Always Learning

Language lessons are now in full swing for both of us.  I think things are going well.  

We’re always looking for opportunities to develop our Russian.  Unfortunately sometimes those opportunities fall on us unexpectedly, like when the dishwasher fell forward while Thomas was loading it.  His had got cut, requiring stitches.  He was able to handle the entire medical procedure in Russian!  He learned some new words in the process, like wound, toppled, tendon, you know, not necessarily every day words.  That happened almost a week ago, and I’m happy to report that he is doing much better.  His hand is healing nicely.

Another way to learn this language is through talking to people.  Finding people to talk to regularly has been a challenge for me.  God has graciously answered a specific prayer request that I had.  In fact, I have been praying about this for almost a year.  I had been praying for a Russian mother to be friends with and spend time with.  Well, I met her!

Last Sunday Thomas and I visited another small church in the area.  Thomas had known the pastor for quite some time, but we had never been to the church.  The group was small but intimate.  After the service so many people came and talked to us.  I felt brave and introduced myself to the only other woman there with a young child.  She was so patient with my Russian, and we had a great conversation!  I even understood her and apparently spoke understandably!

And even better her family lives 20 minutes down our street!  We’re planning on trying to get together at least one time a week.

So thank you for praying for God to send me a friend. Her name is Oksana.  She is married to Igor.  They have a beautiful 7-month old baby Slava.  Lord willing, I’ll soon be able to post about my progress in Russian and about our growing friendship!

The Closest Example

Thomas and I were introduced to a comedian a few years ago, not personally, but by listening to one of his routines.  At the time he didn’t strike us as particularly funny, I don’t know why, but he didn’t.  We recently randomly rediscovered him on the internet, and we have since been laughing hysterically at many of his skits. Oh yeah, his name is Tim Hawkins, by the way.

He has one skit in particular that I thought I’d show you because it’s the closest example that I could think of to explain the often embarrassing experiences that we have in the process of learning a new language.  Hope you enjoy it!

A Reprieve

Well, only a few days after posting about the cold weather, I am pleased to announce that God has indeed granted us some women’s summer days!  I’m so excited!  Isaiah and I have been hitting the park every day, which means lots of extra baths for him, but thankfully he doesn’t seem to mind that at all.

We enjoyed a playdate with Isaiah’s friend Lydia and her mommy Danielle.  The kids had a blast playing together at the park.  

 

At the park with Lydia and Danielle

 

 

As much fun as we have with them, I am praying that God will help me to break the ice with a Russian mom or nanny.  Please join me in this request.  I really want to develop such a relationship for several reasons, but the main 2 are these:  -Isaiah needs some friends; and -I need Russian practice.

Our Friend Dan

Four days after our return to St. Petersburg, Thomas’ college friend, Dan came to visit us during his European backpacking trip.  His visit actually helped us get over some of jetlag even faster, as we toured the city with him.  We were able to tour around the city with him a bit, getting refreshed with what it’s like to live in this culture again.

 

Here are some of the pictures from Dan’s visit:

Isaiah had a fun time playing with Dan

Dan gave us a concert on the organ at our church

By the fountains at Peterhof

Thomas and Dan by the canal

Reunion with the lion

Already?!

The other day as I walked to the metro station to go to my language lesson, I could see my breath.  It was August.  I must confess that while I was ready to leave the heat of the deep south, I wasn’t ready to jump directly into fall.  I was hoping that we would have a little bit of “women’s summer” (the Russian’s name for what American’s call “Indian summer”).  But, oh well.

The last couple of days have been a bit warmer, but I’ve already had to put a hat on Isaiah that covers his ears.  And I’m not just protecting myself from the railings of the babushkas, the wind has been really strong and cold.  My ears haven’t been covered, and they’ve been cold!

But here we are, and here we are content, no matter what the weather may be.  We’re hoping that cold this early means more snow this winter, since we didn’t really get that much snow last winter!  Always trying to be positive.