Our church building here is very small and there's no room for a baptismal font, so we go to a sauna/spa for baptisms. They have a small, deep pool (about 6' X 12' X 5' deep) and we use an attached room for the prayers and talks. It's different than other places we've seen for baptisms, but beats trying to do a baptism outside in freezing weather.
Стас (Stas, the Russian equivalent of Stan--we like that name!) was baptized November 19. He's been "investigating" the church for a long time. At first his parents were against it, and he couldn't get baptized without their permission. He waited a few years, but still came to a lot of activities and met often with the missionaries. He was baptized a week after his 18th birthday. His parents would have given their permission by now, but he wanted to wait until it was totally his choice. He's great! The missionaries said they have even seen him mature in the three weeks since his baptism.
The second baptism was yesterday. Мария (Maria) started coming to Gospel English and Family Home Evenings a few weeks ago. We thought she was around 20, but soon found out she is 16. She was very interested right off the bat, and said that what the missionaries taught her sounded "familiar." Her younger brother seems very interested too, but he hasn't had any lessons yet. Her parents are very supportive. After her baptism, she told us last week had been rough for her. She has lost friends because of her decision to join the Church. Her testimony is very strong. She's a very accomplished young lady in sports and education.
We're excited to have her in the branch. However, we have a little bit of a problem now. In our building we have the main room which is used for Sacrament Meeting, Sunday School and Priesthood, and a smaller room where we hold Relief Society. There's also a short hallway with bookcases where we store a few things where the missionaries have been meeting with a 12 year old for Young Men, and a restroom. Now we need a place to meet for Young Women (or is that Woman?). We knew this day would come too soon. We're just glad we're not trying to set up a Primary as well! Even though we only average about 17 people on Sundays, including the 6 missionaries, it's time for us to find a larger building to meet in.
This week's Russianism:
They have a fun tradition in Russia. When a couple gets married, they buy 7 padlocks. After the ceremony they go to 7 different bridges around their city, put a padlock on the railing and throw the key into the river below. There's a lot of fanfare with it and cars are decorated with ribbons and flowers. Often traffic is hindered as they put the locks on the bridge because they are accompanied by lots of friends and sometimes a videographer, but no one seems to mind. After they finish at one bridge they drive to the next bridge, honking all the way.
The locks stay put. When the railing gets painted, the locks get painted over as well. Supposedly if the couple wants to get divorced they have to find each key and take all their locks off all 7 bridges. We asked if that really happens and the people just laughed. "The keys are washed downstream, but it's a nice idea," was their response.
One interesting thing we learned is that when they get married (or divorced), that information is noted in their passports. The birth of each child is also noted in their passports.
Happy anniversary today Jeff & Becca, and to Brad & Heather on December 30, and next year to Niki & Michael in May, and Stan & Melanie in June, and all the rest of you on your specials days.
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