A Forgotten Memory

Tonight the boys and I went to Michelle's daughter's wedding reception.  It was beautiful!  I loved seeing many familiar faces which is my favorite part of going to such events, though I love weddings and love to see the dress, flowers, food, and decorations too. 

Tonight I saw Bro. M.  We caught up on family; he asked about Owen and I asked about his lovely wife, V.  When our conversation turned to the Old Coloma Theatre and he said that he is still involved and that he thought of me often.  I asked why and he said that the theatre still has the auditorium seats that I arranged for them to have and when he sees them, he thinks of me. 

I had completely forgotten that this had happened and I think the boys were pleasantly surprised that I had been a part of such a thing :)

We used to have an auditorium on the 4th floor at work.  I loved that place but they were going to remove it and I thought about the theatre.  We generally send surplus to the warehouse and eventually things are auctioned off. However, I investigated and found that we could directly donate surplus items to non-profits.  Once I knew this, I contacted V and asked if they were interested.  They were and arrangements were made.  I went there some summer after they were installed and it was fun to see them there. 

I was happy that one thought turned to an action that helped out their fun, little theatre.  I am glad that they are still in use and happy that it makes Bro. M occasionally smile and think of me and my family. 

Its the little things!

The Greatest Commandment

Love God, Love Others.
This has come up a lot in the last three weeks.  I gave a lesson on it, then a talk, then two missionaries talked about it in their talks and now it is the theme of the newest bible video.  Perhaps there is a lesson I should be learning....ya think? 

http://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/the-greatest-commandment?cid=HP000055&lang=eng

The Release

It is official, Elder Barrett Hamp has been released from the Russia Moscow Mission.

Elder Hamp and President W



Moscow Trip - Day Ten - Saturday - Coming Home

We got an early start with Campbell and the driver from the apartment company meeting us at 2:30 a.m. to check us out of the apartment and transport us and our nine bags to the airport.  So glad Barrett was with us because, though Sheremetovo airport (SVO) is a beautiful, modern airport, the help was still harsh and the signs were unclear as to where to go.  However, everything went smoothly and we were soon on our way to Amsterdam.

The flight was pretty roomy for economy and the KLM attendants were very nice.  A seasoned traveler we met there, from the States who had come to Moscow for a dog show, said that KLM had better food than Delta and since our 2nd flight was a Delta operated by KLM, I was happy to hear that.  She was right by the way. 

Waiting at SVO for our flight

Goodbye Moscow:(

Breakfast

Hello Amsterdam

Then we had a 3 hour lay over in Amsterdam.  Loved their airport....easy to get around and friendly people. 

Roughly 10 hours later we landed in San Francisco.  Customs went well and after a shoe wash for Barrett (he had been n a ranch), we were on our way.  Picked up the car, loaded and first stop was In and Out Burger for Bear's first in two years.

Lunch

Gotta love economy

Wow still 7 hour to go

Yummy, cute and tiny



Almost there

 

Shocked to see all the signs in English

 

In and Out

Worth the wait?

We arrived home to an amazing Welcome Home Barrett!  Apparently gnomes had cleaned the house and Carrie put up a big Welcome Home sign and several signs around the house that said 'Welcome Home" and "We missed you"  in Cyrillic.  Gwyne, mom, Seth, Kristen, Steven, Diana, Carrie, Michael, Tacy,  Spencer, Mary, Mary, Rose's, Brandon, Celisa were the welcoming committee. 

Best almost Mother's Day ever!

Welcoming committee

Friends united

Tender moment with Grandma

Bear and Beans - so cute

Where did the time go

End of a long day

Moscow - Day Nine - Friday

Friday, our last full day in Moscow and so much to do! We got up early and went to the square that was now open to the public...yay!  The spot that we were standing on is said to be the very center of Moscow and as a tradition, you stand on the plate, make a wish and throw a coin over your shoulder.  There was a woman there watching us throw coins and after the first one she went over and picked it up.  When she realized what a small coin it was, she threw it down and scolded Barrett for being so cheap.  Then when Owen tossed the coin, she looked again to see if her scolding resulting in a larger coin, which it didn't.  She threw a look of disgust and then ignored my coin altogether.

We went into the square....it is really impressive. 

Dad and Bear walking down T Street



Owen's wish

Lynne's wish

Entering Red Square

Hamps on the Square

Two years later

Just walking around Red Square!  Wow!

Zhukov Statue (The best General of the War) - At the gate to Red Square

The plan then was for me to go back to the apartment and the boys were going to go back to Moscow City to pick up a knife that Owen wanted and to a suit shop for Greg, but Red Square did not take as much so Barrett suggested that we take the Metro to Tsaritsyno Park.  This is one of Barrett's favorite places on Earth and I can certainly understand why.  I am so glad we went.  It is a beautiful park which is the grounds of a castle that is now an art gallery. 

Elder Hamp on the metro - I just pictured him this way over the last two years

I love tulips!

Once back on the Metro, Bear and I discovered that traveling to their shopping destination would be more efficient if they got off the stop before the stop to get to the apartment, so Barrett gave me instructions and I managed to get off and out the right door of the Metro stop; get to the McDonalds (MakDak), ordered my food, asked for it to go, and paid in rubles; walked back to apartment and got myself passed the four locks on my own...ha ha. 

I took a much needed nap and got ready for dinner.  Dinner at President and Sister S at the mission home.  I was so excited!  I have been so grateful to them....loving Elder Hamp from the first minute they met him; reassuring emails when they thought we might hear some worrisome news from Moscow; so willing to answer any concern over the two years.  The absolute best mission president and mission mom Barrett could ever have!

When the boys came home we quickly got ready and off to the Metro to the end of the line.  President met us at the station and picked us up.  Dinner was wonderful and we had such a nice visit.  What a lovely, gracious couple.

We passed by everyday and it is breathtaking every time

This the museum and the gate into Red Square

Walking to the Metro

One hour Metro Ride

Pres.and Sis. S, Elder Hamp and mom and dad



The ride back

On the way back, since the Red Square is our Metro stop, we went in one last time.  It was late, dark out, and full of people.

 

Then back to the apartment to get ready for our 2:30 a.m. pick up to the airport and the flights back.