'MEET THE MORMONS' COMES TO MOSCOW

A bunch of Mormons gathered to watch

"Meet the Mormons.'

Saturday night, we had the privilege of watching the newly released movie, "Meet the Mormons."  Yes, even here in Moscow.  Of course, it isn't in the theaters but we were able to see a preview version of it in the Institute room with all the senior couples. Someone must have some pretty good connections to have been able to secure it. We were sure glad he did as it will probably be the only chance most of us will be able to see it until it comes out on DVD.  We all thoroughly enjoyed watching it and loved how so many different examples of 'Mormons' were shown from all over the world. 

It was a perfect way to end an incredibly busy day. It started in the morning as we left the apartment at 8:30 in the morning to head up to the mission office. President and Sister Borders were hosting a special meeting for all the Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary presidencies from the outlying cities in the mission. It was a training meeting to help them function a little better in their callings and to show them how they can strengthen their branches. Our job was to provide a lunch for 30 and sack lunches for 25. Sister Borders approached me several weeks ago and asked if I would help her plan the food as well as prepare it. We decided on barbecue pork, green salad, and fruit for lunch and then simple sandwiches, fruit, chips, and wafers for the sack lunches for them to take for their train rides home. Because this ended being held at the mission office instead of our central building, Sister Borders had to do most of the shopping. (We are limited as to what we can haul up on the metro). We did prepare and bring up the pork, kaiser rolls, and brownies. Paul stayed around long enough to help make a green salad and cut up fruit.  When I started making the sandwiches for the sack lunches he took off for Ismylava mall, again, to buy one last stacking doll.  

This is the CTR shield in Russian.

In the afternoon, I sat in on the training of the Primary presidencies done by two sister missionaries. It was all done in Russian so I have no idea what was said, but those in attendance were taking notes and adding to the discussion so it must have been informative and motivating for them. Paul returned just as everything was wrapping up so he could help me bring things back home.


We came home, unloaded everything, rested for a few minutes, and then walked to the church for a Seminary/Institute training meeting taught by our supervisor, Misha. Again that meeting was all conducted in Russian but luckily Misha's wife, Sveta, was there to translate for us. When that happens we can contribute to the discussion and feel a part of the meeting.  As that meeting ended the senior couples were gathering outside the room waiting to start our 'Meet the Mormons' movie.  We got home just before 10:00....a bit tired but feeling good about the day.

Misha and Sveta in the center of all the Seminary and Institute teachers in the Moscow Stake.

Now for the rest of the week........

Our sisters all bundled up.

They look like they are straight out of

Siberia with their fur lined hoods.

woolen mittens and heavy boots.

On Monday, we got up to snow on the ground and bitter cold weather which lasted all week. Everyone is already bundled up in their winter attire. We have been told that this is the coldest it has been in October since 1982 and that this winter is going to be very cold. Last year we didn't get snow until into November and it wasn't much colder than Heber City usually is. In fact, quite often, we would compare the temperatures in Utah vs here and Utah would be colder. Don't think that will happen this year. We feel bad for our replacements who are from Arizona...what a shock an extremely cold winter here will be for them.



Tuesday was a skyping day. In the morning, we skyped with our CES area coordinator. It was supposed to be a group meeting with 3 other CES couples but no one joined in so it was just a 'one on one' meeting with us and Alexy.  It was time well spent getting to know each other. During district meeting the International sisters came by to skype with an investigator and then, after our meeting, our sisters skyped with Olya, a new member who lives 2 1/2 hours away.  We also sat in on a discussion (not on skype) with Adam from Sudan. He is a Muslim and comes from a family of 9 children. He is here working and going to school.  It was hard to tell how he felt about the first discussion, although he did accept a Book of Mormon.  

Sasha, Masha, and Luba - incredible women

That evening we attended a YSA council planning meeting.  We love the energy of our council.  At the end of our meeting (it was 9:45) they gathered at the piano to sing and dance.  We love these young people.

Lisa, at the piano, Alona, singing, and Sergei with the guitar.

Wednesday, we shopped for Saturday's lunch at the mission office and worked on our Institute lesson. Paul went home teaching with his friend, Vladimir. Vladimir is obsessed with wanting Paul to stay in Russia for many years. He has put Paul on a very high pedestal and thinks the world of him. Paul loves the family they teach. The family has a 3 year old little boy who Paul just adores.  Sunday, Paul was thrilled when this little boy came up to him to show him a truck and give him a 'high five.'

We titled Thursday's Institute lesson 'Putting Oil in your Lamp.' We talked about the 10 virgins pictured on our board. There is a beautiful description of the characteristics of each virgin, as depicted by the artist, which we had the students read.  We reviewed the history at the time sections 30 to 35 were given. We then discussed the 'drops' of righteous living, outlined in this scripture block, that would add oil to our lamps if we put them into our lives.  We showed a video of the 10 virgins that ended with modern day ways we can be like the 5 wise virgins.  A very effective way to conclude our lessons.  We love teaching our young singles especially when we feel the spirit in the room as we did this night.

40 Kaiser rolls ready for

Saturday's lunch.

Friday was the day to prepare all the food for the lunch at the mission office the next day.....making kaiser rolls and barbecue pulled pork and cookies and cream brownies.  When I went to put the recently purchased pork into the sauce to begin cooking, I noticed that one of the pieces didn't smell quite right. I was afraid to use it so we made a quick trip to our little local store and, luckily, found a similar cut of pork.  I had had a dream the night before about the pork being bad....maybe it was a warning for me to be extra aware when I opened the packages of pork.  The bad smelling pork was quickly taken out to the garbage.

While I was cooking, Paul went off to pay a few bills.  He had taken several coins with him to give away. (We are trying to get rid of all the change he has collected over this past 16 months.)  Because it is so cold, the band to which we usually give coins, was not playing so Paul walked to an area where little old ladies stand out on the street with their cups asking for donations.  Paul found one lady there whose cup had only one coin in it. He promptly poured a whole bag full of coins into her cup and filled it to the brim. He said the woman's eyes lit up. She opened up her coat and 'crossed' herself as a gesture of sincere thanksgiving for the gift she had just been given. It only added up to less than three dollars but to her it was a fortune.

Also on that day, we had a skype lesson with one set of missionaries and another lesson, in person, with Bazeel.  He is the investigator that needs to come to the church before he can be baptized.  This day he committed to come to church this Sunday. The elders were thrilled.  After the discussion, it was dinner, then off to game night where several young singles came and had a good time playing board games....bringing us, then, to our busy, busy Saturday.

Elder St. Clair, Sister Downing, Sister Shepherd and

Elder Kirdyapkin  (left to right).  They are assembling

several huge wraps containing crab, lettuce, corn, and

of course, mayonnaise.

On Sunday, we got to church to find out the ward was having a fast for a sister who has been in intensive care for weeks.  She was hit by a car. The sisters needed me to bring a can opener to the church. They were helping prepare the food for a 'break the fast' meal for the ward. There was an amazing spread of food laid out after church.  When the bishop asked us if we were going to eat something we said no because we had dinner waiting for us at home....which we did.  We felt bad, though, when he asked, "Don't you like Russian food?" We hope we didn't offend anyone by not partaking.



Our week ended Sunday evening with a discussion with Elders Shepard and Jepson and their friend, Samir, from Egypt.  His family is very important to him so the discussion centered around how the gospel can bless the lives of family members. Samir, who had met with the missionaries several months ago, called the elders out of the blue Sunday evening and wanted to meet. It was a good meeting.  We hope he will come back.

LIVING IN RUSSIA SPOTLIGHT

We found out Saturday night that Russia was going on a daylight savings type program. We turned our clocks back so the sun would come up an hour earlier in the morning. Instead of getting light at 9:30 it will get light at 8:30.  Conversely though, it will get dark earlier in the afternoon (now 3:30 instead of 4:30). For some reason they instigated it now...no one really knows why it was done.  The government promises that it will not happen again...not even to turn the clocks forward again. Interesting.

This week, at the mall where we shop, we noticed two new things available for shoppers....a place to shoot a bow and arrow into a target and a large wooden train set for the children. For some reason Russians are really fascinated with the American Indian as evidenced by the shooting booth. The train area is huge and looks like lots of fun for the children.  It puts the little wooden train table at Dairy Keen, in Heber, to shame.

SUCH A BUSY WEEK ENDED -

BUT ALWAYS READY FOR A NEW ONE TO BEGIN