Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Merry Christmas (a little late) and Happy New Year. Well, my last Christmas in the States for the next two year has come ... and gone. We went to Mississippi this year for Christmas, and it was wonderful. Despite the fact that my ENTIRE (dad, mom, and me) family caught a 24 hour stomach bug, the rest of the days were filled with hanging out with the family and eating tons of yummy food. I also got to spend time with my cousins and the newest addition to the Darville clan, Ada Grace. She is eight months old, and I am soooo thankful for technology, which will enable me to see her while I am in Russia. I also got an video ipod for Christmas...WOO HOO! Stephen had to fly out on Christmas. The team had to report in Tampa on Christmas night. It was okay though...we got to eat our meal and open presents a day early. Perfect!! Well, in a couple of days we'll head to Tampa... the first day of 2007 will hold UT beating Penn State. =)

Good Ole' Rocky Top...

Rocky Top Tennessee!


That's right, boys and girls, we are going to the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Florida. On January 1, 2007, the Vols will beat the Penn State Lions.

The good news: I get to go! My parents said that this would be the first and last bowl game that I would be able to see my brother, Stephen, dress...so, it's a family affair. Yay!

This is a picture of my family and me before a game. What can I say? We love our Volunteers...

A New Phase...

Well, the announcement you have all been waiting for has arrived: I have decided to move to Ivanovo, Russia for two years! Ivanovo is about 186 miles northeast of Moscow. I am really excited and nervous all at the same time. I have been asking everyone to pray for clarity, and that is exactly what God gave me. He is so good. I'll leave for Russia around mid-April 2007. Stay tuned for more updates!!

Waiting...

I will run when I cannot walk
I will sing when there is no song
I will pray when there is no prayer
I will listen when I cannot hear

Sitting in the waiting room of silence
Waiting for that still soft voice i know
Offering my words up to the rooftop to Your heart
Trusting that this closet's where You are

Lord i know if I change my mind
You will change my heart in time
Sovereign Lord this time's from You
So I sit in the waiting room of silence
Cause its all about You

I will fight when I cannot feel
I will trust when You dont seem real
I will tell when I cannot speak
I will step when I cannot see

-Shane Barnard, Waiting Room

Family time

Here are a couple of pictures of my family:

Hollis, my cousin, thinks he needs "his" reading glasses like my Nannie does

This is me (Aunt Sarah) and Ada Grace, my cousin Courtney's baby

я люблю Россию ...

or in English, I love Russia.
I thought I'd post a few pictures from my last trip to Russia. I had a blast and I can't wait to return soon.



The picture above is of my friend, Emily, and me in front of St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow. As you can, see were being silly. The Russians and tourists around us were quite perplexed by our actions.






These are some of my Russian friends (Dennis, Jenya, Vadim, and Vova). We had gone to a campfire, or what they call a kosteur, and had roasted hotdogs on sticks. They, of course, drank Vodka, the Russian "tradition."

Isn't it great ...

to have a loving family and to have the type of childhood where all you can remember is love? I know many people don't, so I feel amazingly blessed. Here is a conversation I had with my cousin, Hollis. He will be four this month.

Hollis: Where did my Momma go?
Me: She is coming back--she likes you too much to leave you.
Hollis: mmm hhmm. Nannie likes me too...you too.
Me: We sure do.
Hollis: Everybody loves me.

Needless to say, he is very confident. It's funny and endearing. That's my family...we've always felt loved.

Suzdal

This is a landscape view of Suzdal, Russia. 

My first...

This seems to be all the rage...so I guess I'll try it. Expect exciting things soon...