We have finished another week! We are continuing to learn a little more every day and even though the learning curve is huge, we are loving our mission and being in the mission office. Our Russian, on the other hand, leaves a lot to be desired :o)
This past week one of Dave's galoshes broke. He really felt it necessary to find another pair due to the rain, slush and mud that is prevalent this time of year. So, he decided to go to the Renock across the street in the Neptune building and see if he could find a pair of galoshes to wear over his dress shoes. He said the salesman didn't speak any English and after going back and forth, the salesman requested that Dave draw a picture of what he wanted. Well, he's no artist and all that happened at this point was a lot of laughter between the two of them as they each tried unsuccessfully to communicate with each other. Needless to say, Dave left without galoshes (which he didn't see anywhere in the store anyway). I guess it was a real Candid Camera moment. (he later got a pair of new galoshes from another missionary at the office who had an extra pair.)
A couple of days later we were shopping again at the renock looking for some potatoes at one of the open air markets. I asked for three. The woman started loading this huge bag of potatoes (3 kilograms) I wanted only 3. It was a process of frantically trying to get her to understand I only wanted 3 katoshkee, not 3 kilograms. David found the whole thing quite amusing as he was watching me make a spectacle of myself).Anyway, she was very kind and gave me my 3 hard-won potatoes.
A couple of days earlier on Wednesday we went to Zelonograd for English group and at the bus stop a man stopped and asked me a question in Russian. I said "I don't speak English." He said "good-bye" and walked away. He must have figured if I couldn't speak English being English I certainly wouldn't be much help to him in Russian. (I was a bit flustered,can you tell?) Then on the way home as we were getting ready to get off at our bus stop a young woman asked me a question in Russian. Silly me, standing near the bus driver, spoke to him in English and said she needed help. Hmmmm. I wonder if she got the help she needed. It was just not my day.(or hers - she definitely asked the wrong person for help) I really do need to spend some more time studying the basic Russian language. I have very good intentions and have a book at the office to study but haven't had much time to look at it.
Our washing machine was fixed this week thanks in part to two wonderful Russian missionaries (natives) who were here at the apartment to talk to the repairman and answer his questions and guide us through this. What would we do without our Russian missionaries? These two young men are actually missionaries from the Moscow West Mission (we are the Moscow Mission) but we work in the same office space and since our missionaries were out of town.
Russians aren't exactly known for being on time (kind of like our repairmen maybe) and we had an hour and a half to get acquainted as we waited for our repairman to show up.
We both have a goal to continue to work on our Russian. We'll let you know how that goes. We actually feel it's very important to try to communicate with these wonderful people in their native tongue. I think they appreciate our efforts, as ineffectual (and humorous) as it can sometimes be.
Anyway, these past couple of days have been BEAUTIFUL. Saturday was our p-day and we were able to walk around Mitina (our city) and enjoy lovely weather in the 50's. It felt like a heat wave!
We were pleased that we were able to make out a lot of the signs and read and recognize quite a bit.
One of my goals was to get something at the opteka (pharmacy) that I needed to have in stock for the missionaries who are returning home. We are sending one home next week and I needed to find this one kind of medication. I promise you this is something you have not bought at home or probably something you will ever need. Are you ready for this? I needed to buy......de-worming pills. That's right. Every missionary leaving Russia has to take two different kinds of de-worming pills. I was able to find the first kind with no trouble and they each cost another $1 each. It wasn't until the 5th opteka that I found the second medication needed so I bought 10 boxes at about $4.40 each. I'll tell you I can hardly wait until we go back home and we get to be the ones on the receiving end of taking these de-worming pills, that our doctor here in the mission says is a must. YUK.
There are some "firsts" coming up this week. We will let you know how we do. :0)
We have been here a month now and while we still are quite clueless about things, we are less clueless than we were and are feeling a bit more comfortable than we were. We are LOVING our mission and are looking forward to what is ahead. There are some big changes ahead which I will share with you later.
Until next week, dosvidonya and boods da rove.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Our apartment in Mitina (suburb of Moscow) and other interesting facts
We thought you might enjoy seeing some pictures of our apartment. You would think we live in Fort Knox. To get into the building we use a code and go through a heavy door, a second door that leads to the elevator that takes us up to the tenth floor. Then we have two doors to go through (both locked) before getting to our apartment w/ two more keys. HUGE keys.
We live in an older building, but it is quite lovely and we feel very much at home here. Currently I am doing laundry in the kitchen sink as the washing machine died and the repairman has not responded to our landlady Jana's request to call back to set up an appt. to have it fixed it. In order to do this, we are going through our office elders, Elder Brown and Elder Everett, who speak fluent Russian.
Here is a picture of them taken in our apartment today after coming to share a meal with us. They are wonderful young men!
Here is a picture of me in the kitchen doing laundry. I have it down to a science now! The blue hood on the right side of the picture is over the electric stove. The oven works very well, (once I figured out how to change from centrigrade to farenheit.)
We have an eat-in kitchen w/ a nice big table.
We also have a combined living room/dining room. Behind the living room couch is a beautiful large window and we have a great view overlooking a school and the big apartment yard w/ a playground and a path leading to a lake which we will explore once the weather is nicer. We have seen horses over there and children playing and dogs being walked. In the morning the skyline is beautiful.
Our bedroom is nice w/ a lovely little sitting area w/ a chair and a lamp to read. The bed is larg and very comfortable. There is a lot of storage throughout the apartment.
The second bedroom is used for our laundry. That is where the drying rack is to dry our clothes and the ironing board. I have a nice view of the front street as I iron and watch the people bustling at all hours. We have a television in the second bedroom and in the living room. We have had it on briefly as before-mentioned and saw the Smurfs and Simpsons in Russian. We didn't watch them but found it amusing that they were on.
The bathrooms in Russia are interesting. There are two rooms. One room has the sink and shower. The other tiny room has only the toilet.
What else can we share that you might find interesting?
1. The supermarkets have security guards. I'm guessing noone is going to be foolish enough to try to shoplift. They don't look very friendly and we avoid eye contact with them and we don't do anything that would draw attention to us.
2. In the grocery stores we see a few American products such as Dannon, M @ M's, Nestle products and Colgate. The Russians love juice and have rows of wonderful juice. Buckwheat and oats are also easy to find. Alcohol and wine are also available in large quantities in both the grocery stores and the little prodooktees.
3. McDonalds, Hyundai and Toyota dealerships, Dominoes Pizza and Subway Sandwich shops are readily available.
4. Because of bad water, you will not see water fountains anywhere. Water filters are used a lot (the Church has them in all of their buildings and apartments.) In the restaurants, bottled water is readily available in two "flavors". Gas or still. Gas means carbonated. Still is just plain.
5. Most Russians do not wear shoes in their apartments. Shoes are taken off at the door. It has been quite delightful at our office to change from shoes into slippers or just plain old socks.
6. We are visitors in Russia. We are expected to have our identification on our person at all times. Missionaries are strongly encouraged to use kanga pouches. We wear them inside our clothes. It holds our passport and related registration documents.
7. Russia is a cash only society. It is important to draw out enough cash to pay rent, buy groceries or other needed items. There are no bank accounts, no checking accounts, no savings account. Think about it. How much less debt there would be in our country if it was only cash on the barrelhead. Howver, it does have it's own set of problems. It is obviously not a good idea to carry large sums of money on you. Debit cards are used to withdraw needed cash at the numerous ATM's.
8. There are a lot of stray dogs EVERYWHERE. :0(
9. Russians love flowers and there are little flower shops everywhere.
10. Spring is late in coming to Moscow and we anxiously await green grass and beautiful flowers ad warmer temperatures.
We sen our love to our family and friends until next week. Dos Vidonya.
We live in an older building, but it is quite lovely and we feel very much at home here. Currently I am doing laundry in the kitchen sink as the washing machine died and the repairman has not responded to our landlady Jana's request to call back to set up an appt. to have it fixed it. In order to do this, we are going through our office elders, Elder Brown and Elder Everett, who speak fluent Russian.
Here is a picture of them taken in our apartment today after coming to share a meal with us. They are wonderful young men!
Here is a picture of me in the kitchen doing laundry. I have it down to a science now! The blue hood on the right side of the picture is over the electric stove. The oven works very well, (once I figured out how to change from centrigrade to farenheit.)
We have an eat-in kitchen w/ a nice big table.
We also have a combined living room/dining room. Behind the living room couch is a beautiful large window and we have a great view overlooking a school and the big apartment yard w/ a playground and a path leading to a lake which we will explore once the weather is nicer. We have seen horses over there and children playing and dogs being walked. In the morning the skyline is beautiful.
Our bedroom is nice w/ a lovely little sitting area w/ a chair and a lamp to read. The bed is larg and very comfortable. There is a lot of storage throughout the apartment.
The second bedroom is used for our laundry. That is where the drying rack is to dry our clothes and the ironing board. I have a nice view of the front street as I iron and watch the people bustling at all hours. We have a television in the second bedroom and in the living room. We have had it on briefly as before-mentioned and saw the Smurfs and Simpsons in Russian. We didn't watch them but found it amusing that they were on.
The bathrooms in Russia are interesting. There are two rooms. One room has the sink and shower. The other tiny room has only the toilet.
What else can we share that you might find interesting?
1. The supermarkets have security guards. I'm guessing noone is going to be foolish enough to try to shoplift. They don't look very friendly and we avoid eye contact with them and we don't do anything that would draw attention to us.
2. In the grocery stores we see a few American products such as Dannon, M @ M's, Nestle products and Colgate. The Russians love juice and have rows of wonderful juice. Buckwheat and oats are also easy to find. Alcohol and wine are also available in large quantities in both the grocery stores and the little prodooktees.
3. McDonalds, Hyundai and Toyota dealerships, Dominoes Pizza and Subway Sandwich shops are readily available.
4. Because of bad water, you will not see water fountains anywhere. Water filters are used a lot (the Church has them in all of their buildings and apartments.) In the restaurants, bottled water is readily available in two "flavors". Gas or still. Gas means carbonated. Still is just plain.
5. Most Russians do not wear shoes in their apartments. Shoes are taken off at the door. It has been quite delightful at our office to change from shoes into slippers or just plain old socks.
6. We are visitors in Russia. We are expected to have our identification on our person at all times. Missionaries are strongly encouraged to use kanga pouches. We wear them inside our clothes. It holds our passport and related registration documents.
7. Russia is a cash only society. It is important to draw out enough cash to pay rent, buy groceries or other needed items. There are no bank accounts, no checking accounts, no savings account. Think about it. How much less debt there would be in our country if it was only cash on the barrelhead. Howver, it does have it's own set of problems. It is obviously not a good idea to carry large sums of money on you. Debit cards are used to withdraw needed cash at the numerous ATM's.
8. There are a lot of stray dogs EVERYWHERE. :0(
9. Russians love flowers and there are little flower shops everywhere.
10. Spring is late in coming to Moscow and we anxiously await green grass and beautiful flowers ad warmer temperatures.
We sen our love to our family and friends until next week. Dos Vidonya.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Zelonograd Ward
Today was our first Sunday together in our new ward in Zelonograd, which means Green. We understand that in the summer months it is incredibly beautiful w/ green forests all around. Hard to picture that right now though w/ everything covered in white.
I think we have the transportation for Zelonograd down. One long bus ride (40 min), one short bus ride (10 min) and a 10 minute walk to the ward building.
It is very humbling to walk into a building where everyone is speaking Russian. We were greeted by the missionary elders and sisters all of whom who do speak Russian. These 4 young people (3 from the USA, and one from Germany) are serving in Russia for 18 months (girls) and 24 months (guys). I did have a few people come up and shyly introduce themselves to me. Some stared but didn't speak.
We came expecting to be speaking today so we came prepared to introduce ourselves. It was a little out of my comfort zone, (OK, a LOT out of my comfort zone) but I introduced myself, said a few things about our family and bore my testimony in Russian, A sister missionary stood by to help translate a few other lines that I needed help with. Dave did the same and did a beautiful job.
For the rest of Sacrament meeting, there was a young man sitting behind us who offered to translate for us. He did a wonderful job sharing with us in English (and apologizing when he couldn't remember a word) for us. We did follow the hymns along as best we could trying to read along. We recognized the tunes, (the hymns are the same all over the world) but of course the words are different.
We, as missionaries, are automatically in the Investigators Class. Once again, we listened as the lesson was given to a young woman in her laete 20's, but could not understand more than a word here and there.
In Priesthood, an elder missionary translated the lesson for Dave. In Relief Society, I sat down next to a sister missionary and a lovely young woman by the name of Natasha, my daughter Shauna's age came and sat down on the other side of me. Without asking she translated the lesson for me. It was about temples. Since Dave and I had served in the Boston Temple presidency for 3 years and have served there for the past several years, I, with my young mentor's help, was able to follow the gist of the lesson.
There were women of all sizes and ages, and as before mentioned, until they know you they are a bit quiet around you, especially the older (70's and up). I was welcomed by the Relief Society (women's organization) president (in Russian of course) and enjoyed the spirit of this meeting. One old sister (maybe 90) had her birthday acknowledged. Even though we couldn't understand each other very well, I wished her a happy birthday (someone told me how to say Happy Birthday), she beamed and held my hand. Another sister approached and thanked me for sharing my testimony and said with tears in her eyes that the gospel was making her life easier. She thanked me for being there.Two sweet sisters told me (in English) that I had pronounced the Russian words well. A few of the members speak a little English or speak it quite well.
This sweet young woman, Natasha shared with me that she had joined the Church when she was 17 years old, 20 years ago. The Church was just becoming formally recognized. The first mission in Russia had been created. Before, Russia was part of the Helsinki Finland Mission. A mission is an organized geographic area in which missionaries are assigned to spread the gospel. There were few missionaries, the Church wasn't recognized at that time and missionary work was very restricted.
She said that when a General Authority, James E. Faust came to visit the newly formed mission in Russia, that he had predicted that there would be a temple built in the area and that more missionaries would come and ward and stake buildings would be built. She said, "I didn't believe I would ever see that happen." (there is a temple in Kiev Ukraine now, about an overnight train ride for these Russian Latter-day Saints.) And there are ward buildings and the first stake (a group of wards) was formally established this past June.
Now, the Church is growing in Russia. Missionaries are serving here in many different capacities. The young elders and sisters (aged 19 - 25) have the responsibility of spreading the gospel. The senior couples have a variety of responsibilities as mentioned before. These choice people have been suppressed for so long. Now the Iron Curtain is down. The Old Soviet Union is gone and people are enjoying more freedoms than ever before to include religious freedom.
Dave and I feel honored that we are able to be here amongst this proud people. For truly, the Church is in it infant state. The Church is very young and there is much to do to help the members here.
It was a wonderful day. We are both looking forward to serving and getting to know these wonderful people. Dos Vidonya. Until next week.....
I think we have the transportation for Zelonograd down. One long bus ride (40 min), one short bus ride (10 min) and a 10 minute walk to the ward building.
It is very humbling to walk into a building where everyone is speaking Russian. We were greeted by the missionary elders and sisters all of whom who do speak Russian. These 4 young people (3 from the USA, and one from Germany) are serving in Russia for 18 months (girls) and 24 months (guys). I did have a few people come up and shyly introduce themselves to me. Some stared but didn't speak.
We came expecting to be speaking today so we came prepared to introduce ourselves. It was a little out of my comfort zone, (OK, a LOT out of my comfort zone) but I introduced myself, said a few things about our family and bore my testimony in Russian, A sister missionary stood by to help translate a few other lines that I needed help with. Dave did the same and did a beautiful job.
For the rest of Sacrament meeting, there was a young man sitting behind us who offered to translate for us. He did a wonderful job sharing with us in English (and apologizing when he couldn't remember a word) for us. We did follow the hymns along as best we could trying to read along. We recognized the tunes, (the hymns are the same all over the world) but of course the words are different.
We, as missionaries, are automatically in the Investigators Class. Once again, we listened as the lesson was given to a young woman in her laete 20's, but could not understand more than a word here and there.
In Priesthood, an elder missionary translated the lesson for Dave. In Relief Society, I sat down next to a sister missionary and a lovely young woman by the name of Natasha, my daughter Shauna's age came and sat down on the other side of me. Without asking she translated the lesson for me. It was about temples. Since Dave and I had served in the Boston Temple presidency for 3 years and have served there for the past several years, I, with my young mentor's help, was able to follow the gist of the lesson.
There were women of all sizes and ages, and as before mentioned, until they know you they are a bit quiet around you, especially the older (70's and up). I was welcomed by the Relief Society (women's organization) president (in Russian of course) and enjoyed the spirit of this meeting. One old sister (maybe 90) had her birthday acknowledged. Even though we couldn't understand each other very well, I wished her a happy birthday (someone told me how to say Happy Birthday), she beamed and held my hand. Another sister approached and thanked me for sharing my testimony and said with tears in her eyes that the gospel was making her life easier. She thanked me for being there.Two sweet sisters told me (in English) that I had pronounced the Russian words well. A few of the members speak a little English or speak it quite well.
This sweet young woman, Natasha shared with me that she had joined the Church when she was 17 years old, 20 years ago. The Church was just becoming formally recognized. The first mission in Russia had been created. Before, Russia was part of the Helsinki Finland Mission. A mission is an organized geographic area in which missionaries are assigned to spread the gospel. There were few missionaries, the Church wasn't recognized at that time and missionary work was very restricted.
She said that when a General Authority, James E. Faust came to visit the newly formed mission in Russia, that he had predicted that there would be a temple built in the area and that more missionaries would come and ward and stake buildings would be built. She said, "I didn't believe I would ever see that happen." (there is a temple in Kiev Ukraine now, about an overnight train ride for these Russian Latter-day Saints.) And there are ward buildings and the first stake (a group of wards) was formally established this past June.
Now, the Church is growing in Russia. Missionaries are serving here in many different capacities. The young elders and sisters (aged 19 - 25) have the responsibility of spreading the gospel. The senior couples have a variety of responsibilities as mentioned before. These choice people have been suppressed for so long. Now the Iron Curtain is down. The Old Soviet Union is gone and people are enjoying more freedoms than ever before to include religious freedom.
Dave and I feel honored that we are able to be here amongst this proud people. For truly, the Church is in it infant state. The Church is very young and there is much to do to help the members here.
It was a wonderful day. We are both looking forward to serving and getting to know these wonderful people. Dos Vidonya. Until next week.....
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Almost 2 weeks in Russia and....
It is officially Spring, although Moscow hasn't gotten the message yet. Temperatures range from 20's to low 30's. We are still walking to the office on snow covered sidewalks.
We had a bad leak in the apartment when we arrived that got progressively worse. Dave enlisted the help of the young office elders, missionaries from USA who speak Russian, to set up a time for the plumber to arrive. When the plumber arrived, he spoke to Dave in Russian which, of course, Dave didn't understand. Dave went through the landlady, Jana, who speaks a little English, when we needed the electrician in for some repairs. The electrician didn't say one word the whole time. Dave pointed to what needed to be fixed, he fixed it and out he went.
We have been practicing our Russian at the Renok where we buy our fresh fruit and veggies. Today after making a request in Russian, the lady smiled as she waited on us and then in clear English said, "Thank you." We have noticed that the Russian people do seem to appreciate the efforts you make to speak Russian to them.
We decided to check out the television. We have two of them in our apartment. Maybe there were some English stations? Nope. But we did see the Smurfs and the Simpsons both speaking away in Russian.
Many of the Russian people are very somber. As we have met people on the street they avert their gaze away from us. Even the children do this. The same on the bus or metro. They won't meet your gaze.
One exception was at the bus stop when I was trying to read a sign. There was an old Russian lady waiting for the bus and she was observing and listening to my attempts to make out this long word She started chattering away in Russian and laughing. When she got on her bus, I waved and she waved back.
We attended English Club which meets every Wednesday night at different wards (congregations) in the Moscow area. We were in a conversational class with two Russian men who wanted to improve their English. (I can't remember their names) One was a young 30ish man, a graphic computer designer who spoke pretty good English. The other understood more than he could speak. He is a professor at an elite college in Zelonograd. He was kind of shy.
A sister missionary was leading the group and we were encouraging them to tell us about their work and so on. It was very pleasant. I asked the college professor if he was going to come back (because he had seemed uncomfortable there) and he said yes. I reached out my hand to shake his hand, he took it and made a little bow. I found it quite charming. I learned that a man will not offer his hand to a woman, but will shake her hand if she offers it first.
On Thursday we attended Senior Missionary Council. It was held at the Central Building in Moscow. It was my first experience on the famous metro. It took us a bus ride and 2 metro rides and a short walk to arrive there. (about an hour). We met 11 other wonderful senior missionary couples who are serving in different capacities in Russia (not just Moscow) Humanitarian, leadership, CES (Church Education System, office (us), welfare, each with their own responsibilities. They are a lovely group of people dedicated to serving the Lord in the great land of Russia. We look forward to getting to know them better as we meet each week with them.
Dave attended Church last week without me because of the leak in our apartment. (the water to be emptied every three hours). Because I am directionally challenged, it made sense that Dave go with the Naegle's, who have been showing us around, so we could go together this next week. The meetings were all in Russian, but the missionaries translated for him. the people were friendly and received him well. It was interesting to sing the Church hymns in the Russian language. He also gave our first fast offering contribution to the bishop. It took about an hour and a half away by bus.
And last but not least for this week.......I would have never guessed that I would have a chance to use my shorthand after all these years. President Sorensen seemed delighted when I mentioned that I had been a stenographer (40 years ago). Instead of emailing me his comments for a couple of letters, he asked me to take them in shorthand. Wow. It has been a LONG time, but I was thrilled when I was able to do this. I think this is going to be a regular occurence - me taking his letters in shorthand and then typing them. (hmmmm - I can't remember some of the things recently learned on the computer, but my shorthand has come back to me after all these years. Go figure. :0)
Dos Vidonya and Boods Darove. Until next week........
We had a bad leak in the apartment when we arrived that got progressively worse. Dave enlisted the help of the young office elders, missionaries from USA who speak Russian, to set up a time for the plumber to arrive. When the plumber arrived, he spoke to Dave in Russian which, of course, Dave didn't understand. Dave went through the landlady, Jana, who speaks a little English, when we needed the electrician in for some repairs. The electrician didn't say one word the whole time. Dave pointed to what needed to be fixed, he fixed it and out he went.
We have been practicing our Russian at the Renok where we buy our fresh fruit and veggies. Today after making a request in Russian, the lady smiled as she waited on us and then in clear English said, "Thank you." We have noticed that the Russian people do seem to appreciate the efforts you make to speak Russian to them.
We decided to check out the television. We have two of them in our apartment. Maybe there were some English stations? Nope. But we did see the Smurfs and the Simpsons both speaking away in Russian.
Many of the Russian people are very somber. As we have met people on the street they avert their gaze away from us. Even the children do this. The same on the bus or metro. They won't meet your gaze.
One exception was at the bus stop when I was trying to read a sign. There was an old Russian lady waiting for the bus and she was observing and listening to my attempts to make out this long word She started chattering away in Russian and laughing. When she got on her bus, I waved and she waved back.
We attended English Club which meets every Wednesday night at different wards (congregations) in the Moscow area. We were in a conversational class with two Russian men who wanted to improve their English. (I can't remember their names) One was a young 30ish man, a graphic computer designer who spoke pretty good English. The other understood more than he could speak. He is a professor at an elite college in Zelonograd. He was kind of shy.
A sister missionary was leading the group and we were encouraging them to tell us about their work and so on. It was very pleasant. I asked the college professor if he was going to come back (because he had seemed uncomfortable there) and he said yes. I reached out my hand to shake his hand, he took it and made a little bow. I found it quite charming. I learned that a man will not offer his hand to a woman, but will shake her hand if she offers it first.
On Thursday we attended Senior Missionary Council. It was held at the Central Building in Moscow. It was my first experience on the famous metro. It took us a bus ride and 2 metro rides and a short walk to arrive there. (about an hour). We met 11 other wonderful senior missionary couples who are serving in different capacities in Russia (not just Moscow) Humanitarian, leadership, CES (Church Education System, office (us), welfare, each with their own responsibilities. They are a lovely group of people dedicated to serving the Lord in the great land of Russia. We look forward to getting to know them better as we meet each week with them.
Dave attended Church last week without me because of the leak in our apartment. (the water to be emptied every three hours). Because I am directionally challenged, it made sense that Dave go with the Naegle's, who have been showing us around, so we could go together this next week. The meetings were all in Russian, but the missionaries translated for him. the people were friendly and received him well. It was interesting to sing the Church hymns in the Russian language. He also gave our first fast offering contribution to the bishop. It took about an hour and a half away by bus.
And last but not least for this week.......I would have never guessed that I would have a chance to use my shorthand after all these years. President Sorensen seemed delighted when I mentioned that I had been a stenographer (40 years ago). Instead of emailing me his comments for a couple of letters, he asked me to take them in shorthand. Wow. It has been a LONG time, but I was thrilled when I was able to do this. I think this is going to be a regular occurence - me taking his letters in shorthand and then typing them. (hmmmm - I can't remember some of the things recently learned on the computer, but my shorthand has come back to me after all these years. Go figure. :0)
Dos Vidonya and Boods Darove. Until next week........
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Here we are in Moscow!
We have been here in Moscow for 4 days now. Here are just a few things that are different:
1. It is still winter here. Weather has been in 20's and 30's and snowing. It doesn't seem to affect the Russian people who are well bundled. Babies are in covered prams and little ones in snowsuits. It is still light at 7:30 pm.
2. Mayonaise, ketchup, yogurt are sold in tubes.
3. The washing machine is 1/3 of the size of the ones back home. I can wash about 3 towels at a time.
4. Dryers are not commonly used. We have a drying rack in the second bedroom to dry the clothes.
5. In the second bedroom there is a HUGE watering can (like to water flowers only bigger). We learned that in the summer the hot water is turned off for two weeks and the watering can is used in the bathtub to shower with (using water heated on the stove). Now THAT should be interesting.
6. Russians are a sober people. If you meet them on the street they are likely to drop their heads and not look at you. Children are the same way.
7. In order to talk to our landlady Jana about a plumbing problem in our apartment, our Russian-speaking young missionaries (who are English) called her and translated our needs for us. If there is something that comes up in the mission office requiring Russian, the young Elders (missionaries) woill most likely handle it.
8. Our apartment is nice. We have lovely wooden floors, There is a combined living room/dining room nicely furnished with a large window overlooking the courtyard and an elementary school. There is an eat-in kitchen w/ lots of storage space and a nice wooden floor. The bedrooms are good sized. One is our room w/ a separate sitting area and the other bedroom has the ironing board and drying racks for our clothes. The apartment is furnished with two tvs. I may have the one on in the second bedroom while I am ironing and see if I can pick up some Russian.
9. The selection of food is good. There are productees everywhere. They are similar to a 7-11. About 1/3 is for sale of alcohol. Sadly, alcoholism is a big problem. We've all heard of Russian vodka, right? I can go right downstairs and out the door and be able to buy milk, cheese, bread, produce or chocolate. Liquor is also sold in the large grocery stores.
10. There are also little produce trucks in abundance and all they sell are fresh fruits and veggies. There is one right next to the productee outside our apartment. (All around the apartment complex, which is large there are more than one little productee).
11. Across the street is Neptune, a building shaped like a ship. In it is a large store upstairs selling all manner of clothes, toiletries, etc, like an Ocean State Job Lot. There is an opteka (pharmacy) on the bottom level. Many things we have that we need a perscription for you can get over the counter.
There are several open stores called a Renock on the bottom floor. There are women selling fresh fruits and veggies, fresh baked breads, fish (catfish still alive in a big tank), and even a good quality boot shop, pet supply store and a couple of others.
We had fun going there today to buy our fruits and veggies and used our Russian. One young girl was eager to talk to us in English and there was a general feeling that they appreciated our efforts to speak their language.
12. The mission office where we will be working is about a 20 minute walk (in snowy weather). We are still on a learning curve there, as there is much for us to do and learn. The people we work with are wonderful and the atmosphere the best!
Next week we will share our first week at the office and also what happened at church. We will have our first experince in our Russian speaking ward tomorrow.
Barb is suffering big time from jet lag and has been a bit cranky (poor Dave). Dave on the other hand seemed to have no problems at all and has adjusted to the time change remarkably fast.
Dos vidonya.
1. It is still winter here. Weather has been in 20's and 30's and snowing. It doesn't seem to affect the Russian people who are well bundled. Babies are in covered prams and little ones in snowsuits. It is still light at 7:30 pm.
2. Mayonaise, ketchup, yogurt are sold in tubes.
3. The washing machine is 1/3 of the size of the ones back home. I can wash about 3 towels at a time.
4. Dryers are not commonly used. We have a drying rack in the second bedroom to dry the clothes.
5. In the second bedroom there is a HUGE watering can (like to water flowers only bigger). We learned that in the summer the hot water is turned off for two weeks and the watering can is used in the bathtub to shower with (using water heated on the stove). Now THAT should be interesting.
6. Russians are a sober people. If you meet them on the street they are likely to drop their heads and not look at you. Children are the same way.
7. In order to talk to our landlady Jana about a plumbing problem in our apartment, our Russian-speaking young missionaries (who are English) called her and translated our needs for us. If there is something that comes up in the mission office requiring Russian, the young Elders (missionaries) woill most likely handle it.
8. Our apartment is nice. We have lovely wooden floors, There is a combined living room/dining room nicely furnished with a large window overlooking the courtyard and an elementary school. There is an eat-in kitchen w/ lots of storage space and a nice wooden floor. The bedrooms are good sized. One is our room w/ a separate sitting area and the other bedroom has the ironing board and drying racks for our clothes. The apartment is furnished with two tvs. I may have the one on in the second bedroom while I am ironing and see if I can pick up some Russian.
9. The selection of food is good. There are productees everywhere. They are similar to a 7-11. About 1/3 is for sale of alcohol. Sadly, alcoholism is a big problem. We've all heard of Russian vodka, right? I can go right downstairs and out the door and be able to buy milk, cheese, bread, produce or chocolate. Liquor is also sold in the large grocery stores.
10. There are also little produce trucks in abundance and all they sell are fresh fruits and veggies. There is one right next to the productee outside our apartment. (All around the apartment complex, which is large there are more than one little productee).
11. Across the street is Neptune, a building shaped like a ship. In it is a large store upstairs selling all manner of clothes, toiletries, etc, like an Ocean State Job Lot. There is an opteka (pharmacy) on the bottom level. Many things we have that we need a perscription for you can get over the counter.
There are several open stores called a Renock on the bottom floor. There are women selling fresh fruits and veggies, fresh baked breads, fish (catfish still alive in a big tank), and even a good quality boot shop, pet supply store and a couple of others.
We had fun going there today to buy our fruits and veggies and used our Russian. One young girl was eager to talk to us in English and there was a general feeling that they appreciated our efforts to speak their language.
12. The mission office where we will be working is about a 20 minute walk (in snowy weather). We are still on a learning curve there, as there is much for us to do and learn. The people we work with are wonderful and the atmosphere the best!
Next week we will share our first week at the office and also what happened at church. We will have our first experince in our Russian speaking ward tomorrow.
Barb is suffering big time from jet lag and has been a bit cranky (poor Dave). Dave on the other hand seemed to have no problems at all and has adjusted to the time change remarkably fast.
Dos vidonya.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
WHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD CAN YOU.....?
1. Hear different languages all around you as missionaries practice their new language of the country where they will be serving? (young missionaries are in the MTC for 12 weeks to learn the language. Senior couples have the chance to Skype with a tutor before coming to the MTC and continuing for 12 more hours of intense language training.)
2. See missionaries from all over the world? Different shapes, sizes, colors, nationalities. young and older (19 to 80 ish) There are missionaries in wheelchairs and others who are physically handicapped who will be involved in computer training, family history and other responsibilities. There is something for everyone!
3. Walk in the cafeteria on Sunday morning and see mounds of bananas stacked up about a foot high for hungry missionaries?
4. Meet missionaries who are going all over the world (from Denver CO to Croatia, from CA to the Marshall Islands, from Minnesota to Russia?) who are being called to all different assignments? We've met missionaries who are going to be responsible for gardens, maintenance, lawn mowing, singing and dancing in Church productions, secretarial work in the mission office, leadership where the missionary couples help strengthen the Church in congregations throughout the world, driving a horse team where visitors sit in wagons and get a tour of different church historical sites (such as Nauvoo), work in Visitors Centers, or serve in the 134 temples which are in operation throughout the world?) And don't forget the humanitarian missions. There are doctors and dentists called to serve in their area of expertise in poor countries, others who make sure there are wheelchairs or clean water, where hygiene kits are passed out and mothers are taught about child care. The list is endless and the kind of missions so varied.
5. Find a cafeteria that can feed over 2000 missionaries Papa John's pizza every Friday night? Any guesses on how many boxes needed to take care of such a large group? 900 maybe?
6. Make lifelong friends in two weeks time?
7. See missionaries in their Sunday best every day (except for the P-day. Every missionary has a p-day to rest, exercise, grocery shop, laundry, etc) who are happy and well groomed and anxious to spread the gospel throughout the world? And guess what? They have paid for this experience out of their own pockets.
OFF TO RUSSIA WE GO
Tomorrow morning at 5 am a shuttle will pick us and another couple headed for Russia (different mission) and take us to the airport. After arriving in JFK, we will travel 9 1/2 hours to Russia. We will be met there by the mission president and his wife and our Russian journey will truly begin!
Here is a close-up of our missionary
name tags. Dave's is on the top. (Starayshena Sutton)
Barb's is Seehstra Sutton. Starayshena means Elder.
DOS VIDONYA!
Dave, Barb and Carson Monson (our Russian tutor)
2. See missionaries from all over the world? Different shapes, sizes, colors, nationalities. young and older (19 to 80 ish) There are missionaries in wheelchairs and others who are physically handicapped who will be involved in computer training, family history and other responsibilities. There is something for everyone!
3. Walk in the cafeteria on Sunday morning and see mounds of bananas stacked up about a foot high for hungry missionaries?
4. Meet missionaries who are going all over the world (from Denver CO to Croatia, from CA to the Marshall Islands, from Minnesota to Russia?) who are being called to all different assignments? We've met missionaries who are going to be responsible for gardens, maintenance, lawn mowing, singing and dancing in Church productions, secretarial work in the mission office, leadership where the missionary couples help strengthen the Church in congregations throughout the world, driving a horse team where visitors sit in wagons and get a tour of different church historical sites (such as Nauvoo), work in Visitors Centers, or serve in the 134 temples which are in operation throughout the world?) And don't forget the humanitarian missions. There are doctors and dentists called to serve in their area of expertise in poor countries, others who make sure there are wheelchairs or clean water, where hygiene kits are passed out and mothers are taught about child care. The list is endless and the kind of missions so varied.
5. Find a cafeteria that can feed over 2000 missionaries Papa John's pizza every Friday night? Any guesses on how many boxes needed to take care of such a large group? 900 maybe?
6. Make lifelong friends in two weeks time?
7. See missionaries in their Sunday best every day (except for the P-day. Every missionary has a p-day to rest, exercise, grocery shop, laundry, etc) who are happy and well groomed and anxious to spread the gospel throughout the world? And guess what? They have paid for this experience out of their own pockets.
Dave and Barb (Elder and Sister Sutton) in front
of the Provo Temple on our P-day.
OFF TO RUSSIA WE GO
Here we are in front of the world map pointing to Moscow
where we will be serving for 18 monthsTomorrow morning at 5 am a shuttle will pick us and another couple headed for Russia (different mission) and take us to the airport. After arriving in JFK, we will travel 9 1/2 hours to Russia. We will be met there by the mission president and his wife and our Russian journey will truly begin!
Here is a close-up of our missionary
name tags. Dave's is on the top. (Starayshena Sutton)
Barb's is Seehstra Sutton. Starayshena means Elder.
DOS VIDONYA!
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Our First Week In The MTC (Missionary Training Center)
On February 26th we were set apart as missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
On March 1, good friends Larry and Heather Long brought us to the airport in a snowstorm bright and early! After some luggage issues, our flight was uneventful . Thank you Larry and Heather!
After spending a few days with Shauna, Jeff and grandson Kyler (at the home of Val and Marcia Swenson), Jeff's dad and step-mom, Shauna and Jeff drove us to Provo UT. We walked around and took some pictures (to be posted soon) and then they dropped us off at the MTC.
grandpa dave giving kyler a hug
daughter shauna with us near MTC
Our dream of serving a mission together has begun! We pulled up and many young missionaries (Elders) came out and whisked our luggage away and up to our room. We gave one last hug to our daughter and her family and entered into the MTC.
missionaries were waiting to take our luggage to our room
grandma barb saying goodbye to kyler
mother and daughter hug
What a privilege it was for us to have Shauna Jeff and Kyler bring us to the MTC. We are hoping that our serving a mission will be a blessing for our children, grandchildren, mothers and siblings and friends.
grandpa dave giving kyler a new belly button
Dos Vidonya! See you in September 2013!
This past week has been a spiritual feast for us. How proud we were when we received our missionary badges with our names on it. Tomorrow we receive badges in the Russian language.
We have worked hard this past week. We have had classes every day Monday through Friday preparing us to be missionaries. We have drawn close to our little district of 3 other couples. We have attended a fireside in which a General Authority, Elder David L. Evans of the Quorum of the Seventy, came and spoke to us (2200 strong) and encouraged us and shared insights with us that will help us in the mission field.
A highlight was when all of the missionaries sang Called To Serve and Onward Christian Soldiers! I can't describe the feelings of knowing that WE are missionaries and are called to serve in the great land of Russia. It is humbling.
We were involved in some role playing which was hard but worth it in helping us in our role as missionaries. We have met some amazing people. One couple in their 80's is about to serve their fourth mission. Two other couples are returning to the lands (Japan and Korea) where the Elder served his mission as a young man. How wonderful!
There are different kinds of missions to which the Seniors have been called. Humanitarian, temple, mission office (such as us), historical sites (such as Nauvoo, Ill,) and Visitors Centers to name a few.
This morning in Church service (Sacrament meeting) there was a group of 12 young missionaries who sang a hymn in English which was quite a feat because they were from 9 different countries w/ different languages.
We are learning that the MTC is a place of miracles as young and older are preparing to go and share the gospel and serve (building wells, placing wheelchairs, etc, strengthen the membership or teach hygeine) in whatever capacity is needed.
We feel blessed to be a small part of this.
Friday night there were ten couples who are going to different parts of the world who had a chance to bear their testimony (feelings about Jesus Christ) in the language they will be speaking. Wow. To hear seniors in their 60's and 70's speak in Japanese, Spanish, Russian, Tagalog, Mandarin, French (in the Congo) and German, is very inspirational.
What a miracle for us to be able to study (with wonderful tutors) and learn and retain the languages we will need in our area of the world. Our tutor Carson Monson IS THE BEST. We feel so blessed to have him as our tutor (6 hours each of the two weeks we are in the MTC. Lessons began last December on Skype.
Every missionary has a P-day or preparation day in which to do laundry, grocery shop, exercise, and rest one day a week. Our P-day was Saturday and we enjoyed being out in the sunshine and walking around the temple grounds and relaxing a bit! David went with another Elder to the temple. Barb enjoyed sitting in the sun and studying Russian and together they walked around the temple grounds later in the day.
This coming week brings training in our office responsibilities and we will be able to attend a second devotional as well continue on in our language training. Until we meet again, dos vidonya and boods da rove!
On March 1, good friends Larry and Heather Long brought us to the airport in a snowstorm bright and early! After some luggage issues, our flight was uneventful . Thank you Larry and Heather!
After spending a few days with Shauna, Jeff and grandson Kyler (at the home of Val and Marcia Swenson), Jeff's dad and step-mom, Shauna and Jeff drove us to Provo UT. We walked around and took some pictures (to be posted soon) and then they dropped us off at the MTC.
shauna kyler dave and barb
Our dream of serving a mission together has begun! We pulled up and many young missionaries (Elders) came out and whisked our luggage away and up to our room. We gave one last hug to our daughter and her family and entered into the MTC.
What a privilege it was for us to have Shauna Jeff and Kyler bring us to the MTC. We are hoping that our serving a mission will be a blessing for our children, grandchildren, mothers and siblings and friends.
ready to enter the MTC!
This past week has been a spiritual feast for us. How proud we were when we received our missionary badges with our names on it. Tomorrow we receive badges in the Russian language.
We have worked hard this past week. We have had classes every day Monday through Friday preparing us to be missionaries. We have drawn close to our little district of 3 other couples. We have attended a fireside in which a General Authority, Elder David L. Evans of the Quorum of the Seventy, came and spoke to us (2200 strong) and encouraged us and shared insights with us that will help us in the mission field.
A highlight was when all of the missionaries sang Called To Serve and Onward Christian Soldiers! I can't describe the feelings of knowing that WE are missionaries and are called to serve in the great land of Russia. It is humbling.
We were involved in some role playing which was hard but worth it in helping us in our role as missionaries. We have met some amazing people. One couple in their 80's is about to serve their fourth mission. Two other couples are returning to the lands (Japan and Korea) where the Elder served his mission as a young man. How wonderful!
There are different kinds of missions to which the Seniors have been called. Humanitarian, temple, mission office (such as us), historical sites (such as Nauvoo, Ill,) and Visitors Centers to name a few.
This morning in Church service (Sacrament meeting) there was a group of 12 young missionaries who sang a hymn in English which was quite a feat because they were from 9 different countries w/ different languages.
We are learning that the MTC is a place of miracles as young and older are preparing to go and share the gospel and serve (building wells, placing wheelchairs, etc, strengthen the membership or teach hygeine) in whatever capacity is needed.
We feel blessed to be a small part of this.
Friday night there were ten couples who are going to different parts of the world who had a chance to bear their testimony (feelings about Jesus Christ) in the language they will be speaking. Wow. To hear seniors in their 60's and 70's speak in Japanese, Spanish, Russian, Tagalog, Mandarin, French (in the Congo) and German, is very inspirational.
What a miracle for us to be able to study (with wonderful tutors) and learn and retain the languages we will need in our area of the world. Our tutor Carson Monson IS THE BEST. We feel so blessed to have him as our tutor (6 hours each of the two weeks we are in the MTC. Lessons began last December on Skype.
Every missionary has a P-day or preparation day in which to do laundry, grocery shop, exercise, and rest one day a week. Our P-day was Saturday and we enjoyed being out in the sunshine and walking around the temple grounds and relaxing a bit! David went with another Elder to the temple. Barb enjoyed sitting in the sun and studying Russian and together they walked around the temple grounds later in the day.
This coming week brings training in our office responsibilities and we will be able to attend a second devotional as well continue on in our language training. Until we meet again, dos vidonya and boods da rove!
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