No Unhallowed Hand...

In the LDS church, we believe in the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon and scriptures revealed to prophets in relatively recent  times.  As a matter of fact, as a worldwide church, we will hear from living prophets next weekend in satellite broadcasts.  These occur every 6 months.  We will all listen, dissect and hopefully apply counsel that we receive.

In the early days of the Restoration of the church, Joseph Smith, in the midst of his own persecution, received this divine guidance:

"The Standard of Truth has been erected.  No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing.  Persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly and independent till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done."

In some ways, these are not easy times for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Eastern Europe.  Political difficulties, discouragement, distractions, and those who have given up on religion altogether make it hard for the truth of the gospel to touch hearts.  Distrust of a church centered in America stops some from hearing the message.

 In others ways, this is the best of times.  Those who have embraced the gospel with all of their hearts and "yielded to the enticings of the Holy Ghost" are finding joy and strength.  They support and love each other and live the gospel the best they can.

These are just a few of the many, many saints we love who have chosen to follow the Savior and His Church.

The wonderful women in the Richnoy Ward Relief Society.

Lots of faithful  young people who are choosing to marry in the temple and raise their children in the covenant.

Some of our best friends, Vladimar and Natasha who have built a very successful business creating and selling  beautiful greeting cards.  Both served missions, Vladimar in Arizona and Natasha in Rostov, Russia.  Their 3 girls are being raised in the light of the gospel.

This week we had the fun of serving lunch to some of the missionaries in the Moscow mission.  They are truly some of the Lord's best.  They work so hard and they are so happy!

Quick stock tip--Missionaries go through TONS of Papa John's pizza!  It is alive and well in Russia.  Just spelled very strangely.

Misha is one of the many great gospel teachers we have enjoyed learning from here in E. Europe.
Their testimonies are seasoned, mature and guided by the spirit.  The youth love them.

These Russians are also very funny.  This is Natasha (one of about 15 we know) with our 90 yr. old darling, Tyeshya. Natasha speaks English and often interprets for me.  Today I told her how CHIC she is.  She always looks so great so I make kind of a fuss.  Later on, I noticed her matching shoes and, of course, gushed over those.  That was too much.  She looked me in the eyes and said, "DROP IT!"
I do tend to go to extremes.  Russians do laugh a lot and they make it so fun for us!!

Today in Sacrament meeting, the last of 4 speakers had the task of keeping the congregation with him as he taught gospel truths.  It was a battle as the babies were cranky, the room was hot and the meeting was already going long.  All of that changed as he bore testimony of the reality of our Savior Jesus Christ and His gospel, the role played by the Prophet Joseph Smith in the restoring of divine authority and the truth of ongoing revelation from our current prophet, Thomas S. Monson.  A peace settled on the congregation, everyone felt the truth of what he taught.  We all joined in the strength of testimony.

No unhallowed hand...

Joy in Siberia

The climate in Moscow is rarely described as temperate but compared to Siberia, it is pretty mild.
Even at this, the autumnal equinox, the leaves are changing color and there is a briskness to the air.
It is invigorating and beautiful.

 We ventured to Novosibirsk (New Siberia), the capital of the oblast (state) to meet with several of our CES missionary couples.  They serve in cities all around the area.  Some were on the train for 12 hours one way to get to Novosibirsk.  They are great people who love the youth.  They came to teach and to be taught.  They are inspiring and always happy.

In Novosibirsk, we met some wonderful young people.  We spent time with Victor, a fine young man who is leaving in just a few days for his mission training in Madrid, Spain.  After a few weeks of preparation, he will head off for his two years of service to the Lord in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine.

 Aleksandr (Sasha), the CES Coordinator for the area, who was also our host for the conference, told us about Victor, an impressive young man, before we met him.  Victor has completed his undergraduate education plus two years of military service. In the army,  he was assigned to a very prestigious special forces unit, where he served with distinction.  Sasha has known Victor and his family for years and he shared another amazing fact.  A few years ago, Victor was run over by a street car and was given up for dead.

Sasha became concerned when Victor, always on time for Seminary, failed to arrive.  Sasha was his teacher.  He tried Victor's cell phone 3 times before a doctor answered and told Sasha what had happened.  Sasha led his seminary students in prayer for Victor, then they all headed for the hospital.  Sasha and Victor's mother were allowed to see the comatose Victor.  Sasha and another priesthood leader used their priesthood power to bless Victor.  At the end of the prayer, they heard a deep "Amen" from the patient.  From that time forward, Victor amazed everyone by his recovery.  The first thing he asked for when he regained consciousness was to have someone read from the book of Alma in the Book of Mormon.  He devoured scripture in the ensuing months as he completely recovered.  The always-obedient and kind "good boy" became a man of great maturity.   He and Sasha share an eternal bond.

Sasha, himself, has a wonderful story.  He is the first in 4 generations, on each side of his family to  follow a non-military career path.  Growing up as a descendant of several generations of highly-decorated Russian and Soviet military men, Sasha's focus, even as a boy was to learn to battle Americans, even though he had never met one.  As a young husband and father, he was also training at the Russian Air Force Academy to become a fighter pilot.

All of that changed when he answered a knock at his door and for the first time met two Americans, young Mormon missionaries.  As he and his beautiful wife, Yulia, learned the truths of the gospel, they knew it was all true.  Now the parents of 6 children (very unusual in Russia), they are beacons of faith and testimony to so many in Siberia.  Sasha is not only employed by the church to guide the youth in religious studies but he is also president of the Novosibirsk district, one of the largest in the world, geographically.  He and his family are tireless and happy workers as they help build the Lord's kingdom in Siberia.

We were delighted when we arrived for church on Sunday in Novosibirsk to be greeted by "our Nadya", now Sis.Koshelevana, serving the Lord as one fabulous missionary.  Nadya and her twin sister, Luba, are dear to us.   Luba is still here in Moscow, working away and  supporting family. They miss each other a lot but both are faithfully serving.
When we saw Nadya in church, we all cried.    Nadya said she thinks that this is how it will be in the world to come as we greet and love those we have missed for so long.  We so love both of these amazing girls.

We enjoy working in a spotlessly clean, well-ordered office, thanks in large part to this gorgeous lady, Svetlana.  She is a wonder in so many ways.  This morning she was beaming even more, having returned from a week serving in the Helsinki, Finland temple.  In her limited English and with eyes brimming with tears she described the love that she and her 10 traveling companions  experienced with the Finnish saints in the temple.

 Her hands clasped over her heart as she said over and over, "Such much love, Such much love".  Sveta's true home is in the temple and she finds her way there at least monthly.  This is not easy for a single woman on a meager salary.  Her light of testimony is a blessing for all of us. (By the way, she loves her Michigan T-shirt.  We promised her if she will visit us in America, we will take her to Michigan.)

We are eternally blessed to learn from these spectacular Russian saints!

Now a happier way to remember Nov. 11 /Clock scientists?

Darling Charles Spencer Pierson made his entrance into the world on Nov. 11 with a minimum of fuss.   Spencer and Kellie have always wanted a large family.  It seemed that might be difficult as Charlie's older sisters  were delivered by Caesarean section.  Patience, prayer and Kellie's great physical condition won out and little Charlie slipped into this world without a hitch.

With both grandmothers out of the country on missions, the young folks were helped out by neighbors and family.  To Spencer's mom, this sweet baby is the image of his father, born almost 30 years earlier.  When you want to hear the story of how I "lied" to get him out of the hospital with me, I am happy to share.

These are the times it is very tough to be away.  We will see this sweet one in just a few months.  With Kellie's parents leading the mission in Guam/Micronesia, they won't be back for 3 years.  Such consecrated service.

In the hospital, Spencer and Kellie were among friends.  Spencer is in the second year of his OB residency at the U of Utah Hospital so this is where he spends most of his time, delivering babies.  Fun for the two of them  to experience the place as consumers.  

Almost weekly, we are welcoming several new missionary couples into their service in East Europe.  If they fly through Moscow, we meet them at the airport and try to keep them on their feet until their connecting flights later in the day taking them to their destinations.  It is fun for us to spend time with these wonderful people.  We are impressed with their goodness and testimony.  I am thrilled that the Lord continues to send these amazing people to bless the lives of our precious young people.  

Yesterday in our Zelenograd ward,  we met a couple of fascinating, faith-filled scientists.  I suppose the only place I would encounter  atomic clock physicists is in church.  The head of the American association of space and time is David Allen, a Mormon, and his counterpart in Russia is Leonid.  The two first met in 1998 at a Paris conference.  As they became friends, Dr. Allen felt impressed to give Leonid a copy of the Book of Mormon.  The two corresponded and Leonid accepted the gospel. Dr. Allen came to Russia for Leonid's baptism.  He also accompanied Leonid as he made further covenants in the Kiev temple.  In pursuit of his family history, Leonid met Dr. Allen in the San Diego Family history center where he filled out 20 family group sheets.  In yesterday's Sacrament meeting, these two world leaders in their field each bore testimony of the reality of God and His plan for each of us.  They see science and faith supporting each other.

Their connection is deep and eternal, truly best friends.  They love being together and laugh a lot.  Dr. Allen is here in Moscow, at Leonid's invitation,  to address the international convention of scientists who study all that stuff.  I can't wrap my brain around any part of what they do.  As they tried to explain it to us in church yesterday, it's something about slicing the second into billionths, quadrillionths and even smaller.  This precision has led to things like GPS and cellular communication.  Dr. Allen has written a book for the rest of us, bringing together his love and belief in science and the gospel.   The title, of course, "It's About Time".  To him, the promises that the Lord made in D&C 122 are being fulfilled.  Such a great story.

Another fun picture before our sweet children left us last week.

Visit by 3 More Piersons & Russians never fail to surprise...

Where did our week go?  We so looked forward to the visit of Jedd, Adam and his sweet wife, Cassie and I don't think it could have been better (we would love to have had darling Marcie accompany Jedd.   Maybe when the boy's are a bit older.)   These three  hit the ground running and didn't let jet lag or the never-ending metro rides and jostling crowds slow them down.  Concerts, tours, even a balancing contest on the lurching green line.  Lots of talk and tons of laughter.  Our children are very funny.  Great memories!

From the airport we carried on with our Sunday.  We came home to a much quieter apartment.  As we began dinner,  we heard a sudden pop, pop from the oven and found fuses blown all over the kitchen.  We called Misha in San Francisco, the English speaking son of the owners of our apartment.  He talked to his parents and before we knew it they appeared at our door with an electrician who immediately took charge.  He pulled out the stove and went to work.  

We love Claudia and Victor and love their apartment.  We get the best stuff from them!  Even on short notice, Claudia arrived with chocolates from Paris and a huge jar of her fabulous home grown raspberry jam,.  They have a gigantic garden and orchard on their property 5 K to the west of us.  We have enjoyed bushels of apples, crates of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, zucchini and sweets of every kind.

Victor speaks some English.  Claudia about as much as we speak Russian.  We smile, laugh at each other's attempts and hug a lot.We did the usual game of charades, trying to talk to each other while Boris, the electrician worked away.  We reached an impasse in conversation as our  Russian failed us.  Victor, with compassion offered, "No problem!  Russian is very....very.... and he was stumped.  He could not think of the word.  A deep bass voice from the depth of the oven called out, "DIFFICULT!"  Who would have guessed that the stern faced older working man in the overalls speaks perfect English!  After a short conversation our problem was fixed  and Boris was on his way. You never know!

Had-a-sho, Had-a-sho! (All is well, All is well!)

By definition, a pioneer is someone who moves into unfamiliar territory.  It may be a new land, new techniques or new beliefs and lifestyle.
Saturday evening, we had the joy of watching dozens of young people celebrating their own "pioneering".  They gathered together to kick off the coming year of institute study.  They will be delving into the Doctrine and Covenants, modern day scripture, and learning about the history of our
church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We believe that the Lord's church was restored to the earth by Christ himself.  We are blessed to be guided by continuing revelation.

The amazingly gifted youth re-created scenes, songs, games, food and scenery recalling events that happened 9,000 miles and 165 years ago.   The Mormon pioneers trekked across several states, withstood deprivation of every kind, forsaking homeland, often family and what comforts they had been used to.  All to follow the faith they knew was true.  The moved forward with faith, setting a foundation for a mighty work.

Similarly, these young people are forging a new path.  Even those whose parents embraced the gospel are establishing a strong base for the church in Russia.  They are doing exactly the same work as those pioneers in far away America.  We are blessed to know them and are excited and confident of their ability to move through their own challenges and those the church may face in the future.  They are clear-eyed, confident happy people.

They had "hand carts", covered wagons, prairie dresses and bonnets (one young friend came into the church with bits of linen haphazardly sewn together.  In frustration she turned it over to me.  She had no idea what a pioneer bonnet is supposed to look like and I have made about a million.  It was fun to help her out.

Inspiring to hear them sing with all of their hearts the Pioneer anthem, "Come, Come, Ye Saints" with the rousing chorus, "Ha Da Sho! (All is Well)"  We love these kids!
And Adam, Cassie and Jedd made it to Moscow!   Fun times ahead!

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.