A Day Out in the Cold

This building is now a glass blowing museum. I hope we can go one day!

We took this Saturday to be tourist in the city. Ok, not full blown out tourist, but we took some pictures and bought a few souvenirs! It was a fun day though a bit cold. Adalynn fell asleep right away in her stroller, so she was quite good while we were shopping...not a peep! Then we went to the coffee shop and warmed up with a cup a coffee!

The Golden Gate

Philip and Adalynn in front of the Golden Gate. This used to be the gate into the city when Vladimir was the capital.

One of the bus stops...last week we got on a 5 trolley bus instead of the 5 bus. Bad mistake. We were actually coming home from our field directors' house (we had dinner with them that night) so it was about 8:30pm. Well the 5 trolley bus took us to the train station instead of where we thought we were going. We ended up standing in the cold (like -20F or something terrible like that) for a little bit while we waited for a taxi. Philip, my awesome husband, told the driver, in Russian, our address and off we went. Thank goodness for a taxi! I will avoid all number 5 trolley buses.

Adalynn on the trolley on the way home.

Blessings,
Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and baby Gwen

Thank You

I wanted to take a few minutes to update you on a recent prayer request! Thank you for all of you who have been praying for my leg related to pregnancy issues. It has been feeling A LOT better as of about 3 days ago! I know that the Lord has answered your prayers! I have been doing some research and talking with some nurse friends (thanks Sarah and Danika!) about it and decided that it may be sciatic nerve pain due to little Gwen growing. The pain also I am sure has to do with the more walking I am doing here in Russia as well as with the new shoes I wear. I have been doing some stretches to help. I notice it the most when I get up in the morning because I am a little stiff, but other than that it has been 90% better! Just wanted you to know that our God is still answering our prayers! Thank you for thinking of me and helping me even here in Russia!

Blessings,
Kara
p.s. Sorry no picture included. I didn't think you would want a picture of my leg in association with the post:)!

Valentine's Day

Brrr! -25 degrees Celsius is -13 Fahrenheit...yikes! It was so cold the other day! We went out with Adalynn and then quickly decided to make our way back inside because it was just too cold! I think everything in my nose froze when I inhaled when we stepped outside!
On a "warmer" note, we enjoyed a Valentine's Day dinner with the young marrieds' group we have been attending. Jeff and Geyla hosted it at their house! It was fun and so enjoyable. We played a "newlywed" game that Jeff and Geyla put together! Philip and I didn't win, but we came in 3rd! Our kids were all at our apartment under the supervision of Geyla's parents---which I might add, made the evening more enjoyable. I think I actually had time to see what I was eating! Thanks, Jeff and Geyla for hosting this dinner! The group just ended the Fireproof Series. They will start meeting again in April (I think). We are sad we won't be able to join them as we head back to the States in April.

Thank your for keeping up with us through the blog! Let us know if you have some questions or things you would like us to write about on the blog! We are always up for some suggestions to keep you all informed!

Blessings,
Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and baby Gwen

A Valentine Day Surprise

Today we got our first package in the mail! There was a slip of paper that Jeff brought up from the office saying we had a package at the local post office. Philip and Jeff made their way over to the post office in the -20 degrees Celsius weather. We waited until Adalynn woke up from her nap and then we let her open the package. The package is from some of our friends and supporters from Terre Haute! Adalynn was bouncing around...she couldn't wait for me to open the box. Once it was open she dove right in pulling things out one at a time. She loved the cards! She kept holding the purple card from her friend Wesley! Adalynn also got 2 books (which we needed because I am tired of reading the same 5 books over and over!) a stuffed kitty (loves it...she calls it a meow, meow) and a purse! Thanks Joyce, Joy, Ian, Wesley, and Vivian!!!! Gwen and Adalynn LOVED their Valentine treats!

What a blessing from friends back home. Seriously, it was a little bit of home coming to us, and it was a blessing! Thank you!

Sporting the new purse, which she LOVES!

Reading, reading, reading!

An awesome snowflake to hang up!

Cards!

Still carrying around her new purse and kitty!

Blessings,
Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and baby Gwen

p.s.
Did you know we are over 100% funded?! Praise the Lord! Pray as many people in the coming months will be praying about renewing their Faith Promises! If you are one of these people, know we are praying for you and that we need you to continue to invest in our lives!