Elder Uchtdorf in Moscow

Elder Uchtdorf came to Moscow and, being an hour early for the meeting, we were able to get plum seats on the second row on the farthest side of the room next to a family from our ward.  The stake choir sang the opening song--fantastic, as always (seriously the best church choir I've ever heard)!  Elder Samaykin spoke, followed by Sister Uchtdorf.  And then Elder Uchtdorf spoke; he talked about the recent announcement for a temple in Russia, how we needed to prepare ourselves as members before the temple will be built. He talked about building up the membership here, but how we love people of all faiths.  He was positive and energetic and uplifting.

Afterward, the boys from the family we were sitting next to shot up to go shake Elder Uchtdorf's hand.  Kiddo went up with them, but, although the other boys were able to reach Elder Uchtdorf pretty easily, Kiddo kept getting pushed back by the gathering crowd.  He was obviously getting frustrated so I stood behind him to help him get a turn.  Still, I wondered if it was really worth facing the mass of people (there were so many people) just for a handshake.

 Do you see G2 in the back?

(Photo via Instagram)

Eventually Elder Uchtdorf turned back our direction and put his hand out to Kiddo.  And, seeing that moment--well, I immediately began to cry.

"How old are you?" he asked Kiddo.

"Ten."

And then Elder Uchtdorf held his hand out to me.  As I shook it, all I could say was,

"Thank you."

Cosmonautics Museum and Monument to the Conquerors of Space

April 12th is Cosmonautics Day and we celebrated properly (albeit a few days late) by going to the museum and Conquerers of Space Monument.

(I snapped a quick pic of the Workers' sculpture when we drove past.)

The best part of the museum was definitely the sculptures near the entrance...

...and the Soviet posters...

(she didn't want to cooperate)

...but the rest of the exhibits were fun, too.  I mean--Belka and Strelka!

Then we went outside to check out the monument and caught the tail-end of a mounted police demonstration.  It was cool, but it couldn't compete with the monuments.