Dinner with Fantastic Volunteers

 We invited the local serving elders to our apartment Sunday evening for dinner - Elder Witters was going home in three days - he served with us in Irkutsk - it was so good to have another Farewell dinner with him.

 The Assistant's and Office Elders plus 2nd Branch Elders - they really liked the Hawaiian haystacks and seven layer cookies for desert...we really liked having them over.

 Monday evening the two sets of Sister Volunteers came over - same menu - many more left overs! Sister Wilcox served in Irtutsk when we got there, Sister MacCabe is from Richmond, VA - same ward as one of our daughters.

We feel very blessed to be able to 'rub shoulders' with these fine young people!  I feel like we have gained 30 more grand children!!!

Swan Lake Ballet

 We feel so blessed to get to serve with these awesome young volunteers!  The did pull a fast one on us, however!  The Ballet Swan Lake was playing at the theater - they asked us if we wanted to go with them ... of course!  Then when we asked if they were able to get tickets and how much do we owe them ... they said they were sold out when they went to get them.  Oh well, maybe next time.  So two weeks later Sister MacCabe called us and asked if we wanted to go with them on a teaching appointment - Friday at 6:30 - sure!  We were happy to do that.  Turns out they had tickets all along and we had a great time ... they would not let us give them any money - sweet volunteers!

 Sister Wilcox and Sister Wilford - such beautiful sisters.  Funny thing - Sister Lamb called and asked if we wanted to come to the mission home for dinner on Friday evening ... I told her we were going on a teaching appointment with the sisters.  So we were sitting in our seats before the ballet started and Pres. and Sister Lamb walked in!  They were about 10 rows in front of us but at intermission we
went to say hello and I told her.  "They lied to me, so I lied to you!" We all had a good laugh.  And we were invited to the mission home for dinner and games on Saturday evening!

 We are privileged to serve with these beautiful, caring, deceiving sisters!

On our row - we hope to get to the theater again - you don't need to speak Russian to enjoy the music and dancing .. just to get tickets!  There was an 81 piece orchestra that was amazing - everything was totally the best!  Especially the surprise!!

Novosibirsk Misc.

 One of the benefits of serving in the Mission Office is that the young volunteers come in and we get to hug them!  Sister MacCabe is from Richmond, Va - same ward as one of our daughters!  Sister Staiger is from Germany and both are such delightful Sisters! 

 At Zone Conference in Novosibirsk, Sept. 11th, we took a picture of all the volunteers who had served in Irkursk - aren't hey great?

 When we get into the office on Mondays - this is the fun scene that we are greeted by ... great volunteers emailing their families and friends!

So funny to see their Preparation Day shoes!

New Apartment

 We enjoy this larger apartment - with a dish washer - not named Elder Smith!

 Our 'Wall of Fame' - so nice to see our families pictures all the time!

 Living room - nice and comfy.

 Bedroom - view from the 8th floor is not quite as good as from the 14th when we lived there, and 12th in Irkutsk!

 Elder Smith at work in the second bedroom - notice our clothes dryer at the right!

 Flowers that were left for us to enjoy.

Bathroom - easy to clean tile!

Office training with Heiselbetz's

 We were happy to meet with the outgoing office couple - they are such good teachers that we feel after a day and a half that we can help the mission office and financial dept. at least keep it going!

 Here are some of the wonderful young volunteers that we were privilege to serve with in Irkutsk.

 The Perry's - humanitarian couple for all of Russia - stopped by the office - we met at the MTC and also in Helsinki, Finland at the temple.  Wonderful work of PR for the church - being of service and helping many Russian school, hospitals, etc.

 We were lucky to have a Birthday lunch for Elder Smith with the Heiselbetzs and Ishmael - wonderful new member from the country of Mali - he is in Novosibirsk for medical school. He will make terrific contributions when he is back home - helping the church to grow.

 This is where most of my day is now spent - and it is getting easier - it is exciting to be part of keeping the mission running and new sisters and elders coming to this great mission and country.

Polly gave me these scripture cards ... I should have the volunteers tell me the scripture before they can have a candy from the dish!