2for24bowdens

2009-07-24T17:19:00.000-07:00

A treasure under every rain bow

We enjoyed a river boat activity with the local Branch of members

many big rivers in Russia, industry is a big part of their economy
this is in Tomsk

the rivers are wide and long, they run from the south to the north, very active all the time

day before transfers, another group says goodbye, it is a bitter sweet, we get to know so many great young people, then we say goodbye as they head to new area's or home.

the eternal flame, reperesents Russia's victory day , war with Hittler

trying to find that perfect hat,

Ladies take a walk in lake Biakal, it's average temp is 34 degrees in the summer

the south end of lake Biakal ,

big country with big swings

Rivers are big and active. This is in Irkutsk

Typical country side in most of Siberia

They say a pictures says a Thousand words, I thought this one told of a life time of experience

Lenena, It is in Ulana Uda, you can see it from a jet as you fly at 20000 feet

the only wild animals we have seen in this part of Siberia, they say they are more north and east of us. To many hungry people in the south and center I guess

Monistary in Ulana Uda, Buddist

say a prayer and hang a rag, the prayer will keep repeating as the rag waves in the wind

the country is a little dryer and sandy on the East side of Lake Biakal and the mountain , many prayer sent from this area

typical village along another small river, leading to a bigger river

this is a veiw you see about any wheres we have gone in Siberia in late June and July

We have been here long enough to say good bye to our mission president, they have a tie cutting ceremony, they take all the ties from the missionarys and make a quilt .

There are about 75 missionary's that take part in this tradition, they say it makes a nice quilt , a way of reflection and bringing back some great memories I suppose

2009-05-26T09:01:00.000-07:00

Riga was a great place to visit, Old Buildings, relaxed atsmosphere, the city was very clean and neat, the people were laid back and friendly, the country side out away from the city was very enjoyable to drive thru, many picturest settings.
as you can see from the pictures. there is a variety of things to see and enjoy. The city is very tight and crowded with the buildings, but you do not feel like you are boxed in. very relaxing to walk around and absorb. Many old war time structure's that have been renevated.

We went to a 3 hour Opera, it was very well done and the Theater was very beautifully inside and out. they even had english caption above the stage for us that did not know Latvian.

2009-05-26T08:50:00.000-07:00

River front views as we took a river boat ride

2009-05-26T08:30:00.000-07:00

many different roof lines, old buildings from war time's

quiet country side settings, fields of mustard seed

Duke castles and gardens

There are lots of storks in Riga
If they build a nest around your
yard ,it is good luck. if they build
it on your house, someone in your house hold will die
they like to let them build them
any where's except on the house

many old paintings through out the old castles

2009-04-28T01:37:00.000-07:00

Our trip to Yerevan Armenia, its was a great trip
the city was busy, but clean, the complete city has
contruction going every direction, but it was not a issue
the people were very freindly, the taxi drivers were
friendly, but presistent, some of the husslers or venders
were agressive, but they wanted to sell their product.
the country is big mountains and big valleys, many rocks
most of the terrain has rocks, all construction is rock, block or
brick, or concrete, the city center friendly and awesome to see
the water fountain show at night is the best intertainment that
that I have seen in years. very high tech and relaxing.

2009-04-13T21:48:00.000-07:00

For those looking to see Elder Ryser and West. the bus left Tomck at 9:15 am , starting the first leg of their trip home today. They are on their way!!!!!!

Sergay and family for family night

fireside and farwell for Elder Ryser and West

Departing committe

here we come.....

Firside, farwell for Elder's Ryser and West,

birthday party for Elder Holt, and Transfer for Elder Gardner....

2009-03-31T21:58:00.000-07:00

Heidi's night out with 7 gentlemen, We took her to Swan Lake
She had 2nd row seats in the middle of the theater.
It is the seconded Ballet we have been able to go to, we went to
the Ballet in Novosibirsk in January.

2009-03-27T06:13:00.000-07:00

This video is taken 3 or 4 days after the picture

below of Sister Bowden standing in front of the Branch

Building. It warmed up and in 3 days it has almost

all melted. We expect another storm next week, it is

not over, just taking a breath. Lots of mud and water..

2009-03-20T06:03:00.000-07:00

Sister Bowden ask me, what I wanted for a birthday dinner, today was district meeting

so I told her lets have Hamburgers. so Just before time to eat I asked the elders to run over and

find some bread to make due for buns, Elder West found these rare 8 inch bread buns. So we had build your own bar. Elder Gardner is debating if there is anything that he has not put on it, then decides, No, got everything I believe, it must be ready to eat.

Elder West and Ryser go home in 3 weeks . Elder West said that he hopes they have the barbeque going the day he gets home , he has missed the American Burger. He was in heaven today , when he left to get back to work, he was holding his breif case with one hand and his tummy with the other. He is ready for the awaiting home barbeque

2009-03-20T04:01:00.000-07:00

Elders singing at English

2009-03-20T03:53:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday too me...

A spring day in Tomsk

Sister Bowden infront of the

Branch Building

The torture of having a birthday on a mission.

2009-03-20T03:44:00.000-07:00

2009-03-20T03:31:00.000-07:00

2009-03-19T03:31:00.000-07:00

Elders were feeling silly, so I made them put it on tape for moms could see that they are still the same young men that left home. They do so many great things over here, it is fun to see that they are still normal some times.

2009-03-19T03:21:00.000-07:00

Elders having dinner at senior apartment

family night was a lot of fun

After family night , the Elders sang a song for their moms. enjoy

2009-03-19T02:41:00.000-07:00

2009-03-06T20:13:00.000-08:00

When we left for our Visa trip it was a -43c and everything was a
white winter land of frost. When we got back it was only a -16. the last several days it has been -2c (30f) and only -16c at night, All the roads and sidwalks and Parking lots have started to thaw out.
It reminds me of a big defrost. Yesterday I took these pic's next to us and in our parking lot. the snow has turned from white to mud and looks this way everywhere. they chiped the stairs off, and this shows the ice we have been walking on for 4 months.
This is out our bedroom window this morning. haven't seen these blue skies for a long time in the city.

What do you think ?? am I ready

for a ride or what ??this is my spring

and fall wear.

this is a picture from last year when

we got here. this is what it will look

like the first part of April...

2009-03-02T07:57:00.000-08:00

We were over in Kemerovo this last week, we had a project scheduled, but the contact had to

postpone to another date. Kostya and Uliana, asked us to go skiing with them. So we went for a

couple hours, the owner found out we were american and insisted that we ride his Russian

snowmoble. big mistake. my back was sore for several days. but it was fun to talk and visit with the man, and caperon two of our members. Kostya is trying to serve a misssion this fall, but he is waiting until july to see if the army inlist him or not. Uliana has helped us alot with russian and lives in Tomsk. we have spent alot of time with both of them over the last several months.the snow is about 4 to 5 feet deep and hard packed. There is a layer of fresh snow that we are skiing on. But when I push the poles down. they never bottom out, everything has a frozen state here. it is different snow than in Utah. the tempreture never comes above freezing until late march or early april. it doesn't pack, it just freezes in layers. Then in april it turns to mud, deep mud until it soaks or runs off some wheres.

2009-03-02T04:28:00.000-08:00

The people here in Almaty believe that the first apples were grown here, they are proud of their

apples. they will have the 2011 asian winter games here, they are working on the oval ice

stadium, they have many ski resorts, there are over 7 in this city alone.

the beetles played somewhere in Kazakhstan , so they made a monument for them here in

Almaty. Heidi thought Sherri her sister would love to she her sitting on there laps. she is such

a fan of them. the mountains look alot like Utahs, they are quite high and deep. rugged country in some places. people are very curtious, but they now how to hussle for a buck, they are very

persistent in what they want and they become very street wise early in life...
There is a line of stars, close to 900 that you can walk up, from the oval ring to the road that winds above, it is a great quad worker for those that give it a try, that is over a 600 ft climb.

the elders love to see who can do it the fastest, the seniors like to see if they can even do them, i took pictures of them and told them I know I can, so I will be the witness for them. I have been

doing 2 to 3 stair laps at are apartment most mornings, their is about 220 steps per lap. we live in a 11 story apt. It is a nice break from the cold out side.

2009-03-02T04:15:00.000-08:00

Some of the statues around Kazakhstan

the senior couples that we went with

there were also 10 elders.
Elder Royer and I had fun at the market.

Sister Bowden is aquiring quit a collection of hats

I decided I had better make an effort to keep up...

2009-03-02T04:09:00.000-08:00

I guess we are missing our grand kids to much

we can't help but noticing all the cute little rug rats

here are a few we got a wave and a smile out of

Kids are like all young things, to bad they got to grow

up to be adults. they are so cute when they are young

2009-03-02T04:03:00.000-08:00

Thought the girls would love to see the local meat market

Horse, beef,pork,sheep,goat,poultry, they have it all

mmm, the goat or sheep heads are on the street market.

just pick one up on your way home, so convienent...

2009-02-15T07:10:00.000-08:00

the elders sang at sacrament meeting, it was

flawless, so we had them sing at the fireside so

we could film them. enjoy. Was a good

sunday, 6 investigators to sacrament meeting

2009-02-14T08:13:00.000-08:00

We have an investigator named Sergay in Tomsk. we had

him and his wife over for dinner and then again the next week

for a meeting. he brought us a big sack of potatoes as a gift.

He also give me this old banner. after seeing our large family picture and talking to us about families. It reads

Best in Profession, cool gift

2009-02-14T07:47:00.000-08:00

babtism last week

elders in Kemerovo

Lenin head in Ulana Uda

you can see it from aircrafts

as you fly over.

Elders and Anton(investigator) making valentine cookies after

dinner, of heart shaped jello, heart shaped meat loaf and potatoes, and red kool aid and big smiles from sister bowden

2009-01-30T03:01:00.000-08:00

gilly's

this trip was extra nice , notice the blue sky, it is the first time we have seen it since before christmas, ans we even seen the stars last night. very rare this ime of year. the temp is about -34.

This is russia's idea of a conveience store, chain of gilly's

they love their colors, there are alot of bright painted buildings

this one is out side of a village not far from Novosibirsk, they like to be noticed if they have a reason. the country is open and rolling ,lot f birch trees with area's of thick pines. miles and miles of open country between the cities, villiages are all different sizes, with some that are amazingly large . miles of homes on very small lots, with things piled and stack on top of each other,

2009-01-30T02:47:00.000-08:00

took these pictures as we were busing thru the coutry

The elders found these Prophet dolls for Sister Bowden

They will get a special meal and treat out of this, she is a good one to do something special for...

2009-01-30T02:36:00.000-08:00

This is one of the buses we ride, some are very new, some are very. very, very old, This one had problems and we didn't have

heat. It was an interesting ride for 4 hours. This is down the street

from our apartment, we were out for a short walk. nice day

Sister Bowden has on 5 layers of clothing under the light coat, she wanted to try something besides her heavy coat. she is wearing the heavy coat and the layers today.

2009-01-30T02:30:00.000-08:00

Russia has the most interesting lights, these are the bedroom,

living room, bedroom wall reading lights. they are most

definently a conversation piece. we talk about them quite often,

2009-01-30T02:25:00.000-08:00

2009-01-18T18:42:00.000-08:00

2009-01-18T05:46:00.000-08:00

the Elders sang this at sacrament today, so

we asked them to sing it at the fireside, tomarrow is

transfers, and we loose 2 of them, we dislike transfers.

2009-01-13T17:33:00.000-08:00

oh come on gil, lets try it !!!!!

a horse and buggy in every country

kids having fun, they love winter in Sibereia, check out the handy sliders

big bother is always present

large ice, snow sculptures

people stick small coins all over sculptures, others come along and

collect them

2009-01-07T06:03:00.000-08:00

These ice sculptures have lights behind them and they are different colors at night

we decided to take the pictures of these during the day, we will get some in Novosibirsk

at night, we will be there in a couple weeks.

2009-01-07T05:55:00.000-08:00

2009-01-07T05:48:00.000-08:00

2009-01-07T04:31:00.000-08:00

Ice sculptures are a big attraction in most cities,

these are at the city park in Tomsk.

The color santa Clauses are in front of businesses ,

one in Tomsk and the other in Kemerov

they will stay froze until April .

the Slides are a big attraction, these are in Tomsk

2008-12-24T07:42:00.000-08:00

Elders Gardner, Hingson, Ditto,and Holt. wishing their families a Merry Christmas by singing a Couple songs for them. Done at a fireside , Christmas eve , at senior couples apt.. enjoy....

KEMEROVO ELDERS SINGING

2008-12-23T07:23:00.000-08:00

Christmas wish to Parents of Elders in Kemerovo, Novosibirsk Mission. Russia, from Elders and Senior Couple..... Merrry Christmas

SISTER BOWDEN ASK THEM IF THEY NEEDED TO PRACTICE, THEY SAID , NO ,WE ARE TIRED OF PRACTISING , WE ARE READY, WE HAVE BEEN PRACTISING ALL DAY AS WE HAVE BEEN FINDING INVESTIGATORS, SO HERE THEY ARE.....HOPE YOU ENJOY, THEY WERE SO EXCITED TO SING THIS FOR YOU. THE OTHER ELDER IS ON A VISA TRIP. WE WILL NEED TO CATCH HIM AT ZONE CONFERENCE IN JANUARY.

2008-12-11T22:57:00.001-08:00

2008-12-11T22:32:00.000-08:00

This aquaduct was build by the romans in the 4th century, it has
been takeing out of service, but it is still capable of being used..
this is in Segovia, lots of neat structures and history to look at.

Castle in Sogovia, this castle has cliffs on 3 sides and a deep mote in the front.

Heidi had a kick dealing with this gypsi selling her things, she just kept handing things to her and would turn and find something else, Heidi would put it down and before she could move she would have 2 more things in her arms. she ended up buying a net blouse that she has in her hands, but had a lot of fun in the processes,

we showed up about 2 oclock, most of the shops are closed while they have their daily afternoon seista time, until after 4pm. that is why the streets are empty in some of the pictures...

Monistary in Segovia, lots of pigions on all the high buildings...

Castle in Toledo is surounded by river on three sides and cliff on back. this is the only enterance.

Toledo looking across the river, lots of people....

Some of the local kids in Toledo, they enjoyed laughing at us

funny americans.

there is always a MC around the corner some where's in some of the major cities, it is a common reference piont to meet or base directions from,,

we hired a young man named Igor to be a guide around Moscow, he did a great job helping us get around...

Who would of thought that we would be standing in the middle of Russia looking at christmas decorations and trees...

We just finished our 3rd Visa trip. We took a little time and did a little site seeing, Red square, Kremlin, Madrid, Toledo, Segovia. It rained on us most of the time, but even with the rain, it was a great improvement over the _30 degrees we left in tomsk and now have come back to. It is pushing -40 today and they say it will get colder this comming week. the green hills of spain were enjoyable to see and tour thru.

2008-11-27T20:57:00.000-08:00

Recent baptism, Dema, Elder Bradshaw (r) and Elder Lambson

family night in Kemerova, Elder Neilson lost the game,Sister Bowden setting up the nose dive for Elder Neilson, Sergey, next baptism in 2 weeks enjoys elders Neilsons dive.

Below. thanksgiving at our apartment, sister Bowden made custom place mats for the elders to keep..

look out our window, it has warmed up and melted some of the ice

and snow, but it snowed a little last night, but we love seening the sun

again, dispite the -13 at 10 am. its great to see the blue sky...

2008-11-27T20:45:00.000-08:00

r to left Elders Hinkson, B o wden, Gardner

Lambson, Bowden, lets eat...

2008-11-27T20:43:00.000-08:00

Sister Bowden loves to spoil the young Elders

2008-11-27T20:41:00.000-08:00

Sister Bowden trying to make a little Christmas spirit, kind of hard when you live with Scrooge. Don't you just love the wall paper. it goes well with about anything, and the couch, it is diffenently all Russian.
( a little sarcasm in case you were wondering)
I will be glad when the holidays are past and this stage of the mission becomes history and a memory. It is really hard to look past not being with family and friends. Though we have made so many new friends that
are helping to bridge across that gulf...

Hope everyone has a special holiday and enjoys being with family, and friends ,, these are truely our greatest gifts .

2008-10-11T03:25:00.001-07:00

2008-10-11T03:03:00.000-07:00

2008-10-01T18:49:00.000-07:00

new investigators

university

old church in middle of Tomsk

walk to church with the elders

russian style storage units

its sad to see, garbage and trash

is a big problem in Russia

a little midnight auto, this is the first signs of this that we have seen while we have been here

Baptism, Branch members and 3 new investigators are with the group.

2 of the last 3 baptisms we have had here in the branch.

Pictures from Tomsk. Our last baptism and some of the Branch members

and some of the new investigators.

Youth conference, girls just want to have fun, some of the senior couples

2008-08-13T04:17:00.000-07:00

Youth conference was enjoyable, young adults met many other youth that live with the same

situation as they do, new members, only members of their familys , that are members of the church. They will be a strong foundation to the church in Russia.

Here are some more pictures , some of youth, senior couples, and heidi having some fun dancing.

We had to have a picture of the panda, We still don't know what he was suppose to represent at the night of romantic dancing ?????

2008-08-12T23:06:00.000-07:00

Typical Russian Construction

Heidi and some of the girls
on the train to the youth conference. bed time.

Train station in Krasnoyarsk , waiting for the buses and the other 200 kids

some of the young adults in our branch . Shasha. front right is a new member of 2 months ,she helps us alot everywheres we go. Natasha in the gray is the young adult leader and as help us in alot of ways, I call her for alot of answers.

If you look close, you will notice that the girls are wearing my coat, suit coat, jacket, Doesn't matter where I am, my girls need me to take care of them. Its July 22 10am 38 degrees.
Lenia next to me as been amember 3 months, Uliania and Ksashay have been members for a few years, they are all the ,only members of their families.

Heidi and I were the hit of the skits. It was a skit about a typical primary class, I was a 2 year old, Heidi a 3 year old.

My reward for being a good sport at the fireside at our apartment.

One of my favorite buildings in Tomsk. Love the brick work.

2008-08-12T22:51:00.000-07:00

Hard day at the office,
trying to avoid the snow
in the middle of July

2008-08-12T22:50:00.001-07:00

Snow in middle of july

2008-08-12T22:41:00.000-07:00

2008-07-31T08:17:00.000-07:00

2008-07-31T08:12:00.000-07:00

2008-07-31T00:30:00.000-07:00

Some pictures from our spain trip

2008-07-31T00:17:00.000-07:00

2008-07-02T10:41:00.000-07:00

South end of Tomsk, across the river, new contruction going up every direction you look.

2008-07-02T10:38:00.000-07:00

Everyday traffic around Lennena square, notice how full the buses are. It is an interesting ride every time.

2008-07-02T10:23:00.000-07:00

One of the Moscow (BIG M) buildings that have gone up in the last few years,

not to many people shop there, they don't like supporting the of'f' ' ia boys.

2008-07-02T10:15:00.000-07:00

You see signs of america every wheres you look in russia, here John T is as big as life in days gone by. city center Tomsk

2008-07-02T10:13:00.000-07:00

Saturday afternoon hike east of tomsk. middle of June

2008-07-02T10:10:00.002-07:00

They put up a new monument in front of a womens clinic a couple weeks ago. Russia is trying

to improve there family values. In Russia babies are born in a cabbage.

2008-07-02T10:07:00.000-07:00

Highway 10 in central Siberia 4th of may

2008-07-02T10:04:00.000-07:00

Country side in central Bulgaria. end of april

2008-07-02T10:02:00.000-07:00

Driving thru a small town in Bulgaria

2008-07-02T09:59:00.000-07:00

Middle of Bulgaria
one of the many old buildings
to look at.

2008-07-02T09:56:00.000-07:00

Grandma ,reaching around the world.

2008-07-02T09:01:00.000-07:00

When we arrived in Bulgaria, we

asked the Hotel clerk if it was safe to

walk around the city, he laughed and

said, Of Course, so we walked about

3 blocks and came to this on the

sidewalk. I guess he meant, It is safe

now...

2008-07-02T08:57:00.000-07:00

Walking home instead of the bus on onw of the typical side streets.

2008-07-02T08:55:00.000-07:00

River bottom
south end of
Tomsk
june 20th

2008-07-02T08:53:00.000-07:00

Russians
love their
color
Irkustk

2008-07-02T08:44:00.000-07:00

2008-07-02T08:42:00.000-07:00

2008-07-02T08:40:00.000-07:00

2008-07-02T08:37:00.000-07:00

2008-07-02T08:35:00.000-07:00

2008-07-02T08:28:00.000-07:00

2008-07-02T08:15:00.000-07:00

2008-07-02T08:13:00.000-07:00

2008-07-02T08:11:00.000-07:00

2008-07-02T08:10:00.000-07:00

2008-07-02T08:08:00.000-07:00

Tomsk Chapel

2008-07-02T02:05:00.000-07:00

THE GIL AND HEIDI BOWDEN FAMILY

2008-04-17T15:19:00.000-07:00

This is the Bowden family we took at Mom and Dad's farewell.

Gil's Girls

2008-02-24T15:29:00.000-08:00

I put on the family photo from Brindy and Mikes wedding. We will hopefully Have a new one done at the farewell that will have everyone in it, that we can post on Mom and Dads blog.

2008-02-20T21:11:00.000-08:00

We will be having our farwell March 23rd, easter weekend, hope everyone will be able to come,
Jake and Emily will be here Saturday thru Tuesday. Chassie called and said she will be here sunday morning and going home sunday evening Maybe we can get a family picture taken,
We have the stake cultrahall , kitchen and multipurpose room reserved for saturday, in case the weather is not in our favor, so bring your basket balls if that is an interest, golf course should be up and going by then. We have the senior center reserved for sunday. Church is at 9.am, we will have a lunch at 12:15 or so . I decided to have a taco salad bar. Lettuce, chile, chips, etc. that way you could go the full thing or just have chili or salad. would be easy to organize and easy to clean up. I have some rooms reserved at the motel , if you think you need one let me know so that I can get it reserved.
Sherry wanted me to tell everyone that Collins wedding reception is Saturday evening, the 22nd
they will be having a meal and wants everyone to please come and eat and visit.
We will be entering the MTC the 31st of march, at 10am. we will be flying out April 11th and arriving in novosibirsk the 14th. we will be able to visit some in the evenings, possibly the 9th and 10th , maybe we can get together at Curts and Amys for are goodbye chat.
things are starting to happen fast and we are starting to feel the crunch a little. hope all is well with everyone. dad

new blog

2008-02-17T19:25:00.000-08:00

Hi ,Family this is the new picture that we had taken for our mission plate. Hope you all like it. We are hoping that we all can get together before we leave. We will be up loading more info in the next few days.