The Baptismal Font has arrived!!

Here is the font. We had to do a test run since we have had no experience with this type of font. So we set it up and filled it up. The water is pretty typical for Ussurisk if you think it is an odd color. The font came with a 50 foot garden hose and a hookup for a faucet.

Here Elder Roberts is going through the motions of the baptismal ordinance. Brave Elder Stegelmeier takes the first plunge in the new font. He was a really good sport because we probably did it 8 times until we were sure how it would work during a real baptism. Now getting the water out was a bigger deal then getting it in. We created a syphon with the provided garden hose and also used buckets to expedite the process. It all folds up into a carrying case that can be handled by one person.

Alice in Wonderland I

Every Monday is preparation day on the mission. We wash our clothes, do our shopping, etc. Well today these two kind elders took us to the Renick on the north side of town. We affectionally call it Chinese Wal-Mart. You can get anything you want at this place. It is an open market and some of the vendors have their own little unit which is actually a metal shipping container made into a store. There are hundreds of these little stores jammed in to this area and it is quite the experience to walk throught and hear Russian, Chinese, etc. You all know that Alice is a good "shopper" so I entitled todays posts as "Alice in Wonderland". She is in her element here and managed to buy a Spring coat. The video shows her triumphant exit from this most "wonderful" place. Note the two elders working security after this fantastic find!!! Look below to see where we went after this portion of our excursion.

Alice in Wonderland II

This is Country Pizza. All of the elders assure us that this is the best place in Russia Far East to get a pizza. I was trying to show you that on the wall is a Harley Davidson plaque along with a "Milwaukee St." sign. It feels like home when we go here. We have only been a few times but it is still a nice place to visit. You can actually hear Alice speaking and she is asking me if I want Country Pizza. Which if you haven't guessed by now, is the name of the pizza that we order when we are at Country Pizza. Alice also loves a "cocktail" with her pizza. Don't worry it is just the Russian name for Milk Shake (banana is her favorite if you must know).

Alice in Wonderland III

This is the famous "Country Pizza". It has little red berries on it and we don't know what the white splotches are. But it tastes good and thats what counts!! Alice does remind me that the weird thing is that this pizza is actually pink in real life!!!

Wonderful Young Lady

This is one sweet young girl from our area in Russia. She entered the MTC in Provo in October of 2008 (where this film was shot) and is currently serving a mission at Temple Square in Salt Lake City. All you locals can go say hi to her. She is from a town just south of Vladivostok...Nakhodka. At Temple Square it is helpful if you speak another language to help visitors from other countries. Well she speaks Russian and English. On top of that she speaks Japanese. They hold a competion here in Russia for proficency in Japenese...she placed 2nd. Yes she is an amazing young women. In her testimony she talks about her parents who are not members of the church. It is her deepest desire for them some day to be members. Well the Lord works in mysterious ways. We found out that her parents are currently receiving lessons from the missionaries in her hometown here in Russia. I thought you might enjoy her spirit and her great story.

A Few Good Men!!! We get to serve with!!

Elder Cranney was one of the first missionaries we met when we arrived at the mission office. He has been an absolute delight to be around. He is probably the best Russian speaker elder I've met. Acting as our translator he is able to hear someone speak in Russian and then translate it into English for us. That is quite a feat because the sentence structure is not the same as English. Yeah, he is really smart! He is also musically inclined and plays the organ for all of our meetings.

Elder Stegelmeier as seen leaving our apartment. You may remember him as babushka and worker guy. He is so much fun and teaches with great knowledge and authority. He can really relate well to people.

Elder Camp, you may remember him as the paper moustache guy. He is a well prepared missionary and teaches very well too. Maybe its just me but our missionaries seem like the best prepared I've ever worked with. He is very focused but also able to laugh. Elder Camp is just fun to be around, his personality is like a great big magnet.

Mom talking in Russia

I got this great picture of mom doing the dishes and TALKING. Sorry it was a snapshot and not a movie. I will keep trying!!!

Random shot in the hallway on English Club night. My favorite subject Elder Roberts. I call him snowplow Roberts because he is the first to serve from his family. He is the snowplow preparing the way for his younger brother to serve. He is one awesome missionary and not a bad looking snowplow if I might say so myself.

Our church building

This is our beautiful church building in Ussurisk Russia. The church rents a portion of the 1st floor (no stairs...yes!!!!). Go to the next picture for a close up shot of the port-a-potty.

Yeah, this little baby is a two holer. No need for a portable potty you simply take the lid off the public sewer and place this hi-tech shack over the top. Of course when you go to use it you better hold on to the sides or you are going all the way down to the basement (so to speak). And yes it has a tiny little odor as you walk past. They are just finishing a building like ours that can't be seen in this picture. Hence the need for the commode abode. And I almost forgot...no need to flush!!! I can see this really catching on back home!!

Incredibly Creative Missionaries

The elders were teaching a member of the church. They pretended to be people that might ask a question about the members new religon. This is Elder Stegelmeier as a babushka (grandma).

This is Elder Camp as a man with a little moustache hair. Yes it is paper. But nice artsy touch wouldn't you say?

Elder Steglemeier as a worker guy. Frankly I don't know if would talk to any of them if I met them on the street!!!

Elder Busico goes "Bigfoot" on us!!!

It is Sunday and Elder Busico is leaving from church when I spot this rather large animal on his head. He assures me that it is indeed dead and that he actually paid money for it. Actually it is a great looking Shopka (hat)!! If you look carefully you may still be able to see it move. I mistakenly called him Elder Madsen because his previous companion Elder Madsen had one that was made from red fox and about the same size. Yes they are popular amongst the elders. The first competition is "how big the hat is". Second is "how much did you pay for yours?".

Upon their triumphant return from Korea Elder Roberts and Busico were sporting these two classy ties. Unfortunately they were "Salvation Army" ties so they now represent two churches. They thought I was taking a photo and I surprized them with a movie. They are great elders and a lot of fun to be with.

Here is the cool cat we saw at a members home. He is one color on one side and another color on the other side. He has 4 little white boots. COOL CAT!!! Even if I am allergic to them!!

Just a meeting with a great guy. It was so cold during our 2 hour visit that we could hardly walk when we got up to go. This was an open air food stand. But this man has read the Book of Mormon and says he knows it is true. He has a testimony that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. He has done this by reading and praying on his own. He is another rare find in Russia he has been happily married for 10 years. Quite a guy!! Oh yeah, Alice actually speaks a few words here.

Guess who's coming to dinner? Yes as usual all the woman want their pictures taken with Breck!
Let me back up on this little party!At the Relief Society Party they had two people race in a mummy wrap.

Can you imagine Breck speechless?
Now you know what they mean by the 220 grit toilet paper here. It didn't even rip a liitle!

This is one of Breck's new friends (Wait,does a friend do this?). His name is Vasili and in 6 months he will graduate from Veterinarian school

Friendship?

This is one of hundreds of country homes that have tons of details and color the bummer is no bathrooms inside and usually no running water.
This is our new puppy so we can fit in with the family! OK maybe not! He was the cutest street puppy that I have ever seen. I had to pet him in honor of our new granddogs!

Isn't he the cutest little guy?


This is me with the Branch President's wife that lives in one of those cute houses!

Zone Conference March 2009

This is our "anything goes" picture. President Everett always lets us take one like this after a few serious poses. It is an honor to serve with these fine young men and women. They give up two years of their lives and take the money they have earned thus far in their lives to go on a full-time mission. We have been privileged to be present when they teach. It is truly a wonderful spiritual experience as they teach and testify of the divinity of Jesus Christ, God the Father, and the Holy Ghost. These are some of the finest young adults I know.....even though this picture doesn't quite show it. Here is the more dignified photo. Still the same wonderful people. The couple to the right in the front row are the Strawderman's. We will replace them in the Vladivostok mission office on May 23rd. Still having fun....wish you were here.

Where we attend church

Not really but it is one of many beautiful Russian Orthodox churches here in Ussurisk.

This one is for Cheri

Artur's cool guitars. Yeah, they are just a wooden section with the 6 strings and just a metal tube in the outline of a guitar. Note to tighten the strings the knobs are on the bottom. Single click the picture to get an enlarged view. I have never seen guitars like this before. Maybe "Prego" should consider this new lighter version!! The brand name of the guitar is Aria and here is where you can look at them. http://www.ariaguitars.com/int/03_products/pro_ag_as_100_s.html

Happy Birthday Dad....from Elder Busico

Elder Busico wanted to wish his dad a happy birthday. I suggested the video format so here it is. Elder Busico's companion is Elder Roberts.

Answers to the Jodi Challenge

Sorry...some things never change. Still a clown.
Favorite 8 TV shows
1 through 8 We don’t have any!!! We are on a mission in Russia.

8 things I did Yesterday
1. Read scriptures
2. Tried to carry on a conversation with a lady in the grocery store in Russian
3. Placed two referral cards with lady in grocery store because I couldn’t speak Russian very well.
4. Was so proud of myself that I could read where a bus was going. Hopped on and watched it go straight when I it should have turned left to go to the train station. Yes, wrong bus again. Will keep trying.
5. Found myself wishing I was in the US to be able to help a 17 year old young man recover from a spinal injury he suffered pushing his grampa out of the way of a bus. He took the hit and his grampa is fine. He is confined to his home and gets around on his hands. What a young man!
6. Found myself in the back of a taxi returning from a teaching appointment. It was out in a remote country location, in the dark, on a road that was snow, ice and mud all together, with a taxi driver that only spoke Russian, with some gypsy music playing, and we don’t even pronounce our own address correctly…….that is faith.
7. Actually made it home in the taxi and is well.
8. Went into a dark stairwell that smelled pretty bad and walked up 4 dark flights of stairs opened two steel doors and locked them behind us and realized we were HOME. And it was a fantastic day. Wish you were here….really. There is so much to see and some of the nicest people on earth.

8 things I am looking forward to
1. Yes warmer weather
2. No ice on the sidewalks
3. Being able to communicate better in Russian (I seem to notice a Russian theme in my writing)
4. More people joining our little branch of 70 people.
5. Moving to Vladivostok, but I really don’t want to because we love it here.
6. Being able to call someone on the local phone. Yeah, I don’t speak Russian well enough…yet.
7. Taking a bus and actually having it arrive where I think it should
8. Being able to run up 4 flights of stairs with my arms full of groceries (after walking a mile from the store) and not being out of breath.
9. Number 9 is a bonus. Being able to type in Russian better.

8 favorite Restaurants
1. Your kidding right!!! 8 favorite restaurants….we are missionaries.
2. Well there is Country Pizza. It even has two Harley Davidson posters on the wall and an old street sign that reads “Milwaukee St.”.
3. Well then there is the new place we found down by the Renick (market). It is a McDonald’s take-off. But in Russia the burger has been replaced by the chicken, mayo, cheese, bacon burger. Yes Timmy bacon baby…even here in Russian. I let out a little Tim Allen AHUH….
4. Really that is it.

8 Things on my wish list.
1. I wish I could speak better Russian
2. I wish I could understand a native Russian speaker
3. I wish I knew what our landlord looks like because I don’t want to give our rent to just anyone who comes to our door.
4. I wish our internet connection would stop dropping offline.
5. I really wish you could all be here. It is a wonderful place.
6. I wish more people would at least listen to a message that brings such hope and joy into ones heart and life.
7. I wish Mingo’s eyesight would get better.
8. I wish my mom would listen to a message that would bring such peace at this time in her life.
9. Bonus again, I wish I could express how much you all mean to me and to mom. We love you…and absence does make the heart grow fonder.

Here is an outside view of our apartment. We live on the 4th floor. I think that is Alice's favorite part. You can't see our little crew of 3 cats at the door. They do a great job...not one mouse yet. It was above freezing here today.... yippie!!!! At night there aren't many lights so we carry a flashlight to get up the staircase.

Typical visit to a small home with super people inside

This is the broom of the lady we visited. It is pretty typical for here! Hey Leca, start gathering sticks in the woods. Breckyn could have a new business if we can get shipping and logistics worked out.

Note the stickers on this home as we wait for the owners to answer the door.

Yes indeed! It is a security sticker. It is only a guess but I really think any robber really might not believe it in Russia anyway! The people inside were delightful! Not to mention that the sticker was also in English...

Alice waits patiently as we knock at Urey's house. It takes some time before they come to the door. Also they didn't hear us knocking so it took even longer. The phrase "Alice waits for no one" is changing here in Russia.

This one is for Amy!!!!

Hi Amy this one is for you!! Your excellent son was mopping the floor after English club. Yesterday was zone conference and we rode a lot of buses to and from Vlad. Your son talked to many people and got up more then once to give his seat to a lady. Well done mom and dad. He is a delight.

This is the baptismal font in Russia. It is located in the kitchen of the rented church building. It is also on the third floor of a large office building. In Ussurisk we don't have one yet. It has been shipped from Moscow and everyone is so excited about it's arrival. We baptize in a river or at a local sauna/spa is the best translation I have for it. Our font won't be permanent it is portable. It even has handles to pick it up and move it. When it arrives we will use it right away and I will try to get a picture of it.

Our trip to Vladivostok etc.

This is my new friend Dimitri and his wife Maria. Dimitri is 77 and Maria is 72 which is a rare bird in Russia Far East. The life expectency for men is 59. I'm not sure about that of women. He is a fun man to be around. I am showing Dimitri's little signature move. He holds a "thumbs up" and then moves his fingers over the top as if he is sprinkling some salt. That is because Dimitri says salt makes everything that is good just a little bit better. I think Jeff Heaton would like Dimitri's viewpoint on salt too!!

This is Tationa and her mom Areesia, and Tationa's daughter Katia. They welcomed us into their home and asked all about our family. How many children, how old, where do you live...... I am sure I have mentioned this before but Alice and I are a rare bird here too. Most couples are divorced. Since we have been married for 35 years and have children that are married most Russian's are curious about us. However for Tationa in this picture, her husband passed away within the last 2 years. She does not want to remarry because she is certain she could not find anyone that was as good as he was. We talked about family on this visit and next visit will be marriage for all time and eternity. How it makes all of the petty things fall by the wayside as you focus on both of you and your children making back into Heavenly Fathers presence.

I had to get a shot of Alice eating. She just loves it when I do this!!!

Spring is Coming to Ussurisk

These two pictures are from our kitchen window. It was a beautiful sight this morning to awaken to a new blanket of snow. I have noticed through the day that it can drop quite unpredicatably on an unsuspecting American with a nice new hat!!! Did I mention I got a new hat?

These two pictures are out our back window. It sure was pretty....wish you were here. I wanted to throw that in because I haven't sent anyone a postcard yet.

Happy Birthday Ted!!

Don't worry I will not let it out to anyone that you turn 40 today

My dad would have been 87 today. I am sure he is looking down at you Ted and quite happy with what he sees!

Love ya....

Breck meets his Russian Counterpart!!

Okay, I love this guy!!! Slava had his birthday today he turned 54. He has a great sense of humor. He always has you put on a toilet seat cover as a bib for dinner. He is a hoot. He didn't do it for the video but he takes the little flappy down part and uses it to wipe his mouth. Like I said, I love this guy!! His wife's name is Onya you may remember her from the Marianna post where Marianna introduces her mother, Onya and her nephew Kiril. Slava says he will be baptized when the branch gets a font. He feels the place where they baptize in the winter is not a sacred place and the ocean is too cold. He is a wonderful father and husband. They have been married 20 years which is kinda rare around here. Great family!!!! As he presented the meal of chicken wings he says in perfect English "Russian Turkey". Sister Onya also prepared carrot, onions, cheese, garlic, and mayonnaise salad. It was really good. We had sausage, cucumber sandwich and a lot of other great dishes. They are so gracious and kept saying eat more, eat more. They gave us all they had and that is the extremely humbling part. As I will say probably every day....we just love these people!

Bowling with the Chumps!!

This is everyone in our mission zone. The picture is being taken by a sister on a mini mission. She is a local member helping for only one week. Her name is Nina and she was our photographer. This is our final picture with this set of missionaries. Most of them will transfer to other areas this Saturday. We keep only Elder Busico and Elder Cranney. But Elder Roberts is coming to serve with us in Ussurisk. He is Amy Bielski's son. Amy is from Elkhorn too!!! Pretty cool how it all works out.

I thought you had to see her to believe her. This video is of Marianna and her mother Onya and her nephew Kiril. Marianna is Alice's good buddy. The two of them hit it of on their first meeting. Marianna is a 16 year old delight. She joined the church 8 months ago but has a very good knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She is a beacon of light to everyone she comes into contact with. She is constantly apologizing for her lack of English language skills. She never thinks that we ought to be the ones apologizing for not knowing Russian. I hope you can get an idea of her sweet kind spirit in this little clip.

Breck wasn't the only "Life of the Party"

This is a game Alice played at the church activity. You put two pieces of paper down. Standing on one piece of paper.....when they say go you step on the paper in front of you, reach back pick up the paper behind you and lay it down in front of you......repeat.....repeat......until you go down to the end of the room then run back to the start position.

Look who was tearing up the rug. Dear Grandchildren you know.......Grandma waits for no one. The whole branch loves Sister Magill....me too!!!

More Apartment Tour - We Love It Here!!

This bathroom rocks!! We have been told it is the best in the whole mission of Vlad. As I said, it has a wand holder and with the two shower curtains it really works well. The 22o volt water heater in the shower with you and no electric breaker makes me a little nervous. Alice was gracious enough to let me try it the first time. Wow did I get clean....and now my hair sticks straight out too!!! I am saving big time on hair gel. Seriously it is a great bathroom. We went to the store and upgraded our toilet paper to vanilla scented Kleenex brand. The stuff that was here was 220 grit sand paper and I didn't want any complications.....enough said.

This is our super little kitchen. It has everything you need. An extra cabinet (first thing in the video). We can cut bread etc. on this surface. Don't worry Alice has disinfected and Windex'd the whole apartment....yeah I am still eating and drinking may daily recommended dosage of Windex only the Russian brand. She is still putting cheese on everything too!!! Well back to the kitchen. A nice oven that really works quite well and a 4 burner electric range. Hooked up to 220 volts this baby takes off with a gallup and doesn't let up til Alice says Whoooa. Back home if you have electric your hooked up to 220 volts too. It's just that this little baby is serious about it's task. When I showed you the dirty dishes in the sink that little 3 tower thing just to the right is the water purification system that the church puts into every apartment. It has 3 filter towers for coarse, fine, super fine filtration. It works great but the water comes out at a snails pace. We load up a 5 liter container and use that for drinking. Everything you use has to be rinsed with purified water. Like the dishes, we do them in regular water and rinse them with purified water. Like brushing your teeth (sorry for the dental moment). Wet the brush, brush your teeth and rinse with purified water. Also all of our food has to be "bleached" then rinsed with purified water.