We are SO spoiled!

Life outside of the US was quite an experience! Nothing too traumatic or crazy BUT different and very interesting to say the least.

You know you're in Russia when....
*You have to pay for toilet paper in some public places AND you never flush it! No, no....soiled TP goes in the trash!
*Trash cans are hard to find. The majority of trash goes on the ground.
*Cows stop traffic....you're on their time people!
*Grilled lamb is prepared on the side of the road.
*BO is the fragrance of choice.
*Very few people smile.
*Smoking in the airport IS allowed....cough, cough!
*When buying bottled water, you must ask for NO GAS or you end up with seltzer like water. YUCK!
*Encouraged NOT to wear your seat belt by a local.
*Tailgating is an understatement and their are no rules on passing. There were countless times I thought we were going to die from a head-on collision!
*Bread (pronounced "kleb"), cucumbers & tomatoes, Chai and coffee are staples at every meal.
*Speedos are the bathing suit preference of men.
*The area zoo only had 8 animals!
*Russian anecdotes (our version of jokes) don't make any sense!
*Saw chicken legs get cut-up with an ax in the camp kitchen.

Needless to say, I was SO THANKFUL to be back in the US! Spoiled with my starbucks, comfort foods, english speaking people....ahhhh, welcome home!!

Seriously, I joke about the differences I experienced but I NEVER would have dreamed God would change my heart for Russia and the precious people He allowed me to share life with. I want to go back next year, I want to learn the Russian language. In fact, I "promised" a few of the ladies that if the Lord allows me to come back, I will know how to speak to them next year. In response, some of them shared they would learn English!

I've never felt so free during worship. The worship time is very interactive with dancing and singing and I love that it's multi-generational. Families worshiping together with infants on up to the elderly. It was a true picture of what I believe Heaven will be like one day. Despite the language barrier and not always having a translator close by, the Lord allowed me to bond with some of the women. Most of it was through smiles and lots of gestures and "sign language." I felt like the crazy American waving my arms around and gesturing to get my point across but some how, we bonded.

I really connected with one of the older ladies...I consider her my Russian grandmother. EVERY time I saw her, she would smile and say, "Brrrrrrrrrrrooooooookkkkkke!" with such enthusiasm (they roll their "r's" so it's really fun to hear her say my name!). The morning we left camp, we were loading up the vans at 6:30AM and a few of the people came out to see us off. My "grandmother" (one of the oldest ladies there) came running up to me with tears in her eyes, saying my name and handed me a flowered box. The translator explained she wanted me to have her perfume..she was sorry it wasn't new but that she wanted me to have it. I had smelled her all week and when I open the box now, she's with me again and again! Her sacrificial and loving gift is so biblical. By the way she dressed and from what I had heard, she doesn't have much but yet she wanted ME to have her costly perfume! Before I ran off to the van (I was so stinkin sad!), she gave me the tightest squeeze I've ever received and said that she hopes she lives long enough to see me again next year. That statement sent me over the edge and I balled my eyes out! God allowed me to find my tears again in Russia.

There's more to share but I'll end this blog entry for now.

Abundance is...hearing Britain say "I'm the best cook" and "You are amazing!"in the same day! :)

Back in the U.S.A and in the blogging world again!

Hi supportive friends! Ok, so I've been back in the USA (praise the Lord!) since late on the 2nd but to be honest, I've had a hard time gearing up to blog again. I've actually thought about quitting altogether as I'm overwhelmed with ALL that God revealed to me in Russia AND I'm so unbalanced in my eating and workouts again.
I'm continuing to process what's going on in my heart and trying to remember that what was revealed to me in Russia was true and real. The hardest part is not forgetting to live it out, especially now that I'm back at home in my comfortable routine.
The distractions in America are SO loud and tempting!
I'm so grateful the Lord allowed me to come back home, I wasn't sure if I'd make it back alive a few times! The drivers over there are crazy and some of the plane rides were a little scary. But, alas, I'm one blessed lady.

Abundance is...the JOY and THRILL of seeing Thunder go pee pee on the potty for the first time! :)

DAY 169 & 170

It was going on midnight last night when I started slowing down and then Comcast decided to disable phones & internet from 12AM-7AM this morning! I missed my post last night and wanted to take this time to go ahead and post for today, as well. Tonight I plan on being with my family as much as possible.

We had our team packing party at the church last night and it seems my suitcase (which I borrowed from the church) malfunctioned so someone graciously let me borrow another one. Chris, being the "pack daddy" layered and packed all 45 lbs of my "ish" so beautifully! I'm afraid to take it out...I know it'll never look the same once I start rummaging around in there.

Brit's 2nd swim lesson went really well yesterday! The teacher "forced" her underwater to swim and kick on her own and Brit wasn't a big fan. She cried three different times but sometimes that's the only way we'll learn. If we push off into unknown waters and learn to float on our own. I think I can relate to Brit. It's scary and no fun when you go deep. I feel the same way about leaving for Russia. It's unknown, scary and risky and I'll be in deep waters...probably in over my head at times but just as Brit has her teacher and the steps close for safety, I KNOW God has wrapped Himself around me as I push off into unknown waters. Clinging to Him like Brit would cling to her Elmo float!

Another post coming your way on August 3rd after I return.....

Abundance is...leaving little notes for my family to read while I'm away!

DAY 167 & 168

Man, what a WONDERFUL evening with dear friends! The most amazing shish-ca-bobs (haven't a clue how you spell it!). Followed by ice cream and brownies and YES, I had some!! It was truly a blessing to have a night away from packing to just hang with an amazing family of five. Their 3 kids (ages 21, 19 & 15) loved on our kids and entertained them while I chatted with the adults. It was delightful! I just hate Chris didn't make it....he's still not home and it's 10:30PM. Long, rainy day at work for him.

I'm packing up my craft trunk and suitcase tonight for our packing party at the church tomorrow night. The countdown is ON!

After Friday, I won't get to blog until the 3rd! We only get a total of 10 minutes on the SAT phone while we're in Russia to call home and I won't be taking my cell so it's going to be hard enough not speaking with Chris and the kids for 9 days! Please pray for my heart to be at peace, I know I will miss them like crazy and I don't want that to take away from being in the moments with the people we're serving.

Abundance is...listening to Britain rattle off what she wants to be when she grows-up: teacher, doctor, dentist, guard ("who goes there? who goes there?"), and a fire truck girl!!!

DAY 166

Friends-I think I've already checked out! Meaning, I don't have any motivation to work out this week. My days and nights are busy getting ready for my trip and I'd rather just hang with Chris.

Brit had her first swim lesson today and did great! Her instructor said her coordination is pretty good. She practiced some in the bath tub tonight and got more comfortable getting her ears in the water. Excited about tomorrow's lesson.

I was able to crank out a lot of crafts for Russia today so I feel a great sense of accomplishment today. One step at a time!!

Off to go hang with Chris for a bit before bed.

Abundance is...enjoying craft time with Brit...working side by side! :)

DAY 165

Another GORGEOUS day/evening here in Middle TN! Ahhhh, I don't want it to EVER end! Zero humidity is truly AMAZING!

It's been a fun/busy day here at the casa. Brit helped me clean the whole top floor of the house, she's such a great helper! Then we made blueberry muffins, painted, did some laundry, rested on the couch, visited with Mimi & Papa and did some more crafts. Chris actually got home around 5PM which is unheard of these days so we grilled out and ate alfresco on the deck! After dinner, we loaded up and took a stroll through downtown Franklin (Britain pulled little man in the wagon the entire time!) and made a pit stop at Starbucks. Which was just what I needed to combat my migraine.

Abundance is...sweet moments with my little ones!

DAY 163 & 164

Chris & I just came in from enjoying this AMAZING evening on the front porch! I want to sleep under the stars tonight! Would've been an excellent weekend for camping!

We've spent time with good friends the last two evenings which has been such a blessing. It's been a busy weekend getting stuff ready for Russia, grocery shopping, cleaning, etc.

I did stop long enough to try a delicious new smoothie recipe. They are so healthy and yummy! Don't cringe when I say that the recipe calls for a handful of spinach! You can't taste it and it adds so many good nutrients along with strawberries, blueberries and a banana. I'll send the recipe to anyone who's interested.

No workouts the past few days and I had Mexican tonight (chips & queso included) so that about tells you how I've been eating!

Abundance is....a crisp, cool night on the porch with my sweet hubs.