District Conference

This weekend we enjoyed district conference in Saratov.  I've attached some pictures - one showing the room as conference began.  The next three show Sister Sartori, the wife of our mission president, speaking with her translator who is one of our local members.  There is also a picture of Lina speaking, one of our students.  The next picture is of our friends Elder and Sister Stevens giving their good bye testimonies.  They cried a lot - it's difficult to leave the friends you have made over 18 months. Elder Davydov - our Unkranian Zone Leader, is translating for them. They work in two branches and have developed a lot of close relationships.  Our mission is a little different since we visit a lot of different branches.  We do have the Volzski Branch which we live in and visit most often.  We also have developed some wonderful friendships with members throughout the mission.

The final picture show the newlyweds.  President Yemslov - which may or may not be the proper way to spell his name - is the first counselor in the district and is a contractor.  He has been hired to remodel the Activity Center which he is finishing this week.  His wife died last year and he remarried three months ago. It's wonderful to watch them enjoy each others company.  She is the district primary president.

The 29th we have been invited to the dacha of our District President Luzenko.  The Stevens, Sartoris and the district presidency and wives will all be there for a barbeque...called shashlik.  We would call it shish kabobs.  It's all good!  I get to bring my Soon-To-Be-World-Famous Dry Rub and they will try it on some of the meat.  I suspect they will like the local marinade better.  It's all good to me!

President Luzenko is a wonderful man - the members here love him.  He is very personable and eloquent.  The entire district presidency are men of God who love the Lord and really want to help the members here stay close to Him.  It's a joy working and meeting with them.