Studying, Studying, and More Studying

Our last month has been rather difficult for us. We have undergone some changes in our language studies that have taken some adjusting. Things are not completely settled there, so please keep our language studies in your prayers. Due to the changes, we have been much more limited on our ministry opportunties until we finish full time language studies. We had already developed some good Russian relationships, so this has been hard. We have also had several illnesses this past month. Please pray for our physical and spiritual health.

The kids have been back in school for over a month now. Falyn is enjoying her classes and all her girlfriends. She is having a pretty heavy load of homework, so please keep her studies in your prayers. Tristyn has a new young male teacher at school this year that he really likes. He seems to fit in just right with that "boy" sense of humor. Tristyn is still having some emotional days, so please pray for his sense of security and for peace. Daegan is still a bundle of energy. By the end of the school day, he is spent. He enjoys school (especially recess), but he says he can't wait to homeschool again. Doyle's greatest need is to continue learning the language, but also to keep up with the extra load of preparing for the training in Prague next February. He has an assignment to do weekly for this so please pray for him. Karen is struggling with getting everything done in the day. Language, homework, and dinner preparation is extremely time-consuming and energy-exhausting.

We realize how much we took for granted with all the conveniences of living in the States. No dishwasher and one tiny sink adds a great deal to kitchen time. As far as conducting any business, it may take an hour to go to the bank and stand in line to pay a 43 cent phone bill. Or you may have to travel by Metro 3 stops and then walk another 20 minutes to get to the internet company to pay your bill. Of course, grocery shopping is another matter. You can't stock up on items because you can only buy what you can physically carry back to your apartment and up 18 floors. By the way, one day last week, our elevator (lift) did not work, so we had to take the stairs. Thank goodness we were heading downstairs!

Funny Russian moment... one night we were out together as a family and stopped in a new bookstore. Doyle was looking for a new Russian language book. We were all browsing books in the language section, and Falyn said, "We never say this, '....'." I won't fill in the blanks. She had picked up an English slang book and read aloud from it. She didn't know what slang was nor did she recognize the very common English slang phrase. It was one of those moments when you feel good as a parent that your twelve year old daughter did not even know she was saying something bad. Of course, we had a quick course with the kids on that particular phrase.

There is a forest near our apartment that is covered with snow in the winter and great for sledding. It was all green this summer, and now the leaves are falling. It has been around 50 degrees during the day. It won't be long till the snow starts. We went for a walk recently in the forest for Falyn to collect bugs for a bug collection project at school. Lucky for her, she had Daegan to help identify them. Her friends were asking for Daegan's help in identifying theirs as well.

Last week the kids had a day out of school, but we still had lessons. So Karen's language teacher took us to a dolphin show for our lesson. They had two dolphins, a beluga whale, a walrus, and a seal. We learned some new Russian words and phrases and the kids enjoyed the show. Sadly, they used an old swimming pool (not too deep). They could never get away with that in the States. But on the upside, you can get your picture taken with them here. They will let you do almost anything for money.

Please keep us updated on your prayer needs. We miss you all!