More Monumental Moments in Astana, Kazakhstan - 7 September 2008

We can't believe that our mission is reaching its half way mark on the 10th of September 2008!! Time is really flying fast and we are enjoying every minute of it! It is an incredible experience and we would recommend it to anyone.

This week we thought we might show you some more of the monuments that they have around this city since Mira is still on her two week vacation but plans to be home sometime today.

This monument is dedicated to the Participation of the Kazakhstan People in World War II and the Battle of the Kazakh People with the Dzungaria. The figure represents the mothers of soldiers going to war.

At the side of the monument are the representations of each war. On this side is the Battle with the Dzungaria people and....

the other side represents the Kazakhstan people fighting in World War II. It is quite an impressive monument!

This monument was at the Pyramid of Peace but has been moved to some other location. It is four women holding up the center of a yurt which represents the unity of the people of this country.

This is another huge monument with a golden eagle on top which is part of the symbol of Kazakhstan.

This is the Monument to Justice and represents three of the notable judges from the 1600's through the 1800's.

This is a monument to Boganbi, one of their Kazakh generals.

This monument is right outside the circus building. It was just finished in July and is so beautiful!

This monument was one of the gifts from another city to Astana for their birthday celebration. They love their monuments!!

We had Mike Sykos and Frank Tretault over for dinner the other night. They are wonderful gentlemen who are working here in Astana. Mike (left) is from San Antonio, Texas and works for a company doing maintenance on the President's private plane. Frank is a retired United Airlines pilot from Arlington, Virginia now working for Air Astana. We first met them when we went to the opera in the summer and have become good friends. They have invited us out to dinner a couple of times,too! We were able to meet Frank's wife, Kate, when she was over here for two months vacation. Mike will be leaving for home in the next couple of weeks and Frank will be around until December. It's been so enjoyable to have other Americans to talk to!!

We are anticipating the arrival of Nancy, my sister and Kathy, our cousin, Monday morning bright and early!! We can hardly wait!!

Our projects are going well and and we are continually working to get the paperwork done for them (all nine steps and stamps!!) Our Heavenly Father is truly blessing us every day. We are grateful for those wonderful blessings!!

Love,

Elder and Sister Welling