Sunday

It's hot - like 90 degrees - and the bus today was not air conditioned.  None of them are. Oh well, as long as you learn to sit on the side of the bus that is not in the direct sun it's okay.  We took a marshrutka - a mini-bus - yesterday to a baptism and it was HOT - and bumpy - and crowded.  We took a taxi home.

Got to speak in church today.  Had a good time doing so and used Brother Nicoli - a temple sealer - as an object lesson.  

We may have started a new tradition.  Miroslav received his mission call yesterday and the branch president asked me if I thought it was okay for him to open it at the end of sacrament meeting.  He has no family to open it with.  I enthusiastically endorsed the idea!  So, he opened it and after he read where he is going - Rostov Mission - everyone applauded.  Then we had closing song and prayer.  Maybe not EXACTLY normal but it may be the only time I've felt applause was appropriate in a sacrament meeting! 

I've attached some pictures of the various transports we ride on...we ride on all of these fairly regularly.  The tramvia - the one on rails - are really old.  We like them best because they are not usually as crowded and since they are on their own rails they don't get stuck in traffic as much as the other forms of transport.  Some of the tramvai have plywood seats which look like they have been installed to replace the worn out regular seats.  It's all an adventure!

Air Conditioning

So...we've been in the activity center just about a year.  We finally have internet but still no WiFi.  We were told there was no budget for air conditioning this year.  Then our mission president came down to Saratov and spent half a day - the hot afternoon half - in the building holding interviews and discussions.  The next Thursday - yesterday - air conditioning people showed up and installed air conditioning.  I called our president and asked him what he did - he said he just called the facility managers and told them we really need it now.

Next week I think I'll ask him to call about the WiFi.  I've tried everyone else...nine months to get WiFi is RIDICULOUS!!!

Game night was fun tonight...and very COOL!

Life is good.

Saratov Missionaries

Just got word today that a call has been extended for our replacements.  No name yet - they have to accept - but they will arrive in mid-October.  Our coordinator called and was happy someone has been called but said he will not have a couple for almost three months!  Hopefully other couples can fill in and hopefully the mission will keep this apartment that is so perfectly located.

Exciting...and a reality check.  We come home in two months....

New Saratov District Presidency

At our special district conference today our current district presidency was released and President Reshethikov was called as the new President with first counselor President Lutzenko and second counselor President Shikerov.  Reshethikov was just released as Area 70, Lutzenko was the former district president and Shikerov was a branch president...and the last applicant for Zhenya's job as CES Coordinator.  All great and effective leaders.

Very strong presidency...we want a stake in Saratov!!!

Zhenya translated for both President and Sister Schwab during the conference and did a great job.  He looks so awesome standing next to them.  We're really proud of him.  President Reshetnikov said he and Lutzenko want to start meeting to learn English.  Cool

Dacha Time!

The Markelovs just purchased a dacha so that they and the kids will have a place to relax and play during the summer.  This was their first day at the dacha and they were kind enough to invite us to come and play (oops, we mean WORK) in the dirt with them!  We have REALLY missed working in the garden in our regular clothes...this was a real joy.   We even cooked hot dogs over the fire.

And, according to the instructions we have received as missionaries one of our responsibilities is building relationships of trust with our local leaders...we're pretty sure this falls under that direction...so, we weren't having fun today...it was work, work, work as usual!!!

Life is good.

Saratov Update

Here's a picture of our new rug in our living room.  Pretty nice isn't it?  There were some rugs laying around the mission home from previous apartments and the mission president told us we could have one.  

We're home from traveling and getting Elder and Sister Dunn settled...our long-suffering coordinator spent 6 1/2 hours with four old Americans in IKEA and Auchans shopping for furniture and bedding and food.  He has a LOT of patience!