Istanbul--who was there

Couples serving from all over Eastern Europe gathered in Istanbul.

Max and Deanna Wade from Rexburg, Idaho serving in Belarus.


Tom and Jill Blotter from Logan, Utah serving in Armenia.
Dave and Connie Pincock from Rigby, Idaho serving in Armenia.


The Area President, President Paul from Germany, living in Moscow and directs the affairs of the church in the 22 countries of the Eastern Europe Region.

Jack and Pam Shaw from Rexburg, Idaho serving in Kazakhstan.

Area Welfare Specialists: John and Francis Holmes from New Mexico now living and serving in Moscow. Brother David Stapley (Director of Temporal Affairs for the Europe East Area) also living in Moscow.

The Holmes were in Belarus at the time of the Volcano in Iceland and had to visit with us a few extra days until their plane could fly out. They are great missionaries and doing such a service in this part of the world After their mission they plan to build a home and live in Utah, closer to their children.

Istanbul--what we did

Stayed in the Best Western The President Hotel. Our beds were so comfortable!!

Received some great training from our supervisors in Moscow, Russia.

Bought a Turkish scarf from a street vendor.

Ate some "interesting" food.

We were reminded of how blessed we are.

Bought some ice cream from a very entertaining street vendor.

Istanbul--what we saw!!

Lots of people--the city has a population of 17 million.


The Palace of the Sultan

The Blue Mosque

Fountain at the Palace

The Grand Bazaar--went forever, row after row after row.

I'm glad we didn't have to learn that alphbet.

Stayed tuned for "what we did" and "who we did it with."

(I know, I know--you can hardly wait!!)

Sights around Minsk

On Belarus' Memorial Day we decided to ride Bus 63, just to see where it went. It didn't go very far until it "was the end of the line" and we had to get off. Walking back to our apartment we saw more of the beautiful city of Minsk.
Entance to Minsk City

Rememberance from "Soviet Times"


The flowers are starting to bloom.

Posing with a statue or two.

(Do you think that umberella is doing her much good?)

(Wish I had those skinny legs!!)

Eating Out!!

We don't "eat out" much, but this month was an exception. We ate with Lena and Vladimir in Vitesybk and..


with the Holmes at a restaurant on the way to Brest.


We're lucky that Sergie is there to help us with the menu--because it was only Russian in both places.
Great food and great company!!

A Great Picnic

We were invited to a picnic behind the Drobin's new apartment, which happens to be a forest. Great spot for a picnic.

President and Sister Groshkov singing hymns.


Vitaly enjoying the fire.

Syergyey Drobinin

Vladimir Drobinin

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And great food.

The Ride Home

Storks--the sign in Belarus that summer is coming. Though these are not real--we did see a real one in the field, though we passed too quickly to get a picture.

Some of the barns are very colorful....

some are not!!

I love this picture with the tree lining both sides of the road. No leaves yet, but it won't be long and everything will be green and beautiful.

Closing Cermony and Ribbon Cuttin

I know Max put some pictures on his letter about last weeks closing ceremony, but I wanted to add some on the blog.

Ready for the "cutting of the ribbon"


Gift of bread with salt in the middle is customary.

Other dignitaries presented gifts to the Retirement Home.

Then the town residents put on a program.

I love the intricate sewing patterns on the tradition Belarussian folk costume.

I sure wish I knew what he was singing about. It was cute and the backup dancers were having so much fun.

Road Trip Sightings

We pulled up to this vehicle loaded with the twig broom the ladies use here to sweep the sidewalks, lawns, and flower beds. When we first saw them we were not impressed--but have since found out they really work great.


Then when he made the turn we noticed he had plans to make several more brooms. If they were not so hard to bring home in my suitcase--I would really like to have one to sweep up leaves. They work great on cigarette butts (which we count our blessing everyday we don't have to mess with.)

Wheelchair Closing Ceremony

Pictures from our last Distribution Ceremony.
We have a neat video of these grandmas dancing--but it wouldn't download. You'll have to see it when we get home!!

FHE

After a great lesson given by Max on the Resurrection--we played Uno. We sure enjoy our association with the young adults of the branch.

Road Trip

Road trips starts out early with making sandwiches. There were a lot this week because the Elders and Sisters went with us.

It was raining so my shot of a church from "a moving van" was a little wet!
An ice cream break. Sister Werner (from Colorado) and Sister Ionia (from Russia).

A road side vendor selling the last of their potato crop.
And of course a trip isn't complete without a picture of a local monument. I would tell you what is says but it's in Belarussian.