Independence Day has never meant so much to me as it did this year. In my many trips to Mexico I didn't feel this feeling of 'it just doesn't seem fair' like I do now. Maybe its the difference in being an adult and seeing things through different eyes, maybe its becasue I feel like the Mexicans I've worked with may not have all the luxeries I have but they have somethings I'll never understand and have like deep very close knit families and awesome customs and traditions and food.
I feel diferntly about Russians. They are so close to having a democratic society but yet they still fear the corrupt police that walk about the city in groups of 3. I don't know why 3. American police usually come in pairs. Russians do not have the.. assurances that we do like insurance (health, life, unemployment, disability) They just don't have the little things that we take so for granted that are largely becasue of our goverment both federally, state and local. Yet they are so close. By that I mean who am I that I got to be born in the US and be an American citizen when people just as deserving of the things I enjoy don't have it becasue they were born in Russia.
I am the last person to agree with a lot of the desesions are politicians make and yes there is a bit crookedness in most goverment organizations but ya'll its nothing to compare to. I useto loath my 15 to 20 minuet drive into Abilene but now I see things differntly when I understand that most of my friends travel an hour plus everyday both ways to go to work in a crowded Metro train car. Some have to walk part of the way, train part of the way and subway part of the way. Now, some Americans make this choice to live in big cities but Russian economy is different and in many cases to support your family or to get an education you have to live in Moscow. This is why the poulation of Moscow is somewhere around 25 million and the birth rate is lower than the death rate. Puts it all in perspective and makes me irritated at myself and my fellow Americans that we just don't know how good we have it.
The words of Lee Greenwood has never meant so much to me as I sat with my family in my brand new truck on the 4th of July and ate icecream and apple pie and watched fireworks.

If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I’d worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
with just my children and my wife.

I’d thank my lucky stars,
to be livin here today.
‘ Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
and they can’t take that away.

And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

From the lakes of Minnesota,
to the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas,
From sea to shining sea.

From Detroit down to Houston,
and New York to L.A.
Well there's pride in every American heart,
and its time we stand and say.

That I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

And I’m proud to be and American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

Hello Real World

Well today was my first day back at work and wow, what a day.
I was running late because in effort to overcome my jetlag and inability to sleep through the night I worked myself to exhaustion before going to bed and then overslept this morning. I picked up Krispy Cream doughnuts on my way to work from a youth group fundraiser. They are going on missions to New York. Interesting how things come full circle.
When I got to work I sat down at my desk and got to work as usual. When I noticed not only was some one else's things on my desk, my things were not on my desk. You know I have pictures all over the place. I still didn't get it, though. I thought they moved thim becasue they rearranged the office and were getting ready to paint. After I followed up with a few customers I went and talked to my manager about some families and some issues that had developed while I was gone. He then informed me I was no longer was a family service councilor. They had demoted me to a community service person which means that I still sell for the company but they don't help at all. In fact I don't get a desk or phone or computer or anything. I declined this position and so they fired me. At this point I walked back to my office and realized my coworkers had not just moved my personal belongings they had boxed them up for me. Ouch! In addition my desk I was sitting at was no longer mine. Man I felt like a fool. The embarrassing and sad thing was all my coworkers knew what happen and so when I came and got my stuff they thought I knew I didn't have a job ever since I left. I wonder what they were told was the reason for my leaving.
Its bitter sweet. I was getting to were I hated my job but I am sad that families won't be taken care of like they need to be. Three weeks in Moscow, Russia really puts everything in perspective for me though. I am sooo glad I live in a country that takes care of its people. I am so thankful that I have Mary Kay to fall back on and an education to use as well. I am so thankful I live in a country where people are fundametally helpful and want the best for other people. I am so thankful that I grew up in a country that allowed my parents to teach me about God and Jesus and that I could develop my own faith without ridicule or judgement.
Its been a rough day but I am confident in my heavenly father and his ability to be so strong in my weakness and I am thankful for all the blessings I have in this life as well.

I am soo sorry!

I didn't realize you all were so glued to this website. I didn't mean to leave ya'll hanging. We have been soo busy in our last few days In Moscow and then the 37 hours of travel.
I wish I had time to update you on everything in the last few days but a abridged version will have to do for now.
Saturday I enjoyed touring Moscow State Universtiy and seeing the olympic stadium and some other beutiful scenery with Igor. I was shocked to find out half way through dinner that this outing was in fact a date in his eyes. how awkward! I look forward to telling you more about this strange encounter. He is a very sweet man and wants to impress me with grandose promises of money, cars and houses. I hd fun and enjoyed the siteseeing with a true Moscovite and history scholar.
Sunday we enjoyed Pizza one last time before a wonderful church service during a terrenchal downpour. After services we had our Russian party which was really great and hard for a lot of reasons. Our readers showered us in gifts and classic Russian food. The team decided we needed to be careful since we were fixing to be on planes for 2 days about what we ate. The hard part was being served food then they stand back and wait for approval. I was eager to try okroshka and caviar but was very glad Sahska, a self proclaimed Obshora (Glutton) was sitting next to me. He finished off most of the food for me so I didn't look rude. We played many traditonal Russian games and learned about a little Russian history. As the party was ending Igor arrived with 2 of his friends. Keith and Ken are from New Zealand and taught Kindergarden in an English inclusion school. They were the most bubbly people I'd ever met. It was great and I really wished I'd met them earlier in the trip, especially whem they mentioned that they hadn't found a church in Moscow yet but they went to New Zealand church of Christ. Here's the really awesome part. Igor has no intrest in christianity but he is surrounding himself with Christians and continueing realtionships with them. Its funny to me becasue Igor is a very stoac serious and in control individual. He's got most details of his life planned out 3 years from now and I see God working and I am excited to see how he contnues to use our team, me and the New Zealand guys in Igor's life.
After our final team meeting withthe missionary and his family we began to pack and get ready to go. Sashka stayed with us and we as always enjoyed him. we had a great relaxing dinnner and a belinni cafe. It was really nice and I enjoyed so much haveing more time to spend with this amazing person, Sashka.
The whole team stayed up all night and Denise and I hoped int he Taxi for the ride of our lives to the airport. I have never been so glad to arrive at the airport. Then we had roughly 30 hours of delays and layovers and speed walks to the next terminal. Our luggage did not arrive in Dallas when we did, Big Shocker! So we had to make so with our carry on supplies at the hotel in Dallas and for the end meeting. We got to meet with Skip who is part of the team that is going to Moscow in October. Its good to know that our reades we have grown to love so much are in good hands. He took us to the airport and we started a 7 hour fun fest of gate changes, a thunderstorm and delays becasue our captain got lost! I was so glad to get home but my frieds had already enjoyed dinner without me and my family was fit to be tied with 4 kids running around the terminal waiting on me. IT was nice they had signs and ballons and noise makers. It was embarrasing and great!
Now I am off to get my badly needed nails nails done and then took Rising Star for Independence Day Celebration which I hope to win the Homemade Icecream contest this year. Ohh and see all my family and celebrate the 4th too. Love you guys, thanks for all your prayers and support. Stay tuned for pictures and reflections as Ireturn to the real world and work and let God lead me to my next trip.