CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS IN RUSSIA

Tuesday, Dec. 22, we left Volgograd with 8 other missionaries and traveled by overnight train to Rostov.

We put out hats and socks.....
...and they were soon filled with goodies!
All the missionaries were excited to get to Rostov, although some don't look it!
It will be a great Christmas celebration with all the missionaries.
We made it...now let the fun begin!
John found a good place to relax and read (Russian Book of Mormon in one hand and dictionary in the other hand)
Elder Tsai is having fun at the service project on Christmas Eve day.
No quilting frames, didn't stop them from tying 12 quilts.
All the sister missionaries  (L to R from Russia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Utah, Utah, California, Armenia, Oregon)
The senior couples:  us, Parkers & Howards
President & Sister Nechiporovi enjoying the talent show
Missionary 'talent' show on Christmas Eve
Some very good talents were shared.....
....and some fun skits.

The fun part of the evening concluded with a visit from Father Frost who looked a lot like Pres. N.
We had four packages to open in our room at the mission home on Christmas Eve
All this and lots of love was packed in those boxes!
Liza Nechiporova and Sister Poghosyan loved popping our packaging bubbles.
Christmas evening we headed back to Volgograd on the train.
Ready for fun and games in our coupe.  We had a great trip and it was a morale booster for all.

We missed our family, but enjoyed our missionary family.  Now we get to celebrate New Years (the biggest holiday of all in Russia) and then the week after that...Christmas again!

IT LOOKS LIKE CHRISTMAS!!!!

A beautiful December sunset from our balcony.
We found Santa and Christmas lights.
These are always lit at night, but now the lights are tiny snowflakes.
This is called the Tree of Life and is always lit at night.
We participated in a service project with Tractorny Branch.
We had snowballs thrown at us by members as we left church.
We have a Christmas tree...click for closer view of our 9  cute ornaments!
An American eagle adorns the top of the tree (handcrafted by Matthew)
We looked out our window at this snowy scene and didn't know if we wanted to go out.
But we did.  We walked across the frosty park.
And found Frosty the snowman at the grocery store!

We had a fun YW activity.  Do you see what is missing in the manger?

That's better...let's remember the reason for the season!

Of course there were yummy refreshments (even black & white fudge)

We each made a bookmark that will help us focus on Jesus.
Can you focus on ИИСУС (Jesus) in this bookmark?
Next there was the Center branch Christmas party.
More good treats.
Stories of Christmas around the world.
Lovely songs.  This is the Relief Society President singing a Russian song.
Katya and her mom got me to sing The First Noel with them.
Everyone wears masks and costumes for New Year's, we've heard.
Katya and Kera dancing.  All that and Christmas music playing all day in our apartment....

We are in the Russian, missionary, far-from-home, different-from-ever-before, but same 'reason for the season'  Christmas mood.  We are looking forward to a great Christmas week and wish you the same!

CARD MAKING FUN WITH YOUNG WOMEN

Katya arranged for a Saturday district Young Women activity making cards.  Thanks to my sister Pat for sending supplies from our hoard. (Pat and I spend a week in the fall at the cabin making cards).

Katya and Lena deciding what to use from all the choices.
Paulina, Nastia and Tatyana busy at work.
Tatyana said after one card that she has a disease.....called "All I want to do is make cards!!!" I told her that she would fit in well with me and my sister!
Paulina is proud of her first creation.
Katya finished one, also.....now on to #2 (they each did 4)
Galina worked slowly and deliberately and made some pretty cards.
Even Masha, Lena's daughter, had fun being creative.
Paulina finishing her envelope to match her 2nd card.
Lena's 1st card.
Nastia's cards (note her fancy envelopes)
Lots of pretty cards to share with loved ones.
Sveta came to our apartment and made a cute wintry card.

A few more people have discovered the fun of giving a personally created card!!!