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”!