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

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.