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.

Looking backward and forward...Hump Day...

 Missionaries marks the midpoint of a mission with a "Hump" Day.  That is where we are now.   Tomorrow we will have fewer days ahead of us in Russia than we have behind us.  It is sobering.  Are we doing all we can do to help in building the Lord's kingdom?  We know we were called by a Prophet and we are grateful for this experience.

We have done some analyzing, reminiscing and setting goals for our effectiveness in the remaining months.  We are trying not to panic but already we are sensing that we may not achieve all we had hoped to achieve.  Remembering that this is the Lord's work and it is in His hands gives peace.
Some highlights from the last several months stand out.

We didn't really know what to expect but our Russian home was a bit of a shock.  Tiny apartment in high rise.  So strange at first but now we sense the rhythm of this closely packed community.  We recognize many people, wave a lot, call out a "Dobra deen" and hug more than a few.  We can't converse easily but we have found our place and we love these people.

Soon after arriving we were in Dresden at a CES Conference.  We were blessed to attend a 

Freiburg, Germany Temple session, conducted in Russian, with East Europe CES Coordinators and their wives. They are all natives of their countries and are some of the best gospel teachers anywhere.  Knowledgeable, mature testimonies.  Almost all returned missionaries.  The church in East Europe is in good hands.

How blessed we are to join our efforts with this team of Senior Missionaries with various assignments, helping to further the Lord's kingdom.  50 or so couples here in Moscow alone.  Wonderful friends.

Love these faithful young people.  We have lots of fun in Yoga.

We are grateful to know this great family.  Our boss, Sergei, his wife Elena and their children Vadya and Vicka.  Sergei served his mission in London, Elena in Washington, DC.

How we have missed having children on our laps!

We love working with these and over a hundred other inspiring missionaries.  So full of faith and testimony.  

The history and culture of this ancient city continues to fill us with awe.  We still can't believe that the Kremlin is our regular hang out area.

We asked ourselves what we have learned and will carry with us into these months that we have left.  This is what stands out to us:

1.  This really is the Lord's work.  No one can be as close as we have been to the events taking place in East Europe and not be humbled by the daily miracles.

2.  We have been blessed to receive frequent inspiration from the Spirit as we try to move this work forward.  Thoughts, impressions, feelings that are beyond our own abilities.

3. Living the Gospel changes people.  As these good people accept the covenants of baptism and are given the gift of the Holy Ghost, the light grows brighter and brighter.  Happiness bubbles and they want only to stay in that light and love others.  Seeing that happen over and over has been one of our greatest joys.

4.  People of covenant are the same everywhere.  As we travel from one country to another or one city or ward to another, the saints are united in faith and testimony.  We truly are one.

5.  People are so good.  We are in love with these open-hearted Russian people.  We feel their kindness and gentle love for each other.  

6.  For us, the big winner in our mission is our marriage.  We have loved being unified in purpose and building and sharing the challenges and joys of this assignment.  If we hadn't come, we would still have had a good marriage.  I'm not sure it would have been as great as it has become.  Twenty four/Seven has been wonderful!

We are excited to see what the next 9 months will bring!  

This Wonderful Place....

Today we attended a Sacrament Meeting to hear the testimony of another beautiful, faithful Daughter of God, Nadia,  who answered the call of a prophet to serve a mission. There are so many here.
She has been a yoga student of mine since we have been here in Moscow and I love her.  Her identical twin, Luba, is just as wonderful.  Others have described these two as so full of light and spiritual power that just entering the room where they are, you feel it.  Tears come easily.  These two just see, feel, and describe things that the rest of us miss.

As Nadia expressed her thoughts today, she kept returning to the fire of  testimony that burns in her heart.  Her greatest desire is to bring that love to the people the Lord is preparing for her to teach on her mission.  

A few weeks ago, Nadia shared with me the miracles that have allowed her to serve.  She worked for two years to save the necessary funds to serve.  As she prepared for her mission, a family emergency required her to contribute her funds.  Her sister, Luba, was in Utah working for the summer at a restaurant.  

When Luba  received Nadia's email describing the situation, Luba sat down and cried.  A kind man sat down to see if he could help.  Luba tearfully told him that her sister would not be able to serve her mission.  This good Utah man took Luba's information and contacted her later to say that he and his wife would be privileged to pay for Nadia's mission.  Nadia told the man that she would never be able to repay him but God knew what he needed and he and his wife would be blessed.  

Nadia will take the flaming torch of truth to bless the lives of so many.

Many testimonies today focused on the significant events in the region.  The focus of these good people is to bring the Gospel of peace and our Savior's love to soften hearts and create bonds between people.  These people take care of each other.  

An investigator, a bus driver, needed encouragement in her struggle to stop smoking.  At a particularly challenging time, the ward members not only prayed for her but found a way to make sure that she was greeted at each bus stop by a ward member or two or three giving her encouragement that she was going to make it!  It took a lot of people and coordination.  That kind of love is truly serving as the Lord would want us all to serve.

Yesterday found us in another world.  The city of Sergiev Pasad lies within the "Golden Ring", a collection of ancient cities connecting Russians to their past.  We experienced a bit of rural life as we were treated to horse drawn sleighs, cooking hot dogs over a campfire, sledding, sawing logs (don't count on us for your firewood) and the peace of deep woods.

Sergeiv Pasad is the spiritual center of the Russian Orthodox church.  The many cathedrals within it's walls date back to the 14th century.  As we entered these stunning spaces, we sensed the desire of so many people to connect to God.  Seventy years of official atheism failed to destroy the spiritual yearning that all people feel.  As we entered the ornate cathedrals, we reminded ourselves that  growth comes line upon line, precept on precept.  

There is a story near the end of the Book of Mormon that fascinates me.  The hero of this saga has the very impersonal handle of "The Brother of Jared".  Apparently his given name was  long and  complicated so the B of J was easier.  Anyway, the B of J was chosen by God to cross the water and lead his people to a new land of promise.   The Lord got him started in teaching him how to build the necessary water crafts to carry the people, animals, etc. but when it came to light and air, God asked the B of J to stretch himself and come up with some ideas.

 He comes up with some brilliant ideas, including taking some stones and asking God to touch the stones, illuminating them, to light the ships.  The Lord is very pleased and not only touches the stones one by one but, in the process, the faith of the B of J is increased to the point that he actually sees God, not all at once but first the finger that touched the stones, then the entire person.

I love this story for many reasons but one principle that it teaches me is the need to be patient in our journey back to our Heavenly Father.  I found this in my scripture journal.  Unfortunately, I neglected to record the source or the date.

Truth May Be Revealed in Stages
"Just as the Brother of Jared was given only a small view of the Savior, it was none the less true.  We may see just a part of a doctrine or event, but it is still true.  We must never discard what we know to be true just because we don't see the whole picture.

The Lord touched each tone individually.  The faith of the Brother of Jared was proven with each stone touched."

May we be true to the light we are given....