Branch Activities

 GOSHA'S FAREWELL

 At the social for Gosha, the branch choir performed.  They are a special group which includes the missionaries and they sound amazing!  From left:  Nurzya, Asktik, Sister Blomquist, Zarina, Sister Nelson and Masha.

The men's section includes, from left:  Rick, Elders Hansen, Anderson, Beckh and Brinton.
They practice every Wednesday afternoon and sing in Sacrament meeting almost every week.  Inna is their talented pianist and arranges the music to take advantage of individual solos.

RELIEF SOCIETY CONFERENCE

A drive to the mountains is always a welcome treat, but the weekend of the RS conference was especially beautiful with the fall leaves.  The overnight conference was held at a resort up in the mountains.  Rick and Anne waited until Saturday to go so they could take the sister missionaries who were not allowed to go overnight.


They used a meeting room for the group lessons and singing practice.  From left: Nina, Farida, Ludmilla, Arina, Tamara (RS President), and Marianna.

We took lots of pictures so we'll remember this special day.  Waiting for an activity to begin are from left: S. Blomquist, Alyona, Anne, Farida, Inna, S. Nelson, Guldonna and Elmira (the branch president's wife).

Marianna was in charge of this learning-experience game.  They sisters all lined up holding on to the person in front of them.  They were instructed to close their eyes and then Marianna walked in front of them and gave the first person instructions about where to go and what obstacles to avoid.  That person passed the message to the next and so on.

She lead them all around the grounds and through the children's play area.  When they returned to the starting place, she told them that this was an analogy to life.  We have to depend on our Heavenly Father to guide us even though we can't see Him.  She also explained that as sisters in the gospel we have an obligation to help each other through the trials we face.  A good message for all of us.

At the end of the scripture treasure hunt game the sister missionaries and I put together, we met in the amphitheater to discuss the idea of being a light to the world.  We gave them 3-D bookmarks of a lighthouse to help them remember how important they are as beacons of light and righteousness.  These sisters truly are a light to the world.

Guldonna, in the middle, is a non-member who loves the gospel and wants to be baptized, but her parents are very opposed to her being involved with the Church and the sister missionaries aren't able to teach her yet.  She is faithful in her attendance at all meetings and reads everything she finds at the branch building.  We are hoping that when we are able to teach her, her parents will be more open.  Sisters Nelson and Blomquist are on either side.

There were six buildings like this one at the resort and a large multipurpose building with a dining room.  All the meals were furnished and the cost was about $33 U.S. for each person.  It was a beautiful setting for inviting the Spirit and having a good bonding experience.

After a lovely lunch, we all assembled in the conference room for more spiritual lessons and a flower craft activity.  Here Zoya and Myra (new Primary President) work together to make a flower petal.

Kristina, 2nd counselor in the RS presidency, shows one of the flowers that were made.  They will finish all the flowers and make a new arrangement for the RS room.  It will be nice for the sisters to remember the great time they had and the testimonies that were strengthened.  The group included 5 non-members who were also touched as they felt the Spirit.

MUSIC NIGHT

 Each Friday evening, the missionaries host a music night for non-members and branch members who want to attend and participate.  It has been successful in allowing people to share their talents and enjoy good music.  We have some especially talented missionaries, so they set a good example as they allow others to feel the Spirit.  Sister Nelson plays the flute each week and also accompanies others on the piano.  She has also played the flute for choir numbers and when the RS sisters sing.

Elder Hansen shares his musical ability at one of our music night activities, as he sings "Empty Chairs and Empty Tables" from Les Miserables.  Sister Nelson accompanies him.

One of the enjoyable experiences we have here is welcoming visitors who have area assignments.  We first met Brother Nabitnikov when we served in Russia.  He is responsible for seminaries and institutes for Kazakhstan.  He visited recently and spoke in Sacrament meeting and later presented a very effective fireside on strengthening marriage.  There were about 20 people there and he kept it very interesting sharing his own experiences and cute little tidbits of information.  We always enjoy being with him.

NEW BABY!

Christina and Rashid welcomed their new wee one on 10-11-12!  They were so thrilled to have little Alira join their family.  Funny thing, they were married on 8-9-10.  We enjoyed the experience also, since she reminds us of our great-granddaughters.  (Our last one, Anne-Renee, was born 10-24-12.)

Rashid's parents came to visit the week after Alira was born.  This is their first grandchild so they were anxious to see her, even though it's a two-day train trip.  While they were here, they had their 26th wedding anniversary.  We invited them, Rashid and Christina for dinner to celebrate.  Anne baked the cake and tried to write them a happy message in Russian.  They were quite amused by it.  We really enjoyed visiting with them and felt a really warm spirit.  We can see where Rashid gets his gentle nature.

ZARINA'S BAPTISM

We were all so happy when Zarina (center) was baptized!  She's the daughter of Natalya, the branch RS secretary.  She's a delightful young woman and will add so much to the branch with her lovely voice and her positive and happy spirit.  We love her!  Sisters Blomquist and Nelson were thrilled also.