Video from Elder Magill's blog of Tom's dance skills

SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2009

Italian Night in Russia

This was Italian Night at our little Branch. The missionaries planned a great night of fun for the Branch. First was something spiritual, then some games, then this dance, and finally a spaghetti dinner with real sauce (not found anywhere in the mother land of Russia). This is the movie of the elders teaching the dance to everyone. They loved it!!!

Portable Baptismal Font in Ussurisk

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.

More Tom video from Elder Magill's blog

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.

Tom's Zone Conference in Vladivostok as told by Elder Magill - (3rd from left front row)

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.

"Happy Birthday Pops" from Russia with Love!

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.

Tom shows his two handed bowling

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.

First weeks in Russia

Dear Family,

We just received these photos from Tom and I am hoping that I have attached them correctly so that you can view them. I am still learning how to navigate around the computer. The One photo up on an industrial hillside and the tiger pictures were taken in Vladivostok. He has since within the last two weeks been transferred to "The Foggy Island" of Sakhalin - the 'gateway' between Japan and Russia. It is North and east off the coast of Russia. It is supposed to be a beautiful island with pristine rivers with great fishing and hunting. But oil barons have since 'landed' on the island, so we'll see how long that lasts. Tom says that he actually likes it better. He has a companion that he feels he can relate to (one of his peeps)and the branch there is active and thriving with 60 members. He likes the branch president and the Russians on the island are easier to approach than in Vlad. The 'dark' picture was taken on the island as an 'activity night I am assuming with members of the branch. The only 3 sister missionaries in the whole mission are also on the island (you can see in the picture). Tom gives about as many details as Micah, but the little I can gather he is happy and doing well. He still struggles with the language, but I am sure that will go on for another 3 - 6 months. He says it is like being 'punched in the throat' when he wakes up every morning - like it is just stuck there. We'll keep our fingers crossed for a 'mild' winter (right).The photo with the tiger...he said he paid $2.00 to play with the tiger and that it was just like a big dog (uh-huh)Mindy is helping me establish a blog for Tom with photos and journaling, etc. I will keep you updated as to when it is up and running and how to get to it. I am sorry that I have been slow to get this going, but all my family contacts somehow got merged with everyone else so I need to organize that again and I also am missing some emails that I would like to update in my family contacts. Would you (as in each family) please send me those I do not have for your family and/or confirm that what I have is correct. Thanks Tom sends his Hello's every week to all the fam!Love, Ann