Dec 26 2010

What a super busy week.  I could type the whole night to tell you about it but I will mostly just send pictures.  It is not Christmas here yet so Christmas day was quite different for us.  We went with the seniors to a Chineese restaurant for lunch. Ra Ra Ra from the Christmas story.  We spent all day Christmas eve day in a missionary christmas confernece packed full of fun, food and messages and skits. We enjoyed a Christmas party with the seniors.  The week went on and on.  We were going to do Red Square on christmas but there is still to much rioting going on so we were told to keep our badges off and not gather in groups in public places.  We  are good obedient missionaries so we did not go there.  On Christmas day we had an ice storm that was terrible.  The sidewalks were already slippery and then it started snowing ice.  It actually hurt when it hit you.  It made a thin layer of ice on top of the snow that was around.  But we had gone grocery shopping and it all started just after we left.  Coming home and pulling our groceries behind us was so scarey.  It was like walking on an ice skating rink.  Every morning we say our parayers that we will not slip and fall on the ice because it is so slippery and we walk so much.  I am sure that is the only reason we did not fall.  We were so happy to be home and skype with all of our wonderful children and grandchildren and hear all about their Christmas. We had given them all an equal amount of money and told them that this year we wanted them to go buy one family gift that would remind them of their parents or something that their parents loved or about our mission.  The things they did made me so happy. That was just what we needed for our Christmas away from home in Russia.  They will send pictures and then I will post them.  They are good obedient children..I love them so much. 
Well the rest will be pictures or there will be to much to read..love you all and wish you a very happy new year.  New Years eve is Christmas Eve here..and then they celebrate until the 7th of Jan when they have a spiritual Day of celebration.  Gene and Marcia   Lots of pictures,,probably will bore you..sorry..but I hope to print this blog off as a journal.

Cute office elders know how we do not like to walk on the
icy sidewalks so they left us this note..thinking that
we would believe it...

Senior Christmas party

Both mission presidents President Sorenson Russia Moscow
and President Woolley Russia Moscow West President



Gene's cousin Francis Ann and her husband Jack

 

The Dear Carpenters they are over the senior couples and this is at their apt

Francis and Jack at the Christmas conference

Skits from the missionaries

A lot of Babuskas in Russia..grandmothers

Gene is enjoying the skits with Elder Hansen

This was I hope they call me on a mission when I have grown a foot or two

Our district where all the accidents have happened.  They made a song
up to the tune of the Battle Hymn of Republic called "Crutches, Stitches
and a band-aid.  It was so funny..but true

Office elders...sometimes they are a little bored in the office

Everyone performs old or young..this was the nutcracker dance...sort of

Only in Russia do you eat and give shots on the sacrament table!!

Beautiful singing..we have a lot of talent in our mission

Christmas day for us

most of the senior couples

The doctor arrived.  This is the new Europe East Area doctor and
his wife.  they are assigned to our mission..but they will travel for different
medical things.  Elder doctor Harvey and Sister Sharon Hatch from Cedar City Utah.
We are so happy to finally have a doctor!! 

The best gift ever from our dear family.  All of our precious grandchildren.
I wrapped this around my neck and just hugged it close.  I miss them so much.

This is Pa's and he loves his too!!

And all these wonderful Christmas gifts from home.
Our children are truly a part of our mission and they help us
and serve with us.  We love them for that and they are
blessed for all they do