One photo

Before I get to posting Odessa photos, I'll put the castle photos up. Notice anything in this one?

The rest are here.

Sunday Evening Post, issue 10

A photo from this week:

In Odessa

This week I'll ask what was their favorite part of our trip to Odessa. In their own words....
Jaan: "The dolphins!"

Raia: "I liked playing with the African uncle." (He was one of the Thanksgiving guests.)

Asya: "Umm... Jesus." (?)

Will: "I enjoyed not having to do anything."

School this week: Thanksgiving break!

My books and knitting: I finished Kristin Lavransdatter. That was more than 1000 pages of plain good writing. I thoroughly enjoyed it. But I didn't make it to the yarn store in Odessa. We were all just too tired from all the other fun there.

Weather and nature observations: More rainy and foggy again. I see snow on the forecast for the upcoming week! Jaan already mentioned our best nature observation of the past week: DOLPHINS. We saw a pod of dolphins in the Odessa port, and had a great time watching them swim around. I didn't even know there are dolphins in the Black Sea before we sighted them.

Advent this week: It's starting! This is the first evening of Advent. (And I'm not really sitting at the computer writing now. I wrote this during nap time, to post automatically in the evening, while we gather as a family to prepare.) This year we'll be reading about the life of Christ, and this week we also focus on HOPE.

Other news, ministry, notes and miscellaneous from the week: We were gone most of the week, visiting Will's sister in Odessa. What a wonderful time! We had forgotten how long and exhausting that trip is, but it was worth it. Wednesday evening we celebrated Thanksgiving with students Anna works with and her roommates. It was great to have all the traditional foods and get to meet so many wonderful new friends. We arrived back here Thursday; tried to spend Friday recovering; Saturday Will went to a youth conference with a group from here. And we're still tired now.

On this date in. . . 2005, 2006, and 2007: a wordy day of the year, it seems.

Just a few things I'm thankful for...

• HOME!
• fun times in Odessa
• great hostesses there
• the incredible sunset we saw from the train
• an end to the fussy day yesterday
• the beginning of Advent

My question for you: What are your Advent plans? (I'll try to write more about what we're doing soon.)

Sunday Evening Post, issue 9

(I'm setting this to post automatically while we're on our Thanksgiving trip to visit Anna in Odessa.)

A photo from this week:

Our weird cat's favorite way to sleep

(I didn't take many photos at all over the past week.)

Jaan... has been playing the piano a lot lately! It seems a little strange to me, but his teacher has encouraged me not to make him practice. (Is she really Russian?) And when I don't, he sits down at the piano by himself to play his assigned songs and his own compostions.

Raia: I asked Raia what to say about her this week. She replied, "Tell them that I study at home when Asya sleeps." You may already know that, but it's very important to her!

Asya... is a little confused about this trip to Odessa, but very excited. I think the last time we saw Anna was in Poland. Asya understands that she won't see Clarissa (who lives in Poland) this time, but she keeps saying that we're going to Poland to see Anna and feed the swans. She's been pushing her dolls and stuffed animals around in a box, saying that they're on the train to Poland all week.

Will... has been busy this week, but I can't think of anything out of the ordinary that has happened for him. He has spent a lot of time getting us ready to travel to Odessa, buying tickets and such.

School this week: We finished the first term! Also, coincidentally, we finished the Reception level of math. Now Jaan's in MEP, Year 1.

My books and knitting... are still there? I'm afraid I've been neglecting them.

Weather and nature observations: Maybe it's starting to get cooler? We've enjoyed watching the birds out our windows, now that the trees are bare. The jays and woodpeckers are either much more active, or just more visible now.

Other news, ministry, notes and miscellaneous from the week: 'Tis the season for youth conferences! I think there were three going on this weekend and next. Will chose one, and he's getting a group together to attend that when we get back from Odessa. Also, Wednesday night Bible studies are becoming a challenge for Will, because they're evolving from a church youth fellowship time, into something that spans all ages and levels from unbelievers to older Christians. It's good, but--like I said--a challenge.

On this date in. . . 2005: I posted three great photos of Baby Raia and Jaan. In 2006, I wrote about their Thanksgiving crafts.

Just a few things I'm thankful for...

• Thanksgiving Day!
• traveling as a family
• eggs for breakfast, prepared by Will
• the quiet of November days
• a bright sunrise

My question for you (an easy one!): What are five things that you're thankful for?

Sunday Evening Post, issue 8

A photo from this week:

At Popov Castle and Museum

Jaan... really enjoyed the museum! It was tiny, but perfect for our age range and attention spans. There were rooms with old farming implements, the history of the castle, local art, local archeological finds and war memorabilia. Now Jaan is obsessed with trying to find arrowheads or the right kinds of rocks to make them. Then, there was plenty of time to explore. Most of the castle has been destroyed, but the stables are still there, and Jaan especially climbed all over.

Raia... liked the museum, too. At one point during the little tour, I took Asya out for a break and a snack. I had Raia come along, just because, and she could barely stand it: "They'll tour the war room without me!"

Asya... made a new friend. She loved Joy, who was here with Daniel. Asya would have happily followed Joy back to New Zealand.

Will: This is close to what I said last week, but the best part of the week for Will was having Daniel and Joy here.

School this week: We finished Week 11. It seems like we're slowing down a little, but I guess that's natural as we reach the end of the term. Plus, we've just been busy with other things. Hopefully we can finish our term strong this week, and then we'll take a little break.

My books and knitting: Almost done reading about Kristin Lavransdatter. I'll miss her when I'm finally done. I started knitting a fun little project, but I'll wait until it's done to show you. Of course, I keep working on my pretty lace shawl/scarf.

Weather and nature observations: Still warm, sunny, beautiful!

Other news, ministry, notes and miscellaneous from the week: There were two big highlights this week, friends visiting from New Zealand, and a field trip to a castle in Vasilevka with church friends. We had a great, though short, time with Daniel and Joy. (Did you see the photos?) And yesterday we went to the castle and little museum; I'll try to post photos from that trip soon, too. Oh, I had 19 (!) children in Sunday school this morning, and Jaan and Will also went out to visit a village church with the choir after church here. They're still not back from that.

On this date in. . . 2005: Will actually wrote. He had just started the youth club in Kovrov.

Just a few things I'm thankful for...

• 19 children in Sunday school
• ...and Alina's help with them
• guests from (very) far away
• a castle not far from here
• perfect weather for an outing
• friends to go on a field trip with us
• emails from old friends (Caryn! I will answer....)

My question for you: What was (were) the highlight(s) of your week?

Daniel and Will

Will's old friend, Daniel, visited us for just a few days. The photo above is of them together in Moscow in 1997 (?). Below is how they look now. And here are a few more photos from our time together.

Sunday Evening Post, issue 7

A photo from this week:


Jaan: Remember I wrote about the pressure he was feeling at music school? I think my prayers about that have been answered! He has four lessons a week: two individual sessions with his piano teacher and two group classes with other teachers. He loves his piano teacher; it is the other teachers and classes that are hard. Well, this week I asked Alina to come help him with his homework for those classes. She prepared him so well that he went in confident and came out happy. The really strict teacher even commented to me that "he's finally stopped being shy!"

Raia... has just been really sweet and huggy this week. She's always so active that sometimes it's hard to stop her for even a moment. I've enjoyed that she's stopping on her own a little more recently, wanting just to sit with me, or try crocheting again, or anything along those line. And she's still managing to keep up her usual activity level, along with the quieter moments.

Asya... has figured out scissors. I'm always amazed watching children develop, but I was really surprised to note that she was cutting out shapes deliberately, right along the lines this week. Creative coloring book use: cut them up, and glue them back together differently. She'll do that for an hour straight these days.

Will... has a friend visiting! His old friend Daniel from New Zealand arrived early yesterday morning. Will went to Dneptropetrosk to meet him and spend some time there with another friend, too. They're coming here tonight.

School this week: Week 10 done! I'm just enjoying this so much.

My books and knitting: Nothing new.

Weather and nature observations: It's warm again. Strange, but nice.

Other news, ministry, notes and miscellaneous from the week: This was a really exhausting week. At this point, I hardly know how to describe it, but I'm glad it's over.

On this date in. . . 2007: I finally got our "summer" prayer letter posted. Hmm. I don't think I've done that yet this year.

Just a few things I'm thankful for...

• bright colors and sunshine
• rest!
• Alina
• knitting outside in November!
• pumpkin stew

My question for you: What is God teaching you these days?

(And again, thank you so much for your answers! I love the comments and emails that I'm getting!)

Sunday Evening Post, issue 6

A photo from this week:

Tea party

Jaan... has actually been drawing this week. Maybe the change toward cooler weather is making him want to settle down to indoor pursuits? Raia will spend hours filling papers with her creations, but Jaan's usually not interested.

Raia... has moved on in her art skills. After a long stretch of nothing but people and flowers, she drew a great person on a horse this week. And she discovered that she loves modeling clay.

Asya... talks non-stop. How did one family end up with THREE children who all love to talk? Aren't there usually some quiet ones thrown into the mix? Oh, well! I love to hear her sharing her thoughts and asking questions.

Will... got the new speakers in and set up, and they sounded great this morning. The babushki could hear! His head is clearing up, too.

School this week: Week 9 already? The weeks are flying by! More Shakespeare this week, and overall just a good, full week.

My books and knitting: I finished my October square, but I think it's not quite square enough, so I'm going to go back and add another repeat. I'm finding my ongoing shawl project to be very fun and relaxing, too. Reading The Tempest, along with other books....

A quote:

[On hearing that she can start praying now for God to send her a good future husband.] "Oh, He keeps the good ones in heaven?"
--Asya

Weather and nature observations: We've had the first bits of frost, I guess. Not much yet, but the days are slowly getting cooler. One evening we went for a walk and saw an owl, pretty close up!

Other news, ministry, notes and miscellaneous from the week: Last night we had the youth meeting here. Other than that, I'm drawing a blank.

On this date in. . . 2005: I posted a photo of the "washing machine" we used back then. We got our first automatic washing machine around the time Asya was born.

Just a few things I'm thankful for...

• washing machines
• Jaan following along in church, reading the Bible by himself!
• fall days
• family time, working with modeling clay all together
• Skype chats with Julie

My question for you: What are you reading now?

Monday Morning Post

A photo from this week:

The Singing Men of Texas!

Jaan... finally lost that tooth. And he really lost it. We have no idea when or where. It just disappeared. He noticed on our way out the door to church. There's not much of a hole, because his adult tooth had grown up behind it.


Raia...

...after the concert in Zaporozhye.

That's how she fell asleep, listening to the new CD from the choir. It was such a typical Raia pose, that I took a photo. Ever since she stopped sucking her finger, she has gone to sleep every night like a solider standing at attention.

Asya... was the only child in our family who managed not to get sick this week. Good for her! I did stop her from eating yogurt after Jaan, because I was worried about her picking up germs that he had left behind. She looked into the yogurt, and said, "Why didn't he eat up all the germs?" (You got a photo of her last week.)

Will... has been researching sound equipment and working on getting speakers for the church here. He went to Zaporozhye, found and ordered what was needed. It should be arriving today or tomorrow.

School this week: We finished Week 8. Jaan is loving Benjamin Franklin, and Raia is doing better with reading just once or twice a week. (She has other activities for her special 15 minutes of school on other days.) We had to take a sick day and skip two music lessons, but that was actually kind of nice for once.

My books: I feel like I miss Kristin Lavransdatter and her family, but I have been preferring Kindle books over that paper book with 1000+ pages. So, it's been George MacDonald and Shakespeare for me this week.

...and knitting: I started over on my October square, just because I liked it so much that I wanted it to be perfect.

A quote:

Not what I think, but what thou [God] art, makes sure.
--George MacDonald, The Diary of an Old Soul

Weather and nature observations: More clear, sunny and beautiful! Although, we have had some rain this week, too. The leaves right around here are mostly fallen, but our trip to Zaporozhye yesterday was still just lovely.

Other news, ministry, notes and miscellaneous from the week: We went to two concerts in one weekend! And I can hardly even remember the last time we went to a concert before this. Saturday night a Christian musician from Kiev was here, right in Dneprorudnoe. We went to his little concert with the church youth. Really, his newer songs are not my style, but I liked the few he sang that I remembered from years ago. Then, last night we traveled to Zaporozhye with the choir from here (which you can hardly call a choir in comparison to what we saw there) to hear "The Singing Men of Texas." We all thoroughly enjoyed that! Well, except for Raia, who said that she would rather have stayed with Alina, and maybe Asya, who was much more fascinated with the chandelier than the music.

On this date in. . . 2005, Will's parents had just left, and we were enjoying a snow day.

Just a few things I'm thankful for...

• fun concerts
• a sick day that turned into a lovely rest day
• sunshine! (Do I say that every week?)
• Asya sweetly sleeping in the marshrutka (She's almost too big for that.)
• Mondays when Will's home and we start into a new week
• Ambleside Online

My question for you: What is the most beautiful image or place you have seen this week?

(Thanks, Mom, for the question idea!)

Please excuse us

Today's issue of the Sunday Evening Post will be delayed. We just got back from a wonderful concert, and I'm too tired to write. Good night!

Fall fun

I think this week is the peak of the fall colors here. We're trying to get out and enjoy it as much as possible.





This is pretty much unposed. They wanted to do a lying-down-in-the-leaves photo, so Raia plopped down. Asya instantly tripped and fell on her. Jaan joined them, and I snapped a candid shot of the whole pile.

...then Asya had to add in a random kitty who came to see what the fun was about.

We've also had a lot of rainy indoor time lately. One morning while we were out, we collected a bunch of acorns. Raia and I had made a little wreath with acorns earlier, and we wanted to do more.

I sent Will out to get a few ribbons for our wreath and the ones we were planning. Well, the flower/gift/interior design store where I've gotten ribbon before wouldn't sell them separately to Will, so instead of ribbons, he came back with this:

And that set our creative processes going! Even Jaan got involved.

The finished product hangs in our big room, right over the table:

It was really hard to get a good photo of it, but this gives the general idea.

Sunday Evening Post, issue 4

A photo from this week:


Jaan... surprises me with how much he's motivated by grades. He's been studying his music textbook by himself. And it's all in Ukrainian! (His third--and very weak--language!) I think it might be a little too much pressure, though, because he's cried over music homework a few times already. He never cries over school with me.

Raia... has been trying to write in English this week!

Asya... was just being silly in the photo above. She had all the toys out and a goat horn held up to turn herself into a rhinoceros.

Will... had good youth meetings and invited everyone here for one of those on Wednesday. It turned into an impromptu having everybody over for supper, too. I can't really tell if his allergies are any better, but they're not knocking him off his feet like they did in the spring.

School this week: Week 7 done! My favorite part was our first taste of Shakespeare together. I read a retelling of A Midsummer Night's Dream to Jaan (and the real thing myself), and then we watched a charming little silent film from 1909.

My books and knitting: Nothing new, really. Still going on very happily with the same books and projects.

Weather and nature observations: We're back to clear, sunny and beautiful. No frost. I've noticed that when a change of season is coming, they start predicting it way too early. It was the same way when I was waiting for the heat to break this summer. Always, down at the end of the forecast, there would be lower temps, but as the days approached, that went away. Now it's the same with frost.

Other news, ministry, notes and miscellaneous from the week: By the way, when I said last week was just ordinary, for Will that means, Monday evening choir practice, Tuesday church leaders meeting, Wednesday youth Bible study, Thursday choir, Friday free!, Saturday youth fellowship, Sunday choir and preaching. This week was similar. And just now we got back from gathering with all the youth for Lena's birthday, which was great fun.

On this date in. . . 2007: it's fun to read about daily life from what seems like so long ago.

Just a few things I'm thankful for...

• fellowship
• weekend naps!
• time together
• collecting acorns (There are some really pretty kinds here!)
  
• fall flowers
  

My question for you: What kinds of questions should I ask? Your responses are my favorite part of this, but I can't think of what to ask!

Sunday Evening Post, issue 3

A photo from this week:



Jaan... I can't think of anything special to write. I even asked him as he ran by just now, and he said, "I did school this week. That's all." He enjoyed it and did well, although it was all ordinary days.

Raia... Did you see the photo above? I gave her a worksheet to do one day. After I helped her with the first half, she wanted to finish the rest of it by herself. And then she copied the instructions from the top of the page. That's the photo. We were amazed at her writing skills!

Asya... wore Raia's old favorite princess dress to church today. Somehow that just made her seem so big.

Will... says, "I had a wonderful week of serving my wife and trying to meet her every need." Was he just trying to give the right answer to my question about his week? I will add that his allergies, or whatever is mysteriously wrong with his nose, have taken over again, so he's been sneezing, sniffling, sneezing, snoring, sneezing, snuffling, and sneezing some more.

School this week: Week 6 done! Some fun moments were Jaan decided to DRAW a picture to go with Cornelia's Jewels, he recognized his Durer painting in a magazine, and he pointed out that the poem (number 3) we were reading one morning in English was something he already knew from an audio book he had listened to in Russian.

My books and knitting: Still reading. I discovered how to edit ebooks, though, so I'm afraid I've been messing around with them at least as much as reading. I can fix those typos that bother me so much now! As far as knitting, I finished my Kindle bag. I'll be working on my lovely shawl for quite a while.

A quote:

Surely one is nearer, if not to God himself, yet to the things God loves, in the country than amid ugly houses.
--George MacDonald, The Flight of the Shadow

Weather and nature observations: Cool and rainy has continued on from last week.We might even have frost in the week to come!

Other news, ministry, notes and miscellaneous from the week: This was a quieter week than last. Really, there wasn't anything other than the ordinary going on at church, either. We did enjoy a visit with someone from a church in Poltava this morning. The conversation with him and our youth over tea after the service was really good.

On this date in. . . 2008, I just posted a few photos. I guess this hasn't been much of a writing date for me before this?

Just a few things I'm thankful for...

• cool, rainy days
• the heat coming on (I think this is the first time I've ever been happy to see that start up.)
• a Saturday night "art frenzy"
• vareniki with tvorog
• ordinary days!
  

My question for you: I typed up a list of discussion questions for Will to use with the youth, and this was one of them, "What gives you the most satisfaction these days?" (Please answer!)
Thank you so much to everyone who answered me last week, both in the comments and by email. I loved it!

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Anyone want to buy a little hat or dress? It's for a really good cause. I can't believe that I forgot to mention this before!

Sunday Evening Post, issue 2

A photo from this week:


Jaan... still hasn't lost that tooth. His music school schedule has been all different this week, because of Teachers Day, which was celebrated with a special concert that he had to attend. His piano teacher says that she's never seen a child like him before; homeschoolers are so weird, that even without knowing what they are, she noticed it.

Raia... was absolutely thrilled to get to go to the concert with Jaan! Also, believe it or not, she's still having trouble transitioning to no nap. I remember this with Jaan at this age, too. She can do her reading lessons for a few days, but by the end of the week, she can hardly keep her eyes open. And then she NAPS on the weekends. But don't tell her that I said all that; in her opinion, she's way too old to sleep during the day.

Asya... has been a little sick, but it's not slowing her down much at all. I have to record one of the funny things she does, before I forget: she loves to stand somewhere, pump her arms and say "семь, четыре, двадцать-два" ("seven, four, twenty-two") , then take off running. We have no idea where she got it from, but it's really cute!

Will this week: In accordance with the saying about a wife's first baby (although I don't believe it), I have to start a section for the one I didn't really mention last week. I just can't think of what to write, so I'll have to ask him....

School this week: We finished Week 5, and reading practice is going much better this week. We did a little less school than usual, because of the different music practice, but we got in some each day and finished the AO readings for the week.

My books and knitting: Still reading the same trilogy. Although, my birthday Kindle finally made it here, so I started a George MacDonald book on it, too. (I'll just quickly say that I am going to LOVE this Kindle!) Knitting news is that I finished my square and started on a lovely project an internet mentor sent me. She made the first part of it, and then decided that she didn't love the color, so she gave it to me. This is the first time I've handled a "luxury yarn," and it's incredible! Still, it's like knitting with spider web, so I have to do it in good light and without distractions. For the other times, I also started a Kindle bag.

A quote:

No worthier work can there be for a human soul that has found grace to conceive somewhat of God's loving-kindness, than to serve Him and watch and pray for those men whose sight is still darkened.
--Kristin Lavransdatter: The Mistress of Husaby, page 500

Weather and nature observations: This week fall turned cool and rainy, but we've still been able to enjoy being out in between the showers.

Other news, ministry, notes and miscellaneous from the week: We had a sad, heavy week here. Two young families at church had babies due. One of the babies died. I can't even imagine the grief the parents are going through, but we're all grieving with them. This was their first baby, born right after their first wedding anniversary. She only lived for a few hours. The other family's baby is doing well. Cute little Yasha is a big brother now.

On this date in. . . 2007, we took our first fall family walk with newborn Asya.

10 things I'm thankful for...

• a Kindle for me!
• when a little sister loves her older siblings so much that she's miserable without them
• when I can watch through the window, as all three walk hand in hand outside
• knitting
• super soft yarn, in lovely muted colors
• cool, grey fall days
• bright sunshine, breaking through the grey and bouncing off the gold
• Will reading aloud
• hot baths
• ash trees

My question for you: I guess I'll just ask, How was your week? (Please answer!)

Favorite September poems

We finished our September poems just a little early (because we started reading them while it was still August), so yesterday and today, we choose favorites and reread them. The favorites were, in English:

At The Zoo, by William Makepeace Thackeray, 1811-1868

First I saw the white bear, then I saw the black;
Then I saw the camel with a hump upon his back;
Then I saw the grey wolf, with mutton in his maw;
Then I saw the wombat waddle in the straw;
Then I saw the elephant a-waving of his trunk;
Then I saw the monkeys--mercy, how unpleasantly they smelt!

And in Russian:

ОСЕНЬЮ, Афанасий Фет

Когда сквозная паутина
Разносит нити ясных дней
И под окном у селянина
Далекий благовест слышней,

Мы не грустим, пугаясь снова
Дыханья близкого зимы,
А голос лета прожитого
Яснее понимаем мы.

I already mentioned which poem I liked best, but I'll just paste it in here, too:

September, by Helen Hunt Jackson, 1830-1885

The golden-rod is yellow;
The corn is turning brown;
The trees in apple orchards
With fruit are bending down.

The gentian's bluest fringes
Are curling in the sun;
In dusty pods the milkweed
Its hidden silk has spun.

The sedges flaunt their harvest,
In every meadow nook;
And asters by the brook-side
Make asters in the brook,

From dewy lanes at morning
The grapes' sweet odors rise;
At noon the roads all flutter
With yellow butterflies.

By all these lovely tokens
September days are here,
With summer's best of weather,
And autumn's best of cheer.

But none of all this beauty
Which floods the earth and air
Is unto me the secret
Which makes September fair.

'Tis a thing which I remember;
To name it thrills me yet:
One day of one September
I never can forget.

Sunday Evening Post

I have one friend who just started doing a "Weekly Wrap" on her blog. Another often does a "Sunday Evening Post." And then there are those blogs that have such pretty Daybooks. It's been hard for me to find time to write lately, so I'm going to try to get in a least a weekly post, something of a combination of all of the above, a summary of the week behind us.

Jaan this week: He has his first loose tooth!

Raia this week: It looks to me like her beloved reading are lessons are starting to click. She can combine two sounds now, which for some reason was a real roadblock for her at first.

Asya this week: She turned THREE! We celebrated with a special birthday dinner, where her beloved Alina was the guest of honor.

School this week: We finished Week 4, and we're loving every minute of it. I need to rethink what we're doing for reading practice....

My books and knitting: (I finally have time for hobbies, so maybe I'll write about them some. ) I'm really enjoying Sigrid Unset's Kristin Lavrensdatter trilogy. It's nice to have some serious reading going again. And all I have on my needles right now is an August afghan square that I didn't get finished in August.

Weather and nature observations: The weather has been just beautiful! I love this time of year. The very tops of the ash trees outside our windows have started turning yellow.

Other news, ministry, notes and miscellaneous from the week: The youth and children have been busy preparing for the harvest holiday, Zhatva, all week (month!). Then, today was the big holiday. And it was wonderful! The Sunday School children recited a "declamation," a visiting brass/folk orchestra played, there were lots of guests, all kinds of special music, and five sermons.



On this date in. . . 2005, I wrote about Zhatva in Viazniki. Fun pictures and wonderful memories! It still makes me a little sad to look, though, because I miss those people so much.
(In this section, I'll go back in the archives and see what was happening a few years ago.)


My question for you: What else would you like to see here each week? Or what isn't interesting and should go?

Well...

Asya hasn't moved to Poland. She hasn't had any babies, human or canine. But. . .

She's THREE!

She has her bear like Raia's.
(Thank you, Baba Julie!)

And she'll have cake and ice cream tonight.

Happy birthday to Asya!

Archiving quotes

I haven't picked up True Spirituality for a long time, so I'll move my quotes from it out of the sidebar. They're still worth keeping, of course!

"I am to love God enough to be contented. . . . When I lack proper contentment, I have forgotten that God is God. . . . A quiet disposition and a heart giving thanks is the real test of the extent to which we love and trust God."
--Francis Schaeffer in True Spirituality, Chapter 1

"Christ called his followers to take up the cross daily. True, we accept Christ as Savior once for all; we are justified, and our guilt is gone forever. But after that there is this daily, moment-by-moment aspect. The existentialist is right when he puts his emphasis on the reality of the moment-by-moment situation. He is wrong in many things, but he is right there."
--Francis Schaeffer in True Spirituality, Chapter 2

Foggy brain

Hmm. Thanksgiving can definitely "lift the clouds," can it "clear the fog," too? I feel tired and brainless right now. I sat down to give thanks, and I can't seem to type coherently. Let's see how this goes....

397. A slow, quiet day
398. Homeschooling
399. Children playing together (They're supposedly traveling to Germany right now, but Asya says that she put Germany in her pocket....)
400. A nice, warm little cat who has spontaneously become very snuggly
401. Good instant coffee
402. A free evening for Will
403. A comfy place to sleep (It's calling my name.)

Well, I'm not sure I can list (had to look that word up in the dictionary, could only think of перечислять) without a brain, but I can still be thankful. I'll just be like in the old NTM aviation video where the pilot is escaping from the guerrillas, and with every step he says, "Thank you, Lord."

Changes over nine years

A friend of mine has been in Moscow for three years now. She posted a list of how it's changed her. That, and the fact that today is the nine-year anniversary of our move to Moscow, made me start thinking of how I've changed, too. I'll skip the obvious things, like the fact that I now have children, and list a few of the changes I see in myself. Although, really, I can hardly remember or notice many of them.

• I'm more assertive.
• I speak Russian WAY better.
• I'm much less sensitive about personal comments and criticism. Things people say about my mothering that would have made me cry with Jaan, now just give me something to laugh about (later, not to their faces).
• I'm more laid back.
• I don't plan ahead any more.
• I speak English more precisely and apparently with something of a British accent (?).
• I can easily spout off the names of the English verb tenses and even give examples of them: Simple Past, Past Perfect, Past Perfect Continuous....
• I thoroughly enjoy reading in Russian now.
• The draft in our bedroom has been making my back ache the past few days (but it still doesn't make me sick!).
• Again, I still wouldn't get sick from sitting on the ground, but I don't do it, and I feel shocked when I see an American plop down just anywhere.
• I'll copy my friend and say, "I consider an electric kettle one of the most important kitchen appliances."
• I can cook for Russian or American taste buds, and I generally know what people will eat and what is just too "exotic."
• It feels very funny to me when I'm in an American church, and there's just one sermon.
• I also have to hold myself back from greeting the other women with a kiss after church in America or American-style churches.
• I honestly feel more at home in this culture than in the one I was born in.
  
• For the last one, I'll copy again: "I’ve experienced God’s grace in so many beautiful ways."

Okay, that's all I can think of off the top of my head. I should ask Will how I've changed....

A memorable birthday

Jaan is 7 years old!

"When I'm 3"

". . . I'll have cake and ice cream and a teddy bear like Raia's, and I'll live in a different country--probably Poland--and I'll give birth to a little baby and a puppy!"

--Asya

A thankful day

We had a wonderful late summer (or early autumn?) dacha day today. I was just overflowing with thanks all day! I'm so thankful for all these things:

404. Will's home!
405. Beautiful sky
406. Beautiful weather
407. Harvest, even from a neglected garden
408. Grapes
409. Plums
410. Pears
411. Apples
412. Squash
413. Melons
414. Tomatoes still going
415. Great, big praying mantises and the giggles when they tickle
416. Flowers
417. An outdoor classroom
418. Jaan-bird's nest
419. Dirty faces
420. Shashlik!

(I might come back and add more photos to illustrate these, but not now.)