The Joy of Being A Peculiar People...

As we wend our way through the busy thoroughfares of Moscow and other cities, we are used to  curious stares.  Who dresses in suits, ties, skirts, sensible shoes and tops these unusual outfits off with the "tell the world" name tags?

Blending in is not an option.  Even when we aren't wearing our name tags for some reason, we still stand out.  How do people know to try to speak English to us, or at least to look at us curiously, if not suspiciously?  We didn't think we looked that different but we apparently do.

  We have moved from discomfort to great pride in our identity as representatives of our Savior Jesus Christ.  We love carrying his name wherever we go.  We have found suspicion disappears when we smile encouragingly and, if possible, assist in some way.  Opening doors, helping with bundles, offering a seat in the metro, lots of possibilities.

(Elder Pierson encountering one of our young adults in downtown Moscow)

We are serving our mission because of our love for Jesus Christ.  He has called us to bring his gospel of happiness to more of His children.  We do that best when we put our fear and reluctance to draw attention away and help reflect His light.

We love Peter's reminder to us that we are "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, A PECULIAR PEOPLE; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."  That is our job and our joy.

Our Sacrament meeting today was presented by our Zelenograd Ward Young Women.  They were wonderful, even if we  understood little of what they said.  They sang beautifully of following Christ and each spoke and bore her testimony.  We saw the light of Christ in each faithful young woman.

These teen aged girls are happy and unaffected.  They see no need to be "sophisticated, trying-to-be 25 year olds".  They are happy to be different from the world.  They dress modestly, love their families and are very best friends.  They encourage each other as they  become the  Women of Christ He wants them to be.

I was able to catch some of the young women after their program.  They were very relieved it was over.

One of our delights is welcoming senior CES  missionaries to Moscow.  Often our couples have a layover of several hours before completing their journey to their assigned city.  We greet them at the airport and help with their bags.  These faithful, jet-lagged, sleep-deprived people are then given the option of taking a nap at our home, in our famous round bed, or seeing the city.  They usually go for the tour.  Last week we had the privilege of escorting two new couples and they were real troopers.  It was windy and cold but they were up for the adventure and happily tromped around Moscow.  You think we don't stand out then?

As we show these great people around, we get to know them a bit better and are always impressed with their strength, testimony and love for the youth of the church. Their life-changing service and example bears eternal fruit.  They are blessing generations.  Each one of our missionaries truly radiates the joy of being "peculiar".  They  teach volumes about what a life-long commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ looks like.  Happiness and faith absolutely bursts from them!

Just one of our totally amazing missionary couples...

Our greatest desire is to serve Him with all of our hearts and minds.  We love helping others come "out of darkness into His marvelous light".

Christos Vas Kres

On Easter, Moscovites greet each other with a cheery " Christos Vas Kres" (Christ is Risen).  The response is "Voistinu Voskres"! (Truly He Is).  I love it!  We were given some beautiful onion-dyed eggs too beautiful to eat.  The 70 degree weather and the blossoms around us remind us that Spring is delicious!

Last evening the Young Adults of the Moscow Stake presented a moving reminder of the power of our Savior, Jesus Christ, in the ongoing process of healing, repentance and joy that comes to all of us as we implement His atonement into our lives. The musical  was "The Garden" by Michael McLean, sung in Russian.

 These talented young people beautifully brought home the message that  each of us needs the Lord's power.  He earnestly seeks to turn our "mourning into joy, our blindness to sight, and our ashes to beauty". 

The production was professionally presented and so moving.  We continue to be touched and inspired by the strength and testimony of these wonderful youth!

Our Easter celebration was made even more delightful as our dear friends, Gareth and Mardie Tobler joined us in Moscow for 4 days of tromping around and seeing the sights.  We love showing off our  adopted city.  We packed in as much as we could, including a dinner river cruise and placing our personalized locks on the lock bridge tree.  We have loved this family for decades.  We had so much fun.

  

 We love this work and we love our Savior, Jesus Christ, for his sustaining influence in our lives.  We are so blessed.

Streetsful of splendid people!

We watched General Conference a week later than the U.S. but loved all of the inspired messages.  So anxious now to take each apart and pray for application to my own life and missionary work.

I loved Elder Richard G. Scott's instruction on how to be a significant influence for good on those we care about.  We just love them.  "Giving them confidence in your love can help them develop faith in God's love."  That is something I can do.

This quote by Neal A. Maxwell has always been special to me.
"Truly we work and live on a streetful of splendid people, whom we are to love and serve  even  if they are uninterested in us!"

In our case, it would be not only streetful but also metroful, trainful, busful and occasionally planeful.  So many interesting people.  Armed with our calling as missionaries and specifically, our assignment to help the youth return to our Savior, we feel an increase of love for everyone we see.  Elder Maxwell also said, "We can be walking witnesses and standing sermons to which objective onlookers can say a quiet amen."

 I asked a Russian friend how people seem to know we are missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints even when we are not speaking or wearing our name tags.  She said anyone just feels the difference.  Perhaps they are not familiar with the church but they still sense our calling.  I call that a great advantage.

These Russians are so talented!  We take every opportunity to catch Russian folk dancers.  Their creativity, strength and artistry are truly remarkable.  This was the troupe we saw this past week.

The arts are tremendously important to them.  Even at 300.00 a ticket, the Bolshoi ballet is sold out months in advance.  In the past few weeks, we have enjoyed a 100 violin gypsy band in a beautiful concert hall, beautiful opera, and symphony.

Following Friday's class, a yoga friend with a driver let me tag along to the Azerbaijani market where she buys all of her fish, breads, nuts, spices, cheese,meats and produce.   Football fields full of the freshest, most beautifully and creatively presented food and goods and the very nicest people.  Want to sample something?  They are ready to oblige.  Their warm grins, jabbering away in a strange language, ready laughs and hugs and handing out free food connected with me.   We are not world travelers but it felt to me like a middle eastern bazaar.  These good folks are my kind of people.

I am always inspired after General Conference.  I love the assurance that we are exactly where we need to be, doing what God wants us to do right now.  We know how blessed we are.

The poor and the meek

We have grown to love so many of these sweet saints in the church here in Russia.  We are touched by their strength, generosity and depth of testimony.  Twice a year the Moscow stake gathers items to give to the poor.  The bags are stacked by the room I use for my yoga classes and there is a ton of stuff!  I know how little many of these people have, and their generous hearts inspire me

Last week we were graciously entertained by a wonderful couple from our own Zelenograd Ward in their home.  We have been in many apartments here in Moscow and thought we had seen humble circumstances but we were not prepared for the tiny, poorly constructed apartment that is home to Anatoly and Tatiana.  In size, the total apartment  would fit into two of our downstairs rooms at home.  Tiny bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and living area.  Obviously very old and run down but these people are so happy.  We were served a fabulous Russian dinner, served in 3 courses.  Borsht, Pelmeni (dumplings) and a plate of delicious vegetables and meat.  Assorted chocolates for dessert.

The lovely dishes were a 25th anniversary gift.  They hope someday to be able to purchase more than the 4 they have.  These dear people are as talented, hard working, educated and bright as just about anyone we know but making a living here is very difficult.  

You would think we would see the same slumped shoulders and defeated look we see   every day in Moscow but the light in the eyes and the joy Anatoly and Tatiana carry into their challenging days testifies of their happiness.  

This is dinner with Anatoly and Tatiana in our apartment a couple of weeks ago.  We are so grateful that these amazing sister missionaries can translate.  We actually do pretty well gesturing.  They are very funny people and we laugh a lot.

Tatiana is enormously creative.  She has tons of fun putting together these very life-like dolls.  Each is completely different and the detail is astounding.  She makes big ones and tiny ones.  She spends months on these dolls, selling them online.

These are just two of the very happy people we encounter in the church here in Russia.

Very few care about fashion or having the latest anything.   Most will never drive a car or live in anything but dark, cramped quarters but their joy overflows.

How to account for this?  

I love this thought from Bruce R Hafen's book, "The Broken Heart".  He describes the inner joy that those who have a deep, private relationship with the Lord experience.  He tells of Robert Louis Stevenson's boyhood growing up in dark England.  He and his friends carried small, tin, "bull's eye" lanterns on their belts.  Stevenson described the joy of having a tiny light that no one else could see, guiding through the darkness.  

Elder Hafen comments that if we understand the secret of the lantern, we will not miss the joy that awaits us in discovering that all things do work together for good to them who love God.  If our hearts are full of love for our Savior and His gospel,  we will feel His sustaining hand and promptings and we will never be without our own light to guide our way and lift our hearts with love and hope. 

Anatoly and Tatiana lead lives that  are different from ours  but the temple is as central to their lives as it is to ours.  We have each made the same covenants and have the same promises.  They are doing all they can to build an eternal family, as are we.  In the most important ways, we are the same and we love them!  This truly is the Lord's plan of happiness!

Great Shall Be The Peace of Thy Children...

The kingdom is growing.  This week began and ended with the joy of children making their first covenants with their Heavenly Father.  Sunday evening we were blessed to attend the baptism of Sophia, the daughter of my friend, Tamara, who I met exiting the metro a month or so ago, and her husband Ben.  Ben asked his daughter a few months ago who she wanted to baptize her and she said, "Grandpa Roger".  So Grandpa Roger and Grandma Sharman traveled to Moscow from Arizona to be here for the baptism  Some devoted grandparents..  Ben then used his priesthood to confirm Sophia.
The picture is of the Rechnoy Ward Primary leaders after the baptism, explaining more about the covenant Sophia had made and the power of the gift of the Holy Ghost in her life.  We have some of the best teachers in the church here in Russia.

Ben, Tamara, the girls and the grandparents came to our apartment for dinner a few days later.  We love this family.

Saturday evening we were in the Zelenograd chapel for the baptism of 5 eight- year-old children.  The fathers of two of the children were blessed to baptize their own children.
 Sweet Anya, the only girl, was baptized by her grandfather and the twins were baptized by their uncle.  The father of the twins passed away a few years ago.
The confirmations were done either by a father, uncle or family friend.  This is a super close ward with strong priesthood leadership  The whole ward loves and supports each other.

In both baptism experiences, we felt the same powerful spirit that we have felt in any baptism anywhere.  These sweet children are putting their feet firmly on the path of testimony and covenant keeping.

THE ADVENTURE OF LANGUAGE...
We have given up on learning the language.  We can bear our testimony and pray but that isn't a ton of help when you are frantically trying to make yourself understood in a store or food stand.

A week or two ago I stopped at a fabric store.  We were having dinner guests and a hint of spring was in the air.  I wanted a bright, colorful printed fabric tablecloth.  I have no clue  how the money works here so I just grabbed something bright and hauled it to the cutting table.  The sweet clerk was obviously shocked when I asked for 4 yards (I was making matching napkins) so I just started pulling the fabric out from the bolt.  Fortunately, she did not need to cut it because there was almost exactly the right amount.  I was so proud of myself for doing this whole transaction without the aid of Elder Pierson.  My pride turned to horror when she turned the calculator around and showed me the total.  4,265 RUBLES!  About 140.00!  I showed her my measly 1500 rubles  and slunk out of the store, without the fabric.

She was so nice that we made cookies and returned to the small shop a few days later.  Unfortunately, there was a different clerk who was obviously horrified as I shoved my Monster cookies at her, jabbering English.

I was desperate for an English speaker.  I ran from one little shop to another with no connection.  Finally, I tackled a high schooler who answered "yes" with a smile.  I dragged him back to the shop (Elder Pierson was still madly trying to get something working on Google Translate)  Our 16 year old whiz was able to help our bewildered clerk get the gist, although I'm pretty sure neither she nor our young scholar understood the whole story.

 Such is our life.  We often end up with the wrong item, too much food, confused directions or unclear expectations.  But more than anything, we feel an overwhelming love for these people and I think they know it.  We just shrug and we all laugh together.

By the way,   we looked at the ceiling in a new restaurant and saw this.  Is there anyone else in Moscow who would have a clue where this is?

Every night at 10:00

As tensions increase in the area, saints find ways to unify their faith.  All of us in the East Europe Area are being asked by our Priesthood leaders to unite in prayer for world leaders in pursuit of peace and love.

Every night at 10:00 Moscow time we all join in prayer to ask for the Lord's intervention in world affairs.  What power we find as we come together in faith.

 For Russian  Latter Day Saints, the relationship with Ukraine is particularly tender.  Many Russians served missions in Ukraine and Ukrainians served in Russia.  Lots of intermarrying.
Now, for many, their national loyalty is being questioned.  Thankfully, Latter Day Saints are rising above this.

The Keiv Temple is dear to the hearts of all saints.  Finding a way to build a temple here in Moscow is difficult so the Keiv Temple is our temple.  Many saints attend monthly, some even more often.

Svetlana, a sweet sister who works in our office prepared for her monthly visit to the temple with trepidation and more than a little fear.  She had heard that it wasn't easy for Russian speakers to get around in Keiv these days.

As usual, the Lord's servants are inspired as temple work continues.  The Keiv Stake President has asked for the names and travel schedules of all those coming to the temple.  Members of the priesthood are there to meet the trains and escort the saints safely to the temple.  The love that is shared by faithful saints transcends nationalities.

Svetlana and all we have talked to who have attended recently testify to the sacred, calm spirit in the temple.  Hearts are touched, prayers are answered and love for others increased.
Russians, Ukrainians, Bulgarians and Belorussians join together with unity of faith and love.
The work for loved ones continues, covenants are made and eternal families are created.

 The temple is a refuge from the hate, bigotry and chaos of the world.  It also serves as the only answer to the evils that cause so much pain.  Only by coming to the Lord Jesus Christ can true joy and peace prevail.
I have no idea how the Lord will work out these seemingly insurmountable challenges, but His purposes will prevail...

These youth and their leaders are strong and faithful.  They will be a force for good in guiding this work in East Europe.  We consider it a great privilege to learn from them.

Miracles occur daily.  We talked to a new member tonight who was able to stop drinking (borderline alcoholic), smoking (3 packs a day) and drinking coffee absolutely "cold turkey".
Missionaries and family members fasted and prayed for him and the challenge he had in making so many changes all at once.  He felt the power of the Lord as he did it.
 He knows the Lord is aware of him and his needs.  His faith is increasing daily.  We are so proud of him!  We love this work.

I love this Russian artist's depiction of the love of the Savior for these dear Russian people.

Russians Honor Women

Women's Day is second only to New Year's Day in importance.  Friday saw the flower  shop below our office absolutely bursting with business all day.  Cars were parked all up and down several blocks.  That seemed to  be the day for honoring women in the  workforce.  Bro. Semenov, our boss was not able to be in the office that day but I found a bouquet of roses on my desk that he had delivered Thursday evening.

Saturday was the fun day.  The men in the Rechnoy Ward organized a real extravaganza.  The women and girls were formally seated, treated to a short Russian movie and a beautiful buffet dinner, followed by a well organized, very funny program.

Five women were selected for each of the quiz teams.  They were given "stumper" questions and rated on the answers.  

Relays followed.    Magic tricks and beautiful musical numbers.  Lots of fun.

Sunday the sisters in each ward were honored in various ways.  Our Zelenograd Ward Priesthood holders crowded into the  Relief Society room bearing amazing pastries and serenading the women with "Love One Another".  Elder Pierson was amused  by  the vigorous debate among the men as they rehearsed.  Of course he understood almost nothing of what the issue was but he knew it meant a lot to them that the message was delivered with great feeling.

The real Women's Day was Monday, March 8.   National holiday.  It was a beautiful, crisp day so we enjoyed a long walk through one of Moscow's well-loved parks.  Families in abundance.  We are impressed with the 4 day celebration honoring of the women of Russia.  Flowers and candy everywhere.  

How grateful we are to be part of the vast army of missionaries who bring the message of the Lord's plan for eternal love and families to these people who carry so much love in their hearts.  So blessed.