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.