Russia Samara Mission October 2007 - 2009
Dear Elders,
Another Month. I am starting to realize time is a very strange thing. I honestly feel like I wrote one of these yesterday. Anyways, this last week for me has been quite an adventure. Our investigators got baptized! What an amazing experience, that I will never forget. It has definitely helped pull the branch here together. Our investigators have come a very long way. He had to quit smoking and drinking, which was extremely difficult for them, because they had done it all their lives. But they were finally able to stop. It is really amazing to see the change that the Gospel can have on peoples lives. So I am still in my trainer, in my first area. I don't think that I am ever going to leave, and I hope I don't. My mission president said that I am probably going to be here a while too. It is way crazy to think that it has already been 6 months. Oh, and I think I have already talked about the new law that Russia just passed, but if I haven't, I will now :]. So every 3 months i have to go and renew my Visa. It used to be every year, but they just changed it. To every three months I will have to take a train to Samara, then fly to Moscow, then immediately hop onto another train that goes into Estonia.We get to spend an entire day being tourists in Estonia while all the paper work is going through, then you do the exact same thing to come back. I just got back from my first Visa Renewal trip, and boy it was beautiful. Estonia is quite a view. It was really cool, because everyone there knows about 8 different languages, and if you only know 7 you are considered retarded. We were able to just walk around and ask people things in english, and they all knew it. It was a really neat experience. Moscow was also way different than any other place in Russia. IT IS CLEAN! hah. But I am loving it here, and every day I seem to understand the language a bit better. I am glad to hear that everyone is doing great. Keep on keeping on. Anyways, Love ya all. Stay outta trouble, have a great Month.
Elder Grant Huish
Hey everybody,
Sorry I didn't write last month. I completely forgot. I know it was probably hard for you all not to get to hear from me for so long so I will try to make this a good one to make up for last time. well as far as the missionary work up here not much is new. we still don't have really anyone to teach and we are running out of places to look. I got my first referral in over 3 months the other day though and we are probably going to check that out tonight which should be fun. the weather up here is beautiful. it has pretty much stopped raining other than a few sprinkles every few days and it has been anywhere from 55-65 degrees during the day. I am absolutely loving it, it makes it a little less boring to be walking around when there is actually a sun and not just a vast grey expanse over your head. so last week when i was doing my laundry (over in Long View Washington) a guy in the store next to the laundromat tried to run from the cops and they tazed him and there was like 15 cop cars and a fire truck and an ambulance. It was pretty crazy, they had to take the guy of in a stretcher. other than that I wish you all the very best of luck. Keep up the good work. Jesus loves you all and so do I. Elder Huish
Elder Garrett Jones
Hey everybody. I hope all is going well in whatever corner of the earth you're in. It's cool to me to think that no matter what language you're speaking or country you're in, the Gospel that you teach people is the exact same as the one I am. It's amazing how much my testimony seems to grow everyday being a servent of the Lord and seeing him answer people's prayers. Here in the Bronx the work is going very well. There seems to be so many people who are prepared by the Lord to hear our message and who want to learn why they're here. The diversity of people with whom I get to work is very cool as well. I had a very interesting contact the other day that I think typifies to a very small degree the kind of people who I get to talk to everyday here in the Bronx. We were on the 6 train heading to our area and I started talking to the guy next to me. He looked about 25, was black, had a doo-rag, some fluffy purple gloves, boots and a big brown worn-down jacket. He told me that he had tried to read the Book of Mormon a couple of times but could never really finish it. Then he said, just like this, "I was reading, and I saw the name 'Sariah' and so I put it on my neck." He then showed me a tattoo that was on the side of his neck that actually said, 'Sariah.' After that the train stopped and he got off without really letting me recover from all the confusion. People here are just different than any I'm used to, but at the same time it's so great.The next couple of weeks are going to be very busy for us as we are working with several people who have baptism dates for the coming weeks. Spanish is great and I'm loving the work. Keep working hard! Love, Garrett
Elder Gary Chambers
*Hola mis amigas! *C*mo est*n? Well that's all you get in the way of Spanish from me... Alrighty then, here's the low down. Missionary work is coming along quite dandy if I don't say so myself... we have a few more baptisms coming up these next couple of weeks... assuming i don't get transfered that is... Transfers are next week and i am not sure how i feel about it. It would be nice to get a new comp, as I've been with my Dad for 2 transfers now... but who knows what will happen. We went to eat at a members house last Sunday, and initially we were excited. Expecting a hot delicious home cooked Dominican meal as is what is usually served (beans and rice grow on you...), but instead, she brought out this pot of.... ugh i didn't even know what to call it. It wreeked of Garlic, and appeared to be a cold mush. Later I found out that it was called "Cold Mush With Too Much Garlic"... I easily figured out how it got it's name, all by myself. Anyways, that was probably the worst thing I've had to eat yet....... uugh... I almost died. Today so happens to be the Dominican Independence Day... Where they broke free from the rule of Haitti, cute huh? No wonder they hate haittians so much... I thought it was just cause they were black, but I guess not. Anyways, that's pretty much it for me here. I've come to grow closer to the teachings of Christ, and am striving to live his Gospel... It's a pretty exciting thing to know who you are, where you've come from, and what you need to do to return and live with your loving Heavenly Father. The Book of Mormon is the BoM! (pun intended) I love you guys, and hope your missions are doing great too. Take Care and always know that I LOVE YOU!Con Amor (that's Spanish for "With Love".... you're welcome) Elder Chambers
Elder Mike Kleinman
Hey everyone!Things are going great here in Argentina! It is FINALLY starting to cool off and its raining a whole lot more now. Walking up to your knees in flood water is fun... Transfers are next week and ill be moving up to senior companion teehee! We will be baptising a couple of crazy cool families in the upcoming weeks and Im really excited for them. For this last P-day we went to a gigantic dam thats just out side the city up in the mountains it was really cool, it was surround by huge cliff faces and a big lake in the center. We found a service door (that im probably sure we wren*t allowed in) that leads to the very bottom of the dam under the lake. It was super dark and really cold and it was all slimy and I felt like I was in Jeffs room again. Hah! Well, other than that not too much is new...my birthday will be in this next transfer, and I will end my teenage years, sad stuff huh? My lushious beauty from my teenhood will now slowly be fading away awww. Well, I hope all is going well with you punks and have a good...month..? *Cia*! **Les amo muchisimo!! Elder Kleinman
Elder Max Crandall
Bonjourno from the Not-So-Great-White-North! I hope everyone at home enjoyed the Super Bowl and more importantly, the Super Bowl commercials. Being the out-to-lunch missionaries that we are, Elder Dance and I planned a baptism on Super Bowl Sunday evening*about three people showed up. Elder Dance said, *A football game should not be more important than a baptism.* I replied, *Unfortunately, sometimes it is.* We really heard it from the ward members the next week. Silly us. Things are good here though. I just found out we have a really anti guy here in Mt. Vernon. He calls in for a Book of Mormon all the time, trying to trick the missionaries into coming over to his house so he and his trained anti-children can bash with us. I have never been there * thankfully. Over here in Mt. Bernon (as the Mexicanos call it) we have two wards. A couple of months ago, they formed a Spanish Group; not a branch, but a group. They have their own Sacrament meeting, Sunday School, and Priesthood/R.S., and then they meet with Mt. Vernon 2nd ward for YM/YW and Primary. Up until now there have never been any missionaries called to the Everett mission as Spanish speaking missionaries but lately I*d been hearing that President Showalter was thinking about calling some of the Elders and Sisters that are already serving here, to be Spanish speaking missionaries. Last P-day I was playing racquetball with Dance, Stevens, and Featherstone when President Showalter called. He talked to Elder Dance for a bit and then he asked to talk to me. I swore silently and answered the phone. *Elder Crandall, I am calling to see if you would be willing to learn Spanish.* I told him that I would do whatever he asked of me, but he said that it was completely my decision and the only inappropriate answer would be a dishonest answer. I asked him if I could think about it and call him back. I started to weigh out the pros and cons and there are so many more cons than pros. The more I thought about it the more I realized I wasn*t getting anywhere. I left the game, went around to the backside of the barn we were playing in and knelt down. Each time I mentioned the word Spanish, I felt calmer than I have in a long time. I ended my prayer, swore silently again, called President back and accepted the call to be a Spanish-speaking missionary. I know it*s going to be really hard, but this is what the Lord told me I need to do, so I*ll do it. Plus I know my Mom would kick my butt if I didn*t accept. On the bright side, a whole new genre of ladies will be available to me when I get back. So I*m leaving Mt. Vernon for sure and I just got word who my new companion is going to be*I think I wanna run a spoon through my ear drum. Well, I love you guys mucho and I know the church is true*even in Spanish. Love, Elder Crandall
Elder Brock Smith
Aloha My M town Peeps Howzit!> Things are carzy here on kauai Im still training my greenie and I foundout out this morning that Im going to be called as a District leader which is really crazy I dont believe I still have so much to learn about missionary work and now Im supposed to be teaching a distrcit how to do it talk about blind leading the blind but Im greatful for this oppurtunity to grow and to help other missionaries I only hope that I can live up tio this sacred trust that the Lord has given me I always try to do my best but I wonder sometimes if my best is good enough, any of you ever feel that way? Well Elder Anderson training at 6 months thats nuts the best advice I can come up with so far is be yourself and teach mainly by example actions def speak louder than words to that I can Testify it wont be esay this has been the hardest transfer besides my first ever and now I found that It will only get harder for me which is what the Lord wants right now. Other than that all is well and I look forward hearing from you guys and seeing your growth. I throughly enjoyed Elder Stokers journal entry not even one stake thats nuts and it sounds like even crazier food than im gettin over here I enjoyed your comment about becomin russian esp because it is true haha. Well I also thought that it was funny that Garret and Grant are havin a contest for shortest entry Grant def won by not puttin nutin at all. Kauai is the bomb I love servin the Lord and will continue to do to the best of my ability. Study the scriptures Alma 33 is amazing yes chapter 33 not 32 or 34 like even always uses but 33 read it awesome stuff. Well thats about it for now I love you all Iesu pu and may the force be with you always Elder B Smith
Elder Scott Ball
Ciao Ciao Everyone!This week has been crazy! Ok, so we've been trying to dedicate ourselves to finding investigators to teach, so we've been doing everything possible. We did Casa in Casa, where you go and knock on doors and teach lessons in people's houses. We did that on one building and only had one person that was interested and we taught her, but she seemed kinda hesitant. Anyways, funny thing, so they don't even open the door most of the time. They say, "Mi dispiace", which means in english literally, "This displeases me", I feel like saying sometimes, if this displeases you so much, then open the door! They have had so many Jehovah's Witness's come by that they don't want to open the door because the J-dubs (Jehovah's Witness's) put their foot in the door, so they don't open it anymore. They always think that we are J-dubs though, I hate it so much. They say that we preach the same thing as the J-dubs preach. Anyways, I was on the bus doing the this place that is up in the mountains and I met this Ecuadorian guy that said that he would be interested in our message. So we met with him and he said that this might be what he has been searching for. So we just had a appointment with him this morning and talked about the book of Mormon and how God is giving us new revelation in our time. He said that he talked to his pastor of the evalgelical church and that he said the bible is all you need to be saved. I told him that, If there was new revelation in our time, would he want to know about it. Although, he didn't understand me that well. My companion said it and he said he would try to pray about the Book of Mormon. We are begining the see investigators and our hard work is paying off. I'm just glad to be working to bring about the gospel in every tougue. We have had other appointments with less actives and are contining the work of reactiving the less-actives. I might be transfered next week, but I will find out then. It has been almost 3 months, I thought it has been longer, but I was wrong. Vi voglio bene! Anziano Ball
Elder Daniel Anderson
Hello Everyone!So I HAD MY FIRST BAPTISM!! WAHOO!! It was so cool, I got to baptize a girl named De and it was awesome. I had been practicing how to baptize her in Hmong all week and I was really nervous to have to do it because it was my first time ever. It was such a neat experience getting all dressed in white and getting to baptize someone*I can*t explain it, it was just a super neat experience. It was really weird though because it was the most contact I have had with a girl my age in like 4 months! Weird but cool. My companion/trainer/daddy got transferred to North Sac Town to train again and my new companion sucks! He is so lazy and trunky. He is going home right after this transfer. He is kind of funny, he reminds me of David Spade*his voice and everything. I can*t wait for this transfer to be over*but at the same time it*s good because it shows me what I don*t want to be like. He is teaching me a lot about missionary work though and the Hmong language. My mom found out that where I am in Stockton is the # 2 most dangerous city in the Nation but hey it*s getting better, it used to be the # 1 (for like 4 years in a row!) I was hoping that my Mom wouldn*t find out! It is a really interesting place to be in that is for sure. I meet the most crazy people in the world here and the people here are from Everywhere! This past week there has been some guy living in the church parking lot*not a bum*he is like doing some repairs on the building or something and he is a member but he looks so *inner city*. But come to find out, he went to Southern California speaking Cambodian and he married a girl from Thailand. He lived over there for like 3 years and he came to church yesterday and was talking with everyone in the Branch. He knows Lao, Thai, and Cambodian! He told me something that was so tight! He told me that George Lucas went and found all these exotic languages for the Star Wars movies instead of making up a bunch of Giberish! He said that the Jawas speak Thai and that Jabba the Hutt speaks Hmong!! Things have been really cool down here in the Branch, things are starting to pick up and we are seeing tons of blessings. Yesterday, our district had a goal for 21 investigators at church and we had about 17 just from the Hmongs! We have started teaching a Hmong class to teach people to read and write Hmong. I have to play the piano at church and I teach piano lessons every Tuesday. The first piano lesson was terrible, I had to teach like 12 teenager*s all at once! I love you all and I hope everything is going good. I love it out here! If you want a cool scripture to go through, read Moses ch. 1. It*s crazy you learn so much about our Heavenly Father and some deep doctrine and you can see how BOLD Moses is! Love, Daniel
Elder Logan Wells
Hello, I just had my 5th transfer, and I am staying in Rio Piedras. I am loving it here. There is lots of work to do, and seems there isn't enough hours to get it done. My companion is from the Dominican Republic and I am learning spanish, and he is learning english from me. I have learned mucho espano from him. I injured my knee, and had to have x-rays taken. I don't know what the outcome will be. I am trying to stay positive! This area is a biking area, and I am only walking now, and the area is so large it is hard to cover by walking. But I just keep plowing along. I love hearing everyones stories, have a great month. Peace, Logan
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