The Clarks

Elizabeth is 16!

2011-11-21T14:57:00.000+02:00

Today is Elizabeth's 16th birthday! On Saturday, she celebrated with some of her friends. She also received 16 roses from her dad.

Around the table with her friends eating a 3 foot (1 meter) long Subway sandwich.

Opening presents, with Peter at her side.

Just about to blow out the candles on her cake.

Elizabeth is 16

2011-11-21T14:20:00.001+02:00

Liberate Yourself from E-Slavery

2011-10-10T23:22:00.000+03:00

Tune Out and Turn Off

Do something radical.... Check your e-mail only once or twice a day, and
• do not check it at home. Wait a few days before answering an e-mail. Use formal salutations and closings when writing e-mails.
• Do not send an e-mail when the matter can be discussed face to face. Write letters instead of sending e-mail.
• Do not use e-mail for thank-you notes. Set your home free from broadband Internet access.
• Do not answer the phone after 8 p.m.... Throw your television in the street.

Fill the space and quiet you have created with things that never grow old.... Read and shop for good books. Read books aloud to your children and to your spouse.
• Learn calligraphy or how to draw.
• Learn the guitar and some folk songs.
• Learn “The Ballad of John Henry,” about the man who died in a heroic contest with a machine.

If you must go online ... use your real name. Anything else is a deception. Look things up online on Tuesdays and Thursdays only. Before dialing up the Internet recite a prayer consecrating your time online to God. Make every Friday a “techfast”:
• no Internet,
• no cell phones,
• no e-mail, etc.

Read poetry. Memorize poetry. Write poetry. Writing a poem is an incarnational act, even if it’s done badly. “If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing badly,” wrote Chesterton. Even a partial attempt to unplug from the matrix will bring us
• closer to the people in our lives,
• closer to our history and traditions, and
• closer to our God.

-- Christopher Check

Peter's birthday

2011-03-05T15:45:00.002+02:00

Peter had 7 kids at his 7th birthday party:
Peter (of course!)
Sarah Green
Daiken Bell
Sashenka Gudkov
Jaan Gudkov
Tina Churchill
Mark Churchill

Mama & Daddy were happy to have 7 "big kids" at the party:
Chris ("Bubbie") Clark & his fiancee Jenny Stumpfel
Elizabeth ("Sissie") Clark
Vicky Green
Melodi Bell
Auntie Mary-Kay & Uncle Sasha Gudkov

Peter's 7th Birthday

2011-03-05T04:40:00.007+02:00

We had Peter's 7th birthday party at the Maine Discovery Museum. He had cake, Red Socks ice cream, presents and, best of all, his friends. Everyone had a great time at the party, and exploring the museum afterward.

Peter's birthday cake. We had to put a battery powered candle on the cake because the museum wouldn't allow real candles.

Peter opens a birthday card while Sasha looks on.

Peter and his best friend Daiken pretend to ride a Vespa at the Children's Museum.

During the party, Peter's guests got to record two songs on a video for him to take home. They sang the Happy Birthday song and the ABC Song.

LOL :-D

2011-01-01T01:28:00.000+02:00

"celebrations we like to hold on Twelfth Night, the eve of Epiphany, when the last of the Christmas presents are opened, games are played, and the decorations come down from the tree. (I know many Americans think of Christmas as a single day and like to clear away the trappings of the season well before the fifth of January, but that is sheer barbarism, if you ask me, morally only a few steps removed from human sacrifice, cannibalism, or golf.)"

http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2010/12/new-yearrsquos-titanic-gods

goodness (personal theme for the month of June)

2010-06-04T17:18:00.003+03:00

Exodus 33:19
And the LORD said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

2 Chronicles 6:41b
May your priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, may your saints rejoice in your goodness.

Nehemiah 9:25b
They ate to the full and were well-nourished; they reveled in your great goodness.

Nehemiah 9:35a
they were in their kingdom, enjoying your great goodness to them in the spacious and fertile land you gave them

Psalm 23:6
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 27:13
I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Psalm 31:19
How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.

Psalm 69:16
Answer me, O LORD, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me.

Psalm 86:17
Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

Psalm 109:21
But you, O Sovereign LORD, deal well with me for your name's sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me.

Psalm 116:12
How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me?

Psalm 142:7
Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.

Psalm 145:7
They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

Romans 15:14
I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.

Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Ephesians 5:9
for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth

Hebrews 6:5
who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age,

2 Peter 1:3
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

2 Peter 1:5
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;

Taylor Boucher -- my cousin's daughter (more like my niece)!

2010-06-04T16:44:00.002+03:00

Casco Bay High School teacher Scott Shibles hugs Taylor Boucher during the procession of graduates Wednesday at Merrill Auditorium in Portland.

http://www.pressherald.com/news/expeditionary-learning-has-43-seniors-set-to-go-places_2010-06-03.html

our new address

2010-05-19T16:52:00.001+03:00

effective 12 July 2010

9 Jennifer Ln.
Bangor ME 04401

Guess where we're moving!

2010-05-14T19:02:00.000+03:00

Secrets of Harry Potter

2010-05-04T20:33:00.001+03:00

http://sqpn.com/category/entertainment/movies-and-tv/secrets-of-harry-potter/page/5/

Unlock the secrets of the Harry Potter series! Explore the symbols and themes in the books of J.K. Rowling.

kindness is my personal theme for the month of May

2010-05-01T15:13:00.001+03:00

JOB 10:12 You gave me life and showed me kindness,
and in your providence watched over my spirit.

PR 11:16 A kindhearted woman gains respect,
but ruthless men gain only wealth.
PR 11:17 A kind man benefits himself,
but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.

PR 12:25 An anxious heart weighs a man down,
but a kind word cheers him up.

PR 14:31 He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

PR 19:17 He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD,
and he will reward him for what he has done.

JER 9:23 This is what the LORD says:
"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
or the strong man boast of his strength
or the rich man boast of his riches,
JER 9:24 but let him who boasts boast about this:
that he understands and knows me,
that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,"
declares the LORD.

HOS 11:4 I led them with cords of human kindness,
with ties of love;
I lifted the yoke from their neck
and bent down to feed them.

AC 14:16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.

1CO 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind.

2CO 6:3 We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness

EPH 2:1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

EPH 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

COL 3:12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

1TH 5:15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

2TI 2:23 Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

TIT 3:3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.

2PE 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
2PE 1:5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

2010-04-27T09:40:00.001+03:00

www.elyfuneralhome.com

2010-04-26T20:02:00.002+03:00

Major Hilda Clark has been bereaved by the Promotion to Glory of her husband, Gordon, on Friday, April 23, 2010, from Asbury Park, NJ. Gordon had been ill for a lengthy period and is now "Safe in the arms of Jesus". The Celebration of his life will take place on Wednesday, April 28, at the Asbury Park Corps, 605 Asbury Ave. Asbury Park NJ, with viewing at 10 a.m. and the service at 11 a.m. It will be conducted by the Corps Officer, Major William Furman. Please pray for Hilda, loving wife of Gordon; daughter, Major Susan Kelly of Bloomfield, NJ; sons, Captain Tim Clark of Estonia, and Thomas Clark who is a Nazarene Pastor in Dennis, MA. Your prayers for this family would be appreciated. Address: 1400 Webb Street, Apt. #45, Asbury Park, NJ 07712. E-mail: gordonwclark@juno.com

Gordon W. Clark Jr. 21.03.1929 - 23.04.2010

2010-04-24T15:05:00.002+03:00

PS 150:1 Praise the LORD.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
PS 150:2 Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
PS 150:3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet….

1CO 15:50 I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed-- 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."

1TH 4:13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.

patience is my personal theme for the month of April

2010-04-23T20:42:00.003+03:00

PS 37:7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him

PR 14:29 A patient man has great understanding

ECC 7:8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning,
and patience is better than pride.

RO 8:22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

RO 12:9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

1CO 13:4 Love is patient

EPH 4:1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

COL 1:9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,

COL 3:12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

1TH 5:12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

2TI 4:1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.

First Full Day of Spring

2010-03-21T23:16:00.000+02:00

Today was the first full day of spring, but insead of seeing a robin, we saw more snow. This is the view from our apartment. Notice the 6-foot-high piles of snow on the building across the street.

Here's another view from our apartment. Hopefully spring will really come soon, or we will still have snow when we leave for America!

leavin' on a jet plane!

2010-03-12T17:28:00.001+02:00

Itinerary

MR TIMOTHY BRUCE CLARK , MRS EVELYN ELIZABETH CLARK , MISS ELIZABETH ESTHER CLARK , MR PETER JONAH CLARK

Fri, May 28
Flights: AEROFLOT, SU 0452 Operated by: ESTONIAN AIR

From: TALLINN, ESTONIA (TLL)
Departs: 13:25

To: MOSCOW SHEREMET, RUSSIA (SVO)
Arrives: 16:05
Arrival Terminal: TERMINAL F
Class: Economy

Aircraft: BOEING 737-300 JET
Distance (in Miles): 0542

Duration: 1 hour(s) and 40 minute(s)

Sat, May 29
Flights: AEROFLOT, SU 0315

From: MOSCOW SHEREMET, RUSSIA (SVO)
Departs: 14:50

To: NEW YORK JFK, NY (JFK)
Arrives: 17:00
Arrival Terminal: TERMINAL 1

Aircraft: AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A333 JET
Distance (in Miles): 4672

Duration: 10 hour(s) and 10 minute(s)

Peter's 6th Birthday 2.0

2010-03-04T22:50:00.000+02:00

Today was Peter's actual 6th birthday, so we had another party! This time it was at our house for his friends regardless of age.

We had a pirate theme again, with yummy cupcakes (although Cadet Aleksei Burunov wondered if the skull and crossbones were a warning that they were really poisoned!).

Before the guests arrived, Peter opened his presents from family.

Christopher sent a box from America, which included the cool inflated plastic.

2010-03-04T22:49:00.000+02:00

Among the things Chris sent were a cool college hoodie.

And he loved the Transformer that Elizabeth gave to him.

And he showed his appreciation.

The kitchen was decorated with everything pirate.

2010-03-04T22:48:00.000+02:00

And we had lots of yummy food, including Tim's now-famous chili!

Sergeant Anneli Aavik and Sofia Burunova presented gifts to Peter.

He loved them both, including the dinasour from Sofia.

Everyone had a fun time together. At the end of the party, it was time to blow out the candles. Peter made his wish out loud: "I wish I had all the Transformers in the world!" You have lots of friends, and that's almost as good. Happy birthday Peter!

Mom & Dad in the Hospital

2010-02-23T23:05:00.000+02:00

Tim's parents are both in the hospital right now, so please keep them in your prayer. One small blessing is that mom's room is right across from dad's, so she can join him for tasty meals of hospital food. The doctors are still trying to work out the causes of each of their problems, and the best way to address them. Our hope is that they will healthy and well so that we can spend time with them when we return to the US. Thanks for remembering them in prayer!

Peter's 6th Birthday Party

2010-02-20T20:42:00.001+02:00

We celebrated Peter's 6th birthday two weeks early. We had the the party at the Narva Castle, a 700-year-old medieval fortress on the Narva river across from Russia. Peter wanted a pirate party, so it was a perfect setting. And the castle staff made it a great experience for the kids!

Tatjana, who organized the program for the children, showed them all the wonders of the castle.

Oksana also helped teach about the castle, and the children made crafts and did other activities.

2010-02-20T20:41:00.000+02:00

As they walked through the castle, Tatjana explained about life during the times of the knights, which fascinated the boys.

There were many things to see!

Oksana showed how the old stone ovens worked.

Then the boys had the chance to use the long cooking prong to put the pots into and out of the oven.

2010-02-20T20:40:00.000+02:00

Then they went to the basement living quarters, where they learned about daily life in the castle.

They also saw how to play an ancient strategy game with stones.

The boys really enjoyed the game, and had fun trying to beat the others.

Then they got to try out swords and shields like real knights!

2010-02-20T20:39:00.000+02:00

They even got to try on heavy chain-mail. Peter said that it hurt his shoulders!

They did a treasure hunt, where they found coins.

Then Tatjana showed them how to make a postcard with a picture of the castle.

The cake was amazing. We have a bakery in our building below our apartment, and they did a wonderful job on this tasty cake!

2010-02-20T20:38:00.000+02:00

We even had a little pirate to sail the ship!

Peter enjoyed opening his presents.

They were very exciting for him!

Then it was time to blow out the candles and eat the cake. It was a wonderful day!

More pictures

2010-02-20T20:37:00.000+02:00

To see all of the pictures from the party, click here.

Narva Castle (site of Peter's birthday party tomorrow!)

2010-02-19T19:45:00.000+02:00

David Michael Smith -- the BEST man!

2010-02-15T07:46:00.004+02:00

[this is the toast that my nephew David gave at my brother Danny's wedding reception on Sat. 13 Feb. 2010]

When I got the news that Cookie and my father were finally going to get married, I was happy. I remember the day that my father told me that Cookie wanted to push the wedding back from April to February so I could be home for the wedding. I was happy because that showed me that I was already accepted as a part of her family from the beginning. At the time, I knew that there was a lot of time in advance, but I could not wait, because in my line of work you miss out on so many births, deaths, holidays, birthdays, and so on. During that phone conversation, my father asked me to be his best man. I could not get the words out fast enough because I was so stunned that my father wanted me to play a key role in the wedding. I was so honored that my father wanted me to be the best man, I cried tears of joy after I got off the phone with him.

I remember when my aunt Evelyn married my uncle Tim and my father gave her away. In a sense, I felt like I was giving away my father. My father is the most important man in my life. He always took care of me.... My father is my lifesaver, he is my hero, he is my motivation, he is my will to continue on a path on the straight and narrow....

Cookie is one of the nicest people I know. I’ve personally never heard her yell either. I remember when I was younger, I always wanted a brother.... But in the long run, I ended up with two more brothers and a sister. I could not ask for more.... Welcome to the family.

yum! cake!

2010-02-05T13:54:00.002+02:00

http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/2009/09/sunday-sweets-shiver-me-sweets.html

we just ordered a cake like this for Peter's birthday party!

planning Peter's birthday party

2010-01-28T12:24:00.002+02:00

http://www.narvamuuseum.ee/?lang=eng&next=perepaevad&menu=menu_kula

full article of interview with Gen. Clifton

2010-01-25T10:13:00.001+02:00

http://www1.salvationarmy.org/ihq/www_ihq_general.nsf/vw-dynamic-index/87BD3DF62F0F179F802572ED00564052?Opendocument

this is also sad (but true)

2010-01-23T08:25:00.001+02:00

http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100103/NEWS/1030382

makes me sad to read this

2010-01-22T21:07:00.000+02:00

http://www.fightpp.org/downloads/pubs/May-June.pdf
THE REAL SALVATION ARMY
There has been a great deal of confusion and
even some debate regarding The Salvation
Army’s position on abortion. After all, The
Salvation Army is in the “Dishonorable Mention”
section of The Boycott List because it “defends
abortion in cases of rape, incest, fetal deformity, etc.”
Pro-life activists who contact The Salvation Army
regarding its position are asked to read its official statement,
which is reprinted here in full:
The Salvation Army believes in the sanctity of all human life and
considers each person to be of infinite value and each life a gift
from God to be cherished, nurtured and redeemed. Human life is
sacred because it is made in the image of God and has an eternal
destiny. (Genesis 1:27) Sacredness is not conferred, nor can it be
taken away by human agreement.
The Salvation Army deplores society’s ready acceptance of abortion,
which reflects insufficient concern for vulnerable persons, including
the unborn. (Psalms 82:3-4)
The Salvation Army holds to the Christian ideals of chastity before
marriage and fidelity within the marriage relationship and, consistent
with these ideals, supports measures to prevent crisis pregnancies.
It is opposed to abortion as a means of birth control, family
planning, sex selection or for any reason of mere convenience
to avoid the responsibility for conception. Therefore, when an unwanted
pregnancy occurs, The Salvation Army advises that the
situation be accepted and that the pregnancy be carried to term,
and offers supportive help and assistance with planning.
The Salvation Army recognizes tragic and perplexing circumstances
that require difficult decisions regarding a pregnancy. Such
decisions should be made only after prayerful and thoughtful consideration,
with appropriate involvement of the woman’s family
and pastoral, medical and other counsel. A woman in these circumstances
needs acceptance, love and compassion.
When an abortion has taken place, The Salvation Army will continue
to show love and compassion and to offer its services and
fellowship to those involved.
In May 2007, Der Bund, a regional newspaper in Berne,
Switzerland,published an interview with SalvationArmy
General Shaw Clifton. One of the questions asked by
the newspaper regarded abortion:
Der Bund: You involve yourselves with questions such as abortion.
I am assuming that The Salvation Army is against it?
Clifton: That’s too simple. We are not as conservative as our catholic
brothers and sisters. There are situations in which abortion is
the lesser evil, for instance in cases of severe deformities of the
fetus, [or] rape. We try to support women who find themselves in
this situation and to be loyal to them, even if they make decisions
that we ourselves might not have made.

please pray for Peter today

2010-01-18T16:12:00.002+02:00

http://pbskids.org/rogers/songLyricsWhatDoYouDo.html

synonyms

2010-01-13T19:29:00.000+02:00

The Liturgy of the Hours

Divine Office

"the least of these"

2010-01-12T14:55:00.002+02:00

"If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals." -- Sirius Black to Ron Weasley, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, J.K. Rowling

"20" cake made by Monica's mother

2010-01-09T21:46:00.002+02:00

Thank you, God, for sending Monica's mother to make this cake for Chris. You know how much it breaks my heart that I couldn't be there to make a cake for him. Thank you for this dear sister who is standing in the gap today! Amen.

hat tip "Crushed" episode of Marc Brown's "Arthur"

2010-01-09T10:18:00.004+02:00

A big flying sheep zombie, escaped from the tombs of Cowcannotan, just ate the dorky, floppy-haired teenager who can barely see

Chris, that means you need to get your hair cut now that you're no longer a dorky, floppy-haired teenager !

Love,

Mama

20 photos for Chris's 20th birthday

2010-01-08T10:04:00.023+02:00

Happy 20th birthday, Christopher!

2010-01-08T09:43:00.010+02:00

As a young man, at the age of twenty, William Booth wrote the following resolutions:

I do promise - my God Helping

1st That I will rise every morning sufficiently early (say 20 minutes before seven o'clock) to wash, dress, and have a few minutes, not less than 5, in private prayer.

2ndly That I will as much as possible avoid all that babbling idle talking in which I have so sinfully indulged.

3rd That I will endeavour in my conduct and deportment before the world and my fellow servants especially to conduct myself as humble, meek and zealous follower of the bleeding Lamb, and by serious conversation and warning endeavour to lead them to think of their mortal souls.

4thly That I will not read less than 4 chapters in God's word everyday.

5thly That I will strive to live closer to God, and to seek after holiness of heart, and leave providential events with God.

6thly That I will read this over every day or at least twice a week.

God help me, enable me to cultivate a spirit of self denial and to yield myself a prisoner of love to the redeemer of the world.

Amen & Amen

William Booth

I feel my own weakness and without God's help I shall not keep these resolutions a day. The Lord have mercy upon my guilty soul.

I claim the Blood

Yes, oh Yes,

Jesus Died for me

Christmas

2010-01-04T22:22:00.000+02:00

We had a fun Christmas this year. We were joined by Evelyn's sister Mary-Kay, her husband Sasha and son Sashenka. Christmas morning Peter was excited to rip open the gifts!

Peter by the tree, with Mary-Kay and Sashenka

Peter watches while Elizabeth opens a gift.

Sashenka shows off one of his gifts.

2010-01-04T22:21:00.000+02:00

Peter searching for more gifts by the tree!

Evelyn spends some time with Sashenka.

Sashenka and Peter showed how Darth Vader and his storm troopers get along.

Later, it was time to decorate a gingerbread house.

2010-01-04T22:20:00.000+02:00

Peter decorated one side of the house, and Elizabeth decorated the other.

Peter was very thoughtful about where he put things!

Everything had it's place.

Elizabeth was the artistic one, making sure her side looked wonderful.

2010-01-04T22:19:00.000+02:00

Even candy canes had to be carefully considered before they found their right place.

But they worked together as a team to finish the job.

This is the front of the finished house, showing Peter's side.

2010-01-04T22:18:00.000+02:00

Here is Peter's side ...

And Elizabeth's side.

Elizabeth, Mary-Kay, Sasha, Peter and Sashenka outside during a stop on our way to Tallinn (that's real snow on the tree!)

Elizabeth, Mary-Kay, Evelyn, Sashenka and Peter

what I'm listening to

2009-12-31T09:33:00.002+02:00

ideas for the 12 Days of Christmas

2009-12-26T17:16:00.001+02:00

• Day 1, Dec. 25: Even the radio will help you celebrate Christmas today. Enjoy!
• Day 2, Dec. 26: St. Stephen the First Martyr. Read Acts 7:48 at the crèche. “The Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands,” says Stephen. The manger shows where he did first choose to dwell. Stephen’s commitment to Christ led to his death.
• Day 3, Dec. 27: Holy Family feast. Look through photo albums of Christmases past, and then ask: What do we want our family to be like in the future? Plan to make this so.
• Day 4, Dec. 28: “The Coventry Carol” is a beautiful old hymn for this day.
• Day 5, Dec. 29: The feast of St. Thomas à Becket. Read the story of St. Thomas. He was friends with the king, and the king hoped that through him he could control the Church. Instead, Thomas took his role seriously, and he did great good before he was martyred by his old friend. Can we be counted on to take our Christian lives seriously, or do we try to please the world? What New Year’s resolution can change that?
• Day 6, Dec. 30: Take one of your favorite Christmas hymns and read it as a family, explaining what each part means. Also, teach the family a new song: A good Advent hymn that explains Christmas is “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus.”
• Day 7, Dec. 31: Take your calendar down today, and go through it as a family, looking at all you did; then say a prayer of thanks.
• Day 8, Jan. 1: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God and World Day of Peace (and the octave of Christmas).
• Day 9, Jan. 2: Sts. Basil and Gregory of Nazianzen. These two brothers were both canonized. So were their grandmother, father, mother and a sister. This can boost your resolve in your own New Year’s resolution.
• Day 10, Jan. 3: Epiphany Sunday. Today is a feast of humility. That sounds ironic, since it’s about three kings’ lavish gifts. But realize that the Magi traveled a long way probably expecting something more than a baby; nonetheless, they “prostrated themselves and did him homage.” Likewise, the second Person of the Trinity came a long way — to be a weak and helpless infant.
• Day 11, Jan. 4: Christmas isn’t over yet. But for many, work begins again today. This is like the first Christmas, which happened amid the turmoil of the census on busy days in Bethlehem. How can you “find Christmas” on a working day?
• Day 12, Jan. 5: The final “day of Christmas,” this is the last day before the major feast of Epiphany.

Getting Ready for Christmas

2009-12-25T19:53:00.000+02:00

In the days leading up to Christmas, we had lots of fun. Here we are before we went to a Christmas party at a friends house.

Then Evelyn's sister Mary-Kay, her husband Sasha and child Sashenka came to Estonia to spend Christmas with us. Here are Elizabeth, Sashenka and Peter.

The Christmas elf regularly brought candy, even when we were in Tallinn for one night.

On Christmas Eve, we had a program at the corps, and Sashenka sang a song in Russian, which everyone loved!

2009-12-25T19:52:00.000+02:00

Then the Clark and Gudkov families sang "Jingle Bells."

At bed time on Christmas Eve, Peter and Elizabeth were snug in their pajamas.

Peter was ready for bed ...

... but first he wanted to put out cookies and milk for Santa.

2009-12-25T19:51:00.000+02:00

But he thought they needed some icing before they were ready. This work took a lot of concentration (notice the tongue!).

Santa was in for a treat!

Officer Christmas Party

2009-12-05T23:44:00.000+02:00

Today we traveled to the southern city of Võru for the officers' Christmas party.

Elizabeth and Evelyn looked very beautiful.

We had a meal with traditional Estonian Christmas food: (clockwise from bottom) verevorst (blood sausage), hapukapsas (sauerkraut), beet salad, boiled potato, pumpkin salad, and baked pork with a dollop of horseradish. It was delicious!

Peter enjoyed the meal!

2009-12-05T23:43:00.000+02:00

After the meal, everyone gathered in a circle for a game of "Pass the parcel."

Peter got to unwrap one of the layers, while Mark carefully watched.

Elizabeth with her friends Sofia and Sandra.

Then we had a visit from Santa!

2009-12-05T23:42:00.000+02:00

The Estonian tradition is that before you receive your gift, you had to do something for Santa, like sing a song or recite a poem or do a dance. Peter, completely in character, told a joke.

He gave full concentration to unwrapping his gifts!

And was happy with the contents.

Some of the party goers awaiting their turn with Santa.

2009-12-05T23:41:00.000+02:00

Before she received her gift, Elizabeth sang a song for Santa.

Which apparently pleased him!

Overall, it was nice to spend time with friends (Elizabeth even made a new friend, Laura).

Decorating the Tree!

2009-12-04T22:34:00.000+02:00

Last weekend, we decorated our Christmas tree. Before we started, Elizabeth got Peter ready by putting on his elf hat.

Then he was ready to decorate the tree!

Our first Christmas in Estonia, we found that you can't buy a live tree until a few days before Christmas, so we bought this white tree instead, and it has been a part of our family tradition every since.

Peter putting on his decorations.

2009-12-04T22:33:00.000+02:00

Elizabeth joined in the fun!

Finally, it was time to put the angel on the top of the tree, and Elizabeth didn't need to go onto daddy's shoulders to reach the top this year.

2009-12-04T22:32:00.000+02:00

The finished tree

Elizabeth's Birthday Party

2009-12-03T22:15:00.000+02:00

Elizabeth's birthday party was in Tallinn this year. We had just returned from meetings in Helsinki and so stayed at the Army's regional flat, which was the perfect place to have the bash to celebrate her 14th birthday. Here, she is greeted by Keit with a hug and flowers.

Evelin and Anneli came late, but were welcomed anyway.

After lots of food and chatting, it was time to open the gifts.

Many of the gifts were things to remind her of Estonia.

2009-12-03T22:10:00.000+02:00

There was a lot of fun as Elizabeth opened her gifts!

Elizabeth shows off another of her gifts.

The party was a good gathering of Elizabeth's friends from Tallinn and Narva.

As the party finishes, Elizabeth says good by to Keit, while keeping a close watch on Logan.

Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?

2009-11-11T08:44:00.002+02:00

Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?

Visit to Tartu

2009-11-02T22:50:00.000+02:00

Last weekend, we returned to Tartu to do the meetings for Major Pirjo Mikkonen while she was on holiday. On Saturday we led a Sunday School program, although there were only a few children because many were in the country for the school holiday.

But we still hada great time, and Peter's friends Lauri and Tristen were able to join us.

Then we went to the home of our friends Ermo and Katie (Lauri & Tristen's parents). Their cat had kittens a few weeks earlier, so animal-lover Elizabeth was in Heaven!

One of her new friends.

2009-11-02T22:49:00.000+02:00

On Sunday, we were back at the corps, and Peter joined his friends again.

There was a warm and welcoming group of people at the corps, and we enjoyed the opportunity to worship with them.

In the evening, we went to the homeless shelter to do a meeting (a work we began and Major Mikkonen has faithfully continued). We were joined by our Baptist friend Lea, who cooked meals for the residents of the shelter for years before we came along.

While we were at the shelter, the kids were at Ermo and Katie's, so the kids had another chance to be with their friends and with the kittens.

2009-11-02T22:48:00.000+02:00

Another of Elizabeth's new friends.

She really wanted us to take home a kitten, but had to content herself with playing with them.

She looks pretty content!

that's our Jenny!

2009-10-26T20:57:00.001+02:00

http://www.houghton.edu/news/articles/20091023.asp

First snow!

2009-10-12T22:58:00.000+03:00

Last week we had a few flurries, but today we had our first real snow (winter comes early in Estonia!). This is a view from our living room window.

It was coming down heavily, as you can see from this view of the building across from our apartment.

This is our apartment building surrounded by the falling snow (we live on the second floor, just above the shop).

It blanketed the statue that we pass on our way to work.

2009-10-12T22:57:00.000+03:00

It was a wet snow, so it stuck to the windows of our van.

This is the view from our office window.

Snow covered the roof of the shed on the back of our building.

And it stuck to the trees.

2009-10-12T22:56:00.000+03:00

As the day went on, the trees outside of our apartment building were covered with snow.

Peter enjoyed watching it from our living room window.

The roads were wet and slushy.

The snow was blowing enough that it stuck to the sign on the shop below our house. This was just the beginning; once winter gets here, I'm sure we'll see lots more.

delayed adulthood

2009-10-03T19:40:00.000+03:00

http://evangelicalcatholicism.wordpress.com/2009/08/27/delayed-adulthood-preliminary-thoughts/

Family Weekend

2009-10-02T14:03:00.000+03:00

http://www.houghton.edu/events/homecoming/

I'm so sad to miss this -- again.

Next year!

Halloween

2009-09-28T09:56:00.001+03:00

http://therubicon.org/2007/10/confessions-of-a-halloweener/#more-253

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2000/october2/29.79.html?start=2

http://resources.veritaspress.com/Oct05_epistula.htm

Happy birthday, Jenny!

2009-09-22T10:43:00.001+03:00

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday, dear Jenny!

Happy birthday to you!

Kopli Farewell Meeting

2009-09-21T22:08:00.000+03:00

I never posted the pictures from our farewell meeting from the Tallinn Kopli Corps in July. We actually didn't get too many pictures (we were busy after all!), but here's a few to give you an idea of what it was like. Here is the corps band playing preliminary music.

Tim shared a few words, while Sergeant Anneli translated.

The praise band led worship.

And after the meeting, we enjoyed good Estonian food!

something I want to look at

2009-09-19T09:30:00.001+03:00

http://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/library_article/52/Early_Church_Fathers_Overview__Snapshot_of_the_Fathers_of_the_Church.html

something I want to watch

2009-09-17T21:32:00.000+03:00

http://connexuscommunity.com/connexuscommunitychurch/myweb.php?hls=10037&sermon_id=73

my favorite blogger is still blogging!

2009-08-29T17:51:00.000+03:00

http://amywelborn.wordpress.com/2009/08/10/yeah-so/

Thank God.

Literally.

Houghton College

2009-08-23T12:10:00.003+03:00

http://www.houghton.edu/news/articles/20090807.asp

http://www.houghton.edu/news/articles/20090728.asp

http://www.houghton.edu/h90-alt.html

http://www.youtube.com/user/HoughtonCollege

Russian district

2009-08-22T20:31:00.001+03:00

http://watch-simpsons-online.net/Watch_The_Simpsons_Online_Season_9_Episode_24_Lost_Our_Lisa.html

please pray for us!

2009-08-21T15:51:00.000+03:00

Making Missionary Prayer a Habit

Your prayers sustain missionaries.
One practical way to approach praying for your missionaries is to devote each day of the week to a specific area of their lives. Aim for six days a week. If you manage seven, you’ll feel the satisfaction of going beyond your goal.

• Monday: Inner life and growth. For spiritual disciplines. For confidence in God’s sovereignty when things go wrong. For God’s mighty touch in relieving stress.
• Tuesday: Relationships. With their partner and children, with coworkers, with unbelievers, and with authorities in the country.
• Wednesday: Special needs in a foreign culture. Mastering the language. Defense against loneliness, homesickness, frustration. Insights into how to communicate the truth. God’s sovereign working in government decisions and politics.
• Thursday: Ministry. For Christ to be manifested through their lives day by day. For God to empower them for their work. For His blessing on their evangelism, discipling, and church responsibilities. For their specific area of service.
• Friday: The nitty-gritty. Physical health. Financial provision. Coping with red tape. Wise use of time. For strength and faith in trials. That they will take adequate time for exercise, relaxation, sports, hobbies, vacation.
• Saturday: Victory. Against Satan as he seeks to keep people blinded to the gospel and thwart the growth of believers.

Praying for missions is not a fringe activity from God’s point of view. By
praying you can play a major role in God’s great purposes. Prayer gives you the
opportunity to make a vast difference in this world. Your prayers are vital.

—Ruth Myers, condensed from World Disciple (winter 1994).

our top concern

2009-07-30T15:29:00.000+03:00

"It should ... be apparent to our kids that our top concern is for their salvation and sanctification."
-- Barb Ernster

Lordy, Lordy, look who's 40! (far right)

2009-07-21T07:34:00.000+03:00

Jolan

2009-07-17T15:01:00.001+03:00

http://www.legacy.com/mainetoday-pressherald/Obituaries.asp?Page=Notice&PersonID=129512257

The following obituary is from the print edition of The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram. Guest Books may be sponsored by relatives and friends.

View/Sign Guest Book

Jolan L. Smith, 71 NORWAY -- Jolan L. Smith, 71, of Norway, was promoted to Glory on July 7, 2009. She was born in Berlin, Germany on Dec. 18, 1937, the daughter of Gertruda Baumgart. She attended Heidelberg School of Nursing. She had been employed at Fairchild Semiconductor in Portland and had been a homemaker all of her life. She was a member of the Salvation Army in Old Orchard Beach, a proud member of the home league. She enjoyed working with people and taking care of the sick. She also enjoyed coin collecting with her husband. She is survived by her husband Daniel Smith of Norway; five stepchildren, Daniel, III, Robert, Evelyn, Mary Kay and Katherine; several grandchildren and great- grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 13, at 1 p.m. at the Salvation Army, 6 Sixth St., Old Orchard Beach. Interment will be at Blackpoint Cemetery in Scarborough at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Weston-Chandler Funeral Home, 45 Main St., South Paris. Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.westonchandler.com.

our new blog

2009-07-08T16:35:00.002+03:00

http://HAPBA.blogspot.com/

4th of July!

2009-07-04T12:22:00.000+03:00

PORTLAND: The Declaration of Independence will be read by historian Herb Adams at noon at the Maine Historical Society, 487 Congress St. 774-1822; www.mainehistory.org. Fireworks begin around 9:15 p.m. at Eastern Promenade Park courtesy of Fireworks by Grucci, the company that did the fireworks at the Olympic Games in China in 2008. Access to Munjoy Hill and the Eastern Promenade by car will be closed at 6 p.m. Public restrooms will be available at East End Beach, Turner Street and Cutter Street. Food and drink will be sold. The rain date is Sunday. 756-8130.

our new address

2009-07-03T15:42:00.000+03:00

Joala 9-35
Narva 20103
Estonia
[372] 359-5704

Peter on his class field trip

2009-06-08T15:06:00.011+03:00

Children Are an Inheritance

2009-06-01T09:20:00.000+03:00

hat tip: http://www.cakewrecks.blogspot.com/

Mother's Day at Peter's School

2009-05-17T11:38:00.000+03:00

On the day after Mother's Day, Peter's lasteaed (pre-school) had a special party for the mothers. The children sang and recited poetry.

Peter singing with his best friend, Karl-Philip.

The program was hosted by puppets.

Peter and Karl-Philip playing with some of their other friends.

something Chris wrote for school

2009-05-13T14:56:00.001+03:00

http://chrischronicles.blogspot.com/2009/05/my-potetnially.html

where we are moving in July

2009-04-26T14:54:00.001+03:00

http://web.me.com/sampsonministry/keithsampson/My_Blog.html

Leida

2009-04-18T19:26:00.004+03:00

Evelyn with Leida at the hospital

As they were shaving off her hair, I couldn’t believe how much Leida was smiling. She’s not really known for her smiles, and at times could be argumentative when you spoke with her, but as her hair fell softly to the ground she was joking with us and behaving like a little girl.
Leida is an 82-year-old lady who has come to Sunday meetings at our corps since before we came to Tallinn three years ago. She would tramp in with her hair disheveled, leaving a distinctive odor in her wake, and sit in the first chair of the fourth row on the left side of the chapel. Nobody seemed to know her well, and her abrupt way of talking and her appearance tended to put people off from trying. Still, every week she would faithfully show up.
I would greet her and offer her a songbook (which she always refused). Evelyn would say hello and try to chat, and that was the extent of it for a while.
Then Evelyn invited her to our Pensioners’ Club, and she actually came! It caused quite an uproar on her first week there, as the other pensioners were visibly put off by her presence. The unwritten, assumed seating assignments would have to be adjusted and no one wanted her at their table. We found her an open seat and she enjoyed the soup and the singing with everyone else, seemingly unaware of the stir she had caused. She was just happy to be there.
After that, she came every week, and when she was invited to our Women’s Club, she came to that too. She never really participated as much as took it in, sometimes with a bit of a scowl or a bemused look, but always glad to be there.
It was hard to learn much about Leida. She didn’t like to share about herself, and when you talked with her there didn’t seem to be problems with her mental health. But occasionally she would come in with a hand bandaged because she had fallen on the street, and her clothes never seemed to be clean. We offered to let her bathe and wash her clothes at the corps, but she said she had her own place and she was fine. Still, we worried about her.
Then one week during church one of the soldiers who was sitting behind Leida abruptly got up and moved to another seat, looking flustered. Later she told us that she had seen some bugs crawling on Leida.
For several weeks we spoke with her about this problem, saying we wanted to do something to help her for her own health as well as the health of others. But she wasn’t interested. Evelyn and our social worker Andrus tried to visit her in her one-room flat in a dingy old house. She wasn’t home, but there was a man renovating the apartment who said she had family. That gave us hope.
A few more weeks passed and we continued to see the lice crawling all over Leida. She was infested, scratching endlessly and clearly uncomfortable. So we spoke with her again about doing something, and asked if we could have the phone number for her family. At first she was resistant, but finally said she would give us the number for her “daughter,” although she couldn’t remember her name. That seemed especially odd, but a few days later Leida gave us the name and the number of a woman.
We spoke with the woman and found that she had been a friend of Leida’s son. He was a drug user and died a few years back, but she tried to watch out for Leida and had even cleaned her one-room apartment and washed her up a few times in the past. She was also concerned about Leida, but didn’t know what to do because each time she cleaned up, the head and body lice just came back. We agreed to work together to help Leida.
We went through several attempts, all of which fell apart because of Leida’s resistance. But finally with the help of Inge, our candidate for officership who is the director of the Army’s homeless day center, we were able to connect a city social worker who said that she would help us to make preparations to assist Leida.
She arranged for Leida to go to a hospital where she would be treated for the skin problems that were the result of the endless lice bites. She also arranged for workers at a city social house to clean Leida up before she went to the hospital. Leida’s friend promised to clean up the apartment, and then we contacted a company to disinfect it. Now we just had to get Leida to agree to the plan.
When we spoke with her, we were amazed that she liked the idea! The fact that she was going to a hospital somehow made everything okay in her mind. But the hospital only had one bed available and we had to take her the next day or else wait at least another week. The problem was that Leida likes to walk around town during the day, and we were afraid that we wouldn’t find her.
The next day, Leida’s friend went to the apartment and sure enough, she wasn’t there. But the friend didn’t give up and went to a local shopping center where Leida likes to sit around, and there she was. The friend called Andrus and we quickly drove to pick up Leida.
She was almost bouncing when we met her and helped her into the van. She was like a child going on an adventure! Then we drove her to the social house where they were going to get rid of everything on her that might be infested with lice.
The workers in the run-down, Soviet-era building were surprisingly kind to her. They took off the black furry coat I had seen her wear for at least two years, sat her down and pulled out the clippers to shave her head. Everything that might be infested with lice had to go. As the shaver began to take away her hair, she sat patiently and even made jokes with the ladies. She made loving comments to Andrus, calling him “kallikene” (darling). The black and grey locks gradually disappeared until her head was nothing but stubble. Then they cut off her clothes (which were so stiff from dirt that there was no other way), stuffing everything into a trash bag to be thrown away. They dressed her in clean clothes, put a new hat on her head to keep her warm, and we headed off to the hospital.
She desperately wanted a cigarette after that experience, but we told her that she had to wait because it was 45 minutes before the hospital admitting office closed and we had a 30-minute drive, if the traffic was good.
We made it in good time to the town outside of Tallinn where the hospital is located, but then could not find the building. After numerous stops to ask for directions, we finally found the hospital building, and Leida, who had been laughing at our attempts to find the place, walked calmly into the building.
We were three minutes late, but the doctor didn’t complain. She already had Leida’s papers ready, and asked her to sit down while they got ready to wash her up.
When we left her, she was beaming as she sat on the bench in the waiting area of the hospital. She shook our hands and kept saying over and over, “Thank you. Thank you very much!”

Easter pictures

2009-04-15T23:04:00.002+03:00

On the day before Easter, we colored eggs together. Here is the kids with the dye powder before we started.

Then it was time to get to work!

Elizabeth was very creative with her efforts.

2009-04-15T23:02:00.001+03:00

Peter was very careful as he dipped his eggs.

On Easter Sunday, the Easter Bunny came and left lots of goodies.

2009-04-15T23:00:00.001+03:00

In the afternoon, Elizabeth hid eggs in our backyard so that Peter could have an Easter egg hunt.

Peter with all of his eggs after the hunt.

Moldova

2009-04-13T13:41:00.001+03:00

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30179558/

Sashenka news

2009-04-07T18:30:00.002+03:00

here's the news

100% transient synovitis
http://orthopedics.about.com/od/pediatrichipinjuries/a/synovitis.htm

but there's a serious possibility that he has legg calve perther disease
http://children.webmd.com/legg-calve-perthes-disease

or epiphysis

if he has calve perthes, if it doesn't heal, he may need crutches in the future
but the doctor said usually this only happens after the child is over 5 and they discover it
for now, all we can do is watch him, and get more x-rays this summer
the orthopedic surgeon met with an American professor, and said when they blew up the x-ray, that it looked like early signs of legg calve perthes
just hoping for the best, because all we can do is wait and watch him closely
but he wants us to go to Boston Children's Hospital
the doctor was pretty concerned today
and spent a long time going over everything with us
he told us we need to watch this very closely
there's nothing we can do but pray and wait
because we really don't know what he has
but hope it's not the worst
the doctor says he's supposed to keep resting
so we have been out with him and make him stay in the stroller or on Sasha's shoulders (which is hard because Sashenka is a runner)
the point is, we dont know what's wrong
but the possibilities...
but there is definitely something abnormal
and hopefully it's the least serious
we did notice that often when he would jump or skip, he'd keep his right leg straight
we always thought it was so cute; now we see it's maybe part of his hip problem

Sashenka update from Mary-Kay

2009-04-06T07:55:00.002+03:00

We're not sure 100% what is going on, but his blood work showed an infection, and x-ray showed inflammation in the hip joint. There are 2 possible types of arthritis that it could be, and we are hopeful that it is the less serious of the 2 which can be treated and will go away. Fortunately today some American drs. will be at the hospital, everyone was off on Sun.

The baby is now limping like he has a wooden leg. Often he wants to be carried and not use his leg at all, and it's always worse after sleep. Hopefully he'll wake up this morning and be more himself. The dr. didn't say it was a caused by a cold, he said that it could be from a bacterial virus. He wants to watch the baby for 2 more days to be more clear.
We feel good we are here bc they are doing everything well, at a high level.

It's5 AM here and was woken up by the Muslim call to prayer, which they blast from speakers around the city. Fascinating really. Istanbul feels like any European capital, but has a lot more ancient ruins, and the huge mosques everywhere remind us we are still east. It really is a beautiful place. We are thrilled bc we had McDonalds.

Baby is waking up now, he is in bed singing.

Sashenka -- good news!

2009-04-05T17:04:00.002+03:00

Sasha wrote:
baby will be fine
nothing serious
Transient Synovitis
caused by cold

hospital Sashenka is going to

2009-04-04T19:08:00.000+03:00