Day 25

I miss my husband.

We are so fortunate to have had three whole weeks together! Most couples our age, especially with kids, don't ever get that opportunity. I don't know if we've ever been together that long, for 24 hours a day, every day (and we didn't even want to kill each other!... Except that one day, but hey). Our time here reminded me so much of the first six months we were married in our little apartment. We learned more about each other (even after all this time), we made due with food and entertainment because we had to. Is it a time I want to go back to? Not necessarily. But we made the best of it (both times) and I can really appreciate the memories we've made.

I hope this part will be a memory soon too.  It's way less fun without him here.

Annie was not herself today. They had to wake her up to bring her down and I don't think she felt well.  She managed to scratch herself up pretty good too. I think they were telling me she did it in her sleep.

Look how well she's sitting up!

She was going to town on her tongue again, so I gave her the paci. She did not want to give it back this time.

Nathan said I had to wait until he left to put bows in her hair... notice she's wearing a different one in every picture haha ;)

I managed to get a few smiles out of her, but she made me work really hard for them!

I don't think she's a headband kinda girl...

When I was leaving, I saw the nannie holding her in the mirror, pointing and saying, "Anna! Anna!" - so sweet. She was also telling her she was going on an airplane with Mama soon :)

How funny is this...

{I wrote the first half of this after lunch and the second half when I got home tonight.}


Tonight, I took a taxi to Nate and Diana's house for women's Bible study.  I almost didn't go because I was afraid of getting in the taxi. Maybe that sounds silly, but I just started thinking: I have no idea where I am. This man could drop me off anywhere.

The lesson was about fear.

I don't want to share the details, but I was in a place I'd never been, with nine women I didn't know, who were speaking a language I don't speak. And I was SO supposed to be there.
(BTW- my new friend, Katya, rode home in the taxi with me.)

I will say... it was extremely humbling to be with these women, EACH of which praised GOD for the opportunity to practice their faith without fear of persecution. I doubt I'm the only American who takes that for granted. Their prayers and their praises were so simple and so... obvious. I guess I can only speak for myself, but I feel like mine can be so detailed and complicated sometimes.

And speaking of ... I just found out at 9:30 tonight that I have to move in the morning.  Tatiana isn't very happy about it and apparently the new place has "less conveniences"- I knew this whole thing had been too easy! It's going to be a late night packing and cleaning up, etc to be ready to move in the morning. And I was very comfortable walking to the store and church from here, I am not looking forward to moving to a new area and have no idea how I will get to church. I'm emotionally drained tonight.  Prayer welcome.