Oct 22-29 1017

Last week’s highlights were seeing the Swan Lake Ballet with Elder and Sister Burton at Stanalovsky Theater last Thursday night, having dinner with Limbs on Friday, not going anywhere on the Metro for the first Saturday since we’ve been here, and enjoying the Europe East Area First Presidency Broadcast on Sunday.

    Senior Council was held at the Central Building for the first time since we’ve been here and the Smiths introduced themselves. The Central Building is more in the downtown area near Red Square and closer to the Smiths.  Elder and Sister Smith grew up in Southern California but have lived in Utah more recently. They have a big family—about seven children, which seems to be the average here with these senior couples! Elder Smith is/was a musician. Growing up he sang back up vocals for The Letterman and the Osmonds. He also worked on some musical stuff with Lex D’Azevedo. Being in the LA area, gave him lots of musical opportunities.  He also has a son who is in the music/recording business now.

    Following their introduction, about eight of the senior couples went to a cafeteria-style restaurant near the downtown area where Elder and Sister Krimme live. They are very busy with Member and Leadership Support and help lots with the YSA’s so are close to downtown. They were happy to have Senior Council held in their area, since they must travel about 1-1/2 hours via Metro to come to the Cubic Building, where we work and also where the Europe East Area (EEA henceforth and forever) Offices are located.

    Swan Lake ballet was mesmerizing, it was about four hours long with two intermissions! We intended to go out to eat at a nicer place prior to the show, but ended up at KFC, a Moscow favorite, due to time factors. Our seats were on the main floor to the left, and turned out to be great seats. The orchestra was huge and very good. It seemed like the prima ballerina used her arms and upper body as a swan would for the entire ballet. She and the others around her were always in sync. The men enjoyed it as much as we ladies did. We are signed up to see the Nutcracker in January, and in November a folk-dance group called the Berezka Dance Group. In December there is going to be a Ballet Gala Celebration which is based somewhat on the Scrooge/Christmas Carol Story. We are going to take the new couple, the Harris’ to that about a week after they arrive here. That’s what the Taylors did for us. They bought us tickets to that Military Tatoo that we attended in September even before we arrived. It was such a great way to get immediately immersed in the culture here and meet several of the senior couples.

    Limbs invited us and Cooks to come to their apartment for dinner last Friday night after work. We walked to their apartment with Elder Limb since we had never been there before. The Copelands live in the same area, which is a bit closer to our office, but not as easy to access with the public transportation.

    Sister Limb made homemade cream chicken soup to die for, a veggie platter, homemade bread, and homemade chocolate sour cream cake with ice cream. She is an excellent cook as are most of the senior sisters here. We played a card game afterwards with Rook Cards I think it was called “Tricks”. You had a trump card and made a bid to how many tricks you might win! It was fun and we really enjoyed ourselves. The Limbs (Clark and Mary Jean) live across this huge, lighted bridge near our office. Sister Limb went home last month to Idaho/Utah for two weeks to help welcome a new grandchild into their family. The Limbs home is in Middleton, Idaho. Interesting fact is that their next-door neighbors are Michael Abraham and his family. Mike’s Dad is Bob, and step-mom, Jerrie, and they were good friends of ours in our Albany Ward. They have since moved to Nampa, Idaho and are getting ready to serve a mission.

     Bro. Limb is 6 feet 5 inches tall and Sister Limb is tiny. They have about seven or eight children, are a very handsome couple and serve as the EEA Secretary and assistant. The Limbs apartment doesn’t have the high ceilings like ours does. I feel like Elder Limb might feel a bit squished in his small apartment. It is interesting to see how each of the apartments, all in these gigantic high-rise buildings are each a bit different and have their own personalities.

    On Saturday we did chores, grocery shopping, and household cleaning. It was the first time we didn’t take the Metro anywhere on a Saturday. Both of us took naps on Saturday and Sunday, so I think we were just catching up a bit from our busy week. We spend the most every at AwaH (our favorite grocery store!) on groceries and found some items not previously discovered, like tuna fish and cinnamon. In fact, I made snickerdoodles when we got home, and discovered it wasn’t just cinnamon, but cinnamon mixed with sugar, so just right for the cookies! Lots of people here use simple hand carts to carry their groceries. We have been carrying ours in sturdy plastic bags up to now, but think We’ll buy one for use in the Winter months.

    Our EEA broadcast on Sunday, October 29, started with serving the Sacrament, then having a few preliminary comments from a High Councilman, and then from our Bishop. Here are a few interesting things I took note of: Our Bishop, Jonny Backman, (I think he’s a Microsoft Employee here in Moscow) often speaks to the youth and referred to Mormon 1:2 where it talks about the character of Mormon and says he was “sober”. Bishop asked, “Are you sober like Mormon was (at 10 years old) and are you quick to observe?” Then in Mormon 1:15, the question is posed, “Are you sober (at age 15) and visited by the Lord?” Bishop Backman has two sons, one age ten and one age fifteen, so he talked to them in relationship to these scriptures, as well as all of us. He asked, “Are you having personal experiences that will let you know of the goodness of Jesus?” I love our Bishop!

    Then onto the regular broadcast which was sent to 14 countries, 4 stakes, and several wards and branches. I took careful notes, since these broadcasts are not recorded nor printed and distributed to the members and the few others that I have seen, are very inspiring! Elder Martineau, the Area President, was conducting, Pres. Russell Nelson was presiding, with Elder Christoffel Golden, Elder Patrick Kearon, and Sister Jean Bingham were also speakers. Elder Golden (from South Africa) was the first speaker and is a counselor to Elder Martineau. He is new in his assignment and Jason thinks he was called because he is NOT American. He quoted a Ukranian writer, Nikolai Vasilievich, who is deemed by many as the Father of Russia’s Golden Age of Realism (according to Wikipedia) and how the lands in this area are rich in growth in both Christianity and Islam, two great religions. Then he spoke of the Restoration that came about after the Apostasy, which brought belief in a prophet and revelation. He quoted from the Book of Revelations, “By your fruits ye shall know them”, and how the Book of Mormon is the fruit of Joseph Smith. We should always be striving to do the Lord’s will. We will be changed through the power of Jesus Christ which changes us into a new creature.

    President Martineau then spoke about how he and his wife, Jenny, have been here 15 months and have learned much of the history and culture of the area.  Recently, they were visiting in an area where there was a celebration of the Patriotic War where Russia lost more than 29 million lives. To memorialize those lost, the local people were walking around with pictures of those lost on them.

    Then Elder Martineau spoke about two subjects. First, 2000 years ago Christ came and we made covenants with him. The Sacrament was introduced. Do we know what a privilege it is? Renewing that covenant is like we are baptized again. We must become His Sons and Daughters as we are converted. Also, he spoke of the temples and of redeeming the dead. Elder Martineau suggested how great it would be if those who had lost lives in the Patriotic War, could realize the significance of the temple and how to redeem them thereby.

    Sister Jean Bingham, The General RS President, then spoke of how she has visited the EEA and been in many of its beautiful cathedrals with the mosaics depicting the life of Christ and His followers. She was in the Museum and Church of Our Savior in Istanbul and also visited in St. Petersburg. She shared testimonies of sisters from Bulgaria and quoted others. Some members have moved away from the Church and have forgotten how they felt when they were closer to the Spirit. We need to reach out to them. They need a friend, a responsibility, and nourishing by the Good Word of God. Sis Bingham also quoted Paul where he talks about the how the whole body cannot work without all the parts—you need the feet, hands, legs, and every part to work well together. Like the small tiles in those mosaics, all are needed to be complete. Reach out and offer answers to gospel questions. Look for something others can do to serve. Reach out in love, one soul at a time and hold onto the iron rod.

    Elder Patrick Kearon quoted from General Conference 2016 when President Nelson reminded us to remember to focus on Christ and we’ll be happier. I (and we are often asked how can you believe in God when there are so many bad things going on in the world? I answer by telling them about the Plan: Where did we come from? Why are you here? Where are you going? This is God’s plan for us. Our progress depends on our ability to choose. We experience physical and spiritual death and with Christ’s Atonement can overcome them. We believe in the Resurrection. It is still painful to see these events going on around us. Recently, I attended the funeral of Trevor Jones, son of Sis. Jones of the Gen. Primary Presidency, with Pres. Nelson and Sister Bingham. Trevor never asked why. He left a beautiful wife and five young children. Their loss is painful but they are looking forward to their reunion. We can help a friend to see the world as we see it. Our time here is so brief! Thank you for listening to my words, now please act in faith! I am a witness of these truths.

    President Russell Nelson (age 93 and Pres. Of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles). He recently visited the EEA and reviewed the progress here. Even though we are physically far apart, we are close and we love you! I first came to Russia in 1966 with the American Heart Association and have been here several times since. I have created three of the four stakes who are invited to this meeting. Refer to I Timothy 4:12, “Be an example of the believers.” Your friends don’t want long explanations, but just brief responses. We know these basic truths:

1. Heavenly beings appeared to Joseph Smith in 1820.
2. Godhead
3. We are created in the image of God.
4. The Lord, Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
5. The Atonement is the central act of human history.
6. We are the re-established original Church of Christ/
7. The Scriptures, also referred to as The Standard Works, are the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price. We are of the same religion of those who wrote the Bible.
8. Christianity: Jesus Christ is the Jehovah of the Old Testament.
9. Marriage is ordained of God. Adam and Eve had an eternal union.
10. The significance of religion in our lives: Ours is not just a Sunday religion.
11. Temples
12. Plan of Salvation/Happiness
13. Women in the Church are very involved.
14. Humanitarian Aid
15. The Law of the Fast: “Going hungry to help the hungry.”
16. Unpaid Clergy: We preach for free what the Savior gave us for free.
17. Volunteers: Invite people to come to Christ to prepare for the 2nd Coming.
18. Our duty: Live lives worthy of emulation. Each of us can be an example of the believers.

President Nelson then left us with an Apostolic Blessing that we would feast on the Words of Christ, have health and strength, and be a righteous example to our friends and family. He closed by bearing his testimony.

Oct 16-22 2017

 I’m writing this from our workplace at 4 pm on Monday, Oct. 23 and for some reason I’m tired today. Work for me today has been slow—I’ve sent a few emails and caught up on other social media, went to a Visa Meeting, ate lunch, and walked to Awah to pick up a few things. It snowed lightly today for the first time and the temps are a bit cooler—low 30’s. I am still wearing my eggplant colored water repellent jacket I bought back home at Costco. I like it since I can layer under it with a sweater, scarf, etc.  Every morning the metro stops at the bottom of a slight hill, which is about a 10-15-minute walk from our office. I have been walking up it to get some exercise, but Jason has been taking the bus until his heels feel better. When it gets super cold, I’m not sure if I’ll keep walking!

    I received my brother Dow’s weekly email and I’m so impressed at how he can write so succinctly! His letters are short, sweet, artistic and to the point. He gets much into them and gives a great vibe as to what’s going on in his life. I wanna be able to write like him someday!

    Last Tuesday at our weekly Senior Council, Elder George and Sister Laura (Rigby) Copeland introduced themselves. He grew up in Florida and his grandparents were the first members in the Jacksonville area, which was the first LDS stake created in Florida. Sister Copeland is from Rexburg and her 94-year-old father just retired from his private law practice. He promised her he would still be alive when she gets home in two years. Her sister-in-law, Shelley Rigby,  is Meredith’s RS President. They showed a 25-minute video that their daughter-in-law created which was fabulous made us all cry and miss our families. There was lovely music, family pictures of baptisms, eagle court of honors, temple marriages, quotes from the prophets, etc. Afterward about 8 couples went to the nearby mall to eat in the food court together. I tried something new called Bellini, which is a Middle Eastern Wrap with meat inside. It was tasty!

     Last Thursday, I left work at Midday to attend a Sister’s training sponsored by our Moscow Mission with President and Sister McGhie. I was thinking it might be more about PMG since all the young and senior sisters were there, but it was about building confidence, gratitude and getting to know each other better. It was quite refreshing and I enjoyed hanging out with the young sisters. They are all beautiful inside and out, and most do a good job of speaking the language. One of the presentations was by a partnership of the only two native Russian speaking sisters. One is from somewhere clear over by Japan and she is the only member in her family. The other is from somewhere closer to here, but they were very dynamic. They did their presentation in Russian and we English speakers had a few of the other sisters translating for us. For the introductions, Sister Copeland introduced me and I introduced her. I told our Sis. Copeland is a trained teacher as well as a phenomenal teacher in her family. She was a business teacher. She maintains blogs for two of her grandsons who are on missions. She and Elder Copeland will celebrate their 50th Wedding anniversary. We both have family in Florida and Idaho, so that’s a nice connection! She told the sisters about how we have two sets of twins born on the same day 14 years apart. She is a kick! Her husband is an Area Auditor and works near us. She is helping him some, but doesn’t come in every day.

    During the week last week, we visited the Cranes and I helped them pack their suitcases for returning home. Elder Crane, the Area Mental Health Advisor, fell at the airport here, broke his shoulder in three places and will need surgery and recovery in Utah. Sister Crane works in our office and she is trying to work from the US. They hope to come back, but will have to wait and see how it goes. Their apartment is very nice and close to us and the Cooks. The C’s are all together: Carliles, Cooks, and Cranes.

    On Saturday, we walked across the street from our apartment to the Anteka (Pharmacy) to get my prescriptions. This is the first time I’ve done that, so our Medical Doc Hansen gave me the Russian translation of the three meds, and I handed the Russian clerk the paper, and she gave me my prescrips over the counter just like that! They aren’t in very big quantities—only like 20-28 pills, so I’ll have to go often, or buy more at a time. But it is very easy to do so! Then we went on the Metro to Gorky Park, and circled the city on the Pink line, which goes entirely around the City of Moscow.  We enjoyed The Garage, a Modern Art Museum featuring the Japanese artist, Takeshita Murakami. It was fun and let us go inside and warm up a bit. There was an admission fee, but when we went to pay, they asked us for our passports and let us in free, so that was nice.

    We have found this bargain basement store right close to us. I bought some fur-lined lower cut boots there and a smaller wallet and purse like a cross body purse so my hands are free. We have found some random things in there, but it’s fun just to see what they have—everything from hats to coats to boots to suitcases to kids’ stuff to purses, etc.—like a Ross Dress for less, but not that big—everything here is crammed into an extremely small space and there are is lots of Nike and Adidas merchandise.

    Church went well yesterday—we took the bus there and it’s not crowded on Sundays and quiet--takes about 30 minutes then a 15 minute walk to the Sokol Buliding. For Primary sharing time, we had Sister Escobar give the lesson. She is the HR director for the EEA (Europe East Area) of the Church here during the week, but she is also the parent of an autistic son names Tyrone in our Moscow International Ward Primary. Sis. Escobar is from Armenia, she served a fulltime mission, and I understand she works while her husband stays home with their son. Anyway, she showed a five-minute video that was very simple and good for the children explaining how we are all different and some of us can do certain things and others not—and how sometimes you can see what’s wrong with people and sometimes you can’t. Then she had a discussion with the Primary Kids about Autism and explained about her son. He is 7 but looks maybe 4 or 5. She or her husband sits with Tyrone every Sunday in Primary. They then showed a special video about Tyrone that they made and it showed him riding the train, doing math, playing tennis, playing football (soccer that is), playing at the playground, etc. It was wonderful. We felt the Spirit of Tyrone and his family and how to love them more fully. After Sacrament Meeting ended, Tyrone came up to me and took my hand and wanted to take me into the Primary Room. I sit across the room from him and smile at him every week and I think I have made a new friend! His Mom told me that he doesn’t have any grandparents around, so I think he will adopt us.

    We have met six very nice young adults mainly from the Western US who are all about 18 years old and they are here teaching English in Russian Schools. They go to church with us and two of the girls are twins from Utah. They are blonde and outstanding young women just like my granddaugthters, Abby and Savy. I can’t believe how these kids are travelling the world and getting exposed to this wonderful country! They are all going on field trips to other cities soon: some to Paris, some to Prague, etc.

    The Burtons invited us to Sunday dinner again yesterday. They are the best! And they made the best Minestrone Soup I have ever tasted! Also, salad, bread, and corn chips. We enjoy visiting with them about things going on in the office as well. They are both very nice and kind individuals Yesterday they got Dad/Jason to talk all about his career as a prosecutor and it was very interesting to me, since I had not heard anyone ask the questions they asked. Dad will have to tell you about that. I’m trying to get him to do some journaling.  We think of all of you often and pray for your welfare.

May God bless you in your endeavors!        Love, Pam/Mom  We’re going to Swan Lake Ballet this week!

Oct 9-15 2017

Pam’s Volunteer Journal Oct. 9-15, 2017

     I am sitting at the laptop to write this Sunday afternoon, Oct. 15, 2017 from the desk of our apartment. It is a simple, wooden table in the corner of our living room overlooking the bustling city life below: The Molodyozhnaya Metro Station, several large city buses coming and going since there is a bus stop below as well as a staging area where they park until the time is right, huge high rise residential buildings, large commercial building, large electronic billboards and neon lights, plus lots of people coming and going. One of the advertisements that are always featured on those ginormous billboards is for Kentucky Fried Chicken. I often see the Colonel flash across the screen and it reminds me of home sweet home. It is a very popular restaurant here as is Burger King, Subway, and Papa John’s Pizza. These American chains, especially KFC, always have much longer lines in the mall food courts than the other restaurants. I must admit we have eaten about once at each of these places, and it just tastes good to get a bite of the USA after experimenting with the local cuisine of Russian and Georgian foods, and many other varieties.

     For the past two weeks we have taken just the bus to our church services in Sokol. It takes about 30 minutes to get to the general area of our building, then a 15 minute walk to the church. After taking the metro to church almost everywhere for the first several weeks of being here in Moscow, we are exploring the buses. It is unusual to be above ground and be able to see the sights of the city. When taking the bus, you realize how sincerely far you are from the various destinations. It is quieter, less crowded and more relaxing (at least on the weekends!). You use the same pass used on the Metro to travel via bus. The transportation passes are very reasonably priced and they have various amounts of time for which you can purchase them. We started out with a 60-ride pass and used that up pretty fast, since we use them at least twice a day to get to the office and home, and more when we go out exploring. Jason found out that they sell a year-long pass so he purchased one for each of us, knowing this would be a good investment, as long as we don’t lose them!

     Losing things and falling are interesting topics with the Senior Volunteers. Our area Medical Doctor, Dave Hansen, got his wallet stolen from his wife’s purse while on the Metro. It is challenging to figure out how to carry your many documents, passport, cash, credit cards, ID Cards, and where to keep them safely stored. We feel safe, but just need to watch ourselves and be cautious, especially with the winter weather ahead. Some of these concerns arise since we are all a bit older than we used to be! Sister Krimme fell about a week ago for the third time since being here, and not even during the snowy, icy time. I think Andy Winn (who served in Russia) told me that the young Volunteers have contests to see who has the best stories of how they fell during their travels. Sister Krimme broke her upper right arm.  She is very energetic and serves with her husband in a very busy calling as YSA/MLS volunteers. In her “spare” time, she works with a native Russian sister to arrange our cultural activities. She is right handed so has had to type with her left hand and have her husband help her a lot, like getting dressed, etc. He has some shaking problem and is not all that well-off himself. They are avoiding the Metro since they live more in the central part of Moscow and she says it is “packed like sardines” during rush hour and she can’t afford to have her arm bumped. This is just one example of the sacrifice and willingness of these couples to serve in the Kingdom, despite physical limitations they may have. We have seniors walking with canes, seniors who have had heart valve and knee replacements, tremors, and various other ailments which may not be visible to the naked eye.

     I have been feeling very grateful for my vision, which has improved somewhat due to the eye injections I have received since Feb. of 2016. Now that I’m on a computer every day and doing a lot of reading and playing the piano for every church meeting on Sunday, I really need to see. As I mentioned previously, Dr. Boschat, my doctor here in Moscow, has given me one injection and doesn’t need to see me until early December due to improvement in my right eye. I think I am already being blessed for serving! Also, the dry, hacking cough I developed about a year ago, has not been a problem here. I brought two inhalers with me and have not had to use them at all. I think this humid climate without grass seed growing everywhere has helped me overcome the cough.

      Jason has been having heel pain and stiffness in his feet and heels. He has tried limiting his walking and icing them a bit, since I diagnosed him early on as having Plantar Fasciitis. I experienced this same heel pain maybe five years ago, and it lasted for 1-2 years. I know it takes a long time to recover. My husband is not one to ask for help and/or advice but I think I have convinced him to talk to Dr. Hansen and get some medical advice, instead of being in pain every day. We did buy him some gel shoe inserts at Ashon, our favorite store similar to Walmart, near our office.

     Last Tuesday we had a farewell lunch party for Barb and Mark Taylor, our two favorite attorneys, who ended their service and returned to St. George, Utah. The Office of Legal Counsel provided Georgian Pizza, salad, juices and pop. Russia is very well known for their juices. They come in small waxy cardboard containers that are about 1 quart in size and no larger. There are not many things that come in large sizes. Their berry juices are wonderful! The Taylors are happy to be home, although expressing some separation anxiety about leaving Moscow. They had served with the OGC in Ghana too, so they are happy to be returning to their children and grandchildren, and Costco and their clothes dryer!

     On Tuesday night we had Senior Council where Elder and Sister Perry introduced themselves. They are from the great Pacific Northwest USA, Kennewick, Washington, and serving as Humanitarian Volunteers. He had a construction business--she did the interior design work, and they were very successful. They are pretty young compared to the rest of us—in their late 40’s.  Elder Perry mentioned during his talk that he grew up in Pocatello. I chatted with him afterward, and he thinks his sister was in my class of 1970 at HHS, whom I don’t remember. They were in a different Stake, off Chubbuck Road, and did know the Satterfields. Any of my siblings know have any Perry friends from Poky?

     On Thursday I had the opportunity to leave work for half of the day and go on a tour of The Museum of Decorative and Applied Arts with the International Women’s Club. A few of our members are involved with this group, and invited me. There was a native Russian historian telling us about all the amazing artifacts of Russian Culture from the 1800’s-1900’s, and another beautiful Russian female translating her words into English. I checked out this club online and they are a large, worldwide group that provides cultural activities and interest groups for women who are in various cities where their husbands might be employed or serving. I met ladies from Paris, UK, Prague, Italy, Asia, who all spoke English. It was a fun trip and I especially enjoyed the cultural exchange. I am dedicated to my missionary service, but occasionally may be able to join a tour group as time allows.

     We had a staff meeting Thursday since Arlen (our boss) finally got back from his trip to the States for Conference. He was gone about 2-1/2 weeks. I got some new assignments and my work load is growing. They (the attorneys) are finally figuring out some things I can do, and where my strengths lie. Jason gave the spiritual thought for our staff meeting and he discussed 3 Nephi 13:25-33. We took turns reading each verse and discussed how it applied to us and our service. You know Elder Carlile has a superb way of getting us all involved and participating in the discussion. The lawyers are often interrupted with pressing phone calls, as was Arlen during Jason’s presentation, so we had a great discussion. According to verse 33,  Jesus taught that if we focus on building up his kingdom, the worldly things we often worry about will be resolved. Most of us live our lives backwards since we make our plans and sometimes leave a little room for building up the Kingdom of God when we should do just the opposite! We need to put the Savior first in our lives.

     Yesterday we had a lazy morning and had bacon and pancakes for breakfast. At 11 am, the Cooks and Griffins invited us to go on a hike with them to Sparrow Hill, one of the few hilly areas of Moscow. The hill overlooks the city from a bluff and there were beautiful trees covered with leaves of gold, orange, and green. From here one can get a great view of the City of Moscow. It is near one of the large soccer stadiums where some of the World Cup Soccer Games will be played next year.

     Today we attended our church meetings as usual, took a nap, and are preparing to have the missionaries and a friend, Elder Limb, the Area Exec. Sec. , whose wife is Utah helping with a new grandbaby, for dinner tomorrow night.

     We were fortunate to view Elder Robert D. Hales memorial funeral service from our apartment via  WIFI and the internet. It was broadcast at 8 pm our time on October 6 from the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City. We are so fortunate to have the internet to view such events.  President Uchtdorf was conducting, with the Tabernacle Choir providing the music and with Clay Christiansen at the organ.  Elder Ballard, the first speaker, mentioned how he and Elder Hales served together for over 40 years as general authorities. “Bob” had a quick wit and wise counsel and will be missed. They knew each other at the University of Utah and their lives were intertwined. One of Elder Hales sons said his Dad possessed the ability to delegate a task and follow up until it was complete. President Nelson said, “We will miss his New York bred candor.” He had unrelenting challenges to his health for two decades. He had constant love and support from his wife, just as Jesus did from his mother, Mary. President Eyring, the concluding speaker, said that he and Elder Hales had associations over 70 years. One spiritual gift he has was to be a perfectly loyal friend and disciple of Jesus Christ. He was a legend in the business world as a 42-year old, and then called to leave his career and serve in the Church to do what God wanted.  The hymns the choir sang were “Each Life That Touches Ours For Good” (one of my personal favorites), “I Need Thee Every Hour”, “God Be With You ‘Til We Meet Again”. Elder Hales’ interment was at the Bountiful, Utah City Cemetery.

     From the LDS Church General Conference the first weekend in October, I enjoyed the emphasis from several talks on the Book of Mormon, so for our Family Home Evening last Monday, Jason and I further studied President Nelson’s talk entitled “The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It?” This week I want to ponder these questions: What would your life be like without the Book of Mormon? Second, what would you not know? And third, what you not have.

 At our FHE, we talked about these questions he posed:

1.       What is the Book of Mormon? The Word of God, it contains answers to life’s most compelling questions, teaches the Doctrine of Christ, Expands and clarifies many of the “plain and precious” truths that were lost through centuries of time and numerous translations of the Bible, Atonement, Be Born Again, Another Testament of Christ. Gathering of Israel. We know why we are here on earth. Its major writers were all eyewitnesses of the Lord. It is a record of His ministry. It is true.

2.       What does the Book of Mormon affirm? The Identity of Heavenly Father and Jesus, and the necessity of the Fall.

3.       What does the Book of Mormon refute? The Fall and Original Sin, Individual goodness is in adequate for exaltation, and ordinances and covenants are needed. Revelation ended with the Bible. Infant Baptism, Happiness can be found in wickedness.

4.       What the Book of Mormon fulfills: Biblical prophecies, Other sheep, Marvelous Work and a Wonder, Stick of Judah and Joseph, Scattering of Israel, The land of inheritance for the lineage of Joseph.

5.        What the Book of Mormon clarifies: The Plan of Salvation, Resurrection, Judgement, How Ordinances are performed, Atonement.  The Important role of Angels, Priesthood, Human behavior is influenced more by the word that the sword.

6.       What the Book of Mormon reveals: Baptisms performed before Jesus Christ was born, Temple were built and used by people in Ancient America, Joseph, Nephi, Plain and Precious parts of the Bible, The Light of Christ, Importance of individual agency and the need for opposition in all things. Warnings about Secret Combinations.

     There are many more conference talks we need to study in further depth. Much uplift and inspiration was shared! I have been reading them on the Metro on our commute to serve/work for the Lord here in Moscow!

Love & happy week ahead to all!    Mom/Pam Carlile

Sept 25- Oct 8 2017

Now that we’ve been here over a month, we are settling into a routine and foreign things are becoming more comfortable and familiar. Instead of trying to figure out every detail of how to get somewhere, or how to feed ourselves, we are actually enjoying our new surroundings and feeling more confident in the process of exploration.

     We carry all kinds of new cards with us—two for the metro and bus and two to get us into our workplace. There are several places where you have to swipe and push buttons just to get into and out of buildings. I also have my Kangaroo pouch with my passport, Visa, Migration Card, and other very important papers that one must carry with them at all times here in Russia.

     I have secured a bit more confidence and independence and have gone by myself on the Metro and been shopping myself a few times. (You know me—the independent woman!) However, Jason and I are together most of the time with working together during the daytime and doing as volunteers do in being togetherJ

     Our apartment is in a 32 story high rise and we are on the sixth floor, right near a Metro stop. It’s similar to when Larry and Lynda were in Hong Kong, in that you can go downstairs and there are several markets, malls and stores all over the place. We have learned to point, smile and use our own sign language to get our desires expressed. Not many here speak English.          

     Last week at church Jason went to get his Nike windbreaker and cap from the coatrack when we were getting ready to go home and it was gone! It was the jacket Evan had given him with the Precoa insignia on it. One of our senior volunteer friends said to consider it “donated” not stolen! Yesterday we went shopping for a new lightweight jacket for him, and found one. I also found a pair of black dress shoes. We have been looking around quite a bit in the malls and various shops, but hadn’t found much, but hit the jackpot yesterday! It takes quite a bit of time to figure out shopping here, especially when you don’t speak the lingo!

    I cut my left hand tall man finger last Sunday morning while cutting up some carrots to put with chicken in our crockpot for dinner. It bled pretty well. I kept cutting and putting more and more paper towel and pressure on it to try and stop the bleeding. I was supposed to play the piano for all three hours of church, so was praying it would stop bleeding!  Jason bandaged it up good and it was still sort of bleeding after we took our 40 minute commute to Church. The Lord blessed me and somehow it finally dried up enough so that I was able to play the music for the church services last Sunday. A little miracle.

     Another miracle was that last Thursday I had my follow-up eye doctor appointment with Dr. Boschat, my Retina Specialist here in Moscow, to treat the Macular Degeneration in my right eye. She gave me one injection of Eyelea two weeks ago and last Thursday was my follow up appointment. She gave me the best news I have had in over 18 months.!There is not as much fluid and swelling in the blood vessels below my right eye and she doesn’t want to see me for another two months!  Yeah Great News! I have been having injections in my eye every 4-6 weeks since Feb. of last year, so a total of 14 injections and trying to stretch these injections apart since that is a sign of improvement. The purpose of them is to preserve my vision and I so appreciate the efforts of Dr. Baynham in Oregon and Dr. Boschat here in Moscow. I am so lucky that Deseret Mutual, our Senior Insurance Carrier, allowed for these several thousand dollars of injections to be covered here as well as at home!

     Tonight we Facetimed for 1-1/2 hours  with Dan and Susan Harris who are coming from Wilsonville, OR on December 7 to work with the legal team. He is a retired Judge from Southern Oregon and they just moved to Wilsonville a few years ago. To show you some of the sacrifices senior couples make to come here, they just moved his 84-year-old mother to an assisted living place in Utah near his brother. Several of the couples still have elderly parents living when they come here. The Cranes have gone home for two funerals since they have arrived for two of their parents.

     I heard Sister Limb talking about some “Moscow Rules” that were shared with her when they moved here. Her husband, Clark, is the Area Executive Secretary, and he was Stan and Roz’s Bishop for a time when they lived in Wilsonville.  Some of the rules are:

·        Always stay to the right on escalators so faster walkers or runners can pass you.

·        You must remove your shoes when entering a residency. There is almost always a nice big bench to sit on to do so, and I assume it comes in handy when you have to put boots on and off in the winter. Everyone also has a shoe horn with an extremely long handle to help you put on your shoes/boots.

·        After using the bathroom, there is a toilet bowl brush permanently mounted to the wall. You must use it to clean out the bowl, since the expectation here is that you do not leave any evidence behind!

·        Do not cross over the body when shaking hands. They have some superstitions I understand too.

We will be learning more I’m sure! I got a haircut last week by a beautiful blonde lady about my age named Larisa. She does not speak English, so I used Google Translate to tell her how to cut and style my hair. She did OK and I will continue to use her. While she was doing my hair she had music playing on a station that played some English and some Russian tunes. Then all of the sudden she tells me she likes Elvis, Ella Fitzgerald, and jazz. I told her how I love music and we seemed to draw a bit closer in our attempt to communicate with each other. I told her how I was going to a concert that night. Her daughter lives in Dallas, Texas, so I think Larisa really likes Americans! A few times, she called her daughter to translate for me when I was making the appointment. I think it was probably 2 am Dallas time!

    We had testimony meeting last Sunday and one of the full time volunteers translated for a fellow who was a convert. The new member said how he tries to share the gospel at work and tell them that he isn’t just a member of an American Church—it is the Church of Jesus Christ! He was so radiant, enthusiastic, and really showed the light of Christ in his countenance! It is inspiring to see the faith, dedication and testimony of the members here, even though it is challenging for them.

     We had our Russian, English speaking secretary, Irina, order Papa John’s pizza for us last Friday for the legal team lunch, along with Fanta Orange pop for Jason and I (it is all over here so we are trying to restrain ourselves), and Coke 0 for the others. One of the two native Russians in our office Alexzander, brought tomato and apple juice. The juices here are excellent and there are many varieties.

     Last night we were supposed to go to a Rachmaninoff Concert, but didn’t get tickets in time, so we went out to dinner with Burtons, Cranes and Taylors for a going away dinner since the Taylors are leaving this week. You can see the pics I posted on Facebook and Instagram from that. They have mentored and tutored us since we got our call to come to Moscow, and we will miss them.

     One of my favorite parts of our service so far has been getting to know the LDS employees on two floors of our work building who are native Russians and speak some English. Also, we have made so many lasting friendships with the senior missionaries already, that it is amazing. The Burtons who arrived here a week before us, have been great examples of hard work, and dedication to our callings, even in the short time they have been here.

     I had more assignments to fulfill at the office last week so was happier about that. I discovered that Ann Wilson (and Paul Jr.) my first cousins who are serving in the Dominican Republic with the church’s Legal Department are doing the same things we are. In fact, Ann made a comment on Instagram last week that she felt like she was living her life in Infoguide. It is the data base to which we add the legal information the attorneys are working on, and I am getting more familiar with it.

     We did not go to our Ward today, since they were just listening to General Conference. Fortunately, we have been listening to the talks all week at home with our WiFi. What tremendous instruction and inspiration we have received from living prophets. We also enjoyed viewing Elder Hales’ funeral at 8 pm last Friday night.

 Today we helped serve lunch at our workplace for our Area Presidency and a few area 70’s while they had meetings. There were four senior couples who helped out. We all transported our donations from our various housing locations across Moscow and provided a delicious meal of Chicken Croissants, veggie platter, fruit platter, chips, and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. It was an enjoyable time of meeting them and serving them. Sorry this is so long, but I keep remembering things that happened that I want to remember! We are looking forward to being busy in October. Elder Kearon is supposed to come visit here and President Nelson is coming to some part of Russia soon, but details are not known yet. Day to day there is excitement. Thank you for your prayers and support!

We send our love to all!

Pam (and Jason)