From Russia With Love

Home!

2010-04-06T09:05:00.003+06:00

We arrived at the SLC airport the evening of February 23. The Mac's carried on their tradition of wearing matching t-shirts to welcome the returning missionaries.

Carry On!

2010-02-22T15:30:00.001+05:00

Elvira exemplifies the faithful saints. She and her husband joined the Church 15 years ago and were sealed in the Temple. After he died of cancer, she raised their two children alone.

She speaks good English and is infinitely patient with we "foreigners" who work with her in the office. We can't say enough about her wisdom.

Although trained as an architect, she prefers being employed by the Church as a visa worker.

In the Church she is the District and Branch YW leader, an Institute Teacher, Branch pianist, a dedicated VT, and constantly looking for missionary or reactivation opportunities.

We will miss her and all those like her. Our prayers are with them.

Soviet

2010-02-22T15:05:00.004+05:00

Those who grew up in the USSR (CCCP) say that they felt a pride in their country, they felt lucky to be Russian. In the "Young Pioneers," they sang songs, gave service, and were taught good values: take care of the elderly, be an example to the young; slogans promoted "equality and justice for all."

One sister said it was a shock to realize that the world didn't see it the same. She added, "Of course, it was forced and we didn't know about the killing, etc."

Today, we think they should still be proud to be Russian. They may not realize it, but they have more choices than their grandparents. The way we see it, they can choose a material life, or one based in Faith.

ReBar

2010-02-22T14:59:00.005+05:00

This rebar covers all the Office windows or the balconies. Nearly all lower-story windows have it. We thought the rebar was a hold-over from the Soviet Era, but people say that, no, that felt like a safe time. We were told that if a crime was committed, the suspect just "went away," they "disappeared."

The rebar became a necessity during the aftermath of the soviet collapse when there was no order and everyone's property was up for grabs, so to speak. But we sense an era of trust is re-emerging.

Salad

2010-02-22T14:59:00.004+05:00

Salads are both similar and different. A cold salad with vegetables is common as a first course or as a side dish at a meal. However, they're not the tossed green salad we tend to expect. A salad here means something more like a potato or chicken salad mix.

The salad will almost always be mixed with mayo and will contain meat, sometimes more meat than in the entree. The combinations are new to us: potato salad almost always has canned peas; a beet salad may contain fish, and so on.

Addresses

2010-02-22T13:40:00.004+05:00

The addressing system is sensible enough. Each large building has a street and number, sometimes posted plainly such as this "dome" by the office. Someone's address may be Tatesheva 125 Apt. 70. It gets tricky, however, because several buildings may fill the center of large blocks. In this case, the actual street Tatesheva is a block or two away.

Contacting

2010-02-20T19:54:00.008+05:00

Remember the twins we sometimes pass on our walk to school? They came with their mother last week to our house to meet the missionaries, and then, very kindly reciprocated.

(Elder Stewart, a twin himself, plays puzzles with them.)

Last Days

2010-02-17T06:03:00.004+05:00

We're scheduled to return home this Tuesday, February 23, and we speak in Sacrament Meeting on the 28th. After we're released, we'll post a few more items to finish out our blog.

До свидания

2010-01-19T14:24:00.007+05:00

Instructions have just come from our Area Presidency that missionaries not maintain blogs. We want to comply. : ) For the record, we asked permission before we began, but as time has passed we have heard things that make us see the need for such direction.

As long as we're writing one last time, we have this to say:

Heavenly Father loves each one of His children. He wants our happiness.
Jesus Christ is the Savior of all mankind. He offers exaltation to all who are willing to follow Him and abide by His precepts.
Joseph Smith has restored the Gospel of Jesus Christ on Earth today.
The Book of Mormon is true; following its principles will make your life happier--we promise.
The Church is lead by a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson, who reveals God's will for our times.
The Heavens are opened. That is, each of us can be guided by the Spirit to have direction for our lives. Prayers are answered.
To those who already know these things: BE TRUE!

Love to all,

Elder and Sister McEvoy

"Papa, Don't Drink"

2010-01-16T17:49:00.004+05:00

Many groups within Russia try to help stem alcohol consumption, use of drugs, and other destructive lifestyles. This sign was spotted on a public wall in Chelyabinsk.

Fresh Air

2010-01-16T17:20:00.001+05:00

Parents and grandparents pull children on sleds. Babies, even newborns, are taken out in strollers for "air." There are times when it is too cold, and even adults will stay in and wait it out.

Russian Christmas

2010-01-13T19:52:00.010+05:00

We can't say enough about a traditional Russian dinner at Alexey, Olga and Anna's, with Elder and Sister Nuzman. After feasting on borscht, meat and cabbage turnovers--piroshki, chicken and rice entree, and hot cranberry-cherry compote--Olga heaped the table with chocolates, torte, and fruit. Then it was time to talk and laugh away the evening.

Bright spot

2010-01-13T19:30:00.008+05:00

Fun to run into Sister Mezinets (Ukraine) and Sister Hansen (ID), when we were walking to Alexeys.

Sister Mezinets' cute, warm fur coat was made for her by her mother. We see plenty of real fur coats, but if it's faux, Russians call it "fish fur," a little joke.

At work in Himash

2010-01-13T19:22:00.004+05:00

After a meeting with Lilia and her mother and young son, Elders Holden and Cutler dig snow from her car outside the apartment, while Elder McEvoy removes the battery to take inside and charge. It's not uncommon to take the battery inside at night so it will work in the morning. After the work was done, we all headed for the bus stop. (-10 f.)

Warm today

2010-01-11T22:28:00.005+05:00

It was +5 f. degrees Sunday. At church Lubov, who speaks English, cheerfully announced, "It's warm today! But tomorrow it will be cold again." Our -25 temperatures make us appreciate a balmy +5.

Inside homes, stores, missionary apartments, and our office it's plenty warm. We mostly work in shirt-sleeves. Missionaries dress to be warm enough when they're out in -20f. (with wind) and still be comfortable inside at +72 degrees on any given day. Layering is the answer!

Sister Allcott took winter pictures of all the zones; Yekat Zone here.

Mission Map

2010-01-08T18:22:00.001+05:00

Click to enlarge.

One More Christmas Story

2010-01-07T19:40:00.004+05:00

These Elders are the ones who were scheduled to fly home on December 22. At the airport, they were told they would be delayed 48 hours; at least they'd make it home Christmas Eve. They took off on the 24th, but we got the "rest of the story" from the Allens today:

"When the four returning missionaries got to Frankfurt, Elder O'Dair didn't have a ticket home. So Elder Shreeve stayed an extra day in Frankfurt with Elder O'Dair so that he wouldn't have to be alone at Christmas. [The two were flying into AZ.] They both came home late, but we are sure their families were glad to see them."

(l-r Elders Shreeve, Krogue, Dasha, us, Elders O'Dair, Isenbarger, 23 Dec. 2009.)

Food, Glorious Food # 1

2010-01-07T19:14:00.007+05:00

We haven't said enough about food. Originally we wondered what we would eat here. Well, the brands are different but we lack nothing.

We love trying Russian food, but when we're on our own we gravitate to the familiar. For lunch at the office we've had grilled cheese, tuna salad, and BLT's--Russian style. That is, crisp fried slices of kilbasa and tomatoes; skip the L or use Chinese cabbage leaves. Russian mayo is excellent.

Recent dinners have featured chow mein (frozen broccoli, chicken, fresh mushrooms w/real Asian noodles); enchiladas and fajitas w/ homemade tortillas; pork roast and baked potatoes; pasta alfredo w/chicken; tuna casserole; etc., etc.
(Elder Mac serves enchiladas to Vasylina, Elder Stoops (Norway), and the Nuzmans; BLT's w/out the L.)

General Blog

2010-01-07T19:07:00.004+05:00

We could easily post three or four times what we do but we write only when time permits. Then, some things we experience aren't suited to a blog. In any case, thank you for reading and for comments. So sorry we don't always respond back! For the next few weeks we have random items to share.

Welcome 2010

2009-12-31T16:05:00.007+05:00

С Новым Годом! Happy New Year to all!

We're celebrating New Years as we did last year, in by dark the 31st and all day the 1st. Missionaries will be studying and house cleaning. What with our -20 f. degree weather, no one should mind. Most missionaries are planning good food, too!

The celebration begins for Russians by watching President Medvedev's brief speech, televised at five minutes before midnight in each of Russia's twelve time zones. When he's done, the festivities begin! (Take a look at the good values in his speech.)
Picture from the ice sculpture display in central Yekat from ekaterinburg.com

Russian Winter

2009-12-29T16:24:00.003+05:00

We are experiencing a Russian Winter, at least compared to last year. The weather has been quite cold around the mission, with some areas as low as -43 Celsius. The wind in our area of Yekaterinburg seems to always bow from the pond area, making it just a bit cooler. With the humidity in the air, sometimes the wind simply penetrates all clothing.

Scarves are essential elements of clothing, and they help immensely to protect ones cheeks and nose. However, they seem to collect the breath and fog glasses and also freeze to one's eye lashes and eye brows.

Elder Stewart (New Jersey) is pictured here after a few hours in the Ufa cold.

Suggestions: Don't try this at home!

Branch Christmas Night

2009-12-26T20:57:00.005+05:00

Elder McEvoy as Father Frost brings gives packages to the children; he was the Spirit of Christmas Present with Zhenya as Scrooge in this simplified version of A Christmas Carol; the children, dressed in nativity costumes, sang.
(Thanks to Radeek for most of the pictures.)

Transport Window Frost

2009-12-22T21:17:00.001+05:00

Elders

2009-12-22T17:15:00.013+05:00

Our great Ukrainian elders, just back in the Office from visa renewal in Kiev: Elders Kurbatov, Melnik and Bagmet
Hardworking Elder Cutler during practice for the Branch Christmas play.
Goodbye dinner with Elder Isenbarger and his companion, Elder Pearson, the photographer.
Elders Smith, Heuer and Cooper stop mid-stride for the camera on their way to their first visa renewal trip to Helsinki.

NOTE: Elder Isenbarger, Krogue, O'Dair and Shreeve went to the airport to go home today, and their flight was canceled because of bad weather in Europe; they can't leave for two more days.

Winter Solstice

2009-12-22T07:51:00.000+05:00

The sun, low in the sky at noon, casts long shadows as President and Sister Solomein walk Sister Galina to their car on Sunday, the 20th.

Yesterday was our shortest day, 6.75 hours of daylight, and now the Sun is on its way back towards summer!

Girls Night

2009-12-21T17:35:00.002+05:00

The darling Young Single Adult sisters came to our house for a pre-holiday party. We actually had a few decorations--unlike last year. Elder Shreeve (AZ) let us use the little tree his mom sent. We had candles from Ikea, and that was it.

After doing a craft or two, we ate potato soup, and then had a Spiritual Thought on Christmas, the celebration of Christ's birth. These young sisters can teach their future families about the Nativity.

They took lots of pictures and put a bunch on FB. Their favorite part of the evening was when Elder McEvoy bore his testimony of the Savior.

Enroute to Bus Stop 4:30 PM

2009-12-21T17:29:00.006+05:00

Walking in a winter wonderland, Yekaterinburg style.

Ural Folk Choir and Dance Troupe

2009-12-18T16:50:00.012+05:00

We LOVED this performance of local traditional song and dance. The orchestra was made up of accordians and mandolins, with musicians in native dress. Fabulous music. The ladies all danced in red boots, red shoes.

Zone Culture Night

2009-12-18T16:23:00.004+05:00

The Yekaterinburg Zone all braved -22 degree temperatures to attend this vibrant performance of Russian culture, organized by Zone Leaders, Elders Taylor and Kurbatov. Russians can be so proud! Thanks to Elder Wilson for the photography. (Click to enlarge on-stage photos in post above.)

What Child Is This?

2009-12-18T15:49:00.002+05:00

Elders Smith (WA), Cutler (Draper), Isenbarger (IN), and Pearson(Park City), practice for Zone Conference, accompanied by Elder Holden (WA).

Holidays

2009-12-18T13:50:00.019+05:00

The Soviet regime wiped out any hint of Christ in Christmas, so the New Year became the central holiday, complete with New Year's tree and all the presents.

The celebration includes costumes for children, a vist from Father Frost, abundant food, and big fireworks displays. Originally a two or three day holiday, it became a 10-day event in recent years.

Instead of the birth of the Savior, the theme follows the Asian calendar. The Year of the Tiger, 2010, means tiger toys, tiger candy, tiger figurines abound. Russian Christmas, January 7th, is kept by attending Orthodox mass.

How cold IS it?

2009-12-15T12:22:00.009+05:00

In the last few days, Russians have been warning that a -35 day was coming--and here it is! Elders Taylor and Kurbatov arrive at the Office after their walk from the bus. (The bus stopped because the fuel froze?) They're at the entrance, showing the ice that has formed inside the door in the ante-room. Meanwhile, Elder Wilson makes them hot chocolate back in the kitchen.
This site shows averages; this one shows comfort level, which we presume takes into account windchill.

HO-HO-HO

2009-12-09T18:52:00.006+05:00

In Finland, St. Nicholas and his Lady Elf offered
holiday cheer to travelers at the airport.
(Cute details on their costumes.)

Slippers

2009-12-09T17:48:00.005+05:00

It's bad manners to wear your outside shoes indoors--except at stores. You're expected to take off your boots or shoes in the entry and go in stocking feet or top'ach-key--any sort of light-weight slip-on shoes.

Sometimes the hostess has an array for you to choose from. Some people carry slippers in their bag.

The Birkenstocks aren't common here. One of the Assistants had them in the Office and passed them to his successor. Now they go from Assistant to Assistant. Who was the original owner? Someone says Elder Johnson. Anyone know?

Elders - Random Pictures

2009-12-08T17:16:00.007+05:00

From the top (click to enlarge), Elder Holden with his cake made by his companions, Elders Smith and Cutler; Zone at the Cathedral on the Blood yesterday; Elders Tate, Thompson and McEvoy after a meeting with Marina; Zone meeting;

Dinner at the Nuzmans (CES); In the fall, Elders Brown and Sare wait for a tram.

COLD

2009-12-05T21:19:00.004+05:00

Quite a week of weather we have ahead of us! Actually, it's not a whole lot different than Cache Valley. No doubt all our CV neighbors are being prepared to come and serve in Russia! : )

Finland

2009-12-03T20:16:00.006+05:00

Our visa trip to Finland was brief, which is ideal for missionaries. We and the Palmers went to the Temple(and once again saw Elder Tim Groberg). Because our flight was delayed, we had an extra day in Helsinki and saw a few sights. Besides downtown, we went to a wooded island where historic Finnish homes and barns have been moved from throughout the country.

(Now we're back in the office and catching up on work, so we don't have time to post much.)

Notes

2009-11-28T22:19:00.006+05:00

We were sorry to hear about the Russian train. It happened a thousand miles from here on a route none of our missionaries would ever need to take, but it's a tragedy none-the-less.
We were grateful to talk to family members this Thanksgiving weekend. We are full of thanks and gratitude.
Another visa trip coming up. We go to Helsinki again.

Giving Thanks

2009-11-26T19:21:00.007+05:00

The Yekaterinburg Zone took half a day to celebrate with dinner at the Mission Home. The other Zones had their own gatherings. (Pictures from them later). Russians don't have a holiday like it, but our one Russian in the Zone, Elder Yazvinsky, was a good sport about it all.

Sister Nuzman, Pie Baker Extraordinaire, helps President and Sister Allcott while President carves one of their two five-pound turkeys imported from Germany. Jello and canned pumpkin were brought from America; dressing made from scratch.

Since this counts as P-Day, Elders relax and play Settlers of Catan, and "Pounce" with Rook cards. After dinner, Elder Isenbarger tells a story about his former companion, Elder Campbell.

After Dark

2009-11-24T23:03:00.002+05:00

Winter nights are surprisingly friendly here. Our little camera doesn't do it justice.

First of all, it's never really dark. Of course, the snow reflects, but the lights of the city shine against the overcast sky, so everything has a pink glow. One Elder called it "warm." We carried a flashlight at first until we realized we never used it.

Lots of people are out and about, often even walking babies in carriages or strollers.

(Elder McEvoy with Lydia and Elders Smith, Cutler and Holden a the Botanika Church door after a meeting; the roads we walk near the Office; holiday lights on the tram stop near our apartment building.)

Fast Food

2009-11-23T23:16:00.002+05:00

After a baptism, missionaries stopped at Subway before heading back to work.

FYI, the other familiar franchises are McD's, KFC (called Ros-teeks') and Cbarro, that pizza place in all the mall foodcourts in the US.

When we eat out, we like trying something Russian, but once in a while the American missionaries like good ol' fast food.

Holidays in the Air

2009-11-20T17:07:00.003+05:00

It used to be when Thanksgiving was over, Christmas got the green light. Now it's more like Halloween. They tell us that here, the first snow gives everyone permission to think about the holidays--the 10 day New Year celebration which has Christmas rolled in with it--so the lights and decorations are going up in stores.

If you're mailing to your missionary, we're having consistent success with USPS Priority. Packages arrived today that were mailed from the USA October 30-November 4. As for normal letters, a Pouch with letters arrived today that left SLC via DHL on Nov 17. It's not always that fast, but it's not uncommon.

South of the Border

2009-11-19T20:12:00.002+05:00

Stani workers come from the south, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, etc., to do a lot of the menial labor. Cheerful, friendly people, they send their earnings to family back home.

Crews work non-stop in the malls mopping floors during winter and the muddy seasons.

(Pictures last month just before the snow fell.)

Tram Window - 5:00 pm

2009-11-19T10:55:00.001+05:00

This is what we saw out of the frosted window panes as we rode the tram-vye to the Mission Home one evening last week.

New Elders

2009-11-18T20:47:00.012+05:00

Five new Elders came last week. We were holding out for better pictures, but we're going with what we've got:

Elder Fife (AK) eats dessert; Elder Hanson (Draper UT), at dinner with his trainer, Elder Shreeve (AZ), and sisters; Elder Lunt (VT)meets his trainer, Elder Krogue (Alpine, UT) while Elder Cordon (LA) looks on; Elder Pearson (Park City, UT) at a baptism on his third day here, and heading out with his trainer, Elder Isenbarger (IN).

Couples

2009-11-14T21:22:00.003+05:00

These WONDERFUL young marrieds have an uphill climb.

Krill and Inna (by the elevator) and their pre-schooler have lived with his parents in their apartment since they were married some five years ago. As a furniture designer, he makes 12,000r per month ($400). They just moved to Ukraine to live with her family to see if things can improve.

Nina and Vasilevy, married less than a year, live with her mother. She tells about meeting him at a young single adult activity. "I knew he was my prince," she says, smiling confidently. Nina was alone the first six months while he worked out of town. He's an electrician.

Masha and little Katia are so happy to have papa, Vladimir, back from Latvia where he worked for the last year in computer programming. Masha stayed here in their apartment--her mother's actually. The babushka, bedridden for several years, needs them. To make a little extra money, Masha rented one of the bedrooms to a mother and her three teenagers for the summer.

The average apartment generally measures roughly 1000 sq. ft.; to rent one costs between $600-$1000 or more. The older generation owns the apartments that the Soviet government gave away in the 50's or 60's. (Edit: Apt. size may be closer to 800 sq. ft; we're approximating).

(We like inviting members in for dinner when we can. Elders Smith (Spokane WA) and Cutler (Draper, UT), both here for just two months, did a great job translating during one dinner meeting.)

Homeward Bound

2009-11-12T21:49:00.007+05:00

Elders Dial, Finch and Murphy head to the ostenov'ka (bus stop) for their last "transport" ride to meet with the Mission President, en route home. First the requisite final pictures, and a farewell from Elder Mac at the Office door.

WELL DONE, ELDERS!!

"Sisters, Sisters.There were never such devoted sisters..."

2009-11-12T20:55:00.004+05:00

New Missionaries!! All the sisters in our mission were gathered because we had six new missionaries arrive, so ALL the current sisters were made trainers--including some who have been here a short time.

Great Elders came, too. More on them later.

(Sisters after late arrival and no sleep, listening to orientation with President and Sister Allcott; ALL our Sisters in the Mission.)

Talent Night

2009-11-09T10:14:00.007+05:00

A sample from the YSA talent night here last year. Anya performed her favorite pieces on the domya, similar to a balilaika.

What's for breakfast?

2009-11-02T19:18:00.010+05:00

With America's current interest in international and specialty foods, you might wonder what gourmet foods to expect here. In reality, Russians seem more sensible. Let's start with breakfast. GRAINS are their mainstay. Yes, they love other foods, but they have survived on whole grain cereals. They call it porridge or "kasha."

BUCKWHEAT
We see a variety of cereals here, such as oats, rice, and mixed grains. However, most importantly, Russians eat gretchka. гречиха or buckwheat is prepared like rice and served for breakfast, lunch or dinner. (It's the flour in America's buckwheat pancakes or Japan's soba noodles.)

A popular missionary breakfast is Super Gretchka: Scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, and sausage or kil' ba-sa, mixed all together with cooked gretchka. Really filling and healthy.

MILLET
Another common cereal here is millet. One Russian sister says, "During the 90's when the shops were empty we ate it," but she thinks it's less popular now. Once we were served millet cereal for breakfast and we really liked it. You cook it like any hot cereal, but stir in milk and a very little sugar at the last. You serve it with butter--no milk.

The fruit picture is cute, but when we showed it to our Russian sister she just chuckled. it may be Russian but it's not typical.

(pictures from purcell mountain farms; thisfoodthing.com; healthhomehappy.com; FB note.php...75009733)

Holidays in Russia

2009-10-28T22:27:00.008+05:00

Missionary families are fixed on Holidays, and Halloween is no exception. Elder Taylor (SLC)received Halloween toys and candies well in advance of Halloween.
The holiday is not common in Russia, but Elvira, our sedate, lady-like office expert, understands the ins and outs of Trick or Treating.

Russian Steam Bath

2009-10-27T15:16:00.005+05:00

Our Office kitchen looks innocent enough, with the little steam-heat radiator under the window. Yesterday, however, we arrived to find a window blown wide open and 18 degree f. outside temperatures were inside. We closed the window and turned on the oven to begin warming the icy room.

In less than an hour, someone found the kitchen floor FLOODING furiously. The tidy little radiator was spewing hot water with the force of a strong garden house. It was impossible to get at the leak so we organized a sloppy sort of bucket brigade. Lots of mopping, raised voices, and frantic emptying of heavy basins. (Nothing like the buttoned up look in the previous post!) The whole room was a steam bath!

Two men from Public Works arrived, couldn't turn it off, and left. Before long, the entire building had the hot water shut off and the flooding finally stopped. Our PW men returned with a new radiator, attached it, the water came back on, we dried out everything, and we're back to business as usual.

Group Photos

2009-10-23T21:47:00.002+06:00

Zone Conferences and District Meetings lend themselves to taking pictures. Our mission has five zones: Chelyabinsk, Perm, Siberia, Ufa and Yekaterinburg. We're in Yekat. New members have the best chance if they have a large church branch to meet with, so we work in the centers of population.

Freedom to Worship

2009-10-17T16:44:00.005+06:00

We're laboring in a country that had atheism forced on its citizens for most of our lifetimes.

This week Valari told us a Bible couldn't be obtained during Soviet times. "I wanted to look at a Bible at the Library in our city, just 3 kilometers from here, and I had to go to many offices and wait in line and get seven signs (signatures) from government officials. I told them I wanted to see that it was bad," he said with a little laugh.

It adds to our appreciation of this talk by Elder Dallin Oaks, outlining threats to religious freedom today.

Fathers and Sons

2009-10-14T21:21:00.002+06:00

For they remembered the words which their father . . . spake unto them. Hel. 5:5

Elders love their moms; they appreciate the letters, the packages. But they quote their dads.
For instance:

Elder V. (SLC)
"When I was coming on my mission my Dad told me, 'I don't know much about religion, but I do know people. If you're trying to convince a man to buy a bigger and better house, you don't do it by tearing down his old one.' "(His dad is in real estate.)

Elder S. (NJ)
"After I got transferred to the Office my Dad emailed: 'When your mom and I joined the Church 20 years ago we made an unspoken agreement to accept any calling and to do it the best we can.' " (Working in the Office is not every missionary's first choice.)

Elder T. (Provo)

"My Dad says, 'Don't do things that are stupid.' He said if a person does the same behavior over and over again and expects a different result, then that's stupid."

Elder R. (TX)
"Since I'm going home in a week, my mom and my sisters emailed, 'Oh, we can't wait! We're making plans!' But my Dad, whose not a member, wrote, 'You only have a week left, but if you concentrate and keep working you might still touch someone's life.' "

Elder B. (Provo)
"When I told him I was feeling overwhelmed--I was still pretty new and Branch President and trying to learn the language and had a near-greenie companion--he said look up Jeremiah 12:5 'If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses?' "

(Photo, USA Today.)

Fall

2009-10-14T17:38:00.000+06:00

Can you see this man's birch broom? They're standard here. Last of the leaves are falling.

Speaking Our Language

2009-10-13T12:11:00.004+06:00

We like "talking" to children because our language skills are similar. Deniel thinks Dyedushka (Grandpa) McEvoy is a crack up.

Patriot

2009-10-13T11:59:00.003+06:00

On a holiday last week, this guy rode by flying a Russian flag. He gave us a big smile when he saw our thumbs up.

New Assignments

2009-10-06T20:36:00.002+06:00

Here's our former crew in the Office--until Elder Shreeve was transfered. Great missionaries!! l-r, Elders Shreeve (AZ, Ass't.), Campbell (NJ, travel), Anderson (Sacramento CA, membership), Krogue (Alpine UT, Ass't.).

Visiting in Elmash

2009-10-06T20:26:00.001+06:00

It was dusk when we arrived at the apartment of this dear mom and her three sons. They're members of our branch so we visited with the missionaries and our branch president and taught about the priesthood. President Prihodka brought a sack of apples from his dacha for them.

Sunday Dinner

2009-10-05T20:11:00.001+06:00

Elena and Zina came to dinner last week. Elena refused to let the missionaries teach her grown daughter. In fact, she wouldn't let them in. They had to stay outside her door in the podiez, (the stairwell) and sit on the floor on spread out newspapers so she could have lessons. Elena herself finally listened and joined the Church one year ago. ( with Elders Brown and Sare)

Recycle

2009-10-05T19:57:00.001+06:00

Every dom building has a lineup of dumpsters for household trash. It's not uncommon to see people help themselves from the dumpsters. It's standard to recycle by placing furniture or clothing or food near the dumpsters where others can pick them up. The weather is turning cold, and someone has left coats.

General Conference

2009-10-04T23:05:00.000+06:00

We watched the morning sessions of Conference--from 10:00 to 12:00 at night! The others we have gotten via recordings. Sessions translated into Russian will be played on upcoming Sundays at the local branches.

Julia's Baptism

2009-10-04T19:42:00.010+06:00

Yulia turned eight and was baptized last week by her home teacher, Yuri. Members of the Branch came to support her. Sister Druskova, the Primary President brought roses; President Prihodka came to preside; her mother and her babushka and some of her brothers and sisters came, too.

Wearing a tiara, she passed out chocolates to everyone who came. Still some leaves on the trees on this beautiful fall day.

Reinforcements!!

2009-09-30T16:08:00.010+06:00

Sound a cavalry charge! Nine new missionaries!! After watching so many of our Wonderful missionaries get released, it's a huge boost to have this contingent arrive early this morning from the MTC.

Welcome to:

[front row] Elders Gillming (Yuba City, CA), Cutler (Draper, UT), Sister Mezinets (Ukraine), Elder Steiner (Sandy); [back] Elders Stanley (N.Ogden,UT), Haag (Bountiful UT), Smith (Spokane, WA), Cooper (St. George, UT), and Heuer ( Highland, UT).

(Paperwork for 2nd passport; meeting companions/trainers)

Moroni

2009-09-28T09:42:00.003+06:00

"I, Moroni . . . exhort you to come unto Christ. . . .
Yea, come unto Christ,and be perfected in him."

Everyone here has been celebrating the placement of the Angel Moroni statue on the Kiev Temple spire last week. It's all over FB.

Actually, Yekaterinburg may remain in the Helsinki Temple District, but the Kiev Temple is still a great blessing. For example, one member who is not permitted to leave Russia because of a debt, should be free to go to Ukraine.

One Week - Part 7

2009-09-24T19:04:00.000+06:00

Sunday after Church Luda and Luba came home with us for dinner. Such wonderful ladies. Lubov taught English during Soviet times. When we asked how things had changed she said, "Everything is changed for the better." Because she's Jewish, she wasn't allowed to enter the university she wanted, despite her excellent grades.

One Week - Part 6

2009-09-24T18:55:00.001+06:00

Accompanying the Elders to meetings with Valdimir and Tatiana is always a pleasure, in part because she's such a great cook. This week we had borscht, potato pie, and compote--a tasty drink from simmered berries or fruit.

She feeds the missionaries all the time. Vladimir, a boxing coach, asks thoughtful questions at the meetings.

Thanks to Elders Stewart and Anderson for taking us along and for translation.

One Week - Part 5

2009-09-23T18:00:00.001+06:00

Our P-Day began at the "pochta." One can expect to take two or more hours to mail a package --by the time you wait in lines, fill out forms, wait for items to be inspected and individually weighed. We got through quickly, thanks to Elders Stewart and Rosel.

Afterward we wandered through a street fair where locals stocked up for winter. We bought great baked goods and encountered everything from a chance sighting of Governor Roesel to a demonstration of Russia's version of the "Ginzu" knife.

We finished up the afternoon checking in on the Elders' soccer game with new members and investigators.

One Week - Part 4

2009-09-22T16:46:00.010+06:00

Culture Day at the Russian History Museum with the Zone made for a nice change of pace. The missionaries don't do this often.

Our hostess was Sister Karnivolova from the local Branch so it was fun for the missionaries to interact with her. Sister Read (San Diego) played the piano using a 100 year old music book; Elder Stewart (NJ) did magic tricks.

We especially like the cast-iron fireplace, made at Kasli. We finished up sitting at tables and learning Russian ettiquette.

One Week - Part 3

2009-09-21T21:45:00.003+06:00

Zone Conference every transfer (six weeks) brings all the Yekat city Missionaries to the Office for meetings most of the day. They also pick up mail and supplies.

Here, Elder Sare (Rexburg ID) reads a letter at the mailroom door; Elders Brown, Sare, Anderson, Shreeve and Taylor help set up for the chicken and mashed potatoes that will make up Zone Conference lunch. Elder Anderson pours Kool-Aid, a precious commodity from home!

The Zone Leaders plan the menu and arrange the food, and we couples help where we can.

One Week - Part 2

2009-09-21T18:11:00.001+06:00

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we take a bus to the City Center to go to English Club at "Rosie." The Church rents the third floor of a building for meetings, and members call it after the street name, "Rosie Luxembourg."

Because traffic was at a standstill, we got off the bus and started walking.

Here are some of the things we passed:
These fine old pre-Revolution buildings; a noisy firetruck; flowers in popular curving patterns at the foot of one of many statues.

One Week - Part I

2009-09-20T20:18:00.016+06:00

Although we spend most of each day at our desks, we do get out and about, and these are some of the things we see.

We often pass these twins in the morning as we walk to the office. We say "priviet" and their mother whispers to them to say "bye bye" to us.

All season little babushka's and others set themselves up to sell things on busy sidewalks. Anyone can do it. Garden produce is big right now, including end of the season flowers. Mushrooms from the forest have been popular, too.

This tram track re-do may not seem like much, but they began pulling up track the first of the week, and the tram was running on new track by Saturday! (We ride this tram, and cross the tracks for groceries.)

Of course, we try to make contacts as we travel on the buses and interact with people, but those are not exactly Kodak moments. : )

Petergof and the Hermitage

2009-09-16T16:30:00.001+06:00

Amazing. During our visa trip we had a long layover in St. Petersburg. Russia takes justifiable pride in these magnificent national spots. Thanks to Elder Sergeev and his friend Alexey for being our tour guides for two days!
Hermitage Museum
Petergof Palace and Grounds

Pouch update

2009-09-15T12:23:00.003+06:00

The mail POUCH is still in business!
See our NOTE on July 2oth.

A Village

2009-09-13T21:21:00.003+06:00

On Saturday Oleg and Vasilyna drove us to their family house in the village half an hour out of town where we helped harvest the potatoes. "This will be one of the last warm days," she told us. We were glad to work under cool gray skies.

Afterwards we ate watermelon, and then they put wood on the fire in the banya for us to use. SO relaxing.

Popular banyas (suanas) sometimes appear to be nicer than the house they come with. "It's the only way Russians had to clean themselves," one sister told us. Public bath house are also available.

It's understood that these older homes, although charming, lack conveniences such as indoor plumbing. In many cases, they'll have a well, with better drinking water than the city's. A few such homes get torn down and replaced by large, brick ones like the one you get a glimpse of to the left.

Beginnings

2009-09-11T12:24:00.004+06:00

How can the Church be established out of nowhere in a new country? It's humbling to realize how it happens. Some Brethren are called to have "first contact." Here's a story from Elder Nelson from December 1991 Ensign, while he had a "first contact" assignment to Eastern European countries.

"Another [Russian] woman temporarily left Leningrad to find the Church in a miraculous manner. This beautiful young mother named Svetlana had importuned the Lord in prayer to make it possible for her to obtain a Bible written in the Russian language. Such a Bible is rare, precious, and very expensive. In the fall of 1989, she and her husband and their young child went to Helsinki in quest for a Bible. While walking through a park in Helsinki, she stepped upon an object hidden beneath the ground cover of autumn leaves. She picked it up and found it to be the answer to her prayers. It was a Bible written in the Russian language.

"So excited was she that she joyfully recounted the story of this great discovery to another mother who was also in the park with her youngster. The second mother then replied to Svetlana, “Would you like to have another book about Jesus Christ, also written in the Russian language?” Svetlana, of course, answered in the affirmative. The other mother then provided Svetlana with a Russian copy of the Book of Mormon and invited her to church. This other mother was Raija Kemppainen, wife of Jussi Kemppainen, then president of the Baltic District of the Finland Helsinki Mission. Shortly thereafter, Svetlana joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and returned with her family to Leningrad."
[Brother Kemppainen is the man we visited with in Helsinki, who we posted about below; Raija K. in photo]

Temples

2009-09-11T10:47:00.008+06:00

Elder Neuenschwander tells about the influence of Temples in Eastern Europe. He writes:

"The most important advancement for the Church in Eastern Europe during these years was the dedication of a temple in the German Democratic Republic. By 1978, the government of the DDR had decided to no longer extend visas to Latter-day Saints seeking to attend the temple in Switzerland. The Church explored every option but could make no progress with the government. The members began to fast and pray for divine help.

"Then one day as Elder Thomas S. Monson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles met with government leaders, they proposed a simple solution: Why not build a temple here in the DDR? A parcel of land was purchased in Freiberg, and construction began in 1983. The temple was dedicated two years later, on 29 June 1985.

"Certainly, the influence of the temple seemed to permeate the German Democratic Republic, softening hearts and helping prepare the way for the dramatic changes that took place all over Eastern Europe at the end of the 1980s. The influence of the Church’s temples continues to be profound on all these nations."

(Frankfurt Temple above; Elder Bagmet checks up on Kiev Temple construction during his visa trip
home to Kiev, Ukraine, last week. We LOVE our Ukrainian Elders!)

St. Petersburg

2009-09-06T16:41:00.010+06:00

Elder Alexandr Sergeev completed his mission a few weeks ago and has returned to his home in St. Petersburg. Here he is with his mission buddies who are coming through town en route to Finland for visa renewal. (Elders Isenbarger, Campbell, Dewey, Murphy and Dial.)

Finland--Seedbed for the Church

2009-09-06T15:46:00.002+06:00

Meeting people at the temples has become a highlight of the Visa Trips. This time we met Jussi Kommpainen, a long time Finnish member of the church.

This faithful giant has served in a number of capacities, helping the missionary work spread from Finland into Russia and the rest of the Baltic region. He has served as a counselor in four mission presidencies. He assisted Gary Browning when President Browning become the first mission President called to lead a mission in Moscow in the early 1990's. He also served as a counselor to President Robert Blair, who opened the Baltic States mission. In addition, Jussi has had several supporting roles with the European East Area Presidencies in working through governmental and Church needs for new missions in this far away land.

We stayed up too late one evening visiting. He says that during WWII, when Finland was at war with Russia, D-Day saved them. Stalin stopped his attacks. "Finland was free. Finland remained free," he said. As a result, the Church had a place to lay ground work that would be the springboard into Russia.

(FYI, we love Bob and Julia Blair, parents of our son-in-law, Ben Blair). Speaking of the Blairs, in Helsinki we also saw wonderful Elder Tim Groberg, Julia's brother, who was with his wife Rhonda, serving his third mission to Finland.)
(Jussi Kommpainien in blue shirt.)

Visa Trip

2009-09-02T22:27:00.001+06:00

We go to Helsinki again, this time through St. Petersburg, leaving tomorrow.

Love to all.

Autumn

2009-09-01T18:45:00.004+06:00

Apparently summer doesn't wind down. It stops abruptly. This morning, September 1st, there was frost on all the rooftops!

Riverside

2009-08-28T19:30:00.002+06:00

In Ludmilla's family photos, we liked this one
of Yuri and friends headed out on a month-long camping
trip using this raft that they made, about 1960

Yuri and Ludmilla

2009-08-28T18:40:00.013+06:00

We went with the Elders, President and Sister Prihodka, and Elena from our branch to visit Yuri and Ludmilla. Once again, we're overwhelmed a their hospitality. Super was prepared at their kitchen on the porch. This loving couple were cheerful and kind and fun to be with.

The summer is so short that people get to work fast at their dachas or sods (gardens) and you can feel things winding down already. Because of the long days, things can grow large, like the big cabbage.

We got to try "summer soup." This cold dish starts with potato-salad-like vegetables in a bowl; then you pour on ka-vas' (a popular drink that tastes to us like carbonated vinegar). Topped with sour cream, the soup was a nice combination of contrasting flavors.

Happy Birthday to You!

2009-08-25T13:42:00.002+06:00

Children

2009-08-23T19:42:00.015+06:00

We love to see the beautiful children and the wonderful care they're given. They always have hats, even in July and August. Families are small; it's uncommon to have more than one or two babies.

We like these letter magnets for children, in the Cyrillic alphabet, of course.

Branch Picnic

2009-08-21T18:37:00.005+06:00

Elder McEvoy plays his first real game of b-ball here; walking to the bus stop afterward--Yekat in the distance; lunch and watermelon; charades; bus stop.

Sister McEvoy talked with a recent convert, Anna, about Soviet times. People talk freely about these things now; they have to explain it to their children since it was some 20 years ago.

Anna said, among other things, that everything was the same. There was no "brilliance," no "color." Since everyone was "equal" when you visited someone's apartment it was exactly like yours--everyone had the same things. Even clothes were the same.

We mentioned that some Russians say the Soviet Era was a peaceful and safe time. They say, "We never had to lock our apartments." Anna laughed and said, "Of course not. There was nothing to steal!"

She did say that immediately after the Soviet demise there were some rough years. More on that another time. Thanks to Sister Sulimenko for translating!

In our belfry

2009-08-21T17:44:00.001+06:00

Sister M. woke Elder Mac at 3:30AM to tell him something was flying around the bedroom ceiling. A big moth? A bird?? No, a BAT. While Elder Mac perfected an impressive duck-and-smack maneuver with a fly swatter, Sister Mac offered helpful suggestions from well under the covers. Then a second one joined the first! After both bats were stunned we dumped them out the window.

Russians here had never heard of such a thing happening. They rarely see a bat--or "flying mouse."

Summer's end

2009-08-20T21:43:00.007+06:00

Lots of rain recently, so everyone takes advantage of sunny days. At this lake just three blocks from our apartment there are plenty of sunbathers but little swimming or boating; they say the water isn't healthy.

Young Single Adult Conference

2009-08-14T23:07:00.023+06:00

It was great to see 260 youth and leaders gather here from three Russian missions. Some came 36 hours on trains.

We stayed in dorm apartments formerly used for communist youth camps in a place just outside Yekaterinburg. Besides the excellent leaders and the beautiful forest, we loved being with these bright, talented youth as they worked on service projects, played games, attended workshops, ate, and danced.

Great talent show. A favorite skit: "If I weren't a Mormon, what would I be?" They answered in cute rhythm and rhyme. One might be a red flag-waving Lenin supporter. Another might be despondent enough to do himself in with his own necktie.

After that, they compared the "World's Way" of doing things with the "Mormon Way." For instance, to get one's paycheck the worldly group greedily pushed and fought to get to the window first. By contrast, their group waited patiently in line, inviting others to go ahead, and courteously thanking the clerk. Then, with check in hand they headed straight to the Branch President to pay their tithing. : )

This age group is the strength of the Church in the near future. They depend on each other, and they keep in touch after they leave. They're all on FB.

The dances all three nights were fun. Lots of costumes and fancy outfits the first two nights; more formal outfits on the last evening, calling for posed pictures.

The project was directed by Elder and Sister Nuzman (CO) and the local youth leaders. President and Sister Schwitzer, who formerly presided over this mission, came from Moscow EEA to speak.

Scripture Power

2009-08-14T19:07:00.003+06:00

The members often make book covers for their scriptures. And even though they speak Russian, they sometimes use English words. Also, sparkles and glitzy shimmery things are popular.

From the YSA Conference

Into the Woods

2009-08-14T18:30:00.014+06:00

At the Conference we managed some short walks in the forest that surrounded us. So beautiful. It was fun to be with Sister Elaine Palmer who took pictures of every single kind of mushroom. We can see why so many fairy tales happen in the forest. The berries and rose hips are edible. Red mushrooms: Nyet!

Church Educators

2009-08-12T20:22:00.010+06:00

These leaders visiting with all of us
at the Young Single Adult conference
broke into the Song of the Volga Boatmen here.

President Solomein: Member 12 yrs.; a Mission President after 5; architect; CES in Yekat.
Brother Drochykov: Member 10 years; CES Director in Novosabirsk
Brother Kosmynin: Samara CES Director; formerly a bomber pilot in the Russian AF.
Brother Kostak: Raised in East Germany; CES Director for the Europe East Area.

(CES = Church Education System; church classes for teens and college students.)

Kasli

2009-08-03T17:02:00.009+06:00

About two hours north of Yekaterinburg in the Chelyabinsk oblast, the Kasli cast iron works has been in operation for 250 years. Their greatest artistic achievement is the pavilion that we've seen in a gallery in Yekaterinburg. (Thanks to Anya for being our tour guide!) The details of the pavilion are wonderful.

You can imagine how pleased we were to receive this beautiful gift, a Kasli filigree plate with mythylogical figures on it, from Galina. So unexpected. We were overwhelmed. (Pavilion photo from "justrussia." You can see more Kasli work on the web.)

Sister Galina

2009-08-03T16:23:00.010+06:00

We went with Elders Brown and Ellsworth to visit wonderful Sister Galina at her apartment over the weekend. We told her we were bringing dinner, but she had cooked everything--chicken and mashed potatoes and two salads! She had the Elders bring in a small bench from the balcony that acted as our table.

A chain-smoker who spent her career teaching Marxist philosophy and scientific atheism at a university, she joined the Church in 1995. The Elders began teaching her and she read the Book of Mormon, but the turning point came when they gave her a blessing to help her quit smoking. (Elder Brigham Shelly). She lost interest in her beloved cigarettes overnight. She says she realized, "God is there."

With her great intellect she's proved to be a wonderful student of the Book of Mormon, Church history, and doctrine.

Furthermore, she's very creative. She has made a delightful set of "quiet books" for children with excellent handwork and clever details. Sister McEvoy loved the artistic, tasteful touches all over her book-crowded two-room apartment.

Day to Day

2009-07-28T21:22:00.014+06:00

Our Office days are similar--busy with the ordinary: Sister Mac replacing toner by her desk.
Elder Mac listening to a financial/travel question with Sasha and Elder Vierig.
Elder Stewart, member records secretary waiting to leave for the store with Elder Shreeve, who just got in from a 16 hour train ride. Elder Vierig listening to stories. And then it's home to our apartment. (It seems like everyone is always carrying something: plastic bags, satchels, water jugs.)

Flowers

2009-07-28T13:43:00.003+06:00

Lots of flower beds right now. The red one is near our favorite grocery store. The casual one is behind our office.

(Sister McEvoy was worried because the pictures of Yekat on the web didn't show many flowers. But here they are!

There's a fairly new Home Depot-like store with a vast garden section in the spring.

Meeting

2009-07-24T17:19:00.009+06:00

When Sergey came to a meeting at our house with Elders Shreeve and Bassett, he brought a large container of mixed berries from their summer garden.

We love being able to participate in these discussions. Sergey asks profound questions: "What should I teach my 2-year-old son? The things I teach will go forward for generations, impacting hundreds or thousands."

The fruit is excellent. Black currants are new to us, but delicious. (We've seen them at home.) Try them with other berries or fruit. Different flavor, but SO yummy!

"For the Strength of Youth"

2009-07-21T21:00:00.000+06:00

Leeza, Leena and Anya comprise the YW Society in our Botanika Branch. They came for dinner last night, along with their mother and Elders Brown and Ellsworth, who gave a spiritual thought from "For the Strength of Youth."

The Elders help translate, but when they had to leave we still managed to communicate, thanks to a few words they know, a Russian dictionary, and Google translate.

When Elder McEvoy started to wash dishes, Leeza saw that he had a sore on his hand and she shook her head and looked up the word "impossisble." Then she and Anya pitched in.

Their mother, Natasha, joined the Church ten years ago. At that time, they walked about 5 km to church. The round trip was over six miles. She said the little girls hurried to church on the run--in rain or snow or whatever--but on the return they were tired and slower--glad to get home and nap.

(Elders Brown and Ellsworth at choir practice on Sunday)

Farewell to the POUCH

2009-07-20T14:39:00.017+06:00

EDIT: CORRECTION!
We wrote this post after our office received an official letter revising Pouch policies. After clarification, we are reporting that the POUCH IS ALIVE AND WELL for personal mail. The changes applied to our use of US postage only. We're so sorry if we mislead anyone! -- 13 Sep. 09
______________________________

Looks like the missionary mail POUCH as we know it is no longer available for personal mail. The Church is discontinuing its use because of legal technicalities, difficulties with compliance, etc.

The Pouch filled a need for a lot of years, but now that we have email the loss shouldn't be too great. And there is always the local pochta. If you're lucky, maybe you'll get a letter from your missionary with a stamp like this one.

FYI, there is still a business pouch but it's strictly for submitting mission reports, etc.