Happy New Year to all our family and friends!Christmas has come and gone. Here in Kazakhstan Christmas is not celebrated on December 25 but rather on January 7. There are reasons for it but the truth is I have come to realize just how many or our Christmas traditions are identical to New Years traditions here. Gift giving, a new year's tree, getting together with family,... It was a blast. Literally! At midnight and even some before the whole city became one large fireworks show. Having a nice seat on the Nth floor of a nice apartment building made the viewing all the more exciting.
With no further ado here are a few pictures from New Years.
You must not think that Christmas is no longer important to us. We just haven't had much time to enjoy it. The Monday before Christmas we moved our stuff from the room where we were staying to a borrowed apartment. It was very kind of some friends to loan us their 2700 sq. ft. apartment while they are out of town on business. Here are a few shots from the windows and the festive decor.
On the job front, God is good! I have had an interview with two different companies and have been accepted by both contingent on details that will only be know mid-January. So, either way I should have a job that will take care of visas and pay a decent salary. Gina and I are looking forward to some stability to our lives in 2010. That does not mean we feel any less called by God or that what we are being called into is less important than what we were doing.
Blessings to all,
David and Gina Helbley
