Thanks to Russia’s recent retaliative response to the USA’s “Magnitsky Act” my invitations to visit school classrooms have been postponed indefinitely or cancelled. The connection between those connected with gross human rights violations (on both sides) and an introverted ambassador for mutual respect and understanding is hard to make. I checked, but I’m definitely not on the list. But no matter. The directive says a teacher must give a month’s notice to her boss if a foreigner is to come to the classroom. What a country!
SO, WHY NOT JUST GO SHOPPING! – Retail therapy, right?
Natasha Valkova and I spent a fascinating hour in an exhibition of hand crafted jewelry, art, handbags, souvenirs and other unusual things. The lovely girl in charge told us all about the artists, the techniques and materials, etc. 
Or… Why not EAT CHOCOLATE! This bar is nearly a foot long. And the photo below it is of the chocolate AISLE in a local supermarket. What you are seeing is bars only. To my right, from one end of the aisle to the other, are boxes of chocolates. Uh…can you say YUMMY!
AND Discover new recipes with a friend! Bringing back a fond memory of my first visit to her house (with Liz), Natasha and I prepared 2 new salads together. See my RECIPE page for details. 
At last, one brave (or uninformed) director welcomed me to school yesterday. I will not post which school or the pictures I took that include the teachers. But I will say that it was a rousing hour of non-stop questions about America and my impressions of Russia by bright, attentive 10th graders to whom Tanya teaches the CrossRoads curriculum each week.
After the meeting, I mentioned one girl in particular, Oksana, who asked deep, pointed, and intriguing questions. I was impressed with this girl (on left in dark shirt) and her fearlessness in the presence of a foreigner as well as her obviously innate curiousity. Tanya told me that she is her most difficult CrossRoads student–always contradicting, challenging the concepts, and posing her own well-constructed ideas. Mistrusting.
Ah ha! I thought. So, this one open door into a classroom. Could it have been for Oksana?
What do you think?
God is providing for everyone, eh?
Yep – abundantly.
You never know how God will use this for good. I’m glad one teacher gave you an opportunity, and it sounds like the kids were happy to have you speak too. Enjoy your time shopping and the chocolate!
I’m glad too, Francy! I guess some lean toward the spirit of the law rather than the rule. In any case, the meeting was a great success and I pray the one girl’s heart was cracked open just a bit.
Divine appointments are the Lord’s itinerary!!!
So true! I like his plan.
You are one flexible lady! Is that chocolate bar come home to the U.S. with you?
hmmm….maybe. 🙂