Nizhniy!

Trip Start Aug 21, 2005

Trip End Dec 08, 2005

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Flag of Russia Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia
Wednesday, September 7, 2005

I've settled in pretty well here; my first week at Nizhniy. I have decorated my dorm room with all your cards, and have the encouraging notes from my great friends from community group at my bedside! My class schedule is language class from 9:30-12:30 with a tea break, then our first seminar: History and Sociology of Religion in Russia from 2-4 pm, Monday through Thursday (The other two seminars will follow in the subsequent months). It looks intense, but I love the language teacher already, Professor Ludwina. She endearingly refers to us as "my babies." I'm a little frustrated with the Cyrillic alphabet, but I just have to keep at it.
Last night we had our first group Bible study. Joanna, the RA lead it from John 13. I've been having some great times alone with God, too. My friend and mentor, Brenda, put together a personal devotional for me for every day I'm gone, that she wrote herself! I love it so much that I brag about it to my friends and about what a great friend I have

My scavenger hunt team

. (Thanks again, Brenda!) I also wanted to thank my parents right now for letting me go on this trip. After the Bible study, we were talking about safety issues, and they said to remember our family back home, that it wasn't only us students taking a risk, but our families letting us. And it struck me that I never thanked my parents for that. I can't imagine what it would be like to let my child leave my side after 20 years. So, thank you Mom and Dad! Also, while I have the opportunity to thank, Dr. Foltz, a professor I hold in high regard, I still remember and thank you for your "contribution" of cake last spring towards my trip!

I just wanted to close with a segment of a great and encouraging quote I came across in "The Cost of Discipleship" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The quote was from Kohlbrugge:
"...The entire goodwill of God embraces me: it is the ground whereon I stand, the roof beneath which I hide. All the blessedness and peace of God raises and bears me aloft. It is the air I breathe and the nourishment on which I thrive. There is no more sin in me, and I have ceased to commit it. I have a good conscience, and know that I am walking in God's ways and doing his will; I know that my whole life is fashioned in accordance with that will, whether I walk or stand, sit or lie down, am awake or asleep. Every thought I speak and every deed I do I think and do according to His will. Wheresoever I be, at home or abroad, it is according to His gracious will..."

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Comments

campione on Sep 10, 2005 at 09:10PM

Hey Sister
Hello again Denise. Sounds like it's still going good there. Everything just keeps sounding more and more interesting. The teacher sounds like an odd, but cool person. So your converting now, huh? First Romanian to American, now American to Russian. What next? Ha So yeah, I got my hair trimmed, not so much of a difference though. I'll send you a email with recent pictures of the whole family. So I'll be awaiting your next entry. Love you! Bye.

-David

eveangel100 on Sep 17, 2005 at 10:38PM

Hey Denise!
Hey Denise, Stephan at school just e-mailed everyone about your travel blog, so I had to come check it out! I hope everything's going well there for you! All the way in Russia, you are such a brave girl, I admire you so much for that. :D

Things are going well at school, already into our 4th week. You should see the Drive Force office when you come back, it's totally different. And I've got all sorts of fun activities arranged this year for commuters, so it'll be fun when you get back. Bye!

eveangel100 on Sep 17, 2005 at 10:39PM

Re: Hey Denise!
Oh and that was from me, Nicole Johnson, hehe. :P