Lessons

Sometimes it is hard to study Russian. Sometimes I don't want to study Russian. Sometimes I need to study Russian. With all that said, I try to find some interesting ways to study. The other day we had to memorize another tongue twister, so I memorized it will I was washing the dishes. Philip is really good at pronouncing the words, so he usually helps me. I washed the dishes, looked at the tongue twister, and Philip just repeated it over and over. Sounds like a romantic evening, doesn't it? We are trying to get into our Russian studies each day/evening. Usually when the girls are tucked in bed (around 7pm), we hit the books. Most evenings we try to do this, but sometimes one of us may be gone, we may be out late, or we just need a night to unwind and not think. at. all.
Overall, we really enjoy our Russian tutor, and have found that she has been helpful. She does speak some English which makes explaining things easier.
Thank you for praying for us as we learn Russian. We appreciate it...and need it!

Blessings,
Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and Gwen

Answered Prayers

Have you been praying for me?!

...because I have been a good sleeper lately...

Thank you for your prayers for Gwen and her lack of sleep. She has been doing well at bedtime lately! She goes to bed at 7pm, and has been staying asleep for those "hard" hours in the early evening. She has been having 1 1/2 to 2 hour naps as well! We are down to 3 naps now, eating rice cereal, carrots, and avocados! When Gwen smiles, she melts our hearts! Oh, what a blessing she is! Now, if she would only sleep THROUGH the night:)!

(Gwen likes the gourd, our neighbor gave us!)

Blessings,
Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and Gwen

Date Night

While the Nettletons were here this past weekend, they offered to watch the kids so the parents could go out on a date! We decided to "double date" with Brian and Cara and go to one of their favorite restaurants, ШеШ Беш (Shesh Besh). It was quite good, and a fun experience. We had Shash-leek, which is a big Russian food. They are like kabobs, but maybe better! It usually comes on individual plates, but for some reason they decided to give us all our meal on one big plate.

Here, Philip is clearly explaining that we are NOT drinking alcohol of any kind. It is in fact pear juice that tastes like juicy fruit (according to Cara!) or ginger ale.

More pear juice...

Dessert!

We had a fun evening out! Adalynn and Gwen did great for the Nettletons while they babysat!

Blessings,
Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and Gwen

Тыква

Fall is in full bloom (ok, so the leaves are basically off all the trees and it is threatening snow any day, but it is still fall!) in Russia and we are about to enjoy our first pumpkin or тыква (teekva as it is said in Russian)! Our fellow friend and missionary, Kerry, brought us a pumpkin the other day from a lady at church! We were so excited! She even brought us a Christmas CD so we could really ring in the upcoming holidays! I decided to let Adalynn doing a little decorating before we cook it and make some delicious pumpkin recipes! Thanks, Kerry!

Blessings,
Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and Gwen

Refreshment

This past weekend we had the priviledge of having our Pastors to Missionaries come spend a few days with the GP Russian field! On Friday they joined us for our weekly team meeting and then we enjoyed a team lunch afterwards. On Saturday, they came to our house for lunch and fellowship. It was good to be encouraged and prayed for by this wonderful couple! On Saturday night they babysat for the girls (just 3 of the 5 missionary little girls) while the parents went out on a date! Fun! And guess what? They survived!
It is great to have our Pastors to Missionaries be able to visit the field. We enjoy the monthly emails, prayers, and encouragement that overflows from these people!

Gwen is getting some love!

They brought Disney stuffed animals and matching t-shirts for all the girls! The adults got chocolate! Yum!

Blessings,
Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and Gwen