our blog

First Day in the Studio

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:27:46 +0300

So far, our search for an apartment is turning up nothing in the area where we’d like to live. Therefore, we have decided to decrease the intensity of our search after this week. We’ll keep checking newspaper listings and calling a couple agents occasionally, but we’ll not go out as often to look at apartments unless they’re in the right area. We’re praying we’ll find something by the time I return from Russia in mid-September or shortly after. Please pray for God’s provision for an apartment for our family soon.

Since we won’t be spending as much time out and about looking at apartments, I’ll begin working at the studio downstairs (in the same building where Christy’s sister and bro-in-law live). I actually started today since we didn’t have any apartment viewings scheduled in the morning. So, after my usual morning walk (practically a swim considering how humid it is), I decided to head down to begin familiarizing myself with the cameras (pictured above) I will be using.

I’ve never used professional quality camcorders before, but they don’t seem too difficult to use. There are a lot of great features that I don’t have on my consumer camcorder for which I am very grateful. I will have a lot of flexibility in what I can shoot with these extra features. I’m very excited about my new start as a videographer. I imagine when the new church is ready, I’ll be regularly involved in filming Sunday services. I think I’m going to like this work.

Patrick

Return to Russia

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:36:28 +0300

As many of you know, the majority of our personal belongings are still in Russia. Ever since we announced to the GO Board our decision not to return to Russia and our proposal to serve in the Middle East instead, it has always been part of the plan for me to return to Russia to retrieve everything shortly after arriving in Haifa.

Well, that time has come. I purchased a ticket for my return to Russia from September 9-19. It is a blessing that we were able to get here before my Russian visa expires on September 26. I will go to the Maurers place where all our belongings are temporarily stored and go through everything, perhaps leaving some things behind in order to cut down on the amount of things to take back to Israel.

It is likely to be a challenging process to get it done. I will have to hire a customs broker to help me through it all. Please pray for me as I return to get our things in order and over to Haifa. I can’t honestly say I’m looking forward to the trip, though I am excited about seeing the Maurers and other friends left behind in Elektrostal and Moscow. Again, thank you for your prayers.

Patrick

Action!!!

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 20:27:38 +0300

Each day, we feel a little bad for Ethan and Megan because Christy and I and Brent spend a good portion of the day driving around town looking at apartments while they stay home with little activity. This makes them quite rambunctious by the afternoon and in need of some kind of physical outlet. Since Haifa is situated right on the Mediterranean Sea, we simply have to get in the car and drive down to the water and jump in. After a long, hot, humid day, the water feels so good. It’s the perfect temperature.

We went out about 50 feet and were still only waist deep. The sand is so fine and the water so clean. Every time we saw a big wave coming at us, we would yell “Action.” If it wasn’t such a big wave, Megan would yell “Baby action.” We had a great time together.

We followed our fun at the beach with a meal of falafel, a small croquettes made from ground chick peas, seasoned with toasted sesame seeds and salt, served in pita bread with all kinds of goodies like cucumber and tomato salad, onions, hummus and tahini, a paste made from ground sesame seeds. It’s a favorite meal when you want something fast and cheap. Come visit us and we’ll make sure you try some.

Patrick

Hunting for a Home

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:23:33 +0300

We began our search for an apartment today. In the Arab community, this is usually done by word of mouth. Some of our Arab friends began asking and looking around for any vacancies in the area, but have not found anything suitable so far. We also heard from a woman in the church (our soon-to-be Arabic tutor) that there is an available flat in her building. We’re waiting to hear from her as she is inquiring to learn more.

Another way to find an apartment is to use an agent. This is the method we used today. It was a 3-bedroom flat on the 4th floor of a building high on the hill overlooking the harbor. Unfortunately, there were windows on all sides of the building except the sea side, but the apartment was way too small anyway. We called a 2nd agent about another apartment, but were unable to arrange a viewing for today. Hopefully, we’ll be able to see it tomorrow. We’ll continue our search then.

Thanks for your prayers,

Patrick

Happy Birthday, Megan !!!

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 15:32:43 +0300

We knew it was Megan’s birthday today from our first conscious moments of the day. That’s because Megan woke us up at seven to let us know. She was dressed up to the nines and beaming like the sun. Remember what it was like on birthdays when we were young?

I dragged myself out of bed and began making Megan’s birthday cake, white with pink frosting and sprinkles, her choice. I have to give credit to Betty Crocker for that one. Thanks, Betty! Aunt Loretta began the spoiling by making pancakes for breakfast. She and Brent continued the spoiling by taking us all to Ramses, one of our favorite restaurants in Haifa where we always order shrimp. Cake and presents followed.

Megan’s was the first birthday we celebrated shortly after moving to Russia and again the first to celebrate in Israel. It’s a nice way to begin a new and exciting chapter in our life.

Thanks to all those who sent birthday greetings!!

Patrick