Of This and That

Shown here with her adopted grandpa, Alexis Ivanov is the sweetest and newest member of the Larnaca Branch.  Her daddy is our branch president.

Mika is also a sweet one from the branch.

One of our temple prep classes include Anna Marie, Leah, Lynn and Joanne.

Two fantastic missionaries, Elder Deeley and Neville, on a P-day activity with us in Dekaylia.

A discussion at our flat with Sisters Roberts and Virkamaki.

At Dekaylia with four great sisters, Virkamaki, Roberts, Almeida and Kusseling.

Rosie Ivanov with baby Alexis and two of the branch sisters.

Our Larnaca district right before transfers.

A final good bye to Elder Deeley at the airport.  He is going home after a very successfull 24 months in the Greece Athens Mission. A part of our hearts went with him.

Super Saturday at our apartment was lots of fun for us as well as the kids that got to come.  We combined the seminary students from Larnaca and Nicosia for the event.

After temple prep class and lunch-- and what a spiritual and temperal feast it was,

with sloppy joes, jello, wonderful chinese noodles, spring rolls and the works!

We had to include this for the cat picture of the week.  He was just posed and staring at us as we went by.

OUR FIRST VISITORS

 WE WERE SO EXCITED TO HAVE MARK AND SAMANTHA, DENNIS AND ERICA FLY INTO LARNACA AIRPORT ON WEDNESDAY MORNING MARCH 7TH, 2012.

 WE WENT BY OUR FAVORITE MOSQUE ON THE WAY TO THE FLAT.

HERE IS DENNIS BEING A TOUCH DISRESPECTFUL AND TRYING TO GET US IN TROUBLE.

OUR LANDLORD, ALECOS STOPPED BY FOR THE RENT AND A QUICK VISIT.  HE WAS PRETTY ENTERTAINING FOR THE KIDS WITH HIS HEAVY GREEK ACCENT.  NO, HE ISN'T INTERESTED IN OUR CHURCH AS HE IS GREEK ORTHODOX SINCE BIRTH AND WILL "DIE THAT WAY" HE CLAIMS.

WE HAD A NICE PERSSIAN MEAL AT MOE'S RESTAURANT WITH SARAH AND ABBAS.

THE FOLLOWING DAY WE TOOK A TRIP UP TO NICOSIA AND ACROSS THE BORDER TO THE TURKISH OCCUPIED AREA. ERICA FOUND A CUTE LITTLE FRIEND AS WE WAITED TO GET OUR PASSPORTS CHECKED.

ANOTHER TURKISH MOSQUE. CAN YOU FIND MARK?

SISTER NIEBUHR WITH THE MAN WHO OWNS THIS SHOP AND PAINTED THESE THOUSANDS OF BEAUTIFUL ORNAMENTAL PLATES.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN DENNIS AND ERICA KISS?  ME EITHER.  WELL THIS IS PROOF, AND ON THEIR 15TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.

CELEBRATING 15 YEARS OF MARRIAGE RIGHT HERE IN CYPRUS WITH US!

A COMMON SIGHT WITH YOUNG MARRIEDS, MARK AND SAMANTHA, ONLY 18 MONTHS OF MARRITAL BLISS.

DENNIS WAS GLAD TO SEE IT TAKES TWO TO PUT HIM IN THE AIR!

THIS WAS SUCH AN AMAZING SHOT UNTIL WE LOOKED AT IT AND SAW THAT THE MOON TOTALLY SHRUNK IN THE CAMERA!  IT FILLED HER HAND IN REAL LIFE!  AT AIRPORT BEFORE THEY DEPARTED CYPRUS.

THANK YOU FOR COMING!  IT WENT WAY TOO FAST, 34 HOURS AND NOW YOU ARE GONE.  WE WERE LONELY FOR A MINUTE, THEN WE REMEMBERED WHY WE ARE HERE:  WE LOVE OUR MISSION!!!!

High on a Mountain Top

While looking for new area to door knock, we viewed this hill and had to see what it was all about.

The field was ready to harvest a top the beautiful mountain in Orkalini, just north of Larnaca.

Luckily we had Sister Roberts and Virkamaki with us to speak Greek with some of the potential investigators a top this mountain high.

These bikers didn't seem to have the time, but smiled as we tried proclaiming the truths of the gospel as they puffed by us.  This photo is especially for Carin, my dear daughter in law who loves mountain biking. Come bike in Cyprus!

I was so uplifted by our mountain top experience, I went to our apartment roof top the next morning and took a few pictures of the sunrise over Larnaca.  The Mediterranean Sea is in the distance. 

At dawn overlooking the neighborhood to the west of us.

I took a random picture of the water heating system they employ here in Cyprus.  The thermal panels (laying diagnally) catch the sunlight and heat the water in the connecting tank of each separate apartment. If the sun isn't shining, we just flip a switch inside the apartment to heat it electrically.  We hear the water is always BOILING hot in the hot, sunny, summer time.  Can't wait for that! Har.

Going up to the roof again that evening, I got a shot of the sunset over the distant mountains.  Our Creator is truly the master of all art!

One of our temple preparation classes.  We have several because of the different languages and schedules.  These sweet Phillipean sisters come to our apartment every Sunday after church since it is their only day off.

Leah and Lynn love to tease Elder Christensen, and we love their innocence and eagerness to learn and grow in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

President and Sister Charles, our mission president and mission mom, were glad to get the chance to meet the wonderful converts, Sara and Abbas Tashakoree.

Our first zone conference in Nicosia was no disappointment.  Here the elders are trying to convert dummy investigator, Barry.  It was a fun day.

The Orthodox churches here are very plentiful, beautiful, . . .

great and spacious buildings!

Can you count them? 

Yes, we still love our mission!

The Larnaca Flock of Zion

The Flamingos are one of the amazing attractions here in Larnaca.  They are everywhere and stand in the water constantly, or fly in huge flocks over Larnaca, our amazing home in Cyprus.

Abbas and Sara, and their sweet children, Kimmia and Korosh, are a great addition to the tiny flock here that is our branch and have made our mission worth our every effort already.  We love them so much.

President Ivanovi, pictured here with his wife Rosie, new baby girl, Alexis and his mother Sonia, is only 28 years old and is the branch president of the flock.
 

Kristian just became the newest member, pictured here with Elders Neville and Deeley.

Branch Presidency, Valentin, President Ivanovi and Mario.

Sisters Virkamaki and Roberts with two of my three seminary students, Eva and Kali.

Kimmia pets a nauty cat that bit her right after this picture was taken--not that I blame the cat, Kimmia was pulling it around by the tail.