Hi, Everyone!
A day before his death, a Russian Bishop told a saddened woman: “When I am gone, write letters. If I am blessed with the opportunity to meet God, I shall step up for you and ask his help. There is actually a place in the lower level where this Bishop (now Saint) Serafim is entombed for people to write a letter to him to take that information to God on their behalf. After writing the letter, you put it in the box beside his tomb.
Hope you are all doing well! We are getting so excited about our new little granddaughter’s birth. We hope and pray all goes well for Cassie and the new little one.
This week, we had a wonderful Seniors Meeting and had the Area President, Pres. Martino, and his First Counselor, Elder Golden, come and talk about the extra meetings they were able to attend at Conference time. It really is enlightening to know how much the brethren want for this area to grow and for our presence to be felt, even if we are only known as Volunteers. We LOVED hearing their testimonies and dedication to the gospel and the Lord. I don’t care how long you’ve been in the church, your testimony can’t help but be strengthened by so many who have sacrificed so much for the gospel.
Then on Friday, as you all know, we flew to Sofia, Bulgaria, to do training!
What a fantastic experience this turned out to be!
I don’t think I’ve ever been in a more loving and kind branch or ward—U.S. or not! They came up and hugged us and were so thrilled to see us! One little lady came up and squeezed my cheeks and then kissed both sides of my face! I know she was saying that I had chubby cheeks! Hah! They were even so kind to help Dad with his headphones when he had them on backwards and everyone was hearing the translation but him! Hah! Anyway, it was great!
Plus we walked almost that whole city and really got to know it. The only drawback is how poor the country is economically. The young people can’t earn good wages there, so since they can travel anywhere being part of the European Union, they are bailing out to other countries, which is so sad, because their talent is needed there. There are only 36 missionaries here, and it will soon be going down to 28. We are assuming they might combine their mission with another one the way it looks—nothing said yet, but it is looking like that. We were so hoping to see Elder Stosich, who went to school at Lone Peak and is such a great friend to Kevin and Kyle’s kids, but he was about an hour out, and we weren’t able to see him, but he will get lots of hellos from all the people we told to say hi to him.
Such a different sight than just seeing a city of 17 million everyday!
I don’t think I’ve ever been in a more loving and kind branch or ward—U.S. or not! They came up and hugged us and were so thrilled to see us! One little lady came up and squeezed my cheeks and then kissed both sides of my face! I know she was saying that I had chubby cheeks! Hah! They were even so kind to help Dad with his headphones when he had them on backwards and everyone was hearing the translation but him! Hah! Anyway, it was great!
The Bulgaria Sofia Mission Home where the training was held, as well as where we attended church.
Our hotel was right around the corner from the PWC building--Price Waterhouse was the international CPA firm where George began his career in accounting in Los Angeles--plus it was, also, where our son-in-law started his career!
Our favorite place to eat in the city was called, "Happy." I had to take a pic of these very unusual pumpkin dishes! I LOVE anything made out of pumpkin, I thought, but not so sure about some of these! Roasted pumpkin with honey and walnuts; pumpkin pie (not like any I've ever seen before!); roasted pumpkin with Mascarpone and walnuts; pumpkin brulee with raisins; roasted pumpkin; and chia with roasted pumpkin and honey. Wow!
And this is what a real breakfast should look like! This is what you get at a European free breakfast in the morning--no sweet rolls and cereal! So much better for you!
St. Sofia, who the city is named after.
Sofia History Museum
George standing in front of Sofia University, which is the oldest and largest higher education institution in Bulgaria. It was created in 1888 with the central wing of the building built with a donation by two brothers whose sculptures are on either side of the entrance.
Literally the yellow brick road--given to the capital of Bulgaria by the Austrians. Although they are beautiful and what the city is known for, they say they get very slick when ice and snow comes.
The monument of the Bulgarian volunteer units who fought with the Russian Army against Ottoman Turkey in the Bulgarian Liberation War of 1877-78.
Erected in honor of Russian Emperor Alexander II who liberated Bulgaria of Ottoman rule during the Russo-Turkish War.
It has become a game as we travel, to try to find the coldest Coke Zero at the best price!
We were able to watch the changing of the guards a couple of times in front of the Presidential Residence.
Jewish Synagogue was always closed when we tried to visit it.
When the subway was being excavated, a huge underground city was discovered called the Ancient Serdica Complex. This beautiful glass dome was put over part of it. You can just wander through it.
Part of this underground city stands next to the oldest church dating back to the 4th century, the oldest preserved building in the city. We actually went inside during an evening church meeting.
Visiting the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Built between 1882 and 1912 as a token of gratitude of the Bulgarian people for the Russian help in gaining independence from the Ottomon Rule.
A cute little sidewalk cafe.
St. Sophia Basilica - Built between 527-565 AD.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with its eternal flame.
The monument commemorates the hundreds of thousands of Bulgarian soldiers who died in wars defending their homeland.
Samuel (Samuil) was a Tsar of the First Bulgarian Empire in 10-11th centuries, known for his constant struggle for Bulgarian independence from the Byzantine Empire. His eyes glow at night.
You can still see memories of when Bulgaria was under Communist rule.
The Ivan Vazov National Theater built in 1906-07.
We spent some time in the Archaelogic Museum. This is a very old country! One of the oldest in Europe--ruled by so many different countries throughout the ages!
A "funeral" mask--I think we call it a "death" mask today--an imprint of the deceased's face.
Former Communist Headquarters
The deep springs water where people have come to get a drink for centuries.
Batemberg square, where TZUM (where upscale department stores are located), The presidency and the Government houses are situated.
Built in 1873, it was the residence of the ruling governor during the Ottoman occupation, with administrative offices and police headquarters on the lower floors. Now, it is the National Art Gallery.
The Banya Bashi Mosque - named because of the natural spas it is built over.
We were able to visit after removing our shoes before the red mat, and of course, all women have to cover their heads--so this was what they gave me since I didn't bring a scarf.
We had such a fantastic Sabbath Day! We LOVED attending the Sofia Branch--such gracious welcoming members! Afterwards, the 1st Counselor in the Mission Presidency asked if we wanted to go on a walk through the parks and he'd tell us a little of the history of his beautiful city! It was a gorgeous fall day, and we enjoyed it so much.
The 1st Counselor, George, and an investigator who we met at church from Shanghai who walked around on the tour of the city for a little while with us. This monument is built and dedicated to medics who died in the Russian-Turkish War of 1878.
I put lots of pics on Instagram of our stay in Bulgaria, and I’ll put more on my blog. Absolutely beautiful area—we especially loved the weather! Twenty-five degrees warmer than when we flew back to Moscow! Then we had a one hour wait at Customs to get back in (how do you do it so often, Kyle???) then another hour drive home because of all the traffic. Today, our landlord had to take our passports to the Immigration Authorities to prove where we had been and that we had returned. This has to happen every single time we leave Russia! And we can only go out once in a 90-day period! It is amazing!
George was not a happy camper having to come back to the colder weather and having to put on all his extra-warm clothes!
Tonight, as seniors, we are visiting the Jewish Museum here, which we are looking forward to.
Thanks to all of you for your love and prayers! We really feel the family’s support! And thanks for your e-mails, calls, and comments. We truly feel loved!
With much love, Grandma Laura
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