School started with great fanfare at the beginning of September. Pictured here is the opening ceremony that is a Russian tradition of starting the first day of classes with formally introducing the teachers, students, having some poetry reading, and tea and snacks. To help with the boys’ adjustment to school, the idea come up for…

Marshrutkas = taxi vans found throughout the city (usually yellow) seating about 20, but can hold several more with standing and squishing. Usually we ride the marshrutkas to and from our temporary apt. to the Metro station to avoid a 30 min walk. They are relatively cheap — about .50 per person and our 2…

We have some new photos to add to our display.The building is a two-story apartment building, which is unusual in itself. It was build by German prisoners of war after WW2, so it’s considered good quality. As with most entrance ways, it’s nothing to write home about (although I guess that’s what I’m doing, isn’t…

It was a year ago that we last rested — right before this whole race to prepare to leave for Russia began in August of 2006. Even though our week-long trip to Sopron, Hungary was a CRM staff conference, it felt like a breath of fresh air to slow down and not have to work…

I spent two semesters living and studying in Vienna back in 1984 and 1987 through a program with the Duke Wind Symphony. I made lifelong friends with the students and our director, and I got to know and love the city dearly. It, like St. Petersburg, is a cultural center. In fact, I spent the…

I came here certain that we still needed to homeschool our kids. We both have strong convictions about that subject, so the only remaining question was how to get them into the culture to learn the language, etc. It didn’t take me long to realize that playing on the playground is good, but an excruciatingly…

The last time we looked at moving was nearly 12 years ago. Not only were our needs vastly different from what they are now, we were vastly different people. Now I am growing in my understanding that a home is more than finding a fit between finances, the amenities, and desire. I’m beginning to see…

Our current apartment is close to perfect for our needs (see pics), so we we’re wondering how God is going to work out our permanent location. This temporary place has three large bedrooms, is fully furnished, and is in the old city, not too far from our teammates, the O’Byrnes.They even have a bunch of…

We have lived in our new home for almost a week now. Our comfort zones are widening as we explore and experience life in St. Petersburg. Coming home from a visit to outside of the city today, our temporary apartment started to feel like a home base. What more have we learned this past week?…

I’m sitting at the dining room table writing to you while supper is cooking. Lyle is out with the kids at a playground. Sounds just like a page from our American life, right? Perhaps so, but since our arrival about 48 hours ago, so much has happened that I barely recognize our life from the…