Loki and the therapist

Our dachshund, Loki, had back surgery over Memorial Day weekend. He had improved slowly, but was not walking or standing at all. A pet physical therapist was recommended. I was skeptical to say the least. When the therapist walked into the room, Loki instantly took to her and was wagging his tail and kissing her (not his usual behavior at the vet). By the end of the session, Loki was standing for a short time and had walked in a shallow pool. The therapist has an obvious love for all living creatures and a true desire to make them healthy and happy. Bonnie Knudson

Russia Mission 2010

This blog serves three purposes: Principally, I am recording details to help next year’s Russia mission team. Secondarily, I am reporting to our Mission’s Committee at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, in Sandy, Utah. And then there a few friends and family who are curious about what I am doing in Russia. The first purpose means I am recording rather more than most people will want to read, and so I am including a very brief daily summary, and then a long report on “Details.” Thanks for reading, but most of all, thanks for praying!

June 9, 2010

Summary: All but the last flight was late. We arrived on time with all our bags.

Details: Kelsey and her roommate picked me up at o’dark thirty (4:30 AM). We were at the airport and in line by 5am. United's ticket counter opens at 5:00, and so there was already a long line. An hour later we had our bags checked and made it through security. United Flight 6608 to Denver was supposed to leave at 7:07. Our Canadair Regional Jet left at 7:45. We still had plenty of time for our long walk down Concourse B. United Flight 902 to Dulles International Airport also left 25 minutes late. Our Boeing 777 arrived at 4:10 PM -- almost 40 minutes late -- and this meant we had to push hard through the airport in Washington DC. Our flight to Germany was scheduled to leave at 5:15 PM. Of course the big question was about our checked bags.

United Flight 916 left at 5:30pm. We were flying on another Boeing 777 and the economy seating is 2-5-2. Kelsey was seated next to an older gentleman and seemed to be having a good conversation. I was seated next to a five year old boy from Ghana who had much too much energy and simply couldn’t stop moving. His dad serves in the US Army and the whole family was traveling together to Italy for vacation. Dad was exhausted by the time the flight began, and spent most of the flight sleeping with a blanket over his face. Need I say I didn’t get much sleep? As I write this I feel bad I didn’t even ask and use the child’s name.

One should mention the food was minimal, and there was no complementary wine with dinner. Aargh! I settled for soda water with lime. The stewardess must have sympathized with my situation next to the five year old, because she returned a moment later with some red wine. Glancing around she whispered, “Don’t tell anyone!” I think I can report her kindness here without breaking the intent of my promise. It was a long night. I watched the in-flight movie “Valentine’s Day” twice. Breakfast consisted of a small roll, 6 ounces of yogurt, and coffee.

June 10, 2010

Summary: Jet-lagged, we settled into our dorm rooms at the Lutheran Seminary in Koltushe, Russia

Details: Our flight arrived in Frankfurt at 7:25 (15 minutes late), and this meant the transfer to our 8:45 AM Lufthansa Flight 3216 to St. Petersburg, Russia was going to be tight. Frankfurt International Airport had been operating at more than full capacity for many years. Our 777 parked several hundred yards from a gate. We deplaned on very tall stairs and were bussed to the terminal. We asked our gate number, and tried to hurry to our next flight. We didn’t have to go through a Passport Control Station. We did have to go through another Security screening. The agent had given us the wrong Gate number, and Kelsey and I kidded each other about what we would have done in Istanbul, Turkey. Another hurried hike brought us to our gate. We had about 10 minutes to catch our breath, use the restroom, decide we didn’t have time to eat, and wonder about the number of dogs flying with us in people’s carry-on luggage. They called us to board, and we waited in line as Russian agents checked our visas and asked several questions about any previous visits to Russia. We were bussed to our Airbus A320, climbed another set of stairs, and took our seats. We were so late arriving at our Gate that we had to take the last seats on the plane. I don’t know where Kelsey sat. I had a window seat and a 65ish French woman -- one does not ask women of a certain age how old they are in France! -- with her grandson sat next to me. She spoke little English. I couldn’t find much of my French. We did manage to tell where we were from, that none of us had been to St Petersburg before, and that they were on a month long holiday in St. Petersburg and Moscow. I asked about the economy in Paris. She said it was awful and that especially young people like her grandson could not find work. I’m guessing he was in his early 20s. I sympathized with her and mentioned we had the same difficulties in Salt Lake City. Lunch consisted of 2 small rolls, two slices of cold cuts, a slice of brie, and orange juice.

The Polkovo Airport in St. Petersburg is small but recently modernized. The Passport Control Station was efficient. We were very glad to find our bags waiting for us. Well-done, United and Lufthansa! We passed through customs unquestioned. We were very glad to see Bill and Sally Moberly waiting outside the custom’s station. They told us we had to wait for two other team members. There is a small and expensive coffee bar in the airport. We decided to eat a granola bar and wait for dinner.

Greetings from Russia! Pat, a woman from near Isle, MN, arrived about 45 minutes later. We wondered where the other team member was. I checked for free wi-fi in the airport, and yes, if you make the right guesses on an all Russian screen, you can a pretty quick connection. Bill checked his email, nothing from Michael. Sally checked hers and learned Michael didn’t make his flight in Chicago. He would arrive a day late. Kelsey wanted to update her status on Facebook. When she tried, Facebook recognized she was not logging in from the USA, and made her type a twisted security phrase. She failed, and was locked out for an hour. It took both of us to recognize the phrase and identify random Facebook friends in photos on my account. They pulled random tagged photos from friends’ albums, and gave me a multiple choice exam on who was who. I couldn’t have done it without her. I updated my status and took time to write a brief email to Denise reporting that “All is well.” Our transport van from the seminary arrived at 3:45. There is a fairly new expressway that has reduced the time traveling to the seminary. Instead of 90 minutes, it now takes about 35 in light traffic.

Dinner was at 5:30. We had the Russian version of "Chicken Kiev" (ground chicken mixed with bread like a meatloaf, and then breaded again and deep-fried), macaroni noodles with no sauce, a delicious cucumber and tomato salad (spiced with dill), and bread for dinner. After dinner we had a brief orientation to the days to come and then a pleasant 1.5 mile (round trip) walk to the Koltushe town center. We bought some snacks, admired the small lake and war memorial, and discussed how the Russians believe they won the Second World War. Our walk back through the woods was plagued by mosquitoes. We all agreed that they are larger and more fierce than mosquitoes in Minnesota.

Kelsey, Bill, Sally and I sat in the parlor at the dorm and visited for a while. Bill warned us he was trying to keep us awake as long as possible to help us adjust for jet-lag. Kelsey teased me I was starting to doze. Finally, admitting I could not stay awake any longer, I turned in at 9:00 PM. I had to close the drapes, because the sunlight was still blazing in to my west-facing room. We are here for the first two weeks of what the locals call the “white nights.” It was good to be horizontal. Thanks be to God for a good bed.

Pastor James

Car broke down, but did it really?

We have been planning a road trip to California for some time now, planning on leaving tomorrow(saturday June 5th). Driving to Sacramento to drop the kids off at Nana's house, Kristi and I are driving to Napa and then to San Francisco and then back to pick up the kids and come home. We purchased a newer vehicle with more room rescently and have been happy with it. Well, today (Friday) Kristi was driving to "Raging Waters" for the kids school day and the car died and would not restart. Needless to say Kristi called me frantic and pretty upset the car died with the kids in it going to "Raging Waters" the day before we were to drive to California. This is where I feel our GOD sighting comes in. Kristi called a friend that happened to be going to also, she picked the kids up, took them to the park while Kristi called Jerry Seiner Chevrolet, a gentlemen answered by the name of Craig. Kristi explained what was going on about going to Raging Waters and he asked her what school our kids went to, Christ Lutheran, well his daughter is in the same class that Griffin is in. Craig expedited a tow truck, got Kristi set up with a rental car so she could get to the park with the kids and if needed we could use the rental car to go on vacation with. Like the subject/title reads: "car broke down, but did it really?" or was it GOD's way of telling us how blessed we are for believing in him and allowing wonderful people to fill our lives. I don't think there is any question that GOD spoke to the Shinall family today. Thank you God for every moment of every day.
God bless,
Robert Shinall

Sweet Life Cafe Women's Retreat

At the Sweet Life Cafe Retreat, May 21-23 at Camp Pinecliff, women not only enjoyed each others company...they also received a little "food for the heart." We all have times when we feel like we don't have anything left to give. And sometimes it goes beyond a feeling. We literally have no more money, no more energy, no more time, no more compassion, no more patience. We are empty!

At this retreat we were able to recharge and refuel. We discovered that Jesus is the bread of life and can fill us back up. Taking time to sit at His feet and spend time with Him allows us the nourishment we need to continue to serve others; our friends, family, church and community.

We participated in "Sweet Talk" getting to know each other in small groups by answering questions about fun, silly and interesting times of our lives. We enjoyed "Savory Moments" where we discovered the importance of slowing down and "savoring" time with God through personal prayer and reflection. We also worked together in "Spicy Service" making flavorful gifts of love. Each woman at the retreat made a gift of cinnamon pancake mix wrapped in a towel to be given to a woman who might be hungry (literally or spiritually). We were told to spend time in prayer, asking God to show us who most needed to receive this gift of love. I can't wait to hear from the women who attend where God led them to give away their gifts.

It was a joy to be a part of this time of renewal and to get to know the 40+ women who were able to attend. Together we ate delicious meals and snacks, studied God's word, spent time in prayer, did some hiking, napping, crafting and crying. Mostly we just enjoyed building relationships with each other and with our Savior. Each woman in attendance, for one reason or another, was a God Sighting to me!

Thanks to all who attended the retreat and to the families who supported them so they were able to come.

God is good, look around today! What is your God Sighting?

Blessings,
Kelli Kirk