Return from Armenia #23 Flight and Sight

We are so grateful for the patience of President and Sister Carter. Funny thing happened as we were preparing to leave. We set the alarm for 2:15 a.m. (that’s right a.m.) for an early flight the day after diagnosis and went to bed around 11:30 p.m. The Carters were coming to pick us up at 3:00 a.m. and we knew that would be adequate time to throw a few things in a suitcase, etc… Well, that is, if you remember to turn the alarm on. At 3:00 a.m. I heard a gentle tap at the door and literally leaped out of bed to answer it. Lovely, to greet the mission president and his wife bleary eyed and in pajamas still. It’s amazing how fast we put it all together and were soon headed to the airport. We love President and Sister Carter and will forever remember their smiling faces as we departed…but they were touched with a bit of sadness as they bid farewell to another senior couple…who as of yet have not been replaced .

Our flight went fairly smoothly except for a delay in Chicago, but we arrived in Salt Lake City just an hour later than expected. We were greeted by Elder Peterson’s brother and his wife, Dave and Connie, and they took us directly to the Emergency Room at the University Hospital per our instructions from the consulting doctors. Now, if you’ve ever been to an emergency room, you know it can be a slow process…and it was. They finally saw us, consulted with the ophthalmologist and arrangements were made to be seen at the Moran Eye Clinic the following day. They said they didn’t do eye surgery in the middle of the night generally speaking and it could wait until daylight. We finally arrived home and crawled into bed around 3 a.m. (about 36 hours after we had left Yerevan).

I received a thorough eye exam the next morning from Dr. Bernstein and his associate, Dr. Shuler (I think) and the diagnosis as given in Armenia was the same, detached retina, etc. so surgery was scheduled for the next Thursday which was the doctor’s regular surgery day.

We were able to go see our newest grandbaby and the other 4 grandchildren we haven’t seen for several months. It was lovely. The baby is so sweet and we’re anxious for her to be free of her cords (oxygen and heart) so we can really snuggle her.

Grandparents with newest granddaughter, Merit Sue

Our pregnant with twins daughter Sue and Merit

Sue and Merit Sue

The surgery, according to them went well and according to plan although I think there was a little more repair necessary than had been anticipated. It was surgery done without being totally out of it, so I could hear everything and feel some things and except for recovery being better when just done locally, I’m not sure I like being so aware. It’s supposed to be a 4-6 week recovery before I get my eyesight back. They put in a big gas bubble to help in the healing process and it’s like looking through a wall of water. Rog is kind enough to help with a couple of different eye drop medications needing to be applied 4 times a day.

So, now I’m recovering at the in-laws who were kind enough to take us in so we didn’t displace too badly the seven loved ones currently living in our home. They are anticipating a move around the 1^st of May and then we’ll be able to relocate back to Utah County and see those friends and neighbors we’ve missed while on our mission.

Pincocks and Peterson get together for a "mini" reunion

A little bonus for today, April 19th, was a visit from the Pincocks who stopped by while they were in Salt Lake area for meetings. It was fun to see them and play a few games...always one of our favorite evening activities in Armenia.

Back Home Again #22

Last picture of Mt. Ararat from our apartment balcony April 2011

    

Well, you know how the saying goes that into everyone’s lives some rain must fall. The rain fell, but it was more like a big thunderstorm. I had been experiencing some problems with one of my eyes and finally went to the eye doctor and she informed me that I had a detached retina. So, with a lot of consultation with doctors at home and abroad, the decision was made that we would return to Salt Lake City as soon as possible. I was diagnosed, packed up (thanks to another Senior Couple, the Pincocks) and on the plane within about 18 hours. It was not exactly how we had planned on exiting, to say the least. We still had some sites to see, some souvenirs to purchase and a lot of hugs to give to those we’ve come to know and love. I don’t know if we’ll ever get back, but if the Armenians work hard and are able to get a temple, and we’re not too old (well, we’re already that, but you know what I mean), we will return.

We loved the experience we had of serving our Heavenly Father and his children in Armenia. There were trials and challenges, of course, but we know that as the Lord told Joseph Smith (Sec. 122: 7) “all these things shall give thee experience and shall be for thy good.” We have made many new friends and have come to appreciate all of them and love them, too. Ours lives have so enriched and we pray that we’ll be able to do more missionary work in the future…we just need to stop the clock on our aging bodies.

I’ll try to keep you up to date on what we’re up to and how the surgery goes. We’re excited that we can see our new granddaughter, Merit Sue, and we will actually be here to help our daughter Sue, with the twins she’s expecting in June.

We send our love to you all, dear friends and family.

Elder and Sister Peterson

Back to Armenia #21, Developments at Home and Abroad

We’ve been asked as church members to pray for the people around the world that “know not God”.  At the same time, though, we need to pray for those who have known God, but now feel estranged from Him. I think that sometimes, when we’re experiencing trials, we may think that God has abandoned us, but He will never do that. It is we who stop doing the things that will keep God in our lives.  Elder L. Tom Perry  said,  in the most recent CES Broadcast , that there are four ways to bring people back: (1) Daily prayer, (2) Daily scripture study, (3) Temple worthiness, (4) Daily acts of service. I like what someone has said, “If you want to talk to God, pray, and if you want God to talk to you, read the scriptures”. We’ve had an opportunity this past three months to read  the Book of Mormon together as a mission and it’s been a great experience.  I’ve also been trying to finish reading the Book of Mormon in Armenian, so I’m into the scriptures for an hour or more a day. Where else, but on a mission, are you able to do such a thing. What a blessing!

Life has been pretty usual as of late: classes, visits with the Institute Council, dinners with Seniors, farewells, meetings and more meetings, but we love it.

Sister P sitting on one of the "thrones" at Erevan Restaurant

Bidding farewell to VanDykes and Southwicks

Musicians entertain us at the Erevan Restaurant

Elder Peterson and I were released from our callings with the Branch on Sunday…well everyone was released. They combined a couple of smaller branches to make one bigger branch. In order for the Armenians to have a temple, they need to have a Stake and before the Stake, there must be wards. In our Yerevan branch, there were almost no active priesthood holders other than the missionaries and the imported branch presidency. To form a ward they need at least 15 active Melchizedek priesthood holders. The Shengavit Branch has more so it was combined with our branch and a new President called. It’s Gagik Avoyan. He will be good and hopefully will move the branch in the direction it needs to go to become a ward. President Avoyan was our first Branch President in Ararat when we first came to Armenia in 2009, so we are somewhat acquainted with him. He’s also the twin brother to Samvel who is the Secretary here at CES to Varuzhan Poghosyan.

On Saturday, we helped with a Branch activity to get all the members of both branches better acquainted with each other. We had them play a get acquainted game that had them talking with each other to find, i.e. someone with blue eyes, the same age, wearing red, a grandmother, seminary student, etc. They seemed to enjoy it…so much that most of them kept the pens I had brought to write with. I had taken the tops off as I heard this would be a deterrent for most people to walking off with your pen (must have been in America)…but no, not in Armenia. I now have almost 50 caps to pens…pretty useless.

Our Branch President (now former) and one of our single young adults is no longer single. He met a girl last September and they were married on Friday. She is from Gorise and not a member of our church, yet, that is. We have great hopes for her. She appears to be a wonderful person and she must be if Narek asked her to be his wife. He invited us and several others over to his home and it was fun to celebrate with him. Sister Carter shared the American tradition that when someone klinks on their glass that it is a sign that the groom needs to kiss the bride. They both blushed a little, but didn’t seem to mind the idea. We also found out that Patrick Walton from our home ward in Provo served in the same mission as Narek. It always seems to be a small world with the church.

Narek and Lillit, married April 1, 2011 at their home

Friends of Narek and his family gather to celebrate his marriage to Lillit

Narek and Lillit do an "American" hand pose

We also made another visit as an Institute Council to Ararat and Artashat. We didn’t have many attendees, but the drive was wonderful as we viewed and smelled the fragrant blossoms of the apricot trees.

Celebrating Spring in Ararat: Sister and Elder Peterson, Elder Peterson, Ani, Aida and Elder Crook

A registered nest with two stork occupants

Sister Peterson enjoying a beautiful spring day

Young adults, missionaries in our Ararat/Artashat IRSC Visit

We’re looking forward to gathering as missionaries and members next weekend as we listen to General Conference…always a boost to the spirit and a chance to hear the word of God as He speaks to His prophets today.

We love all of you and hope spring has come into your life. Elder Peterson saw some swallows today…so Spring must be on its way.

Sue and one of the other coaches, belly to belly

Just for fun, this is what's been happening at home. We're excited for new grandbabies and someone else is blossoming.

Back to Armenia #20

 For Family Home Evening, we invited some of the Young Singles over and had a most enjoyable time. And besides which, we learned how to make Borscht (a soup that has meat, carrots, cabbage, beets, potatoes, onions, a little tomato paste, bay leaf, salt and some water). Most delicious! Everyone who had been on missions shared experiences or things they had learned so it was a wonderful evening.

Sister Peterson (Patti) and Lusine preparing borscht

Artur, Lusine, Karmen Sironush, Erik, Sister P, Elder P, and Sister Pincock

March 8^th is a special holiday in Armenia. It’s called Woman’s Day (maybe this is in place of Mother’s Day…I don’t know). You are supposed to give flowers and chocolate to the women in your life. Well, the man in my life did give me chocolate and we received flowers at the Pandok (our local close-by restaurant).

March 9^th was another wonderful South Zone Conference with some Georgia elders added in. All the sisters and elders are such wonderful missionaries and the Conference is just what they need to get a boost of energy in their missionary work. We love the elders and sisters.

Elder Jonas, President and Sister Carter with scarves and ties for birthdays

Missionaries, old and young at South Zone Conference in March 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 11^th, we went with Lia to the Embassy first thing in the morning and she finally got her visa, but she’ll have to pick it up next week and we hope in time to catch her flight for Salt Lake. At noon, we loaded up Erik’s van with some young adults and went to Gyumri to make some visits to less active YSA’s, share a spiritual thought, put in a “plug” for YSA Conference, play some games and have some refreshments. Not just punch and cookies this time around, but kebab and a fancy cake. It was a nice time.

Young Single Adults playing "Telegraph" in Gyumri

Playing Games at Gyumri

Monday, when Lia went to pick up her Visa, it wasn’t ready and they told her to come back on Wednesday evening…but her plane was leaving in the morning. After explaining her dilemma, they said they would call her on Tuesday to let her know if she could get it….and with a lot of prayers, she did get it just in time for her to be set apart as a missionary. President Carter gave her a wonderful blessing and we know she’ll be a great missionary and we’re hoping we’ll be able to see her on Temple Square when we return. Lia left on Wednesday and arrived safely in Utah. Go Lia!

Lia Harutyunyan (love that smile) and her Dad

Senior Missionaries with Lia and her Dad at Lia's setting apart as a missionary

Wednesday, the 16^th, we left early in the morning with President Poghosyan and Lusine H, headed for Tblisi, Georgia. We went to the Hingali House and tried Hingali (sp) in many varieties (meat, spicy meat,cheese, potato, and mushroom). We did not go to McDonalds (it has more than one unlike Armenia which has none).We enjoyed getting better acquainted with young single adults there and met with them to discuss the upcoming YSA Conference. We attended their Institute class taught by Senior missionary, Sister Southwick, played some games and enjoyed light refreshments. 

View of Lake Sevan on our way to Georgia

Reflection of the Mountains in Lake Sevan viewed from the highway

Rog loves rocks, view on road to Georgia

Young single adults, investigators, missionaries at Tblisi Institute Class

Playing "telegraph" after Institute class

Playing a game of "wink-em" after Institute class

We spent the night and left the next morning for our return trip back to Armenia, stopping in Alaverde and Vanadzor along the way. We’re looking forward to a return trip in May with our Institute Council.

We visited Zara who was feeling under the weather at  her home (pretty humble circumstances)

Zara's 4 year old nephew

Marchutkas (public transport) all ready to go in Alaverde

Typical sidewalk market, this one in Alaverde

 We do manage to keep busy teaching (mostly Elder Peterson) a couple of Institute classes a week and one movie/activity night each week for our young single adults. We also keep in regular contact with the other seniors serving here and feel blessed by all our interactions.

 

Back to Armenia #19

On Saturday, Feb 19^th, we had a great experience of being able to attend a new missionary orientation. It was so fun to see the brand new elders and sisters as they found out who their first companions (they call them their mom or dad) would be and where they would be serving. We also were able to hear their first testimonies on Armenian soil. One of the new ones, Elder Peterson, is from Layton and in our nephew, Brian Nelson’s, ward. Brian had been Elder P’s young men’s president and he couldn’t say enough good things about Brian. Way to be a good example and influence, Brian! We’re proud of you! We’re also excited that Elder Peterson will be serving in Ararat, the area we first served in when we came to country.

Another experience we had fairly recently was to reaffirm our faith in the basic goodness of most people. We had gone to the bakery to pick up our “sandwichyhats” for our Valentine’s party. We had preordered 50 and paid 500 dram (about $1.40) in advance with a total to be paid of 1500 dram. I paid the additional 1000 dram, but she said I owed 1500 (in my forgetful age I had not remembered 500 had already been paid) so I gave her the full amount and left with the bread. I guess they figured it out and someone came looking for us and found Elder Peterson to return the over payment. We were surprised that they could find us…but apparently everyone knows where the “Americans” live. There are still honest people in this world!

February 25^th found us headed up to Alaverde and Vanadzor with some of the Institute Council Young Adults (Erik, Lia, Vahe and Levon) to do some activities and have fun with some of our “away from Yerevan” branches.  We had had to cancel an earlier planned trip because of snow and we weren’t sure this one would happen, but in spite of traveling on packed ice and snowy roads for about 45 minutes, we finally arrived at Alaverde. It’s an interesting town, sort of reminds me of Switzerland…rugged mountains and a little village in the valleys below. 

View of Alaverde

There is apparently a sort of tram (the missionaries described it as a box) that gets people from the top to the bottom. We only had three young adults there, but I seem to recall scriptures about finding the one or helping the one and here we were helping three to know we care…so progress. We did a little dancing to warm up (there was no heat in the building…which was fairly new and very nice) first and then watched, “The Touch of the Master’s Hand” (a great video that teaches we are all of value and with Christ’s influence, the weak can become strong). Lia gave a great spiritual presentation to tie it all together and then we enjoyed some refreshments. We also took time to visit with a young adult member, Lillit, in her home. 

?Lillit, Vahe, Elder P., Rima, Lia and Lillit's child

We then proceeded onto Vanadzor and sort of repeated the same program. Only this time there were almost 30 present (about 10 missionaries, both old and young, five or so YSA’s (young single adults)and at least five investigators as well as Institute Council and others). It was really a great experience and we added some game playing to the activity that they really seemed to enjoy. 

Before heading for home, we visited another less active YSA, Lusine, and her family. 

Lusine, Elders Wainwright, Frye, Peterson, Grandma, Ruzana, Lia, Heghine, Lusine's Dad and Vahe

We stopped for a little food and enjoyed bread, meat and cheese sandwiches that Lia put together. It was a fun, successful adventure although the 12 hour day leaves these folks (meaning Elder and Sister Peterson) a little on the more tired side and definitely ready to “hit the sack”.

Communication continues to be a challenge. Because of this I missed a Relief Society activity…and I’m in the Presidency. The translation that came to me said the activity was going to be on the 4^th (I assumed of March), but it was really the 24^th of February. One of the problems it seems is that the presidency hadn’t worked together in the planning of the activity, and the Relief Society President just did it all on her own. I don’t think they understand how the system and the use of counselors can work. Oh well, maybe next time. I’m just hoping they don’t feel I’m being non-supportive.

Probably the most exciting to happen in the month of February was the safe arrival of our #16 grandchild to Mike and Jana Maughan. Merit Sue arrived at 11:47 p.m. on the 27^th, weighing in at 9# 7 oz. and 21 inches long. 

The biggest baby Jana has had and, according to what the nurses said at the American Fork Hospital, the biggest baby to be born all month. We were excited that we were able to Skype with Jana and see Merit within hours of her birth. Some of Heavenly Father’s gifts are oh so sweet.

Merit Sue Maughan, born February 27, 2011

Jana and Merit Sue

 March 1^st was a day we spent differently from our normal office routine. There was a scheduled political protest in Yerevan (and with all the protests going on in the Middle East and elsewhere, everyone is being more cautious) so the Mission President requested that all missionaries remain indoors. Apparently in 2008 on this same date, there was a protest and 8 people ended up being killed. We value our lives, and even if risk is minimal, we’re being obedient.