Dear Family,
Yessss, we are going to get a temple in Russia--city to be determined! It was such a jaw-dropping moment when I opened my Instagram feed this morning and saw the announcement! We saw the morning session before we went to bed, but the afternoon session came on after we were asleep. The people here in Russia are going to be so excited! They have been praying for one for so long! Our Mission President told us it took 12 years for the Kiev Temple to finally be built in Ukraine after it was announced, so I doubt we will be seeing one here anytime soon, but just the fact that the plans are in the works because of inspiration received definitely shows me further that God is in control of his church and the happenings throughout the world! So excited to see how excited Connor is, too--to have a temple in Managua, Nicaragua, just made his day! It is so thrilling to see people that you LOVE so much get the desires of their prayers and hearts in such a beautiful way!
We had quite the week. We woke up to a white-out on Monday--so disappointing when we thought we were finally going to get a little better weather.
But, I know I just have to be patient, and it will come! Whenever I get down, I think of Kade and Carter and the great attitudes they have. That helps me so much! I was so touched with Kade's great counsel when he told me, "'Don't worry. I'm all good. It's true there are some hard days here in the mission, but it's all worth it. We have been so blessed!" This was after he got a big bag of potatoes dropped on him from a balcony. I, also, see how Carter is running his fastest to accomplish all he can these last few months of his mission--working double time. I am humbled to think of the fantastic experiences Gpa George and I are having here in the Europe East Area. So, on Friday, when we got stood-up after traveling for two hours to meet with an elderly Russian man, then waiting around to meet up with him for two hours in the freezing cold, then realizing, the calls back and forth to him were probably just talk and he really didn't intend to meet up with us, I saw the wonderful attitudes of those two young Elders that were with us, it humbled me even more. They go through this kind of thing daily and try not to let it affect them. I know missionaries all over the world have the same kind of experiences! I was really hurt because the man has asked us at least twice to come out and see him and meet his wife. I know I have to have a thicker skin, for sure!
After we got back from the area we had tried to meet the man in, we stopped off at Red Square and took the young Elders to lunch at the Gum. It is always so beautifully decorated and so fun to go inside. They have a wonderful cafeteria-style restaurant upstairs that always has a line! Chuck-a-rama would do fantastic here in Russia! Anyway, we were all starved, so it was fun going there.
Afterwards, the young Elders left, and Gpa George and I started walking through Red Square and then the Kremlin area because we had tickets to a Traditional Russian Folk songs concert, which was held in the Kremlin Palace--formerly the meeting place of the Communist Party.
The concert ended up being three hours long--the conductor interjected his thoughts (which of course, were all in Russian, and he talked for ten minutes at a time. Even the Russians who could understand finally got restless and started clapping and yelling out things towards the end. We all just wanted to hear the singing--not listen to the talking. Hah! Anyway, there was very little action--the best part was the one dance of the Cossack dancers, which was fantastic!
It was all beautiful, but we were so tired, that by the time we got home 13 hours later, we literally FELL into bed!
Sunday, yesterday, we attended our Rechnoy Ward here in Moscow. It is interesting that the Catholics and Protestants (and Mormons) celebrate Easter on April 1st, but the Russian Orthodox will celebrate it next Sunday--because they use a different calendar to figure the dates with. Since it was fast and testimony meeting, we always have a "Break the Fast" meal (???) afterwards. They put out a couple of tables--everyone just puts their items on that they brought--nothing is planned--no tables are set up for people to eat at. Everyone just walks around the table and takes what they want, eating over the serving table--some of the little kids eat right there on the table and you just walk past as they put out their hands and grab more food. It is very interesting! But, I've had to learn to ignore it--I had to be very discreet how I took a pic of it when there were only a few people there and Gpa let me show how it is done. They were all so thrilled with my snicker doodle cookies that I brought. I had so many come up and give me a hug for bringing them. Not too many bring desserts, so I always try to do that because I'm not a fan of bringing a big bucket of cucumbers and I don't know the kind of lunch meats they bring--because I have never tried them. Just not sure what they are, to tell you the truth! The crockpot spaghetti was a hit brought by another senior volunteer sister. They rode to the church in a taxi to get it there--a little difficult to bring anything hot since most everyone rides public transportation, and it's a little difficult to balance a pan or crock pot of anything on a crowded bus or metro! Anyway, it was a very nice meeting and day!
Last night, we met with two other senior couples at one of their homes to listen to the morning session of conference. Sister Carlile's brother is Brother Wilson of the Seventy who spoke about the boat and the huge waves, and the man who prayed that he could help. It was a wonderful talk and she was so proud of him. He is the Seventy who is over temples and the construction of them. We LOVED watching conference and are definitely looking forward to watching the last session tonight when Gpa gets home. There were so many wonderful changes and the Solemn Assembly was so awe-inspiring! I was really touched! It is so good to be a member of God's church--The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!
Well, that's the week. I am going to be so lost without having familysearch! The church turned it off for all of Russia because the government has the Privacy Law and was afraid after talks with some officials that this was going to get the Church in trouble. We can use any other site not associated with the church, so we can still work on Ancestry.com, etc. But, it was really a blow to all of us, for sure. Hopefully, that can get worked out.
We send our love to all of you! By the way, a big shout-out to Jeff for driving his two boys, Garrett and Isaac, the 13 hours out to Utah from Kansas City, so he could take them to the Priesthood Session. They all three looked so handsome in their suits and ties and truly looked like missionaries. We were so proud of them for making this sacrifice, which I am certain, will never be forgotten.
Love, Gma
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