Mixed Blessings and Emotions

Summertime in Moscow

It's with saddness that we must report that our time in Moscow is drawing to a close. A decision was announced on Tuesday that BP will be reducing the staff here in Moscow. and since we have been here over 4 years we will be leaving on or before October 1, 2008. What a wonderful experience it has been to live in not one but two cities in this vast country! I will have to admit that Moscow was my personal favorite, but Izhevsk had its own personal charm. This has been one of the strongest expats communities Ron and I have ever had the priviledge of being a part of and we have really enjoyed our time here. In Jan of 2008 I had the honor of sitting next to Rob and Dede on their way to Moscow to pick up their son, Feb we meet Mark and Sinzina, and in May what we lovingly call our "adoption connection" expanded by leaps and bounds. Many thanks to the May group for stepping out on a limb to discover why these crazy American expats had an interest in your adoption journey. June has been fun with several new couples in town, dinners at our favorite restaurant, stops at Starbucks, and fun trips to the outdoor market with adoptive couples. Although after our experience on the metro with Becky and Keith we were concerned that we would never hear from adoptive couples again! LONG STORY! We are looking forward to those that will be coming into town in July as we will still be available right up until the packers arrive. No date has been set yet for moving so please continue to contact us. Also, I have proposed to the board of our American Women's Organization here in Moscow that we make meeting and assisting adoptive couples a possible interest group. So, although we are leaving late summer early fall we will maintain a connection here in Moscow for those coming later in the year.


Andy and Kasey at their optical clinic in Kyle, Texas

At this point, we have no idea what the future may bring for us within the grasp of BP. Our son and his wife will be bringing our first grandchild into the family around Christmas, and that is a stong pull towards heading to the retirement farm.


Our future Vet on Arbat Street

Ashley seems to be having the time of her life with her clinical rotations, and is just a few months away from reaching her goal of becoming a vet. We marvel at the accomplishment of our gifts from God and thank our Lord for them. What a blessing they are to us, and we are so proud of them and the goals they have accomplished

At the age of 53 there is still some possible interesting assignments that merit investigating so check back in a few weeks for updates.