From Russia With Love...

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

Letter #48: From the Mission Field in Russia

Subject: #48
Date: Sat, 23 Feb 2002 20:32:10 +0500
From: Shirley Lynes <gma@jacklynes.com>
To: jlynes@jacklynes.com

Hello everyone!
It's that time of the week again! I just finished my last class for the week. Actually, no one came, until one of the students, an older man, was passing by and saw the light in the window, so he came up to see if we were having class. He didn't stay long. Today is a holiday in Russia. It is Men's Day. On March 8th it will be women's day. I had people in the other two classes, though. I don't take it personally when no one comes. I just get more reading done! This week, Nikita, the psychologist I told you about last week, said something, and it came out with a Southern accent! I didn't tell him! But it was funny to hear! Actually, things have been fairly quiet around here this week. All the missionaries came over on Wednesday to do their email, and they are in and out of here all week long. Two of the elders live far out, so some times they come by here to have lunch. They bring something to cook, like Ramen noodles, and just use our kitchen. They always clean up their mess! Sometimes the others don't have time to go home, eat, and get back for appointments, so they often do the same thing! We don't mind, and they always clean up after themselves. Elder Sodoberg finally got a young man from Yekat to come be his mini-missionary for a while. He is without a companion right now, and probably will be until about the first of April. We use mini-missionaries a lot here in this mission. We sometimes don't have enough missionaries to go around! And right now, about 2/3 of our missionaries have been out less than a year. So we have a "young" mission. That can be a good thing. The newer missionaries don't know what doesn't work, so they go ahead and try, and a lot of times they get results. And the newer ones still have the "fire". They just don't have great language skills yet. But they keep trying, and they learn fast! The Lord really blesses them when they try so hard! Did I tell you that our mission president wants our missionaries to follow the example of the missionaries in Latin countries? He wants them to find, teach and baptize in two weeks, instead of letting the investigators take their time! He even talked about a couple of times, here in Russia, where the investigator was taught all six discussions and baptized the same day! Now that's really pushing it! It would be difficult for that to happen here in Kurgan. We have to rent a banya (public bath house) for the baptisms. They usually want prior notice! We are striving to double our baptisms this year. That's what the prophet has asked us all to do. The work hasn't been moving as fast here as it does in Mexico. But the people are really wonderful. I was singing High on a Mountain Top the other day, and the best I can remember the words in English (and I don't know them in Russian!) I think it is the second verse that says something about Her light should there attract the gaze of all the world in latter days. Sounds like what's been going on out there with the Olympics. It has certainly attracted the gaze of all the world! I sure do miss singing the songs of Zion in English. Last Sunday we had a keyboard! It is a nice one, and has a "church organ" setting. I played it, since no one else was there who could play. I thought it sounded pretty good! They are going to call someone to play as soon as possible. There are a couple of members who can play, but they haven't been lately. That is a good calling to help people come regularly and on time. I used to say that when I was released as ward organist I would know that the Lord knew that I would keep coming! It sure took a long time to reach that point! Years and years! I miss that calling, though. In Aiken we are blessed with a lot of wonderful musical talent. For the weather report from Siberia: We had snow most of the day Monday, with wind. The snow wasn't just coming down, it was snowing horizontally! The temperatures haven't been too cold, till this morning. It was -14 this morning, but inside it still felt comfortable. The sun was out all day today with clear skies. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?! The ice has been melting, which makes for very slippery walking. When I look out the window and see the Russians sliding, I KNOW I'm not going out! In fact, I haven't been out of the building all week. But tomorrow is Sunday, so I will be out, a little bit! I think I told you about Tatiana, the lady from my English classes who speaks such good English. Her grandmother is in the hospital with a "sick" heart. One day this week she told me her grandmother called her from the hospital and asked her to go to the drug store and buy some medicine for her. It seems sometimes when you are in the hospital, they don't have the medicine you need, and your family has to go buy it for you. This was medicine that needs to be injected! And this is one of the best hospitals in town! You can think I'm chicken if you want to for not wanting to walk on the ice, but with hospitals like that, I'm taking no chances! We were told this morning not to speak English on the streets today. It seems there have been "riots" in Moscow and in Yekat, since the Russian hockey team lost to the American team! It's too bad that there is so much politics in the Olympics. The people actually participating in the games have worked so hard for so many years just for the opportunity to be in the Olympics. Everyone can't win gold! For the record, I finished the BOM again yesterday, and started it again today. Sis. Borlena and I also read it together every night, and we finished Jacob last night. We should be able to read Enos, Jarom, and Omni tonight. When we finish Alma, we will have read it all, out loud. We started in Helaman. That's where she wanted to read. I think it was where she was reading at the time. I read aloud in English and she follows along in Russian. She says she can understand it better that way. I hope you are all reading every day. It helps you to have the Spirit. And if you read it as a family, it will bring a Spirit of peace into your homes. Remember what Joseph Smith said: "I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book." I know I'm "preaching to the choir", but it doesn't hurt to be reminded of things that are important. I haven't heard from anyone about finding promises in the BOM. Our tree is sprouting lots of leaves! You have to pay attention as you read. It doesn't always say, "If you will do this, Iwill do that". You have to pay attention to recognize the promises. I love one in Moroni. No, not that one! In Moroni 7:33. When you read it, put your name where it says "ye". It is a wonderful promise. Go look it up! I really love the Book of Mormon. I know it is the word of God. I love this gospel! I love the Lord. I am grateful for all the Lord does for me every day. I thank Him every morning for another day to live and try again to "get it right"! I'm grateful for all of you! I have been so truly blessed! That's about all from this corner of the world for this time. Thanks for all the email. If you know other missionaries, write them a note. You would not believe how much it helps to get mail from home! One of our elders didn't get any email last week. If his family could have seen his face, that wouldn't ever happen again! Be good to each other. I love you all and pray for you every day. Please remember me in your prayers. Have a good week. Write when you can make time.

Love,
Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Shirley, Sis. Lynes, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, acquaintance, babushka spreading the Southern accent around! (choose one!)