My dear Kathy is a Friend, a Champion, a Teacher

It is Kathy's birthday tomorrow. It is time to reflect on her life, and my life with her. Yesterday we went to a Russian restaurant not too far from our apartment. It is not expensive, but of such excellent quality. And Kathy loved it!! Whenever a guy takes a girl to a place she loves, the guy feels like a hero... :) Anyway, it was a nice escape from the busy days we have had lately and the noise of the city. Take a look at the photos... :)

Kathy is my super friend! We have been married 31 years... and each year gets better! Life is often not easy. But we have walked through all our problems and difficulties together. In our lives together, we have done many exciting things, had many adventures, and seen many amazing places in the U.S. and in other countries (mainly as we have visited friends and churches to share the life of Jesus). We have opened our home to many people who have had problems with drugs, with spouses, with finances, with health, and so on. It has not been easy for Kathy, as we consider that on top of all that, she was at home with our kids all day when they were growing up, while I was at work.

Kathy is a Champion! Among many things that attracted me to her in our early days, I saw in her the love of the cross of Jesus. In other words, I knew she was prepared to do what God told her to do, even if it hurt or went against her natural desires. Many people are ready to do difficult things because those things are exciting to them. But there are not many people who will do things that are simply unappealing, hurtful, boring, lonely, etc. She has shown how brave she is, how determined she is to do right, how much she loves the Lord Jesus, how faithful she is to the Lord, to me and to her friends, and how she is ready to do things that are difficult but need to be done.

Kathy is a teacher! We home-schooled our two dear girls Christy and Kim from kindergarten throuth their high school years. Kathy did a fabulous job! She also taught the children in Sunday school at our church for many years. And now she has the opportunity to teach in the high school here in Mongolia that is part of MIU. She just finished teaching an advanced writing class. Way to go, Kathy!!!!

I can say of Kathy, as the Bible says: "Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all." ~ Proverbs 31:29

"Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised." ~ Proverbs 31:30

Happy Birthday, Kathy!! With love from Richie... :)

Kathy at the Russian restaurant where we had dinner

At the restaurant...

A bit of dessert afterward? :)

The bell tower of the Russian Orthodox church building next to the restaurant

The Russian decor, and a beautiful white piano there

And finally, here are some more views from our apartment, and a photo of our landlord, who visited us the other day...

The bus stop below our window, the bank next door, and the city center

The wrestling palace not far from our home...

Our landlord G. Erkhembayar, who is on the police force

One of the most well-build, cleanest buildings in the city