Many Are Called But Few Are Frozen: Happy Fourth!

Monday, July 4, 2016

Happy Fourth!

Grand Greetings from Ussuriysk,

Big packed week that went faster than seems possible. It feels like I was just writing you yesterday but it feels like I was in Korea 3 months ago. A lot of good happened this week! Mr. W is back!

Elder Staiger is molding me into a more refined person. Since he claims Germany for his home country he does things very proper and right. For one thing he is teaching all these rules about eating that I never knew about. I probably heard them all before but never cared enough to pay any attention to them. I now eat in a dignified manner and slower with a fork and a knife and I feel like a new person haha.

We didn't get to go to do baptisms in the temple unfortunately. We didn't have enough time but Korea was sick as always! We got back and went to Zone Conference and we learned a lot about how to be better missionaries and went over the law of chastity, the law of tithing and how to make commitments. It is always fun to be around president.

We got home late to Ussuriysk and I hit the sack as soon as I got in. A day earlier Mr. W called us and told us he was back and wanted to meet.. We met with him and mostly got him acquainted with Elder Staiger and we talked about the Book of Mormon. He loves it! He reads everyday! The only problem is that he returns to a different city in Russia in 3 days for 15 days so it will be hard to meet with him. O our other investigator is progressing and has a baptismal date! July 30th. He is loving the gospel as well!

We have been really busy this past week but I have somehow forgot most of everything we have done. Next week I will make a list in order to remember. I hope the long list of pictures makes up for the short email. I love you all and I'm doing great!

Elder Wilding

With Elder Roosa

KOREA VISA TRIP

Korea Temple

With Elder Staiger

At Ashleys

With Elder Hess * Saying Goodbye * Elevator

Storm

Cool building

After sports night

German Kitchen

Trip to Borisifskia (?) forest

With Elder Roosa

With Elder Roosa at the Styfoon (?) River

No comments:

Post a Comment

Who are you, boy? Poem to Missionaries from Russian Convert, circa 2000

Who are you boy? For a boy you are journeyed to this land of ours, this land where I've endured my days. And felt oppression kill my soul and force me into some tight mold. And teach me that I should not hope unless I care to smell the smoke of dreams that the Red Army tamed. Who are you boy, from this land of plenty, teaching God, if there is any. You have all; we have none. Do you know what that feels like, son? And yet, you ask me to believe in something that I cannot see; some force you say will bring me joy. Do you know what that feels like, boy? Where you're from, faith is free, but it has a price for me. When I have pain, I have my bottle. Hurt dies quick when you down it with Vodka. That's enough to warm my soul. I work, I sleep, the days go by--I'm waiting for the day I die. You don't understand this place. You say believe, obey, have faith, live life well, serve and give. Here in Russia, we just live. Who are you, boy? Why did you come? To save a soul who once was numb. To teach a wretched, hateful, man who cursed your help, refused your hand. I thought that we were worlds apart. So how is it that you knew my heart? A fraction my age, you calmed my rage; mercy paid my generous wage. I should have been left behind. It is hard to love my kind. Hope in your heart, power in your hands, why did you come to this distant land? I know now, it was for me. The Red Curtain fell, but I was not free. Until a boy from nations away brought me my Lord, I bless the day. He led me to weep at my Master's feet, the American boy I met on the street--new and naive, still in his teens, with a message to bring the world to its knees. I thought that the truth would come from another--I did not know this boy was my brother.