The Johnson's in Moscow

January 4 & 5, 2013

Goodness. A new year. It is Friday evening about 10:00. and about freezing. Our temps have risen from close to -20F to +32. (Dave, that's a temperature change of 52 degrees.) We aren't even suffering any more. It does not seem fair. I thought suffering was part of being on a mission ... unless you are Peterson's and your missions looks a lot like your vacations.

We are in, of course, the first 10 days of January. All of Russia quits working for these 10 days. Well that's not quite totally accurate. A few buses run, most retail is open, but regular businesses and government are closed across the whole darn country. Our Russian workers are gone, so Marlene and I labor away, alone, in the office. Boo, hoo. It is really odd to walk to work and have no one on the sidewalk with us and no cars on the street. It reminds me of Pleasant Grove ... dead.

We have the very happy news to report that Andy left Afghanistan tonight. There is a stop in Kazakhstan for some reason, and fora few days, and then some undetermined number of days in Ft. Hood, Texas. But, the vector is good. If he hurries a little he might make it home for Rachael's birthday on the 13th. We feel blessed and grateful for his safety and know his family will be glad to see him.

Well, enjoy the 326 pictures.

Addie playing Inagodadavida with her Sandy Grandma on Christmas Eve.

The Primary children helping with the Christmas program.

One of the few times we have seen the sun in about a month.

The fam at home on Christmas Eve. The Grover's are having a great time.
I did not actually take this picture, but I know who did.

Victor Kremenchuk and his son Mark. When Victor came to work in the office about nine months ago (as the Area internet and social media coordinator) he introduced himself the first day by saying that we would have no trouble remembering his last name because it means "Flintstone." So, there you go, another free Russian lesson.

Mark learned to smile from the Grover's.

The babe, the Jones', and the Walker's at the Dom Musica for a performance of The Messiah. It was terrific. More pictures follow, out of order of course.

Marlene loves these floating paper bags. They are often launched from the park behind the flat. I almost bought one, and then didn't.

Our first Russian wedding reception. This is the room we have sacrament meeting in, decorated for the festivities. I apologize that I cannot put these pictures in order, but I can't.

The bride and groom will come through the line of people in just a minute and meet the waiting parents.

This is either Addie or Marilyn Monroe.

More of the Dom Musica. The interior is finished in birch wood, a favorite of the Russians and one supposedly good for sound bouncing.

(Sound bouncing is what the urologist does when he is trying to shatter those stones in your bladder.)

The happy parents ready to meet the bride and groom and share some salt and bread with them--and say kind things. At least I think that is what they said. Given the dad's expression now I am not so sure.

The word you can see on the drapery is Xleb (khleb), for 'bread.' If you could see the other side of the thingee you would see Cal, or salt. Another free lesson in acrylic.

Dasha and Sergei, the lovely couple. He is one of our IT guys and very nice young man. She was lovely and gracious.

These are Timur and Oksana Kidorov. She is our newest secretary, and he is an entrepreneur, selling cranes.

A close up of the bread and salt. It was a beautiful piece of bread. The happy couple fed each other a piece of it after getting the congratulations from the parents.

Every reception has to have a woman in charge and this was ours for the night. She kept things moving and was not shy.

The couple at their own table at one end of the room.

Anyone who wanted to could get a hold of the microphone and give them advice or good wishes, or whatever.

You might be able to see the disk jockey's set up just on the right of the picture. As the bride and groom began walking down the 'aisle' he played "Pretty Woman." That was fun.

Oksana is about four feet tall, maybe five feet with her heels on.

The Metropolis mall lit up for the season.

Outside the mall.

The stake Christmas program. The director is a musical talent and a sharp dresser too.

Half the male missionaries were on one side of the hall and the half on the other side. It was very nice to hear them sing.

Elder Walker has offered to sell me his hat when he goes home, and I am tempted, but he wants to give me too much money to take it off his hands.

The girls cleaning up at the Christmas Eve party in the doctor's flat.

The mission president asked me how to run his mission and I was happy to tell him what to do.

The children recognize Stephanie who plays for the Bolshoi and give them a tour of the joint.

Christmas dinner at the Walker's plus four missionaries. It was very nice. Turkey, etc.

One of the missionaries had this wolf fur hat that he thought I ought to try on. I was tempted but, again, he offered me too much money to take it from him.

This is a typical crowd scene on the Metro.

Dom Musica again. I'm looking for a flyer announcing the MoTabs, but have not been able to find one yet.

The choir for the Messiah. We were a little nervous watching the red haired lady hold her stomach the whole evening. For some reason her posture is not as good as the lady next to her.

I think this might have been the MoTabs with a new dress standard.

They performed wonderfully and had four or five recalls for more applause. However, they declined to sing again the Hallelujah chorus. I withdraw my applause.