It is harvest time for many of the fields golden with ripe grain.   They have huge harvesters one after the other gathering in the grain.  Love being here in this wonderful part of Russia.  

     We concluded our day with a feast fit for many kings---We had a salad made from their own garden items, stuffed peppers that they are growing, mushrooms with zucciny,  cauliflower steamed and then fried, and fish that Dad caught.   This all happened after a wonderful bowl of borscht.   We then had a tasty fruit salad that had many exotic things in it and a piece of apple cake.  We ate so much we could barely leave the table.   Nice to have good memories of wonderful people and such great food.

     This is down by the Muysskee Bay.   We are having a great time being out in the country and especially to be with the President and his family.

     I a standing by a Mulberry tree eating the berries that are just to good!   They are dark and small and very sweet and tasty.   What a treat!

     More pictures by the water---the Muysskee Bay.   It is pretty there and full of good fish to eat.   President Nechiporov, Dad and Sister Nechiporova.   Nice day!

  I just love this picture of the President (Nechiporov) and his Dad.   I think this is a great historical photo.    We had been down to the  water (it is a finger off the Sea of Azov) where the Presidents Dad fishes----it is just so pretty there.  We ate some of the yummy fish that he had caught.   What a day!

This is President and his family.   From left to right---Vera, Sister Nechiporova, Liza, President Nechiporov, and his Dad.   His Dad just moved from Siberia to the Taganrog area.   We spent a wonderful day with them in their new home in the village.  It was a great day sharing new and past experiences.   We knew President Nechiporovs Dad in the Far East.   We feel like they are part of our family.

This is the water version of I had a little doggie and he won't bite you.   It was crazy fun!

This is just the beginning of the water party.   You can still see dry spots on the missionaries.   It was just so much excitement and fun for a few hours.   The grass may never be the same but it was worth it.  

 

Ok what a day it was!   Monday was the water party at the mission home.   Elder Price and I even got into the party.  Before Elder Price came out I had squirted Elder Potter  and it surprised both of us.   Sister Nechiporovoa had a great breakfast for all the missionaries and then the water started pouring from all over.

This is our new friend "Slushetochee",  which is the combination of two words meaning---obey exactly.   He is watching us and maybe he will watch over you also.   The President took this picture.   I have never seen such a cutie squirrel before - have you?

I do not think that I put this picture in the blog.  We had this wonderful Christmas tree in the park across the street from the building where we live.   The nice part about using this picture now is that the winter has passed and the snow and ice have been replaced with a most beautiful Spring.  

Here we are visiting with Sister Nechiporova at the same couples party.  

This is Rhia (she) and Ferdus (he),   we love this couple and have known them since 1998 when Ferdus came to Moscow and was so sick.  Dr Smart and  Dad (Al) met him at the airport and then he was taken to the Smarts and after a blessing you can see he is just great.   Rhia works in the office and is just a dear lady.  They have a son coming home from a mission in a week!

What might this picture be?   Well this is Elder Price begging me to marry him!   We were at a couples party in the Branch where others ask their spouses to marry them.  All attending this party thought this was pretty funny and I did also.   It was a great party with lots of good times had by many.

This is another group  picture at Mother Russia.   From L. to R.  Vascily (the driver who by the way is a great driver), Sister Nechiporova, Sister Potter, Elder Potter, Sister Demina, Sister Davis, Sister Price, Elder Davis, and Elder Price.

This is part of the changing of the guard at the memorial building with the eternal flame.   They stand one hour and then are replaced.   Pretty impressive.   All visitors are very respectful.

This photo was taken several blocks away from the monument.   As you come into the city you can see the monument and she truly cries out to you.   Mother Russia is taller than the Statue of Liberty.  

President and Sister Nechiporov shared information with us about this memorial which is just below Mother Russia.  We were there for the changing of the guard.   On the wall there are four thousand plus names on the wall.   Many thousand died in the battle of Volgograd.   The Russian soldiers are high stepping and very serious at this memorial.   Thanks to the President we were able to have our wonderful conference.

Now you see Mother Russia in the winter.   We sent a picture of this monument in the Fall.   She is amazing no matter what season you view her.   She is a great symbol of protection!   All Mothers should be so strong.  Can you imagine how the soldiers felt in the battles that took place here in the winter which was well below zero.   Both Russians and Germans suffered greatly.   It makes you sad to feel the sorrow of the war.

This is a group of picture of the senior missionaries in the Rostov Mission.  From L. to R.  Sister Demina,Sister Davis and right behind her Elder Davis, Sister Price and right behind her Elder Price (out of view), Sister Nielson, Elder Nielson, Sister Potter, Elder Potter, Sister Nechiporova.   We traveled to Volgograd and it was a wonderful conference.   The Nielsons planned the meetings and the FOOD!  Everything was great and we came away feeling full spiritually and physically.   It was cold but beautiful.   This photo was taken at the Mother Russia statue.  Yea for all of the missionaries young and old!

snow in rostov

This is our beautiful city Rostov, covered with snow it was just so pretty.  This was the middle of January but the same snow is still on the ground as it has been ever so cold for a month or more.   The Russians know how to dress for the cold and they seem to enjoy the weather.   The best part is seeing the children on sleds on the sidewalks being pulled by their parents.  When they cover their faces to avoid the cold we do the same.  The sun shines but it  offers little warmth.   It is now February 11, 2012, and we have just a few more weeks of this intense weather.   The missionaries stay out for hours visiting with people who stop to listen---
Best wishes,  xo Barb/mom/gma/ggma