26 September 2005
"We have another little problem. We have basically no members to work with. Брат Блинков always goes with us everywhere, but we literally have 30 members. It is sure insane. We have been at almost all of them the past couple of days, but we have had very little luck.
This morning was sure weird as we had the full time to study. We literally studied until 10:30 and then we had to leave. We talked with each other about what we studied, and planned some lessons, and all in all, it went really awesome. I was on a real high. We then went to the office and I realized that I hadn't thought about anything that I needed to do. Well, we then started собрание округа, and that was good. I talked about setting goals and strengthening the branch. We have a lot of work to do - that is for sure. We want to involve the members more in teaching and help them learn to teach. Well, we finished and then I went to work on the stats. We didn't have anything great this week, and it was actually really low. Well, I realized that I had a really bad headache as I was trying to think what I needed to do. I am starting to realize how really hard it is to serve in the office, and still work. It's almost impossible to do both. We had a good lunch - bread pizzas and then we worked a bit. I talked with the Орловы сестры as they were there, and they promised to bring me some chocolate back from Germany. Well, at about 5 we went with Блинков and met with a lady who doesn't fully understand the concept of one true church. She is great, but needs some help. We then walked around to several addresses and found no one home. We did talk with one interesting guy, and then we came home early. I don't know what to do here. We need to knock a little and do some contacting. I don't know - I think that this will help. I need to learn to balance my work a lot better and help people more. I think I'll head to bed early tonight - I hope that will help!
"
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Quiet
25 September 2005
"Well, it has been another fairly good day. We have been working hard, so that is a good thing. We got up this morning and we had a good study session. We talked a bit and then we headed off. We went to church and I had to get the sacrament ready. Well, we got the meeting started and that went well. I helped Sister Сильва translate for Sister Ehlert and that was good. She is way awesome, and talks really well for being so young in Russia. She was only here for 4 months so far - I did their orientation when they got here. Well, we had a good time and then we went to Священства and that went really bad. The lesson was bad and President Davidik was there. We felt really stupid. Well, we did have a way good собрание миссионеров after the meeting, so that is good. Ст. Umina is a really good leader, and he has a lot of good ideas. We actually talked about our investigators and less actives. We came home, and we had a nice meal to eat. I ate pelmeni with rice while the comp went w/o rice. It was good as always, and then we talked about our members. We talked about how we can work with them and where they all live. We went to a bunch of addresses and got a bunch of figs. We met one really good guy and hope to work with him. We had a ton of fun talking, and my comp is a really good guy, just really quiet. He has a lot of good ideas and we get along well. Here we planned a bit and then we talked with a bunch of people. I have to get stuff ready for tomorrow. I hope tomorrow goes well."
"Well, it has been another fairly good day. We have been working hard, so that is a good thing. We got up this morning and we had a good study session. We talked a bit and then we headed off. We went to church and I had to get the sacrament ready. Well, we got the meeting started and that went well. I helped Sister Сильва translate for Sister Ehlert and that was good. She is way awesome, and talks really well for being so young in Russia. She was only here for 4 months so far - I did their orientation when they got here. Well, we had a good time and then we went to Священства and that went really bad. The lesson was bad and President Davidik was there. We felt really stupid. Well, we did have a way good собрание миссионеров after the meeting, so that is good. Ст. Umina is a really good leader, and he has a lot of good ideas. We actually talked about our investigators and less actives. We came home, and we had a nice meal to eat. I ate pelmeni with rice while the comp went w/o rice. It was good as always, and then we talked about our members. We talked about how we can work with them and where they all live. We went to a bunch of addresses and got a bunch of figs. We met one really good guy and hope to work with him. We had a ton of fun talking, and my comp is a really good guy, just really quiet. He has a lot of good ideas and we get along well. Here we planned a bit and then we talked with a bunch of people. I have to get stuff ready for tomorrow. I hope tomorrow goes well."
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Baptism
24 September 2005
"What an awesome feeling that there always is at a baptism. I love to be there. Also, tomorrow will be awesome too as Лилия will get the Holy Ghost. The sisters really got her ready, and she is awesome. I am way happy for her. In fact, yesterday she was at the airport as she works there now. She works in customs and she helped all of the new elders get through customs. She made everything go quick and easy and she invited them all to her baptism. Well, she was ready, and it was awesome to see her baptism.
This morning we got up and then we went to type home after about an hour or so of studying. The family is well, and they have made several changes on the house. Well, I finished and then waited for a bit for my companion. We then ran to the store, and I bought myself a load of great food and things to eat for the next couple of days. Well, we ran back here and met up with our Хойзяка before we cleaned the house a bit. When things were spick and span, we headed out to Bezimanski to play some frisbee. That was a ton of fun. We played with some members and missionaries from the branch. They are way awesome, and I love to play so much. Well, the only bad part about it is that I am super tired after running. We ran back here before we went to the office. We were super dirty, but we only changed and then we had a small meal in the office. We then went out to the baptism and it was way awesome. I love the spirit of baptisms and am so grateful that I could be there.
"
"What an awesome feeling that there always is at a baptism. I love to be there. Also, tomorrow will be awesome too as Лилия will get the Holy Ghost. The sisters really got her ready, and she is awesome. I am way happy for her. In fact, yesterday she was at the airport as she works there now. She works in customs and she helped all of the new elders get through customs. She made everything go quick and easy and she invited them all to her baptism. Well, she was ready, and it was awesome to see her baptism.
This morning we got up and then we went to type home after about an hour or so of studying. The family is well, and they have made several changes on the house. Well, I finished and then waited for a bit for my companion. We then ran to the store, and I bought myself a load of great food and things to eat for the next couple of days. Well, we ran back here and met up with our Хойзяка before we cleaned the house a bit. When things were spick and span, we headed out to Bezimanski to play some frisbee. That was a ton of fun. We played with some members and missionaries from the branch. They are way awesome, and I love to play so much. Well, the only bad part about it is that I am super tired after running. We ran back here before we went to the office. We were super dirty, but we only changed and then we had a small meal in the office. We then went out to the baptism and it was way awesome. I love the spirit of baptisms and am so grateful that I could be there.
"
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Craziness
23 September 2005
"Another day over with. We survived the battle and it was sure insane. We got up super early this morning – well we got up as usual and then we came here to the office. Once we got here this morning, we started getting things ready for the elders that were going to be coming. I put all the books in order and got all the paperwork that I needed put together and then the troops started to pour in at about 7:30. By 8:00 we had the new missionaries here and they were super tired and ready to sleep. They sat down for a few minutes before eating the breakfast that we had bought them. After a quick bite they went back to studying and writing in their journals and doing all that fun stuff. I put some District Leader and Zone Leader Handbooks together before I started to talk with several of the elders and get to know them. They are really good guys, and they have a good spirit about them. Well, I ran around while everyone acted like they knew what would be happening. They started to meet with President at about 10 and they didn’t finish interviews until 1. Well, we then got our orientation started. That went really well, and orientation was really cool. We talked about the mission and we talked about all that is expected out of them. We also talked about where they are going to be serving and we had put together a presentation and put it up on the wall for them with the projector. Well, we got through orientation and then at the end we heard from all of the elders and sisters and their testimonies. That is always awesome to hear the testimonies of the new missionaries as they are always so strong and have such a wonderful spirit about them. We finished our orientation and then we went up to the newly finished apartment to eat a little bit. We had a really good meal, and I stuffed myself to death basically. I ate 3 Big Tasties from McDonalds and that was way good but I am still full from that. We also had Pringles and good salads from Sister Davidik as always. I enjoyed it a ton and I love to eat with them. We then sat and talked with the APs for a bit and some of the new missionaries. Then the craziness really started. All of the trainers got here at about 4:30 and they were all in the office. There were about 50 people in the office, and we could barely walk around. We were running everywhere trying to get people out of here, and get them to places that they needed to go. The reason there were so many is because President had asked that all of the new trainers come here to meet with their new guys. Of course the bus to Saratov was late and so that meant that people were standing around longer then they needed to, but we finally got things taken care of. We got everyone on their bus to Saratov and they were on a really nice bus – it was nothing like what I rode on when we went to Izhevsk. It was super nice and it was just for us. Well, the elders took off, and then we just started to relax a bit. That was good because I had run all over the place and was going crazy. In fact, it was a little better today they usual when missionaries come in, but yeah it was a lot of fun, and I had to play a big role so of course that always feels good. We have been working on getting some little odds and ends worked out now, and we have been doing the little things that we couldn’t earlier. Well, we are now working hard to get the last elders off to their cities and then we are going to go home and sleep awesome. What an awesome day in the office and tomorrow will be even better to be able to relax finally. Wow, life is sure crazy. I can’t believe it!"
"Another day over with. We survived the battle and it was sure insane. We got up super early this morning – well we got up as usual and then we came here to the office. Once we got here this morning, we started getting things ready for the elders that were going to be coming. I put all the books in order and got all the paperwork that I needed put together and then the troops started to pour in at about 7:30. By 8:00 we had the new missionaries here and they were super tired and ready to sleep. They sat down for a few minutes before eating the breakfast that we had bought them. After a quick bite they went back to studying and writing in their journals and doing all that fun stuff. I put some District Leader and Zone Leader Handbooks together before I started to talk with several of the elders and get to know them. They are really good guys, and they have a good spirit about them. Well, I ran around while everyone acted like they knew what would be happening. They started to meet with President at about 10 and they didn’t finish interviews until 1. Well, we then got our orientation started. That went really well, and orientation was really cool. We talked about the mission and we talked about all that is expected out of them. We also talked about where they are going to be serving and we had put together a presentation and put it up on the wall for them with the projector. Well, we got through orientation and then at the end we heard from all of the elders and sisters and their testimonies. That is always awesome to hear the testimonies of the new missionaries as they are always so strong and have such a wonderful spirit about them. We finished our orientation and then we went up to the newly finished apartment to eat a little bit. We had a really good meal, and I stuffed myself to death basically. I ate 3 Big Tasties from McDonalds and that was way good but I am still full from that. We also had Pringles and good salads from Sister Davidik as always. I enjoyed it a ton and I love to eat with them. We then sat and talked with the APs for a bit and some of the new missionaries. Then the craziness really started. All of the trainers got here at about 4:30 and they were all in the office. There were about 50 people in the office, and we could barely walk around. We were running everywhere trying to get people out of here, and get them to places that they needed to go. The reason there were so many is because President had asked that all of the new trainers come here to meet with their new guys. Of course the bus to Saratov was late and so that meant that people were standing around longer then they needed to, but we finally got things taken care of. We got everyone on their bus to Saratov and they were on a really nice bus – it was nothing like what I rode on when we went to Izhevsk. It was super nice and it was just for us. Well, the elders took off, and then we just started to relax a bit. That was good because I had run all over the place and was going crazy. In fact, it was a little better today they usual when missionaries come in, but yeah it was a lot of fun, and I had to play a big role so of course that always feels good. We have been working on getting some little odds and ends worked out now, and we have been doing the little things that we couldn’t earlier. Well, we are now working hard to get the last elders off to their cities and then we are going to go home and sleep awesome. What an awesome day in the office and tomorrow will be even better to be able to relax finally. Wow, life is sure crazy. I can’t believe it!"
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Battle
22 September 2005
"We're preparing for war tomorrow. We got the guns loaded and ready to fire. We are going to be working up early and headed off to the battlefield. We are tired from a long day of preparation and preparing the weapons for battle. These darn books take a while to prepare for incoming missionaries, and it is a bit stressful. This morning we went to do some service before we went to the office. I wouldn't really call it service as we sat there for about 45 minutes before we left. I did change a light bulb and get a nice little shock from that. It was pretty crazy but yeah. We worked in the office for a bit before we decided that we needed to go and eat with the APs at McDonalds for an important "business lunch." Well, we did that and there were little beggar boys that we wouldn't give any money to and then later we saw the kicking a guy for stuff - it was sad.
We came back to the office, and on the way, we stopped by to a couple of stores and picked up some more materials to make the little booklets. We also got some food for the guys coming in tomorrow. We walked back to the office where we tried to get some more work done. Brock came to the office and after a quick interview left and we found out that he couldn't baptize Лилия so that means that Lister will be doing it. We took off with Блинков to stop by to some people, but no one was home. We talked with him for a bit before we went back to the office to finish up some work. We left to Elder Hunsaker's concert after not too long and we enjoyed the music from his family. We also had a good time talking with everyone before we came home. I am tired as can be, and like I wrote - it is off to battle we go.
"
"We're preparing for war tomorrow. We got the guns loaded and ready to fire. We are going to be working up early and headed off to the battlefield. We are tired from a long day of preparation and preparing the weapons for battle. These darn books take a while to prepare for incoming missionaries, and it is a bit stressful. This morning we went to do some service before we went to the office. I wouldn't really call it service as we sat there for about 45 minutes before we left. I did change a light bulb and get a nice little shock from that. It was pretty crazy but yeah. We worked in the office for a bit before we decided that we needed to go and eat with the APs at McDonalds for an important "business lunch." Well, we did that and there were little beggar boys that we wouldn't give any money to and then later we saw the kicking a guy for stuff - it was sad.
We came back to the office, and on the way, we stopped by to a couple of stores and picked up some more materials to make the little booklets. We also got some food for the guys coming in tomorrow. We walked back to the office where we tried to get some more work done. Brock came to the office and after a quick interview left and we found out that he couldn't baptize Лилия so that means that Lister will be doing it. We took off with Блинков to stop by to some people, but no one was home. We talked with him for a bit before we went back to the office to finish up some work. We left to Elder Hunsaker's concert after not too long and we enjoyed the music from his family. We also had a good time talking with everyone before we came home. I am tired as can be, and like I wrote - it is off to battle we go.
"
Monday, September 21, 2009
Heartattack
21 September 2005
"Yesterday was insane - I am writing today the 22nd. We did tons, and I thought I was going to lose it. I seriously ran all over the place and worried myself way too much. I had a heart attack twice almost, but in the end it all worked out and we got to bed by 11. The day started pretty calm, so that is good. We got in a good study before we ran off to the office. Once we got to the office, I ran my normal routine of doing some random things. I had to make books and help some of the people there in the office. I then had to run to the bank for 20,000 rubles for a lady. We gave the money to her and got the bus taken care for Friday - we got all the missionaries coming in and have to order them a bus. Well, we then ate some lunch before Tom came.
With Tom we had another awesome lesson as often seems to be the case. We talked about the priesthood and about its loss and restoration. We then watched a talk from President Hinckley that he gave last April. It was about the restoration, and went perfectly with our lesson. He (Tom) said that he accepted it all, but is very stubborn and has to convince himself that this is right. Meeting with him is way awesome.
That feeling didn't last long though as about 2 minutes after the meeting, I started to worry a ton about some elders gone to St. Petersburg. I completely redid my plans in about 5 minutes as they all got home super late. Well, in the end it worked out, but only thanks to Sister Фомичева talking a bus into waiting. The day continued, and I got elders through interviews and finished up things for the Friday group. I ran through disorientation with Elder Andelin before I was in orientation with the new Elders that are both from Russia and Ukraine. That was really quick and then we went up to have a really good meal with president. After the meal, I started to worry about some elders making their train as they only had 15 minutes. I guess they made it because they didn't come back. Well, the Ehlert's waited forever for a taxi to take them home, but it didn't come. By this time it was already 10 and so Blinkov helped me out, but we still had to wait 30 minutes for a taxi. We finally got out, and I came home and crashed. I was dead tired and just passed out. We will have another day like that on Friday so I guess I had better be ready. I honestly dislike such days very much, but life goes on I guess. We'll see how today goes."
"Yesterday was insane - I am writing today the 22nd. We did tons, and I thought I was going to lose it. I seriously ran all over the place and worried myself way too much. I had a heart attack twice almost, but in the end it all worked out and we got to bed by 11. The day started pretty calm, so that is good. We got in a good study before we ran off to the office. Once we got to the office, I ran my normal routine of doing some random things. I had to make books and help some of the people there in the office. I then had to run to the bank for 20,000 rubles for a lady. We gave the money to her and got the bus taken care for Friday - we got all the missionaries coming in and have to order them a bus. Well, we then ate some lunch before Tom came.
With Tom we had another awesome lesson as often seems to be the case. We talked about the priesthood and about its loss and restoration. We then watched a talk from President Hinckley that he gave last April. It was about the restoration, and went perfectly with our lesson. He (Tom) said that he accepted it all, but is very stubborn and has to convince himself that this is right. Meeting with him is way awesome.
That feeling didn't last long though as about 2 minutes after the meeting, I started to worry a ton about some elders gone to St. Petersburg. I completely redid my plans in about 5 minutes as they all got home super late. Well, in the end it worked out, but only thanks to Sister Фомичева talking a bus into waiting. The day continued, and I got elders through interviews and finished up things for the Friday group. I ran through disorientation with Elder Andelin before I was in orientation with the new Elders that are both from Russia and Ukraine. That was really quick and then we went up to have a really good meal with president. After the meal, I started to worry about some elders making their train as they only had 15 minutes. I guess they made it because they didn't come back. Well, the Ehlert's waited forever for a taxi to take them home, but it didn't come. By this time it was already 10 and so Blinkov helped me out, but we still had to wait 30 minutes for a taxi. We finally got out, and I came home and crashed. I was dead tired and just passed out. We will have another day like that on Friday so I guess I had better be ready. I honestly dislike such days very much, but life goes on I guess. We'll see how today goes."
Sunday, September 20, 2009
20 September 2005
"Today was a pretty good one although I am going to be super tired. I am really tired right now though. This morning we got up really early and we went to the vokzal to meet Сестра Дегроф. We met her and then we waited for a taxi and just waited. We got to the office and there I started to make copies for MEC. We had a good time chatting with all the missionaries that were getting ready to take off. Well, we got all that stuff taken care of for them and then we started MEC. I got a bunch of things of that I have to do. We talked about all the things that will be going on this week, and it will sure be crazy. We talked about stats that weren't too bad but could have been a lot better. We talked for awhile, but not too long. We got out and then I worked on a few things while I waited for lasagna that the APs made. It was good and we all ate together as a district with the sisters (Sister Larsen was there too with us) and it was awesome. We had plenty to eat and enjoyed ourselves. Well they all left and then we went and I worked on transfers and getting things ready for that. I really got tired at that, and we finally just took off to English. We got there plenty late but we were able to play a round of Mafia with them and then they told me that I had to give a spiritual thought. I talked about the Book of Mormon and how much it helps me. I love to read and talked about her. I love all that it gives to me. Well, we then came home and Bennett needed to pack a bit. I am going to die and sleep great tonight and then tomorrow I will be super busy. I am excited for tomorrow."
"Today was a pretty good one although I am going to be super tired. I am really tired right now though. This morning we got up really early and we went to the vokzal to meet Сестра Дегроф. We met her and then we waited for a taxi and just waited. We got to the office and there I started to make copies for MEC. We had a good time chatting with all the missionaries that were getting ready to take off. Well, we got all that stuff taken care of for them and then we started MEC. I got a bunch of things of that I have to do. We talked about all the things that will be going on this week, and it will sure be crazy. We talked about stats that weren't too bad but could have been a lot better. We talked for awhile, but not too long. We got out and then I worked on a few things while I waited for lasagna that the APs made. It was good and we all ate together as a district with the sisters (Sister Larsen was there too with us) and it was awesome. We had plenty to eat and enjoyed ourselves. Well they all left and then we went and I worked on transfers and getting things ready for that. I really got tired at that, and we finally just took off to English. We got there plenty late but we were able to play a round of Mafia with them and then they told me that I had to give a spiritual thought. I talked about the Book of Mormon and how much it helps me. I love to read and talked about her. I love all that it gives to me. Well, we then came home and Bennett needed to pack a bit. I am going to die and sleep great tonight and then tomorrow I will be super busy. I am excited for tomorrow."
Strong Spirit
30 September 2005
"What an awesome week! That is really all that I can say. We have just turned things around and I am way glad. We have started to be real missionaries and I love the feelings that I have inside from it. We started the morning out again with studying and then together studying. We then had a real planning session. We planned and we thought how we can help our investigators, and how we can better work. We set a goal to get out of the office by 6 so that will bless us a lot. We then went to the office but only for a couple hours. I just did some basic things that I needed to before we went to do service. We were back at Людмила's house and we were painting for her again. The smell wasn't near as bad this time and we had a good time just chatting with the sisters. They are both really cool and funny and I love to talk with them. Well, we painted for 3 1/2 hours and got really dirty and paint all over. We then went back to the office and grabbed a quick bite of spaghetti before we had to run off again. We went and talked to Вячеслав and that was awesome.
We talked with him about Preach My Gospel and we invited him to teach the 1st lesson with us. He said he would like to but has little time. I then felt like testifying and when I did, I felt the spirit very strongly. It was an awesome experience and something that hasn't happened a lot lately. On the way home, I thought about it, and I realized that the spirit is much more with me the last little while and I feel great. I love this feeling of being a missionary.
"
"What an awesome week! That is really all that I can say. We have just turned things around and I am way glad. We have started to be real missionaries and I love the feelings that I have inside from it. We started the morning out again with studying and then together studying. We then had a real planning session. We planned and we thought how we can help our investigators, and how we can better work. We set a goal to get out of the office by 6 so that will bless us a lot. We then went to the office but only for a couple hours. I just did some basic things that I needed to before we went to do service. We were back at Людмила's house and we were painting for her again. The smell wasn't near as bad this time and we had a good time just chatting with the sisters. They are both really cool and funny and I love to talk with them. Well, we painted for 3 1/2 hours and got really dirty and paint all over. We then went back to the office and grabbed a quick bite of spaghetti before we had to run off again. We went and talked to Вячеслав and that was awesome.
We talked with him about Preach My Gospel and we invited him to teach the 1st lesson with us. He said he would like to but has little time. I then felt like testifying and when I did, I felt the spirit very strongly. It was an awesome experience and something that hasn't happened a lot lately. On the way home, I thought about it, and I realized that the spirit is much more with me the last little while and I feel great. I love this feeling of being a missionary.
"
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