June 17, 2012

It was a sad day in the Old City Branch this week!  Due to a lack of priesthood leadership, it became necessary to integrate the members into the other two existing branches in the District.  There were many tears shed, as this is the only branch these members have ever known.  Even though they know all of the members in the other branches, they still feel a loyalty and devotion to their own branch.  In time, the hope is that through our efforts as missionaries along with the efforts of the members to rescue less-actives that the Old City Branch will be reestablished.  Of the active members, four will go to New City and 14 or so will go to Komsomolski.  Many of them want to choose which branch they attend, and it has been difficult explaining why it is necessary for them to attend where their membership records will reside according to where they live—particularly when there are currently other members who do not attend the branch wherein they live; another problem for another day.  Elder Peterson continues to support and help the leadership to reorganize and help with the transition.  We can empathize with them somewhat from our experience of living in three different wards within a period of five or so years without moving.  It is difficult to leave loved ones—even when they live just down the street!  But we are blessed because we know that many more wonderful neighbors who we wouldn’t have otherwise known!

We spent our Pday this week going to look at the river and beach in another part of our town.  The last several Mondays have been cloudy and cooler (thank heavens!!!) so the beaches are empty and our walks are much more pleasant without the sun baking down on us.  The forest we walked through to get to the river this time was our favorite so far.  The flowers and grasses were so pretty, and it was quite a bit more open.  We even found a patch of wild strawberries that were tiny but tasty. 
We have been able to meet with our investigators this week, as well as help the missionaries with many of their investigators and less-active members.  We love bearing our testimonies often.  We just wish more of these people could recognize the blessings available to them if they would “experiment upon the word.”  We are praying for Svetlana to have the courage to tell her family she will be baptized.  She has been saying for months now that she will be baptized; she’s just not ready yet.  Her family is against the church, and we understand her concerns of jeopardizing those relationships.  We should hear from her this next week about what she has decided.

We witnessed quite a lightning display on our way home from teaching.  The sky was lit up with bolts crossing horizontally and vertically.  We got wet walking home through the puddles, but it felt good for the temperatures to drop.

We went back out to Prebrejnee to visit with some ward members there.  They invited us over for “Shashlik,” barbecued pork.  Another family from New City joined us, as well, and we had a fun time working in their garden, learning more about traditional Russian food, and playing General Conference Bingo.  Along with the barbeque pork, they barbeque whole tomatoes, whole green peppers, and whole eggplants.  After they are cooked, you put them in a hot water bath with salt, peel off the black-charcoaled skin and eat them.  I have never been an eggplant fan, but I thought it was quite good.  We were also served a vegetable salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, and fresh basil.  As you might be able to guess from the pictures below, this family has a large garden with probably 30+ tomato plants, a hot house full of cucumbers (they pickle them by the gallons), strawberry fields, eggplants, peppers, herbs.   On the way to their house, they stopped at a neighbor’s to buy fresh-baked bread native to Uzbekistan.  It kind of looks like pizza crust with a double-thick edge.  We had ice cream with fresh strawberry “jam” for dessert.  It is fun to spend time with these families who enrich our experience so much.  It is always amazing to me that every time we have played the simple game of bingo, the people have so much fun.  Of course, we always make it interesting with fabulous prizes for the winnersJ
We always love hearing from dear friends and family and knowing that you and your families are “holding to the rod.”  We are encouraged, uplifted, and motivated to try harder and be better because we know you are rooting for us.  We are humbled by the responsibility we feel to reflect your love and examples in everything we do.  The gospel is true, missionary work is directed by the Lord, and prayers are heard and answered by Him.  We love the Book of Mormon and know it is true.

1-Izmalkov's Garden
2-Vagik and Elder Peterson