Sunday, December 05, 2010

Sunday Evening Post, issue 11


A photo from this week:


Lighting the Advent candle

Jaan... wrote his first essay, all by himself. That sounds pretty impressive, and it was fun to watch, but the results weren't much. He was supposed to record an oral answer, but our webcam stopped working, so he asked me if he could type an answer. And he did! Four lines about Shakespeare.

Raia... is the one who's really memorizing the Advent verses and readings. Jaan's been doing some of the reading for us, but Raia actually knows what to say without looking.

Asya... spends all her free time pushing around a plastic tub of stuffed animals, her "babies" in their "stroller."

Baby... is waking me up at night with wild kicking and partying. We think this one will be our calmest child, because in our family the ones who move the most before they're born seem to be calmer after birth, and vice versa.

Will... made a trip to visit a friend, the homeless man who he took to a shelter in Zaporozhye a while ago.

School this week: The was our first "Exam Week." I think it went well, and we really enjoyed it. Jaan got to choose something to do (craft, baking, etc) every day after we were done with his questions, and Raia joined us for that part each day. Other than that, she had a week off from school.

My books: Since I finished my big, serious book, Will gave me something else, science fiction about spacefaring dolphins. Hmm. At least it's different.

...and knitting: My cutest knitting project ever! I also finished a matching hat, but I'll have to show you that later.

Weather and nature observations: We did get our first little bit of snow. It all melted after a few days, though, and now we have rain, fog and mud. One evening we went for a walk in the fog. That was a treat!

Advent this week: It hasn't been perfect. I think we've had tears over something or another every evening, but it has been wonderful. We're treasuring Jesus and His words in a quiet candlelit time each night and preparing to celebrate His birth. Last week we focused on Hope, this week we're moving on to LOVE: 1 John 4:10.

Other news, ministry, notes and miscellaneous from the week: Maybe it isn't nice to talk about this, but--we had our kitty neutered this week. That didn't go very smoothly, and it seemed like we spent several days just focused on taking care of him afterwards. He's okay now, though.

On this date in. . . 2006: Advent, plus some.

holy experience

Just a few things I'm thankful for...
  • first snow
  • Asya telling Papa about Advent each night
  • Jesus!
  • rays of light from the street lamps, coming through the fog
  • a new school term, ready to start tomorrow
My question for you: Do you enjoy foggy days? (I enjoy the quiet that seems to come with them.)

7 comments:

Mom said...

Beautiful baby sweater...thank you for the lovely post. We love you.

Anonymous said...

Phyllis, thanks for the congratulations you sent our way! It was so nice hearing from you. :) I need to tell you 'congratulations' too!!! :) So excited for you guys, that you'll be welcoming another precious little one into your family. What a blessing! I hope that you are feeling well and enjoying this time of pregnancy! I enjoy all of your posts and hearing about your daily happenings. Have a great week! Christy S.

Baba Julie said...

Fog is kind of a magical thing, isn't it? It does seem to shut out everything around it. Please pray that the fog does not shut Anna IN this Thurs. as she is to leave for the States that day!! Love y'all!

Alissa Maxwell said...

Not so much for the fog, as it's making our getting around quite challenging these days.

However... I love that photo of Asya with the smile stickers. It's great fun to think that my kids are doing the same things. I need to post our set-up, but THANK YOU again for the wonderful idea for Preschool Advent. Owen is looking forward to the "Advent Prize" and reading under the tree every night.

Unknown said...

There wasn't a whole lot of interesting weather growing up in So Cal. But we did get a lot of wind and fog. They are favorites, wind because it is powerful and unseen and fog because it is peaceful.

Mrs said...

I wouldn't ever tell a woman she looks pregnant unless she TOLD me she was pregnant. Now that you're talking baby, HOORAY! So happy for all of you!

Jacqueline said...

I remember the homeless man from your prayer request. How is he doing? How was your husband's visit with him?