We Have Been Busy

It's April 12th and I have missed the beautiful blossoming trees and tulips in my gardens at home. Spring is almost here in Ekat -- at least the temperatures have risen and the days are much longer. I have thought of all of you and know that your lives have gone on with the raising of your families, work, education, service, etc., etc.

Well, we have been busy also.

We have gone through a muddy season -- and probably will have more of the same before summer arrives. I have written enough about this -- but pictures do not do justice to the thick, brown goo.

We took another Visa trip to Kazakhstan. Ron got this great shot of this babooshka who had fallen asleep at her stand and was about to fall off her stool. We watched and she slept on and seemed stuck to the stool. I'm pretty sure she didn't make much money (tenge) that day. We have supported our youth as they have prepared for their missions and have watched them progress until their departure. Arseniy opens his letter in front of our group -- 'I'm going to the Russia, Vladavostok mission!' (we will have 3 of our group leaving for the MTC this month - that will bring the total serving from Ekat to 6). They are great examples to the rest of the youth.

Olyssia and Tanya are currently serving as missionaries in different missions in Russia. Zoya gives the girls a big hug. Zoya is the mother of their good friend Katya, who is currently attending BYU.

We love being with our youth - and we have attended their activities. Elder Nuzman must love them a lot -- he hates dancing.

We attended Nina's wedding - one of our Young Single Adults.

Once a month we host an activity for our Seminary age youth. We are trying very hard to get more of the 14-17 year olds excited about coming and participating. We hope they will build a support system with many friends for their future.

We've hosted many dinners in our apartment for the missionaries who serve us so well, and also to thank those who are leaving the missionfield.

Dinner before Elder Savage leaves for home (grey sweatshirt)

Then, we've said 'goodbye' to our wonderful missionaries and dear friends, whom we have learned to love.

We are currently planning a 3 mission youth conference which will be held in August. We meet with our youth committee twice a month. We have great youth leaders and they are planning a wonderful, uplifting and fun 3 day experience for about 200 Russian youth.

And we have moved into a new apartment (see other blog), which meant no internet for 1 month. So that is what we have been doing and that is why you do not hear as much from us as you used to.

Happiness is ...

When I was young we used to play a game called Happiness Is... We would start off with the phrase and then add our own thoughts. Happiness is.... a glass of ice water on a hot, muggy day. Happiness is... fresh, clean sheets that envelop you in a sweet fragrance after you've had a long hard day. Happiness is... getting a long, informative email from someone special who you haven't heard from in a long time. Happiness is... getting a seat on the bus or tram vi. Well, you get the idea -- and I'll bet all of you have played it at one time or another. Well, we have a Real Happiness story... Happiness is... moving into a nice neighborhood; into a clean, well cared for building; a building only 1/2 block from our current church building; 6th floor apartment; new washer (our last one broke and flooded the apartment twice).... Happiness is... a gaited building that is shoveled, cleaned, and cared for daily. Looking up from our backyard towards our apartment we can see our balcone and our neighbors next door. It is a bank with many reflecting windows --at night they turn on colored lights and it appears green.Happiness is... having nice big windows that let in the sunshine and allow us to look out onto the city skyline from our bedroom towards the front of the building. We live on a one way street which is quite busy. Currently the windows are closed and we do not hear very much of the traffic -- we'll see how much happiness we have when summer comes and we open the windows to let in cool air and the noise comes with it. When the outside of our old apartment was repaired and painted I held my breath as the workers walked shaky planks without any safety precautions. One day while looking out our bedroom windows towards the front of our new apartment I saw workers shoveling the ice and snow from the roof of the building across the street. They had a huge hammer that they would lift and slam down on the ice, then they would use a shovel and some tools to loosen it and shove it over the edge to the street below. As you can see they were standing on a sheet metal roof that must have been very slippery. Several times I saw them slip as the ice gave way and I was sure I would see a tragedy happening before my eyes. They did have a rope tied around their waist, but I am not sure it would have held them had they gone over the edge. Happiness is ... not seeing anyone fall to their death.

Although we have no trees or bushes in our backyard, Happiness is ... being able to look out our rear window and not see anyone using it as a bathroom (in our last apartment that was the case as I gazed out the kitchen window on a daily basis).

Happiness is... having a bus stop right outside your building -- we can't go everywhere using this stop, but others are not a far walk. Happiness is saying 'Let's go to the Subway' and not mean the Metro. This Subway sandwich shop is just around the corner. Happiness will be ... not gaining weight because we don't have to walk as far, and we eat more fast food. (but aren't Subway sandwiches slimming -- seems like I remember a commerical....)

We have a playground and a little area with benches to sit and relax -- it should be a pleasant place in the summer. We have seen a few children playing there in the afternoons -- Happiness would be to have our grandchildren to share it with. Looking down on our 'yard' from our kitchen balcone. A balcone is an enclosed porch that sticks out from the building (you can see them in the picture)-- I am sure the word balcone comes from the word balcony, or possibly the other way around. The balcone stays cold throughout the winter and we store some food there -- we also use it for luggage storage and other items. Happiness is... having extra storage space.

Happiness is... an elevator with no graffiti -- two elevators that are clean and do not smell (what a wonderful treat, after living in a building for almost a year with an elevator that smelled like dirty socks). Luckily we lived only 3 stories up and could take the stairs. Now we are 6 stories up, and this is Russia, so our happiness will end with the loss of electricity.Happiness is ... having a living room with a nice interior, good furniture, and space enough to fit all our youth comfortably.

Happiness is... having a comfortable bed. In Russia the mattresses are different than the box springs and cusioned mattress we are use to. Here they are one piece, like box springs, but comfortable. We are very low to the ground, we feel like we are almost sleeping on the floor, and literally 'fall into bed'. Happiness is... having a refrigerator that actually keeps things cold and is much bigger. What a blessing! We also have a larger oven and a new ceramic stove top. By the way, the Sprite bottles on the counter are full of filtered water, we keep them filled and use them as needed. Happiness is... having water that doesn't stink, and isn't a funny color. Do you remember our last bathroom? These are quite an improvement -- Happiness is... having the doors lock from the inside. Who would have thought???

Happiness is... being able to flush, and not have to brush.

I may have to wait to explain that until we return home.

Happiness is... having a place where those you care about feel comfortable.

Yulia and Anna enjoy relaxing while others in the group play a game.

Happiness is... being surrounded by wonderful, good, young people who feel as blessed as we do by our new apartment. They love it too!

And Happiness is... having many friends and loved ones at home who pray for us daily and support us with their prayers and emails.

Ice Sculptures

Welcome to the Yekaterinburg ice city. The festivities began on their biggest celebration day -- New Year's Day, January 1st. This year the theme was 'Year of the Bull'. Each year the city hires a company to come to the city center to build an ice city. This year the walled encloser represented The Great Wall of China, and in the center the ice sculptures were displayed. Individual artists followed the theme as they carved their own sculptures. Plaques in front of each 'masterpiece' identified the individual artist. The creations out of ice were truly amazing. We went twice to the city's ice sculptures. Ron and I went the first week in January and then we went with our missions senior couples towards the end of January. At night the lights highlight the sculptures and the tree lights pulsate to music. It is beautiful and festive, and adds a great deal to the holiday season. Around the ice city are ice walls thick enough for people to walk on . We walked around atop the ice blocks and could look at all the activities taking place below. This is a picture of the Duma building across the street.

Lenin stands guard over the winged beasts. The day shots were taken a few weeks after the sculptures opened. Snow had dulled the crispness of the sculptures, but the temperatures were warmer. It's important to dress warm -- tempteratures can dip to -20 Celcius. We were dressed warm, but our hands were freezing cold. Notice the guy with no gloves -- maybe he is suffering from a brain-freeze. Inside the walls of the ice city are small amusements similar to what you might see at a carnival. (rings over bottles, knock the bottles over with a ball, shoot the basket, etc.) You could also have your picture taken with a Saint Banard, and since it's the 'Year of the Bull' maybe a nice shot with a bull??? I'm afraid we missed our opportunity on that one. Many slides offered children of all ages an opportunity to whiz down an icy slope riding a small round sled, a sack, sliding with your shoes or your coat. It is important to pay attention to where you stand, because they come down those slopes quickly and the ice carries them a long way. I saw one lady knocked over by a tiny, but speedy little girl. Ouch! The night Ron and I walked over to view the Ice Sculptures was so cold that my camera kept freezing. I could only take two shots, then had to put it in my coat to warm before I could take more. We are not as hearty as the Russian people and only lasted a couple of hours before heading home to our warm apartment and some hot chocolate. So beautiful! And made with chainsaws -- pretty amazing! The Far Eastern influence can be seen in all the sculptures. Of course that's the theme.

It's February 16th and the ice sculptures have been torn down, swept up and hauled off. The weather has warmed to just freezing and snow is melting. Spring is just around the corner. So until next year when the ice city returns....Snovem Godom! Have a wonderful New Year.

Christmas Pageants

I remember going to the church as a kid to watch the nativity acted out by our ward members. I don't remember if I ever got to play the part of Mary, but I do remember playing the part of a lamb, and I was cast as an angel a few times. During the Christmas holidays Ron and I attended one of the branch activities where they acted out the nativity. Shortly after arriving they pulled Elder Nuzman aside and started to dress him in his costume. We were not able to understand what they were saying as they cloaked him in his regal attire. While we were waiting for the play to begin we speculated as to whom he might be playing, and of course, one of the Wise Men was the logical choice. And so.....

"Rinat, I get to play one of the Wise Men in the Nativity. I guess they did some type casting." Hey, Danil, what did they cast you as? A pirate???

"No, Elder Nuzman, I'm going to be Joseph".

"Well, they looked at me and thought I would make a good Wise Man." Ha Ha

I know this looks like one of Harry Potter's friends, but anyone with that cool of a hat, has to be cast as a Wise Man. The guy with the scarf was cast as a slave -- one that stands and fans the King.

So 'wicked King Harod talks to the 'real wise men' and invites them to return when they find the new King.

You may ask, "What part did you play, Karla"? Why an angel of course.