Since my last posting, I don't think I have actually stopped moving long enough (until now) to think about what to write next. The hoopla of Holidays and end of the semester at work completely took over my life. The end of November came and went in a flash. Mostly I remember having 3 Thanksgivings in 3 days, one with Kindergarten, one with the staff at work, and one on Thanksgiving with wonderful friends. Being able to share stories, love, and laughter with amazing people in my life is truly what I am most blessed by.
Not long after Thanksgiving ended did we start preparing for Christmas. On Saturday December 7, we had our annual Staff Christmas Party. We all dressed up, enjoyed the company, had wonderful food and fondue, and sang Christmas Carols together. The weekend couldn't have been better hadn't I gone to church on Sunday and Ice Skating. Some friends and I decided it has been too long since we have ice skated so it was time to go out. Now if you know me (klutz) it was going to be a long interesting night. We arrived to Gorky Park and after the wait in the bitter cold, we finally had our skates and were ready to tackle this fun. Well you dont need all the details so we will just say, it was a blast! We skated, laughed, sang songs, tried dancing in our skates over the lite up ground, sat by a fire, and fell.
The last two weeks of school for the semester were crazy busy and filled with excitement at the same time. We held the Elementary Christmas Program this year with no music teacher, I tutored almost every day after school, I lost my voice, there were meetings galore, decorating for Christmas, preparing Parties, and there was shopping for Christmas. We ended the second semester very well. We sang Happy Birthday to Jesus at our Christmas party in Kindergarten and that was the kiddos favorite part. It is so wonderful to see the love of Jesus in my classroom and to think that I get to be there teacher. Since Christmas Break started, I have been busy doing something everyday. Is it really a break for me?
I ask myself if it is a break and when I look at my calendar I would say no but I have to say, even though I am busy everyday, this Christmas break may not be about me at work from 8-6 but the fact that my focus over break is to spend quality time with friends here. Time for me to step away from the business of life at work to regain strength and energy but also to focus more on the Reason for the Season.
December 21, the annual HCA Family Christmas Service. What a great time to worship and fellowship with our HCA Family the birth of Jesus and this Christmas Season. Sunday at church was the kids Christmas program, although we are an international church and people are always coming and going, we had about 6 kids learn songs in English and sing for the congregation, it was beautiful. Afterwards, I enjoyed lunch and games at a friends house. Christmas Day approached quickly, at first I was bummed about not being able to come home for the holidays or at least visit my friends in Italy but I began to see how truly blessed I was to be able to stay here in Moscow with my new friends and family. My roommate and I stuffed each others stockings with fun little things and we enjoyed building two puzzles and watching Christmas movies the whole Christmas day! The day after Christmas, some friends and I decided to rent a limo and ride around the City of Moscow and see all the beautiful Christmas lights! Oh what a glorious time we had singing Christmas songs in the limo, seeing the lights, and building relationships and memories together.
Christmas is over for Americans but in Russia Christmas isn't until January 7. I get to spend New Years Eve on Red Square this year and then celebrate Christmas again, Russian Style! I am praying for you all back home or wherever you may be. I know Christmas is over but something we should always remember is why we are here. The true reason for everything is because of the birth of Jesus, because without his birth there would be no death. Be a blessing to someone else and in return you will be blessed!!
Not long after Thanksgiving ended did we start preparing for Christmas. On Saturday December 7, we had our annual Staff Christmas Party. We all dressed up, enjoyed the company, had wonderful food and fondue, and sang Christmas Carols together. The weekend couldn't have been better hadn't I gone to church on Sunday and Ice Skating. Some friends and I decided it has been too long since we have ice skated so it was time to go out. Now if you know me (klutz) it was going to be a long interesting night. We arrived to Gorky Park and after the wait in the bitter cold, we finally had our skates and were ready to tackle this fun. Well you dont need all the details so we will just say, it was a blast! We skated, laughed, sang songs, tried dancing in our skates over the lite up ground, sat by a fire, and fell.
The last two weeks of school for the semester were crazy busy and filled with excitement at the same time. We held the Elementary Christmas Program this year with no music teacher, I tutored almost every day after school, I lost my voice, there were meetings galore, decorating for Christmas, preparing Parties, and there was shopping for Christmas. We ended the second semester very well. We sang Happy Birthday to Jesus at our Christmas party in Kindergarten and that was the kiddos favorite part. It is so wonderful to see the love of Jesus in my classroom and to think that I get to be there teacher. Since Christmas Break started, I have been busy doing something everyday. Is it really a break for me?
I ask myself if it is a break and when I look at my calendar I would say no but I have to say, even though I am busy everyday, this Christmas break may not be about me at work from 8-6 but the fact that my focus over break is to spend quality time with friends here. Time for me to step away from the business of life at work to regain strength and energy but also to focus more on the Reason for the Season.
December 21, the annual HCA Family Christmas Service. What a great time to worship and fellowship with our HCA Family the birth of Jesus and this Christmas Season. Sunday at church was the kids Christmas program, although we are an international church and people are always coming and going, we had about 6 kids learn songs in English and sing for the congregation, it was beautiful. Afterwards, I enjoyed lunch and games at a friends house. Christmas Day approached quickly, at first I was bummed about not being able to come home for the holidays or at least visit my friends in Italy but I began to see how truly blessed I was to be able to stay here in Moscow with my new friends and family. My roommate and I stuffed each others stockings with fun little things and we enjoyed building two puzzles and watching Christmas movies the whole Christmas day! The day after Christmas, some friends and I decided to rent a limo and ride around the City of Moscow and see all the beautiful Christmas lights! Oh what a glorious time we had singing Christmas songs in the limo, seeing the lights, and building relationships and memories together.
Christmas is over for Americans but in Russia Christmas isn't until January 7. I get to spend New Years Eve on Red Square this year and then celebrate Christmas again, Russian Style! I am praying for you all back home or wherever you may be. I know Christmas is over but something we should always remember is why we are here. The true reason for everything is because of the birth of Jesus, because without his birth there would be no death. Be a blessing to someone else and in return you will be blessed!!
