That was pretty scary for Britton to be left alone off of the train, but it is another testimony of the power of prayer. Every time I think of the grandkids, I think of them kneeling next to their beds with their families, and they say prayers in my behalf. I don't think there is any greater power than a child's prayer.
I think that is why missionaries are successful, because they pray so much. It is so crucial to pray always, and for every occasion. But then with prayer you have to show your faithfulness through work.
Elder Washburn is awesome. He plays the piano, like me, he sings, like me, he likes fitness, like me, and he is tall, but not as tall as me. He is funny and loves a good joke. But the most admirable quality of his is his dedication to the work. Even during these last few weeks, he is focusing on helping people, even if it means that he won't be able to teach them later. He leaves at the end of the month for home. I still have a long way to go, and a great adventure waiting for me.
I have grown such a love for the people I teach. Most of our investigators are the ones Elder Washburn taught, and I just came in the middle. One of my favorites is Vladmir. He is probably in his 40's or 50's, and he loves the gospel. Every time I talk with him, I just get a good feeling. (Which is amazing because I might only understand half of what he says!) I know that he is chosen to be taught. It doesn't mean that it will be easy, but it will happen. I really hope I can meet with him through the whole process. I don't know if I will stay in Novokuznetsk when Elder Washburn leaves, but I hope to.
Our investigator, Pavel, has many concerns about the gospel. He is very learned in the Bible, and constantly compares the Book of Mormon with it. One thing people need to understand when learning about the gospel is that you can't put the Bible and Book of Mormon against each other. They complement each other. What seals them together is faith. What we will be focusing with Pavel is how to receive an answer whether or not this gospel is true. No one can study the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and then decide whether or not the gospel it true until they sincerely pray about it. Prayer, again, is so important.
We had a senior couple in Novokuznetsk this week. The senior couples go through all the cities in our mission, and they teach English, teach in our discussions with us translating, (I even helped to translate for them!) and they feed us. Their names are the Huffakers, and they are from Colorado. Elder Huffaker is a full-on cowboy, which everyone in Russia loves. He shows them how to lasso and rope. It's really fun, and the people get a kick out of it. Senior couples have a very special spirit, one of dedication, years of faithfulness and experience, and long love for each other. Even with us translating for them, their messages are powerful. So I hope that when I am old, that I can return to Russia, and teach them with my wife. Mom, Dad, I would highly recommend that if you are able to serve a mission, do it. Every talk in the MTC, the speakers would commend the senior couples, and say how they need more couples serving. So, think about it.
One thing that Elder Washburn taught me is the importance of work. Work not only brings results in getting contacts, but also blessings in other ways. I don't know how, but God blesses us in different ways than what we thought. Elder Washburn said that many times he and his companion would go contacting, trying to get new investigators, but their efforts were fruitless in that area. BUT, they saw so many blessings as investigators would all-of-a-sudden progress and want to get baptized, old investigators want to hear the gospel again, and inactive members would start coming back. God blessed them because of their faith, based on their needs. That is my focus now, is to make more of an effort to speak to people on the street. I hope not only to get contacts, but to receive blessings for our investigators now.
There is one family, Curik and Marina, they have a daughter, and we have met them many times on the street. We haven't taught them, because other things get in the way, but they wanted to meet with us and we were dedicated to always try to meet with them. We saw them walking as a family, and I just had a good feeling about them. Elder Washburn had talked with them for a long time, but he also felt the same way that moment. We plan to meet with them today, which I pray will be successful.
Finally, one member, Sasha, is getting ready to serve a mission. She is an amazing person. She already speaks very good English. It's cool to see someone go through the things I did, preparing for their mission like I had.
Tell everyone I love them, I am praying for them.
The gospel is true.
Always pray.
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