Dear Family!
Whew!
This past week was a busy, exhausting, but wonderful week!
Tuesday, at our Senior Meeting,
we had a Russian member of the church who heads up Public Affairs here in the
Moscow Mission, talk about the wars throughout Russia's history. This was
because on May 9th will be Victory Day that is a huge day of celebration here in
Russia commemorating Russia and its allies' victory over Germany in the Second
World War. Russia was hit so hard--between 20 and 25 million Russians
lost their lives through either being actually killed in the war, or dying
through starvation or disease, so our Russian friend told us that there is
hardly anyone in Russia who wasn't affected by this war and had someone within
their family who died. There will be a huge televised event of honoring
those who served, plus a large military parade on Red Square. I
understand there are bands and all kinds of Military maneuvers, but you have to
be invited and you hold up pictures of those in your family who died. The
Russian friend started talking about the war and tears started rolling down his
cheeks. It was really sobering to listen to him talk about it and then
say that poems and songs were written about it--one about some believing the
cranes circling overhead are their loved ones watching over them. The
evening was so interesting and enlightening.
Thursday - Gpa and I gave our
presentation to the Area Auditing Committee, of which Elder Golden of the
Seventy and 2nd Counselor in the Europe East Area, heads up. It is always
stressful to get ready for, but I felt it was very good. Gpa George works
so hard to get all the information ready, and I just do the Power Point that he
can explain from and interject a comment once in awhile. He does a great
job!
Friday - We were very skeptical about going, but Gpa George and I
accepted the invitation by Fyodr to come to his house again. We really
felt that he had stood us up the last time we took over two hours to try to get
his house before, but the Sunday before last, he came up to me and said,
"Please come to my house again." I just smiled and said,
"Spasibo" (thank you), thinking there is no way I wanted to try it
again. It had been such a stressful day when we went before, trying
to find him with the two young Elders we went with and freezing to death for
those two hours we were looking. But, he seemed so sincere, and the young
Elders said, "He really seems like he wants us to come and gave us his
exact address this time." So, on Friday, we got up early and headed
out for the two hour trip out to his house--using bus, bus, metro, taxi.
What a jaw-dropping surprise it turned out to be! The reason Fyodr and
his wife, Tamara, live so far out in the country is because this was their
dacha (summer home that many of the wealthier Russians own to get away in the
nice weather), but they like it so much, are retired, and just live there year
around. They were both waiting for us by the little dirt road in front
and welcomed us with open arms! (I am including a picture of them and
their dacha.) They were so pleasant and had us come into their
three-story home which he has entirely built himself, along with the young
Elders they have known through the last ten years! Yes, he was introduced
to the church ten years ago! Tamara had made us a delicious five-star
hotel Russian meal that was absolutely delicious, and we had such a pleasant
time talking with them--so glad the young Elders know Russian! They took
us on a tour of their house and yard--the dachas aren't on very large
properties, just enough for a house, a garden where they grow practically everything
they eat, a green house, and a little grass. A huge forest is across the
street, and it was beautiful out there. We really felt their love and
extended our love to them. It was a long day, after staying there a
little over two hours, but we were so glad we trusted that this time it would
be better! (By the way, the reason they had money is because he worked as
a rocket scientist--for real! and knew all about Cape Canaveral, moon landings,
Mars endeavors, etc., and his wife worked as an economist. They are both
well-educated!)
Saturday - Today we met the
Hansens (Dr. Hansen and his wife from Rexburg) and the Carliles (who have kids
who are in Jerry and Shelly's ward in Rexbrug) at Red Square and then went on
an English-speaking guided tour of the State Historical Museum. It is the
huge red building opposite of St. Basil's on Red Square. This museum is a
must-see for those loving Russian culture and history. They have 20,000
items on display out of the 4 1/2 million items that are stored. We saw
everything from a 5,000 year-old-boat to the special seating for Ivan the
Terrible in the church, the carriage of Peter the Great, and pictures of all
the Czars and rulers painted on the ceiling as you enter. It was so
educational and interesting!
All of the Rulers and Czars painted on the ceiling as you enter.
Ancient writings on bark.
Scriptures with original pictures, all done by hand.
Painting of Red Square when there were houses all over the Square, no St. Basils, and the columns weren't as high as they presently are.
An entire chain-mail found by a farmer.
Peter the Great's chariot sleigh.
Different forms of money used by the ancient Russians. The long sticks of silver were sliced off as payment--which became rubles.
Baptismal font.
George standing in front of the tusks of a pre-historic mammal's tusks.
This shows the bones of two people who were found to be a teenage girl and boy.
After doing computer graphics, this is what they would have looked like.
George in front of a 5,000 year old boat made entirely out of one tree.
A burial place where up to 70 people were buried.
A standing cell where a prisoner could not lie down, and then could be killed right in there afterwards anyway.
17-pound weight a commoner had chained around his neck for a week when he was found to have drunk too much.
Orthodox robe and gates
Baby cradle, high chair, and dressing gown.
Baby carriage
Our English-speaking Russian guide, Anna.
The last reigning Romanov Czar, Nicholas II
Catherine the Great and her subjects.
Bells are very important to the Orthodox faith. They were named and treated as a person. One bell even was put in prison when she didn't perform as they thought she should!
Ivan the Terrible's chair that he sat in at the church. It is sitting over ugly globs underneath to remind him that he is above that.
When Ivan the Terrible thought he should start making his life better, he wore this horse-hair robe, which was very itchy to remind him of his new resolve.
Peter the Great's bust that was formed around his face while he was still alive. His handprint that was made from when he put his hand down after nearly falling. It was made from that print.
Peter the Great was a well-dressed Czar and wanted all his subjects to be well-dressed, too. In the above picture, a person's robe was cut off if it was considered too long when he was seen wearing it. The lower picture says that if a person wanted to wear a beard, he had to pay a beard tax or have it cut off.
One of Peter the Great's beautiful jackets.
Picture of Catherine the Great.
Headdress of the common people.
Catherine the Great had a portrait painted of her wearing the headdress of the commoners to show that she was for them.
Sunday - We noticed it was getting colder
yesterday and windier, so when we were getting ready for Stake Conference,
Gpa George thought he would be okay just wearing his suitcoat. Oh,
how wrong he was! It was absolutely freeeezing and so windy, I think he
about froze to death! But we took, bus, bus, metro, and then taxi to the
same hotel where Kyle's Jeneusse dinner was held at the Renaissance Hotel
in downtown Moscow. The church always has to rent a venue to hold stake
conference in because none of the chapels in the office buildings are big
enough. It is a beautiful place to hold something as special as Elder
Uchtdorf coming. Everyone was so excited to hear him. We, English
speakers, all had headphones to listen to the Area Seventy, Elder Semiakin,
speak, then we were able to take them off when Sister Uchtdorf spoke and had a
Russian girl interpret for her. It is really annoying when you speak to
have to wait for the interpretation, but that is better than having to give all
the Russians headphones. There would have been too many. Then,
Elder Uchtdorf spoke for nearly an hour and a half with the first Russian
member of the church being his interpreter. He is a former doctor, who
now works entirely for the church as an interpreter (he headed up the Russian
interpretation of the Book of Mormon), and as Elder Uchtdorf got more and more
excited, he could hardly wait for the interpretation and it was fortunate that
Andrei was such a good interpreter. He was racing by the end! But
what Elder Uchtdorf said was right on--just fantastic what the people here
needed to hear! He told them they needed to share the gospel with
everyone around them--they can do what we can't do because of us not being
Russians! He told them exactly how to approach others and said our
message is from our heart. He told them to pay their tithing and in all
ways get ready for the temple to come. If they had problems with smoking,
drinking coffee, or a little vodka, then find a way to quit! He talked
about if the gospel of Jesus Christ could we accepted everywhere, we could all
live together in harmony, no matter where we are from. He recognized that
no people suffered more in the Second World War than the Russian people.
(Interesting that he is a German talking to the Russian people.) He
said, These terrible sacrifices could have been avoided had we all
followed the gospel of Jesus Christ. Invite others with a cheerful heart
and smiling face. He said how much the volunteers (other places
called missionaries) are loved. But, he counseled, "Don't those of
you who have money go inviting the Russian people to come to the United States.
He told them to get their education to take care of their families, develop
their talents, and stay there to build up the church in Russia. That is
what he and his wife did by staying in Germany. He, also, said, help
those who have lost their way and aren't coming to church anymore. Help
bring them back! Anyway, those were his basic thoughts--fantastic!
After going
home and changing, we then got back on the bus, bus, and went to Sokol to meet
with the girl, and her family that we had met on the Metro and had seen again
waiting for a bus. The first time we saw her, she said, "If God be
willing, we shall meet again!" And God was willing, so we planned
this time together. We enjoyed a meal and her four children ages 11
months to 7 years. They truly have their hands full! Her husband
knew very good English, as well, because he is an interpreter and a former
Rugby player. We left after that with the idea that we would plan
something again in the future. They would be a wonderful family to have in
the church, and they need the church and the association there, so much!
We will keep in contact!
Two oldest children of Anna.
Well, as you
can see, we just fell into bed last night! As I say, wonderful events,
and I still am in awe of President Nelson traveling all over the world at 93
years of age. Amazing! I should never complain!
Well, time to
close! We send our love to you all and hope you have a wonderful
week! Keep on reading the Book of Mormon!
Love,
Gma
