WE HAD TWO BAPTISMS TODAY IN DONETSK CENTRAL BRANCH

Today was another wonderful day. We were able to attend the Baptisms of Sasha and Yuraslav. Sasha's brother Deema is a member of the church and he has been bringing Sasha to church and to Branch Activities. Yuraslav has been attending English classes for quite some time and has also been attending church and social functions. They were both so happy all day. It was so awesome to be in the Kalinsky building with so many recent converts in attendance. They have all been baptized in the last few months. Anya, Alexander, and Vulvo were all there. President Fry baptized Yuraslav and Deema baptized Sasha. President Fry did the whole thing in Russian. It was so amazing. We had a nice lunch afterwards and were treated with some beautiful violin and piano music live by the Sachov family. (sorry I am not good with tranlating the names) The two young men were well supported by the Young Adults in the Branch as well. It was such a great day.

BAPTISMS

WE HAD TWO BAPTISMS TODAY

Anya and Vulvo

This is Anya she just turned 8 years old This is another Anya and her cousin Marina Anya was baptized a few months ago.

This is Vulvo in the middle with Elder Carlson and Elder Andrus
Elder Carlson and Vulvo
Vulvo and Vladimir (a returned missionary)
Elder Misiurenko, Vulvo, and Yuraslav

Vulvo was baptized first. Look at this face. He was absolutely glowing. Then little Anya was baptized. After the talks they had a few moments for people to bear their testimonies and the first one up was Anya (she was baptized a few months ago). She just about jumped out of her seat to get up there. She was so happy. She said that it felt like her Baptism all over again. I looked around the room and saw Alexander who was also baptized a few months ago and Deema who also was recently baptized, and Yuraslov. Vulvo is Yuraslov's friend. Yuraslov has been meeting with the missionaries for some time now. He was going to get baptized about a month ago but decided he wasn't ready. Today he got up to bear his testimony and said, "I am not a member yet, but I know the church is true." Then he said, "I think it is time for me to get baptized,". The spirit was so strong in the room. The Sister Missionaries had a young woman with them and my friend Tanya who Elder Andrus invited was there as well. There were several members there to welcome Vulvo into the church.
Then Tanya and I attended a Women's Conference. We listened to talks on family. Tanya, who we met in English classes last fall (she took us on the City Tour) said to me, "It seems like the talks are always about families." I thought that was an interesting observation. She hasn't attended Sacrament meeting yet. She likes to come to Relief Society and interpret for me and Sister Clark so I told her maybe that is because she always comes to the classes that are taught to the Women and we do put a big focus on families and our roles as wives and mothers.
Tomorrow is Sunday. We invited Anya, Nastia and Marina to come over after church for dinner along with Elder Oldroyd and Elder Williams. A few weeks ago the girls were given bracelets from young women who live in Las Vegas. The girls made the bracelets while they were at Girls Camp and while they were there they watched a slideshow of Ukraine. The girls attached a picture and e-mail address along with the bracelets in hopes they could correspond with girls who are members of the Church here in Ukraine. So the girls are going to come over tomorrow to use our computer and e-mail their new American friends. I have included a photo of me with Anya and Marina. I love them so much. They are amazing. Nastia and Marina are sisters they introduced Deema and Anya to the church.

BAPTISM DAY

WHAT A WAY TO START A DAY. WE WERE SO EXCITED TO ATTEND THIS BAPTISM.
THIS SWEET GIRL, ANYA ATTENDED GIRLS CAMP WITH HER COUSIN AND CAME HOME AND SAID, "I WANT TO BE BAPTIZED". SHE HADN'T EVEN MET WITH THE MISSIONARIES YET. SO SISTER HOWARD AND SISTER CHIRAIC STARTED MEETING WITH HER SO THAT THEY COULD TEACH HER ABOUT THE GOSPEL. ELDER HUNT AND ELDER CROSSLEY MET WITH HER AS WELL. TODAY ELDER CROSSLEY BAPTIZED ANYA. WE HAD A TESTIMONY MEETING AFTER THE BAPTISM AND SHE JUST MARCHED RIGHT UP AND BORE SUCH A SWEET TENDER TESTIMONY. THEN OUR WONDERFUL PRESIDENT FRY BORE HIS TESTIMONY IN RUSSIAN. IT WAS VERY touching. IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE DAY. ALEXANDER WHO WAS BAPTIZED A FEW WEEKS AGO WAS A WITNESS DURING THE BAPTISM AND DEEMA WHO WAS BAPTIZED A FEW MONTHS AGO OFFERED THE PRAYER. SISTER VERA'S HUSBAND WHO IS NOT A MEMBER ATTENDED AND OLGA OUR INTERPRETER ATTENDED AS WELL.

The meeting ended with the congregation singing, "I am a child of god" and I couldn't help but remember the first time I heard that song over 22 years ago and how it spoke to my soul.

"I am a Child of God, And he has sent me here, has given me an earthly home with parents kind and dear. Lead me, Guide me, Walk beside me, Help me find the way. Teach me all that I must do to live with him someday.

I am a Child of God, And so my needs are great, Help me to understand his words Before it grows too late. Lead me, Guide me, Walk beside me, Help me find the way. Teach me all that I must do to live with him someday.

I am a Child of God, Rich blessings are in store, If I but learn to do his will I'll live with him once more. Lead me, Guide me, Walk beside me, Help me find the way. Teach me all that I must do to live with him someday."

As members of the Church we sing this often. It is probably one of the first songs our children learn to sing. We sing the words but do we really listen to them and think about what they mean. I am a Child of God. Do you realize how awesome that is when you begin to understand what it means to have a Heavenly Father who can lead and guide us through this journey; a Father whose hand is always reaching out to us. and how incredible it is to know that rich blessings are in store for us as we learn to follow him. when you sit in a room of recent converts or people who have not been baptized and you really listen to the inspired words of this song you can't help but be moved.

I looked around the room and was overwhelmed with emotion as I thought about how powerful those words are to someone who is just beginning to comprehend what it means to be a Child of God. I am so grateful to have been able to participate in such a special day. I truly felt the angels rejoice as Anya entered the waters of Baptism.