We planned a fun Home Evening this week over at the branch so we would have more room to run and race. We did lots of the old relays like pass the lifesaver on toothpicks, then played musical chairs with a twist that each time the music stops you remove a chair and everyone in the circle has to fit on the remaining chairs. It was okay but not a favorite. We came to our "almost made it" number again of 14 young single adults. The important thing is we all have fun together and maybe learn a little too. The best part of the evening for me was after everyone was leaving to go home, one of the sister missionaries had asked for a blessing so one of the elder missionary companionships stayed back to give her the blessing. Elder Malloy, who has been with us since we both started our missions here in Toliatti in December, offered the blessing for her. The spirit was so strong, and I felt like it was exactly the blessing her dad would have given her if he were here. It's such a blessing to see these young men exercise their priesthood because they display wisdom far beyond their years when put into these situations.
Sunday our branch was like a "real ward!" There were lots of kids, families, grandmas, missionaries. We even had to set up additional chairs in the back. It seemed like all of the active members were there this time, as well as having the two branches combined now which adds up to a sizeable group. The branch has a new branch president as of last week. He is in his early thirties, married, no children yet, returned missionary, has been a branch president twice previously, and will do a great job! Our largest challenge right now is getting members to accept callings. Everyone is either tired, doesn't have the time, or just doesn't want to. I want to tell them that if the Lord gave callings to only those who weren't tired, busy or desireless, no one would have callings!! We went over to the district building on Saturday to meet with President Kulikov, the new branch president, and set up a training schedule. We stayed after for a couple of hours to help him clean the building, as he was there to do it by himself. We are in the process of planning a big "Minute-to-Win-It" district activity to bring all the members and their friends together. Hopefully, we'll have a couple three show up!
Our MTC Skype tutor lessons are coming to an end next week. We have been so blessed to have the support and training continue while we have been here in the mission field. Our teachers are so amazing and have really had to be patient with us as we struggle through this learning curve. We have been praying for resources to become available to us here in Russia, as we continue to try and learn the language. Of course, we have started meeting people who speak both English and Russian and are willing to help us. We also have met a Russian lady who has been a volunteer for us through the MTC and now lives in Lehi who is willing to Skype with us weekly. We know the Lord will continue to help us as we desire to keep learning. One of these days it's going to "kick in!" We just hope it will be before we return home:) We had an older gentleman stop us on the street the other morning when we were out for our walk. He wanted directions to a particular street which we hopefully communicated correctly. He talked to us for a good 15 minutes--all in Russian--and we understood a word here and there. Funny thing, he actually offered us his phone number and address and wants us to visit him and talk more about our church. I think we were good listeners:) He said he knows a lot about the Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches and would like to know more about ours. He lives in another town, but coincidentally enough, we just happen to have a trip planned there on Monday so we will be able to see him and bring along our English-speaking member friends. So sometimes knowing the very little we know, and, believe me, it is VERY LITTLE!, is enough. Sometimes I want to crawl under a rock and not hear another Russian word, but I have to try hard to have an open mind and let the words sink in.
The baptism for last week didn't happen. The investigator is still interested in being baptized but will continue to increase his testimony about certain principles and then hopefully be baptized soon. Our other investigator Cvetlana still can't agree upon a date to be baptized. We asked her to pray about now being a good time and will meet with her this next week to see what she has decided.
A big thunder and lightning storm woke us up the other night. The delightful moisture adds to our humidity! We'll have a couple of real warm days but then it cools off for a day which is a nice reprieve. I think we're in for some pretty warm weather coming up though. I'm wondering if I should add rice to my salt shakers:) I even made dad move the kitchen table into the living room when we had company for dinner because that is the one room in the house that has A/C. The kitchen is the hottest room in the house and the sun beats into it at dinnertime.
We are working hard and learning a lot. We are reminded in Preach My Gospel of the great responsibility of being "an example of the believers" and also of the great privilege it is to share the good news of the gospel. It's a blessing to be part of the Lord's work! The gospel is true!
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