Notice height of snow

Notes from the life of a senior Siberian missionary couple

Another week has flown by.  We never thought a mission would be so busy.  Monday we did our normal shopping for the week, prepared family home evening and talked to our kids. 

Tuesday we talked to our kids, studied, had a 4 hour meeting with President Darchyov and Elder Guschin about SMYC and then went to English Club. 

Wedenesday, we had our language tutor for 2 hours along with our personal study, prepared for a fireside we were giving in Omsk on Thursday night and then for our district cultural night we went to watch the Locomotive professional volley ball team with Brat Savchuk.  This is Novosibirsk pride and joy.  They won the Eastern Europe league championship this year. 

Train Station in Omsk - very ornate

After the game we packed our bags and boarded the 1:00 AM train for Omsk.  We arrived at 9:30 AM, did some quick shopping for things for the fireside games and then met with a young couple for lunch.  After lunch we met with the Branch President, institute and seminary teachers for a couple of hours before the fireside to talk about ways to improve participation of the youth.  We played games to start and then held a fireside about the SMYC youth conference coming up and we talked about things they needed to do to prepare themselves spiritually for it.  I talked about who we need to follow and how to be prepared by using the spiritual 10 essentials.  We have been impressed with the strength and leadership we see among the members in Russia, both the adults and the youth. 

Church in Omsk

After the fireside we found out President Drachyov’s hometown hockey team was playing on TV, so we went to TGYF’s for a snack to watch the third quarter of the game. While we were watching the game I got a call from Brat Savchuk, 1^st counselor in the Branch presidency asking Barb and I to speak in Sacrament meeting Sunday.   After that we boarded the 1:00 AM train and headed back to Novosibirsk. 

Games with YSA

We arrived at 10:00, headed home and started getting ready for a district meeting and lunch being held at our apartment at 12:30.  Friday night and Saturday morning we worked on our talks and then went to a institute council meeting at noon.  We spent about 4 hours there and then went straight into a seminary super Saturday event, which is a combination of games and scripture activities. 

Our district

How high can you stack cookies

Easter Egg hunt at Mission Home

That evening we went home and colored 20 Easter eggs with the Sister Missionaries, pealed 20 potatoes and Barb made a potato casserole for Easter dinner with the Missionaries on Sunday at the mission home.  Sunday we gave our talks, attended church from 11 to 2 PM and hustled (shuffled on the ice) home to pick up the eggs and casserole in order to be at the mission home by 3:30 PM. The Easter dinner was great and we love being with the missionaries.  There is something truly magical about the young full time missionaries.  They truly reflect the light of the Savior in all they do.  By the time we arrive home Sunday night we were ready for a good night’s sleep.  Barb’s pedometer clocked our Sunday walking as 7.5 miles and 47 flights of stairs.  Not bad for one day. 

Young Adult Easter Fireside

We talk about what a busy week we had, but President Drachyov does this all the time along with being the Branch president, and working full time.  He is a very amazing young man, full of fun and enthusiasm.  He has such a powerful grasp of the scriptures and a deep understanding of how they apply to our daily lives and church administration.  The youth love him and so do we.  We are truly blessed to have the opportunity to work side by side with him.

Well that about wraps up our week.  Fun, fun, Fun!