Four of July party on July 8th

We had many of our friends here in Russia offer us a happy fourth of July.  They are very thoughtful. We had a wonderful party on Saturday in celebration of our Independence Day.  It was a little strange because our four main families all had illness and did not come, but we had one less active brother, one Sister, teen boy, one Melchizedek priesthood holder, the six missionaries who were members and eight investigators. 

Julie, Paul and Eric and Colin went to Friday Harbor on Friday of Last week.  They had a wonderful time and called us on skype when they got home late at night.  We had a great time talking to them but their mike was not working so we had to read their comments.  I showed them my new Russian fur hat and a new man purse I purchased instead of replacing my wallet.  They got a big laugh from both items.

 A family home evening demonstration during this week's family home evening at the branch.  Since it was in Russian I didn't get the meaning of this, but each step to the right represented sin and the elastic band would stretch farther and farther.  At this point the Elder behind the post let go and the band snapped back.

 Holly hocks are everywhere right now.  For some reason I love that name for a flower.

 The beginning of our fourth of July party.  It was supposed to be at a park, but the weather and the fact that the parks do not have picnic tables there we opted to have it at the church.  I made (with Sister Hoagland cooking the potatoes and eggs) wonderful potato salad.  The Elders cooked what we use for hot dogs and with a very good watermelon we had a pretty typical 4th of July picnic.

 Armen just moved to Lipetsk and wants to become active.  His friend, Artiome, below is taking the lessons.  He has a girlfriend still in Armenia.  He wanted his picture taken with us.

 Artiome has a baptismal date on the 28th of July.

 First game.  First to remove all tissue from tissue box.  Second game, bounce out 6 ping pong balls from tissue box.

 Second game.  be first to restack all the cups.

 Do you think Sister Hoagland won!

 Third game, knock over the pop cans with a panty hose on your had and a ball in its foot.

 Everyone got a big laugh out of this one.

 Fourth game, first one to eat all the M&M's without getting whip cream on your face.

 Vladimir loved this game.  He was single minded in eating as much as he could of everything.

 For some reason no one seemed to care if they got whip cream on their face

 Vladimir did clean the plate

 One of our first time participants in the branch had a good time too.

 Rodic was slow but sure.

 The three legged race was a hoot.  We had some funny combinations of people.

 Natalie from English club took these pictures as I was in the race.

 Here I am with my partner.  We did a little practice run which made us the fastest of all.

 Sister Hoagland ran a good race but her leg was hurting by the time they finished.  It think they put the twill too high.

 Last was the tug of war.   The far side won both heats.

 After all the games we finished with a spiritual thought.  Rodic has lost his freedom.

 Knocking whipped cream from your arm to your mouth is a skill.

 How did this picture get in here.  Just to show how some of the bread here is really small.

 Here is our planning session for the fourth of July party.  I thought we did really well.  The food was great and the games were fun.

 While we planned, Sister Hoagland and Nastia were preparing  a large pan of Lasagna.  They ate the whole thing.

 Elder Davis is having a little piece of bread.

 Maps of the new East European missions after this yea adjustments.  The Russia Moscow mission is the dark blue in the middle.

 Bought this wonderful wood box set from a wonderful babushka.  She is an investigator the Elders have me come to the lesson with.  She used to make these and she sold the Elders and me three sets.  What a deal.

Elder's Harris and Bishop with our babushka that we purchased the wood boxes.  I also bought the scarf she is wearing for Sister Hoagland.

 The Elders and us at the university where Nastia (Anastasia) received her diploma.  They don't make a big deal out of it.  We waited in this room while she received her diploma down the hall with just a teacher and her fellow students.

 Here she is after receiving her diploma.

One last game at the 4th of July party.  move three cans with a dry spaghetti from the floor to the small table.  The A&W root beer was purchased in Moscow at a specialty store.  It cost $1.20 per can.   Doctor Pepper cost $2.96.  Lucky we had some further use for the cans.  We did not buy DR. Pepper!