Life has definitely gotten away from me this past month so I am going to back track a little and try to catch you up! I am becoming more and more involved but the second semester is also coming to an end and with all the Holidays at the end of the year, things get a little insane!
Back on November 16, my kiddos led chapel for the whole elementary.They worked so hard and did such a wonderful job preparing and telling the Story of Jonah to a large group of people. The kids led the music with, "The BIBLE, Who Did, Making Melodies, and Who is the King" They also shared a Bible verse that they have memorized so far this year in our Bible class. I was a very proud teacher. The following day the high schoolers performed a wonderful show called, Belle Notte. This year Belle Notte was called, InternatioNoel and they performed Christmas songs from all over the world. It was beautiful!
The following week was a bit crazy for it was Thanksgiving week. We had a short week at work and on the last day before our break, we celebrated Thanksgiving as a class. We dressed up as Pilgrims and Indians, went on a Turkey Hunt outside, Read the Thanksgiving story, played games, did some crafts, Carved pumpkins, and had a Thanksgiving feast while watching, "Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving." The very next day I left Moscow with a group from the English Cafe and went out to a Dacha for a retreat. We had so much fun. It was so worth getting out of Moscow for a weekend to relax and enjoy fellowship with some great people. We played English games, sang oldies and Christmas songs, watched a Christmas Carol, and had group discussions with the theme of "Past, Present, and Future."
The highlight for me from November was going to see, Little Mermaid, the play in Russian! No need to know how to speak the language when you have seen the movie 100 times! I still sang along to all of the songs in English as they sang them in Russian! It was so wonderfully performed and incredible to see it performed live!! I even got the soundtrack cd in Russian from the performance. I will learn the Little Mermaid theme song in Russian! (Some day HAHA)
On to December, So far this month I have been extremely busy every single day before and after work and all weekend. Getting thngs perpared for the Elementary Christmas Program, trying to record grades, get into the Christmas spirit, planning all the days we have before we leave for Break and much more. I went to Izmilyva (Russian Flea Market) the first Sunday of the month and about froze to death walking around in the snow and ice! They have some awesome stuff and I am stoked about souveniers I can find there! I went to a friends house for Dinner and that was very delightful to not have to cook and be able to catch up and just have a girls night outside of school. I have been going to Bible study at a different families house every Wednesday, I meet new people there each week. It is so nice to be able to fellowship with people from Russia, America, and Africa!
Today the children in the Elementary performed their Christmas Program! They did a wonderful job! The 5th graders performed with Bell Chimes, 4th grade performed with the Recorders, and K-3 sang a great bunch of songs with hand motions and beautiful voices. The finale for that age group before 4 and 5th grade joined back up to end with a bang was, I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas! The kids absolute favorite song and it was SOOOO cute!!! The night ended and I was out the door as soon as I was able to be. Now time to relax a little before the Christmas Dinner tomorrow for the Staff! Then back into reality come Monday morning again! Christmas break is so close but there is so much to do before it can come! Italy is almost here and I can hardly wait!!! :)
