A dream come true

After 23 years, I finally was able to see a-ha in concert at St. Petersburg, Russia. Here is a small clip of their most famous song, "Take On Me"

Recent pictures

First pizza ever and it took place at Pizza Hut

Overlooking Peter & Paul Cathedral

Overlooking the Neva River

Buildings in the neighborhood near a school. Above is numbers and the picture below is colors.

The Farthest I've Ever Been From Home

One of my favorite movies is The Fellowship of the Rings because I see so many parallels between it and life. I was watching one scene today when Sam and Frodo, both hobbits, are leaving the Shire, their home, for the first time.

Sam says to Frodo, "This is it. If I take one more step it'll be the farthest away from home I've ever been."

Frodo then reminds him, "Remember what Bilbo used to say, "It's a dangerous business Frodo, going out your door. You step on to the road and if you don't keep your feet there's no knowing where you might be swept off to."

I am the farthest away from home that I've ever been, swept off to Russia. Sometimes people tend to romanticize traveling around the world. I for one have never had a strong desire for travel and adventure, instead preferring the comforts of home and routine. Being here last year showed me how hard it can be to live in a different country. This year I came back only for the joy set before me, believing God wanted me to go. It is not much easier this time and I struggle with being here still. Only God knows the whole plan, I only see through a glass darkly. I step on to the road in faith, trusting God will lead me to where I am supposed to go.

More pictures from Lomonosov

Larry talking to guys at school.

Guys putting together their wallets.

Outside of the school.

Our team and the men from the rehab program.

One of the men finished his clock project.

Pictures from Lomonosov

A Russian truck for the rehab program

A Russian house with fall foliage

Our team with the pastor and ladies from church

Russian Orthodox church in Lomonosov

Baptist church in Lomonosov

Pictures from last week

Kitty watching his first snowfall on October 12, 2009

Kids tackling John after they terminated the Grogg creature(John)

Kids working on craft

CID staff with our team

This past week I worked with a group of people from Texas as well as Russian interpreters at a shelter for kids needing emergency placement. We played games, sang songs, made crafts, and presented an object lesson each time. It was great fun! The staff and kids were wonderful and it was nice to know I can come back to visit. Next week, I plan to work with this same team in Lomonosov visiting various charities there.

The temperatures have dropped here and it snowed on Monday, just enough to stick to car windows. I continue to help with English class at the family home on Monday nights and meet with some orphan graduates throughout the week.

Peterhof with Little V

Canal leading out to the Gulf of Finland

Sampson and the lion fountain

Fountains at Peterhof

Peterhof front entrance with Little V

Grand Palace & fountains

Last Sunday, Little V & I ventured off to Peterhof to view the Grand Palace and grounds. We were not allowed to take pictures or video inside the palace but here are some of the pictures we took from the outside. It was such a nice day because there was no rain, only sunshine. We tried to make the closing ceremony of the fountains but were an hour too late. It was still beautiful and we enjoyed being outside amongst all the beauty of this place. We took a marshutka from Atovo metro station, which was about a 50 minute drive, after having blinys and borsht for lunch.