All is well,
For almost a month the old women of Russia have been wearing scarves, fur hats, and big long coats. And now the weather is finally fitting for such attire. Russia has officially frozen over. Winter came in a hurry. Last Sunday was warm, as well as Monday. Warm enough that we didn’t even need our overcoats. My companion and I were just in suits and that was enough. But within three days we had a layer of snow covering everything. And the following day a layer of ice. And temperatures always under the 20’s.
Literally every little boy and girl is waddling around in large puffy, fur lined coats. And even their parents are all bundled up. Everyone has gloves, scarves and hats. The sidewalks are all covered thick in ice. It is slick everywhere. Even the streets have a good amount of ice. It looks like the middle of February – and yet we have only just begun winter. Apparently it gets so cold here in Russia that they do not even bother putting down salt to melt the sidewalks. Salt will only melt ice at certain temperatures. And it gets too cold here for it to take any effect.
Snow is one thing. In fact I like snow. Ice is another. But I can live with ice. However, wind, is yet another thing. And its something that I think is going to take some getting used to. During the summer and fall months the wind was nice. A cool breeze to always weep away the heat. Now the wind comes bristling through the town and does just the same thing – starves and sweeps away any last bit of heat. It is freezing!
Yet regardless of the weather, the work goes on. And it goes well. We had a very successful week. Had more meetings that I’ve had on any other week in my whole mission. And every meeting was good, with purpose and benefit. We helped a lot of people. We are trying to get the members of the Church here to take a more active roll in the branch. And its working.
This week was the first Sunday that we’ve had some good solid help from the members. Members gave talks for Sacrament meeting. They taught the lessons during second and third hours. And one of the members, Andre, even blessed the sacrament. Just to put things into perspective, last week was general conference, so of course my companion and I did everything to get that prepared and what not. But the week before:
My companion and I did the weekly cleaning of the Church building
Came early to set up the chairs, set up the Sacrament, etc.
I led the music
Then I said the opening prayer
He (my companion) did the announcements, etc.
I led the sacrament music
He blessed the bread
I passed the bread
He blessed the water
I passed the water
I gave a talk
He gave a talk
And a member gave the closing prayer.
Then I gave another prayer for Sunday school
Then we cleaned up after the meeting
Did all the financial work (tithing, etc.)
And we called it a day.
As you can see, we do a lot here in Revda. But we like it. It is good service. And we find joy therein. But we want the members to become self sufficient, strong members of the church. The main goal Elder Yazvinsky and I have here in Revda is the grow the branch. That means gathering new members, and helping the members that we have become all they can be. Step by step we are doing that. And progress is being made. We have high hopes and expectations for the people here. But we need God’s help if we are to accomplish all we have set out for.
Remember that God is always near. He is there to help with your problems. No matter how big or small. No matter what your burden is right now, he can help. He knows how you feel. And he wants to help. All you need to do is do your part, then reach for him. And he will reach back.
For almost a month the old women of Russia have been wearing scarves, fur hats, and big long coats. And now the weather is finally fitting for such attire. Russia has officially frozen over. Winter came in a hurry. Last Sunday was warm, as well as Monday. Warm enough that we didn’t even need our overcoats. My companion and I were just in suits and that was enough. But within three days we had a layer of snow covering everything. And the following day a layer of ice. And temperatures always under the 20’s.
Literally every little boy and girl is waddling around in large puffy, fur lined coats. And even their parents are all bundled up. Everyone has gloves, scarves and hats. The sidewalks are all covered thick in ice. It is slick everywhere. Even the streets have a good amount of ice. It looks like the middle of February – and yet we have only just begun winter. Apparently it gets so cold here in Russia that they do not even bother putting down salt to melt the sidewalks. Salt will only melt ice at certain temperatures. And it gets too cold here for it to take any effect.
Snow is one thing. In fact I like snow. Ice is another. But I can live with ice. However, wind, is yet another thing. And its something that I think is going to take some getting used to. During the summer and fall months the wind was nice. A cool breeze to always weep away the heat. Now the wind comes bristling through the town and does just the same thing – starves and sweeps away any last bit of heat. It is freezing!
Yet regardless of the weather, the work goes on. And it goes well. We had a very successful week. Had more meetings that I’ve had on any other week in my whole mission. And every meeting was good, with purpose and benefit. We helped a lot of people. We are trying to get the members of the Church here to take a more active roll in the branch. And its working.
This week was the first Sunday that we’ve had some good solid help from the members. Members gave talks for Sacrament meeting. They taught the lessons during second and third hours. And one of the members, Andre, even blessed the sacrament. Just to put things into perspective, last week was general conference, so of course my companion and I did everything to get that prepared and what not. But the week before:
My companion and I did the weekly cleaning of the Church building
Came early to set up the chairs, set up the Sacrament, etc.
I led the music
Then I said the opening prayer
He (my companion) did the announcements, etc.
I led the sacrament music
He blessed the bread
I passed the bread
He blessed the water
I passed the water
I gave a talk
He gave a talk
And a member gave the closing prayer.
Then I gave another prayer for Sunday school
Then we cleaned up after the meeting
Did all the financial work (tithing, etc.)
And we called it a day.
As you can see, we do a lot here in Revda. But we like it. It is good service. And we find joy therein. But we want the members to become self sufficient, strong members of the church. The main goal Elder Yazvinsky and I have here in Revda is the grow the branch. That means gathering new members, and helping the members that we have become all they can be. Step by step we are doing that. And progress is being made. We have high hopes and expectations for the people here. But we need God’s help if we are to accomplish all we have set out for.
Remember that God is always near. He is there to help with your problems. No matter how big or small. No matter what your burden is right now, he can help. He knows how you feel. And he wants to help. All you need to do is do your part, then reach for him. And he will reach back.
Elder Wilson
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