My, my, a month gone by.  Temperatures have dropped significantly - so the furry gloves and hats are popping up, so we had to buy our own (see full-on Rooskies above).  Nancy doesn't care for her photo - but she truly looks stunning in her fox hat.

Interesting how skills from previous careers and experiences suddenly become useful when word gets around. Because the Russia Moscow stake was organized in June of this year, a lot of firsts are happening. Like the first Stake Christmas Concert/Show.  The stake rented a very nice auditorium/concert hall for Thu. Dec. 15, and because a certain former Showtime member (Eden Jaussi) has parents serving here (Chad and Bethany Packard) - we were invited to be part of the production committee.  After hearing about the professional talent available, a variety show (musical revue) was proposed for the first half, followed by a live Nativity complete with Mary, Joseph, 40-voice choir, primary angel choir, and a big O Holy Night finale - which Sister Packard found and translated to Russian.  I proposed a title from a previous Christmas show at Ricks, so TA-DA:  The Russia Moscow Stake presents "A Magical Christmas"  Briefly, highlights include a non-member professional String Ensemble from St. Petersburg, top soprano, and bass, ballroom dance couple (thanks to Nancy who also suggested I dress up as Rudolf and play a drum solo :) NO GO, and a fully costumed Nativity - luckily the venue has follow-spots and a grand piano. Lots of work but should be a fun night.  Here I go again, working out a nice "tableau" for the manger scene!

Yes this is missionary work - and it took three weeks to get an appointment with the Area Presidency. We finally presented our proposal on Thu. Nov. 3 - meeting with the men in the photo below: (which is on my work computer - frustration) - will post later.  At the meeting with us were - left to right:

David Stapley, Area Director of Temporal Affairs, Dmitry Mikulin, Area Welfare Manager (our supervisor), and the Presidency, Elder Laurence, President Schwitzer and Elder Bennett.   We are now planning trips to interview Mission Presidents in Russia, Baltic States (Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia), and Ukraine.  The legal process for obtaining government approval to launch Addiction Recovery Program Groups is involved - but must be done to insure the charter for the Church to operate here is not compromised.  The last thing we want is to be raided by local police for operating without a licence and have the Church lose its rights to operate here - or in other areas of Eastern Europe.

We had some Saturday trips with other Senior Couples - one to a fine pottery factory where Nancy picked up some fun items - post we will show on the next post.