June 15, 1997 Sunday (about Fri really)

I forgot to tell about Friday [June 13, 1997]. We went signboarding after lunch in a park on Царицино [Tsaritsina]. It's really pretty and it reminds me of the pictures of Joseph Smith's First Prayer. Well as we were signboarding, these Jehovah's Witnesses came up and talked to Shwartz. I took over because I just wanted to have fun, so I talked to them for a while and I just bore testimony in the name of Jesus Christ.


The only good contact I had was a lady named Олга [Olga]. She said she might come to church but she didn't have a phone. I didn't get her address either, so if she doesn't come then...well it really sucks. Well it's time to go to Church, bye.

May 19, 1997 - Monday

Well we went over to a slightly inactive family.  Actually she is the lady who cleans our clothes [Сестра Ягадкина - Sister Yagadkina (which translates to berry)].  Well I'm back from English Class.  We gave a 1st D in English after English Class.  It was to these two people, Александр и [Alexander ?]  Some lady.  Well we gave them Book of Mormons and I told them that I would write down some words in English & Russian, like faith love etc.  It was really cool. 

In the D she said I didn't know the Book of Mormon was true.  It was cool because I remember a story about two missionaries tracting and they talked with a guy on the door, well he said the same thing.  You can't tell me or know that Joseph Smith was a prophet - he slammed the door and they left.  Well the greenie thought about it and said they didn't answer the guy.  They went back and the greenie bore his testimony to that man which ended in a baptism.  Well that story flashed through my mind and I testified to her.  That I did know that the Book of Mormon was true - through the Holy Ghost.  It felt really good.  Well it's time for bed.  Nighty night.

October 23, 1996 - Wednesday

Today we taught discussions with the other class on splits.  I thought it went really well.  I'm very thankful for my teachers.  Every day I'm impressed at how well they have taught us.  Also I'm thankful for the gifts my Heavenly Father has given me.  I actually can't memorize very well but I've noticed and it's been commented on that I have pretty good pronunciation.  I hope that it doesn't sound boastful.  But sometimes I look at the other missionaries and they are up there & it is hard not to compare - so I am thankful for that. 

Time to go to bed.  I can't wait for tomorrow because it is my turn to bear testimony on the way home from last class.  I love the Lord with all my heart and I am so thankful that he is helping me with pride.  I need the help big time.  Please know that I love being here and I know I am suppose to be here.  May the Lord bless everyone with love.

September 20, 1996 - Friday

Wow what a difference a good night's sleep and a preperation day make.  I sat in the bathroom and read 1 Nephi 1:1 about good parents.  I tried to write in my other journal [my journal for scripture study] about how bad my parents were.  Or the fact I could've been raised better.  But it was a lie and the spirit told me so.  It led me to write that I was here and I wouldnt've [is that even a word] been here with any other parents.  I've been put into a family that was right for me.  The Lord knows me and what I needed to have to stay active in His Church.  And the fact that I've been striving to follow my Savior for thousands of years before this one.  So why give up now.

 I really needed that testimony that I was suppose to be here.  Not only that but the fact that it brought the Spirit into my heart.  I bore my testimony/shared the experience with Elder Parks and then the Spirit told me to share with Elder Kindred the spirit that he brings.  The example that he is as a District Leader to me.  He prays so long at night.  It really makes me strive to be more humble, more communicative to my Heavenly Father.  Elder Kindred said he was glad that I waited to go on [my mission - when he was on] his mission.  I am glad I'm here.  In the name of Jesus Christ amen.  в имя Иисуса Христа - Амин. 

September 14, 1996 - Saturday

Well today was kind of long.  We sat through all the classes.  I didn't have very bad gas, but I did a little in the evening.  My Phazyme is running out.  I have to write my parents and have them send me more.  I learned that you are not suppose to write home on any day but our P-Day.  Our teacher said we could write this Sunday so I am going to. 

Tomorrow we start SYLing [Speak Your Language].  We have to speak in our language all the time whatever we know.  Then we have to ask persmission to speak in English as a last resort. 

Tonight I am going to pray and ask Heavenly Father if Joseph Smith is a true prophet.  I have before, but not really spiritually.  I've always believed he was, but I need to know so that I can share that knowledge with other people.  I love him for the Book of Mormon and his words in the "Teachings of Jospeh Smith" are so powerful and inspiring.  So I need to have my testimony of Joseph Smith strengthened tonight.  I'll tell you how it went.  walt