Reaching the goal!

Seda always had a private joke with Elder Blunck: "What is your goal?" The Mamajanyans have reached their goal. They were sealed as a family in the Ukraine Temple this summer. She asked me: "Now what do I do now? I've reached my goal?" So we talked about enduring to the end. Karen loved the temple and wants to return as an ordinance worker. In the meantime he's just been called as Branch President in Vanadzor.

This picture is truly worth a thousand words. It represents thousands of prayers and days and nights of fasting and faithful service. It represents celestial people taking a major step back to the kingdom where they want to be. Dear President Carter always says that he loves the people in his life so much that it won't be right in the Celestial Kingdom without them, and that's exactly how we feel about Seda, Karen, Maneh and Vardan.

. . .'til we meet again

We've been home long enough to have some perspective on the whole experience and I want to finish this blog, have it printed into book form, put it on a shelf and look at it when I can face the tender and still raw feelings which are evoked whenever I think about things----or rather, when I think about people. It takes a blink of an eye to adjust to the ways of home. It's another thing entirely to adjust to missing people I won't be going home to. I was homesick every day for my family. I am so glad to be back to the every day life of family and friends. Right this minute my grandchildren are in my living room, at their request, having just watched "Hadjika Vadjika" and now, "Swan Lake". They just finished watching Armine make bread (on DVD), which I've tried, and which they love----Armenian bread. Mikaera just asked me to make him his own loaf for his birthday. I sang an Armenian song for the Primary today. At their request. It's kind of nice to have a little bit of Armenia affecting the people around me here, while I'm missing the people there.

The pinata is a remembrance of the Cinco de Mayo birthday party we had for Sister Hallewell, who just got home herself. We had lavosh enchiladas----not bad. But I haven't yet had my fill of real Mexican food here. We've had some mini-reunions with young elders and sisters, and will always care about their lives while they're serving, and when they come home to real life. We have served with some remarkable people. We expect great things.

This is me doing a ujanga pyramid (also known as, I think, "Downward Facing Dog") in Gagik's gorgeous new studio.
Gagik and his beautiful Naira. He thought he wasn't allowed to come to our going away party at the branch (not so----another mix up), which event was so touching and dear to my heart I thought I would just die on the spot. But he came over early the day we left, and we had one last long visit and prayers and breakfast. Then he got in the mission van and drove with us as we left town, and called us twice at the mission home. We bought yoga mats the minute we got home and have actually done it once---it's just not the same without Gagik.

We just heard of a new member in Vanadzor who had three miraculous dreams and was baptized soon thereafter. This is one of those times you know the Lord knows what's best for each individual, and yet you still can't help but secretly wish it had been Gagik's turn for a miraculous dream. This is an unfinished story for now.

BEFORE : These are what used to be benches scattered around the plaza where our branch met. We think most of the wood was missing because it was used for fuel back in the earthquake days. One rainy Sunday, during Sacrament meeting, the young members of Republican Party showed up to spiff up the plaza. In the rain they painted everything with a coat of bright red. I will let the pictures speak for themselves.
AFTER:
I didn't go to Armenia to learn feng shui, and I will always harbor a deep desire to do an extreme home makeover on the entire county.

But if I could have the deepest desire of my heart it would be to spend eternity with the people we love so much who happen to be Armenian. They would love to hadjika vadjika with my family.

This is Armine with her special ingredient for wonderful hatz. Listen carefully.

It is actually the secret ingredient for all of life. It is why our mission was such a profound experience. It is what God is.

Zatik in Vanadzor

Here is the purple-scarfed and pocket-handkerchiefed VTab Choir having just performed for our Easter fireside. I had a lot invested in Easter this year: the choir singing five songs, one of them with harmony even, the luncheon between our meetings and the fireside ( I couldn't get them to buy into the idea of a potluck----an unheard of concept they just could not embrace. So I dyed 90 eggs dark red, brought juice and candy, and they made rice with dried grapes, and paska, and it worked out fine), giving a talk in Sacrament meeting, knowing that our little boys would no doubt all come to Primary, which they did, and just generally wanting it to be a special and peaceful day. I had memorized the Easter greeting: "Kristos hayrav i merelots", but had to peek at my notes when it was my turn to respond: "Orhnal yev harutyunuh Kristosi". I love this custom of greeting everyone on Easter with a testimony that He was indeed resurrected and the response of what a blessing that truly is.
We asked Mari to help with the boys, and armed with the inspiration I had received to "Let the little children come unto me" we did have a peaceful Primary---the little ones happily coloring a picture from the Friend, and playing with Easter story cutouts while the older ones participated in Seda's lesson. I did my entire repertoire, and then some, of finger plays, quiet games, and singing.
Ani came a little later. They live on the fifth floor---no elevator---and Ani can't walk by herself, and doesn't have a wheelchair, so it's a huge project to get to church. Her mother has a hard time understanding why her child was born with disabilities. She has been taught by several sets of missionaries. I hope she'll soon come to know for sure how much God trusted her with this lovely spirit whose purpose, I believe, is to help us learn to love as He does.

More children came later to Primary, and everyone stayed to eat our little lunch. They have an Easter custom of cracking their own egg against someone else's. How did this tradition get started? I'll tell you---I don't know. The Fireside was sweet and simple and well attended. There couldn't have been any doubt that we believe in the Living Christ and belong to His true Church.

Gagik even left a family celebration to come, so we'll reward him by ending with this video of how we begin yoga. In case it's disturbing that LDS missionaries are having a Hindu prayer let me assure you that: 1. Gagik is very sincere in his devotion to God 2. We are praying in our hearts our own prayers. 3. We pray together before and after breakfast at the end of yoga, and he prays in Armenian----LDS style. It's really groovy having our personal guru come to our home in the morning. I'll show you the one of Elder Blunck doing yujanga pyramids some other time.

Shaving Anush

When Gagik showed up this morning for yoga we had to ask "Who are you and what have you done with our guru?" His 40 days of mourning for his father ended Saturday and his friends (one of whom is also named Gagik and came over from Glendale CA) took him to the barber and paid 3,000 dram to give him a shave and a haircut. One morning he came while Elder Blunck was still shaving and congratulated him----"shaving anush!" The elders once met with a member and her husband, and she had just finished a bath and informed them that they should have wished her "bath anush". "Shnorhavor" means congratulations, and I guess "anush" is more like "way to go" because "aprek" is "good job" or "thank you". They are very serious about wishing you the appropriate greetings at the appropriate time. In all earnestness they take a deep breath and wish your new grandchild "Health, happiness and a prosperous life." They have all kinds of quaint little speeches for every occasion, over and above the formal and lengthy toasts at every event. If you were taken blindfolded to a birthday party, a funeral dinner, a New Year's party, or a wedding, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference, menu-wise, or activity-wise, except at one there would be a birthday cake, at one there would be no dancing, at one there would be more food, and at one someone would be wearing one of these:
Note to my girls: sorry your wedding dresses were so dowdy in comparison, but we were going for more of the Temple-ready look. And by the way, it's a good thing I took pictures of those boots last week because I went to that shop again today and they were sold out. Astonishing.

There is no theme, let alone point, to this post except to show you what I did on a rainy afternoon. I didn't have my umbrella, but I did get everything on my list done, except finding wooden Easter eggs for Sister Carter. I may have to share if they don't turn up. The inventory of wooden eggs has always been on the skimpy side, but I am estimating that for each bride in Vanadzor, there are 500 dresses on the rack at any given moment. For brides who want to look like a Barbie Doll birthday cake.

ROOM WITH A VIEW

Loved President Uchtdorf's comment that someone was probably texting about no aviation references that far into his talk. I doubt very much if anyone at all has likewise missed my annual toilet post. Even so, I can't very well leave Vanadzor without making you aware of something that has gnawed at my personal sense of feng shui for well over a year. This photo was taken through the door of the small room where the potty is. It is in the entry-----if both doors were open you could see straight down the stairwell. I am a very private person in certain matters. I am very firm in my opinion that: First, all bathrooms should have a window. Second, you should not be able to see a toilet from anywhere in the house, except the bathroom itself. This is the foremost thing I will not miss about Armenia. Although I am thankful that we have one at all---don't get me wrong.

I will miss the never ending variety of shoes. Tell me the truth: I won't see anything like at home will I? Picture walking on icy rubble in a pair of these bad girls.

These photos refuse to line up----so I'll use this little spot to
add that no matter how wet and muddy the street

their shoes are always clean!!

I'll update because I know you care about these people as we do. Gagik is still coming faithfully for lessons from the two best sister missionaries in the world. Seda has been helping teach too, and she said yesterday she could feel the Spirit the minute she walked in. He fasted with us and came to all the meetings last Sunday. He even stayed for Vanadzor Tabernacle Choir. We're going to the Apostolic Church with him tomorrow. He wants to take us to the Hare Krishna ceremony of offering food to God. At his request we always pray before and after breakfast, which we serve to him after yoga. He thinks our members live the most like Christ, and that we have the best Christian church he's found. We think he's like Brigham Young who studied for two years before he was baptized. We will never give up on him, and the Lord won't either. We even mangled our bodies through a turbo-charged pilates session with his amazing wife last night just to keep the connection with him and his family strong.

It's not surprising to learn that Mari is expecting. This is ok. We still don't know if they are legally married or if Hamo has been confirmed yet. There is so much good in both of them. We just got the April Liahona, and hope the same stories are in the Ensign. It was very interesting to read about the Marshall Islanders who struggled with some similar issues before becoming strong in the Church. It was good to read about real people with real challenges. And to be reminded that the Atonement really can and will make us clean.

We delivered a keyboard to Hegine yesterday---it was a happy occasion. Now she can practice, which she immediately started to do the minute she took it out of the box. If this is the only thing I've accomplished in Vanadzor it's well worth toilets in the entry hall and the hideous music that's wafting through the ceiling at this very moment.

I still love the pioneers. I can't be thankful enough for all that Joseph and Emma endured. Did you know that her great-great-grandson, an endowed member, said that the reason she didn't go West was only because she was just too tired? Bless her dear heart, of course she was. I read the Liahona from cover to cover last night, including Elder McConkie's classic talk, and am feeling that I should end this, and get to work doing anything I possibly can to help anyone I can to marvel and be amazed that the Savior stands ready to rescue us and bring us back to our perfect heavenly home.

Sunset

Isn't this a pretty photo? It showed up on iphoto, and as it happens Elder Blunck took it from our back window. I don't take pictures anymore, so I'm glad for this one. People here love to have their picture taken, and they always grab the camera to see how it turned out, and they always show you their photo albums when you visit. Even if you've seen them before. Even if you are the one who gave them all the pictures they have. I think it's all about feeling like they really matter and that someone cares. Which I do, very much. And I wish we could do more to have this yearning to be noticed, and approved, translate into yearning for Heavenly Father's approval, and staying focused on the return trip back to Him. When all is said and done most photos we see are of people sitting or standing in front of something, and they are just to prove they were there. (Exceptions: great photos like Casey's and photos of my kids and their kids! This comment about photos seems a little curmudgeonly, and I like the idea of capturing memories, but I'd rather be making memories. This just comes from a lot of picture-taking going on around here and the kind of poignant need they have to be noticed and validated. Sorry---this is a long rambling thought.) We need more out of life than to just prove we were here.

It's not icy anymore. I have daffodils from Armine in my vase from Rusanna. The road to the church is dry for now-----all the ice had covered up the rocks & rubble. My boots are thin and I hope they last 7 1/2 more weeks.

We have the sisters teaching Gagik in our home now. There should be a Preach My Gospel edition featuring them as the perfect missionaries. Please keep praying for him. He understands so much, and is such a good man. We'll be devastated, truly, if we leave in 7 1/2 weeks and Elder Blunck hasn't baptized him. He said the other day "If I decide to be baptized I want you, David-jan, to baptize me." I told him this week that I hate ujanga pyramids, but I do them because I know he knows more than I do about yoga, and he's doing what's best for me. He understood that I was relating that to us knowing more than he does about the Plan of Happiness and that we, and our dear sisters, are teaching him what is best for him. He said it himself.

Hegine is now taking piano lessons, one of my more brilliant ideas. I know she is very talented and can learn most of what she needs to know in 7 1/2 more weeks. She told me when she was a little girl she used to pretend the table was a piano---she has always wanted to play. I have two other new students. One is talented, one wants to keep quitting because she says she can't do it. But I'm going to give her every chance, and every ounce of my hard-won patience. Since this is a music paragraph I'll tell you that the Vanadzor Tab is working on a number for Easter that will amaze and inspire.

We seem to be busier than ever, but I took a minute the other day and packed all my souvenirs for travel. Mention this post and there is one with your name on it. In 7 1/2 weeks. How far away is that plane, Sister Blunck? I hope far enough away to leave things a little better than we found them, although the minute you start thinking that, everything comes unraveled. It's hard to go on a mission. It's harder to come home. And it's hard to sort out all you've experienced and learned, and to hope for a "Well done" from the One whose opinion matters, and whose love you feel so often, and whose grace you need so much.

Hegine

Ordinarily I would struggle with whether or not to tell you about the young lady who is absolutely certain that Armenian is the Adamic tongue. Do I tell you that Mari and Hamo are working on the challenge of not really having gotten legally married? Do I tell you that Gagik's father died a week ago, and that Armenians mourn for an extended period of time so we're doing yoga on our own for awhile, and are hoping & praying that this loss in his family's life will lead to an accelerated embracing of the restored Gospel when we see Gagik again? Do I do a whole post on Armenian nose surgery? Maybe someday, but today's post wrote itself.

Twenty minutes ago we finished reading the Book of Mormon, in English, with Hegine. She has faithfully come on every day off to read aloud with us. She works 16 hour days, every other day, as a taxi dispatcher. The small amount she is paid would be illegal at home. She tried to quit once and her boss simply wouldn't let her. So sick or well, tired or not, she has come for a year.

Hegine served a mission in Russia and there is absolutely nothing about her that isn't wonderful. She is an extraordinary member missionary. On her precious days off she not only reads with us, she attends Institute, she visit teaches, she serves in every possible way. This Monday she cleaned the whole church building by herself. She is our YSA leader, and plans all of the activities for Relief Society. She lives with her widowed mom, who was baptized while Hegine served her mission, her brother and his wife and three little boys (including David, the one who was dressed in pink ruffles for a year, with pony tails, but is now a toddler with a short haircut), and assorted other family members who come and go, and to whom she always teaches the Gospel.

This photo doesn't do her justice--she is very beautiful, and is the only Armenian or Georgian I have ever seen with braces----she is always trying to improve. She's practically perfect already, and we love her very much.