The Year in Review

How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You, which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You, before the sons of men! You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues. Blessed be the LORD, for He has made marvelous His lovingkindness to me in a besieged city. Psalm 31:19-21

Before I talk about the year 2007, I wanted to tell you about the wonderful night we had last night. Ed and Teri Tarleton (he leads the IMB's work in Russia) invited us to attend a concert at Second Baptist Church in the center of Moscow, so we took off about 4:30 yesterday afternoon for church. It took a good hour to get there, but it was well worth it. The choir and orchestra did an amazing concert, complete with readings from the Nativity Story (we could pick up most of what they were saying, which was exciting) and a couple of Christmas carols we recognized (the rest were Russian Christmas songs, none of which we'd heard before, but all of which were quite beautiful). Let me say that you have not heard "O Holy Night" until you've heard it sung in Russian. Chilling. Honestly, it was a great night. We were greeted warmly at the church, which was very nice. We also met our friends, the Jarboes, there. After the concert, we went out to eat with them--that's six children and four adults on the metro. We were definitely outnumbered. Tonight, we'll be with several IMB families at the home of Chris and Frances Courson, who work with the deaf in Moscow. (Yep--they had to study spoken Russian and signed Russian.) It should be a great night. We are really looking forward to it.

Okay--on to 2007. I can't imagine a harder year for our family, nor one in which we experience more change than we did this year. Let's see: we went to Russia for the first time in March, where Marc did a video project on the work in Russian mega-cities. Sarah Beth lived in Prague for six weeks and went to MKR in Poland--solidifying her desire to come here and live. In April, we attended our candidate conference, where we were interviewed and found to be viable candidates for the mission field (no one was more surprised than we!). In May, we attended my niece Amy's wedding to Jason Burroughs, where we got to see our family altogether for the first time in a while. In June, we sold our house--in four days. We also sold our earthly belongings (those we aren't storing in Marc's parents' house) and went to live in a mission house owned by San Jose Baptist Church in Jacksonville. In July, we left our church for the final time, and then we left Florida for good. After a week at Marc's parents' house in Maryland, we left for Richmond and two months of training at the International Learning Center. We made tremendous friends there, people we're so thankful for on a daily basis, and learned how to survive on the mission field. In October, we left the United States and came to Russia. The last three months have been trying, hard, gut-wrenching change...and some of the best times our family has had. Not everything this year was easy. In fact, looking at this list I can't find anything that was easy. But more than any other year in my life, I can clearly see the hand of God in every single thing that has happened. He has pruned and cut away so much of me--and more and more He is leaving me with the parts He wants me to have. He's not finished--not by a long stretch--but I can say with confidence that He began a good work in me, and He's definitely going to see it to completion. That doesn't mean it's going to be easy, but I'm starting to believe that easy is way over-rated. Rather than easy, I'd rather be more like Him. If that takes some pruning by the Vinemaster...so be it.

Well, Frances just called, and they're going to pick us up tonight, so that revolutionizes what I'm going to take to the party, so I must go look at my recipes. (If I don't have to carry stuff down the street or on a bus or metro--I can make just about anything!) Wherever you are in the world, I pray that as you reflect on your 2007, you can also say that the One who began a good work in you is daily continuing that work. You are loved and appreciated by me. Thank you for your love and prayers and encouragement throughout 2007--you are part of God's plan to make me into the woman He designed me to be. Blessings to you and yours--and Happy New Year!

His,
Kellye

The fullness of time is on His schedule, not mine

But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4-5

I'm thinking about time this morning, mostly because I had to get up at 5 a.m. in order to get Sarah Beth and her friend Anna out the door so they could meet their ride to the airport. I mentioned in my last post that they are attending MKR (missionary kid retreat), something the teenagers get to experience once they are actual teenagers. I can't tell you how excited the girls were to be together (they haven't seen each other since the last MKR in Poland in March), and how fun it was to listen to them giggle at one another and stay up all night catching up on what's going on with each of them. Anna is a lovely girl, and after Sarah Beth's unfortunate experience at the end of our time in Florida, we are so thrilled that she has so many close girlfriends now. I am also really grateful that we work for an organization that understands the value of providing what amounts to summer camp for our kids. Lest you think that is a waste of money, remember that most of our kids do not live where there are tons of other MKs, and so this is their chance to have a "regular" church experience. Sarah Beth has foregone a lot of the normal high school experience so we could follow God's call on our lives. (Not that she complains--she doesn't--but I am aware of what she gave up.) I am so thrilled for her to have this time with her friends.

MKs have unusually close relationships with other MKs and with their families. Many become missionaries themselves, and they have a tendency to marry young because they value family so much. Trust me, when we started to understand that God wasn't going to wait on Sarah Beth to get out of high school, I started researching the impact this was going to have on her life. I think she is gaining an unusual experience, one that will have a tremendous impact on her as she grows up and leaves home. Every day, I see a little more that my children are really gaining so much more than they are giving up by being here. I am pleased and happy with the people they are turning out to be.

So anyway, I'm thinking about time and the fullness of time this morning. I'm also sipping my second delicious cup of Starbuck's coffee--an incredibly thoughtful gift Marc gave me for Christmas. I also received one of the big Starbuck's "city" mugs with Moscow on it. It's gorgeous. Isn't he wonderful? If I believed in lucky stars, I'd count mine for having him as a husband. Since I don't believe in that, I'll just thank the Father from whom all blessings, including my husband, flow.

Here's the thing about time--I am used to being in control of my time more than I am right now. I am accustomed to being in charge of how my time is spent. And I guess to a great extent, I still am, but it seems like time has slowed so much for me that I don't really have a clear expectation of what my time should look like. I would have loved getting off the plane and walking directly into an amazingly wonderful, satisfying new life. However, that isn't what happened. Instead, I walked off the plane into utter chaos--everything about our lives turned upside down. We weren't happy. We weren't content. We were trying to choose to be content, but we couldn't make ourselves content. Instead, we had to struggle and finally come to the realization that we couldn't make ourselves happy or content, but He could. And though our time is not our own--full time language is pretty much in control of our time right now--I am learning (and I think Marc is, too) that control is really overrated. There's a lot to be said for just sitting back and letting God control what goes on around you. Not that I'm really good at that, yet, but when I do allow Him to be in control of my time without fighting Him tooth and nail, I find that I am a much, much happier and content person, even if it means I'm spending a lot of my time just hanging out with my family--a luxury in my former life, but something I have time for now. I guess in the fullness of time, God is settling us into this new life that He's chosen for us.

On a totally different note--I watched Bedknobs and Broomsticks last night with John and Hannah while Marc and SB went to the train station to pick up Anna. One of the fun things about being together and having time to spend with one another is the chance to introduce them to some "old" things that I loved at their age. We had a ball watching the movie. John even came in from practicing soccer (he got a stuffed, plush soccer ball for Christmas) to sit down and watch with us.

The pics above are just to remind you how beautiful my kids are. Now that I can post pictures, I love sharing some with you--these were taken behind our apartment building in the woods. Have a wonderful Saturday! Blessings to you and yours!
His,
Kellye

If I believed in luck, I'd be one lucky woman

LORD, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. Psalm 90:1-2

I don't have much time this morning--Irina will be here in a little over an hour, and I haven't even showered yet--but I wanted to share some things from the last couple of days with you and post some pictures from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Yesterday, we attended a party for the whole IMB Moscow mission. What fun! There was Papa John's pizza (yep, he's in Moscow) and lots and lots of desserts. I managed to make peanut butter brownies that were really good. We came home, ate pulled pork for dinner (Marc gave me a crock pot for Christmas--my life has been revolutionized!), and then spent the evening playing games (thank you to Poppy's Thursday morning prayer group, who gave us Christmas money with which we bought family games) and putting puzzles together. Marc's new chair was delivered from IKEA (I'm pretty sure there will be an IKEA in heaven), and we also enjoyed that for a while. Hannah came home from a friend's house about ten, and then we all went to bed not long after. Just a normal day, right? But here's the thing--a normal day is such a blessing. It turns out that normal days might just be God's greatest blessing here. We are making friends, we are having some fun with other people, but most importantly, we are learning to enjoy our time together. Sarah Beth and I spent the evening before watching the DVD of Guys and Dolls that she received for Christmas. It was such fun, and since I'm not going to have her here for that much longer (how is it possible that college is only 2 1/2 years away?), I am eating up having so much time with her. What a blessing.

Tonight, Sarah Beth's pal from St. Petersburg (Russia, not Florida) comes into town, and tomorrow they are leaving for a trip with the other teenagers from our region. Due to security concerns, I won't say where they're going until they're back, but let me assure you that you're going to be jealous. They are all excited, not only to get to go someplace really cool, but also to be together for a few days with their "mission friends" from our region. They are really a special group of teenagers, like the youth group you would pray your kids would be a part of at church. They're amazing. Please pray for their safe travel, meaningful time together, and safe return to their homes.

Well, I'm off to learn a little more of this language. Marc managed to tell the IKEA delivery guys how to get to our house--on the phone and all in Russian. I'm pretty impressed with that. Irina is constantly telling me how perfect his grammar is. Hmmm...I think I'll go study for a few minutes! The pictures are from our Christmas celebration. I love you all, and I hope you're having a wonderful day wherever you are in the world. Blessings to you and yours!
His,
Kellye

I am infinitely amazed

Being infinitely amazed, so do I give infinite thanks to God, who has been pleased to make me the first observer of marvelous things, unrevealed to bygone ages. Galileo (on first seeing the sky through a telescope)

Even though I know that, unlike Galileo, I am not the first observer of the marvelous things I am seeing, I am still infinitely amazed at the way the grace of God daily tunes my heart to sing His praise, the way He is ever at work in my life, even in the way I view the holiday season.

To understand how great my Christmas Eve and Christmas were, you must go back to Sunday, which was just awful. Really--I cried on the phone to my sister, Cathy. It was that bad. No one here celebrates Christmas, no one said, "Merry Christmas" to us at church, in fact, no one even said anything to us at church. (Not that different from some Southern Baptist churches in the states, right?) Anyway, it was just terrible. By the time we got home, we were all grumpy. Then we fought. Then we decided we just shouldn't be here. Then we decided we should be here, but we definitely didn't have to like it. You get the picture.

Christmas Eve, we got up (all feeling better after some sleep) and went for breakfast and to Build-a-Bear workshop. Each of the kids got a new animal and an outfit, and we just had a wonderful time. The workers were just as excited as we were, and they even wished us "Merry Christmas" as we went out the door. Then we went to a party at our friends' house with three other families. It was wonderful--great food, sledding for the kids, laughing for the adults, and then a candlelighting service where we sang all the great Christmas carols my soul had really missed. Then it was home to bed for the kids and a night of wrapping gifts for me.

Our kids slept in on Christmas morning (I know--what's the deal with that?), so we didn't start opening gifts until after 9 a.m. But we just kind of meandered through our gifts, letting them play with something if they wanted to, taking a break in the middle for some cinnamon rolls, not feeling like we had to rush in order to get someplace, because we weren't going anywhere. We had wonderful gifts--I'll write about mine later--but more than anything, we had fun together. No fighting, crying, or whining--for the first time in the almost three months we've been here, no one cried all day. No one fought. In fact, they were gracious to one another, thanking each other for presents and stopping to watch the others open theirs, taking real joy in someone else's pleasure. On what can be the greediest day of the year, my kids acted like people you would want to know. What a pleasure. Then we spent the rest of the day talking to our friends and family around the world, including video chats with Prague and the Middle East, and a wonderful video chat with my family in St. Louis and Indianapolis at the same time! What fun to see my parents, sisters, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews ( and their cats). I didn't go overboard for Christmas dinner, choosing to just make things my family really likes, and not worrying about having fifteen dishes on the table. It didn't take me all night to clean up, and I got to enjoy my time with friends and family. What a great day!

We've learned a couple of really important lessons, not just for people on the mission field, but just in general. First, I had underestimated the importance of toys. Until yesterday, when there was pleasant conversation in my home as they played, I had not realized how few toys we brought. The kids were so thrilled to have actual things to play with that they forgot to fight and be miserable and unhappy. Hmmm...I'm not sure I could have fit more toys in the bags, but it might have been wise to try. Second, the key to enjoying "big" days may be to have almost no expectations at all. We didn't have an agenda for Christmas day, we didn't have any expectations of what it would be like to celebrate Christmas in a country that doesn't, so we just kind of went with the fun. It was hard to realize that no one around us was celebrating Christ's birth, but it was also a pretty good reminder of why we're here.

Today, unfortunately, it's back to language lessons and our normal grind. But we're looking forward to having toys for the kids to play with, and we're so grateful to have had the funds to provide those toys. Who knew that the key to happiness was a baby doll and a set of legos? Wherever you are, I pray that you also had a tremendous Christmas day, enjoying the blessings God has showered you with. Blessings to you and yours!
His,
Kellye

I have theological issues with "The Little Drummer Boy" or I have a ham on the back porch

Any behavior which is not dependent on Him living His life through us comes from the flesh. That suggests that it is even possible to be busy doing things for God while our actions still stem from the energy of the flesh. The exchanged life means we depend on His resources, not our own. Flesh life means depending on what I can do. We may be well respected for our zeal and service to Christ and yet be relying on the flesh. Steve McVey Grace Walk

I had a hard time picking my title, so I’ll explain the stories behind the two.

First, my theological problem with the drummer kid. Here’s the thing…I like him. He seems like a fine young man, if a little presumptuous and nosy to barge his way into the stable and then bother this woman who has just given birth. But whatever. Maybe he didn’t know any better. Maybe his parents actually did raise him in a barn. Here’s the line that bugs me: “I played my drum for Him, I played my best for Him.” I think that just perpetuates the idea among Christian folks that if we just do our best, He’ll smile at us and all will be well. Let’s face it—even at my best, I do little that is good enough to elicit a grin or chuckle from my Maker. I just wanted to point out that the smile this kid gets from the baby Jesus could just be gas. Or maybe the nod from Mary is a signal of sorts, like Carol Burnett used to tug on her ear. Maybe that was her polite way of telling Joseph she really needed everybody out so she could lie down for a minute. Okay…maybe Jesus is really smiling at the kid. He is, after all, Lord of the Universe. He can smile if He wants to.

And while I try to stay away from this kind of thing, the other title is an inside joke for my family. I am going to try to explain it, which will make it not funny at all, but it’s worth it to me to tickle my family. Every year when I was growing up, we left our home—wherever it was—and traveled to my grandparents’ home in Tennessee. I loved going. I still love the memories of showing up at Papa and Mimsey’s house on Christmas Eve, eating sliced apples and cider, and then waiting anxiously for what the next day held. After a wonderful morning at Mimsey’s house, we headed over to Granny and Papa’s for another family Christmas. It was loud and fun, there were too many kids and too much food, and by the end of the night we were all exhausted. Honestly, some of the best memories of my childhood revolve around those trips for Christmas to Tennessee. We generally stayed for several days after Christmas, and anytime anyone was hungry, my Mimsey would say, “There’s a ham out on the back porch. Go slice yourself a piece.” That was great the first day after Christmas, but by day five, none of us wanted any more of the ham on the back porch. So when I walked out on the balcony tonight, which I call the porch, I giggled when I realized that I did, indeed, have a ham on the back porch. Our fridge and freezer are packed full from my shopping trip, so some stuff had to go on the balcony, which is far colder than the fridge when the window is cracked. In fact, it’s practically a second fridge, since it’s packed with milk, cokes, juice, and meat right now. We learned this trick from our friends who have five children—one day’s worth of groceries would fill their fridge for that many kids, so their balcony is a second fridge, too. I can foresee that there is little chance that I won’t encourage my family to go get a slice of the ham on the back porch in the next few days. So for my parents, sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins—there’s a ham on the back porch. Enjoy!
Well, I’d better run. I need to get our Sunday brunch started. That’s one of the traditions we’ve started since we came—since our church meets in the afternoon, we sleep late on Sundays and have a big brunch. We really enjoy having calmer, less hurried Sundays. So on Sundays, we eat brunch and then supper after we get home. It’s something that’s fun for us and different from our lives in the States. Wherever you are in the world, I pray that your Sunday is full of worship and praise for the King of kings. Blessings to you and yours!
His,
Kellye

A couple of really good days

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for He has been good to me. Psalm 13:5-6

I don't really have anything earth-shattering to report. Like all of you, I am busily trying to get ready for Christmas. Of course, when you have to go everywhere on foot, that's a little harder, but what's really been difficult for us is being somewhere no one else is celebrating Christmas. There will be no Christmas Eve service at our church. In fact, it probably won't even be mentioned in Sunday's sermon. (How would I know if it actually was mentioned? I only understand about 2 out of every 10 words.) There are decorations up everywhere, but they are for New Year's, not Christmas. Russians celebrate Christmas on January 7th, but it isn't even a holiday. So that's been kind of yucky. But we're learning not to let it bother us too much.

On Thursday, I took Hannah and John sledding at a park near us. This is really the playground we use most often, since we don't have one due to construction. They had a great time, and I enjoyed watching them laugh and giggle and compete to see who could go the farthest. I have to say, we are really enjoying the snow. We haven't really gotten our "real" snow, yet, but we love the way it looks when it snows. And because the alternative is walking on the ice, we always prefer there be a nice covering of snow on the ground. (I'm sure Marc will talk about his fall on the ice in his blog, but let's just say it's difficult to walk on the ice.)

On our way home, a lady stopped me to ask if I knew where a women's group was meeting. I didn't, so I replied, "я не знаю." (I don't know.) John tugged on my coat and said, "Mommy, you mean я не понимаю." (I don't understand.) I replied, "No, John. I understand what she's saying, but I don't know where the meeting is." Of course, this was completely done in front of this poor woman who was just looking for her meeting. Finally, John looked up at her, rolled his eyes, and said, "извините." (Excuse me/I'm sorry.) That's right--my six-year-old not only tried to correct my Russian, but then apologized for me to the very nice woman, who giggled at him as she walked away. Not a dignified moment for me.

Yesterday, my friend Karla met me with her car and took me to Megamall, which has not only the Russian version of Wal-mart (where I stocked up on groceries), but also a big toy store and Ikea, the wonderful and glorious store where I purchased many, many Christmas presents. Literally, by the time we returned home (eight hours later), Karla's van was completely full. Now let me say this--Karla was basically done with her shopping, and she didn't need any groceries, because she'd been already that week. She completely went in order to help me make a nice Christmas for my family. How awesome is that? I am thankful for people in our mission--like Karla--who already have lives that are well-established, but are willing to take time to make this newcomer's life a little better. We also went to Stockmann's, a Finnish store that has (extremely expensive) American products. I bought cake, brownie, and cookie mixes, another can of pumpkin, some actual peanut butter, and four things of actual Betty Crocker icing. To top it off, at the grocery store, I found actual Philadelphia cream cheese, real mozzarella that you can shred, and cheddar cheese. I have a whole shelf of my fridge dedicated to cheese. (Russians don't eat cheddar, so there is never any to be found. It's a huge treat for us.) It was a really fun, exciting day. At the food section in Ikea, I bought a cookie tin full of ginger snaps (I bought it for the tin, but John-John and Hannah probably ate half the cookies last night), frozen meatballs and pizzas, and a delicious German pastry. It was just the best day...I know you probably don't care about everything I bought, but I have to tell you that I was really, really excited--about anything that makes Christmas feel Christmas-y.

Well, I'd better run, because my family is starting to stir and I need to feed them. Today is Marc's big shopping day, so I'm looking forward to a day of baking, watching old Christmas movies, and wrapping presents. Pray for us--Sarah Beth, Marc and I are struggling with very sore throats, and it looks like we're going to have to start some antibiotics. None of us treasures the thought of being sick on Christmas. Pray for us, too, while we struggle with loneliness for our families at Christmas. We are trying to make new traditions, but that isn't always as easy as just deciding to do it. Most of all, pray that our celebration of Christmas will be a witness to our neighbors, who are not believers. I'm praying your day is as relaxed and fun as mine promises to be. Blessings to you and yours!
His,
Kellye

p.s. Here are some pictures from our sledding trip.

A radically different life

We live with so much noise and busyness that we often don't take enough time to be quiet and think about truth, life, where we are headed, where we want to go, and what we want to accomplish. Consequently we move randomly and purposelessly through life. Pretty soon the years have passed, and we're no different. We've grown older but not wiser--we haven't matured into the stature of the fullness of Christ as Ephesians 4:13-16 says we should. We look at others and feel light-years behind--all because we didn't bask in the light of His Word. Kay Arthur

For those of you who don't know me personally, this blog may or may not be of interest to you. But for those of you who have known me a long time, I wanted to share how and when my life took the turn to international missions, and when my Christian life drastically changed. I hope you will find it an encouragement to you--something you need if, like me, you find yourself with five shopping days and not nearly everything done.

I accepted Christ as my Savior when I was five. I have never doubted that decision, and have, in fact, had it confirmed many times. I was raised in a loving Christian home, did all the right stuff, went to a Southern Baptist college, met a Southern Baptist boy, married him and set out to make a life for myself. I have enjoyed great professional success as a teacher, and along the way had three wonderful children. Except for a couple of bumps in the road, I've had a ridiculously happy marriage. Blessed all around, wouldn't you say?

But for much of my adult Christian life, something was missing. I found myself mired in a rebelliousness of spirit that just wouldn't let me go, or I wouldn't let it go. I enjoyed being a little disdainful of my Christian brothers and sisters, was glad to be an "enlightened" follower of Christ. I was a Christian, for sure, and I wasn't doing a bunch of bad stuff. But in my heart, I was rebellious. And don't forget bitter. I was definitely bitter, especially at anyone who I thought had done me wrong. Let's just say that forgiveness and mercy were not my middle name.

So what changed for me? During one of the "storms" of my life, God finally had my full attention. I begged Him to tell me the other party was wrong. Nothing. I asked if I were wrong. Nothing. Finally, after months of this ongoing conversation between me and my Creator, I asked Him what He wanted to teach me. Never in my life have I had a clearer sense of the doors being blown off of the little house I'd built for myself. I dove into His word in a way I hadn't in the past. Don't get me wrong--I had always had a quiet time. I am, if nothing else, a very disciplined person. But suddenly I found myself hungering and thirsting for what He had to say to me personally--not anyone else--and I found He had a lot to say to me. About love. About forgiveness and mercy, even when nobody asks to be forgiven. About finding joy in spite of circumstances to the contrary. About not being guided by my emotions, but by His love for me and those around me. He had a lot to say, and it was all there--I just had to apply it to my own life.

You know what happened? Everything changed for me. Everything. I looked at my whole world in a different light, and suddenly, I found myself pulled toward international missions. Of course, I tried to put that out of my mind...but I obviously didn't succeed. Here I sit in my apartment in Moscow--a testimony to the power of God's word if you let it get ahold of your life. I will never be the same. Never. And even now, as we struggle to transition into our new life here, I find that God's word is my life raft every single morning. Maybe now more than ever. Never have I known a time when I felt more like I needed His wisdom and guidance--for everything from raising my children and loving my husband to being wise with our funds. He is there in every decision, and because of that, there is great peace.

Wherever you are around the world, whatever your circumstances, I challenge you to look in God's word for your every need. He is merciful, faithful, and true. As one who has tested Him again and again, I can testify to this. If you allow His word to soak in, if you take time to meditate on it and bask in it...your life will be forever changed, too. Blessings to you and yours!
His,
Kellye