We are feeling a need to strengthen the morale and unity of the branches so we are going to concentrate on meeting with the more-active members this next month. We have enlisted the help of the junior missionaries; they don't spend as much time meeting with the members, and it will be good for them to show their love and support as well. Elder Peterson has translated a story that our son Wade shared with us about a boy and starfish as part of a spiritual thought to share with the members regarding the worth of souls. So our week ahead will be very busy in the evenings meeting with members. We had another one of our YSA leave for America today. It makes such a difference when one leaves. She will be studying English in Provo so we are hoping to see her again some day.
We are enjoying a missionary prep class we're teaching every other week. It gives us a chance to highlight Preach My Gospel principles and address the blessings of missionary work. As usual, the teacher gets more from the lesson than the student!
We had an interesting experience on the bus yesterday. We were traveling home from our New City branch and at one of the bus stops a man who was exiting the bus said hello to Elder Peterson and shook his hand. We have never seen him before, but he must know something about the church. It is VERY unusual for someone to be friendly like that to a stranger. It reminds us that we are examples wherever we go, and you never know who is watching you or what impressions you are leaving. We pray every day to be good examples; I think our prayer was answered that day.
We are enjoying the fruits of the summer, literally. The apricots, nectarines, varieties of peaches, grapes, etc. are so delicious. People have stands set up all along the streets. Watermelons are coming on and we see them for sale everywhere! Have yet to buy one but will need to get one for district meeting this week.
I was reading in D&C this week about the mission statement of Latter-day Saints: to share the gospel with everyone. It's a blessing to be a part of this great work and hope we will be diligent in adhering to our purpose not only as missionaries, but simply as members of God's true church. Here's the starfish story:
One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed
a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.
Approaching the boy, he asked, What are you doing?
The youth replied, Throwing starfish back into the ocean.
The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them back, they'll die.
Son, the man said, don't you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish?
You can't make a difference!
After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish,
and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said
I made a difference for that one.
I hope we will all realize the opportunity we have every day in one way or another to make a difference!
1. Kazan Saints
2. Monastery in Kazan
3. Sunflower field
4.
"The Love Tree" in Kazan - couples in love hang a padlock on this tree
signifying their hearts locked together in love. We saw this on
bridges in Frankfurt also.5. Serving in Kazan - Elder Bahr, Peterson, Hill
6. First meeting with Regina in Kazan
7. Street musicians in Kazan
8. God's love in Kazan
9. Our Tartarsan tour guide at the Kremlin
10. The leaning tower in the Kremlin
11. Looking toward one of the Kremlin walls
12. Elder Peterson and President Sartori - mosaic door on the monastery in Kazan
13. Agricultural building in Kazan
14. Our hotel in Friedrichsdorf (We would recommend it)
15. Our hotel in Friedrichsdorf
16. I like red phone booths
No comments:
Post a Comment