Happenings

We went to a concert last night. Our field director, Brian, is a part of a band with a few people from the church. They use this band as an outreach to reach some of the University students here. The main singer/songwriter teaches at the University. Last night was what we would consider "Battle of the Bands". Basically, bands play and it is a contest. Brian's band sounded great and had some great lyrics as well...though of course I couldn't understand them, but they were written to share the gospel. Adalynn and Sophie (pictured above) had a great time dancing:)!

I am sure you wonder what we do everyday now that we have gotten used to being here. We are in a little more of a routine now, which is nice. Here is our schedule from day to day. Of course things come up, but this will give you an idea of what we are doing:

Sunday: Church in the morning
Monday: Study Russian for an hour or more while Adalynn takes a nap in the morning
Tuesday: Study Russian for an hour or more, Russian class from 4-6pm
Wednesday: Study Russian for an hour or more, Small group from 6:30-8:30pm
Thursday: Study Russian for an hour or more, Prayer for the city from 9:30-10:30am, Russian class from 4-6pm
Friday: Team meeting from 10:30-12:30pm, Study Russian for an hour or more
Saturday: Study Russian for an hour or more

In between our studying and meetings of course we go grocery shopping, play outside on the playground, or go run other errands with people. We have been over to people's houses as well for dinner. We are in the midst of trying to get in the quota for our residency visas. We went last week to the immigration office, but we needed one more document. We plan to go back in a few days to finalize things. Once we are in the quota then we will apply for the residency visas. This just allows us to be considered for the process. Please keep praying for doors to be opened for our visas.

Blessings,
Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and baby Gwen

Saturday Night Fun

On Saturday night we went over to Jeff and Gelya's house to get to know some more people from the church. Gelya had all the girls come in the kitchen to learn how to make Russian Blini---(pictured above) which are like crepes. They were soooo good! You can make them with basically anything in them. We made them with meat inside. Once you make the blini you put the meat inside and then fry them in a pan (brown them so they are slightly crispy). Gelya also made some sauce to put on top. We had fun in the kitchen! I learned some more Russian words and also had a chance to use some basic Russian with one of the girls who didn't speak much English. The guys all were in the living room entertaining the kids...that was helpful! Around 8pm dinner was done and we all sat down to eat. (In Russia dinner (supper) is served later) Poor Adalynn, it was already past her bedtime, but she ended up doing great. She enjoyed the blini and of course her banana! We ended the evening with tea and a cake that Jeff had made. Philip and I went home that night around 10pm thankful for team members like Jeff and Gelya who took the time to invite us for dinner to help us get more acquainted with the culture!

Susha helping cook (she speaks English pretty well)

Gelya is pouring the blini batter on to a special pan. I even tried it out a few times...it wasn't too bad! I can't wait to try it at home...and of course for some of you supporters when we come back to the States!

The guys and the kids played with a train set...

Lately

Look at my sweet family! Philip is such a trooper and so is Adalynn! I am so blessed to be here with them by my side. Adalynn brings us joy each day, and Philip is my steady right hand. He has broken out of his comfort zone many times: exchanging money, buying shoes, ordering food...the list goes on.

This is our 3rd full week here. Time has flown! Here are a few ways you can be praying for us!

--Language learning! We had our 3rd session this past week and suddenly I felt a little overwhelmed. Not because I didn't know what was going on, but because it is hard to communicate with our teacher. She is good, but it is just a little bit of an adjustment for us. We are trying to learn new vocabulary each week, kind of on our own.
--Using the language! It is kind of scary to actually talk to Russians in Russian! We need boldness to use what we know because that is the only way we will become comfortable. But let me tell you honestly, it is HARD!
--Patience. Especially with Adalynn these days because she has gotten clingy. Obviously a lot of it has to do with our big transition. We are her security and she just doesn't want us out of her sight. It is hard at times to deal with the whining...I think all you mothers out there know what I mean!
--I have been having a pain up my left leg/thigh lately. It hurts and I am sure it is due to being pregnant and all that lovely stuff, but pray that it goes away.

Thanks for your prayers, support, love, and encouragement. You all are the best team out there!

Blessings,
Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and baby Gwen

We had a chance to enjoy a mocha at a coffee shop in the mall. Funny how they serve the mocha, isn't it? You would think it would come in a big fat mug with whipped cream on top...but instead it is in a glass cup with a straw! The chocolate is delicious...soooo creamy. (Better than Starbucks' chocolate, I have to say!) I am looking forward to a nice hot caramel white chocolate in a big fat mug when we return to the States...but this will due for now!

All our snow! The little pink shed looking thing is the garage. This picture is part of the Ministry Center.

Dinner

Tonight, after our Russian lesson, we had a lady from church, Natasha, come over and help us cook a Russian meal. We made a Russian salad (grated cheese, chopped tomatoes, and mayo), a beef stroganoff with mushrooms, and mashed potatoes. Of course we ended the evening with tea and sweets!

The Russian salad--the salads here are pretty tasty. A lot of them are coated in mayo or a vinaigrette dressing---with chopped vegetables.

(If you click on the picture you can see that Adalynn is waving at the camera. As you can see she helped out a lot with cooking dinner!)

Philip getting ready to taste a popular Russian drink...(most of the missionaries who have come have NOT liked it)

...and it's not bad!

It actually tasted a little like flat pop, but with bready flavor (it is made with bread flour or bread or something like that!)

Check It Out

If you want to check out more happenings with our family check our family blog out at

The Gormong Life

Lesson Number 1

We had our first Russian lesson yesterday afternoon. I would say it went well. Thank you for praying for us as we were a little nervous. Our teacher speaks very little to NO English, so you are just trying to understand what she is telling you. I am soooo thankful for our time in South Carolina with RLM. I would have been 100% lost if we had not had that foundation learning. We will be meeting 2x a week for an hour each--Tuesday and Thursdays from 4-6 (I go and then Philip goes). Thanks again for your prayers!

Blessings,
Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and baby Gwen

A COLD Walk Around the Block

Brrr!!!

This morning we decided to venture out and take a walk around where we live. It was quite cold out! It was sunny, which was nice, but it also meant it would be really cold. And it was. Adalynn enjoyed her sled and we enjoyed pushing her and not holding her!!

Adalynn and I ready for a walk

Lenin Square...no, not John Lennon...

Spar, where we buy some groceries...just a few minutes from our apartment

Going Home
(the sled handle moves so you can push it either way...it also has a string you can pull it if you want)

Blessings,
Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and baby Gwen