retreat season

we are in retreat season here in moscow! from september 18 to november 2, tim and i are involved in retreats every other weekend. it's a whirlwind for sure, but a sweet one. this last weekend was the hinkson high school retreat at a camp ground a few hours outside of moscow in the woods and country side. in spite of the non stop rain, and sometimes because of it (i.e. "mud soccer") it was rich time. our friend, james hutchenson, came up from nalchik (southern russia) last tuesday to be our spiritual emphasis week speaker and retreat speaker. spiritual emphasis week and the retreat are two things that the high schoolers look forward to every year, so james was met with much enthusiasm. the students love him and are already looking forward to the next time he can come up to moscow...

the musicians...



silas and rachel



silas and tina and the boys



trying to keep warm!!!



campfire night...



game time



small group discussion...



me and cam before a session



worship leaders getting ready to lead






another game...looks fun, huh?



the whole group



on the bus home...

this is such a special group of students who tim and i have fallen in love with. i wish you could know them all. they come from so many different backgrounds and cultures and of course each have their own unique story. i feel so fortunate to have this time with them...

and silas loved his first high school retreat!

happy birthday silas jack!

a picture walk...

october 9, 2007, silas breathed his first breath...



and then did the tulsa run two weeks later...



so happy to be sleeping!



celebrating pop's birthday...



and catching up on some emails...



then at six weeks and one day, silas' flight to moscow...



and meeting new friends...



and more new friends...



watching fireworks in moscow with noni...



one of silas' favorite spots for many many weeks!



first christmas morning...



all bundled up!



and not so bundled up...



ready to take on the world...



where to first?



more new friends...



with grandmother at starbucks in moscow...



chillin...



always learning...



playing with the camera...



getting to know emil...



always a good sleeper, even on the go...



waking up...



learning about coffee from chris and liz...



cold, sunny spring day...






silas loves to eat...



and travel...from moscow...



to tulsa...



with granny (great grandmother) this summer...



sitting in the bathtub waiting for fireworks at the park on the 4th of july...






and back to moscow...





and today, october 9, 2008...





happy birthday silas jack! what a year...