Life in Russia is different than it is in America. The feeling is different. They people are different. It's an entirely different way of life. The culture is far from ours. We are on the other side of the world. But mostly, its the same. We have the same blue sky overhead. We have the same beautiful trees here than we have in America. We have the same endless fields of grain. We all are supported by the same golden sun. Stare up at the same starry sky. The one majoy difference between America and Russia is hope.
America bounds with hope. People expect more out of life. They want more. And they know they can have it. So they try. They make the best out of what they have. I've talked to so many people in Russia who think that life is so much better in America. And to be honest, it is better. But the only reason why is because we have hope.
Particuarly in Utah we have great hope. We have hope not only for temporal life, but spiritual. And that is something that many Russians have not really felt. They do not know the half of the joy that their lives could be filled with. But that is why we are here. We are here to bring them the Gospel -- the divine truth about everything -- why we are here, where we are going. That a perfect being came to Earth and died for us in perfect love. On Christ Jesus we hope. It is his message we share.
The work here in Kurgan is about to take a large jump. I've made a number of arangements to get things fixed here. We are not here to be humanitarian support for the church members. We are here to bring others unto Christ. The Relief Society President will now have a key and be in charge of opening the building for the sisters activity. We are going to be dropping the friday weekly cleaning. Cutting back to a pic-nic at least only every other week -- and we will be attending for much less time when they are held.
I spent the last weekend with Elder Shreeve, one of the Assistants to the President. My companion has been off in Finland getting a new Visa, so I've had the opportunity to learn from one of the greatest Missionaries in the field. Elder Shreeve and I had 5 meetings one of the days he was here. We did so much real good for these people. We were constantly doing missionary work.
I took some time to sit down with him and talk about why the large difference in success between the time when he was with me and the normal with Elder Smith. And we came to several conclusions. There have just been too many things which have been holding the work back. And now that those things are being reduced. The other problem is Elder Smith himself.
He is a great guy. Elder Smith is fun, he's got a good heart. He's just been somewhat depressed lately I believe. Things started off good and strong between us. We had a great companionship. But I believe that as he started slacking off, and I started pulling forwards to do the work, a slight unspoken tension has built. I've been mostly sublte in my suggesting that we do better. Everytime that I've come out with him and openly said that we need to work harder and we need to be doing more missionary work it seems to just knock him lower. So i've gone somewhat silent about problems and I think he's taken it as I'm judging him. Which is equally crushing to a relationship.
I counciled with Elder Shreeve alot about things I can do to get our companionship up and rolling and I hoping to have some good success this next week. So far we have not had a single solid planning session between Elder Smith and myself. We rarely hold companionship study. He usually falls asleep during personal study. And we've had maybe four language studies. I've wanted to have things otherwise, but my pulling and pushing just adds a strain to the companionship. It seems to do more harm then good.
This week I'm going to be persistant. I'm going to do all I can to get what needs to be done done, what needs to be changed changed. But I'm going to do it in the spirit of love -- obvious love. I loved Elder Smith before. But I'm not sure if he knew it.
I think that is a problem that we as humans seem to have in all relationships. We come to love one another, but all to often that love is not visible. We want to help one another become better, but the spirit of love is not present in that desire. Everyone needs love. Everyone needs support and encouragement. Even missionaries. Even our children. Even our parents. Even our leaders in the church. This week I'm going to make an effort to praise the good he does. Minimize the mistakes he makes. And love him.
Kurgan is an incredible place. These people are incredible. They deserve better. Elder Smith is a great person. He deservers better. This week I'm going to do all I can to give them all I can.
Elder Wilson
America bounds with hope. People expect more out of life. They want more. And they know they can have it. So they try. They make the best out of what they have. I've talked to so many people in Russia who think that life is so much better in America. And to be honest, it is better. But the only reason why is because we have hope.
Particuarly in Utah we have great hope. We have hope not only for temporal life, but spiritual. And that is something that many Russians have not really felt. They do not know the half of the joy that their lives could be filled with. But that is why we are here. We are here to bring them the Gospel -- the divine truth about everything -- why we are here, where we are going. That a perfect being came to Earth and died for us in perfect love. On Christ Jesus we hope. It is his message we share.
The work here in Kurgan is about to take a large jump. I've made a number of arangements to get things fixed here. We are not here to be humanitarian support for the church members. We are here to bring others unto Christ. The Relief Society President will now have a key and be in charge of opening the building for the sisters activity. We are going to be dropping the friday weekly cleaning. Cutting back to a pic-nic at least only every other week -- and we will be attending for much less time when they are held.
I spent the last weekend with Elder Shreeve, one of the Assistants to the President. My companion has been off in Finland getting a new Visa, so I've had the opportunity to learn from one of the greatest Missionaries in the field. Elder Shreeve and I had 5 meetings one of the days he was here. We did so much real good for these people. We were constantly doing missionary work.
I took some time to sit down with him and talk about why the large difference in success between the time when he was with me and the normal with Elder Smith. And we came to several conclusions. There have just been too many things which have been holding the work back. And now that those things are being reduced. The other problem is Elder Smith himself.
He is a great guy. Elder Smith is fun, he's got a good heart. He's just been somewhat depressed lately I believe. Things started off good and strong between us. We had a great companionship. But I believe that as he started slacking off, and I started pulling forwards to do the work, a slight unspoken tension has built. I've been mostly sublte in my suggesting that we do better. Everytime that I've come out with him and openly said that we need to work harder and we need to be doing more missionary work it seems to just knock him lower. So i've gone somewhat silent about problems and I think he's taken it as I'm judging him. Which is equally crushing to a relationship.
I counciled with Elder Shreeve alot about things I can do to get our companionship up and rolling and I hoping to have some good success this next week. So far we have not had a single solid planning session between Elder Smith and myself. We rarely hold companionship study. He usually falls asleep during personal study. And we've had maybe four language studies. I've wanted to have things otherwise, but my pulling and pushing just adds a strain to the companionship. It seems to do more harm then good.
This week I'm going to be persistant. I'm going to do all I can to get what needs to be done done, what needs to be changed changed. But I'm going to do it in the spirit of love -- obvious love. I loved Elder Smith before. But I'm not sure if he knew it.
I think that is a problem that we as humans seem to have in all relationships. We come to love one another, but all to often that love is not visible. We want to help one another become better, but the spirit of love is not present in that desire. Everyone needs love. Everyone needs support and encouragement. Even missionaries. Even our children. Even our parents. Even our leaders in the church. This week I'm going to make an effort to praise the good he does. Minimize the mistakes he makes. And love him.
Kurgan is an incredible place. These people are incredible. They deserve better. Elder Smith is a great person. He deservers better. This week I'm going to do all I can to give them all I can.
Elder Wilson
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