We are all packed and ready to go! We just have a couple of last-minute items to wrap up, and we’ll be on our way to the airport…..The last few days have been incredibly hectic, but they’ve also given us many opportunities to gain perspective. Friday morning, we spoke to Masha on the phone. Special thanks to Lena Statsenko, my friend and Russian teacher, for getting up at an ungodly hour to come over and translate for us on the call. It was wonderful to hear Masha’s voice and to be able to communicate with her!! We did encounter a […]

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In the midst of my scurrying and hurrying to get ready to leave this weekend (yes, this weekend!!), my wonderful sisters-in-law organized a “baby” shower for me!!!! It was so great to see so many friends and family members from different areas of my life come together to support Mark and me as we step into this new adventure! In preparation for this, we went to Target about a month ago to register….it’s actually kinda hard to register for a 12-year-old baby!!!! As many of you know, for a traditional baby shower, you can register for diapers and bottles and […]

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He is risen indeed! Greetings to all of you on this special day of renewal and rebirth! This past week has been one of great sadness and great joy, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our family and friends that have reached out with your kind thoughts and comforting prayers during this difficult week. Each day, I’m reminded of the amazing people that we have been blessed to have in our lives, and we thank God for each and every one of you. We love you all, and we thank you from the depths […]

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My mother left this world on Sunday evening, 1 April, after a 2 ½ year battle with lung cancer. She died peacefully at Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home surrounded by our family. While I miss her terribly, I could not have chosen a better way for her to pass. The people at VNHH were the best…kind, caring, and dedicated to keeping Mom comfortable and caring for all of us during her stay. We held a family calling on Tuesday, 3 April, to say goodbye to Mom. Joined on this day with the sadness of this final goodbye was the sweet […]

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