Cyprus Kiddles

Welcome to the Columbia Bay Resort, a lovely 5-Star hotel on beautiful Pissouri Bay, which is about a 1 1/2 hour drive from us in Larnaca.  We were invited to a lovely wedding there and had the privilege of participating in the marriage of Eva Georgieva and Rayco Reinhard.  Eva is the daughter of Mario and Rumi Georgiev.  Mario is our branch president and he extended the invitation.  We were honored. Eva and Rayco were previously married in Abu Dhabi last August but no friends or family were able to attend, and they wanted a marriage celebration so everyone could join in.  Roland performed the "marriage" which was not a legal marriage but it was lovely theater all the same.  He provided some wise counsel and encouragement as they begin their lives together.  He did a lovely job and they were pleased.  The grounds were beautifully manicured and it was magical in many respects.  Look at that background. The groom and attendants await the brides...

  Elder and Sister Kiddle at the church entrance. Larnaca, Cyprus The seasons move on.  New flowers dominate the landscape and the fruit trees are growing new fruit.  Oleanders are in full bloom in the neighborhoods and along the motorway.    Olives are forming on the ever present olive trees.   Another tree that is really common is Carob.  A little carob syrup on a breakfast crepe is a nice touch. Oranges blossoms have given way to new fruit forming.  I miss the amazing scent of the citrus blossoms but the fruit will be wonderful.   We took Divine, a sweet member of our branch, to Western Union to help her transfer some money to her family in the Congo.  It was a large sum of money for a little 23 year old working super low paying jobs.  She saved it over the last two years. She wants her mother to be self reliant and her aunt who is now single and lost her home in a weather event, needs a new roof.  She was very ner...