Lunch at a Hotel

2 weeks ago I was able to spend a wonderful lunch with Anya and Marina.  Both of these ladies own the language club that Philip helps out with each week.  I have been to the park with both ladies quite a few times.  They speak great English, but of course I try to practice my Russian with them.  This last time they told me that it was fun to speak Russian with me!  Are you wondering why my shoes are in the picture?  Well, Russian ladies are ALWAYS wearing heels and fancy shoes...I rarely wear these because I am not a fan of walking around with kids and heels.  To me that is just too much work!  But on this day I decided to put on my "Russian" heels!

For lunch we went to this hotel that overlooked a river.  It was absolutely beautiful.  We sat on the veranda for lunch with a wonderful view.  I didn't even feel like I was in Vladimir, let alone Russia!  We had some tasty food along with some really great conversation.  They both began to ask me about marriage and how to keep it a marriage these days.  I was able to share with them about how the God we serve really helps us in this area.  It was just a small window, but I feel like through talking about marriage I was able to point to the Lord in many areas.  I praise God for this because before I even went to this lunch, I prayed that the Lord would give me opportunity to point to Him sometime during our time together!  

Toward the end of our meal, they asked to read the book "The Five Love Languages" together.  They are really interested in how to learn more about marriage.  I thought this was a good book to start with, but I hope and pray to begin to share with them the truths that Scripture tells us about marriage.

Thank you for your prayers!

Blessings,

Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and Gwen

Suzdal, Russia

 We took Mom and Dad Gormong to the famous town of Suzdal last weekend.  Suzdal is famous for its  old cathedrals and beautiful Orthodox churches. 

Our field directors went with us...they were wonderful tour guides!  It was good to hear the history!

Thanks to Faith Wesleyan Church for the gift of sending Mom and Dad Gormong over for 2 1/2 weeks!  We have thoroughly enjoyed them!  We are sad to say our goodbyes tomorrow morning.

Blessings,

Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and Gwen

Gormong Parents

 Mom and Dad Gormong arrived safely on Tuesday morning!  (top picture...fresh off the airplane!)  On Wednesday, they were able to participate in our final small group before our friend Vika leaves for America.  

The girls are in love all over again with their grandparents!

 On Saturday we went to Bogolyubovo, a town outside of Vladimir.  We went to see this beautiful church, which is in the middle of a big open field.  We went earlier in this spring, but most of the area was still flooded from the rain and melting snow.  This time around, we were able to walk right up to the church and even go in!

(picture above)

This is a monastery we were able to go in and walk around the grounds.  

Pictures above

The beautiful church, Gwen's new best friend---Grandpa, Mom and Dad, Mom and Adalynn taking a rest!

We are having a wonderful time with them!  We head to Moscow on Tuesday---Philip and I as tour guides.  Let's hope we all don't ride the metro all day...and return back to Vladimir:)!

Blessings,

Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and Gwen

Dandelions and Hope

On Tuesday we went outside despite the cooler weather that rolled in with the rain earlier this week.  (It is actually hot and sunny today!)   I decided to try to get some pictures of the girls in the grass.  Well, Gwen was not impressed.  She made this face the whole time...with a little whiny cry to go along with it.  She clung to her little bunny and whimpered.  Gwen wanted nothing to do with grass, flowers, or picture taking!

When I was little I, my mom would put my sister and I on a blanket outside while she hung up the laundry.   We hated the grass, so we never moved from the blanket.  Daughter like mother I suppose!

While we were outside we met a dad and his daughter.  The little girl followed Adalynn around.  They played a little and I made small (what I could) talk with the dad.  The little girl was 1 and 2 months.  Her name was Nastya.  We have a friend who watches the missionary girls on Fridays.  Her name is Nastya too.  When I told Adalynn this little girl's name was Nastya, Adalynn looked at me really funny and said, "No it's not.  It is not Nastya!"  Hahha!

Picking "Russian flowers" as Adalynn calls them.  I am sure Adalynn will be delighted to know that dandelions grow all over the world! 

 

Dr. Jim Lo is here in Vladimir teaching a class at the Bible College.  Dr. Lo was one of Philip and I's professors from Indiana Wesleyan University back in the day.  I was able to go to class last night with the girl Vika from our small group!  It was a great class!  She really enjoyed it!  She has class the next two nights so she won't be able to go again.  She was disappointed about this, but again said how much she enjoyed the lecture.  Dr.  Lo had a great lecture and even shared the way to salvation which was so neat since Vika was there.  Dr. Lo even mentioned some stories from John, which is the book we had been studying together.  Throughout the lecture Vika would say to me, "I remember, we talked about this!"  Please continue to pray for her as she leaves in just a little over a week for the United States for 3 months.

Blessings,

Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and Gwen

Contacts...Not the Ones You Put in Your Eyes...

Well, the sun is out and spring has arrived in Vladimir!  The last few days we have been outside with light jackets and no winter boats!  The smell of the fresh air is amazing and such a welcoming scent.  I might start hanging my cloths outside on the balcony to dry!

This past week, I was able to go on a walk with a friend!  Philip helps out at an English club once a week on Thursdays.  This lady and her friend started this English club.  I met "A" last fall, but recently have been able to spend some time with her!  Her and her family came to our Easter celebration a few weeks ago.  It was great to meet her family!  She was interested in knowing more about our church!  We met in the park by our house and walked and talked for over an hour.  Then on Friday, she invited me to go shopping with her and her friend.  We went and ate lunch at a restaurant I have never been to before.  I had some traditional Russian salad and a soup made from pickles.  It was actually quite tasty!  Then we hit the mall and bought a few things for our kids...and maybe ourselves!  It was a lot of fun!  On Saturday night, she invited Philip and I to do something with her and her husband.  We quick found a babysitter and ended up enjoying dinner together at a local pizza place.  We all had a very enjoyable time.

Vika is still coming to our small group each week.  It has been nice to be in a regular rhythm of studying the Bible together.  She always asks questions.  She has recently mentioned that her parents are not very thrilled with her coming to read the Bible.  They think it is some kind of sect, which is what probably many older people may think.  But we assured her we are not, and even told her that the Bible we read together (the one she owns) is approved by the Orthodox church...this should put her parents to ease a little.  Anyway, keep praying for her.  She will leave at the end of the month to do a study program in the States.  Pray for Vika as she goes to live on her own in a foreign country.  Pray for her to meet some believers in her area so that she may continue in learning, seeing, and hearing about the Lord.

Tomorrow I will be going with our language tutor to get a free massage!  What?!  I know, right?  I must have the best tutor in the world...oh and the best husband in the world since he will be watching the girls...again:)  I'll let you know how it goes!

Thanks for your prayers for us.  We are continually seeking the Lord as He uses us for his purposes here in Vladimir!

Blessings,

Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and Gwen

p.s.  I mentioned so long ago (back in the fall)  that I met a mom on the playground named Yulia.  I happened to see her yesterday for the first time since returning in January!  I was happy to see her!  We briefly talked about the weather and how nice it was to be outside again.  I have seen her on the playground since, so I am excited to talk more with her.  Please pray for opportunities and boldness.

Warmer

Welcome Spring!  Finally, Vladimir is starting to see some warmer weather!  It was in the mid 60s yesterday and it was oh, so glorious!  The girls and I went with Philip to pay our bills---to the post office.  We weaved in and out of puddles, but mostly just enjoyed the beautiful weather!!!

 

This is what most cars look like these days...dirty.  All the mud, puddles, and rain just give people an excuse to not wash their cars.

This picture was taken outside the post office while we were waiting for Philip.  I thought it was a neat symmetrical picture, though I am not sure what it says, so hopefully it isn't something bad!

Gwen is living it up with no winter snowsuit, a light hat, lounging in the stroller, and a snack.  What a hard life of a 10 month old!

Peek-a-Boo!  In Russian people say, "Coo Coo"

Sister loving!  Adalynn was singing this song, "My best friend, Gwen is my best friend.  My best friend is my sisterrrrrrrrrrr!!!  Gwenie!!!!!!"  It was pretty cute!

Blessings,

Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and Gwen

Spring Puddles

 What?  Is that the road/ground you see?  Yes, it is true there is actually ground under all the snow.  I was beginning to think we were just walking on endless layers of ice and snow.  On Thursday it snowed.all.morning.  It was sad.  But today the sun was shining and the temperature got up to the 40s!  Yay!  When you stepped outside this afternoon, you could hear the steady dripping and gushing of melting snow from buildings.  It was a good sound.  

 

Here we are walking home from our Easter celebration with our Missionary Team.  We had a nice brunch at our field directors' house.  We did not get home until later in the afternoon, so Gwen was out like a light once we were on the bus.  

 

I told Adalynn she could actually step in the puddle.  She was beside herself with excitement because I am usually telling her to NOT step in the puddle.  It was a good picture moment, and we were just excited to not be walking on snow!

Happy Spring from Russia!

Blessings,

Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and Gwen

We Are HERE!

Guess what these three things have in common...

 

 

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I am sorry I have been behind on posting!  I hope you are still checking back to make sure we are still alive!  We have kicked up our language hours a few notches.  We had a great schedule going, but then decided that a few more hours of language would probably be beneficial, so we started hitting the books harder.  I can tell you my brain is a little more worn out.  

I went to the market on Saturday to buy some grass seed for a Sunday school project.  While I was there I decided to buy some fruit and vegetables as well.  I went to the vender who I went to last fall.  She remembered me, and asked me how the children were.  It was nice to "chat" with her and also practice my language.  See, in Russian, when you use quantity (numbering items) you have to change your noun or thing you are naming.  In this case, when I would ask for 3 pears, the word pear would use the genitive singular ending.  This is true from 2-4.  When you get to 5 you use the genitive case but in plural.   Are you lost?  Yes, I thought so.  Me too.  But as I talked to the lady and asked for different items, I made sure I said how many I wanted while using the correct genitive cases.  (We have been learning this with our tutor during our lessons.)  I walked away with 250 rubles worth of produce (about $8) and some good practice of the genitive case.

On Wednesday, we began meeting with our small group. Now when I say, small, I mean SMALL.  The girl, Vika, who I had coffee last month, came.  The other girl has gotten busy with school, but said she would try to come whenever possible.  It was good to get back together!  We are reading the book of John.  Pray for us as we continue to meet on Wednesday evenings.

Last week, it was warmer outside, so I took the girls for a walk around the building.  We met a little girl and her grandma.  We chatted a little.  They smiled at Gwen, who was stuffed in a her snowsuit in the stroller!  The little girl was Adalynn's age and was really sweet and interested in both Adalynn and Gwen.  They live on the 3rd floor of our building with the little girl's mother.  Sunday, I saw them again, and made sure I said hello.  Maybe we will see more of them in the coming days.  That is if the sun decides to melt the snow...

Hmmm...what else can I update you on.  Tomorrow we go AGAIN to try to get registered.  We have our official residency permit stamps in our passports.  Now we have to get registered.  Philip went on Monday, but they wanted some more paperwork, so we go tomorrow to hopefully be done with it!  We do have to work on our exit visas next, but that should be more simple...wait did I say, simple?  Nothing is simple here.  

Well, I leave you with this precious smile from 10 month old Gwenyvere.  We cannot believe she is going to be 1 in just a few short months!  Gwen and Adalynn are both a constant joy to us.  They bring hugs, words of love, and smiles to us when we need it most!  

 

Blessings,

Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and Gwen

Spring!

Spring is on its way over to Russia! Yesterday it was quite a bit warmer out. Now when I say warmer, I am not saying 70s and 80s like in Indiana! It is warm enough that the snow is melting...soon the roads and sidewalks will be big yucky puddles. Oh the joys of spring in Russia. Oh, and did I mention that at night the puddles may freeze and then you have to enjoy sliding around on them during the early morning hours? Oh yes the price to pay to have warmer weather. I'll take it!
Yesterday after I spent all morning studying Russian and Philip spent all afternoon studying Russian, we decided we all needed a break! We took the girls outside for a walk around the apartment building and little play time on the slushy playground! It was fun and the girls enjoyed being outside. We even saw our neighbor outside with her dog. We said hi, talked about the warmer weather, how Adalynn can say some Russian words, and how tired Gwen looked!

This is Adalynn looking through the fence at the muddy road.

Sharing a swing!

Adalynn was "helping" push Gwen!

Blessings,
Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and Gwen