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

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