Dinner Out and Dinners to Feed the Elders In Astana, Kazakhstan - 23 December 2008

We are slow this week getting the blog done because we have been so busy! Monday we were invited to another dinner. Aiman, an NGO, had a dinner and invited a local Muslim leader to come and bless her organization for the coming year.

Of course the table is full to overflowing as is the Kazakh custom. It was all very delicious.

The Beshbarmak was lamb and was very good. It is always cut up by one individual for everyone else to eat with their fingers. The round pastries are filled with meat and onions and were our favorite.

Aiman is in the center in front. Her husband and the former head of the organization are in the back. The young lady is the office secretary. They are wonderful compassionate people.

Anne in the park on the way home with her sack of Kazakh bread and lots of candy. The snow is beautiful when it isn't blowing so we can enjoy it.

Tuesday, December 16, was Kazakhstan's Independence Day. There was no school for two days and the children and families enjoyed the time to skate. This rink is in the square at the center of the city.

Thursday morning, 8 Novosibirsk Elders arrived by plane for their Russian visa renewal. Four of them we knew because they were here in September for their visas. We got them an apartment here in our building and they had dinner with us each day they were here, which kept Anne very busy trying to prepare enough to feed hungry Elders with a small stove and a very small oven. Saturday we went to see the Pyramid of Peace. Here we are in the very top with the white doves as a back drop.

This photo was take on Sunday after our church meetings and dinner. We could hardly believe the numbers. Roy still conducted but the Elders gave the Christmas talks, played the music on the keyboard (not the computer), prayed, blessed and passed the Sacrament and taught the lesson. It was great to have others here to take part and especially to sing. It was wonderful.

We hope you all had a spiritual Christmas Sunday too. We truly feel of his love for us here and pray that you will all have a wonderful time with your families and enjoy celebrating the Savior's birth.

Love,

Elder and Sister Welling