OH HOW WE'VE COME TO LOVE THE PEOPLE OF RUSSIA

This week we have had the privilege of being with many Russian friends.  We have come to know what wonderful people they are, especially when they have found the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It seemed like each day this week we've rubbed shoulders with someone very special.

Our week began by attending church on Sunday.  We were both met at the door of the church by members of our ward who were so concerned that we had walked the distance to the church without a hat on our head.  It had turned really cold Sunday morning and with the cold the Russian people really bundle up, head to toe, always wearing a hat and usually a hood, too.  Paul and I had neither, only our coats and gloves. These people were so concerned that we would get sick because we were not wearing a hat. We were touched by their love and concern. Interesting that on Wednesday a similar thing happened. We were walking to the church and were stopped by a sister who works in the mission office. After saying hello, she immediately reached up to button the top button of my coat.  She did it out of concern that I would get too cold around the neck and get sick.  She was bundled up in a long fur coat and matching hat. 

Back to Sunday. Later that evening, we had the privilege of having Nastia (our special friend and recent convert) and the sister missionaries over for dinner. Nastia had become very close to Sister Tolbert who would be going home on Thursday.  We wanted to give them a chance to spend some time together. We served Chicken Parmesan and angel hair along with an Olive Garden type salad. After dinner the 5 of us just sat around and visited for a while. The sisters gave us all a wonderful spiritual thought before they all left. We love these three sisters in the gospel and are very sad to say good bye to Sister Tolbert.


Monday was another family home evening at which time we were able to feel the sweet spirit of 7 young singles, 5 investigators, our friend Natalia, and 8 missionaries, including ourselves.  We squeezed 21 into our little apartment and had a wonderful time.  They played "four on a couch" and then enjoyed refreshments. The more we visit with the Russian people in a casual setting like our home the more we come to love and admire them. 
Note: I had made a special cookies and cream cake, especially for Elder Bass.  He loves Oreo cookies and this cake was filled with a cream cheese, whipped cream and Oreo filling.  Just a little yummy. 

Tuesday was district meeting.  We served Teriyaki chicken again as it was a request of Elder Crawford who would be leaving our district as of transfer day. Raspberry butter was requested by Sister Tolbert and mud pie by Elder Bass. These two also would be leaving our district. After the meeting, we had the privilege of meeting with Karina and the sisters. Karina is the karate/kick boxing champion we have talked about before. We have come to love this special sister. We have watched her countenance change as she has come to accept the gospel and adjust her life style to be in keeping with gospel principles.  We had a wonderful visit in preparation for her baptism on Saturday.

This picture was taken from afar so not the

best picture of Sergey

Wednesday was English group. During our discussion, we came to know one of our regulars, Sergey, a little better. We admire his love for his country, Russia. Our discussion was on travel and so we asked those in attendance to tell us to what places they had traveled.  Sergey had spent a couple of months in the United States and said he was so glad when he finally got back to Russia. His reasons: bread that wasn't squishy, solemn and unsmiling faces, and people who are genuine. It gave us a real insight into these people who almost take offense if you smile at them. He felt like people in America asked how you were but didn't really care about your answer. It is true that Russian's are very cautious with their feelings but once you become their friends, they are very loyal and dedicated to that relationship.  As for the bread, he commented on how, in America, it was so full of preservatives that it was squishy and lasted forever.  Russian bread has no preservatives, had a rough texture, and spoils after only a few days.  We appreciated Sergey's honesty about his feelings and his pride in his Russian culture.


Thursday was institute and gathering and once again, we so enjoyed being with our special young single students this week. They are so dedicated.  Many of them go to two institute classes a week, some to all of the three that are offered. They are so appreciative of our efforts in preparing lessons for them.  That night one of the students got up, in front of the class, to thank us for all the visuals we put up on the board. We don't think that ever happens in Russian classes and these students seem to love seeing as well as hearing the messages being taught.

Friday, after studying a bit, we met Sasha at the Shake Shack to treat him to lunch. He is our Institute class president and a very good friend. On Thursday, he got off work early so he could go with Paul to pay our rent at a local bank. We needed to deposit the money in our landlady's bank account but that can only be done by a Russian citizen. We were so grateful Sasha was willing to do that for us so we offered to buy him lunch on Friday....hence the Shake Shack. He had never been there before and loved the burgers and fries.  We had a delightful visit with him about his family and his mission. He is a dear friend, willing to do whatever we might need of him.

As you can see the Russian people are wonderful.  We have come to love and appreciate them very much.

Elder Crawford and Elder Bass

at our district lunch

Other happenings during the week included transfer day on Wednesday.  We love going to these meetings as we get to see all the new companionships that have been assigned, as well as the new elders and sisters. We had 8 new sisters and 4 new elders join us in the Moscow Mission.  It is also a time when those who are going home bear their testimonies.  All these returning missionaries feel so blessed to have had the experience of serving here. Of course, Sister Tolbert's testimony touched us the most as she has been one of our special sisters whom we have come to love.  Elder Bass who has been with us almost since we got here is going to serve in Podolsk.  Elder Crawford, one of the assistants to the President, is going to Smolensk to serve as a district leader.  He still has six months to serve and wanted to be out in field again before going home. He will be serving with a missionary who used to be in our district, Elder Melchor. It is amazing how we come to love those elders and sisters who serve in our district. It is always so hard to say good bye.

Elder Bass has become one of our favorite missionaries.

We will miss him terribly.

Sister Tolbert is such a special sister.  We hate to see her leave.

A highlight of our week had to be Karina's baptism.  It happened Saturday afternoon and was a wonderful event.  Paul took his laptop and set up Skype so three of our former sisters, Sisters Tolbert, Carver and Hawkins, could be there. They had each been involved in teaching Karina the gospel.  They were able to talk with Karina before the baptism, see her in her whites, listen to the talks before and after the baptism, and then visit with her after the meeting.  It was really special to have them there all the way from Utah. 

Karina talking with Sisters Hawkins, Tolbert, and Carver on Skype

before her baptism.

On Skype again after her baptism

AN ABSOLUTELY BUSY BUT WONDERFUL WEEK

WE KNOW WE'VE ADJUSTED TO LIFE IN RUSSIA SPOTLIGHT

We know we've adjusted to life in Russia when......

......you automatically plan extra time to get something done or to be somewhere.  It seems like everything, travel included, takes twice as long as at home.

......you wouldn't think of walking into your apartment without removing your shoes. The amount of dirt that is brought in on our shoes is amazing, especially in the winter.  We are continually sweeping and wiping up the entryway because it gets so dirty.

......you can't remember what it is like to have a garbage disposal.  Our little garbage can gets full so fast.  We are always taking trips out to the garbage bin outside.