September 5, 2009 our Khabarovsk Branch got bigger.....WE HAD A BAPTISM!!! Sophia got baptized! She is a very spiritual young woman and we love her. We only wish that we could speak more Russian to her and many others like her!! :( We are still learning and studying, but our counsel is also "do not teach the gospel in your country's language". As seniors who know only a little bit, it really would be dangerous!! I know that E. Sartori joked about knowing just enough to get into...or stay out of trouble...so we will do as we are told!!! We will continue to study the Russian language for the rest of our lives!!! Sophia is the lady in the red outfit! Her testimony is so sweet and she will be an asset to the Lord's work here in Russia. The evening of Sophia's baptism, our Branch had a special Spiritual Activity. We had the "409 Presentation". I know many of you will remember years ago this activity that strengthened so many of our testimonies.
We began training our teachers for Seminary and Institute. We began right here in Khabarovsk. Our dear sister, Galina, is a diamond!! She has a pure heart, a talent for teaching and loves everyone. Then we traveled to Nakhodka and trained Nikolai there. Nikolai is a counselor in the Branch Presidency. We stayed overnight in a beautiful, old hotel and attended our Nakhodka Branch. We spoke in Sacrament Mtg., friendshipped the members, E. Sartori trained the Branch Presidency then we visited with our Senior Couple, E/S Henderson's. What a delightful couple, what great examples of love, courage and strength to follow our Savior.
