Good-bye Russia, Hello America!

We have been home for almost 2 weeks, but civilian life is a lot more hectic than mission life, so I've been slow updating the blog.

Last good-byes...picture taken from the train as it pulled out of Volgograd.

We spent 3 days in Rostov visiting with John's sister and her husband who are serving in the mission office.  Our last day in Russia we spent with them and 4 missionaries cruising along the Don River.

A beautiful sunrise as we left Rostov.

Our last good-bye...to Olga, in the Moscow airport.

We were welcomed royally!

Ward members had even decorated our home.

We spoke in sacrament meeting on Sunday the 8th, and had an open house for family and friends that afternoon.  Here are some of the grandkids.

Some more relatives.

It was a perfect day to enjoy the shady backyard and visit with family and friends.

A year ago at girl's camp, Lena wrote this on the back of a picture of the Salt Lake Temple..."I am going to the temple in Salt Lake City".

Yesterday she did just that.  We were blessed to go through the Salt Lake Temple with Lena who received her endowments.  Pictured also are Lena's friend Mike Driggs and his parents.

Lena's dream comes true!

We went to the top of the church office building and got a great picture of Temple Square.

It is great to be home.  Ask us about Russia, though, and we will pull out our thousands of pictures and stories!!!