Warp-speeding into toddlerhood

This week, Dietrich learned to walk, to click his tongue, to kiss and to drink from a cup. Momma can barely keep up!

Suddenly, Kyiv feels rather empty

I logged on to our e-mail this morning only to find a message announcing that, due to medical difficulties, a family on our field plans to return to the States for treatment. Will they be back? They hope so, but they don't know.

Such announcements have become far too common in the past seven months. Six SEND Ukraine families have returned to the States for various medical reasons. Two of those families have decided to leave the field; the other four are being treated and are waiting to see whether they'll be able to return.

Would you pray that God would graciously allow these dear co-workers to continue to serve with us? And please ask the Lord to protect and guide the rest of our team, and the work that we're doing here.

A month ago ...

Yesterday, the baby turned 13 months old. There was no cake. But there was occasion to look back at last month's celebration, at which there was ice cream cake. Yummy! Messy!



We also took the birthday baby to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach last month. It was perfect! At the aquarium, the fish are 1) trapped in a small space and 2) always moving. We've also taken D to two zoos, and it's fun, but the animals often just sit and stare, so we aren't really sure that Dietrich realizes they are alive.

Some things

Happy thing: The Christian Education brochure I've been working on for the past two weeks has been delivered to the printer, just in time for a big conference for folks who work with children. I hope it attracts many new students to the seminary.

Sad thing: The Angels' loss on Sunday brought baseball season to an end in the Oldenburg household. I miss America's pastime already.

Exciting thing: The Saucy family is visiting, and staying with us, this week. They'll be here in just a few hours.

Home again, home again

To all of you who check this page frequently, I apologize for the extended silence. We moved, we unpacked, the semester started, and then we were off to America for family vacation. (This trip brought to you by Dietrich's generous grandparents.)

Now we're back, I've started working at the seminary a bit, and I just got up after the third straight night of baby jetlag. I have a mere two minutes before I must get going, so hopefully this photo will whet your appetite for more tales from Trip to America 2007.


Dietrich picks a baby elephant's nose at the San Francisco Zoo. We love zoos, and try never to go on a vacation without taking one in. The SF Zoo is a great size for strolling on a weekday morning, plus you get to drive along the ocean to get there and exotic birds roam freely around the grounds.

Today I'm thanking God for ...

... the fact that, 34 years ago today, my honey, the love of my life, was born. He was a tiny preemie, yet God allowed him to grow up into the strong, solid man with whom I get to share this adventure of a life. Thirty-three was a big year for Eric — new job, new apartment, new baby — and I pray that in his 34th year, we will remain keenly aware of God's numerous blessings in our lives.

We're moved

Thursday's move went really well! We had a team of people at each apartment, plus a cleaning team at the old apartment. We started at 8 a.m., and were done by 11:30, but some folks stuck around for pizza and to help us situate furniture in the new place. Once again, we rejoice to work with such wonderful people who are willing to sacrifice their day to scrub and to carry heavy stuff.

So far, the kitchen, living room and Dietrich's room are clean and set up. I'd wanted to get the bathroom done this weekend, but the stomach flu came for a visit last night, so today was spent primarily prone.

Dietrich's room turned out so cute. It was such a joy to finally set up a nursery for him. I'll post pictures later, when it doesn't hurt to stand.