Sweet Times

We're blessed by so many amazing friends and supporters! These past weeks we've had some sweet moments of sharing, playing, singing, praying, learning with the people in our lives. I wish I'd remembered to get out my camera more. Above are visits from Erin (Oregon), Stephanie (Montana), and Carol (California)... what a gift when our friends can come to us!!



The girls loved having Erin here. She played with them and colored with them. She's so great. I love when our kids are included.


Egg dying with three generations of friends (only the kids are pictured.) =)



Great conversations with Ron and Gretchen

The time is zooming by until we leave for Russia again. This is always my least favorite part- the packing and moving and saying goodbyes. I'm praying that we'll go through this time well, filled with God's peace and abiding in Him.

Anneka's Preschool

Since January, Anneka has been going to a local preschool two mornings a week. We decided to do it for mainly cultural/social reasons- allowing Anneka to get a taste of her parent's home culture and playing with other kids who speak English. They also take the kids outside every day, which Anneka loves. And they feed the kids lunch- a definite bonus. Anneka really likes her school. She has made a lot of friends there and is a delight to her teachers.



Here's a close-up of the same picture, taken when Heidi was here. Our camera broke, so we don't have any new pictures. But our new camera came in the mail today... so we'll be taking new pictures soon. I'm so glad it broke while we were in the States- it makes it much easier, less expensive, and quicker to replace! =)

Heidi

As missionary kids, Anneka, Ella, and Ike have already experienced many hellos and goodbyes in their short lives. There are some hard things about this, and yet there are many wonderful blessings they have, too. We had to say "goodbye" to Heidi last summer. Her family lived in Ulan Ude and now is back in Canada for a few years. Since Heidi is already in the second part of high school, she won't be returning to Russia with her parents. This is sad for us, as we LOVE her, and our kids do, too! It was a gift a couple of weeks ago when Heidi was able to miss a couple of classes and fly down to spend a long weekend with us. How fun it was to say "hello" to Heidi once again! We loved having her stay with us! Anneka was above-the-roof excited, as Heidi is one of her very favorite people in the world. They have a special relationship.





On Saturday we went to Riverfront Park for a nice day outside. We slid down the wagon slide, looked at the waterfalls, fed the goat garbage and rode on the carrousel. Then we headed to Finch Arboretum for a chilly-but sunny- outdoor picnic.



Heidi went with us as we shared at Cheney Community Church and talked with people at the potluck afterwards. Ike liked it when he got Heidi cuddle time.




We took advantage of the sunshine and had barbequed hamburgers with my parents later that evening. We don't know when we'll get to see Heidi again, but we're thankful for these moments and even more thankful that our friendship will continue- even across the miles.

God Is Our Rock

A few weeks ago we heard the shocking news that Irene (Leif's mom) has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. As you can imagine, we have been struggling with this news, trying to make sense of it all. We don't know what this means, but we know that it certainly doesn't sound good. Our hearts are heavy and we can't imagine life without Irene- without her coming to visit us in Russia every year, without our kids knowing her and enjoying her, without being around her and her zest for life. We love her so much!

In this, I feel that God is saying a few things. One is that He is God. He can do what He wants... He's the One in control. But in that, He is GOOD. And He is LOVING.

I also know that He wants us to put our trust in Him. With a lighter diagnosis, it would be easy to give credit to doctors... to put our praise in men. But God wants- and deserves- all of the glory. And I really believe He wants to do something amazing through this.

No matter what, God is with us and will give us the grace we need for whatever is ahead. He is the only giver of peace- amazing peace that makes no rational sense in times of trials.

We had the privilege of spending spring break with Irene and Leif's brother Lark and his family at Silver Mountain. This time together was a gift that we treasured. Below are some pictures from our time there....


cuddling in the king sized bed


riding the world's longest gondola to the top of the mountain



Our April Fool's joke: leaving baby Ike in a basket in front of some people's door, knocking and running away. These people are family friends of Lark's family, but they didn't know us (or our baby). Just the son was home at the time. He was quite concerned when he opened the door and later told his Dad, "That's a lot to put on a 12-year-old boy". But later he laughed. We only let him worry a few seconds before showing our faces.


Riding around on tubes on the lazy river


Gearing up to ride on the fast rides... Anneka has no fear.


Irene liked to pretend like she'd take the girls through the falling water and then would save them at the last second.


Leif tried boogie boarding and surfing.



Tubing up on the mountain. Anneka went by herself and got on the tow-rope all by herself with such confidence. This was a time that I saw how she has patience beyond her age... and I attribute it to waiting in lines in Russia. Anneka wasn't at all phased by the lines and her cousins got quickly bored with the wait. Those lines in Russia have their benefits!!


Ella got her own tube but went down with Papa. The man behind them was waiting to give them a good push to start down the slope.




Ike liked hanging out in the warm atmosphere inside the waterpark.


And Ella liked the baby slides- especially with Grandma Irene.

We cherish these memories!

The Last Half Of Our Trip

Things are starting to feel very busy as the time races until we return to Russia. Today Leif is meeting with a pastor from Cd'A who is interested in having his church adopt the Buryat people to learn about and pray for. Very cool. And tonight he's sharing with kids at Awanas. Right now he took the girls to the library so that I can get some things done around here. That's been a special time for Leif and the girls each week.



We were very encouraged in our traveling around. God has brought so many neat people into our lives! On the Sunday Leif preached in Darrington, one of the families had a potluck afterwards. Anneka delighted in playing with their kids... she even stayed a few hours after we left because she was having so much fun. And there were fun kids to play with all along the way!


Of course we loved seeing Grancy (Leif's Dad's mom)



... and playing with the keyboard (and the cat and dog) and Tim and Lucy's



... and sharing my aunt Sherrie's birthday with her!


... and reading books with Grandpapa


... and holding one of his pet snakes!


... and cuddling at McDonalds


(and Anneka and Ella played there, too!)


... and making a few trips to the beach


... and holding a crab


...and making it through a snowstorm on the pass (the girls slept while Ike cried).

... and many other visits with friends and supporters and another church that I didn't take pictures of, but we treasure the times in our hearts. We're so thankful for the health and strength to travel with three little ones for so many days. We are counting our blessings in these memories!

Skype Meetings

We're back from our trip! It was so great to see everyone,and it's also so great to be back to our temporary home here in Washington. I still need to get my pictures together before I post more, but I thought I'd throw in a picture of Leif and what he does many, many hours of many, many days. Skype meetings. He is so patient. I get really antsy in front of the computer, and he does it for hours. His meetings are usually double the time that they are predicted to be... a 3 hour meeting can be as much as six, a one hour meeting is usually 2, etc. Right now he's in a skype meeting. It was supposed to be over at 9:00 and now it's after 10:00. I'm tired from traveling and emotionally exhausted from some things from this last week (also for another post). I'm sure he's really tired, too. Our sweet little girls are staying the night with my mom and Ike is sleeping on my lap. Since he's sleeping, I guess I should be, too! Goodnight!

Life on the Island

We've had a nice time visiting Leif's side of the family on Whidbey Island. It's so nice because his grandparents, brother's family, and mom all live here now. It certainly makes for a lot less traveling around! Here Irene is making coconut cookies with the girls.



Ella doesn't get too many chances to hold her brother, but she LOVES it when she gets to!!


Playing the piano with Great Grandma Marjorie


And hanging out with Grandpa Jack


Family Picture... now Ike can be in it! (last time he was in my tummy)


Great Aunt Reta




Cuddle Time with Gramma Irene




Cousins Clay and Anneka




Everyone is happy with Uncle Lark!



Bedtime Story

Washington Tour

Last Thursday we began our "tour of Washington". We'll be staying in 6 different homes in 13 days, sharing in two churches, and seeing friends and family. Anneka was very excited to pack her dolls- one for herself, one for Ella, one for Mama and one for Ike (he was so cute with a little doll tucked up next to him). When Leif asked why he didn't get a doll, Anneka said that, of course, it was unsafe for him to drive with a baby.



Leif washed and vacuumed the car before our departure, but this is what was on one side previously.


...and this was on the other side. I've been finding Anneka's name written in various places both backward and mirrored lately. Here the last "A" is capitalized, but normally it's a perfect mirror, too.

We had an adventure on the freeway just a few miles from Snoqualmie mountain pass. Our tire blew out, and we didn't have a spare. We called a tow truck and all five of us plus the driver fit inside of the cab on one seat together. =) Anneka thought it was great fun. Ella cried very loudly for half of the ride (she missed her nap).

In reflection, I remember Anneka praying early that morning before our trip that if something happened to the car that we wouldn't be hurt. It stuck out to me because she normally prays more general prayers. It's so neat to see how God answered that prayer and protected us. And Leif's grandparents were so kind to buy new tires for the car, too. Thank you, Jack and Marj!



We had a great time with our friends, Kadie and Josh! It was so nice of them to let us stay with them and they showered our family with amazing gifts, too!



Anneka adored their dog, Charlie. Charlie was terrified of her, but he was also very kind to her amidst his fear. =)



The next night, our friends, Brian and Lesley hosted a gathering for friends from college. We were having so much fun that I forgot to take pictures!! Here's Scott bonding with Ike.


... and snuggling.



The next morning, Lesley made us Swedish pancakes. Mmmmm!


The kids loved playing together!

Next stop, Coupeville (on Whidbey Island)....