Anniversary in Riga, Latvia

Every 90 days we must leave Russia to renew our visas.  This time we were asked to be couriers for the mission, bringing a large number of missionary passports to our representative in Latvia who processes them through the American Embassy here in Latvia.  We also brought back with us a number of newly processed passports, including our own.  For this reason we were allowed to stay overnight  in a Hotel in Riga.  No one knew at the mission office that it was also our anniversary, but possibly the Lord had a hand in our being in the right place at the right time.  

The trip began with the less than anticipated overnight train to Moscow.  We left at 7:30 pm and arrived in Moscow at 5:30 am.  We were met at the station by two wonderful Elders and a driver that took us directly to the North Moscow airport.  They gave us our package and instructions and left us at the entrance to the airport.  We found a wonderful buffet in the airport where we had a light breakfast as we had over two hours before our fight.   

 This is the scene from our waiting area for our flight on Baltic airlines.  Camp Moscow Airport.  After a late start we had a wonderful flight to Riga, it being smooth and a chance to make up a tiny bit of sleep missed on the rough ride from Lipetsk to Moscow.  We were met by Valerij who was kind enough to take us directly to our hotel.  We thought we would have to find our own way.  As we rode into town he pointed out many points of interest, which we were grateful for.

This was our view from our room, which was a standard room on the fourth floor just over the front canopy. It was a nice room provided a good nights sleep.  Behind a beautiful park, of which there are many, is the Russian Orthodox Church.

 Here is our hotel, with our room just above that canopy on the left.  We were there by 11:00am so we had lots of time to see the city in the afternoon. We took a walk around the park

 At the corner just outside the door of the hotel was this flag display.  We saw another one just like it in another part of town.  The people are very proud of their little country and they should be.  It is a very dignified place to visit.  It makes our Lipetsk look quite primitive. 

 East Europe, as in all Europe I suppose, there are many monuments to past heroes.  Here is one in Riga's central park across from the hotel.

 Surrounded by the park is the The Riga Orthodox Cathedral (Russian Orthodox Church).  It is much newer than those in Lipetsk and very nice on the outside.  We did not take time to go in, hoping that sometime in the future we may return to do some walking tours.

 A couple of pictures of central park.  So clean and well maintained.

 They had electric car rentals for toddlers in the park with a large area for them to drive.  They needed that large area.

 Another couple of views of the Orthodox Cathedral looking toward the hotel.

 After the walk through the park, we had lunch in the dining room at the hotel.  We didn't know but it turned out to be our anniversary dinner, as we were so full that we did not want to pay the very high price for the buffet at dinner even though we didn't eat until nine pm.  We learned that the Yankee Dollar does not go very far in Latvia and the Ruble is almost useless.  We received less 8 Lats for 500 Rubles.  They should be called Lots.

After lunch we went to the desk to see if there was a tour we could take.  They had a bus there for us in 5 minutes and drove around the city picking up other tourists until we finally began the tour.  This is the Monument of Freedom in the center of Riga.  Guards of honor are there on weekdays and at dates of the Latvian. Their protests against the Soviet Union began here in the late 1980's.  It was constructed in 1935 during a short period of freedom from foreign rule.

 While picking up some passengers we saw the McDonalds in Riga and the old cobble stone street below.

 These next pictures are taken from the bus, so there may be a green tint or distortions, but we did the best we could.

 This is the area where most tours begin.  When we go back we want to start our walking tour from here.  There are a lot of historic church's to see.  This is another soviet era monument with little interest to the Latvians.

 Just like in Russia, each city has its world war two memorial.  This was in Riga still stands, but there are no celebrations held there and no honor guards like in Russia.

 This was taken from the front window of the bus.  We are in the rear view mirror.  They are very proud of the wooden architecture.  When the soviets were in charge it all changed to concrete.   

 Another wooden structure.

 Riga castle is situated on the bank of the Daugava River.  It houses the apartments and the guest rooms of the President.  It also houses museums of foreign art and the Latvian Museum of History.

 A Riga play house.

 This building was designed by a famous Riga architect with the distinctive faces on the front.

 We found this place where we could get "fresh cash".  Maybe we will stop in for some on our next visa trip.

 On the right is St. Peter's church with the tallest church tower in Riga.  There is an elevator that can take you up for a panoramic view of the city.  It is also evidence that earth quakes are not part of their history.  It doesn't look like it would take much to bring it down.  Along with church services it serves as an exhibit hall and is used for concerts.

 Part of our tour was on this little boat.  It toured the entire Riga canal and the Daugava River between both entrances to the canal.

 It was a beautiful canal and a very pleasant experience.

 This is the Riga opera house.  The columned building was originally constructed in 1863 and in 2001 a large addition was completed.

 In the center is the Dome Cathedral is known for its stained glass and was begun in the 13th century.  It has the country's second largest organ.  Another place to visit if we return.

 Only reason I included these two pictures is to show the roof workers.  Not a job for me.

 On the left is the Sun Stone building that is shaped like a sail.  It is the cities tallest building.  On the right is a very nice suspension bridge we crossed on the way in from the airport.

 There are three Raddison Hotels in the city.  This one has the Magic Sand display.

 Some homes on the river.  Some look abandoned, and others very nice.

 The city is a very important shipping port too.  This is a ferry that we have no idea where it goes.

 We passed a little yacht harbor on our way back into the canal.

 When the boat docked we were left to our own devices to get back to the hotel.  Fortunately many speak English and this part of the city and is not that large.  We asked a security guard if he knew where the Raddison Hotel was.  He promptly told us what direction to go.  Unfortunately there are three Raddison's in town and he sent us to the wrong one.  Fortunately our hotel was across central park from the wrong hotel and our previous walk let us know where we were.

 The beginnings of our Late evening anniversary snack.  We thought those tiny little bottles would not satisfy our thirst so we ordered two each.  I drank three of them.  In the morning there was a fantastic breakfast buffet that lasted us until KFC in the evening.  Anything you wanted was there.  It was interesting to see all the international travelers there.

Our wonderful Elders who took care of us from train to plane and from plane to train.  We went to the mission office with them on our return and then to KFC with them on our way to the train station.  Just a side light to our travel story.  In Riga we had to stand in lines well over an hour to get our boarding passes and to get through security and passport control.  Lucky we came early or we could have missed our plane.

Growth of Branch

  The growth here has been really dramatic.  Early this year they were lucky to get 15 people to sacrament meeting.  When we arrived we were really happy if we got to 21.  Now we are having between 31 to 37 in attendance.  Two weeks ago a Sister who joined the church here in Lipetsk came to visit with her husband from Provo, Utah. She said when she lived here they were lucky to have 7 in attendance.  It is so exciting to see this rapid growth. 

One of the great things about speaking in church in a small branch with several new members, you can talk on any subject and the members are learning something new almost every minute you speak. We were told by President and Sister Woolley, when we accepted the call, that the people would really love us.  They are so poor and so humble and so loving that we are almost overwhelmed.  We had a hard time leaving our dear members in New Zealand, but already we can't bear to think of leaving these wonderful people.   We now have enough brethren to soon organize our quorum.  We have recently called a quorum instructor and a teacher for the Relief Society.  I am still teaching the youth Sunday school class with an interpreter (one of the Elders) but we are close to calling a teacher now that our numbers are growing.  

In the Moscow West Mission we were reimbursed for a luncheon for district meetings.  We have never bothered to request the reimbursement because we had a small district and it was too much trouble figuring out what to charge.  The new mission has sent out a notice that reimbursement is no longer authorized unless a general authority is present.  Don't know what the larger districts will do but we enjoy our Elders.  This was from our last district meeting that Sister Hoagland fixed chicken fettuccine from a recipe she received from Sister Craythorne.  She is having fun cooking from scratch!  Where are Campbell's soups when you need them!

Ani came to family home evening in this shirt that was similar to a western shirt in the US with a button down pocket.  I told her all she needed was a cowboy hat and she went and found this hat.  Not quite but fun anyway.

Our apartment building is at the far right.  The school near us is having a lot of work done on it.  All of the paved surfaces on three sides are being taken out.  We will see what is done to replace it.  They are also re-tiling  the front entrance and lots of work- related noise inside as well.

The sidewalk in front of the school leads to the local grocery store.  This is a well used sidewalk with people coming and going all day long.  I have never done so much walking in all my life and carrying our groceries back to the apartment is getting pretty old already.

We hadn't gone far and we met Vladimir, a less active member who is always pleasant when we meet him on the street even though we cannot speak to each other.  We did manage to tell him we had just celebrated our birthdays and how old we were.

This is a bus stop with lots of seating.  It is not that well used and the busier stops don't have near the seating.  Most stops have these little places to buy snacks and drinks as you can seen at the far end.

This is the largest church in Lipetsk.  It too is having a lot of work done.  We aren't supposed to take pictures inside, but they have paintings all over the walls and ceilings.  Under the dome were some pretty weird looking creatures with two sets of wings.  Not sure what they were.

For Judy's birthday on the 9th we went to a Ukrainian restaurant.  Sister Hoagland had what looked like salmon and she absolutely loved it.  I had a couple of items I have no idea what they were called.  One was delicious, the other dry.

I was trying to take a picture from arm's length when a young lady saw I wasn't having much luck.  She took this picture for us.  Russians are very helpful people and are so willing to help when you are in need of a little assistance.  In contrast, walking on the street or going through doors it is dog eat dog.  Kind of like Americans get when they are behind the wheel of a car.

We had Margarite and her two daughters, Arpine and Armine for dinner on Friday.  Samville was not able to come.  He is going back into hospital for more tests this week.   We had a wonderful time together.  Our Elders were there to help with language and gave a spiritual thought.

At family home evening we celebrated Sister Hoagland's birthday just like we did last week for me.

They had a couple of small cakes prepared with candles on one.  Sister Hoagland baked my cake.

In many ways it is like the 40's and 50's here.  The kids play outside and just like me they play with guns.  Mine were more the Roy Roger's style, with holsters, etc. but it is still playing with guns.  This summer the front of our apartment building is like a school playground.  There is noise of children playing, especially in the evenings when it has cooled off.

On Saturday I rode on an old Russian electric trolley bus coming back from "sport day" at the beach.  I guess they are not making them anymore, so they are really starting to look bad.  Here is the back exit door.

This is Artiome and Marina's little girl Viola playing at the beach.  She is still trying to get to know me.   Marina is taking the missionary lessons and is doing very well.  Should have another baptism soon.  We conferred the Aaronic priesthood and ordained Artiome a priest Sunday.  He is already asking about receiving the Melchizedek priesthood.

Viola and her baby sister have brought joy to our young women in the branch.

I played volleyball for two and a half hours Saturday and had to walk a good distance to and from the beach.  I don't know how I am doing it, but all this walking must be getting me in condition.  I was going to say shape instead of condition, but my shape hasn't really changed that much!  Last night I got cramps in the muscles in both legs that control my ankles when I walk and jump.  Hmm.

Birthday Week

When writing about the baptism of Artiome last week I mentioned that his wife was only in country 3 days.  I was blessed to go with the Elders to teach the first lesson to Marina.  Their apartment is a two room, meaning it has a kitchen and a living area where they also sleep.  They have a small tv and the Elders gave them 6 or 7 videos and their DVD player so they could watch them.  I don't remember all of the DVD titles, but they were about Christ and the restoration.  Then the couple of days between the baptism and our coming they had watched every one of them.   

They served us a simple meal and then we had a lesson.  Elder Davis gave the lesson on the restoration and bore testimony of Joseph Smith, followed by Elder Janson's testimony.  Then Artiome bore his testimony and to our surprise Marina bore a beautiful testimony of Joesph Smith saying because of Joseph's desire to know the truth God had chosen him to restore His church.  It looks like Lipetsk is going to have another full family come into the church.  They will be a real strength as they are both very impressive young people.  

 We had them over for dinner last week and had a wonderful time.  Sister Hoagland is getting to know Marina and Little Viola in primary.  We are so excited for them.

 Saturday we have sport night in Lipetsk and we walked quite a long distance to a park and then to the beach.  On the way we passed this stairway with the cascading water and fountains.  Lipetsk has many fountains as you can see from other posts.

At the beach we first played football with our investigators and members.  They asked if I wanted to play and I said I only play quarterback.  OK, so they set me up as the designated, no contact, quarterback for both teams.  Had a fun time and did pretty well throwing several touchdowns for both teams.  Had some defensive trouble with one Elder who was 6' 5" with long arms but he couldn't be everywhere.  He was a big help on offense but I had to throw to our young members and investigators too.

The young man without a shirt in the middle is interested in speaking more English.  He came to Artiome's baptism just to speak more English.  After this sport night he also came to church.  The other shirtless guy was hitting a volleyball with friends close by.

Talk after the play

 The beach looking up river.

 The beach looking down river.  This was taken around 7:30 pm.  They love their beach and a lot of people swim every evening.  The Elders stay away from this part of the beach for obvious reasons.  Modesty is at a premium in Russia.

 Following football, the boys playing with a volleyball joined us for a competitive game.  The Elders and the one investigator were winning pretty handily with just five players so I thought I would join and even up the game a little.  Played two and a half games and was pretty worn out by the end.  Great fun.

 After volleyball it was time for some fun with the Frisbee.  I had had enough sport for one night and Sister Hoagland was home alone so I left. 

 This is the trolley bus I took home.  These buses have to be 30 or 40 years old.  They are rusty, dirty and noisy from the operators controls and the air compressor used for the breaks.

 Elder Harris on the right has gone through two pairs of shoes since we have been here.  His companion, Elder Raymond also has a new pair of shoes.  Russian men love pointy shoes.

 This week was my birthday on Tuesday.  I received a call from President and Sister Sorenson in the morning singing happy birthday.  Later in the morning Elders Janson & Davis also sang happy birthday.  Elders Harris and Raymond invited us to lunch and a new fast food place.  Had a wonderful birthday.  It was English club that night and we again had a fun time with our friends there.  We had dinner with Helen, one of the regulars, in our home over the weekend.  She teaches English and speaks very well so we could have her without the Elders.

Before our dinner with Helen the Elders had a couple of lessons in our apartment.  One at 1:30 and the other at 3:00.  We have some hard working Elders and on Sunday we had 35 people at church with at least 5 of our regulars not even in attendance.  We only set up about 30 chairs, so we had to go get more.

 Elders waiting for the bus to take them to their next appointments following our lunch.

 Took this picture to show that our part of town is rather elevated.  We walk about a third of the way down this hill to get to the church.

 Grandson, Eric Davis, having fun on a knee board.  Good to see that great smile.  He likes to be serious.

 At family Home evening the branch gave me a little birthday party.

 Here we are with Margarite.

 Most of the work for this party was done by Rima.  Rima is an amazing young woman.  At 19 she is the most faithful and most knowledgeable woman in the branch.  She has served a "mini mission" where young women at least 12 weeks as a missionary with a full time companion, doing all that missionaries do.  President Woolley said she was as good as most of his full time missionary sisters.

Sister Hoagland made the cake from scratch.  No Betty Crocker here in Lipitsk.  Sister Woolley left the cake decorating sprinkles.  Here I am blowing out the candles.  Walking miles a week made this effort a snap.

Here we all are with our birthday hats on, celebrating my birthday.  These people are so sweet, we know that it will be hard to say good bye in just over a year.  We were told that they would love us and it is certainly true.  On the right is an investigator and just to his left is a new member who just moved in.  He comes to all our Sunday and Wednesday activities and we have him teaching priesthood right now.  Another brother moved in as well and speaks very good English.  He has only been a members since last fall.  His job does not allow him to come each week, but he comes when he can.