YOU ARE MY HERO.
We have been in our Zelonograd Ward for just over 13 months. Today one of the members, a big bear of a man with an always-smiling face, Igor, came up to Elder Sutton and wrapped his huge hand arround his and spoke to him in Russian with a smile and and moved on. A misisonary standing close by said that this brother had said, "you are my hero." The missionary smiled and said that Igor frequently said that to any missonary he saw. He loves the missionaries!
A BUM KNEE, A HUG AND A SMILE
I was standing near the front door as members came in and Luba came up to me and pointed to my knees and said something with a concerned look on her face. I immediately got the gist of what she was saying because Sister Snyder, one of our young missonaries has been suffering from a lot of knee pain. Luba had heard about the knee problem and thought it was me. She was concerned about me. Sister Snyder was stanidng close by and explained that it was her, not me with the "bum knee." Anyway, I was touched. Especially due to the fact that it was this sweet sister, who for the first 10 months of our mission, totally ignored me. No acknowledgement at all. I think I could have stood on my head in front of her without getting any response at all. Then, one day Maria, the 88 year old babushka who I greeted every week with a hug and kiss on the cheek, was able to convey to me that Luba was her daughter. One day, I tentatively approached Luba and told her how much I loved her mother, Maria. That seemed to break the ice because from then on I was greeted with a hello. When Maria died a couple of months ago, I gave Luba a hug. Now I am greeted with a hug AND a smile. Luba has become my friend.
ALEXY IS BACK.
Alexy is back. He is a 20-something young man who attended English Group months ago when Elder Sutton and I attended. He was not interested in learning about the Church, but was interested in getting to know us and practice his English. He came to church a couple of times, but it was for social reasons only. How delightful it was to see him back in Church today with the missionaries. He is now taking the discussions and reading the Book of Mormon.
A SWEET SPIRIT IN CHURCH
Even though language is still a huge barrier at Church, Dave and I feel totally accepted. I know where families and individuals sit. I look around to see who is there and who is missing. Little 5 year old Slava runs up to greet me and wrap his little arms around my knees with a BABOOLA! BABOOLA! A smile and he scampers off and returns a little later for another hug. He helps me miss my grandchildren a little bit less.
BABUSHKA
Sweet тайциа (Tyeetseeya), who is now 88 years old gave me a photograph of her so we wouldnt' forget her. She is the lovely lady who gave us a cassette of her singing several songs. She greets me with a hug and and a huge smile as she calls me Bar Bar Ah Sutton! (most missionaries go by Sister Sutton). We are on a first-named basis.
THE YOUNG WOMEN
There are others we have drawn close to. I love the young women (9 - 21 years old) and get hugs from many of them, Masha, Anna Galia... Ksenia, (Soosha) is a young 19 year old that I have grown very close to. We have spent ime together from time to time as she has asked for my advice and confided in me now and then. Sometimes she sits with us in Church. I have grown to love this young woman very much. (Fortunately, she can speak English) so I am able to understand her.
THE CHURCH IS THE SAME
Here or back in Ludlow MA. the lessons taught and the hymns sung are the same - just in a different lanuage. Our wonderul missionaries take turns translating forus. We read the lessons in English. I love knowing that Relief Society has service projects, visitng teaching conferences, and holiday parties like back home. I love hearing the topics that are discussed in sacrament meeting and Sunday School I love hearing the litle ones singing the Primary songs.
Even though the Ludlow Ward in Ludlow Massachusetts, Springfield MA. Stake, is where we will return, for now our ward is the Zelonograd Ward in the Moscow Russia Stake. Bishop Mocholov is our bishop. While it will be nice to listen to lessons in English again and to be able to take part, I will always hold a special place in my heart for our wonderful ward family here in Moscow, Russia.
By the time we leave in a few months time, I hope to know a few more names of the special people who have become part of our ward family so far away from home.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Saturday, April 27, 2013
PS to the grumpy blog post
We have a beautiful day here in Mitino. We both slept in and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast. After lunch we plan on walking over to a dollar store we heard about that sells everything for 38 rubles or less. Lest you think we do not live in a nice area or a nice apartment complex, I wanted to let you know that when Dave arrived home from the office last night, 2 short hours after I got home (and tentatively asked me before he came in if I was still grumpy), I was happy to hear that the toilet was no longer there. Our apartment complex is old, but well maintained and not a junk heap. :0). In fact the outside just received some major sprucing up with new paint, and the grassy areas are raked and well taken care of.
Friday, April 26, 2013
A grumpy day
I should have known that maybe it wouldn't be my best day today when I left my brush at home. Hat hair in Russia is a pretty popular ailment, and today I really suffered from it! (even though I wasn't wearing a hat.).
Shortly after arriving at the office my husband wanted to know where the "stats" page was for the mission history we have been working on for weeks. I couldn't find it. I questioned whether it had even been given to me because it wasn't where it belonged and I don't remember seeing it in the first place.
Now, that's a surprise. As hard as I have been working since arriving here over 13 months ago to get more organized, I haven't quite accomplished it yet to the degree I want to.
It put me out of sorts all day....Here I had lost something I didn't even remember having or receiving in the first place. It didn't help my mood any knowing that Elder Law had to retrieve the information again (which took him over an hour) and he did it with a smile on his face!
When I left the office to come home, the sun was shining, the birds were singing, the trees were budding...and it's the weekend. You get the picture? I decided I was through being grumpy. In my defense, this has been my first grumpy day in the mission office since we came on our mission. I don't think the office elders noticed but of course my better half of over 41 years noticed.
We are both looking forward to a nice weekend. Maybe take a walk, read, relax, do some baking for our office elders (just in case they did notice I was grumpy) and just enjoy some downtime. And to top it off, walking up the sidewalk to our apartment, there was a new lawn ornament. A toilet. hmmm. Need I say more?
Have a nice weekend everyone. I plan on it. I hope to be my cheerful self on Monday and get this report done! Dos vidonya.
Shortly after arriving at the office my husband wanted to know where the "stats" page was for the mission history we have been working on for weeks. I couldn't find it. I questioned whether it had even been given to me because it wasn't where it belonged and I don't remember seeing it in the first place.
Now, that's a surprise. As hard as I have been working since arriving here over 13 months ago to get more organized, I haven't quite accomplished it yet to the degree I want to.
It put me out of sorts all day....Here I had lost something I didn't even remember having or receiving in the first place. It didn't help my mood any knowing that Elder Law had to retrieve the information again (which took him over an hour) and he did it with a smile on his face!
When I left the office to come home, the sun was shining, the birds were singing, the trees were budding...and it's the weekend. You get the picture? I decided I was through being grumpy. In my defense, this has been my first grumpy day in the mission office since we came on our mission. I don't think the office elders noticed but of course my better half of over 41 years noticed.
We are both looking forward to a nice weekend. Maybe take a walk, read, relax, do some baking for our office elders (just in case they did notice I was grumpy) and just enjoy some downtime. And to top it off, walking up the sidewalk to our apartment, there was a new lawn ornament. A toilet. hmmm. Need I say more?
Have a nice weekend everyone. I plan on it. I hope to be my cheerful self on Monday and get this report done! Dos vidonya.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Why are we here?
We have been in Moscow Russia for over 13 months now. We have been serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Sants. We were called as the office couple when the mission had 50 missionaries and included cities in the Moscow area. The time has gone by very quickly. We have had experiences we never would have dreamed of, seen things we never would have thought to see, and met some of the most wonderful Russian people and missionaries in the world.
Three and a half months after arriving, the Russia Moscow West Mission and the Russia Moscow Mission were consolidated. We now have over 110 young missionaries and presently over 15 senior couples. Our mission boundaries expanded to about the size of the United States.
We have worked as hard as we ever have. We have been exposed to a new culture, difficult language, have dealt wih an extreme learning curve. We are away from our mothers, friends and children, have grandchildren we miss and a granddaughter we haven't met yet. So, why are we here?
We love the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have been so blessed in our life with good health, financial security and a desire to serve. Our mission is helping to keep us young! We have been given so much, it is time to give back! And oh! what a ride it has been thus far! Bumpy at times, but it makes the journey more interesting than a smooth ride.
Our prophet, Thomas S. Monson and Gordon B. Hinkley before him, have encouraged senior couples of the Church to serve a mission if possible. The need is great, the benefits beyond imagining in the most wonderful way.
We know that our family has been protected and watched over in our absence. We have seen miracles happen in our family since we have been here. We do not believe it is coincidence.
The Lord is hastening His work. In July 2013, 58 new missions of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will open throughout the world. That means 58 new office couples will be needed this summer (along with others who are being released such as Elder Sutton and I). And many other couples will be needed to help these new missions get started. These 58 new missions are joining the approximately 350 missions the Church has worldwide already!
It feels good to play a small part in watching the Russian people blossom as they learn of the gospel and Heavenly Father's love for them. We have watched with awe as our young missionaries work hard to serve the Russian people. They have dealt with hostility as well as kindness. They have experienced joy as they are able to share the gospel with them and see Light come into their lives.
This experience is one we will always cherish. We have made eternal friendships here.
I ask you to please join your prayers with ours that the needs of the Russia Moscow Mission will be met. Needs that can only be met with our wonderful senior couples. The need for senior couples here is important to help the work move forward.
Why are we here? Because we love the Lord and we want to serve Him. We didn't ask for anything in particular when we turned in our papers. We left it up to the Lord. We know that Moscow, Russia is where he wanted us to be, where he needed us to be.
Thank you for your love and support. It means more than you could possibly know.
Until next time, dos vidonya and God bless!
Three and a half months after arriving, the Russia Moscow West Mission and the Russia Moscow Mission were consolidated. We now have over 110 young missionaries and presently over 15 senior couples. Our mission boundaries expanded to about the size of the United States.
We have worked as hard as we ever have. We have been exposed to a new culture, difficult language, have dealt wih an extreme learning curve. We are away from our mothers, friends and children, have grandchildren we miss and a granddaughter we haven't met yet. So, why are we here?
We love the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have been so blessed in our life with good health, financial security and a desire to serve. Our mission is helping to keep us young! We have been given so much, it is time to give back! And oh! what a ride it has been thus far! Bumpy at times, but it makes the journey more interesting than a smooth ride.
Our prophet, Thomas S. Monson and Gordon B. Hinkley before him, have encouraged senior couples of the Church to serve a mission if possible. The need is great, the benefits beyond imagining in the most wonderful way.
We know that our family has been protected and watched over in our absence. We have seen miracles happen in our family since we have been here. We do not believe it is coincidence.
The Lord is hastening His work. In July 2013, 58 new missions of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will open throughout the world. That means 58 new office couples will be needed this summer (along with others who are being released such as Elder Sutton and I). And many other couples will be needed to help these new missions get started. These 58 new missions are joining the approximately 350 missions the Church has worldwide already!
It feels good to play a small part in watching the Russian people blossom as they learn of the gospel and Heavenly Father's love for them. We have watched with awe as our young missionaries work hard to serve the Russian people. They have dealt with hostility as well as kindness. They have experienced joy as they are able to share the gospel with them and see Light come into their lives.
This experience is one we will always cherish. We have made eternal friendships here.
I ask you to please join your prayers with ours that the needs of the Russia Moscow Mission will be met. Needs that can only be met with our wonderful senior couples. The need for senior couples here is important to help the work move forward.
Why are we here? Because we love the Lord and we want to serve Him. We didn't ask for anything in particular when we turned in our papers. We left it up to the Lord. We know that Moscow, Russia is where he wanted us to be, where he needed us to be.
Thank you for your love and support. It means more than you could possibly know.
Until next time, dos vidonya and God bless!
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Our wonderful missionaries
Twice a month we have our Zelonograd district for dinner.How we love these young missionaries!
We have had the privilege of getting to know many missionaries over the past 14 months. They get moved around to different companionships and have a chance to serve in different areas.
They take a bus to us and back home and even though Zelonograd is only about 35 minutes away from Mitino where we live, the bus ride generally takes much longer with the heavy traffic and road conditions.
We have a nice dinner. (boy can those missionaries eat!) We love listening to the six of them chat amongst themselves.
The meeting starts with a hymn which is sung in Russian. Our district leader Elder Atteron conducted the meeting. The purpose in training is to learn how to be a better missionary and be more effective in missionary work. The district meeting is a place to show support for each other, share their succeses and challenges. They district also sets goals together.
Our missionaries work hard. The language is sometimes a barrier. They meet with hostility at times, (our sister missionaries were kicked off the bus this past week for simply talking to passengers they met on the bus). They also meet people who are looking for Light in their lives and are very interested.
Our hearts are filled with love and gratitude for these young missionaries who are spending 18 months to two years of their life in spreading the gosepl. They put their lives on hold to share this great Gift with others.
There was a very sweet spirit last night in our home as we witnessed the love of these missionaries for each other and those they serve.
We are grateful to play a small part in this wonderful work here in Moscow. We don't proselyte. We take care of our missionaries and their needs the best we can. We serve those whom the Lord has called to serve.
We have many "sons" and "daughters" to love for a while and it makes us both very happy.
We wouldn't have it any other way.
We have had the privilege of getting to know many missionaries over the past 14 months. They get moved around to different companionships and have a chance to serve in different areas.
They take a bus to us and back home and even though Zelonograd is only about 35 minutes away from Mitino where we live, the bus ride generally takes much longer with the heavy traffic and road conditions.
We have a nice dinner. (boy can those missionaries eat!) We love listening to the six of them chat amongst themselves.
The meeting starts with a hymn which is sung in Russian. Our district leader Elder Atteron conducted the meeting. The purpose in training is to learn how to be a better missionary and be more effective in missionary work. The district meeting is a place to show support for each other, share their succeses and challenges. They district also sets goals together.
Our missionaries work hard. The language is sometimes a barrier. They meet with hostility at times, (our sister missionaries were kicked off the bus this past week for simply talking to passengers they met on the bus). They also meet people who are looking for Light in their lives and are very interested.
Our hearts are filled with love and gratitude for these young missionaries who are spending 18 months to two years of their life in spreading the gosepl. They put their lives on hold to share this great Gift with others.
There was a very sweet spirit last night in our home as we witnessed the love of these missionaries for each other and those they serve.
We are grateful to play a small part in this wonderful work here in Moscow. We don't proselyte. We take care of our missionaries and their needs the best we can. We serve those whom the Lord has called to serve.
We have many "sons" and "daughters" to love for a while and it makes us both very happy.
We wouldn't have it any other way.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Tretyakov Gallery
Today, after a long winter, we resumed our sightseeing excursions. Today we went to the Tretyakov Gallery, a famous Russian museum in Moscow. It was founded by a Russian merchant by the name of Pavel Tretyakov who donated his collection in 1882 of paintings by Russian artists.
The Gallery is in a beautiful, very spacious building.
It took us 2 1/2 hours to go through both floors and that was moving along quickly.
Our office elders, Elder Bryant Law and Elder Hayden Simmons went with us.
The museum is full of icons, masterpieces, landscapes, portraits created over 1000 years time. The oldest piece we saw was created in 1062. WOW. It had been created on wooden boards that were once a part of a building. There were several of those. The most beautiful (in my opinion) was on a door that also had the sideboards and top board all attached together.
There were paintings on canvas and on wood and tapestry, giving the painting a nubby look. There were sculptures of wood, marble and bronze.
The paintings represented the Russian culture and way of life, and history going back into the 1100's. There were paintings of a political and religious theme. The history of Russia, as you know, included many wars and much political turmoil and many of the paintings reflected that. Many of the paintings were dark and reflected great sadness. Many of the pictures showed how difficult life was. This sadness and harshness is reflected in the faces of the people in the portraits and pictures. Many of the paintings were, literally, dark.
There are many, many religious paintings. The icons of the Savior and angels and the Holy Family are all similar in facial expressions. There is a profound sadness. No joy. There is much about the dead Christ but little about the living Christ.
However, there were some beautiful countryside paintings, lovely flowers and scenic paintings.
My favorite was one depicting the 12 year old Jesus who stayed behind and was teaching the religious scholars. It is a beautiful picture. It shows his mother Mary and Joseph as they come to the temple and find him. There were a few paintings depicting New Testament times that were of a more joyous feeling.
There was a painting of Ivan the Terrible holding his dead son whom he had killed in a fit or rage. The look on his face was truly one of great remorse. Since Ivan really did live and really did kill his son, I found this picture interesting and very real-looking.
There truly is a lot of talent here in this great land of Russia and we are happy to have been able to spend some time in this famous museum.
In order to see some of the paintings, I suggest you go to Google and put in Tretyakov Gallery.
The Gallery is in a beautiful, very spacious building.
It took us 2 1/2 hours to go through both floors and that was moving along quickly.
Our office elders, Elder Bryant Law and Elder Hayden Simmons went with us.
The museum is full of icons, masterpieces, landscapes, portraits created over 1000 years time. The oldest piece we saw was created in 1062. WOW. It had been created on wooden boards that were once a part of a building. There were several of those. The most beautiful (in my opinion) was on a door that also had the sideboards and top board all attached together.
There were paintings on canvas and on wood and tapestry, giving the painting a nubby look. There were sculptures of wood, marble and bronze.
The paintings represented the Russian culture and way of life, and history going back into the 1100's. There were paintings of a political and religious theme. The history of Russia, as you know, included many wars and much political turmoil and many of the paintings reflected that. Many of the paintings were dark and reflected great sadness. Many of the pictures showed how difficult life was. This sadness and harshness is reflected in the faces of the people in the portraits and pictures. Many of the paintings were, literally, dark.
There are many, many religious paintings. The icons of the Savior and angels and the Holy Family are all similar in facial expressions. There is a profound sadness. No joy. There is much about the dead Christ but little about the living Christ.
However, there were some beautiful countryside paintings, lovely flowers and scenic paintings.
My favorite was one depicting the 12 year old Jesus who stayed behind and was teaching the religious scholars. It is a beautiful picture. It shows his mother Mary and Joseph as they come to the temple and find him. There were a few paintings depicting New Testament times that were of a more joyous feeling.
There was a painting of Ivan the Terrible holding his dead son whom he had killed in a fit or rage. The look on his face was truly one of great remorse. Since Ivan really did live and really did kill his son, I found this picture interesting and very real-looking.
There truly is a lot of talent here in this great land of Russia and we are happy to have been able to spend some time in this famous museum.
In order to see some of the paintings, I suggest you go to Google and put in Tretyakov Gallery.
Friday, April 19, 2013
Russian Language
I've talked before about how difficult the Russian language is. It is hard to speak and ard to understand. I can read it, though and that helps in the metro or grocery store. BUT I don't always know where the emphasis goes on a word. For intance the word flour. Mooka. I have been pronouncing it MOO kah. Eler Simmons informed me today that it means torture. Flour is moo KAH. same spelling, different emphasis. HMMMMM. I wonder how many times I have asked where the torture is?? :0)
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