SIBERIA RUSSIA

We arrived in Novosibirsk Siberia Russia on 7 March 2009 at 5:30 am. Mission President Mickelsen and his two assistants met us at the airport and took us to the Mission Home where we met Sister Mickelsen who gave us a very good breakfast. This is us with President and Sister Mickelsen at the Mission home. After a while we went to sleep for about 5-hours and spent the evening with the Michelsen's and the Assistants being trained. On Sunday we went to the Branch and the Brothers sang to the sisters because it was Women's Day-and a time to honor the women somewhat like our mothers day, except this is to honor ALL women. We had lunch at the Mission Home and then the President and Assistants put us on the Trans-Siberia Railroad for a 40 hour and 2-night trip to Ulan-Ude. This is Elder Larsen from Kennewick with us at the train station in Novosibirsk, he is one of the Assistants to the President.

We arrived on Tuesday morning March 10 at 11:30 am and went to our apartment which is quite nice compared to the apartments of the Ulan-Ude Saints. The missionaries asked us if we were ready to work. We said yes! and were out with the Missionaries by 3:30 pm to catch a Marchutka to go to church for discussions. We had 2 discussions, English Club, and a meeting with an older sister. Sister ?, an elderly sister but you can see the light in her eyes.

A typical week is as follows: Everyday things that we do - Up at 6-6:30 am, exercise, shower, read scriptures, eat breakfast (we are usually so busy that we only have two meals and a late night snack), go grocery shopping (most days), sweep floors (a fine sand is brought in by the shoes even though we take off shoes when we enter anybody's home), plan for next day, go out with Elders as needed. A typical week is as follows: Monday plan for Tuesday English Club. We teach Conversational English 3 (Advanced Course). This Monday we have a discussion scheduled at our apartment for 6 pm with a PHD Philosophy Professor who was introduced to the gospel by our Branch English Russian translator. If not we will go to a members home for Family Home Evening. Tuesday, at the Branch, song practice at 5:30 and English Club at 6:00 pm. Visit members or go out with the Elders. Wednesday, meet at the Branch to go ministering with the Branch Presidents and one of the Elders to interpret. Thursday, at the Branch, song practice at 5:30 pm and English Club at 6 pm. Friday, we have District meeting and missionary feed and we will have a part member family over for dinner for fellowshipping this Friday evening. Every Saturday, we have "Fireside with the Moleff's" at our apartment at 6 pm with the Young Adults and anyone else who wants to come; last Saturday evening we had 25 people (5 non-members and 1 inactive brother). And then another investigator came for a discussion. I also have the 2nd Branch President's meeting from 2-4:30 pm on Saturdays. Sunday, there is Presidents meeting with the 1st Branch President, I am his First Counselor. Neither Branch has an EQP, or has organized VT and HT. It was working with the last Senior Couple but fell apart when they left. It is being reorganized again.

The Russian Saints are wonderful and marvelous warm people with rich singing voices. All meetings start and end with a song. We attend both Branch meetings each Sunday, so we leave the apartment at 8 am and don't get back until after 6 pm. This Sunday I had Branch Council with the 1st Branch during the 2 Branch Sacrament meeting. After Sacrament meeting, several of the 2nd Branch Saints asked, "Where were you." We need a second Senior Couple to come - any volunteers?? So far the Zone Leaders and I have done the financial audits for both Branches. Sister Moleff and I spoke at sacrament Meeting at the First Branch, and I teach PH on the 1st Sunday and combined PH & RS on the 5th Sunday, for I think, both Branches. At least that is the way it was today.

We have four Elders and two Sister Missionaries here. Top row: Elders Harper (Zone leader), Peterson, Wilson, Millet, and Moleff. Bottom row: Sisters Zhirnova, Moleff, and BHurlutskaya. They have been GREAT in helping us get settled, showing us where to shop, bartering with the merchants at the Renik (flea market), and especially translating for us in our meetings.

Our Apartment Building, Relief Society Birthday Social