Spring in January

After a full, blessed month at home, I'm now back at my second home on the other side of the world! I think I'm finally emerging from the fog of jet lag (!), the first couple days of school with the kids have gone well, and the weather has been more like May than January. Whether or not that lasts, we sure have been enjoying it the last few days!



The beautiful view down the street-pretty much the same view as the one out the window over my desk.
 



Julia

Potato Chip. He happens to use this platform to jump in my window when it's open!

Katie digging random holes and enjoying the warmth.

 

One of Will's favorite things to do outside right now; taste test dirt! We're continually rescuing clods from his mouth.

 

He doesn't care for the taste, so perhaps he'll leave the dirt to the womrs soon!

 

He keeps us laughing for sure! 

Dear President Putin

Dear President Putin and the Russian Duma,

I happen to be pretty grateful for Russia and its people. You see, nine of my siblings are from your country through adoption. Yes that's right, nine. A lot of people are surprised by our big family, but all we know is that we love each other deeply and couldn't be happier. I'm so thankful for each of my siblings; they each bring a unique personality and talents to our family. They complete us.

I know a lot of the time you don't get to hear those "happily ever after" stories. You don't get to see families like mine laughing around the dinner table, reading books together, or walking hand in hand around a lake. You don't get to watch my siblings and myself grow to be best friends and learn to support each other through good and bad. You don't get to watch my parents' unconditional and sacrificial love that they lavish on all their children. There are many more families besides ours who adopt Russian children from love, not for financial benefit of any kind. The adopted children I know are happy, healthy, successful people with a love for their family and Mother Russia.

Because of all these things I know and see each day, I am dismayed and saddened by the recent Anti-Magnitsky legislation. It does not deal with the tiny handful of unsuccessful adoptions, but rather sweeps the whole issue under the rug and creates hundreds of newer and greater problems.

I have personal reasons for being devastated by these laws as well. You see, not all my family is home yet. Four of my siblings still wait in an orphanage in the Russian countryside. Our paperwork requirements are fulfilled, and we are only waiting eagerly for a courtdate to bring them home. They are beautiful children who want and have a right to a family as well. When I last saw them in August, they asked me, "When can we come home? When can we be family?" I hope, I pray, that they will not be left with broken dreams.

I would humbly ask that you consider the greater picture in the decisions you are making. Please consider the thousands of happy Russian children who have been adopted by American families. Please note the thousands of loving families who lovingly give everything they have to care for those children. Please remember the children waiting in orphanages who long for a family and a home.

Please help my three brothers and little sister's dream come true.

~An older sister

In Which I am Brave Enough to Take Pictures in the City

 

This past weekend I got to spend time with the ex-pat girls from a Bible study I attend each week. Bible study, you may say? I did too when I first came here! It surprised me that there was such an option. Nevertheless, I've gained some great friends and spent some wonderful time in the Word with these high-school age girls.

 

Saturday morning was drippy and damp; still, we spent some great time together walking in pairs around this park and praying with each other. The statue is of an ancient and famous poet from this area, and the arch behind him is a beautiful mosaic.

 

The park; in the foreground are fountains that operate in warmer weather. In the background is a government building.

 

Mariah and me! I still haven't quite got the hang of those awkward "stretch your arm out and take a picture of you and a friend" photos. :)

 

Later in the morning, we split up into two teams for a scavenger hunt of sorts. One of our assignments was to have a picture taken of our whole group in front of this cheery fellow (aka the national hero).

 

Trinity and Hannah, my teammates. We were supposed to find some flowers and take a picture with them; tricky but not impossible here.

 

Here's our interesting way out of forming a human pyramid at the end of a long morning. We weren't keen on kneeling on the wet ground and acting in a way ladies simply don't do here! Thankfully the judge of the teams accepted it!

 

I'm thankful for the friendships God has given me with these girls!

~Lissie

A New Favorite

I enjoy Christmas songs, but especially ones that remind me of the reason why God became Man-for redemption and reconciliation. I really like the perspective in this song!

Thanksgiving in Central Asia

Although I missed my family very much, I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my dear friends who kindly included me in their day!

 

We started the holiday with a wonderful brunch.

 

The highlight of the brunch was homeade cinnamon rolls with a rare treat-cream cheese frosting!

 

15 month old Will saying "please" for the cinnamon rolls. He loved them.

 

Later in the day, we traveled over to some friends' house to celebrate Thanksgiving dinner with them. We were so thankful for the time we got to spend with them and two local families! Anna and Katie were posing here in front of the treats we took with us: applesauce, corn, pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes, and brownie with peanut butter.

 

This was my first time to try pumpkin pie!

 

You can see my students keep my days exciting and fun!

 

The street outside their house.

 

Me and my students!

The "writing" below was made by Potato Chip, Michael's friendly kitty, walking across my keyboard.

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The ladies at the party!

 

Anita, my new little friend. She's so sweet!

 

 

This picture is actually from today-Scott's bouquet to Wendy on their anniversary. And yes, it really is bigger than Will! Happy anniversary, Scott and Wendy!

 

~Lissie

Teacher R&R

It's hard to believe week 11 of school is starting! The kids have done great, and I have loved working with them. Frankly, I'm learning at least as much as I'm teaching!

Still, I thoroughly enjoyed the break from routine this weekend. I had the opportunity to meet with 5 other homeschool helpers/teachers (3 from the city, 2 from out of town). Some friends kindly hosted us at their "guest apartment," and we had a blast together!

We ate out at a little cafe which offered "pizza"-and it was quite good, though it had a sour cream sauce and the tomato came in slices on top! We dined early, because it's not considered proper for women to be out past about 6 o'clock!Then we traipsed back to the apartment, and (this probably won't surprise anyone) talked for a long time! It was really good to get to know each other better, and to share about our teaching struggles and triumphs. We laughed so much!!

Then it was time for some games. The picture below was a game that caused a lot of laughs! Yes, that is paper taped to my friends' foreheads (I had some too). On each piece of paper was the name of a Bible character; but the wearer had no idea which character. We each tried to guess our name using yes or no questions. We also played 4 on a couch and "The Dictionary Game."

The next morning we woke, ate a leisurely breakfast together, and traveled to the international church. It was so wonderful to spend time with my fellow teachers!

Holiday Visits

Friday, October 26 was a holiday here. The day started not long after daylight with the sounds of children's voices in the street. They were going from gate to gate, dressed in their best and chanting a poem that wished their neighbor a blessed holiday. In return, they would get candy or gum! It was great fun to hear their happy chattering and to see them dressed in holiday garb.

About 10 am, my students Anna (10) and Katie (7) came over to my host family; Anna to go visiting with me and one of my host sisters, Katie to play with my 7 year old host sister Fatima. The girls were also beautifully dressed and had even curled their hair!

All the pictures in this post were taken with my little video camera, and the quality may be questionable. ;)

 

However, there was still much to be done before we could leave. It would be considered a shameful thing not to be prepared for guests on any day, and especially on a holiday, so a beautiful table of fruit, cookies, salads, breads, etc. was prepared and laid out.

At last, at about half past eleven, we were ready to go. My host mother and sisters, as well as myself, had dressed carefully, as befitted the holiday. Going a little way day down the street, we visited a neighbor's house with a new bride, or "kellin." Here, in a long narrow room set apart for the women, we sat with about 15 other women around an elaborate dusterhahn (tablecloth). Shahlo, my host sister, leaned over and whispered to me that the family probably had not slept the night before due to the preparations. Dozens of fried pastries, sweets, and cookies crowded fruit, tea, sodas, and other treats. It was hard to see the cloth for the food!

A few minutes after we sat down, the bride came in. She was richly dressed in velvet and heavily adorned with her wedding jewelry. The young woman (she was probably younger than myself) wore a traditional hat, and over it, a delicate lace veil. Holding this veil over her face with both hands, she carefully bowed five or six times to the group of women to show her respect, before slowly backing out of the room again. Apparently, brides do this all day for dozens of guests.

Then it was time to go on to other visits. It is only polite to stay 10-15 minutes at each house. Here things got a little uncomfortable for me, because my host sisters weren't in agreement over who I should go visiting with. It was nice to be so wanted, but a bit uncomfortable as well! Thankfully, it was soon resolved and I set off with Anna and Maryam (14) to visit some of her classmates.

It would take far too long to sum up all the adventures we got to experience that day! To sum up, I got a fun view of a Central Asian schoolgirl's life. The girls let me take pictures of them, although one girl cast her eyes down modestly as I did so. They then raced over (giggling) and saying "Show me! show me!" They asked if I had any eyeliner I could use; thankfully I did have some in my purse (see Daddy, that's why I carry so much in there! :) ). Then, almost like little girls at a slumber party, they carefully applied it to each other's eyes, laughing and joking the while.

Although our hostess (left) wouldn't look at the camera, she loved having pictures taken of her.



We drank tea together with exaggeratedly polite manners, chatting politely about nothing. That reserve quickly disappeared when it was time for desert!

These girls loved my makeup!



It was a very full but wonderful day. I was so thankful for the adventure, for the friends God is giving me here, and for the hospitality people have shown.

~Lissie