29 July 2011

Such wonderful news.  President and Sister Sorenson are returning to the mission.  After going to the U.S. for a couple of weeks for medical testing, he is on the mend.  Such a blessing to the mission.  Elder Neuenschwander has been taking over while President was gone and we have learned to love him and know what a great person he is. Today we had a Mission Conference and he taught us all how to achieve our goals in life.  It was a good lesson for all of us.
Our grand dog Penney is lost.  She ran away on the 24th because of the fireworks. So I miss her clear over here in Russia. 
We are doing great.  On the 27th we celebrated being in Russia one year.  What a difference a year can make.  I got out my journal and read it and the memories of arriving and the first few weeks came flooding back quickly. But it proved to me that I can do what is right even when it is so hard you think you can't.

Elder Bruev's birthday so we are singing Happy Birthday to him.
Elder Neuenschwander, and AP'S Elder breedlove and Elder Nielson.  And of course
photos on my desk.

Elder Bruev's birthday

West Mission invited us to go to lunch with them
to welcome their new office couple the Lukengeys.
They are the couple on the end on Gene's right.

On a clear day there are some beautiful sunsets

Elder Lex, Elder Jenkins, Yevgenny and us.  He was baptized
and we are so happy.  He has becoame a very good
friend here.

Elder Page, Yevgenny and Elder Jenkins.

Nachos that we make for dinner sometimes on the weekend

Elder and Sister Hawkins who we love.
They were the West Missions office couple
and they just left for home Tuesday.  We will
miss them.

After Mission Conference our district came to the house
for District meeting.  They wanted to cook.  So the
Elders made Pelmeni and the Sisters made an Olivia Salad and
I baked a cake and Elder Spoerri made brownies and we
had vanilla ice cream.

This is Peleme (I do not have a clue how to spell it) but you
pronouce it Pail  em  eee.  Little like a pot sticker.  These
had ground beef in the middle. First of all they made the dough
and what a process.  They had to knead it until was hard, then roll
it up like a thin snake and then cut it in spieces and then we
made circles with the little pieces, filled one circle with the
ground beef, folded it over and pinched it together well and then
did a fancy fold on it after that.  Then then put them in a pot
of salted boiling water.  Lots of salt and as soon as they floated to
the top they were done.  Eat them plain, or with mustard or with sour
cream.  Guess which I chose?  You are right..plain..and they were the best.

Sister Marty taking pictures.

Olivia salad.  Potatoes, pickles, eggs, a meat similar to bologna.
peas, cucumbers and mayo.  Little like our Potatoe Salad. It
was so good.

Finally time to eat. Elder Palmer, Elder Jenkins, Elder Gronning,
Elder Spoerri (loves Elder Gronning) Elder Hansen (loves coke)
Sister Trunova and Sister Martychanova..that is why I call
her sister Marty,

Seniors at Pizza Hut

Do you love those two heads? After we finished eating at Pizza hut
we walked to the Central Building where we have our senior
council.  We discuss things that need to be addressed and talked about and we
have a spiritual lesson.  It was Gene's turn to teach it and he
taught it on gratitude.

Visa trip again to Riga.  This is the view from our
hotel window,  Such a fun, old city.

Another view from our window

We found an ice machine.  We have not seen one
of those since we left home.  We were so happy. And
it was like crushed ice.  Did you ever think you would
appreciate something so small?

Sunset in Riga

I love a pretty sunset.

Another pretty view from our window.  We have walked
down that street every time we go to Riga.  It takes
you into old town.

Specialized trainning the day after President and
Sister Sorenson went to the US.  He had blood clots in
his lungs and they thought some other problems..  But after
many test they have the blood clots taken care of and no
other serious medical conditions that would prevent him and
Sister Sorenson to return.

Two of our favorite people.  Elder Budd and Elder Lex.  Elder
Lex was teaching us at this meeting and he had a tee
shirt on under his white shirt that said 15.  The goal was
to get 15 baptisms this transfer,  That is why his tie is un-done.

Elder Neuenschwander asked us to come to the departing
missionaries dinner.  This was a mid transfer and with President
in the US the Neuenschwanders had to take over.  They did
a great job.