Our baby son is 19 months old. What a nut he is lately! He laughs at night, without fail- every night! There will be no reason- he'll just start laughing and get us all laughing! What a blessing he is! Yesterday evening was one of those times when you wish you had your video camera in hand...I could have gone to get it, but he would have moved.
You see, he noticed this shadow from the sun coming in through the blinds. He began hitting at it. That was cute, but it became hilarious when he noticed his own shadow. He about walked into the wall, hugging "himself", his shadow! Then he would bend down and look as the shadow moved with him. It was just too much. It was as if you could read his mind and know he was trying to make sense of it all!
Glad we could laugh last night. Today our oldest son (age 3) gave us one of those "uggghh" moments! I was getting the other two kids ready to go to their Grandma's house when I asked my husband did E ever return from the bathroom? My hubby went to see, and returned a few minutes later with a very wet E. No, he had not wet himself as in his undies- oh no! Hubby had found E standing at the toilet with two cups in each hand scooping out water and having a big ol' time! Grrrrrroooooosssss!
I am thankful that our other child, our daughter, age 7 is past that sort of stuff. At least I hope so! ha ha
Friday, June 30, 2006
Thursday, June 29, 2006
More about us...
One of these days I will link my old blog to here. Until then, I will fill you in.. (those who don't know me).
My husband and I have known each other our whole lives- well, his whole life. I am after all, a whole 15 months older! ha ha It's interesting being married to someone you've known basically your whole life, especially someone you NEVER pictured marrying! ha I am so glad I did though!
More on us: we spent nearly 7 years in St. Petersburg, Russia. It became home, and I truly miss it! We came here to the states on a scheduled year furlough and about 2 months before we were planning to return home to Russia, we just knew God was saying, "no." We just could not imagine why though but who are we to question God and His wisdom, His timing?!
We spent time at a wonderful pastors/missionaries' retreat- Faith Mountain in West Virginia. (just a nice place to stay, to get away from it all). It was there, on top of a mountain (literally), away from tv, the computer, radio and everything and everyone (except for our kids :o) that we truly started seeking God's will for our next phase in life. We both, separately felt God was asking us to work with Russians in the states. Wow! (this was just like when we felt called to Russia- we came to the decision together, but separately first!). We knew this was God, but where, Lord? We researched and found that there are many Russian speakers living in Minnesota. Add to that the fact that the association we are a part of only has one church in the state of Minnesota, we just further felt the burden. We plan to hold English services, as well as a Russian service, and reach out to the international community at large. We are excited!
It's truly a bit overwhelming at times, in so many ways, but God is always good! He's always there for us! Who are we to doubt Him now?!
My husband and I have known each other our whole lives- well, his whole life. I am after all, a whole 15 months older! ha ha It's interesting being married to someone you've known basically your whole life, especially someone you NEVER pictured marrying! ha I am so glad I did though!
More on us: we spent nearly 7 years in St. Petersburg, Russia. It became home, and I truly miss it! We came here to the states on a scheduled year furlough and about 2 months before we were planning to return home to Russia, we just knew God was saying, "no." We just could not imagine why though but who are we to question God and His wisdom, His timing?!
We spent time at a wonderful pastors/missionaries' retreat- Faith Mountain in West Virginia. (just a nice place to stay, to get away from it all). It was there, on top of a mountain (literally), away from tv, the computer, radio and everything and everyone (except for our kids :o) that we truly started seeking God's will for our next phase in life. We both, separately felt God was asking us to work with Russians in the states. Wow! (this was just like when we felt called to Russia- we came to the decision together, but separately first!). We knew this was God, but where, Lord? We researched and found that there are many Russian speakers living in Minnesota. Add to that the fact that the association we are a part of only has one church in the state of Minnesota, we just further felt the burden. We plan to hold English services, as well as a Russian service, and reach out to the international community at large. We are excited!
It's truly a bit overwhelming at times, in so many ways, but God is always good! He's always there for us! Who are we to doubt Him now?!
Prayer
My Daddy has had prostate cancer for 13 years or so. It's been very slow growing and just in the past year became more serious. He's been taking chemo and the effects of it really have been rough at times. Thankfully, it's not as bad as many people have gone through, but it's been bad enough. He's a Pastor, and has had to miss a good many services, mostly on Wednesdays that follow a chemo day.
This Wednesday was one such day. My husband filled in for Dad at church. He did the service centered around the subject of prayer. It really struck me as we prayed for each and every one listed on that church bulletin prayer list (that I put together!), just how often it becomes mundane... it becomes easy to say, "Lord bless Brother Billy Bob with his health problems." "Lord, bless everyone we know that is sick, everyone that's not saved, may they be saved..." It's not that perhaps we don't mean those prayers. It's just I think (I know) there's more! After all, if one of my three children came to me saying, "I'm hurting Mama", wouldn't I ask where? Wouldn't I begin to help that child in the exact location they are in pain?
Am I making any sense?! I don't know! ha I just think God must appreciate it more when we ask specifically for our needs and those of others. I thought tonight about a dear friend of mine who is going through the roller coaster ride of a Russian adoption. I thought how specifically I need to pray for her and her husband, their daughter AND their precious little one awaiting them in Russia. You see, I very well know what that is like. I can sympathize, empathize in every which way with what they are going through.
So, tonight, as I go to bed, I vow to pray with more thought to those prayers.
"Dear Lord, please bless my friend tonight and her family. Help their hurting hearts tonight as they await word from Russia, as they feel so alone in ways, so desperate in others. Give them hope, and please, dear God, may they hear very, very soon that little V can come home to them! They long to have her with them!"
This Wednesday was one such day. My husband filled in for Dad at church. He did the service centered around the subject of prayer. It really struck me as we prayed for each and every one listed on that church bulletin prayer list (that I put together!), just how often it becomes mundane... it becomes easy to say, "Lord bless Brother Billy Bob with his health problems." "Lord, bless everyone we know that is sick, everyone that's not saved, may they be saved..." It's not that perhaps we don't mean those prayers. It's just I think (I know) there's more! After all, if one of my three children came to me saying, "I'm hurting Mama", wouldn't I ask where? Wouldn't I begin to help that child in the exact location they are in pain?
Am I making any sense?! I don't know! ha I just think God must appreciate it more when we ask specifically for our needs and those of others. I thought tonight about a dear friend of mine who is going through the roller coaster ride of a Russian adoption. I thought how specifically I need to pray for her and her husband, their daughter AND their precious little one awaiting them in Russia. You see, I very well know what that is like. I can sympathize, empathize in every which way with what they are going through.
So, tonight, as I go to bed, I vow to pray with more thought to those prayers.
"Dear Lord, please bless my friend tonight and her family. Help their hurting hearts tonight as they await word from Russia, as they feel so alone in ways, so desperate in others. Give them hope, and please, dear God, may they hear very, very soon that little V can come home to them! They long to have her with them!"
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
So Much Happening
So much is going on here. My husband is planning a trip to MN next week! Yes, next week! He is really planning and we are praying that he finds a house during that trip! How exciting it is to think we could actually have a house after next week!
Our entire married life has consisted of apartment living, and so that aspect of moving is exciting to us! I know it's going to take some adjustments living in Minnesota. After all, we had grown accustomed to life in Russia. I know it will be much different. However, when God is in it, it will just happen. I look forward to the day that I can say Minnesota is now home in my heart. Right now, home is a mystery to be. It feels like Russia, yet I know it no longer is.... some days it's here in Florida, yet I feel so far removed, so detached from here. Part of missionary life that is hard for others to understand I guess. Just what (or where) is home?!
Our entire married life has consisted of apartment living, and so that aspect of moving is exciting to us! I know it's going to take some adjustments living in Minnesota. After all, we had grown accustomed to life in Russia. I know it will be much different. However, when God is in it, it will just happen. I look forward to the day that I can say Minnesota is now home in my heart. Right now, home is a mystery to be. It feels like Russia, yet I know it no longer is.... some days it's here in Florida, yet I feel so far removed, so detached from here. Part of missionary life that is hard for others to understand I guess. Just what (or where) is home?!
Sunday, June 25, 2006
First Post at New Blog
Thanks to my friend who inspired me to try blogging again. I decided to try Blogger again, and so here I am !
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