Today was a pretty full day. We had собрание округа [District Meeting] and then we went to Лариса's [Larissa's] where she jaked us. But we talked with her daughter Саша [Sasha]. We also watched the Simplsons. We waited a half an hour or so and then we left. We came home and dropped off our books and stuff and travelled to Stockman's to get milk. Well we came home and ate some potatoes and then rushed off to our D with Николай и Татяна [Nickolai & Tatyana]. We were in there [their] apartment and they have a lot of mystical stuff. They have all these pictures of people that were supposedly prophets or had some kind of power to heal people. It was strange.
But then we walked to the metro with Николай and Володия, and Володия talked to him a lot and just did cool. If I can say that. Then we stood in the metro, Ст. Schwartz, Володия and I and talked about Николай & Татяна for a while. Then we talked on the ride home about the gospel and sat outside the metro and talked about the Gospel some more. He's a stud and has such a firm grasp on the Gospel. He has such a testimony. I keep teasing him about getting married. He's under a lot of pressure at work and he said he was sorry for just taking over our discussion. Today I felt the Spirit a lot and it made me want to set goals to do better and stuff. One was to read the BOM [Book of Mormon] an hour a day. The other was to just study more and basically be a better person/missionary.
While we were talking about the Gospel, I just thought that one of the most important things I'll learn on a mission is to always go to Church. I'm very grateful that I always went to Church before my mission. Sometimes 6 hours a Sunday. We also talked about how we will go home and see things that are different in America than we saw.
Showing posts with label the Spirit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the Spirit. Show all posts
6/24/12
6/9/12
June 1997 - The Conversion Chronicle & McDonalds
Well I thought that I would add in the June 1997 edition of the Conversion Chronicle - that is the mission newspaper that comes out monthly. Unfortunately I don't have every single one - that would be awesome!!
So I thought that I would show you one. Usually different people are chosen to write (I too will have my chance later), missionaries that have been out maybe a year, or more - so they will just be hitting their stride in both the language, and in the skills as missionaries.
Plus and here is the best part. Any child of God can expect revelation pertaining to his or her sphere of influence...as missionaries we could expect revelation for ourselves, and for those Russians that we taught. If we were discrict or zone leaders, or assistants to the presidents, then our sphere of repsonsibility increased, as well as the amount or degree of revelation to help those in our sphere. As well as when we were called upon to talk in conference or write in the mission newspaper.
Thus these talks are the missionaries' form of the Ensign, or a General Conference talk. I know that when I prepared my article, I prayed and pondered on what the Lord would want me to say, and then went to work!! Even rereading now, while not a missionary any longer, I feel the spirit.
There are also a few actual bits of news - who was getting baptized, who was leaving and arriving the mission, and sometimes articles like Dr. Huish's in this one on how to avoid summer sicknesses.
Sometimes in my letters home, I would do a pictorial tour of my mission. Here is one picture that I started such a letter with...yes I am actually in this picture - you can see the back & left side of my head. I'm almost in the foreground - in a white shirt, with green lettering, and I have a black strap going over my left shoulder. Here's what I wrote on the back of the picture...
Dear Mom & Dad,
Here's you're start of the guide to Moscow. McDonald's - mmhm. Such good food. And like you can see, there are so many people there. It is always like that.
Unfortunately at this time I couldn't find other pictures in this pictorial tour-letter, so this will have to do. But all through my mission I went and ate at McDonald's. It is weird, and you may not believe me, but McDonald's chicken nuggets tasted better in russia - and the biggest reason was the sweet & sour dipping sauce. That is because the franchises in Russia come from Canada, not America and they have different sauces. I am not lying - but they are better than at home! and I'm out!
5/2/11
May 2, 1997 - Friday
Had a cool D with the Басовы (Basovwi). Today is so awesome day [what?]. First yesterday Пьер (Pierre) had his interview with President Jarvis and everything will go forward for the 11th of May. That is so awesome. It was [a] pretty busy day for us yesterday. We went signboarding in the park and I didn't like it as much. Then we dropped off a degree of specifications by Брат Локшин [Brother Lokshin]. When we got home I called Ири Магалевский [Yuri Magalevski - I'm not too sure about the last name] because we had a book he wanted called Наше Наследия, Our Heritage. Well he invited us over right then to give it to him. Well we went over and talked to him until 10:30pm - then went to bed.
Well today I was on splits with Ст. Shwartz. He's a pretty funny guy. We went signboarding and then we had a huge lunch. Tacos. It was 2 hours though. Then we went signboarding again down on the metro by Юго-запедная [Yugo-Zapednaya or South-West] and I talked to two really cool people. One walked around after we talked and read the BOM [Book of Mormon]. Okay, then we left there and went to Алла's [Alla's]. It was so rad. The Spirit was really strong and I thought I spoke really good. It was because the Spirit was there so strong. She opened with prayer and I could just immediately feel the Spirit. We read the D's but she was really patient and she kept trying to feed us soup or to warm up our чай - which might have been real. We committed her to baptism. So we scheduled her to be baptized on the 9th of June. Then we came home and I called Евгений [Yevgenii] for tomorrow. Well it's late so we'll go to bed.
Well today I was on splits with Ст. Shwartz. He's a pretty funny guy. We went signboarding and then we had a huge lunch. Tacos. It was 2 hours though. Then we went signboarding again down on the metro by Юго-запедная [Yugo-Zapednaya or South-West] and I talked to two really cool people. One walked around after we talked and read the BOM [Book of Mormon]. Okay, then we left there and went to Алла's [Alla's]. It was so rad. The Spirit was really strong and I thought I spoke really good. It was because the Spirit was there so strong. She opened with prayer and I could just immediately feel the Spirit. We read the D's but she was really patient and she kept trying to feed us soup or to warm up our чай - which might have been real. We committed her to baptism. So we scheduled her to be baptized on the 9th of June. Then we came home and I called Евгений [Yevgenii] for tomorrow. Well it's late so we'll go to bed.
3/1/11
March 1, 1997 - Saturday
A new month has dawn[ed]. At interviews with [Pres] Jarvis it went good. He said that my last few letters sounded a little down about my problem. He said not to worry about it. That I was a great missionary and that I just needed to improve, not to be perfect. He also added a little bit of psychology into the interview. He said that if I got up every morning and exercise. I would have more energy overall and I would wake up and I would expend energy and be tireder [is that a word?] at night.
Then here's the psychological part. He said to put my hands above my head, maybe do some hand touches while jogging. Raising your hands above your head does something for you he said. Raising your hands is the international symbol of a winner.
I also took the #7 lesson test and passed it [I do not even remotely remember any tests. I assume that I had already taken the #1 - #6 tests, but no mention is made about them before this. I wonder what it was]
Friday we went over to Перь's [Pierre's]. He was pretty sick and we asked him if we could give him a blessing. So Ст. Woolverton sealed my anointing. He blessed him health but also help with his many problems. Then we left because the spirit told Ст. W. that he [Pierre] was too sick even to listen.
well later
Then here's the psychological part. He said to put my hands above my head, maybe do some hand touches while jogging. Raising your hands above your head does something for you he said. Raising your hands is the international symbol of a winner.
I also took the #7 lesson test and passed it [I do not even remotely remember any tests. I assume that I had already taken the #1 - #6 tests, but no mention is made about them before this. I wonder what it was]
Friday we went over to Перь's [Pierre's]. He was pretty sick and we asked him if we could give him a blessing. So Ст. Woolverton sealed my anointing. He blessed him health but also help with his many problems. Then we left because the spirit told Ст. W. that he [Pierre] was too sick even to listen.
well later
10/24/10
October 24, 1996 - Thursday
Well tonight has been rather peculiar. One of the Elders in one of the new districts is having a hard time so Ст. Kindred came in here and dressed really fast and then we had a group hug and I told them that I know God loves them. Ст. Kindred was crying and wanted the Spirit so bad. He is so humble. He has the longest prayers I have ever heard.
[I don't think that I explained earlier, but Ст. Kindred was now an AP in our building/ward - so he would take the newbies on a tour every Wed. and visit the other districts etc. to see how everyone was doing. Whenever there was a problem - he was the go-to guy.]
Ст. Parks and I talked quite a bit tonight. I felt a little like I am being left out of the companionship but I didn't know exactly why or what they could do. I feel weird tonight. I bore my testimony to one of the Portugal Elders. They are two or three weeks old - the English speaking a week or two old.
Well it's about 5 after 11 so I'd better get to bed. I'd better pray good tonight to feel better. That always helps.
[Post jounal chat - I've noticed for the past 3 entries that the way I write in English is getting confused and different. I see little bits of Russian grammar sneaking in to my English. Interesting huh?]
[I don't think that I explained earlier, but Ст. Kindred was now an AP in our building/ward - so he would take the newbies on a tour every Wed. and visit the other districts etc. to see how everyone was doing. Whenever there was a problem - he was the go-to guy.]
Ст. Parks and I talked quite a bit tonight. I felt a little like I am being left out of the companionship but I didn't know exactly why or what they could do. I feel weird tonight. I bore my testimony to one of the Portugal Elders. They are two or three weeks old - the English speaking a week or two old.
Well it's about 5 after 11 so I'd better get to bed. I'd better pray good tonight to feel better. That always helps.
[Post jounal chat - I've noticed for the past 3 entries that the way I write in English is getting confused and different. I see little bits of Russian grammar sneaking in to my English. Interesting huh?]
10/21/10
October 21, 1996 - Monday
It's morning wow. I've started taking my showers at night but then I don't think I need to get up earlier than six so it usually like 6:30 or so before I start my BOM read. So I have to continue getting up at 5:45 AM. But I switched around in bed so that the light from under the door won't keep me up.
Now it's after lunch. In my interview we talked about how to love everybody. I am just getting negative thoughts about everybody and negative feelings. I fasted yesterday and I felt good throughout the day except a little after dinner when I broke my fast. Maybe it was because I wasn't fasting very much. Is the only way I am going to feel good is by starving myself? At least I'd look better.
Yesterday I wrote little notes for everyone and now I have to write them so that someone else can read it. I wonder if there is something in my past that I haven't repented of. I'm sure there isn't because I would know. The Spirit would tell me.
Yesterday we had a talk and the guy had several good suggestions. One was to compliment people more often. It worked. I just complimented Ст. Parks & I feel better. Bye for now - bye
[Okay embarrassing part again. It seems that I had a little crush on Sister Heaton]
Okay after class, end of night, I feel great again. It's awesome here. I think Sis Heaton just brings the spirit out in us, especially me. I testified on the way home from class and I feel radical [that means cool to all you youngins]. Just glowing. Plus I gave my letters to Sis. Heaton so she could write them up & send them to us. Well it's time to go to bed. I'll probably write a short something after praying. night.
In my prayers I just talked about this love to me & I hope I can show others His love & my love & how important His love was to me. night
Now it's after lunch. In my interview we talked about how to love everybody. I am just getting negative thoughts about everybody and negative feelings. I fasted yesterday and I felt good throughout the day except a little after dinner when I broke my fast. Maybe it was because I wasn't fasting very much. Is the only way I am going to feel good is by starving myself? At least I'd look better.
Yesterday I wrote little notes for everyone and now I have to write them so that someone else can read it. I wonder if there is something in my past that I haven't repented of. I'm sure there isn't because I would know. The Spirit would tell me.
Yesterday we had a talk and the guy had several good suggestions. One was to compliment people more often. It worked. I just complimented Ст. Parks & I feel better. Bye for now - bye
[Okay embarrassing part again. It seems that I had a little crush on Sister Heaton]
Okay after class, end of night, I feel great again. It's awesome here. I think Sis Heaton just brings the spirit out in us, especially me. I testified on the way home from class and I feel radical [that means cool to all you youngins]. Just glowing. Plus I gave my letters to Sis. Heaton so she could write them up & send them to us. Well it's time to go to bed. I'll probably write a short something after praying. night.
In my prayers I just talked about this love to me & I hope I can show others His love & my love & how important His love was to me. night
10/20/10
October 20, 1996 - Sunday
As I prayed today I felt really good. I really haven't had that burning or anything, but all of the day [what?] I have felt extra spiritual and I think all the talks were for me. They all were pointed at what I was working on. good night
10/6/10
September 30, 1996 - Monday
Well I'm finally getting over my cold...sort of. I have a headache today but it will go away. And my throat doesn't hurt as bad. I tried to write last night but I ran out of time. I know my mind should be centered on my mission. But I keep thinking about other things. Like will Tammy [Krajnik] or Melissa [Gonzales] or Michelle [Merithew] ever write me? It seems like they won't. Just my luck huh? Oh well - I also keep thinking about writing Sarah and sending her a Book of Mormon with my testimony. I should have not just forgotten her before I left. I wish I would've known how to share and invite her to do this before I left. Then I would have known how to share my feelings with her...to at least give her the chance to feel the love I have felt. Well I guess I had better go. I'll write how my day went later.
Today we went to go and play sand volleyball. Много Хороши [the 1st word - Mnoga - means a lot of - I was trying to say very good, but a lot of good doesn't really make sense. What I should have said was Очен Хорошо - or very good] Actually I didn't play.
Today in our evening class we share how to give positive feedback and how to not criticize. Last Sunday we had a companionship inventory and I told Elder Parks that I didn't like it when he corrected every little thing that I do. So today I apologized. It's really hard though. It makes me so mad and I don't want to even know how to speak the language. It makes me so I don't want to speak it at all. But I got over it Saturday. So I just keep telling myself that I need more patience.
I'll let it go another week and then I will bring it up. Because I could have a complete reversal in a week or two. So if it is taking the Spirit away from me, then I will bring it up. I also need to work on pride. But tonight we talked about Faith. It was awesome and then we talked about this and then Elder Parks gave the first discussion and he asked me a question and when I answered - he immediately built on common beliefs and testified at the same time about resurrection. Boom I felt the Spirit so strong. And then we talked about it. I've felt the Spirit so strong today. But I've also felt so discouraged because of the way I've felt about Elder Parks.
So that is something that I definitely have to work on. I'm very thankful though that my Heavenly Father has blessed me with the Spirit today. I hope I can have it with me in the night and tomorrow.
Today we went to go and play sand volleyball. Много Хороши [the 1st word - Mnoga - means a lot of - I was trying to say very good, but a lot of good doesn't really make sense. What I should have said was Очен Хорошо - or very good] Actually I didn't play.
Today in our evening class we share how to give positive feedback and how to not criticize. Last Sunday we had a companionship inventory and I told Elder Parks that I didn't like it when he corrected every little thing that I do. So today I apologized. It's really hard though. It makes me so mad and I don't want to even know how to speak the language. It makes me so I don't want to speak it at all. But I got over it Saturday. So I just keep telling myself that I need more patience.
I'll let it go another week and then I will bring it up. Because I could have a complete reversal in a week or two. So if it is taking the Spirit away from me, then I will bring it up. I also need to work on pride. But tonight we talked about Faith. It was awesome and then we talked about this and then Elder Parks gave the first discussion and he asked me a question and when I answered - he immediately built on common beliefs and testified at the same time about resurrection. Boom I felt the Spirit so strong. And then we talked about it. I've felt the Spirit so strong today. But I've also felt so discouraged because of the way I've felt about Elder Parks.
So that is something that I definitely have to work on. I'm very thankful though that my Heavenly Father has blessed me with the Spirit today. I hope I can have it with me in the night and tomorrow.
9/28/10
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.
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.
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