Wonderful Zone Conference

 We had a great Zone Conference with Elder Golden - First Counselor in the Europe East Area Presidency ... we learned so much and felt so inspired to do better!  I have 12 pages of notes but I'll just share a few highlights.  Elder and Sister Golden are from South Africa - he was sure to tell the Russians he wasn't an American!  and then proceeded to talk about the restoration could have only happened in the US with the religious freedom laws - BUT the gospel is for all the world! He mentioned he was very happy that Sister Golden could be with him - that ..."I do less damage to the church when she is with me!"  One thing he said I had never heard quiet like he put it:  "The power and blessings of the Atonement can't be unlocked without an ordinance."  I loved it when he said:  Senior couples are a treasure to the Church, and The Lord is watching over your families."

 We met Sister Melton - she is serving way out in one of the branches - her mother worked with Polly at Jet Blue a few years ago --- small world!  The Sisters coming on a two hour flight from Krasnoyarsk had their flight delayed an hour and a half ... just before take off a man had a heart attack on the plane!  Someone yelled for help at the back of the plane and it took almost 30 minutes for medical personal to start to work on him ... one of the sisters only spoke Russian - so one of the elders translated for her!  Elder Golden praised the sister missionaries - said they are the visual aids for the Church!  and that they only serve 18 months because they reach perfection 6 months before the elders!  teasing, I'm sure.

 Sister Melton and her companion brought Sister Heiselbetz this native Russian blouse and jumper - so cute!  I may have to purchase one!  I like the blue color but love the embroidery on the front of the red one.  The Heiselbetz are going on a visa trip next week - they have friends serving in the Ukraine temple and will go there and visit with them!  We will try and help the office for the four days they are gone.

Another wonderful painting in the Mission Office - love the snow, sled, people!  I'll definitely bring a picture back with us ... a small one!  Sister Golden at Zone Conference told us how much she loves the music of the Church ... that she knew of at least two people who have joined the Church via singing the hymns!  She talked about faith and blessings.  Elder Golden told us that when an investigator attended church anywhere in the world - 2.9 attend 1 is baptized...but in the Europe East area it is 6.0 attending church to one baptized ... he said that is our fault - we need to make our meetings better - it might have to do with meeting in rented halls also!  The mission committed to doing better - more reverence, prelude music, etc.  Elder Golden asked for questions - some good ones ... one elder asked about how the Apostles make a living.  Elder Golden told us that those working full time in the ministry get a modest living allowance - most turn it back into the church - one of his colleagues told him that the amount of the living allowance is the amount of tithing he used to pay!!  NO TITHES are used for this allowance - most take a pay cut when they are called to be General Authorities.  Elder Golden ended by invoking the blessings of the Lord for us as a mission and Russia as a country.  Oh - one more thing - he said the Lord is very aware of Russia and that it will have ' significance' in the final days of the earth.