Bible Lessons

I know I have been the most sporadic blogger lately and I have wanted to share this with you for a while, but we have had people in our home almost constant, so blogging time has been at a minimum.  I am giving 3 Bible lessons now and one of those is to Katiya, Bogdan's mom.  We were so excited when she said that she wanted to start her lessons!

She is on her 4th or 5th lesson now.  My heart was stirred each time I talked with her as it seemed like she was searching.  After the 2nd lesson, she really wanted to know HOW she could be saved and Lina and I spent about 1-2 hours with her talking about how she could be saved.  How exciting it was when she bowed her head to ask Jesus as her Savior!  She has been coming to every single service since then and been doing devotions with her boys every night.  We're praying that God will continue to work in this family and that Ruselan (her husband) and her son, Nikita, will be saved too.  Her lessons are on Fridays.

I am giving two other lessons on Sundays.  One lady, Luda, has also recently made a profession so the lessons are just for clarity.  The other lesson is with Gala.  I don't think she is saved, but she seems to know a lot of the information.  Please be in prayers especially for her lessons.  Pray for me also that God will give me clarity of speech and especially of mind as sometimes it is difficult to give lessons with little ones running around.

Our 1st Ladies' Meeting

{Here in the village, anyways.}

I know many of you have been anxiously waiting to hear how everything went and I'm so sorry that it has taken me an entire week to update you.

The Lord blessed and we had (I think) 12 ladies come, not including the girls and I!  How exciting is that?!  Our theme was "Have You Seen Yourself In God's Mirror?"

While I was waiting for Eric to bring the ladies, I thought I would take a few pictures for you, but, AHHH!  I had forgotten to charge my camera batteries!  I still managed a few quick shots before it completely died.  Eric was running all over the place that morning and still lovingly ran home to get my old camera.

We started by playing the game "What's in the bag?"  The ladies stuck their hands inside of the bag and had to guess what beauty items were in the bag.

 (Olya is the lady with the cream sweater and red phone hung around her neck.)

The second game we played was Design a Dress using only toilet paper.  Our models were Anna and Lydia.

After a delicious meal, made mostly by Lina and her mom, Lina and I put on a skit for the ladies.  It was of a lady who did not feel so beautiful and in an attempt to attain beauty, followed tips she heard would make her beautiful - refusing a mirror. 

I used this as a starting point for the devotional in which I compared that to us striving to be righteous but refusing to see ourselves through the mirror of God.  I did not actually see myself until the end of the devotional.  In closing I read James 1:22-25, and demonstrated the passage by walking up to a mirror looking at myself and shockingly exclaiming, "WOW!  I look pretty awful!"  I then walked and talked about how crazy it would be for me to see myself like that, then go to the store like all was in order and to a party, giving someone makeup advice while I was there.

Most of the ladies who attended are not saved and my desire is that they will not only look God's mirror and see themselves in need of a Savior, but also to repent and ask Jesus to save them.  I would like to ask you to specifically pray for a lady named Olya who is almost done with her salvation Bible lessons, that God would open her eyes and she would be saved.  Also, continue to pray for our neighbor, Sveta and her daughters (Nastia, Masha and Katya).  They were not able to come that day but she has let the older two girls come to Sunday school the past few weeks.  Anna is so excited as this is an answer to prayer for her.  She prays for them daily.

New Year's Eve Service

Kisses for Lina

Wow!  I can hardly believe we got through the past few weeks!  We had a nice Christmas, which I'll share with you later, then started preparing for our New Year's Eve service.  I don't remember exactly how many people came, but we had over 20.  After the message, we started the evening off with sparklers while the men cooked the shashlik {grilled chicken}.  The kids {and the adults} were very excited.   

They ended up moving over by the men cooking and were quickly  shooed away.

Everyone made SO much food!  This was SUCH a huge blessing for me!  I didn't have to make ANYTHING!  We provided the chicken and some supplies, but another lady wanted to make the cake and salads.  I love to cook, but some days the extra work is just too much for me.

After the meal, the kids played some games.  They had a lot of fun and I think some of the adults wanted to join them. ;)

Bogdan with Anna at the top.  Nikita, Max and Sammy in the bottom photo.

Most of the people attending are not saved.  Right now, Eric is doing Bible lessons with three different people and possibly will be doing another one soon.  He has started doing them at the house, which I have really enjoyed, even if it means more work for me with preparing meals, keeping the kids quiet and some times skipping naps. {That's a sacrifice! ;)} 

 

This young man's name is Serioza.  He does not come to every service but comes occasionally (or frequently?  not sure how to classify his visits).  He really enjoys the company, but we are not sure how interested he is.

This man with Daniel is Ruselan, the man Eric did Bible lessons with in the prison and also Bogdan and Nikita's dad.  Although he lives pretty close to the church, he has only attended a few services.

This is Bogdan and Nikita's mom, Katia.  She is extremely friendly and has asked to meet with us to talk about salvation.  She recently got a new job and says she still wants to meet with us, just when she has more time.  She also came today for our Christmas service (I'll explain about that later), which we were very excited about.  She is very friendly and seems to get along with everyone well.  She loves the kids.  Pray that God will open her eyes to her need of salvation.   

There is much to catch you up on, people to introduce you to, but I will try not to overwhelm you with it all at once.  Thank you all for your prayers!

Home and Ministry

Life seems to be moving on at such a fast speed, I feel like I'm always trying to catch up.  I purchased the Maxwells' books on home management and chores, but haven't had the time to actually build a schedule.  When we got home, I was going to wait to start school until I could get things more in order, but thought "Better to just move on."  Life has been moving ever since.  Anna is in her first "official" year of school and Daniel makes sure to keep it interesting.  Either I am lugging him around (he is SO heavy now!) or he is getting into everything, which means major clean up after.

At home, I am still trying to adjust to the electricity and we have had a few times when I had the stove and burners on, only to end up with 4 screaming babies as the lights went out - all of this WHILE I'm sitting on the toilet.  I think I've finally figured it out.  Keeping up with the laundry has proven interesting...and doesn't happen.  There are only certain times I can run the washer to make sure I can use the stove or heater.  I'll eventually get it...maybe about the time summer comes, then I won't have to worry about it. ;)

I know a schedule is the answer to my problems and I need to make it a priority.  The kids have been helping with chores, and are a blessing - especially Anna.  She has been washing the dishes for me after every meal (except for the cooking/baking dishes, I do those).  I can't believe how well she is doing!  It has been such a relief to have her help!  Lydia has been sweeping around the table after meals and is getting better at it.  Sammy's job is to wipe the table...which we help with otherwise Lydia wouldn't be too happy about all the mess on her clean floor.

So that's home life right now...you just have to add in some girls twirling every chance they get and some boys "brrrroooom"ing cars.

Church has been going well.  We have a good group of over 20 coming on a regular basis!  Almost all of them are unsaved.  Eric will be starting Bible lessons with a girl named Natasha on Wednesdays and with Olya on Fridays.  He is also teaching the adult Sunday School class without a translator now.  I am so proud of him!

In the children's Sunday school, we have 6 kids...except the Sunday I took the picture.  Bogdan was missing that day.  They are playing a review game in the picture.

This past Sunday was their third week in the bell choir.  The two previous Sundays were very chaotic and I couldn't get them to only play their bells on their turns.  This week, I said  I would take bells from those who played out of turn.  I had to take a few bells (one being Sammy's), but we actually played through The First Noel a few times AND it sounded pretty good!  I am beginning to have hope that we might actually be able to play something recognizable. ;)

We have also started practicing for our Christmas play, which we won't do until the Ukrainian Christmas on January 6th.  I am very excited about it, even though our first practice was anything but orderly.  It is easy enough where I think they can do a good job, yet has such a powerful salvation message.  I know I said it before...but I am very excited about it.

Thursday I will be going to the city and while I am there, I will be TRYING to find a material I like for the church curtains.  I would love to be able to sew one curtain a week...but we will see.  The reason for my visit to the city is, I have been invited to speak at a private school to the English class.  I would love your prayers as I am nervous about it, but praying that God could also use it to be a testimony not only to the class, but also the teacher, who has visited at our home twice since we've returned.  I have been told not to "preach" but share with them about America.  Even though I will not be spending my visit teaching a Bible lesson, I plan on sharing why we are in Ukraine and a brief plan of salvation.  I know that it will not be enough for them to probably make a decision for Christ, but I pray it will be enough to stir interest in them to read their Bible.  I guess that is my goal, to create in them a thirst for the Bible as it is the Word of God which works upon hearts. 

Well it is WAY past my bedtime...at least lately.  I have been so exhausted that I am usually out before the kids!  (The boys go to bed at 7:30, the girls have quiet time in their rooms.)

Season of Change

Six and a half more weeks until we hope to be flying out to Ukraine.  It seems so far away, yet so close considering how much more we have to do.  As I type, our passports and visa applications are sitting somewhere at the Ukrainian embassy in Washington, D.C. waiting to be either denied or granted.  During this (short) period of time, we were told of the White's situation with the registration.  As far as we know, they are the first missionaries in Ukraine to experience this new law of UN-registering.  My heart goes out to them as I know it has already been a long, hard almost year for them.  We kept joking with them (in a serious way) about staying and working with us, but they always said they were too old for that.  Now to have to deal with the Ukrainian system...I know they covet your prayers.  They have been told that, according to the law, they must now un-register, pay a fine, then immediately leave the country and stay out for 3 months.  This would leave our dear church once again without a Pastor for a month.  Please, please pray for our little-growing church that God would protect it if it is His will for this to be.  God has been bringing in many new visitors and Nastia's dad even said that, if she gets her homework done, she can go to Sunday School on Sunday.  Pray, pray, pray for this little girl and her family.

As I think about our little church, I cannot help but remember our dear Russian Mama, Valentina.  It has been nearly 3 months since she has come to the church.  I would love to believe that once we get back, she will also come back, but I am thinking that she probably will not.  When she first left, it was extremely difficult...it just won't be the same without her...but the Lord has help give me peace through this and I have left her in His hands.

Everyone keeps asking us, "What will you do if you can't get back in?"  To be honest, we don't really entertain that thought often.  We tried talking about it a few times, going between Ukraine and somewhere else every 3 months, switching mission fields...but nothing seems right.  How can it?  Our hearts our there and we will pray and trust that God will make a way for us to get back home.  If not, He will change our hearts.

Thank you so much for your prayers and sweet notes.  You are all such a blessing and encouragement to me and I have enjoyed getting a chance to visit with some of you.

You Have Arrived!

AHHH!  That has become one of our favorite things to hear...when our gps finally announces our arrival.  The kids always excitedly ask "Is this our new home?" hehe.  You can tell they are MK's. ;)

Life in the Curtis van has been CrAzY!  I've barely had time to get the laundry done between conferences, much less make a post, but I thought I'd give you a quick update on how we're doing.

After my last post, we drove down to Georgia for a conference.  The normally long ride was made even more interesting as everyone was getting sick.  The Lord brought to my mind this sweet missionary wife and her furlough travels/sicknesses and all I can say is God really gave her a lot of grace!

We are still having fun, though.  We take LOTS of time to "smell" the flowers along the way.

They enjoyed helping put John's and Romans together at our church's scripture work day...

...but it wasn't long before they were off playing.  If you ask Anna how many best friends she has, she'll tell you "a LOT." 

After trying a few things, I think we've found a way of packing that works for us.  Thanks for all of your suggestions!  We have a shoe bag, a Bible bag and a diaper bag.  Then 2 LARGE duffle bags - one for the boys and one for the girls.  In them, I have mesh wash bags which hold/separate all of our undergarments.  Since our kids are little and we end up carrying everything, fewer the bags - the better.  We also have a "cooler" bag between the seats with snacks.

Please continue to pray for us as we travel.  Pray also that we may go back to the country we love and are called to.  It seems like missionaries in Ukraine are going through so much right now.  This sweet and dear missionary family has recently had their visas denied.  We also just found out that the Hudson family, missionaries to Kiev Ukraine who came back to the states because of visa troubles, won't be returning this week as planned because Mrs. Catherine Hudson has stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, which has moved to her liver.  My heart aches for this family and I ask that you keep them in your prayers.

Wings like a Dove!

"My heart is sore pained within me...

And I said, 

Oh that I had wings like a dove!

for then would I wander far off,

and remain in the wilderness. Selah.

I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest."

Psalm 55:4-8

For days now I have thought about writing and tried to write an update, but words seemed to fail me.  Instead of resting in the Lord, I have often been physically and mentally at a place of not being able to go on any further.  Tonight during our family devotions we were reading Psalm 55.  As soon as Eric started reading "Oh that I had wings like a dove!", we both looked at each other and started laughing.  He knows that sometimes that's how I feel...I just want to escape.  Escape from all of the scary coughing that grips my babies and makes them cry "I don't want this!  I don't want this!".  Escape from the whining "my nose!" or "Lyda's touching me!".  Escape from the restless nights and nap times due to the coughing fits.  And if that was not enough, in between all of this they have a bountiful supply of energy while I am barely able to move from lack of sleep!  Yes.  I have definitely wanted to wander off to the wilderness and remain there.

Often the Lord has brought to my mind that sweet song "It is Well With My Soul".  Specifically - "Whatever my lot Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul!".  Oh!  How I long to be able to say those words!  I have been counseling others about the peace you can have when following God -no matter what your circumstances - but I myself had not peace or rest when my circumstances changed.

Even though David wanted to escape, this is his conclusion later in the chapter:

"As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me.

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee; he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." 

Psalm 55:16-18;22

The Lord will save me, hear me, deliver my soul in peace, and sustain me as long as I call upon Him.  So the times when I cannot say that my soul is at peace are the times when I am trying to do it on my on.  Nothing new, but Oh! sometimes so hard to practice!

Whooping Cough

We were thinking the kids had a bad cold or bronchitis, but after research believe they have whooping cough.  It starts off with cold like symptoms (runny nose, dry mild cough, little-no temperature) then progresses into fits of phlegmy coughing which end with them whooping or gasping for air.  We missed it with Sammy because instead of whooping, he would throw up, which we  later read is also possible.  On a good note, it seems like Sammy is in the 3rd stage already (the recovery stage/ still coughing fits, but less frequent and not as severe). The girls are in the 2nd stage (the whooping stage/coughing fits, playing normal inbetween fits).  We've decided to keep doing what we're doing and add some stuff to it.  Obviously it was helping more than I felt because they say the 2nd stage lasts 2-4 weeks and Sammy was barely in it 2 weeks.  We are thankful that we have finally found out what it is as it was puzzling and troubling us for weeks.  Knowing what it is also gives us more direction in the treatment. 
We do ask that you would pray for us.  We know that this can be very serious and needs to be monitored closely.  I will also be starting treatment as I am showing the signs of the first stage and with my asthma even a cold can put me in bed for days with coughing fits.

Brianna ~ Trading her Knight for a Prince

She wasn't looking for him...he just hopped into her life.

She is MUCH braver than I am!  What if he had hopped into her face????  Ewwww!  I'm quivering just thinking about it!

Bree has been helping me quite a bit accomplish some of my goals around the house.  Yesterday we finished filling my 'flower bed' area with dirt and I was able to plant most of my flower seeds.  Everything is starting to look nice!

Don't you just love our village style?

The girls are starting to have more of a preference in clothing, which is cute.  I had their clothes picked out for Sunday, but Anna had her heart set on the looong, flowy dress Papa bought her from the second hand store.  It is still a little big and I was going to have her wear a sweater over it, but she loved the bow so much that I just had her wear a shirt underneath.  Lydia had to pick out her dress too, of course.  Don't they look like little princesses?

While the girls were busy twirling, Maxime drew my potrait...what do you think?

Eric and I went over and visited with Kristina yesterday.  Both she and Valentina are having a very hard time right now.  Please be praying for them and their family situations.  There is so much drunkeness here and it is destroying families.  On Sunday Anna pointed out a man and said that he was drinking alcohol.  I was surprised and saddened that she even knew that word, but it is such a common thing here (and pronounced almost the same in Russian) that she just assumes if someone is carrying a bottle (and it doesn't say Coke a cola) that is alcohol.

Everyone is up and moving around, so I guess I better get going.  Hope you all have a good day...I'm sure looking forward to mine since I'm going to be riding into the city with my love. :)

Asking for Prayer

We have been battling fevers and diarrhea since Tuesday, Anna and Sammy have had it the worse.  We just recently started the parasite medicine again since we were having more problems, but I took us off it yesterday so that I could treat it as a virus (there seem to be fevers going around).  We are thinking that it could be a virus, which only aggravates our parasite problem more, but that it is more important to treat the parasites so will be going back on that again tomorrow.  Please be praying for our family.  I'm at a loss as to what to do next.  We only have a couple more days until we have to leave for Poland and traveling sick and with sick kids is hard.  I wish we could reschedule the trip, but we really have no choice since our visas will be running out around the time we leave.  Pray that God gives us wisdom in caring for our family.

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

James 1:5

A Missionary's Health

Well, our family has giardia again.  I actually had it around Thanksgiving, but was in denial thinking I was either pregnant or nervous about having everyone over.  I had other symptoms besides the gagging at every smell, sight or sound and Lydia had some symptoms, but still not wanting to admit it, just assumed it was something she ate.  Then the stomach pain started getting worse and I found out that I was definitely not pregnant...that left only one thing (which was pretty obvious the entire time) - giardia.  As soon as I started feeling better from that, the kids and I picked up a flu bug going around.  Even though we were sick, on Tuesday the kids and I decided to take a quick walk around.  Every babooshka on the street was out that day and in a mood to talk.  They asked lots of questions, but didn't give me many opportunities to talk.  So I came back with my mind overflowing with plans for a ladies' neighborhood tea.  As we headed back to our house, we saw Baba Nora outside.  She cannot let us pass without giving the girls something - candy, cookies, fruit.  She stopped us, ran inside and came out carrying two bright, round oranges.  Needless to say, by the time we made it back inside, we were all sneezing and coughing with noses running.  Wednesday, we had gotten worse so Eric made us stay home from church.  By Thursday, I was feeling so bad and the kids were cranky, I thought about begging Eric to stay home and help me that day.  Thankfully, he was able to get home a little early that night, 4 PM.  The girls might have been sick, but since he had had so many late nights that week the girls (and Sammy) were ready for playtime with Papa.  That night everything seemed okay and everyone went to bed fine.  Shortly after I climbed into bed Sammy woke up not feeling well. He was up crying until about one.  Then Anna woke up crying.  We rushed in to check on her and she was burning up.  Eric took her temperature and it was 104!  Thankfully, by the time she went back to sleep a half hour later, her temperature was down to 100.  On Friday Anna was doing much better with no or little fever, I was feeling worse though.  I had chills, fever and severe asthma problems.  Eric lovingly forced me back into bed, canceled all of his plans for the day and took over.  He even washed the dishes!  My temperature continued to rise throughout the day until it reached about 104 in the afternoon.  Soon after that it seemed like everything started to get better.  My temperature continued to drop and my asthma was getting better.  On Saturday, Eric was either in bed or in the bathroom all day sick with the giardia.  Needless to say, it was a rough week...a rough year as we have been hit with one sickness after another.

I say all of this not to be negative but with the desire that it will encourage you to pray more for the health of your missionaries.  It is not uncommon for a missionary to have to leave the field because of health reasons and we have heard of even a few missionaries to Ukraine who have died on the field.  It is not just the sickness itself which is the problem.  Most of your missionaries are living in places where not only is the medical care not as advanced as American, but also some of the customs of the people cause sicknesses.  (Like sticking their hand in the pickle jar and serving you with visibly dirty hands.  You really have to take no thought sometimes when you are eating.)

Even with all of the sicknesses, the girls have still had some pretty sweet moments.  Here's a video I took on Saturday.  The girls were rocking their babies and singing to them.  By the time I pulled out the camera they were almost done, but it is still cute.

Learning to Be Still

"But Martha was cumbered about much serving..."

Luke 10:40

Do you remember this post?  Well, it seems I still haven't learned.  No matter how hard I try, no matter how much I don't like it, I always seem to going back to being a Martha.  At first glance that looks pretty good.  Serving is a good thing, right?  Until you read...

"And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:  But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."  Luke 10:41,42

My heart always cries out when I read those two verses!  I don't consider myself worried about many things, but I definitely always have a million things on my mind to do.  I never seem to be able to sit down and relax...whether at church, at home or even when I'm doing my devotions.  I don't feel like myself unless I'm able to do something.  I love my "serving" job at the church, it sometimes feels like the only "ministry" that I am able to do.   Recently, Lina's mom came to visit me and went back saying that I was a busy bee...always going about doing something.  I loved that (pride?) and it probably only encouraged me more.  Lately, though, the Lord has forced me to just relax a little and let things go.  When I say forced, I literally mean that.  For over a month now, my asthma has continually gotten worse.  So much so that some days I don't get "anything" done (unless you count cuddling with my babies :)).  I am forced to relax as it can be a struggle just to breathe some days.  When I was in America I was given two options: 1) live by the ocean (or sea water) or 2) use a steriod inhaler.  Well, we obviously can't do the first one, unless God calls us to do so and neither of us really feels like the steriod inhaler is a good option.  My sweet husband recently found a natural "pharmacy" and asked what they had for bronchial asthma.  He brought me back some essential oils, herbal "candy" drops and teas to help.  I have found that if I use those first, before using my regular inhaler, that I either don't have to use my inhaler or, if used, my inhaler actually works.  He has given me back massages and "pats" during some of my mid-night coughing attacks.  He has also looked into sending me to a salt "cave" (room).  I really don't know what I would do without him.   Thankfully, my attacks seem to be getting fewer and weaker...which came at perfect timing because our family has had some type of stomach virus which put Eric in bed Thursday through Monday!  The rest of us haven't had it as bad.  The girls complained about upset stomachs and Sammy cried all day Saturday and Saturday night, but they all seem to be doing better now.  Eric has still been complaining about his stomach, so we'd really appreciate your prayers concerning this.   

With all that has been going on, I haven't been able to take many pictures lately...besides the fact that I'm usually carrying my inhaler, a salt inhaler, essential oils, etc. and don't have much room for my camera.  But I have managed to snap a few pictures lately - all with Eric's phone.

We've been taking more walks to the wooded areas to help me get outside and avoid the smoke from the neighbors' burning.  Life in the village has a "slow" quality to it and you'll almost always see men fishing  

or along the river.

I also did a small photo shoot for my sister....Thanks for the dresses!  They're beautiful!

Eric took a photo of Max and Sammy.  It looked adorable without the cropping and editing, but even cuter after.

Lastly, took this picture on the same walk as the first picture.  Thought it was fitting for this period of my life.

Lord, teach me to be still so that I may know you!

Pulling Weeds and Drinking Tea

If you were to ask what kind of week it has been, that would probably be my response.  It has held a lot of bad, ugly, sad things but it has also had many good, sweet blessings.  There have also been a few times it has felt like our time here is just a waste and we really aren't doing any good...then I just turn back to God and say, "Lord, no matter what happens or if it seems like absolutely nothing is happening, I will still serve you."  So, where do I start?  I guess at the beginning.

We had planned a Family Day on Saturday for people in our church and for their friends and families who are not saved, but Eric was called over to Yuri and Christina's on Friday morning.  Christina, under the influence of her neighbor and probably her sister, was drinking by the river on Thursday night.  After which, she got in a fight and punched her sister, Ina.  We love this couple dearly and just ask that you pray for them.  We also ask your prayers for Ina and Valodia, as we have no way of contacting them now that they are no longer living at Yuri's (they have no phone).  They seemed very interested in the Bible lessons...though some are saying that they, and Yuri and Christina, were just trying to use us.  To us, we are willing to be used a little in order that they hear the Gospel.  This has been the biggest thing on our hearts and minds this week.  Any time we have problems like this in the church, God always uses it to strengthen the group of believers which stays.  And Sunday some might leave, as Eric has a strong message addressing the hypocrisy in our church.  Some of our "older" christians have allowed things in their lives that are casting stumbling blocks for the baby Christians and may be even hindering the salvation of others.  We are praying that God's will be done and if we stand alone...
  "...as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15

The church isn't the only place that needed some weed pulling.  The whole yard was covered in weeds/grass taller than me!  This particular one (ambrosia, I think) was quite a bit taller than Eric and thicker than my wrist!  Not only does the yard look better, but, with a little siding, the house is looking GREAT!  (Soon a new room for the kids...which means I might actually get a "dining" room table!)

The new addition!

I invited the neighbor, Sveta, and her daughters over for tea on Thursday.  She and the youngest were not able to make it because the baby didn't sleep well that night and had just fallen a sleep about the time of the tea party, but her daughter Nastia came.  I was a little disappointed at first, but I'll try again later.  I don't know if it will be a weekly thing or not, but I'm planning on having "tea parties", inviting different neighbors at different times.  This last time, Valentina had just gotten back from 1 week to the sea and 4 weeks to Russia (BOY were we glad to see her!), and I had her here too.

Nastia and Anna...and NO it was not cold. 
Nastia wanted to go back inside and
said that it was too cold outside. 

For the past few months, I've been going around taking pictures of EVERYTHING and working on the computer to put verses on some of the pictures.  Eric and I have really wanted to have scripture around the house, but we also wanted it in Russian.  Just yesterday we got back the first of the prints and I'm pretty excited at how they turned out.  (The verse is John 15:5)

And this is what I did with my copy...

(The wall is actually green...that is how
bad of a photo this is.)

Ladies at church will be able to win copies by memorizing and saying the verse on each picture.

Lasty, a picture of our "Sammy Boy".  He is growing so fast and is becoming more handsome each day.