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I’m thankful for our 3-day trip to Helsinki, Finland

Sat, 13 Aug 2011 14:36:23 +0400

Most of our friends that live in Russia have traveled to Helsinki at least once if not a few times. It’s only an 1.5 hour flight or an overnight train ride. Somehow we had never ventured there, so we decided to take our visa run there this time. Because of it’s cooler climate we figured August would be a good time to visit. Our 3 days included the zoo, a couple of boat rides to get to places, a bike ride on the coast, running on the city’s jogging trail, and visiting the famous Sea Fortress of Finland. It was an active community, so we had to jump in!

This was upon arriving at the Zoo. A bit anti-climatic for Graham!

The city jogging trail that brought back memories of running and biking around White Rock Lake.

Suomenlinna Sea Fortress was BEAUTIFUL!

This is the “King’s Gate” at Suomenlinna.

I’m thankful for...

Sat, 13 Aug 2011 14:06:45 +0400

✤ finding a local swimming pond for us to visit with our friend, Kim. Graham didn’t love the water at first, but he came around to it.

(at first we thought this was all he was going to do (squat and hold his ducky), but he warmed up to the idea...I think he’s smiling there below. Hard to say!)

✤ picnics in the park with friends (it’s quite the summer activity, but what a good one!)

✤ friends that keep in touch through Skype! Not all my friends keep in touch well over the distance and the years, but some do, and for that I’m extremely thankful for them!

✤ Graham finding his belly button! He’s very proud of it and doesn’t know where his nose is, but can identify his belly button on call!

✤ the book, “Sacred Rhythms”, which is challenging my spiritual journey with the Lord . I’ve only read the introduction and the first chapter. I can’t get past the first chapter. There’s a practice part, so I have to finish it before I move on! It’s so refreshing to read something that really stirs my heart for the Lord! Sometimes I go awhile without digging very deep. I’m thankful this book makes me go there. At least the first chapter.

✤ a trip to Helsinki....which gets its own blog entry!

Giving Thanks

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 19:51:59 +0400

Weird title for the middle of the dead-heat summer and not in the midst of a cool breeze and orange leaves, but this is my attempt to relaunch our blog!
Recently I’ve been reading a book called, “1000 Gifts”. The story has inspired me to start my own list of 1000 gifts that God has given me. In the midst of doing that, we’ll keep our friends and family updated about our life (Mom, you are reading, right?).
I’ll jump right in. Recently I’m thankful for...
1) our summer in Moscow with very minimal travel. Some high activity times - Summer Project with Americans, Shalom project for Russian students, mentor opportunities; and low key times - time to read, rest, watch movies and take Graham to the playground....a lot.
2) pigeons! Graham loves pigeons. So we bring stale bread and crackers so they can swarm around us, like bees on honey, eating all the bread, yet not touching us. It’s a bit scary actually how they all fly so uncomfortably close to us. I’m uncomfortable, Graham thinks its hilarious! Nonetheless, it gives us something to do in the afternoons at the playground when other kids seem to be hiding from the heat.

1) Sergey and Lena, former students, who were recently brave enough to endure a month of pre-marital counseling in second language Russian from us. Being with them during their engagement has blessed me more than I expected and I’m thankful for their friendship.
2) an invitation from Sergey and Lena to take a Sunday evening boat ride on the Moscow River with them and some of their friends. Even though it was hot and Graham was weary of the sitting-down-relaxing type mood of the boat, I’m thankful they invited us along and THEY had a great time! More pics are here.

1) early mornings on Skype with Graham keeping in touch with his grandparents and me and Chris with our COFFEE!!!
2) new places to ride to on our bikes and have a picnic. Our last venture was to Novodivechy Convent with Dave and Jess. (pictured at the top)
3) Praise Baby videos. Need I say more?
4) time to read. I like to have many books to choose from, so I’m reading quite a few right now... Sacred Rhythms, The King’s Cross, Chronicles of Narnia, The Read Aloud Handbook...to name a few.
I’m thinking I should pace myself. Eight is a good enough start and makes me want to keep writing more, which I’ll hopefully do in the near future. Any blogger friends want to join me?