Vanessa's Ventures

11-11-11 (this date is cool enough to merit a blog post)

2011-11-11T15:40:00.000+07:00

Little Blessings (cont.)

Tanya, my new roomie, gives me great fellowship and cooks and cleans too ;) She’s a great sister from church!

Safe travels down to Tuva and back (even on snow packed roads)

Class was canceled today – yay, for getting caught up on a bunch of little things at home (including a blog post)

French’s Mustard and gerbera daisies

The school director of the English school I hope to work at next year is on top of things and is flexible with me and following through with her responsibilities

I’m still wearing my fall coat and not the winter one :)

I have everything I need … and then some

The Orner’s are awesome friends and family to me (and they provide me with a washing machine)

Plenty of opportunities to trust God more (especially His timing)

I have a nice apartment that is warm and homey

Parents and sister to miss (it would be a bad sign if I didn’t miss them)

God is fulfilling desires that I didn’t even know I had – yeah, He’s that good!

Little Blessings

2011-09-19T18:03:00.002+07:00

I just want to share some of the simple blessings in my life lately - for God's glory, who gives all good things!

-Getting to sew curtains with my new sewing machine
-Having a working oven
-Getting to play ultimate frisbee (this was a blast! - despite my bug bites and soar muscles)
-Fellowship of teammates and being challenged and encouraged by what God is teaching them
-Getting to learn more about Russian history
-Sunshine and getting to ware sandles
-Getting to talk to my family on the phone
-Teaching Dutch Blitz to a bunch of Koreans
-Sweet fellowship with God
-Friends that pray with me and for me
-Leaving the bank having accomplished what I went in to do

I could go on, but I think you get the point: GOD IS GOOD AND FAITHFUL

The Best Day of My Summer

2011-08-31T20:58:00.017+07:00

Ate French toast with friends (only after beating the cinnamon sticks with a end of a rolling pin to get "ground" cinnamon...but hey, at least the had cinnamon in Ak Dovurak!)

Packed up the van and head to Tuva's western mountain pass
Drove in the Sayan Mountains for an hour and a half
Stopped at the pass and climbed a hill that looks out over a beautiful valley (there wasn't even much wind! They say you usually can't even stand up straight when you get out of your car there because of the wind)Drove back into the Taiga (forest) to have a picnic before collecting pine-cones

Found tons of wild blueberries!

Enjoyed bologna sandwiches and homemade chocolate chip cookiesPicked two 1-gal jars of blueberriesCollected a gunny-sack full of pine-conesFinished just before getting rained onDrove back to the Alash River and set up a camp fire (it only rained while we were in the car :) )
Roasted and ate pine-nuts AND S'MORES (using marshmallows I got in a package from the US)Headed back home where we ended the night with some Dutch Blitz (AND I won :) )

All in all it was one of those days when its easy to praise the Lord for His creation, goodness and love!

Life on Gorky Street

2011-06-18T21:33:00.009+07:00

My new address is Gorky Street 32 apt. 17
The street is named after the Russian writer, Maxim Gorky who supported the Russian revolution and wrote of it often in his works like in his novel, "Mother". Nearly every Russian city has a Gorky Street (along with Karl Marx St., Lenin St., Red Army St., etc.)Now that I shared that tiny bit of history I now switch to topics of less worth, and much more characteristic for "Vanessa's Ventures": roaches, a cracked toilet, and tinfoil window shades.

I have been blessed with a studio apartment near the university (a 10 minute walk) and not far from American friends (a 25 min walk and even shorter bus ride). It’s the first time for me to rent an apartment here in Russia by myself. I have lived here by myself for 2 weeks and with a roommate for 3 weeks (a friend that needs a place to stay while her house is getting indoor plumbing).

Like most things in life, there are pluses and minuses to renting "my own" place:

+'s

Space to unpack and make “my own”

Being able to clean the place like I want to

Inviting guests and practicing hospitality

Within walking distance of nearly everywhere I need to go

Quiet neighbors

Normal, reasonable landlords

Fresh milk and curds are sold right outside my door (how many of you can say that?!)

Comfortable couch/bed

Open layout that makes having guests easier

Working fridge and decent cabinet space

-'s

Cockroaches (who have since been defeated – thanks to poison and prayer)

On a street corner where there’s more noise and dust than what I’m used to

An ancient soviet toilet with unattached plastic toilet seat and multiple cracks that cause me to frequently mop my floor

Concrete building on the fifth floor with west facing windows = 80+ degrees F

Gas oven that seems impossible to use

No washing machine

But even with these minuses – God has helped me to adapt and blessed me with things like friends who let me do laundry at their house and use their oven to bake cookies (thanks Lucas and Jamie!) I haven’t seen a roach for 3 weeks after lacing the place with a yellow “miracle gel”. I found some thermal-blankets at a camping store and put them up behind the curtains to alleviate the heat (though, my landlords and other guests have looked at them wondering if it's normal for American's to put tinfoil on their windows). A fan has also helped with the heat, my roommate says spraying yourself with water helps too…but because I’m already wet from sweat I don’t see a need to spray myself…Russians don’t seem to sweat as much, perhaps its because they don’t drink very much water). And as of today, my landlords bought a new toilet (with an attachable toilet seat!!) It’s still sitting in the box, but is supposed to be installed on Monday.

I am blessed to have such a nice place to live, and pray I will be able to bless others with this space. I have already had several guests and even had a "taco night" with some Dutch Blitz for classmates from China and South Korea.

At first I was reluctant to invite my friend to come live with me – wanting “my space” – but she has been a blessing to me. Sure we have plenty of differences and the “ideal” open layout makes the bathroom the only place of privacy, but this sister prays with me and gives me constant Russian practice. She also helps cook and provides company around the dinner table.

I’m sure I will have more stories to share from Gorky Street, so until next time!

Some Random Pictures

2011-05-05T20:56:00.009+07:00

Birthday cake

Krasnoyarsk State Pedagogical University where I study

Kids' program at church on Easter Sunday

Uncle Lenin

Lena my roommate

Some Random Thoughts

2011-05-05T17:07:00.004+07:00

Why does the ruble have to keep going up and the keep dollar going down? Oh, yeah. It’s this thing they call “gas”…

Been here 2 months, you’d think I’d have a routine or some consistency…maybe someday I’ll come to grips with the Russian reality that consistency is impossible.

Like the flexibility of the language program I’m in… too bad it’s not the most consistent and challenging.

I love randomness of Russian life – having a drunk, beat-up assembly man show up to assemble my desk and proving he is a break dancer by doing a back-flip in my living room OR while running an errand, seeing a naked guy standing in the snow, or reading “words” on written with Latin letters that really aren’t words

My roommate is an awesome match for me, it’s a bummer that she and her mom just sold the apartment we live in and are moving to a smaller, studio apartment with no indoor plumbing.

Wish I had a better internet connection and that there wasn’t a 14 hour time difference between here and WY…it makes me feel pretty far removed…almost like I live in Siberia or something…

I love hanging out with friends…too bad you can’t get a visa just to hang out with people

Good thing God knows what I should do with my time and what I should do to extend my visa and keep living here…now, for Him to let me know…

Some days I just want to throw my hands up and plead insanity

I have to admit, even with all my worries, I wouldn’t change this life God has given me.

Settling in

2011-03-21T19:51:00.006+06:00

Today I found a place to live!! After asking around, hoping to rent a room from a Russian lady or family or rent an apartment with a Russian girl my age, a girl from church invited me to live with her and her mother. I visited them today and was very blessed by their fellowship and felt at home in their apartment. On Wednesday I will be moving in!

Also, the process of getting medical tests done to prove I don't have a bunch of diseases (so that I can apply for my temporary residents visa) has went very smoothly. For the past week and a half I have been in four clinics, once to be tested and then again to pick up the results. I have all the results except one, that I will pick up on Wednesday. My American documents are being translated and then I will have those notarized on Friday and hopefully be on a bus to Tuva on Saturday. I don't know how long it will take me to submit all of my necessary documents for the visa once I'm down there, but I sure would appreciate prayers for this process to go very smoothly and quickly without problems that can't easily or quickly be fixed.

All in all, things are going very well! I am still tired a lot of the time but that's to be expected. Perhaps once my visa application is submitted and I am moved into the apartment I will be able to relax a bit more and catch up on rest. Thank you, thank you for your prayers!

Arrived!

2011-03-09T20:12:00.004+06:00

I type from my friends' apartment here in Krasnoyarsk, Russia! I praise God for the safe travels and the many people that have been praying for me to quickly get over the jet lag! Also, I was able to ship all of my things from St Petersburg to here (they should arrive on Friday).

While it is good to arrive, Russia has a way of always reminding me that I have "not arrived" in Russian language and culture. I had a couple "adventures" along the way that helped keep me humble, but over all, things are going VERY well!

I am thankful for Lucas and Jamie who are letting me stay with them until I find a place of my own (you can pray that I find a good place to live while here in Krasnoyarsk, I'd like to live with a Russian). We (Lucas, Jamie, Sam, Sophie and I) were able to attend the Russian festival, "Maslenitsa", in celebration for the coming of spring and "last hooraw" before the Orthodox fast. Here's a glimpse of our afternoon (along with a picture of my personal favorite - the horses used to give kid rides...I wish I would have taken more pictures of them, this was only one of at least a dozen "beautiful" horses....)

Leaving on a Jet Plane...

2011-02-24T05:27:00.004+06:00

My 9 months in the States have flown by fast. They have been pretty packed with traveling, homework and visiting friends and family. I am excited to return to Russia, yet HATE saying goodbye.

I fly out Tuesday, March 2^nd at 11am from Denver. I go to JFK (in NY) then to Moscow then to St Pete (arriving 4pm March 3^rd 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!

The Semester's Over! Now, Waiting on Christmas and Russian Invitation

2010-12-14T05:41:00.005+06:00

I know it’s terrible that I don’t write here more often…but what can I say, I’ve been busy!

I just finished emailing in my last assignment for this semester’s classes, that makes it 24 credit hours down and 9 more to go! I will be taking 3 more classes next semester to finish up my degree in Intercultural Studies at Calvary :)

This past Sunday I was at the last church I was scheduled to share at – that means that I don’t have to travel any more :) I’m sure I’ll still be leaving the ranch to get out and see people, but now I feel like I’m free – no more homework and nothing else on the schedule…well, except to sit back and enjoy Christmas with family!

I called the university in Krasnoyarsk last night to check on my invitation (which I am waiting on to apply for my visa so I can return to Russia as a student). No news there, except I found out that they were a month later than they had previously told me in submitting the paper work to the government to receive the visa. So if my estimates are right (though no one can ever be sure of anything when dealing with dates and timelines in Russia) it looks like (the optimistic view) the soonest I will be returning to Russia in the end of January first part of February…perhaps it is more realistic to say the end of February…

I’m not sure what I will do with “all this extra time” but I have a feeling that it will fill up pretty fast. I am getting more anxious to return to Russia and fear losing my Russian language more and more as I stay here in the States.

BUT I do not want anyone to think that I am not enjoying my time here. I am REALLY enjoying time with family and friends and am stinkin’ excited to be here for Christmas!!

Until the next time, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

p.s. I’m kinda glad I’m not in Krasnoyarsk right now, they are experiencing -40*, -50* weather…burrr

motivation for reading: super-soaker and a BA

2010-09-18T09:41:00.009+07:00

Pretty sure that my present-day life is reading books. When I get finished with one, I write a paper about it and pick up the next one. After I finish a chapter or section I “reward” myself by changing my reading location (from the floor to the bed, from the bed to the chair, from the chair to the floor) or do other fun activities like go to the bathroom.

Coffee is my friend.

It's so much fun...especially since reading has always been my favorite thing to do…

I remember when my parents bribed (they would probably describe it as “rewarding” or “encouraging”) me to read x amount of books over the summer with $10 of spending money. It must have worked, because I remember buying a super-soaker water gun (I still have it too!)

But pretty sure I wouldn’t be going through all of this for a super-soaker. If only $10 would buy a Bachelors of Arts degree. Turns out a BA costs a little bit more money than that AND, wouldn’t you know, it requires reading!?

DON’T GET ME WRONG, I’m enjoying what I am reading and God is teaching me through it. I’m also thankful that people are supporting me during this time, so I am able to get this better-than-a-super-soaker-BA debt free!!

Enough about the college life (take 2)…

Two weekends ago I took these pictures while with some Greer’s in Springfield, MO area (Brighton and Silver Dollar City) MO.

Good times!

Back to College Life

2010-09-03T22:39:00.005+07:00

Here I am in Kansas City, MO at College. To be honest, I haven’t exactly been excited about this “opportunity” to be back at College. I feel like I’ve been there and done that and would like to move on to “bigger and better” things than dorm life, dress codes and papers. God is still working on my heart to enjoy my time being here, because I know where this is where He wants me, for now.

I’m thankful for the opportunity to get my accredited bachelor’s degree – and move one step closer to getting credentials to teach English in Russia. Praise God for His provision of funds to go back to college (being a student is surprisingly stinkin’ expensive).

I am also thankful that CBC has a good non-traditional studies program (online classes, correspondence courses, independent studies and intensive night courses) that enable me to remain flexible to travel and be at home with family while working on completing 33 credit hours (needed to get my BA…don’t worry, I’m not taking all of these 33 at the same time). I will have to be here in Kansas City, on campus through September 27^th.

There’s some really neat students here – and although they make me feel “old” – it is encouraging to see their desire to serve the Lord.

God is using the classes to teach me more about Himself and myself. In my night class last Thursday God used the teacher and homework to show me that my focus was off. I realized that I was focusing on my goals, plans and tasks ahead of me (and finding myself over whelmed, exhausted and inadequate). You might be like me and think, “What’s so bad about focusing on your goals?” You’re right, it’s not “bad”, in fact I would say that it is “good”. The problem is that it is not the “best” thing to focus on. Because I was not focusing on Jesus, I was becoming overwhelmed and forgetting my purpose in accomplishing my goals and Who was my motivation in accomplishing them.

Praise God for His Holy Spirit that helps keep us inline. In Sunday School the teacher referred to the Holy Spirit as like the rumble strips on the high-way of life. He alerts us to know that we are veering off the path of God’s best, God’s will. May I be able to keep my focus on Jesus – who is going in front of me making the crooked places straight (a reference to Isaiah 45:2 - one of my Grandma’s favorite verses to quote to her grandkids).

Matthew 11:28-30 continues to be words of Christ that bring comfort and strength – “Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Accept my teachings and learn from mw, because I am gentle and humble in spirit, and you will find rest for your lives. The burden that I ask you to accept is easy; the load I give you to carry is light.”

From March 10 to May 28...

2010-07-31T10:24:00.009+07:00

Sorry that I have neglected my blog. I struggle knowing whether it is worth the time to keep up with it. I do this for people that like to know what's going on in my life. But I fear that weirdos out there read it instead...

So to all you weirdos out there that just check out strangers' blogs so that you can make annoying comments to "challenge" their blogs and make bloggers feel like their lives are messed up: maybe your life is the one that need some "fixing".

But to all my friends and family that actually check my blog: Thanks for reading! I'll try to keep up better.

Much has happened since the last time I posted. I'll bring you up to May 28th with the help of some pictures... if you're a friend or family member you probably already are receiving emails and updates anyway).Me and my American friend Michelle (and sleeping Ethan) enjoying a weekend together in Chereponevo (South of Novosibirsk)

At the Novosibirsk Opera with Lena (she took the picture)

On my birthday I went to see this Orthodox temple in Novosibirsk

Me and some sisters at a church youth convention

This would be a me, some horses and a camel outside of Kyzyl, Tuva

Packing up my room getting ready to say goodbye to Akademgorodok and the people I love thereLenin Square in St Petersburg (where I spent 5 days with the Slawsons before flying across the Atlantic)Rapid City, SD...almost home
Come on dad, it really wasn't that heavy...

Europe…Siberia…Can they really both be in one country?!

2010-03-10T21:39:00.007+06:00

I had a 4 day weekend, so what better to do than catch a flight to St Petersburg and spend "International Women's Day" with colleagues and friends, Thomas, Cristy and Isaiah! This weekend was my second visit ever to Europe (if you count my 24 hour layover in Amsterdam back in 2005). After living in and traveling to Siberian cities like Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Abakan and Kyzyl it was hard to feel like I was still in Russia as I roamed the streets of St Pete. Sure there are lots of similarities – under one government, similar history, Russian is the predominate language, traditions coincide etc. – BUT as I looked around, the differences were insane!

First off, I ate at a REAL Carl's Jr and had an American hamburger with fries. Also, many people walked around with cameras and I heard a handful of languages being spoken on the streets. People in St Pete don't look at you funny if they hear you speak in English. Lots of signs are written in English and Russian. One lady commented that my Russian was really good "for an American".

It was great viewing this beautiful European city – that really seemed to give me a break from what I know of as "Russia"! Perhaps that "break" was brought on by the awesome fellowship of the Slawson family. It was SO refreshing to be around some fellow InterActers and share lots of laughs together. This family truly lives to glorify our Savior and radiates with joy and grace from Him. I can't wait until I get to go and hang out with them again…and see some more sights of this beautiful city :)

Random photo update

2010-02-27T12:41:00.005+06:00

It's been a while… hopefully these random photos will give a bit of an update to my life over the past 2 months and make up for lost time.

It's been a little cold the last 2 months. I took this pic the other day in -30 C weather. This little guy was waiting outside the grocery store for his master.

Did I mention that it's been cold here the last couple months? I think we're averaging around -22 F for the past 10 weeks

No, this is not some strange Olympic sport…

This is the "Day of the Lord's Baptism" on Jan 19^th in -40 F weather. Apparently, if you take a dip in this cross-shaped hole chiseled out of the lake you will wash away your sins. One of the most "ironic" things I learned, was that in order to "keep themselves warm" many drink a bunch of vodka before the plunge.

My teacher (who took us students on this "field trip") said "They are doing just what Jesus did." I responded, "But Jesus didn't live in Siberia". I doubt there was a need for an ambulance at Jesus' baptism.

Others wanting to receive a blessing come and bottle water from the lake to sprinkle in their apartment to bless it. (The water is "holy" because the Russian Orthodox priest blessed the water in the lake.)

I've been enjoying having more company over the last couple months. I just fold up my day bed set up a card table and I have a dinning room :)

Note: the Oreo's and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups where NOT bought in Russia. Thank you mom and church ladies for the goodies!

Breakfast on Super Bowl MONDAY. Sad that my Colts didn't come out on top, but I was thankful for the ability to watch the game live online (even if I did have to get up at 5am to do so). Thanks to the mystery giver who made watching the game possible!

Does Tuva Need to be Changed?

2010-01-26T12:49:00.002+06:00

It is my firm belief that Tuvan culture does NOT need to be changed.

Tuva (or Tyva – if you are going by the modern pronunciation; though, most Tuvan's I know still use the old pronunciation) is a beautiful place with beautiful people and a beautiful culture. I feel that part of the beauty of the culture is its uniqueness, which is protected by its isolation - having no railroads and being sheltered by the Sayan Mountains. It is amazing that these people have hung on to their native language when so many other native languages are dying. And it is inspiring to see their deep pride in their culture.

Unfortunately their culture has been under attack for most of their nation's history - especially during the time of the Soviet Union. During the USSR many ethnically Russian people moved to the republic – flooding the cities and institutions with their language, philosophies, way of life, etc. In modern day, the number of ethnic Russians in the Republic has significantly declined (and continues to do so). Even though the ratio of Russians to Tuvans is decreasing, the percentage of funds from Moscow keeping the Republic afloat is increasing.

From my observation the biggest threat to the Tuvan culture is not Russians, westerners, or promotion of any other culture – but rather the problems that are causing the people themselves to suffer; a poor economy, unemployment, alcoholism, murder and other violent crimes.

Poor economy and unemployment are first on my list because of the number of families I know suffering from it. There are people that simply cannot afford to feed their families and heat their homes. People in the villages and towns throughout the republic continue to move to Tuva's capital, Kyzyl, looking for work. On top of this, youth and other "people of promise" are quick to leave the Republic all together to pursue higher education and better work opportunities, often returning to Tuva just to visit relatives'.

As far as alcoholism is concerned, its effects can be seen throughout the Republic. While some might argue alcohol as being a part of Tuvan culture, I think it's fair to say that at one point in history it was foreign. Most Tuvans (especially wives and children) I have talked to don't look at alcoholism in a positive light. Alcoholism plagues the region, especially in villages. I think it's safe to say that alcoholism is the main cause of other threats to society; crime, violence and even murder. Off the top of my head I can't tell you any statistics, but I have heard from a number of sources that the Republic of Tuva has the highest crime rate in Russia. During conversations with people who live or have lived in Tuva I have been amazed to hear that they personally knew at least one person who was murdered.

So, does Tuva need to be changed?

For the preservation of Tuvan culture and the sake of the Tuvan people, I hope that there is change – change that will diminish the threats to Tuvan culture and society, while supporting and preserving their beautiful culture.

I pray that I can help promote solutions to threats on Tuvan society without changing Tuvan culture. I want to live in the culture, learn the culture, adopt the culture and promote the culture.

Mayday! Internet down!

2010-01-08T17:20:00.004+06:00

Well, I see that it's been a month since I wrote...

My December was busy preparing for a "Russian Language Celebration" and once that was over I was working my tail off trying to get my family's Christmas present put together - a 35 min video of my life here. After many long nights I got the video done and then headed off to Tuva. When I got back from Tuva I was ready to get caught up ... WRONG! The internet in my apartment building stopped working and just in time for all the internet tech people to take a long 6 day New Year's vacation. I finally got through to the tech support dude 2 days ago and he told me that it was too cold to fix the problem. I wanted to respond, "And just how warm does it need to be for you? We live in SIBERIA, buddy! I can't wait until May!!"
I refrained and am now sitting here using the free hi-speed at a cafe that could easy be mistaken for a bowling alley with it's fragrance of cigarette smoke. I downed my cappuccino an hour ago but still have much work to catch up on. Hopefully the waitress won't be so mad once I give her a nice tip (a practice not too common in these parts).

...So that's my excuse. I hope to write more "ventures" soon. (And just so you know, "soon" means anything from 1-30 days).

Cold, Cold, and Cold

2009-12-08T21:36:00.001+06:00

Yes, it has been chilly here (-30F this morning … really quite normal for December in Siberia). But this title is also a description of 2 other recent frustrations…

Last Thursday there was an announcement outside out building that our cold and hot water as well as hot-water-radiator heat would be shut off for the majority of the day on Friday for "Capital repairs" (whatever that means – apparently they were doing a "retune" update on some pipes or something). I sighed and thought, "oh well, that's Russia for ya'" and began to make "preparations" (i.e. fill the bathtub with water).

On Friday, all was as they said it would be. And then I noticed Friday night on the announcement, someone wrote over the date in pencil, extending the date through Saturday as well. Saturday came and we thankfully had cold water and heat but still no hot water. Then Sunday came and the heat was turned off all day, and still no hot water. Today is Tuesday, and after my landlady spent 2 hours on the phone calling different government offices, she finally got someone to come and check out why we didn't have hot water. (She said they all responded, "That's not possible." I suggested she invite them over to take a bath and see for themselves.) PRAISE THE LORD, we got hot water back around 6pm tonight! I'm sure my classmates will be thankful that I will be bathing more frequently once again ;)

My landlady told me a joke (when I was complaining about them deciding to work on pipes in the winter time) that went something like this; There were 2 out fishing and one said to the other, "I think I'm going to dig a trench this summer." And the other man responded, "Throw away that idea! Nobody digs a trench in the SUMMER!"

The last "cold" would be referring to what I feel coming on right now as I type, breathing through one nostril and sucking on throat lozenges.

I would appreciate your prayers for my health and rest.

Praise God from Whom I receive grace for every moment. May we all grab hold of His grace and live in it!

Good day at church

2009-11-29T17:41:00.002+06:00

I had to write a quick note (for any who read my blog from last Sunday) and say how refreshing the messages where today at church. The message for Sunday School expressed how it was okay to have patriotism in being "Baptist" but the title doesn't really matter before God. The guest speaker went on to point out that there are MANY other people in the world that are Bible believing Christians but don't claim the title "Baptist" and at the same time, people who call themselves "Baptist" but don't believe the Word of God. He pointed out that we need to focus on following the Word of God and fellowshipping with those who are doing the same.

Dima gave a sermon on being bold and stepping out of your comfort zone to share with those around you. He also commended the church for their effort to hold an outreach. He mentioned that it might not have turned out like they planned, but that it was the first step. He noted that a first step had to be taken in order for more growth and the success of future outreach into the community. And that those who participated, no doubt received a blessing from being involved.

I was pretty much pumped to hear these brothers share the same feelings I do! I'm exciting to see the growth that is going to continue to take place at our church "Transformation".

Going to Extremes after the Curtain Fell

2009-11-27T15:59:00.004+06:00

Several nights ago I was watching TV with Baba T and there was a new show on, that compared different decades in Russia's history to more modern times. The night we were watching they were comparing the 1960's with the year 2000. It was interesting to see how the traditions and culture of the 60's were very Russian but the culture of modern times was more like a tacky mixture of extremes from every culture outside Russia. For example, the clothing of the 60's seemed to fit the culture – warm, practical, beautiful, modest clothing. The music and movies were in the Russian language, portraying life in the USSR. But the cloths of 2000 were full of bright colors and patterns, strange hats and shoes, weird run-way-style clothing from Europe, America. One music group of 2000 was like a Russian version of the American-pop-group TLC singing about how diamonds are a girl's best friend. Another popular song from 2000 was a Russian pop artist singing a song in English.

On a different night I went out to say goodnight to Baba T and she was sitting at her desk doing a cross word puzzle from the newspaper. I noticed on the page above the cross-word puzzle was a large picture of a topless swimsuit model. I wasn't going to say anything (sadly, I have come to accept such "advertizing" as the norm). But then Baba T said, "I can't believe they have this trash in here" pointing to the picture. I said, "I know, I was thinking the same. In America they wouldn't have a picture like that in the newspaper." She irrupted in laughter and I said, "What, you don't believe me?" This led to a conversation that wasn't my favorite, involving how its America's fault that there is such garbage in Russia now. While, sadly our society is pretty sick and inundated with pornography in varying levels, to me it doesn't seem as in-your-face as it is here (i.e. watching a family TV show and during the commercials you see a topless woman). My attempts to defend my country and society, being judged by the reputation Hollywood has given to the World, were in vain.

The next morning at the breakfast table, Baba T brought this subject up again. While I did not want to discuss it again, she asked me to hear her out. She explained that perhaps I am right about it being worse here, but that it didn't change the fact that it came from America. She went on to say that because the government had so much control over the people during the USSR and didn't allow anything from outside of the Soviet Union to come into (cloths, music, cars, appliances, magazines, newspapers, ANYTHING), that when the Iron Curtain fell, Russians went crazy adopting and bringing in the things and cultures of the west. They threw away their culture and considered the things outside the former Soviet to be better then what they had lived with for the past 70 years. One example I see today, is clothing that is not fit for cold-Siberian-winters (mini-skirts, short jackets/coats).

Thankfully, I think that the next generation of Russians are learning to appreciate their Russian culture and not completely throwing it away in attempts to live like Americans and Europeans.

400 year anniversary of “Baptism”

2009-11-22T22:23:00.002+06:00

So today the local church I attend celebrated 400 years of "baptism". (By this, they are referring to the Baptist denomination.) I must admit, I did not deem this "monument" worthy enough to write on my calendar. Though I have nothing against Baptists and find myself lining up with them on many, if not most, issues regarding Scripture, I am not Baptist.

The word "Baptist" in Russia has many nasty connotations – since propaganda about the denomination has been spread by the government since the Soviet era. (For example; some believe that Baptists actually practice baby sacrifice.) If I were Baptist, I would not want to draw attention to the fact that I am part of the Baptist denomination. Call me chicken, but I don't even like to admit to people here that I attend a Baptist church. I don't think the name of the church I attend is important and I would much rather draw attention to my Savior and His Gospel then some profession of faith.

So, I found it odd that my local church would celebrate this anniversary by holding an "evangelistic outreach". I applaud them for attempting to hold some type of outreach (a concept fairly foreign to the Russian church). The music was exceptional, a short video on the history of the Baptist church in Russia was shown, a special speaker shared the Gospel (of sorts) and a testimony was given. But none-church-goers didn't exactly flock to the 400 years of "Baptism" celebration.

I understand that my Baptist friends are tired of humiliation. They desperately wish to clear their name of ridiculous misconceptions. They want people to understand what Baptists are really like. I am happy that my fellow brothers and sisters celebrated their profession of faith. But I couldn't help but think the whole event really seemed to miss the point.

My prayer for Russia is not that the name of Baptists' would be cleared, but that the name of Jesus would be made famous.

Pray for Russia. Pray for her Church to know how to reach out and relate to people and clearly share the Gospel. Pray for Russian believers to seek and promote relationship not church and traditions. And, above all else, pray that no matter how inadequate we men are to be God's representatives, that He would continue to do His work of drawing people to Himself.

Good Mood

2009-11-21T20:15:00.001+06:00

I'm not exactly sure why I'm in an extra good mood today. Maybe it's because:

I feel much better having recovered from an icky cold

There's a ton of people praying for me and supporting me

I calculated my financial support and am OVER 100%!!!!!

Relient K is rockin' my socks off right now

My God is eternal and unchanging no matter how temporal and changing the world is in which I live

God is my friend, parent, guide, comforter, redeemer AND He's ALWAYS in the same time zone

The news is disheartening, BUT it reminds me that the King of kings is coming quickly!

My you find yourself in a good mood today too. Having trouble? Start by thinking about the fact that God wants to bless you right now :)

Peanut Butter Cookies

2009-10-03T10:22:00.002+07:00

Trip to the Cemetery

2009-10-02T23:39:00.001+07:00

Several weeks ago I went to the cemetery with a friend to visit their husband's grave. I volunteered to go with her months ago and it was certainly good to be there with her as she remembered and mourned for her husband. It was also interesting to see a Russian cemetery and compare it to ones in the US. Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures to show you – one, I wasn't sure if that was very reverent to be taking a bunch of pictures of other people's graves; and two, my batteries where dead anyway. But I will share a few interesting things that stood out to me about my "introduction" to the Russian Cemetery.

The newer graves (less than a year old) where very easy to recognize as they were COVERED and pilled high (in some cases over 4 feet high) with fake flours, giant wreaths (that looked like fake Christmas trees), flags and ribbons. Traditionally, the family waits a year before having the head stone placed.

Several (of not the majority) of the graves had a small bench and little table next to them. My friend explained to me that this was so that loved ones could come and eat and drink with them.

The head stones varied in style and extravagance. I noticed many with the Russian Orthodox cross on them and others with stars. I thought the star was just a decorative symbol but when I noticed more and more I thought perhaps it symbolized a soldier or something to do with the military. I asked my friend about the star and she said that it indicated that they were atheist but the cross symbolized that they were believers (in God). I couldn't help but sadly wonder how many people wished they could come back from the grave and scrape that star of their head stone.

My friend told me before arriving to the cemetery that she would take me past the special graves designated for the academics (for those who are like me and don't know what that means – it is a very highly educated person (president of a university, professor/doctor, scientist) that a board of already appointed "academics" esteems worthy enough in knowledge, education and experience to be named an "academic"). The name of the suburb in which I live means "academic town" – so as you can imagine there are a lot of academics here. My friend talks about "our academics" SO proudly and with so much respect it should have been no wonder how impressive their graves would be. I wish I had a picture to show you of their "graves" – many had sculptures or busts of the academic, with a marble pad covering the entire square (about 10 times bigger than the normal plots) that was marked off by a fancy chain fence. Their wives where berried alongside them with a more simple head stone (usually white). After having been to Arlington Cemetery, I'd say that Kennedy's grave (even though it has an eternal flame) can't hold a candle to those of the Russian academics. (It is almost midnight here, so forgive me if that is on the corny side.)

These extravagant graves for the highly educated go to show just how important knowledge and education are to the Russian people. Science is hailed. That same friend that went with me to the cemetery often backs up "strange" (to me anyway) theories by simply saying "Well, the scientists said it, so we know it's true." During one discussion in particular (involving the energy of plants and how they receive positive or negative energy from people near them who are "givers" or "takers" thus effecting their growth) it came to my mind that we try to prove and make sense of everything. Some think everything happens for a reason that reason must be scientifically explainable. I might suggest that while certainly everything happens for a reason, perhaps it's because there is some One causing it and not some thing…

I don't know when I'll go to the cemetery again – but I hope I will be able to be there for my friend when she goes again.

For anyone who will happen to visit my grave (wherever and whenever it will be), please don't treat some bones in the ground as if they're me. After I'm dead, I'll be too busy living how I was meant to live to just lie around :)

Not a Sacrifice … a Surrender

2009-09-22T21:25:00.001+07:00

I was so blessed by the lyrics of this song by Jason Upton that I wanted to share them with you. God not only has what's best for us in-mind but what is far greater then we could even imagine! So why not just give our all to Him. After all, it all came from Him.

No Sacrifice by Jason Upton

To you I give my life, not just the parts I want to
To you I sacrifice these dreams that I hold on to

Your thoughts are higher than mine
Your words are deeper than mine
Your love is stronger than mine
This is no sacrifice
Here's my life

To you I give the gifts
Your love has given me
How can I hoard the treasures that you've designed for free?

Because
Your thoughts are higher than mine
Your words are deeper than mine
Your love is stronger than mine
This is no sacrifice
Here's my life

To you I give my future
As long as it may last
To you I give my present
To you I give my past

Because
Your thoughts are higher than mine
Your words are deeper than mine
Your love is stronger than mine
Your thoughts are higher than mine
Your words are deeper than mine
Your love is stronger than mine
This is no sacrifice
Here's my life

Man, God's good!

2009-08-29T08:19:00.003+07:00

I apologize for that last entry which was written shortly after a long nap at a time of day that my body thought should be the middle of the night. My mind and body is still not back up to speed but it’s recovering :)

With that said, I would like to just share with you some of my ponderings this morning that I have had as I thought on God’s goodness and grace to me over the past 37 days of travels.

Things that made these past few weeks challenging:

- Traveling for 32 hours straight with nothing more than two 30 minute naps along the way … TWICE!

- Going through a 13 hour time change 2X (affecting the mind and stomach . . . or was that all the airport and plane food?)

- Sleeping on 11 different beds/couches (one of which was for 4 nights consecutively, another for 3 nights consecutively and the rest were less)

- Driving over 2,000 miles and flying over 5,000 (in the States)

- Spending “quality time” in 7 different airports (and going through security 8 times)

- 5 delayed flights (averaging 1.5 hours a piece)

- Not getting to spend much time with my parents or sister

- Having to say goodbye . . . A LOT

BUT ways in which God’s grace was poured out on me:

- I had safe, smooth travels – I never fell asleep while driving, never lost ANYTHING, and only paid luggage fees one time!!

- I was never sick

- Enjoyed games of “Yahtzee”, ping-pong, “Clue”, “Rook”, “Nickles” and “Sorry” with family

- Played ultimate frisbee (I forgot what it was like to play any type of sport, since I’m a girl and all ;) )

- Watched a Colt’s game with my sister (they won of course, even though it was pre-season)

- Shared with 7 congregations, visited 2 colleges, met with 7 pastors

- Had a 4 day vacation in Minneapolis for a friend’s wedding (it was awesome to be a part of that bridle party, they were a hoot!)

- Countless hugs

- Late night talks (and late night Wi hula-hooping contests!)

- Great food! (I seriously felt like my schedule was “meet, eat and leave”)

- Numerous people who showed genuine interest in what I am doing (I could tell who was keeping up with me, and some of them I didn’t even know!)

- Speaking at a relative’s church that wasn’t even on “my list” with a last minute (literally!) invitation to share for the whole service . . . did I mention that they also very generously blessed me?!

- Having God get me through times of sharing my ministry when all my body wanted to do was sleep

- Somehow getting me on a FULL flight out of Moscow because of missing a flight AND saving me about $150 in baggage fees!

Man, God’s good! His grace never ceases to amaze me! In hind’s sight, I would have liked to have more time to prepare for some of the opportunities I had and I would have liked more time with family. But God used this time to abundantly bless and show me – yet again – His faithfulness and grace.

Welcome, Baaack

2009-08-28T16:02:00.004+07:00

So I arrived back to my Novosibirsk home and to T - my Russian babushka. I was so glad to be back to this home and with Baba T. However, not without problems...

A few hours after this last entry I arrived to Chicago, waited 2 1/2 hours for the next flight, boarded to plane and waited some more. The door wouldn't close on the plane because the inflatable slide (for emergency exits) had come loose. They said they would fix it and we would be on our way able to make up time as we flew the long rout over Greenland and down into Moscow. 30 min later the captain came on again and said they were having to replace the whole slide and it would be another 30-45 minutes. By this time I knew that I would not be making my connecting flight in Moscow (which only had a 2 hour layover), but relaxed as they began to play an episode of "The Office" while we waited :) Then half way through the show they came back on and said that it was taking so long we needed to de-board the plane and go to the other end of the terminal to board our new one. (And the sad part was, I didn't get to find out how the late birthday party that Jim and Dwight threw for Kelly went!)

Anyway, while we waited to board the next plane I talked to a counter lady (I don't know where their titel is?) and I asked her to see about changing my connecting flight out of Moscow. She said she booked me on the next flight, printed off the information for me and I was worry free, having a 3 hour layover in Moscow. We were on our way once again, only 2 1/2 hours later then expected.

By now I should know better then to assume that just because something works "that way" in the States, it doesn't always mean that it works that way here...

To make a long story short, the "counter lady" didn't get me on the next flight but thanks to God's help, Russian language ability I barely made it onto the next flight while managing to get all of my over weight luggage onto the plane free of charge (I guess the gentleman at the check-in counter felt pretty bad for me and knew if he charged me I would not have time to go pay the fee and still make my flight :) )

So I slept great when I finally got home (from 2am to 2pm) :) but then last night I was only able to enjoy sleep for 3 hrs when my body said "rise and shine" at 2:30am.

I apologize for my delay in posting my arrival. My internet "wasn't working" when I arrived and it took me a while to get around and get tech support to come take a look at it . . . just a few minutes ago a guy came looked at the problem and asked "where's your internet cable?" So, yeah, turns out I totally forgot to plug my cable into my computer . . . oops! Pretty sure that dude thinks I'm a french fry short of a happy meal - if he knew what I'd been through, maybe he'd cut me some slack . . . then again, this is Russia so probably not.

And if there's any typos or miss-spellings; remember you're probably not in Russia and cut me some slack ;)

From Home to Home

2009-08-25T23:00:00.004+07:00

As I type I am in the Denver Airport waiting to fly to Chicago then to Moscow then to Novosibirsk - "home". But I'm also COMING from "home". My 33 days back in the States went by pretty stinkin' fast and it was stinkin' hard to say goodbye to family - somethings God calls us to do just plain stink.

I type to say "hello" to those I didn't get a chance to see (please understand how busy my schedule was) and to say "until next time" to those I was blessed to hug and say hello to.

I am so blessed with supportive understanding parents, that allowed me to "get down to business" during my short time in the States and shared me with others. (I know my mom would like you all to know that I was "home" home for only 8 nights and those were not consecutive.) Durring the 32 hours I had with JUST my parents at home was filled with ping-pong, Yatzee, Clue, Sorry and ALOT of talking!

I would appreciate your prayers as I head back to The Mother Land and get back into my life over there - Russian language and Russian culture. Also, please pray for my parents as they adjust to another 10 months (or so) with me half-way around the world.

Thanks for reading and praying!

From Darkness, Layers and Snow -To Sunlight, Sandals and Flowers

2009-07-13T21:28:00.016+07:00

When summer finally got here, it was hard to believe the transformation that took place all around you – that is after all the mud, slush and puddles diapered. Summer came in with more sunshine, warmer weather and – biggest change of all – longer days! I think the days are getting shorter again – but for a while there in June the sun would come up some time around 3:30 or 4am (I not for sure ;)) and go down after 11pm (now, that I do know!).

You might not even be able to tell that these are pictures of the same places!

In mid May around here, they figure it’s warm enough to shut off everyone’s heat (since we’re all on “government” heat in our apartment buildings) – this would be fine, if the weather didn’t go back down to 30 F at night!! Needless to say, the wool blankets were well loved! It actually wasn’t until a week ago that I stopped wearing a hooded sweatshirt to bed.

Another exacting summer event – is the turning off of everyone’s hot water so they can “clean the pipes” and do repairs. Again, this wouldn’t be so bad…if it was actually hot outside, it was only for a few days, and the water out of the tap didn’t feel like it came out of a glacier! (You seriously lose all feeling in your extremities after about 30 seconds.) Thankfully, they turned our hot water on again on Saturday (after boiling water and often sporting a pony-tail for 14 days) . . . though the announcement outside our apartment building said it’s not over – there’s still 8 more days of glacier-bliss to come!

Now that the rain has let up (I think it was like 3 weeks or rain back in June) the bugs are coming out! I haven’t noticed many misquotes but little nasty gnats are EVERYWHERE and bug spray doesn’t even faze ‘em! If you stand still for 10 seconds they attack your head – who knew those little buggers could bight!?! Good thing I’m already used to them living in our apartment! (See Jan entry “Babushka Babblings: Flies, Ice Cream and Potty-training” and Dec entry “Miss Scarlet did it in the kitchen without any weapons”)

I think it’s time I share some more of the blessings of summer . . . I think I’ll just list my top 10:

10. going running in the morning (and not having to wear a coat, worry about ice, snow and it being dark)

9. not having to blow dry my hair before I leave the house in order to keep from getting yelled at

8. seeing beautiful flowers and less trash (much of which was covered up by grass and plants)

7. eating fresh greens and vegetables from Baba T's dacha

6. painting my toe nails knowing that they will actually be seen

5. walking on paths that I didn’t know where there before (since they where covered with 3 foot of snow)

4. going to the dacha with Baba T

3. getting a fresh bouquet of flowers from the dacha every week (every week a new flower is “featured”)

2. eating a bowl of strawberries every lunch and dinner (and I’m still not tired of them!!

1. NOT wearing tights (the Russian version of long underwear)!!!Baba T. has been bringing a ton of strawberries back from her dacha - a basket like this 3 times a week! It's interesting how we will feast on one thing from the garden for 2 or 3 weeks and then that's it (like a month of "green soup" - made from ground grass and weeds followed by 2 weeks of sour wild berries, 4 weeks of radish salad and now strawberries! I wonder what will be next!)

Here is my bouquet Baba T. picked for me for this week (I'm sad that I haven't been taking pictures all along - they have all been different, beautiful and smell great too!)

Living by your Head vs. Living by your Heart

2009-07-11T21:53:00.006+07:00

“I don’t understand why you people in the west [North America and Europe] always think you have to pay people back for their good deeds to you.” This statement by Baba T. began a rather lengthy “discussion” at the dinner table a couple nights ago.

She went on to explain that (based on movies and things she’s heard) people from western culture are always figuring who they “owe” and who they don’t, who they need to go good things to and who they don’t. She said that in "your" culture it’s everyman for himself, people live for themselves and don’t pay attention to others. If someone does something nice for you, it means you need to offer him back something right away – you can never receive something without strings attached, without obligation. She even said, “That’s why you Americans don’t have guests over to your house. If you meet, you meet in a restaurant. You don’t open up your lives to others.”

Of course, while she was saying all of this, she was describing how it’s not that why here. She said it wasn’t like that in Russia during Soviet times and even back in the times of the kings, people helped each other out with no questions asked. While the Soviet system truly was “every man for himself” (having to con you way up by knowing the right people and saying the right things), the people and culture were concerned about making sure EVERYONE survived.

Of course, I wanted to defend my culture, my country and MYSELF. I said that just because people say a county is one way it doesn’t mean that EVERYONE from that county is that way (something I desire to tell people here a lot). And the way I saw it, of course we want to go good back to people that have done good to us, it feels good. I didn’t understand where Baba T. was coming from since SHE HERSELF refused to receive the help of my friends at her garden without paying them something. This “discussion” was most likely heard by our neighbors and just seemed to spin in circles.

She told - and I mean told; with voice raised, entire body gesturing and ending it with a tear in her eye - a story of a woman whose husband was away at war and had 3 children. She only had one blanket for her whole family and could barley feed her children, let alone herself. One day a young mother with a baby came knocking at their door asking for something to eat. They ended up staying with the family for several days, and when they left, the woman gave them their only blanket.

I felt pretty uneasy as I thought about how I don’t know that I would find it my responsibility to give my last blanket to some women who should have found a way to make some money and fulfill her responsibility as a mother. I tried to bring this conversation to a close and said, “I know there are not many people that would give up their last blanket, but I do know that that is exactly what Jesus would have done. He gave up more than a blanket on the cross.” This did make her go quiet. But she ended by saying in a calm voice, “It’s a difference of living by your head or living by your heart. And I want to live by my heart.”

I write all this all to say, I don’t know if that’s how it used to be in Russia, I don’t know that it’s wrong to feel obligated to people who have done good to you, but I do know that the kind of good deeds she was talking about were EXACTLY the kind of good deeds that Christ commanded His Church to do; deeds out of kindness, of sacrifice, knowing that there will be nothing in return (on this earth anyway).

God has been using Titus 3 to show me just how important it is to Him to do good to others – not just those of faith or family (discussed earlier by Paul in chapter 2), but those lost in sin, the people all around us. Verse 8 says, “be careful to engage in good deeds” – I feel perhaps this translation falls short of the idea in Greek; be mindful to take on the responsibility of doing better deeds. Our motivation behind these good deeds comes from the understanding of who WE once where and – by God’s amazing grace and mercy through Christ – are no longer. Such understanding will bring us to look at lost sinners with the love and compassion of Christ. Are such deeds out of obligation? Or do they simply derive from a true understanding of grace?

Check out Titus, I think you’ll find an “amplified version” of Ephesians 2:8-10, For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God; not of works, to that no one may boast, for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

nothing of depth, just life

2009-07-05T18:11:00.006+07:00

i don't write on this thing enough, but it doesn’t mean there isn’t anything to write about, but those things all take time to think about what to say and how to say it. and since i don't feel like thinking too hard right now, i thought i would just write and tell you what i'm doing tonight.
Nearly 2-year-old Samuel Orner and I are jamming out to the hip-hop/rap blaring across the street where there is a tennis tournament going on. today is a bit better then yesterday's music (that had a lot of english swear words in it...i'm pretty sure they had no idea what the songs where about...)
Well now, jamming out is too old and now we're running around trying to find something interesting to get into. So with that said, i better get back to being a babysitter.
thanks for reading and i hope to write something with a little more depth soon.
Until next time here's Sam’s and my top 5 things to do:
5. eat a little bit of bread and apple with your peanut butter
4. go up and down stairs in the hall way (watch out, a face plant doesn't feel so hot)
3. watch Russian Sesame Street…5000 times
2. play songs on classical interments (rolling pin, and other kitchen utincles)
1. and the most exciting of all! - let your sippy cup leak apple juice all over your bed!

Graduation Gowns: Collective vs. Individual

2009-07-03T23:02:00.006+07:00

A few weeks ago my friend Nena, who works at a high school here, invited me to go to the graduation with her. It was fun to compare the differences between the Russian and American ceremonies (and really, school systems).

Similarities:
-The head of the school said a few words along with some well respected, “seasoned” staff, the top students and a well-to-do alumnus

-Diplomas where given

-Parents and family came to watch

-There were lots of pictures

Differences:
-There were no caps and gowns – well at least not the “gowns” we have. These girls went ALL OUT! I think the hair dressers in town were busy that morning! One of our Russian language teachers said that it is a very expensive event for parents of graduating girls! Nena said it was “terrible” if anyone showed up in the same dress as another girl!

-Their diplomas have all of their grades printed in them (more like a transcript or report card)

-Other than the differing dresses, everything else steered away from individuality and toward collectivity. Here’s what I mean:

Graduates did not come across the stage one at a time but with their class group. In the Russian school system you go to all the same classes with the same 15-25 people from 1st grade until 11th grade. Maybe half girls and half guys or maybe (like one class at the graduation) 2 girls and 17 boys. You are expected to work together. You are identified as a whole, collectively; either in a good class or a bad, athletic or smart, active or uncooperative etc. etc. As each class was presented their diplomas a staff worker briefly talked about the class; for example, “Class 11-8 was the brightest, smartest class. Two students from this group got perfect scores on portions of the ЕГЭ*.” Or, “Class 11-13 didn’t work well together and had problems. But we hope they do better in college.” (No, I am not kidding!)

This was a good eye opener for me and a reminder of what being a student at the Tuvan State University is going to look like. The same class system is used at the universities – there are no such things as “electives” in the Russian education system. I will be the first to admit that I like to study and work alone – so this “class” thing is going to be a challenge!

*ЕГЭ is the Russian version of the SAT or ACT. This test is brand new to the Russian education system and is very controversial. Prior to this year, students received scholarships and were allowed to enter a university by writing essays, making presentations and having interviews. In the government’s attempt to make their school system more compatible with that of the west, the old system was done away with and universities are forced to use the testing method (except for the elite, Moscow State University which gets to continue under the old system). Most feel that the test is impersonal and even in accurate (teachers are suspected of helping their students cheat on the test).

Trip to Tuva Summer 09

2009-06-12T16:33:00.019+07:00

This was only my second time there – but this time it was for a whopping 4 days. I apologize for my sarcasm, but I have to admit, it’s a little lame to only get to TRAVEL to this amazing place and not live there. Don’t get me wrong, I love it here in beautiful Akademgorodok, where the forest is green and there’s the smell of flowers in the air. I know that God has brought me here – to what might be the best Russian language program in Siberia and to Baba T. – for a very good reason. It’s always just a bit hard to leave Tuva - a place that is so unique, so beautiful, so isolated, so hard, so lost and yet, somehow, reminds me of home.

Enough of the “prolog”, the trip there with the Orner family went well – we took a train for 24 hours to Abakan (the last stop) and then a taxi for 5 hours to Kyzyl, Tuva. My friend had asked for a few things from our metropolis here in Novosibirsk that he couldn’t get anywhere his side of the Sayan Mountains. I was a bit reluctant to hall a futon mattress, 2 mattress covers (the size of sleeping bags) and a mirror along with my personal belongings over this long journey. But I didn’t want to “wimp-out” so Baba T. and I packaged up the things. Praise the Lord that everything fit on the train and in the taxi!

Samuel did great on the train ride!

While there, I got to meet some new brothers and sisters and got to know some people from the first trip much better (my language had improved quite a bit since the last time I was there 6 months ago!).

A sister who works as an English teacher at the Tuvan State University gave me a little tour of the campus where I might study at in the fall of 2010. The campus is in the middle of nowhere – so it feels like home!

We also got to go to barbecue at a family’s house out in the county and use their REAL Russian banya – this little log house didn’t exactly have the “relaxing atmosphere” of the public city banyas I’d been to. I seriously thought that my body was going to catch on fire and the lady with us was a “professional” at beating people with birch branches . . . IT WAS GREAT!!

Nothing like roasting imported marshmallows after the banya! Seems, i got this one a little over done...

I decided to take the bus home, to give it a try and to be back to Novosibirsk in time to help Baba T. with a memorial dinner for her husband (more on that to come…I hope). It was only 21.5 hours and the bus was only half full so I had 2 seats to sleep in. Our bus was a modern, spacious, clean Mercedes Benz with a big screen TV (that worked for 30 minutes before all the shaking of the bus got to it).

Highlights of the trip:

laughing with friends

being encouraged with language

playing hooky for a week

gaining a better understanding of life in Tuva and how to pray

S’mores in Siberia

2009-05-18T01:02:00.012+07:00

Last weekend I went to “the beach” with a group of people from church. It was at the Big Sea (translated literally) just outside our suburb – it’s really just a big reservoir, but I didn’t mind, having grown up in Wyoming!I wasn’t planning on going because of my need to do homework and sleep but Lena talked me into it and I actually brought my homework with me! I also took along the graham crackers, Hershey’s chocolate bars and marshmallows that came in my birthday package a while back (I had been saving them for such an occasion).

While we were standing around fixing sandwiches and hot dogs over the camp fire one guy asked me “In American movies I see people roasting little white things over the camp fire. What are those?” Wanting to keep the marshmallows a surprise I just answered “maybe someday you’ll get to try one.”The s’mores were a hit! Next time we’re going to experiment with Russian marshmallows (closer to that of a Circus Peanut) and some thin cookies!We played volleyball (stood in a circle and volleyed the ball). Anyone who’s seen me play knows I’m no stud – but I sure felt like one compared to my dear soccer playing friends! There were only a few times the volley lasted 4 hits – but I will admit they weren’t bad at kicking and head-butting the ball.They asked me if I knew of any games that would be fun to play. I decided to give the “Hwaa Game” a try – a game my college buddy, Nelson made up. (It involves speed and rhythm while making ridiculously stupid karate noises - for further explanation view the video :) ) They seemed to like it - despite some pretty pathetic "hwaa" and "highya" noises!
It was a lot of fun to just hanging out with friends – they even helped me with my homework!

Dacha and Dochka

2009-05-14T19:34:00.012+07:00

Last Saturday I was finally able to go to Baba T's dacha (a garden outside of town, usually with a little house on the property as well). I asked her if I could come along and she said it would be pretty boring and that I should wait until the summer when things were planted and everything was in order and it was a good place to rest. But I told her that I wanted to come and help her (she has been going everyday she isn’t babysitting the grand kids). She said she NEVER lets anyone help her but decided I could come along to see her dacha and rest while she worked (I will admit, these where not my intentions).

Her dacha is a couple miles out of town through a forest – about a 10-15 minute drive by car. The walk there was beautiful – as we winded through the trees on a path only traveled by those heading to their dachas, it was soothing too see budding trees, wild flowers and NO trash! Baba T. said she just loves to see the forest as it “wakes up”.

I had seen a picture of the dacha in her “glory days” when Baba T. had the help of her husband along with time and energy to keep everything up. At one time, their dacha was their summer home, vacation spot, and much enjoyed hobby. But Baba T. warned me that things were far from being in order there, especially in her little house. Regardless, it was a pleasure to see this place that was so special to Baba T.

Her dacha (like most) is located in a community of dachas. These communities have electricity with a community water well. Though most had small humble homes only occupied in the summer, some were rather large and modern. Some people have a dacha just for a place to get away and not for the purpose of the garden. The wealthier people pay someone to live in their house year round to protect the property (as homes are often vandalized during the off season).

One of Baba T's neighbors looked of similar age and was working there by herself. We worked together to burn the dried grass and weeds. While I was a distance away I heard the neighbor ask Baba T. who I was. I didn’t hear all of what Baba T. said, but I caught that she called me her “dochka” – a form of the word for daughter. Baba T. often tells me that she is my mother (usually in the context of her telling me what to wear or do implying that I must listen to what she says). But I had never heard her call me her daughter before. :)

After she gave me a tour of her house and the plot of land where she grows different vegetables, fruits and flowers, she told me to just lay down on the couch and read a book or nap. I told her I didn’t bring a book and I wanted to help. After asking several times what I could do to help – she eventually let me help her weed a little flower bed. Apparently, I performed to her satisfaction because I was then given the task of helping her burn the old dried up weeds in what used to be a beautiful flower garden. Call me a pyro – but I really enjoyed this task!

Her son showed up in the afternoon and the 3 of us enclosed 2 of the 3 green-house style shelters. By the end of the day Baba T. had repeated said that she just couldn’t have done all these things without our help. She even made a comment something like this, “I guess you can work.” (While this could be taken as an insult, I took it as a victory!) :)

I not only got to grow closer to Baba T, but also enjoyed a little taste of home (wearing work cloths, getting dirty, enjoying the outdoors and WORKING!!)

"Encouraging" Exam (take 2)

2009-05-11T11:48:00.001+07:00

(I was made aware that some people where unable to view this blog, so we'll try it again...)
The last week in April we took a 5 part (grammar, writing, reading, listening and speaking) test over the Russian language to judge where we were at and what we needed to work on more since we had just completed our 2nd text book and where moving up a level. Though the test results don't really effect anything – I was praying for encouraging results. But, I guess I should have been more specific with that prayer . . . I wanted them to be encouraging by showing results of much progress and high level of performance – NOT results that would encourage me to try harder!

I was pretty hard on myself for my poor results – especially in the area of speaking! But since then, God has comforted my heart and reminded me to lean on Him because He will accomplish what He has brought me here to do (Romans 4:20-21). I will keep striving and not just look at the “failures” but also take note of just how far God has brought me in language learning. On a positive note, the listening portion was cake – I actually laughed while listening to the audio recording for this part of the test and thought to myself, “If only Baba T. and my friends spoke this slow . . .”

My Easter: Road trip, BBQ, Hamburger and Friendships

2009-05-02T14:29:00.009+07:00

While Easter was a few weeks ago (one week later than in the US), I am just now getting time to sit down and tell you about how great it was!

My friends Lena and Dima from our church here in Akadem-goradok are from Krasnayarsk (about a 9 hour drive away) and were headed home for Easter. Dima drove all night there, we were there for 48 hours and then he drove all the way back over night. It was crazy – just like something I would do with my friends back in the states!

While in Krasnayarsk I went to my first shashlik (BBQ) in the woods and enjoyed shish-kababs, singing and playing games with young adults from House of Prayer. It was a bit damp and chilly but I had a blast connecting with more believers and being able to see progress in my Russian ability. To warm up after the BBQ, we went to one gals house and enjoyed cake and tea and laughed and laughed at cultural differences and each other's impersonations of foreign languages.

After church on Sunday a bunch of the young adults met up for lunch at a cafe – similar to that of an American fast-food restaurant – that sold hamburgers, chicken nuggets, french-fries and (so that they would actually have business) Russian dishes. It was the first time in 7 months that I eat a hamburger – my senses might have been a bit impaired, but it seemed to taste like one of the best hamburgers I've ever eaten!

Hanging out with Lena and Dima and their friends made me realize that my language was progressing enough that I am able to begin real friendships – similar to those that I often miss back in the States. I am at a bitter-sweet season in my life – I am gaining new friendships while having to loosen my grip on old ones. Glory be to God who is faithful to meet my EVERY need – financially, physically, mentally, spiritually and socially!

настоящий выходной день

2009-04-04T18:20:00.003+07:00

so, normally my weekends are full of activities and running around. But i was pretty beat by the end of this week so i decided to take a break! this video is a result of some of my "relaxation" :)
(Meaning behind the title of this blog: the "word" for weekend - выходной день - is the same as saying day off and the word "настоящий" means real or authentic...get it?)

I can't believe how warm it is today!

2009-03-27T15:01:00.010+06:00

As I write this I am wearing a tank top and shorts, my window's open, the sun is shinning and my thermometer reads 16 C (60 F) . . . though I should add – I'm also wearing slippers the heat in the apartment is roaring and that thermometer is in the sun. Last night it didn't get below freezing – we are truly experiencing spring . . . FOR NOW. (That is my disclaimer for when I wake up tomorrow and it's 14 F - like it was just a few days ago).

2 days ago I took a few pictures of our “beautiful” spring, though with today's weather I feel I need to take some more of the flooded streets and the 3 foot deep “sink-holes” in the snow packed walking-paths. My socks were a bit damp after the walk home from school today – after trudging through water and slush.

It was nice of them to start clearing sidewalks . . . the one below is surrounded by 3 foot banks on each side (you forget just how high off the ground you are walking on all that snow)

This area of ground has to have some kind of sewer line under it - for so much snow and ice to melt so much faster then other parts of the road . . .

It's so "exciting" to see just what all is underneath all that snow . . . evidence would show there there are a lot of dogs, drunks and smokers around . . .

S.A.D. (Singleness Awareness Day)

2009-03-27T13:50:00.013+06:00

Really, this Valentine's Day didn't feel too S.A.D. at all . . .

On Valentine's Day, the gals from the church had a Devichnik (slumber party). It was held at one girl's parents' house – a 4 story brick home in a gated community, I sure didn't feel like I was in Siberia any more! We eat, talked, sang, talked, did facial masks, talked and slept a little. It was a ton of fun, good language practice and a great time of getting to know the gals from church better.

We talked a lot about marriage and singleness – a subject that comes up VERY often in this circle of women. Knowing that this would be the topic of conversation, I desired to share with them some of what God had been teaching me about His gift of singleness. Though I didn't feel like I was able to share all that my heart wanted to (because of my limited Russian) I was able to share what an encouragement 1 Corinthians 7:25-35 had been to me. Later on that evening, one of the older ladies from the church shared about her marriage and ended up mentioning several of the things that were on my heart earlier but I didn't know how to say – I was so glad she shared!

My prayer for myself and for these awesome gals is that we would use this gift of singleness to have an “undistracted devotion to the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:35) All in all, it was probably my best S.A.D. ever :)

Nope, we're not talking in Russian - this is my American friend, Rachel that homeschools M.K.'s in the city and occasionally makes it out to our district/suburb

Cinderella, mohawked prince, giant oranges & a girls-night-out

2009-03-13T16:17:00.015+06:00

Two weeks ago, I went to my first ballet. I've been wanting to go since I got here but just hadn't found the time. When I saw that "Zoleshka" (Cinderella) was playing I told Jamie we were going, I bought the tickets and we went even though I was feeling under the weather (more like, under the influence of "Russian NyQuile" - see blog "Russian Remedies" for more on that). We went with our friend from church, Lena - which made our girls-night-out a lot of fun. It was ridiculously cheap - 280 rubles ($8) so I'm pretty sure we're going to have to do it again!

As far as the ballet went, it was a bit . . . random! Unfortunately, I couldn't take any pictures during the show to to share this modern ballet with you - complete with interesting costumes, a random chorus line of maids, the ugly step sisters dancing with giant oranges, random characters that where suppose to represent the seasons and a very interesting prince charming (with a Mohawk and a one sleeved "belly-jacket"). Not to mention, that Cinderella doesn't lose her slipper - she actually throws it at prince charming before riding her giant wooden horse with wings off the stage.

If you're ever in town - you should probably check it out :)The Orchestra pit

What does Spring make you think of?

2009-03-13T14:49:00.002+06:00

On March 1st everyone got all excited because spring “came!” And surprisingly it did seem to warm up! It's been around 20-30 degrees as of late and I have REALLY enjoyed the sunshine and not wearing long-underwear!!! The birds have been singing and I, too joined in in rejoicing that spring was here!

Then last Friday night at the church's young adult fellowship meeting, the lesson's lead-in-question was “What is the first thing you think of when you think of spring?” I was very surprised at the answers as we went around the room – at least half of the people answered: dirty snow, muddy streets and paths or getting splashed as cars drove by. Still, some talked about the fresh smell in the air and warmer weather and a few more answered skiing and ice skating - not the average US answer to such a question :)

I'm starting to think that living in Siberia is going to change my view of spring. Even though I'm finding what my friends from church said to be VERY true, I am also finding more joy than ever before in the sunshine, longer days, warmer weather, birds' songs, and less layers!

Today is the warmest day yet! (36 F) – Even though it's been snowing all day, it actually reminds me of our Wyoming springs – minus the wind ;)

I found this picture on someone else's blog, I don't even know who this kid is. It was taken somewhere in Novosibirsk - it looks like it could be right around the corner from my apartment building! Underneath the 2-4 feet of snow everywhere are lots of dirt, trash and "evidence" of dogs. Hopefully soon I'll take some "Siberian Spring" pictures of my own (it just doesn't strike me as being picture worthy...)

3 Russian Cars Worth a Picture

2009-03-08T16:42:00.005+06:00

There's not too much depth to this blog – just a quick look at Russian culture.

“The Fresh Maker”

I don't know why, but this candy delivery vehicle struck me as funny – with the word “Mentos” written on the side of the car I couldn't resist

“Can you see the mini-coop?”

This car (to the left) is parked outside a neighboring apartment building that I walk by almost every day. As far as I know, it has never left this packing space in the 5+ months that I have lived here. During our heavy winter snows I kept wanting to take a picture of this cute little mini-coop getting covered with snow. On the day of this picture, I decided I better take it before you couldn't tell there was a car there!

“No, they're not Rubber”

I walked out of my way to make sure I caught a picture of this car – but as I took the picture I realized that there was 2 guys sitting inside the car staring at me and decided to be on my way

As I saw and heard of car owners frustrations during the Siberian winter (with almost no one using heated garages) I am thankful for 2 good legs and cheep public transportation!

Coming Soon . . .

2009-03-03T23:04:00.004+06:00

This once a month stuff just isn't cutting it with all the things I want to share with you!
My hope is that I will do a better job of regularly posting since I have high speed internet in our apartment. Here's a sneak peek at what's to come:

-Prince Charming has a Mohawk?
-A Happy SAD (Singles' Awareness Day)
-5 days in "Little America" -just a 12 hour train ride away
-I'd like to introduce you to my new best friend, Skype

Babushkas' Russian Remedies

2009-03-03T22:58:00.003+06:00

Last Thursday I started to feel a cold coming on – you know, with the scratchy throat, runny nose and frequent sneezing. Not thinking too much about it, I told Baba T. that I had a runny nose and was afraid that I was a little bit sick. I should have known that such an action would be followed by “suggested” remedies. Note: a babushka's “suggestion” is nothing short of a command.

I still remember my second week here when I sneezed in my room and Baba T. brought a little jar of minced garlic to me and told me to sniff it every hour and carry it in my purse.

Baba T. has said on a few occasions now, “I am like your mother” - in the context of her giving me “suggestions” - and I'm sure that my mom is grateful that I have her here to watch over me and take care of me as she is 13 time zones away. So here are the Russian remedies I have had the privilege of trying:

Remedy 1: Swallow a spoon full of freshly minced garlic

Remedy 2: Wash your nostrils with all natural fragrance-free soap every time you sneeze or blow your nose

Remedy 3: Hot herbal drinks with honey and lemon or raspberries

Remedy 4: Gargle one glass of warm water with 1 tsp salt, 1/3 tsp baking soda and some bitter yellow liquid stuff that tastes like pine trees (note: you are NOT allowed to brush your teeth afterward)

Remedy 5: NEVER drink anything cold – all beverages must be at least lukewarm

Remedy 6: 1 tbsp vodka with some added herbs when you get up, before lunch and before you go to bed

“Well, did they work?” - I am almost back to health, but to what it can be attributed to I don't know. But the herbal drinks were pretty good and Remedy 6 (which I like to call Russian Nyquil) made me so tired all I wanted to do was sleep. However, in my opinion, the affects of Remedy 1 are simply not worth ANY positive results . . . I will elaborate no further.

I'll be sure to keep you posted as I learn more Russian remedies from my loving, caring Russian babushka who is truly a blessing to me.

Babushka Babblings – Flies, Ice Cream and Potty Training

2009-01-28T17:55:00.003+06:00

Baba T. continues to be possibly the number one blessing for me here in Russia. She makes me laugh and spoils me rotten. While she was away for 2 ½ weeks in Moscow I often found myself saying “I'm starving, somebody better fix some food around here!”

Upon her return I was a bit anxious about her reaction to the 200 rotten onions, a broken tea pot and the fact that I was off in Tuva. When I returned from Tuva I was relieved to find that she was not worried about the tea pot and said she wanted to get a different kind of tea pot any way, wanted to know about my time in Tuva and as far as the onions go, the speech went something like this: “I am very sad about my onions. Because I will not be able to find any like them and now we will not have any good onions to eat. I am not mad at you because you are foolish and didn't know any better. Don't they have flies in America? You will be responsible for buying onions as we need them.”

I said that we do have flies in America, however this only seemed to confuse her more as to why I would take such measures to be rid of them. She went on to say that they are harmless and cannot infect anyone and that they were normal. I still find flies in the bathroom and kitchen now and then and quickly smash them with my lightning-fast speed ;)

I must say she is absolutely right in that there are no onions like hers – I am quit sad to eat my beet salad without her sweet onions and instead the bitter store bought ones :( but I guess that's the price I will have to pay. I'm just glad this whole thing is resolved!

One day back in December I had time to go with Baba T. to the store and do some grocery shopping. We both agreed that it was a lot of fun just walking with someone! While we were walking home she stopped at the ice cream stand and bought us 2 ice cream bars :) When we got home we enjoyed them with her canned strawberries – it really was a treat!

Baba T. had mentioned how much she loved ice cream early on in our time together but I wondered why I never saw her eat any and why there was never any in the freezer. Later, I learned from her daughter-in-law that she regularly ate ice cream with her husband.
The other day when I was grocery shopping (which I have the bag Baba T. to let me shop for us!) and thought I would get some ice cream. When I told her that I bought dessert she asked what and I said it was ice cream – she got a look on her face I had never seen before . . . as if to say “You shouldn't have, but I'm glad you did!” As we slowly savored out ice cream she shared that when her and her husband would have a fight they would buy ice cream for each other to make up afterward.

I am so glad that Baba T. lets me share this special treat with her. I think is will become a real regular thing at our house!

For the past 3 weeks and for 3 more weeks Baba T. has been watching her 2 year old granddaughter, N. N's dad is in the states for his job for 6 weeks and Baba T. wanted to help out N's mom who also has a 10 month old baby by watching N. It's changed things quite a bit around our house – but probably the best part for me is the new vocabulary I am picking up. You see, N has just begun potty training . . . I'm not sure how detailed I can be with what I am learning, but I will tell you that I frequently laugh in my room as I over hear Baba T. giving her instructions!

Christmas Without Bells and Whistles

2008-12-26T18:12:00.002+06:00

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!

2008-12-26T18:01:00.005+06:00

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

2008-11-29T10:47:00.000+06:00

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

2008-11-24T16:32:00.000+06:00

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?

2008-11-21T14:15:00.001+06:00

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!"

2008-11-21T14:09:00.001+06:00

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!!!

2008-10-23T14:42:00.002+07:00

(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

2008-10-23T14:03:00.002+07:00

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

2008-10-21T13:49:00.002+07:00

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

2008-10-20T13:46:00.001+07:00

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

2008-10-10T12:44:00.000+07:00

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

2008-10-03T08:29:00.003+07:00

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

2008-10-02T08:37:00.001+07:00

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

2008-09-12T07:02:00.006+07:00

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)