Home!

Hello all, sorry for the delay in posting, but we've barely had time to take a shower since getting home.  As has been said, "We are tired but happy."  Today is Monday. 

We came in late, late Friday night to a wonderful welcome by family and church family.  At 12:30 am, as we walked down the hall, we saw a crowd of folks who started singing "This is the day that the Lord has made.  We will rejoice and be glad in it!"  It was wonderful and overwhelming to see everyone.  Apparently a bigger group had come at 6:30 pm (our original arrival time).  We felt very loved and welcomed home.  The kids, though, were prettty overwhelmed and fell right asleep on the drive home from the airport.  Boy, were we tuckered!  However, when we walked into the house, all of the kids woke up and started running around, playing with toys, and exclaiming, "Vow!" over everything.  It was like a three ring circus.  We were all very happy to be home. 

Saturday we slept in, had pancakes, and mostly hung around the house.  Sunday we went to church with my sister Susan, and where daughter Ana was singing in the childrens' choir.  It felt funny not going to our home church (where I am the rector), but since I am supposed to be on sabbatical and parental leave, it did not seem proper to be there.  We hope to baptize the children there soon, though.  I wouldn't dream of doing that anywhere else.

Today, Monday, was the first day of school.  Ruslan decided to stay for the whole day (8:30 to 2:30), while Oksana and Max needed to come home after two hours.  It was a good start.  More later.  Best to all, John and Jennie

First Day of School