Russia!!!

I'm in St. Petersburg!!! The flights were very long, but it was nice to be in a group and much less stressful than traveling alone. We've had a few team members who have been sick already so prayers for health are greatly appreciated. We're interviewing students this morning to assess their English level and we start teaching on Monday. I'm teaching music with 2 others. I really like the team and it's been incredible the way we've all bonded already. We've definitely felt spiritual attach because of that though. 
I heard a sermon in Phoenix that changed my perspective on how I think about living someplace like Russia long-term. Last year I kept asking myself if I really could live here for an extended period of time and the answer I kept coming up with was no. Throughout this last year, I've felt an increasing call to Russia that I couldn't explain. Even going into this trip I've been nervous and afraid of teaching. I realized that the correct perspective was not to ask if I thought I could live here long term, but to ask if I could take one more step where I am. 
“If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. If you look at God you'll be at rest.” 
― Corrie Ten Boom

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”
― Corrie Ten Boom, Clippings from My Notebook

Both of these quotes from Corrie Ten Boom remind me that no one can thrive in life by looking and thinking about the future constantly. God wants us to look to Him everyday and only then He can give us the strength to live for today. 

"I lift my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,

Maker of heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1-2

Leaving for Russia!!!!!

Hi Friends!
I leave in 13 hours to meet up with my team in Phoenix and we all fly out on May 29th!! I can hardly believe that I'm going back to Russia. After getting back from my trip last summer I wasn't sure that I wanted to go back to Russia at all and certainly not for a few years. Well here I am, going back. I think the most incredible part about this is that I can't explain why I'm so excited! It's supernatural this love I have, this desire to go back. During the whole process of preparing for this trip, God has been showing me time and again how the things that happened last year were a foundation for this year. That I really did learn things and that it wasn't a waste of time; all things that I knew to be true and yet my trip last summer still seamed so pointless. It's funny to me that the things that others would be nervous about aren't bothering me at all. I'm not afraid of going to Russia. I've done that, flown all the way to Siberia and back by myself. What I haven't done is be with a team the entire time. I see how God orchestrated that I go on this trip second even though it's everything I had wanted for my first. This time I can focus more on connecting with my team than on everything about the country being so new. I know there will be vast differences between the culture in Southern Siberia and in St. Petersburg. I know that this trip will be a growing experience in being with people. I forget sometimes what a lone ranger I can be. Even just today as I was running errands around town, I didn't really think to ask anyone for a ride, I just got on the bus and went. I guess I hadn't realized how much I really do enjoy the power I feel when I can get to the places I want to go without any help. I feel so much more like an adult when I'm not trapped at home because it's dark and no one can give me a ride somewhere. Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever feel like an adult.....ahh but I digress. The point is, I know I need to learn more about being dependent on others and having others be dependent on me. I'm sorry if this post seems to lack enthusiasm, but I'm very tired and not done packing yet; therefore I shall sign off to get sleep and then leave for my trip!!!!!!
Please pray for unity in my team with so many of us, I feel like we are going to need extra grace to be unified. Also please pray that I won't let any feelings of "otherness" keep me from making the effort to get to know my teammates!