Russian Thanksgiving

Who would have ever thought that we would be spending Thanksgiving in Moscow? In the kitchen after dinner our two Russian sister missionaries took the bull by the horns and were cleaning up a storm!

Our Thanksgiving day is coming to an end. Russians don't celebrate Thanksgiving or have any day similar to it; however, our American missionaries appreciate having a home cooked meal with their senior couple and having the day off to celebrate the many reasons we have to be thankful.

As we celebrated Thanksgiving with our 4 elders and 2 sisters I thought about last Thanksgiving. We were in Bath NY with my mom and sister and friends. At this time we had learned where we were going on our mission and would be in Russia for Thanksgiving. Here we are already. Time is going so fast!.

This year I have thought about what our families would be doing as they prepare for their Thanksgiving feast. Kev and Caty are enjoying a Thanksgiving at home this year with dear friends . Mike and Kristy are hosting Thanksgiving and will be joined by our son Tim and Stacy and their new baby girl Sophie. Mom will be spending the day with her boyfriend Harold French in Rochester with his son and their family. Daughter Shauna and sister Diane will be preparing now for the holiday as well, even though I don't know exacty what their plans are.

Elder Anderson and Elder Ricks came early to peel potatoes for dinner. They peeled two large bags of potatoes. The turkeys in the stores were scrawny and very pricy. We had chicken breast instead. (our friends the Luekenga's bought what they thought were turkeys and found out that they had bought geese.) We had chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, homemade stuffing (which the elders loved), different breads, homemade applesauce and desserts brought by the missionaries.  Elder Urmston and Elder Samuelson presented a Thanksgiving message on gratitude. There was a lot of laughter, a lot of eating, a lot of love.

                                                                      Elder Anderson

                                                   Elder Anderson and Elder Ricks

                                    Elder Ricks, Elder Anderson eating a raw potato, and Barb

                                                      Elder Ricks whipping potatoes

The missionaries bring a very special spirit into our home.

Next Thanksgving we expect to be back in Bath NY with Mom and celebrating her 85th birthday surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Family is what it is all about. This year our family consists of our wonderful missionaries. Dos Vidonya. Don't eat too much turkey!!