Dear Family,
Since we don't have a P-day, per se, I thought I would sit down this morning before I get ready to go over to the Area office--Dad is already there--and write an e-mail to let you know about a few things happening here in Moscow. I try to do a little post on Instagram to put pictures and a few comments--and thanks so much for your "Likes" and comments. It makes me realize you are all still out there and haven't forgotten us yet--hah! But I haven't really told you the rules we live by here in Moscow.
First of all, we can't wear badges, we can't pass out anything in writing, and we aren't allowed to take pictures of any of the Russian people. They can be in the background, but not in the foreground as the main subject. And obviously, we can take pics of the volunteers here. We have met many wonderful young people as well as so many senior couples. I surely do admire their positive attitudes and willingness to serve. I never realized what it entailed to get on a mission as a senior couple. There are so many details to work out to leave your home and all of the responsibilities that go with it, as well as obligations that you still have back home. But, I see many couples who do mission after mission--and it amazes me! We so appreciate Kevin for getting all our mail and handling all of the financial parts of our life back there, for Kent taking care of investments that we have and checking up on things, and for Amy providing us with all the supplies we need and figuring out ways to get it here. And a BIG thank you to Kyle for introducing us to Vlad--his Russian Jeneusse office manager, who has already become a dear friend. He is so kind and willing to help us any way he can, and that gives us great peace of mind. Kyle is meeting with him in Italy right now, and he is bringing us some items that Amy ordered from Amazon for us. Anyway, thanks so much to all of you for helping out so much in these ways.
Thanks, also, to Alison for giving us ideas for living in other countries. She has certainly done this many times before, and believe me, we have used many of her ideas, which have helped us tremendously. Cameron and Anne--thanks for your kindness in helping me the day I broke down. We had only been here for two days and they called. I literally started crying so hard, and they both were so kind in helping me through it! I can't say this has been the easiest adjustment--mostly because of the language--hardly anyone speaks English and everything is written in Russian--signs, items to buy, etc., unlike when we have traveled to other countries before and usually you have tourists or the tour guides who can help you through. Also, we are still figuring out the Metro, the buses, and the directions to go since we have no car. Actually, there is so much traffic congestion, it is faster riding the METRO or busses. However, we do miss driving into our little garage and getting out right by our door--but it has been great exercise walking the mile uphill to the Area Office each day and thankfully being able to walk the mile downhill when we are tired at night. Little by little, we are adjusting more. I certainly have a better understanding of the missionaries from our family and what they have gone through--foreign or not--because there are still so many changes and adjustments.
Dad is really working hard to get things organized at the office. He has such a great way of dealing with those he works with, and already they appreciate and love him. He is so organized and we will soon be able to start visiting the countries. In about six weeks, we will be going to Estonia, which is a country we visited on one of our cruises. I absolutely love that little country! And I'm sure we will love the people there!
And thanks to Craig and Cassie for Skyping us so often and just letting us watch those three little kids--even when it seems like a 3-ring circus, we LOVE it! It means so much to be a part of family when you are so far away.
We appreciate being able to Skype with you. You can actually get Skype on your i-phone and we can see and talk to you that way. It's free. Just remember that we are 10 hours difference for Pacific Time Zone, 9 hours difference for Mountain, and 8 hours difference for Central. That really does make it difficult because basically we are pretty opposite on days and nights. We usually go to bed between 10:30 and 11:00.
We send our LOVE and appreciation for the great lives you are all living. Dad and I said we worked our way out of a job--you parents are doing such a great job, and all of older grandchildren that are on your own are living exemplary lives to be proud of. Thanks for all you do! Well, I'll close for now. We can't text the U.S., only Russia. But, we can e-mail, as well as you can, too.
Much love,
Gpa George and Gma Laura
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