Spring is coming... We think??

We had a great week this week. There was a zone conference we went to in Novosibirsk. We left on Tuesday afternoon on the “Lectrishka” (electric train) and after about an hour train ride we arrived in Novosibirsk, and also had our first experience on the Metro (subway) of that city. We have been trying hard to find someone who speaks English, so on the train I asked the man next to me in Russian if he spoke English. His answer was in very plain English, “I don’t speak English”. So much for that conversation.  We had a great meeting with many Sisters and Elders from the mission. There was a lot of energy in the meetings. Also, their singing of the hymns in Russian was very enjoyable to listen to. We kind of move our lips and pretend that we are singing the words. Still have a problem singing and making the “P” come out as “R”. Zone conference took up the entire day of Wednesday, after which we found out that we needed to stay overnight again because one of our Elders serving in Berdsk wouldn’t be back to the airport until 5am the next morning. A story for another time, but an unbelievable story of God’s hand in the lives of our missionaries, a tender mercy from above for this dear Elder. Anyway, there were no rooms left at the hotel, so we ended up staying the night on an air mattress at another senior couple’s apartment who are serving in Novosibirsk. It was fun to get to know them. They are the Gundersen’s from Washington State.

On Thursday we took the electric train back to Berdsk and an interesting thing happened on the way back. We sat next to a young lady that SPOKE ENGLISH. We can share more of this story later, but so far we have been in contact with her several times and what a sweet young lady she is. Unbelievably smart and very pleasant. Her English is very good and she is also studying French. We hope to be able to meet her parents one of these days also. She is a joy to talk to.

The Elders have been having people that are investigating their message come to our apartment to be taught. It is fun to sit and listen to them. It is also a challenge to try to figure out what they are saying. There is a young man that has been here several times and he is feeling very good about what they have taught. He is wanting to attend the region conference this next weekend in Novosibirsk, which is similar to a stake conference. He seems to be a very fine young man.

There have been a couple of days that it has been in the 30’s and things get wet in a hurry. I think there is going to be a real problem when is does warm up, as the driveways and sidewalks are deep in ice. The driveway around our apartment softened up just enough for the ice to allow the cars to sink. In many places the sidewalks will be up to two feet thick of ice and snow build up. We have been told that spring is just around the corner though. Looking forward to seeing this place when it’s green.

Church on Sunday was very enjoyable. We had our three members attend plus the husband of one of the members who is investigating. It’s kind of fun holding the meetings in the living room of our apartment. We will be helping the Elders look more this next week for a building that can be rented for a place to hold our meetings and for them to meet with investigators. However, we don’t mind having meetings in our apartment.

We also realize how nice it is to have Skype and Facetime to talk home, in addition to being able to text from iphone to iphone. Technology is great.

 Our little group in Berdsk, Russia

 Novosibirsk clearing of the sidewalks of the buildup of ice.

 Missionary zone conference in Novosibirsk. Headed out to take a group photo.

 Looking down from our apartment window of the cars sinking in the ice.

 Downtown Berdsk business district.

 Siberian stroller.

 Siberian stroller in action.

A manhole cover exposed showing the ice buildup on the sidewalk.