We had the privilege of taking Allison and Andrew with us to the Russian Branch. The girls left in the earlier taxi so I could have some time at the building to practice the hymns before church started. We are also going to provide the musical number on Easter, so I wanted to practice the song I will accompany for the boys, Gethsemane. It was General Conference weekend back home, but because of the huge time difference and the translation needs, the church here watches conference the week after. So it was the regular Fast Sunday schedule for us.
Last week, one of the counselors in the Branch Presidency invited us to share our testimonies, stating that there would be a translator made available if we wished to get up. So of course the pressure was on. I think I was more nervous to have a translator than to just speak - I felt the pressure of needing to say something brilliant, knowing he was going to have to repeat whatever I said. But Adam and I both bore our testimonies while the counselor translated for us, and we both made it through. It is such a different pacing when you have to continually pause, so you end up thinking and speaking in phrases and also trying to speak in simple words and ideas so that the message is translatable.
Andrew was amused by the weekly speak-off between 2 of the brothers in the priesthood lesson the guys attended. Apparently, they get into a heated discussion weekly, pretty much dominating whatever the lesson was supposed to be. It seems to be in the Russian blood to speak very loudly and boldly.
When we got home, we treated the McCords to one of our favorite meals of bread and cheese, sharing our favorites of each. The day was absolutely gorgeous, but everyone was exhausted from all of our walking and working and jet leg, so we all went quietly into our own spaces and napped. By 5 we were all awake and anxious to be out in the 70!!! degree weather. Apparently, all of Vilnius wanted to be out enjoying the weather! It was crowded out on the streets, but there was so much energy in the air. We walked without coats and it was glorious!
We decided to give our guests an orientation walk. Here are some of the places we visited:
The cobbler exterior location.
On the stairs at the Gates of Dawn to show them the pilgrimage picture of Mary.
The cobbler market street.
Down the street from the cobbler market location is this sign that has always made us giggle. We had to have the guitarist among us pose with this guitar angel.
We enjoyed the sites along Pilies (Castle) Street,
including a funny new sign in front of the restaurant, Grey.
We walked to the Vilnius Cathedral, witnessed part of a mass happening inside, then headed to the park to bask in the warmth until the sun began to set.
We passed by the beautiful St Anne's
and St Michaels,
and enjoyed the plaques on Literatu Street.
We hit pretty much every place we love most in Vilnius and feel blessed that we got to share it with some of our family. This has been such an amazing experience and knowing we will have others to talk about it with after we get home has made our hearts feel lighter.
We came home to a delicious pork roast and mashed potato dinner, followed by some pretty heated rounds of Bluff. Surprisingly, we were all tired and ready for bed at a decent hour - exhausted this time by the perfect day!
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