Циганки

9 August 2004
"Well...I need to start my entries different. lol. All the same - I had a good day. Anyhow, we started out with a trip to the болница for a test on спид for Elder Jensen. We finally saw the gypsies today, but Elder Jensen grabbed me and told me not to look or talk with them because they hypnotize you - exciting . Luckily nothing happened with them.

We had our meeting with the округ, and that was good. We then went with Алексей on some visits. We ate at everyone's house. We were ready to throw up after the third meal we ate. We finally made it to the FHE and had a good time there. Now we're relaxing and preparing for tomorrow.

The Russian culture is much different from ours. We can't really decline food w/o someone getting mad. Also, the city is huge here, and there are a million street vendors and sellers. Everyone uses public transit, and loves to be outside. People are often friendly and helpful. I know the Lord has blessed me to be here (I want to write some about the culture everyday for a couple of weeks)."

округ - district, Алексей - Aleksei

Better Day

8 August 2004
"Well, the Lord definitely helped me get things back on track. I began with a good study, and then I talked with people and was able to do pretty well with that. We had church today, and of course that was good. After church we ate!

We then had a couple of Ds. One happened and one didn't. They went all right. Tonight we met with Женя and I played chess and won before we had our discussion. Tonight we just some planning, and we we are studying.

The work is awesome! It is going forth. I am so excited to be here I realized how much fun the work was today. I am grateful for the Lord, and know he is watching out for me."

Humbling

7 August 2008
"Well, I've officially had a humbling day and it's not fun. It was a pretty good day - other then me talking like 3 words. I couldn't say anything. We were giving a first discussion, and I was trying to explain the Book of Moron. I honestly couldn't remember anything. I let Elder Jensen take over after that. I am going to be working twice as hard to be able to remember words. I need the Lord's help.

We did have an interesting meeting with Сергей in the park today. He has read some of the BofM but is really busy with work. The park we met in was so nice. We sat on the grass and enjoyed the scenery and chatted. It was very peaceful. I needed it!

Well, other then that, I just realized how much I need to work and speak. Tonight I will be praying hard to receive the Lord's help. I will need to be more humble and work harder."

6 August 2004
"Well, it was a quiet day around here. We left to a city called Металоргия at 9 this morning, for a d. It was a dog so that was nice. It took about 50 minutes to get there, so we contacted on the street for a bit. We returned home and prepared an English lesson, and ate lunch.

We had a meeting with a lady in a far away land. lol - anyways we didn't have much time today with her so it was mainly just a stop in. After that we headed to our English lesson, and that went well as usual. Tonight, we ended the night with a meeting with a member of the FBI. He was mainly wanting to know about America, so it was a quick one.

The Russian is slowly but surely coming. The Lord is greatly blessing me here. I love the people. It is amazing. This is the work of the Lord, and it is true."

-- The Russian FBI is the KGB

Knocking

5 August 2004
"Finally, the joys of missionary work. We knocked on a mission doors today, and didn't teach a single discussion. We talked to several people on the street too, but once again nothing. This evening after continued efforts to knock doors, we did finally find a family who said they would be interested - no time to teach them then, they were super busy. Hopefully something comes of it.

Also today, we had an interesting discussion with an investigator. He can't get over the fact there is only one true church. I sure don't fully understand, but he was intense about it. It was funny. Other then that, not much today. A lot of knocking and no success. All is well, I need to keep faith in the Lord. I know he will bless us as we continue to work hard."

P-Day

4 August 2004
"Another quick one today - our day to prepare. I wrote and heard from the family today. Also today, we ate at a little cafe, and was actually very good. Other then that, I just relaxed and waited.

Tonight we tried to find some people, but not much came up. We had a meeting with Ольга tonight, and that went all right. We gave a 3rd discussion, and let her asked questions. She asked where is truth. It's hard - I just want her to know that the Church is true. She committed to baptism last week, but I don't know how long that will be. I will keep praying. The work is still coming, and so is the language - It is awesome here!!"

Short

3 August 2004
"Well, another day quick day over with. We were busy as always, and we did a lot of traveling. We started out with a short lesson about the nature of God with Гулшей (not sure). That went well.

Also today, we knocked some doors, and I got some good practice speaking. We met with our neighbors tonight, and they are good people, and they have a lot of challenges (like everyone here). We ended the night with a good meeting with Слава. He is one of the members here with the Priesthood. He is a great young man, and it was nice to get to know him better.

All in all, it was a good day. Every day I am understanding more and more. The lord is greatly blessing, but I must continue to work super hard. I love it here. It is awesome!"