I fly out Tuesday, March 2nd at 11am from Denver. I go to JFK (in NY) then to Moscow then to St Pete (arriving 4pm March 3rd local time, 6am WY time). I’ll spend a couple days there packing up my things (stored at a friend’s house) and then ship them out on a train to Krasnoyarsk, where I plan to arrive (by plane) on Sunday morning 5am local time (3pm Saturday WY time). Krasnoyarsk is 14 hours ahead of mountain time so that will be quite the adjustment (as well as recovering from the 20 hours of flight time). 
God has answered several of my prayer requests from a few weeks ago! I received my visa with plenty of time to spare, received my FBI background check (to apply for another visa while in Russia), I am 2 papers shy of finishing up my second to last college class and I am enjoying remaining time with family (I got to spend time with my Grandma Lucille and my sister and brother-in-law)! Also, my friend Lea, who has a brain tumor is already seeing good results from her recent radiation treatments (the tumor has begun to shrink!!!)
It is sad to think about all of the people I didn’t get to see while in the States or the people that I was hoping to spend more time with, but the reality is that I was able to see a lot of people and spend time with many friends and family that I might not have been able to see if I has worked a job where I only get weekends and holidays off. I’ve been greatly blessed by the encouragement of brothers and sisters who pray for me and care about what God is doing in and through me!
I’m excited about getting back to Russia and I am praying for a “soft landing” – finding a great apartment/roommate(s) shortly after arrival, the return of my Russian language, good health, and quick recovering from jet lag. I am thankful for friends in Krasnoyarsk that are allowing me to stay with them until I can find another place to live. I am excited about what the future holds and anxious about many of the things that I have to do once I get there (finding housing, language schooling, gathering documents to apply for resident’s visa, etc.)
I have less than a week left and a lot of packing and odds and ins to get done in that time (including two more papers to write!)
Appreciate you reading and caring about my life!
3 comments:
Praying for you, sista!
Wish we could have worked it out to hug your neck while we were in the same country, but maybe we can try again in a few months when we're in the same country. :)
Здравствуйте Ванесса!
I stumbled across your blog in the most interesting way. I study International Business at Messiah College in Pennsylvania. I love Russian and wanted to take that as my language but my college does not offer it. I travel to another college about 30 minutes away called Dickinson College. While I was over there for a Russian Language Lab I ran into an elderly lady at their library who is in charge of the Russian section of the library. We began talking and when she heard I had a sore throat she suggested a Russian remedy of hot milk with honey, and as her grandmother before her recommended, a little peppermint oil. At first I declined. I did not want to inconvenience her. However, she grabbed my shoulder and said "listen to your бабушка!"
I quickly found out her suggestion... it was not exactly a suggestion...
When I got back to my dorm I looked up some Russian remedies just out of curiosity (I love Russian culture as well as language) and it just so happened your post about Baba T and her remedies was one of the Google results. I noticed your sidebar and the prayer requests and praises. What a great thing to see! It brings joy to my heart to see that someone else has a heart for Russia and its people.
I have never had the opportunity to come to Russia. My school stopped their Russian Studies program this semester because of the lack of interest. But I will be studying in Lithuania in the fall and will be attempting to make a few trips over to Russia. I have always wanted to do some short term missions work over there. Especially in Siberia. I felt it was just really awesome how the Lord made it so I just happened to find your blog.
I know you do not know me at all, but I will be praying for you as you are over in Russia. Our God is truly an awesome God. Hope all continues to go well and that you seek to abide in His perfect will.
In Christ,
Jared Skitt
Наум 1:7
Jared, I don't know how to contact you but maybe you will receive this...
I appreciate your prayers! If you're serious about making a short term trip to Russia, I know of one this summer you might be interested in.
Feel free to email me at vanessagreer@hotmail.com
S Bogom!
Vanessa
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