Russia - Elder Tanner Wilson

2009-12-14T00:53:00.001-08:00

All is well,
I’m constantly amazed at the passage of time. It blurs by so fast. Again I feel like I just sat down to write a few thoughts home.
This was another good week. We got to have a few more meetings. One with Tamara, who is still progressing well. The meeting with her was very spiritual. A member sat in with us and did a great job bearing testimony and connecting with her in a way that missionaries can’t. She will probably get baptized somewhere around the beginning of January. Working with her is always such a testimony to me of how important members are in missionary work.
Also did splits with one of our Zone Leaders – Elder Taylor. It is nice to see how other missionaries go about the work. Elder Taylor and I had a meeting with an older member of the church. Elder and Sister Nuzman (the CES missionary couple) came with us and helped support. That meeting also went well.
Other than that I’ve been in the office. Things are coming along well there too. I just realized that our mission database of all the members is missing a huge amount of what should be there. We should have about 1000 members from Yekat alone on the list, and instead we have like 500. So I’ll be starting a big project to go through and fix that. Also I’ve been working on updating all the callings in the mission and I got another branch to give their list. Just random things like that.
Elder Anderson, my companion, sure is going to be busy this week with transfers and everything. I’m sort of nervous for him! He’s got to figure out how to get all the missionaries from one end of the mission to the other all within one week. And our mission is bigger than Texas. He’s got his plate full
But whether in the office or on the streets, here even in Russia there is a certain spirit in the air. The kind that only comes with Christmas. As the day we celebrate the birth of Christ draws near, let us all draw near to Christ. Let us remember what he did. And strive to keep his spirit with us.
Love Elder Wilson

2009-12-09T08:20:00.000-08:00

All is well,
There are many, many holidays in Russia. It seems at least once a month we are told to watch out for drunks overly excited in celebration. They have fistfuls of military days, including the day that Russia pushed the German forces back into their own country. But to the Russian people there is no holiday called Thanksgiving, or anything like unto it. Which is a pitty. Because truly we have so much to be grateful for. And such a day helps us put everything into perspective and realize how much we truly have.
This Thanksgiving I was so blessed to be here in Yekaterinburg, where the President and Sister Allcott live. They had the zone over for the day, and we ate just like it was Thanksgiving at home. Turkey. Mashed potatoes and gravy. Stuffing. The standard works. It was truly a blessing. I almost felt bad because I knew that all over the rest of the world were missionaries who had only their daily bread.

Our Mission President and his wife do so much for us missionaries. Its become more and more obvious everyday working in the office. And being able to talk to the Assistants on a nightly bases, seeing all they do in conjunction with the President really just helps me to understand how lucky we are to have such a great leader. God has sent one of his prizest leaders to help us know how to help his children here in Russia.
It is such a blessing to be here in Russia where I am surrounded everyday by people who need to hear the Gospel. It’s a blessing to have the Gospel – such a great source of joy and power. It’s a blessing to know the truth – why we are here, where we are going, and what we need to do to get there. Its a blessing to represent such a Gospel. And it’s a blessing to be supported by such a great family while I am out here in service to God.
I am so greatful for you all. I am so grateful we have each other. Even if we are a thousand miles apart, I get to hear from you every week. And that it such a blessing. It is a blessing to be able to open up an email and see pictures of my little brothers birthday that happened only just that week. It is a blessing to have airplanes that can ship cookies from home at hundreds of miles an hour. All little things to help me know and remember the love you have for me at home.
There is truly so much to be grateful for. We have each other. We have our lives. Our agency. Our chance at eternal life with a perfectly loving Father in Heaven. We have a Savior who made it all possible – and is there to help us in our mortal lives every step of the way. We have the gift of the Holy Ghost as a constant comforter. We are so blessed.

I want to bear my testimony, that I know that this Church is true. The Gospel it teaches is true – for the Holy Ghost bears witness undeniable. I know that families can be together forever. Family relations do not end when one member goes to the other side of the world. And they do not end when a member crosses to the other side of the veil. It is something eternal. I know that we will be together forever if we do what is right and try to follow the instruction of our Father in Heaven. He loves us. And I know it.

He has given us so much to be thankful for. Is that not evidence enough?

Elder Wilson

Transfer

2009-11-09T17:37:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-02T00:12:00.002-08:00

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

2009-11-02T00:12:00.001-08:00

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

2009-11-02T00:09:00.000-08:00

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

9/27 - Transfer

2009-09-27T23:57:00.000-07:00

All is well,

I received an email from a good friend this last week in which she commented that it is so good to have the gospel. To be in America. To have all that you have. She said that it sounded perhaps trite to say, but she is right. You have absolutely no idea how much you have until it has been taken away. Well. Most of the time. Every once in a while you realize how great you have it, just before you have it taken away.

I’m being transferred.

I feel like I only just arrived here in Kurgan. And in truth I have. I only came here six short weeks ago. I will miss so many people. I feel like I’ve gotten to know the people so much better in this city than in my last. Everyone from young Vovla – who’s toes I would pop just like my own little brothers. To Nina, that kind old lady. To even crazy Uri. Its so hard to meet so many people, come to love them, then leave so suddenly.

There are so many people here who are ready to receive the truth. One such person, who I mentioned last week, is ready to enter in fullness. Stanislav is about 40 years old I would guess. He came to his first meeting a few weeks back. And has come every week since. Even despite weird things that members keep saying to him. For example, his first week at church one member said “Can I call you brother? Future brother in the church?”
This last week, Stanislav had to come a little late and missed sacrament meeting. He had family problems he had to work out. But he did the best he could and made it to second and third hour. That same member of the church went up to Stanislav and said “Why were you late? Don’t you know that Sacrament meeting is the most important part of church?” I’ll give that member some credit and say that he is somewhat crazy, but that doesn’t make it easier for Stanislav. Luckily, that is not stopping or hindering his growth in the Church.
I feel it would be good to give a bit further background information on Stanislav before I go any further. Stanislav works as a detective for the police here in Russia. He is used to working with people who try and lie and deceive. And hence he has become very weary of deception. He has learned not to trust anyone. And I don’t blame him. His father was in the KGB, and hence he come from a hard background. You would think that such a hard past, he would not believe in God at all – in any higher force. And he used to not. He used to be like so many other Russian people, hard, cold, so tried and scarred that they won’t even try to reach for God.
But God has a way of preparing his children. A number of years ago Stanislav’s brother was hit by a tramvi (a sort of train bus) and almost died. Stanislav prayed for the first time in his life, and received a confirmation that everything would be okay. From there, Stanislav began doing everything in his power to find the truth. He investigated every church he could. He read the Qumran from cover to cover. Went to Muslim meetings. He read the bible cover to cover. Went to Russian Orthodox meetings. And many other churches in-between. But he never felt like he found what he was looking for.
He has searched and searched. Tried at tried to find that voice that once told him that everything would be okay – the voice that calmed and soothed his spirit. And he has finally found it. A few days ago, we were about to go to bed when the phone rang. It was Stanislav. He said he had just been reading and pondering. “I have a question” he said, “What do I have to do to be baptized?” He is ready. He has found what he’s been looking for.

Life for these people is not easy. It is hard. But the gospel makes it all better. Knowing that God lives. That he loves us. That we can have happiness in him, it makes it all better. It is the knowledge that every man and woman needs to make it through the trials of life.

My time here in Kurgan has been short. Truly this is a city of miracles. I’d love to stay here and continue to work with these people. But I go where I am called. Whereever you are, reach out. Share the gospel. The world needs to know that God lives, and cares about us enough to give us his Church, his Gospel, his way. Life is full of unknowns. But what we know. We know. Reach out, help others know. Nothing will bring them greater joy. And nothing will bring you greater joy than knowing you helped someone find the truth.

Love,
Elder Wilson

9/21 - Kurgan

2009-09-20T23:47:00.000-07:00

Things were quite busy in Kurgan this week. We met with a lot of good people. Helped a lot of good people come closer to God. One such person is named Stan-e-slav. He is middle aged, quite an intelligent man, and has a desire to know truth. And he actually found us. He came to church last week without anybody inviting him. He’d just walked by a number of times and always wanted to know what we were all about. So he sat in on a meeting, and liked it enough to come back this week. Last week at church somebody gave him a copy of Our Heritage, and he’s already finished it. He’s begun the Book of Mormon and is loving it. I believe God has led this man to find the truth.
We met with Stan-e-slav after church and taught him about the Restoration. He already knew most of these things because of reading Our Heritage, but the spirit was still strong. He is so ready to receive the Gospel. We are excited to teach and work with him. I’ll keep you posted on his progress.

We also went to work on a Dotcha this week. A huge amount of people here in Russia own Dotchas. Which are this sort of cottage/shack things outside the city. Usually they are in patches of hundreds. Everyone has their gardens and grow enough food to last a year. The Russians love to go out to these Dotchas on the weekends to spend time enjoying hard labor with shovel and rake. We were privileged to go and help Sister Zoya tend her crops this week.
My expectations for future Dotchas might be set a bit high now. Her Dotcha had running water, electricity, and everything that a cabin in America might have. Normally Dotchas are just shacks built on the dirt. She also had a Bannya, which is a sort of sauna. While you’d think that this is a bit of a luxury, most Russians actually have one built onto their Dotcha. Really its just a small room with buckets of water and a furnace. A funny Russian pastime – sitting in a Bannya, rubbing various herbs into your skin. They say its healthy. Who knows, maybe it is. I’m just not all to keen on finding out.

We hold an English Club every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6-7. Its one of our best ways of finding investigators. During the summer we would have over twenty people come everyweek, but it seems with school and other things coming around now, people are more busy. Our attendance has been cut in half, which is sad. But those people who do come are surely benefited. We always end with a spiritual thought. I’ve talked with many people who have found the church because of English Club. Hopefully we can keep enough people coming to make it worth still holding.

What an incredible world we live on. Truly the designs of God are without flaw. Everything moves in its perfect motion. Everything in perfect harmony. Light presiding over darkness. Difficulty being swallowed up in the Joy of Christ.
This week I’ve watched the children of God, here in Russia. They go about their lives so busy so much of the time. They don’t know what they could be enjoying. They don’t know what they could be having. They don’t know the direction, the power, the life they could have. Yet really even at home sometimes we are not so different.

This week I just finished the Book of Mormon again. There is a special spirit to that book. I’ve read much in my life already, but nothing has done for me what that book has. Everytime I prayerfully read it, I feel the powerful influence of the Spirit of God. I would encourage all of you to read and reread it again and again. No matter how busy your life may be right now, if you will take the time to read it for a half our every morning, I promise that your day will be better. The blessings that come from consistently reading for thirty minutes a day will well pay for your troubles. Don’t let yourselves run around in your life, like the people here in Russia, not having the power and joy you could have. They don’t know what they could have. You do. God has given you such a great opportunity to know him so personally. Take that opportunity.

Love Elder Wilson

A few pictures from Kurgan

2009-09-20T23:34:00.001-07:00

9/14 - Kurgan

2009-09-20T23:32:00.000-07:00

This last week has been somewhat odd. Both these last two weeks honestly. I suppose it’s just been an odd transfer. Elder Smith and I were here in Kurgan for two weeks working together before he had to go off for Visa Trip, and I was here with Elder Shreave. Then he got back and we had to do Zone Leader Splits a day later. Then after that we had to go down to Tumen for Zone Conference. In short, we’ve been away from doing continuous normal missionary work for about two weeks. And now we’ve got two weeks left until the transfer.
That being said, these last two weeks have still been very good and I’ve grown a great deal. Zone Leader Splits were great. Our Zone Leaders are both such good guys. They know how to work. But they also know how to have fun. And I think that one of the problems that I’ve already slipped into sometimes on my mission is being so engaged in either learning the language or studying the scriptures or figuring out what to do about members that I haven’t spent anytime just having fun with my companion. Its good to work hard. But its also good to through back your head and laugh sometimes.
There were a number of changes for Zone Conference this last month. My first conference was from about 9 in the morning until noon. This conference was from 9 until 4 in the afternoon. It had a lot more length. And it likewise had a lot more spiritual edification. Last Zone Conference we really didn’t get much chance to hear from our Mission President. He only spoke for maybe fifteen minutes. This month he spoke for over an hour. And he is truly a powerful speaker.

Fall has begun to sweep Kurgan. The leaves are already starting to turn in some places. We are going to go shopping today for winter clothes. Because unlike America, autumn here is perhaps two weeks long then we are in for cold. Enjoy those slow and beautiful autumns. They are different in other parts of the world.

Work with my companion has started to get a lot better. It just goes to show the influence we can have on each other if we will simply and honestly love other another. It is so important to let the love of God flow through us and into those around us. Even when we feel like we need love ourselves. Even when we feel like we need to be the one being supported in times of difficulty. I have come to discover that when we concentrate on the problems of others, and how to help them, our problems seem to fade away. When we try to take care of our fellow men, God takes care of us.

It is incredible to be alive. We as humans are so weak. There is so little we can do. We can’t reach out and save the world from its wickedness. We can’t speak with every single person about the gospel. We can’t uplift every discouraged person. Many times it seems like we can’t even overcome our own problems. But as weak as we are, we are also so strong. Even in the darkest of times, we somehow find the light and hope to keep going. The strength of God flows into us and we are somehow able to go another day, lift another soul. Truly, as weak as we are now, we are gods in the making.

Elder Wilson

9/7 - Kurgan

2009-09-20T23:31:00.001-07:00

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

8/31 - Kurgan

2009-09-20T23:28:00.000-07:00

The temperature in the Siberian flatlands of Kurgan seems to be quickly plummeting. It was about 60 degrees yesterday – and its 50 today. Cold winds are constantly sweeping through the city, making coats and sweaters almost always a must. I keep hoping that it will warm up again at least one more time before winter comes. I’d really like to see a Russian Autumn. There is plenty of what looks like Burch in the nearby forests where we have weekly picnics with the branch, and I can imagine them beautifully painted in red and gold.

Kurgan itself is somewhat different than Perm. I’m told that every city has somewhat of it’s own feel. Its own style and sense. Perm had random splashes of color all over the place. They painted their fences in bright rainbow colors. And I saw several trees wrapped in red, yellow, and blue. Kurgan seems a bit more calmed down. There seems to be more old buildings here, which adds a nice feel. The outsides of town are called “micro-rions” and are sort of clusters of apartment buildings.
The Apartment buildings here are taller than they were in my last area. Usually only 5 stories in Perm’s Zakamsk. Here most buildings are nine stories and up. We live on the fourth story of our building. Some of the taller buildings have elevators. But we are in one of the few 5 story buildings in our area. But hey climbing stairs everyday helps keep all that Russian bread from getting to our waists.

Elder Smith, my new companion, is quite a character. He’s always got something funny and sarcastic to say. So generally the mood stays great in the companionship. He seems to know the language quite well and has already been able to give me plenty of help. I think that my language will really start picking up this transfer. Or at least I hope. The Gift of Tongues would really come in handy about now I think.

He’s actually going on a Visa trip this next coming week – to Finland I believe. He leaves on Wednesday. And Elder Shreve, one of the Assistants comes in to stay with me on Tuesday. Elder Shreve will be here for a week, so that will be great. I’m really looking forward to seeing how he does work, loading the questions on him, etc. Because right now, I really feel like our companionship is not working as effectively as we could be. I’m hoping to get a few ideas on how to step up the work when Elder Shreve gets in.

We do a number of things here in Kurgan that are not done in any other area of the mission. For example here, because we are the only companionship here, we let the Relief Society into the church building every Thursday morning. It takes about forty five minutes to get to the church building, then we stay there with them through the activity and close when they are finished. So it’s usually a 5 hour commitment. We use it for membership bonding time and for study. It helps build a relationship with members, but I’d really like to get the Relief Society president a key of her own.

We also help clean the building every Friday night. Which is another 5 hour commitment. Somebody has got to do it. And apparently that somebody is us. I’m not sure if it is within my bounds as a missionary to talk to the Branch President about assigning a member to do it every week like we have it set up back home in the states. Its just more time that we need as missionaries to be spending on teaching.

We also go to a weekly picnic every Saturday. This actually is something that is very effective I think. I don’t think that we should stay there for the full duration like we do, but it has already proven to yield fruit. Usually they begin at 10 in the morning and go till 7 at night. Its just a huge time commitment. But generally we have about 5-6 investigators come, they bond with Church members, and strong relationships are built. I just wish it wasn’t so long.
And finally, as is actually done in most places in Russia, we hold an English club every Tuesday and every Thursday evening from 6-7. We’ve already had quite a number of investigators come from this. It just works. And it works all over Russia. However in Kurgan, we also play games with the students from 7-8:30. It does help build more bonding, but I still question exactly how effective of a use of time it is. All in all, we spend what is probably over twenty hours a week on things that are not done in most areas.

This week we had a really good experience with a man named Eura. He was walking by the Church building while we just happened to be there with two other members cleaning the building. We’d already finished, and were about to sit down to a meeting with a less active when he walked in, just curious. The less active realized the opportunity and immediately got out of his chair with an “I’ll be right back”.
Eura asked a bit about our church, so we gave a first lesson on the spot. He was quite interested, so we invited him to come to our picnic. And he came. And he enjoyed himself. So we invited him to come to Church. And he came. And he thought the service was wonderful. We’ve got a meeting already set up on Tuesday evening after English club, which he also will be coming to. Things are very quickly progressing. We are very excited to work with him and hope that he will put forth the effort to know if the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and hence the Church is likewise the Kingdom of Heaven on the earth today.

The work is great. The Kingdom is truly incredible.

Elder Wilson

8/24 Kurgan

2009-09-20T23:25:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of updates. There was a few weeks where Tanner's emails didn't come through so that's why there's some gaps in his weekly updates.

I am now a few hundred miles away from my city of Perm. I was transferred to Kurgan. Usually missionaries stay in their first area for at least two or three transfers, but they had to close my area for a few weeks. The mission is really low on missionaries right now, and we just lost another group (including my trainer) last week. So the President had no choice but to close an area. Sadly little Zakamsk is just a very inconvenient area (over an hour away from any church building) so it was chosen to be closed for a transfer.
It really is hard to leave so many people behind. You come to love people so fast out here. It makes it all the harder to know that the people you are leaving are going to be on their own for a few weeks. No missionaries to help or support them. After all the progress we made in Zakamsk, it is being put on its own for a while. I hope it is not too big of a trial for Luba, who is starting to progress so well. We extended her the baptismal invitation the week before we left, and she accepted. But when she found out that we were leaving, she said she wanted to pray about it. In some ways, it is a good thing that we left. Luba has a testimony, but it is more social then spiritual. And if we were staying, we would have never really discovered that. I pray that the next group of missionaries can have good success with her.

Transfers here in Russia are a bit interesting. Elder Kimball and I went to another Elder’s apartment late Monday night so that they could help us get to the train station on time the following day with all our luggage. We made it to the station by 6:45 am, all the zone was there to see us off. We then took a train for 6 hours to Yekatarinburg.
It was really hard to part with Elder Kimball. We had our differences, but he was such a good Elder. He trained me so well. I suppose it’s somewhat like a parent child relationship. While the parent is over you, you kick and scream and think that they should be doing a better job. But as soon as you are off on you own, you look back and realize how great you really had it. Elder Kimball is going to go on and do great things in life. I know it.
Our train ride was interesting. Part of the rows of seats sat forward, and the other half sat backwards. This wasn’t actually a train, it was an “electrichka” which is sort of an electronic slow train. Only travels about 20 miles an hour I think. It’s hard to tell. It was somewhat nauseating at first to be traveling backwards, but I got used to it.
Sitting on a train for six hours straight was hard -- but not quite as bad as standing in a train station for six hours waiting for your next train to arrive. That was character building. As a child I thought that sitting in the car while traveling was mind numbing. At least when you are traveling in a car, you get to sit down. Standing all day really takes a toll on you. But hey, it was a great chance to study Russian!
The next train came in at about 6:45 pm. Elder Smith, my new companion, rode with me to Kurgan, our new area. And this was actually a train – not just a train either. This was the famed Trans-Siberian Railroad. Guess what. It’s just another train. Sorry to burst anybodies ambitions of going all the way to Russia to ride a train. I should take that back. When I said “its just another train” you might come to think that it is just like an American train. Trains here are like apartments here. Somewhat old, warn out, falling apart, and dirty. For example, I had to use the restroom. When I first looked into the room, I had to pause and debate on whether I could possibly hold it for another 5 hours. Sadly, I was subjected to the pressures of my lower bowls.
The toilet had no seat. So I spent a very large amount of toilet paper making a sort of nest. Toilet paper here is good for that sort of thing. Its very rugged, durable, doesn’t stand a chance at ripping. While it is good for making nests and perhaps also for papermache, it is not good for wipping. Honestly, it felt like wiping with sandpaper.

Elder Smith had already been here for a transfer, so he has the area somewhat figured out. That makes for a much easier transition that they white-wash-no-idea what is going on transfer that Elder Kimball and I started off on. We got to our apartment late, maybe 1 or 2 in the morning, both of us very warn out from too much time traveling. I couldn’t really see our apartment very well, but I could smell it. God is all knowing. And he knows that I can’t stand sleeping in disgusting filth. For that reason, he must have lined everything up so that we wouldn’t come in until late in the night when we were so tired we wouldn’t even care. Because really, if I had known before hand what I was about to sleep it, I probably would have had a really hard time lying down on that bed.

Elder Smith’s last companion was not a cleanly elder. It was shown very blatantly when I woke up. I had his bed. Which I thought felt damp when I first climbed in it the previous night. I then thought it was damp from a nice fresh wash. Quite unsettling to discover that it was actually damp with sweat. The room I sleep in was absolutely filthy. You can’t walk in a single room in the apartment without getting dirt all over your feet. The lights in the kitchen don’t work. Much of the floor is sticky. There was clothes flopped up all over the apartment. Church materials strewn all over the floor. It was really past the point of being worthy to be called “a hole”. But hey! Its character building.

On the bright side, Elder Smith seems like a very friendly Elder. We haven’t gotten to bed spot on time yet because of it. But we are going to do better this week. I’m going to make sure of it. I don’t’ do well going to sleep at 11:45 every night. Talking has its place, but it’s not during the one time of the day we have to rest.
He’s taller than me. Big surprise. I’m thinking that the majority of my companions will be. Luckily, he’s only about 5 foot 11. Which isn’t too bad. He’s got brown hair, brown eyes, very hilarious personality, and knows the language quite well considering that he’s only been here for a year and a few months. Next week I should have photos of him and our apartment.

Kurgan is located in Siberia, literally. So that means green grasslands in the summer and spring, and flat frozen nice and cold nothing in the winter. The members here are nice. The branch President seems great. I’ll write more about the people as I come to know them. Their building is quite nice also.
It’s three stories tall, all furnished in American furniture shipped across seas. Paintings of Christ all over the place, just like an American chapel. Its’ really quite nice. I’ll have some photos of that also next week.

For now you will have to suffice with the photos I couldn’t send last week. They are all from my last area. You can see what kind of Apartment I lived in and what not. Sadly, you will never be privileged to see our current apartment at its worst. We have been doing some serious cleaning, and it will continue until our apartment is no longer hell.

Love,
Elder Wilson

Russia (Perm) Week 5

2009-08-10T00:20:00.000-07:00

All is well,
I first have to apologize for yet again not getting a letter out to everyone. MyLDSmail is not perfect. I've said it once and I'll say it again. But under the kind suggesting of my father, I've decided to write this letter first every week.

Well, Russia may be cold in the winter, but it's hot in the summer. Usually. This week has been abnormally cold. Around 50 degrees every day. Which is good in some ways. Changes things up a bit.
You'd think with all the cold weather, all the bugs would disappear. And maybe they did. But at least one nasty little mosquito is in our apartment feasting on our blood. I woke up with five bites the other day. Elder Kimball is convinced that different animals end up in different kingdoms of glory. If that's the case, I now understand why outer darkness will have a weaping and a wailing and a gnashing of teeth. Mosquito bites are just that annoying.

The work is well here. We've spent more time this week with less active members in hopes to both reactivate them and find investigators through them. And its working.
We had a meeting with a lady named Nadia, who would come to church more if her daughter (about 11 years old) didn't pitch a fit everytime. We talked all about prophets such as Nephi who speak of parents who taught them the gospel. We spoke of the Sons of Helaman, who had mothers who taught them the ways of God. And then we related our own personal experiences. How sometimes we really didn't want to go to church ourselves when we were young. We've all faked sick once or twice. And when our parents put the foot down and forced us to go, we went kicking and screaming. It was often hard for us. And probably even harder for our parents. Then I testified that I personally am so greatful that my parents made me go. Though I kicked and screamed sometimes, I know that those few hard years have set me on a course for an entire lifetime of great joy and peace. It was well worth their effort. And my frustration.
Partway through the meeting the phone wrang. We agreed to have her get up and take the call. She walked out of the room for a minute or two. Elder Kimball and I twiddled our thumbs awkwardly. When she came back in, she announced that her friend was on her way over. It's a good thing that we didn't have a meeting following directly after.
Her friends name is Louba. She'd been to church with Nadia a few times, but had never sat down to meet with the missionaries. But somehow Nadia in a few short minutes during that phone call had convinced her to come over and meet with us.
That meeting went very well. The proof is in that Nadia, her mother Clava, her daughter Olia, and her friend Louba were all at sacrament meeting this last Sunday. Truly there is a light in the gospel.
And if things with Nadia couldn't get anybetter, last night just before we were about to go out contacting, Elder Kimball was struck with inspiration. He somehow remembered that Nadia's nonmember husband's birthday was tonight. Alexei, her husband, had met with missionaries before in the past, but work became to busy for him. We decided it was time to get things going again with him to. We baked him a batch of snickerdooddles and went on our way.
Now I don't know if it was a bad omen or what. But Elder Kimball spoke with a man on the bus who was drunk to the foot. He could hardly speak clearly. But was insisting that Elder Kimball prophesy to him. Of course he refused.
We took the elevator to the top floor of Nadia and Alexei's apartment and rang the doorbell. Waited a minute. Then rang it again. Waited another minute, then rang it yet again. And finally we heard the lock unclick. Alexei opened the door. He stumbled out of his apartment wearing only a pair of black boxers that said "I love you" and a tank top. He holds his liquior pretty well though. Could speak without to much of a slur, and wasn't talking about anything totally ridiculous like most drunks.
We wished him a happy birthday, and he was so happy that he gave me a hug, there in the open stairwell of the apartment building. Then absolutely insisted that we come inside. We tried to refuse. Afterall we still needed to go contacting. But he wouldn't let us leave. Finally we consented, but on the agreement that we'd only be there for a few minutes. We sat down. He pulled out the tea pot. And we knew we were in trouble. Those few minutes turned into a half hour in no time. Nadia and her daughter were not home. Probably over at Clava's house.
But the conversation proved to be good. He wanted us to even teach to him on the spot. But of course we didn't because he was drunk. And because he was smoking. (he smoked 4 cigarretes while we were there. they love their cigarretes.) However, he did agree to have us come back over and teach him in the future. Hopefully that will all go well. We'll just have to do something about those cigarretes and beer bottles.

We've got a number of other meetings set up for this next week which should all be quite good. But still, the most fruitful of all our meetings always seem to be those related to people who are already members. As I said, the work here is good. The field white.

A bit about Russia. And inadvertantly I suppose a bit about America also. At home we have paper and metal currency. Same thing here. At home, a dollar will get you a soda. Here, it takes 30 roubles or so. There smallest bill is a 10 rouble note. So it takes both coin and currency to buy almost anything. At home, our smallest currency is a penny, and here, the smallest is a kopeck. And I swear, it is so absolutely worthless that it would be more valuable melted down for its metal. A hundred kopecks make a rouble. And a rouble is not that big of a currency. When you do the math, a single kopeck is like carrying 1/30th of a penny. If you thought you couldn't buy anything with a penny, you really can't get anything with a kopeck. A bus ride is 12 roubles. A loaf of bread is 15. Literally its so far out of their used currency that I hope the goverment does a recall on every kopeck and makes tanks with the metal.

Now, speaking of pennies as a worthless currency. It's worthless at home. I have never been able to find anything that you could buy with a penny. Everything is more expensive than a single penny. Pennies are worthless here also. Not because everything is to expensive, but because at least one thing is too inexpensive. And that is cigarrettes. A single ciggarrette is cheaper then a penny. Yes. You read that right. Cheaper. No wonder every single person in this country smokes. And no wonder they smoke all day every day. The goverment doesn't tax them, so they are dirt cheap.
I've decided to keep a record of the cheapest bottle of beer, and the cheapest cigarrette that I have seen here. So far the cheapest bottle of beer was 16 roubles (half the price of a bottle of water). And the cheapest pack of cigarrettes was 6 roubles (about the price of a lolipop).

Hope everything is all well and good at home! Love you all. Stay strong in the Church. For it is absolutely true. And if you ever doubt it, you are wrong. Read the Book of Mormon with a prayer in your heart and watch your testimony grow.
Elder Wilson


Here's some pictures from his flight to Russia

Russia (Perm) Week 3

2009-07-27T00:27:00.000-07:00

All is well,
The culture shock is starting to wear off. Things are starting to make sense again. It no longer feels like I'm just following somebody through a sea of randomly organized buildings that never look the same.

I realized this week that it really was just about as much culture shock as you could possibly get. To go from the MTC to Russia is ridiculous. At the MTC, every single person is modestly dressed, well groomed, smiling and happy. Everywhere you go is clean. There is not a cigarette or beer bottle in sight. In fact there isn't a can of caffine to be found. There is no sleeze. There is no cussing. No nothing. It is literally a eutopia of righteousness.
Russia on the other hand, is so locked in the clutches of the devil. There is sleeze everywhere. They sell pornography at every corner. Their billboards have girls dressed in bikini's. Even for random products, like concrete. And the real girls? I thought that alot of girls back home dressed poorly. I've seen girls wearing fishnet shirts. And when I say girls, that is all age ranges. Even older women.
Beer is so cheap. It's cheaper than a bottle of water. I saw beer being sold for 50 cents a bottle the other day. It was absolutely ridiculous.
And everyone smokes. Literally everyone. Probably because it's so cheap. Another Elder was telling me the other day that he saw cigarettes being sold for about a quarter a pack once. The people here smoke so much that manufacturers had to start adding flavors to their cigarettes to keep customers from getting bored with the same old smoke. Yes, cigarettes now come in many fun flavors such as strawberry, cherry, and grape!
And they when they are done with their beer and their cigarettes, they just through the stubs and the bottles on the ground. Bottles of beer and cigarette butts are all over the place. You can't walk more than a section of sidewalk without seeing a dozen. Its crazy really.

The people here are really interesting also. Most of the members of the Church are really kind, and normal. And not drunk. But most the rest of Russia is usually a bit tipsy. We were walking the other day and a lady walked up to me and started saying "tui-ahngel, tui-ahngel" and other gibberish. Which translates to "you look like an angel". And she went on to talk about how blue my eyes were. And she said a prayer over me. It was just all very odd. Alot of the people we stop on the streets are a bit drunk too. You can always tell by the smell.

Culture here is a bit different also. There have been a number of times when we've been teaching a lesson in public, just to have some random person walk up and interupt us. It happened the other day at a dinner. We were talking with an older gentleman, and a youngman who was sitting in the next booth over turned around and stuck his head into our conversation. And after a while started asking intruding questions. Our investigator got up to find a better seat, and with his seat being empty, the youngman decided to take his place. He sat down right in front of us and started asking questions about Adam and Eve and the creation. The shocking part was that this young man actually turned into a contact. We got his phone number and everything.

Also talked with a lady the other day who was just totally blunt. For example I tried to explain something during our lesson that I'd never explained in Russian. I stumbled over my words a bit. And she said "if God is on your side, you should pray for the gift of tongues." I was a bit shocked. The lesson went well though. We talked with her for over an hour and a half. Sadly we won't be meeting with her anymore. She only wants to meet with the native Russian Sisters that are in our area.

Another intersting experience this week while walking between areas. We thought that it would only take about 15 minutes to get from one city to another, but it ended up being a 50 minute walk. Along the side of a high way, with just about nobody to talk to. But, then randomly, we came around a corner and there was a lady selling drinks. We almost walked past her, but stopped. She was so interested in the gospel. Took a Book or Mormon, and promised to come to church. It was shocking. When we walked away, I looked over my shoulder. She was already reading.

Love Elder Wilson

Russia (Perm) Week 2

2009-07-27T00:26:00.000-07:00

Well first off, this week has been so ridiculously fast. I swear I just stood up after finishing the last email. Time here is bizare. It really is. I feel like I never have enough time for anything.

We've done alot of teaching this week. And alot of contacting. One day we went out tracting. In Russia everyone lives in appartment buildings that are like twelve stories high, so to tract, you hike all the way to the top floor then start your way down, door by door. When Elder Kimball and I were at about floor 9 on our way up, a lady coming down the stairs stopped us and friendly asked who we were. We said we were missionaries. She was no longer friendly.
She started babling in the fastest Russian i've ever heard. Actually, bad word choice. I said babling. Let me say ranting. She was practically yelling at us. Demanding that we leave, get out of the building, and stop bothering people. She was apparently a very zealous Russian Orthodox. And she didn't like the idea of her neighbors changing their beliefs.
At first we resisted. But when she pulled out the cell phone and started threatening to call the police, we gave in not wanting to make a scene. She then walked us to the door. Then she just stood there. And would not budge until she was sure that we were actually going to leave.

Oh, and speaking of cops. We had a minor run in while contacting people on the street. We were just walking around talking to people, when a younger looking cop decided that he wanted to have some fun. Its not very difficult to see that we are foreigners, so he demanded to see our passports and documents. We obliged. Pulled them out, unfolded everything, and held them up for him to see. We are supposed to not give our documents to anyone. Ands it's our right to not comply if a cop demands to actually touch our passports (which are apparently worth about $8,000 dollars on the blackmarket). But he demanded. And said "I can do whatever I want. This is Russia. Not America." We didn't have the number on hand for our lawyers, so we just let him hold them. Nothing happened of course. And we walked away fine, but it was still funny.

The little Russian children are so cute in their suits. I loved seeing them on Sunday. Our members here are so strong. It would be so hard to be in a branch of only thirty active members, all so spaced out. But these pioneers just keep moving forward.

Oh, by the way dad. All the Russians think that the photo i have of mom is my sister. I just think she's a kind lady. They think she's gorgeous.

As far as the photos go, I'm still figuring all that out. I'll let you know. But I do have a dad duty for you. My visa (personal) card is not working. And I need some personal money. So if you could go to my bank and talk with them that would be great. Maybe mom will have to go. I"m not sure if you are cosigned on yet or not

Russia Week 1

2009-07-27T00:21:00.000-07:00

What a strange thing it is to be sitting here thousands and thousands of miles away from you all. I look down at the keyboard I'm using, and the characters are all in Russia. I look outside the window near where I sit, and all the signs outside are in Russian. Everyone is speaking Russian. Everything is Russian. I'm not in Kansas anymore.
I hardly know where to begin. This last week has been a blur of color, faces, tears, and time. It was so strange to say goodbye to friends at the MTC. So strange to submit names for new Zone Leaders, then walk them around showing them how to take care of everybody. Strange to have one last interview with President Childs who I came to love so much. Or to have one last Fast Sunday at the MTC. Everything all comes and goes so much faster than I would have ever expected. Time goes by at such an incredible speed. So often I want to just reach out, somehow slow things down. But it can't be done. Time marches unstopably onward. It was strange to run around Monday morning last week, gathering together the last of our things, running out the door to catch the bus leaving for the airport. Strange to be in a twelve passenger van headed for Salt Lake, looking over my shoulder at the valley which I had known all my life. Stange to walk into an airport, and for the first time, be a missionary in a place where not everyone is a member. People constantly squinted for a better look at our name tags.
And it was incredible to sit next to a person on a plane, and talk about God, and Christ, and the purpose of life, for two and a half hours. Incredible to hear him offer his ideas and opinions, and be able to reply to him with not just opinions, but facts. Incredible to give out a pass along card to someone who was actually interested. Who actually wanted to find out more.
That was on my flight from Frankfurt to Yekaterinburg. The man's name was Steve Peterson. Quite a devout Christian. Knew the scriptures quite well. Had alot of questions. Personal studies paid off, and I feel like I was able to answer just about everything he asked. It was great to be able to clear up some false notions he had. And then bear a powerful testimony. Strong enough to make him sit back in his seat for a number of minutes, unsure of what to say.
We pulled into Yekaterinburg at 4:30 in the morning. Which is 4:30 in the afternoon your time. Isn't that funny? An exact twelve hour time change. And that also means that I just got hit with some of the worst jet lag possible. I'm still tired, and its been four days!
President Allcot met us with his Assistants, then brought us back to the mission home to sleep until a decent hour. Which after a warm shower and what not, meant about an hour of sleep. Then quickly began explination (I can already tell my spelling is just going to go down hill by the way. I can't figure out if I spelled that word right. Russian really plays with your head) of everything the Mission expected of us. And the rules and what not. I don't know President Allcot to well yet. But I bet he'll be incredible. I liked what I saw in the few hours I was with him. No introduction interview yet. But its zone conference this week, so I'll let you know. After the welcome meeting, we were introduced to our new companions, and were sent on our way.
Elder Kimball will be my trainer. He is a great Elder -- Seems to understand Missionary work quite well, really cares for the Russian people, is easy to get along with, etc. He is from Mesa Arizona, middle child in his family. And is tall. About six foot five. The Lord must be trying to humble me. This is my second companion in a row who is at least six inches taller than me. Maybe I'll grow. Someday.
Russia is absolutely crazy. I was expected everything to be really dingy, gray, dirty. And it is dingy. And it is dirty. But there is color everywhere. Its like they tried to make this place happier by just pouring buckets of bright primary colors over anything metal. Or whatever else will hold a coat of paint. I saw a soccer field the other day that was surrounded with tires, all painted in rainbow colors. It was really strange.
That and everything is totally overgrown. There is weeds and grass growing everywhere. Trees are all over the place. Its so green. And contrasted with the cold hard apartment buildings that are everywhere, it really is odd. Its like the government tried to make everything conform. The people. The land. Everything. And it all backfired.
Remnants of the Soviet Era are everywhere. Statues of men standing strong, proud, and tall, ready for a glorious future -- now the statues are cracked, there are weeds growing up around the base. And graffitti on the sides.
Everywhere is appartment buildings. Towering hundreds of feet into the air. And they seem to have no order to them. The nice and neat block system that we have at home is almost non existant in many places here. Trying to find our way in and out of our appartment is a nightmare. So many little turns and off paths here and there to take.
Our appartment is actually quite nice. Its got a washing machine, a stove, microwave, beds (well one matress, i'm on a sort of couch thing), and a great study room. The building is sort of dingy, and the stairwell is a bit grimy, but when you get through our doorway everything is nice and clean.
That's how it is with most people's appartments here. I wish I could understand more of what people are saying. Everyone told me that the language I learned in the MTC would sound like gibberish here. They were right. Totally right. It's complete gibberish. I can only catch a word or two here and there. But I'm learning. Quickly. I have to. Or I will walk around this country like a blind man for two years.
The water here smells like dirt. We are not aloud to drink it. And I don't think I would if I could. We have to buy all our water. No problem with that. And we drink tons of juice. No problem with that. Grocery shopping is wierd here. No huge stores. Just little markets and what not. Shopping in general is like that. Little kiosks and shops set up all over in markets called "reenuks". Apparently some of the biggest cities have Russian equivilants of Wal-Mart.
Sacrament meeting yesterday was quite an experience. There are two branches here in Perm. One is very strong, very active. About 60 something people always in attendance. And the other is a bit smaller, only about 30 people. And Elder Kimball and I are in the smaller branch. But we are going to work on that. We've got a lot of meetings already set up to get this area back up and running.
The members that we have are so strong. Its particularly incredible to meet a person who was just recently baptized. They are so full of fire and life. We had a meeting with one such person named Vira, which in Russian means faith. I really like her alot. She is such a great addition to the members here.
There are so many people here who need to hear the Gospel. I have had the chance to look at life with the lense of worthlessness. I've looked out at the world with the thoughts "all is vanity, vanity, vanity." I know the difference between the light of the gospel truth, and the despair of its absense. These people don't know what they are missing. Life is so much more rich, good, and full, when you know the truth.
We have gone contacting a number of times. Not tracting yet, but we walk around the streets, stop people, and talk to them. I've already placed some Books of Mormon. Incredible expierences honestly. There is always so much to do and so little time. I hate how much time we have to spend on busses. If I could actually understand people that would be fine. But right now I'm limited. I can speak fine for the most part. But when someone replies, I really have a hard time.
There is so much to talk about. I hardly know what to speak about. I apologize if this letter has jumped around a bit. I'm trying to somehow explain an entire country in only a short email. Can't be done. That's probably enough about Russia for now. I'll write more next week.
I am so happy to hear about the Spindler family. Tears filled my own eyes reading of their wonderful experience. And what a blessing for Eric. To see his dad walk into the room in addition to the rest of his family. Just thinking about it makes me well up again. Thank you so much for sharing all that with me.
The light of the gosepl is real. And truly it changes lives. What an incredible experience for you all to be able to see that. And what a blessing it will be for me to see it over these next two years.
As far as email goes. I have quite a bit more email time every week now. And i'm still only aloud to email family only. Sorry friends :( The mail here is pretty slow. It takes about a week or two for my letters home to arrive, but it can take two months for them to arrive here. And boxes can take anywhere from 1-6 months. Most of the time its only a month or two, but things do get stuck every once in a while. Sorry again. Not alot we can do about that.
I love you all so much. I love hearing from you. And I love your support. Next week maybe I'll be able to put together a more concise letter. Love you so much.
Elder Wilson