Where to Begin

I think I will take Maria von Trapp's suggestion from the Sound of Music and start at the very beginning because apparently, it's "a very good place to start."

My journey to Russia began in the fall of 2004 when our family looked like this:

Our Family - November 2004

We were newly married (July 24, 2004) and placed membership at Riverside in October of 2004.  I don't remember exactly when John Cooke first told our bible class about Russia, but I suspect it was November of 2004 after they returned from their October trip.  

John Cooke

John came into our bible class and told us about Russia and how they teach a character education class at the university there.  Honestly I don't remember many specifics of John's story today (sorry John), but what I will NEVER forget is the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit.  At the time I did not recognize the feeling for what it was, but I knew I wanted to hear more.  After class I approached John and asked a few more questions.  One of my questions was what does the trip cost?  In his wisdom, John didn't really answer me.  He told me that if/when I was ready to go finances would not be an obstacle, we would find a way to get me there.  I believe in that moment, John knew that I would one day make this journey with him.  I didn't know it then, but I think John did.  

In 2006 I started my job at the airport and one of the ladies I work with adopted one of her children from Russia.  Even then I knew that was not by accident.  I knew that God was continuing to affirm that nudge I received.  

Fast forward several years and, Mike Odle came and spoke to our bible class about Russia. Again, unfortunately I do not remember many of the details of his story (sorry Mike), but I remember his story had a slightly different take.  He had a Russian student live with him for the Summer.  Mike's first trip was April of 2008, that summer Kate came to live with him and he returned to Volgograd in October.  I distinctly remember him retelling a story of taking her to the grocery store (probably Wal-Mart) and she couldn't understand why we had so many food choices.  This was an example to me of the excess I take for granted here and I was curious to see what life is like in Volgograd.  

Mike Odle

Honestly there was not a great deal of talk in our house regarding my urge to go to Russia from 2004 to 2011.  I started my job at the airport in 2006 and this was the first place I worked where I earned vacation time.  We had Aaron in January of 2008 and Lydia in August of 2010 and it took some time to build my time off back up after having both kids.  However, every time the team left for Russia my heart tugged a little.  I got included on the email updates while they were gone and my heart tugged a little more.

In October of 2011 after the team returned and I heard more stories and the pull to Russia got stronger.  At that time Aaron was 3.5 and Lydia had just turned 1 and I was not sure how I would be able to leave the family for 17 days.  But my ever steady husband reassured me that he could handle it; he knew it would be difficult, but it would be worth it.  We agreed that it would set a good example for the kids and we both believed it was what God was calling us to.

So I checked my time off spreadsheet (yes, I keep a spreadsheet) to see how much time I would earn by October of 2012. I factored in trips and holiday and plans that we had already made, but I realized I would have enough time off to make the trip.  Ryan and I talked about it and decided that that time was right.  I couldn't wait to tell John!  I was able to tell him on Sunday, November 13th and he was really excited.  He was excited for me, for the students that I would reach, and for the people at the church in Volgograd.

A team left for Russia in April of 2012 and as soon as they returned we began making plans for the October trip.  We began having monthly meetings in June to bond as a team and prepare for the trip ahead.  I began fundraising in July and we left October 17, 2012. We took family photos the Saturday before I left.

Our Family - October 2012

This is just one of many posts about my trip to Russia.  I ask that you continue to pray for the next team that will make this trip in April.  In only a few short months they will begin to make preparations in getting their Visas and plane tickets.  I ask that you pray for Ryan and I as we are already struggling with when I should go back.  I was forever touched by this journey, but I know it is only the beginning.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Russia Excuses

I was very intentional in leaving my computer at home while I was in Russia.  My plan was to do everything possible to be fully present for my time there.  For my first trip I am extremely glad that I made that decision.  The drawback to that is it is going to take me a while to get all my Russia posts written and online.  So for now I leave you with a list of excuses why I haven't posted anything yet:

10. Jet lag - I still get really sleepy at about 3:00 PM, and can barely keep my eyes open at 8:00 PM after the kids go to bed.  

9.  I have a full time job that I had to go back to the Monday immediately following my Saturday return.

8. Jet lag - My brain still isn't fully functioning from the transition.  

7.  I have two children that want to spend every moment possible with their mommy and I try to honor that because one day it will be gone.  

6.  Jet lag - My body is really confused.  

5.  I have a sweet husband that has been doing everything since I left and I am trying desperately to jump back in and do my part.

4.  Jet lag - When I do sleep I have trouble staying asleep, but part of that problem is related to #7.

3.  I know that pictures will tell a lot of the story for me and after spending two and a half weeks with a professional photographer I need to do a little editing of my pictures before they are posted.  

2.  Jet lag.

and the #1 reason is......

1.  I am partially struggling with finding the right words to tell my story in a way that brings honor to God.  

Until I get some good rest and have some time to overcome those obstacles  here are a few pictures.  

You can also visit our church Russia mission blog to read Mike's posts about our journey.  He was able to do most of his blogging while we were there.  The up side is he writes for a living and his writing is beautiful.  My writing will probably feel more like a conversation with an old friend.  It will be grammatically incorrect.   

Paka!

~Love~

Julie

One Week

We leave for Russia in exactly one week!  

My emotions are all over the place.  I am so excited that this trip draws nearer and terrified at the same time.  Before anyone asks, what are you terrified of, or why, there is nothing specific.  This is a big journey for me beyond the flights to/from Russia.  This will be the longest time I have been away from my husband and kids ever.  

However, anytime the fear creeps in I remind myself that God is faithful and walks beside us.  I think of my favorite bible verse Romans 8:28, that God works in all things for the good of those who love him according to his purpose.  And I am quite certain that this trip is according to his purpose and that God will work in us, through us, and most likely at some point in spite of us.  I am also reminded of Matthew 28:19-20 - "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  The two key messages from this that I hold onto as we make this trip are "Therefore go...and teach" and "I am with you always."  Ok, maybe that's three key messages.  Go, Teach, and God is with you.  So simple yet so powerful.  

We got home yesterday from a trip down to Houston to visit my family, and before I had even finished unpacking from that trip I started packing for Russia.  My big suitcase and backpack are out and as I think of things that I will not need at home before we leave I put it in the suitcase.  A sweet friend of ours let me borrow the backpack and I LOVE it, I may never give it back.  It holds way more than it looks like it would and that is a very good thing considering the length of this trip. 

As always, thank you for your prayers.  Please continue to pray for our team as we finalize our preparations.  Pray that we will find ways to keep our anxieties to a minimum, that we will remember to pack everything that is critical, that we will get good rest in these last few days leading up to our trip, that we will do everything we can to make this time a way easier on our families, that we will be able to wrap things up at our jobs to be gone for 2 1/2 weeks, that we ALWAYS remember who is in control, and anything else the Holy Spirit puts on your heart.  Thank you.



"Life is a journey, not a destination."
~Ralph Waldo Emmerson

I AM A LOSER!

Sorry, I couldn't resist.  

I started back on my Weight Watchers journey two weeks ago.  Last week I had no change, which is good.  

This week, I am a loser!  

I lost .8 lbs which is better than no change at all.  The target weight loss is 1/2 a lb to 2 lbs per week so .8 is right on track.  

I think what made me successful this week is I saved all of my weekly points and some of my activity points for the weekend.  Which, translated out of non Weight Watchers speak, means I did not indulge, or minimally indulged during the week so I could indulge over the weekend when I knew I would have less control of my food choices.  We were out of town at a wedding and visiting my family.  

Any tips or tricks for maintaining good habits while in another country?

Stay tuned for next week.  

Ready to go...almost

Countdown:
Days: 20
Dollars: 0

PRAISE GOD! With your help I have now raised all the funds that I need for this trip.  There are a couple of expenses that I have realized I did not budget for like taxi's and buses, but I am confident that God will work it out.  

I am almost ready because it seems like time has flown by from the time that Ryan and I decided that I would make this trip to now.  But these last 30ish days are dragging.  I have been anticipating this trip for so long that :
I am ready to be there, doing this work that we set out to do.  
I am ready to get my suitcase out and pack.  
I am ready to go to the store and  buy my snacks. 
I am ready to gather and organize my toiletries.  
I am ready to coordinate with my roommate who will bring the hairdryer and who will bring the flat iron.  I am ready to tightly roll up my clothes so I can also fit in the various item that our group needs to bring for our students and the church we support.  
I am ready to go on my first mission trip.
I am ready to go on my first international trip.
I am ready to fly across an ocean.
I am ready.....almost.
I am almost ready for the way this trip will change me.
I am almost ready to teach college students about respect and fairness.
I am ready....almost.

I ask you to please continue to pray for our team as we prepare.  Pray for our families as they prepare for us to be gone for 16 days.  Pray that the exchange rate for Rubles will go up, so we can get more for our money.  Pray for our team to be filled with the Holy Spirit.  

Thank you!
JP

Last Hurdle - Done!

Countdown:
Days: 33
Dollars: $200

Thirty-three days left and our team is all set.  Our coordinator got our Visas in the mail on Monday and that was the last major hurdle we absolutely had to over come before we left.  PRAISE GOD!  All 6 of us were able to get our Visas without any trouble!  I should have mine in hand by Sunday!  

I ask that you pray with me over the following people:

Paul- the minister at the church in Volgograd.
Irina - a member of the church in Volgograd and she also helps coordinate our apartments.
Ludmilla Karpova - the director of the Character for Kids program at the university.
All the current university students that we will come into contact with.
All the former students that we continue to build relationships with.
The women who we will rent our apartments from.
All the members of the church in Volgograd that we will visit.

Thank you for your continued prayers as I prepare for this trip.  

~Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.~

6 Weeks To Go

Countdown:

Days: 41

Dollars $300

Wow, time really is flying.  May people have been very generous and I am nearly at my target amount to raise for my trip to Russia.  This last $300 that remains is basically the amount that I will need to cover the cost of my apartment for the time that we will be there. How great is that?  $300 for 16 days, you can't beat that.  

Well, that's about all I know for today.  Please continue to pray for the team as we prepare.  Please also pray that God is already preparing the ground ahead of us so that we can plant seeds while we are there.  We can only do this through Him, and we are blessed to have this opportunity. 

Until next time....

Paka!