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.

How Moscow Moves

This city of 15 million people or so would could not function without this fabulous metro system.  We spend a lot of time, along with most people here, finding our way on the train.  Occasionally, we are driven someplace in a car and we are always amazed that this is the same city we only see from below.  Those who navigate the crazy, traffic-clogged streets are subjected to jarring horns, lanes that are formed at the moment and, I would think, jangled nerves.  I'm not sure they get anywhere any faster than we do.

 Last week we attended a weekly meeting of missionary couples in central Moscow.  We rode on the metro with the office couple who are our nearest neighbors.  After the meeting, a couple  who have a car offered us a ride  I needed to stay to teach a yoga class but the Meilstrups took them up on the offer. We got on the metro about 90 minutes later and still got home faster than the car riders.
Lots of advantages to not owning a car.  We see so many interesting people!  Lots of variety in Nationalities, income level, age, mobility-some of everything.  We often see tottering ancient babushkas shuffling unsteadily with their canes.  I used to fear for them but I have noticed that space is  reverently made for them.  Somehow, with this sea of jostling humanity, no one ever seems to run into each other.  I don't know how.

The metro stations are mini-museums.   They are all different and most are equally stunning.  We thought we would fill you in on some of the beauty we see daily.

The Moscow metro system is the second busiest in the world (second to Seoul, Korea).  It carries about 9 million people daily.  When conceived and constructed, beginning in 1935, it was with the intention if not just moving people, but showing visitors what the Soviet Union was capable of creating.  Stalin put his best architects to work and the results are wondrous.  Each line is identified by a number and a color.  Thankfully, most signs are in Russian and English.  A male voice announce the next stop if you are moving toward the city center and a female voice is heard if you are moving away.  The one at the bottom is honoring the revolution.  Tons of bronzed soldiers.  The one with the dog is special.  As people pass, most will rub the dog's nose for good luck.  We feel blessed to be part of this ever-moving city.

Each of the 188 metro  stops is unique but they are spic and span.  Moscovites are justly proud of their metro system.

Our Perfect Missionaries

Last Tuesday our 6 district missionaries were rewarded for their 3 weeks of observance and love for the guidelines of the mission with a culture night. They are super missionaries but for 3 weeks they were "perfect". They chose the opening night of the Bolshoi opera.  Through the efforts of a wonderful friend in the area office, tickets were obtained at a nominal cost.  We hosted them at a Russian restaurant and the evening was memorable.  Beautiful warm Moscow night. The opera, "The Queen of Spades" by Tchaikovsky,  was beyond beautiful.  Of course very few opera plots make a whole lot of sense but the sets were creative and sumptuous, the music was glorious, and these wonderful missionaries were, as always, inspiring with their goodness and joy.  We had to say goodbye to 2 of them that night as they were transferred on Thursday.  We love these precious representatives of the Lord.

We experience daily the sustaining power of the spirit in doing what we can to help this beautiful gospel to come into the hearts and minds of the young people in East Europe.  Our focus is to help them come to Christ and we are united with dedicated missionaries, leaders, and coordinators who love and serve the youth.  We are spending more time at our desks than we anticipated but we know this is where we can serve best now.  Our missionaries all over this wide expanse are doing admirable work.  We try hard to encourage them, hold their  hands, come up with ideas, counsel when needed and applaud a lot.  

We are finding that we wiser, more knowledgeable and insightful than we really are .  We know this isn't really us, we are only tools for the Lord to bless others.  Our "tender mercy" list is updated daily, sometimes hourly. We are given what we need for that moment.

 There are no coincidences.  We are blessed and are more grateful than we can ever express.  I'm attaching a picture of a conference with the coordinators from 13 different countries.  What faithful, talented, loving priesthood holders. All wise beyond their years. The church in East Europe is in great

 hands

We are well, happy and grateful.  

Steeped in History

We are  reminded daily how much has happened and continues to happen here.  Last week was the annual International band festival at Red Square.  Bands from all over the world, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, China, England, and many others performed.  The finale of the nightime performance, all of the bands were on the field, over a thousand strong.  They played Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture.  I had to brush up on my history and I found that he wrote the piece about 60 years after the event. it is a musical depiction of Napoleans invading army.  The much smaller Russian army was joined by citizens but they were greatly outnumbered by the French.  The Czar called on the citizens of Russia to pray.  They  burned much of the city of Moscow to deny the invaders food and winter quarters.  The music includes the battle, Russian folk hymns and the french La Marsellaise.  All of that is brought into the piece.  The booming of the 5 cannons, lights on St. Basils, which Napolean fully intended to destroy was chilling.  So amazing to be here.

We are even more impressed with the example and testimonies of these wonderful people, many still so young in years and experience in the gospel.  A group of our young adult friends were traveling to a distant city (they are all distant cities).  Transportation delays caused them to arrive after all of the public transportation was shut down.   They could not afford a taxi and were without means to get to the hotel where they had reservations.  As it happened, one of the group was acquainted with a wonderful priesthood leader, an Area Seventy, who lived in this city.  He called him and he said, "Okay, I will come get you, but it is going to cost you.  Not in money, but it you will pay."
 As he drove them to the hotel, he explained the fee.  He committed each of them to read the Book of Mormon in 3 weeks, looking specifically for references to "the Power of God".  As they discovered that power and what God is capable and willing to do for each of us, they then would write an essay and send the essay to him.  This wonderful man was deep into his own scripture study when the call came from the stranded youth so he was inspired to challenge them.
The young people are about halfway through their reading and each of them is receiving individual revelation on what God can do for them.  We see powerful teaching every day here.

We are enjoying a sweet friendship with a dear Russian family.  Sergei is our boss, also our bishop and his darling wife, Elena is a yoga buddy.  We finally have children climbing all over us.  We have so missed it.  These lively girls, ages 8 and 4 are adorable.  We love having them for dinner and applauding the children's newest tricks.

We feel so blessed to have this opportunity to serve and help build the Lord's kingdom here in East Europe.  This gospel is so true.  We know that through Jesus Christ's atonement,  we can learn and grow and live with Him and be with our dear family forever.  That is all that matters. 

Sometimes you just know...

The circumstances don't matter but an incident occurred this week that allowed us to know, perhaps more strongly than we have yet, that we are exactly where we need to be, doing what we need to do. 

A major part of our assignment is to be a connection between the Moscow CES office, the area coordinators and the 20 plus CES missionary couples who are assigned to help the youth in major cities throughout the East Europe area.
A situation has been building that could have ended with hurt feelings, blaming, and stagnation in the work that is so important to everyone in the area involved.  It was no one's fault but differences in language, culture and expectations were all factors.

 We prayed for guidance and inspiration as we met with the parties involved.  We began with a prayer and hearts began to soften.  We heard the explanations on all sides and the spirit was sweet.  Elder Pierson began to draw on his years of experience in the church and managing people.  He's good but this wisdom was beyond him.  I said some things I hadn't thought of before. It was wonderful to feel that we could really help.  Having gone through some of these same things and having experienced many of these same feelings, we could connect and help them through.  The words from the book of Esther kept going through my mind, "for such a time as this."

 We all felt the healing power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We are going to stay more closely involved with these good people as we all pursue common goals in helping this work move forward.

 I know that is true for each of us.  We are exactly where we are supposed to be, doing what we need to do.    Sometimes we are blessed with a confirmation of that fact.

More events this week. Wonderful baptism of a dear woman we love.  Happier than she has ever been.  She exudes goodness and commitment to the gospel.

These sweet biological sisters, who we have also grown to love, are leaving within a week of each other for their missions.  Mature and strong in testimony and joy, they are examples of all of the young people we work with here.  Missions are huge in their lives.  They have served, are serving, or are on their way. They are faithful and strong.  We are so blessed to be in service with them.