Jan 19 2012; Alayna is 1

So far we have missed the birthdays of our grandchildren Stan who turned 5 on the 18 Oct, Dallin who turned 6 on 19 Oct, Sierra who turned 8 on 24 Oct, Ruby who turned 7 on 24 Nov, CJ who turned 5 on 28 Nov, William who turned 4 on 17  Dec, Andrew who turned 10 on 21 Dec, Caleb who turned 8 on 1 Jan and then was baptized on the 7th, Emma who turned 7 on 11 Jan and  Alayna who turned 1 on 19 Jan (today).
I think we have managed to at least talk to the parents and let them all know that we miss them and are so glad for their progress.  We wish Happy Birthday to all. Alayna has taken to walking behind her little push toy and her Mom says she can walk anywhere.  She just holds onto the handle and it balances her.  She has even taken two steps on her own so far.   Way to go Alayna.  Stan is excelling in his preschool and the teachers say he should skip preschool next year and go right into Kindergarten.  We shall see how that goes.  All the grandchildren are of course: smart, cute, sweet, handsome, beautiful, fun, intelligent, clean, thrifty, brave, and reverant.  I'll stop there but could go on as of course all grandmas think the same about their grandchildren. 
    A little about us here in Russia.  We have received letters of Christmas greetings from our home ward in South Jordan and was so good to hear from all of them.  Thanks to Bro Reed Nelson for forwarding them on to us.  We miss our ward and hope all are doing well.  For the first time in our 2 missions I have a visiting teacher, Jennifer Walquist!  She e-mails and I appreciate hearing about her and the encouragement she provides.   I guess now we need a home teacher who e-mails too!!
    The ideas as to how to serve are coming to us slowly.  We do appreciate the help of the Lord in reaching out to our friends with whom we can converse only very little.  They are great people here and just need a little encouragement and direction.  We will be busy implementing our various activities.  Our best bet is to go slowly and let them catch the vision.  Don't want to overwhelm them in any way.
    We still have snow and got more last night.  The temperature is dropping but so far not significantly.  We still sleep with the window open at night because that is they only way to control the heat in the apt.  We do keep plenty warm. 
   A few ladies and 2 missionaries came over to our apt and we tied a baby quilt for a lady who is due soon.  We also made no-bake cookies and it was fun teaching.  They enjoyed learning about the no bake technique.  I have been called as a counselor in Relief Society.  They can't speak more than 10 words of English and i can't speak more than 10 words of Russian it will be a fun exp.  Dad spoke in church and did a good job with the help of a translator. 
    Missionary work has been slow as the new year celebration is continuing.  School is out and the banks were even closed from Dec 30 thru 10 Jan!  Things are beginning to come to life again.  Today is a holiday and is celebrated by the state church as the day of the baptism of John the Baptist.
   We continue to do weekly meals for the 8 missionaries and the two of us couples each week.  The other couple help out so it isn't all on us alone.  We roasted 3 chickens yesterday and did vegetables in the crock pot and had dressing and gravy and thanks to someone who mailed us jello we had a jello fruit salad.  They thought it was thanksgiving and really enjoyed the meal.  Not much left over to clean up. 
    We continue to feel the hand of the Lord in our work and know that He is interested in what we do and are thankful for that.