Novosibirsk and Yekaterinburg Russia

We had a very good and busy week and a half in Novosibirsk and Yekaterinburg. We interviewed the two out-going mission presidents and their wives, trained Brother and Sister Gushin who are over Family/Church History for all of the eastern part of Russia (it's actually a land mass larger than the United States, they will be busy), and we gave two firesides. In between all of that, we saw some wonderful sites and had a great time. We interviewed the outgoing mission president and his wife, President and Sister Trejo. After the interview they took us to dinner at a Mexican restaraunt. The Trejos are sitting across from us. Two other missionary couples joined us. Next to us are the McCauley's from Idaho and across from them are the Huffackers from Colorado. It seems that wherever we go the mission president takes us out for a mexican dinner. We love it!! We gave a chuch history fireside for the district members in Novosibirsk. This young lady was my translator. She just put her mission papers in the day before. Here mother, standing next to her, attended a fireside 20 years earlier that Dennis spoke at. That fireside gave her the little push she needed to committ to being baptized.

The Gushins took us to a train musem located outside of Novosibirsk. The men were in seventh heaven.

Dennis trying to control a runaway train. "Don't panick Dennis.....it's really not moving".

Sister Gushina, Sister McCauley and myself in front of a train. We were a little calmer than the guys about the whole train thing.

This is a Russian Orthodox chapel that marks the geographical center of Russia. Of course we had to have our picture taken in front of it with the Gushins.

This is a wedding party having their pictures taken by the chapel. They had 'Russian Mafia' theme for their wedding. Cute!!!

The Gushins took us to the ballet the night before we left. It is a beautiful building that was built during World War II. It took a lot of sacrifice on the part of the citizens of Novosibirsk, but they all supported the construction and are still very proud of it.

Me at the ballet inside this beautiful building.

A beautiful sunset after a wonderful week in Novosibirsk.

The next day we flew to Yekaterinburg.

I had to take a picture of all the trees off in the distance. After living in Moscow....in the winter.... I'm so thankful for trees. I loved trees before, but now I really love trees!!!

More trees in the distance.

Trees along the roadside.

We gave a district fireside on Church History at this church for the members in Yekaterinburg. There's many wonderful people who live there. These are all missionary sisters and a senior couple.

This is Elder and Sister Hassel who are currently serving a mission in Yekaterinburg as the mission office couple. Elder Hassel was in Dennis' Finland Mission back when they were 20. They invited us for lunch at their apartment and she made Finnish meatloaf. You top it with sour cream and blueberries. I was scared at first (I take after my dad), but it was really good.

After the fireside we went back to the hotel, then we went for a walk and got some ice cream at Baskin and Robins, then back to the hotel, and I took this picture at 11:00 pm because it was so light outside. It started getting dark around 12:00.

It was a great trip but it's always good to be home in your own place with your own stuff. :)