с новым годом. (Pronounced, Snovym Godom) Happy New Year friends. 2016 ended very well. As it is difficult to be away from family and friends during the holiday season, I found great joy being with new family and friends in Moscow.
The end of the year is always an extremely busy time of year. My end of the year consisted of things such as: Concerts, Art shows, Staff Christmas, a ex-coworker visiting us, wrapping up units in our classroom, classroom parties, chapels, HCA Christmas service, exploring the city lights, Christmas eve service, Christmas day with friends, and unfortunately being sick. That is just a condensed list of what the end of the year entailed.
Being in Moscow through all of this has truly been amazing. Worshiping our God with fellow believers has been a blessing. Even though the gifts and decorations are a great part of Christmas, being able to share the Story of Christ birth with my students has been a gift in itself. The awe in the children's eyes is incredible. I always bake a birthday cake for Jesus and we sing to Him at our Christmas party. This year I recorded my children singing Happy Birthday to Jesus in 3 different languages. What an amazing thing to be a part of and witness as a believer. If you are friends with me on Fb, you probably seen the video already. If you haven't, email me, I will be happy to share it with you!
Christmas Eve, I was invited to my bosses place for a mini Christmas Service. There were 11 people altogether singing songs, sharing in devotion, and enjoying great food and fellowship. It was a blessing to be able to be a part of a Christmas Eve service because here in Russia, Christmas isn't celebrated until January 7th. It is a strange thing to be able to go out shopping and out to eat on Christmas day because it is just a normal day here in Russia. With it being "so normal" here, it almost doesn't ever feel like Christmas unless you can get together with others and celebrate together.
My year also ended and started in Ireland. I have always wanted to go to Ireland and with it being my last year in Moscow, what a great opportunity to visit the countries I have wanted to. I was blessed significantly with support from you all to make my dream of going to Ireland a reality. Many of you blessed me for Christmas in a way that couldn't be captured in pictures. Although I have a ton of pictures, it is just a glimpse of what I really did experience. Ireland is a beautiful country and a great example of God's wonderful creation.
With all of this being said, I truly am a blessed girl serving in God's great big world! Thank you for your love, prayers, and support. Below are some things you can be praying for with me as we get ready to take on the last semester of the school year. With much love from Russia, Courtney.
Prayer Request:
~ All HCA staff and families traveling
~ Continued prayers for the laws and authority situations
~ Financial support thru the end of the year
The end of the year is always an extremely busy time of year. My end of the year consisted of things such as: Concerts, Art shows, Staff Christmas, a ex-coworker visiting us, wrapping up units in our classroom, classroom parties, chapels, HCA Christmas service, exploring the city lights, Christmas eve service, Christmas day with friends, and unfortunately being sick. That is just a condensed list of what the end of the year entailed.
Being in Moscow through all of this has truly been amazing. Worshiping our God with fellow believers has been a blessing. Even though the gifts and decorations are a great part of Christmas, being able to share the Story of Christ birth with my students has been a gift in itself. The awe in the children's eyes is incredible. I always bake a birthday cake for Jesus and we sing to Him at our Christmas party. This year I recorded my children singing Happy Birthday to Jesus in 3 different languages. What an amazing thing to be a part of and witness as a believer. If you are friends with me on Fb, you probably seen the video already. If you haven't, email me, I will be happy to share it with you!
Christmas Eve, I was invited to my bosses place for a mini Christmas Service. There were 11 people altogether singing songs, sharing in devotion, and enjoying great food and fellowship. It was a blessing to be able to be a part of a Christmas Eve service because here in Russia, Christmas isn't celebrated until January 7th. It is a strange thing to be able to go out shopping and out to eat on Christmas day because it is just a normal day here in Russia. With it being "so normal" here, it almost doesn't ever feel like Christmas unless you can get together with others and celebrate together.
My year also ended and started in Ireland. I have always wanted to go to Ireland and with it being my last year in Moscow, what a great opportunity to visit the countries I have wanted to. I was blessed significantly with support from you all to make my dream of going to Ireland a reality. Many of you blessed me for Christmas in a way that couldn't be captured in pictures. Although I have a ton of pictures, it is just a glimpse of what I really did experience. Ireland is a beautiful country and a great example of God's wonderful creation.
With all of this being said, I truly am a blessed girl serving in God's great big world! Thank you for your love, prayers, and support. Below are some things you can be praying for with me as we get ready to take on the last semester of the school year. With much love from Russia, Courtney.
Prayer Request:
~ All HCA staff and families traveling
~ Continued prayers for the laws and authority situations
~ Financial support thru the end of the year
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