Transfer to Irkutsk!

 President Lamb asked us to transfer - to Irkutsk.  It is a city near Lake Bakial - many English speakers, small branch and wonderful Russian people!  We flew 800 miles on Dec. 26th. This is the view our side our bedroom window - our new apartment in Irkutsk - fun park!  The skating rink reminded me of Green Bay when the fire dept. would pour water for two rinks at each elementary school - one for 'normal' skaters and one for hockey!  We bought used skates for $1.00 at yard sales and you kids would come home from school and grab your skates and head back!

 See the ramp thing just above the rink?  It is a sledding 'hill' so to speak.  Kids bring a sled or just sit on their backsides and some slide all the way to the end of the rink!!  Fun!

 Here are Elder and Sister Clayton - showing us which bus to take to get to Church - so grateful for their kind help!  They were Mission President in Albania a few years ago.

 One of the landmarks - turn left at the tank!  Thought some of you would enjoy seeing this.

 Some of the old wooden houses along our walking route - we walk to the bus stop - ride 20 minutes to Church - then walk another couple blocks to the building.

 The Claytons took us to a fun Mongolian restaurant - here is Elder Smith with his sparking berry juice!  It was delicious - so were the skish-ka-bobs! (sp)

 The dining room had glass windows into the bakery - that big round thing is an oven ...the baker would put dough on the side to bake it.  They brought us a fresh, warm loaf for our table...delicious.

 The cook at the fireplace is cooking our ka - bobs - also delicious!

 Our back door park by night - Christmas tree, hockey lights ...stay on all night!

 The Claytons last District Meeting - wonderful young volunteers - - it is a privilege to serve with them.

 Our new apartment building - our door is in the middle of the picture..we are on the 12th floor.

 No Zamboni but a snow blower to clean off the new snow on the skating rink ... also notice the two handed snow shovel near the top of the picture - you can really move a lot of snow with that thing!

This is for the builders in the audience ... we call these Challenge Stairs - and you have to watch what you are doing - each one is a different height!