Christmas, New Year & Conferences

I know I requested it several times, so thank you for praying for peace during the Christmas season. It was much better than I anticipated, largely due to the wonderful community I have here in Moscow. I'm so thankful for all of these people through New Life, RUDN, and Moscow Bible Church. I just wanted to share a little glimpse of what's been happening around here lately:

Christmas day we got nearly a foot of snow, which made for some awesome sledding in the park. It was SO fun! What a gift from the Lord to get that much snow ON Christmas day - not a day before or after. 

We had our student party on December 19th and it was a blast! 

Look at this super fun group we have!

The girls overtaking the photo booth...

My sweet friend, Ksenia, and me rocking the blind drawing game. We make a great team!

Singing Christmas carols and sharing about Jesus Christ and the 

significance of His birth as our Lord and Savior.

Watching a session of Cru Conference via livestream. #satelliteconference 

#comeonstint #itscoldhere #wemissourGNWfriends

Walking around Red Square & the market with 

friends from Moscow Bible Church.

This one is from a while ago, but I LOVE it! Our friend, Massie, helped us film a promo rap video to get more US students interested in coming on STINT. If you somehow missed this rap video, you can check it out here: Moscow Baby

This photo of Meg & me represents all of the hours spent baking and cooking for holiday gatherings. I only called my mom one time freaking out a little because it seemed like every recipe I looked up had an ingredient I couldn't/didn't know how to find in Moscow. After that call I got brave and set out to find molasses so I could make brown sugar. Unfortunately, this excursion was a complete failure and I'm still on the hunt. 

On a positive note, I made cinnamon rolls for the first time Christmas morning and they were delicious! We also made this toffee bark (pictured below) a few times. We've tried all kinds of new soups and I even made my own version of pad thai last night. Baked oatmeal, fudge, and raspberry thumb print cookies are also on my list of learned baked goods. I'm working up quite the repertoire here.

Tonight we will celebrate the New Year with a few friends -- eating soup, playing games, watching movies, and sparkling cider floats at midnight (my family's recent tradition). We also get to skype in to the Greater Northwest region's Cru Conference tonight and say hi to all of our friends back home! My team has experienced more fomo (fear of missing out) during this conference, than any other time since we've been in Russia. Do you know how hard it is to start a strategic planning meeting when all your Cru friends are at conference swing dancing?! We were feeling a little left out. 

New Year's is the biggest holiday all year in Russia. Some of the Russian New Year traditions are similar to our Christmas traditions -- giving gifts, eating a big family dinner, decorating a tree, etc. Around midnight people let off fireworks and take walks/play in the snow. I've been processing 2014 and dreaming about 2015 this morning, but I think I need to sit on those thoughts a little longer and post a more coherent version tomorrow to kick off the first day of the year. 

The past two days my team has been in long planning meetings to get ready for the Spring. This next week we will rest, spend time with students (everyone is on break now), and get ready for the month of January, which consists of a LOT of traveling. We leave for Scotland a week from tomorrow. After some rest there - and maybe a day trip to London - we will go to the Eastern European/Russia staff conference, then head over to Spain for the STINT mid-year conference. I'm praying that this month would be one of refreshment and renewed vision! 

Happy New Year, friends!

It Is Well

Grander earth has quaked before
Moved by the sound of His voice
Seas that are shaken and stirred
Can be calmed and broken for my regard

Through it all, through it all
My eyes are on You
Through it all, through it all
It is well

Through it all, through it all
My eyes are on You
It is well with me

Far be it from me to not believe
Even when my eyes can't see

And this mountain that's in front of me
Will be thrown into the midst of the sea

So let go my soul and trust in Him
The waves and wind still know His name

It is well with my soul

[Kristene DiMarco, "It Is Well"]
Listen: "It Is Well" on YouTube

I keep coming back to this song. The words are few and simple, but so profound and beautiful. Through it all my eyes are on you and through it all it is well. Every moment, I am so dependent on Jesus. When my heart is broken, with my gaze fixed on Him, I can still be confident that it truly is well with my soul. My heart is content in Him, regardless of the battle going on in and around me. 

Having a good day where I feel "fine" and things seem to go well doesn't mean all of a sudden I can do it all on my own. Where does my gaze tend to fall on hard days? Myself. Where does my gaze tend to fall on good days? Myself. I either want to protect myself and give in to self-pity, or do it all on my own and give in to self-righteousness. I still need Jesus in the good days just as much as the hard days. My desperate need for a Savior and the fulfillment of the Gospel in my life is not contingent on how I feel about life or the circumstances I find myself in. My need for Jesus runs much deeper than my emotions, or even my knowledge of this need.

I have felt so weary the last couple of weeks. My heart is tender and prone to bursts of emotion and fear. While God has been doing so much here and providing so many opportunities to share His love with people around us, I'm learning to rely on Jesus when my strength is gone. I feel as though I've got nothing left to give. The Lord brought to mind the connection between these two verses this week:

The JOY of the Lord is my STRENGTH (Nehemiah 8:10). In HIS presence is fullness of JOY (Psalm 16:11). You are my joy, Jesus, which gives me strength each day. I rely on You to fill me with these two things I lack, and which I cannot create on my own. Joy and strength from the world or myself are temporary and shallow. You are forever, unfailing, always faithful, steadfast, full of love and grace, and You love me with an everlasting love. In Your presence I find joy, which gives me strength. In this, I know my deep need for you whether I feel on top of the world or far in the depths. 

My need for you never changes. Your promise to meet my needs never fails.

"I lift my eyes up to the mountains - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1-2

The Brutal Brokenness of the World

I saw something on the Metro yesterday that continues to haunt me and bring me to tears. As bitter as the memory is, I hope I never forget it. I know that there is a purpose in experiencing pain that is far greater than I fully understand. But I'm confident that the Lord works ALL things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Thank you, Jesus, for putting compassion and discernment in my heart as I encounter the dark things of the world.

We got on the Metro at our normal stop and I sat down. About seven feet away from me there was a girl, probably eleven or twelve years old. She had long blonde hair all rolled up in a bun on the back of her head. She wore a dark blue winter coat and stood near the door of the train. When I noticed her, she was holding onto the bar for support on the moving train and a stoic expression across her face. Mostly she just seemed quiet, but did talk a few times to the man standing next to her.

I thought, he could be her Dad. But it was a weak, unconvincing thought, because I very quickly felt like something was not right. He was not her Dad. She didn't know him. There was no hint of familiarity on her face, only a fearful independence. I knew that she was alone and afraid.

Panic began to rise in me; I grew fidgety with worry. "What do I do?!"

The man was probably in his forties. He was tall and larger than the average Russian man, which contributed to the fierceness of his stance. He was kind of scraggly-looking and unkempt, too. He would say something to her and she would respond. He lowered his ear closer to her, indicating he couldn't hear, and she repeated her response in his ear. As he moved his head closer to her's, she dropped her hand from the bar and took a step back. She might have looked around, but I don't remember. 

I felt like I was going to burst with the imploring question, "What do I do?!"

A woman a few seats down from me said something to the girl and quickly took her hand and pulled her over, away from the man. She looked the girl in her eyes and spoke gently, calmly, with a reassuring smile on her face. She kept the girl's hands in her own and tenderly stroked them with her thumbs. The kind woman just kept holding her her hands and talking to her, keeping her focus off the man who kept looking at them.

The girl's face and demeanor changed suddenly. She looked calm. She knew she could trust this woman. She knew she was safe. I felt confident she would be safe. 

As soon as we left the Metro I grabbed my friend and told her I needed to explain what I had just seen. I started talking and just began to weep. I was so overcome with sadness and burdened by the brokenness in the world. Even now, I can't stop tears from streaming down my cheeks. I felt overwhelmed at the prospect of what could have happened, had nobody seen this child alone, but surrounded by onlookers. How often does something like this happen, and the end look very, very different? How often am I blinded to the brokenness of the world?

My heart is broken. I'm thankful to the Lord for opening my eyes, but so deeply saddened at the same time. I know there is purpose in experiencing brokenness: developing compassion, being moved to the point of action, developing a deeper understanding of God's heart, gaining a renewed understanding of man's depravity and absolute need for a Savior.

"For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness, I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them." Isaiah 61:8

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

"He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young." Isaiah 40:11

"Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow." Isaiah 1:14

God cares about our brokenness and the brokenness that fills the world. His provision is Jesus Christ. I'm so thankful, Lord, that this place is not our home, but you are preparing for us something so much greater! Until then, may my heart never grow apathetic or indifferent toward the injustices of this world. Help me to fight for freedom and truth for the oppressed. 

Renewed Perspective

The other day my roommate, exasperated with big city life, exclaimed, "I'd pay big money just to see an open field right now!" That's what happens at the beginning of month number three when you send six Pacific Northwesterners who are used to SMALL cities, across the world to a MASSIVE city. We just need a little room to breathe.

Once a month our team has a "Day with the Lord" - we all spend the day with God, however we choose. I've been anticipating this day for a while because it's always refreshing to do something on my own that especially gives me life in the midst of living in a city and season that is so draining. Doing something "on my own" being a big part of what makes it rejuvenating. :)

This morning I finished reading Hinds' Feet on High Places, by Hannah Hurnard. It's a book that I've heard so much about for years, but never picked up until this week. I love that the Lord knows exactly the right time to pour out exactly the right kind of encouragement and wisdom. There are so many anecdotes that I could extract from the story (it's an intricately detailed allegory), but the one that touched my heart so deeply today is this: my need to daily surrender my desire for love & affirmation from people. I say that I trust that God's promises are true and that He will provide what I need. But I live in this constant battle between that and desiring affirmation from people instead. Anything else besides Jesus just doesn't fill you up. Why do I keep looking? When I rest in the knowledge and assurance of who God is and who I am, I am much more confident and at peace than when I seek to find that from people around me.

In light of this sweet reminder of God's intimate love for me, I decided to spend my day with the Lord ice skating in Red Square. I really don't even know how to describe the significance behind this, but for the past several years I've had this sort of idealized view of outdoor ice skating rinks. I think they're the epitome of beauty & romance. Before today, I'd never been ice skating outside, but there are definitely a lot of opportunities for that in Moscow!

Today was a great reminder that life in Moscow is not all bad. While it's easy to get flustered by the fast-paced life, crazy transportation, constant cold, extra early sunsets and language barrier, there are still many more adventures to have and new things to see! I feel rested and ready to keep going. God is working IN me. He's working AROUND me. And I believe he's working THROUGH me. He is so faithful to provide from the smallest desire of my heart to the world's greatest revival. His plans for me are GOOD and there is a purpose to the madness of Moscow. 

Thanking God for such a wonderful and restful day! Now I'm off to make dinner and decorate our Christmas tree with my roommates. Have a great day! :)

Recent Moscow Highlights

I've clearly been falling behind on my duty as a blogger. But in my defense, HOW IS IT EVEN DECEMBER??! I cannot believe how quickly these three months have flown by, never mind each day in and of itself. Life in Moscow brings new meaning to the phrase a "whirlwind of a day" -- this generally describes six out of the seven days of my week. Ask anyone on my team and they will tell you the same thing: if you've accomplished one thing today, you've done well. I think about the nearly minute-by-minute calendar I used to keep back in the States and laugh at the idea of attempting the same scheduling system here. It just doesn't work.

While I have been lagging on posting reports, I think often about writing! So, because it is somehow already 10:00pm, I'm going to write out just a few quick highlights:

We celebrated Thanksgiving twice last week! Once as a whole staff team (30 of us) on Thursday, and then we had a dinner party for students on Friday (70 people total). Our staff dinner felt just like any family holiday celebration and the food was incredible. Maybe it's because we were craving the familiarity of home, or maybe it's because of the hours spent making these homemade dishes. Either way, I loved it. I'm truly blessed to work with these amazing people! Our student dinner was a big hit, too! It was so fun to introduce my friends to their first taste of pumpkin pie, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and all the works. It was also fun to see SO many students show up for our big dinner! I love witnessing this community start to form at RUDN.

This is our group at English Club last week. We've grown in size every Wednesday, including the number of students who come hang out and talk more at a cafe afterwards!

Jessareh and I hung out with our friend, Ksenia, a couple weeks ago and she took us to our new favorite coffee shop: Double B's. As soon as we walked in we recognized the distinct Northwesty feel: the baristas wore flannel, they sold gluten free bars, the music was of the common English coffee shop type, and the coffee was the best I've had. It felt like a sweet taste of home here in the heart of Moscow.

We have our last regular English Club of the semester tomorrow & an English Short Film Festival Friday night as our big events of the week. 

• The sun starts setting (it's a slow process) around 2:00 in the afternoon. This blows my mind every day. I've just eaten lunch and it feels like my day is already over! This is why they recommend vitamin D. I need some sun!
• I found International Delight coffee creamer at the grocery store by our flat! This is, well, a miracle, and I thank the Lord for it every morning as I sip my delicious hazelnut flavored coffee. 
• I also discovered a Thai restaurant right around the corner from my church. Hazelnut coffee creamer and pad thai, what more could I ask for?!
• My team is taking a vacation in January and attending two conferences right after. We'll start with a week of rest in Scotland, then staff conference in Turkey, then STINT mid-year conference in Spain. Three countries in three weeks! 
• Language class is going really well. It's so fun to learn a new language. I'm thankful to have moved beyond the "Hello, my name is Kailene" stage. Of course, I still have to pull out "я не говорю по-русски" ("I don't speak Russian") often; I'm a PRO at that phrase. 

I would love to stay more connected and share more stories of life in Russia! If you're interested in receiving my monthly prayer letters via email, just let me know at: kailene.power@cru.org. I plan on sending my next one out at the beginning of next week. 

All of these updates are more "life in Russia" highlights than what I'm learning and how I'm growing... I assure you, those things ARE happening. But they're happening very quickly (as is everything else), so it sometimes takes a while to process and figure out. There is so much that I'm learning. 

Also, it's now almost 11:00pm and I really need sleep. Good night, friends. :)