And Another Birthday Celebration

We celebrated Leif's birthday again at church yesterday. In Russia, it's traditional to plan your own party (if you have one), prepare food for everyone, and make/buy your own cake. Often people will bring a cake to church on the Sunday near their birthday to share with everyone after the service. It was Vera's birthday, too, so along with Leif's cake we had a feast that she brought (three other cakes, bread, sausage, cheese, and tea).



Anneka like playing on the piano with her little friend, Vanya, and Katia. Katia babysat for us on Friday and Anneka awoke from her nap to her. Katia said that Anneka just looked at her with really wide eyes, like "Who are you?" but then she happily played with her toys. I'm so thankful it went so well. It's nice to expand the number of people that we can leave Anneka with. And it's nice if she can get a Russian language lesson, too.

Heidi and her family (the Wickers) had to go to Mongolia. They were told that they DID receive their temporary residency. But a day too late. The good news is that it'll be waiting for them when they return and they won't have to travel back and forth any more. The bad news is that they'll be gone for a few weeks. Anneka already misses Heidi! She talks into her little toy phone and says, "Heidi? Hi Heidi!"



Anneka konks out when riding on her sled. This is a picture after coming home from church.



Then later she likes to play on her sled. She just plain loves her sled.

Leif gave a talk last night at the youth club about man's love for God. He created a skit where Vasia (the guy) wanted to show his love for Natasha (the girl). He told her he could say he loved her 1,000 times or build a statue of her or make a temple in her name or go to war for her. Natasha kept trying to tell him that she just wanted to spend time with him- maybe go for a walk and talk... something simple and meaningful. But Vasia just talked right over her, not listening. The point, of course, is that to show our love for God, we need to just listen to him and do what He asks us. Leif created a powerpoint with different verses that went well with his talk. I think he did a good job.