1/17/2016 Weather, Roof Ice, Self-Reliance, Brightly Beams

       It has been a busy week, but not many fun pictures.  It snowed off and on during the week which generally makes it easier to walk because we are walking on crunchy snow instead of ice.  (We started this blog last night and have probably another 6-8 inches and it is still snowing.)  Both of took our first fall this week, neither with any side effects, except maybe a bit of embarrassment.  You feel awkward anyway, and to add to that, as I was trying to get up with Mike helping me, I realized the reason it was hard was because I was kneeling on my skirt.

 An interesting ice pattern in front of this car, like three little castles, not sure where it came from

 Playground in our parking lot, 

 The walking street

 the snowflakes during this snow were like tiny pieces of paper.

         Elder Meredith wrote of the dangers of the ice that slides off the roofs here - "this week we were walking down the street when i saw warning tape blocking the path ahead of us.   people would duck under the tape and continue along the "forbidden path."  i wondered why it was blocked off so i looked around and then up.  just above the sidewalk was the overhang of a really high roof.  on that roof was about 3 feet of snow waiting fall off.  it had equally long icicles. the people were unaware of the danger just above their heads. the tape, which seemed to be restricting their path was meant to protect them. in 1 Peter 5:8 it reads "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." that is a a frightening verse because, as members of the church, we fully recognize that there is an adversary who seeks our eternal destruction. he seeks to make all men miserable like unto himself."  (Elder Meredith served with us here in Saratov)

It teaches the same lesson as  Elder Von G. Keetch's story in his October 2015 General Conference talk (Blessed and Happy Are Those Who Keep the Commandments) about the surfers who were complaining about the heavy mesh barrier across the entrance of the bay that kept them from getting out to the big waves until a local surfer handed them binoculars so they could see the dorsal fins of the big sharks feeding on the other side of the barrier.  How true the children's song .. Keep the commandments, in this there is safety and peace.

 Elder and Sister Jackson were here this past week.  They are the Europe East area advisers for Self Reliance, working out of the Moscow Office.  The church's concern is that members know how to take care of themselves spiritually and temporally and the saints here are interested in being able to do that.  They introduced the program in the Saratov area last Sunday and will start classes that go for twelve weeks. There are three sections to choose from.  One covers principles, skills and habits, then there is one on finding a job and the third is on starting your own business.  The Church never ceases to amaze us at the many areas they help in - always helping people to help themselves.

The Jacksons and our native Russian missionary.

          An interesting side story.  This is the Jackson's second mission.  About eight years ago, they served a 23 month mission to Russia Rostov mission.  As we do now, they had to go out of the country every three months to renew their visas.  They had gone out for three visa trips, and when the fourth rolled around, decided they were tired of hauling suitcases around, so took just one bag between the two of them with barely enough to cover the two days.  

        At the border they were delayed, and it took them and the two elders with them several hours to get through, but they were finally cleared   They went on, stayed overnight and went to the temple the next morning, then headed back to the border where they were delayed again,  but longer this time. Finally the elders were cleared, their visas were stamped and they were sent on, but the Jacksons were told they could not go back into Russia. Those that handle those problems in the mission office and the area office went to work while the Jacksons spent spent ten days in a motel.  Their mission president went to their apartment and gathered a few more of their things and brought them out to them.   It was not a solvable problem, apparently they had been put on some sort of list and couldn't get back in the country for 5 years.  They did get one more suitcase and their mission president brought more of their things back when he completed his mission, but some of the things they just had their president give out to the members there.

      So with about four months left on their mission, they were assigned to Georgia, which is a small country between Turkey and Russia.  They had been there almost two months and were headed to a conference when they got word that Georgia was being bombed, that was about 2008.  They went back and although they wanted to stay to help the saints there, the church wouldn't allow it because of the danger and evacuated them with all the other missionaries. Determined to finish out their twenty-three months, they were assigned to the Czech Republic for the the last couple of months.

       We also met the new Europe East Area audit couple - the Henriksons. 

They just happened to be here the same time as the Jacksons, so Monday we all got together and went to the new Mexican Restaurant that opened several months ago.  In fact, we are both thinking it was Sister Leavitt and her companion who discovered it.  It isn't like the Mexican food at home, but it is still very good.  They make their own tortillas for their tacos and burritos and also make "homemade" nachos from those tortillas, which come free with their chicken steak or regular steak which is also tender and good.  The manager even speaks pretty good English so it is always fun when he is there.  We have permission to take a companionship to dinner if one of them is leaving the Saratov District, so we have been in there several times and he recognizes us.

The three of us all had on the big black coats - and as we were walking across the icy streets, we were accused of looking like like three penguins.

When we were looking up some tabernacle choir music we found this short video from Music and the Spoken Word that tells how the song Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy came about.  We like the song and the message.  It is short enough the kids will like it too.  (Looks like these aren't those "click ons" but "copy/pastes"  - sorry about that - but still worth it to watch :)  
                                http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo1fCdVFvGY

It also reminded us of President Packer's story, happier ending, in his October 2012 talk on The Atonement when they were unable to get into a harbor because the lower lights weren't on.          https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/the-atonement?lang=eng  

          Seems as time winds down, the wheels spin faster and we realize how much there is to do before we leave.  The "bless the missionaries" prayers that you and your children offer certainly have been answered in the blessings that have come to us, and we are grateful to you and to our Father for what this Saratov experience has added to our lives.

1/10/2015 Russian New Year, Armenian Dinner, Nutcracker, Gratitude

      Correction from last week - it is Father Frost and the Snow Maiden, not Father Christmas.  He used to be in blue, and we suspect it is the Santa Claus influence that has changed him to red.  But the spirit of Christmas and giving is the same.

          The Russian New Year is family time, more like our Christmas.  On New Year's Eve, family gathers and often close friends are included.  It isn't a shopping day - hardy any stores of any kind are open for either New Year's Eve or New Year's Day.  The celebration includes decorating a tree, if that hasn't been done before.  They have an unhurried evening meal with a wide variety of favorite and traditional dishes.   The New Year is welcomed in with cheers and songs
.  Then, they all try to stay up all night playing games, watching movies and talking.  Even the little children stay up as long as they can.  Gifts are opened after midnight.  Then, New Years Day itself, no surprise, is spent sleeping and relaxing.  Food that can stay out, is left on the table so if the children, or anyone else, wake up early, they have food without someone having to fix it.

Finally,plenty of fireworks at most major parks.  Last year they continued off and on until almost 4:00 a.m.  This year only until about 1:00.  The people here said it was because of the economy.  The ruble was at 30 when we got here, now it is staying in the high 60's, not good for the Russians. 

 We were invited to dinner at Sergei and  Anaits.  [We have pictures in a previous blog from when we were over there to order the Matroshka Dolls.]  They are of Armenian descent, where their families still live, but they are Russia citizens.  She is known not only for the Matroshka, but for her great cooking.  They had invited a couple of other members, the daughter is one of our Institute youth.  The mom is just as fun and pleasant as she looks - also is a very strong member.  She has always gone out of her way to give me a hug when we are in their branch or at activities.  Interesting what a bond there can be even with no verbal communication..

She fixed a traditional New Year's meal - plenty and a variety of food.  We started with bread, cheese, sliced meat, dried fruit (from their trees and garden) and the signature potato salad they make for New Years.  She had two kinds of pastries which she makes.  They make their own "compote" which is a drink from berries and fruit again from their garden which are sweet enough she doesn't use much sweetening.  It is yum, and always first choice of the missionaries.  She also served juice and soda, the teenager chose the 7-Up.

Then she brought out a couple of Armenian/Russian dishes [the pictures don't do them justice.]  Thee one on the left is a meat dish wrapped in cabbage and then boiled.  The one on the right is another meat dish wrapped in leaves they gather from their garden early in the summer "while they are tender".  Everything was good - Mike even liked it enough to have seconds.

         You can see below a set of the matroshka she had painted but not glazed that were in the shelves behind the table.  There are some others behind this one that are in various stages. We asked her how she got into the painting.  She had a good job, but lost it and was praying about something she could do.  She had always enjoyed drawing and did very well in that at school, the idea came for this, and she felt that was the direction to go.  It has evolved into a good business for her, she was able to stay home and raise their three children, and she feels it has also brought happiness to a lot of people - we agree.  She did a very big one for one for President Russel M Nelson, who for many years has been involved in the growth of the church in this area.   There were 30 nesting dolls.

The fruit here is amazing as is their fruit juices.  We've never tasted better pears.  

They are both lively and fun - devoted, active members since 2002 who give their all in serving.  He has served as a branch president a couple of times and she in several auxiliaries.  We met them early in our mission and will be friends we stay in touch with.  

        We checked off one item on our bucket list, well maybe my bucket list, but Mike enjoyed it much more than he thought he would - Seeing Nutcracker, and the plus to that was seeing in Russia performed by one of their professional groups.  The music is great and familiar, especially the second act.  Our first grade teacher, LaVerne Crandall,  loved classical music and even in small Snowflake, Arizona, thought it was important that we learn to recognize and enjoy it.  She would go into every classroom (only eight - one for each grade) every week and have us listen to different pieces and we had to learn the composer and name and be able to identify them when we heard them .. that part is gone from my memory, but I do remember and love the music we learned from her.  

The theater is about two hundred years old, so it is very ornate - it is old, but they take very good care of it.  There are nice paintings at the corners, you can see part of one just below.

 This is the center chandelier 

 Our view of the stage and the box seats on the side

 You can see that the chairs are old style, but in good repair.  They don't replace carpeting and chair upholstery often, but they keep everything clean and nice, which is maybe even better than if everything was new.

 You can see the four tiers of seats, pretty impressive.  Through the end of December and first part of January, they had a lot of performances of Nutcracker - and to a sold out crowd always.

A couple of pictures from the internet - one of the front and one of the inside when it was newer, a gold curtain instead of the red they have now, but it will give you a better idea of the building.

Outside of the building

Detail at the top - again it always looks older when you see it in person ... now there's a thought, I wonder if we'll look older when you see us in person.

They had a pre-show for the kids that was really fun - great Russian children's music.  It was a new twist on our gingerbread man - their Kolobok - that gets away from the babushka and daedushka (grandmother and grandfather) that the animals try to eat.  But they changed it so Kolobok doesn't get eaten and they all become friends and lead the children in cheering to show they believe in Father Frost, so he will come.  Below is Kolobok (Russian pie/bread), Snow Maiden, rabbit, fox and bear, all with exceptional voices.  The music is lively and the dances they do are fun to watch.

 the last of it involved having Father Frost and the Snow Maiden come, just like we have Santa Claus.  You can see the pack over his arm - a few are chosen for the gifts,  All get a good treat.

They also have a huge New Year's tree. We also have "trees" from the pre-show standing with us.  Here is a link Lina sent me with a Russian animated take-off that combines Cinderella and Nutcracker.  If you have time to watch it, you will enjoy it.  It is just music and the pictures so you don't have to know Russian.  

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKozhQNYCLI

Maxim and Lina went with us .. they still come on Saturday's when they can for the English Discussion Group - also both have finished their first class in Pathway for BYUI.

We walked home after -- winter is here -- it is cold, but it is beautiful.

 

The last block - long block - before home.

       It is a busy time, and we are grateful for that.  Our mission is one of a few missions that is piloting a new program for the Europe East missions where the missionaries get in touch with inactive and less active members and make appointments to reteach the regular missionary lessons hoping that will bring back the enthusiasm of their new member years.  The problem is that some of them don't want to meet, but the missionaries feel if they just keep with it, they will have results.  Apparently it has worked well in other countries.        

        We continue to meet with Institute, Single Adults and Mid-Single Adults.  The CES director asked Mike to teach the lesson for Institute last week, with the help of  missionary translators, which he enjoyed.  We help on lessons with the missionaries, sometimes they bring them to the apartment, sometimes we meet down at the office.  We try to have people over to dinner every couple of weeks and occasionally are invited;  sometimes the missionaries bring a family up for a spiritual thought from them and treats from us, or they take us with them to a FHE appointment.   

        We still attend the Sunday block in two branches - now wards and Mike does his clerk work during the SS and Priesthood time of the first.  On Fridays we have two different missionary districts meet in our apartment for their District Meetings, 1:00 and 3:30.  It was my turn to do the training for one of the district meetings last Friday.  It must have really been exciting and interesting since Elder Waite napped off through most of it -  which is justly deserved payback for the home evening lessons at home where I've done the same.  Weekly shopping is a 2 1/2 to 3 hour adventure with our babushka cart and bags.  And it is all good - we are safe and happy.

     We have thought a lot this week of how many things we have to be thankful for and want you to know how very grateful we are for all of you and the influence you have had on our lives and the lives of our children.  You are the "charming gardeners who make our souls blossom!"   

       We'll close with these thoughts on gratitude from President Uchtdorf, April 2014.

"Everyone’s situation is different, and the details of each life are unique. Nevertheless, I have learned that there is something that would take away the bitterness that may come into our lives. There is one thing we can do to make life sweeter, more joyful, even glorious.

We can be grateful!

It might sound contrary to the wisdom of the world to suggest that one who is burdened with sorrow should give thanks to God. But those who set aside the bottle of bitterness and lift instead the goblet of gratitude can find a purifying drink of healing, peace, and understanding.  As disciples of Christ, we are commanded to “thank the Lord [our] God in all things,”  to “sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving,”  and to “let [our] heart be full of thanks unto God.”

Why does God command us to be grateful?

All of His commandments are given to make blessings available to us. Commandments are opportunities to exercise our agency and to receive blessings. Our loving Heavenly Father knows that choosing to develop a spirit of gratitude will bring us true joy and great happiness. 

How blessed we are if we recognize God’s handiwork in the marvelous tapestry of life. Gratitude to our Father in Heaven broadens our perception and clears our vision. It inspires humility and fosters empathy toward our fellowmen and all of God’s creation. Gratitude is a catalyst to all Christlike attributes! A thankful heart is the parent of all virtues.

The Lord has given us His promise that those “who [receive] all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto [them], even an hundred fold, yea, more.”

"Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, 

turn routine jobs into joy 

and change ordinary opportunities into blessings." 

1/3/2016 - Father Frost, Visit, Obedience

We saw a moving light out of our bedroom window - and discovered this ... 

It is Father Frost, waving from the top of a day-care center that is close to our apartment.   You can see our window - across from and just under his bent elbow. 

Service in the mission field - this is one of our elders hand sewing up the hole in one of the sister's coat pockets.  She splashed hot grease on her hand a week ago and it is still bandaged, so he fixed it when they were here using our oven - they don't have one - and the sisters were using the computers in the other room to write home.   

   He and his companion are the ones who made cinnamon rolls here a few Mondays (P-Day) ago. The picture below tells the story of their frosting.  Both bags are blue, both have similar pictures, kind of.  The one on the left is  powdered sugar, but the one on the right just happens to be potato starch which they use here like we use corn starch (except it really doesn't work the same.)  Anyway, when they tasted it, it didn't seem quite sweet enough (small wonder) so they added some of the cinnamon sugar I had.  It was interesting, but edible to the missionaries.  The next week, with different and better results, they tried cinnamon rolls with real powdered sugar frosting -- this is another one of those stories that has a Sunday School lesson in it.

This week we went with the Sisters Howe and Mateykina (our Russian sister - in the center)  to make a Christmas visit to a member who lives almost an hour by bus from where we live.  We are in the time of year where the high is from 10 degrees F above to whatever below zero.  We prefer thinking in Fahrenheit rather than Centigrade because even if it doesn't make any difference, the C temperature makes it seem colder.  However, we have learned that several layers definitely helps. although you have to allow more time to get ready - 

like getting a child ready for a day in the snow. 

The sister we went to see has crippled legs from being pushed out in front of a car a few years ago, but insisted, even with the cold,  that she meet us the bus stop to walk back to her apartment which is tucked back in and kind of hard to find.  Her example makes it difficult for anyone find an excuse for missing anything.  She very rarely misses church or activities, makes no excuses for the cold or ice or the long trip or her slow and painful walk.  She does a lot of reading and memorization and is always a favorite at programs with her dramatic readings, which we really enjoy even if we don't understand.

Her apartment building - the picture doesn't show how old it is and going into it is a jolting recognition of how much we have at home.

These are the  steps into the building to her apartment, fortunately on the first floor.  There is no hand rail or support to help you balance which you need most going down unless you have Mike to hold on to.  She rents one room, and shares a bathroom and kitchen with 4 or 5 apartments in her area.  She doesn't have a sink but does have a microwave and hot plate in her room.  We have been impressed also with the way the Russian people take care of each other, even if they aren't friends.

This is looking back at the landing after you step into the kind of hall leading to her apartment

But, as soon as you step inside her own tidy little apartment with pictures on the walls from the Liahona, the awareness of its oldness and uneven floors and chipped, uneven walls quickly fades as you are engulfed by her happy spirit of love and charity; and genuine gratitude for those things she does have.  She makes her own blend of chai (tea - herbal) from herbs and berries she gathers, that all the missionaries and members like and had baked us a sweetbread with apples and tiny bits of carrots from a recipe she made up from what she had.  We do love these people, so many lessons to learn from them.  (As a side note - the government has certified her as an invalid so is in the process of finding her another apartment, plus she will get a small pension.  It is difficult, they have many who need to be taken care of.)

 She walked back with us, taking us another direction through a snow covered park - this is another statue .. they have many and we like them.

 When President Schwab was here for our last Zone Conference, he pointed out how 2 Nephi 5:27 says - And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness, and then pointed out that in the chapter it outlines the way to achieve that happiness:

• Verse 1 - Prayer - did cry much unto the Lord my God.
• Verse 6 - Family - did take my family ...
• Verse 10 - Keep Commandments - And we did observe to keep the judgments, and the statutes, and the commandments of the Lord in all things
• Verse 16 - Temple - did build a temple
• Verse 17 - Work - did cause my people to be industrious, and to labor with their hands
• Verse 27 - Happiness - lived after the manner of happiness
• Verse 31 - Obedient - obedient to the commandments of the Lord

That last reminds us of a quote we have used before from President Benson:  "When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes a quest, God will endow us with power."