Dear Family,
We have now officially been in Russia for 12 weeks--exact date for three months will be December 25th! According to the Russian law, all volunteers have to exit the country every 90 days. The young volunteers are just flown out of the country, then show their new Visa, and come back in on the same day--which makes for a really long day, for sure! For us older seniors, we all have to fly out and then if we pay our own hotel, we can stay a few days and then return. Most of us choose to do that in order to go to the temple, since we have no temple in Russia. Therefore, Gpa George and I will be flying to Helsinki, Finland, tomorrow and returning late Friday night. A few years ago, we went there and had such a wonderful time with John, Alison, and Parker, plus Parker's friend, Ryan; Doug and Joyce, Larry and Beverly, and Blair and Denise, so we are a little familiar with it, but we hope to do as much temple work as possible and, also, see some new areas of the city. Since it is about 550 miles further north than Moscow, it will probably be less daylight than we have now, which is only about six hours a day, and maybe even colder. Aaaah!
This week was a busy one! Tuesday at our Seniors' Meeting, we had a Russian man and woman from Public Affairs come and explain the Russian Christmas with us. The Russians use a different calendar than much of the world, so their Christmas is actually celebrated on January 7th. Yes! We get to have the lights up for two more weeks after when we celebrate Christmas. Their children don't believe in Santa Claus, but in Father Frost and his grand daughter, Snow Maiden. He doesn't come down the chimney nor uses reindeer, but delivers the gifts on New Year's Eve with three horses pulling his sleigh. Anyway, so many interesting facts. New Years is very important because through the time of Communist Russia, Christmas wasn't celebrated at all, so New Years was the big celebration. Now that it is the Russian Federation, the people can celebrate Christmas and believe in Christ now, so they use the Gregorian calendar making Christmas January 7th.
Gpa George felt that it would be good to get to know all three Assistant Area Auditors, who he presides over throughout the Europe East Mission, and make sure they were all working together in accomplishing all that needed to be done in the area of auditing. So, on Thursdayafternoon, two couples flew in--one from the Siberian area, one from Ukraine, and then one couple is at the Area Office with us.
So on Friday, while all the men going over financial directives, I took the women down to Red Square to see all the Christmas preparations going on there. We had such a wonderful time because if we can't go to Temple Square to see lights, Red Square is a second best. The only thing that they are missing is the most important part--the Nativity! I was a nervous wreck until I got all the women back, however, because I am not so good at directions myself, but we had such a great time together and we later joined the guys for dinner. It was really interesting talking to the other two couples who are at opposite ends of the Area and find out different challenges they face in their day to day living in their areas. Gpa George felt it was very beneficial, and he has received great comments about his putting together this day of training and discussion.
Saturday night, we loved talking to so many of you at the Rigby Family Christmas Party. It looked like you all were having a wonderful time that were there. And I definitely know how much it means to Grandpa Rigby to have everyone plan and take their time out to attend. This is probably the highlight of his year, and I love when we can make it so special for him!
(My wonderful siblings composed of my brothers Blair and Jerry, my 94-year-old father, my sisters Beverly, Joyce, and Natalie. Missing my sister Beth, and of course, me.)
This past weekend, Vlad, who is Kyle's Area Manager for his Moscow Office of Jeunesse, has been asking us so many times to go to the Military Museum with him. He said no one could explain it better than he could! So, we made time to go, and we were so happy that we did. Not only does he have such a wonderful knowledge of Russian history, he has, also, served in the Russian Military for two years (which all males had to do when he was that age. Now it isn't compulsory). He came clear out to our apartment to get us in his car--which takes about an hour to do so--and then drove us back to downtown Moscow--another hour back. I can't tell you how fun it is to ride in a car!!! After riding on so much public transportation or just using our feet wherever we go, we think we are kings and queens getting to ride in a car! Anyway, the museum was fascinating starting back through all the time periods of Russian History, the uniforms, the weapons, the reasons for the conflicts--right up to what is happening now. We even saw huge rockets that could carry nuclear weapon. Gpa George and I were able to talk so easily to Vlad and we all agreed, we hope nothing like this would ever have to be used by any country. After visiting the museum, we just kept saying, "Oh, I wish Grandpa Rigby could see all this! We would never get him out of there!" We then drove over to an Armenian Restaurant. It had wonderful ethnic food and was complete with the atmosphere--even live chickens and a rooster that loved to crow while people were eating! So interesting!
(Worn over the uniform so the soldier won't be seen in the snow.)
Today, we will be getting ready for our Visa trip tonight after I get done with my missionary blogs. I encourage all of you to send a Christmas wish to our two missionaries--Carter and Kade. They are both working so hard, and I will tell you, after being out here ourselves, I know how much it means to be remembered! And Gpa and I have the advantage of being able to talk to any of you whenever we can. They don't have that option. So please let them know how much you love and care for them and their great work they are doing. Whether they write back or not, I know it means a great deal to them.
We love all of you so much and are so proud of the great work you are doing, too! So excited that Kevin has been called to be an ordinance worker every Saturday morning in the temple! He is going to love it, we know. We can't wait until he starts at the temple the last of December.
Much love, Gma Laura
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