Christmas Without Bells and Whistles

I apologies for not blogging in about a month. And then when I do blog, bombarding you with a bunch of different blogs! I've been pretty busy finishing up the past semester of school and getting ready for a Russian Language Celebration party in which I, Jamie and other students sang and danced to 3 songs (I might add that the songs where in Russian and were VERY FAST!!) (Pictures- 3 Japanese students, myself in a Russian get-up and Jamie as "Baba Valya")

Praise God that the singing and dancing is over (along with the 3 practices a week) and that a 2 week break from classes has arrived! I had a great Christmas with the Orner's. God blessed us with good movies, good gifts, good food and good fellowship. I even watched my family open up gifts on Skype :)

There really aren't too many bells and whistles for Christmas here in Russia. Most are busy getting ready for the big New Year's celebration. No businesses were closed. Many students where still in class. And even in the church service last night, there was only about half the people there usually is on a Sunday morning. The traditions of Christmas (as I know them) where hard to come by.

In a way, I'm glad that there haven't been any bells and whistles. It has given me a chance to be reminded of what it's all about. It's about a King who became a helpless infant out of love for man. It's about God's Son who became a man out of faithfulness to His Father. It's about the biggest surrender ever – a surrender of a heavenly dwelling, a setting aside of divine power and – when He became my sin – a spiritual separation between the Son to His Father.

My we think on Christ's sacrifice – and may it cause us to run with endurance the race that is set before us!

Hebrews 12:1-3 “...let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and prefecture of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Miss Scarlet did it in the Kitchen without Any Weapons!

Growing up, Miss Scarlet was always my favorite character in the game of Clue. I always fought my sister for the red game piece :)

Recently, fruit flies have brought back a love for Miss Scarlet. But this time she is not a little wooden game piece, she is my hair blow dryer. The blow dryer I purchased here in Novosibirsk is red, it's brand name is “Scarlett” and she has proved to be a killer!

About 3 weeks ago I started noticing a few fruit flies in the kitchen here and there. Then they started to take over the bathroom as well. I never said anything to Baba T. about them, I would just try to kill as many as I could and not let it bother me. Last week Baba T. left for a 2 week stay with an old friend in Moscow. In her absence I started to notice that the little fly problem was out of hand – they were in the sinks, in the bath tub, in the cupboards, on the walls and sealing, on the dishes, and had taken over the 200-some onions neatly hanging from the wall in the corner of the kitchen.

Thanks to Lucas' internet search for “how to get rid of fruit and drain flies” I has given a few ideas on how to handle this problem. They talked about washing dishes WITH SOAP and laundering towels and wash rags (as far as I knew, neither of these things had been done before in our kitchen during my 3 months of living here). They had clever trap ideas, where you use fruit as a bate. (The best one of these was the “Oven Trap” - put some over-ripened fruit in the oven and leaving the oven door open over night and then in the morning quickly and quietly shutting the door and turning the oven on until all the nasty little flys were fried to nothing.)

I tried some of the trap methods but the flies where not attracted to the bate. Despite, I tried another method listed on the website: “The Hair Dryer Method” - holding the back end of the blow dryer up to the flies until they are sucked in and fried. Though a bit leery of it's effectiveness I gave it a try, and was delightfully surprised by the effectiveness and fun of this method! Next thing I knew I was on the top step of a step-latter in the center of the kitchen with “Miss Scarlet” plugged into an extension cord reaching to every corner of the sealing cremating every fly in sight! I wish you could have been there to enjoy this victories moment with us!

For the next 3 days I left Miss Scarlet plugged in a ready to do her job whenever a nasty little fly would appear. Today, I have yet to see one of those nasty little things :)

Unfortunately the story does not end there. You see, I forgot to mention the 200-some onions. (There are 4 braided stands like the one pictured). I knew that the flies were simply going to keep reproducing in the onions no matter how hard Miss Scarlet worked. So in my “cleverness” I put them out on the balcony (I didn't know that freezing an onion would cause it to rout).

Did I mention that these onions where grown by Baba T. at her dacha (farm house) and neatly braided together by her – now deceased – husband? Yeah, pretty sure nothing but the grace of God is going to get me out of this one!

So here's to Him who helped my get rid of the flies and knows all about my 200 bad onions!

Thankful for Thanksgiving in Russia

I wasn't so sure about being here for the holidays, but God made my first thanksgiving away from home a pretty awesome one. The Orner's were (and are) a HUGE blessing! Jamie had decided that we would celebrate Thanksgiving on Friday night (we wouldn't have homework then and we usually hang out Friday nights anyway – plus, actual Thanksgiving Day took place while we were sleeping Thursday night, since it is just an American holiday). Jamie planned a feast (which was very ambitious of her, since the food here is so different and shopping for it when you don't speak Russian makes it even harder!)

I went over in the late afternoon to play the role as the sue chief (not sure how to spell that – I didn't even know what that was until Jamie started calling me one). We listened to some Christmas music I had on my computer while we cooked and eat – it was pretty cool. When I said that I missed my parent's old Christmas records, Lucas tried to look up some of the songs online for us to listen to and after a long search he actually found Connie Smith's “Go Tell it on the Mountain” (my all-time favorite!) . . . although it was only a 30 second sampler it was still stinkin awesome!

Jamie fixed corn bread (thanks to Lucas' parents who sent that Jiffy mix!), mashed potatoes (I'd been craving those!), green beans, cooked carrots and onions, the juiciest porks chops ever (mine was seriously 1 ½” thick!), apple crisp and even pumpkin pie!!! Man, I wish those of you in the states could truly realize just how amazing this accomplishment really is – Jamie as awesome! You might ask “Where's the turkey?” They are hard to find here and although one of our teachers told us where we could get one, I was a party-pooper and confessed that I didn't really like turkey (it's true – ranchers tend to like meat, not fowl) (:

And what would Thanksgiving be without football!? Well, I still don't know that answer to that one, because Lucas downloaded the Colts vs. Steelers game from a few weeks ago and we watched it after dinner! It was so awesome!

While Thanksgiving just wasn't the same, it was pretty awesome! I praise God who knows my needs and desires and always proves faithful to provide them! I praise Him for new traditions and home away from home. I also praise God for giving me a family who is willing to let me be half way around the world even during the harder holiday times. God is so good!

Vanessa's Theories on Russian Reasoning

Note: No scientific research has been done to come up with these theories. And this blog is not meant to insult or put down Russian culture or my Russian brothers and sisters – it is to share some of the differences between our cultures and hopefully bring a few smiles.

Many Babushka's die their hair a bright pinkish-red color

While this may appear to by hair die, it's really their hair follicles' reaction to 50+ years of their daily beet intake (Jamie deserves some credit for helping me develop this theory)

Women wear boots much like that sported by Julia Roberts in the 1990 movie “Pretty Women”

This is definitely a safety precaution, the stilettos make very good picks in the ice to prevent slipping (the icy sidewalks are covered with little stiletto puncture marks!)

Sour cream, curds, sour milk, white cheeses and other dairy “food” products are very popular

This is to prevent osteoporosis in the hips of all those babushkas out there braving it on the icy sidewalks

A Holstein Cow is a common holiday decoration (for the New Year's celebration)

While America has Santa coming down chimneys and stuffing stockings, the Russian Holiday Cow flies in through the window (often left open to keep from cooking in the night) and stocks the fridge with curdled-sour-white products (aka. “dairy products”). This goes to show just what a big deal dairy is here!

Toilet paper that's a cross between cardboard and crate paper

Just eat some beets and you'll know the reason for this one!

Black and other dark colors are popular clothing color choices

If you want you whites to stay white and your brights to stay bright you better not walk anywhere outside, avoid beets and get used to washing your clothes by hand (the washing machines seem to have only one temperature – HOT)!

The word for “bread” is painted on – what appear to be – military convoy trucks

I would do further research on this but fear what would happen to me if I discovered what was really being hauled by these “bread trucks”.

Men and women and children often sport mullets

While one might have the desire to have an easy hair style that will be out of the face and professional looking they might also want their neck to stay warm in the Siberian weather without the hassle of a scarf; the solution – none other then the 80's mullet

Young women wear warm winter boots, heavy fur coats, scarves, gloves, hats and mini-skirts

The cold weather reduces swelling of the legs and keeps their legs thin enough to fit into their tight tights.

There are muddy shoe prints on toilet seats

I've got nothing on this one – if you have any ideas I would love to know what they are!

I better quit with that one! Perhaps further research and observation will lead to more theories but until then I will continue to “enjoy” culture!

It's been a while...What should I blog about?

I also struggle with know what to write about, I have a lot of ideas and so much I would love to say but don't know what to write about first. I would love it if you would let me know what you would like to hear about first:

A. “You know you're in Siberia when . . .”

B. My theories on why Russians do things they do

C. Russian Mullets

D. The new year's cow (this topic will require more research on my part)

E. Blessings and Frustrations

(This is really just to buy me more time on writing. . . but it would be nice to know what you would like to hear about first).

Awaiting your vote!

I'm trying to post this again... "who needs a coat when you have blubber!"

I am excited to go shopping tomorrow for a warm winter coat that can handle the Siberian winter. Although I'm beginning to wondering if I really need one...
You see I live with a babushka, not just any babushka – a babushka who has a huge garden, is an excellent cook and doesn't take “no thank you” for an answer. Or...could it be that I am trapped in a situation similar to that of Hansel and Gretel?! If this is the case I getter get out while I can still fit through the door!!!!

She truly spoils me! I rarely cook, when I do I usually end up eating multiple lunches or dinners because she will insist on giving me me some of what she is eating too. The other night I made pancakes and offered some to her – surprisingly she took me up on my offer! However, when she realized that my pancakes were pancakes and not bleeny (a traditional Russian pancake that is a very thin like a crape) she was a little more hesitant! She said it was okay and finished eating it but she must of thought that I needed to learn how to cook one properly because the next night she made bleeny and showed me how it was done! I've also had a lesson on making palmeeny (another traditional Russian food that is kinda like a meat dumpling that they put in soup). I couldn't believe how much work goes into making those little things!

Every morning I have a very large breakfast with 7 different open-faces-mini-sandwiches (each with a different topping- roast beef, cheese, cheese spread, tomato and cheese, jam, squash spread and butter) oatmeal, a hard-boiled egg and coffee (my favorite!!!!)

On Tuesday, Baba T. had the Orner's over for the first time. I told her that my friends really wanted to meet her and I asked her if they could come over for tea sometime. Well, “tea” to Baba T. means; an amazing cabbage-meat pie, pickles, sweat roles with jam, cake and tea. I will add that pretty much everything was grown in her garden (even the herbs for the tea!) Needless to say our “tea” was excellent and she enjoyed meeting the Orner's very much. Her son and his family also came for “tea” that night and his wife, K. (an English teacher at the university) was able to translate for us.

Russian is Ruling My Life!!!

(Yes, this is my second blog today -- I'm trying to make up for lost time while I have a free hi-speed internet connection!)
The Russian Language is basically kicking my rear! It's stinkin hard and taxing on the brain! Russian is pretty much my new life. I go to class, study, sleep and eat. There doesn't seem to be time for much else.

But God is faithful (He has been showing that to me from the very moment I got here . . . not to mention the long process of getting here!) And He is showing me that that is all that He asks of me! To be faithful (1 Corinthians 4:2 and 1 Thessalonians 5:24)!
After kicking myself for grasping Russian more slowly that I would like, God has been patting me on the back as if to say “It's okay, I appointed you for this very task and all I ask is for you to be faithful”. Few, that takes a lot of pressure off of my back!

Here are some pictures of us in class with one of our wonderful teachers. She uses the stuffed dog to play word and grammar games with us. We have class for 1 ½ hours then a 20 min break and another hour and a half of class. You can see a lovely picture of Jamie enjoying an apple during one of our well deserved breaks...she's going to love that I put this on the web ;)

We always look forward to our weekends. Friday night is our English-fun night at the Orner's. We're developing a tradition of playing cards and watching some type of English-speaking TV show or movie. I praise God for the Orner's fellowship, friendship, study help and cooking! (The last picture is taken at their apartment at the - appropriately named "RV-Kitchen-Table").
So, really – I guess Russian is not really ruling my life – The One who appointed me to learn it is!

Babushka Babblings: Sewing in Russia

Last Saturday I received such a huge encouragement - and that encouragement would come from non-other than my babushka, Baba T!
Baba T was out of the house baby sitting her grand kids so with much prayer I risked doing a load of laundry by myself (once again, a 7-step process just to get the machine going and also run the risk of flooding the bathroom). If something went wrong I would probably be deemed unworthy to ever do laundry on my own in Baba T's house! I praise God that I was able to do my laundry my way (with cold water and not over loading the machine!) . . . AND there was no flooding involved!
Also, on Saturday I was attempting to hem some of my pants (since I refuse to wear heels and the streets are pretty muddy). As I was sewing with some a needle and thread I brought with me, I was thinking that it sure would be nice to have a sewing machine -- I don't know what I was thinking not cramming one into my luggage!?!
Then in walked Baba T, she saw I was sewing by hand and asked me if I wanted to sew with a machine and I stupidly replied that I didn't have one. She then rattled off a bunch Russian, of which I caught, "My machine"! She then showed me her sewing machine and helped me get it set up and had me explain to her how I wanted to hem my pants. Once she saw how I wanted them she sat down at her foot-peddle-machine and hemmed my pants! I was so touched by the blessing of the sewing machine and the blessing of Baba T that I started to tear up. Maybe someday I will be able to explain to her what an encouragement she was (and is) to me!
Praise God for sewing machines in Russia (even though it might not be a Bernena)!

(Can you spot the sewing machine in this picture? Neither could I! But that "end table/cabinet" is actually that stinkin awesome sewing machine!)

Babushka Babblings: The Story of the Purple Underwear

Last week I needed to do some laundry and asked Baba T. about it in the morning before my class and she told me we would do it when I got back from class. Sure enough, right when I walked in the door she had the machine set up a ready to go (a 7 step process). I couldn't communicate to her that I was really hungry and that I was super tired from a particularly long day of class. So I got my dark laundry and after weighing it to assure Baba T. that it weighed at least 3.5 kilograms (apparently she thinks it's not a load until it's 3.5-4.0 kilos in weight!) She turned the hot water on to the machine and I tried to explain that I wanted to wash them in cold water because of the colors and because of my wool socks. This went on for a good 20 minutes. Finally I gave up (due to hunger and exhaustion) and just prayed for God to protect my cloths.
I started fixing my long awaited lunch (it was now 2 pm). Just when I got done eating my burnt chicken and over cooked broccoli (I was still getting used to her stove/oven) I heard Baba T. yelling about something in the bathroom (where the washing machine is located). I ran to her aid to see that the side-door of the machine had swung open and there was about 3” of water on the floor. She was very upset and frantic and we both began mopping up the water with rags (it's hard to believe that the 2 of us even fit in our “quaint” bathroom). I felt terrible, but when I apologized she was quick to let me know that it was not my fault but her washing machine (if I would have been taking notes, I'm sure I could have learned a few curse words). I think we got the water moped up before the first floor tenants were rained on (there weren't any complaints anyway).
I decided this whole afternoon needed a big dose of God's grace and a nap! When I woke up from my nap I found that the laundry was done and that God had taken care of my cloths! There weren't any shrunken socks or funny died shirts . . . only purple underwear! God is so good – I always liked the color purple!
That afternoon went on to be one of my best in Russia thus far. Baba T. came into my room to winterize my window and while she was in there I thought it might be good for me to try reading my homework to her. It not only encouraged and helped me but Baba T. also enjoyed playing the role of my teacher. That night I overheard her telling three different people over the phone about her helping me study! Now it's become routine. She will walk into my room and have a seat in the rocking chair and tell me “it's time for you to tell me your new words.”
Praise God for my new teacher and purple underwear!!!

My Babushka Blessings

I have been greatly blessed with a wonderful place to live here in Akademgorodok – which comes complete with an advice giving, excellent cooking, loving Babushka! Baba T. is quite possibly the biggest blessing I've found in Russia (yes, even better than peanut butter). She is in her 70's, and agreed to house a foreign student because she had been lonely from her husband's passing 4 months ago. Her daughter-in-law, K. is actually an English teacher at the university. K. has also been a blessing in translating my questions and clearing up confusion between Baba T. and I.

Babushka's are known for “free” instruction and advice. Baba T. and I have had our moments, but God has helped me to conform to her ways of doing laundry, washing dishes and eating. Baba T. has been understanding in situations as well. I've only been scolded for using a Brita water filter, running a fan at night, not sleeping with enough blankets and planning to leave the house with damp hair. Because she views my studies as very important, she often insists on fixing me meals so I can study (which I am becoming more accustomed to and am very thankful for). She even helps me with my homework (which is basically her forcing me to practice pronunciation of words over and over until I get it right)! When she helps me with my pronunciation of words she often gets louder and louder each time she repeats the word to correct me – I often wonder if our neighbors wonder why that crazy woman living next door keeps saying the English equivalent of “pancakes! PANCAKES!” over and over again!

I have so many stories about my experiences of living with Baba T. that I look forward to sharing with you on my blog.

Compassion for the Dogs

Academgorodok is full of animal lovers. The birds are well cared for by the babushkas (I am reminded almost every morning after breakfast that the left overs go to the “pteechkey” which are dropped for them from our second-story window). (Notice the picture I snuck of a babushka in a neighboring apartment building feeding her beloved birds!) It is quite often that I see someone walking their dog (it is hard for me to think of all these pets living in small apartments, having grown up on a ranch). Most of these dog owners must not get Bob Barker's “Price is Right” game show in Russian – other wise they would have their pets spayed or neutered. I have frequently been saddened by the sight of stray dogs. Some roam around the apartments begging for food with their sad eyes. Others must be more desperate as they rummage through trash. The saddest one is one I've seen was left outside a park-with the leash still on him. I don't know what happened to his owner but that sad dog returns to that place the same time every morning to look for his owner. I have never been a huge pet lover, but my heart-stings are pulled every time I notice one of these dogs.

Today, God has impressed upon my heart that these dogs aren't the only ones who are lost. They are not the only ones searching for food or belonging. Everyday I pass by many people without noticing their desperate, lost state. On the contrary, I often find myself considering them as strangers, foreign, different. Something seems to be very wrong with my perspective. How does Christ see these people? As His creation, who He wants to make His children and He sent His Son to die for. He is pursuing them all the while they roam around lost, without belonging, searching for satisfaction. He has offered them all the only Bread of Life (John 6:35-40).

Are you aware of the lost, starving, and lonely people around you? Or is your compassion “for the dogs”?

My New Дом in Академгородок

I am so thankful for an affordable, comfortable place to live here in Akadem! I am living with a VERY hospitable babushka (grandma)--Baba T.-- in her 2-room apartment. It's a 5-10 minute walk from the Orners and 15-20 minute walk to the school. My room has a nice big desk, futon bed and wardrobe. The bathroom and kitchen are modest but sufficient. Baba T loves to cook and seems to think I need fattening up ;) She is patient with my poor Russian and we are getting pretty good at charades :)

This living situation also comes with some challenges. It's always a little challenging to live with someone you don't know but add to that the cultural differences and a large language barrier. I praise God for this challenge (most of the time, anyway) because it is already forcing me to learn faster and also teaching me more dependence upon God.

There is a lot of vegetables here (tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, squash and tons of different greens). Getting used the the food is going to take some more time, but there is a pizza shop near by--“New York Pizza”--for when I need my American fix! Also, my since of smell is still adjusting to various smells in our apartment (when rooms are small and it's cold outside it's hard to get away from some aromas).

Akadem is beautiful with it's fall colors! It seems as though those colors could be covered up with white any day now! While it might be chili outside, inside is often VERY warm!

The women here dress very fashionably. One classmate of mine put it well when he said “every time I step outside I feel like I entered a fashion show”! I quite often feel out of place for not wearing 4” heels, dressy coat, fancy hat and so on. I asked my friend Jim if I had something on my face because everyone was staring at me. He told me that might be because I wasn't wearing a ton of makeup :) - I guess if the barn needs painted, paint it! . . . just kidding! Jim explained that the outward appearance of most Russians is their only way to express themselves and make their own (most live in rented apartments and don't own cars or property). I rarely see women with tennis shoes, sweat-shirts, back-packs or ear muffs (unless I look in the mirror!)

Because of God's peace, faithfulness and assurance I KNOW that I belong in Akademgorodok. And someday God will help me to FEEL like I belong.

For God is faithful and His blessings are rich!

Blessing in Disguise

We made it to Akademgorodok! Our travels went very well - although the 3 day trip seemed like 1 never ending day - Samuel did great on all the flights (totally about 15 hours) and all our luggage made it safe and sound!

Which brings me to a story, when flying from Chicago we were allowed two 50lb bags each plus one carry on and on personal item (purse, briefcase) with additional fees for over weight baggage. However, when you get into Moscow (where you have to get you bags and re-check them) we were expecting to be hammered with fees (because you are only allowed one 20 kilogram bag.) We didn't have much time to catch our next flight in Moscow and ended up missing our flight . . . we weren't worried though, because they were going to put us on the next flight leaving 2 hours later. So we waited at the check in counter while they printed new boarding passes for us - but for some reason that task to an extremely long time to accomplish! Over an hour later we were finally checking our baggage in (ready to hand over the money) but by this time we were close to missing our flight once more! One of the managers must have felt bad about the delay and insisted that there where no additional baggage fees since we flew on a US airline. Next thing we new that same manager was rushing us off through airport employee security, right to the front of the boarding line and right on to the plane (as he helped us carry some of our carry-on luggage!)

Praise God for His blessings “in disguise”!

I'm leavin' on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again

That's right! I look to fly out on September 22nd. The tickets have been bought (and even at a reasonable price, Praise God!)
Please note prayer requests on the right side of this page, I would be so blessed to have you pray for me and our team.
God is good, ALL the time! And, all the time, God is good!
(It's just easier to say now, when things are looking up)

Trip Itinerary (all times have been converted to Mountain Time)

Sept 22 - Denver (3:20pm) to Chicago (5:35pm)

- I'll be staying with the Orners at Jamie's parent's house

Sept 23 – Chicago (1:27pm) to Frankfurt (9:45pm)

- Check into hotel and catch some Z's

Sept 24 – Frankfurt (6:50am) to Moscow (10:10am)

- Moscow (11:55am) to Novosibirsk (3:45pm)