Sochi and Tula

Russians are justifiably proud of their spectacular Olympic Games in Sochi.  The opening and closing ceremonies were  innovative and beautifully presented.  We weren't able to understand the commentary for any of the events but we still found ourselves pulling for our adopted home.   Of course we didn't attend but we know several people who did go south to Sochi and they were so excited.

 Our interaction with people here in Moscow reveals their great desire to connect with the rest of the world in a positive way.  They are warm, good people who love to engage with us, even though we don't speak good Russian.
The young people, especially, want to embrace all that is positive and hopeful in the world.
They are optimistic about the future.   We are impressed with their emphasis on the "New Face of Russia".  We pray with all of our hearts that bright days are ahead for this country with so much promise.

We spent this weekend in the land of Tolstoy, Tula, Russia.  It is a city of 500,000 about 120 miles south of Moscow.  Leo Tolstoy's home, Yasnaya Polyana is 7 miles from Tula.  This is where Tolstoy was born and where he wrote Anna Karenina and War and Peace.  He called it his "inaccessible literary stronghold".

Our train from Moscow to Tula was our first railroad adventure in Russia.  I felt so Dr.
Zhivago or maybe Lara.  It was fascinating to view all of the small Russian villages from the relative comfort of the train.

The purpose of our visit was not Tolstoy but to visit the missionary couple who are serving in the Tula Branch.  We were able to sit in on their Institute class and activities afterward and speak in their Sunday Sacrament Meeting.  We felt the same love and peace we find in any LDS church building anywhere in the world.  The saints in Tula are young in the gospel but anxious to learn and grow.
The Senior Missionary couple, Elder and Sister Vandry, are experienced and bring wisdom and testimony to the still developing branch.  They are delightful and love and serve these good people.  We were privileged to learn from them.

After Institute class, fun games followed.  The young people really got into it.

We were always grateful for interpreters who can take our words and magically turn them into another language.  Elder Pierson speaking in Sacrament meeting.

Our new friends in Tula made us promise to return in the summer when we can join them in their annual branch picnic on the grounds of Yasnaya Polyana.  Being in the area and observing the expansive fields and forests, I felt again how much I love the writings of Tolstoy.  Before we came on our mission I reread Anna Karenina and wept again.  Here are a few of my favorite Tolstoy quotes:

It is exciting to see the gospel take hold in the hearts and minds of people, wherever they are.  They become happier and more open to serve and care for each other.  The light of Christ is visible.  This is the best work in the world in which to be engaged.  We love it.

Passing the Baton

A new Moscow Stake Presidency was sustained today at Stake Conference.  We were blessed and honored to witness the Lord's hand in the calling and passing of authority to guide and bless these faithful saints.

President Boiko and his counselors have guided the church in Moscow for many years, first as a District and then attaining the landmark designation of a Stake in Zion.  This was not an easy task and many prayers and very hard work went into creating the strength of effort and testimony that characterizes the present church here.

The Area Authority who conducted the meeting described the spirit-guided process that is part of all callings.  In the case of a change in Stake leadership,  more than 35 worthy stake leaders are interviewed over the course of a day or two. Any of them would be outstanding in this responsibility.   The presiding authorities  receive inspired direction and guidance in issuing the call for the new leaders.   The Lord has already placed his hand on those who will serve.  His will is then made known, calls are made, and after sustaining by the members, authority to act in these sacred roles is given.

Members of the stake are always invited to raise their hands in support.  We felt the love of the Moscovite saints for these good men and their families, sustaining them and pledging to do all they can to lift and help build the Lord's kingdom.

The new stake President's wife bore her testimony and described the feelings of many women whose husbands spend countless hours in service, helping others to come to Christ.  She first thought," he is rarely home already, now he will hardly be home at all!"  She described the warmth that she first found as she embraced the gospel as a very young girl.  She loved it and wanted to shout the joy she had found to everyone.

 As marriage, children and other responsibilities crowded out that initial enthusiasm, she longed for the return of that simple, enthusiastic embrace of the Gospel.  As she  and her husband unitedly consecrated their efforts to this new calling, she felt the joy and assurance that, together, they would serve and love the Moscow Saints.  She experienced the warmth and joy she had prayed for.

One of the new counselors joked that everyone knew the name of the first cosmonaut but who was the second?  The first female cosmonaut?  But who knows the second?  The first Stake Pres. in Moscow?  Everyone will remember Pres. Boiko but the second?  When the new Stake Pres. spoke, he reminded everyone that even though Joseph Smith was the first Prophet of  the Restoration, no one forgets Brigham Young.

 One of the counselors who is being retained told the Saints how much he has loved sharing tender moments in interviews.  "Keep your temple recommends current.  I want to see you!"
Just like any stake in the world.

We looked around at the hundreds of saints and felt the the affirmation of the Spirit in the gigantic room., and we hugged and greeted so many we have come to love here.   We were overwhelmed again with the knowledge that this is the Lord's church and the same spirit exists anywhere Saints are gathered under His authority.  We are all coming to Christ.  The closing song, "High On a Mountain Top" sung with great enthusiasm reminded us that mountaintops can be anywhere.

The new President indicated that he had felt prompted many weeks ago to step up his service.  He didn't know why but he felt guided to purify and place his life in greater alliance with what the Lord would want him to do.  He used the analogy of relay runners.  Before the 2nd runner grabs the baton, he starts running, trying to match his pace to the oncoming runner.  The baton is then seamlessly passed, and the pace remains the same.

I couldn't help but remember our experience in 2001 when my husband was called as President of the LR Stake.  I had just returned from taking my Mom to Georgia for a week.  It was her dream to visit Sylvania, where she and Dad had served their mission 20 years earlier.  It was tender and inspiring but we were both exhausted.
We had barely walked in the door when Dick, with gravity in his voice asked me to come out on the porch swing because we needed to have a serious talk.

I was relieved (he was not having an affair and I would not have to kill him) when he explained that for the past 2 months he had been feeling that he was going to be called as the next  Stake President.  He produced a notebook with impressions he had received about the stake and what was needed.  He wanted to leave the next day for the Memphis temple to receive further assurance that this was the Lord's will.

When the call came the next week, I thought the presiding authorities would be interested in his experience.  They were, but they were not surprised.  They indicated that it is almost always the case.  The Lord prepares us to serve.

This is Tamara, the LDS woman I encountered last week in downtown Moscow.  She came to conference with her family.  We were able to introduce them to many other young LDS families in their area.  I am still amazed at the workings of the Lord in our lives.  I often wonder how much control we actually have.  Very humbling.

They Answered the Call

How blessed we are to get to love and encourage these amazing Senior Missionaries who serve with us in Church Education in Eastern Europe.  Our area covers 10 time zones, from Ukraine to Vladivostok, from Turkey to the Baltics.

We are currently at 22 couples with several more coming in the next two months.  They, like us, miss family terribly but they felt the call from a prophet and here they are.  They serve from 18 to 23 months.

They leave behind sterling careers, comfortable homes and familiar cushiness to the life of limited conversation in the native language, sometimes uncomfortable apartments, strange customs and food to exhaust themselves in service.  Temporarily left behind are sweet hugs and kisses from grandchildren, family celebrations and long time friendships. And they pay their own way for the privilege.

Looking at the group, we have lots of teachers, doctors, dentists, farmers, even a couple of hospital administrators. Gazillions of children and grandchildren have been loved and nurtured by these good people. They represent decades of experience in teaching, administering and serving in almost every possible church responsibility.

 They arrive to circumstances that are rarely comfortable, especially now.  It has been bite- your-nose-off cold in Siberia, where many of them serve, many experiencing their second winter.

 Several missionaries are in politically unstable and volatile areas with not a little danger attached.  Nevertheless, they are out there daily, loving the youth and encouraging their teachers and leaders.  They work the swing shift.  Up later than  us old folks are used to. These are the hours the youth want to talk.

Most travel throughout their assigned areas, training and encouraging. Most teachers and youth are still young in the gospel and need nurturing and lots of teaching.
When they are home, they still find energy and room in their homes and hearts to host and feed gigantic youth gatherings.  And most apartments are tiny.

This is a group photo from our trip to Perge.  Happy bunch of people.

Let me share a few stories:
One couple, facing a progressive illness,  chose to spend their remaining mobility in service to the Lord in a remote area of  Siberia.  Daily functioning isn't easy but they are doing great things and are always optimistic.

Another, having worked really hard for many months in a very temperate area of Russia, establishing close, nurturing relationships with youth and leaders alike, willingly answered the call to relocate to a struggling area in Siberia.  They started all over again, facing great challenges and put their magic to work.  The new area is blossoming under their love and testimony.

Several months ago, we visited an elder in the hospital, here in Moscow, and he looked awful.  This couple had already served over a year and done wonderful work.  Everything indicated he needed to take the advice of the mission doctor which was to accept the thanks of the Lord and go home to his own bed and family.   The plan was to for them to spend some time resting here and then decide what to do.  As soon as they could, he and his wife took the first train back to their Siberian mission area.  They then extended their service time several months.  This elder's health has been stable since and they are building a strong foundation for the church in their city.

In politically charged parts of East Europe, our missionaries are a calming, centering influence on these precious youth.  They are able to keep the young people and their leaders focused on the things that matter most:  the covenants they have made with their Savior Jesus Christ and the joy that is found in faithful service.

We are blessed to serve in Moscow with many other mature missionaries who have other assignments-humanitarian, auditing, legal, member support, office, addiction recovery-lots of opportunities.  Most of us didn't choose our assignments.  We just know the Lord has placed us where we need to be, doing what we needs to be done.  We love and respect these dear missionaries and their service.

One thing that is universal--We are having the best time ever!  This gospel is true and we are blessed to see the joy it brings to so many!!!

Just hangin' out with Paul

This week found us in Antalya, Turkey, which lies on the southwestern Mediterranean coast.  We brought together 20 plus other CES missionary couples.  The purpose of our conference was to share ideas, testimonies, insights and information.  Each one of these CES couples is responsible for furthering the teaching of the youth in East Europe.  Some areas are large, geographically, some smaller and more dense.  More about the conference itself later.

It was a wonderful week.   As part of the learning experience, we were privileged to travel to Perge, an ancient Greek city about 10 miles east of Antalya.  Both Perge and Antalya are mentioned in Acts 13 and 14.

Before our journey to Perge, we spent time reviewing the journeys of Paul and again studying his teachings.  As we then explored the ruins of the ancient city, we could almost imagine that great apostle impatiently striding the length of the main thoroughfares and preaching in the marketplace.

In 46, A.D., Paul and Barnabus journeyed to Perga, from there to Antioch, then back to Perga, where they preached the word of God.  He went from there to Attaleia (Antalya).

In the fourth century, during the reign of Constantine, Perga became an important center of Christianity.  It retained its status as a Christian center through the 5th and 6th century.

As we walked the streets of Perga, we talked of many things we love about Paul.  After the vision by the resurrected Lord, Jesus Christ, Paul dedicated himself to the preaching of the gospel, becoming one of the greatest missionaries in history.  He was instrumental in bringing the gospel to Jew and Gentile alike and in helping them to understand that through Christ they could be unified in faith and love.

Like Joseph Smith, he was true to his vision and acted with unrelenting faith and courage, bearing testimony to a skeptical  world.

The Prophet Joseph Smith described Paul:  

"He is about five feet high, very dark hair, dark complexion, dark skin, large Roman nose, sharp face, small  black eyes, penerating as eternity, round shoulders, a whining voice, except when elevated, and then it almost resembles the roaring of a lion."

As we talked about the many things we learn from the teachings of Paul, one of the things we love most is the tool he gives us to measure the degree to which we are Saints.  He teaches of Faith, Hope and Charity but "the greatest of these is Charity".  (1 Corin 13;13).  The power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ will show through us as we love each other.

Walking among the ruins of Perge, with layer on layer of ancient civilizations, we treasure most our knowledge of this gospel and the teachings of this beloved Apostle.  As with Joseph Smith, his witness was sealed with his blood after having fervently preached the gospel throughout his life.

May we all wear out our lives in service as he did....