So, this is what a garage key looks like. Elisabeth posed for us with her key. Garages here are actually little metal sheds. Oh, you can actually see some in the background of the picture of Leif and me. In this picture, we're standing right in front of our apartment building. There's a green and yellow sign to the left of Leif's head, and that's our local little store. It's soooo convenient! Well, it's often convenient. Sometimes they don't have normal things like sugar and bread and it's hard if you're counting on those items to have guests over. I guess it helps us to learn to be flexible. Our apartment is the third balcony up on the left of the building (two above Jami's head with clothes hanging on the balcony). The third picture is of our new chair. We looked and looked for a rocking chair, but the only ones we could find were $700 or more. We finally found this chair for much much less and it kind of bounces. We both love it. I made the little wall hanging from some Asian fabrics I found here.

We're getting ready to head back to the States pretty soon! We're preparing our apartment for a friend from church to live here. We're also getting last minute things ready for returning with a baby and are beginning to pack. The weight restrictions for flying within Russia are so small that our bags alone are almost 1/4 of the limit! (they allow 44 pounds per person, including all bags and carry-on) On Sunday we'll take an overnight train to Irkutsk. We'll get to spend Monday with Vanya and Larissa before our flight goes to Moscow Monday night. From the time we get on the train to the time we land in Seattle, it'll be 61 hours!! We appreciate your prayers!!