2nd Day in Moscow

Wow! We've done a lot since I've last blogged. This is the first time I've had internrt access besides my cell phone. Where to start??

We left Penza on Saturday night after having a fabulous meal at Sergy and Angelica's apartment. They are a wonderful missionary couple who are from Penza and felt lead to live and serve Penza for Christ. They love the Lord and are a beacon of light in a city of unsaved. They have their apartment configured very "American". After traveling to America over 12 times they decided to knock down walls and open their main living area and kitchen to each other so they can fit more people in their apartment for Bible studies. They work with a lot of orphanages now and help the kids after they have "graduated" and are put into the world on their own. God placed this mission on their hearts over 10 years ago and when they approached the orphanges to ask if they could come in and "play and love on the kids" the director called them perverts and to go away. They did not give up and by persistants and prayer they were allowed to visits the kids one year later. This has grown into a full time mission.

Sergey brought us to the train where Tanya and Sasha were there to say goodbye to us. It was a very nice gesture and very a heartfelt goodbye from them all. We have been so blessed to have been surrounded by so many wonderful people on this journey. We prayer is that we touched them as much as they have touched our lives.

Lex did great on the train. He has conitnued to amaze us in his flexability. We played with play dough for a little bit, layed him on his own bed on the train and he fell asleep with no tears or whining. I slept across from him and we held hands all night, which was very sweet. We went to sleep at about 9:30pm and woke up at 6:30am. The train arrived in Moscow at 8:30am where Oleg was there to help us with our luggage, get some breakfast, groceries and then to our hotel. Our first stop was MacDonalds. This was Lex's first time at MacDonalds and he only had a apple juice. We are finding he is a very healthy and picky eater. he only wants fresh vegatables, fresh fruit, meat, and cheeses. He does not like bread, yogarts, soups, or potatoes but he drink anything you put in front of him. He loves liquids!

After MacDonalds we went to a grocery store by our hotel. It is called the Central gracery store and it is located next to the KGB office in the center of Moscow. It is the nicest grocery store I have ever seen!! It is a beautiful building with chandeliers and gold leaving on the ceiling. The food was also very exquisit. Exotic foods from all over the world were displayed and servers were on every turn wanting to help you shop. After we picked up some sliced ham, cheese, fruit, cucumbers, tomatoes, water (Americans can't drink the water in Russia) and dt coke we headed to our hotel. We had booked Peter the 1st hotel on hotels.com and it was at a special rate or we could not have afforded it. Well, it has not disappointed. Shops like Escada, Versace are down the street as well as many restaurants and malls. The hotel itself is beautiful and very international. Our room is large with two double beds and a great bathroom. A wonderful buffet breakfast is included in our hotel stay also. There is a heated, indoor pool and work out room so please do not feel sorry for us. I am sooooooooooooooooooo thankful to be here!!!!! (Can you tell I'm happy with our accomidations?)

The first thing we did at the hotel was give Lex a bath and shower ourselves. Oh! It was wonderful!! Then we ate a small meal in our room of ham and cheese roll ups, and fruit and then put Lex down for a nap. We also took a nap. It was wonderful! I am also very thankful Jason is able to be here during this time because we are really having some good bonding time as well as setting some bounderies. Lex has been testing his "funnel" and there have been many times where have to push him further down the funnel. He is really testing Jason. We think because he has always had woman caregivers he is used to me but he has been testy with Jason. Throwing things at him and hitting him. Jason has been very good and calm, setting the example that those actions will not be permitted and moving forward in love towards Lex. After our nap Jason and Lex took a walk and I read a little bit. I think I was a little depressed being away from Gabi and JR and even saying that right now I have to fight back tears. I miss them so much and can not imagine if I would have had to stay another two weeks! Praise the Lord that He saw fit to waive the 10 day wait period for us!!!!!

When the boys came back after their walk Jason said he saw a few good restaurants and was starving so we got ready for dinner and headed out. We walked about 5 minutes and Jason's cell phone rang and it was my mom saying "hello". It was wonderful to hear her voice and she said they would call again with the kids in about an hour. The kids were with Suzanne and Wade at Hillside Church. We are so great ful for our family and ALL they have done for us while we are away. This sudden turn of events left a gap that they filled quickly and without hesitation. I know it is something they did not intend on for their past weeks but they have been so awesome to love on Gabi and JR. After our phone call we went to a restaurant that Oleg had pointed out for us that is a buffet of salads and entrees. It was packed and 80% of the restaurant was smoking but we found a non smoking section down a set of stairs and ate there. It was a room with great character because it was under the streets and had a brick ceiling with a lot of dints and columns. Jason got the buffett and I got Borsh soup (beet soup) and pancakes with meat in them. It was wonderful! Lex did great and again I am assured that he will do fabulous going places when we get home. (What a relief!) While we were at dinner the kids called and JR talked for a minute but was not interested in us. He says he doesn't miss us and I think part of that is his defense. Gabi got on the phone and said she missed us soooooo much and she can not wait for us to come home. Uggghh! I had to cry in the restaurant and when Jason asked if I was okay I told him I couldn't talk about it our I would bot be able to stop crying. I have tears in my eyes now as I type this even.

After dinner we walked back to the hotel, brushed our teeth, and went to bed. Lex did great sleeping in his own bed and Jason and I slept in the other bed. I hope that is a sign that he will do good in his own bed at home. We all slpet good and Lex woke us up at 6:30 this morning. We dressed, brushed our teeth and headed down for our first breakfast at the hotel. We were so impressed with it and excited to have a nice, long meal. It is snowing right now, it is wet snow and I doubt we will be going out today so we thought a long breakfast will kill some time. But Lex had another idea. He had drank quite a bit of water in the room from brushing his teeth and right when he got in to the restaurant he drank a large apple juice. Well, all that liquid decided to come back up as Jason and him were looking at the food. Luckily there were plates near by and Jason was quick to grab a plate and Lex threw up liquid all over it!! NICE! Jason was sweet and brought him upstairs and I stayed down stairs and ate. After I ate I told them to keep our table and went to tell Jason to go eat down stairs to finish eating. I stayed in the room with Lex and Jason went down to eat. That is where we are at so far.

Yesterday was "womans day" in Russia so today is a holiday. All offices are closed so we can't get anything done and will just have to hangout today. Jason is going to take Lex swimming and I'll video. That should be interesting!

Tomorrow we have a 8:30am Dr appointment for Lex's medical to be checked out by a Dr from the US Embassy, then we have a 1pm appointment at the US Embassy.

Thank you again for all your prayers and love. We are looking forward to being with you all very soon!

Love and glory to God,
Stephenie and Jason