Home!

I had an extremely awesome travel home. All my flights were on time and things went so smoothly. After about 11 hours, I made it to Chicago O'Hare airport and walked through customs with no problems. I was so excited to see my mom and dad on the other side of the glass doors. We stopped at McDonald's on the way home and it was so weird to order in English. Once I got home I was met by my sister and aunt. It was so good to see familiar faces and speak in full sentences in English. But I also really miss my Russian family. A big piece of my heart is still with them in Russia. People keep asking me here, so when are you going back? I just say I am not sure but I will go back. I thank God for the many things that I have learned in the past three months. God's grace is so abounding and I definitely saw it! Things went so smoothly and I never imagined that things would go so well, but when you depend on God, He shows you so many things. I will definitely be praying for my future opportunities and waiting for the next opportunity to do God's work.

As my days are coming to an end...

this is me in an effort to get organized.

Little Sasha

When Nelly and I got home from going on our walk, Vera told us to follow her into the girl's room. And she showed us that while Sasha was playing, he had fallen asleep...under the sofa!

Afternoon with Nelly

Yesterday, Nelly came after she got off work and we spent the day together. We ate breakfast and then we went to pick Nikita up from school (which was quite an adventure). After we brought Nikita home, Nelly and I spent the day on Nevski. Nelly helped me buy hats for souvenirs and then we wore them on Nevski for fun. People everywhere were looking at us funny, but we had fun and laughed a lot.

My Russian Mom

Pictures of Children's Christmas Program at ICA

My Surprise :)

So Saturday night, I stayed over at two of my friends house. On Sunday, we went to church together at ICA. After church, Liza and Boukje said they had a surprise for me. So we went off to Spartivnaya metro station and walked up to a big building. My surprise was going ICE SKATING!! Woohoo! Except one problem, the ice rink wasn't open. :) So instead we went to the Coffee House and had coffee together. Not exactly the same as ice skating, but I was just so excited to spend time with two AMAZING girls. Love them! They are the best I could ever ask for :)