Karen's Monthly letter for April

      Beautiful, long awaited April is here.  It has been fun to lighten our load by slowly, very slowly shedding our outer clothing.  April began with ice still on the ground, and our trekkers still on our boots.  We were so anxious to get rid of them, first of all because that is all we have been wearing since the middle of November, and secondly because one of my trekkers wore out.  Frank tried to wire it together, but it broke again.  The snow has actually coming down more often, and freezing just as hard, but, there would be days where the sun would shine and the melting would begin.  One day when we were out walking, I noticed that about 70% of the sidewalks were dry.  I told Frank that I was through with these boots.   But, a few days later they were back on.  Now that it is the end of April, we are walking in shoes and on some days just a light jacket.  It feels like heaven.  The babushka's really get after me if I am not covered with a hat and coat at all times.  I hear that they keep their hats and coats on until June 1st.  I will let you know if that is true.

CHEESE CAKE DAY

      One Saturday, Galina, Tonya and Olga came over the learn how to make cheese cake.  It makes me laugh when I talk about it because I have never made a cheese cake in my life until I came here.  I made one just to see if I had a good recipe.  I got it from our daughter, Natalie who is the cheese cake queen.  Every year when she was Mutual President, she and her girls made cheese cakes to sell to make money for camp.  She was in for five years, so I'm not positive, but they must have made at least 400 cheese cakes in those five years.  It was interesting, that her recipe was exactly the same as the recipe they give us in our little mission cook books, except that hers used one less egg.

 There was only one problem, the girls wanted to make a no bake cheese cake.  So, I began to hunt on the internet.  I found a recipe that sounded good, and really versatile.  That is the one we used, and it turned out great.  They not only made it, but they ate it.  When they left, they were full, and we had had a wonderful time. 

Tatiyan, Galina and Olga

ASK THE MISSIONARIES...

      Our list of 140 YSA's has been weighing on our minds for months.  We have tried all kinds of different ways to get a hold of some of these kids. There is no telephone directory here in Siberia, so it makes it really difficult to get a hold of people.   We have asked the missionaries to help us, of course, that is what we do, WE ASK THE MISSIONARIES.  Between that idea and  Elder Noel's idea  to feed the set of missionaries, plus the person they found, it really began to work. Right off the bat, we had two lost soles found.  We also have a wonderful youth conference coming up in August, and this year, only those who are members and get interviews are allowed to come.  We have seen some new faces because once you get youth conference information out on face book, kids come to the branch even with out food.

STILL IN THE DARK

      We had a big meeting in our apartment on Tuesday the ninth.   It was for President Kotof, Masha (YSA leader), Dennis and Costya, our Institute teachers, Elders Berg and Duncan plus Frank and I. We had a couple of ideas what it was about, but, we were both wrong.  It was about the youth conference.  We didn't actually know what we would be discussing until they began discussing.  We just laughed inside to think that we have been here all this time, and we still don't know what is going on sometimes.  BUT, the amazing thing was, they needed a "list" of all the YSA's  to work from.  Here we were with this list that could be copied and passed out immediately.  Because we had so many people here, the list was divided into several sections.  Everyone is on the hunt and things are beginning to pop. 

A MEMORABLE F.H.E.

        This family home evening was a little discouraging. Only about five people came, and one of those was forty minutes late.  The game was good because it was perfect for four people.  After the game the sister missionaries came to teach Lena.  She has been an investigator for a very long time, but, she works on Sundays and cannot attend Sacrament meeting because of her job.  She attends Institute, English on Wednesday, and never misses FHE.   After her lesson with the sisters she told us that she had finished reading the Book of Mormon.  I remember being filled with such joy.  It was better than any Christmas morning I can remember.  She had a big smile on her face.  Elder Noel gave her a new triple combination, and then we took her picture.  Her daughter Ксюша (pronounced “Kasoosha”) is in Mosiah now, and planning on finishing the book.   We held a fast to see if Lena can get a different job, or start her own business because that is really what she wants to do. We just keep praying, and hoping that something will change for her.  She is a very intelligent, fun, sincere person and she loves her daughter being around such good people.

THE LORD CARES...

      Friday I got up and began to cook for the missionaries.  I was fixing beef Stroganoff so I had to make the sauce and cook the noodles.  I had all the rolls ready to put in the oven, and was just about to do so, when I noticed that the oven was not on.  I checked again and again, but, there was no power to the stove at all.  The light over the stove was gone also.  Frank came and checked it out and determined that it must be a circuit.  But, we don't know where the box is, or much about it.  Well, to make a long story short, Frank went down stairs to the corner bakery to get bread, and the meal went just fine.  Come to find out, a breaker had burned, and had to be rewired. Antone, one of our YSA's, has a father who is an electrician.  He came over on Monday and fixed it for us.  We are so blessed to have these connections because our land lady is no where to be found.  The Lord wanted those missionaries to be fed, and so it happened, timing is everything. 

THE BLANKETS FOR THE BABIES

      Dennis came over to drive us to the orphanage so that we could give them the blankets we had made. It was so fun to have Masha, our leader there with us.  It was a good feeling to know that we had done something that involved each YSA.   We were not able to see the children, but we were treated kindly.  

Blankets for the babies at the children's home (orphanage).

BY YOUR VESTS, YE SHALL KNOW THEM...

       The city of Krasnoyarsk had a clean up day and we, the YSA"S and the missionaries and ward members met to clean up some areas over by our Branch building. ( Frank put the pictures on facebook.)  The interesting thing about this project was the man that came from the city to be our "boss," he was very kind and fun to be around.  He liked the "Helping Hand" vests that the church provides members to wear during service projects. He wanted to wear one, so we let him.  He was very upset at all of the filth covering the land in this neighborhood.  He was very impressed that we, being from America, would take the time to clean Russia.  He then called the city and had someone come and take our picture for their city album.  He took us to three different locations around the neighborhood to work.  The last place was to gather leaves that had been left since last fall.  We all worked very hard to get it all done.  It took us about three hours.  As he was thanking us he began to walk away, one of the missionaries noticed that he was still wearing the vest.  Elder Topham went after him and asked him for the vest.  He said that he loved the vest and wanted to wear it and tell others about us. " Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work.  And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.  Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind.

On the front the vests say "Helping Hands."  On the back they say "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

The city worker Karen talked about is the man in the center with the black cap.

COME LISTEN TO A PROPHETS VOICE...

     I guess the greatest thing about April was conference.  We all met for two days the week after general conference and listened to all of the sessions. It takes about a week to get the official church translation. So we meet at the church together to view conference.  As we were being driven there by Dennis and his cute wife Masha, he asked us how we listen to conference  in America.  We told him that we can listen to it live on the radio, or television, or computer, or any number of ways.  We can drive in our car while we listen live if we want to.  He was so amazed, he said, "that would be a only a dream for me".

  

     I was impressed by the choir and those amazing pink dresses and beautiful necklaces that they were wearing.   The music made me cry, not just because I am away in Siberia, but because I always cry, when I hear them sing.  I don't think that I have ever heard the Priesthood explained like elder Ballard explained it this time.  I have so much more respect and am in awe of the Priesthood.  

"FOR GOD IS NO RESPECTOR OF PERSONS"

      This month also we were able to hear President Gibbons speak to us in our sacrament meeting.  His son had just returned from a mission in Mexico, so the whole family came to Krasnoyark speak.  He gave a great talk about baptism and what it means.  I learned that the word condescend means love.  As I was sitting there I looked over and saw the man that we have been giving money, bread and jam to ever since we got here. All day long he stands in the same spot leaning against our building.  He is very unkempt and may be homeless; we are not sure.  Sometimes he has been drinking.  I couldn't believe it.  I showed Frank, and of course he was shocked also.  We had given him an invitation quite some time ago with the address of the branch on it.  We never in our wildest dream thought that he would keep the invitation, let alone come to church.  Afterwards the missionaries helped us talk to him and we found out that he had walked to church.  The branch is at least thirty to forty minutes away by bus from where we live, so that is some walk.   We gave him bus fare to get back.  

     Pres. Gibbons also talked about inner darkness, and how it happens to even great people.  Men and women.  When Nephi's bow broke, Christ in the garden, Jacob, Abraham, Moses, Son's of Mosiah to name just a few.  For whatever the reason, unbelieving, doubt, lack of success, no feed back, feeling alone, any number of things can cause us to feel inner darkness.  He said that at times in our lives we are on the top of the mountain, where we have a clear view of what we should do and where we are going.  But, there are times when we are in the valleys where we can't see through the trees and shrubs.  We are confused and stressed about where we are supposed to go.  We need to write in our journals about the times when we are on top, when we received inspiration from God and when we had successes.  Then we can lean on those times so we can make it through the valleys.  We need to read our blessings over and over and discover the new insight that is there.  He said that he memorized his patriarchal blessing before he went on his mission, and thought that he knew exactly what was in it.  Then he said at age fifty, he found a new wonderful promise that is just coming true.  He said that it is a life long blessing just like the Liahona, it always gave direction as long as the people were obeying God. I truly believe this, and know that if we strive to live worthy of it, it will continue to bless us. 

      We were able to have President and Sister Gibbons and Josh to dinner with us after church.  We had a great visit.  After dinner they left so that they could get to their hotel and pack for the train.  Frank told me that Sasha, the man who leans against the building all day, was down stairs when President Gibbons left. Frank introduced him and President Gibbons stopped and talked to him for some time, shaking his hand and inviting him back.  So sure enough, the next Sunday there he was sitting in the same place.  Again, he had walked and we gave him bus fare.  We have seen him twice the last two days leaning against the building in his familiar spot.  The amazing thing is he is not as unkempt, and looks so much better.  We say hello and chat with him each time we pass by and even though we can't always understand him he likes to talk to us.   Wouldn't that be wonderful if he could stop drinking, and get his health back so that he could get a job.  That is what the gospel does for people, it makes them better people.  We will just keep praying.  

      Well, we hope and pray that you can see the hand of the Lord in your lives because it is there.  We know that God loves all of us and wants us to be successful.  We know that it is by baby steps that we grow in the gospel, and in life.  We just have to be patient with ourselves, and look at the whole picture.  Like Frank has always said, when you are on a mountain top, you don't see the little things that may be causing you grief.  You only see the big beautiful picture.  If we continue to look at the big picture, or life with our Heavenly Father, we will stay on course, and we will be more likely to work on the eternal things that really matter.  May the Lord bless you with all of those blessing that you stand in need of at this time is our prayer.  Love Elder and Sister Noel

"Palm" Sunday in Russia. Another interesting tradition.

        Today is Palm Sunday in Russia.  Next week then, of course, is Easter.  The Russian Orthodox church uses the Julian calendar to calculate its "moveable feasts" of which Easter is one.  Most of the rest of the world (including the USA) uses the Gregorian calendar.   By using the Julian calendar Easter is May 5th this year in Russia.  (Russia uses the same calendar we do for every other purpose)  The complex formula used to come up with May 5th is beyond my limited ability to comprehend so I will not even attempt an explanation.  Just trust me, today is Palm Sunday, the week before Easter and  the day that commemorates Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  Jesus's worshippers met him with palm branches along the way.  And in many places in the world palm branches are part of the celebration.  Here's where the interesting Russian tradition comes in.
        Of course you can't find real palm branches in Russia.  In fact the only thing in bloom this early in Russia is Pussy Willows.  So in Russian the willows substitute for the palm branches.  And for the week before Palm (Willow)  Sunday you can buy these pussy willows on just about every street corner.  And then on "Palm" Sunday the vendors come out in droves and they sell these willows by the thousands. the people take them to church and then home for decoration.   Below are a few pictures we took today of some of the vendors and buyers.  Many of them set up near a church as you can see from the pictures.  Other items of religious significance are also sold.  We couldn't resist buying a small Russian Orthodox easter egg.  (As you can also see its still a little cool here in Siberia on April 28th)  We hope you are all enjoying the spring weather.  We sure are.  No snow and ice.

A Russian Orthodox easter egg

Some typical Russian Easter cards.

Finally! The First Day Of Spring!

      Today was the first day we haven't had to suit up with the fur hoods, heavy gloves and scarves and winter shoes or boots.   Up until today I don't remember a day since the first of October that you couldn't see your breath in the air.  But today was beautiful.  I think it will reach 50 degrees F.  So Karen and I walked to the little mall about 1 mile from here to do some shopping.  We stopped to take a picture of this beautiful Russian Orthodox church.  It is right next to our apartment building.  We walk past it every day.  We didn't realize how huge it was until we walked down one side of it instead of in front of it.  It is much larger than most of the Orthodox church's around here.

        This past week Karen and I were invited to dinner at the home of  a family in our branch.  Bro. Alexander Vettsel is in the District Presidency.  His wife Elena is in the primary.  We had a great dinner of chicken and vegetables in Tortillas and pita bread.

Alexander ("Sasha" is the common nickname here for Alexander) his wife Elena and their two sons Adrian and Daniel.

       Some of our young single adult  women asked Karen to show them how to make cheesecake.  It seems like she is cooking most of the time.  She cooks for the young single adults (we usually have about 8 in attendance) every Monday for Family Home Evening.  She cooks for 8 missionaries every Friday and in between we invite members of the branch to our apartment for dinner occasionally.  And of course she cooks for us.  It is truly a blessing to us and to the people here in Krasnoyarsk that she is such a hard and willing worker and is always smiling.  I've heard people ask her "are you always smiling?"  And they love her dearly.  These are photos of the Cheesecake activity.

      We have asked the missionaries to help us track down some of the inactive young single adults.  We have been working on a list for a couple of months.  We then had the missionaries for dinner on a sunday evening, divided up the list and they began calling--140 names, to try and get an appointment with Karen and I or to invite them to Institute or family home evening or to just come to our apartment for a light dinner and to get acquainted.  We didn't have good phone numbers for most of them but we have had two dinners at our apartment with two young men who have committed to start coming back to church.

    The photo below is of one of those young men, Kirill Dachenko, and the two missionaries who called him and came with him to translate, Elder Duncan and Elder Berg.

         Karen continues to work in the nursery in our branch.  We thought we would show you a little video of the nursery.  You will see that the russian language is so easy to learn that even these little kids can do it.  This is a movie of the nursery leader (one of our Young Single Adults) reading to the kids.  The photo is of Eva getting ready to go outside to go home from church.  The work continues to go forward.  It is slow and the missionaries are working very hard.  We love our work and the people here in Krasnoyarsk.