Happy New Year???

Hello everyone out there in blogland!  We were not surprised that we didn't receive an email from Andrew on Monday (due to the New Year holiday) but were a little surprised not to receive anything from him yesterday.  This morning, however, we received the following email from one of the Senior Missionaries who works in the mission office:

Dear Russia Samara Families,
 We understand that there is some concern because many of you haven’t heard from your missionaries this week! New Year is a HUGE Russian holiday and therefore MANY, MOST EVERYTHING was closed on Monday! The internet shops, the libraries, the post offices, all are closed for the holidays. Some are closed until 10 January. However, we believe that most of you will hear from your missionary on their next P-day, Monday 9 January. If you do NOT hear, please do not be concerned for their welfare! We are not certain when some areas will have the internet shops available again! Everyone here is doing very well!
 You should receive weekly emails from your missionary. Please be aware that if there is a Monday holiday here, the email will be delayed for a week. Do not worry, IF there was an emergency with your son or daughter, you will be contacted directly by President and/or Sister Sartori! We love your missionaries! We are doing our best to take good care of each one of them!
 Happy New Year!

So there you have it!  I guess we will try to be patient until next Monday!