From East to West

Merry Christmas from all of us!

2011-12-24T21:21:00.000-09:00

Marry Christmas! We pray that you will have a blessed Christmas and that Jesus will be glorified in your life!

One of those days

2011-11-05T15:51:00.002-08:00

Today I have few pictures for you:) One of this days I just wanted to take some pictures of the kids the way they were at that moment.

Here is Emma, just turned 7, going on 10:) She can not wait to grow up! And I can do nothing about it... She wants to grow her hair out, so here is a hair clip, and some clip on ear rings, missing few front teeth, guess what she wants for Christmas?:)

GJ was playing his guitar and Emma climbed on his shoulders, wanting to be taller!:)

Here is Stacia, just sitting in the chair in her poodle outfit:) She has grown a lot lately, but still loves to play dress up:)

Sasha wants to be taller too:) HE is such a fun little guy, loves cars a lot, they are his favorite toys! That is all for now. Hopefully I will be back soon:)

Three days in Provideniya

2011-10-03T21:29:00.001-08:00

Last Monday I had an opportunity to go back to Provideniya for three days. We are so sad that we were not able to go there this summer, we are still waiting on church to get their registration paperwork. The weather was so beautiful and time with my Russian brothers and sisters in Christ couldn't be better. I just love every one of them dearly and my heart longs to fellowship with them, encourage and support them in their walk with the LORD. On this pictures are some new and old things that I discovered there:)

New playground for the kids in the middle of the city.

Blue sky over the bay.

New square and pictures on the building by the House of culture.

New flags, old Lenin.

New map and outline of how many people live in that area and how many villages around it.

Me with my dear sisters from the church:

Oksana, little Vicka, Tatiana, big Vicka and Sveta.

Hospital

Sunrise

Picture of me:)

Early morning over the city.

One of the empty buildings.

Bus stop sign.

Emma and her leg

2011-09-02T21:33:00.003-08:00

Three days before GJ and I were suppose to fly to Moscow for SOAR summer camp Emma broke her leg jumping on the trampoline. We took her to ER to find out that it was broken and that she needs a splint for a week and only then she can get a cast as her leg was very swollen and doctors were afraid of infections.

Here are some pictures of her in the hospital:

Getting her blood tests and iv's plus some medication to help her with pain.

the leg

The medication worked right away and she was asleep for a little bit.

With a splint.

It was the first time I've seen Emma so sad and in so much pain.

Trying on her crutches.

Those days we were thinking about one of us staying at home to take care of Emma, but God was good to Emma and she started to fill better and better, our friends were there to help, to read to her, to visit and GJ's sister Joanna came to babysit, we trusted that God will take a good care of Emma even when we will not be there. And He did! We went to camp and it was wonderful! Ten children gave their lives to Jesus! You can read reports about summer camp on SOAR's blog.

Emma got her new pink cast and getting around on her crutches pretty well:

We had a one month follow up with doctor and he said that she will have to stay on her crutches for another month and then another month with the cast, the bones are not growing together as fast as he hoped. Then couple month of rehabilitation and she will be old self:)

Emma's new smile

2011-07-25T16:02:00.002-08:00

Not so long ago "Tooth Fairy" visited us three times as Emma was loosing her front teeth within a day distance from each other:) We even had to go to the dentist to check on her two top teeth as she fall on the little doll and that cause her teeth to become even more loose:)

So here we go:

Emma's new smile!

Few of my favorite pictures from the 4th of July Parade

2011-07-20T14:41:00.002-08:00

I am late with this post, but still want to save some of my favorite memories:) We are very busy with summer plans and beautiful Alaskan weather, I think it is the best summer as far as sunshine goes! We all love it and enjoy being outside as much as we can! May your summer will be sunny as well!!

Our camping trip

2011-06-15T14:27:00.006-08:00

Blogger survived me uploading so many pictures so I hope you will survive after looking at all of them:) I have so much to show that I had hard time picking what I want to share today.

We had three beautiful sunny days on Hidden Lake campground and it was so much fun!

Here is our tents and part of our campsite:

Here the kids are swinging in the chair:)

Hiking the hill

Me and the girls with Kathy, Stephanie and baby Jayden.

The girls and Sasha had a great time doing crafts with Kathy.

Squirrel - remember it:)

We find out the jet ski was not allowed at this lake so it became a jungle gym for some time:)

Sasha and his hat - reminds me someone:)

This is our dinner - baked potatoes on the fire. Only 5 left because that squirrel stole the rest of potatoes! We had 12 to start with...

Sasha on Saturday night - fall a sleep right away - he was done!

Emma and Dick - the great doughnut makers!!!

It is 23:24 and still light in Alaska!

Sasha - playing pick-a-boo!

New day, dew pants, new shirt - same hat!

Sasha and his memory stick

Emma with her stick

And Stacia with hers

Few pictures from the lake:

We event didn't have to leave the boat, because we could go to our place in it!

Garage sale and dandelion wreaths

2011-06-01T10:20:00.004-08:00

We did our first garage sale in our new garage and Emma was selling cookies and lemonade.

Her first station by the garage in the morning, ready to sell:)

Our garage

In the afternoon we moved the table on the sun in the grass area. Stacia and her friend are selling cookies too:)

One more move behind the cars.

And here are few pictures of the girls with their dandelions wreaths, that I made on the church picnic.

Beach in April

2011-05-02T22:01:00.003-08:00

I know that our planet is beautiful everywhere, but it is hard to compete with Alaska!

Here it is, our beach! We play in the sand and wear coats...:)

Sharing the kite:)

Emma flies the kite.

Mountains!

Beautiful mountain behind the land!

Did Sasha wanted to get in to the water? You bet! I had to work hard to keep him out:)

Sasha is TWO!!!

2011-04-17T21:48:00.002-08:00

Sasha turned TWO years old! He is sharing his birthday with 3 of our friends so we decided to celebrate three birthdays in our house:)

Sasha loves balls and he got lots of them on his birthday:) I guess we just going to see what kind of ball game he will be playing in the future:)

Happy Birthday Stacia!!

2011-04-10T15:55:00.002-08:00

Our little girl Stacia turned 4 today! What a wonderful blessing she is for all of us! We had a small party with her friends, cupcakes, ice cream and presents:) And here are some pictures for you to enjoy!

Winter Bible Camp Part 3

2011-01-30T21:39:00.007-09:00

My last part of the winter camp report will be the longest:) Again, I am picking the pictures to tell about the moments that I personally liked the most, so there can be many more other opinions:)

I love the facts that kids enjoy craft time. Not only the girls but the boys as well were heavily involved in everything that I planned for them:) I think their favorite is still - the AWANA's race cars:)
Few kids from the orphanage came with some bad clothes on them and they were in big need of boots too. On this picture Aflaton is trying on his new winter pants and showing off his new boots to hos brother.

One of the boys groups eating their meal:)

Every day at nap time Grandpa Dub and I were visiting a group of kids where he was sharing his testimony and his life (Dub is 88 years old!) The kids just love spending time with Grandpa.

Our VERY late tea time of the camp leaders - great times!

The girls are coloring their cars.

kids singing for the Lord

Our special Christmas Eve (in Russia it is on January 6th) banquet!

More letters from the friends in America.

I just love their faces:)

car race!

Sasha - a very sweet boy from the orphanage, his life was very hard before he got to the orphanage and he has been smoking for several years. Because our camp is non-smoking the teacher, who brought him thought it will help him to stop smoking. Praise the LORD, who gave him the freedom to stop!

Dasha and Yana - such a sweet girls! They are the young leaders at the camp.

On the final night we did a special prayer for all the kids with different stations, where they prayed for salvation for their friends and families, thanked God for things, prayed for each other, it was so neat to see the kids pray!!! Here two girls (one of them is from the non Christian family) are praying for each other and then with the pastor Michail. And they are crying...

Thanking God on the big paper

Aflaton and his new friend Tom. That night Aflaton wanted to take a picture with everyone in the camp, he said that he wants to stay there forever and that he doesn't wants to go back to the orphanage...

More friendships have been made:)

Kids thanked God for the camp and many other things.

I also got prayed for, which was very neat!

camp picture

Last shot and Good bye's!

Thank you LORD for such a wonderful camp that you let us to be a part of! Thank You for those who excepted Jesus in their hearts and thank You for all hearts that where changed including mine.

Winter Bible Camp Part 2

2011-01-27T15:04:00.005-09:00

Here I am again:) Starting my second post with this fun picture just brings smiles to my face:) The boxes are with cookies for the kids and they were not heavy at all:)

On this picture Grandpa Dub Page together with Alan, the orphan boy. Alan was in camp before and this time he came together with his little brother. Dub told Alan that he prayed for him last year so they can meet again and God answered his prayers. Praise the LORD for the newborn soul as Alan excepted Jesus in his heart in this camp and Dub got to lead him in prayer!

I just love the pictures when the kids sing about God's love!

"I will take a little bit of love from Heaven and bring it to the Earth..."

Bible lesson (someone took a picture of GJ taking a picture:))

Discussion in small groups after the lesson

The boys are ready for their daily sports:)

One of them is Andrei, who I met in summer camp. He came to GJ after one evening services and asked him how he can except Jesus in his heart. Later pastor Michail prayed with him! It is even more exciting because Andrei's older sister who was one of the girls leaders and is a Christian could see her brother come to know the LORD!

Me again:) liking this Russian milk drink for kids:)

Another craft time - we were making cards

On this picture our camp Grandma Nadya with the boys - she was adored and loved by everyone and she was just wonderful!

A letter from an unknown friend in America

Winter Bible camp Part 1

2011-01-25T21:32:00.004-09:00

GJ and I had an opportunity to go to Moscow to serve in kids winter camp that SOAR puts together with our Russian brothers and sisters in Christ. The team that we were working this time was new to us, but they all were amazing!!! We loved every minute on being there and serving our LORD side by side - what a privilege!

We have so many pictures that it was hard to pick only a few, so I will have to make two parts and it will be just "Vicka's report":)

On this picture kids are arriving to camp. They did it in several groups and this is one of them from Moscow.

GJ is helping with unloading - one of the rare shots of him as he is always behind the camera.

The weather was so nice and everything was so beautiful and covered with snow that we agreed to call it "Winter Wonder Land!" The tractor is trying to keep up with snow:)
I was responsible for crafts, and on this picture I am getting ready for one of them.
Upon their arrival the kids received their hygiene kits, that one of the churches in US put together and that was a hit! The teacher that came with the kids from the orphanage was so grateful for individual tooth pastes, tooth brushes, soaps and many other things that kids got as she was given only 3 tubes of tooth paste to take to the camp and 3 bars of soap for 10 kids and she had no idea how to she was going to divide it! God thought about that!

Our evening worship service

Dick opened the camp with Gospel Magic presentation - that was so much fun! Kids still talk about the"secrets" that they think they know:)

Then groups of girls and boys gave their presentation and on the picture is one of my favorites:)

Every day we had winter tipe games outsides and crafts activities inside.

All kids are incredibly talented! Even boys were a great sport on the craft hour:)

Thank you GJ for all the pictures!

Christmas presents

2011-01-24T20:39:00.002-09:00

I am late with this post, but my mom really wants to know what kids got for Christmas and this is the only way she can see:)

Our Christmas tree was small and very cute, one of our friends gave us this one as the one we had before became too big after we put a door instead of the window that leads into our garage.

The girls with their first gift...

...a pop out tent!!! That kept them entertained all day long:)

Sasha with his new car

Stacia liked Sasha's car too:)

Sasha as well liked Stacia's little wagon:)

Emma got a new skates as she is leaning how to skate and Grandma Susan thought they will be just right! And they were!

Sasha is excited about his new Lego toy

Dolls from Grandma Toma

After Emma got her doll she was taking her places and doing things with her. So the doll had her first school lesson, her first visit to friends, her first movie and many other first things:) LOL!

Merry Christmas!!!

2010-12-24T16:48:00.002-09:00

This is our picture for this year. We wish you a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!!! May our Heavenly Father bless you and give you His Joy!!! We love you all very much and very thankful for each of you for being a part of our lives!

Emma is skating

2010-12-19T20:36:00.001-09:00

Vicka's short trip to Chukotka

2010-12-16T23:38:00.002-09:00

On Monday I had a wonderful opportunity to go to Anadyr - the capital of Chukotka and visit some of our friends there. Three days were busy and exciting. Here are some pictures and small comments:)

I went with the group that is going to another city in Chukotka and the first night we had to spend on the airport side because of the bad weather:)

Next morning we were ready to fly on the helicopter to the Anadyr (as it is on the other side of the river)

In Anadyr I met with Mira - our sister in Christ from Provideniya who was there in the hospital (she is on the right). Mira is sick with TB which is very discouraging to her, I brought her some gifts and tried to encourage her a little. She is getting better and doctors sending her home next week, she was there since July. I also met Masha (on the left) who was a part of my outreach for the girls from the technical school in Provideniya in May and June.

Later on walking down the street Mira and I met another girl - Olya (on the right) who was in the same group of girls who we tried to reach for Christ. She told me that while in Anadyr she is going to church there and that she became a follower of Jesus and got baptized! Praise the LORD for the seeds that He planted and for His Salvation!

Olya - our new sister in Christ !

In the airport in Anadyr getting ready to fly back to Alaska.

me in the airplane

And this is what I saw when we were flying above the clouds!!! The heavens declare God's GLORY!

Rain gutter Regatta

2010-11-13T22:01:00.003-09:00

Today Emma had her first Rain gutter Regatta at AWANA's!

Here she is practicing to blow the boat

With daddy, her sister and her "Princess" boat

"Little Princess" on the pier

Blowing

with mommy

Blowing

At the finish! Emma's boat was not a speedy one, but she took a second place for design:)

Emma with her award

First, second and third place for design.

Welcome SNOW!!!

2010-11-06T22:18:00.003-08:00

Our world is covered with snow!!! We have been waiting for it for so long this year! We are very grateful for snow - thank you LORD for such a beauty and a reminder that we become clean as snow when we except Jesus in our hearts!
Below you will find lots of pictures from our afternoon play time outside:)

First snow for Sasha! He loved it!

GJ got this sneak pick:)

On the sled

This picture is so funny! Stacia is falling down and Emma is sticking her tong out to catch some snow:)

Happy Birthday Emma!

2010-10-17T22:45:00.001-08:00

Our little girl turned 6!

Pictures from September walk in the park:)

2010-10-14T17:20:00.003-08:00

Garage Part Two

2010-10-13T22:28:00.002-08:00

After the team left GJ worked on the garage with the help of our friends and lot of help from our SOAR staff! Here are more details of the building and I just wanted to use this moment to thank everyone who helped us with this project! Thank you for your time, prayers, finances and hard work! You were and are such a blessing for us!

starting on the roof

Dick is measuring

Mike and Doug

One side is ready

Both sides are ready for shingles

James is working hard

John

Back side is done!

Roof is on!

Garage Part One

2010-10-06T22:08:00.002-08:00

I am so sorry for not posting for so long! Life happened:) I also do not know where to start as so many things happened! Here I am with the first part of our BIG blessing from the LORD! We were blessed with a new, our own, attached to the house garage!
We had a wonderful group from Renton Bible Church in WA come and help us to start building. Here are the pictures, they can talk better then I can:)

the cement truck came

everyone worked so hard

the foundation is done

nice weather for the walls

Our HEROS - The Renton Bible Church work team!

Thank you so much and we love you tonns!

More beach pictures:)

2010-08-23T17:52:00.002-08:00

First time on the beach!

2010-08-21T18:39:00.003-08:00

We are visiting GJ's parents right now and the next day after our arrival we went to Lake Michigan. We had such a wonderful day and it is actually was very first time on the beach for us in 5 years! The weather was so beautiful and the water was very pleasant with big waves and hot sun:) I have never seen all three of our kids having so much fun at the same time! Thank you LORD for such a blessing!

Sasha is taking a nap after playing in the lake:)

Uncle Chris comes and goes:)

2010-07-02T21:00:00.002-08:00

Today GJ's brother Chris came to see us just for a few hours. Tomorrow the boys are driving ALCAN with Daniel. Uncle Chris played with the kids and we went out for pizza and ice cream. After that they played more. You can hear something like " Watch out for the bear!" or " I got some "Emma stake", Stacia do you want a bite?" The girls had lots of fun!:)

Back in Alaska

2010-06-30T23:32:00.002-08:00

Hello everyone! We are back to Alaska! Our flight was as a present from the LORD and we made it to our US home safe and sound! I will write later about our last days in Provideniya but today I want to post few pictures of the kids having fun outside on the sun:)

Stacia on the slide
Kids are resting on the grass

Big sister and little brother:)

Sasha had a blast walking outside!

Our little boy started walking when we were in Russia and now I am a mother of three RUNNING kids!:) FUN! FUN! FUN!

Do we need another slide?

SWEET:)

This table is perfect for Sasha!

One summer day

2010-06-22T20:33:00.004-08:00

After a very hard week that we had together with rain for several days finally we were able to enjoy our North summer day! Praise the LORD!!! We went for a walk to the lighthouse and samatory and took some family pictures for my Mom:) She loves taking pictures and seems like she can not get enouph:)

GJ by the boarder guard stand
our big family

Grandma Toma plays with Sasha

Stacia on the Ancor:)

Emma

My Mom and Sasha

Sasha is walking

Smile:)

I like this picture of me and Sasha

Mom is looking for another ship

Praise God in Chukchi language!!!

2010-06-12T19:31:00.002-08:00

Friday night we had a special worship at church where we sang Christian songs in Chukchi and Russian language and hade a traditional Chukchi dance performance.

Vova and Vladik praying and singing
Mira and Vicka dancing a traditional Chukchi dance in Eskimo dresses:)

Praise to Jesus in Chukchi language!

Friends and guests in the church

More dance:)

My Mom with Emma

with Sasha

with Stacia

Our family in Church

Nice Day in Provideniya

2010-05-27T20:11:00.003-08:00

Last week we went for a walk and took some nice pictures on the sun

GJ, my Mom, Emma, Stacia and Sasha in the backpack

Sasha with grandma Toma

Me amd my Mom

Provideniya Port

The girs with Grandma Toma

Posing

My Mom and me

GJ, Sasha and I

Our first week in Provideniya

2010-05-22T02:04:00.004-08:00

On May 11th we arrived in Provideniya!!! I am sorry for not posting sooner but it was soo busy and internet was so slow...
Here some pictures from our first week in Provideniya:

Happy Grandma Toma
Girls with grandma on the play ground near our appartment building

Vicka's Bible study group in church. One of her students is her mom Tamara, who exepted Jesus in her heart on May 6th in Provideniya - the day we were suppose to fly in but couldn't because of the airplane problem. - Praise the LORD!!! He new exactely why we didn't come - so Vicka's Mom will find Jesus!

Girls in the local museum

With grandma in the museum

Happy Birthday Sasha!

2010-04-16T23:01:00.004-08:00

Today Sasha turned 1 years old! Because his birthday comes together with birthdays of 3 of our friends it is triple special:)

Here he is - our little boy at one years old:)
smiling

With his sisters, who love him so much!

I love his grin:)

Clapping for his cake:)

This was the fun part for me - to watch my baby eat a cake for the first time:) At the beginning he was not so sure and took a tiny bite:)

Then he gently touched the cake and took some more...

After eating some more...

A Spring Walk

2010-04-16T15:58:00.002-08:00

Yesterday we went outside and played around. It was sunny but windy, we walked to the mailbox and blew bubbles:)

Happy Sasha in his stroller:)

And the last but not least)))))

2010-04-11T22:01:00.002-08:00

I did lots of post's today and you know those grandma's:):):):) they like to see lots of pictures:) So I am trying to keep them happy:)
Just one more thing - I am asking you to pray for GJ and Soar's "Baskets of Hope" team as they are in Russia - delivering baskets to the kids in orphanages and needy families. Today they are heading to Vladimir and tomorrow to St. Petersburg. May God will be glorified in all!

Stacia's Birthday Part 2:)

2010-04-11T21:48:00.003-08:00

Our little baby girl Stacia turned 3! We started this blog three years ago with her birth announcement and I tell you time flies! Here some pictures from her birthday party for you to enjoy:)

This beautiful dress and shoes were given to her by her Russian Grandma Toma:)

Together with her big sister Emma

With Mommy

With little brother

A special cup cake for a special girl!

Blowing the candles

Fun present from Grandma Susan

Stacia and her balloons

2010-04-11T21:40:00.002-08:00

Because of her birthday I got Stacia some balloons:) She loved them and had fun holding them in her hand:)

So much happinies in such a simple thing - this is what childhood is all about:)

Birthday Ice Cream

2010-04-11T21:32:00.002-08:00

Because I am a memeber of the Cold Stone birthday club my family members cen get a free ice cream on their birthday:) This what we did for lunch on Stacia's birthday:)

Emma wanted an ice cream cone and Stacia wanted cotton candy ice cream:)
Sasha didn't get any ice cream:(

CIA canival 2010

2010-04-11T21:18:00.002-08:00

It became a good tradition for the kids to go to CIA carnival:) Here we are again with painted faces, fishing pole and cupcakes from a cake walk:)

Emma with a butterfly
Stacia with a flower

Stacia won some cupcakes for her birthday

Sasha had a good time with Daniel

Eating some colorful snow cones:)

Stacia's Birthday Part 1

2010-04-11T21:03:00.002-08:00

We started celebrating Anastasia's birthday on Thursday with family dinner because GJ was going to Russia on Friday. She wanted eggs and cottage cheese and some ice cream too:)

with uncle Daniel

with Daddy

With her present from Mommy and Daddy

Emma is being silly

Sasha is having fun too:)

Can you see his big teeth?

Easter Egg Hunt:)

2010-04-08T19:58:00.002-08:00

We went to the friends house on Easter afternoon to join the big Easter Egg Hunt. There were around 15 families there! The girls had fun!

Stacia found another egg
She got snow in her boots so we had to go inside

Happy again:)

Emma with her first egg

After picking eggs in the area for the little children Emma wanted to try with the big kids in the woods.

She found four eggs where nobody looked:)

still looking for more...

I think it became a tradition for Emma to loose all her eggs on the way home:)

Trip for two:)

2010-04-04T22:25:00.005-08:00

On Saturday we took a trip for two to Anchorage because our friend offered to watch the kids! It was first time since Sasha's birth that GJ and I were able to go somewhere for a day! What a blessed time we had together! We didn't plan anything and just enjoyed the beautiful spring day in Alaska. And here are some pictures of what we saw:)

first waterfall
A monument for a moose:)

Anchorage air crossroads of the world

you can see buildings in our sun glasses:)

handsome GJ

beautiful sunset

airplane

ice on the river

spiky trees

This picture suppose to be on the top of the post but I do not know how to change it:)

One more beautiful day!

2010-03-30T20:42:00.002-08:00

A week ago we stopped to see the mountains and eat our dinner, the vew was breathtaken!

Mt. Redoubt
Mt. Spur

Sweet Stacia

GJ and Emma

GJ and Stacia

us in the sun

Emma liked the vew

Sasha is 11 month old!

2010-03-18T11:42:00.002-08:00

Here is our Sahsa boy! At this time he is a proud owner of five teeth and an expert crawler:) He pulls himself up and stands on his own. His hair is so light and his eyes are blue:)

And a traditional picture with the girls:)

Sasha is helping to do dishes:)

2010-03-16T12:01:00.000-08:00

Girls got their haircuts:)

2010-03-15T15:59:00.002-08:00

Last Wednesday we went to cut the girls hair at my friend Stephanie's salon. The girls had so much fun and Stephanie is so good with kids:)

Stephanie and Stacia before

Stacia after

Stephanie with Emma before

Emma after

The girls together after:)

Emma just LOVED every minute of being there - she is such a girl!:)

Yesterday

2010-03-09T15:39:00.003-09:00

I know, I know - more snow:) But it was really bad one!!! I went to church with kids to have some fun with other mom's and I was surprise to find one there, because I thought I will be all alone:) The wind was blowing, the snow was falling and the sun was like a small tiny circle in the grey sky... The snow was everywhere even blowing into the car! Here I am driving on the road do you see anybody? I do not think so:)
Oh I just wanted to mention that on February,28 I became a member in our church here in Alaska and since then I am doing a TOT time for moms with little ones once a week in the church gym.
I know that you are all coming by our blog and just wanted to say "Hi" to everyone of you and have a wonderful day!

A little brake from snowfall***

2010-03-08T17:24:00.002-09:00

It is always fun to see the girls playing outside:) Everything is covered with snow and their rosy cheeks are so preatty:)

SNOW

2010-03-06T22:57:00.002-09:00

We stayed home for several days now because it is snowing here!!! This winter we didn't have much snow and everything started to melt... I guess it is time for snow now when we enter into the spring month:)
Some good news in our house: GJ finally got his visa invintation that we were waiting for more than year and a half!!! Praise GOD!!! We are making some plans to go back to Provideniya in April! I am so excited - I will see my mom and she will see Sasha for the forst time! Emma is telling everyone that she is going to Russia soon:)

Women's retreat

2010-03-03T11:05:00.002-09:00

On the weekend I went to the women's retreat with our church at "Solid Rock" Bible camp. The theme was "Better than a band-aid" and let me tell you I had a wonderful time! We had a great speaker and small groups, the food was so good, the worship was amazing and everything was just perfect! I got chance to be with other women from my church and got inspired for the whole year!

This is the view from the chapel to the lake
You can see lodge behind the trees

The Solid Rock

On my free time I made some cards with my friends and other ladies did their favorite crafts as well.

Fire station visit

2010-03-01T19:11:00.002-09:00

Last week we went to visit our local Fire Station with other moms and their kids:) It was so much fun!!!

Looking at the fire trucks
Stacia kept close to me as she was not so sure about the fire trucks

Sasha was a good boy and he was quiet too

Looking good by the truck

At the end of the tour all kids got helmets and some stickers and coloring books.

10 Month Old!

2010-02-23T13:43:00.003-09:00

I am couple days behind with posting:) Ok maybe more:) But here is a picture of Sasha the day he turned 10 month:) We went to the doctor for his check up. He is 29" (75 sm) long and 18 lb and 10 oz. (about 9 kg). He got three teeth so far and crowling on his own everywere. He is standing up and pulling himself up. His favorite is to help me to do dishes ad he likes to get spoons and knives out:)

Help anyone? Those girls are going to eat me up!

Emma feeds Sasha a bottle:)

2010-02-15T16:11:00.001-09:00

Post for Luda:)

2010-02-15T15:59:00.002-09:00

This post is for my Aunt Luda, who lives in Russia:) She sent some very cute clothes for Emma, Stacia and Sasha. Some of Sasha's clothes is still big but the girls were very happy to try on some new things:) Thank you Luda!!!

More pictures to enjoy:)

2010-02-05T14:55:00.001-09:00

Grandpa and Sasha

Dad or Daniel?

Seward

My pet Moose:)

2010-02-05T14:38:00.002-09:00

I took this pictures yesterday! She was hungry enouph to try this fake rose:) No more feeding Moose... I have to stay inside for a couple days:):):)

More time with Grandpa

2010-02-04T14:41:00.002-09:00

We had a blast with Grandpa!!! And the girls are so sad that he had to go home... On Wednesday we went to see Daniel for lunch and drove around the old town of Kenai.

Dad by the old Russian Orthodox church

Grandpa giving Sasha some tickles

On Friday we went to Seward and stoped by the Alaska Sea Life Center.

We were the only one there and it was fun to see seals in the big tank. You can see that this one liked Dad a lot:)

The girls looking at the beaded seal

On Saturday GJ took Daniel and Dad for a small snowmashine trip and It was a day we went to Anchorage so Dad can fly home on Sunday.

The trail

On the way to Anchorage we saw an airplane crashed on the lake

And we also entered in to the deep fog when the inlet started

Grandpa in here!!!

2010-01-26T21:22:00.002-09:00

GJ has been back from Moscow for a week now and we are all so happy he is home! Yesterday we went to Anchorage to meet GJ's Dad at the airport. Grandpa is here!!! THe girls were so excited that he came! We are having a great time:

Our day started with playing "Monopoly Jr" and Stacia won!
Sasha had a lot of fun with his grandpa!
Do you see Sasha's two teeth?

Grandpa with the girls and Sasha.

Ice sculpture by the visitor center

Grandpa with the bear

We went for lunch with GJ and drove aroung a little, then after nap we played more games:)

9 Month old!

2010-01-19T20:19:00.002-09:00

What's up with Sasha? He is 9 month old now and crawling everywere, he is sitting by himself and got two teeth so far. He loves playing with his toys and with the girls; he is also eating tons of food! I started pottytraining him and he is already sitting good on the potty and even went number 1 two times;) I know I started late... but I hope to catch up:)

What's new with GJ?

2010-01-12T21:35:00.002-09:00

I know you probably wondering how is he doing. I got to talk to him for a few minutes today and find out that his health is improoving and he started to fill better. Praise the LORD and thank you all for your prayers.
Here is a small update from the Team:

"The distribution went well to the 100 or so children in Vladimir. I don't have a schedule yet but they will distribute stockings tomorrow in Yaraslavl and then take the all night train to St. Petersburg. That is all for today. They will probably have more chance to communicate when they get to St. Petersburg."

Did you sponsor a stocking???

2010-01-11T22:31:00.002-09:00

It is not too late to sponsor a stocking as they are getting delivered now in Russia by our "Stuff a Stocking" team. I wish I could be there!!! I love to see little kids faces light up with a smile when they open their stockings, especially those kids who do not have a family...
GJ is on his next trip - bringing hope of Gospel to little ones in the orphanages around Moscow and St.Petersburg. I didn't hear much, just that they were on the way to Vladimir. Keep praying for GJ's health and welness.
If you are wondering about us here in Alaska then we are doing good and are very excited for our Daddy being in Russia and serving the LORD there!

Skype with GJ

2010-01-09T21:53:00.002-09:00

I am so excited!!! I got to talk with GJ on Skype! I even took a picture of the computer screen:) I know - silly me:) I just miss him so much!

The camp is over and the team left Moscow to go home to US. GJ and three other SOAR team members are taking a quick brake before "Stuff a Stocking" that is going to start on Monday. Please pray for GJ's health as he is so not well. He is taking medication and hoping that resting will help him to get his health back.
Verse for today Psalm 3:3-5 ... God sustains our team as we say goodbye...
Verse for tomorrow Psalm 34:8 ... our team to rest in God on return trip home...

A phone call from GJ

2010-01-07T21:51:00.002-09:00

I was excited to be able to talk to GJ on skype this morning. He called on my phone and I called him back so we can talk longer:) I have not heard anything yesterday so I was even more excited when I find out that 3 kids in camp exepted Jesus!!! Praise the LORD!
Today is Russian Christmas and they had a big celebration in camp. Two more days left till it is over - lets pray for more seeds to be planted in the hearts of those kids!
The verse today is Col 4:3 ... God to open hearts to His message...

New dresses from Russia

2010-01-07T21:40:00.002-09:00

We finally recives a pakage from my mom from Russia!!! She send several beautiful dressed for Emma and Stacia and it took it 70 days to come here from Russian Far East. We were thinking that it all got lost:) But it came!!! She also sent the most beautiful dress shoes for the girls.

Stacia with her shoes
Emma posing with her shoe

This pictures were taken when we just opened the box

Emma and her dress

Stacia an her fancy dress

The girls together

Another dress for Stacia

Summer dress for Stacia.

A letter from GJ

2010-01-05T23:09:00.002-09:00

This morning I recived an email from GJ and learn more about his life in camp:)
Here some things that he writes:
"Things are going well here, it’s pretty cold (today is warm at 12 degrees F) but nice sky. The boys that are in my room are all younger and behave pretty bad and can be a challenge. They like to fight a lot, they are good kids by themselves, but together they start getting crazy. The leader of our group is new to the whole camp counselor thing and doesn’t know how to deal with them too well, but is trying. I have a sore throat, not to bad yet, and hopefully it won’t get any worse, but I appreciate your prayers. Food is fine and the team is great. Not sleeping really well, going to be late and getting up at 7am…Also, I keep waking up several times at night and the bed is worse than the ones we slept on when we were here in ’04".
You can also check every day updates from the camp on SOAR's blog.
Todays prayer verse is 2Thess 3:1 ...that the word of the Lord would be glorified...
As I was writing this post I recived an email to pray for a girl name Ylia, pray for her soul as she is acting really strange as well as for the boy named Sergey from GJ's group. Those kids in the camp for a reason - they need Jesus!!! Lets stand in prayer together in this spiritual warfare that is going on in Russian camp!

Sledding outside

2010-01-05T23:04:00.002-09:00

It was not too cold today and I took the kids out to check our mail box. They were happy to get in to sled!

By the end of our walk Emma wanted to get out and to pull Sasha in the sled

Sasha and his rosy chicks:)

Update from GJ

2010-01-04T22:14:00.002-09:00

I recived a text from GJ with his little update. It was morning at the camp and he was having a small sore throat and he didn't sleep too well. But it was not to bad. He also said that boys in his room were crazy:) Overall everything is going well. He also said that ge missing me:)
Todays prayer calendar verse is 1Tim. 2:1-4 ...all in authority to be strong in the knowledge of Truth...

Sasha's first tooth

2010-01-04T22:08:00.002-09:00

It has been there for a week now but I just got some pictures to post. Isn't it sweet this first tooth! you may want to blow up this picture to see it better:)

No Mommy I am not showing it again!

Pray for camp in Moscow

2010-01-03T22:51:00.002-09:00

Just wanted to let you all know that GJ made it to Moscow and they are already working in camp. I am so excited for everything God is going to do there and can not wait for the reports! GJ left me a camp prayer calendar and today is January 4th there and we pray on Rom.15:5-6 ... team unity; one in Christ and in His purposes...
I will post more as soon as I will get some news.

Some Christmas pictures

2010-01-03T22:44:00.002-09:00

Sasha's 1st Christmas
Girls and their presents

Stacia and her present

Sasha and his present

Stacia and her fancy coat

As Emma says: "My best Christmas present is my dress up clothes!"

Had to share is with her sister of course!

New Newsletter

2009-12-30T16:47:00.001-09:00

Click here to see an online copy of our latest newsletter. Many of you who get my emails have already seen this, and those of you who receive our newsletters by mail should be seeing them soon but for the rest of you, enjoy!

Bethlehem Revisited

2009-12-22T15:35:00.003-09:00

Yesterday we went to Bethlehem! We all hed such a wonderful and special time! Here are some pictures with comments:)

Emma and Stacia with a tax collector.
Emma loved feeding all the animals that were there.

Stacia with a begger. We find out that his name was Daniel:)

Angels with Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus

Stacia

Emma with BIG eyes!

Shepperds and sheep

Sasha

Three wise men

Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus

so excited!!!

Herod's court

200 posts and our Anniversary!

2009-12-22T14:55:00.002-09:00

On December 20th we went to Homer to celebrate our 6th wedding Anniversary! Praise the LORD! We were just driving around and took a bite at pizza place. The girls stayed home with friends and Sasha came with us. We also took some pictures by the light house as we usually do:)

GJ is waiting for me in the car
Sasha with the light house

Vicka and the light house

Sasha is 8 month old!

2009-12-17T22:27:00.002-09:00

He is growing bigger and he is still such a sweet boy! Sasha is army crawling and playing with his toys, he likes his little trucks and trying to sit with Emma's help.

Playing in the snow and under the snow:)

2009-12-03T21:51:00.003-09:00

Come and play with us!!!

Fun with Dad

2009-11-17T19:33:00.003-09:00

Vicka felt a photo shoot with dad and kids was in order....here are the results... :)

Sasha is 7 month today!!!

2009-11-16T16:41:00.001-09:00

Snow gear AGAIN!!!

2009-11-16T16:20:00.002-09:00

We finally got our snow and it has been really cold outside. The girls got their snow outfits for playing and I think this is how they are going to look till april or so:):):) Anastasia fit in Emma's 3 years old snow sute and Emma's coat and snowpants still fit her. She may need another coat soon as she is growing so fast, but I think for the first part of winter she should be covered^)

No more shopping for Stacia!!!

2009-11-07T11:40:00.002-09:00

Every AWANA night Stacia and mommy are going shopping for a week. Because she is helping a lot by the end of the shopping Anastasia has no straingth to hold her head strait:)

Sasha trying to crawl

2009-11-07T11:33:00.001-09:00

Emma and her books

2009-10-23T15:08:00.002-08:00

Emma loves books since she was little. Lately she started to read books to Sasha especially in his sad moments of life:)

She usually picks her Russian books because I read to her stories from them and she knows them better:)

Here is Emma with her new books for school from her Russian grandma Toma. We waited for them to come almost 2 month and finally they are here together with her birthday card! Спасибо бабушка Тома!!!!

Six month old boy:)

2009-10-23T14:54:00.002-08:00

On the day Emma turned 5 years old our little boy Sasha turned 6 month. We went to the doctor for his check up. His height is 28" and his weight is 17lb 6oz! I started him on some rice cereal and carrots - he is eating good and liking new flavors:) Some of his new things are: rolling around, playing with toys and listening his sister Emma when she reads him stories. I will post pictures of that later:)

5 Years Old Girl!!!

2009-10-17T22:18:00.006-08:00

This is what Emma says: " I am a five years old girl now!"

We had a birthday party for her with her friends and Emma just loved it:) We painted nails and had a tea party, then it was time for an ice cream cake, she opened her gifts and played with the girls - such a sweet little girly party:)
Emma with Stacia

This beautiful dress was given Emma by her Russian grandma Tamara

Happy Birthday Emma!!!

New park

2009-10-08T20:32:00.002-08:00

On Saturday I took kids to the Pirat ship park, but when we came there it was pirat ship no more!!!! The city built new playground - bigger and better! The girls had a blast!

on the slide

Sasha in his stroller

on the Lady Bug

Stacia

Emma

Happy Birthday GJ!!!

2009-10-03T23:59:00.000-08:00

Emma goes to school

2009-09-29T11:54:00.002-08:00

Starting September 1st Emma is at school! I am homeschooling her even she is not yet five. This are some pictures from her first day with her new backpack and new *pink* school stuff:)

Emma is a good student so far. She already knows her ABC's and sing a phonics song very well.

Sweet baby!

2009-09-22T11:45:00.002-08:00

I am posting pictures of Sasha's 5 month birthday:) and he is still such a sweet baby!

New Pictures online

2009-09-21T16:52:00.002-08:00

Just wanted to let you all know that I've just posted a bunch of new pictures I took of the family spending an evening on the beach.

Click here: From East to West photo gallery

Enjoy!

Zip Line

2009-09-16T10:45:00.002-08:00

Here are some pictures from the Zip Line that was set up on Genesis. GJ was the one to test it ferst and he got in to the water, but all the rest were just fine:)

Emma went on the zip line 3 times!

This is me riding a zip line:) You can not see me because I took pictures on my ride:)

Me again passing by everybody

Daniel dancing in the air

Dancing Emma

Genesis Retreat

2009-09-09T16:24:00.002-08:00

GJ helped to set up a campground for Genesis Retreat for our church Youth on Labor Day weekend and we came to see it on Saturday.

Riding a boat on the Kenai Lake. Emma had a bug bite on her eye two days ago so it was swallen.
Sasha in his backpack:)

Stacia is driving the boat

Daniel really liked the Retreat:)

Stacia took a nap in GJ's tent

Airplane dropping an ice cream in to the lake after dinner

Sasha follow aslep on GJ's chest

The boat is ready to pick up another bucket of ice cream

Sunny Beach

2009-09-03T15:46:00.002-08:00

On the last day of summer we went to the beach because it was so sunny! Summer is over and you can tell for sure here in Alaska as the air gets colder and windows of your car are foggy in the morning. Our summer was nice and we had a lot fun activities. I think I am ready for a fresh coat of snow on the ground:)

Daddy and Stacia
Mommy and Sasha

Smile

Girls were running to the water and back all the time:)

It was windy

And wavy:)

Mommy and Emma running along the water

SOAR blog

2009-09-03T15:23:00.003-08:00

If you have not been on SOAR blog then you have to go there: http://soarinternational.blogspot.com/ ! It is still new, but it will grow:) SOAR is also on the Facebook!

We have a verse of the month that all SOAR staff is trying to meditate on this month:

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer."

Psalm 19:14

Emma in AWANA again!

2009-09-02T13:42:00.002-08:00

This is Emma's second year in AWANA's and she still loves it! Last week was her first day and we were working on her verse in our school hours. Did I tell you that we started school with Emma? She is not 5 yet but I decided to start her on reading and math, both Russian and English. We start our school at 8.00 a.m and do it for 2 hours. Anastasia wants to do school too... I need to think about something for her:)

Sasha meets Grandpa

2009-08-26T15:31:00.002-08:00

Last week we went to Seattle to do Sasha's Russian paperwork. GJ's parents came to bring Joanna to Moody in Spokane and we all got to visit at his sister Melissa's house. It was such a wonderful family time! We also went to visit couple of churches, who support us and were encouraged by the fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ.

Grandpa meets Sasha for the first time
Big smile

Auntie Joanna meets Sasha

Grandma Susan got to hold her grandson and kiss his cheeks:)

Sasha fall asleep on Grandpa's lap

Men's talk

Cousin Jade met Sasha as well. She was so caring and sweet about her little cousin:)

Sasha is four month old

2009-08-17T14:38:00.002-08:00

Our little boy is Four month old!!! He is 15lb and 8 oz and he is 24 inches long. Emma and Stacia adore their little brother and they take turnes to help mommy with diaper change:)

with Emma

Stacia, Emma and Sasha

Did I tell you that he is drooling a lot?:)

Cutting the trees

2009-08-17T13:48:00.002-08:00

Our friends needed more light in their house and GJ has been helping them to cut some trees.

On the lift

some teenagers didn't want that tree go :) So they protested by hugging the tree:)

But it had to go anyway...

Can you see that Daniel got more bars on his phone?:)

Vicka's new hair cut

2009-08-17T13:13:00.002-08:00

I needed a new hair cut for a wile and finally the opportunity came alone! My friend Stephanie gave me two colors of highlits, wonderful hair treatment and a cool haircut as a GIFT!!! More than two hours of beauty time just for me - what a treat!!!! Thank you Stephanie!

Here is me and Stephanie
Back vew

front vew

Better picture with colors.

What can I say... I feel so beautiful:)

Growing BIG!

2009-08-10T22:02:00.003-08:00

Sasha is almost four month old

Emma's BIG jump!

2009-08-10T21:45:00.002-08:00

Emma has been taking swimming lessons for the last two weeks. The last day was a big day for all the kids as they got an opportunity to jump of the big jumping board in to the swimming pool. Emma was very excited and so was I. :) Stacia and Sasha came as well to cheer for their big sister! :)

Emma was not sure at first about going to the end of the board

then she let go of the rail

Jump #1

Jump#2

She jumped!!! My little girl was so brave! She wanted to jump again and her teacher let her do it again.

Trip to Seward

2009-08-05T13:53:00.002-08:00

Last Sunday after church we went to Seward with our friends. It was such a beautiful and sunny day for Alaska. We also went to see the EXIT glacier on our way back. Because the short walk was fluded we had to take the long pass to the edge of the glacier.

Emma by the waterfall
Stacia

This mark shows you where glacier was in 1917!