A Moscow Weekend

This weekend was a full one with everything from an American football party (Texas vs. Oklahoma) and The Moscow International Festival: Circle of Light, to homemade cheeseburgers that were so delicious we all took out our phones to snap a picture and commemorate the moment. (I think they were way better than our Shake Shack burgers.... but Shake Shack still wins, because PEANUT BUTTER MILKSHAKES. No competition.)

On Saturday morning, Meghan, Jessi, Jessareh, and I went to an English class at RUDN. We already met four of the fifteen students a couple weeks ago. They told their professor that they met some American students and he told them to invite us to class! So we went, not knowing if we'd be sitting in the back of a large lecture hall, or giving a speech, or teaching grammar; it was just an opportunity we couldn't refuse! The class mostly consisted of students asking us questions about our Universities and life in America, then translating back to their professor. This was the "practicing English" part. We got to share why we came to Russia and about working with New Life ("Cru" in Russia). I talked to the Professor a bit afterwards and he invited us to church! It would be GREAT to get connected with a Christian Professor at RUDN to help with networking at the University. We also had several students sign up for info about English Club, which starts next week!  

Then we made cheeseburgers and fries for lunch, which felt a little bit like heaven. 

That night our friends from Texas and Oklahoma invited us over to watch the game. It was just an all-American kind of day - English class, cheeseburgers & fries, and football. :)

...Until that night when we met up with Diana and Anna, two students from RUDN, and went to the Moscow light festival near Red Square. This was THE COOLEST thing we've done in Moscow yet! It was so fun and VERY well done!

Jessareh, Diana, and Meghan on the Metro

Even if you don't have a Facebook account, you can view a short video clip of the light show at the Bolshoi Theater here: Moscow Light Show

We had a church picnic yesterday at Moscow Bible Church. It's been GREAT to connect with a local church and have a place to invite students. We're really excited to be a part of this church! 

The rest of my team went out to a different part of the light show after church, but I decided to go home. According to my friend Emily, my inability to participate in two late nights out in a row mostly points to my age... they're just not even the slightest bit appealing. I'd say it's more my introvertedness and complete contentment with staying home in yoga pants, making popcorn, and reading a good book. Either way, next to the light show, it was definitely a close second in the "Best Nights in Moscow" category. ;-) Without even planning any of them, I ended up skyping with THREE close friends - from Virginia, Idaho, and Oregon. It was such a blessing to connect with them! (I think skype is a great alternative to social outings for introverts...)

I felt so rested and "filled up" by the end of the weekend. I'm thankful that God knows the best way to meet ALL of our needs - physical, financial, emotional, spiritual, etc. He knows every facet of my being and meets me where I'm at, in every moment. More often than not, I just don't know what I need. But God is sovereign, and in my ignorance, He's faithful to provide. I have so much to be grateful for!

St. Basil's Cathedral at night!
I feel like a Russian with my big, black scarf.