Dear Family and Friends,
We are alive and kicking here in Moscow and have had another great week. The work here is consistent, although it is slow but there is just lots to do here for people and for the church. We were able to do a variety of things and have some very interesting experiences. Here are a few highlights.
1. It got about freezing this week and rained instead of snowed. Actually it was nice to experience the cleansing effect of rain. We are supposed to have a few more days of it.
2. We had the opportunity to attend a choral and dance concert in Tchaikovsky's concert hall here in Moscow. It was fascinating and historical to be in this beautiful facility. It was not as ornate as I thought it would be but it was beautiful none the less and interestingly enough, we had seats on the very front row just on the left side. The music was amazing and very unique. They say of their heritage and culture and it was interesting to hear how their music was portrayed. It was a little intimidating and scary to listen as they sang with such passion and enthusiasm about their country and to hear the thunderous applause and watch people, including military men in uniform, come to the stage and give flowers to the participants. Although we did not understand much of what was said, one could feel the deep conviction they have for their "Mother Russia." It was a wonderful experience to witness and to behold.
3. We experienced "tranfers" which happens every six weeks on the mission. Luckily, Bethany and I are still missionary companions and have no transfer happening. It was exciting to see all of the missionaries here in this mission together and hear of their excitement to work in new areas of Moscow with different companions. We had a few changes in our district.
4. We met someone from the past this week. We may have eluded to this in a previous letter, but there is a dentist who is an American who has been working here in Moscow for a number of years. He works a lot with the missionaries and helps them periodically when things are needed. It turns out that he is from California and his name is Dr. Giovanni Favero. He practiced for a number of years in the Sacramento area and interestingly enough Bethany worked for him for about a year while we lived in California, prior to moving to Texas. It just so happens that this same doctor has been coming here for a number of years and is here now. We just had dinner with him last night and reflected on old times and well as current times as well. Since he is not a citizen of Russia, he cannot own his practice. He shares it with several other dentists, none of which are American. There is one Canadian orthodontist that comes over periodically to work. The thing that keeps Dr. Favero coming back is the money. He can make a good amount of money here in Moscow and pay 13% income tax. He works 3 weeks here and then goes back to California and spends the next 3 weeks golfing, then comes back to Moscow and starts all over again. When I say the next 3 weeks golfing, that is all he does. He told us of a time he was ruffed up by a couple of hooligans who were trying to get him to stay in the states so that one of his business partners could just take the business here from him. Dr. Favero has just stayed the course and keeps coming back. He indicates that if he had to do it all again today, it probably could not be done. He said that things have changed drastically here in Moscow over the past 10 years. It is just very interesting and too much of a coincidence that someone we knew 20+ years ago in California is here in Moscow and we have been able to meet up again and renew old acquaintances.
It has been a good week. We had had several meetings in our home here with individuals investigating the Church. The Spirit remains strong as we share and testify of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The people here are good people of God and want what is best for their families. Some of them are very radical however and many don't like the fact that we are here in their country. We continue to get strange looks from most of the people as we walk along the streets and on the Metro. We just look different than they do and thus they stare. Many of them want what we have, they just don't know quite where to find it. They are searching. We had about 200+ people to English Club on Wednesday night. I couldn't believe how many people there were who wanted to learn English. When they come to the Church, they feel something and want to return again and again. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers in our behalf. If you haven't been praying for the missionaries, please begin doing so. The work needs to progress more rapidly and there is so much work to be done.
We love you all,
Sincerely,
Elder and Sister Packard
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Hey everyone,
It has been some time since I have written to all of you. It has been more than hectic here and getting accustomed to the area and finalizing and settling in has been a nightmare. It took us over two weeks after we arrived in our apartment to actually get connected with the internet. It took 5 visits from the company and some special configuring (according to the specialist who came to our home) to get it up and running finally. We still can't get our iTouch's to work but we will be happy with what we have at this point.
The work has been tremendous and overwhelming. There is just so much work to do and the Russian culture doesn't help in trying to accomplish anything. There are those here that indicate that Russia just tries to make things difficult. I am becoming a believer the more I experience it. No worries though. We are really enjoying the culture and the people. In general no one talks to anyone else because of the former way the Russian culture operated. Even though they are now a more capitalistic society things are a little different but they remain similar when it comes to privacy. We are looked at and stared at because of the different "look" we have and I not talking about our missionary name tags. We just look different than they do.
Chad and Bethany at Red Square. It was frigid cold that day.
I have told some of you so I will tell all of you now that we live in downtown Moscow approximately a 10 minute walk from Red Square. If you go to Google Earth, our address is Bolshoi Ovchiniskovsky Pereulok 24 Flat 13. If you can't find it, just look at Red Square and cross the Moscow River and then the little tributary. We are just 2 blocks from that tributary. It is amazing to think that we live that close to the Kremlin and all of the rich Russian history that resides here.
Chad and Bethany in front of the Tretyakov Museum in Moscow. It is about 6 blocks from our home.
This photo was taken inside the GUM (Goom) in Moscow next to Red Square. It is the most beautiful shopping mall I have ever seen. You can see from the decor that things would be expensive there. You can also see the different levels.
Speaking of culture and history. We have had the opportunity to visit a few museums here that were amazing. One is the Tretyakov Museum. We took three mission presidents there a few weeks ago. We have also had the opportunity to attend a production of the Russian play "Monte Cristo." It was breathtakingly beautiful and the songs and dancing were better than we have seen anywhere. We hope that some day that production will come to the States for you all to see. Each 6 week transfer the Missionaries are allowed to attend some sort of cultural event. We chose this one. We were glad we did. We went with our entire missionary district of 8 missionaries.
The finale and curtain call of Monte Cristo.
We have had great opportunities to teach the people here and the missionaries are excited to have us there to help. We are eager to do so and have participated in lesson and after lesson of the gospel. We have had a few lessons in our home already and tonight we have two more lessons scheduled as well.
The Blue Mosque in Istanbul.
This week were had a fabulous opportunity to attend a CES conference held in Istanbul, Turkey. What an experience. We were able to participate with 12 other senior couples who came from all over the Eastern European Area. Just to give you an idea, Russia has 11 times zones! We had some that traveled as far in a plane to Turkey as it would take us to get back from Moscow to Dallas. Anyway, we were able to have a three day conference with these wonderful experienced missionaries along with the CES Area Representative and President Wolfgang Paul who is the Area President for the Church. It was a little unfortunate but we only had a total of about 4 hours during those days to spend and see of the rich history there as well as buy a few trinkets as souvenirs. With Bethany at my side, we were able to spend a few dollars. We took as many pictures as well. If you have a facebook page I have posted some of the photos there. the experience of the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque was spectacular. There is not enough room on this letter to describe those two Mosques but just got to Google and type them in. It will be worth the read. I have also posted a video that is fascinating. You really need to experience what the video portrays.
Inside the Blue Mosque. These columns are ginormous.
Bethany, through one of the entrances of the Blue Mosque toward the Hagia Sophia! it was beautiful that morning. Notice no missionary tags were allowed in this Muslim country.
We are back home now in Moscow and once again, not much has changed. It is still cold. They expect snow for the next few days. But the streets are clearer and there is less and less ice on the roads or sidewalks now. It is still dangerous however. Both Bethany and I have taken our first spills in the short time we have been here. Thankfully we have so many clothes on in layers we are not too banged up.
Well it is off to church we go. We meet with the Branch Council today for the first time to review with them what they would like us to do in the branch to help it grow and become strong enough to become a ward.
Again, I apologize for the delay in writing. We have so much to keep track of and write each day, it becomes overwhelming. If you have questions, please feel free to email and let me know what you would like. All is well here but I cannot express how much we need your continued prayers in our behalf and in the behalf of the missionaries here in this area. Don't forget to pray.
We love you all.
Elder and Sister Packard
Inside the Hagia Sophia. We made sure to show the people to give the size of the structure some perspective. It is currently under some renovations. The structure was the largest cathedral for over 1000 years. Yes, a thousand years! Check out the details on Wikipedia.
This photo give perspective to the mosaics.
This is a hallway of the Hagia Sophia. This chandelier is approximately 18-20 feet tall.
This photo is very interesting. The chandelier is abut 20 tall. This photo is taken from the second floor and is laid down with solid slabs of Marble as it is on the ground floor. Notice also on the wall behind the base of the columns, the inscriptions that appear to be lamps with lampshades. In actuality, the lamp shade portion is an area on the marble that has been ground off. When you read the info on Wikipedia about the Hagia Sophia you will learn that this structure was a Christian Cathedral at first just a few hundred years after the death of Christ, then was converted to a Mosque. Thus the change in the inscriptions.
It has been some time since I have written to all of you. It has been more than hectic here and getting accustomed to the area and finalizing and settling in has been a nightmare. It took us over two weeks after we arrived in our apartment to actually get connected with the internet. It took 5 visits from the company and some special configuring (according to the specialist who came to our home) to get it up and running finally. We still can't get our iTouch's to work but we will be happy with what we have at this point.
The work has been tremendous and overwhelming. There is just so much work to do and the Russian culture doesn't help in trying to accomplish anything. There are those here that indicate that Russia just tries to make things difficult. I am becoming a believer the more I experience it. No worries though. We are really enjoying the culture and the people. In general no one talks to anyone else because of the former way the Russian culture operated. Even though they are now a more capitalistic society things are a little different but they remain similar when it comes to privacy. We are looked at and stared at because of the different "look" we have and I not talking about our missionary name tags. We just look different than they do.
Chad and Bethany at Red Square. It was frigid cold that day.I have told some of you so I will tell all of you now that we live in downtown Moscow approximately a 10 minute walk from Red Square. If you go to Google Earth, our address is Bolshoi Ovchiniskovsky Pereulok 24 Flat 13. If you can't find it, just look at Red Square and cross the Moscow River and then the little tributary. We are just 2 blocks from that tributary. It is amazing to think that we live that close to the Kremlin and all of the rich Russian history that resides here.
Chad and Bethany in front of the Tretyakov Museum in Moscow. It is about 6 blocks from our home.
This photo was taken inside the GUM (Goom) in Moscow next to Red Square. It is the most beautiful shopping mall I have ever seen. You can see from the decor that things would be expensive there. You can also see the different levels.
Speaking of culture and history. We have had the opportunity to visit a few museums here that were amazing. One is the Tretyakov Museum. We took three mission presidents there a few weeks ago. We have also had the opportunity to attend a production of the Russian play "Monte Cristo." It was breathtakingly beautiful and the songs and dancing were better than we have seen anywhere. We hope that some day that production will come to the States for you all to see. Each 6 week transfer the Missionaries are allowed to attend some sort of cultural event. We chose this one. We were glad we did. We went with our entire missionary district of 8 missionaries.
The finale and curtain call of Monte Cristo. We have had great opportunities to teach the people here and the missionaries are excited to have us there to help. We are eager to do so and have participated in lesson and after lesson of the gospel. We have had a few lessons in our home already and tonight we have two more lessons scheduled as well.
The Blue Mosque in Istanbul. This week were had a fabulous opportunity to attend a CES conference held in Istanbul, Turkey. What an experience. We were able to participate with 12 other senior couples who came from all over the Eastern European Area. Just to give you an idea, Russia has 11 times zones! We had some that traveled as far in a plane to Turkey as it would take us to get back from Moscow to Dallas. Anyway, we were able to have a three day conference with these wonderful experienced missionaries along with the CES Area Representative and President Wolfgang Paul who is the Area President for the Church. It was a little unfortunate but we only had a total of about 4 hours during those days to spend and see of the rich history there as well as buy a few trinkets as souvenirs. With Bethany at my side, we were able to spend a few dollars. We took as many pictures as well. If you have a facebook page I have posted some of the photos there. the experience of the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque was spectacular. There is not enough room on this letter to describe those two Mosques but just got to Google and type them in. It will be worth the read. I have also posted a video that is fascinating. You really need to experience what the video portrays.
Inside the Blue Mosque. These columns are ginormous.
Bethany, through one of the entrances of the Blue Mosque toward the Hagia Sophia! it was beautiful that morning. Notice no missionary tags were allowed in this Muslim country. We are back home now in Moscow and once again, not much has changed. It is still cold. They expect snow for the next few days. But the streets are clearer and there is less and less ice on the roads or sidewalks now. It is still dangerous however. Both Bethany and I have taken our first spills in the short time we have been here. Thankfully we have so many clothes on in layers we are not too banged up.
Well it is off to church we go. We meet with the Branch Council today for the first time to review with them what they would like us to do in the branch to help it grow and become strong enough to become a ward.
Again, I apologize for the delay in writing. We have so much to keep track of and write each day, it becomes overwhelming. If you have questions, please feel free to email and let me know what you would like. All is well here but I cannot express how much we need your continued prayers in our behalf and in the behalf of the missionaries here in this area. Don't forget to pray.
We love you all.
Elder and Sister Packard
Hagia Sophia
Inside the Hagia Sophia. We made sure to show the people to give the size of the structure some perspective. It is currently under some renovations. The structure was the largest cathedral for over 1000 years. Yes, a thousand years! Check out the details on Wikipedia.
This photo give perspective to the mosaics. 
This is a hallway of the Hagia Sophia. This chandelier is approximately 18-20 feet tall. 
This photo is very interesting. The chandelier is abut 20 tall. This photo is taken from the second floor and is laid down with solid slabs of Marble as it is on the ground floor. Notice also on the wall behind the base of the columns, the inscriptions that appear to be lamps with lampshades. In actuality, the lamp shade portion is an area on the marble that has been ground off. When you read the info on Wikipedia about the Hagia Sophia you will learn that this structure was a Christian Cathedral at first just a few hundred years after the death of Christ, then was converted to a Mosque. Thus the change in the inscriptions.
Chad and Bethany enjoying some hot Apple Cider Tea. This was a Rug vendors shop. Pretty fascinating rugs. We have one being shipped home. It should arrive in a few weeks. This was taken in the Grand Bazaar. Miles and miles of shops. The gates of the Bazaar have been around since the 1400's.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Photo taken down deep in the Metro station. Having a little missionary fun. 
We have Internet at our home!!!
It has been a tough couple of weeks since we have been in our apartment and have not had consistent use of the internet. They haven't even had it at the chapel which is just a few minutes walk from our home. We have an office there that they are setting up for us but no one has the sense of urgency like we do. Regardless, we currently have internet here and we are so happy. Another milestone also occurred today, we got an adapter for our water faucet so we can now use the 3 filter water system that the church uses here. We have had the system but we couldn't hook it up to our faucet... so now we have clean water that we can drink, make ice cubes, brush our teeth, etc. with.
So much has transpired since we sent our last email to the family and friends that it will be difficult to give you much detail in the time we have allotted.
So, "let me splain." "Princess buttercup....."
Seriously, Beau should be calling in just a few minutes to let us know how his three phone interviews went with Goldman Sachs this morning there in Washington. We have to pack tonight to leave on a plane for Istanbul, Turkey for a CES Conference being held there for the Eastern Area. Did you hear that there was an earthquake earlier today or yesterday there in Turkey? Apparently not as serious as Haiti or Chile, but an earthquake none the less. Anyway, we will be back home late Friday night.
The work has been hard here for the past 20 years and it remains so. We are going to do all we can to change that and make a difference. Just to give you an idea, in 2008 there were 8 baptisms in the Moscow Russia mission.... 8! for the whole year! Last year there was 20 for the entire year for the whole mission. Since we have been here for the past 3 weeks, we have had 3 that we have witnessed. We had standing room only in the chapel this past Saturday for this one.... it was a great one too! This 21 year old girl got baptized. The reason this one was so good was because her father has been less active for the past 11 years. He was one of the early members here in Russia. He was at the baptism and bore his testimony as part of the service.... everyone was in tears. It was almost like an open confession. It was just amazing to be a part of this process and see the change in the lives of these wonderful people.
It is still really cold here. It has stopped snowing for now but it snowed a little every day for over 2 weeks when we first got here. Now it is just cold and the remnant of the snow and ice is still very present in the streets, walkways, and alleys. Ice is just in piles all over the place. I will do my best to take some photos... I know all of you are asking for them. It is just not quite as easy to take photos like you can back in the states... people don't like their pictures taken and the frowns that they carry with them routinely each and every day just get "frownier!" The fact is that to this day the Russian people are very leery of others and want to really keep their privacy private! The Church has been trying to put together branch rosters and there are many that are completely against it! So, the photos will come but we are not going to send albums and albums of photos.
Every 6 weeks the missionaries get a chance to go to a cultural event of some sort. Our district invited us to a new musical production called "Monte Cristo" You all know the story, have read the book, or seen the movie. Well the play is "spectacular!" I believe it was written here in Moscow and has been performed here for months. We saw it in an old theatre which was just off of Red Square. We were in the "nosebleed" section but no matter, I brought our binoculars. If you have ever heard that the Russians are famous for their ballet and dancers... well we were NOT disappointed. I couldn't believe how beautiful the dancing was. Now if you have heard anything of the singing voices of the Russians.... there was no surprise there either. The singing was fabulous too. The whole story and passion that was part of this play was inspiring. Even though we could only understand every 15th word or so, we were just in "awe" of what we witnessed. It was a little "jazzy" but many many of the songs were just wonderful. The play was very appropriate even though it was a love story. We hope that it will be in the states soon if it is not already. We would highly recommend it. We bought the music. There is two acts with a total of 29 songs..... yes.... 29! Bethany and I "stayed up way past midnight" (what's that from?) and listened to two songs over and over with our Russian dictionary in hand to figure what they were singing.... By the time we got through the last one and found out what was actually going on in the music.... Bethany started to cry.... the message is so sad. Anyway, when it comes... go see it. You may want to Google it. The Cultural events will be something that we will definitely take advantage off. We are going to a musical concert in the Tchaikovsky Theater.... yes, THE Tchaikovsky theater, it is just a few miles from our apartment. I met a member of the church who is an American who works here and is one of if not the head of the FBI here in Russia and he and his wife and 4 children have lived here for 3 years and 7 years in Ukraine. He asked if we liked music and of course we said that we did. He proceeded to let me know that there is nothing better in the world that what can be found right here in Moscow. He invited us to come with them on occasion. We accepted.
We are so very grateful to all of you for your continued thoughts and prayers... please continue to pray for us. We really need the help here and need the faith and prayers of the Saints to help us all. These missionaries that are out in the field are good young men and women who love the Lord and have testimonies and want to succeed. We are eager to help them. We love the Lord and know that this is His work. The work is percolating and ready to blow. Hopefully we can be a part and have our finger print on just a small part of what is going on in the history of the Church here in Moscow. Keep the faith.
We love you all,
Elder and Sister Packard
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