Easter!

The week leading up to Easter was kinda hard because I was away from home and I would be missing out on all the traditions I have with my family. However, I probably had one of the best Easter's of my life.

It started out on Saturday morning when I went to the Kremlin and then the Swan Lake ballet. The Kremlin was so cool! I got to see and go inside some of the cathedrals that are inside the Kremlin. After that we went to the armory where I saw dresses, carriages, weapons, and other artifacts from the tsars in Russia. It was amazing!

After the Kremlin we went to the Swan Lake Ballet. Seriously, nothing can get better than seeing a Russian ballet. They were amazing! It was a little over 3 hours and I have to admit I was getting a little sleepy, but it was so good! I love the music and the swan parts were my favorite. After that I was ok with missing out on Easter at home because I had just had a fabulous day.

Then on Sunday we went to church. I have a calling there and I am the primary pianist, so I got to be with the little kids as they learned about the resurrection in Sharing time. Those little children have such sweet spirits and they are so close to the Lord. I loved it.

After that a couple in the ward invited us over to their house for dinner. I was thinking it would be in another high rise apartment building, but no. They lived in a town house! It was like in a mini-America because they live right next to the school where children from Canada, America, and the UK go to school. All the people who work in the Embassies live there. I felt right at home! I could not believe it! They even had a park and everything! Sister Lockhead made us cheesy potato soup with ham and broccoli. Then she made us a casserole. For dessert we had fondue. After that all of us went into their living room and we sang church songs. Then Brother Lockhead told us stories about the Kiev temple and other things. He is like the Lawyer for the church in East Europe so he knows about all the legal stuff that goes on. They made us feel like we were their children. I had such a great time.

Us with the Lockheads and the Sisters from the Philippines.

I missed my family during Easter but I also had a great Easter in Russia. I would not have wanted it any other way!

Victory Park!

A couple of weeks we went to Victory Park! I had such a good time there. Victory Park is a monument to all of the people who died in World War II.

Me in front of the Victory Park monument! Every ten centimeters of the tall spire represents one day of the war.

My group jumping in front of the monument!


Sitting in front of the monument building.


Me in the Hall of Tears. The ceiling is adorned with crystals for each person who died in the war. They are supposed to look like tears.


Me making a wish. Sorry I can't tell you what I wished for because if I did then it would not come true.

Yea! I am having such a great time here. Of course I am starting to want to go home, but after two months I am halfway done! I am on the downward slope now!

Suzdal and Vladimir

I am so sorry it has been so long since I have blogged last. I have been really busy with teaching. Teaching is going well and we are on the downward slope now. I can't believe it has already been 2 months since I arrived here! Well, last month I went to two cities in Russia named Suzdal and Vladimir. Here are some pictures from that trip!

Every year when spring comes, they have a celebration saying goodbye to winter and hello to spring! During their celebration they burn a big scarecrow that looks like an old grandma. This is in Suzdal.


The burning babushka!


Me with the flag for the celebration!


Me with a puppet at the celebration in Suzdal!


Me with an authentic Russian woman!


While we were there we saw a lot of old cathedrals made in the 11th and 12th centuries. They were amazing and so beautiful!


Ya. So...I was kinda terrified of the hotel we stayed in. This is my 'scared' face.


Now can you tell why I was scared?


I was afraid for my life. But it was an experience to remember!


In front of another cathedral. They were so beautiful. It was also freezing outside. This cathedral had a tomb with a real man inside. The man was from the 11th century. I actually saw his hand! It was all black and rotted but it was still really cool! This cathedral was in Vladimir.

It was really fun to go inside all the cathedrals. I got to look at all the art and see the people worshiping. It was really interesting and cool! This trip was only two days but I saw a lot of different things. I am glad I got to go!