Good day

17 November 2005
"Today was a sweet day. We were all over the place. We started out the day running to 3 meetings and stopping by home to get a bite to eat. We were ate a members house this morning and that was good. He is an interesting guy - Анатолий Смолькин - and he got baptized about 2 years ago. He is a good guy, and he wants to do home teaching.

We then met with an investigator - Гарик - who wants to read the Book of Mormon and know of its truthfulness. We are way happy, and he is a great guy. We had Максим there, and that was cool. We grabbed a bite of chili before we went to a meeting with another investigator Диама. He knows a lot about the church, but is kind of lost in the learning and not looking to the spirit. I felt the spirit guiding me a ton while we taught him, and that was way nice.

We then had to pay for the phone and later, send off a film for a referral that we had received. That was interesting to be in the Почта and we stood there for an hour. It was sure insane. We contacted for a bit after that, but it was way too dark. We came home and I got ready for my lesson and got all my things gathered before I taught the lesson about Mark 4. That was cool, and that was very helpful. We finished the night with молодежный вечер and playing. It was cool. We grabbed a Subway for our dining pleasure and then came home."

Baptism

24 August 2005
It was a cool day today. We got in a full day of study this morning. We had a lot of fun getting ready for our lesson today, and so that was nice. Well, we went to the office and we started our day. We got some office work done and then we got to eating. We had the soup that we made on Sunday and it was good but sure didn't fill me up. Well, we had a really good meeting with Tom that went awesome. He understood, accepted, and asked a lot of good question. We taught about baptism and he agrees with it all. He seems to think that there is something that is going to scare him because he doesn't understand the reason people are so against us. We don't know how to explain it to him but we know he will get an answer. Well, after the meeting, I tried to work a bit but I couldn't really as брат Блинков talked my head off. We got out about 4 and went to the baptism for Лиза - the daughter of Ксения. There was a ton of people there and we had a ton of non-members there. Олег - a less-active member - brought his g/f and we want to work with her. We had a good time there, but the thing wasn't planned well at all. They didn't know who was doing what, but at least she got baptized. I stood in when she got the gift of the Holy Ghost so that was cool. It's crazy how unplanned things were and how well it went. They didn't even know who was conducting until the meeting started. We left and came home - we actually went to the office where I ate and then we came home. Now I have to do a few things and then we'll be heading to bed. Maybe then I'll be able to think a little clearer.

Read to Know

11 October 2004
"We had another super long district meeting, but then we got to go on a couple visits. Лариса was the first one, and that was good. She is doing very well, The second one was with Ольга and that was interesting. She says she wants to find out if the church is true, but she is not reading the BofM. We told here that we have to read in order to know. It was interesting!

In district meeting we talked about the HG. It's crazy how we feel it so often, and often don't realize. Also, the different ways I feel it too is crazy. I know the the HG does and is helping me, and this awesome to know. It makes things much easier!"

Americans

10 October 2004
"Well, today was amazing. We had sacrament and the 4 of us did everything. I talked about service in the church and about the importance of service in the church. After church we went to the other elders house before going to Норья. What an awesome experience we had there! There are like 13 people - students that is - here from Logan high. They were there at the meeting. Zan - there teacher and leader was also there.

Алексей и Ольга received the Holy Ghost, and that was absolutely awesome. The spirit was strong, and many tears were shed. We then had a testimony meeting in Russian and in English. The spirit was awesome! I remembered how I felt 2 months ago when I came to Russia. The total shock of what love these people have! It is so awesome! There is no question - the gospel is true! What an amazing thing it is that the Lord is helping the Russian people to find truth through youth from America - from Logan that is!

Oh yeah, it was nice to see some American faces here in Russia! I was in the circle and participated in the giving of the HG when Elder Watts gave it - what an awesome experience!"