Hangin' on for Tomorrow!!!

So, today, we asked John's tutor to help us find out why we don't have water.  She talked to our landlord, who asked her to go ask a downstairs neighbor.  John remembered seeing the water spillage along the third floor wall, so they went there and lo and behold there was a note taped to the door handle-- you would have to take the note off- if you were going into the apartment.
The note went something like this...A water pipe burst in your flat---please contact us at....---if we don't hear from you in TEN days, we will break into your flat and fix it.

So, I said--well, it might not be until next week...Saturday --the water went off---John looks at me and says, NOPE, it's worse----The note was dated TOMORROW!!!!!  Did you read that!!???  Tomorrow!!!  So, ten days from tomorrow is the most we have to endure the tub dishes!!! YIKES!  Well, that's Russia for you!  Write a note that is dated tomorrow and put it on the door today---so all the people above the third floor don't have water in their kitchen on our side of the building.  AND---John left today for a 9 day trip to Eastern Europe---He's been great---did everything to help me out so I would have an easier time while he was away.  Pray for all of us!

Giving Ideas

This is a book that one of my friends recommended us reading.  Its title intimidated me when I saw it on the shelf--before Alisa told us about it.  I don't like it when people try to show inadequacies in the Bible--and by the title and reading nothing else, that's what I thought it was about.  I was WRONG!  Thankfully, Alisa set me straight and we bought the book at paperbackswap .
We brought it over to Russia with us this trip and John tackled it first and finished.  I am still tackling...about halfway through or more.  Its very challenging, so if you read it, know this --up front!!!

All that to say the book explains the need for Christians to help those in need.  This world is full of them and it's a bit(no, really a lot!!) overwhelming if you think about helping everyone.  But, we need to be faithful to help in our part---so What is our part? 
Most people  will say---oh, my budget is full, I don't have anything extra to give--but perhaps we do, we just don't see it yet.  I am speaking to myself, especially...so where is my extra that I can give?  I have some idea where it could come from(God's pretty clever about giving us ideas when we ask for them!)...but do you have ideas for where you go without to give to those who are without.   Sometimes, we need help from others to see our "extras"

These are some ways I have seen others give: 
a friend did a giveaway to raise money through her blog,
people we know asked for their Christmas gift from us to go to the needy--by giving to their church missions.
giving away something of your own to someone who likes it, but might not be able to buy it.
giving toward a cause in lieu of a gift
trimming down Christmas gifts and using the gift money to give else where.

Any ideas ????

Washing Dishes in the Largest Sink Ever!!

Well, now we have a washing machine that works, so I do not have to do my clothes in the tub anymore, but I do have to use the tub for dishes.  On Saturday morning, our water in the kitchen was a trickle then nothing!!!  No water, except in the bathroom--and thank God we do have it there!!  I have the largest sink ever!!!  It's not so bad except for the toting back and forth, but think positive---I might have to tote to a river if I didn't live in a city!!!!

Elema Update

John has continued to work with Sergei out at Elema.  They had to dig 28 holes about 1 meter deep--as in John can hop into the hole and stand in it up to his neck.  Then, they have to add blocks(that weigh about 50 lbs each) and stack them so that they form an even foundation.  As they observed, water seeps into these holes quickly from beneath and they have to remove the water before adding the bricks.  When they drop the first block into the holes, they literally run for cover as the mud sprays in all directions.  Thankfully, Sergei hired other guys to help work on the project.  They are from a local Christian rehab center and are in the process of straightening out their lives.  The guys from the rehab dug most of the holes and are finishing up the project.  John said when Sergei would talk with them, they would so intently listen, like they hung on every word.  Sergei has a heart of faith in the Lord!  It's inspiring--thankfully, he speaks English and John can benefit from their communication!  By the way, the twins are thriving and I hope to have more pics soon!

We aren't in Kansas anymore!!

This is what I said today as I drove down the newly paved road---no, they didn't level the part from the old to the new, so you have to drive really slowly over or up the small ledge.  There were some of these steam rollers to my right rolling right along...nothing separating me from them other than my brain and nerves!!!  This picture shows how streets are worked on in America...they seem to take the whole road, except for one lane, and they block it off with every barricade they can find.  Not here, they work while you drive.  I must say I was ecstatic that they were even working on the road---most roads just have the pot holes barricaded, but not fixed, in the middle of the road...you have to be on your guard ALWAYS!!  But, today, they were fixing both sides of a 4-6 lane road---you see, not all lanes are marked, so unless you see the turn signs, you really don't know how many lanes are there.  People just make their lane where they want, park where they want, and do what they want and hope they aren't pulled over for money, oh, I mean a ticket!!! No,really, it's more common to have to pay a "fine" than to get a ticket.  Ok, my traffic post for the day is done!!!  Home safe and sound from my trip to the g-store with the kids----Oh, how I don't like to shop without John when I have the kiddos!  Today, everyone was there!!!!

Peanut Soup Night!

We are priveleged to attend church with some fantastic African med students!  The Bull herd has never been to Africa but we have great friends that are from many different parts of this wonderful continent.  We learned of a great food from there while we were in Finland staying with friends that were missionaries there.  PEANUT SOUP was the dish they told us about.  So, when we met our church friends, we asked them about this dish!  They love it and knew how to make it, so we asked if they would come over and cook it for us.  We asked of the ingredients to know what to have on hand and they came over and had fellowship with us and the Wii!!  It was great fun and sooooo tasty!  Thanks Frank- for cooking it, Emmanual---for overseeing the cooking, and Daniel for entertaining John and the kids with the Wii!  We love all of you and welcome you all in our home anytime!!

Our Elema Trip

Elema is about a 2 hour drive out into the country!!  .

This is our trip to Elema where we enjoyed hot dogs and pink marshmallows!  First, Ranger John had to build a fire with the paper and matches we had brought for that very purpose.  Unfortunately, everything at Elema was wet, so we had to search for dry wood at the bottom of the wood stash.  But, John is such a genius and fire wood pro--he had us a fire going soon enough.  We roasted hot dogs and eat them on bread--we have found hot dog buns, but only yesterday at a huge store--like a Sams/Costco.  Although, most things are not cheaper there, they are just more unique!!  So, now we know where to go to find buns!!

We have started enjoying Pringles too!!  The orginal kind is Katie friendly--and I must admit having a weakness to these yummy chips.  Thankfully, I know better and don't buy them too often!   I personally enjoy lighting my marshmallos on fire and therefore charring them, so my family finds me the phenomenon and watches me crunch my melted sugar on a stick!!

Matthew ---the up and coming actor of the Herd household!

Today, I saw and heard something that was surprisingly funny to me.  Scene 1:  I walk through the living room hearing crying, but it sounded like play crying.  I ask what's wrong?--Matthew answers--the bad guys are crying.  I told him, bad guys don't cry!  (Well, they usually don't, do they?  Just keeping it real for him!)  Haha...he returns to playing.
Scene 2:  I hear from the kitchen real crying...thinking that Matthew was upset(which is not unusual), I go in and see and hear him really crying, actual tears running down his face.  He is playing with the stuffed animal and talking/crying.  I ask who's crying?--before seeing it was Matthew---Matthew answers---the bad guy was crying.  I try to comfort, knowing that it's really not real tears, but still, the emotion of it all!!!

WOW~---Do I have an actor on my hands?  Really crying and playing the part!  During lunch, John and I heard the explanation of the playing/crying.  Matthew tells us that the Lord had told the bad guys to stop being bad and to be good, but the bad guys didn't want to stop, so they were crying!  Evidently, the bad guys use cool props--such as a black rocket(which really was a ball pump) and they didn't want to give that up--and therefore the reason for the tears!!  Who said boys didn't have emotions????  They just use them up in play!!

In real life, some people don't want to give up their black rockets either!  Do you have a black rocket?  Mine might be otherwise known as SUGAR!!

Check out the Candle in the Corner Giveaway!!!

My blogger friend has a wonderful idea of introducing missionaries all over the world!!! She even has a great inspiring video to introduce the idea! Please join the fun!!! You will help support missions all over and you have a chance to win a cultural prize from these countries involved!! Click here or click my link on the right any time to check it out!!

My first Parent Teacher Meeting as the Parent!

My first parent teacher conference was today and let me just say it was different being on this side of the table. I have had many a PT meeting, but I was the teacher! Now, I know how they feel, but not really--only some of them. Being on this side--as a home schooling mom is even harder--b/c I feel that my work is being evaluated. Let me say--it's hard to be in this position--most of us are at some time or another---many people question home schooling families. I have learned some things that I will change though...if I teach my kids again. I am teaching Mark, but that's kindergarten, not first and above! Plus, the changes I will make are things I can't do now that I am here in Russia.

So, what will I do different? First, you must know, that I am a saver of money to a fault sometimes...well, ok, a lot of times! So, that is the first change---I will NEVER buy something for school just b/c it's cheaper than the curriculum that I really like. I will buy the whole set and not piece together my stuff. I will buy the teacher editions and use them. I haven't bought math teacher editions before---but if I teacher higher than the 2nd, I will get them. I will work my kids harder and longer. I will test more often and be more "official" with "handing back their work with "grades" on them.

I am very pleased with my girls' progress in school, but I didn't ever teach these lower grades, so I have a better picture now. I feel like saying---I have a DREAM!!! I really love the school the girls attend and their teachers are great! We don't feel that we will be here forever in Russia, so if and when we are in a different place, we may home school again. So, this is good to have a plan and Dream!

Here's something funny that was asked of me during the conference...why does Melissa always say the word "the" like "thee" ---she never says it "thuh" when it's beside a consanent. I was befuddled...I can't say I have ever read this "rule" or remember reading it...but it's true --it's a rule!! When learning English--we just learn how to say the words, but not always the reasoning...but now I have been reminded of the rule---by a Russian teacher!!! I came home to see if I read correctly and I do--shew!!! I breathed a sigh of relief--but now I must correct this in Melissa if not Katie too!--Thankfully, I can teach it correctly with the boys!!!

I was glad to have the "meeting"--it was really a great experience and I just love the teachers.

The twins are home!!!

Remember the birth story of Sergei's and Cristina's twin girls? Well, they made it home and we have some pictures! Thank you for praying!! New prayer request: Sergei has been having problems with his joints so that it is too painful to go work. He is so faithful to his family and wants to provide for them. Please pray for healing and new jobs to arise for him to complete.
Thanks again!!

Game Night

If you really know me, you might know that I am not much of a game player, but last night, I got tired of hearing the wii--yes, we have a wii all the way in Russia!! It was a Christmas present from John's parents last year when they came to visit.
So, we pulled out a present of Mark's and played---I am a pro--being someone with poor vision without prescription help, I feel like I could read braille if I learned the letters. I would go nuts if I had no light, but I could survive. I wake up in the night and do not put on my glasses, but make my way through the house just fine! Ok, so John was a pro too, and he has perfect vision--so it's really not proving my point of why I could win at this game.

The point of the game is to place the peices in the proper positions --like a puzzle--blind folded!
The boys just like to do it without the blindfold, like a puzzle!!
Enjoy the pics!

Staying Within Your Ability

Today Mark asked if he could play a video game. We told him that if he could tell us what time it was, he could play. That was at 12:35. He gave a few wrong answers and told us where the little hand and big hand were and then dropped it. We thought he just went on to something else until 1 o'clock rolled around. He knows when the big hand is on the 12 that the little hand tells the time but has some difficulties in between. The solution was to wait until it was 1. So that what he did. At 1 o'clock he comes in and tells us that it's 1 so can he play. We thought that was smart.