No we did not fall off the face of the earth..

We are alive and well and presently abiding in a wonderful missionary house in Kerrville, Texas (near San Antonio).  We had a good plane ride from Russia and the kids actually traveled fantastic!  (complete miracle so thank you for praying!).    We adjusted to jet lag and settled in and then James' dear Grandfather Virgil Gorden passed away.  We were very thankful we could hold his hand and sing to him that morning before he went to be with Jesus.  Such a precious memory we will hold in our heart;  God was merciful to let us be there and not on the other side of the world.  

After the funeral we began a new family adventure.. called.. the FLU.  You know how you get sick in the winter and think to yourself, 'oh I must have the flu.'   I used to think that.. and then I got the real honest to goodness Texas version of the flu - I have never been so sick in my life!   Made me very, very thankful I rarely get sick! :)

The last few weeks have been quite blissful..  we have accomplished so much in the schooling department - HOORAH!  And have just been loving the sunshine, outdoors, playing in the creeks and warm weather.  I think I have read my Bible more in the past two weeks than all of last year.  (actually I guess that's a confession)  It's seriously been just unreal and exactly what we needed.  Time to think, pray about what God has for our future and the ministry in Nara-Faminsk.  James has often said that the most helpful preparation for the ministry in Russia was the years he worked on the Texas panhandle farm - time to be alone, think, meditate on scripture.   We're just beyond grateful for the past few weeks and the refreshment and encouragement we've received.

In touristy news... we got to visit the Alamo and take a boat ride through downtown San Antonio with dear friends.  Rachel has been riding almost every week with James' cousin's family - wonderful place, better than a petting zoo.  (if you want to see some cute pictures of the kids, go to www.four-mile-farm.blogspot.com and scroll down to February 2nd)  And of course best of all lots of loving on by the Grandparents.  The kids have enjoyed taking their turn to spend the night at Nana & Grandpa's all by themselves.  I cracked up when Caleb returned from his big adventure and the first thing David asked him was .. 'how much sugary stuff did Nana give you????!'   Oh the joys of staying with Grandparents! :)

We have been overjoyed at the reports we're receiving from Andrei back in Nara-Faminsk.  The local school invited him to have a class twice a month!!  Lena & Vitaley (got saved at the first camp we held three years ago) continue to have Bible studies in their apartment.   It's so rewarding to see how people have become more active and taken on more responsibility in our absence.  (hmmm we should leave more often! :)   

Thank you again for your prayers for our family!  Blessings to each of you!  And yes pictures will follow hopefully soon :)