Back to College Life

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...

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?!

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

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!