Today My Mother's Prophecy is Fulfilled

Sitting in Relief Society (women's organization) today,I am opening the hymn book.  Sister Nyoff, the chorister, tries valiantly to keep the sisters together but no one has a clue what the pitch or tempo might be for the opening song.  It is vocal chaos for awhile, then we get the hang of it.   Sis. Johnson, our one missionary who can play the keyboard is in Young Women's and no one else can help.
My mind jetted back to the tantrum I threw when my mother tried to nail me to the piano bench for yet another fruitless practice.  I love music and really wanted to play well but I refused to practice.  Then, this prophecy,"Someday, you will be on a mission in some country and  they will need someone to play and you won't be able to help!"  Did my 12 year old mind care?  Obviously not.  55 years later, again, Mom was right.  Not the first time.  I really can play a few hymns but not if there is  any pressure and they must be played VERY slowly.

Topic #2.-  Some have asked about how we really live here.  I think I will take it by topic.  I will start with the beginnings of our days.  After prayers, scripture study (alone & together), we tackle our workouts.We are having a great time walking this city.  All bundled, we head out into the morning air.  The length varies.  Saturdays are 2 hrs. or so.  Beautiful parks with great walking paths.  Last Saturday we found this beautiful little church in a new (to us) park.

Back in our cozy, warm apartment building.  Three times a week we then run the 17 flights of stairs 3 times, usually wearing headsets and listening to fun music.  Favorites-Trout Fishing in America, Beach Boys.  It totally wipes us out.

I follow with an hour or so of yoga  and Dick does some strengthening stuff.  Combined with the walking, walking, walking we do to get anywhere in Moscow, we are feeling great!
We  get in to the office about 9:30 or so.

Topic #3- How grateful I am for my knowledge of prayer and the ability all of us have to talk to our Heavenly Father at any time and about anything, knowing that prayers are heard and answered.  As the sister missionaries and I were teaching Irina (the sweet woman who wanted to give me her earrings.  By the way, in the many times I have been with Irina since, she always wears those earrings.  She was giving me her ONLY earrings) she told us how she prays. In the religion in which she was raised, prayers are at set times and are read in a language she does not understand.  As we talked, she was so excited to learn that she can actually communicate at any time with a loving God and just pour out her heart.  We explained how to feel and listen for answers.  She was touched and happy.  She told us how her life has been totally changed by what she is learning about this true gospel.  I know there are no coincidences.  Irina was supposed to become my good forever friend.  I love her.  How blessed we are!

Glories of an empire

One would have to be blind and deaf with a stone heart to not be touched by the beauty and history of Moscow.  This week we were privileged to tour the Grand Kremlin Palace, built in 1837, housing the former residence of the tsars. On the site are 9 churches from the 14th through 17th centuries, each built for a military campaign or an individual.

 The main building includes 5 full reception halls, and over 700 rooms.  The most interesting room to us was a large hall with dozens of painted murals depicting biblical stories.  No one can explain how this escaped the demolition that occurred with other Christian buildings and paintings.  The main reception halls were stripped of the ornamental gold and ornate designs when the Bolsheviks took over.  In the 1990s the halls were lavishly restored in accordance with original designs.
Our tour guide took great delight in our "OOHS" and "WOWS".  The pride of this great nation has taken several hits and they are always happy to hear how much we love this city and these people.

Moscow Stake Conference

For my non-Mormon friends, an explanation.  Our church organization is divided geographically.  As individual congregations (wards) are formed, they are organized into Stakes. Usually between 8-12 of these congregations. Picture in your mind the strength of stakes securely anhoring a tent into the ground for strength and stability.  Each stake is named for the geographic area.  Having a stake in an area is an indication of the growth and maturity of the church in that area.  It is a accomplishment and a huge help in moving the work of the Lord forward.  Twenty years ago there were no Latter Day Saints in East Europe, now there are over 42,000.  Amazing.

Two years ago the Moscow, Russia stake was formed.  Twice a year a conference is held, bringing all of the members together as a group to receive instruction from church leaders.  This past weekend was our conference.

Saturday night was an adult session with guidance from our stake presidency and area leaders. Even through our headsets, we could feel the familiar messages of faith, love and testimony.  The room was packed with strong, faithful saints of all generations.  It had the same spirit of stake conferences we have attended anywhere.

 Sunday consisted of a telecast from church headquarters in Salt Lake City.  Elder Bruce D. Porter, one of the speakers is a fluent Russian speaker (we can only dream of speaking that well).  He was a counselor in the East Europe Presidency in 1996 in a very dark time for Russia.  The atheistic communist government had fallen and everything was in upheaval.  Food was very scarce and basic survival was a challenge.

As Elder Porter  related in his talk, as he was being driven through the streets of Moscow, his gaze fell on thousands of small, lighted windows in the lines of never-ending high rises. Much like our building and the one across from us, pictured here.   He found himself in prayer for the dark, sorrowful city.

As he prayed, he began to to catch a new vision.  He saw the whole city alive with the love of God.  He sensed the workings of the spirit on each person, blessing them and preparing them for the coming of the Gospel into their city.  It was a powerful witness of the love and care that God has for each of His children.

We are blessed to have a tiny part in that great design and unfolding purpose.  We see that God is truly no respecter of persons.  He will never leave us comfortless.  As Paul reminds us, "he be not far from every one of us".

We pray daily that we might be of service in helping these people we love so much find the joy and peace that the Gospel brings.

Some people we have come to love

In Armenia we met Nia, a talented professional, and a returned missionary who regularly translates general conference to Armenian speakers world wide.  She has a long, sweeping bang over one eye.  She later explained that she lost her eye in the gigantic 1989 earthquake, when 50,000 died .  She was a toddler at  the time  but has met her challenges with courage and great joy in the gospel.

Hazan, an PhD in Engineering from Iran who was introduced to the gospel through American colleagues.  His rational mind has always struggled with the strict rules of the faith he in which he was raised and the "no rules, anything goes" mentality of western societies.  In the gospel of Jesus Christ  he has found truth upon which he can base his life.

This picture is the Armenia stake Young Women's board.  All returned missionaries.  Amazing  young women.

We met a terrific missionary who just returned home to Armenia with the unlikely name of La Grande.  He and his siblings were all raised in the gospel and each was given the name of a righteous scriptural person or a modern day one.  I'm sure first grade was interesting, trying to write Le Grande in Armenian.

Oleg, our mission driver, a former MIG pilot who whizzes around these Moscow streets like he was still flying fighter jets against the Americans.  He speaks no English but is jovial and LOVES loud opera music in his van.  He often sings along.  He always wears a white shirt and keeps a tie hanging behind his seat in case he is needed in performing a priesthood ordinance.

So many others.
The picture below is of my new best friend, Irina, who I met waiting for the metro  (the one who tried to give me her earrings.)  She came to dinner last  week, along with our sweet sister missionaries who did a marvelous job translating.  It was the very last night of her mission for one of our sisters and she was thrilled to be able to do more teaching.  Irina came bearing flowers and a beautiful cake for dessert.
I love Irina.  She lives in a small apartment like ours, very near us.  She has two sons, one graduated from college and  a government employee, the other  in his first year of college.  They live with her.  A niece studying to become a pediatrician lives there as well.
 Her husband is a thousand miles away, in their small village in the beautiful mountains to the south.  Irina studied culinary skills for 4 years but found she could make more money maintaining a small coat shop, 2 hours metro ride away.  She closed the shop  early Tuesday to have dinner in our home.  She is devoting her life to helping her sons and niece have a brighter future.  She is anticipating going home for a short visit next summer and is determined that we will go with her.

She is loving and kind and is eager to share and learn.

We are happy and well and grateful to have a small part in building the Lord's kingdom.

Such gentle, friendly people.

.  Last week, Elder Pierson and I ventured south to the beautiful city of Yerevan, Armenia for a few days.  The snowy mountain in the distance is Mt. Ararat.  Some believe remnants of Noah's ark are still there.   We came to visit a wonderful CES couple serving here and meet some of their students.  We like  to know how we can help each of our missionaries throughout East Europe and spending time with them in their environment is a great help.

We sat in on classes, visited with students (many speak English) and just felt their goodness.  There is spectacular teaching happening here.  As we are finding all through East Europe, there are many, many returned missionaries and several preparing for service.  A strong foundation Is being laid for the growth of the Kingdom of God in Armenia.  Yerevan is a gracious city designed on a European grid plan.  It is beautiful and walkable.

We found out yesterday on an excursion into the mountains some of the reasons Armenians love their country so much.  The scenery is jaw-dropping with a perfect climate.  World's best fruits & vegetables but more than any other factor, it has to be these sweet, kind people.  Ready smiles, eagerness to assist lost visitors.   Lots of hugs.

As we entered the chapel this morning for church, tears came as they always do.  It doesn't matter where in the world we are, the feeling is the same.  I know we are in a dedicated house of worship.
The bishop of the ward is burly, gregarious and made us feel at home.  His identical twin brother is his first councilor.  They each served missions in California.   Fortunately, the councilor has a little beard.  Otherwise, I don't know how anyone could tell them apart.  The opening song in Sacrament Meeting was "Joseph Smith's First Prayer", sung in Armenian.  The prophecy that the prophet's name would be had in every corner of the world kept coming to my mind.

We were privileged to attend a special fireside welcoming two missionaries who returned this week.  A radiant sister who served on temple square in SLC and a powerful young man who served in
Ukraine.  The room was packed with family, friends and tons of investigators.

Sacrament meeting was filled with testimony, excellent teaching and even a very respectable ward choir.  The bishop gave a stirring talk on the blessings of paying tithing.  The economy in Armenia is poor.  Many people struggle but he promised the ward that blessings come from obedience.

Gospel Essentials class on obedience.   The discussion turned to obedience to leaders of nations.  Interesting comments from several Syrian refugees.  All of a sudden world turmoil is very close and real.  Not many easy answers.  These people have suffered much.  Gospel principles are the only hope for lasting peace.

We are continually grateful for this opportunity to serve.  We feel the tugs of home.  Not being there for events like the births of babies (welcome , newest little Pierson) makes the miles very long but we know we are where we neede to be, doing what we need to do.  Life is wonderful & the gospel is true!

"To Reach Every Human Heart"

I don't know what your lesson was in Relief Society and Priesthood meetings today but in the Richnoy Ward, Moscow Russia stake, it was Lorenzo Snow's teachings on missionary work.  I loved his teaching about our joy in missionary service.  He said, "There is a way to reach every human heart, and it is your business to find the way to the hearts of those to whom you are called."
(So sorry, laptop isn't working and my ipad can't do pictures on blogspot so only words today)

We pray every day to be instruments in God's hands to bring an element of light and goodness to His children in East Europe.  I love the analogy of the honey bee.  Each honey bee creates just 1 milliliter of honey.  Is that tiny amount worth it? Each hive has about 20,000 bees.  By combining their efforts, nature's most perfect food is created.

We are reminded daily of the power of tens of thousands of missionaries throughout the world.  Our field of labor is unique but together God's kingdom is moving forward.

As we approached our metro station with 2 other missionaries this morning, Elder Pierson held the door for a very pleasant looking young woman who smiled and thanked him.  She followed us down the escalator and we waited at the platform together.  You know how it feels when you instantly really like someone and you share a connection.  She spoke no English and my Russian wasn't going anywhere so I gestured at her very pretty earrings.  She seemed pleased and we entered the train and sat down a fair distance apart.  We continued to smile at each other, then I became intent on reading my scriptures.  A few minutes later, I was surprised to see her standing in front of me with her hand open and the earrings in her palm.  It took a great  deal of persuasion to help her understand that she should keep the earrings.

As she stood to get off at her stop she bent down and hugged me and thrust a paper in my hand.  On it was written her name and telephone number.  She added some other information that I can't read.  The young missionaries will help me figure it out and contact her.
I'm not sure what she sensed in us that inspired her to want to connect but I truly feel it is the spirit of Christ that we have truth that will bless her life. I will let you know where it leads.

All Hearts Yearn for God

The history of this city is ever-present and touches our hearts in so many ways. A magnificent church overlooks the Kremlin in Moscow. It is named The Cathedral of Christ the Savior and was originally built in gratitude for the victory over Napoleon in 1812, (along with Tchaikovsky's overture). The political climate changed and in 1932, the building was blown up to make way for a tribute to the new Communist culture. The money was never there and decades later, Kruschev's government converted it into the world's largest swimming pool.
 In 1993, permission was granted for the rebuilding of the church. Most of the money came from millions of poor people who wanted to honor God. It is a reminder of the need all humans feel to connect with a higher power, however that is defined.
We were privileged to visit the church as a service was beginning.  The voices were beautiful and the visual artistry was stunning but as we toured the beautiful sanctuary last Saturday,  we couldn't help but wish we could communicate our testimonies that in just a few hours real apostles and prophets would again testify of the reality of Jesus Christ and His love and care for each of us.

So much to see in a  very walkable distance in Moscow.  As darkness fell, we made our way from the church to the Bolshoi theater for a magnificent light show.  For 4 days in various locations, Moscovites were treated to amazing theatrics with light.  We chose to stake out the front of the Bolshoi, along with thousands of others.  Fortunately, the evening was clear and just a little brisk.  The facade of the Bolshoi was transfigured from minute to minute with accompanying gorgeous Russian music emanating from gigantic speakers.  Lots of children hoisted on father's shoulders.  Lots of "oohs" and "aahs".  Language was no barrier for a change.  We were all enthralled by the joy and creativity of these wonderful Russians.