Hello everyone.  This week we visited the ultimate bachelor pad!!!  Elder Pocock and I went with our Sisters Galli and Tikhonova to invite Edward back to activity in the branch. What a nice guy.  We had a great time talking about how he found the church...about the missionaries that taught him.  The ideal in this situation would have been to have a branch member go with the missionaries...this way the less active will have a forever connection when they do come back.  By the way, the Great Dane is a stuffed toy...could have fooled me!

Elder Pocock and I, with translating help from our missionaries, are teaching Mission Preparation classes for three young single adults that are anticipating full time missions in the near future.  Here we have Slava doing a make up session.  We also instruct the three future missionaries in a "Teaching, No Greater Call" Sunday School class.  The East Europe Area Authority Presidency requires that these two classes are completed before the missionary can submit his/her papers.  It has been delightful helping these committed youth prepare for this opportunity.

It happened...I went down!  It wasn't on a slippery sidewalk, or steep hill...it was boarding one of the many buses that we take every day.  The daytime temps are warming up...so there is a lot of slush that comes into the bus...then when the temps dip, the slush freezes and WATCH OUT!  Posted on the door is a large sign that cautions one to beware of slippery floors.  Just wish I could understand the written word!!!

We went to Ufa again this past weekend for the completion of the Ufa branch audit.  This is the view out the Sister's window in Ufa...apartment buildings everywhere and so close.

This gives you a look at the balconies of the the apartments across the way.  Some balconies are enclosed...others are open but irregardless they serve as an attached storage unit!

This is the entryway to one of the apartments we visited in Ufa.  We didn't realize what an adventure awaited us...

  This was the scariest elevator I have ever ridden in.

As you get on the elevator, there is a 4 inch opening where you can see the cables and shaft all the way to the bottom.  This was really scary when we looked down from the ninth floor!!!

After you get into the elevator, you select the floor.  The button stays depressed.  We travelled to the ninth floor and when we arrived the button popped out with a loud snap and the whole elevator compartment bounced big time!  I just about had a heart attack!  Wanted to take the stairs on the way back down, but at least we were prepared for the next round.  Every apartment building brings with it a new adventure whether it's the people we meet or the elevators we ride!

While Elder Pocock was involved with the branch audit, I had the privilege to meet with Elders Flitton and O'Neill as they discussed with Alexander his desire to obtain the Melchizedek Priesthood.  This mission is really working hard at preparing their priesthood holders to advance.  In order to have a stake, it is necessary to have adequate priesthood holders to serve in the variety of branch and stake positions.  Alexander is a wonderful man...he is preparing to go the temple in March and has been gathering family names to take with him!  His concern was if he was worthy or not. I shared with him the feelings of inadequacy that we felt when we received our call.  I promised him that if we are faithful, the Lord will qualify us for whatever calling we receive, I truly believe this.

Elders Artyukhov (L) and Hatfield were waiting at the church for an appointment.  They decided to do some service before their investigator arrived.  Way to go, Elders!  I might add that they were pretty excited when their appointment was over...they got a commitment for a baptism date.  So exciting.

The three men on the front row are the branch presidency in Ufa.  On the left is the second counselor Brother Anton, he is a young single adult that is truly magnifying his calling.  In the center is President Lushnaikov, married with three children (all in the church!!!), and the first counselor is Brother Arseni, married with one little guy (his wife is also in the church!!!).  Both counselors speak really good English, in fact when we were in Ufa three weeks ago preparing for the audit, Brother Arseni translated for us when we spoke in Sacrament Meeting.  I dare say that none of these men are older than 35 and they are truly doing a great job with the Ufa branch.  Sad we didn't get a picture of the clerk, Brother Timofey, that worked with Elder Pocock on the audit. He is also a young single adult that is doing an amazing job with the financial aspect of this branch.  The church is so young here...but it has great men carrying a heavy load!

Saturday evening, before we left for Yekaterinburg, we were able to go with Sisters Patchett and Robins as they met with Gulea just prior to her baptism this coming Saturday.  When we were in Ufa last time, we met Gulea as she was touring the branch building...now this time we were able to see the amazing transformation of this young woman.  She just glowed, literally.  She is so excited about her baptism and what this gospel is doing for her life.  We are so grateful to have been able to share these experiences with our missionaries in Ufa.

We flew out of Ufa at 10:00 p.m. and arrived at Elder and Sister Meng's apartment at 12:30 a.m.!  Glad they still love us.  We enjoyed a great nights rest and then were able to attend two hours of the block with them.  They attend church in the Botanika area in Yekaterinburg.  This area does not have its own building, but meets in a rented portion of this building.

The grey plaque announces the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  In through the grey door and up the stairs, we found a very nice area for this small branch to meet.

This is the foyer where we were able to greet members and missionaries.  Straight ahead is the chapel area.

This is Brother Kiradapkin from Yekaterinburg.  He was a mini missionary in Perm some time ago and he now has his papers in waiting to hear about his full time mission call.  (In fact, he served with Elder Flitton that you just saw on the blog, now serving in Ufa).  He is such a pleasant young man.  We're excited to hear where he will be serving.

After the second hour, we said goodbye to the Mengs (office couple) and flew to Perm.  It was wonderful to have even a short time with another couple that is experiencing the rigors of mission life.  Although our experiences are way different, we were able to lift, encourage and rejoice in this time of our lives.

So good to be on the ground again at our little Perm airport!  Gotta love those little prop engine planes.

Perm continues on with its' winter celebration.  Now there is an International Snow Sculpture Competition going on...located right next to the ice sculptures.  People from all over come to view these amazing works of art.

These are just a couple of the art forms:

It's transfer week and Perm zone got hit hard.  Both Elders Wimber (L) and Holbrook are leaving us.  Elder Wimber is going to Yekaterinburg to work as the Records Secretary...he is amazing at organizing.  Elder Holbrook is going to the Siberia Zone...to serve with Elder Riddle that has served here in Perm as well!  We have such great memories with these fine young men.

Sad goodbyes to Sister Tikhonova (far right).  She too is going to the Siberia Zone with Elder Holbrook.  Sister Tikhonova will be leaving for home in May.  She is an amazing teacher.  It is always hard to say goodbye...especially when we don't know if we will ever see these missionaries again!

The temperatures are on the rise, yesterday it was 29 degrees F!!!  This is great for everyone and everything except the snow/ice sculptures!  Here you can see what we have to wade through on the sidewalks.  Where five inches of snow and ice once laid...now there is a thick layer of snow and muck!

With the warming temps, both the young and old are getting out for their fresh air.  As we walked through Gorky park yesterday, we passed at least fifteen buggies with mothers taking their tiny ones for a walk and here we saw this sweet, older lady that is so stooped...going for a walk with a kind daughter, granddaughter or friend.  Fresh air is very important to the Russians...no matter the temperature!  We're hoping that since the groundhog didn't see his shadow, it means a shortened winter in Russia too!!!  Until next time...