YSA Service Project

One of the activities at our Youth Conference in August will be a service project. Time will be set aside during our three day conference for those attending to give service. As we contemplated this time, we decided we wanted a project that would last in the hearts and memories of those giving service and those receiving that service. Gary and Christine Baker - far right and children from orphanage.

Enter Brother and Sister Baker from a city about 2 hours North of Yekat. Gary, a long term employee with Boeing, has taken the assignment as the start up CEO director general for a three year period. His job is to build and equip a new facility for a joint venture that is owned half by Boeing and half by a Russian company. I had heard that Christine was helping with two orphanages near her home and emailed her as to the possibility of our YSA doing a service project to help these children.

When the children turn 17 years old they graduate -- which means they must leave the orphanage. They are given a blanket, some towels, a toiletry kit, a small sewing kit, and a little money. Some may return to distant relatives, others may go to a hostel, others may find their own way to school or work. Their road is very difficult, because they must face it basically alone. Our YSAs have accepted the challenge of making 12 quilts for those 'graduating', and if we can get the money, we hope to make toiletry bags also. We have plans to involve the Relief Society sisters in helping to tie the quilts, and we will invite our English Club members to participate in giving a little worthwhile service. We think this will be a great opportunity to bring people together in brotherhood, and will bless many people, as well as our youth. Some of the graduating class crowd around Christine - it's easy to see their mutual affection.

The small children live in very crowded conditions, but love to frolic and act out, especially in front of the camera. Just like all children, these boys love brownies and treats -- but fruit is a mainstay and is loved by all Russian children. Christine and Gary Baker love these children -- Christine is passionate about serving them and she has been a great help to us as we have planned and organized this service project. Hopefully it will be a memorable experience that will lead to lives focused on charity and giving. It's hard to imagine what life would be like without a family, or the support of a church family. I think it would be very difficult. I know the Lord loves all his children and I know He expects us to look after and care for those who need help.

We Have Been Busy

It's April 12th and I have missed the beautiful blossoming trees and tulips in my gardens at home. Spring is almost here in Ekat -- at least the temperatures have risen and the days are much longer. I have thought of all of you and know that your lives have gone on with the raising of your families, work, education, service, etc., etc.

Well, we have been busy also.

We have gone through a muddy season -- and probably will have more of the same before summer arrives. I have written enough about this -- but pictures do not do justice to the thick, brown goo.

We took another Visa trip to Kazakhstan. Ron got this great shot of this babooshka who had fallen asleep at her stand and was about to fall off her stool. We watched and she slept on and seemed stuck to the stool. I'm pretty sure she didn't make much money (tenge) that day. We have supported our youth as they have prepared for their missions and have watched them progress until their departure. Arseniy opens his letter in front of our group -- 'I'm going to the Russia, Vladavostok mission!' (we will have 3 of our group leaving for the MTC this month - that will bring the total serving from Ekat to 6). They are great examples to the rest of the youth.

Olyssia and Tanya are currently serving as missionaries in different missions in Russia. Zoya gives the girls a big hug. Zoya is the mother of their good friend Katya, who is currently attending BYU.

We love being with our youth - and we have attended their activities. Elder Nuzman must love them a lot -- he hates dancing.

We attended Nina's wedding - one of our Young Single Adults.

Once a month we host an activity for our Seminary age youth. We are trying very hard to get more of the 14-17 year olds excited about coming and participating. We hope they will build a support system with many friends for their future.

We've hosted many dinners in our apartment for the missionaries who serve us so well, and also to thank those who are leaving the missionfield.

Dinner before Elder Savage leaves for home (grey sweatshirt)

Then, we've said 'goodbye' to our wonderful missionaries and dear friends, whom we have learned to love.

We are currently planning a 3 mission youth conference which will be held in August. We meet with our youth committee twice a month. We have great youth leaders and they are planning a wonderful, uplifting and fun 3 day experience for about 200 Russian youth.

And we have moved into a new apartment (see other blog), which meant no internet for 1 month. So that is what we have been doing and that is why you do not hear as much from us as you used to.

Happiness is ...

When I was young we used to play a game called Happiness Is... We would start off with the phrase and then add our own thoughts. Happiness is.... a glass of ice water on a hot, muggy day. Happiness is... fresh, clean sheets that envelop you in a sweet fragrance after you've had a long hard day. Happiness is... getting a long, informative email from someone special who you haven't heard from in a long time. Happiness is... getting a seat on the bus or tram vi. Well, you get the idea -- and I'll bet all of you have played it at one time or another. Well, we have a Real Happiness story... Happiness is... moving into a nice neighborhood; into a clean, well cared for building; a building only 1/2 block from our current church building; 6th floor apartment; new washer (our last one broke and flooded the apartment twice).... Happiness is... a gaited building that is shoveled, cleaned, and cared for daily. Looking up from our backyard towards our apartment we can see our balcone and our neighbors next door. It is a bank with many reflecting windows --at night they turn on colored lights and it appears green.Happiness is... having nice big windows that let in the sunshine and allow us to look out onto the city skyline from our bedroom towards the front of the building. We live on a one way street which is quite busy. Currently the windows are closed and we do not hear very much of the traffic -- we'll see how much happiness we have when summer comes and we open the windows to let in cool air and the noise comes with it. When the outside of our old apartment was repaired and painted I held my breath as the workers walked shaky planks without any safety precautions. One day while looking out our bedroom windows towards the front of our new apartment I saw workers shoveling the ice and snow from the roof of the building across the street. They had a huge hammer that they would lift and slam down on the ice, then they would use a shovel and some tools to loosen it and shove it over the edge to the street below. As you can see they were standing on a sheet metal roof that must have been very slippery. Several times I saw them slip as the ice gave way and I was sure I would see a tragedy happening before my eyes. They did have a rope tied around their waist, but I am not sure it would have held them had they gone over the edge. Happiness is ... not seeing anyone fall to their death.

Although we have no trees or bushes in our backyard, Happiness is ... being able to look out our rear window and not see anyone using it as a bathroom (in our last apartment that was the case as I gazed out the kitchen window on a daily basis).

Happiness is... having a bus stop right outside your building -- we can't go everywhere using this stop, but others are not a far walk. Happiness is saying 'Let's go to the Subway' and not mean the Metro. This Subway sandwich shop is just around the corner. Happiness will be ... not gaining weight because we don't have to walk as far, and we eat more fast food. (but aren't Subway sandwiches slimming -- seems like I remember a commerical....)

We have a playground and a little area with benches to sit and relax -- it should be a pleasant place in the summer. We have seen a few children playing there in the afternoons -- Happiness would be to have our grandchildren to share it with. Looking down on our 'yard' from our kitchen balcone. A balcone is an enclosed porch that sticks out from the building (you can see them in the picture)-- I am sure the word balcone comes from the word balcony, or possibly the other way around. The balcone stays cold throughout the winter and we store some food there -- we also use it for luggage storage and other items. Happiness is... having extra storage space.

Happiness is... an elevator with no graffiti -- two elevators that are clean and do not smell (what a wonderful treat, after living in a building for almost a year with an elevator that smelled like dirty socks). Luckily we lived only 3 stories up and could take the stairs. Now we are 6 stories up, and this is Russia, so our happiness will end with the loss of electricity.Happiness is ... having a living room with a nice interior, good furniture, and space enough to fit all our youth comfortably.

Happiness is... having a comfortable bed. In Russia the mattresses are different than the box springs and cusioned mattress we are use to. Here they are one piece, like box springs, but comfortable. We are very low to the ground, we feel like we are almost sleeping on the floor, and literally 'fall into bed'. Happiness is... having a refrigerator that actually keeps things cold and is much bigger. What a blessing! We also have a larger oven and a new ceramic stove top. By the way, the Sprite bottles on the counter are full of filtered water, we keep them filled and use them as needed. Happiness is... having water that doesn't stink, and isn't a funny color. Do you remember our last bathroom? These are quite an improvement -- Happiness is... having the doors lock from the inside. Who would have thought???

Happiness is... being able to flush, and not have to brush.

I may have to wait to explain that until we return home.

Happiness is... having a place where those you care about feel comfortable.

Yulia and Anna enjoy relaxing while others in the group play a game.

Happiness is... being surrounded by wonderful, good, young people who feel as blessed as we do by our new apartment. They love it too!

And Happiness is... having many friends and loved ones at home who pray for us daily and support us with their prayers and emails.