Macro/micro & Fun on Red Square

Years ago, our family was enthralled by a museum exhibit showing the micro and the macro.  Before our gaze, we looked at the earth as the camera moved deeper and  deeper, into the very tiny molecules of an object.  After exposing the tiniest element, it reversed.  It began pulling back, farther and farther, rapidly expanding until we were shown the majesty of the universe.  Both revealed important scientific truths. Amazing.

I thought of the micro and the macro this week as we said good-bye to a missionary couple whose service was quite different from ours.  The Lord called them to spend their entire 18 months in a medium -sized Russian city, far away from any larger city or other senior missionaries.  They spent long days building testimonies and serving the needs of a relatively small branch of the church.  This was intense, emotional, faith-building work with mostly new members.  They were also a huge support for the young missionaries.

  They didn't get the fun and support we get from the 30 plus Moscow-based missionary couples.  No hanging out at Red Square every Saturday.  No Bolshoi or inspiring opera, museum tours or folk dancing concerts.  No dinner parties in great restaurants or apartments.  They were in the trenches, supporting, loving, testifying, serving in a very micro way.  They were laying a foundation of strength upon which others will build.  Plus, they worked much harder on their Russian than we have.

We, as I mentioned, are having a different experience.  We love our large, well-organized, highly functioning Zelenograd Ward.  We have made great friendships that we intend to keep forever.  We also travel a lot to fascinating cities, serving other couples like us.  Our service involves a larger focus.  We are more macro.

Is one experience better than another?  I can't say but I did see how Elder and Sister Vandry have engraved themselves on the hearts of these good Saints.  So many tears were shed, on both sides, when they left.

We are all part of the great work of bringing souls to Christ but the work of the Vandrys was very hands-on and they can see tangible proof of their service.  Marriages that were in trouble were on solid footing,  testimonies were built and strengthened.   Temple covenants were made.  Lots of baptisms and lots and lots of teaching and loving.  This is intense, exhilarating and soul-to-soul work.

As we talked with Elder and Sister Vandry, each of us knew that we were where we were supposed to be, doing what the Lord had called us to do.  That is a joyous feeling and we each love our work.

Speaking of Red Square, yesterday afternoon we showed up to see what was going on and stumbled on a fabulous Equestrian show, featuring the Presidential horses and riders.  We had been there days earlier showing another couple around the city and saw them rehearse.  This was the preparation for the whole event!  Beautiful horses and triumphant Russian music.  The performance with the costumes was last night.
So exciting!

We love to check out the GUM, the absolutely fabulous Red Square Shopping center.  The theme changes monthly, featuring beauty and history.  Summer is the feature now and this is what we saw:

I am crazy about watermelon so I was in heaven.  Vintage Russian cars were on display on the gigantic aisles.

We took our ice cream cones outside to people watch.  The wide pedestrian avenues invite Moscovites (and lots of tourists) to stroll, shop and devour lots of ice cream on a hot day.

Stepping inside a charming courtyard, we watched art students sketching.  Moscow is full of fascinating finds.

We finished up with dinner at our favorite outdoor restaurant.  Totally fun day!

Yasnaya Polyana and the Tale of Two Sisters

For those of us who have loved the writings of Leo Tolstoy, an excursion through his beloved plantation, Yasnaya Polyana, near Tula, Russia,  is breath-taking.  Strolling the lanes, breathing the apple-scented air and feeling the musty closeness of his library and study is to go back more than 100 years.  It is not hard to see in our mind's eye  multitudes of children (he and his wife, Sophia, had 13, plus children of estate workers) climbing trees, sledding hills, and racing down the wide boulevards.  Our missionaries were wonderful interpreters and we enjoyed our day with a dedicated missionary couple, Elder and Sister Vandry.

These dear saints of the Zelenograd Ward have become great friends.  Saturday, we enjoyed a lovely "blini" dinner and evening with two wonderful families, united decades ago through the marriage of Galia and Nikolai.  When they married, in 1984, each had a daughter.  Natasha, Galia's daughter was 8.  Nikolai, a widower, had a daughter, Olga, just turned 7.  For the girls, it was sisterhood-at-first-sight.  They bonded instantly and forever.  They spent every moment together and at least on 2 occasions, saved each other from very dangerous situations.

As 15-16 year olds, they shared an excitement and curiosity about the many churches bidding for their attention.  They attended many, each church claiming a corner on "truth".  When a friend of Galia's ask if she knew anyone who would like to hear a message about Jesus Christ from her church, Galia said, "Oh, my daughters are very interested in religions".  An appointment with missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was set but the girls disappeared.  They had heard negative stories about the church and hoped to skip the meeting.  However, they returned with the missionaries still there.

The girls were intrigued by the message and even more by the challenge to pray for themselves about the truth of the message they had been taught.  As they studied and prayed, they knew it was true and were baptized.  Six years later, their parents joined them in making that sacred covenant.

They actively participated in youth seminary and Young Women activities and grew in testimony.  Natasha served a mission and both married in the temple after obtaining university degrees.

As children they had dreamed and planned of their adjoining future homes.  We saw the realization of that dream when we visited their homes.  Large back yards, joined by a wooden fence with a gate that would not be necessary if Natasha's husky dog wasn't so frightened by Olga's 3 cats.  Natasha and her husband, Vladimar have 3 daughters and Olga has 4.  Girls everywhere.  Trampoline covered with dolls and all that go with them.  It is truly a child's wonderland.

As with all of us, life rarely goes according to plan.  Olga is now a single mother and her father, Nikolai lives with her and her girls.  Galia, Natasha's mother,  lives just behind that house with Natasha and Vladimar and their daughters.

The love and support these people give to each other is wonderful to see.  Olga, Natasha, and Vladimar are business partners in a very successful creative company.  They have combined their talents to produce the most beautiful greeting cards I have ever seen.  They work, play, pray and support each other in everything they do.  Because it is a family enterprise, the children are part of the effort and everyone is talking and laughing...all the time.

Olga and Natasha know that they were joined as sisters before this life and they will enjoy that bond forever.

Olga, Galia, Natalia and Vladimar and our fabulous "blini" pancakes.

In spite of her challenges, Olga remains optimistic and happy.  She told me today that it is the gospel of Jesus Christ that brings her such great joy.  She knows God is aware of her and her sweet daughters and that she is being blessed.  This is what sustains each of us.

Elder Pierson with his "buddy", Tonya.  They have so much fun together.

Love vs.fear

I once heard a world famous soprano address a group of university students before her vocal performance.  She explained that there are really only two emotions-love and fear.  As she sang to them, she had a choice, she could allow her motivation  to be  one of fear (what will they think of me?  Am I good enough?   What will this do for my career?).   Or she could be motivated by her great love for them.  As she connected with these young people through beautiful music, it was clear that she was succeeding in her desire to join with them in great love.

I have thought of this many times.  I always have the choice to retreat in fear or go forth boldly in love.  In our missionary service, I am always inspired by these  brave saints who have accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ and have built their lives on a firm foundation of His love.

A member of a Stake Presidency here in Russia, Sasha, shared his conversion story.  At the fall of the Soviet Union, his mother had a great desire to learn about many different religions.  After attending several services, she told her 2 young sons and husband that they needed to go with her to one that had a very different feeling from the others.  They attended and felt "at home" and sensed truth and light .
 Sasha, his brother and mother began meeting with the young LDS missionaries who taught them the gospel.  The young men idolized the missionaries and knew their message was true.  The father wanted nothing to do with it and, in fact, attended the baptism of his wife and sons with a loaded gun in his pocket.  If this "cult" was going to do something terrible to his family, he would be ready.  Seven years later, Sasha's father was ready for baptism himself and the family has continued to grow and serve.  Both sons served faithful missions and are building eternal families.

One of our good friends, Igor,  grew up as the descendant of several generations of highly decorated Russian and Soviet military men.  As the son of a high ranking Soviet Air Force officer, he was in training to become a fighter pilot.   He knew all about American military equipment and was prepared for possible battle.  Things changed after the fall of the Soviet Union and Igor decided to be the first in many generations to pursue opportunities outside of the military.  Now with a lovely wife, Sveta, and a little daughter, he met his first Americans, two missionaries.

Igor recalls that they were the most "worthy and clean" people he had ever met. " I knew I wanted to know what they knew."  He found answers and feelings he had never felt before.  "I felt joy and great hope.  I had peace.  I saw light and something better in the future.  For the first time in my life, I prayed.  I knew it was right."  Igor and Sveta were baptized together and have served in leadership positions for many years.

The love and selfless service of these inspiring missionaries blesses so many others but it changes them as well.  We have been here long enough to see inevitable growth and power and each faithful servant of the Lord experiences.  We also see how they are blessed as they replace fear with great love. \

(On Saturday,We were blessed to be involved with the teaching of three great investigators.)

This week we witnessed a couple of small miracles.  One provided a much-loved elder with badly needed shoes and the other saved me from  total humiliation (and maybe arrest for indecent exposure).

We emailed this story to our children earlier so you guys can skip it if you would like, but I want to record it to make sure I don't forget it.

On Wednesday Elder Pierson looked at his comfy black loafers and realized that he didn't need these shoes.  The image came into his mind of Elder G, who had been in our district but was now who knew where.  We hadn't seen him in weeks.
  Responding to the promptings of the spirit, he packed them with our stuff and we hauled them to the office.  To our surprise, the adjoining office, which houses the Moscow Mission, was bustling with elders and sisters who had arrived for monthly leadership meeting.  There was always- happy Elder G, fresh from the train.
  Elder P invited Elder G into our office and asked him about his shoes.  Elder G.  admitted that his shoes "broke" a few days ago.  He showed Elder P. what he is now wearing in this Moscow heat-his winter boots.

The black dress shoes fit perfectly and are "way comfortable".  He was so excited and so were we!
We all shed tears but Elder G. didn't seem really surprised.  He just hugged Elder P and kept saying, "I just love you guys!"
All of these missionaries have sure knowledge that the Lord is aware of their needs and they will be blessed.

My barely- averted total embarrassment occurred yesterday on the escalator leading to the metro.  Elder Pierson was right behind me and I was madly waving at the attendant (one of our favorites)in the booth at the bottom.  As we were mid-way in our descent, I felt a strong tug on the back of my long knit skirt.  I reached back to pull it up.  To my horror, the escalator was eating my skirt!  Neither of us could yank it loose.  Quick prayers.  As we neared the bottom, my skirt was released from the metal teeth A bit tattered by my modesty was retained.  Miracles are not just for young missionaries.

As I ask the missionaries what miracles they see in their service, they each roll their eyes and admit that they don't know where to start.  There are so many and they happen every single day.  We are each doing our best to serve with love.

Ya znayu, chto Yevangeliye istinno...(I know the Gospel is True)

The first Sunday of each month provides each member of the LDS church the opportunity to fast for 3 meals.  This isn't starvation.  Each of us prays and fasts for a purpose.  It may be personal or family needs or extending outward to  those who have specific concerns. Usually several needs. Fasting and prayer have been a part of the Lord's church since biblical times.  Christ, when asked by His apostles why they couldn't perform a particular miracle, explained that some things can only be affected by fasting and prayer.

A few years ago, my then 90 year old  mother was told by her doctor that she must not fast.  I was visiting and noticed that she was not eating.  When confronted, she sheepishly admitted, "I know but I so want to".  She had seen and felt so much from faithful fasting and prayer.
Forty years earlier, we all witnessed a  miracle.  Doctors had given up on her defective heart.  It had been steadily weakening since her teen age years.  The only option left was to petition the Lord to intervene in our behalf.  Mom's heart was miraculously healed through a family wide fast.  It beat steadily on for another 40 years.

 On this first Sunday, each congregation comes together as fasting, praying saints for a testimony meeting.  We are  given the opportunity to express the power of God in our lives.  It is a time to strengthen our own faith and bless and encourage others.  We are encouraged to bear "pure testimony"; the sure knowledge that God lives, Jesus is the Christ, Joseph Smith restored the gospel to the earth, the Book of Mormon is true and any other truths we have learned through the power of the Holy Ghost.  As we bear testimony, these truths are sealed in our hearts and burned in our souls.  For those who hear, The Spirit of Christ, which each mortal carries, is touched and each of us is strengthened.

Yesterday, in our August testimony meeting, I listened intently to these Russian saints as they, one by one, spoke of the things that were closest to their hearts.  I know just enough Russian to get the gist of some things.

 Over and over, I heard the same phrase, "Ya znau, chto..." (I know that...), followed by "Iisus Khristos zhiv",(Jesus Christ lives), "Dzhozef Smit vosstan"Iovil Yevangeliye Krista (Joseph Smith restored the gospel of Christ", or "Kniga Mormona istinna" (the Book of Mormon is true), etc.

We know most of these saints in the Zelenograd Ward well enough to connect with some of their stories.  There were lots of young people, fresh from Youth Conference,  strengthened in testimony and knowledge.  Young Adults, heading off for their own conference.

Several elderly people, sharing again the joy they found in these later years in the gospel.  My sweet friend, Olga, radiant in faith as she begins a new chapter of her life as a single parent of 4 beautiful daughters.  So many that we love, feeling the hope and peace of the gospel.

Even though I didn't know all that they said, the spirit was the same as any other Testimony meeting I have participated in over my many decades in the church.  I marvel.  How did such mature gospel understanding and application come to these people in 20 short years?

We are here for just 18 months.  How much can anyone really accomplish in such a short time?  But, I realize that we are just building on the teaching and testimony of many, many other missionaries.  It's very much a tag-team relay.  We pick up and do what we can, then the baton is passed   The Lord is truly guiding and building His kingdom from our meager efforts.

I knew the day would come when we would look homeward and I also knew I would not be ready.  A wonderful couple from Ft. Collins, Colorado,  Elder and Sister Goodell, have been called to replace us in a few months.  We still have much to do and we know the timing is right.  How blessed we are to be part of this work!  We see so much happiness in those who truly come to Christ.

This week, we visited another amazing  CES missionary couple who recently arrived in Riga, Latvia. This is the fourth mission for Elder and Sister Atkinson and they have hit the ground running.  It is so inspiring to see how the Lord is using these good people to reach these precious youth.

Riga is a very old, beautiful city.  We fell in love with the magic of Old Town.  It is a city with more statues to poets than generals.  So lovely.

Here in Moscow, our beautiful ladies are out on the "porch" again every evening.  These are jolly, huggy best friends.  They now have a gentleman joining them much of the time.  They all chatter away at us as if we understood them.  We are all laughing but have no idea why. They could be laughing at us and that's just fine. We love them.