
For those of you who still check this after such a long period of inactivity, I am sorry! Limited internet access in Russia provided no time for blog updates. But I am home and ready to report of an incredible experience. No other time in my life have I felt so dependent on the Lord's strength and grace and yet felt so aware of His presence, confident of His goodness, and certain of His guidance. Everything from His clear direction of where I was to spend my summer to having my suitcase lost for 19 days pointed to the importance of waiting on Him. The most impacting education I had was a chapter from Andrew Murray's book Waiting on God. The chapter, entitled "To Know His Goodness," opened my eyes to the importance of waiting -- not to receive the gift, but to learn of the Giver's goodness whether He gives the specific gift or not. This was a confrontation to my thinking, yet satisfying resolution of a long-held tension.
Every day in Russia was an adventure. The culture is extremely laid back, so I rarely new what each day would hold. I spent most of my time taking care of Caleb and Ricco, the 9 month old twins. During my stay, the Vogel family moved from their 9th story apartment to their own home. This wonderful change was also very stressful due to the amount of "fixing up" the house needed, as well as the demands of four children under four years old! I have returned more able to relax about things that before would have caused me great frustration. I am praying that I will be able to appropriate these lessons as I continue on now with school this fall.
I enjoyed just about everything I ate there, especially when I was really hungry! The Russians eat bread at every meal, drink hot tea like water, and have much later meal times than I am accustomed to. Mu last week in Russia, we were at an English Language Camp that Peter organized, and our meal times were 10am, 2pm, and 7pm (or 8, depending on if the meat people delivered on time!). Flexibility was key to my time there. : )
Because I spent most of my time with 2 babies, I did a lot of the normal dressing, changing, feeding, cleaning, and watching. Even though this was a full time job, the times of sitting on the floor with them or taking them for a walk gave me opportunities to pray and review Scripture, things that were wonderfully refreshing and sustaining in my frequent state of fatigue.
I don't think I even saw a piano while I was in Russia, but I was able to play the keyboard each Sunday at church. This ministry was one of my favorites, and, although I don't feel any more prepared for grad school in the sense of increased musical knowledge or ability, I wouldn't trade my time there for anything. I am looking forward to seeing how the Lord uses the lessons and experiences I had this summer in my next step at James Madison. I believe they will be many, and I am thankful to be able to praise the Lord for these.
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