We are thrilled to welcome several more couple to their service as church education missionaries here in East Europe. They come with experience, testimony and love in their hearts for the young people of the church. We are doing our best to greet them at the airport, show them around Moscow or let them rest a bit before their connecting flight. We then let them get settled in their new environments before our orientation visit. These are instant friends and inspiring people. It's an exciting process and we are doing our best to keep up.
Two week ago, Elder David A. Bednar and his wife, Susan, visited the Moscow Stake. After many hours of teaching all of us missionaries, Elder Bednar asked each one to consider what we each observed, learned and felt in the sacred meeting. We were then asked to consider what we would now do with this new understanding. Each of us felt the power of the Holy Ghost bearing witness of the truth of the Gospel of Christ and our part in helping to build His kingdom.
A few hours earlier, we had put 3 of our children on the plane to America and I missed family terribly but at that moment, I knew that I was in the right place, doing what I was supposed to be doing. I am so grateful for that knowledge.
The following day a beautiful luncheon was hosted for all of the wives of the visiting authorities and us senior sister missionaries. Sis. Bednar, Sis. Causse and the wives of the area presidency were gracious and very funny. Sis. Bednar, in front of me, is bending her knees a lot. She really isn't that short but she wanted us in the picture.
One circumstance has become just a bit awkward for me. I have met my twin! Sweet Sis. Steele, from Arizona, arrived a few months ago and we kind of looked strangely at each other as if in some Hayley Mills movie. Same size, basic features pretty close, even same weird husband-done hair cut, colored about the same. Jewelry big and showy. Hands flying as we speak. Spooky. It is taking me some time to get used to it.
She, obviously more secure in herself, thinks it's the greatest thing ever and grabs my arm wherever we go. I am drawing the line at matching outfits.
She says people come up to her all the time and tell her they are interested in yoga. She just smiles and says, "That's nice". This is the fourth mission for the Steeles so they have learned to relax and enjoy the experience. We are learning a lot about service from all of these wonderful friends.
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