We Landed in Dallas

We arrived in Dallas on June 20^th and our plan was a couple hours late---are we glad or what? Our original plane had been struck by lightening and it would take the German airport a long time to fix the plane, so they re-routed another plane to take us to Texas! That was a long layover—but the kids ended up making friends that were returning from Iran and they lived in AUSTIN, Texas of all places! What a small world—sometimes! Our trip over was nice, each seat had its own dvd player. Mark at one time watched Bolt in Spanish—he said he wanted to learn another language and so that’s why he switched the language. Matthew, at one point, watched a movie with Asain subtitles!! HA!! The kids did fabulous and never seemed to have any jet lag! God did that miracle over the top!! John was the only one for a couple of days that seemed to have a bit of lag!

When we arrived at the airport, my parents and John’s parents had come up to welcome us home! What a delight to see my mom running toward all of us with the biggest smile ever! We went out to eat at Cheddars---not that any of us were hungry---because the airport’s goal must be to overfeed as much as they can!!! They did!!! We went to bed by 9pm and were up for church the next morning!

We got to see several friends at church then headed to Houston for a week.

My amazing friend Sarah had a ton of stuff for the kids that she had organized from so many friends of ours that included winter clothes, summer clothes, bathing suits, crocks, and so much more! We were so blessed by it all!!! Thank you all and especially Sarah!!

Right before we left for the states

These two young ladies were among many of the people John and I met on our 2007 Russia mission trip. Nelly and Liza are amazing young ladies who love the Lord. They are twin sisters that have lived over in the states for the time we were in Russia our first year. As we were flying over the pond, they were flying the other direction to the states. How sad---but God has a bigger plan than we do! Well, they are back in Russia and we were soaking up as much of them as we could before heading to the states for a visit. We had them over for dinner one night and they entertained our kids with a bed time story! The story was about the Daughter of a King--- The girls were hilarious while reading and acting out parts!

Some of our friends

These are some of our favorite people! Pam and Gary are super cool people working here in Russia with kids that need God's love. Nelly and Liza are our favorite Russian twins! Thanks Anya for taking the picture at church yesterday!

Interim ----- while I get it together and upload summer stuff!!

Ok, I haven't downloaded summer pics yet, soon~! But, my friend -Kay- sent me these you tubes and they are hilarious!! For all those questions that are asked of home schooling moms!

I'm going to keep this one for a bit then take them off---just for reason that I am using my blog for a scrapbook and the videos don't show up in 2-d!! I did order my blog in a book and it turned out great! I will do it again in a year or two!!

State-side

We are back in the states...so, no hope for many posts!!! We want to optimize our time with family and friends and thus...staying off the computer is inevitable! Maybe we will get to post some pics, but I don't even know about that.

We have spent a week with both sides of our family and now we are in our home town(well, our Bull Herd hometown). We are loving every minute of seeing our friends here. Time with the Lord always needs to be intentional, but now even more!! It's like being on a 7+ week vacation. But, as our pastor always told us, you can't vacate from the Lord on your vacation---if you do, you feel like you need a vacation after your vacation! We don't want that--we want time with Him and refreshment from His presence! Please pray that we are able to stay focused on Him and visit friends and family too!!!

Love to all of you! We will be going to Russia sometime in the middle of August...working with a new organization and waiting for that promised "open door" from the Lord!!

Russian and the kids!

Last night, our friends came over and were asking Katie some questions in Russian. I was telling them that she could understand and answer in Russian...but the amount that she was able to answer made me smile!! When people ask how are the kids doing in Russian...I think I am underestimating them!

So, a few minutes ago, my boys were eating Popsicles and Cristina wants one. More details..in Russia, there is a belief that when you eat or drink cold things, you will(might) get sick. It's so prevalent that one time Cristina ate a Popsicle and a week plus later she happened to get a cold...her father and mother thought that it was from the popsicle Wow...anyways, back to the story...my boys are explaining in Russian that she can't have it because her mom said no and she doesn't want her to have it because she thinks she will get sick from it. It might not have been all grammatically correct, but it was fun listening to Matthew(almost 4) and Mark(5) speaking a bit in Russian!!

Fun stuff! We are now packing and so ready for our time in Texas!! 3 more days!! Please pray for safe and pleasant travels.

Our church families---most of them.

We went to an island here in the city-- and let me just say, it was BEAUTIFUL!!! So green!! It was a breath of fresh air to be on this side of the city. It was amazing to me that it even existed!!! We plan to return here another time in the fall or next spring too!

Last trip to IKEA skating rink at Mega Mall

So, we are 6 days away from heading out of Russia across the pond! Wow!!!! Someone asked me today---Are you excited? YES!!!! I want to enjoy every minute with my family and friends and soak it up!!! Not focus on how much I will miss them when we return here in August, but focus on the today!!!

Postal Service here in Russia

I was thinking yesterday that I have never shared some differences with the postal service here and the services provided by the post office. I wrote this a week ago and then my friend wrote on Postal services too...I am finally publishing this one...great minds think alike, eh Elizabeth?

Russian gov't keeps cost at a minimum by...not using envelopes. You see, all our bills--such as, electricity, apt. bill, water, phone...etc, come on single rectangular pieces of paper...no envelope...just paper! It's about as thick as normal printer paper too...hmm....no privacy, but it saves in cost!! What a cocept!!!

It seems that here...everything---well many things---are paid at post offices. For example, to pay my water and phone bill, we walk downstairs to the post office to pay these....amazing that the gov't is everywhere and in charge of EVERYTHING and aware of you everywhere!! Oh, and you can pay your electric bill at the grocery store! Hmmm...another way that the gov't is in everything. You can pay these bills at a bank too, I believe, and the gov't has it set up that---I think---you can pay it at any bank or any post office---it feels a bit like "big brother" is watching. Wild!! I must say that this does make it easier to do things when you are a foreigner at least.

It's about that time...it's tickin' away!

So, now, we have less than two weeks before heading to Texas! We are packing things that stay here while we are away...and things that go with us! We are making lists of things to buy when we are in America---things here are sooooooooooooooooooooo expensive...like clothes, shoes, and such. Food is not so bad, but the other stuff is pretty high. It's amazing! And things like coffee---where I can read the label and other little things we just can't buy here. We have had requests for items to be brought back such as scoops for cookie making, those sponge things that hold soap, coffee...

We are praying about our purpose and are trusting Him to reveal what He has for us in His time! A main idea that keeps popping up in our prayer/church/conversation...Don't worry about your life---you know...food, clothing...and such! So, hmmm...we shall choose to not worry and to trust. In these times, it is a must!!

How do you pose in Pictures????

I've seen it all! People tilting their head, tilting their hips, putting hands on their hips, tucking double chins...but this I hadn't seen yet!!! Go Matthew!!!

13 years June 1st!!!

We went out to Mama Roma's and enjoyed a nice Italian meal! John surprised me with these beautiful flowers and a lovely Russian card---with nothing less than a bull flying across the sky! How appropriate! Marriage is only getting better with age!

Turn my Heart, O Lord...which ever way you want!

The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes.

~Proverbs 21:1 (NAS)

I was reading a friend's blog...over on a different site...and I found a new prayer that I started praying! I am applying the word King...to anyone...and thus myself.

Lord, turn my heart wherever you wish!! Isn't that the most perfect cry out to God. In the end, we want to follow Him or not. I want to follow HIM. So, who can control my heart? He can! and I so want and invite Him to. I have been thinking a lot on forgiveness lately and this is also my prayer with forgiving...Lord, help me forgive! He knows I am weak and my anger and selfishness can get in the way...so why not ask for help where I am weak and He is strong.

Will you pray this for your life??? It's straight scripture!