Another Fall Day in Russia

The weather is getting cooler. Yesterday it was about 32 degrees F outside! Brrr. Talk about a cold fall! The leaves are basically done changing color and have mostly fallen from the trees already. Most days are grey and dreary looking outside. Occasionally the day can start off with some sunshine, but turn cloudy by mid day. Sometimes it rains, which makes things even colder. Our apartment is heated now and quite warm. We have these knobs on our heaters that allow us to adjust the heat a little. We did not have these in our last apartment. Instead we just roasted. It is nice to not have to have the windows open all the time just to cool the hot apartment down!

Yesterday we got a package slip. You don't get your package delivered to your mailbox like you do in the States. Instead, you get a slip which you have to fill out and then go to the post office to pick it up. Obviously this would be super simple in the States. You would fill out everything in English, hop in your convenient car, go to the post office, stand in line, be greeted by a smiling post office person, pick up your package, get back in your car, and head home. Here it is slightly different. We had some help filling out our package slip (thanks Brian!) and I wrote it in Russian. Then I got on a 27 bus and headed downtown. Once off the bus I walked a few blocks, accidentally walked in the wrong building, went back outside, and walked further to the building that actually HAD post office written on the outside.

Oops. Anyway, found the office with no problem. There was no line, just a grumpy lady who rolled her eyes when I approached. Nice. I got the package and then also paid a bill there. Did you know we have to pay our bills at the post office or bank? Yes, so unconvenient as well, but oh well, at least I was headed there anyway!

When I got home, there was one happy birthday girl who appreciated my trip to the post office!
Thanks, Grandpa and Grandma Streicher!

Blessings,
Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and Gwen

Need of Wheels

As you may remember, we will be returning to the States for a short 6 weeks at the end of November due to visa issues. We are excited to use this opportunity to spend time with family during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays! Adalynn has been saying, "Go to America" the last few days. She is anxious to see her Grandmas and Grandpas and aunts, uncles, and cousins!
Because we are going to be traveling to Ohio to visit my family, we are in need of a car or van to use for the month of December ONLY! If you would be willing or able to let us borrow a vehicle for this month, we would greatly appreciate it! Please email us @ pkgormong@gmail.com if you are willing to help us with this need!

These two cute faces could get us a ride if we had to hitch hike, but we would rather not!

Thanks for your support, prayers, giving, and love!

Blessings,
Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and Gwen

Someone has been Busy!

No, Philip hasn't been busy baking or eating Cinnabon Cinnamon rolls. (This is the only picture I could find of just Philip...the camera was a last thought last week during his class) He has been busy preparing and teaching the Pauline and Epistles at the Bible College. Last Monday was his first night of class. It was a week long intensive, so class went from 6pm-9pm each night and concluded with an afternoon class on Saturday. Philip has spent the last 2 weeks preparing, studying, and outlining each of the Epistles. He would normally get up and go to the coffee shop or the Global Partner office and work all late morning/afternoon. On top of that he had Russian to study for, a small group to prepare for, trash to take out, and paperwork for our residency visas to mess with. It was a really busy week, but the Lord provided him strength and focus. I must say he did have a few late nights. I could tell he was focused because one night I asked him what time it was (it was the middle of the night when Gwen woke up and since we don't have a clock in our room, Philip wears his watch that lights up). Philip didn't respond so I had to nudge him again and ask him. Instead of saying what time it was he said, "1 Timothy 2:4". I thought yikes, he is focused! Even quoting Scripture in his dreams! hahah!
Philip had 6 students in the class. He said he felt like the class went well and was really glad for the experience and opportunity to teach. He had to get used to talking with an interpreter, but he said it also gave him a chance to look down at his notes more! Thank you for your faithful prayers for him and the class.

At break time during the class, they always had tea. It was a nice break for everyone. On Saturday, after the last class, they all ended with tea and Philip practiced his Russian with the students!
Here Adalynn is having a tea party with her favorite stuffed animals!

Did you know that Philip is also meeting with an English group each Thursday? A friend asked Philip to help out another friend who is an English teacher. On Thursdays Philip goes to an English class and speaks "native" English with the Russian students. They are all women, which is slightly funny, but we are hoping to build some relationships through this ministry. Sometime the girls and I will go with Philip!


Blessings,
Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and Gwen