What a weekend!

Normally for the weekend after Thanksgiving, the Blevins family heads up to their cabin, chops down a Christmas tree, and finishes off the Thanksgiving leftovers.  This year of course was different.  The parents stayed home over the weekend, and Mom and Wyatt or going to buy a tree together this year.

I love this cozy weekend at the cabin, and look forward to it every year.  While I was disappointed to not be headed into the woods this last Friday, I can't say that I sat home and moped.  This was a weekend to end all weekends.  Tima came home after a year in the army.

Tima and Masha

Tima is the Ivanyenko's oldest son. After graduating from a two-year technical school at the age of 19, he packed up and headed off to the army for a year, as all Russian men from ages 18-27 must do.  I remember when I got here in June, Tanya said to me, "Only four more months and Tima comes home!" and suddenly, it's here.

And let me be clear, this was Tanya's day.  I can't imagine what it would be like to have your child gone for a year.  He was serving not too far from us, but the army doesn't give the soldiers leave.  Tanya saw him once or twice while he was serving, and that's a miracle.  Fortunately, he was working in an office on a computer during his service, so he could Skype the family often, and what a blessing that was to them! But enough of that, Tima's home.

Friday was pretty quiet, but on Saturday things started shaking.  He was coming home that evening, so we planned a big party at the church for him, and what a party it was!  I'll spare the details, but suffice to say Tima has a lot of friends who are thrilled that he's home.

Tima and a buddy at the church party

The next day, our youth group went paint-balling, Tima included (to the delight of many).  I spectated and took photos, because my brother Wyatt is crazy about paintball and I've seen far too many welts and bruises to willingly subject myself to that kind of torture. But a good time was had by all! Our youth group is mostly guys (really, we have two girls who come) which as many of you know is rather unusual for youth groups or churches in general.  This was a great activity for some male bonding (and female bonding for Katya and Anya who clung together through the whole thing, but they were great sports!)

Tima, Kai, Roma, Senya, ready for action

Anya and Katya, you go girls!

This creepy abandoned building was perfect for paintball

Our fearless leader Vasilev (with paint on his nose)

Go Red Team!

Since Saturday everyone in the house has been in a cheery mood, especially Tanya and Ilya.  I'm looking forward to getting to know Tima (who is right now outside working on installing a heater in my room, bless him) and I'm as happy as ever to be part of the Ivanyenko clan.

Пока Ребята, Russian Jane

Thanksgiving - Part Two

Considering the circumstances, I don't think I could have asked for a better Thanksgiving.

Firstly, everything turned out.  Nothing burned, nothing was dry, nothing tasted weird.  That alone was a holiday miracle.

Secondly, the people; there was my family (Uncle Ilya and Aunt Tanya, Masha, and Kostya), my dear friends Senya and Andrey, and our friend Nastya.  They fully embraced the spirit of Thanksgiving.  Ilya read a psalm and said the blessing before the meal, and afterwards we all listed the things we were thankful for and said prayers of thanksgiving.  I was overwhelmed with thankfulness for the wonderful people I have here in Russia, and I really don't know what I would do without them.

Today, I'm taking it easy.  I've been cooking for two days straight and think it's about time to cool my heels.  Besides, tomorrow is a big day; one of the things the Ivanyenko family is so very grateful for is that their oldest son Tima returns from the army tomorrow!  It goes without saying I think that we're going to have a fantastic "welcome home" party.

Here are a few photos from this Thanksgiving.  I hope that God has blessed you this year as richly as he's blessed me, and that this holiday season is a time for celebration and joy, not stress and well...stress.

The bird, a 5k (11lb) beauty, probably raised in someone's backyard

They shut off our water all day yesterday

A girl and her bird

I gave Senya the honor (chore?) of carving the bird

Our holiday table

He was no match for the post-turkey coma

Pouring tea for dessert because hey, this is still Russia

The hero of the night: Andrey, who did most of the dishes

Пока ребята,  Russian Jane

Thanksgiving - Part One

Personally, I'm crazy about Thanksgiving.  Nothing beats Christmas, but for me, Thanksgiving runs a close second.  So am I going to let being halfway around the world stop me from celebrating? You bet I'm not. (Note: the municipality in Madi's neighborhood abruptly shut off their water, so Thanksgiving at their home was impossible).

I've got the turkey (yes, I found a whole, beautiful 10lb turkey at the market), the potatoes, the pumpkins, the green beans; true, I have to make everything from scratch, but it should be a pretty traditional meal.  I'll celebrate with my family here and a few of my closest friends, and I'm really looking forward to it.

What's different this year, aside from the location obviously, is the multitude of big things that I have to be thankful for.  Don't get me wrong, God has blessed me and my family abundantly, but this year, having made such a big transition in my life, it's easy to see God's hand in everything.

So, what am I thankful for?

I'm thankful for the wonderful family and friends I have in America, and the wonderful church where I grew up, who are all supporting me in this new adventure (that includes all of you who keep up with me here!).  I'm thankful for the family I live with now; I couldn't have found better people.  I'm thankful for my new job, and the people I get to work with.  I'm thankful that I've always had the visas and documents I needed to stay in Russia.  I'm thankful that we have running water and electricity, especially after so many people lost so much in the flood this summer.  I'm thankful that God takes care of my every need in a foreign country where so many things could potentially go wrong.

Me and my grandmas, Thanksgiving '09. No, the matching outfits weren't planned.

For people preparing Thanksgiving dinner, for people traveling to be with family, I know these next few days will be hectic to say the least.  And though it sounds trite, I'd encourage you to take a moment and remember what you're thankful for.  It can change your whole outlook on things.

Пока ребята and God bless you this Thanksgiving,

Russian Jane

Narnia and the Real World

As much as the camp team and I are trying to live in fantasy land as we plan for Narnia, last Sunday we were interrupted by an extremely unfortunate accident.

Our camp director, Andree Slabiy, was doing some construction work on his home when he accidentally gouged himself in the eye with a drill.  A few days later when the dust settled, it was determined that A) he would have to wait four months before going to see an eye specialist in Krasnodar because of the swelling and B) there is a 1-2% chance he will see out of that eye again but C) he will not lose the eye.

Andree at this summers English Camp

But let me tell you what kind of person Andree is: he's dedicated and determined.  Three or four days after the accident, he was already making phone calls about camp, and the Thursday after it happened we even had a camp meeting around his hospital bed (I was unable to attend, but someone said he's staying positive and even making jokes about a pirate theme for next camp).

Needless to say, we're all praying for a miracle, and I'd like to invite you to pray as well.  We're praying that he'll be able to see out of his eye again, and that this won't hinder plans for camp.

Aside from the accident, things have begun rolling.  We are planning camp in earnest, and it's very exciting.  I can't wait to begin decorating and assembling costumes!  For my part, I'm assembling the work books and trying to get my brother over here to volunteer at winter camp.  It's all beginning to happen, and I'm very excited!

Пока ребята, Russian Jane