We're Expecting

I always thought it was annoying when people put in their Facebook status's "We're Expecting..." and then they yammer on about something for a couple paragraphs before they say, "in 8 short weeks - Santa Clause!" or something like unto it. So my title is equally as annoying and misleading. Probably more people will start to read this post than any of my other posts ever before just because of the title ;) So before you go any further - we are not pregnant. You can go ahead and stop reading here if you want :).

I did think, like many other, that it would be a little funny to trick people with the title. That's why I did it. But truthfully, Mike and I are expecting a very special guest coming this December. Sister Tatiana Ignatova. Sister Ignatova was an LDS Mission Companion of mine out in Washington DC. Her father died when she was around 10 years old and her mother got very sick and passed away a short time later when she was a teenager. Tanya remembers growing up in the communist Russia and remembers when the government changed. In 1995 LDS missionaries were permitted to enter Russia and begin teaching about Jesus Christ. Years later, now a young adult (~21 y/o), Tanya was invited to the baptism of one of her friends. While she was there, she felt something very good and wanted to learn more. She asked the missionaries if they would begin teaching her what they had just taught her friend. She began taking lessons, learning about our Savior Jesus Christ, His teachings, and of the Priesthood that has been restored onto the Earth. She even learned that there is a prophet on the earth today, that teaches us, just as prophets of old taught those in their time. She learned about eternal families, and the plan of happiness, where we would be reunited with our families and our Father in Heaven again one day. She began reading the scriptures, she began praying, and the feeling that she felt at the baptism came into her life stronger and stronger. She knew that the things that she was learning was good and when she prayed to know if it was true, she received a strong feeling inside of her tell her that it is. She decided to get baptized. With this decision came opposition. Tanya's only living family, her aunt and uncle, said that they would disown her if she joined the church. Although scared, Tanya took the 'come what may' attitude and chose to be baptized. Her family stopped speaking to her. Tanya never looked back on her decision. She chose to serve a mission and was called to Washington DC - where she touched many lives with her sincere testimony and her big heart. Two times a year when we called home - Mother's Day and Christmas - Tanya was able to call a friend back home in Russia. When my mom heard about my new companion, she was excited to make her a part of our family. She was so thrilled that she would be able to send Christmas to two missionaries instead of just one. Shortly after Christmas, it was time for Tanya to return to Russia. A few weeks prior she began complaining of a pain that kept hurting her heart. I imagine a lot like heart burn. She watched what she was eating, and was cautious of things that may be causing it. It didn't go away. So after a week we decided to call the Elder's. We explained to them the pain that she was feeling and asked them to give her a blessing that would stop her heart from hurting. That night she told me that she felt her heart was hurting not because of a physical cause, but because she was scared to go home. She told me how worried she was to return home, not knowing what to expect from her family since she hadn't seen them in so long and not knowing what she would be going back to. The next morning we went to our missionary meetings. Afterwards we went into a classroom and one of the Elders laid his hands on her head and speaking from the spirit by the Priesthood power, he gave her a blessing. It struck me as he spoke that he never once blessed her for the physical pain of her aching heart. He only blessed her for the emotional pain she was currently going through as she prepared to go home. In fact he repeated verbatim the things that she had told me the night before. But he had no idea. All we had told him was that she was feeling some sort of heartburn. I don't think to this day he knows the power of that blessing that he gave. But Sister Ignatova and I went back to our apartment with a renewed testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ and of the restored Priesthood that is here on this earth, that He knows each one of us, and He hears our prayers. I have many fond memories of my time teaching with Sister Ignatova. Her example, her strength, and her testimony taught me so much. My heart has ached for her since she has returned to Russia. She came to visit a couple of years ago and since my sweet grandma and my mom have made jokes of me bringing her back so they can adopt her. Well, it all seemed like a dream until she decided to apply for school here. The process felt endless until I finally received this message:

Hi Jen,

I have just received my passport from the Embassy ... with the visa!!!! Thank you & your family for the prayers!!!! They made a miracle in my life!!! When I had an interview, the officer told me that my links to Russia are not enough but he gave me the visa anyway, he said it is because of my honesty, because when I had my previous visas I did exactly what I told at the interviews. First I told that I would go on a mission for 18 months and would come back and did so. And second time I told I would visit my friends for two weeks and did so. So thank you for your prayers. They really made miracles!!!
So I can come after December 6th, I don't know the exact date because I am trying to find a cheaper air flight but could not find yet.
As for the housing, do you know if there is someone in Provo who I can stay with together with my friend. I will try to find someone but I would appreciate your counsel!!!
My friend did not have her visa interview yet. She will go to the Embassy next week. So if you'd like to pray for her, I would be very happy. Her name is Marina Danilova.
I will wait for your answer. Love you a lot!!!
Big hugs from me to you and your family!!!
Tanya

I am so looking forward to her arrival and so excited for her to stay with Mike and I until she finds a place. I am eager to share our first Christmas together with her as I know she will only add to that wonderful Christmas spirit. I am so excited that we are expecting her so soon and can't wait for December to arrive!

Riding a bike - something they don't do in Russia.

Visiting with Grandpa & Grandma Jarrett

Visiting with Grandpa & Grandma Reeder