A Visit From Chris

Our friend, Chris Knutzen has been in Ulan-Ude for the last three days, and we are privileged to have him staying with us! Chris was the team leader for the summer project student team I was on when I first came to Ulan-Ude in 1999. And Chris was Leif's team leader for a year (and roommate) the first year he was in Ulan-Ude after college. We both really like Chris- he's funny and thoughtful and relational and wise. He would always think up the most fun games when we had to wait in long lines or had long layovers. And he is really good at meeting new people and making meaningful connections.

Chris is trying to see as many people as he can in his short visit here. Yesterday evening we had some friends over so that Chris could see them in one place. Anneka was such a cute and sweet helper. She loved taking the pizza and cookies and plates out to everyone and asking them what they'd like to drink. Chris called her the "social queen". It was nice because the people who came over are our friends, too... a benefit to us all!



Ella was also a "helper" earlier in the day as I was getting things ready. Here is how she helped in the bathroom. And here, too...


Lately she races for the toilet paper if we leave the door open and strings it all over the apartment. It's her new favorite hobby. She also started clapping this week. We discovered that her word for Anneka is "dih-deh", in other words- sister. And in the last 2.5 weeks she's gotten 4 new teeth.


Anneka has loved having Chris here. He plays with her dolls with her, hide-n-seek, and gives her a ride on his knee (pictured above).

Chris has a beautiful wife and little boy that weren't able to come with him on this trip. They live in Yekaterinburg. In a couple of weeks they will adopt a little Russian boy who has no hands and no feet. We're so excited for them, and I know they'd appreciate your prayers, as this is a HUGE life change for them! Here is one of their recent blog posts, if you want to read more and see pictures of their little guy.