Training in Samara

On March 11, we flew to Samara, Russia, to train the humanitarian couple who had arrived a week earlier from New Zealand. They didn't go to the MTC for training, so we were anxious to meet with them and provide training for doing humanitarian projects. It was helpful for the Grays to have the Gabels there a couple of days before the Gabels completed their mission and returned to the U.S., as the Gabels provided an orientation to the city and culture and to their humanitarian projects.

Samara is in the southeastern part of "European Russia" and has a million and a half people with more than three million in the metropolitan area. The Samara River separates the city into two parts and flows into the Volga River. Samara is located on the left bank of the Volga River, which is the longest river in Europe. It is a leading industrial center and is known for its aerospace launch vehicles, satellites, and space services, for chocolates made by the Russia Chocolate Factory, and for various other products including Rodnik vodka and Zhiguli beer.

During World War II, Samara provided the front with aircraft, firearms, and ammunition. After the war, the defense industry developed new factories and became the missile shield center for the country, with the result that it became a closed city. It was at the Samara Progress Plant where the launch vehicle, Vostok, that delivered the first manned spaceship to orbit was built.

Roger & Sue Gray from New Zealand,
Humanitarian Missionaries in Samara

After spending the day training, we took a bus to the center square and then walked around looking for a place to eat.

A monument in city square
(The slender lady at the right is a typical young Russian
with her narrow stiletto high heels,
slim-legged pants, and fur jacket and hood.
Her little girl is at the left.)

We had a little trouble figuring out
the Russian menu, but we enjoyed the
blinis at this small restaurant.


I like watching them make blinis. They pour
the thin batter onto a hot griddle (to the lady's
left) and then level the batter by swinging
a wooden paddle around in circles.

We ordered chicken and cheese blinis, and I also wanted mushrooms in mine; but instead mine only had mushrooms. I liked it, though. For dessert, we had jam-filled blinis. We liked the strawberry ones better than the cherry, although both were good. Blinis are similar to crepes or pancakes; but the batter is very thin, and they are folded in half and then in quarters with a filling inside.

We had planned to take the Grays out to dinner the next day; but since their apartment was across the Samara River a distance from the center of the city, it was more convenient to eat at their apartment - and the food was delicious. They had brought quite a lot of food with them from New Zealand, and I wondered how they had any room for clothes. We did have some good ice cream cones the next day.

It was hard to decide what flavor to get.
We finally decided on chocolate chip.

Before taking the bus back to their apartment after eating our blinis, we walked around a little to see some of the city. It was difficult to see much out of the bus windows later, because they were quite dirty.

Walking tour of Samara
(Sue Gray and Narene)

Many of the buildings needed repairing
at least on the exteriors.


The snow was piled along the roadside, and
the walks were slushy and full of puddles in the
uneven surfaces.

The weather was quite nice while we were in Samara. On the second day there, we took the bus and went to Ashan's grocery shopping with the Grays. As we walked through the Metro Mall, I noticed an Ecco shoe store. That is the brand of the brown boots I had gotten last year that have been so comfortable, but now the zipper is not dependable. I did get a pair on sale in black.

It was nice getting to know the Grays, and the training seemed to go well. They will be a great humanitarian couple, as will the Lowrys, whom we trained in Voronezh. One of the neat things about our mission is meeting these special couples who have come to serve. We are looking forward to being with all who will be at the Area Humanitarian Conference in Armenia April 23 and 24.

Now We're in the Moscow Mission

The ground is covered with snow, and Sunday coming home from church through the park we saw several snowmen. We actually like it better for walking when there is some new snow cover over the ice, but it usually doesn't stay that way for long as it gets packed down from people walking or gets shoveled away to expose the ice again.

Snowmen in the Park

While we were in Madrid getting our visa renewed, we received a call from President Collins, our mission president for the Moscow West Mission. He called to let us know that we are now part of the Moscow Mission. Boundaries have been changed so that all of Moscow and the nearby suburb areas are part of the Moscow Mission, and the cities further out that had been part of the Moscow Mission as well as Kazakhstan and Belarus are now Moscow West Mission. We have enjoyed our association with President & Sister Collins and the young Elders and Sisters in the Moscow West Mission, so we will miss that relationship; but we also know President & Sister Cranny and like them very much. Before this change, the Curbishleys and Irelands were the only senior couples living in Moscow in the Moscow West Mission. Now we are in the same mission with the other senior couples in Moscow.

Yugo Zapadnaya, our assigned branch and formerly in the Moscow West Mission, is now in the Moscow Mission. However, we will still see the office Elders for the Moscow West Mission as long as the branch continues to meet in the Moscow West Mission office. The branch will be moving to another building when the remodeling is finished, and this should happen this month. Both missions are scheduled to move to a building nearer Rosinka this summer when that building has the remodeling completed.

Saturday and Sunday, February 7 & 8, we attended the Moscow District conference. The district presidency was reorganized and the outgoing district presidency spoke as well as the new district presidency. President Paul, first counselor in the Area Presidency, was also a speaker; and Sister Cranny spoke at the Saturday meeting and President Cranny spoke in Russian at the Sunday meeting. Vlad Nechiporov (our supervisor over humanitarian activities in the area) conducted one of the meetings. He was a counselor in the former district presidency. Vlad has been called to serve as a mission president, although it has not yet been announced to which mission.

There are now two districts in the Moscow Mission. The Moscow West District was reorganized the week before when we were in Armenia. Right now, it looks as if we will continue attending the Yugo Zapadnaya Branch and will be part of the Moscow West District.

On Tuesday, February 10th, our new mission had a zone conference with all missionaries (both young and old) in the mission attending. President Pieper (EEA President), Moscow Mission President Cranny and the two district presidents spoke to us. We had pizza afterward and then headed back to work. That evening, the Shepards had us over for supper and visiting (both were wonderful). Usually we have family night on Tuesdays; but since the senior couples had been to zone conference, it was canceled for the week.

We called Elder & Sister Rasmussen, the new office couple for the Moscow West Mission, and invited them to the Valentine party with the senior couples being hosted by the Nearons on Saturday afternoon, February 14. We made arrangements to meet the Rasmussens that morning to show them the best place to buy souvenirs (Ismaly) and also the Asian market where all kinds of merchandise is for sale at negotiable prices. Elder Aiken and Elder Bladder wanted to look for some things; and since it was their P-day, they went with us. Sam showed them where the young Elders buy their silk ties for as low as $3.00 a tie. Elder Rasmussen bought a shopka (Russian fur hat), and Elder Bladder bought one with wolf fur. Sam and the Elders bought some Russian ties; and I bought a scarf, gloves, and purse to go with my black coat I had gotten the week before. We had gotten such a good deal on the coat and were actually surprised when the vendor accepted what rubles we had with us when we counted it out to show him that all we had was about 6350 rubles, which was a long way from the 21,000 rubles he first wanted.

Elder Rasmussen, Elder Bladder, and the hat vendor at Ismaly

Linda Nearon had made a savory stew served over a pie shell, and the rest of us brought other food for the dinner. Linda Rees brought a yummy three-layered chocolate cake for dessert. The meal was delicious. Linda Nearon had printed some poems about love she had people read and then each couple told about how they met and got engaged. It was a nice Valentine's party. Greg & Chris Shepard were the honored couple, as their mission ends March 28. They both shared some of their thoughts about their mission and bore their testimony. It was a special occasion.

Chris & Greg Shepard (Will be greatly missed when their Mission is completed March 28.)

Linda & David Nearon and Sam in matching shirts for Valentine's Day.

Sandi & Dennis Rasmussen, the new office couple in the Moscow West Mission.

Linda & Steve Rees, the "junior couple" until the Rasmussens arrived. (He is the Area doctor.) Renee & Clark Mason, serving a 23-month mission with another winter. Darvel & Kathy Gregory, who came a month after us and will be the next to leave after us. Sharon & David Yorgesen will complete their mission around the first of June.

We really enjoy all of the senior couples, and we're glad to have the Rasmussens with us. George & Byrle Curbishley completed their third mission in Russia the first week in February, and we miss them.

Beryl & George Curbishley (originally from England) are now at home in California.

I gave the lesson in Relief Society Sunday. It was on "Missionary Service: A Holy Calling, a Glorious Work." That should be an easy lesson for a missionary to give, but it's always a challenge to give a lesson to Russian speakers when you have to have it translated from English. The pages in the Russian manual don't correspond to the pages in the English manual, so that complicates the process when you have someone read something from the manual. I print the lessons out in both languages and then go through and mark the page numbers and paragraphs. The Shepards came to visit our branch Sunday, and they came to our apartment for dinner after church. We always enjoy our time spent with the Shepards and are going to really miss them. They have become dear friends, and we hope we will be able to get together again after our missions.

The Reason for the Season

His Name Shall be Called Wonderful

The reason for the season

As senior missionary couples, we take turns hosting Family Home Evening on Tuesday evenings. It was our turn this week to have it in our apartment. The Masons were the only other couple without other commitments, so they accepted the idea of going together to eat out for our activity. They recommended a small cafe they had recently found that serves good food for a reasonable price, and we ordered pizzas. After eating, Clark and Sam did their own exploring while Renee and I walked through a huge cosmetic store that has more brands under one roof than I have ever seen. The store also has large paintings lining the walls that are the size you might expect to find in an art museum, so we looked at the paintings as well as checked out the cosmetics. The Shepards, Jorgensens, Gregorys, Curbishleys and Monsons are in Madrid renewing their visas; and the Nearons and Reeses had other commitments. We enjoyed our evening with the Masons and will have FHE with the group next week.

Last evening, Sam and I substituted for the Gregorys at the FHE with the young single adults at the Central building. The young people had everything organized, so all we did was show up and enjoy the evening. After the short lesson on setting goals, refreshments were served and the remainder of the evening was spent playing games and visiting. Sam enjoyed playing ping pong and was the winner in two of their games. Each game began with several participants rotating around the ping pong table taking a turn hitting the ball and then moving to the other side. After three misses, you were out for that game. When there were only two players left, the score started at zero again. At this last stage, they had to hit the ball and then spin around and be ready to return the ball again. The game was over when one of them missed the return.

Tomorrow evening, Renee, Linda Nearon, and Linda Rees and I are going to the Enrichment Night at the home of Janet Rust who lives in a suburb of Moscow that resembles a nice suburb in the U.S. I went last year, too, and thoroughly enjoyed seeing her house completely decorated for Christmas with a huge tree in the front room. Of course, the program, food, and company were enjoyable as well; and I'm looking forward to another nice event this year.

We don't have any snow left on the ground, which is nice for walking. Saturday we decorated our apartment with the few Christmas decorations we have inherited from the couples living in this apartment before us. To the tree, I added an angel I was given last Christmas at a Primary program and eight hand-painted decorations of Russian girls dressed in traditional costumes from different parts of Russia.

Our Christmas Tree

I sent my Grandfather Frost home with Todd & Beth when they were here and the few other Russian decorations I had, which decorated our apartment last December.

Grandfather Frost

Tomorrow evening, I will be getting the nativity I ordered last year after seeing one the Rusts had. They know the man who makes the nativities and gives them a discount.

I love the Christmas season - the music, the decorations, the food, receiving cards and letters from friends and loved ones, and especially the reason for the season - celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Talent Show

We received invitations to attend a concert November 15 where the young performers were the final winners of five stages of competition from 40 cities in Russia. It was held in the same theater where we had seen the Chinese circus. The talent was amazing.

Those attending the concert with us were the Jorgensens, the Shepards, and our interpreter, Anna. A lady we had met at an organization that works with troubled families gave us the letters of invitation and insisted it was free when we tried to pay her.

Sharon Jorgensen, Chris Shepard, Anna Smirnova,
and Narene by the Moscow River with
the Cathedral of Christ the Redeemer
in the background. We took this photo on
our walk to the metro after the concert.


The lady giving the young man a special award
is a professional singer, and she also performed.

This competition was began by a professional actor whose poster cut-out can be seen at the left of the picture above. Other professionals continue as sponsors. The lady who gave us our invitations is the mother of a famous actress who got her start as a child playing the part of Little Red Riding Hood.

These dancers were identical twins.

One twin appeared first on stage. After his energetic dancing, he acted tired and left the stage, but then quickly appeared all rejuvenated. It came as a fun surprise then when both appeared at the same time, and the audience realized they were twins.

This was the winner of the ballet category.
It was the story of two young lovers in
a circus group, but the young girl falls and dies.


With music as an accompaniment, she kept
adding hula hoops until these were all swirling.


This juggling act was fun to watch.
While on this stack of rocking blocks
and cylinders, he never missed a ball.


This was an interesting performance. The photo is
blurred because they were always moving
to the music. The dancers were completely
encased in stretchy material.

This group inpersonated famous people.


All performers appeared on stage for the finale.
The young man supporting himself on one hand
moved with the music.


Before the concert, we went to Ismaly Park
to do some shopping.
Pictured here: Narene, Linda, Sharon, and Chris.


On the way to the concert, we followed the
Russian tradition for good luck and touched the
nose of the dog in the
Ploshad Revolutsy metro station.


We ended the day by going to Red Square.
How many times have we taken our picture
in front of St. Basil's!

It was an enjoyable day.

Spring Weather is Welcome

In just a few short days, the trees went from winter brown to spring green. We have put aside our winter boots, hats, and gloves and are enjoying being able to go out without being so bundled up in winter gear. We have been in Russia almost five months now. The winter wasn't as bad as we had expected, although we did have some very cold days and learned to layer to keep warm. In future blogs, I will revisit some of the things we have experienced in the past five months, but the focus will be on what we are currently doing.

Yesterday (Saturday) we got quite a few miles of walking as we went to two renoks, which are small shops grouped together with open fronts and vendors encouraging you to come see what they have to sell. First, we got on the metro on the dark blue line and got off at Partizanskaya station. From there, we walked to Vernisazh and Izmajlovskij Park (typically called “Izmali Park” by Americans), a popular place for buying souvenirs. I was looking for "Pushkin's Fairy Tales" written in English with Palekh illustrations. I found it and a matching book with classic Russian folk tales. Bargaining is expected; and although I usually don't like doing that, I did get a good price for both books (275 rubles each). I had seen the same book for 500 rubles last Saturday when we visited Novodevichi Convent. One section of this market has paintings displayed by the original artists, and we enjoyed walking through and looking at these. We especially liked the work of one artist and asked the price of an oil painting with birch trees, a river, and blue sky. The quoted price was 7000 rubles (about $300). We admired it and left with our two books. As we were leaving, we noticed people taking pictures and discovered there were two bears tied up; so we took a photo, too.

Bears by Izmali Park

We decided to get on the metro and go to a second renok at Sportevnaya on the red line. When we got there, many of the little cubicles were already packing up to leave even though it was early afternoon. We did walk up and down many aisles and were amazed at the quantity of clothing items for sale. One whole section had shoes, and another had rows of purses, and another had ladies underwear, etc.

This morning we went to the train station to meet two senior missionary couples who had been to Finland to the temple after renewing their visas in Estonia and had plane reservations to Vladivostok at 6:30. They went with us to the Central Building where General Conference was being rebroadcast in both Russian and English. We had enjoyed getting conference last weekend via the Internet, but we enjoyed hearing the talks again today. We miss hearing from President Hinckley, but he has left us with many fond memories and good counsel. Of course, we love President Monson already and enjoy his talks and personal stories. It was good to see Elder Salinas at the broadcast, the young Elder we grew to love while being assigned to the Tver branch.

Last Wednesday, we took a city bus to visit the director of a hospital who would like the church to buy some medical equipment for doing arthroscopic surgery. He gave us a tour of the grounds of the hospital and clinic. Nastya interpreted for us, but Victor did know some English. We have contacted Dr. McCune to learn more about this equipment before proceeding with the project.

On Thursday, we went on the electrishka (electric train) to do a “Closing” for a project we had done at an orphanage. We were very pleased to see how appreciative they were to have the medical equipment the church had provided so that they could get their medical room licensed. The director of the orphanage is what we would call a “champion,” in that she has a very well run organization and sincerely cares about the children. We took photos of the children with the equipment and received the Nakladnaya (documenting receipt of merchandise) and a nice thank-you letter.

Nastya is finishing up her exams before leaving for Galveston, Texas, where she has summer employment at a water park from June to the end of September. She has been such a joy to work with, and we will miss her. We love her and feel she is part of our family now. We wish her the best and will look forward to keeping in touch and seeing her when she returns to Moscow next fall. We appreciate Nastya finding us another college student who will be our interpreter now. Her name is Anna, and we will enjoy working with her.