Tomorrow, May 9th, Russia will be celebrating its national holiday, Victory Day. One of the biggest Russian holidays, Victory Day marks Germany's surrender to the Soviet Union in 1945, ending the bloodiest war in Russia's history. It has become known as the Great Patriotic War. More than 25 million Russians died in the four years of fighting.
But today, May 8, 2011, on this sweet Mother's Day, it is the Lord's Victory Day! We announced this morning to all the missionaries in our Russia Moscow Mission and to the members of our Moscow District that the Brethren have approved Moscow to become a Stake! The incredible joy and graditude that we all feel is beyond any words. Tears were flowing freely this morning as this long-awaited news came. Missionary work officially began in Moscow in 1991, and thousands of members, missionaries, and leaders have worked diligently since then to bring about the Lord's work.
Under the direction of Elder Russell M. Nelson, on June 5, 2011, the Moscow Russia Stake will be organized. As missionaries and members here we have a lot of work to do in preparation for this long-waited blessing. We know Satan will continue to throw his "fiery darts" as we go forth with these final preparations, but the Lord's will and ways will triumph. The Moscow Russia Stake will be the first stake in all of Russia. Stephen and I say all the time that we never would have believed that, in our lifetime, not only would missionary work be allowed in Russia but a stake established as well. Miracles happen!!!
In one of my earlier posts I gave the link to view "That Vast Empire - Mormon Missionary Work in Russia" on YouTube or to click on the website http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wEJizTHK6E&. I hope you will view this again and feel with us these tender mercies of the Lord.
This is a day of thanksgiving for the Lord's children. It's a great day of victory for the faithfulness of our Russian members and all the missionaries who have served throughout Russia. Today is the Lord's Victory Day!
Great job mom and dad! If there is anyone that can get Moscow ready for a Stake, it's the two of you! We're so proud of you!
ReplyDeleteHello. I served in the Moscow South Mission in 2000-2002 under President and Sister Romney. This is the best news I've heard in such a long time! Congratulations and good luck preparing!!
ReplyDeleteI served in the Moscow Mission from 2001 - 2003 under President and Sister Young and still remember the conference in the Spring of 2003 when Elder Douglas Callister of the Seventy organized the Moscow District (there had been 2 districts previously) and condensed the 13 smaller branches into 7 large branches in preparation for a stake. I remember, also, seeing some blueprints for the proposed Moscow Stake Center. Optimism was high when I left in July of that year that Russia would soon have priesthood keys not tied to a One-Year Visa. Nearly a decade later, the promise and hope of thousands of members and missionaries is finally about to be fulfilled! I have been shouting the news from the rooftops ever since hearing about it this morning! Thank you for sharing it on your blog, so that we can rejoice with you. May the Lord bless you as you lead the members in Moscow in this wonderful labor of love.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your hard work in Moscow. I served there from 2004-2006 under President and Sister Beus. I remember working so hard toward the goal of a stake in Moscow and its rewarding to see it come to pass. Please continue to give the Russian members love from all of us return missionaries. Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to be there and be apart of this experience! Sure love and miss you.
ReplyDeleteThis is such great news! I (Elder Haring) served in Moscow from 2003-2005 under Presidents Young and Beus. Thank you so much for sharing this, and for all of your continued hard work! I wish we could be there.
ReplyDeleteWhat tremendously happy news. I served my entire mission in Moscow from 1995-1997 under Presidents Chapple, Jarvis, and Wright (Moscow South). This is easily the most exciting Victory Day I've ever had.
ReplyDeleteI am so thrilled about this news! I served as a sister missionary in Rostov-na-Donu in 1999-2001 under Presidents Shwartz and Arnold. What a thrill for the members (and non!) for the great country of Russia.
ReplyDeleteHello from SLC, from us, and from the Russian branch here! This is incredible news! After so many times being in Moscow, I never thought this would happen! Now, all we need is a temple, or 2. Wow! Both of you have adapted so well! Happy for you, wish we could be there and experience this as well. You look like you're just having so much fun!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful piece of news. So wonderful that it happened while you were there too. Truly a victory.
ReplyDeleteI have family members traveling in Russia that would like to attend the June 5th meeting. Does anyone here have exact time and location information that I could pass to them? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI cried when I read this! This is wonderful! The blessings to follow are great! I served in Moscow from 2003-2005, I worked closely with Pres Beus, and the Area Presidency, we knew we were so close, but the members just weren't ready. Please tell us all about it when Elder Nelson comes! I wish I could be there! I'm happy you can be a part of it!
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