Transfer

All is well,
The Old Testament often refers to us using phrases such as “wayfaring traveler, sojourners, strangers in a foreign land.” How true that rings. Often times we do feel like strangers in a foreign land – away from our heavenly home. Where we lived in the presence of an all knowing being. Living a mortal life where we can’t see the end from the beginning. We don’t always know why things happen as they do. The unexpected is always an element in our day to day experience of mortality.
Yet how blessed we are to have the chance, here in the Church of God, to become acquainted with God. Life is filled with uncertainty. But that doesn’t mean that we have to live in uncertainty. We can’t know it all, but we can know that God knows it all. We live outside of the physical presence of an all knowing being, but that doesn’t mean that we have to live alone spiritually as well. When we know that God lives, loves us, and has a plan for everyone of us, the unexpected events and turns of life change from obstacles and fears to simply being part of a greater journey. For we know we are safe in his hands.
I’m being transferred again. It feels like I just arrived here in Revda. And in reality, I did. This was a slightly shorter transfers because of a Visa Trip – hence only 5 weeks. And it took all of those 5 weeks for me to being to understand the unique problems and challenges of this little area. The members are finally beginning to trust me. I myself am finally gaining the capacity to express myself in Russian, and understand more fully what others are saying. Now I can help the members here.
But God has a different plan – generally seems to be the case. And good thing that he is kind enough to interrupt our lives and change our course for the better. He sees the bigger picture. He knows so much, while we know so little. I’m being sent to Yekatarinburg, the headquarters of the Mission. There I will be working as one of the two office workers.
If I understand right, the office here in the Yekaterinburg Mission is a little bit different than other missions. Because there is no stakes here in Yekaterinburg, let alone in Russia, the Mission keeps track of all the Church records. I’ll be the member records secretary. I’m not entirely sure what that entails, but I understand that the office missionaries here are busy to an absurd degree. I’m told that there are many days in the week when we don’t have the chance to study the language at all. Which to be entirely honest is somewhat discouraging. I’ve worked so hard to get my language up these last months, and I’m afraid I’ll loose much of what I’ve gained during my time in the office.
But God knows all. That is what we must hold to when frustration and confusion comes in life. I know that God called me to serve here in Russia. And with that calling comes the promise that I can do his work successfully here if I give it my all. I will continue to do all I can everyday, and pray that the mercy of God may continue to be upon me. I know he has watched over me and I know that he watches over all of us. He truly does have a plan for every one of his children. He wants us to be happy. Even if that means that we must first pass through sorrow to understand what joy truly is.
Hold to God. Hold to his love. His mercy. And his kindness. And in the end of ends all will work out to your welfare.

Elder Wilson

11/02 - Revda

All is well,
A light snowfall came through last night. Enough to cover up the slick sidewalks that we normally dare everyday. They really are normally hazards almost. I’ve already taken a few good falls. And even my Russian native companion has fallen. I don’t know how all the old people get around without problem!
This week was also Zone Conference. Which means that we were all just treated to another spiritual feast. With every month that passes my love and admiration for my Mission President grows. He is truly an incredible man. He is a powerful teacher. Dedicated to the greatest extent. He does so much for us. And his wife is just as great. We are so blessed out here to have great leaders to rely on.

The focus of this Zone Conference was love. The reason why we are out here doing missionary work at all. It’s the reason why we serve each other. It’s the reason why anything exists at all really. If God did not love the world, would we have one? If God did not love us, would we exist? He loves us. Even in our imperfections and mistakes. How amazing it is to me that God loves us enough that even when we turn against him, ignore him, trample his word, and disobey him, he still loves us. Loves us enough that he sent his only Son who has not ever even once gone against his will, the only Son who has never even once done anything to displease his father – he sent that only perfect Son to die so that the rest of us could have a chance. That is love.
And because of that love, we are here to work.

This week we met with Edgar again. Sometimes people are prepared to receive the Gospel, such as Stan-i-slav in Kurgan. And sometimes they are not. Edgar went on a search for truth a while back. And couldn’t find anything from God. So he turned to philosophy. We were talking about the Book of Mormon, the power of the book. The power of the promise it holds – and with it the opportunity to connect with the infinite. A copy was sitting alone, isolated in the middle of the table for us all to look at as we discussed its contents. It was heartbreaking for me to see him pull out a book of philosophy – useless bantering from mankind – and put it down next to a book from God. “I have searched. I’m not searching anymore.” It was sad for us to see. But we hope that someday God will soften his heart and he will be ready to receive an answer. Until then, we will occassionally meet with him. But not continuously.
Life is full of ups and downs. It is a learning experience. We obtained this mortal life by obedience to the word of God in the premortal realms. And we will obtain eternal life by the same principal – put our trust in God. Here his voice, and know that it is true, right, and good. And from there hold to that rod.

The Gospel is true. God lives and loves us all. He wants us to come home – but first we need to live a good life here on Earth. We need to help and support each other. Love one another. As the hymn says “Help others on their way.” Even during our own times of difficulty, we need always remember that principal. Life is hard. But its hard for all of us. If we help each other, we more fully qualify for the help of God in our own lives.

Elder Wilson

10/26 Revda

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.

Elder Wilson

10/19

All is well,

Fall has officially ended. All the leaves have now fallen from the trees and winter is on its way. It does seem like we will get a last few days of warm though. We've been able to leave our coats home for three days now. The weather in general has been odd here. We actually had a day of heavy fog here also. I'd never seen fog in Russia. The country certainly has a wide variety. That being said, I'm actually looking forward to having three or four feet of snow.

We just finished watching General Conferance yesterday. Well, the Branch did. It was all in Russian. I can actually understand and speak almost without problem now – at least with people on the street and members of the church. But General Authorities speak a higher form of English, and hence it is translated as a higher form of Russian and I can't understand it. So after I quickly realized that it was giving more of a head ache to listen than it was helping, I went to read Gospel Principles in Russian. Which I can now read almost fluently.

Earlier I was told that our Zone would be gathering together to watch Conference, but now things are not looking so sure. I sure hope I get the chance. I was looking forward to Conference more than I look forward to Christmas or a Birthday.

The work itself continues to move along here in Revda. We actually have a new investigator named Edgar. He is a very intelligent man and has looked into a number of different theories about existence. We were going to teach him the Restoration, but less than a minute into the lesson it became very apparent that he needed the Plan of Salvation. So we changed gears and his interest jumped five levels. He fired question after question at us. He problably talked more than we did. By the end of the lesson, his mood had become deep and solemn. We'll see what happens there.

We are still working on helping Igor overcome smoking. He struggles with it. And everytime it seems he is making progress, dropping down how many cigarettes a day, he snaps and is back up to more than 20. It is a terribly addicting drug. It is the one thing standing between him and Eternal Life. We will continue praying and working with him.

Its hard to see people not keep commitments. As missionaries we come to love the people we work with so fast. And we know so clearly that the gospel would bless them not only in this life but in the Eternities to come. But ultimately they have to choose for themselves. Its like we get a little taste of what Heavenly Father feels everyday, every minute and second.

Always remember to make those right choices. Even if it is hard. We know whats right. We just need to live according to those principles. Do as was suggested in this last General Conferance. Truly those men and women have been called of God. If we follow them, everything will work out to our benefit.

Elder Wilson