Combined Auxiliary Training and Priesthood Leadership Conference - Irkutsk March 14, 2015

One of the important roles we have as Mission President and Wife is to train the Priesthood Leaders and the Auxiliary Leaders in the branches. On Saturday, March 14, 2015, an Auxiliary Training and Priesthood Leadership Conference was held at the Irkutsk Branch. Thirty six faithful members came from Ulan-Ude alone on a bus overnight (an 8-hour journey each way) to attend the Conference. That is the equivalent of traveling from Boston to Washington, D.C. and back to attend an all-day Conference. In all, there were close to 80 people in attendance that day including people from the Irkutsk and Angarsk Branches.

Pulling up early in the morning by bus were the thirty six members of the Ulan-Ude Branch.

The first thing to greet the Ulan-Ude members was a delicious breakfast prepared by Elder and Sister Nelson!

The sisters gathered in the Sacrament Hall for their sessions while the men gathered in the Institute Room.

After Sister Brinton talked about the importance of having faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ and how we can show our love for our Savior through our obedience to His commandments, Sister Nastia taught a lesson showing the sisters "how to teach an effective lesson": good eye contact, don't read the lesson, use beautiful visual aids, ask inspired questions, bear testimony frequently throughout the lesson. Sister Nastia did an outstanding job of teaching about the Atonement of the Savior.

Sister Lamb taught the sisters about the importance of Visiting Teaching and how V.T. can bless the lives of the sisters they are responsible for. She included some fun examples of how and how not to Visit Teach. She even gave her presentation in Russian! Not a small feat. She reminded us that love is the basis for everything we do.

The sister missionaries from Irkutsk, Sisters Woodland and Bell, stopped by to share how they can help the sisters do their visiting teaching each month. 

Sister Nelson, with the assistance of translator Zamira, shared stories about Compassionate Service and how Relief Society has blessed her life.

Natalya shares a laugh with her husband, Sasha.

Attendees enjoyed a delicious lunch!

Sister Brinton stands with Sister Dairema, Relief Society President from Ulan-Ude.

The members enjoyed the camaraderie of one another as the branch amazingly accommodated almost 80 people.

Everyone loved the delicious soup!

Sister Baba Luba from Ulan-Ude (a legend!!) holds the sour cream as the Nelson's look on.

The fun activity began as Sister Slava who flew in from Khabarovsk directed all 45 sisters in attendance in making earrings. They were enthralled and delighted at making and then taking home some new jewelry.

Sister Slava, a medical doctor, shows a beautiful necklace she has made.

Baba Luba enjoys talking with Elders Laughlin, Crabb, and Jaeckel, two of which have served in Ulan-Ude where she is from.

The beads are very small. They must be strung on some special thread with the help of a needle.

Sister Ludmilla enjoys making her earrings. She is the Relief Society President from Irkutsk.

Meanwhile, the men gathered to hear instructions important to their priesthood callings. President Brinton encouraged branch leaders to reach out to less actives and to have inspiring Sacrament meetings where people feel the Spirit. He also counseled them to greet the members of the branch with a warm handshake and a smile. Every member who attends church should feel welcomed and loved.

They didn't get to make any jewelry :) :) One man couldn't believe they weren't going to be making earrings like the sisters....(just kidding!!)

Elder Gushchin of the Area Seventy attended the meeting and gave instruction.

At the conclusion of the day's events, the precious members of the Ulan-Ude Branch waited in the bus for the rest of their busload to come aboard. It was an incredible day being with other members of the church, feeling uplifted and enjoying being together! As one member said, "It was so wonderful being with other members of the church. I'll always remember this special day."