Cold!

It's about 25 F outside right now. No heat has been turned on yet in the city. Our little space heater can barely keep up. A few times we have turned on the gas oven just to warm the kitchen up a bit. I think I will just turn off the refrigerator and open the door, about the same temperature.

Natalya and Ira, twin sisters in the church--their mother died yesterday. The funeral is on Wednesday. Nothing ever pleasant about death. Their lives have been full of pain. Natalya is taking chemotherapy now. Ira has troubles at work, family difficulties. The memorial meal (or wake in English, I guess) is at the church building and several church members are cooking. I am supposed to make some kind of salad.

Just a terrible sadness.

Lena's parents are coming tomorrow to finish up the tiling in the UEC entryway. We got several things done today but a few frustrations as well. Seems it's always like that.

Olya and I keep having our English classes. We are almost through the first grammar book. We are going to start reading more from the English Bible now that she can understood more. She is quite committed, much more so than the other students who dropped out or rarely came. I am proud of her.

Three of the UEC board members arrive on Saturday. It will be a very busy week. Pray that this visit will be a positive experience for ALL of us! There is a lot to hash through and do ....