Our winter started being the coldest since 1938. Then the last few days we were above freezing and the snow started to melt making a mess all over the place. Then today, Sunday, January 27, 2013 it drops below freezing and everything is solid ice and treacherous walking without falling. In looking for better foot traction devices I found a website for runners who know how to handle ice under foot. Put sheet metal screws in the lugs of your foot ware. I did and it works. Real men don’t care if the points come up through the inner sole. It keeps them awake and they run faster. No, just kidding. You use short enough screws so that won’t be a problem. Now Sister Holmes wants me to fix her boots the same way. By the way, Utah had some colder days than we did in Siberia. Our grandson, Elder Tanner Martin, who is eastern Wyoming has even colder weather than we do.

Our Branch feels so good about the building we are in, they just had the third open house. That has brought back several less active members and even a family. Our mission goal is to have a stake here by the end of 2013. The Barnaul Branch will need at least five more active Melchizedek Priesthood holders to be a ward.

A few weeks ago we finished our first round of strengthening marriage and family classes. Next Sunday we will start another round. This one will have more members, since it will be held at the branch building. We hope there will still be non-members coming too. Anna Kuznitzova made a very nice brochure for the members to give to their friends. The Klevokens had 1000 printed. He is the former branch president and is now on the District Council.

Next month will be our last visa trip. That one will be good for three years. Up until now, we had to go out every three months. That was very expensive for the Church. The surge in missionaries coming into the field will help us here. Right now we are at about 65 and by the end of the year we are projected to be over 100.

With six missionaries in Barnaul, they conduct all the English conversation groups. These are held for eight weeks, with a four week gap before the next round starts again. On that night Sister Holmes has a return sister missionary over for a meal, visit, and games.

The new primary president worked miracles with the children. They went from wild, boisterous, out of control, to the most well behaved children. Sister Holmes jaw dropped when she went to help and saw a mighty change had taken place. Today they had their Primary Program. It was beautiful and spiritual.

The branch is working on cleaning up their membership records, getting reports in on a timely basis, and improving sacrament attendance. Callings are being extended and priesthood advancements are taking place. This year branch audits will be made by local priesthood from the District. Senior Elders will no longer be involved. The last audit I did was without a translator and my poor Russian. It went better than I thought and the Moscow office didn't complain.

We have one couple in the mission for just 12 months and another coming shortly for six months. Each pays their own way here and back. That is a nice option for senior couples.

Our health and spirits are good. We appreciate you love and support.

Elder and Sister Holmes

our Christmas tree

Mom and Zina and the plant she gave Mom for her birthday

Mom and Zina and flowers

Mom and flowers

Flowers for Mom from Bart

Snowbank in front of chapel