I am coming quite fast to the 6 month mark, every Conference is a fourth of my mission, its pretty cool. Even though I will watch Conference in Russian and not probably understand it, I am excited to hear the word of the Lord. There was a story in this months Liahona, about Conference, there was one man talking to his neighbor about conference, and the neighbor said, "To get this straight, you have prophets and apostles who speak the word of God twice a year?" The member exclaimed, "Exactly!" very excited that his neighbor was understanding, but the next question brought him grief and shocked him. The neighbor asked, "Well what did they say last Conference?" The member was devastated, because he could not remember a single talk, he expressed his lack of memory to his neighbor, and the neighbor said, "So you're telling me that, you have the word of God preached directly for our time, and you can't remember what He said?" It is very important that we listen to conference, and right down personal revelation. Any impressions we need to write it down, that is very important, to WRITE them down. Without writing them, we will forget through a time.
Some cool things I have learned/experienced this week, that Russians have a single word for, "gathering mushrooms in the forest with the family", my companion asked if we do this in America, and I said, "Yeah! Just in the store." Then of course, I heard for the umpteenth time, how America, in short, is the worst country in the World. My companion really likes to express this to me, about every day. What is funny, is that he wants to live and study there. He will see that's it is not all that bad. I asked him where he got all his opinions about America, he said the News. Then I understood. Russians will eat Sour Cream plain, straight out of the tub. It's funny to watch, they will use a tub of Sour Cream for one bowl of Borsh, very interesting.
Two Sundays ago, we had the chance to go to mother of a missionary from Pskov, she drinks all the time, it was a very humbling experience, because that mother said, that she prays everyday that her daughter will call her. She doesn't fully understand, the whole mission thing. How lucky I am to have a family that understand why I am on the mission, why I am doing what I am doing, and why I can't talk to them everyday. I am so thankful for growing up in this church.
We served, more like worked for, a less active member a couple of days ago. I was quite annoyed with her, all she wanted was free man labor, still doesn't come to church, the service didn't do anything. We didn't finish everything that she wanted, but we said we can't serve anymore, she has the money for it, she has her sons who can do it. Sometimes, I don't get why people will so easily use other people, why can't people be good?! Why does Satan have such a hold on their hearts? I kinda feel like Nephi, when for the countless time, his brothers rebelled and murmured and denied everything they knew, they denied God, denied Jesus, denied that they saw an angel, how can a person can do that, I don't understand. It's hard for me to understand, why people deny the teachings of Christ, my heart breaks about every time, a person hears that we are Missionaries of the Church of JESUS CHRIST, they just walk away and say not needed as soon as they hear the name Jesus. I know every person has the light of Christ in them, sometimes it's really hard to find it, and light a fire underneath it, I hope through time I can be more effective tool for God. There is a verse in Mosiah, where Alma wishes he were an angel, I wish that sometimes. Then people would listen, but that is not so. People need to make the choice for themselves, that is the plan, the plan is for us to work all our days. I like this plan, I am like God having the choice of good or evil. I will always choose good.
We had a miracle this week, we had a less-less-less active member who suddenly decided to change and wanted to come back to the church, I saw twice last transfer and the difference in her countenance from then to now, is astonishing. She has to been to every meeting since last Thursday, and bore her testimony last Sunday, it was such a spirit-filled testimony. I am excited to see the change. She also gave us a couple referrals. It was awesome.
I have not bought my coat yet, in fact it's about 15-20 degrees here, Celsius that is. Which is about 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit. Me and my companion are the only ones in Pskov who are still using Short-sleeved shirts. It's quite funny, I don't understand how people can wear coats right now.
Oh and about Taelor, uh, could you tell her to email me, I don't have her email address, and I try to remember it, but I am not sure it's right. Thanks.
Well that's all for this week, until next time. (Transfers are next week so I might be somewhere else. I kind of hope for that and I kind of don't, we will see...)
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Love Always,
Elder Ky Davis
Стареишйна дэйвис
