Our morning was semi-normal, as we needed to be out of the church area for preparations for the Feast day. After breakfast and putting on our "church clothes" we went to the main street for some water and juice. We returned to the church to drop off our stuff and go to the gift shop to make a few purchases. Julianna didn't ask for anything. She looked like a person who had never seen anything like it. It was kind of sad that she didn't even ask :(...but of course, I did get her something...I just didn't tell her it was for her.
We then headed to Subway before 12:00 Mass which began at 12:20. Julianna and Dom both had a little something to eat b/c we knew that Mass would be long today with two baptisms and the parish celebrating the Feast of the Assumption with its annual Procession of the Blessed Mother. It was profitable for Julianna, as the girl at the counter gave her a balloon - better than any toy in the gift shop.
By the time we left Subway, we only had a few minutes before Mass and the smoke was unbearable. The best way to describe it is if you were sitting by a campfire and the smoke was blowing toward your direction. Arriving back at the church , which appeared full with people still coming in, one of the "regulars" at the church approached me and said, "Father wants you to read the second reading in English and he wants you and Julianna to bring up the gifts." I was in shock...but was totally ok with that
We didn't sit on the regular side, but near the organ. Julianna was angelic!! The only problem we ran into was that Dominic got sick from the smoke and had to retreat to our small room. It left me with a camera that had little battery left on the charge and no one to take pictures of us...yes, Father said we could take as many pictures and video as we wanted.
As usual, Father Mario mentioned us in the opening statement and during the intentions. Julianna almost ate the host when the woman handing them to her. I stopped her and said it was for Father, so she nodded. We walked ever so slowly to Father Mario. No one would ever know that she had never been to church before. She even genuflected b/c she saw someone else do it and thought it was cool!
The Mass itself was two hours long...but really amazing. ...and to think that we had such an instrumental part in this Mass. The procession was after communion but before the closing prayer. I did get some on video tape. I ran to get Dom out of the room b/c he was missing it. By that time, we were at the end of the procession that went around the block and back into the church. Dom was standing at the entrance of the church as the procession came back in. I handed him the camera with the dead battery. Everybody returned to their seats, and Father did the closing prayer and a veneration of sorts of the icon of the Blessed Mother. Then...people left before the closing hymn...just like home. Those that stayed were planning to participate in the feast afterwards.
Now, when we think of feast, the idea of "Thanksgiving Day Feast" comes to mind...not this time. The feast was in the large conference room next to the kitchen upstairs in the church. The table was set in a long banquet style with small plastic plates, cups, napkins set around the table. The food was placed on plates or platters in the center of the tables. There was only teabags for hot tea and soda. (I sent Dom to the room for water...good thing b/c many people drank it!) We had green seeded grapes, watermelon, bananas, jam bars, slices of bread with salami and cucumber, chocolate candies, Russian fig/honey breaded cake stuff, which was pretty good.
Father Mario in his gregorious way played an excellent host. He told everyone there that Kenny and I were the family that they had been praying for and that Julianna is now our sixth child. Everybody clapped ecstatically. There are no families here that even come close to six kids. Nicholas, a black 27 year-old from Cameroon introduced himself and took up an excellent conversation in English with me. He and his two friends are students at the university. They speak English, French, and Russian. We also sat with Father Mario's friend Richard who is visiting from Argentina. A couple from Cuba and their daughter sat at our end of the table as well.
People didn't really pass the food around, but we all just kind of ate what was near us and asked those next to us if they wanted what was near us....it was strange. People stood at various times and made toasts and spoke. Father was in his element. He passed around champagne to the adults and I said, Father, we must have a toast. So, he toasted to "Women and how with Mary as a model, we are making a significant difference in the lives of so many people and in the Church itself." It was very nice.
J was a trooper. I felt bad, though b/c while I was in conversation, I noticed she was eating her food that I had got for her. Her watermelon had seeds that I took out for her. When I looked again, she had eaten most of the white part. I told Dom that she obviously never had watermelon before today. These are the kinds of experiences that we must continue to give a watchful eye so that she does not harm herself.
Father and Richard both commented numerous times in the last two days how many skills she has. Her "dexterity" as Richard said is amazing for a child who has DS. I worked with her a little last night, today, and tonight on the letter J...and she can do it all by herself. Each time she does it, she yells, "Momma, Momma..." and shows me the J. A parishioner who sat ahead of us asked Julianna her name and she couldn't understand what she said, so I told her. She commented on how beautiful she was...and you know...she didn't even say anything about the chicken pox.
At 3:30 we went with Father Mario to his office to call for reservations at the pilgrimmage center which we secured. The pilgrammage center is a part of the Cathedral in Moscow. It is ridiculously inexpensive, it includes breakfast, and you can buy lunch and dinner for $6/meal. Once again, God provided for us.
Dom and Julianna played with the balloon for awhile until Father Mario left with Richard to tour St. Petersburg for a few days. Dom helped Father and Richard put the large statue of Mary back on the shelf. It was heavy. We got a picture of all of us together. You know, this is one place that I wouldn't mind returning to...not NN...but Father Mario's parish. We kind of feel a strong part of it now. I cried when Father left. Julianna hugged and kissed him. She too, grew very fond of him in only two short days.
J & I played scoop ball for awhile and then with the balloon until it popped. We had a small bite to eat in the kitchen, as the church was closed for the night. J was exhausted...didn't eat much...couldn't focus too well...and was putting her head on her brother's shoulder. She likes to be picked up and carried...poor thing. She probably never remembers that experience from her Mom.
She did not want to go to bed...but we started with a shower...and then she wanted to color...and brush her teeth...and finally...to bed at 8:00pm. By 8:20, she had settled down and was sound asleep.
Mommy wishes we were all done NOW. But...this part of our life will soon be over and then back to the rest of our family.
All in all, it was an amazing day...and now when Julianna walks past the alter to go up to the kitchen in her oversized scuff slippers, she genuflects, looks at me, and smiles.