Alexandria

Alexandria is our English speaking investigator here in Rustavi.  We really enjoy spending time with her.  Last month she turned 30 and we had a small birthday party for her.  I made cupcakes and the missionaries brought the balloons!

Alexandria asked the missionaries what an American pie was and how it was made.  So we invited her over one evening.  E. Reese taught her how to make the pie crust and I showed her how to make the filling.  Then we put it in the oven, which as you remember takes careful monitoring!

 This is what we were watching!

 Luckily it turned out beautiful - we were so proud!

 With a little ice cream - it tasted delicious!

Alexandria offered to show us around the local Bazaar.  She took us up and down every isle and all around. There was every item imaginable there - clothes, shoes, kitchen stuff, bedding, electrical, and lots of produce and food.

 This was the best area to get produce - she picked potatoes out of the back of the truck!  We found a truck full of pumpkins and got a great one.

How thick do you want your steak?  This is how they butcher their meat in Georgia - even at the grocery store.

 We are waiting for the bus to take us back home after a productive day at the Istanbul Bazaar.

Relief Society Activity

We met at the Didube metro stop - it was fun visiting while we waited for everyone to arrive.  I like this stop - it is one of the few that are above ground.

Then we all loaded on 1 marshutka - we bought all the seats so that we had our own private driver! (and really we only had 2 or 3 empty seats - at a lari each - no problem!)

 We went to the old church in Mtskheta and then walked over to another old church.

On the way we saw this shop advertising what kind of meat it sold!

 Here we are on the grounds of the second church.  It was interesting to see them go through the church - this was the religion that most were raised in and they still had tender feelings for the traditions of their fathers.  Of course we finished the day at the Lobio Restaurant with lots of yummy Georgian food.  I love these wonderful women!!!

comfort food

It's the little things that keep us going here in Georgia!

When we were in Yerevan, I found this box of Lucky Charms at the store.  I carried it around for awhile - trying to decide if it was worth $7.50.  That's a lot to pay for a box of cereal!  I am so glad I did - it just makes me happy to be able to eat a bowl full of yummy cereal!

Yerevan

Pres and Sis. Carter came to Tbilisi to welcome Iza home.  They had room in their car to take us back with them and so we planned a senior couples outing!  We left Georgia and went to Yerevan Armenia.

The ride was beautiful!  We saw lots of great scenery.  Here is a beautiful 1000 year old bridge.

What a bonus to see this beautiful rainbow!

We stopped to get a little spending money - hmmmm - I think 30,000 ought to last us awhile!

You know on trips like this it really is all about the food!

 YES - creme brulee for dessert!

We are always trying to see who has the best 'stuff' - Georgia or Armenia.  We have McDonald's and that puts us way ahead - put they just got a Cinnibun store - I think they're catching up!  (We did bring 2 Big Macs with us for Elder Eyre!)

 We were able to stay both nights in the Mission Home.  The Carters are wonderful Hosts.  The first morning we were able to see Mt. Ararat from our balcony.  It is usually covered in clouds.  Elder Reese did have to climb a ladder and hang out to get this shot!

Our first day out we drove about an hour away to the Geghard Monastery.  It is at the end of a canyon and was carved out of a huge rock.  They started with a hole in the top and carved down.  It was amazing with some great carvings on the walls too!

Then we went to the Garni Temple that was first built in 100 AD - it was destroyed and then restored.

We spent the afternoon at the mission home with all the senior missionaries talking about missionary work!  It is always great to get together and share stories and ideas.  They are an amazing group of people!

 That night we hung up the painting of red flowers that Alex had painted.  It was hung in the upstairs red kitchen and we all wore red in honor of the occasion!

 The next day we met in the mission office to see where all the serious work gets done!  Then we headed out for some local sights.  We started at the Armenian Genocide monument and museum.  What a sad history.  People come and place flowers around the eternal flame - very somber.

 To lighten the mood - Elder Reese and Elder Eyre were entertaining us with Up in the Air Jr. Birdman! 

 We visited a fort that was being excavated and had a great view of the city.

 Our last meal together was cooked by a member who works at a restaurant.  Here he is taking our dinner our of an oven in the ground - it was yummy!

We took the midnight train to Georgia and got home just in time to shower and go to church.  We really had a great time.  Thank you Armenia Senior Couples!!!

Sister Iza

Sister Iza came home from her mission in Scotland/Ireland.  We helped her leave on her mission 18 months ago - so this was a real treat to be here when she got home!

She was dressed in a Scottish kilt and looked great.  Her Mom and Dad were so excited to see her! 

The next day she reported on her mission and was released.  She is one of the happiest people I know.  It is always fun to be with her.  She will be a great addition to the Branch.

We love Baptisms!

This fun couple comes from Sri Lanka.  They are working here in Georgia.  Thilanka speaks fairly good English and then interprets for her husband Roshan.  They bring a sweet spirit to our Branch!

General Conference

Every 6 months we have General Conference.  It is a great opportunity for us to listen to the Prophet and Apostles speak to us.  Because of the time difference between us and Salt Lake City, we tape the sessions and watch them the next weekend.  On Sunday between sessions we enjoy soup, salad and bread and visiting! Here are some of my favorite people!

E. Offutt, Sis. Leana, Sis Anna (who just adopted a baby girl!) Sis. Sonia

 Godwin - a return missionary from Nigeria, E. Mejia and Dali.

 2 investigators from Rustavi and our newest members !

 Alexandria and all the Rustavi missionaries

Sis. Pratt made the yummy soup and I made my favorite apple, raisin, walnut carrot salad - they were a big hit!  We had Zurra drive us in his marshutka from Rustavi and then he stayed to watch the sessions.   We had 7 investigators come from Rustavi.  It was a great Conference.