Our wonderful Wednesday!

Hello there!  I am trying to get my mind wrapped around what time and day it is back in Kentucky.  It is Wednesday morning for all of you, and we are finishing up our day.

We started out our day early~~believe it or not, I think we are still adjusting.  So, we were up bright and early, and then by 6:30 a.m. we were both heading back to bed because we were really still tired.  Diester woke up again around 8:00 and started to prepare a roast we had let thaw out all night.  He was cutting up carrots and potatoes.  My morning chef.  So he was working on that~~so nice, and then he let me take over.  My mom always has made them a certain way that was a favorite of mine that she made, and I wanted to make sure the meat was as tender since we were possibly having it for our dinner tonight with guests.  We were hoping for Tim and Iris to make it for dinner with their little guys, but weren't sure because Tim is leaving for one of the people groups soon, but still trying to get their well working.  Please continue to pray for this situation.  Thank you for all of you who are praying about this.  I spoke with Iris early this a.m., and she was checking to see if they could make it for dinner, and she also invited me for a girls' night out for a movie with some other missionaries wives.  We were both checking to see if the invites would work, and sure enough, they were able to come for dinner tonight.  We didn't have much going on Thursday night, so I am planning on going with her.  (Okay, all of you who know that I fall asleep within the first 10 minutes of every movie I ever watch, Diester agreed for me to go, and then added under his breath as he walked away that I had better make sure to get a nap.)   So, we had to make sure we were ready for them, and needed a couple of more items from the grocery store, so we ended up taking a walk.  We headed beyond the market and started to notice what looked like some stores along the way.  Nothing like what you see in a strip mall.  You can't even tell what kind of store it is from the outside of most of the stores, but I saw what looked like a child's toy store, and so we decided to go in, and sure enough, they had a good variety of toys.  We were just looking around, but the fellow working there followed right behind me as I looked.  I think he was making sure that I didn't steal anything.  Literally, there was not much space between us.  I tried to explain that we were just looking~~using hand motions.  Then he tried to talk with me in Russian.  I did not understand, and told him (in Russian) that I only speak a little Russian.  He then said "Girl?"  and I am sure my eyes lit up, and I said "Boys", and then I said 2.  And he said "2 years old?"  and I said "2 boys" and used hand motions again to indicate.  He started showing me some different toys, and even opened up a package to show me the items inside.  I was enjoying just how they operate there, but I did wonder if they were following me so closely so that I did not shoplift.  Anyway, Diester found some CARS squeaky car/truck toys that will be great in the bathtub.  They were really cute.  We decided to purchase them.  I thanked the fellow who was showing me around per se.  They were very helpful actually.  I think after a bit, it was not so stressful. 

So then, Diester and I decided that we would check out some other shops, and it was fun to look around, check prices, etc.  There are not Thank you notes in stores around here, we found out.  

So, then we headed back and stopped at the market on our way home.  This time I did NOT freak out in line, and I actually knew how much were were paying for our items.  We bought some ice cream (finally trying the Russian ice cream) to go with my apple crisp that I was making for dessert, along with a couple of other items, and we headed home.  It was an extremely hot day out, however, the humidity was extremely low, so even though it was hot, we were not dripping wet like we would have been in seconds in Kentucky at this temperature. 

We came home, and I was prepared for dinner, so I decided to take a nap.  Gotta love a nap!  Tim and Iris came for dinner, and they were so thankful.  It was a blessing to have them.  We had a lot of nice conversation, and they brought fresh lettuce and cucumbers from her greenhouse.  She had also made a homemade poppyseed dressing that was really yummy.  The beef turned out wonderful with the veggies, and we were ready to eat.  We had wonderful fellowship with them, and heard some stories of many different situations they have been in, and how they handled them in this culture.  It is interesting to hear of the culture from many different sides.  I love it!  We really enjoyed their company.  Thank you for accepting our invitation Iris and Tim. 

We had a blessed day!  Oh, and I cannot forget, I wanted to share this.  Today, when Diester and I did a bible study together, we read from Psalm 59, and the final vs. 16 & 17 read:  But I will sing of Your power; Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; For You have been my defense And refuge in the day of my trouble.  To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; For God is my defense, My God of mercy.    Yes, God truly was our defense yesterday and we were singing his praises in the morning.  He was our refuge in our day of trouble.  Thank you God for defending us and being our refuge in our 'day of trouble'.  You are the wonderful protector.  Praise God! 

Have a blessed day for all of you who are reading this in your morning!  May God bless your day!

We are headed to see the boys tomorrow~~YAY! ! !