Sightseeing in Russia

We started our trip in Moscow. We spent a day and a half in the city. This is us in front of the Kremlin/Red Square. Then we flew overnight to Irkutsk, the furthest East city we visited.

Walking on "water" at Lake Baikal outside on Irkutsk.


An old Submarine outside of the Restaurant where we ate "Baikal" fish.



Feeding squirrels in a Siberian park.

We traveled by overnight trains to Krasnoyarsk and then on to Novosibirsk.

The center of Russia in Novosibirsk. After spending a few days with Evan's parents and the inspiring missionaries, we traveled to St Petersburg.

The ceiling of St Isaac's Cathedral.

We visited several churches and museums while in St. Petersburg.

St Petersburg is a beautiful city. It was a great way to end our trip.

The Siberian Missionary Battalion

We were in Moscow on Sunday and were able to attend church. The missionaries there translated the testimony meeting for us. I was so impressed with the members of that small branch. They had such strong testimonies. Some have to travel long distances and they do not have very many members around them. They are pioneers in Russia!

We attended a missionary Zone Conference in Irkutsk and Krasnoyarsk and a member fireside. I was inspired by the missionaries in Siberia. They face -40 degree weather, frostbite, anti American sentiment, less than great food, and difficult travel. But they have the most positive attitudes and they have such a great desire to share the Gospel with the great people of Russia. They need something positive in their lives. The Russian people live such hard lives. Even grocery shopping is an adventure, there's no Wal Mart down the street.

Evan's parents work so hard traveling from city to city helping the missionaries any way they can. They do have fun with the missionaries. The Assistant Missionaries joined us feeding squirrels in Irkutsk.

Those same missionaries presented Hal & Patty with military hats.

A senior couple and a Russian sister missionary conspired together for this presentation.

(The Dragonlady is a nickname for my super nice Mother in law and Head Chicken is Evan's father nickname in the family.) This presentation was a result of a drawing that Evan's sister, Tricia, drew in President Mickelsen's office for all the missionaries to see.

Off to Russia!!!!

Evan and I are leaving in about 5 hours for the airport to begin a 16 day vacation to Russia. We are going to visit Evan's parents. His dad is a Mission President in SIBERIA! So we are going to visit them before they come home in July.

We decided that we would try to get ourselves on the new sleeping schedule by staying up all night tonight. (The time change is 12 hours)! I know we are crazy but, those of you who know us well, know that we are procrastinators. And yes, I haven't packed yet.

If I don't freeze to death, I will post about the trip when we return in a few weeks. I hope the rest of you have great spring weather!