Me and Elder Jarman were talking and now we can change Ukraines Missionary reputation. The rep is that if you come to Ukraine that you wont baptize very many people, if any. My new saying thanks to Viktor is "In Ukraine, people literally come knocking on the Church doors, asking to get baptized."
Thats not to say that his road to baptism will be easy, he has many trials and challenges that he shared with us yesterday, but he loves the gospel and his only complaint is that he neighbors are so loud it makes it hard to read the book of mormon. He is doing well with his commitments and reading.
Viktor and Nastya last night accepted a baptismal date for August 26, we are so happy for them. Nastya and Viktor think that their baby could be coming any time now becuase she has been having some "warnings".
Also this week was transfers, I am still here, with Elder Jarman, and the other companionship didnt change either, so yay!
I love being a missionary so much. On Saturday we cleaned the branch as usual, but Max, a peace corps volunteer that we went to lunch with tagged along to help us, we had a good discussion about why he isnt interested by religion, and such. Then later I talked to a man who was quite Atheist and was really depressing to talk to because from his point of view there is no right our wrong and our lives are of zero value or meaning. After these conversations I felt as if there was a Cloud of Darkness overshadowing me. The cloud can be described as such "All of my experiences in life point to the existence of a God, and to the truthfulness of this gospel, but what if thats just me wanting that, what if thats just something created by people who just "want" it to be true because it makes better sense that way, or it seems fair that way?" This was the cloud. sure it doesnt make tons of sense, but for me there were just heavy what ifs banging around inside my head. So yesterday I started my personal study and I recalled the story of the Lamanites who were converted and "Knew it not" (3Nephi 9:20)I dont know why I felt impressed to study that story but I did.
So Open up your scriptures to Helaman 5, and read it.
28 And it came to pass that they were overshadowed with a cloud of adarkness, and an awful solemn fear came upon them.
29 And it came to pass that there came a avoice as if it were above the cloud of darkness, saying: Repent ye, repent ye, and seek no more to destroy my bservants whom I have sent unto you to declare good tidings.
30 And it came to pass when they heard this avoice, and beheld that it was not a voice of thunder, neither was it a voice of a great tumultuous noise, but behold, it was a bstill voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul—
31 And notwithstanding the mildness of the voice, behold the earth shook exceedingly, and the walls of the prison trembled again, as if it were about to tumble to the earth; and behold the cloud of darkness, which had overshadowed them, did not disperse—
32 And behold the voice came again, saying: aRepent ye, repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand; and seek no more to destroy my servants. And it came to pass that the earth shook again, and the walls trembled.
33 And also again the third time the voice came, and did speak unto them marvelous words which acannot be uttered by man; and the walls did tremble again, and the earth shook as if it were about to divide asunder.
34 And it came to pass that the Lamanites could not flee because of the cloud of darkness which did overshadow them; yea, and also they were immovable because of the fear which did come upon them.
35 Now there was one among them who was a Nephite by birth, who had once belonged to the church of God but had dissented from them.
36 And it came to pass that he turned him about, and behold, he saw through the cloud of darkness the faces of Nephi and Lehi; and behold, they did ashine exceedingly, even as the faces of angels. And he beheld that they did lift their eyes to heaven; and they were in the attitude as if talking or lifting their voices to some being whom they beheld.
37 And it came to pass that this man did cry unto the multitude, that they might turn and look. And behold, there was power given unto them that they did turn and look; and they did behold the faces of Nephi and Lehi.
38 And they said unto the man: Behold, what do all these things mean, and who is it with whom these men do converse?
39 Now the man’s name was Aminadab. And Aminadab said unto them: They do converse with the angels of God.
40 And it came to pass that the Lamanites said unto him: aWhat shall we do, that this cloud of darkness may be removed from overshadowing us?
41 And Aminadab said unto them: You must arepent, and cry unto the voice, even until ye shall have bfaith in Christ, who was taught unto you by Alma, and cAmulek, and Zeezrom; and when ye shall do this, the cloud of darkness shall be removed from overshadowing you.
42 And it came to pass that they all did begin to cry unto the voice of him who had shaken the earth; yea, they did cry even until the cloud of darkness was dispersed.
43 And it came to pass that when they cast their eyes about, and saw that the cloud of darkness was dispersed from overshadowing them, behold, they saw that they were aencircled about, yea every soul, by a pillar of fire.
44 And aNephi and bLehi were in the midst of them; yea, they were encircled about; yea, they were as if in the midst of a flaming fire, yet it did harm them not, neither did it take hold upon the walls of the prison; and they were filled with that cjoy which is unspeakable and full of glory.
45 And behold, the aHoly Spirit of God did come down from heaven, and did enter into their hearts, and they were filled as if with fire, and they could bspeak forth marvelous words.
46 And it came to pass that there came a voice unto them, yea, a pleasant voice, as if it were a whisper, saying:
47 aPeace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world.
48 And now, when they heard this they cast up their eyes as if to behold from whence the voice came; and behold, they saw the heavens open; and angels came down out of heaven and ministered unto them.
This basically describes my experience minus the Fire and Angels appearing to me. But After reading the story I decided to apply it to myself. I knelt down and prayed for the remainder of Personal study. My bosom burned as I repented and pleaded for greater faith, And I felt such peace as I finished my prayer. The cloud of Darkness was dismissed. MY bosom is burning now as I relate this story to you.
I love you all and I know that this church is true!
Hey Buddy,
Happy 24th of July all the way from Utah! This is the Place!! Having you spread the gospel in Ukraine and seeing how the members there have to be pioneers has given me a better appreciation for our own pioneers!
Transfers this week!!!! This is your last transfer! I can't believe that!!! I mean are you just freaking out at this point?!? I know I am!
Things are going good here. I have fully adjusted to this new medicine and my headaches are much better and so is the numbness in my arms. It's been nice to feel good again.
We went to California this week. We had a couple days at the beach and then a couple days at Disneyland. We had a ton of fun. We road tripped with Allie and her kids. It really went so good. Josh helped me and her drive at different times. We did a character breakfast with minnie mouse one of the days and Kaestli was literally in heaven! She would run up and hug every character that came by us. The food was actually way good too.
So some updates. Your homecoming got changed from the 10th to Sept. 17 at 1:00 because of a regional conference. This will make it so we can go to Elder Biesinger's homecoming, but will make it super tight to do Elder Montgomery's homecoming/breakfast. It is the 17th at 9:00 with the breakfast at 10:30. So maybe if we are completely ready we could still go down to it and then be back up here at 1:00.
Another update. Mikey accepts your challenge. This is going to be serious. Jacob is in on it as well. (Maybe Jordy and Josh as well) There will be 3 events. The mile run, a push up contest and the final decided by Mikey is a 100 meter dash. We will try to hold these events at Riverton's track. This will be held shortly after you come home...probably that first weekend. So they say bring it on;)
Also Robert Ditty is engaged;)
It's killing me not to send a package for your birthday, but I really am not going too. I just bought the tires for the truck and I have to pay on your housing already, so consider that your birthday present. I will send a few letters though. So hopefully you get them!!!
1-Letters...please tell me you are getting letters now...I have literally sent so many so if not I'm going to cry! I wonder why they aren't getting there!
2-Transfer info!!!! Elder Jarman's mom sent an email saying that he thought he would be transferred.. so did that happen? I REALLY hope you get to stay there and baptize miracle Viktor!!! So full details on transfer, comp, area etc.
3-How are you feeling about the fact that this is your last transfer?
4-Details about miracle Viktor?
5-Details about Viktor and Nastya? Do you think they will get baptized? I love that they sent those pics last week. I can't believe how huge your biceps is!!!! That is amazing. I can't wait to see you in person!
6-This is a weird question...but Josh is already getting a hairy chest and stomach...like a man...it's weirding me out! Do you have chest hair? Daddy Jake had a lot...but it's weird to have a man child running around.
7-Are you ready for your athletic events? What is your fastest mile? How many push ups do you have? (I won't tell the others;)
8-How is the branch doing? The crazy babushka's?
9-What will you miss most about Ukraine?
10-What will you miss most about your mission?
11-How many of the missionaries actually become fluent in Russian?
12-Are you still happy and positive?
13-Why didn't you like doing exchanges with the AP's in Kremenchuk?
14-What is the first restaurant you want to eat at?
15-What is the first dinner you want me to make?
16-pics/recordings
17-message for me:)
I miss you like crazy and love you so much! I CANT WAIT FOR YOU TO COME HOME!!!! Seriously so excited to have you back. But so proud of you! I want you to soak in this last month and make the most of it! Work hard the entire time! Stay focused on being a missionary and giving the Lord your all. Play till the whistle blows!
Love you tons!!!
Mom
1 Okay I will tell you I am getting the Letters now, That isnt the truth, but I will tell you that. "I am getting the Letters now"
2No we are together still YAY!
3 Good, but it is scary knowing that I can count the number of Sundays left on one hand.
4WOW, he is full of surprizes, he has had a much tougher life than originally appeared and, he was definitely in real need of the gospel. We had a lesson yesterday and some issues came up that he wants to work past. He is an amazing man.
5August 26th, accepted baptismal date. I hope they will make it, it will be a close one with the baby coming soon, I dont know if they will make it to church enough times.
6 Nope I still just have transparent hairs all over my chest.
7Yes, I think so, my knees have been hurting me lately so we will see what happens to my ability to run. my fastest timed mile was 5:45ish. That was last year with Elder Schwieghardt, I dont know what it is now because we dont have an official sized track to practice on. I run 14 kilometers per hour for ten minutes at the gym for warmups I can go faster and farther than that though so whatever that means. I am heavier now because of an increase of muscle mass, so I am now around 70-80 in one sitting.
8Alright, some arguments lately about 1 Polygamy 2 money and spirituality, the crazies have simmered a bit.
9 The people
10 I dont know, i dont remember what its like to not be a missionary, sometimes it feels like I was just born this way.
11 Depending on your definition I would say 70 percent or more if they actually work on it.
12Yes
13 Because they dont come here, we have to go there, and before last time it has always seemed like a huge waste of our time.
14 I dont know, maybe chilis, maybe wendys.
15 Roast beef(beef is super rare to find here) and mac and cheese.
17 I love you mom! I miss you so much and I cant wait to see you. I am so grateful for everything you do, you are definitely my best friend.
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