Back to Armenia #16- New Year

The light changing tree

Elder and Sister Peterson at Republic Square

Museum at Republic Square

Happy New Year everyone!

New Year’s Eve was interesting! As missionaries, we were to stay in and so we did. I was at home (trying to overcome a cold) and Elder Peterson came a little later as the office had been busy. We discovered we were without power, so what did we do: enjoyed bread and cheese and pickles and hard salami (this type of “snack” is a pretty familiar one for Petersons), not by candlelight as you might suspect, but by headlamp (you may remember a facebook posting by one of our children). Shortly after eating, the lights came back on and we could play some more Sequence (a game Elder Peterson received for Christmas). I don’t think we lasted until midnight, but the fireworks and the church bells ringing didn’t let us sleep either.

New Year’s Day, I made a big pot of potato soup and we spent the day with our missionary district, eating, watching movies, and playing games. They are great young people and we love associating with them. We had our first snow and we love it as long as we don’t have to shovel or be out in it.

Since Christmas, we also had a branch activity. It was fun, but I inadvertently deleted all the pictures I took so can only describe it. We had a few spiritual thoughts shared (by the Branch President and Elder Peterson), listened to Anush and Elder Steglich sing Holy Night (missed hearing Alisa singing that),watched Joy To The World, had refreshments (sandwiches, salads and ice cream and fruit salad (made by yours truly). It was exciting because one of the sisters who had become less active because she was offended, came to help in the kitchen, and that is a good step to coming back and being more active. The missionaries acted out the nativity, but somehow the wise men forgot to make their entrance. Oh well! Santa and his helper came and brought presents for the young children, and they gave everyone sparklers which were then lit and waved about (I don’t think our churches at home would allow such a thing; it might be considered a fire hazard).

The Budd family with Ruben and Erik

Gasparyan's Christmas Tree

Ruben, Ellen, Sister Gasparyan with Budds at their home

The day before the Armenian Christmas which is January 6^th, we celebrated with the Gasparyan family. Sister Gasparyan is a wonderful cook and she must have been cooking for days. We were served so many things that even just taking a little of each thing to try, we found ourselves very “kooshed”. There was roast pork, ham, chicken with fried potatoes, trout, dolma with Matzsoon, several salads, tomatoes and cucumbers, pickled items (garlic among them), cheese, lavash and bread, a traditional rice dish (rice with dried fruit) served on Christmas, green beans and eggs, something that is pronounced “bone cheeks”, fresh fruit, nuts, several kinds of dessert (sweet tooth here did consume more than one…shocking, I know), and lots of different kinds of juices and carbonated drinks. It’s no wonder that Erik is not anxious to get married and move out…but as tradition goes, he would just probably bring his new wife home anyway.

We received a great “after Christmas” present today. Sue and Zach, who are having twins in June just found out they are having two BOYS. We’re excited and when all are safely here, we’ll have 18 grandchildren (7 girls and 11 boys).