The growth here has been really dramatic. Early this year they were lucky to get 15 people to sacrament meeting. When we arrived we were really happy if we got to 21. Now we are having between 31 to 37 in attendance. Two weeks ago a Sister who joined the church here in Lipetsk came to visit with her husband from Provo, Utah. She said when she lived here they were lucky to have 7 in attendance. It is so exciting to see this rapid growth.
One of the great things about speaking in church in a small branch with several new members, you can talk on any subject and the members are learning something new almost every minute you speak. We were told by President and Sister Woolley, when we accepted the call, that the people would really love us. They are so poor and so humble and so loving that we are almost overwhelmed. We had a hard time leaving our dear members in New Zealand, but already we can't bear to think of leaving these wonderful people. We now have enough brethren to soon organize our quorum. We have recently called a quorum instructor and a teacher for the Relief Society. I am still teaching the youth Sunday school class with an interpreter (one of the Elders) but we are close to calling a teacher now that our numbers are growing.
In the Moscow West Mission we were reimbursed for a luncheon for district meetings. We have never bothered to request the reimbursement because we had a small district and it was too much trouble figuring out what to charge. The new mission has sent out a notice that reimbursement is no longer authorized unless a general authority is present. Don't know what the larger districts will do but we enjoy our Elders. This was from our last district meeting that Sister Hoagland fixed chicken fettuccine from a recipe she received from Sister Craythorne. She is having fun cooking from scratch! Where are Campbell's soups when you need them!
Ani came to family home evening in this shirt that was similar to a western shirt in the US with a button down pocket. I told her all she needed was a cowboy hat and she went and found this hat. Not quite but fun anyway.
Our apartment building is at the far right. The school near us is having a lot of work done on it. All of the paved surfaces on three sides are being taken out. We will see what is done to replace it. They are also re-tiling the front entrance and lots of work- related noise inside as well.
The sidewalk in front of the school leads to the local grocery store. This is a well used sidewalk with people coming and going all day long. I have never done so much walking in all my life and carrying our groceries back to the apartment is getting pretty old already.
We hadn't gone far and we met Vladimir, a less active member who is always pleasant when we meet him on the street even though we cannot speak to each other. We did manage to tell him we had just celebrated our birthdays and how old we were.
This is a bus stop with lots of seating. It is not that well used and the busier stops don't have near the seating. Most stops have these little places to buy snacks and drinks as you can seen at the far end.
This is the largest church in Lipetsk. It too is having a lot of work done. We aren't supposed to take pictures inside, but they have paintings all over the walls and ceilings. Under the dome were some pretty weird looking creatures with two sets of wings. Not sure what they were.
For Judy's birthday on the 9th we went to a Ukrainian restaurant. Sister Hoagland had what looked like salmon and she absolutely loved it. I had a couple of items I have no idea what they were called. One was delicious, the other dry.
I was trying to take a picture from arm's length when a young lady saw I wasn't having much luck. She took this picture for us. Russians are very helpful people and are so willing to help when you are in need of a little assistance. In contrast, walking on the street or going through doors it is dog eat dog. Kind of like Americans get when they are behind the wheel of a car.
We had Margarite and her two daughters, Arpine and Armine for dinner on Friday. Samville was not able to come. He is going back into hospital for more tests this week. We had a wonderful time together. Our Elders were there to help with language and gave a spiritual thought.
At family home evening we celebrated Sister Hoagland's birthday just like we did last week for me.
They had a couple of small cakes prepared with candles on one. Sister Hoagland baked my cake.
In many ways it is like the 40's and 50's here. The kids play outside and just like me they play with guns. Mine were more the Roy Roger's style, with holsters, etc. but it is still playing with guns. This summer the front of our apartment building is like a school playground. There is noise of children playing, especially in the evenings when it has cooled off.
On Saturday I rode on an old Russian electric trolley bus coming back from "sport day" at the beach. I guess they are not making them anymore, so they are really starting to look bad. Here is the back exit door.
This is Artiome and Marina's little girl Viola playing at the beach. She is still trying to get to know me. Marina is taking the missionary lessons and is doing very well. Should have another baptism soon. We conferred the Aaronic priesthood and ordained Artiome a priest Sunday. He is already asking about receiving the Melchizedek priesthood.
Viola and her baby sister have brought joy to our young women in the branch.
I played volleyball for two and a half hours Saturday and had to walk a good distance to and from the beach. I don't know how I am doing it, but all this walking must be getting me in condition. I was going to say shape instead of condition, but my shape hasn't really changed that much! Last night I got cramps in the muscles in both legs that control my ankles when I walk and jump. Hmm.
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