Dear Family,
Another week has come and gone--we kept very busy this week, and that's how we like it! I will first tell you about the fun things we did--most of them I did put on Instagram, so you saw some of the pics there. But after Tuesday night's Senior Meeting, we all went to a glamorized Chuck-a-Rama. We all thought of our kids and grand kids. There are definitely other grandparents that take their family to Chuck! Hah!
Not sure how much of the food the kids would be familiar with, however. One of our group thought he was getting roast beef and asked the girl--she said, "Yes, it is!" Turned out it was cow liver--he wasn't very happy about that! But, it definitely was very unique atmosphere and lots of fun there.
Not sure how much of the food the kids would be familiar with, however. One of our group thought he was getting roast beef and asked the girl--she said, "Yes, it is!" Turned out it was cow liver--he wasn't very happy about that! But, it definitely was very unique atmosphere and lots of fun there.
On Wednesday, I went with the Mission President's wife, her 17 year old daughter, and a couple of other seniors to Izmaylova--the outdoor markets which is over an hour away by metro. I was so interested as we were walking up to it because it was a very cold day. I thought it was going to be inside the big castle! Wrong! That was only a facade! A backdrop for all the outdoor shops!
Yes, it was freezing and I had dressed warmly with my thermal tights, pants, two shirts, and a sweater on, but my feet started freezing! I couldn't even feel them. But then when I bought some camel fur socks from Mongolia, I put them on and they were so tight in my boots, my feet went to sleep! Sleeping feet or cold feet???
Anyway, after being out in that cold for about 2 1/2 hours, we went to an area that had food. We are instructed not to eat street food, but the Mission President's wife said this was great food. They were bbq-ing all kinds of meats on skewers, had all kinds of veggies, and potatoes! They love potatoes here--my kind of place! They bbq-ed the potatoes on skewers, too. Anyway, we ordered our food, then went upstairs to sit down. No heat--just a boarded in place that was so smokey from the bbq-ing down below that we could hardly see each other, but at least it was a little warmer there. The food was actually delicious!
Yes, it was freezing and I had dressed warmly with my thermal tights, pants, two shirts, and a sweater on, but my feet started freezing! I couldn't even feel them. But then when I bought some camel fur socks from Mongolia, I put them on and they were so tight in my boots, my feet went to sleep! Sleeping feet or cold feet???
Anyway, after being out in that cold for about 2 1/2 hours, we went to an area that had food. We are instructed not to eat street food, but the Mission President's wife said this was great food. They were bbq-ing all kinds of meats on skewers, had all kinds of veggies, and potatoes! They love potatoes here--my kind of place! They bbq-ed the potatoes on skewers, too. Anyway, we ordered our food, then went upstairs to sit down. No heat--just a boarded in place that was so smokey from the bbq-ing down below that we could hardly see each other, but at least it was a little warmer there. The food was actually delicious!
We then went by Metro, and then by taxi to the beautiful mall there.
Another couple and I (Dad was at work at the Area Office and couldn't go), were getting desperate for our winter coats and boots. They say that when it really does start to snow and get very sub-zero weather, everything gets sold out, so Dad just told me to pick out something. Well, easier said than done--to get just the right thing in just the right size--well, you know. Three hours later, we were all so tired, we felt happy about our purchases, no matter what! Then we took another bus, and then decided to take another bus home because we would save 20 minutes by riding that instead of the metro. After leaving at 10:00 a.m., I finally arrived home at 8:00 p.m. after the last bus ride that I literally was afraid for my life! I was on the last step of the bus and with all those packages of down jackets and big boots, I was literally sprung backwards each time the bus door opened, and there were people so tight next to me on all the steps down as well as packed in the bus, you could hardly breathe! But Dad was so kind and walked to where the bus let me off and helped with the packages there. I was never so happy to see him and home in my life!
Another couple and I (Dad was at work at the Area Office and couldn't go), were getting desperate for our winter coats and boots. They say that when it really does start to snow and get very sub-zero weather, everything gets sold out, so Dad just told me to pick out something. Well, easier said than done--to get just the right thing in just the right size--well, you know. Three hours later, we were all so tired, we felt happy about our purchases, no matter what! Then we took another bus, and then decided to take another bus home because we would save 20 minutes by riding that instead of the metro. After leaving at 10:00 a.m., I finally arrived home at 8:00 p.m. after the last bus ride that I literally was afraid for my life! I was on the last step of the bus and with all those packages of down jackets and big boots, I was literally sprung backwards each time the bus door opened, and there were people so tight next to me on all the steps down as well as packed in the bus, you could hardly breathe! But Dad was so kind and walked to where the bus let me off and helped with the packages there. I was never so happy to see him and home in my life!
Friday, we went with some of the seniors to one of the oldest chocolate factories in Russia. It was a really fun experience. There was a chocolate bear that was originally 80 pounds when they made it in 1956, I believe, but each year they spiff it up with another layer of chocolate, so it now weighs 100 pounds! Sort of like us if we keep having so much chocolate through the years--I think! Hah! Anyway, a very good time!
The Mayans were given the credit of first learning the value of the cacao bean.
The beans grow right on the stock all year long. It is quite a process getting them out of those pods!
The chocolate drink used to be the drink of the very wealthy and aristocrats.
Why can't these cups be made anymore?! The holder for the cup attaches right onto the plate and the handle fits in the little slot so it is never spilled.
George just wanted to know if that would fit his Coke Zero (as they call it here.)
Different chocolate containers through the ages--a tribute to the Russian cosmonauts; Nadia Komenichi, the Romanian gymnast; among others.
We had to dress in lab coats and cover our hair to go into where they actually manufactured the chocolate candies. So sad we couldn't take pics inside!
So many beautiful chocolate creations.
Then we got to go into the "creation" room where we created our own candy treat.
Then we each were given a little lunch box to carry our treats home with. Hah!
Our wonderful Russian guide. We, also, had an interpreter with us. Such a fun tour!
We then got to go into their retail store. We had so many candy samples, I didn't think chocolate looked too good at this time--but next week I'll probably be sorry I didn't purchase more!
The original residence of the candy makes--dating back to the 1850s.
The candy factory we went in.
Saturday, Kyle fixed us up with his sling box, so we were able to watch the BYU game starting at 10:00 at night. It actually was worth watching this time! So happy for them! We, also, watched a few minutes of the Gator game until we got so discouraged, we said, "No way!" Poor Gators!
Now, I will let you know a little about the work here in Russia. It definitely is not easy! Dad gets people wanting us to come to help, but the new Visas only allow you to leave the country once in 90 days, so unless all the people in every country we need to visit, line up in time, we can only visit one place during those 90 days. In addition, we need to go to Istanbul, but the State Department isn't recommending that right now--plus there's not real good relations between the two countries and we are afraid we might not get back in to Russia. So, this makes it difficult to do our work in those countries. But, we continue to try to figure this all out. We are definitely going to Bulgaria in November, so at least that one is set. That will be our one time out, then we'll have to wait until our Visa trip in December to be able to travel again.
As far as helping in our ward, we have such wonderful missionaries. We are so impressed with their hard work! Saturday night, the sister missionaries are bringing a less-active over for dinner. It will take them an hour and a half to get here by metro, then they will have to walk about 20 minutes from the metro to get here. I told them I was so sorry that it was so far, but they thought nothing of it. They do these kind of trips daily! Amazing!
I wanted to share one more thing. In our Ward Missionary Council Meeting Sunday, I loved what the Russian Ward Mission Leader said. He told the young missionaries that they are doing a great work and said they are like a physician who diagnoses someone who is sick and lets them know the way to get better. But then when they get around their family and friends, they put doubts in their minds and say maybe the doctor doesn't know what he is talking about. The missionaries here are trying to overcome the years of Communism when the people were told there was no God. Now, they are being told there is a God. The people are confused. The Mission Leader said the people should be thrilled to hear this, but they are overcoming years and generations of hearing otherwise from their government and leaders. We all will just keep trying! Sunday, we had a special meeting that was televised in our Sacrament from Elder Nelson, the Area Presidency, the General YW President, and Elder Kearon, a Seventy who I believe is from England. Anyway, they have all just visited here and spoke directly to the Area Saints. It was so good and so meaningful to the Saints here.
Well, I've written so much. Sorry! You know me! Hopefully some of you will find some of this interesting!
We love you all! Thanks for being so wonderful!
Love, Gma Laura
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