Wild Animal Sightings

We saw some more moose on our last road trip. I'm wondering if they are coming closer to the roads because there is so much snow--then again Max was always good at seeing animals along the road.

Record Snowfall

I looked back to our pictures in Feb 2009 to see the difference in snowfall. No wonder they are making comment such as, "When this starts to melt, we better all learn how to swim."

Last year view from our apartment window.

This year...and to think all those piled were made by one lady, one shovel, and one broom. I bet she's looking forward to spring. It is getting warmer and the snow has melted off the roads--but they are predicting more snow this week-end. Yahoo!!!

Svisloch Village, Grodno Region

We opened an humanitarian project in the Grodno Region this last week. We see a lot of churches in our travels. I got out of the van and took these pictures...

walked accross the bridge (can you imagine riding a bike in the snow and slush)....

and took pictures of another church.

I also enjoy finding unique looking houses. Notice the brick work on this home.

This home used rugs nailed to the windows to keep the wind out.

Then of course each city has it's beautiful government buildings.

Road Trip to Bryest and Grodno Regions

Our Road Trip this week was to the Bryest and Grodno Regions.

Already to go...Sergie driving, Max riding shot gun, and me in the back with my camera and kindle.

I was wondering at one point if we were going to make it through all this snow. But Sergie is a good driver and the van just plowed right through.

They have these little stores in every city we have gone to--big or small.

You go to this little window and ask the clerk for whatever you want. We don't shop there much because "the point and smile" mention of communication doesn't work too well in this situation. But as you can see they have anything from stickers to gum, to shampoo... if only a person knew how to say those things in Russian.

Family Home Evening in Belarus

Last week we had a party at our house for Family Home Evening...



played games.....

made cards....

and frosted cookies.

They are really a fun group of young people and so good to include the "senior couple" in all their activities. Well I take that back--we didn't go ice skating with them!!!

Thanks Lena for arranging a fun evening. You're great!

Georgian Dancers

We attended a performance in the Palace of the Republic of a Folk Dancing group from Georgia.

The lobby of the theater is huge and beautiful with all kinds of lights.

They had a display of tractors that are made in Belarus. I was wishing I could bring them home for our grandsons to play with--just the right size.

Before the show started, every chair was full. There is also three layers of balcony seats.

Their precision was unbelievable.

You wouldn't believe the moves he made balancing a bottle on his head.

Look at that toe action. He would jump in the air and land on the tips of his toes--several times in a row. They would move in a circle, on their knees, and throw knives into the floor. They would jump way in the air and land on their kness spinning.

The costumes were beautiful with several complete costume changes. We had seats on the 5th row, with a perfect view of the show. We were so close we saw the sparks when the men where doing their dance with swords and shields. One reason we like our apartment is the location. We are only 3 bus stops from this theater and also the ballet theater, which makes it very handy to attend these great cultural events.

????

Can you guess what we talked about in English Club???? The letters were handed out randonly and they had to make the words. They are so quick and figure them out pretty fast.

Max gave me a dozen roses and some chocolate. He always remembers--even in Belarus. I made him some sugar cookies--twice since the first time they didn't taste so great. (I need Susan Baldwin's recipe).

The celebration continue---the FHE group is coming to our home Monday night to make Valentine cards and decorate sugar cookies. (Just like home when the kids were little)

Sunday's Snowy Walk

Follow us as we take our weekly walk to church.

In front of the Yubiliney Motel

This l ittle older lady doesn't have much to clean all that snow with.

On the bus--notice how the windows are all frosty. A year ago that made us very nervous because we didn't have a clue where our stop was. Now we just listen for "Skoala"

Bus 91--our favorite. We even know the lady that's checks for tickets so well, we don't even have to show our pass. She just smiles. She is very friendly and smiles all the time--unlike most of the bus conductors.

We have to walk through some very deep tire tracks.

Thanks to the young people the sidewalks by the church were all cleaned off.

The sister didn't even have gloves on. They had them, but choose not to wear them. Notice they have pretty good shovels--the church does things right!!!