Had an incredible Sunday visiting three of the branches in which James served. So exciting for James to see the people he loves. Sad at times to hear about those who have gone astray, but also wonderful to see young families and children being born in the covenant. The building here in St. Pete is beautiful. Very different from the buildings we were scrapping to rent 12 years ago. We also walked around one of James's areas and he was able to reminisce and tell me stories. We have walked so much my legs are sore! Last night, when we got back to the hotel, we figured we may have walked 10 miles throughout the day between transports. Tonight we are off to Moscow, tomorrow Red Square, then a train through the night to Kharkov. Don't know when we'll have Internet again.

More adventures

More adventure and more miracles. Yesterday we visited the Hermitage. Words can't even describe what our eyes saw. Honestly, it was too much to take in even though we were there for almost six hours. We saw originals of Michael Angelo, Picasso, da Vinci, Rafael, and Egyptian artifacts among thousands of other sculptures, paintings, and pieces. Perhaps my favorite was the building itself, the Winter Palace, room after room after room of grandeur. Really, it was unbelievable.

Today we went to Vyborg to see the area James served in there and those with whom he served. I continue to be amazed by him. He is incredible in so many ways.
Almost didn't make it back to St. Petersburg tonight but I'm so glad we did!

Time Travel

Who says time travel is something in the future? It's now! We've been traveling
and for the better part of three days, crossed so many time zones that I've lost track
And my body doesn't know what to do. I haven't slept more than 2 consecutive hours since Sunday night, but seeing a house of the Lord on former Soviet soil and being with James tonight while he visited with those people he fell in love with 12 years ago is making this adventure worth it. I'm exhausted, good night from Kaliningrad, Russia!

Packing List

Ten years ago our honeymoon packing list to Mazatlan, Mexico included things like sunscreen and bathing suits.

Our packing list this time around includes items such as several bottles of water, can opener, water purification tablets, peanut butter (for a friend in Ukraine since they don't have PB there), flashlight, duct tape, antibiotics for TD, and a spare book of Mormon in English, Russian, and Ukranian to give away.

However, we intend to have just as much fun this time around even if it doesn't include any sand or surf.

Winding Down

We wait and wait and wait for the Specht cousins to get here. We play, and play, and play, and then unbelievably, it's already time for them to go back home to Nebraska. Like Bryant said, "it seems like a millisecond."

Thanks for the memories cousins!

School supplies...check

Took four kids to Wal-mart to do school supply shopping and shopping for trip necessities (disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, water purification tablets etc.). We were there for a long time and I broke down and opened a box of granola bars to appease Hyrum before we actually checked out. I had some explaining to do to my kids who were shocked that mom was letting Hyrum eat something we hadn't paid for.

James is away to inservice and we miss him.

Great Neighbors

We had our annual neighborhood BBQ tonight. This is our sixth one, and now it is just a party with friends and not stressful. We are saying good-bye to a couple we have really grown to love as they head off to new adventures in Arizona.

Hotels in Kyiv and Kharkov now booked. Still praying for rain for Moscow. A few more details in transportation between cities. Lots of packing, cleaning, and getting kids ready for grandpa's and grandma's house.

Old pics, fresh smile

I'm out at my parents today so the cousins can play together. While I was looking over my mom's shoulder at the computer I saw these photos.







Currently, the performer is laying on the floor complaining about having to practice the violin...

...(15 minutes later) it's amazing how much he can improve in 20 minutes when he puts his mind to it.

Getting there...

After many, many, many phone calls, I finally found someone who was very informative and polite. Thank goodness. So, James and I are headed for our international travel appointment at the Department of Health for "education" and at least a typhoid booster. Still on the to-do list: a couple of hotels, a couple of train tickets, traveler's insurance, and last but not least (hopefully not needed) our will. But, we've made headway. We've "found" a lot of people who we care so much for and can hardly wait to look into their eyes.

On a side note, Sariah helped me put on my bracelet for our Seminaries and Institutes Broadcast this morning. Her precious little four-year old hands helped me do something that was very difficult to do myself. Love that.

GoogleEarth

Retracing steps from 12 years ago on GoogleEarth. So exciting I can hardly contain myself. Unbelievable actually.