In Russia, New Years is a big Celebration.  Much more than Christmas.  New Years is when Ded Moroz (Santa Claus) comes.  He comes in Blue Costume or Red. All different sizes and shapes.

New Years is when Ded Moroz brings the children  little  presents and candy

Our Branch had a big New Years Celebration

All the Babushka's (grandmas) got up and sang although I had no idea what we sang:-)

A mother and her daughter performed a traditional dance

One of our Russian Elders sang while our very own  Ded  Moroz  joined in

Brother Vitali is famous for his story telling.









And then the fireworks begin.  Think of New York City and then think bigger and longer.  We could see fireworks going off all over the city.  Even in our apartment courtyard they were setting off big fireworks.  Not just sparklers or a few bottle rockets, but large bursts of fireworks that you would normally see at the stadium.  And they lasted until at least 3:00 a.m. that night and then for the rest of the week.  It is quite the celebration!!!!  There is always something new to learn about a culture when you actually live there.  We are so thankful to have this wonderful opportunity to experience this and to really get to know the people.

Tonkey Stanley banished to Siberia

Our grand daughter, Emma Dahmer, sent us Flat Stanley to spend a week with us in Russia.  This is the letter and pictures he sent back to her to share with her school class.  We thought is would give you a good idea of what we are doing over here.  

Thank you for sending me to Russia.  I had so much fun seeing Siberia.  Here are some pictures of the places we went to see and the things we did.

Grandma and Grandpa first took me to English Club.  I met lots of Russian people who want to learn English.  I also met the Sister Missionaries.  They were really cute.

I also got to ride on the Metro (which is a subway).  It was really fast.  In the Metro Station there are lots of stores.  My favorite store was the flower shop. 

We have to walk a lot, so when we got home I helped open the elevator and the doors to our apartment.

I found my friend, the green frog that Ashlyn made for Grandma and Grandpa. And I looked out of their window at a beautiful frozen lake.

We tried to work out every morning, study the Russian language and write in our journals.  I even spelled my name in Russian with Russian Alphabet cookies.

On Thursdays we go to Institute with the Young Single Adults. We also had some Zone Training and we have District Meeting every Friday in our apartment. 

While I was here, we had two baptisms.  It was so fun to be there at the baptisms. Grandpa spoke at the baptism.  He told them how important it was to be baptized. 

Then Grandma and the Sister missionaries went to a lady that they were teaching and she did Grandma’s nails.

There is still a lot of snow here so Grandpa put me on the top of this big pile of snow just outside of where we go to church.  I almost blew off, but Grandpa saved me. When we went inside, Grandma and Grandpa introduced me to a little boy who wanted to shake my hand. 

That night we had a Young Single Adult fireside at our apartment.  Grandma and Grandpa talked about making good choices and developing a good relationship with our Heavenly Father.

On Monday’s we go grocery shopping.  We meet at the Mission Office.  Below on the left, is a picture of Olga who works in the office. She is Russian, but she speaks really good English. 

Before we went shopping we went to a park with a fountain of a three headed dragon. Grandpa thought I could be brave and sit on the edge of the moat that protects the dragon’s lair, so that I could fight off the dragon all by myself.  But a gust of wind came along (that I think was sent by the wicked wizard who controls the dragon) and blew me into the moat (which I am sure was full of alligators and vicious Stanley eating Paraná fish).  Since I am so thin already I couldn’t afford to have one of them take a bite out of me,  so Grandpa somehow avoided the flames coming from all three dragon heads, battled off the alligators and pulled me out of the moat before those enchanted creatures could take a bite of me.  Grandma was brave too, she held on to Grandpa’s leg so he wouldn’t fall into the moat while saving me.  (Actually according to Grandma, Grandpa likes to think of fountain as a moat that the three headed dragon was protecting.  So that means Grandpa was REALLY brave when he rescued me from the water.)  I like Grandpa’s story better it is much more exciting. 

When we went back to the Mission Office, our Mission President and his wife, President and Sister Gibbons were there.  We told them all about the adventures we were having.  They thought it sounded like so much fun, they were going to find my book and send it to their Grandson.

Grandma and Grandpa think that I brought Spring with me because after I came it started to get warm and the snow started to melt.  We even found some flowers starting to come up.

We had so much fun at the Three Headed Dragon Park that we decided to go to another park.  This park was called Memorial Park in memory of all the men that were killed in the war.  They had big tanks, an army truck, a real airplane, a real cannon with really big bullets.  Lots of children were there and they were all playing on the tanks and airplanes.  It was really fun.

Because it gets so cold here in Siberia, the people make all kinds of bird feeders so they can feed the birds.  I thought it would be fun to get inside the bird feeder.

When we finally got home, I studied out of Preach My Gospel and the Book of Mormon, and then I got to go to bed.

Since I have been here almost like a temporary missionary, Grandpa thought I should have a white shirt and missionary badge.  So he made me one so that I would know what it was like to be a missionary.

It has been a very busy and fun week here in Novosibirsk, Russia.  I’m glad I got to be here and meet all the people that Grandma and Grandpa know. It is hard to understand the language, but the people are very nice.  Thanks for letting me come to Russia.

Your friend,

Flat Stanley

Elder Stanley

(тонкий станлий)

Siberian Winter

Because Siberian Winters are long and their apartments are small, the Russian people have learned how to have fun in the snow.  All over the city you can find these ice slides.  The children love to go and slide.  They are really quite fast, but they love them.

 They don't let a "little" snow stop them from having a fun game of soccer.

Starting the end of December you can find these ice sculptures all over the city.  They are really quite amazing.

We went with Randy and Sue Webb to a display down by the river.

 These stair rails are actually made of ice.  They are not there during the summer.

This was one of the bigger ice slides.  

They get going really fast and then crash into a foam covered barricade.

This river is a little bit bigger than the Columbia River and is frozen solid.

We have our hay mazes. They have their ice mazes.

 We had such fun with the Webb's.

This is the Year of the Snake.  We found lots of sculptures of snakes but this is one of the best.  They also believe that if they embed coins it will bring them luck.  Like throwing coins in a fountain.









Although the thermometer dropped to -50 F, and the wind would blow and we walked on ice everywhere we went, Siberia has been an amazing adventure.  We have come to love the people and their strength of character. We are so thankful to have this experience!

Nice break from Siberian winter weather

Ephesus - Church Education System Training

In February we went to Ephesus, Turkey for CES training.  That was a wonderful experience and a great break from the freezing Siberian winter weather.  During the training we found out that there are a whole list of things we should be doing but were not aware of.  So now our life will become even more full and exciting. 

Ephesus ruins

Renovation site

Floor tile made from marble chips

Beautiful home

Public toilets - good way get to know your neighbors

One of the main streets in Ephesus

My best friend and the greatest missionary companion

It was a neat experience to be in one of the cities where Paul taught.  Where he taught the saints that the church must be built on a foundation of apostles and prophets and that they are necessary until the saints become perfected.  We stopped in the ruins of the amphitheater and talked about some of the doctrines Paul taught.  We concluded the session by talking about how we need to put on the full armor of God as we go forward in doing His work.  These conference was great to recharge our spiritual batteries and inspire us to do more.

Coliseum where Paul may have taught