Week 26 - March 19, 2018

Dear Family,

We had a great week having District Meeting on Friday and Relief Society Conference on Saturday where we had about 180 sisters present from all over the Moscow area—some traveling by train over two hours to get there.  We had wonderful speakers, great classes, examples of crafts done by sisters, and we English-speaking sisters sang a beautiful number with piano and flute accompaniment.  As we looked out into the faces of all those Russian sisters, I choked up and could hardly sing.  Although they couldn’t understand the words, you know they felt our spirits!  

On Sunday, Gpa George and I went to the Ramenskoye Branch again, which is 2 1/2 hours each way to get there, but we really LOVE those sweet people, and they really seem to love having us come.  

Entrance to the Ramenskoye Branch.  Most places for our chapels are just rented spaces in office buildings here in Moscow.

We, also, had to do an inspection on the apartment the young Elders who are there for every other week, trading off with another small branch that is so far away, they have another apartment there.  Anyway, we were so impressed with their organization and cleaning ability.  There wasn't a lot of food there--hah!  But they seem to get by just fine on rice, crackers, and some protein powder one of their parents must have gotten to them.  None of the missionaries get fed here in this mission unless they can bring an inactive or non-member with them, so they really don't get fed very regularly.  But their attitude is amazing!  They don't complain!  George said this is why they go when they are young!  We, also, noticed that they are breaking up the huge blocks of ice that we have been walking on for the past two months.  That is such a relief!  It is still like walking on a skating rink in many places, but hopefully soon we can have clear paths.  It is only 17 degrees today, so that may not be very soon! 

 

I have to tell you about a true miracle this week!  Two weeks ago when we were on the metro coming home from the Ramenskoye Branch, we met a young woman who introduced herself and told us she knew English because she had lived in London for about a year and a half working.  She had heard Gpa and me talking.  Anyway, she is married with four children, the oldest is seven.  We enjoyed talking to her so much.  As we left, I just happened to say, “I hope we see you again!”  to which she replied, “If God be willing!”  Seriously though, I thought to myself—20 million people in Moscow!   What are the chances!  Friday, we were in a total different part of the city after District Conference and were waiting for the bus. Suddenly she comes up to us pushing her baby in her carriage.  She says, “Remember when I said, if God be willing?!”  We were so thrilled to see her and talked to her—even missing our bus, but she said, “Maybe we could get together with both of and go to eat sometime!”  She then gave me her telephone number!    We were so excited and knew this was definitely a miracle and look forward to going to dinner with her and her husband. Hopefully besides gaining new friends, we can share with them the most wonderful blessing their family could ever have—the gospel!

We have Zone Conference tomorrow and this Saturday we are going to hear the Vienna Choir, which we are really looking forward to.  We are so proud of Isaac getting the Priesthood this week!  He is going to be just like his brother and cousins who have been such great examples for him and he, too, will do such a great job in his responsibilities.  

Thanks again for everyone's well-wishes and love.  We know we are doing the work the Lord has called us to in the place he wants us to be, but sometimes we get very homesick for all our loved ones and feel like we are missing out on so many important events.  Thankfully, however, you are all so good to send pics and let us know about the events, plus your Skype calls mean everything.  I don't think anyone ever gets over missing family when you're not around them!  But, you are all doing so well and living close to the Lord, which makes Gpa George and me so happy.  Continue to read your Book of Mormon (we should now be on Jacob 2), and stay close to the Lord through daily prayer.  You are all in our prayers daily!  

Love, Gma Laura

PS  We came home yesterday about 4:30, and found we had no WiFi at all.  We tried everything to get it working, then called our landlord who was born in Ukraine, is half Russian-half Jew, and lives here in Russia.  He is the coolest guy ever (about 35 years old!  Anyway, we told him the problem, and he said he would check on it.  He called back to say that the problem wasn't inside the apartment, it is that the internet had a problem on the outside that hopefully would be fixed by 2:00 a.m. this morning.  Amazing that this just so happened on election day in Russia!  Hmmmm!  (He actually pointed this out, too, what we had been thinking!)

PSS  We saw some really cool metros this week--including one that even had art work on the inside!