Week 12-
We had some intense lessons happen this week. IT was INSANE!!!!!!!!!! Okay, so i will start with Valeree, He has been an investigator for a month or two. He wont strongly commit to a date. We will be like we are holding a baptismal service on the 14 of November will you be baptized on that day. And hell just like " Ummmm... I think so, maybe, I will try to make it, I cant promise anything" After this happened for about the third time, Elder bunker got lost in the spirit, slammed his fist on his knee, said "Valeree! This is important", (quoted faith without works is dead) and then handed him a baptismal calender and told him to tell us next time what day he would be baptized on. It was intense. Valeree just got quiet, and then he was like, Lets pray, I will think, and that was the end of the lesson. So basically now, hell get baptized or he wont. He has sincere desires to do the right thing. Alright next intense lesson: Alex. THe ping pong buddy. It was just the average thursday night, we were playing ping pong, and I was asking him, " So Alex, Now that we are friends, Maybe you can tell me alittle about what you believe in" He responded with a no, I dont really feel comfortable discussing these things right now. So I backed it off and we just chatted whilst playing, I won, we played some more games. THen at the end of the Night, Elder Bunker and I practically drag him into a lesson with a member we have been reactivating. The spirit was only slightly there, and elder bunker and I could tell that it was just not time to turn this stone over. Once something happens in his life that really makes him think, I know he will call us.
Next intense lesson: Serge. We did exchanges again and like 5 min. out of the apartment me and elder mccleary find a man to talk to. Said hed been reading the Bom and had seen missionaries before. We proceeded to have a street lesson. Oh boy was that tough. He refused to consider the existence of anything hecouldnt see or feel. Claimed he could see and feel the sun, but not God. Id been doing most of the talking(My Russian is like 2 times better now). Eventually there came a point where the spirit just was not there, and Me and elder Mccleary were like its time to go, but this man still wanted to talk. Eventually Elder Mccleary got taken in the spirit, and he was just like (Using the command form) "LISTEN, LISTEN, we know, what we know, and nothing you say will disuade us, we have seen and felt something, and you can too, but we are done talking" I gave him a restoration pamphlet and showed him the "How can i know" page and then we prayed with him and left. Boy I love it when Elder McCleary and Elder Bunker get fired up in the spirit.
YOu might think that sometimes in these lessons we were too tough on them, or too impatient. But the people here are thicker than america. ALso they are a little more child like, its really funny to see adults throw tantrums. If you dont use the Command form, and if you are not directly straight forward, if you dont "Singe their eye brows" Like elder holland, you are not going to get anything through, what President sullivan calls "Their Filters". At the same time, you have to know that when they open up to you, it is a serious thing.
So that was about it this week, I got an awesome coat for 120 dollars, it is so warm. We went to MCCdonalds this week for Elder Mccleary it was his birthday. There is a lot of good stuff going on, but we are really struggling with finding people to teach. If we could just get them to wait and talk and get their phone number, goodness wed be so much better off. Ive calcuated that we walk about 30 Kilometers a day, assuming we walk for 7 hours. I really hope that the church is going to replace my legs with new ones every transfer, Because these ones are getting a little worn out.
OH here is something really funny, we have been learning about the law of chastity the last 2 weeks, which is really important here becasue thre is... inappropriate things, everywhere. I am pretty used to where it is now so I can just look the other way, but it was funny in church yesterday be casue there was only one other member in the class with us, and then the teacher. And then the member and the teacher just talked about all the times they have seen innappropriate things, my trainer said it was wierd, and gross, but I didnt understand nearly a word.
The branch here is just like a minature ward, the Kids are the best part of it though. They like run up and get us hugs and like try to tackle us and we just stand there like, i am not aloud to pick you up sorry. But they love us anyway. THe members here are amazing, we taught a family on Friday, their only son was with us he is 11, they were so cool, he gave us candy in cool packages that he made for us, it m ade it into the binder.
NOt much more to say except I love being here, and that every week goes faster and faster, its crazy!
Love you all!
How are you doing? I hope this week has been good.
Last chance if there are any requests for a christmas gift??? I need to get the package in the mail asap. Apparently we can't put anything too expensive, because you may have to pay customs to get it. If you do have to pay to get it don't worry. I can watch your account and add it to it.
We had tithing settlement today and declared you a full tithe payer and then the Bishop said that all missionaries are considers full tithe payers.
I am still trying to get mail to you. The last letter hasn't been sent back yet so I am thinking this week or next you should start getting mail. I'll keep them coming obviously so once they start hopefully they will be fairly regular. I loved sending letters everyday and it has been hard not to do that.
Me and dad went for a weekend away to park city this weekend and it was a nice little break. Whitney did one day and Mike and Keel did the other day. The kids are doing good. Jordy could still use prayers. Him transitioning to Middle School has been a little rough. Dakkon is going to come to Thanksgiving so that will be good. Lone Peak won Bingham on Friday so Ethan was excited. The championship is this week. Kaestli can actually read...so that is crazy! She is on her 5th book now...she keeps passing them off. Josh, Jacob and Cam are all doing good.
I finished the rough draft of my book this week! So I am trying to debate what kind of book...LDS or not and if I should self publish or go with Cedar Fort publishing.
We set up the Christmas tree last week so that was fun!
We miss you a lot. Everyone prays for your safety and for your success. You are always on our minds, but we are all proud of you. I am glad all your younger brothers have such a great example.
I am looking at the forecast for you this week and today is 100% rain...so bundle up and take your umbrella. It also says the sunset is a 4:00 pm...that is crazy it gets dark so soon.
This week my questions are:
Tell us about Ukraine, and about the people. I want to know more about your branch and how different and similar it is to go to church in a branch rather that a ward.
Did you get a coat? Are you staying warm enough? Do you need anything else? Don't hesitate to go buy the things you need, more boots, gloves, scarfs, etc. or even bedding.
How is the language coming?
How is your ping pong buddy?
And as always...are you happy? Are you doing good?
How is the food? Are you too cold?
How can I help you?
I love you so much and I am grateful for the opportunity to have a missionary out. I miss you like crazy though and will be so happy to have you home:) Love you so much.
Mom
Yes mom I got a coat, get readty for a lot of pictures, I dont think I need anything, but we cant get peanut butter here because it is really expensive. I am not cold, I always h ave my umbrella when I need it, except one time but it was okay. I am getting gloves and a new beany today, maybe ill get a shapka(the russian hats) but no one wears them, so Id look wierd. Yes I am happy, me and Elder bunker always have the other elders over for dinner on sunday, becasue for whatever reason, they just dont do dinner on their own, so its alwyas fun. The food is actually really good, Ive really felt grampas blessing working, I just press forward with faith. Just keep sending me pictures, maybe have the boys all write me a letter to put into the package. We got a new sim card reader so ill send a lot of pictures today! Love you so much mom, thanks for teaching me everything I need to know.
-Love you. Thanks for the emails. Did the video work?
-Yes I loved it! thanks so much!
-Are you still working on the pictures?
-My comp is using the reader right now just give me a minute:)
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