My Babushka Blessings

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

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

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

Compassion for the Dogs

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

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

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

My New Дом in Академгородок

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

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

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

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

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

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

For God is faithful and His blessings are rich!

Blessing in Disguise

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

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

Praise God for His blessings “in disguise”!