Anastasia's Almanac

Surfing Experience

2009-08-15T08:59:00.000-07:00

Last week we went to the beach and Galyna and I had a surf lesson. It was fun, but it is not something I want to do it for the rest of my life. Galyna is very good at it and she likes it.

We had a little family reunion and even dogs had a little cousin reunion.

We had a great time at the beach. We love you guys.

Water Ski

2009-08-15T08:35:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't update my blog for a while, but I'll try to catch up.

While I was in Omaha, we went to Mashas aunt and uncle lake house for a weekend, and we had a really good time. As you'll see on this video.

I water skied for the first time in my life and I just loved it.

The hard thing was for me is to put the ski on, but it was easy to get up, and I was really shoked when I got up from the first time. I was kind of proud of myself that I didn't give up.

I had a fantastic time with my friends and I hope we'll do it again sometime.

Masha and Yulia

2009-07-30T12:57:00.000-07:00

I want to tell you little bit about these two girls. I'll start with Masha.

Masha and I started to hang out together when we were at the hospital in Ukraine, couple month before I left. We know each other for about 10 years or so, but we became the best friends the couple month before we said goodbye to each other. We didn't had a lot of time, but I feel like we got to know each other very well.

She is a good friend, she will give you her opinion and she will listen to you when you need somebody to talk. She'll try to understand you and help you if she can. I rally glad that I have friend like Masha, even if we don't see each other every day. It's good to know that you have a friend like her.

Yulia was with Masha in the same grade, one year younger then me, so we never talked to each other. I knew everybody in the orphanage, but I didn't talk to everybody that's how it works in the orphanage. Sometimes people would talk to you who usually don't speak with you, and it can only happen when they need something from you.

But everything is changed when Yulia was adapted with Masha. I think we got to know each other when they came to stay with us for a weekend, but it was just a weekend. This week we got a chance to talk a lot with her. Yulia is really sweet girl, and I like her a lot. She was always helping her parents with dinner, and she always asked me if I want or need anything. It feels really nice when somebody look out for you, you feel special.

She works at Starbucks right now, but her big dream is to be a lawyer. I'm sure she will be a good one.

I certainy enjoyed their company and I hope they feel the same.

Trip to Omaha, Nebraska

2009-07-30T12:35:00.000-07:00

My adventure started on July 21. I left my house at 8:30 in the morning, and I arrived to Omaha at 5:30 pm. The night before I slept really badly, I was really nerves. It was a long day, but finally after changing three airplanes I made it.

I was very excited to see Masha and Yulia, but I think they were more excited then I was, probably because I was tired.

So this is the begining of my exciting week in Omaha.

4th of July in the Mountains

2009-07-06T13:07:00.001-07:00

On Saturday 4 th of July we went for a little hike up the mountains.

Everything was perfect. Great parents, good brother, nice weather and cute puppy dog.

"This is the life" as Christian always says.

Our puppy dog was a little scared on the top of the mountains, but she made it.

Beautiful mountains.

We could see the lake from the top and we also could hear voices from down there. It was so cool.

Tree founder book kept all of us busy and interested.

Mom and me.

My mom became a good camper mom. She likes when everything is nice and neat.

This is our 4th family camping trip, and we just love it.

I like to camp, it's gives us an opportunity to be outside and enjoy the nature. Most teens like to sit in front of the TV or play video games all day long. We don't have a TV and it's fine with us, but we still watching a good movies.

I think we should enjoy the nature while we can, and I hope you'll agree with me.

Beautiful Day

2009-07-06T12:53:00.000-07:00

On Friday we went for a little walk around the lake. It was beuatiful.

My dad bought a little tree founder book, and my mom and Galyna had fun to identify the trees by its leaves.

Christian, Galyna, Dad and me.

We took Dessie with us and she had a great time.

Camping at Sherando Lake

2009-07-05T12:31:00.000-07:00

This week weather was just amazing. We didn't even sweat a bit, but at night it was a little cold.

On Tuesday we went to the Sherando Lake. We went early because they get packed really fast. We were driving and looking for a good spot for us, so my dad let Christian out to see if this spot is okay, and he decided that this is our spot. And guess what, it was the best spot. So we set up our two tents and the screen house.

We did not see a bear, but other people did.

Sherando Lake.

Dessie, Christian and me.

Our Dessie dog is becoming really good camper. She was really good dog.

Defiance

2009-06-27T09:28:00.000-07:00

Last night we watched the movie "Defiance." This movie is about four Jewish brothers who saved a lot of lives.

It was during the war when German Nazis were killing Jews. The Bielski partisans, as the brothers called themselves, were an organization of Jews who rescued a lot of Jews and fought against Nazi. If you heard or read anything about the Jews you would know that Jews were the victims, but not these ones. This story is important, because this is the story about the Jews who fought for their lives.

I'm really thankful to those people because I have Jewish blood in me, because my grandfather was a Jew. I have Jewish name Abramovich, so if I would live in that time Nazis would come after me too.

So thanks God for Bielski brothers.

Midnight in Madrid

2009-06-26T09:07:00.000-07:00

I finished reading second book of the Russian Trillogy by Noel Hynd, and I loved it. Now I'm waiting for third one, but it didn't come out yet.

In the mean while I'm reading books by Patricia St. John. I read two of them already, "Star of Light and Treasure of the Snow," and I really like them. Now I'll start third one "The Tanglewood's Secret." These books are Christian and they are really sweet too.

Now I can easily say that I love to read.

Went Fishing....

2009-06-24T11:38:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we went camping again to the KOA, and this time we were fishing.

For the first time in our life we caught a fish, bass. We were very excited, but we couldn't keep it because it was to small to eat.

We had a great time fishing.

Conspiracy in Kiev

2009-06-22T14:53:00.000-07:00

My Dad gave this book for my b-day and I finally decided to read it, and you know what I really liked this book. When my dad gave it to me I was really rud to him. I saw the word Kiev and I didn't want to read it and I don't even know why. I am a very stuborn girl and I did not like to read at all when I came here specially detectives.

I started to read it and I couldn't stop. I think I finally found the author that I really like, Noel Hynd. Now I'm reading second book of his Russian Trilogy and I'll post more on that later, too.

Noel Hynd's books really easy to read and understand and that's why I like it. I don't really like books that you can't understand what are you reading. You know what I mean?

Now I can't say that I don't like to read, because that would be wrong.

My dad loves to read and so my mom, but she does not have a lot of time for reading. Now Galyna and I found the authors that we really enjoy to read, and we became quite a readers and I like it.

Dessie Dog

2009-06-22T14:23:00.000-07:00

Our puppy dog is growing fast. Here are some pictures that I want to share with you.

They are so cute together.

Dessie loves sleep on the pillows. She sleeps with me a lot and I don't mind at all. I love my baby doggy.

Jockey's Ridge

2009-06-22T13:50:00.000-07:00

You might think that it's a desert, but it's not even if it looks like it.

This is the Jockey's Ridge where Wright Brothers tested their flying machine.

Christian first at the top as always.

Christian with dad.

We climbed up and down some of us even rolled down. See the video above for more details.

Week at Outer Banks

2009-06-22T13:28:00.000-07:00

After camping we went to the Nags Head for a week. Weather was perfect so and water. Here are some pictutes from our day at the beach.

Christian loves go to the beach.

This time he even tryed to surf on the boogie board.

He had a great time.

Mom and me.

Galyna was at the grandparents house for ten days or so, and she came to the beach house a couple days later. I don't usually swim in the ocean, but that day I did, and it was so much fun. I prefer better to look at the water and listen to the sound of the waves. Not because I can't swim and I can swim because I'm from Odessa, but I just enjoy more to look at it.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

2009-06-22T08:51:00.000-07:00

We went to see the tallest lighthouse in the world. Christian was afraid in the begining, but then he was the leader of our group.

As you see here that Christian is first of the pack. He would tell us to keep moving all the time.

At the top of the highest lighthouse in the world.

My dad stayed with our puppy dog, but mom, CP and I went up. It was so cool and really windy up there. I like lighthouses, they look so cool.

Vacation: Day 2 Summer Shiners

2009-06-09T12:40:00.000-07:00

Sumer Shiners it's a group of Christian young high scholars and college students who work at the KOA campground in the summer. They are hard workers and really nice bunch of young people.

We got to know them while we were camping and we really like them. They put a little show for us on Saturday night and church serves on Sunday morning.

My brother really like them that he talked about them for a couple of days. We had a great time at the campground, but the Summer Shiners made it the best. Thank you guys for doing it. God bless you all.

Vacation: Day 1

2009-06-09T11:08:00.000-07:00

We had a lot of fun at the camp.

CP and mom jumped on the trampoline.

Then we went to the beach. It was perfect day for the beach.

We took Dessie with us on the beach and she had a great time. She was digging as you can see.

Christian even chased seagulls near our camp. He had a great time running after them and feed them with bread. It was so funy to watch him. Those seagulls were making nose and it sounded like they laughing.

Camping at Hatteras

2009-06-08T16:26:00.000-07:00

On May 30th we went camping to Hatteras. We arived there late so we put our tent in the dark and wind was blowing around 20 mi per hour, so it made even harder. You can imagine. Finally we succeded with our tent, but we did not get a lot of sleep that night. First of all it was windy, but then thunder storm came and our puppy dog was freaking out, we thought our tent was going to collapse, but we woke up and it still there. Thanks God.

We started our day with a cup of coffee.

My dad made a good breakfast for everybody, almost like at home.

This is our last night in the camp. We had a good time even Dessie liked it I think.

Now we know that we can go camping any time and even weather is not going to scare us.

Grisha

2009-05-10T08:10:00.000-07:00

Many of know the face of Grisha from Ashley's blog.

I've know Grisha for a long time. I met him when he came to the orphanage, probably six years ago. He's a cute kid and very talented kid too. Grisha was one of the first younger kids who started to cross-stitch and he did very well. You may think that it's funny, but we had more boys then girls usually in the art room.

I'm sure he is very happy that soon he will have the real family who loves him. I know that feeling because I felt the same way almost two years ago now. I can't believe how fast time is flying.

We started to follow Ashley's blog two years ago and it's just amazing to see how God is working everything out. Sometimes we even thought that she wouldn't be able to make it, but we were wrong.

I want to wish Ashley and JC all God's blessings as they prepare to leave.

A Master at Work

2009-05-08T14:42:00.000-07:00

Today my Papa took me and my brother to Richmond, where we saw something amazing. This man from Poland is one of the world's great sacred painters. He is painting frescoes at St. Benedict Catholic Church. His paintings are also at St. Patrick's in New York, and other famous churches in Italy and Poland.

It was pretty cool to see a master artist at work!

Dessie is Four Month Old.

2009-05-03T09:29:00.000-07:00

Saturday was Dessie's four month birthday! She is growing pretty fast. She is so cute. Dessie doesn't like when people leave the house, she doesn't like to be alone. She loves her family and we love her.

They Need Your Prayers

2009-05-02T20:37:00.000-07:00

Grisha

Elaine and Lisa.

The Fumias and the Hoffmanns preparing to go to Ukraine to adopt these kids, and they need your prayers. If you can help somehow, just visit their blogs.

Family Camping Trip.

2009-04-26T16:01:00.000-07:00

Christian is a Cub Scout, and so yesterday we went on Cub Scout family camping trip on Lake Anna.

Mom hanging out at the end of the day.

Galyna, mom and me.

After dinner some kids went to fish, but we went to see sunset on the beach. It was beautiful. Here are some pictures of it.

My dad holding our puppy dog, Dessie. This is her first sunset. We brough Dessie with us and she did great, and the kids loved her, so I think she had a good time as much as we did.

I'm walking along the beach. In the morning it was very hot, but in the evening it cooled off, and it was just right.

Galyna.

I love this picture. Sun behind the clouds and water is orange. We had a great time together.

Today, our dad left early in the morning to teach sunday school, but we decided to stay for a while. So we went to the Lake Anna.

I like this picture of Christian, because he looks older here. Don't you think?

He loves to dig doesn't matter where in the mud or in the sand.

Mom and Christian.

They were building a casttle together. Christian loves his mommy, and so do we.

War Dance

2009-04-24T06:56:00.000-07:00

Last night we watched this movie called War Dance. It's a sad story, and I can say that we are relating to this story in some ways.

Those children's parents were killed, and they became orphans. Our parents weren't killed, but we became orphans too. It wasn't our will.

People do not expect anything from the orphans, but they do not realize that orphans can do good thing too.

Please watch this movie! It will make you cry and rejoice!

To learn more about orphans from Ukraine, check here for more information.

Champy Cat & Flowers

2009-04-22T11:52:00.000-07:00

Galyna painted these flowers, and I love them. She did a great job on this painting.

This is the painting of my cat Champy. I love him as much as others two cats and a puppy.

First step.

Second and the finall step. I love painting.

Easter Sunday Afternoon.

2009-04-12T15:03:00.000-07:00

After church we came home and Christian went to jump on the trampoline, so I decided to make a little movie of him.

I Love Spring!...

2009-04-12T14:53:00.000-07:00

I love this pictures of his.

Christian let me take pictures of him, only if I will jump with him later on trampoline.

Dessie.

I took these pictures today afternoon. It was so pretty outside I just love it.

Christ is Risen!

2009-04-12T11:51:00.000-07:00

Christ is Risen! Happy Easter, evryone!

My First Race

2009-04-11T14:24:00.000-07:00

My sister and I did something today I never even dreamed of....we ran a 5K race! My dad has been making us run, and finally, we had our big test.....

I did not even think I would finish, but I won second place in my age group, and had lots of fun!

Now, my dad says I've earned a chance to run a 10K race!

Soccer Season!

2009-04-06T16:58:00.000-07:00

This year I'm playing soccer as homeschooler. It's pretty fun, and I love it.

Stretch out before the game.

We always pray before the game

That's me in green, number 12.

Throw in.

I'm playing right defender.

Hi 5!

Today we played against my old school, and we beat them 8-0.

Mrs. Pusey is my coach. She played college soccer at Duke and expects alot out of us.

She says we must always respect our opponents and tolerates no boasting, even though we really do have some awesome players.

I was so happy to see my church youth leader Georgia come all the way to see my game.

Thank you Georgia!

At last...

2009-04-03T13:36:00.000-07:00

I finaly finished this painting. I worked very long on it, and I'm so happy to be done with it. Now I started to paint a portrait of my cat, and I'll post later when I'm done.

Odessa Mama

2009-03-24T16:57:00.000-07:00

I asked one of my friend to sent me pictures of Odessa and here they are. I love my old city, and I miss it so much. I just hope that all those children who were adopted from Odessa would not forget it either.

"Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!"

2009-03-24T16:49:00.000-07:00

On Sunday we went to St. John's Church to see the historical reenactment of the Patrick Henry's famous speech "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!"

St. John's Church

This is one of the windows in the church. They actually have three windows with the Jesus on it. Pretty cool.

The grave yard.

Thomas Jefferson and me.

Patrick Henry, Galyna, George Washington, and me.

I really enjoyed to be there. I read books about the Revolutionary War and stuff, but to hear the speech, it was something.

Is it Spring?.....

2009-03-18T11:07:00.000-07:00

First flowers in our backyard.

Our Puppy Dog

2009-03-18T10:59:00.000-07:00

We love our puppy dog.

Haug Family Visit

2009-03-12T16:38:00.000-07:00

Finaly we met. Last weekend we had visitors the Haug family. We were so honored to have them over and finaly meet them. I like then a lot. Masha and Julia are so lucky to have them as the parents.

Julia, Masha, Christian, and me.

I was so happy to see her again. I missed her a lot.

We had a great time together.

Julia and me.

I knew her in the orphanage, but we never were friends. I like her a lot, she is so sweet.

Christian loves Masha. She played with him all weekend.

Thank you guys for coming it was good to see you again and meet your folks. God bless you!

Snow in March

2009-03-02T13:04:00.000-08:00

March 1st is officially first day of the Spring in the Ukraine, but here we have snow 9-10''. Here are some pics.

Our house is cover with snow.

You can see our lake.

It was very bright, because of snow. I guess you need sunglasses in the winter too.

My Dad meassured the snow on the table, and it was about 9".

It was first Dessies snow.

You can see that Galyna and Christian really need sunglasses.

We played a lot in the snow today, and we had a great time. It's prabably our first and last snow, at least for a while.

Meet Our New Member of the Family

2009-03-01T09:54:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was Dessies homecoming day.

Dessie with our cousin Jessie.

Jessie met Dessie during her visit yesterday.

Mom hold on to your coke.

She is just sweetie pie.

Galyna gives Dessie a treat.

She is a shoes lover. So here is bon for her.

Isn't she's cute? Today is her first day with us and we love her already. How can you not love her?

How To Make A Wacky Spider Cake!

2009-02-21T14:12:00.000-08:00

Step one: bake the cake.

Step two: put hair on the body, and head.

Step three: after you done with head and body, make a tray with grass and mud (of course not real grass and mud).

Step four: make eight feet.

Step five: put head and body together on your land scape tray.

Step six: add feet.

Step seven: add eyes and mouht.

Step eigth: create a spider web.

Step nine (final step): add other spiders on the tray.

Now you ready to go!

Our Spider Cake was a project for Christian's Cub Scout Cake Auction. We had lots of fun making it and we're already thinking about next year's cake!

Our Puppy!

2009-02-16T11:35:00.000-08:00

Yesterday after church we went to Virginia Beach, and today in the morning we saw our puppy. Yes our puppy. She is a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, and she is so cute, and sweet. We do not have a name for her yet, but we have two weeks to think a good name for her. Our dog is half Irish, so we think that an Irish name would be good. We are taking suggestions, so please help! What do you think would be a good name?

Christian is the Digger

2009-02-14T12:44:00.000-08:00

Christian on a dig in our backyard.

Blue Ridge Mountains

2009-02-09T13:36:00.000-08:00

Yesterday all of us went hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It's a one mile to the top of "Humpback Rocks."

Christian led the way. My dad said he was like Moses leading us to the promised land.

Most of the snow had melted, so it was pretty muddy...

but still icy in a couple of spots.

It's not what you would call an easy hike...but the views at the top are awesome!

As you can see, the wind was blowing hard!

We hung out on the rocks for a long time.

Galyna chillin

Galyna and me.

Christian with Dad.
Mom and dad we worried that he would get blown away.

It was so nice to get out of the house, and on top of the mountain!

Mom and me.

This is the view that's behind us. Pretty cool. It was our family hike, and we all had great time.

Happy 80th Birthday Aunt Barbara!!!

2009-02-09T08:30:00.000-08:00

Last weekend we had a big birthday party for our Aunt Barbara. It was also like a family reunion. There were around 30 people, family and couple of friends. It was so much fun. We started around 6 pm, and finish around 11 pm. It was long party, but it was a good party.

Our Dear Aunt Barbara.

Song "Seven Little Girls" by cousins.

My cousin Jessie sang an opera song.

Dad and uncle Mark.
I was laughing so hard. They know how to rock!

Christian and mom.
Christian played his own song, that he wrote. It was beautiful.

Natalie and Torrie.

They were singning the song from the play Wicked, "For Good" by Stephen Schwartz.

Aunt Barbara with her two daugthers, Janet and Nikki.

Nikki and Janet are the ones who organized all of this. It was great party.

Thanks Nikki and Janet.

Mom, cousins Jessie and Brandy, aunt Kendall, and uncle Scott.

Cousin Nikki.

Birthday cake!!!!

Aunt Barbara and Christian.

Final spech by Aunt Barbara.

Now all together washing the dishes after the party. You know it's working very well when you alot of dishes and alot of people who helping to wash them.
Thank you, Nikki and Janet, so much for the party, it was so much fun and we all had great time.

When Life's Not Fair

2009-02-06T15:03:00.000-08:00

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal weight
of glory that far outweighs them all."

2 Corinthians 4:17

As I read my daily devotional I came upon this title "When Life's Not Fair", and it made me think about all those kids who still in the orphanage. Life is unfair to them. They didn't do anything to anybody, but they are orphans, and many of them don't have anyone to love them. I was an orphan too, as you all know, and I know how those kids feel. I was so scared that I would not have a chance to be adopted after I finished school, but my prayers were answered when I was adopted, just three months before my 17th birthday, when I no longer would have been eligible for adoption.

How many 16 year old children have been adopted? Prabably not very many. I was afraid I would never have a family, but it was still very hard for me to leave Odessa, friends and family.

Many orphans hate their lives. But you know what? I never hated it, because I realized that if I wouldn't be there, I would never have a chance to be adopted, and that is for sure.

A lot of children have been adopted this past year. I have been reading other families blogs, it's just amazing. Blogs are a wonderfull thing! It's so marvelous to see those kids happy. When you see children, from the orphanage smiling you still can see sadness in their eyes. But thanks to Vinny, Clara, Grandma Lila, Alyona and Slava, those children at least have hope.

Thanks to God for all of these people who help orphans. I want to ask you to pray for all of those kids, who still need a family, but most important that they will understand that God loves them.

It's time to learn my Geography...

2009-01-29T10:36:00.000-08:00

Christian shows me where Greenland is.

At the orphanage I never was interested in geography. Usually I skipped the geography classes. You know, if you have a boring teacher then you are not interested in the subject. You know what I mean?

But now I like it. My brother knows more then I do, and that makes it more intresting when he is telling me where places are.

Ice Storm

2009-01-29T10:34:00.000-08:00

We don't have a lot of snow where I live, but we had really bad ice storm.

I took this picture on our way home. I like this picture, because it's looks so wintery. Those trees don't have snow on them, but they look white because of the ice. It's almost looks like you driving into cave or something. What do you think?

Christian's the First Composition

2009-01-27T10:04:00.000-08:00

Christian is taking piano classes, and he is very good at it. Here he is playing his song that he wrote by himself, witha a little help from mom.

This is the song that he wrote. It's sound pretty good to me.

Happy Birthday Mama!!!

2009-01-24T09:15:00.000-08:00

Today is our mom's Birthday!!! She got breakfast in bed, and later she opened her presents. Galyna and I painted pictures for her (see here). Dad got her a massage pillow, and pair of shoes. She loved it.

After that we went to the American Family Fitnes Club. For dinner we ate Chinesse food and watched a movie. It was a nice birthday.

Happy Birthday Mom!!! We love you.

Chicken Cordon Bleu

2009-01-20T14:17:00.000-08:00

Lately I started cooking a lot. As I stopped babysitting, I have more time now for stuff like that. And honestly I like it. We got this book "Taste of Home." The recipes in it very good. Some of them are hard, and some of them easy.

Tonight I made "Chicken Cordon Bleu." It's pretty easy. Here is the recipe:

8 boneless skinless chicken breast haves (8 ounces each)

8 thin slices deli ham

8slices Swiss cheese

2 eggs

1 cup milk

2 cups crushed cornflakes

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Flatten the chicken to 1/4-in. thickness. Top each with a slice of ham and cheese. Roll up and tuck in ends; secure with toothpicks.

In a small bowl, whisk eggs and milk. In another bowl, combine cornflakes and seasonings. Dip chicken in egg mixure, then roll in crumbs.

Place on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes or until the chicken juices clear. Discard toothpicks before serving. Yield: 8 servings.

Chillin With the Cats

2009-01-19T15:11:00.000-08:00

Last night we were chillin out on the couch with our cats. I use to not like cats, but now I love them, especially Champ.

Champ.

He is the elder cat in our house, and he is so sweet. He loves to sleep in my room.

Freddy, (Frederika).

We took her from outside. She use to live under our deck, and we decided take her. Her fur is so soft and she is so sweet.

Oliver.

My Dad calls him "white freak." Oliver is a good cat, but sometimes he is crazy.

Girls Night Out

2009-01-17T14:45:00.000-08:00

Getting ready...

some make up...

and hair.

Anastasia (me)

Georgia

Helene

Jeanne

Kayla

Summer

Amanda

All of us.

Last night we had Girls Night Out. We met at one of our youth group leaders apartment, got ready and went to dinner. It was so much fun. We laughed, ate, took pictures and laughed again. We had a great time, at least I did for sure.

After dinner we came to church and started playing "hide and seek." It was fun.
I like all the girls in my youth group, and leaders too. They all very nice to me and to each other.
We should do that more often. Thank you guys for being nice to me, and being my friends.

Books, books, books...

2009-01-13T11:40:00.000-08:00

Today we got more books. We love books in our family!

My brother jumped up on the counter and tried to open them first!

I have a lot of books that are waiting on me. I don't even know if I'll be able to read all of them. I hope so.

Recently I read My Beloved Russia, and here is my book report:

My Beloved Russia
Book Report
By Anastasia
January 2009

My Beloved Russia is about a man who was a scientist in the Soviet Union. When he learned about God’s love he became a missionary, and he distributed Bibles all over the country in those dangerous times.

Professor Dimitry Mustafin was a Christian and President of the Moscow Gideon Camp; he spent his free time distributing Gideon Bibles. He was a missionary to his own people!

When he was young, people at school were saying that Great Britain and United States of America were their enemies, so that’s why he studied English. He was told at school that Jesus Christ is a hero of fairy tales, like Cinderella or Pinocchio. Still young, he completed his Ph.D. work, and got a job as professor. Later he was invited to work at a famous chemical laboratory in the University of Milan. One Saturday he went to have lunch at the “Menza,” a cheap restaurant at the university. There was a man with books written in Italian, but he discovered that one book was in Russian. He picked up and read – ‘Biblia’- ‘The Bible’. He opened it and the first verse he read was, ‘You are my Father, my God’ (Ps. 89).

His father, Isaac Mustafin was a famous scientist, but he died when Dimitry was a child. He suffered because there wasn’t a person whom Dimitry would call father. He closed the book and looked at the man who was standing by the table and smiling.

“You can take it if you want. It is a gift for you,” the man said.

He took it and put it in his pocket and ran away; he even forgot to say thank you. He missed his lunch but he enjoyed reading the Bible. He liked the idea that he had the Father now. He was trying to find that man to thank him, but later he discovered that the man was an American. His name was Martin Ditmar. Dmitry was upset, and when Martin invited him to church, he thought that Martin was an American spy. After church Martin invited him to his house for dinner. Dimitry didn’t want to go at first, but then he was thinking why not to try their food. After dinner Martin asked Dimitry if Martin could pray for him. And Dimitry said, “Yes, if you want, you can pray for me”. He thought from all he was taught that prayer was something stupid, so he picked up a magazine and started to read it. His eyes were in the magazine, but his ears were listening to what Martin was saying. Martin was praying for him that God will forgive his sins and open his heart to the truth. And then he knew that Jesus Christ died for him on the cross. After Martin finished praying they both were crying. Now Dimitry knew that Martin wasn’t his enemy, but his beloved friend. After he joined the church and was baptized at the Bible Church of Milan on Corso Lodi, he decided to share God’s word with everybody. But it was risky, because you could be put in prison and even be executed.

One day he was invited to the Butirka Prison by the Colonel Alexander Volkov. While they were eating Alexander turned to him and said, “I want to introduce you to a very special person. He is our honored veteran, and he worked in the prison for 30 years as an executioner.” When Dimitry heard what Alexander was saying, he was very angry at executioner, because his grandfather was executed because he was a Christian, and maybe even by this man. Dimitry blamed him and hated him. He wasn’t sure, how the Lord could love this man.

“Please, pray for me,” the ex-executioner asked.

“No,” Dimitry said quickly. He didn’t want to pray for him. And then he said, “A prayer is a conversation with the Lord.” And Dimitry also explained that the man needs to pray by himself.” But the ex-executioner didn’t know how to pray, so he asked Dimitry to teach him, and lead him in a prayer. After Dimitry finished praying for the ex-executioner he was able for the first time to look at him. The ex-executioner was crying, but he looked happy. After that day he never saw that man again.

After that Dimitry was distributing Bibles everywhere. He met a lot of people with very sad stories, and he was able to share the Lord’s word and His love with them.
Dimitry and his Gideon Camp have distributed 337,000 Bibles in prisons, universities, hospitals, hotels, military and schools. Once he was asked if he was afraid of the future with new laws and new governors. He replied, “No, I’m not afraid of the future or of governors, because the Lord is my Shepherd, and even bad things turn to good in his hands.”

I did like this book, but sometimes as I read, I was thinking that it’s unreal. I thought it was unusually because every time as Dimitry was asking for help it was amazingly there. How could it be, so fast? You can’t see that in everyday life. But I think that story was told very well. When I read the part about an orphan Vladimir, it reminded me about my situation. And I would say that it made an emotional impact on me. I would definitely recommend this book to anybody to read. I thing it makes you realize how lucky we are that we live in America, where nobody will execute you for being a Christian.

Still on Vacation

2008-12-30T14:45:00.000-08:00

Yesterday in the morning was so hot that we went outside to read poetry. I read the poems and Christian, mom and dad were listening. We don't spent a lot of time with mom because she is working everyday, but this week she is off.

I love my mom very much, and I wish we could have more time together.

Day at the Zoo.

2008-12-30T14:21:00.000-08:00

Today we had family trip to the Richmond Zoo. We had a great time together, and weather was nice, too. We saw a lot of animals as you see above, it was pretty cool. I think my favorite was the tiger. I liked the lions too, but they were to far away and it was hard to take a good picture.

At the Beach...

2008-12-28T09:17:00.000-08:00

Day after Christmas my Dad and I went to the Ocean front at VA Beach, and he took this picture.

King Neptune. My Dad said that it's my friend.

I have a good Dad. I love him so much.

Water was pretty calm. I don't really like to swim, but I do like watch the water.

Later that same day we went to see lights, it was pretty cool.

Christmas 2008

2008-12-28T08:40:00.000-08:00

Galyna and me with our cousins, Torrie and Rachel.

Jessie.

Aunt Kendal, Uncle Scott, and mom.

This year we didn't get a lot of presents, but we love everything we got. We spent morning at our house and then we went to grandparent house in VA Beach. We had a good time.
It was a good Christmas even if we didn't get a lot of presents. Our mom and dad gave us a huge gift--they gave us family.
I so happy that I was adopted by them, as they were adopted by our Father in Heaven.
Ephesians 1:5 says:
"he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will."

Thank you guys for reading my blog all this year. May God bless you in New Year and forever.

Happy Holiday!

2008-12-23T08:05:00.000-08:00

December 2005

December 2008

I cannot beleive that three years ago we came here to visit, and now we liveing here. Time flies so fast. We even didn't know at that time that someday we will be one family.

I want to thank you for all your prayers.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!!!

Joining the Church

2008-12-22T10:53:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was very happy day because I became a member of our church! I had to stand up in front of everybody and tell them that I am a sinner who has faith in Christ. Here are the questions I answered, and of course I said YES!

1) Do you acknowledge yourself to be a sinner in the sight of God, justly deserving His displeasure and without hope except by His gracious mercy?

2) Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God and only Savior of sinners, receiving and depending upon Him alone for salvation as He offered in the gospel?

3) Do you resolve and promise in humble reliance upon the Holy Spirit that you will endeavor to live as becomes a follower of Christ?

4) Do you submit yourself to the government and discipline of the church, promising both to further its purity and peace?

5) Do you promise to support and participate in the church's worship and work?

I say special thanks to my youth pastor, Tim and my youth leaders Amanda, Georgia and Helene. You guys are the best!

Advent Conspiracy

2008-12-16T16:27:00.000-08:00

As we preparing for Christmas I want to show you this video. I don't want to tell you that you have to do that, but just think about it.

First Snow

2008-12-06T18:01:00.000-08:00

Man, I couldn't believe it was actually snowing today. After dinner my brother and I went outside to play, and we had great time together. Later Galyna enjoyed us too.

I wish our Dad was here. He is in Huston with his family, his aunt just died today. Pray for my Dad and his family, please.

Well, anyway we had a lot of fun.

Have a good Holiday Season!

Good luck Sofia

2008-12-04T18:11:00.000-08:00

Sofia with our art teacher for the last time.

Yesterday Sofia left our house, she was ready to go home. These last days she was so excited it was good to see her happy. I bet I would be happy too, to go home after almost five months. She was talking only about her family, how she wanted to see them.

It was good to get knowing her, and I hope she will be alright now.

Thanks God she was able get well after the surgery, and now she is going home.

Mountains view

2008-11-13T15:36:00.000-08:00

As you know we started taking an art classes, and we really enjoying. We like our teacher and stuff that we do. Check my another blog http://inhisbeauty-annie.blogspot.com/ to see our art and leave your comment if you want to.

God Help America

2008-11-07T09:54:00.000-08:00

Barack Obama--is a new Presedent of United States of America.

Many people disagree and many people agree with this choose. I'm disagree with his chooses as: abortion,

high taxes, and atc. But I'm not saying that he is a bad guy or good guy eider.

Many of you might know what can happend in Ukraine as Obama became a presedent. People might don't care, but I do, because I'm from Ukraine and I'm proud to be born in that country.

So I want to ask you my frinds to pray that Russia will leave Ukraine along.

God bless you my friends.

My....B-day!

2008-10-31T17:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my b-day. Is't 11th or 18th b-day? I always say to everybody that I'm 11, but what should I say now?

I had a good B-day. We had a family dinner, and then I opened my presents, but tomorrow I have a B-day Party at Pattery Place with my friends, and I hope we all will have a good time. So I'll post more latet.

Here are some pictures from my b-day party as I promised. I had a wonderful time. I have a wonderful family and good friends.

Sofia

2008-10-28T16:08:00.000-07:00

Sofia and Dr. John Edmonson. As you might not know that we have a geust in our house. Sofia is from Western Ukraine, near Poland. She came here in July with her mother for a kidney surgery. They thought that she will need a kidney transplant, but later they decided that she need just a stent, and she had it for six weeks. On Monday they removed the stent. She will stay with us till December. She is speaking three languages: Ukrainian, Russian and English. She is here like at home and she is a part of the family right now.

I would like to ask you pray for Sofia. I'm sure she has a good time here, but she has a big family back at home. So pray for them too, I'm sure they missing her and she does too.

Thank God that He brought her here. We wouldn't get to know this spacial girl. We are glad that we have apportunity to have her with us.

Everything Is Illuminated

2008-10-24T15:42:00.000-07:00

This is great movie about my country, Ukraine. The name is "Everything Is Illuminated." It is a story about a Jewish man from America who goes to Ukraine to learn about his grandparents.

It is very funny movie, but also very sad because it tells the story about all the Jews that were killed in World War Two in my country.

It make me very sad because I am part Jewish. I did not know much about Odessa and the Jewish history, but there were very many Jews who lived there, including my grandfather who was an architect. He fought for the Red Army in the war, and was one of only 30,000 out of 300,000 who survived the killing of the Jews in Odessa.

I hope you will watch this movie. You can learn more about the village of Trochenbrod here.

Trip to Chicago

2008-10-13T16:04:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday my mom and I went to Chicago for conference "True Woman '08". We had so much fun, and we were glad to see our cousins Natali and Nikki. We had a great time. We heard a good speakers and awesome music.

I really like their music and I think they are so cute. My cousins, that were with us, gave me their CD for my B-day (early B-day), I was exited. Thank you cousins, we love you. On Saturday night we went to theater to see the play "Wicked", it was so cool and funny. If you'll go see the play I hope will enjoy too, as we did.

Virginia is Red.

2008-10-13T15:49:00.000-07:00

Today we went to see Sarah Palin,

and there was at least 20,000 people who came see her.

Someday Christian will vote too. I think he enjoyed to see her, so and we did.

Macho Sauce Man

2008-10-08T16:15:00.000-07:00

This guy is crazy...but funny and right!

Home made Pigs in a Blanket

2008-10-03T10:13:00.000-07:00

Last nigth my dad made pigs in a blanket and I helped him a little bit. It's was better then we exspected.

Galyna and I started a art classes, and we really like it. We have a good teacher. See more here.

Baby Elizabeth!

2008-09-25T08:41:00.000-07:00

Our friends came over the last weekend and they have new baby name Elizabeth and she is so cute. My brother CP now keep saying that he wants baby sister!

OK....so do I!

CP never lets anyone play with his Thomas trains, but he love this baby so much that he let her play with all of them! I hope some day we will adopt a sweet baby like this.

"From the Heart"

2008-09-23T14:47:00.000-07:00

I almost done with this book "God's Smuggler", and I really like this book. This book about a missionary, and so I had an assignment to interview a missionary, and my Dad gave me an awesome idea. We have a good friends and they are a missionary. So I interviewed Deborah Winans, she was so nice and came to my house for interview. Thank you Mrs. Winans we love you guys.

So here is the great story about her as a missionary in Sapporo, Japan. I think you'll like it. Enjoy.

“From the Heart”
An interview with missionary Deborah Winans
by Anastasia

Deborah Winans lived in Sapporo, Japan as a missionary from July 1999 to 2006 with her husband and three children, ages 3, 7, and 12.

When she was 12 years old she went to a church service which pointed her some day to become a missionary. The president of the mission board was talking about missions and she started to cry, as she realized that she wanted to be a missionary. But it took 40 years for her to go. She wanted to be a missionary, but she didn’t have a desire for a particular country or people group.

She and her husband looked at many positions, and one that they liked the most was a position in Sapporo.

“Reason is,” she said, “the man who wrote a job description made a statement that captured my heart. He said, ‘We want to see the people in the land of the risen sun become the land of the risen Son.’

“I knew I wanted to share with the Japanese people. I hope some day the Japanese flag will have a black cross,” she said.

She and her family went to Japan with the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, and they supported them financially.

“I saw God’s work in many small ways. Japanese are very difficult people to reach for Christ,” she said “But I found the best way to reach to them was to just show my heart, and be real.”

The ways she saw God work were ways that were very personal, such as having people in their home. Japanese people very seldom invite someone to their home, but they were honored to be invited to their house. “As they got know us more, they were more open for us to share Christ with them,” she said. She described a great story about a young man who does not eat beef.

One day they invited a woman, who was in charge of their flight tickets, to their home for dinner. The woman called her and asked if she could bring her daughter with her. “We were so excited,” she said. “But she called again and asked if she could bring her daughter’s boyfriend,” and she said ok.

“Japanese people never do that,” she continued. “So my husband went to the store to buy ground beef, but he only found ground chicken, and so he thought that chicken lasagna would be good to try.”

So that evening, when they sat down to the table, they prayed, and before they started to eat, the woman wanted to know what kind of food they have in America. Deborah told them that lasagna is very common in America, but she wanted to try it with chicken, not beef. The woman looked at her daughter’s boyfriend, and then said, “He doesn’t eat beef!”

“We were amazed how God provided even a little thing like chicken except beef. So we had a chance to share Christ with them! That visit wasn’t for the mother or daughter, it was for that guy,” she said.

Their five years in Japan was very hard. God knew all the time, what they needed. “The hardest part was the language,” she said. “We learned to communicate with our hearts”.

She still thinks about her experience in Japan every day. The most valuable thing that she experienced was meeting a young lady who became her soul mate. They were good friends – Christians, and she was always inspired by her missionary parents.

“They taught me about the LORD and missions. The biggest lesson I learned from my dad was to know the difference between being a knower and a learner.” Deborah explained that missionaries must be eager to learn new things every day. Just knowing something is not good enough if you aren’t learning a lesson.

“Missions are important because the world needs to hear about Jesus. If no one went to other places, people would never hear about Christ,” she said. “Yet many people still don’t hear the truth, so we need to pray for these people, that some day they will hear, and they will believe.”

Go Sarah!

2008-09-08T18:40:00.000-07:00

I am now registered to vote and will be voting for John McCain and Sarah Palin. I think Governor Palin is awesome! I saw her give both of her big speeches and she is amazing woman, and I love all her family too. Then my cousin send to me this video with her talking about how she is Christian. It is great!

First Day of Home School

2008-09-02T16:31:00.000-07:00

Today we start doing homeschool. My baby brother CP and Galyna have very many books. Some of them they read and my dad reads to them too. My mom is doing the math classes for CP and Galyna. I am doing language arts class and reading many books. I read "Across Five Aprils" this summer. This is long book about the Civil War and it was hard to understand. But my dad gave me assignment to write a paper about it and now I finished that book.

The next book I will read is called "God's Smuggler" and I am happy because it looks like good book. I think I will like home school because my dad and mom are great teachers.

Good luck to all my readers who are going back to school!

Weekend at the Beach.

2008-08-22T10:42:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday we went to the grandparents beach house for four days. We had a lot of fun there.

Surfman.

CP had a blest time at the beach.

I'm not realy a beach person, so I just came to take a pictures.

We came back on Monday home, and on Tuesday my dad and Galyna went and picked up Svetlana, art teacher from Ukraine. I was so exited to see her. She staying with us ten days, I'm so glad that we have appertunity have her here with us. She was my favorite art teacher, and friend. I thank God for her and all my friends, and all people who I know.

Family Pictures

2008-08-22T10:30:00.000-07:00

Finaly we got a time for family pictures.

Big and happy family.

Ah, sisters.

Karate stars.

Olympics Games 2008

2008-08-09T10:46:00.000-07:00

The five rings of the Olympic symbol “represent the five parts of the world which now are won over to Olympism and willing to accept healthy competition,” according to Pierre de Coubertin, one of the founders of the Olympic Games. It was first used at the 1920 Olympics.

The Power and the Glory.

A decade ago, God told Ryan Hall to run. Now Hall's a 2:06 marathoner and an Olympic favorite.

His story is almost beyond belief.

I will be cheering for him to win the Gold Medal in the Olympic Marathon, and in November I will cheer for my dad when he runs the Richmond Marathon but Idon't think he will win.

Great Adventure

2008-08-02T14:51:00.001-07:00

Well, I'm back. And I'm ready to tell you my story. Last Sunday I left with my youth group on Great Adventure, in Bull Pasture River, Virginia. Here our plans for a week:

SUN - We arrived at 6pm at the base camp where met Dan and Stephen ( our guides).

MON - Backpacking in the Ramsey's Draft Wilderness (VA) or South Cumberland Mountain State Park (TN).

TUES - Backpacking in the Ramsey's Draft Wilderness (VA) or South Cumberland Mountain State Park (TN).

WED - Rock climbing/Rappelling in the Alleghany range (VA) or Savage Gulf State Park - Stone Door (TN).

THUR - Caving in the Bull Pasture Valley, Highland County (VA)or Lost Creek Cave, Spencer (TN).

FRI - White water rafting the New River, Gauley River, Canoeing the Shenandoah/James Rivers, Tubing the Bull Pasture River (VA) or White water rafting the Ocoee River, Canoeing the Sequatchie River, Tubing the Sequatchie River (TN).

SAT - Group departs in the morning.

Every morning, after breakfast we had a hour for our devotion, and after diner we had a worship by the fire. We were talking about our day, and of course about God. You should see all views that I saw. That was incredible. I had a blessed time around these people. First, I did not wanted to go, but these people made all trip so much easyer just being a part of this trip. You know what I mean? So if somebody asked me, if I recomend "Aslan Adventure" I would say, yes. It was first time for me doing something like this, but it was just unbelievable trip.

Here is the song that we sang on our trip:

God of Wonders

Lord of all creation

Of water, earth, and sky

Heavens are Your tabernacle

Glory to the Lord on high.

When you on the top of the mountains, and you can see all His creations, it's amazing.

Early in the morning

I will celebrate the light

When I stumble in the darkness

I will call Your name by night.

We were in the cave, where was very dark, cold, and wet. And you realize that you don't have enough of light just your fleshlight it's kind of scary. Don't you think? What if your batteries are dead. What you can do then? Just praise God, and I know that He will help you even in the darkness.

Well, I had a blessed week, and I hope you too. I have a very busy summer. This month I have two more friends come over, Vika and my old teacher Svetlana. I hope we'll have a great time together, and I'll post later.

Masha's Visit

2008-07-25T07:34:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody! How you know this is my best friend Masha. She came last Wednesday to visit us I was so exited to see her here.

She came and we went to the pool party with my church, and Masha met my good friends from church. We had a lot of fun there. And then my friend Amanda invited us to hang out with her and her friend Amanda on weekend, so were very exited. We had a lot of fun with them ( I'll post later).

Today Masha leaving, and on Sunday I'm going on "Great Adventure" (camping for a week) with my youth group. So I'll post later when I'll be back.

I give thanks to God for all of these people who around me right now. I never though before that God has plan for me, but now I do. Thanks all of you.

Special Date

2008-07-13T11:06:00.000-07:00

The year ago, today, we came to United States of America. We barely could speak English, and we did not had any friends yet... But now we have a great family, and a lot of friends.

First of all I never had a dream to come in America. You know when you living in orphanage you always have a dream to go somewhere very far away from orphan. I do not saying that I didn't had a dream at all. My greatest dream was to go somewhere very far away, where will be people around me who will loves me for who I am. And now I find that place.

We met this family for first time on Christmas 2005, and after we were here a two weeks we noticed that they want to adapted us, we were sooooo happy. Then we spent two month of summer 2006 together, and then I start feeling that I have a Family.

And I want to say Thank You So Much to all of you. My new, big and amazing family, my school friends, my church friends, and also my blog friends. I really appreciate your encouragement, and your prays. Of course I can't forget to give my thanks to our Father who brought me here.

Thank you so much. We love you for your love.

I like Mexican Food!

2008-07-08T16:48:00.000-07:00

Sunday night we went to eat Mexacan Food, but by Sunday almost everybody left home so not many people were there.

We ate here.

Uncle Tommy and me.

Jake and my Dad. My dad teach Jake to say in Russian....."Ya hachoo Shtonee Boot pay-eest" (I want something to eat!). Jake say this like a cave man and is very funny!

Fajitas for two! My Dad say that Mexican food in Texas is the best, and I think he is right!

It was very nice to meet my cousins. I will miss them very much.

Family Reunian

2008-07-08T16:15:00.000-07:00

On this picture only part of the family. Its on dad's side. We have a lot of cousins, aunts and uncles.

Maggie and me.

She is amazing cousin. We went to Starbuks with her. We talked, laughed and watchede fireworks. We had a great time together.

Jake, Laura and me.
Jake is my another cousin from another dad's sister Jaime. He graduated from high school in Minnesota and is going to be ski bum in Colorado this winter.

CP, Jared, uncle Tommy, Ben and Graham.
Graham was my little body, and dad call him my boyfriend.

I miss them already.

4th of July

2008-07-08T15:46:00.000-07:00

Galyna, CP and me.

It was first our July of 4th together as the family. We went to parade in Waxahachie, and it was very hot.

Waxahachie High School Marching Band

Mom and CP

In Texas they have real "Cowboy Churches"

This Cowboy is the preacher!

Here we go again!

2008-07-08T14:50:00.000-07:00

Wednesday morning we flew to Texas, Waxahachie to stay with our uncle Tommy. We came early afternoon so we had time for fun stuff.

Uncle Tommy has a cool swimming pool so we went to swim with his two adapted sons Ben and Graham. They are so cute.

Ben , Galyna and Me.

After pool we went to the lake, which was built by Tommy and his neighbors, and we were tubing behind a boat. It was so much fun.

Uncle Tommy, best uncle.

This is his big, amazing house. Its just on the middle. On one side lake, and on another side swimming pool. We were swimming, tubing, and Galyna was skiing. She get up from first time, we were amazed. She was really good.

Week at the River

2008-07-01T12:19:00.000-07:00

After Atlanta we went to the river. That river was second old after Nile. So it was pretty amazing.

This is our cabin where we stayed for almost a week.

Its so beuatiful.

My cousins Scott, Torrie and me. We were tubing, and it so much fun.

Aunt Barbara, cousin Nikki, mama and me.

We were fishing even Christian was.

Cousin Scott caught a first fish.

Dad and Christian.

Christian with cousin's dog, name Bella.

Bella and me. I'm not really a dog person, but its a nice little dog.

Natalie, me and Torrie.

We were playing games, listening music, laughed and talked. We had so much fun.

Georgia Aquarium

2008-06-30T14:04:00.000-07:00

On the next day, after the party, we went to Georgia's Aquarium.

It was amazing.

You can go to a big window and see this.....a Whale Shark!

It is the biggest creature I've ever seen and was the most amazing thing.

This my favorite. It is a Beluga Whale, from Antartica.

They are very friendly and so cute!

They will swim right up to you at the big window and it seems like they are smiling all the time. I love them!

They have little children place and I get to pet the sting ray.

I have great trip to Atlanta with my Dad and I will never forget!

Road Trip to Atlanta

2008-06-30T12:19:00.000-07:00

Friday 20th my dad and I left from home to Atlanta. It took around 10 hours to get there, but it was fun.

We were listening a good music, talking and laughing.

Peach water tower.

Atlanta, here we come!

Atlanta has a huge building, I've never seen before.

This is my aunt Laura.

She just got marrided and we went to wedding reseption.

Laura with her mother.

Laura in her wedding dress.

Even I was wearring dress.

Sister & brother.

Dad and me.

Dad gave a toast. Don't worry, he is drinking an apple juice.

Dan and Laura.
We just met Dan, and we like him so much. They make a good couple together.

Time for dancing.

It was fun to watch him dancing.
We had a great weekend with Dan and Laura in Atlanta.

Congradulation aunt Laura! We love you!

Do Hard Things

2008-06-12T17:08:00.000-07:00

I now reading this book called Do Hard Things, by Alex & Brett Harris. They 19 year old boys who say teenagers should have high expectations if they trusting in God.

My dad saw their dad speaking at Virginia homeschool conference and my dad say he want to buy me this book, and I say I don't know. But then I meet other homeschool family and they invite me to come to their small group and guess what?

They reading this book and now I like. I already reading two chapters and I need to finish first five chapters by Sunday night. They have very cool website called "Rebelution." Here what it say on their blog:

"I am so glad Alex and Brett are using their blog to proclaim a biblical worldview for teenagers... The Rebelution is one of the few blogs I can encourage my young teenage son to visit." – CJ Mahaney

Beautiful Day.

2008-06-11T19:38:00.000-07:00

Georgia.

It was her an idea to go to the river, and it was awesome an idea. Perfect day and weather, perfect everything.

Me, Jeanne,Summer, Melisa, Kristine and Amanda.

Melisa, Georgia, Summer, Jeanne, Kristine and Amanda.

Don't you think that it's look like we walking on the water?

Amanda and me.

Summer.

She found this stick and named it Fred. She is so funny. I like her a lot.

Kristine and Jeanne.

I don't really know what exactly it is, but they were so exited.

Isn't river is beautiful? Nature is amazing. Our Father done the unbelievable job.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Psalm 19:1

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-- his eternal power and divine nature-- have been clearly see, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

Romans 1:20

Well done.

2008-06-04T11:21:00.000-07:00

I had five exams this week and today was last one. This is my English teacher, she is awesome. She taught me a lot of stuff. I didn't had a day when I didn't laught in her class. She is straight and funny at the same time and I love learning this way.

Well, it was hurd to say goodbye to most of the teachers, but I promissed them that I'll come visit them next year.

The Trophy...

2008-05-30T15:16:00.000-07:00

Today in school I get a trophy. I was so surprised and exited when I hear my name.

It is first trophy in my life, so you can imagine. When they start calling names, my heart was knocking so hard and I thought that it will jump out or something.

I also get a word for Highest GPA in Algebra 1/2 and Art 1.

And also in soccer, but not exictly today. I played only two game and then I hurt my knee so I was out for the rest of season.

Just a week left and it will be over. I so glad, but I will miss my friends and teachers. Banner Christian School was very good expirience for us. Sometimes its hurt to come back in 9th grade. You know? But it's almost over. I hope that I wont need come back in 9th grade again in third time.

Prince Caspian

2008-05-21T11:50:00.000-07:00

Did you seen "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" ? We went last saturday watch this movie, and after movie my sister fall in love with Prince Caspian.

We love this movie, so on sunday we went and bought all seven books of "Chronicle of Narnia" and begin to read. I actually don't like to read, but if I start read and this book interesting to me than I read all the time. I like first one pretty much too, but Galina think that second one better than first. I like both. They show us fourth book now. First movie was second book.

So, now you need to watch this movie, and tell me what do you think? So, I hope you'll enjoy if you'll go. Now, I very interesting what will happend next I'll know when I finish read the books.

Find your Princess.

2008-05-21T11:03:00.000-07:00

Which Disney Princess Are You?

I was looking in internet Disney Princess and found this quiz, so I did answered these questians and I found my Princess - "Cinderella". Actually I like all disney princesses, but Cinderella my favorite princess. So maybe you can find your favorite princess.

Enjoy your Princess quiz.

Vika's Visit

2008-04-21T14:47:00.001-07:00

This is my friend Vika. She came visit us on weekend, we had a lot of fun. Her b-day was day before she came, so we had a very small party on Friday. On Saturday morning we went to the movie "Nims Island", and we laughted very hard. After movie we went to the "Jim River". We just walked, took pictures and had a great time together. On Sunday, after church we had lunch and than we took her to the airport, and she flyed home. I'm very glad that she had chance come to visit us. Thanks God that she has family now, and we too.

Time For Garden

2008-04-14T16:20:00.000-07:00

My dad dug up all the grass for us, so we can start our garden. He is great father.

Its time for garden. It was good weather on Sunday afternoon, for planting a garden. We were working all together and we had a lot of fun.

So, I have on my garden: tomatoes, cucumbers and greenbeans

Christian was piced up any kind of rocks.

I was working hard.

Galyna has watermelon on her garden. She loves watermelon. She is "watermelon girl".

Here you can see that we all were busy.
Mom and dad were planting Rasberry and Strawberry.
Christian a big helper.

We have on our garden: watermelon, cucumbers,tomatoes, greenbeans, rasberry and strawberry. So now we wont by fruits and vegetable, we will have our own. We are so exited.

Spring is Here!

2008-04-05T17:20:00.000-07:00

This rainy morning we were playing game called "Pictionery", it was fun but I couldn't wait when rain will stop and go outside and take pictures. I was so happy when rain stoped. We went outside and piced up some flowers from our garden. It was so beuatiful, and I took some pictures.

Galina with tulips.

My favorite flowers are roses and tulips. And I love this picture.

When my brother saw this picture of dandilions he said, "Beautiful".

A little part of our garden.

Actually he don't like that we take picture of him, but today he let me take a picture of him. He is so cute with those "wildflowers".

My mom said, " I can stay outside all day and work on garden". We planing plant a vegetable gardens, each of us ( me, Galyna & CP) will have own garden. It will be fun.

What is Easter?

2008-03-21T20:39:00.000-07:00

Easter is the celebration Jesus Christ's return to life after his crucification. It is usually celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon following the first day of spring. This can be any Sunday between March 22 and April 25. It is the most sacred of all the Christian holidays or celebrations.
His return from death is called the Resurrection. According to the scriptures, Jesus tomb was empty three days after his death. His followers saw him and talked to him after this. Christians therefore believe that they too can receive new life after death.

Easter Joy
Jesus came to earth,

To show us how to live,

How to put others first,

How to love and how to give.
Then He set about His work,

That God sent Him to do;

He took our punishment on Himself;

He made us clean and new.
He could have saved Himself,

Calling angels from above,

But He chose to pay our price for sin;

He paid it out of love.
Our Lord died on Good Friday,

But the cross did not destroy

His resurrection on Easter morn

That fills our hearts with joy.
Now we know our earthly death,

Like His, is just a rest.

We'll be forever with Him

In heaven, where life is best.
So we live our lives for Jesus,

Think of Him in all we do.

Thank you Savior; Thank you Lord.

Help us love like you!

By Joanna Fuchs

Spring Break.

2008-03-21T17:54:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, I am sorry it has been so long, but now I'm back.

So, Easter Break has begun. We had yesterday last day of school, but I'm missed all week of school because I was very sick, but now I'm allright. Now we have a new hobby in our family... soccer. I playing in Varsity and Galina in JV. I have practice everyday except Wednsday. It starting 3:45-5:30 PM, and I have a good coach, so it was pretty busy again. I have first game on April 1st, I'm very exited about it.

Today we were practicing outside it was fun. Than we went to the park. Galina, CP and mama were fed gees or ducks, I don't know for sure. But it was alot of fun watched them. On the way home I was laughing so hard and you'll hear.

Today was a beautiful day and we had a great time together. I hope you'll have a great Easter.

Happy Easter to everyone!!!

Check out my Slide Show!

2008-02-03T17:03:00.001-08:00

Girls Night Out!

2008-02-01T12:17:00.000-08:00

Summer,Cali, Georgia, me, Erica, Jean, Alissa and Amanda.

This is my friends from church. They every year going out for " The Fancy Schmancy Dinner" and this year I was there, and I had very great time with them.

Jean and Alissa.

Georgia and me.

I met her when my dad taking me to music show by Andrew Peterson who is one of my best Christian singers becasue his songs are about people who have hard life and belive in Jesus.

Summer and Cali.

Amanda.

With Amanda I was met when I first time come to youth group. She is very nice, actually they are all very nice and very friendly I like them a lot. So , she was organizator of this dinner and it was awesome.

Erica and me.

After dinner we were spending night at Erica's house. We were playing, dancing, watching a movie. We had a great time together. So, I thanks to God for all of this people which he is brings in my life. I believe that he has a plan for me in this life.