Busy!

Things have been more busy for us the past few weeks but it's all been really enjoyable for us. 

One of my family's friends has a son who was doing a Flat Stanley project so we took Stanley to the Sochi Olympics clock by the Kazan Cathedral. Also happened to be on Women's Day, one of my favorite Russian holidays. 

Of course we celebrated Pi Day again this year with various Olympic themed activities. The teams were named after countries, such as PIkistan, PIerland, and the PIvory Coast. Above we have building the tallest tower.

Building the track

The whole event was ended with singing the various national anthems that the teams composed. The above team had a very impressive anthem with several verses set to Amazing Grace. 

Later that day we had Fridays @ 5 (youth group). Myself and Natalie had volunteered to take the JR High to their location which was quite the feat. They're a fun group but very high energy! There was a visiting college mission team that led the session. 

After school that same day, Matthew went to the 5th grade class' sleepover. My friend Sveta had a sleepover for one of her students that was moving and Matthew had been asked to be the male sponsor and to share. He talked about how there are things we know that God wants done in the world and how sometimes we just need to step out and do those things in faith that God will provide a way. He also talked about how he and I are leaving this year and it was very touching. Sadly, I don't have pictures since I joined them after youth group.They were a fun group of kids and they performed the skit they were putting on for Matthew and I. One exciting thing that happened was after Matthew and I had gone to sleep. We were in one of the brothers' bedrooms and the other brother ran in and jumped on us thinking we were his sibling! He certainly seemed surprised! 

This past week was the last basketball game for our one senior guy so we went to see them play. It was a great game to watch, not only because we won but because the team played very well. 

Number 2 is our graduating senior and he has been with the team for a long time since he first played in elementary school! This year he also worked with our junior high team. 

The very next day was the opening game for our girls' basketball team! This was something one of our sophomore girls (Number 7, below) had been hoping to organize for a long time. She's practiced with the guys' team consistently the past few years and this year there was finally enough interest to get a team together! 

Our girls paired up with the Anglo American school that is here in St Petersburg (they are the Panthers; hence the name on the jerseys). They've been practicing for the past few months and this past week was their first game. 

It was really exciting to watch and our girls played very well, with a final score of 21-22. 

The whole team! 

Also this past week I journeyed to our location for senior banquet this year with a student to check everything out. Matthew and I have been put in charge of it this year and I am very pleased with what we have found and arranged so far. Should be a lot of fun! 

Our spring break is this week and it has already started eventfully as Friday I went to a birthday dinner for my friend Sveta and yesterday we watched Attack of the Killer Tomatoes with a family from our mission organization.

On the elementary floor there was quite the bustle of activity two weeks ago! The halls were decorated with various illustrations and covers from Dr. Seuss books in time for his 100th birthday. This impressive feat was done by our chaplain (very multi-talented!).

This week we will be heading out to Yaroslavl, a city on the Golden Ring around Moscow. We were excited to be able to travel a little more within Russia before heading back this summer! So there will be a post about that forthcoming as well. 

Prayers:

• Matthew is now looking at where to accept out of the schools that have made offers (located in the Midwest and East Coast). We both have one we are leaning toward but pray that there will be clarity and peace of mind in making that decision. 
• As the end of the year draws closer we are working on plans for our departure from St Petersburg and arrival in the US. Some things have come together nicely while others have not. Pray that we will be able to make all the necessary arrangements without hassle.