Baseball in Moscow

Tim is on an adventure.

Not only did he leave his parents, but he was willing to immerse himself in an all-Russian environment. His local baseball team is participating in the Championship of Russia. Last week he took the night train with his coach and team to Moscow. For a week, they had intense practice. It's hard to say what has been the hardest for him-- living in an army barracks with 25 other kids, or the army discipline of making beds and dressing in 45 seconds. The group punishments are his least favorite part. And it turns out the American coach who is helping is a bit, shall we say, old-school. Tim's picture of "let's-just-have-fun" American baseball has definitely been changed!

Tim is the gray t-shirted one.

Eric joined Tima after a week. While they all moved to smaller rooms, Eric still has to make his bed and participate in morning exercise. He also has some coaching duties. But he can go to the pool, where he finds wifi in the lobby. And he can take Tima out for walks around the grounds and breaks. Although Tim is still having hard moments, having a little escape is good for him.

Eric resting under some educational material

Baseball. Outside. A real baseball field!

First game was very successful. See the score?

Tim batting second game

Tim catching second game

Not so bad after all!

The second game was not so successful.

Post-game reprimands. They lost 1-14.

Icy Beauty, Fun and ... Black Sea!

My favorite part of the cold is frost. Here is our courtyard last week-- the view from our balcony....

...and the Liteiny Bridge where I walk and run.

We have been able to get on the ice twice, though the extreme temps are hard to tolerate! Here, we are enjoying a free ice -rink in a nearby city park.

Eric and I enjoyed a night at a hotel built in 1723. Thanks to generous donors, and our teammate who babysat!
The view of St Isaacs was beautiful, though the -20C (just below 0F) was barely tolerable for the walk to our bus.

Two of our colleagues were married, and it was so fun to be together with a lot of our friends and their children. Ella (in the green tie) was having a great time posing with some Coody's, Latvalas, and a Toncheva!

I had the privilege to escape the cold for a few days and go with 13 other colleagues for a Women's Retreat to Sochi. It was a restful time of connecting with God and one another!

The view from our meeting room was endlessly changing. Notice the Olympic rings on the harbor.

Sunset on a stormy day on the Black Sea.