Overcoming Fears

Well, she has done it! Adalynn overcame her fear of the sand on the playground! Yesterday I went outside with her and Gwen and Adalynn decided to walk by herself to the slide! She did everything herself! I was so proud of her! I have a video to show you, but it is not loading right now so I will have to try again later. The pictures will just have to do for right now! I said, "Good Job" to Adalynn over and over because I was so proud of her for walking on the sand. I heard her saying every time she would walk over to the steps in the sand, "Good Job Adalynn! Good job!"

We have been pretty busy here this past week. The missions team that was here left on Monday. I went in to Moscow with the team to take them to the airport. After that we (Geyla, another team member) went to Ikea and H&M to do some shopping! It was fun! This week Philip has been busy preparing for the class he is teaching in just a few weeks. He feels like he still has a lot of preparing to do, so please pray for him this coming week. In the midst of getting ready for this class, we have been studying and doing Russian homework, getting our small group together to start next Wednesday, going to meetings, being sick, and preparing for our larger group gathering for our church. It has been busy and it seems as though things are going to keep being busy all month! Wheww!
It is actually sunny here today, which is a nice change up from the rain and the cold. Our heat came on a few days ago, so that is also nice. Of course it is warmer out when we don't need the heat now that the heat is actually on! (temperature is around 50 or low 60s) Today is our third day to play outside. I was able to meet a Russian mother along with her daughter and mother. I introduced myself and Adalynn (Gwen was not with me at the time). I saw her again today and waved to her. It is kind of nice "knowing" or recognizing someone. Her name is Yulia. Pray that I will have more interactions with her in the coming weeks.

Thanks for you prayers!
Blessings,
Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and Gwen

I am so sorry for not blogging lately. It has been a crazy week/weekend. Last Saturday we had a team come from the States to do some ministry. It was a great week! On Friday we had a prayer time with them as a missionary team and then we hosted a Mexican Fiesta luncheon at our apartment! It was so fun to have mexican food! They also brought us a bunch of goodies from the states: cake mixes, muffin liners, stuffed animals for the girls, spices, icing, apple cider, taco seasoning, cds, books, jewelery...you name it! It was super! We feel super blessed by them!

On Saturday, Philip and I went in with the team to Moscow for a day of site seeing! It was our first time as tourist in Moscow, so it was pretty neat! Brian led the team and did the tour guide thing! We left Saturday morning and took the express train, which takes about 2 1/2 hours.

(Train Station in Vladimir leaving for Moscow!)

This train took us straight into Moscow, where we stopped at a Starbucks and then headed to the metro to Red Square. This metro system is one of the deepest in the world. It was originally made for an underground bomb or nuclear shelter for the whole city during WWII (I think or it might be WWI) .

St. Basil's Cathedral

Welcome to Red Square! (That is the Kremlin Wall)

We then walked around the Kremlin Wall and saw the beautiful gardens. We ate lunch at a mall and then headed to Old Arbot Street to do some souvenir shopping! We spent about 2 hours there shopping and drinking more Starbucks Coffee! At 6pm we left on the train to head back to Vladimir. It was raining at this point as we ran to the train. Gwen was pretty tired, wet, and hungry by this time. Overall it was a great trip! I can't wait to do it again!

Russian Ballet takes place here (sorry about the H&M sign right in the way!)