Elder Frost and I just spent the most wonderful day with your missionaries,
President and Sister Woolley and the other Senior Couples at our Mission
Christmas Party. What a treat! We have been here for just over two weeks
and feel like we have needed every minute just to recuperated from jet lag.
In two weeks we have made two trips back to Moscow, moved to a different
apartment, and been lost most of the time either on the metro in Moscow or
the buses here in Voronezh. But spending the day with all those
missionaries made it all worth it. What an amazing group of young people.
I don't know if I've ever been with a happier, healthier, creative,
talented, loving, or more beautiful group of kids. We have a son serving a
mission in Ghana, Africa right now and I can only hope that he is forming
life-long bonds with his missionary companions and enjoying his mission as
much as these missionaries are.
President and Sister Woolley and the other Senior Couples at our Mission
Christmas Party. What a treat! We have been here for just over two weeks
and feel like we have needed every minute just to recuperated from jet lag.
In two weeks we have made two trips back to Moscow, moved to a different
apartment, and been lost most of the time either on the metro in Moscow or
the buses here in Voronezh. But spending the day with all those
missionaries made it all worth it. What an amazing group of young people.
I don't know if I've ever been with a happier, healthier, creative,
talented, loving, or more beautiful group of kids. We have a son serving a
mission in Ghana, Africa right now and I can only hope that he is forming
life-long bonds with his missionary companions and enjoying his mission as
much as these missionaries are.
Everyone traveled by train to Moscow for an ALL-DAY party planned by Sister
Woolley (who is an incredibly beautiful, happy, loving Mission Mother). The
day started with muffins, hot chocolate, juice and a very roudy game of
dodge ball (with nerf balls) - girls included. Even some of the "old"
missionaries got involved in the game. There were card games, board games,
puzzles, and lots of visiting with old companions and friends. Then we had
a white elephant gift exchange with fun, crazy gifts. A few of the
missionaries had put together a video of all the missionaries with their
converts, or companions, or Branch members that everyone enjoyed watching
and cheering for each other. After that we had ham, potatoes, yams, green
beans, and rolls for dinner, along with a yummy hot wassail drink. (The
temperature dropped down to -10C today. Very COLD outside.)
After lunch we had a hilarious talent show. Some of the kids sang, played
the piano, violin, or guitar and performed very nice musical numbers. The
rest did crazy, hilarious skits. We laughed and laughed. They watched Toy
Story 3 and President and Sister Woolley each talked to the kids with very
encouraging loving words. We all truly love the Woolleys. I just want to
mention a few facts that President Woolley told the missionaries yesterday.
The mission has been very successful and he had great praise for the
missionaries.
Woolley (who is an incredibly beautiful, happy, loving Mission Mother). The
day started with muffins, hot chocolate, juice and a very roudy game of
dodge ball (with nerf balls) - girls included. Even some of the "old"
missionaries got involved in the game. There were card games, board games,
puzzles, and lots of visiting with old companions and friends. Then we had
a white elephant gift exchange with fun, crazy gifts. A few of the
missionaries had put together a video of all the missionaries with their
converts, or companions, or Branch members that everyone enjoyed watching
and cheering for each other. After that we had ham, potatoes, yams, green
beans, and rolls for dinner, along with a yummy hot wassail drink. (The
temperature dropped down to -10C today. Very COLD outside.)
After lunch we had a hilarious talent show. Some of the kids sang, played
the piano, violin, or guitar and performed very nice musical numbers. The
rest did crazy, hilarious skits. We laughed and laughed. They watched Toy
Story 3 and President and Sister Woolley each talked to the kids with very
encouraging loving words. We all truly love the Woolleys. I just want to
mention a few facts that President Woolley told the missionaries yesterday.
The mission has been very successful and he had great praise for the
missionaries.
There have been 17 mini-missionaries (local missionaries serving a few
months) in 2010
48 total missionaries (including sisters)
7 sisters today - 1 going home tomorrow
5 new sisters arriving tomorrow
3 more sisters arriving in February
2 more sisters arriving in March with one leaving
Total of 16 sisters by March - President Woolley loves the Sister
Missionaries and they have been very successful.
2009 - total of 47 baptisms
2010 - 47 baptisms just in December!
2010 - total of 72 baptisms
2011 - goal of 105 baptisms
The average Sacrament Meeting attendance in the mission has increased from
25 people to 500 people. That's an amazing increase.
President Woolley said they have two goals:
1. Prepare and teach for baptism
2. Strengthen and reactivate less active members
The statistics show how hard they have worked to achieve those goals. The
Lord is preparing these people to hear the Gospel. December was so
successful because people are asking the missionaries to teach them about
God. More than half of the missionaries raised their hands when they were
asked if they had a baptism as a result of someone approaching them. It is
very exciting. We love these Russian people. They are warm, friendly, love
to hug and smile. The language is a huge obstacle for us "older" people,
but these young missionaries are incredible with their language. It's a
miracle to watch how well they communicate and how much they are loved.
If you are like me, I don't ever hear much from my son, so I hope this will
"fill you up" with information about your sons and daughters. They are
well, happy, and loving each other and their missions. It is truly a
privilege to work and associate with them. You all have much to be proud of
and have done a wonderful job raising and teaching great young men and
women.
Happy New Year to all of you.
Love,
Sister Frost
months) in 2010
48 total missionaries (including sisters)
7 sisters today - 1 going home tomorrow
5 new sisters arriving tomorrow
3 more sisters arriving in February
2 more sisters arriving in March with one leaving
Total of 16 sisters by March - President Woolley loves the Sister
Missionaries and they have been very successful.
2009 - total of 47 baptisms
2010 - 47 baptisms just in December!
2010 - total of 72 baptisms
2011 - goal of 105 baptisms
The average Sacrament Meeting attendance in the mission has increased from
25 people to 500 people. That's an amazing increase.
President Woolley said they have two goals:
1. Prepare and teach for baptism
2. Strengthen and reactivate less active members
The statistics show how hard they have worked to achieve those goals. The
Lord is preparing these people to hear the Gospel. December was so
successful because people are asking the missionaries to teach them about
God. More than half of the missionaries raised their hands when they were
asked if they had a baptism as a result of someone approaching them. It is
very exciting. We love these Russian people. They are warm, friendly, love
to hug and smile. The language is a huge obstacle for us "older" people,
but these young missionaries are incredible with their language. It's a
miracle to watch how well they communicate and how much they are loved.
If you are like me, I don't ever hear much from my son, so I hope this will
"fill you up" with information about your sons and daughters. They are
well, happy, and loving each other and their missions. It is truly a
privilege to work and associate with them. You all have much to be proud of
and have done a wonderful job raising and teaching great young men and
women.
Happy New Year to all of you.
Love,
Sister Frost
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