Trip to the U.S.

Many of you who read probably saw us this past month as we were in Indiana for the end of July to the beginning of August. It had been 2 years since we had been back to the states and we had several goals for our time there. 

We left Russia smoothly and since our longest leg of flight was from Helsinki to Chicago, we flew right over Greenland. We've seen the edges of it before but this time we were able to see a lot of the land and that was pretty cool. 

Then we jumped on a tiny plane that was very hot for our last leg. We did lose one bag but it showed up the next day so we weren't without anything for very long. 

When we were with my parents we did all sorts of things. We went to Mammoth Caves in Kentucky (I hadn't been there in years and Matt had never been), the NCAA hall of champions, the Indy Zoo, and for the first time in four years we saw 4th of July fireworks. One of the first days we heard people speaking Russian behind us in a Spanish tapas restaurant and that was fun. 

We also spent a lot of time that first week driving to different colleges in the area so he could meet professors in the programs he will be applying to grad school. He got positive feed back and while we do know it is very competitive we are hopeful that it will all work out. 

We both had a somewhat odder experience this time than we did the first time we came home since it had been longer. Some things we noticed we did not miss (the SIZE of everything in the US) but other things were a nice sight after 2 years. I was always impressed at the shapes of clouds in Indiana. You don't really get big puffy clouds like this where we live and they were very common on our long drives. 

We spoke at several churches while we were in the US as well. It was nice to be able to do so since the last time we were home we had only been at IA for 1 year. We really tried to emphasize how teaching is a ministry and what we are able to do for the Christian and non-Christian communities in our school through IA. It was encouraging to hear people tell us that they thought we explained our ministry well since this is something we care about very much!
Here's Matthew with our table and assorted Russian things. :-)

Us speaking in a service

We were able to speak to the children's Sunday school classes at the church I grew up in and that was a lot of fun as always. The kids always ask a lot of questions which we really like and a lot of the kids this time had friends from Eastern Europe. 

The next leg of our journey brought us to South Bend, where Matthew's family lives and where we went to college. We went to the zoo there also as well as the Dunes, a wonderful restaurant called Redamacks, and putt-putting. We were very excited to be able to meet friends of ours at a mall near Chicago. Seth and Laura are also teachers serving in the Phillipines that we met at PFO before we moved to Russia. It had been three years since we had seen them last and we were also able to meet their 7 month old daughter. 

Then we headed down to Ft Wayne area where both of our grandparents live. We were able to hang out with our extended families, look at old albums (Matthew's grandmother was an MK in India), do some tech support, kayak, and wander around a giant antique store. We also talked to the Bridgebuilders class (which both of are grandparents are in). The class supports us and we really like being there and being able to speak to them. They are always so warm and have so many interesting connections and stories for us when we are there. The kids' classes and Bridgebuilders are our favorite places to speak. :-)

When we came back to South Bend we were able to see a lot of people that we hadn't seen the last time we were in the US. We met with our friends from college for an evening and were able to catch up on what we are all doing now. We saw Matt's high school friend Joshua and his wife Amanda in Chicago. They were married last year and this was the first time we were able to see them since then. 

We also saw a teacher and friend of Matthew's and had dinner with him. Finally we had a Russian dinner with solyanka and shaslik, and we had friends over for that as well. 

Then we were off to Illinois to see my close friend from college, Rachel, and her husband, Albert. I had not seen her since my wedding and they got married 3 months ago so this was our first time meeting him as well. It was a great joy to see them and catch up after so long. :-D

We ended up in Indy where we were able to go to the movies, go to the pool, go duckpin bowling, and eat Cuban food. Throughout about half the trip we had been trying to figure out when we would be able to head back to Russia. We had to apply for a new visa on the 12th and so we were not sure when we get that back. Our new visas showed up at the end of the month and so we were able to see my family for a few extra days. 

The day before we left we were also able to see our friend Jarod (from IA). He lives in Indiana as well and we really wanted to see him since he is waiting on support before he can return to the school. Then we said our goodbyes and headed off!

For the trip we were blessed with being able to borrow a car from friends of Matt's parents. 

As you can see, we tricked the car out in Russian flag side mirror covers. Matthew got them for free with a hockey movie that he bought and we knew we had to use them as soon as possible! It made it much easier to find our car as well!

Our trip home was far more eventful than I ever wanted it to be but we did get home the day we wanted to (just 7 hours later).

We've realized that we should just stop flying out of small airports to Chicago. We arrived at the Indy airport and they said they would put us on an earlier flight that had been delayed. So we rushed off only to spend the next 3 hours waiting on the plane. There was bad weather so we could not leave. Then when we could leave our flight (which should have left at noon) was given a new route and we had to go back and get more gas while a 4 pm flight was allowed to leave before us. 

When we got to Chicago we RAN through the airport and of course the gate was as far away as possible. Matt made it in time to see the plane taxi away and I dragged up soon after. We were jumped to a flight 45 min later but with only 20 min to get to our next flight in Heathrowe. 

We got to London and it was clear we wouldn't make it but we ran anyway. We were jumped to a flight to Moscow (where we would have to recheck our bags) and were rushed through the security stuff. Even with that they were boarding as we got to the gate. Then we waited for 40 min on the plane for a delayed crew member. Mercifully we were bumped to Economy Plus so that was a tiny reward. 

When we got to Moscow we got in a swarm/line for passport control. I was sure we were doomed until a new window opened and I made a new line out of a break in the metal rail. (If it's big enough to fit through it can count as an opening!) We got our bags easily and went to check in. We had 3 bags and hadn't paid for them on any other flight. This time we had to and they kept our boarding passes to make sure we did. So we waited in another line to pay and then that person wanted to see our boarding passes. She was convinced we weren't flying with them since our luggage tags were all American Airlines. We finally paid, got our passes, and cut through security again. We ran again and they were calling for us over the intercom when we got there.

We knew that people were waiting for us in St P but we had no way of contacting them because our phones were out of money and we never had enough time to put more money on our phones. We missed all of our flights but one and we ran to every single flight. We finally arrived 7 hours late and our lovely headmaster picked us up and drove us home. 

We are now getting ready for the new school year! Pray that everything goes well with the school, with getting everyone back into the country, and with getting over our jet lag!

Thank you so much to everyone who prayed for us in getting our documents and in getting back to Russia! 

Video!

For our last post before we head off to the U.S, I bring you a video compilation of the past two years! :-) Enjoy!

Amusement!

Summer is here and we are, as we said before, busy with reading and getting ready to go back to the US.

About two weeks ago one of our friends here left for the U.S. as well and so we had a picnic! There was a very friendly squirrel that perched on a tree right next to Matthew and we walked around the island above ours. Half of that island is a park so there was a lot of space to walk! At the very end of the island there was a very unexpected bell tower!

There are stairs leading up to the top in the two legs and it just stands by itself on the end of this island. It was quite a surprise!

On the same island there is a small amusement park called Diva Ostrov. You can actually see the rides from the end of our island since they aren't too far apart. Since we went to Cedar Point for our honeymoon we decided to go to Diva Ostrov for our third anniversary! It is nice because since you pay per ride you can come and go as you please and you aren't trapped there. So here are some pictures of the awesome rides we tried out!

These swings go up a very tall central pole and you get a really nice view of the city! I was very glad that they were in benches!

These two small roller coasters were a lot of fun! The first one is called the Screaming Squirrel (in English, the Russian name was different) and has two inverted falls drops. This was scarier than it looked since you couldn't see the track and it looked like you were going to fall off! The other was a corkscrew.

One of the crazier rides we went on was called the Hoppla. It is shaped like an anchor and the whole thing spins while each car also spins. So you end up going headfirst toward the ground and then spinning around. We thought this one was a lot of fun! 

The very craziest ride we went on was something we had been eyeing for over a year. It is called the Rocket and it was very scary but a lot of fun! You sit in a rocket shaped car with just a shoulder harness. It lifts you up so high that you can see the city center and then it starts to swing you in a circle. Once that starts, the rocket car starts to barrel roll. Every time you go upside down you lift off of your seat so you are hanging by your shoulder harness! It was very cool but it gives me chills thinking about it!

You can see the teeny people on the ground for size comparison. We were amazed because the ride before us only had one woman all by herself; very brave! 

In less than a week we will be in the U.S.! It's been two years since we've been back so we are looking forward to seeing family and friends. Two prayer requests would be that we have safe and uneventful travels (we've both been under the weather the past few weeks) and that Matthew's visits to speak to different professors about grad programs give us a really clear sense of what to do to get ready for life after Russia!

Bittersweet Times

Our school year is officially at an end! It is stunning how quickly one year can go and what all can happen in one year! At the end of each year I've always had my classes answer various questions about the year and what we did. It's fun because when we talk about what books we've read the students are always amazed because the things we did at the beginning of the year feel very far away! 

While Matt did a post about the Senior banquet, some new pictures with him have surfaced and I loved them so much I decided you should see them as well! :-) 

The above picture is one that always makes me very happy. Matthew has a tendency to put his fingertips together when he teaches and it's become a trademark gesture that the students love to copy. 

Isn't he lovely? 

The last week of school was blessedly organized with finals and field trips abounding. For his final exam Matthew offered a bonus point for anyone who wanted to draw a whale on their exam (it's a long story!). Below are some of the most artistic renderings.

I always love the square little whales this student draws. Previously he has also drawn Matthew as a whale in a tank with a chalk board. 

This whale is graduating and even has a little commencement speech! 

And this has chibi versions of Matthew and I fishing for whales that look like us! 

Of course there was field day as well, and we had very nice weather this year! So nice that about half of us who were there got sunburned since we forgot the sun is so much more powerful this time of year! But it was worth it. :-)

I saw this and knew it needed to be photographed! It says "Caution, Squirrels!" The comma certainly adds ambiguity to what it could possibly be alerting everyone of!

Matt was the pitcher for the (very competitive!) elementary kickball competition. 

One of the relays included having to shuffle with two pieces of paper under your feet. It made me laugh that this team decided having two people hold the paper under the person's feet was a good strategy. 

I also loved that this shirt read "Feel Great. Piece of Lucky." and had a little monkey in the middle.

This game was very eventful in that it ended in stampeding. I had actually played this in youth group before and it ended exactly the same way. You tie everyone together and they have to make it around the cone and back. Two teams almost made it before someone tripped!

Graduation was Thursday and this year it included kindergarten graduation and awards day. 

The 2nd grade performing "So Long, Farewell" from The Sound of Music

My lovely kindred spirit, Sveta, giving her awards. 

Me and my top English student!

The band played parts of national anthems and, of course, Pomp and Circumstance. 

Our two graduates, both Korean

We particularly appreciated that this senior said to us in his commencement speech that though our assignments could be hard we should keep doing them because he learned a lot from them. Very validating!

And singing our traditional end of the year song, "This is My Father's World."

It was a very bittersweet time of year for us, especially as it is a reminder that next year we will be saying our goodbyes. But while that is bitter, the sweetness comes from being able to look at the years we've had here and our amazing students. This has been a year of big changes and at times big challenges for us and for many of the families here, but God has blessed us and the school and we pray he will continue to do. 

One final surprise greeted us this past Friday. We got a call saying that we needed to take a surprise trip to Finland for a new migration card. While it was a very fixable problem, it did end with us spending our entire Saturday in a van, so that was an interesting and unexpected way to spend the first Saturday of our vacation! Fortunately, we had good travel companions and it all went fairly smoothly. 

Now Matthew and I are settling in for the summer and our plans. Matthew is working on Russian and various things for grad school, which he will apply for in the fall. I'm working on organizing for the coming year and on my own licensing since I'm hoping to move up to the next tier in my education license within the year. But we are of course taking plenty of time to relax and will be in the US for all of July!

Continue to pray for the school. We have been blessed so far and are hoping that everything can be put in order with the government relatively easily, but surprises do happen. Thank you for all of your prayers through this past year!

Banquets!

Hello again!

Our school year is almost at end so the last few weeks at IA have been filled with preparing final assignments and exams and grading papers and tests.  This coming week is the last week of the fourth quarter, and the week after will be our final exams.  Graduation is on May 30th and then our third year of teaching in St. Petersburg will have come to an end.  It's always crazy how fast the time goes and just how much can happen over the course of a year.  

In the midst of preparing for the end, we have also had the chance to celebrate and look back on this past year as well.  This past Friday was definitely a day of feasting at IA!  First, it was only a half day of school because in the afternoon we had our annual teacher's banquet.  Once again we went to Old Tbilisi, a wonderful Georgian restaurant not far from the school.  As always, the food did not disappoint as we feasted on delicious salads, khachapuri (a delicious baked cheese-filled bread), and shashlik.  It was a wonderful feast and once again we teachers felt very appreciated for our work this past year.  

While I had plenty to eat at the banquet, I deliberately paced myself better this year because I knew that the teacher's dinner would not be my only feast for the day.  That night I was a chaperone for IA's first senior banquet.  The senior banquet is something new this year that is taking the place of prom.  As part of the on-going changes at IA, we are working to make sure that the events we do have some sort of direct tie-in to the school and aren't just social occasions, so the decision was made to do things differently this year.

In the past, the parents have handled most of the details with prom and the teachers have not had to be involved.  This year the students were expected to do more of the planning and teachers were asked to help chaperone.  In an effort to make sure that the adults didn't crowd out the students, we decided to keep the number of teachers to a minimum so I joined our science teacher, academic principal, and one of our math teachers as the adult supervision.

For the senior banquet we rented a boat to take the students around the canals and rivers of St. Petersburg while they enjoyed their meal and had fun together.  It had rained for most of the afternoon, but thankfully the rain stopped while we cruised the canals so we could enjoy the deck area of the boat as well as the inside cabin.  We were treated to two and a half hours of traversing the water ways of St. Petersburg and more (at least for me!) delicious food.

The students seemed to have a good time, and I certainly enjoyed being able to be part of it.  We have a great group of students who consistently impress me with their creativity and sense of humor. It's always sad to come to the end of the year and see students who will be graduating or won't be returning the next year, but I am very thankful for the time we've had with these students and for the chance to see the ways they've grown and the ways that God is working in their lives.

Here are some pictures from the day's festivities:

Elementary teachers showing off their best banquet behavior:-)

A view looking down one of the tables.

Two of IA's finest teachers:-)

The boat that we rented for the senior banquet.

The cabin of the boat was beautifully decorated by one of the families from our school, along with help from the students.

We also had lovely candles on each table.

Here is my place.  The chaperones got to sit at the table with the seniors at the head of the boat.

Some of the food that we enjoyed at the banquet.  Shashlik and khachapuri were the main dishes, which meant that I got to enjoy it twice that day.

Our two seniors for 2013.  Our male senior looked quite a bit like Korean pop star Psy with his dashing blue jacket!

A shot of my table before dinner started.

A view looking towards the back of the boat.

The candles were especially nice for when we went under the many bridges of St. Petersburg.

There was a nice seating area at the back of the boat where the students could lounge around and act like superstars on a private yacht.

One of our 9th graders with the Peter and Paul fortress in the background.  I feel like this picture should be in a men's wear catalog.

Going under Trinity Bridge.

Another look at Trinity Bridge along with one of our 9th graders in a stylish hat.

Letting the good times roll!

On a final note, we want to say thank you for all of you who were praying for our need for a car next month. We have been generously offered a vehicle to use during most of our time in the States this summer!  We are very grateful for the friends who are letting us use their car and are also grateful for all of you who joined us in prayer. Also, we continue to ask for your prayers for the school as we go through more changes.  Most recently we have had some legal matters arise affecting our school that we would greatly appreciate prayers for as well.

It's exciting to be able to say that we will be able to see many of you in around a month!  It has been two years since we were last in the United States and we are looking forward to being able to reconnect with people:-)

Thanks for reading!

-Matt