Kim's Visit

Sunday, May 30th we left our apartment at 3:15 am to go to the airport to meet a very important person. Our dear daughter Kimberly had finished her MBA program with an international business class held in Germany -- and she decided to pay us a visit. Happy Day!!! After picking her up we caught a couple hours of zzzzs and then we were excited to meet a few more important people. President Uchtdorf, Elder Andersen and their wives had come to Yekaterinburg to share a special message at a conference for the members. I had been asked to prepare gift baskets for our visiting dignitaries. It was an interesting experience to put together baskets that would go to hotel rooms of such special guests. I received many suggestions and advice -- "Do not put candy in the baskets"; "Oh yes, this person likes M & Ms"; "Make sure you have fruit and nuts".... As it turned out, they ate very little -- they were too busy giving talks and touring the city. But the missionaries loved what the baskets contained and found everything perfect. We had put a porcelain Russian doll in Sisters Uchtdorf and Andersen's baskets and they both seemed thrilled with them. The new Hyatt Hotel ballroom was rented to host the 600 members we expected to attend from our mission. The mission president was a little worried that not all the seats would be filled, but the members came -- from all over and from very far away. They did not want to miss this wonderful opportunity to hear Apostles of the Lord speak. It was exciting to feel the spirit and see the looks of joy on members faces as they greeted friends they hadn't seen in a long time ... and the missionaries whom they held dear. President and Sister Uchtdorf and Elder and Sister Andersen toured missions throughout Russia and Eastern Europe. Their words spoke truth to the heart and are still being remembered and spoken among the members. We were privileged to be able to attend a missionary meeting after the conference where we shook hands with each of them, had questions answered, and were able to feel of their personalities. They are all amazing people and servants of the Lord. Kim visited for five days -- she brought the sun with her and it was warm enough that we could walk along the streets and meet some of the local folk. We had a fun time acting silly with some of the bronze statues throughout the city. We took Kim to a mall -- I wanted her to see all the shoes. Russian women love shoes, in every color and style -- to match every dress. I tried to talk Kim into buying a pair, but she was afraid her baggage was already at maximum and couldn't afford another ounce.

The Maksimkina family invited us to their apartment to share with Kim a true Russian dinner. The Russian people are so hospitable and warm, in spite of the language barrier they make you feel right at home. Zoya and Elena our best friends. Zoya Mokhnatkina was a member of the church when Elena came to a sacrament metting. They met at the meeting and Elena asked Zoya why she had joined this particular church -- Zoya bore a powerful testimony of the gospel which helped to convert her. Now they love sharing time together and are not just best friends, they are truly sisters. They each have a daughter studying in Provo -- Katya at BYU and Anna at the international language center. Russians love to share their photo albums and also love to see pictures you might have in photo albums. Whenever we go to someone's apartment we are treated to pictures of their families. Kim loved looking at photos of Elena and Dimitri's family. What an endearing custom. Zoya and Elena tought us how to make Russian specialties -- Pirogi (baked rolls with meat and onions on the inside/also some with cherries) and Monties (steamed little packages, like ravioli, with meat, cabbage, and onions). What a great idea! When they come to my apartment what American dish should I teach them? The Elders serve as our translators, although Dimitri, the father speaks pretty good English. Roman, their son is one of our Seminary Age youth.

Sister Maria was anxious to meet our daughter and so we took Kim with us 'home teaching'. Sister Maria is a widow who lives in a one room apartment -- very sparse and without any luxuries. She has few joys in life and lives a very lonely existence. Kim was happy to go with us and took interest in the photo albums Sister Maria wanted to share. Sister Maria continues to ask about our beautiful daughter and how she is doing. We did a little sight seeing and went to visit the Church on the Blood, where the Romanov's were executed (a future post). And we walked along the river even though it was a chilly day. We loved the time we shared -- It was wonderful to have Kim here!