"Spa-see-bah" - WOW!

Cause for celebration! Katya throughout all of our time with her has very rarely said ""Thank you," "I'm sorry," "Please," "Excuse me," or other polite words. The last time I heard these words, or even rumors of words, was over a year ago. Yet, relentlessly, without demanding, we have made such polite words an obvious part of our vocabulary in both Russian and English.

So ... I was DELIGHTED this morning when on the way out of Kakygu (pronounced Cock-a-doo???), I said to Ira, as I always do, "Spa-see-bah! Das-vah-dah-nyah!" ("Thank you! Good-bye!") and then "Say, Spa-see-bah, Katya." And, from the mouth of this precious lamb, "Spa-see-bah." :)

Lord, would you cultivate this tiny mustard seed of thankfulness into a powerful song of praise for the glory of YOUR Name?

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 100