Dear Family,
I'm going to try and get back on the Monday "Write Letter Home Day" schedule. Last week I mentioned we were going to a member's little girl's three-year-old birthday party on Wednesday evening. First of all, we had major difficulty finding their place--even though we took a taxi there. The taxi driver dropped us off at the wrong place behind a lot of big apartment buildings. We started talking to Vlad on the phone (luckily we had his phone number), the man whose apartment we were trying to get to. After about 20 minutes, we finally found each other and he led us to his apartment. He had a large apartment, and we found he had two other children--a 15-year-old girl and an 18-year-old boy. His wife is so sweet--I doubt she weighs 100 pounds. None of them speaks English except the dad. That is really frustrating, but the two teenagers stayed in their rooms the whole night, so we didn't get to interact with them much. But, I had asked Natalie (our DIL) what we should take as a birthday gift for the little girl. She suggested Play Dough. George picked up something that was like it--modeling clay--and it was a tremendous hit! (Thanks, Natalie!) I think the mother liked it as much as the little girl. When she couldn't speak much to us, she was making darling animals and all sorts of things for the little girl. Anyway, when we went in for birthday cake, the little girl's eyes got huge! She said, "Bolshoi!," which means "Big!" It was about four inches by eight inches. We thought--in America where we buy quarter sheet cakes or half sheet cakes, she really would be amazed, but I thought it was so cute how happy she was with the cake. We watched her blow out her candles--the teenagers didn't come out at all. Maybe we'll have another opportunity to get to know them. The girl had at least said hello at the front door. It is just so difficult when you don't feel confident with the language, which I think was part of it.
Thursday, we went out to Fyodr and Tamara's house--the man and his wife (both non-members) who live in the country at their dacha. Fyodr has been inviting us forever to come out to a "museum" he called it. We finally got the Sister Missionaries to go with us as interpreters, and took off on the adventure, which we were sure was going to be some little building with a few old things inside. Wow! Were we even wrong! After eating a Russian cold soup that was really an interesting taste (one of the Sister Missionary's just couldn't do it and told me how proud she was that I did eat it--Hah!),
all five us of piled into Fyodr's friend, Victor's small car and he dropped us off at the "museum." It ended up being an estate--Serednikovo Manor--existing since the 18th Century. This place was where the second most famous Russian writer and poet, Lermontov, spent his summer holidays, plus many other artistic and political leaders stayed here! Sadly, it was closed due to them filming a movie there that day, but we totally enjoyed the grounds, the lakes, and wonderful fresh air! Fyodr and Tamara are such a joy to be around as are the cute Sisters! What a great adventure day! By the way, I took chocolate chip cookies to them, and Fyodr told me they were the best cookies he had ever had! Wow! That made me pretty happy!
Fyodr and Sister Mark picking berries in Fyodr's garden.
Sister Gilchrist trying the berries, too.
Filming at the Manor.
The film crew and some of the cast members.
They even had a drone to get the lake and forest shots.
Saturday, for our P-Day adventure, we went to the Novodevichy Convent--which has existed since the 16th Century. Peter the Great banished his half-sister here when he felt she was trying to overtake the ruling power from him. She could only have visitors from the nuns on Easter. What a lonely life she must have had! But those who participated in the rebellion against Peter were mostly killed, so I guess it was the better alternative. Much of thee convent, including the oldest and largest chapel, is under reconstruction, but we enjoyed walking through the huge convent and walking around the beautiful lake just outside it.
Stopping to get our Diet Coke and to feed the pigeons--but we forgot our bread, so they pretty much ignored us!
But absolutely the most fascinating part was the huge cemetery where 27,000 are buried. Under Soviet rule, this cemetery was second only in prestige to being buried next to the Kremlin wall. There is really no room left now, but it was so interesting finding the graves of Kruschev,
Yeltsin,
Yeltin's grave marker is so different--a rumpled Russian flag, but his wife loved it, so that's all that mattered, I guess.
Gorbachov's wife, (Gorbachov is still alive at this time),
and seeing the many musicians, poets, actors, scientists, and writers (who I wish we knew more about), also entombed there. The Russians LOVE statues, which they have incorporated into the tombs. Most amazing cemetery I have ever seen!
A baby grand piano lid made out of some precious stone.
Sunday, we went to our Rechnoy Ward, so it was back to headphones and interpreters. We went into class with Fyodr where he is taught. George and I are so frustrated about not being able to teach him ourselves, but even if we try to teach, it has to be interpreted, and you just don't get the same feeling. We are still trying to figure out the best way to get Tamara to church with him because that is the only place any non-member can be taught. It is really a challenge.
Stopping in the park on our way to church.
Tomorrow, we have to make a presentation to the entire Area Presidency. I went over on Tuesday and helped George get the Power Point Presentation ready. We really hope it will go over well. We are certainly praying that it will!
This coming Sunday, Tyson will be turning 18! What a great and fun grandson he is! So proud of his hard work in school and his soccer team. The kid has so many friends--I think they like his singing--he makes up the most endearing songs! Hah! Happy Birthday, Tyson!
Well, I'll close. Again, thanks for all your prayers, love, and making us feel like we aren't so far away! Everyone will pretty much be back in school by this week! We have so many in college now--Bracken, Connor, Parker, Carter, Jenna, and Lauren. So proud of all of you! Work hard and have a good time, too. College days were the best! Oh, and hopefully everyone is still reading the Book of Mormon. Right now, if you are keeping up with bofm365, you should be on Alma 52. If you are a little behind, there is still time before the end of the year to catch up! Remember our family goal is to finish the entire book by the end of the year!
Love,
Gma Laura
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