Week 23 - February 26, 2018

Dear Family,

Mondays seem to roll around quickly.  Carter and Kade say that same thing--I think it's because it just feels like we all just wrote our weekly activities yesterday!  Anyway, this past weekend was so special to be a small part of two big events in Craig and Cassie's family--the baptism of Riley and the baby blessing of Little Marlie.  Cameron and Anne's family all did such a wonderful job on the baptismal program and Amy was able to Skype us in so we could hear the talks and music.  Then, we got to talk to Riley when the meeting was over.  He really smiled and was so cute.  And Marlie was adorable in her beautiful blessing dress.  Craig gave such a beautiful confirmation prayer and  baby blessing.  It really made Gpa George and me get tears with pure joy!

 

This past Monday,  we went with a few other Senior Volunteers to a night of Andrew Lloyd Webber Music at the Moscow International House of Music.  We absolutely LOVED hearing music from Phantom, Cats, Evita, Jesus Christ--Superstar, just to name a few!  These were fantastic musicians, both instrumentalists and singers.  The added bonus was being downtown Moscow at night, which is always beautiful with all the lights. 

Thursday, I spent all day practically making and baking 4 pans of brownies and 96 chocolate chip cookies for the YSA Conference, which was starting tomorrow. These ovens here are so small, you can only put one pan in at a time, and a small one at that!   Everyone seems to love my chocolate chip cookies--I think it's because I use brown sugar and real chocolate chips from America, which can't be purchased in the same form here.  Hah!  It's not that I'm any great baker!   (Some of the cookies were used for the next night's Senior get-together, and of course, I had to save a few for Gpa George!) 

Then, on Friday, we celebrated Chinese New Year in Moscow!  We had some delicious Homemade Chinese food and great company welcoming in the Year of the Dog at one of the Senior Volunteer's Apartments!  

Today, no one had to go to work because it is Defender of the Fatherland Day (February 23rd) and all businesses are closed.  I think it is like Veteran's Day in America.  I looked it up online and it said that since military service is obligatory for most men in Russia, women often give presents to their male relatives, including those who never served in the military.  So, that made sense when yesterday at church, the Russian women had sewn padded picture frames and prepared a light lunch for after church.  We all went into Priesthood Meeting at the end, one sister spoke about not just being a representative of the Fatherland, but foremost as a representative of our Father in Heaven in all that they do.  Then, I played the piano while the women sang, "Onward Christian Soldiers," afterwards, giving them the gifts, then after the prayer, they surprised the Priesthood Holders by going back into the Relief Society room for this little luncheon.  The Priestholders were not only thrilled, but, also, the Sisters were so proud of all their efforts.

Saturday, George and I went to the Vegas Mall, just across the bridge, for lunch, then went to the office and worked all afternoon.  We are still getting ready for the big AAA Conference that George is in charge of on March 7 and 8.  Then on the 9th, we will take the Salt Lake Representative from the Church Audit Department and the AAAs and their wives down to Red Square and have, hopefully, an enjoyable time there.  The very next morning, we leave for Stockholm, Sweden, for our next Visa Trip.  As we've said before, we have to leave every 90 days to fulfill the Russian Visa Requirement.  We are excited to go to Stockholm again--this time in Winter.  About four years ago we went, but it was in summer.  

This week, I was talking to my sister, Beverly.  I hope she doesn't mind me sharing this, but it was really profound.  She has been going through Larry's things and found two silver dollars--one was well used and the other in mint condition.  She said they had talked about the analogy they could make of this:  As man looks at the two--the mint condition is the one that collectors will pay big bucks for because it is not tarnished at all and is only being valued because of its looks on the outside.  However, the tarnished one has been well used--paying someone's wages so that he/she can buy food for the family or pay for other essential items.  Then it is passed on to another to help that person or family, too.   It has been worn out through service and blessing the lives of others.  I LOVED that!  If we are in mint condition when we leave this life--that what good have we done for others?  Like President Hinckley has said, "Let's wear out our lives in service!"  All of us can and are doing that in so many ways!  Serving is what makes us happy!  Thank you, Beverly, for that beautiful analogy.  

With much love,

Gma Laura

PS  Hope Preston had a wonderful birthday!  We surely love you, buddy!  

Going across the bridge on the Moscow River, we saw lots of children and adults playing on the frozen ice.

Week 22 - February 19, 2018

Dear Family,

What a great week this has been!  On  Tuesday, we had the first Zone Conference that both Gpa and I could attend.  We had been traveling or had area commitments on the others.  Anyway, it was really great.  

 The rooms where we were working in were so cold, I had to go get my coat.  Hah!

 Eating our pizza lunch.

The young Elders and Sisters were so enthusiastic and all participated so well.  The young volunteers had us be investigators (Senior Volunteers) and they practiced on us about getting those who they are teaching to read the  Book of Mormon more, as we were instructed by President Monson at his last talk in General Conference (April 2017) before he passed away:

My dear associates in the work of the Lord, I implore each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day. As we do so, we will be in a position to hear the voice of the Spirit, to resist temptation, to overcome doubt and fear, and to receive heaven’s help in our lives. I so testify with all my heart in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.  (April 2017)

And is now being emphasized by President Nelson:

At a Stake Conference in Granger, Utah, just this month, February 6, 2018, President Nelson and his wife both spoke:  In their separate remarks, the Nelsons recounted a question that was once posed by a nurse to Dr. Russell M. Nelson after he performed a difficult surgery: “Why are you not like other surgeons?”

Some surgeons, the nurse knew well, could be short-tempered and profane as they performed their pressure-filled duties. Dr. Nelson’s reply? “Because I know the Book of Mormon is true.”

That answer prompted the nurse and her own surgeon-husband to study the Book of Mormon. President Nelson later baptized the nurse.

Sister Nelson stated the following:

Questions to Latter-day Saints about why they pay tithing, help others, attend multiple Church meetings, dress modestly, or avoid drugs or alcohol can all be answered with the same reply.

“Because I know the Book of Mormon is true.”

I am so thrilled that we have made it our Copeland family goal to have the Book of Mormon read by the end of the year, as admonished by our Prophets.  As suggested by bofm365 on Instagram, which Gpa George and I use as a guide for our reading, we should be on 2 Nephi 9:31-49 by now.  

Then on Tuesday night, after Zone Conference one of the Senior Volunteer couples working as Humanitarian Volunteers hosted a Valentine's Dinner at their apartment.  There were 28 of us there.  I cannot believe the work they went to!  Getting the tables and chairs alone up to the 20th floor of their apartment house would seem impossible since all of us ride public transportation and no one has a car--not to worry!  They loaded tables in the back of a taxi with her hanging on to the tables and him running behind the taxi!  Yes, it's true!  And since she is an interior designer, the place was absolutely decorated like a 5-star restaurant with all the food made by herself!  Absolutely incredible!  We all so appreciated their hard work and generosity!  It was so fun!

We also, played "The Newlywed Game"--hysterical since most of us have been married 35 to 50 years!  I think Gpa George and I got the fewest points!  His answers were ridiculous!  Hah!  Then, since Valentine cards are almost impossible to find in Russia, and if you found any, they would all be in Russian anyway, so Gpa George made a candy bar train that he had made for me which said something like, "You are extra special and super!  I'd go to Mars or the Milky Way for you because you're Number One!"  He just said the words in between!  Pretty clever of him! 

But definitely the highlight of the week was Kyle coming to Moscow.  We got to see in person what he does at work!  As President of Europe Jeunesse, he came for the Regional Conference where he was the keynote speaker.  He included our entire Copeland family picture, Gpa and I in our Czar robes, as well as each of his three kids and Kim and told how proud he was of all of them and what they are doing.  Gpa and I were brought to tears!  It was so special, and we couldn't help but feel pride of how hard he works and his commitment to helping others!  So many people came up to thank us for our wonderful son and wanted pictures with Kyle--and even some wanted pictures with us!  Amazing!  Kyle is like a big rock star in these countries!

  

 Kyle, George, a very kind Russian man who is one of the top distributors in Russia, and me

 George and I with Lilly and Anna, the two MCs for the Conference who work in the Russia office.  Lilly took us to the Tretyakov Art Museum shortly after we arrived in Moscow.  They are both such sweet girls and so good at what they do.

Kyle as he took the stage as the Europe President of Jeunesse

 Picture of the entire Copeland Family on the screen behind Kyle

 Picture of George and me in our Czar and Czarina robes.

 Picture of Kyle's daughter, Jenna--I missed the picture just before when he showed and talked about Carter on his mission in Scotland-Ireland

Picture of Kim (Kyle's wife), and son, Brady

We loved that he brought our Copeland Family Calendar that Anne put together and many fun goodies from America that Kim had sent--like chocolate chips, powdered sugar, taco seasoning, etc., that are so difficult to get here.

It was so hard seeing Kyle go, but at least we got to see him for a few hours on two days.  After he left, Gpa George just looked at me and said, "It is so hard to see him leave and be back to just the two of us."  It's a good thing we both enjoy being around each other, but it just emphasizes how much you miss family.  I can see why they don't let the young Elders and Sisters see family.  At least we had each other and can call whenever we need to hear a familiar voice, which the young volunteers are unable to do.

We surely LOVE all of you and pray for you morning and night.  You are all so special to us!

Love,

Gma Laura