Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Heavy Heart

We went to bed last night with heavy hearts for our friends Paul and Julie Lamey.  On Paul's Facebook status he wrote the following: "I'm about to take Julie to the doctor for what will likely be a difficult and life-changing visit. (James 4:14).  Please pray for us."  My very first thoughts and fears were that Julie had cancer.  Unfortunately this morning we woke up to find out that those thoughts and fears were realized.  Julie does indeed have colon cancer.  Julie is a bit younger than I am.  She has four little ones..........all under the age of 7.  I can't imagine that ride home from the doctor's office.  I also can't imagine being in her place because as a mom you automatically place yourself in that situation.  The Lameys are responding to this trial in a way that can only bring honor and glory to our God.  If you want to read more about Julie's new journey you can go here

So, for this week I am praising God for the Godly response and example that Paul and Julie are to me.  Paul is the pastor of Grace Community Church in Huntsville, Alabama.  The church is one of our supporters and throughout the past 4 years that we have been in Samara I can not begin to tell you how GCC of Huntsville and Paul have reached out to us.  Paul is a Godly man and has been a huge influence on my husband.  Julie is a Godly woman who is an amazing example of a submissive and supportive wife. 

My heart is really breaking for this family yet I KNOW that God is completely sovereign over ALL!!!  I am committing Julie and her family to prayer.  I am thanking the Lord for His sovereignty, His grace, and His comfort and praying that He will shower the Lamey family with all three.

These pictures were from our visit to Alabama in 2006.  Wil (their youngest at the time) and Julie were both sick as dogs with bronchitis plus Julie was pregnant with Maggie.........yet she was so selfless to meet our needs while we were there and to even take us all out sightseeing.  Isn't she beautiful?  The best part is that she is beautiful both on the outside and inside!!!! 



Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Days 78 - 84

More fresh snow makes two little boys very happy to play outside.

I may be addicted to this store.  It's an office and school supply store.  I love to buy notebooks and journals.  I have quite a collection.

Healthy bed time snack.

Great day to make a snowman.

"Babushkee" walking home from church.

Getting creative for our next wive's group craft.

My little helper.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Seahorses

We are not real big pet fans around here.  For one thing both Jon and I are extremely allergic to cats.  I was never raised with dogs and I am actually afraid of them not to mention the fact that  I think they stink. Jon on the other hand was raised with dogs and would love to one day get a dog.  I did have two parakeets growing up.  Tweety died from pneumonia in the winter.  Kilai was set free by my oldest sister Alex.  You see Kilai was a loud parakeet and my sister Alex was tired of the poor thing.  So one day she took my sister Monica and I out to the backyard along with Kilai in it's cage.  She then lifted the top of the cage and set Kilai free.  It was quite a traumatic experience for both of us. 

Lately though Josiah has been asking about having a pet.  I think it comes from watching cartoons or something.  Last week he told me he wanted a seahorse.  I was like........WHAT????  A seahorse.  I have no idea where that idea came from.  Well, I decided to go on the internet and do some research on seahorses as pets.  I figured they were like goldfish but boy was I wrong.  One seahorse can cost up to $60.  Then I read that setting up a tank for seahorses costs from $500 - $1,000.  I guess you have to have a salt water tank and it requires quite the maintenance.  I also read that seahorses can get a lot of parasites if the salt water isn't the right acidity.  They also have a special diet of brine shrimp.  One site suggested that in another tank you should breed brine shrimp so that you have a steady supply.  Ummmm, no thanks.  Josiah will not be getting a pet anytime soon.  I suggested to Jon that we get a fish or something but he said fish stink.  Oh well.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

I am determined to continue being thankful.  I think when we set our minds to be content and thankful complaining can become something of the past.  Of course I realize that in this world I will never be free from the sin of complaining but I can continue to grow in this area.

  1. The temperatures were above freezing this week which made for some great days of snowmen building for the boys and I.
  2. I have an amazing small group of Godly young ladies who are growing in the Lord.  They are even taking turns teaching during small group.
  3. It's been a week full of ministry and I am loving it.
  4. In my Bible reading this week I was really convicted by Numbers 11:23 And the Lord said to Moses, "Is the Lord's power limited?.  Ummmmmm, NO!  This verse serves as a good reminder to me to remain encouraged by God's omnipotence in the midst of so many uncertainties.
  5. I have been really blessed by starting my days with spending time in the Word and in prayer.  Even if it is only for 10 minutes it is making a huge difference.
  6. I am so thankful for our supporting churches in America.  They are all a real encouragement to us.  We are planning our summer already and plan on visiting all our churches. 

 

Monday, March 22, 2010

Catching Snowflakes

         And yes, the Swingle Singers are coming to town!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Days 71 - 77

Finally rice that doesn't stick together.  A big thank you to Heather for advising me on which kind of special rice I need to buy!

On our way to Russian school on the tram.

Another fresh layer of snow and a view of the entrance to our twin tower building next door.

Had to go to the "market" or "Reenuk" to buy chicken breasts.  Lately I can't seem to find any locally.  I would love to take a picture inside but you're not allowed.  Lots of different sections inside.  Fruits, veggies, the meat section which would gross most people out, spices, dried fruits, fish, breads, etc.  You pay at each stand, so for example I bought cookies, chicken breasts, some veggies, and napkins and paid 4 different people at 4 different locations for the things I bought.  I don't normally shop here but sometimes if I can't find something in my area I go here.

There was a big Samara club soccer game on this day.  At all the bus stops there were groups of people with their Samara scarves on waiting for transport to get to the game.

My monthly self-portrait.  It's not a great one and kinda blurry.  This is by our mailboxes at the entrance of our building.  I was on the way to our wive's group meeting.


Thursday, March 18, 2010

Jon Goes To L.A.

On February 26 Jon was able to go to California for the annual Shepherd's conference.  He really had a great time but was busy as always.  He arrived on the evening of the 26th and the very next day went to the Getty Villa with several of our Russian friends who also had the opportunity to go to the conference.


Here are some men enjoying John MacArthurs's office!  This is always a highlight for visitors.
Then of course there were a lot of meetings to attend to before the conference began.  Jon also had some extra time to do some shopping for me.  People are always curious and I get asked a lot as to what kind of things we bring over from the States so here's a list of what he brought back:
  • brown sugar
  • chocolate chips
  • magazines for me to read
  • Josiah's curriculum for 1st grade
  • pecans
  • a box of See's candies for me 
  • a bag of Tootsie rolls for him
  • Fruit by the Foot for the boys
  • toys for the boys
  • medication
  • barbecue sauce
  • cooking spray
  • Carmex
  • special cream for Nathan's eczema
Anyway, that gives you an idea of some of the things that we can't buy here in Russia.  I am sure there was a lot more that he brought over but I may be forgetting some things!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

I have more things that I have been thankful about this past week.  This has really been a great exercise for me and continues to keep a lid on my complaining heart.

  1.  Praising God for the opportunity to begin planning a woman's conference for 2011.  This would be the first of its kind here in Samara.  Excited to see what the Lord will do.
  2. Thankful for my two boys.  They bring a lot of joy to my heart. 
  3. Also thankful for my wonderful husband.  He is so supportive of me!!!
  4. The snow is beginning to slowly melt........even though there is snow in the forecast and the temperatures will be in the mid 20s.........I know that Spring is coming!!!
  5. Praising God because we sang a couple of hymns in church on Sunday.  Got to hear and sing along to Amazing Grace for the very first time.  Even more grateful because I can actually understand the words in Russian.
  6. So grateful for down loadable sermons and for the ministries that provide them free of charge!  
  7. Speaking of down loadable have I ever posted how much I love my iPod touch???  It's changed my life :  )

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Days 64 - 70

It's been a long and harsh winter. Thankfully the new snow makes everything look so beautiful.


These crosswalk signs are new in our neighborhood. I am always shocked when cars actually stop to let me cross the street!


Tia Alex spoiled Jojo and got him a bunch of Legos.


Look what I got!!! Yummy!


Zhenya and Christina brought me tulips for my birthday (yes, I am still celebrating my birthday) last night. They are my very favorite. I can't wait until May when the tulips are everywhere.


Chocolate covered Oreos. Getting dessert ready for guests tonight.......Zhenya and Christina.


This is a perfect illustration of Nathan's mood the morning of this day.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

I continue to enjoy writing about all the things I have to be grateful for. It has really been helping me to see things from a different perspective. It is also helping cut down on any complaining!!

1. Praising the Lord for Jon's safe return from the Shepherd's Conference. He really enjoyed himself.
2. Thankful that the boys managed to stay healthy. Lots of sickies around lately.
3. Almost finished with Levitcus and I continue to praise God for sending His Son to redeem ALL of us.........not just the Jew but the Gentile. We are all partakers of God's ultimate plan.
4. Great week of school. I never thought I would enjoy home schooling. Jon brought back Josiah's 1st grade curriculum and I am looking forward to 1st grade not only for Josiah but even for myself. I definitely need to re-learn some things!!!
5. The days are getting longer!! And daylight savings time is coming up. We change our clocks on the last Sunday of March.
6. A ton of huge snowflakes were falling this morning and left behind a gorgeous blanket of white.
7. Excited about getting some scrap booking done when Jon was gone. I completed 10 layouts!

Monday, March 8, 2010

Beauty.......

is in the eye of the beholder. I love these pictures. The homes you see in these pictures are so old but people still live in them. Most of them don't have running water. But if you look closely the wood work on a lot of these homes is amazing. I would have liked to see what these homes looked like when they were first built!






A woman pumping water for her home!

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Days 57 - 63

The kids just about lost it by this night. They were being so silly and laughing hysterically.


Brianna and I playing with the shutter speed.


Happy Face pancakes.........Jojo and Bryce weren't too happy about them though.


Heather pulling the "sankee" with Emily on it. One of our many walks.


Yay, we're here at "auntie" Heather's place!

Saturday morning entertainment.


Whenever I babysit the Moorhead kids I like to take a craft project. This night we made flowers for mommy.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

It's that time to recall all the goodness the Lord has blessed me with this past week.

1. Jon made it safely to California and is enjoying the craziness of the Shepherd's Conference.
2. Thankful that "distance makes the heart grow fonder"!!!!
3. Blessed by my friend Heather and her hospitality.......the boys and I are having a blast at our week long sleepover. It also makes time go by faster and keeps us busy so that we are not thinking about daddy being gone for so long.
4. Enjoyed a few laughs at Heather's expense.......she told me her password to her Facebook account. So, I took the opportunity to change her updates a few times.
5. Praising God for warmer temperatures. Even though we are covered in snow I know that soon enough Spring will be here. The coming of Spring always brings to mind how one should eagerly await the coming of the Lord. It also makes me think of Easter and how those who Christ ministered with awaited his ressurection.
6. Praising God for how He provides for all our needs and more!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Brotherly Love

On Friday, February 26 Jon left for California for a few days. The boys were really missing him and when I came back to the living room this is what I found.......Nathan cuddled up with Jojo. Nathan keeps asking for daddy. "Where daddy go?". "Daddy put car away?". Poor little guy.



Monday, March 1, 2010

Going on a Walk

We finally got to go outside last week for a good walk and some fun in the snow. Due to illnesses and frigid temps we have only been outside a handful of times in the last 2 months! Of course I have gone out on my own but the boys have been caged indoors.


Nathan loves to eat snow. I just hope the snow he was eating here was not yellow.


Give my boys some shovels and they'll play forever.