Finding out about Russia

Last week-end we went to Vernal to spend some time with our sister-in-law Marilyn and to meet a friend of hers who is from Russia. Natalia had us over for dinner after church on Sunday. She had planned on preparing a Russian meal for us. She started dishing up something out of the crock pot that looked like stew and I asked her what it was called and she said, "Stew...it's about as American as you can get."

She told us a lot about the culture and things to do and not to do.

To do:
Buy our winter outerwear and most other clothes in Russia.
Wear dark clothes...red is the brightest color that they wear.
When we are asked into someone's home for a meal we should take a gift. She suggested a chocolate bar or a box of juice.
When we need to ask someone directions or other questions, look for a young woman. Chances are she will know more English, because the girls are better students and will be more receptive.
Give lots of compliments.
Be aware at all times of pick pockets.
If we ever feel threatened, she suggested that John start speaking Swedish and tell them he is Swedish, not American.

There were lots of other things, but these will suffice for now.

Not to do:
Smile in public!!!!
Talk English loudly in public.
If someone offers you a drink or really offers you anything, you never say "yes" right at first. You say "no thank you" quite a few times before you say "yes". If you really don't want the vodka they offer you, then when you first say "no. thank you" you also explain why and they won't keep pestering you. (They may not be happy, but they won't keep pestering you)
Wear any fancy jewelry including my diamond, which I am supposed to leave home. (Mission Pres. also told us this)
Shop only where you have been told it is safe to go.

There are other things, but this made me nervous enough!!

She said that John looked very Russian with his white hair and glasses and (get this, Lisa & Niel) his plaid flannel shirt! She said I didn't look Russian and that the best thing I could do to look more like a Russian woman my age would be to get a perm! She didn't say I wasn't dressed entirely right, but I read between the lines when she said that If I bought my clothes there, then they would be classy and elegant, because the clothes that are sold there are from Europe. In other words, no frumpiness!!! But that's just ME!

It was very enlightening. I took lots of notes. As we left her house, I'm sure she told her husband, "I hope they survive".

We also got a lot of info from the Mission President. He ended the letter by saying, "If you think of your experience in Russia as one that you could not have anywhere else, it will make all the difference".

Mission Call

I was up at the cabin all last week with my sister. John brought up a large envelope on Friday evening. After we got the family on the phone via a conference call we opened the envelope. We are going to the Russia Rostov-na-Donu Mission and we enter the MTC on Feb. 9, 2009.


I just kept saying "Oh my gosh!" and others responses have varied from "Wow", "How exciting", complete silence, and a whole bunch more "Oh my goshes".

Friday before 5:30 PM we had never heard of this place in Russia and now we are trying to find out all we can about it!!

We do know that it is in the South of Russia off the Black Sea. It is the same latitude as France. In some photos we saw palm trees which is good. Lisa is directing me towards missionary blogs and other info, so little by little we are finding things out.

A couple in our stake called this afternoon and said that is where they served about 10 years ago and they loved it.

We printed off the Cyrillic Alphabet and are trying to memorize it. John will call the MTC tomorrow to see about tutoring.

We are shocked, nervous, scared, excited and grateful!! We look forward to serving in this part of the Lord's vineyard.

Even if your response is "Oh, my gosh!" please write a comment.