Trains

A network of affordable trains connects Russia. The Tsar built the first train, connecting his summer home with St. Petersburg. The fine acoustics in his grand, new train station earned it the name of Voice Hall, or "Vaux Hall"--now the name for all stations in Russia.

Coupes (small rooms) are preferred because you have semi-privacy and you can sleep on a long (or short) journey. Rooms are often very warm, sometimes cold. Bedding provided; you may even be served a meal.

On the other end of the spectrum, for the equivalent of $8 you can travel over 100 miles, sitting on a firm bench; restrooms basic. Some trips begin or end at midnight.

Our Travel Elder, currently Elder Holden (WA), makes arrangements for all missionaries. Besides the many trips for the President and Assistants, he also arranges travel during six week transfers.

Perm

We went by train to Perm where Brother Tom Rogers (Bountiful) gave patriarchal blessings. Wonderful, stalwart members in these two branches. They have a building because there was less difficulty in getting clearance there than in some cities. Great missionary Elders and Sisters! Great young new members. (Pic. above- Laughs at lunch with the Branch President)

Milk or Juice

We just got in from Surgut--a 20 hour train ride.  Office Elders Holden and Haderlie met us and took us home in a taxi.  They even brought our luggage upstairs.   They know we're a little self-conscious about needing their help, even though we appreciate it.   "Do you want us to unpack?" they asked, just to rub it in. "Do you want milk or juice with your bedtime story?"

More on our travels soon.

Patriarch and Companion

The patriarch, Brother Tom Rogers, has been here from Utah for over 10 days now. He's already given over 70 blessings and the members say, "He speaks excellent Russian."

Sister Galina received her blessing today. Before joining the Church 15 years ago, she taught philosophy, Marxist Scientific atheism for 44 years--and chainsmoked. That is, she says, "until a young, blue-eyed, American missionary told me to stop."

Since the patriarch's pianist grandson, David Rogers, came along as his travel companion, we scheduled a concert night. David (17) and Sister Karnivolova, a local violinist, made a wonderful program. He played "Rhapsody in Blue" by Gershwin (whose parents were Russian), among others.

15th Anniversary

Relief Society has been in Yekaterinburg for 15 years! The sisters wore pioneer outfits to the District celebration this week.

Helsinki

We loved Finland. Helsinki is one of several main European cites that border the Baltic Sea, including St. Petersburg.

We ran into a Finn who was LDS and who had served his mission in the San Fernando Valley, our hometown. He acted as impromptu tour guide and took us right to some great spots, including the wharf. He recommended "tuna pizza," which we actually liked.

Sister Mac had to stop at the Marimekko store--the Finnish design company she has long admired.

Great stay at Temple housing: Temple President Luthy is from Cache Valley. His wife is Finnish, but she says they conduct more sessions in Russian. Elder and Sister Gee, former Yekaterinburg Mission President, took good care of us. We were fed--literally and spiritually.

To Helsinki and back

We got up in the middle of the night to fly to St. Petersburg, where the 19 of us loaded into two vans and drove five hours to Helsinki.

After the snack stop, (l-r) Elders Isenbarger, Tate, Dial, Peterson, Kimball, Larsen, Moulton, Draper, with Elders Murphy and Finch up front.

Visa Trip

We go to Helsinki early Saturday and fly back on Sunday. We'll stay at Temple housing but there's no time to do a session. We're going with a group of 19. Here's a video about the purpose of temples.

Branch Picnic

For 12 years now, the Botanichesky Branch has celebrated "8 МАРТА" with a "picnic" in the forest at the edge of the city. Most members ride the bus and walk from the bus stop to this cross country ski and sledding area.

While two of the young adults built the fire, Sister Prihodka, the Branch President's wife, found rough hewn boards that would make a table. Once the fire was going, Elder McEvoy tossed around an "Amerikansky Football." When families arrived, they went right to sledding. After a treasure hunt and tug of war, and some short talks honoring women, it was time to eat.

Big pots held the boiled hot dogs and herbal tea. Plain slices of bread accompanied the hot dogs, along with homemade sauerkrat, store cookies and candy. Sister Solomein brought a flat bread baked with sliced potatoes and onions on it.

"8 МАРТА" - The 8th of March

The 8th of March is Women's Day so men presented flowers to the women, which included short speeches of praise.

When Sasha in the Office gave Sister McEvoy the tallest rose we've ever seen, he gave her "congratulations and thanks" for her work. He said he "appreciated" her for the children she has had and wished her "good health" and happiness.

The women gave each other small gifts, too--a candy bar, a card (no envelope).

Hail and Farewell last week

Sister Konstantinova returned to Ukraine the same week her boyfriend finished his mission; she emailed to say she's engaged.

Sister Kelemen, former student of Jim McEvoy, returned to the Keleman family of Provo.

Elder Reynolds returned to Gladewater TX and offered to take a little something to the Rodgers in nearby Lindale.

Tall Elder Scott, nephew of Telly Longhurst, went home to Mt. Green, Utah; he talked with Elder Mac about B-ball at USU.

Elder Reynolds in his last official translating assignment during the farewell devotional at the Mission Home.

Visitors

Elder Larry H. Gibbons of the Seventy, a counselor in our Europe East Area Presidency, will be touring our mission this week.   We've been gearing up for that.

Before the week is out, we'll welcome Patriarch Thomas Rogers to our mission. Russia has no patriarch living here yet.  People need to get their patriarchal blessing in their own language, so two Russian-speaking patriarchs in the US come to the Russia Missions every couple of years. It's Yekaterinburg's turn!

He's scheduled to give over a hundred blessings in less than a month.  Unfortunately, some 40 more people who want blessings will have to wait.  We've been asked to help with his visit, so Elder McEvoy has been working on his calendar.

 

Worlds Without Number

Here's a nice video that seems to fit our focus.

(We want to blog more but our days are crowded. Love to all. )

Pre-Soviet Times

Shoes were made from pliable layers of birch bark for summer.

Humor

Although people here are loyal to the Motherland, they do like to laugh at themselves.  They like their reality TV show, "That's Russia," showcasing mishaps around the country.

This video, produced by Russians, shows what we mean. On the streets we see plenty of Ladas, manufactured here, but people say they prefer European cars--and some American makes.

At Dimitri and Elena's

Dema collects old coins. He's showing us a 1733 kopek.

He is not a member but his wife and two children have been for 13 years, and they constantly feed the missionaries, including us.

They purposely offered us great Russian foods to try. Besides the soup, they made cabbage filled turnovers ("pies") and they served "sala," thinly sliced pork fat, to eat with excellent rye bread.

What do you DO? - Part III

TRANSPORT
Tuesday and Thursday nights we head to English "club." The 20-40 minute bus ride (expect traffic) is part of our adventure. If we sit near someone who feels like "talking," we might make a new friend or two.

If someone smiles, we may hand them a card. We may ask, "Do you speak English?" Many do speak a little--certainly more than our Russian. Some approach us.

Besides pass-along cards, we give a card that invites them to English club, or we offer them a "Pregleshenia," an "Invitation." This little tri-fold tells what Mormons are doing in Russian, explains our views on families, and briefly mentions the Prophet Joseph Smith, and tells about the Book of Mormon--Another Testament of Jesus Christ.  The handout was designed by an Elder who served in Moscow. People have been wonderful. They practically never refuse us, and whether we talk together or not, we love their kindness and intelligent comments. 

ENGLISH CLUB
At English "Club," the missionaries respect the rules that forbid us from conducting "classes" since we're not a licensed school. We are permitted to sit for an hour and converse in English on a chosen topic--"fast food, vacation destinations, housing, etc." After the discussion, the missionaries offer a five-minute spiritual thought in Russian to anyone who cares to stay. Most do stay. Some want English alone. Others like the spiritual thoughts and want to hear more.



Photos: Grand old veteran we met on the bus; English club after several people left, w/ Elders Shreeve (AZ) and Elder Savage (CO); Russians tend not to smile for photos.

Fur

Signs of spring thaw are in the air here, but we've been wanting to mention coats. It appears that woman here have winter coats, not unlike Americans. However, when deep winter arrives the real coats emerge. If they're not full-length fur, they're sheered sheepskin with the wool on the inside. Of course, hats and gloves and boots. Men wear the equilvalent, usually a finished leather.

Beetroot Soup

We had borsch last night. Yummy.