Whew!--First Saturday

First Saturday - and a very busy one.  Left our apartment at 8:15 this morning for a 1 1/2 mile walk to the branch for a S&I training meeting.  Met our CES supervisor and four teachers.  Meeting was over at 11 and then we had a priesthood meeting that started at noon...and lasted 3 1/2 hours!  That's the longest priesthood meeting I've ever been to.  Then we walked back home - another 1 1/2 miles - had soup with Elder and Sister Stevens and visited until 6 when we walked back to the branch for a missionary fireside.  It's 9:30 now and we just got home.  Walked six miles today and have been in seven hours of meetings.  However - we have met our supervisor and received some directions from him, we have met a number of our students and are getting ready for our first Sunday at church, our first Monday night family home evening and our first night at Institute on Tuesday...a whole bunch of firsts. My feet hurt and I'm going to bed!

Saratov

We have arrived in our apartment in Saratov.  Here's a couple of pictures along our journey.  Thought Hannah would like a picture of one of the many cemeteries we saw. And Russian horses which look remarkedly like all horses! A picture of the countryside as well. I've also attached some pictures of our apartment.  Still trying to find out where stuff is and getting our suitcases unpacked. 

Here's a few general impressions of Russia.  The carrots are awesome!  Big and fat and sweet to eat. When you buy them they are covered with the rich, black Russian soil.  We're supposed to wash all fruit and veggies before we eat them so no problem.  Lots of sunflowers along our trip - fields and fields.  Not for eating - maybe oil? 

The road from Samara was heavily rutted and mostly two lane.  Our driver - the mission driver - was great - passed where ever and however possible. He has been a driver for the mission for twenty years! Got to go to the bathroom along the way at a gas station - one was an outhouse with a hole in the floor and the other was inside but still a hole in the floor - just a little nicer hole with a ceramic bowl. Fun stuff.  Glad I'm a guy. 

We have a new mission van - brand new VW.  The old one - two years old - had 300,000 kilometers on it and was wore out.  The roads are rough and tough on vehicles. Telephone poles along the way were made of concrete.  Hard winters must be hard on wood!

District meeting in our apartment today - eight younger missionaries and us. Saturday we have a meeting with all the CES teachers in our area as well as our supervisor.  Really looking forward to that - we should get some further direction.  Our zone leaders - we belong to a district and a few districts make up a zone and a few zones comprise the mission - helped us get settled yesterday and filled us in a little on the status of the various programs.we'll be working with.

Our love to you all.  Keep us in your prayers!

A Post for my Cousin, Don

Here's a post just for my cousin, Don.  Proof he ought to come visit us in Russia - but, since he's so much older than me he probably couldn't sail with these guys on the Volga River! It was fairly windy and the water was choppy - there were only two guys out on the river.

Miscellaneous Pictures and Russia Observations

Here's a few pictures - one of us in front of the chapel where we attended church Sunday. A few more of our river cruise on the Volga out of Samara. The other couple is our mission president and his wife.  Great people.  I'm talking with Elder Wing, a retired judge from Arizona and a very humble Elder. Some pictures of stuff along the river - the boat in front of the smokestacks is one like the one we were on.

Our couples conference was fun - I have to admit I was antsy to get going to Saratov so the socializing wasn't as exciting as I suspect it will be next time! Great senior couples and we got a nice presentation from President Sartori reviewing information from a seminar he had just attended. 

Generally our impressions of Russia have been more colorful than suspected.  I had this view of Russia as a dreary place and it's really beautiful.  No surprise there, I suppose. Very consumer orienteed - at least the younger people.  Plenty of "stuff" to buy - lots of cars, advertising, etc. Some of the older buildings are beautiful with wonderful woodworking around the windows, etc.  Most not in very good condition.  Many tall apartment buildings which don't look great from the outside but very nice inside. 

Made it to Saratov

Made it to Saratov.  Met with the zone leaders, went grocery shopping - un packing this evening.  Tomorrow is a getting settled day, maybe walk around a little - then district (missionary district) meeting at 2.Get to meet our district and district leaders.  Saturday we have district (stake) priesthood and a missionary fireside.  Sunday we go to our home branch and will get to start meeting young adults.  Monday is our first family night.  Apparently they have all been asking when we're going to arrive........no pressure.  Kind of exhausted and nervous. 

I'll email when I get some time and fill you in on fun stuff we've been doing.  Love you all.

Our First Sunday

Yesterday we enjoyed our first Sunday in a branch in Samara. The Connells work with three branches so we went to one with them and the Wings. They are great people!  Took us 45 minutes to get to the branch via bus. Bus ride is 30 cents and it's kinda bouncy. Bus holds about 30 people. Got to church and enjoyed sacrament meeting.  A counselor in the mission presidency - a Russian - was there as well as the District President, also a Russian. Great brethren. Talks were great - couldn't understand them but I could certainly feel the spirit.  Mom had a sister missionary translating for her. I felt very happy that I could understand the feelings and enjoy sacrament meeting. Very friendly members and I got to thank all the speakers.  During Sunday School Sister Connell gave a teacher development lesson using Teaching: No Greater Call and also using one of the elders as a translator.  Took longer to teach but it went very well.  Gave me confidence that I can use a translator and still be effective as a teacher. That has been a huge concern of mine. Then attended priesthood and, using a translator, made a comment or two.  Also reassuring.  I talked to the district president after and made sure my comments were appropriate and he assured me that they were. Very nice to know!  Then I went to Relief Society and had a slice of delicious watermelon with the sisters.  Doing my part for Russian relationship building! There are some things I am VERY good at!

We took the Metro and tram home - metro is like a subway and the tram is an electric streetcar.  We walked and walked and walked just like the pioneer children. Incidentally, Sister Connell made a good point in her class.  She had mentioned to the branch previously that she viewed them as pioneers.  She explained yesterday - using some pictures - what we mean when we say pioneer and how we love and respect them and she intended to give them a great compliment.  however, she didn't know the connotation the word pioneer had. During communist times pioneers were a communist youth group.  lesson learned!

Mom and I made a nice pot of soup and we had the other two couples over for dinner.  We had a wonderful fruit bowl - the fruit is really good and they have it year round.  

Tuesday our couple conference begins - i'm a little worried about the devotional.  it's the first thing on the first day - hope it sets a nice tone.  Usually when i wake up at 4 a.m. and then get up and write something down, it usually works out okay.Our love to you all.  Let's plan on skyping after we get to saratov next week.  We look forward to it!

The Volga River & Devotional Address

Walking Along The Volga River

We've been asked to give a devotional at our upcoming couples conference. Here is a copy. 

We Don't Know What We Don't Know - But We Do Know What We Do Know.

When Sister Childers and I received our mission call five months ago we were surprised to be called to Russia.  We were very grateful to be called as CES missionaries since working with seminary and institute young people was our greatest desire but the call to serve in Russia was unexpected and, quite frankly, scary.  There were so many things we didn't know!  We didn't know much about the church in Russia.  We didn't know the language.  We didn't know the Russian culture. We didn't know anything about Saratov, the city we will be serving in.  We didn't know any of the missionaries - particularly the senior couples that we will be serving with.  We didn't know our mission president. 

Since our call we have learned a few things.  We've learned a little bit about the church in Russia, about Saratov, about the wonderful history of Russia and we've met a few of our fellow missionaries.  To be honest none of that information reassured us very much. We've often felt like mules in the Kentucky Derby as we've met and gotten to know other senior couples.  We've met retired orthodontists and retired Superior Court judges and many other retired professionals who have been called to serve.  What in the world are we doing in this kind of company?  And, of course, there is the language.  Are we ever going to be able to communicate in Russian?  And then there are Elder and Sister Williams, the couple we are replacing in Saratov.  Are we going to be able to fill those capable shoes? We really don't know.

However - there are a few things we do know.  We know without a doubt that there is a God and that He knows us and that He answers our prayers.  We have had numerous direct and obvious answers to our prayers.  I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed and I've appreciated direct and obvious answers to my prayers so that even I can't misunderstand. We have seen the tender mercies of God in our lives as he has richly blessed our family.  We have seen the results of trying to live the principles and doctrines of the gospel as we have raised our family.  We see those fruits in our lives and in the lives of our children and grandchildren. We know that Jesus Christ lives and that He atoned for our sins in the Garden of Gethsemane and that he died on the cross so that we could receive immortality and eternal life.  My mother died when I was nine-years-old and I have missed her terribly all these years. I know that I will see her again and enjoy the sociality I have longed for.  I look forward to that day. We know the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that Joseph Smith is a prophet.  We know he did have the vision that he purports to have had.  The Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion - if it is the word of God then Joseph Smith is a prophet and everything else falls into place.  If the Book of Mormon is not the word of God then the entire church crumbles.  We have read and reread that great book - I have taught it many times and studied it as I have done so.  We have fervent testimonies of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. Joseph Smith called it "the most correct of any book on earth and a man could get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts" than in any other way.  I have found that to be true.  The Old Testament and the New Testament which comprise the Bible testify of Jesus Christ and His divinity.  The Book of Mormon is a further testament of Him. I love that great book and I know it is the word of God.

Joseph Fielding Smith said that a witness of the spirit becomes woven into the very fiber and sinews of our body so that we cannot deny it. I have received that witness. Alma said that if you experiment upon the word and plant the seed of faith it will begin to swell and sprout and you will begin to see the fruits of that word and that faith and your faith becomes a perfect knowledge. I have planted that seed and received that knowledge.

So, there are many things that Sister Childers and I don't know. But - there are a few things we do know. We are very grateful for the knowledge that we have.

More From Samara

Just got back from another hike - went to the "walking street" - a section of street with no traffic and benches and lots of shops.  Found a new power cord for our computer.  70 rubles - which is about $2.  Mom left her charger for her cell phone at the MTC - we left at 5 a.m. so glad that's all we forgot!  That was 990 rubles which is about $30.  So, prices are not too bad. The AP's took us shopping and then we got to walk home by ourselves!  Our first walk alone.  I love it!  Can't wait to get to Saratov and get working.

Last night the Samara Symphony turned out to be an ensemble playing at the symphony hall.  The ensemble consisted of a cello, violin, piano and accordion!  The accordion did not have a keyboard on one side like I'm used to - it had buttons, lots of buttons - on both sides.  Interesting concert.

Tomorrow we are going to the open air market.  Everyone raves about the veggies and fruit so we'll pick some up.  Tuesday and Wednesday are our couples conference and then Thursday we are off to Saratov.  Tomorrow, 9/22, is the 20th anniversary of the organizing of the first branch in Samara.  No one has mentioned that - I just noticed by reading some literature given to us.  20 October is the 20 anniversary of the first branch in Saratov.  Maybe we'll celebrate with the institute students!

Samara Update

Just a short note to let you know what we're doing.  Our computer is running out of power and our adapted doesn't work - the power here is 222 volts.  We're trying to figure out how to get it charged.  The AP's are going to take us to a computer store.  We walked about 2 miles to the bank to exchange leftover US currency and then to the store to buy a few things.  

Plenty of shopping available and we brought way too much stuff!   I sorta figured we would.  Met a wonderful lady at the store bakery who took us into the back room and got us some fresh bread.  Very sweet lady with gold teeth.  Lots of people with gold dental work which is cool.  Got home, ate a little salami I bought and some of that great bread and Mom made chicken and pasta.  Tonight is "cultural night" - once a month all the missionaries are encouraged to attend a cultural event.  Our friends Tracy and Jeff will be happy to know we are going to the Samara symphony.

We think our computer may accept both 110v and 220v - Elder Connell, the office Elder, says his iPad does and we think ours may as well.   Until we get charged up - we love you.  Russia is awesome!

First Day in Samara

Just completed our first day in Samara.  Got up at 11 a.m. - slept straight through the night and only woke up when Sister Connell knocked on our door to find out when we were coming down for brunch she had prepared and to complete required paperwork.  Elder Connell is like unto Carl Hatch - he gets up at 4 a.m.  He's a farm former kid from Idaho.  After we completed that we spent the rest of the day in the very nice apartment we have next to the mission office and next door to the mission prez.  I laid down at 2 p.m. and promptly went to sleep until 5!  Even mom - not a regular napper - fell asleep on the couch while reading!  We got up and Mom rummaged through the cupboards, found some pasta, found some cheese of some sort in the fridge and made a delicious mac and cheese.  Came out of the oven delicious!  The Connells took us for a walk about 6:30 and we walked along the beautiful Volga River which is across the street from our apartment.  We walked for an hour of so - lots of people outside - and enjoyed the evening.  Tomorrow we're going to the bank to exchange our leftover dollars for rubles and going to the little store nearby to buy some fresh fruit.  Everyone raves about the veggies and fruits so we're gonna try some.  The carrots have been mentioned particularly and I'm a lover of carrots.

The Aeroflot flight last night was neat - the flight attendants are very much like stewardesses in the 60's.  Bright orange uniforms, very pretty, well-dressed and hair styled nicely. When the plane landed there was cheering and applause!  We were so exhausted last night! Got to bed about 2 a.m. after meeting the Connells and the Assistants and the mission driver - Ramon - who picked us up.  The driver has a hard job - with all these visa trips everyone has to take he is constantly taking missionaries to and from the airport at 2 a.m.  You leave for your visa trip at 2 a.m. and return at 2 a.m. the next day...not a fun, relaxing adventure.  The law is being changed to only require trips every six months but we don't know when or if that will apply to us.

Found out we have a CES training conference in Turkey in February.  They have it in Turkey because the cost is better there. 

Hello from Russia!

Hello from Russia!

After 15 hours in the air we have arrived in Moscow!  We were met at the airport by the Naegles who are the CES Area Missionary couple serving here and work for our supervisor's supervisor.  They got us through the airport and to the embassy where we purchased our internal passport.  Happy to report our debit card works fine in Russia.  After we were done with the paperwork they took us and another CES couple going to Siberia all around Moscow.  Attached are some pictures taken around Red Square.  Can you believe we are in RUSSIA and going to RED SQUARE!  One of the pics is of a construction facade that is painted on canvas to hide the construction.  Cool! We went into a mall and ate at a little Russian food place in the food court.  Ate my first borscht, which we all know is beet soup.  It was everything I expected it to be.  I also ate part of a sausage that is still talking to me!  We traveled on the Metro which is Moscow's awesome subway.  I even talked to a couple of guys on the Metro and talked to a grandpa and grandson on the bus.

I'm kinda excited.  Russia is incredible.  We've had some training from the Naegles and are both very reassured about our responsibilities. The Naegles have been so kind - we're relaxing in their apartment for a few hours and then back to the airport and we fly to Samara tonight aboard Aeroflot airlines.  We'll let you know when we get settled in the mission home. We plan to sleep a lot!  I think we've been up since 4 a.m. Monday, Utah time and will not get to bed until about 2 a.m. Samara time. 

MTC Language Tutor

This is a picture of Brother Smith - Brat Smit - at the conclusion of our final language tutoring session prior to our departure for Russia.  He taught us a lot and the church has just started providing ongoing tutoring after we get to Russia!  So, we will be Skyping with Brat Smit as we need to.  I suspect we will have some new questions next time we talk to him.  For our last session he brought in a Russian native who has been at BYU for a month and we got to talk to her.  He also brought in another guy to talk to us - his name was Brother Swiss.  Hmmmmmmmmm.  Turns out he is the grandson of Sister Swiss in Eureka!  He got his grandma on the phone and we were able to talk to her.  Now we are getting our final MTC haircuts and off to the temple since we never made it yesterday.

Birthday in the MTC

Here's our latest picture - this time with our Russian nametags.  If you look closely you can see our names in Russian.  We have one language tutoring session left!  We can sort of introduce ourselves, we can say a very simple prayer and we can bear witness about the Savior, the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. I can also say that I am grateful for and love my wife, Sister Childers!  That's about all the Russian we need, isn't it?  Who needs to shop?  

We found out today that we will spend a few days in Samara before we go to Saratov which is fine with us.  Sister Sartori, the mission presidents wife, was in town this week because her 97-year-old mother died and she flew home for the funeral. She is a great lady and it was nice to meet her for a few minutes.  We are so impressed by the sacrifices these senior couples make so that they can serve the Lord.  It is also incredible to see the wide variety of opportunities to serve...I think I may have already mentioned that.  

One of the wives was unable to walk for ten years - she was on crutches and could barely stand to sit for an hour of church.  She felt inspired to ask her doctor for another referral - which she had already done numerous times - and this surgeon looked at her MRI and said that he could take away 75% of her constant pain.  She agreed and now takes very little pain medication and is one her way to New Zealand - at least her and her husband will be when they get their visas.  New Zealand is one of the most difficult countries to get a visa for.  They have government sponsored health care and are very careful who can come in to their country. 

Numerous stories of new grandchildren, sick kids, aged parents, financial problems, etc.  One of them quoted Elder Holland as saying "The Lord can take better care of your families than you can."  As senior missionaries we lean heavily on our faith in the grace of our Savior as he blesses us and our families.  We're counting on it!  

Just found out today that next week 128 senior missionaries are arriving - our group was the largest until next week. Senior missionaries numbers have increased 27 per cent since the church started helping with housing costs a year or so ago.  Even with that help some of the missions still cost close to $4,000 a month.  What some of you reading this may not know is that all LDS missionaries pay their own way.  The church pays the cost of travel to and from the various countries but the young missionaries as well as the senior couples pay the monthly costs.

This week we had training from S&I (Seminaries and Institutes).  For those of you who don't know our church provide religious education opportunities for high school and college-age young people.  High school kids have a chance to attend religion classes early in the morning before school and college young adults usually have an Institute of Religion at a college nearby.  We will be working in that program which is what much of our previous experience has been.  The church has excellent scripture based curriculum as well as classes such as marriage, leadership, how to study scriptures, etc.  Our class received the first copies of a new Gospel Teaching and Learning manual.  It is really an incredible instruction manual on how to teach scripture based classed.  We spent four hours discussing and teaching Luke 5:1-11.  I know those verses better than I ever have!  I like to teach by asking questions and this new manual encourages that.  We had two hours of training on how to ask questions to get students to think and dig deeper into the meaning of scripture.  Some of you may not think this would be exciting but Sherry and I sure do!  

One of the blessings of a mission is that you have the time and structure to study together.  We have the scriptures and new manuals and techniques to study more in depth than we ever have.  We're very excited about that chance.  It was funny to watch some of the couples who have not worked together much in the past learn to do so - specifically in a teaching situation.  Sherry and I have always been each others best friends so being together 24/7 is A-OK with us!  I can think of no greater blessing than to be with my sweetheart all the time. We set a goal to listen to each other more.  You know how one of us has a tendency to talk all the time...? 

 It's Thurday, it's my 63rd birthday and in less than a week we'll be in Russia.  Life is good!

MTC District

Here is a picture of our MTC District.  On the far left as you look at the picture are Elder and Sister Beesley.  They are serving their second mission - this time they will live in their own home and serve as missionaries in downtown Salt Lake City.  They will work with members of the church who no longer attend regularly.  Elder Beesley looks like a kindly old man but he is fearless!  They will have no problem getting to know people who maybe aren't that interested in getting to be known!  

Next to us is Sister Reese who is one of our teachers.  She is a returned missionary - went to South Carolina - and has been a great teacher.  Yes, she does have a boyfriend but they aren't engaged - yet!  We asked is she wanted us to talk to him but she said she'd be fine!  

Our District Leader, Elder Haws and his companion Sister Haws is next to Sister Reese.  Elder Haws is a CPA and they will be serving seven countries in East Africa as Area Auditors.  Their experience will be interesting since church records are kept on paper in that area - lots of places with no electricity.  Many of the stake and ward leaders have been members for less than a year.  Elder Haws will teach them the sacred nature of church tithing funds, how to make bank deposits, how to use church fast offering funds to assist the poor, etc.  Sister Haws has been called to serve with him in the auditor capacity. As a side note I'm happy to report that Elder Haws assigned me to be Assistant District Leader between the hours of midnight and six a.m.!  So, I'm the First Assistant District Leader!  Awesome!  

Finally we come to Elder and Sister Poulson.  Elder Poulson doesn't have to wear a tie on his mission!  He will be working in facility management at Palmyra, NY.  They will oversee the facilities in that Church History site.  They will live, along with two other couples, in the renovated Martin Harris home.  For those of you reading this that don't know who Martin Harris is we will be happy to have two young men in white shirts and ties come over and explain things to you ;-)!  We are on a mission, after all!  

Most of our district leaves today - we stay another week for Church Educational System training and more language training.  I think our language tutor sensed my despair - he gave us two tickets to the BYU game this Saturday - right below the press box!   His Dad is head of Physical Facilities at BYU and they have plenty of tickets!  Sherry decided she would go - we get to stay together all the time so I can't go if she doesn't.  I love my companion!  Tonight our tutor is going to let us sit in on a language session with a group of four young Elders and four young Sisters who have been in the MTC for a week.  Since they study twelve hours a day I know they will be further along than us.  We love the spirit and enthusiasm of the fired up young missionaries so we're excited.  Tomorrow, in addition to the BYU game we get to do our laundry!  We checked out the laundry room - there are hundreds of washers and dryers!  Incredible!  Maybe I'll take a picture...

MTC Day 1--September 3, 2012

Today was pretty cool.  We have 2750 young missionaries at the Provo Missionary Training Center (MTC). That is about full capacity.  This Monday 118 senior missionaries entered and that is the largest senior group they have had to date.  We all met in a room and each companionship/couple got to introduce themselves - tell where they are from, where they will be serving and how many previous missions they had served as senior missionaries.  The vast majority were serving for the first time but a few had served before - one couple was on their fifth mission and had been all over the world.  There are three couples going to Russia - all CES (Church Educational System) like us.  We talked a little - really a little! - Russian with them and in a few minutes are going to meet with a couple from Colorado and review the language for a while.  We've put on our sweats and are going for a walk after that.  It was amazing to hear all the different countries these couples will be serving in and the incredible variety of duties - from facilities management at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii (where the brother gets to wear a Hawaiian shirt all the time and NO TIE!) to Russia, South Africa, all over Europe, Tonga, etc.  We talked to a couple going to Taiwan and a couple of young sisters and told them that our son Christopher had served there.  We met a couple going to the Philippines - different mission than Jamie - and have not found anyone going to Rome like Jared did.  There is a couple from Tennessee who are going to Russia...that's the closest we could get to your mission, Brandon.

The food here is pretty good for cafeteria food.  Think about what it takes to feed over 3000 people - mostly hungry young men aged 19 - 20 - three meals a day.  All you can eat and a wide variety of food.  Always salad and sandwiches, three or four main courses, and desserts.  For example - at dinner tonight they had fried chicken and some potato casserole thing, fish cakes and a potato tots sort of thing  (Mom had those! Yum!  Not!) boneless spareribs, some kind of wrap, salad bar and soup and sandwich and a variety of ice cream bars.  That menu explains why we have on our sweats and are going for a walk.  We're trying hard to eat properly but all you do is eat and sit in meetings and eat again and sit some more.  Did great all day but I think I might have had one too many pieces of chicken!

We've met some great senior couples.  The ones going to Russia are the only ones we will probably ever see again but it's all good.  We love you all!  We are really happy to be here.  Tomorrow morning we start at 8:00 and go until 6:00 and the rest of the time it's 8 to 8.

MTC

We have arrived at our luxury suite in building 2M - the Jacob Hamblin Bldg.  The rooms are recently renovated and are very much like a room at a Fairfield Inn.  Queen bed, two nightstands, table and two comfy chairs with little ottomans.  Had a security guy help us bring our six suitcases to the room - and  two elders and two sisters passing by helped as well.  We are unpacked - or as unpacked as we will get here. .

cafeteria dinner at 4:15 and devotional at 7.  cafeteria right next door - devotional clear across "campus"/mtc.

we're gonna study now.  and maybe nap.

dad

Got our name tags today - in english.  love it!!!!!!