From Russia With Love...

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

Letter #8: From the MTC (Missionary Training Center)

Subject: #8
Date: Mon, 14 May 2001 11:31:30 +0600
From: Shirley Lynes <gma@jacklynes.com>
To: jlynes@jacklynes.com

Greetings from the SMTC for the last time!
Happy Mother's Day! By this time tomorrow I will be on the ground in Chicago, on my way to Russia. I can hardly believe it! I was called on this morning to bear my testimony in Sacrament meeting. I did it in English because it was probably the last time I will do it in English for the next 16 months. Besides, I didn't want to sound like I was showing off. We have about 16 of our group who are leaving this week. We sang a special song in Sacrament meeting, "God Be With You Till We Meet Again". We had 4 different languages represented--Malagassee (Country of Madagasgar), Thai (Thailand), Russian and Spanish. Each different language did one verse (no chorus). We sang the first verse in English all the way through, then each different language did one verse. Then we finished with the chorus in English. It actually sounded pretty good. We leave SLC at 8:05 AM, arriving in Chicago at 12:05 PM (Chicago time). We leave there at 2:30 pm for Frankfurt Germany, arriving there at 5:45 AM Tuesday morning (Frankfurt time). We leave there at 10:15 AM and arrive in Yekaterinburg, Russia at 6:55 PM (Yekat time). Actual air time is about 16 hours, so it isn't as bad as it seems at first. Of course, 16 hours in the air is not exactly a short trip! Miles covered are about 7,750. That's a long way for Mama to go!!!!! We have met some interesting people here. Last Tuesday a lady came in who is going to the New York Rochester mission. Her name is Sister Lawler. The interesting thing is she has written some children's songs. She wrote "I Often Go Walking", "Hinges", and "When Jesus Christ Was Baptised". She is 76 years old and thought she was the oldest one here, but we have another couple, going to Lima, Peru who are 78 and 79 years old. There is also a sister here who was born and lived in Germany during the World War II era. She has told us some of the experiences she had after the war. It is hard to imagine anyone living through what she did. The Russians invaded that part of Germany after the war, and the horrible things they did to the people living there was awful. When she found out where I am going, you would not believe the look on her face. And then when she found out I am a widow doing this, she could hardly believe it. I told her it was a little hard for me to believe, too. I've just come from a transfer meeting and the Sunday night fireside. I had thought that perhaps there would be some young elders going to Russia with us, but we were the only two to stand up when he called Russia. There are a lot going to South America and Central America, but we are the only two going to Russia tomorrow. There is a missionary couple going to Athens, Greece. They are the only two for that flight also. I know we will have a good flight and everything will be fine. What an adventure!! Who would have ever thought?!! I've got to cut this short and finish packing. It is already after 8:30 pm and I still have a lot to do. I love you all and you are in my prayers every day. Please keep me in yours. Keep the faith! Go out and do some good! I'm so excited!!!!

Love,
Mom, Grandma, Greatgrandma