Sweet Summer

Dear All, 

 Sweet, sweet summer is upon us.   We are reveling in our local produce - watermelons, tomatos, sweet corn, blueberries and strawberries galore.  Tonite we had juicy and flavorful John's Island tomatos and could have eaten, oh say, one per person quite easily.  These came from the Shaffers' farm via the Piggly Wiggly. 

Summer begins for us with a performing arts festival held in our city the last week in May and the first week in June.  I took Ana, Oksana, and Max and met some friends.  Here is the threesome waiting...

We were entertained by the Abominable Feed and Seed Matching Band of Atlanta who were a terrific band in addition to their costumes and in spite of the blazing heat.

Ana had her face painted. This photo was made by our friend Brenda.  Ana really is an amazing girl. 

After the festival, school was out!  From there we began nearly five weeks of being on the road.  First, to church camp at the beach where John C., Rus, Oksana and Max relished being with the campers, our friend Dorothy (intrepid youth minister), and her puppy Lucy.  Here's Mr. Max enjoying a summer treat.

John C.and Rus stayed occupied with camp while Max, Oksana and I were free to roam.  Here's Oksana post swim

After camp, I took John, Rus, and Ana and headed for a conference being held in the  NC mountains approx six hours from our home.  The gathering was terrific and the keynoters superb (Michael and Rosemary Green).  I gave a workshop (International adoption as a metaphor for evangelism) and it went reasonably well.  Put together my first Power Point ever.  From there we headed home for a few days and then off again to be with my side of the family.  Lots of good time spent swimming, eating and yakking.  From there home again and then off to the Ga. mountains.  Beautiful, green and more good times - this time with John's side.  As it turns out, Ruslan is a serious water baby.  He fished, swam, jet skied, rode in boats and bonded with the water. 

I love the water drops on his ears. 

Presently we are settling in for the rest of the summer.  School plans for the fall are firmed up for each child.   I am looking for a new call, working on some writing projects, and continuing to work on becoming a family.  Our best to you all.