is very dangerous.
Please pray for the believers there and in other places of the world where just acknowledging Christ can put your life in jeopardy.
Labels:
Church life,
prayer concerns
Saturday, January 20, 2007
a frightful sight
Today I was on the phone with a friend who was telling me about seeing a dead man on their walk home through the park. I thought what a horrible thing to have happen to you. Especially for the children.
This afternoon Nathan and I were headed out to the mall to pick up some blank CD's. As we were standing at the bus stop Nathan noticed to large pools of liquid. He tapped me on the shoulder and asked "is that blood?"
It was. It was unmistakeable. Two large pools of blood on the uneven pavement. I don't know if I will ever stop seeing them so vividly in my mind. We don't know if it was human or animal. Spencer tried watching the news to see if there was a report of an incident in our area. As of yet we don't know of anything.
This afternoon Nathan and I were headed out to the mall to pick up some blank CD's. As we were standing at the bus stop Nathan noticed to large pools of liquid. He tapped me on the shoulder and asked "is that blood?"
It was. It was unmistakeable. Two large pools of blood on the uneven pavement. I don't know if I will ever stop seeing them so vividly in my mind. We don't know if it was human or animal. Spencer tried watching the news to see if there was a report of an incident in our area. As of yet we don't know of anything.
Labels:
cultural experience,
daily life,
Nathan
Friday, January 19, 2007
Russia weathers a disturbing warm winter
Russia weathers a disturbing warm winter
By MIKE ECKEL, Associated Press Writer
It was one of Russia's traditional days for taking a dip and swimmers were complaining — because it was too warm outside. Countless Russians every year mark the Orthodox Epiphany religious feast by plunging into water through holes in the ice and shivering vigorously in the frigid air. On Friday, the ice was either thin or absent and the air wasn't especially cold.
In a country known for brutally cold winters, a spell of unseasonably warm weather has unnerved many people and caused experts to worry about the effects of global warming.
While much of Siberia and the Russian Far East soldiers through the usual long and grindingly cold winter, people in the rest of the country have been lamenting abnormally high temperatures that have left many rivers free of ice, fields absent of snow and weather forecasters confused — but not without hope.
"I'm not ready to give up on winter just yet," said Gennady Yeltsev, deputy director of the Russian meteorological committee.
Last year, much of January was unusually cold, down to 22 below zero. This year, temperatures have generally stayed above freezing in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Believers marked Epiphany by dipping in lakes and rivers across the country, a practice they believe purifies the soul. Swimmers had to chip through the ice at Siberia's Lake Baikal, but bathers in St. Petersburg had temperatures reaching 44 degrees Fahrenheit.
Umbrellas outnumbered fur coats at one Muscovite baptismal hole amid a driving rain more reminiscent of April than January.
Sergei Maximov, chairman of the Walrus Club of Serebryanny Bor, a Moscow neighborhood that includes the city's most popular beaches along the Moscow River, said some people were bothered by the temperatures that hovered above freezing, but he wasn't among them.
"I was the last one in, about four in the morning and the water was so soft, so soft," Maximov said. "The feeling you get is the same, warm or cold, a complete purge of all your sins."
Animals in many parts of Russia have seen their biological clocks thrown out of whack. At St. Petersburg's Leningradsky Zoo, two of five bears have come out of hibernation weeks ahead of time. Even the hedgehogs have insomnia this year.
Older Russians shake their heads reminiscing about how temperatures 58 degrees below zero helped stymie the Germans as they reached the outskirts of Moscow in 1941; grass was growing this week near the famous tank defenses north of the capital.
Russia's agriculture minister played down fears that the lack of a hard frost and snow cover would affect future crops. A hard frost helps improve soil structure, while the snow serves as a blanket for crops.
Sergei Gulev, a climate scientist at the Russian Academy of Sciences, said global warming appears to be affecting how storms move across the North Atlantic, determining whether an Arctic blast is pulled into Russia or whether gale-force winds and warmer air push in from the Atlantic.
He said abnormally warm winters — which he said peasants a century ago called "a waif's winter" because it stunted crop growth — occurred every 10-15 years. Now they're happening every two or three years, and with more intensity.
"We can expect from climate predictions that this winter, the type we're having now, will be more and more frequent in the future," Gulev said.
Still, the warm temperatures haven't been all bad. Among those breathing a sigh of relief have been utility executives, who had warned about possible energy shortages if temperatures plummeted. And the warm weather also eases the burden on municipal heating systems.
And cooler weather is in the offing: Yeltsev said temperatures are forecast to fall in the Moscow region, possibly reaching 14 below by Wednesday or Thursday.
By MIKE ECKEL, Associated Press Writer
It was one of Russia's traditional days for taking a dip and swimmers were complaining — because it was too warm outside. Countless Russians every year mark the Orthodox Epiphany religious feast by plunging into water through holes in the ice and shivering vigorously in the frigid air. On Friday, the ice was either thin or absent and the air wasn't especially cold.
In a country known for brutally cold winters, a spell of unseasonably warm weather has unnerved many people and caused experts to worry about the effects of global warming.
While much of Siberia and the Russian Far East soldiers through the usual long and grindingly cold winter, people in the rest of the country have been lamenting abnormally high temperatures that have left many rivers free of ice, fields absent of snow and weather forecasters confused — but not without hope.
"I'm not ready to give up on winter just yet," said Gennady Yeltsev, deputy director of the Russian meteorological committee.
Last year, much of January was unusually cold, down to 22 below zero. This year, temperatures have generally stayed above freezing in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Believers marked Epiphany by dipping in lakes and rivers across the country, a practice they believe purifies the soul. Swimmers had to chip through the ice at Siberia's Lake Baikal, but bathers in St. Petersburg had temperatures reaching 44 degrees Fahrenheit.
Umbrellas outnumbered fur coats at one Muscovite baptismal hole amid a driving rain more reminiscent of April than January.
Sergei Maximov, chairman of the Walrus Club of Serebryanny Bor, a Moscow neighborhood that includes the city's most popular beaches along the Moscow River, said some people were bothered by the temperatures that hovered above freezing, but he wasn't among them.
"I was the last one in, about four in the morning and the water was so soft, so soft," Maximov said. "The feeling you get is the same, warm or cold, a complete purge of all your sins."
Animals in many parts of Russia have seen their biological clocks thrown out of whack. At St. Petersburg's Leningradsky Zoo, two of five bears have come out of hibernation weeks ahead of time. Even the hedgehogs have insomnia this year.
Older Russians shake their heads reminiscing about how temperatures 58 degrees below zero helped stymie the Germans as they reached the outskirts of Moscow in 1941; grass was growing this week near the famous tank defenses north of the capital.
Russia's agriculture minister played down fears that the lack of a hard frost and snow cover would affect future crops. A hard frost helps improve soil structure, while the snow serves as a blanket for crops.
Sergei Gulev, a climate scientist at the Russian Academy of Sciences, said global warming appears to be affecting how storms move across the North Atlantic, determining whether an Arctic blast is pulled into Russia or whether gale-force winds and warmer air push in from the Atlantic.
He said abnormally warm winters — which he said peasants a century ago called "a waif's winter" because it stunted crop growth — occurred every 10-15 years. Now they're happening every two or three years, and with more intensity.
"We can expect from climate predictions that this winter, the type we're having now, will be more and more frequent in the future," Gulev said.
Still, the warm temperatures haven't been all bad. Among those breathing a sigh of relief have been utility executives, who had warned about possible energy shortages if temperatures plummeted. And the warm weather also eases the burden on municipal heating systems.
And cooler weather is in the offing: Yeltsev said temperatures are forecast to fall in the Moscow region, possibly reaching 14 below by Wednesday or Thursday.
Labels:
daily life,
weather,
winter
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Nathan copying photos

Nathan is making a file of family photos to take with him. This one is from three years ago at The Aquarium of the Pacific.
this is him now...
I am not sure how many photos he is going to take but he is searching through all of my files.
He claims I have all the family photos... well duh! I am the MOM!
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
middle of the week

Someone asked me what I wanted from America. I asked for Raisin Bran. We got the Raisin Bran today and now we can make Mom's Raisin Bran Muffins. I will post the recipe after Spencer and I make them. Mom gave the recipe to him so I will walk him through it.
Labels:
daily life
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
TV day!
Thanks Dad for all the TV programs that you sent!
So far we have watched a football game, Shark, Without a Trace, Cold Case, CSI and the Rose Parade. As a special treat after the Rose Parade we got to see the first episode of Life With Ed.
It is always a joy to watch American TV... we can make popcorn and tune out our culture stress for a bit. And the good news is that we all finished our homework so the TV did not get in the way of that!
---------
Tom is working with Olya now as his language helper two days a week. Tom and Lena's schedules don't match now he is not available in the mornings to work with the rest of us. So I am watching girls while Olya helps Tom with his lessons. Today just Yanna came over with her mom and she cried the entire time. Olya said that she fed her some new food. I felt so sorry for this little one. She had gas from both ends and it was obvious she was in pain. She would fall asleep in my arms and then a gas pain would wake her up. I pray that she gets some sleep tonight so that Olya can get some rest!
So far we have watched a football game, Shark, Without a Trace, Cold Case, CSI and the Rose Parade. As a special treat after the Rose Parade we got to see the first episode of Life With Ed.
It is always a joy to watch American TV... we can make popcorn and tune out our culture stress for a bit. And the good news is that we all finished our homework so the TV did not get in the way of that!
---------
Tom is working with Olya now as his language helper two days a week. Tom and Lena's schedules don't match now he is not available in the mornings to work with the rest of us. So I am watching girls while Olya helps Tom with his lessons. Today just Yanna came over with her mom and she cried the entire time. Olya said that she fed her some new food. I felt so sorry for this little one. She had gas from both ends and it was obvious she was in pain. She would fall asleep in my arms and then a gas pain would wake her up. I pray that she gets some sleep tonight so that Olya can get some rest!
Labels:
children,
daily life,
TV
Monday, January 15, 2007
What color umbrella looks good on you?
Today I was listening to a group of women talking about how they choose an umbrella. One of them chose her umbrella color to match her eyes. She had a light blue umbrella and her eyes are blue. The other woman said that because her skin is pale whatever color she chooses changes her complexion to that color... she won’t use a green umbrella because it makes her look green. The umbrella she had was a bright rose color... to make her skin look rosy.
I can admit that I have chosen umbrellas based on how they will look with what I am wearing. I have a pink raincoat so my personal umbrella is pink. I also have a green umbrella for when I wear my green leather jacket. Spencer's umbrella is black with red flames. Tom and Nathan pick up what ever one is handy... sometimes Tom won't even use one. We have an umbrella that has room for two people that comes down over the shoulders... totally shielding both people from the rain. We have exra umbrellas to loan to people who need one to get home.
It was interesting to listen to these women speak. They were not dealing with the practical aspects of using an umbrella they were more concerned with the fashion aspect.
How do you choose an umbrella?
I can admit that I have chosen umbrellas based on how they will look with what I am wearing. I have a pink raincoat so my personal umbrella is pink. I also have a green umbrella for when I wear my green leather jacket. Spencer's umbrella is black with red flames. Tom and Nathan pick up what ever one is handy... sometimes Tom won't even use one. We have an umbrella that has room for two people that comes down over the shoulders... totally shielding both people from the rain. We have exra umbrellas to loan to people who need one to get home.
It was interesting to listen to these women speak. They were not dealing with the practical aspects of using an umbrella they were more concerned with the fashion aspect.
How do you choose an umbrella?
Labels:
cultural experience,
daily life
Saturday, January 13, 2007
full house
this table held all the preteen girls!
Our New Year's Tree
dressed in black
Valentin on the left with Alexei M.
Labels:
Church life,
Photos
Old New Year
I went over to the church on Saturday to help with setting up for the party. I had two hours of live language that was very insightful. Now I know how to make fried Russian meat pies. I had to mix up the filling. There were some new verbs used and that was helpful. Everyone understood when I spoke or asked a question so I was excited about that. I didn't get corrected today and I don't know whether I didn't make any mistakes or if they were being polite. Normally I get corrected at least once!
I came home and changed clothes and then Spencer and I went back for the party. The church was filled with great smells and lots of people. I took a few photos but am having trouble getting our ScanDisk card reader to work so I cannot load them.
When I got to our apartment building one of our neighbors was fussing at a group of girls for coming over with their goodie bags asking for candy... he told them that tonight was the wrong night and that they should come vack tomorrow. They were asked if their parents knew they were out. And when they said yes they got invited in! New Years and Old New Years is like Christmas, 4th of July and Halloween. Kids go door to door for candy and money. Fireworks are set off and presents are exchanged.
Olya came to the dinner at church with Yanna and Ira. Yanna just about fell asleep in my arms she almost made it through dinner. Lena took her into the mothers room and laid her down. I sat next to Ira and she gave me the crust from her meat pie. I caught her before her little greasy hands were wipe on my skirt. I was quick on the draw with a napkin! Childproofing the table meant moving the candle and the candy away from 2 year old Ira... she was not happy with either being taken away from her.
Spencer and I stayed through dinner and worship. After that games started and we were both getting tired. Before we left Jim told us he was definitely going back to the states at the end of the month. I called Nathan and he is ready to go back with him. That is a relief to know we don't have to worry about him missing a connection in a foreign country somewhere and we would not have any way of helping him out. Now he has a travel buddy and I am glad!
I came home and changed clothes and then Spencer and I went back for the party. The church was filled with great smells and lots of people. I took a few photos but am having trouble getting our ScanDisk card reader to work so I cannot load them.
When I got to our apartment building one of our neighbors was fussing at a group of girls for coming over with their goodie bags asking for candy... he told them that tonight was the wrong night and that they should come vack tomorrow. They were asked if their parents knew they were out. And when they said yes they got invited in! New Years and Old New Years is like Christmas, 4th of July and Halloween. Kids go door to door for candy and money. Fireworks are set off and presents are exchanged.
Olya came to the dinner at church with Yanna and Ira. Yanna just about fell asleep in my arms she almost made it through dinner. Lena took her into the mothers room and laid her down. I sat next to Ira and she gave me the crust from her meat pie. I caught her before her little greasy hands were wipe on my skirt. I was quick on the draw with a napkin! Childproofing the table meant moving the candle and the candy away from 2 year old Ira... she was not happy with either being taken away from her.
Spencer and I stayed through dinner and worship. After that games started and we were both getting tired. Before we left Jim told us he was definitely going back to the states at the end of the month. I called Nathan and he is ready to go back with him. That is a relief to know we don't have to worry about him missing a connection in a foreign country somewhere and we would not have any way of helping him out. Now he has a travel buddy and I am glad!
Labels:
Church life,
cultural experience,
food,
Holidays
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