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.