Enjoying Each Day

This past weekend the sun was out, the sky was clear, and I was going stir crazy inside. (If you know me, then you know what I am talking about) I may have literally been twitching. Miles must have somehow tapped into my brain, because he asked if I was up for an excursion to the park. YES! So, an hour on the metro later, we left the gloom of the underground and found our way to the park.  We walked through tree-lined pathways until we came to several churches that were nestled just off of the river. Like the rest of the Orthodox churches in Moscow, they were grand and beautiful on the outside, and humble and cozy on the inside. 

We then made our way to another large church, surrounded by a large concrete wall. The cutout archways in the wall perfectly framed the scenery behind it. I could see a bright blue sky and the Moscow River rippling under the sun - I literally took off running. It was so beautiful my words and pictures could never do it justice. It was hard for me to realize just how much I loved nature until I was deprived of it.  For lunch we packed sandwiches, and we sat on the steps of the bell tower to eat. As I rested against the ancient building, the bells began to play and the wind danced across my face – it’s the happiest I have been since I’ve been here. I could see the city from here, and had a new appreciation of it. I felt part of Moscow and knew that, in some small way, I would now be a part of its history. Ah that wonderful feeling of being tiny. :) After lunch we walked along the river, thrilled to see the ice had melted. After being cooped up all winter, the river was now free and moving under the sun, and the local ducks were joining in its celebration. Exploring a little further, we found a small wooded pathway that dipped and curved through the hillside. The birds began a light tune, and the wind’s quick gusts and stream’s steady trickle joined together in a forest symphony.

Before I go to sleep every night, I lean over and mark the day off of my calendar. As I flip through it, though, I can’t help but think ahead. Pictures in my mind turn with each flip of the calendar page. June and July are blurry, but they are sunny and warm. I smile at August because I know I will be home by then. School will have just started and I will be stretched out under the shadow of the flagpole.  Yes, August’s picture is definitely the LSU parade grounds. September will be busy. School will be in full swing, as will the sleepless nights. It will be filled with routines, alarm clocks, and coffee.  Pictures of the coffee house and pajama parties in studio fill my mind, and I change the page. October is painted in purple and gold. Cheering, singing, and football dominate my mind’s view. The air is changing, and it is fresh and new. Excitement rides along the cool October breeze, as I tighten my scarf and stand small in the stands of Death Valley.  On and on I flip, and on and on the pictures come until I rewind back to march; to the present. I realize that I hardly acknowledged its space in the calendar. I live out an incredible day, but give it only brief acknowledgement before crossing it off and flipping to April – to the future. Once again, my mind is months ahead of my body, and I am daydreaming about tomorrow. Its silly really, when you give it some thought. Neither April nor May, nor even tomorrow are guaranteed; however, today I do have. Today was given to me, and is filled with the joy of knowing Him. Each small box that marks the days on the calendar is like a perfectly wrapped gift from the Lord, bought and paid for by Christ.  

Weekend getaway

This weekend I traveled to a small town outside of Moscow. When I say  “travel” I do not mean what you would normally think of. I realize that I have taken the ease of traveling in America for granted – walk 15 meters or so to the car and go. That is all. Here, you walk to the metro, ride the metro for 45 min or so, wait for the train, ride the train for over three hours, take a car or bus 40 min to the settlement, park the car down the road, and finally make it to the house. Now, that is hard-core traveling. There is no last minute runs home. It was certainly an adventure though.

Forty minutes from everything else, nestled between snow banks and pine trees, is a small settlement of Kaluga.  There are a few apartment flats, a couple of houses, endless fields, a recreational center, and a small tin store. For miles that is it, and it was wonderful. The family we stayed with are the parents of one of our Russian friends. From the moment we arrived, they were incredibly hospitable. We didn’t speak each other’s language but it was never a problem. They offered us warm clothes and a warm meal, and I couldn’t be more grateful.  In fact, I think I am still full from visiting. His mother cooked every meal and served us the whole time. When I would finish my plate she would ask if I wanted more. Id say no thank you, she would ask why and gesture for just a little more food. “Chute Chute” shed ask. “A little?” Id say ok, and she would pile on the food. Don’t trust a woman housewife when she says “only a little more” ;).

I was incredibly impressed by this woman. She cooked, she cleaned, she worked, took care of the sick grandmother, sung in the National choir, played volleyball, and was just a wonderful person. She really did it all. Russian women are amazing. I do not want to give the impression that I say “housewife” in a negative way. At first I wasn’t sure how I felt about it, and I almost wondered if she was taken for granted; however, after being there for five minutes I could tell that wasn’t the case. Her and her husband were sweet together. They both were hospitable, and he helped serve tea and cut bread, and if there wasn’t a place to sit she would sit on his lap. You could tell she absolutely loved her family. It made me miss my family a lot. There’s just something comforting about a mother.

On Sunday we celebrated the coming of spring. We went to the festival and watched the activities. They had a pole climbing competition, food, a raffle, and the burning of “winter”. We were entered into the raffle and won 30 kilos of potatoes, 3 tons of manure, and an oven mitt. Id say we came home BIG STINKING winners! :)

After the raffle we were abducted by the sweetest women and played dress up. She thought it would be fun to play “Barbie” with the American girls. She put us in traditional Russian dresses and made us pose around the room. It was both a fun and extremely awkward situation. Nobody was speaking English, and we were all laughing and talking at once. My heading was spinning but it was a lot of fun, and certainly a one of a kind experience. The same lady is also a National singer. Their group is amazing – I mean incredible. I was very much impressed.

 

This weekend was amazing, and it was nice to get out and see “real” Russia. The air was fresh, the stars were bright, and the people were friendly. I could not have had a better time.