As you can well imagine,, money is different here in Russia. There are no checking accounts. Here we use a debit card to draw off cash in rubles from our checking account back home. Credit cards are limited and fairly new here. We don't use them here. (they are accepted in some restaurants and large malls, but we wouldn't use them anyway for security purposes). Everything is cash on the barrel. Fortunately, the bank is right next door which makes it easy. Especially in light of the fact that Dave, as one of the financial secretaries, is always drawing off money for this or that and he funds the missionaries their monthly allowances, rents, area adjustments. With over 100 missionaries to take care of financially, that is a LOT of money! The missionaries take the money off their cards and use it as needed. Even rent is paid in cash. Our rent is 45,000 rubles a month. WOW. That sounds a lot. We also pay 3100 rubles for for a building fee and 800 rubles a month for utilities.
It can be very disconcerting when you go to the grocery store for your weekly shopping and your receipt shows that you owe 2764 rubles. WOW. However, broken down it is only $92 (give or take). The value of the ruble changes slightly day to day. When I went to Metro (like Costco) the receipt was over 5000 rubles. (around $170). My haircut today will cost 1000 rubles. Not to worry. That is only around $30, what I would pay in the States and includes a generous tip for my wonderful hairdresser Goar who comes to me in my apartment. I LOVE that.
The Russians have more coins than I have ever heard of. We have the penny, nickel, dime, quarter, and so on. They have a ruble, a 10 ruble coin, a 2 and a 5. Not so strange BUT they also have kopecks. A kopeck is a tiny coin with a 1 on it and is worth here in Russia on 1/10th of 1 ruble. WOW. They are very hard to fine. They also have tiny coins with a 2 or a 50 on it. (Haven't figured out their value)
THEN, when we go to Latvia which we will be doing next week for our visa trip out of the country which is required by law here in Russia, we will change our rubles to lats, the Latvian coinage. One lat is worth approximately $2 American dollars, so you can have a meal that was "only" 6 lats, but you are paying about $12.
As I have mentioned before, we love hearing from YOU, so please keep in touch. We send love and hugs from Russia. Until next time, dos vidonya.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Russian TidBits and Miracles
ISMAILOVO is a famous place in Moscow for souvenier shopping. It is HUGE. It is outdoors and the different vendors have a little 8 by 10 area to show off their wares. Where to begin? Well, we certainly want to bring back Russia to our family and friends and we don't want to go back with a martruska doll that says Made In China. We want the real thing!
How fortunate for us that Elder and Sister Naegle have a contact here in a young man named Ivan (pronounced EEE Von in Russian). He really took good care of us. He carves the wood himself and his sister does the painting. We got some lovely gifts for family and friends and they are tra ditional Russian which is what we wanted. We have ordered a few things from him that will be ready for pick up in 2 or 3 months. Ivan has made lots of LDS friends as the missionaries often go to him to get gifts for their families before they return to their homes. He refers to us as a Community. :0)
There is everything from the nesting dolls to the Father Frost (Russian Santa Claus), homemade slippers and aprons, ornaments, artwork and so much more. PICTURES TO FOLLOW.
Sister Naegle, Barb, Ivan, and Elder Naegle
THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL in Russia is a BIG deal. It always falls on September 1, even on weekends. The tradition is that the children get all dressed up in their Sunday best and take flowers to their teacher. It is quite a production. In fact, it appears that the children are giving time frames to come so that they don't all show up at the same time.
Since we can see the school from our window, we enjoyed watching the children marching up to the school with their flowers. The little girls had these FANCY bows in their hair and the boys had on suits and ties. The day before school, there was a line a mile long at the braiding booth at the mall. There are three employees there who braid hair and many of the little girls were having their hair done for the first day of school. PICTURES TO FOLLOW.
T'VER - is a city of about 400,000 north of Moscow. It takes about 3 1/2 hours by train to get there and is within the mission boundaries. Our friends Elder and Sister Luekenga from ID are the senior couple for Tver. However, they also work in the office and every weekend they leave on Saturday morning, taking a bus to Z-grad and catching the train there and travel to Tver. There they serve their little district, which consists of 4 missionaries. They feed them, nurture them, encourage them and help them in many ways as they serve amongst the people there.
The little branch of the Church there boasts a weekly count of 12 - 20 people. They have a little building to meet in. (rented) The church is still so new in Russia that the young missionaries as well as senior couples play a large part in helping these little branches to grow and learn. At the present time, Elder C, one of our young missionaries (early 20's) is serving as the branch presiden. His two counselors are both fine men in their fifties or so and are strong in the gospel, but because of persecution within their family are not able to serve in this capacity. Leaders need the support of their wives and these two women are very much opposed to the Church.
Anyway, we were privileged to attend Church there on Sunday and feel the sweet spirit of these humble people there. What a blessing our missionaries are to them. Elder B plays the little organi there and they are always willing to help the members out in whatever it is they need.
Elder and Sister Luekenga bring with them years or experience and are loved by the people there.
After Sunday meetings, Elder and Sister L get back on a train (with plastic seats and poor heating) for the 3 hour trip back to Mitina where they live. They are one of the sets of weekend warriors as our mission president refers to them as. Serving hours away on weekends and fulfilling other responsibilities during the week.
We enjoyed going with the Luekengas to experience another side of Russia. My, the environment was very different. It is much smaller and it is a poor city. They have a trolley system there that dates back to the 1920's. We went on a trolley ride. It was rickety and slow but got us (partway) to where we wanted to go. All of a sudden the trolley stopped. We learned that a car had foolishly tried to beat the trolley in front of us, didn't make it and got hit. So,off the trolley we went and caught a bus to our destination, the Luekenga's lovely apartment, home actually, in T'ver. (the woman who rented it to them had had the home built for their daughter who moved away) She liked the Luekenga's so much she rents her beautiful high-end home to the missionaries. It is a wonderful meeting place for the missionaries to gather for their district meeting, for the great meals Sister L cooks and for a meeting place for Family Home Evenings which are on most Saturday nights.
Weenjoyed taking a walk, close to the famous Volga River and down a street where cars are not allowed. It was very charming. We passed a man playing a beautiful instrument, the likes of which I have never seen before. He was sitting down and this rounded metal instrument was in front of him on the ground and he was using his hands to beat it (kind of like a drum) but the music was very beautiful). He spoke to us in English and there was a tiny girl standing there watching him, mesmerized by the music and swaying back and forth, dancing her little baby dance It was cute. (pictures to follow).
Volga River
THE RUNNERS
On the train ride back to Z-grad we took a different train. We took the Express train TO Tver and the slower one (because there was no choice) on the way home. The Express has someone checking your tickets as you board the train. This train does not. SO quite a few people get on and don't pay. When the conductor comes around to check your ticket, the runners stay a step (or I should say a train) ahead of them. When the train stops as it often does, they get off the train, and RUN around the back of the train (where the conductor has already checked tickets), get back on the train and sit down again. It was quite amusing to see all these people, mostly younger but a couple who were in their 50's or 60's, running like crazy to get around so they could get back on the train before it started up again..
MIRACLES
I have had the privilege of seeing little miracles happen amongst 3 of our missionaries. The one I mentioned before, Elder R, burned his hand on a stove top and it was blistered. We took care of it quickly with cool water but it still blistered. It was totally healed in less than two days. Our friend Sister Naegle, took a bad fall off the bus (having missed the step) and landed head first on the pavement. She hurt her head and also her wrist and arm when she tried to break her fall. I planned on taking the day off from my office responsibilities to take care of her and help in whatever way I could, but when I checked on her the morning after, she was feeling MUCH better. No headache, the swelling was down and she was well on the way to a fast recovery. I am the third missionary, having been pretty sick with intestinal issues. Healing was quick. I know I was blessed. I know that as we strive to serve the Lord here, He will bless us too.
How fortunate for us that Elder and Sister Naegle have a contact here in a young man named Ivan (pronounced EEE Von in Russian). He really took good care of us. He carves the wood himself and his sister does the painting. We got some lovely gifts for family and friends and they are tra ditional Russian which is what we wanted. We have ordered a few things from him that will be ready for pick up in 2 or 3 months. Ivan has made lots of LDS friends as the missionaries often go to him to get gifts for their families before they return to their homes. He refers to us as a Community. :0)
There is everything from the nesting dolls to the Father Frost (Russian Santa Claus), homemade slippers and aprons, ornaments, artwork and so much more. PICTURES TO FOLLOW.
THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL in Russia is a BIG deal. It always falls on September 1, even on weekends. The tradition is that the children get all dressed up in their Sunday best and take flowers to their teacher. It is quite a production. In fact, it appears that the children are giving time frames to come so that they don't all show up at the same time.
Since we can see the school from our window, we enjoyed watching the children marching up to the school with their flowers. The little girls had these FANCY bows in their hair and the boys had on suits and ties. The day before school, there was a line a mile long at the braiding booth at the mall. There are three employees there who braid hair and many of the little girls were having their hair done for the first day of school. PICTURES TO FOLLOW.
T'VER - is a city of about 400,000 north of Moscow. It takes about 3 1/2 hours by train to get there and is within the mission boundaries. Our friends Elder and Sister Luekenga from ID are the senior couple for Tver. However, they also work in the office and every weekend they leave on Saturday morning, taking a bus to Z-grad and catching the train there and travel to Tver. There they serve their little district, which consists of 4 missionaries. They feed them, nurture them, encourage them and help them in many ways as they serve amongst the people there.
The little branch of the Church there boasts a weekly count of 12 - 20 people. They have a little building to meet in. (rented) The church is still so new in Russia that the young missionaries as well as senior couples play a large part in helping these little branches to grow and learn. At the present time, Elder C, one of our young missionaries (early 20's) is serving as the branch presiden. His two counselors are both fine men in their fifties or so and are strong in the gospel, but because of persecution within their family are not able to serve in this capacity. Leaders need the support of their wives and these two women are very much opposed to the Church.
Anyway, we were privileged to attend Church there on Sunday and feel the sweet spirit of these humble people there. What a blessing our missionaries are to them. Elder B plays the little organi there and they are always willing to help the members out in whatever it is they need.
Elder and Sister Luekenga bring with them years or experience and are loved by the people there.
After Sunday meetings, Elder and Sister L get back on a train (with plastic seats and poor heating) for the 3 hour trip back to Mitina where they live. They are one of the sets of weekend warriors as our mission president refers to them as. Serving hours away on weekends and fulfilling other responsibilities during the week.
We enjoyed going with the Luekengas to experience another side of Russia. My, the environment was very different. It is much smaller and it is a poor city. They have a trolley system there that dates back to the 1920's. We went on a trolley ride. It was rickety and slow but got us (partway) to where we wanted to go. All of a sudden the trolley stopped. We learned that a car had foolishly tried to beat the trolley in front of us, didn't make it and got hit. So,off the trolley we went and caught a bus to our destination, the Luekenga's lovely apartment, home actually, in T'ver. (the woman who rented it to them had had the home built for their daughter who moved away) She liked the Luekenga's so much she rents her beautiful high-end home to the missionaries. It is a wonderful meeting place for the missionaries to gather for their district meeting, for the great meals Sister L cooks and for a meeting place for Family Home Evenings which are on most Saturday nights.
Weenjoyed taking a walk, close to the famous Volga River and down a street where cars are not allowed. It was very charming. We passed a man playing a beautiful instrument, the likes of which I have never seen before. He was sitting down and this rounded metal instrument was in front of him on the ground and he was using his hands to beat it (kind of like a drum) but the music was very beautiful). He spoke to us in English and there was a tiny girl standing there watching him, mesmerized by the music and swaying back and forth, dancing her little baby dance It was cute. (pictures to follow).
THE RUNNERS
On the train ride back to Z-grad we took a different train. We took the Express train TO Tver and the slower one (because there was no choice) on the way home. The Express has someone checking your tickets as you board the train. This train does not. SO quite a few people get on and don't pay. When the conductor comes around to check your ticket, the runners stay a step (or I should say a train) ahead of them. When the train stops as it often does, they get off the train, and RUN around the back of the train (where the conductor has already checked tickets), get back on the train and sit down again. It was quite amusing to see all these people, mostly younger but a couple who were in their 50's or 60's, running like crazy to get around so they could get back on the train before it started up again..
MIRACLES
I have had the privilege of seeing little miracles happen amongst 3 of our missionaries. The one I mentioned before, Elder R, burned his hand on a stove top and it was blistered. We took care of it quickly with cool water but it still blistered. It was totally healed in less than two days. Our friend Sister Naegle, took a bad fall off the bus (having missed the step) and landed head first on the pavement. She hurt her head and also her wrist and arm when she tried to break her fall. I planned on taking the day off from my office responsibilities to take care of her and help in whatever way I could, but when I checked on her the morning after, she was feeling MUCH better. No headache, the swelling was down and she was well on the way to a fast recovery. I am the third missionary, having been pretty sick with intestinal issues. Healing was quick. I know I was blessed. I know that as we strive to serve the Lord here, He will bless us too.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Church in Zelonograd
Today was a good day at Church. It is still a bit frustrating not to be able to understand what is being said. Dave sings the hymns in Russian very well as long as it is a slow tempo and gives him time to read the words. I carry my little pocket-sized hymn book and sing the song in English.
Relief Society was especially rewarding today. Natasha sat next to me again and offered to fill me in on the lesson. The lesson was on the parable from the New Testament on the master and the vineyard and the men being hired at different times of the day and ending up getting paid the same. The ones who had worked only an hour getting paid the same as those who had been there all day. It was nice to be able to follow along with the gist of the lesson. And it was REALLY neat when Natasha shared a comment by a sister in the back. Her comment was not something I had ever thought of before. I was thrilled that not only was I able to enjoy Relief Society today, but to learn something I didn't know and look at it with a fresh perspective. IMAGINE. Learning something new in a Russian Relief Society!
Primary children, 10 of them, came in at the end of the lesson and sang a familiar Primary song. I loved hearing their sweet voices and seeing them act out the song just as the little ones did in our Primary back home. (You may be familiar with it too. - The wise man built his house upon the rock)
AND, perhaps best of all.....There is a woman named Lubov (pronounced Luba) who I have been trying for weeks to "get through to." Today it happened. YAY. She smiled and responded to me. I'm pleased to have broken yet another barrier. She is the daughter of the little babushka Maria that I love and look forward to seeing every week.
This next week looks like it is going to be extra busy. Until next time, dos vidonya.
Relief Society was especially rewarding today. Natasha sat next to me again and offered to fill me in on the lesson. The lesson was on the parable from the New Testament on the master and the vineyard and the men being hired at different times of the day and ending up getting paid the same. The ones who had worked only an hour getting paid the same as those who had been there all day. It was nice to be able to follow along with the gist of the lesson. And it was REALLY neat when Natasha shared a comment by a sister in the back. Her comment was not something I had ever thought of before. I was thrilled that not only was I able to enjoy Relief Society today, but to learn something I didn't know and look at it with a fresh perspective. IMAGINE. Learning something new in a Russian Relief Society!
Primary children, 10 of them, came in at the end of the lesson and sang a familiar Primary song. I loved hearing their sweet voices and seeing them act out the song just as the little ones did in our Primary back home. (You may be familiar with it too. - The wise man built his house upon the rock)
AND, perhaps best of all.....There is a woman named Lubov (pronounced Luba) who I have been trying for weeks to "get through to." Today it happened. YAY. She smiled and responded to me. I'm pleased to have broken yet another barrier. She is the daughter of the little babushka Maria that I love and look forward to seeing every week.
This next week looks like it is going to be extra busy. Until next time, dos vidonya.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Our wonderful missionaries
One of the great blessings we have as being the office couple is the chance to rub shoulders and get to know our office elders. I was sad when Elder Brown left, sadder yet when Elder Everett left, and now we are blessed with Elder Ayers who will soon be joined by Elder Stegeby, a Swedish missionary, who we look forward to getting to know a we work together in the office.
Elder Ayers, a young man from Canada whose family now lives in AZ is one of our office elders. He is always willing to lend a hand and is very thorough. He and Elder Sutton have struck up an especially sweet and special relationship, referring to each other at times as Dad and Son. What a blessing to know these wonderful young men who are setting such a wonderful example and who have come thousands of miles to serve the Lord.
Elder Ayers current companion is Elder Anisiforov, a native Russian. He is a whiz at fixing anything that is broken (like Elder Luekenga's iphone) and the laminating machine which was on the fritz for the 3rd time. He does a wonderful job of ordering train transportation when needed. He has made phone calls for me when I couldn't communicate due to the Russian barrier. He will be leaving this week and finishing up his mission with his best friend, and fellow Ukrainian, in opening up a new area! Very exciting. (That is when Elder Stegeby will coming on board).
Even missionaries who do not work in the office are often coming in for one reason or another, or they call for help or advice. It is a blessing to be able to nurture these missionaries, elders and sisters both.
We are especially lucky because we get to meet the new missionaries when they first arrive from the States. Because I work on their arrival packets, I see their pictures and "get acquainted" with them a little before they even arrive. How wonderful it is to finally meet them after months of waiting for their arrival. I have established a few special relationships among these special young missionaries, elders and sisters alike.
AND we can't say enough about the senior couples we get to work with, play games with, have dinner out with, and learn from and enjoy! They are a special blessing in our lives. Especially the two other couples who work in the mission office, the Naegle's and Luekenga's. We love them and are so grateful for them!
Elder Ayers, a young man from Canada whose family now lives in AZ is one of our office elders. He is always willing to lend a hand and is very thorough. He and Elder Sutton have struck up an especially sweet and special relationship, referring to each other at times as Dad and Son. What a blessing to know these wonderful young men who are setting such a wonderful example and who have come thousands of miles to serve the Lord.
Elder Ayers current companion is Elder Anisiforov, a native Russian. He is a whiz at fixing anything that is broken (like Elder Luekenga's iphone) and the laminating machine which was on the fritz for the 3rd time. He does a wonderful job of ordering train transportation when needed. He has made phone calls for me when I couldn't communicate due to the Russian barrier. He will be leaving this week and finishing up his mission with his best friend, and fellow Ukrainian, in opening up a new area! Very exciting. (That is when Elder Stegeby will coming on board).
Even missionaries who do not work in the office are often coming in for one reason or another, or they call for help or advice. It is a blessing to be able to nurture these missionaries, elders and sisters both.
We are especially lucky because we get to meet the new missionaries when they first arrive from the States. Because I work on their arrival packets, I see their pictures and "get acquainted" with them a little before they even arrive. How wonderful it is to finally meet them after months of waiting for their arrival. I have established a few special relationships among these special young missionaries, elders and sisters alike.
AND we can't say enough about the senior couples we get to work with, play games with, have dinner out with, and learn from and enjoy! They are a special blessing in our lives. Especially the two other couples who work in the mission office, the Naegle's and Luekenga's. We love them and are so grateful for them!
Babushka Maria
The ward babushka Maria is 90 years old. Her 4 1/2 foot frame is bent over with age. There are many wrinkles on her sweet face. I have always loved older people and she was one of the first ladies I approached when we first started coming to church. We arrived on her birthday and the sister missionaries told me how to say Happy Birthday. Since then, I have looked for her when she comes on Sunday morning to greet her with a hug. She comes in the door, straightens up briefly to all 4 1/2 feet, sees me and smiles widely and waves.
After these months, we both seem to anticipate the hello and goodbye hugs that are warmly given. This morning, when I approached her, after being held in a surprisingly tight embrace from those feeble arms, she held out a gift. Two little bags. One filled with cookies and one filled with candy. She makes my day. Her daughter, on the other hand....her name is Looba. She is a short lady as well, but she hasn't warmed up to me yet. I have to keep working on that. Some Russians are naturally more reserved.
I am delighted with the friendships I am making with the women in this little ward. Natasha, a beautiful young mother of 2 teenagers who helps me understand what is going on in Relief Societ; Ludmilla, a beautiful and bubbly 80 year old, Galina, our music director. How she loves music. It shows in her joyful directing as we sing the hymns. Olga and Natasha, sisters who want me to come visit them in their home. (they live next to each other);
Both of us enjoy a relationship with some of the young women, the 18 - 20 year olds. We have a lovely group of young women who are busy working, as they have finished their schooling.
David is enjoying new friendships as well. He has struck up a friendship with one brother in the ward who speaks little English, he enjoys conversing with a young father (who understands English) and has enjoyed relationships with a couple of the other men. There is always a smile and a word or two. Our bishop, who speaks fluent English, is a wonderful man, a young father of a very gregarious 2 year old named Nikita. His relationships are growing and getting stronger and we feel like we are becoming more a part of our ward family. The barriers seem to be breaking down!
Yes, language is still a challenge. Yes, we still don'd understand 98% of what is said, but we ARE feeling more part of our ward family and we realize it is up to us to contine to work on establishing relationships that will turn into friendships.
After these months, we both seem to anticipate the hello and goodbye hugs that are warmly given. This morning, when I approached her, after being held in a surprisingly tight embrace from those feeble arms, she held out a gift. Two little bags. One filled with cookies and one filled with candy. She makes my day. Her daughter, on the other hand....her name is Looba. She is a short lady as well, but she hasn't warmed up to me yet. I have to keep working on that. Some Russians are naturally more reserved.
I am delighted with the friendships I am making with the women in this little ward. Natasha, a beautiful young mother of 2 teenagers who helps me understand what is going on in Relief Societ; Ludmilla, a beautiful and bubbly 80 year old, Galina, our music director. How she loves music. It shows in her joyful directing as we sing the hymns. Olga and Natasha, sisters who want me to come visit them in their home. (they live next to each other);
Both of us enjoy a relationship with some of the young women, the 18 - 20 year olds. We have a lovely group of young women who are busy working, as they have finished their schooling.
David is enjoying new friendships as well. He has struck up a friendship with one brother in the ward who speaks little English, he enjoys conversing with a young father (who understands English) and has enjoyed relationships with a couple of the other men. There is always a smile and a word or two. Our bishop, who speaks fluent English, is a wonderful man, a young father of a very gregarious 2 year old named Nikita. His relationships are growing and getting stronger and we feel like we are becoming more a part of our ward family. The barriers seem to be breaking down!
Yes, language is still a challenge. Yes, we still don'd understand 98% of what is said, but we ARE feeling more part of our ward family and we realize it is up to us to contine to work on establishing relationships that will turn into friendships.
BYOB
The water in Russia is terrible. So terrible and unsafe to drink, in fact, that you will not find any water fountains anywhere. There is no such thing as a free glass of water. In restaurants, if you want water, you will pay for bottled water. Many people are seen carrying their own bottled water (or alcohol, pepsi or juice). Wherever you go BYOB. We are paying a lot for bottled water because we go to restaurants a lot due to our schedule. (there are two kinds - still or gas.) Gas means with bubbles. If you are fortunate, you can get a bottle of COLD water. Russians don't like their water cold.
Fortunately, the mission office and all of the missionary apartments and church buildings are furnished with water filtering systems which we install for safe drinking water. You do NOT want to drink water out of the tap. There will be an excellent chance that it will make you very sick.
Fortunately, the mission office and all of the missionary apartments and church buildings are furnished with water filtering systems which we install for safe drinking water. You do NOT want to drink water out of the tap. There will be an excellent chance that it will make you very sick.
One red squirrel
We have been in Russia for 5 months. We have walked to the office daily, passing wooded areas, driven past many miles of woods and meadows, visited beautiful parks and walked for miles amongst the beautiful wooded and grassy areas. In all that time, we have seen one young red squirrel. We see many stray dogs, lots of birds and a few cats. BUT NO OTHER ANiMALS. What's with that?
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