Sorry It's Been So Long!

We are sorry that it has been so long since we have updated the blog. We hope that everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving! Here is a list of the pictures above:

1. Our Russian friends Yura and Lena playing Wii bowling with the kids. It was there first time! Kellan won!

2. We received a box of goodies form Deana's Sunday School Class at Crestview! Thanks to all of you for the treats!

3. Bother and Sister - Growing up FAST!

4. Kellan, Yura, Lena, and Ella - Lena has been an interpreter for my volunteer groups 2 times before. We have enjoyed getting to know them better.

5. The outfit Ella chose to wear to decorate the Christmas tree.

6. We had to make a paper chain to help Ella understand when Grandma and Grandpa were coming. She thought that since we put our tree up they should be here for Christmas.

Personal Updates:

Jeremy - I am about to finish up my first full semester of language. Today I had an unofficial exam in my group on grammar and listening. Thankfully, I did very well on both of them. The hard parts, which are conversation and writing, I have not completed yet. On Wednesday nights I have started helping with an English Club that our church has started. The first week we had around 30 people and this Wednesday we had around 25. There are about 10 non-believers registered. On Friday's I go to worship team practice for the church. I enjoy the time there, but it is very difficult for me because I have to listen to 6 Russians talk to each other and they want me to play chords, which I am not used to doing.

Deana - has finished her first Russian textbook and will be taking her first exam sometime soon after Christmas. She is getting more comfortable going to the store and doing things on her own. She is still learning to cook LOTS of different kinds of food and doing a good job.

Kellan - Kellan continues to enjoy his school. He does not like his homework! He does very well in his Russian class. He began piano lessons on Wednesday with a very young Russian named Max. He is enjoying his first week of practice. I hope that continues!

Ella - is a hoot! She is always keeping us laughing and on the go. She is so energetic. She loves Olga and looks forward to her coming every day. She has learned to recognize all of the English alphabet A-X and is working on Y right now. She is beginning to learn to write and is working on sequencing events.

We are experiencing Russian winter now. The snow is beautiful and it is getting cold. The forecast for Tuesday calls for a high of 2 degrees! Help us, Lord!

Please continue praying for:

1) Slava, Lena, Karina, Gleb, and Varia - our neighbors

2) Greesha - HE HAS ASKED ME TO PRAY FOR HIM EVERY TIME I SEE HIM. I PROMISED HIM THAT I HAD FRIENDS ALL AROUND THE WORLD THAT WOULD JOIN ME IN PRAYING FOR HIM.

3) Language lessons and acquisition.

4) Wednesday night English Club

5) Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

PLEASE PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER WHAT YOU CAN GIVE TO THIS YEAR'S LOTTIE MOON CHRISTMAS OFFERING. APPOINTMENTS TO THE FIELD, BENEFITS, COST OF LIVING, AND OTHER THINGS ARE HAVING TO BE CUT BY THE IMB DUE TO LACK OF FUNDING! PLEASE CONSIDER GIVING AND GIVING AND GIVING TO LOTTIE MOON! THERE ARE PEOPLE READY TO GO AND SHARE THE GOOD NEWS, BUT THERE IS NO MONEY TO SEND THEM!