From Russia With Love...

a.k.a. Letters from Sis. Lynes in Russia

Letter #38: From the Mission Field in Russia

Subject: #38
Date: Sat, 15 Dec 2001 20:51:46 +0500
From: Shirley Lynes <gma@jacklynes.com>
To: jlynes@jacklynes.com

Merry Christmas!
I know it is still 10 days away. I have been playing Kenny Rogers' Christmas CD whenever I haven't been teaching today. I have listened, cried and listened and cried. His song, "Mary, Did You Know" makes me cry. Of course she knew. But the part about "when you kissed your little baby, you kissed the face of God" makes me cry every time. Even just writing about it has made me "water up". I love Jesus with all my heart. I am so grateful for all He has done for all of us. I'm so grateful He was watching over Creighton and K.T. Monday night when they were held up at gun point. We could be having a very sad Christmas. I was just sick to my stomach when I heard what they had been through, but also so very grateful they were safe. You can bet I was on my knees thanking Him for His protection. Well, I know you all are just dying to hear how the weather is here. In a word, COLD. But this is Siberia! It was -30 Sunday, and yes, I went out in it. They don't cancel Sacrament meeting just because of a little cold! I survived it. I won't say it wasn't cold. That is the coldest cold I have ever been in. This week has been a little better than that, ranging between -16 to -26. The apartment hasn't been too uncomfortable, and I am warm when I am sleeping. I only have two blankets on my bed, but so far it has been sufficient. Of course, I'm sleeping in my thermals and socks, too. We haven't had any new snow. It has been clear skies every day. At least we get to see the sun for a (very) few hours every day. I guess when it does start snowing, it will be a blizzard. At least I don't have to go outside to go to work. It is nice having the branch apartment right next door. The elders got the branch apartment's broken windows replaced and weather-stripped, and it really has made a difference. I still take my little heater when I go to teach classes. The elders have worked hard, and in cold conditions, to get it done. I really do appreciate it. I have to spend a lot of time in that apartment now. The classes are doing all right. The attendance has ranged from 2 to 15 students, so that's not so bad. We'll see if they come back next week. They really do seem to be interested in learning English, even the teen-age girls. Everyone is so sweet to me! Maybe it's that they realize that I'm a babushka, and you don't fool around with them! Some of them have been very complimentary to me. I don't know why they are so interested in English. I doubt that many, if any, of them will ever have the opportunity to travel. I hope they feel the spirit when they are here and enjoy the feeling. I have given away two copies of the Book of Mormon this week! We are getting closer to the branch reorganization. Pres. Hall will be here next Sunday to make all the changes, and then we will start meeting in the other place the first Sunday in January. This Tuesday we all have to go to Yekaterinburg for zone conference. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone. I'm not looking forward to the actual trip. We are planning to leave here about 4am, and we won't get back until 1 or 2 am. That will certainly make for a long day. We have rented one of the vans, instead of just buying tickets. That way we can go and come when we want to, and we will have a little more room. There are 9 of us going, and 8 coming back. One of the sisters here is finishing her mission, and is going home next week. I will miss her. She has been a hard worker. We don't have big plans for Christmas day. We will probably have dinner together, but that's about all. It will count as our p-day, I guess. It won't be a holiday for the Russians. But I have already told my classes that it is a holiday for us, and I won't be teaching classes that day. I haven't been out of the building all week. I miss walking, but it is so cold that it isn't any fun to go out. I put adhesive tape on my boots last Saturday night. I've been told that it will help me not to slip. It seemed to make a difference. I didn't feel any slips last Sunday, and there was plenty of ice around. I know I need some exercise. The apartment isn't big enough to do much walking! If I don't start getting out and around at least a little, I will run out of things to tell you about! Our of my windows I see the same things every day, and it ceases to be interesting, at least to write about. I suppose all of you are busy getting ready for Christmas. It's hard to believe it is only 10 days away. This year will soon be gone. It has certainly been a different one for me. Teaching English is certainly different for me. Some of the people tell me that they can't tell I have an accent. Isn't that sweet of them?! I went over to the apartment for a class this afternoon, and the landlord was there with Elder Graham, looking around. He seemed pleased with what we have done to it. He seemed to be pleased with me, too! Poor Elder Graham had to translate what the man was saying to me, and I don't know if he really told me what he said. The man kissed my hand three times! Said I was beautiful! I am pretty sure he had been drinking, which would explain alot! He wasn't obnoxious, or anything. It was just funny!!! Well, I changed CDs in my computer to hear Kenny Loggins. Now the computer won't play anything or let me do anything with the media player. It seems to be hung up or something. I wish I knew how to run this expensive email machine! I know this computer will do all sorts of stuff, but all I know how to do with it is email. Which is what I bought it for, anyway. But I want it to give me back the cd, and it refuses to admit I am even here! Maybe Elder Ady will come by. He is a computer whiz. If I can't get it out, I'll ask him when he calls tonight what to do to it. He is the district leader, and calls every night to make sure Sis. Borlena and I are safely home. They try to watch out for us. I guess when you can't think of anything interesting to say you should just quit writing. So I will. I love you all and I hope everything is going well for all of you. I know some of you have been sick since Thanksgiving, and I hope all are well now. Please keep me in your prayers. I keep your names before the Lord all the time. I know He loves us all. Have a happy Christmas season. No bah humbug!!!!! Remember the real reason we celebrate Christmas. Don't forget to thank the Lord for the gift of His son and all He has done for us. Until next week!

Love, Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Shirley, Sis. Lynes, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, acquaintance, babushka with kissed hands!!! (choose one)