A memorable visit and musical fireside in Ulan-Ude.

On March 16, President and Sister Brinton and their two youngest children, Lindsey and Sam, boarded the overnight train from Irkutsk to the the city of Paradise...Ulan-Ude. Anyone who has served there knows this city by that name...Рай. After arrival, President and Sister Brinton did a training session with the eight missionaries who serve here.

Ulan-Ude, in the heart of Siberia, boasts the largest stone Lenin head in the world in its central plaza.

Monday was P-day. As a family, we walked to the central plaza to view the historic sites there.

Ulan-Ude also has the most beautiful church building in all of Russia. It looks like a temple and has two stories. The chapel is on the second floor along with the Primary Room and kitchen. The classrooms, Relief Society Room, Priesthood Room and Young Women's Room, Library and Branch President's office are all on the first floor. The building has two security guards who trade-off guarding the church around the clock. Incidentally, both security guards are being taught the gospel by the missionaries currently!

Siberian winters can be brutal, so the people learn how to stay warm. Fur coats are a must in this part of the world. Sister Brinton is wearing a black fur with silver fox trim. The fur around the hood of a coat keeps the wind from blowing directly on the face. A person can stay "toasty-warm" in a coat like this.

The missionaries arrived for Zone Training at the hotel.

 Each of the companionships did a lot of practice doing "role plays" which affords them an opportunity to hone their skills contacting and teaching people. Here are Elders Brown and Cruse.

 Sisters Gerasimova and Hill...

 Elders Mitchell and Howe...

 and Elders Luekenga and Jaeckel.

After training, Pres. and Sister Brinton hosted the missionaries to "beeznees launch"(business lunch) at the hotel dining room. Ulan-Ude is relatively inexpensive compared to other areas of our mission. Some zones settle for pizza due to the expense. 

That evening, Lindsey, Sam, President and Sister Brinton presented a musical fireside at the chapel in Ulan-Ude. Sam introduced the program and later shared an inspirational story about two young boys who chose to be kind to a farmer by putting money in his boots (Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley's talk). The money ended up being a blessing to this man and his family. He testified of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and the Restored Gospel. Sam served his mission in Yekaterinburg, Russia and completed it last August. All four Brinton sons served Russian-speaking missions: one in Ukraine and the other three in Russia.

"Backstage" before the performance.

Lindsey and Sister Brinton presented solo and duo piano pieces throughout the fireside. While they did not play on Steinway Concert Grand pianos as in previous concerts done in Russian concert halls, the purpose of the firesides was to introduce people to our church buildings where they can feel the spirit and the gospel can be shared freely. We were delighted with the number of non-members who were introduced to the Gospel of Jesus Christ this evening.

 Lindsey shared about the Restoration of the gospel (she served a recent mission to Sweden). She told of her gratitude for the Prophet Joseph Smith and performed a beautiful piano arrangement in his honor,  the last hymn sung before he was killed "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief".

One advantage to electronic keyboards is they never need to be tuned :)

Sister Brinton talked about how families can be together forever. She shared that she and President Brinton have been married for almost 38 years, have 7 children and almost 17 grandchildren. The members of the audience applauded (in amazement). She testified that through the eternal ordinances performed in temples throughout the world, members can receive this great blessing of being with their families forever. This truth has great appeal to the Russian people where the "norm" for many is a broken home.

Pieces by Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Milhaud, Liszt, Saint-Saens were performed. A duet of "My Heavenly Father Loves Me" closed the fireside.

President Brinton added his testimony that the true Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored on the earth today. He spoke of the joy people can feel when they repent, are baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. He invited all who are not yet baptized to learn of the truth through the missionaries.

 Russian people (like most people on the planet) like taking pictures...although Russians typically don't smile. There are, however, a number of Russian members of the church in this photo. The Russian members smile big smiles!!

A few more joined in this photo.

On a different day, a baptism was held of a person who investigated the church for 14 years. He was there at Pres. Baldakov's baptism 13 years earlier and was asked to "friendship" Pres. Baldakov as he appeared scared :) Pres. Baldakov went on to be the branch president for 11 years! This man (seated second from left) called up his missionaries and said he wanted to meet with them and their Zone Leader. At that lesson, the long-time investigator announced that it was time for him to be baptized, and  he scheduled it for 3 p.m. the very next day!

Ulan-Ude has a tiny airport, but still has a "Sky Priority" counter for Aeroflot (a Delta Airlines partner).

On to the next performance in Khabarovsk. Both Sam and Lindsey said it was a "spiritually-uplifting and meaningful way to spend their spring break from college."