Handshakes

Not much time this week. 

Russian specific noticings. Ahh, my thoughts while writing don't wire as quickly anymore

It is bad luck to shake hands through a doorway--I've had many a handshake turned down and rescheduled--by pulling me IN to the home, by the man head of the house, as I carelessly extend just above the threshhold. Haha, superstition is a real real thing. 

Russian men can be spotted everywhere on the street with a bouquet in hand, soon to be delivered to waiting sweetheart. So sweet to see that they're not ashamed to broadcast it to the world. Not even for big occasions--just to say hello.

So I came to the conclusion long ago- under whitehandbook direction alone--that what happens in Saratov, stays in Saratov. Haha-- one of these days we'll sit around a campfire and collectively know all what really went on during these best 18 months...hahah that being said, I couldn't help but tell of the street encounter as we headed on foot to district meeting. A man named Volodya, formal name Vladimir, decided to accompany us without permission. A nice friendly chap, who had apparently been drinking not water. That is not a typo for hot. After insisting that he stay with us after we'd explained that we're missinoaries and sort of hurrying, I asked him what he occupied his time with. A lot of times it's the occasional "oh you know, work--" with usual career responses like accountant, lawyer, storeworker. Russian declination allows one to throw words around in any order, because grammatified endings will always make the sentence. I was surprised to hear him utter the words "people, and first person conjugated form of the verb, to kill." Heh heh heh.... really Volodya," not buying in based off his happy tone of voice.  And details later when I'm home:) Hooray for cliff hangers and distance??? hahaha, all in all, we made it safely and happily to district meeting!!!

So on to lighter matters, shall we?? There was a wonderful lesson on Saturday with a fun lady, the Russian version of Aunt Rinda. She was so colorful with her stories and descriptions, wide eyes and bebop glasses. She had a lot lot of faith and love for her husband who was recently diagnosed with cancer. We were teaching the first lesson, when her black cat starts giving me a run for my money that I WASN'T PAYING.  Ie, please get off me, no one understands critical points of the Reformation while you are perched upon my shoulder. We're heading back Tuesday and she agreed to read 3 Ne 11. We'll take it!

So the news is out--- Gallia's baptism came to pass!!!! I'll do what I can to desrcibe one the more powerful experiences on my mission. She's had a lot of hardship in her life--being born right in the middle of the ward, and suffering what childhood was like behind the iron curtain. She's been worried about her upcoming surgery, and often has a look of concern on her face. On Thursday night, the eve of her baptismal interview--my companion and I went over the questions so that she'd feel a little more prepared. Thinking question specifics at the end about tithing and things would be where a hold up might pop up, we were surprised to find that Gallia was having serious trouble with number one--that is, her faith in Jesus Christ. 

Sister Young and I both had the impression the following day in companion study to watch Finding Faith in Christ with her, just prior to the interview.She sat there, tuned in to the entire thing--as she had read and studied each of the stories in the bible on her own--nodding, and taking it all in. Elders Brieden and Romney showed up--and we were all careful not to move a muscle, as the spirit permeated the room. The screen went black, and we were all awaiting her response, to find out if precious Gallia's heart was just a little more sure of who our Savior really is. I knew testimony needed to be born. I was seated behind her, and in order to be in front of her face, I hopped off the bed and around to sit up on the stool placed directly in front of her: sometimes teh spirit speaks and manifests itself in urgency. I looked Gallia in the eyes, and said to her that I know, I know---that Jesus Christ is real. That He did everything He said He did and would do. That He is our Savior--and only through Him can we ever hope to return to Heavenly Father. With tear filled eyes, I felt the confirming, mutual witness of the spirit- as she, herself, came to know who He was too.

I'll never forget her smile of joy, as she was brought back up and out of the water on the following Saturday. 

So much happy indescribably joy to see another come unto Christ and utter the words, "I'm clean! I'm clean..." hahah and she knew it. 

Love you, have a great week 

Sister Clyde

Fun on the Train! Can you spot Olivia?

you're write.

I know I spelt that wrong. I am writing writing to make up for last week!

NaNoWriMo is coming up--so I've naturally dedicated all of November to more than usual pounding out Preach My Gospel in order to celebrate? participate? Haha, just fill out an entry application for me since it's the closest to it I'll get in the field.

Yesterday. We headed out of the stairwell, passed the usual parked cars-oftentimes Volkswagons, and wished good health to the old man in the chimney sweep cap who enjoys the simpler side of life on his wooden bench. Rejoiced the whole way to Lena's, thanking Heavenly Father that sucha  things as a Sabbath morning in October exists. Chilly wind, leaves now graduating from tree to ground, and something magic in the flickering Russian sunshine. 

We were let in to the apartment by a happy random man who was entirely too excited to have two young sisters in living quarters. Haha, and then Lena came out to meet us. But maybe you shoot verbally acquaint yourselves so you can understand. She's about 6 feet tall, with a striking presence in her large-framed build. She has a voice like no other- deep, loud, and somewhat sultry. Is that adjective ok, I don't know. Haha, said hello to us sisters, and before we could return the favor, she took the perfume she was puffing all over herself and began to freely pour it on us. I think we each got 8 sprays and dealt with it. Haha. A small price to pay for a promise kept to attend church!!! After adamently stating she "never would." And then had a mighty change of heart and said "ONCE. ONCE. I want to hear the hymns."

Deal.

The lesson when it happened, we took our seats around the crowded table, circled by her 9 housecats--number one tool of the adversary when it comes to throwing off the First Vision, by the way. Used to lessons of being verbally swallowed up, she tipped of the discussion with the news that WE "would be doing all the talking today, as "I'm tired from work and here to listen." But events took a turn for the unexpected when I woke up from alleged milliseconds of unconscious to hear her full-fledged mid-sentence onto a passionate subject of work on a court case, pounding the table with the words "BREMYA DEYENGI"--and then laughing to myself as thoughts interpreted and understood her need to remark "TIME IS MONEY." hahah, it's quite funny to here common idioms in a foreign language. Anyway, point of the story---she had COMPLETELY contradicted her opening statement, and all within her opening statement!!!!! 

So, this is the type of woman we're dealing with. 

Found her on the street during exchanges a month ago. She was insistent that we not talk-her grandmother had baptized her, her grandfather was a priest--and her sister happened to be an inactive member. It seemed all downhill from there, until I offered a sidewalk prayer, her heart was changed, and she replied "Tuesday, be at my house at two. We're drinking tea." We've had 4 lessons ever since. (And some of the most opposition I've ever experienced in teaching as a missionary, btw.)

You know the feeling of body surfing, underestimating the velocity and fortitude of the wave you just managed to catch, and soon enough you're being forecully shoved on to the seafloor, all the while aiming to keep the quantity of swallowed-salt water to a minimum?? And then, when you muster the strength to finally stand up and move on, but still unsure of which way's up and which way's down, another tsunami wave comes out of NOWHERE and forcefully KNOCKS YOU DOWN AGAIN, so much so that all hope is officially lost of ever getting out of that fishy situation alive??????? 

Welcome to driving to interrupt and talk over Lena. 

Haha, that paint the picture enough?? But it's been incredible, how the storms and seas seem to suddenly calm, as she defies everything she so heatedly refuses to do, and eventually allows the spirit to not only be carried UNTO, but in to her heart. 

Phew. That's real joy.

The other night SIster Young and I were contacting late, heading home. I noticed a woman swiftly approaching us in the dark, and managed to get her to slow way way down to hear a small sample of the message-- before she made her choice to keep walking. I then said "we wanted to leave with you with..." as my scrounging hand simulatenously seached through my packed coat pocket in search of a church invitation--when chances were suddenly slimmer, adn I had to improvisde with the only thing I could..."a freshly-picked apple." Out, I pulled the huge Granny Smith we'd just been gifted form wonderful member Olga.   Sister Young laughed, the woman smiled, and I don't remember her actually taking it. 

So first things 7th, Gallia has a baptismal date!!!! For October 26th!!! We're so excited and thrilled for her. She has been living with Olga, in her apartment. We've been back, and fed to unbelievable extremes that I feel like I'm in the missionary twilight zone, seeing legend stories manifest themselves at Olga's disposal in her kitchen. Haha, so we've been teaching the lessons at a freqent, hastened rate after getting mission president approval. Gallia went to church years ago--and now has a very hard time walking--but has been reading literature all day everyday about Joseph Smith and early LDS history. And she wants it. 

And she came to church yesterday, will help from othe rmembers who drove her. And it's a miracle. I whispered to our branch president on the stand before the leading the congregational rest hymn (yay favorite hobby) to announce her baptism!!! And he did, and I turned to see Gallia stand up and smile, next to funny firm Olga, who always says "Na Zdorobeyay," Or "Cheers," (but seems more like "Eat your heart out," judging by her tone of voice) when she feeds us. Sister Young and I couldn't contain our joy, after Bogdan had been sustained as an Aaronic Priesthood holder just half an hour earlier. 

I've been realizing more and more, how grateful I am that God is a God of promises. How lucky we are as His children, to know that He has set those forth. Although society has its expectations for the roles parents play, it is not mandatory for one to give to each of his or her children promises of attaining every single incredible blessing, joy, experience, and opportunity he or she has ever had. Heavenly Father HAS. And not just blessings to be reaped in the afterlife--the promises of Him here, now. to assist us, and help us, and love us, and forgive us. Moroni 8:18. Because God is unchanging, He can never help but do everything in His power for fulfill His end of the deal, should we make the effort to pull through on our part. I can't think of anything more reassuring than the fact that those promises will be fulfilled, no matter what kinds of curve balls the world and life may sometimes seem to throw at any of us. That all fairness will be ours through the majesty of Christ's Atonement--a gift thought of and given to us through Christ, and from Heavenly Father himself. 

A mission is such a blessing to see others and learn and humble self. Mmm. Anaitt just left for America to see the birth of her first granddaughter, and made the prettiest necklaces for Sister Young and me as a parting gift.

As for random thoughts, Prince of Egypt is officially number one on the post-mission Babylon hit-list. I'm looking forward to buying some Russian goldfish on our grocery shopping trip in 30 minutes. Our store now is SO much bigger than the one in BEZI. We even use a real-life cart. We buy plenty of fruits and vegetables, along with yogurt bread and cheese. Tuna, jam for my toast-it is the number condiment, and then usually Russian wafer cookies or pretzels. And plenty plenty of cornflakes and mioclii for breakfast!! They don't sell mints, so I have to buy mentos, and eat them like candy, so it's all in vain. Bagging is always stressful, since we're the only ones in the Oblast who buy ALL groceries at one point in time, stuffing up bags and backpacks and giant grocery bag as others check out with their box of Baking soda and a Time Magazine. Haha

I was so excited to hear the conference talk from that Australian, or Islander man--and knew Stew would love the accent. I can't wait to get the journal, as we didn't get to watch any Saturday sessions of conference! 

Bogdan's our buddy, for life. 

Love you all- have a great week-- be good, be great, don't wait.

Sister Clyde