End of the road … or the middle?

Saturday we drove 11 hours back to Colorado. The 10-day road trip has ended. But as Eric puts it, we are in the middle of a longer road trip. In four days we start our move to Florida. It’s hard to imagine that next Saturday evening (by the grace of God) we will arrive to our apartment in Orlando!

Here in Colorado we have two nights at one home and three at another, so it’s not like we can settle in. Yet our families’ homes truly feel like home to us. For the 19 years that we have been based overseas, they have been graciously willing to host us throughout many summers.

We will have a few last days with our families, see some friends, and enjoy one last evening visit at  our ‘home’ church. And of course there are logistical things to be done (learner’s permit for DJ, the last cavities filled, pick up a bike that has been loaned out for 19 years, bike racks outfitted, all the stuff reassessed to fit into two hatchbacks). Then, we pull up the roots that have started to grow here, leave a part of our hearts behind, and move along.

At this point, Eric and I are very ready to be settled in our own place, but even more, to make the unknown known. What will it be like for the kids in their 3 separate public schools? What sports or activities will they do? What friends will they have? What will it be like to have to drive them everywhere? What will it be like to have to drive ourselves everywhere? What will our jobs at headquarters be like? What will it be like to live in heat and humidity? What will our community be like? Where will we go to church?

There are so many unknowns. For months we have been praying for each of those answers to be positive, while knowing it’s unlikely that everything will be rosy. We are ready to start seeing the reality, after anticipating it for so long!

From the Middle of Transition

(Those who follow our journey closely will note this is a post from last Sunday. Updates will follow soon!)

Last Thursday, we headed east on I-70. It was a full day – 12 hours of driving with mercifully few stops. We headed out early so that we could make it to our friends’ home by dinner. The strangest part is that two weeks from that day, we will be repeating the trip. Then, we will be heavy-laden, driving two cars packed full, with five bikes attached one way or another. Two weeks until we move to Orlando! But literally thousands of miles to go before then.

I’m writing from Day Six of our ten-day road trip. We have been through five states, returned through four, and on our way now south to make a triangle back to Colorado. We have stayed in two of our locations, and have three left to go.  And yet, despite not looking forward to another 12-hour day, we are content. Last week I shared how hard this season of visiting people can be. But one of the underappreciated blessings is the chance to visit friends. I know almost all of us would love to visit friends from long ago, but there is limited time and resources. Yet, as part of our job responsibilities, every two years our family visits numerous people in the towns of our past. Eric and I get to visit the church where we became believers, see those of the older generation who shaped and encouraged us. We get to show the kids the places we are from, the lake where he proposed to me. We drive through our college campus and past the church where we were married. But the best part is the mandate to visit friends. We are so blessed with numerous people who support us, many of whom were first our dear friends. And many more who have become friends since they started to support us.  Add to that extended family and former teammates, and the country is full of dear people we love to see. The best part is that everyone is understanding and full of gentle love for us.

Exemplifying this is the family we are staying with for a few days in Missouri. A few days is not enough for our kids—they are already begging to stay longer next time. Their home is a place of friendship—and recreation—for our kids. It was only six years ago that we came to visit, and it felt like a family vacation. Fishing, building possum traps, hiking through a river canyon, visiting the swimming pool—all activities you would imagine on vacation. Now they have kayaks on their pond, and I get to indulge in one of my favorite activities together with my daughter. And to top it off, last night our friend watched our kids so that Eric and I could go on a date. (Tomorrow’s hosts have offered the same and I wonder how many date-nights we could have in a row!) I am so grateful for how God provides for our needs through their hospitality and encouragement.

And they are not the only ones. I couldn’t begin to list all the people who are not only generous in their giving (which allows us to do ministry full time) but who extend that kindness by providing an easy and comfortable place to visit. We rarely feel like people make demands or expect perfection from us. Lines between ‘personal’ and ‘ministry’ often blur in our life, and this line of who are ‘friends’ and who are ‘supporters’ has basically faded away.

Now, on to the next city, to see more dear friends that we will be sad to leave!

Transition - the inside story

Lounging in Frankfurt, en route to Colorado.

Yesterday we left our 'home' of six weeks. It was, as always, emotional. This summer, while superficially similar to many previous furloughs, has felt quite different. We are rolling through months of transition as we prepare for a year in Orlando.

In May, we visited our meaningful places in Saint Petersburg, got together with as many friends as we could, and sorted our belongings - take, store or give away. It was, of course, a lot of work, and emotionally draining.  June 1 we flew to Colorado with double the usual baggage, and because that wasn't complicated enough, our 'transitional object'. (Francis, our Christmas puppy was 7 months old.) This year we decided to reduce the usual moving around while in Colorado, so we stayed in one place for 6 weeks. We are grateful to Dani and Dave, who were willing to live in a household of 10 and share everything with us! (We understand this is strange in American culture, and their friends think they are crazy!)

Though it was great to be in one place, living with others is never simple. Especially when your puppy goes to the bathroom on their rugs. And barks. A lot. And then pees on the rug, again.

Thankfully, the kids are older than they were,  and good sports, so they didn't make many demands. (I am, apparently, the only one who is second-guessing the puppy acquisition. Everyone else loves him unconditionally. ... note, he does require unconditional love.)

Mixed in with a lot of family time was visits to friends, supporters, and churches. It is always an exhausting mix, especially for us introverts. I tend to dread every gathering, love the actual time with people, and then collapse afterwards. One of the typical moments was in a grocery store parking lot, changing from driving to church clothes, picking up food for lunch with supporters afterwards. The kids grabbed the basketball out of the trunk and started dribbling around. They are willing to play wherever they are.

A harder moment was a bit later, as Ella stood outside the Sunday School classroom, hesitating. It was our third church in three weeks, and I realized how much we were asking of her--to jump into a new group of children once again. There is already a lot published about 'Third Culture Kids' which describes aspects of their lives well, including the challenges of being again in their 'passport culture'.  (See, for example, this written by a MK2MK summer project leader.) But living in transition, with others, and meeting constantly with people they see only every two years adds a lot of potential stress to the re-entry culture shock.

Our kids have been amazing -- traveling hours to churches they only-somewhat remember, quietly sitting through lunches where only the adults talk, and engaging with those who do ask them questions. But, we know that every time Ella has to pack her suitcase, even for an overnight with grandparents, there will be tears. And Tima will not be able to find any socks. The hairbrush goes missing, the medicine is lost, and we all get frustrated with the time required to find our stuff!

Transition is hard.

During most of our 'furlough summers' we spend 2-3 months in Colorado, and then return home to Saint Petersburg. It is usually emotional and exhausting. But this year has felt different because we are truly in transition. We are all grieving the community we said goodbye to in Saint Petersburg. It was very difficult for each of children, in their own way. (About 1/3 of the kids at our school transition out each year - so though we know who is leaving this summer, about half of those who are currently staying may leave before we return.) Usually, I am intentional to help our kids connect multiple times with some friends their age in Colorado -- those we have known for years, who make up our  community here. Perhaps it's due to the kids growing older, and having been gone two years this time. But more likely, I think we have all found it difficult to invest in relationships when we are between homes. Not only are we grieving saying goodbye to Russia for the year, but we are anticipating a very new reality in Orlando. We are rolling through instead of deepening roots.

This week we are speeding up our rolling. A week in Loveland, which includes a few days at our organization's conference, and a 10-day trip, which includes six full days of driving and five different homes. After that, we will have four days to say goodbye and do our final packing. In the first week of August, we will drive three days to Florida. So, please keep us in your prayers, that we would give ourselves, and each other, a lot of grace!

Ella and her Papa Coe

a contender for Ella's favorite part of the game

another contender....

We were blessed with many ball games with Eric's dad!

Cousins reading at the library- a regular occurrence.

Moving-out-of-storage day was also dress-up day.

None of our meetings with supporters are high stress. We are thankful for the many friends who are supporters and supporters who have become friends. It's wonderful for us to enjoy their hospitality (sometimes including trampolines, ziplines,  and baby goats) and encouragement!

a joy of life in Colorado

Time with friends from our college days. Here, our girls are figuring out the locks for an escape room!

 We are so grateful that our families are welcoming, even with the barking puppy. We are thankful that our supporters, both individuals and churches, are full of grace and never demand that we, or our kids, perform. I write this to let you in to see the hard stuff that goes along with our calling, but overall we feel blessed and grateful!

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.

Early Winter

Ella's good friend moved to Istanbul this fall. It was a time to grieve. We hope to stay in touch, but know this is one of the most common and difficult parts of our transient community.

I finally traveled with Eric to the city of Kazan. As all who have gone before me have reported, I fell in love with the beauty, historical richness, and vibrant student life! Within the old city walls are both a mosque and a church. Look up the history to learn why! 

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With all the political turmoil both within Russia and with the West, I was pleasantly surprised to find this monument in a park we often go by. The four sides of the stone have different inscriptions--all concerning the victims of the Soviet era. This one says, "To the Prisoners of the Gulag."

One day, I was very surprised to see the monument decorated, and it turns out that October 30 is a day of commemoration for the victims of Political Repression.
 

In addition to the billboards which warn ominously that 'Virtual Extremism leads to Real Jail Time" there are these encouraging public service announcements. Sometimes I wonder how the city government interprets these. This one says, "Respect people--respect each on of them!"

When remodeling  a historic city, you end up with strange piles of set-asides. 

The Neva was freezing. I descended from the racing road, down the steps to the water-level. Icebergs floated by quickly. But the rest of the water was still as glass. I thought it might crystallize in front of me. Breathtaking stillness.

And notice the beautiful sun! We don't see it much--you can see the low clouds. And the height of the sun, of course, is not much more than 12 degrees above the horizon.

But the low sun means that when it breaks through, the clouds are pink for hours. This counts as 'seeing the sun' in my opinion!

Early Spring! (forgot to post a few months ago!)

 This has been the strangest winter we've experienced in St. Petersburg. We had a few weeks of snow in early December, and then two weeks of frigid temps in late January. Other than that, rain and darkness. However, we are enjoying the earliest spring ever in Russia--with temperatures above freezing starting in February! Although many days we have a freezing wind, we have enjoyed more sunshine in the last few weeks. It actually feels like spring.

Ella has been sick a lot, with a nagging cold and daily headaches. She actually missed her birthday at school--but I had to go teach Tima's class for the last hour, and brought her along to celebrate with her class. Here, Miss Lyuba presents a cake that our generous friend, Ani Toncheva, made!

To me, there is nothing worse than rain dissolving the snow away. But my kids wanted to take a picture of the interesting pattern the rain created under the swing.

The river in front of our building is thawing. I'm amazed at how long it's taken--we've had temperatures above freezing for weeks now. I took this photo on Monday, and by Thursday, the river is clear of ice.

Flashback to January--Ella was very excited for her first trip to the Hermitage, on a frigid day during our brief winter.

Touring the City

Our friends sent a Flat Stanley to tour Saint Petersburg. Though we've lived here over five years, we don't explore the tourist sites much. But today, Tima's teacher got married in the center. He helped usher and sang with his class. Then we spent the afternoon in the part of the city that most people travel here to see. 

And thought we'd share our (and Stanley's) adventures with you.

Stanley witnessed the wedding vows at the German Lutheran Church.

Across the street is the Kazan Cathedral

Down  the canal which runs along Our Savior of the Blood Cathedral.

Picnic on the grass. Stanley is hiding by the chips and soda.

Baseball on Mars Field

The police were out in force for a small protest on the other side of the field. I guess they were expecting a lot of trouble.
Ella and I went as close as we felt was prudent.  Which you'll be happy to know, was very far away. (Some of the paddy wagons are just visible here.)

Enjoyed some strange and beautiful percussion-bowl music, and ice cream, on the way home.

Finally, Winter!

Multiple dips in fog, almost 90% humidity and -24C produces spectacularly thick frost!

We are enjoying some sunny days with bitter cold temps.  I haven't tried walking or skiing on the river yet, but hope to soon!

My friend, Ani. She moved here with her husband and family from Bulgaria this year to serve on our National Operations team. We have many common values and our kids are classmates, baseball teammates, and good friends.

Our kids go sledding (or plastic snow-boarding) in the park every day. Even on the -24 day, we went for a short time!