We have been blessed with a wonderful landlady Jane. She doesn't look like I would imagine a landlady in Russia to look like. She is not older, or dumpy or a babushka in a baggy dress and sagging stockings with a bandana around her head (sorry but this what I envision a landlady to look like here) and some of them do. :0)
Jane is young with a husband and two lovely little boys. She is very pretty and has been a joy to deal with. (unlike some of the landlords or landlady's that our missionaries have had to work with).
When appliances broke down (like the washing machine and the refridge), she had them fixed, she helped us get the television working, she made sure the living room floor was repaired after water damage caused some major buckling.
She was pleasant to work with and she and I became friends along the way despite the language barrier. She does speak English) We laughed as she tried to find the right word in English and we were absolutely no help with our limited Russian. She and Dave had a good relationship as well.
There were times when a lot of waiting was required. It was during these times of waiting for work to be done that a sense of humor REALLY came in handy. I have heard that Russian people don't understand our sense of humor, but Jane did and it made her laugh. She told me she appreciated my sense of humor. We had fun together even amongst frustrating times of waiting for service or repair.
We introduced her to the Meilstrup's yesterday and I gave her a big hug when she left. She has been a blessing to us here. Our lovely apartment will be a safe haven for our wonderful replacements as well and I hope it will not take long for it to become home. I will miss her.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Saying goodbye is hard
Our wonderful replacements have arrived. Alan and Leslie Meilstrup will be the new office couple. They are excited to be here and raring to go! We have acquainted them with the apartment, showed them briefly around the office and a little of the neighborhood which will be home for the next 18 months. There is no doubt that the office will be in good hands. What an incredible and wonderful journey they are embarking on.
The closer the time comes to our departure, the harder it is. Where did the time go? It seems as if we just got here. We have grown to love Russia and our service here so very much.
I know that it is time to move on. There are adventures yet ahead, family to connect with and life in the United States to get back to.
The friendships we have made here are precious to us and the memories will bring a smile to our faces for the rest of our life.
Now it is time to get down to business and we have 5 days at the office to help Elder and Sister Meilstrup "get up to speed" with the running of the office. (we couldn't do this by ourselves). We are blessed with wonderful office elders, our two Russian sisters, Diana and Luba who "help keep us legal" by handling visa matters and so much more! We love our office family, our mission family, our Zelonograd Ward family, our missionaries SO much.
What a blessing it will be for them to serve with President and Sister Borders! And as we love our dear President and Sister Sorenson, we have grown to love President and Sister Borders in the short time they have been here. What a great blessing they are to this vast mission.
I am looking forward to hugging my mom again, meeting our new granddaughter, baking with Abby, playing with Kyler seeing my children and friends. I do know that it is time to go home. But it is still hard. We will never be the same after experiencing life here in Moscow Russia as part of the Russia Moscow Mission, playing the tiniest part here in helping the work roll forth in bringing the light of the gospel to this people. Taking care of the needs of 130 (give or take) missionaries has been an honor and a joy.
My sweet husband declared a couple of days ago, I'm not going home! I can truthfully say that as we leave, we leave behind a part of our hearts and a great love and respect for the Russian people. May God bless them! May God bless our great mission!
The closer the time comes to our departure, the harder it is. Where did the time go? It seems as if we just got here. We have grown to love Russia and our service here so very much.
I know that it is time to move on. There are adventures yet ahead, family to connect with and life in the United States to get back to.
The friendships we have made here are precious to us and the memories will bring a smile to our faces for the rest of our life.
Now it is time to get down to business and we have 5 days at the office to help Elder and Sister Meilstrup "get up to speed" with the running of the office. (we couldn't do this by ourselves). We are blessed with wonderful office elders, our two Russian sisters, Diana and Luba who "help keep us legal" by handling visa matters and so much more! We love our office family, our mission family, our Zelonograd Ward family, our missionaries SO much.
What a blessing it will be for them to serve with President and Sister Borders! And as we love our dear President and Sister Sorenson, we have grown to love President and Sister Borders in the short time they have been here. What a great blessing they are to this vast mission.
I am looking forward to hugging my mom again, meeting our new granddaughter, baking with Abby, playing with Kyler seeing my children and friends. I do know that it is time to go home. But it is still hard. We will never be the same after experiencing life here in Moscow Russia as part of the Russia Moscow Mission, playing the tiniest part here in helping the work roll forth in bringing the light of the gospel to this people. Taking care of the needs of 130 (give or take) missionaries has been an honor and a joy.
My sweet husband declared a couple of days ago, I'm not going home! I can truthfully say that as we leave, we leave behind a part of our hearts and a great love and respect for the Russian people. May God bless them! May God bless our great mission!
Sunday, August 18, 2013
I just called to say I love you....
We caught the number 460 bus to Zelonograd this morning. It is a brand new bus, very nice. There was music playing softly in the background. What was it? "I just called to say I love you." It seemed funny to me to be in Russia listening to this tune in English. As we zipped along past little homes with gingerbread shutters, long expanses of green meadows and trees, I was drinking it all in. This view, so familiar to me after taking the same route for the past 18 months. I remember that we will be making this trip only one more time. As I softly sang along with the song, I thought of Russia. I do love Russia. I will miss Russia. I know that I will never hear this song again without thinking of Russia.
Saturday, August 17, 2013
The Church in Russia
What has been our purpose here in this great land of Russia as missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
There are senior couples who serve in different ways and have different responsibilities. Some of them serve in the wards and branches in our mission strengthening the still new church. Others provide humanitarian services, such as wheelchairs through the whole land to those in need. Others serve as auditors .....the list goes on.
As has been previously mentioned, our responsibility has been to make sure the mission runs smoothly through our service in the office. Ordering supplies, preparing for returning and departing missionaries, funding cards and seeing that apartments are in good condition and that rent is paid on time and that the phones are in good condition and that each missionary in Moscow has a metro card and keeping up with mission history, water filters (we use water filters because the water here is not good and we want each apartment to have filtered water), among other responsibilities.
Why are we here? Why do couples and young missionaries come to Russia?
Christianity was introduced to Russia 1025 years ago. Despite 700 years of Soviet atheism, many of the Russian people turned for spiritual nourishment to the Russian Orthodox church and others to other Christian faiths brought to Russia in the 19th century.
In the late 1980's and early 1990's, some of the Russian people began to direct their spiritual quests towards a study of religious faiths just entering their country, including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). It was in 1989 that the Church was authorized to bring the gospel to the Soviet Union. Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve apostles dedicated Estonia for the preaching of the restored gospel and offered a prayer of gratitude in a spirit of rededication in Leningrad. (In 1903, Elder Frances M. Lyman of the Quorum of the Twelve dedicated Russia for the preaching of the gospel).
In 1989 the first full-time missionaries visited Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). By 1990, there were 156 Russian members, 7 of whom were in Moscow.
Now in our mission alone, we have 19 wards and branches of faithful members and about 106 young missionaries and several missionary senior couples. (our mission is vast, as before mentioned, covering approximately the size of the United States), but there are many cities and towns without members of the Church.
Our missionaries share with us that people are hungry for the truth and light that the gospel can bring into their lives.
Shortly before we arrived, the first stake was created. Now a second stake has been created in St. Petersburg. The first stake in Armenia was just organized and we are close to having a couple more stakes. It is thrilling to see the Church take hold in this land and in the surround republics. We are blessed to have a wonderful young missionary elder serving in Moscow from St. Petersburg and another sweet sister, who just left to serve a mission in St.Petersburg. It is wonderful to see young Russian people serving missions in their own land. We also just welcomed our first Russian senior couple to our mission. They will be working in Public Affairs in the Church here.
Why are we here? All of the missionaries here are helping move the Church forward in this great land and making available the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all who will listen.
As the office couple we have had the privilege of serving those wonderful missionaries who are sharing the gospel with the Russian people.
There are senior couples who serve in different ways and have different responsibilities. Some of them serve in the wards and branches in our mission strengthening the still new church. Others provide humanitarian services, such as wheelchairs through the whole land to those in need. Others serve as auditors .....the list goes on.
As has been previously mentioned, our responsibility has been to make sure the mission runs smoothly through our service in the office. Ordering supplies, preparing for returning and departing missionaries, funding cards and seeing that apartments are in good condition and that rent is paid on time and that the phones are in good condition and that each missionary in Moscow has a metro card and keeping up with mission history, water filters (we use water filters because the water here is not good and we want each apartment to have filtered water), among other responsibilities.
Why are we here? Why do couples and young missionaries come to Russia?
Christianity was introduced to Russia 1025 years ago. Despite 700 years of Soviet atheism, many of the Russian people turned for spiritual nourishment to the Russian Orthodox church and others to other Christian faiths brought to Russia in the 19th century.
In the late 1980's and early 1990's, some of the Russian people began to direct their spiritual quests towards a study of religious faiths just entering their country, including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). It was in 1989 that the Church was authorized to bring the gospel to the Soviet Union. Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve apostles dedicated Estonia for the preaching of the restored gospel and offered a prayer of gratitude in a spirit of rededication in Leningrad. (In 1903, Elder Frances M. Lyman of the Quorum of the Twelve dedicated Russia for the preaching of the gospel).
In 1989 the first full-time missionaries visited Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). By 1990, there were 156 Russian members, 7 of whom were in Moscow.
Now in our mission alone, we have 19 wards and branches of faithful members and about 106 young missionaries and several missionary senior couples. (our mission is vast, as before mentioned, covering approximately the size of the United States), but there are many cities and towns without members of the Church.
Our missionaries share with us that people are hungry for the truth and light that the gospel can bring into their lives.
Shortly before we arrived, the first stake was created. Now a second stake has been created in St. Petersburg. The first stake in Armenia was just organized and we are close to having a couple more stakes. It is thrilling to see the Church take hold in this land and in the surround republics. We are blessed to have a wonderful young missionary elder serving in Moscow from St. Petersburg and another sweet sister, who just left to serve a mission in St.Petersburg. It is wonderful to see young Russian people serving missions in their own land. We also just welcomed our first Russian senior couple to our mission. They will be working in Public Affairs in the Church here.
Why are we here? All of the missionaries here are helping move the Church forward in this great land and making available the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all who will listen.
As the office couple we have had the privilege of serving those wonderful missionaries who are sharing the gospel with the Russian people.
COUNTDOWN
It doesn't seem possible that in two short weeks we will be back on American soil. The countdown, of necessity, has begun. We will be greeting our replacements, Elder and Sister Meilstrup on Tuesday. They relayed their excitement to us in email. I remember how excited we were for our journey to begin as well. Wasn't it just yesterday that it was us who were packing and preparing and finding ourselves on a plane that brought us to this great land , dropping us off at the Sheremetevo Airport? It sure seems that way. I can remember clearly how I felt when we were greeted by President Sorenson and the feeling of disbelief as we zipped by large highway signs that I couldn't read. I remember the dreary, gray, cold snowy day. (Unfortunately, about this time the jet lag set in and I don't remember much very clearly for the next three weeks with the exception of snippets here and there).
Are we getting trunky we are asked? No. We definitely have mixed feelings about our departure. We have family and a life back in the United States waiting for us. We have also had a family and a life here. At times it has been hard, but we always ALWAYS have loved what we are doing. Our missionaries, our Zelonograd Ward and our mission president and wife have been our family here. And dear Svetlana, our cleaning lady who keeps the mission office spotless, Diana, the visa clerk and Luba......how we will miss them!
It will be very hard to leave them. And our apartment has become home, Fameen and Lola, Zarina, and the others who work in the little convenience store have become our friends, and yes, believe it or not, I have learned to LOVE the metro. I will even miss Svetlana, our sometimes cranky (OK, almost always cranky) concierage who takes her job so seriously, but who, to my delight, has greeted me with big smiles and a pleasant greeting, the past couple of times our paths have crossed. (I wonder if the candy bars I pass her way have anything to do with that?)
We are very busy trying to get things written down for our replacements and to do as much as we can to make the transition easy for them and our wonderful mission president and dear wife, who has become my friend. We also hope to show them a few things around the office as well in the few days we will have together.
Getting our apartment ready to "turn over" to them, meeting with our landlady Jane and introducing her to her new tenants.............there is still MUCH to do and so little time.
We are experiencing our "lasts." Last District meeting, last zone conference, last walk to the office, last walk out back into the woods. (we have yet to find the lake that is back there somewhere!) So many more "lasts" still ahead. :(
But still, we are going to enjoy these last two weeks we have here We have already said goodbye to some of our missionaries who we will not be seeing again. Tears have been shed, words of love and appreciation shared. A piece of my heart goes with each of these young ones I have grown to love.
One young elder said, "Sister Sutton, you have been like a second grandma to me." OK,I admit I would prefer to be a second mom as to a second grandma, but I will take it.
Among the senior couples, everlasting friendships have been forged that we will always cherish.
I get teary-eyed just thinking about leaving. I can honestly say that I will be leaving a bit of my heart behind in this country. Yes, the countdown has begun..............I don't know if I'm ready (and I know of a surety that my sweet companion struggles with this as well.)
Are we getting trunky we are asked? No. We definitely have mixed feelings about our departure. We have family and a life back in the United States waiting for us. We have also had a family and a life here. At times it has been hard, but we always ALWAYS have loved what we are doing. Our missionaries, our Zelonograd Ward and our mission president and wife have been our family here. And dear Svetlana, our cleaning lady who keeps the mission office spotless, Diana, the visa clerk and Luba......how we will miss them!
It will be very hard to leave them. And our apartment has become home, Fameen and Lola, Zarina, and the others who work in the little convenience store have become our friends, and yes, believe it or not, I have learned to LOVE the metro. I will even miss Svetlana, our sometimes cranky (OK, almost always cranky) concierage who takes her job so seriously, but who, to my delight, has greeted me with big smiles and a pleasant greeting, the past couple of times our paths have crossed. (I wonder if the candy bars I pass her way have anything to do with that?)
We are very busy trying to get things written down for our replacements and to do as much as we can to make the transition easy for them and our wonderful mission president and dear wife, who has become my friend. We also hope to show them a few things around the office as well in the few days we will have together.
Getting our apartment ready to "turn over" to them, meeting with our landlady Jane and introducing her to her new tenants.............there is still MUCH to do and so little time.
We are experiencing our "lasts." Last District meeting, last zone conference, last walk to the office, last walk out back into the woods. (we have yet to find the lake that is back there somewhere!) So many more "lasts" still ahead. :(
But still, we are going to enjoy these last two weeks we have here We have already said goodbye to some of our missionaries who we will not be seeing again. Tears have been shed, words of love and appreciation shared. A piece of my heart goes with each of these young ones I have grown to love.
One young elder said, "Sister Sutton, you have been like a second grandma to me." OK,I admit I would prefer to be a second mom as to a second grandma, but I will take it.
Among the senior couples, everlasting friendships have been forged that we will always cherish.
I get teary-eyed just thinking about leaving. I can honestly say that I will be leaving a bit of my heart behind in this country. Yes, the countdown has begun..............I don't know if I'm ready (and I know of a surety that my sweet companion struggles with this as well.)
Saturday, August 10, 2013
This great land of Russia
It is becoming more real to us that we will soon be leaving this great land of Russia. We are in awe of the vastness of this land, of the diversity and the culture of the land and the beauty and goodness of its people. We are just now getting a clue as to what these people have been through and the challenges they have endured and conquered as they have lived under the heavy thumb of Communism and were so long denied the freedoms we take for granted in the United States.
I have started reading a book called "The Silence of God" written by Gale Sears. It came highly recommended. I am learning more about the growth of the Church here in this land.
In 988 AD Prince Vladimir of Kiev brought Christianity to Russia. In 1037 his son Yaroslav the first laid the foundation for the "Holy Wisdom of God Cathedral" in Kiev, which still stands today. Since that time the Orthodox Christian churches have kept the light of faith alive.
But some are finding that the Orthodox church is not enough. They are looking for more truth.
In June 1844 the prophet Joseph Smith was planning on sending Elder Orson Hyde and Elder George Adams to Russia. He saw the empire of Russia in vision. However, shortly after, the prophet was murdered and they did not come.
In 1895 Tsar Nicholas ll issued a "Proclamation of Freedom of Conscience", meaning that the people would be able to "look about for truth." This was truly a miracle.
In August 1903 President Francis Marion Lyman of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, dedicated the land of Russia "for the preaching of the gospel and that religious freedom might be given so all can worship without persecution." Alma and Johan Lindholf, the first members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Russia (having been baptized in Finland which was part of Russia) were present at the dedicatory prayer of opening this great land to the preaching of the gospel.
Elder Lyman petitioned the Lord to send servants "full of wisdom and faith" to declare the gospel to the Russians in their own language.
Here we are serving in the Russia Moscow Mission office, having the privilege of serving 106 young missionary elders and sisters and senior couples who are doing just that. They are declaring the gospel to the Russian people in their own language. These dedicated young men and women are sharing the light and opening doors to these wonderful people who have been waiting.
It is incredibly humbling to have played the tiniest part in seeing this come to pass. For Russia truly is blossoming as a rose in freedom and knowledge.
David and I can truthfully say that this experience in Russia has been a highlight in our lives and we thank God for blessing us with this chance to serve in this great land of Russia.
As we prepare to return to the States, we do so with mixed feelings and great love for those we are leaving behind.
I have started reading a book called "The Silence of God" written by Gale Sears. It came highly recommended. I am learning more about the growth of the Church here in this land.
In 988 AD Prince Vladimir of Kiev brought Christianity to Russia. In 1037 his son Yaroslav the first laid the foundation for the "Holy Wisdom of God Cathedral" in Kiev, which still stands today. Since that time the Orthodox Christian churches have kept the light of faith alive.
But some are finding that the Orthodox church is not enough. They are looking for more truth.
In June 1844 the prophet Joseph Smith was planning on sending Elder Orson Hyde and Elder George Adams to Russia. He saw the empire of Russia in vision. However, shortly after, the prophet was murdered and they did not come.
In 1895 Tsar Nicholas ll issued a "Proclamation of Freedom of Conscience", meaning that the people would be able to "look about for truth." This was truly a miracle.
In August 1903 President Francis Marion Lyman of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, dedicated the land of Russia "for the preaching of the gospel and that religious freedom might be given so all can worship without persecution." Alma and Johan Lindholf, the first members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Russia (having been baptized in Finland which was part of Russia) were present at the dedicatory prayer of opening this great land to the preaching of the gospel.
Elder Lyman petitioned the Lord to send servants "full of wisdom and faith" to declare the gospel to the Russians in their own language.
Here we are serving in the Russia Moscow Mission office, having the privilege of serving 106 young missionary elders and sisters and senior couples who are doing just that. They are declaring the gospel to the Russian people in their own language. These dedicated young men and women are sharing the light and opening doors to these wonderful people who have been waiting.
It is incredibly humbling to have played the tiniest part in seeing this come to pass. For Russia truly is blossoming as a rose in freedom and knowledge.
David and I can truthfully say that this experience in Russia has been a highlight in our lives and we thank God for blessing us with this chance to serve in this great land of Russia.
As we prepare to return to the States, we do so with mixed feelings and great love for those we are leaving behind.
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Last visa trip group
Sadly, we are beginning our "lasts" as we are in our last month here in Russia. Today was our last visa group. For the last time, I got out the bread I bought this morning fresh from the productee, the peanut butter and jam, sliced some bananas and left them for our hungry missionaries to enjoy when they returned from their migration/visa trip to Riga Latvia. They turned around shortly after arriving there for the flight back to Moscow.
For the past many months, we have provided peanut butter and jam, nutella and honey for our missionaries to munch on when they come into the office to have their documents scanned. food on the plane isn't always the tastiest, and thanks to Samantha Michalczyk, who sent me 16 jars of the nutty treat a year ago, our missionaries have enjoyed this snack when they come into the office. Several months ago, the productee started carrying peanut butter (at almost $10 for a small jar) so I was able to continue providing this after I ran out of Samantha's peanut butter a few months ago. They love it and they appreciate it.
What I love is the interaction with missionaries I don't get to see very often, some coming into the office from the outer cities. Today I bade farewell to Elder Potter and Sister McDaniel among others whom I will not see again. How I love these young men and women! They have become so dear to Elder Sutton and I as we have helped provide them with those things they need from the office.
Elder Atterton asked when we were going home and when I said the end of the month, he gave me a "look." "Sister Sutton we don't want you and Elder Sutton to go!"
Part of me will stay behind with these wonderful missionaries and the experiences we have had here will stay with both of us for a lifetime.
There are more "lasts" ahead, and we are taking them one at a time. As nice as it will be to see our family again, leaving Russia will most definitely be bittersweet.
For the past many months, we have provided peanut butter and jam, nutella and honey for our missionaries to munch on when they come into the office to have their documents scanned. food on the plane isn't always the tastiest, and thanks to Samantha Michalczyk, who sent me 16 jars of the nutty treat a year ago, our missionaries have enjoyed this snack when they come into the office. Several months ago, the productee started carrying peanut butter (at almost $10 for a small jar) so I was able to continue providing this after I ran out of Samantha's peanut butter a few months ago. They love it and they appreciate it.
What I love is the interaction with missionaries I don't get to see very often, some coming into the office from the outer cities. Today I bade farewell to Elder Potter and Sister McDaniel among others whom I will not see again. How I love these young men and women! They have become so dear to Elder Sutton and I as we have helped provide them with those things they need from the office.
Elder Atterton asked when we were going home and when I said the end of the month, he gave me a "look." "Sister Sutton we don't want you and Elder Sutton to go!"
Part of me will stay behind with these wonderful missionaries and the experiences we have had here will stay with both of us for a lifetime.
There are more "lasts" ahead, and we are taking them one at a time. As nice as it will be to see our family again, leaving Russia will most definitely be bittersweet.
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