I Know That My Redeember Lives

Dear Family,

What a week this has been for me. To go back to my first city in the mission was almost like a dream. As we are walking down the streets, memories come flooding back to me. We would be on a street corner, and I would say, "I know where we are!" I am still not used to the fact that I am here. Right now, I am serving with Elder Dawson. He will be serving in Kazakhstan. While I am waiting for my new companion on the 21st, and he for his visa, we are enjoying service together.

I came in to Novokuznetsk Tuesday morning, and left Wednesday night to go to Finland. (I sent off those CTR rings, and they should be there soon.) Finland was a very special experience for me. Members from the St. Petersburg mission were there, and one of the workers in the temple was the father of a beloved missionary here, Elder Balashov. This man is now a bishop in the recently formed stake in St. Petersburg. It was very special to me as these Russian saints prayed for us missionaries. I love these people so much, and their spirits are very special.

Stadium Hostel in Finland

If you remember Sergei, he is an investigator from Novosibirsk who I found by giving a Book of Mormon. We have only taught him twice, but we have kept in close contact since he is frequently busy and traveling. I was hoping that I could see him one last time before I left for Novokuznetsk, but he was out of town at the time. As Elder Dawson and I were leaving for the station, we got a call that he was in the city and that he wanted to meet. Fortunately, his office is close to the train station, so I got to talk to him and share my testimony before I left. He even helped me carry my bags to the train. I have seen even more how Heavenly Father blesses us with tender mercies.

Sergei

On Tuesday, there was zone training, and the zone leaders were talking about how we need to increase our love and charity for each other as companions and also for the people. Elder Dawson and I were reading in Preach my Gospel, and there is a test on how well you display the qualities of Christ. Under Charity and Love, there is a question, "I pray for Charity, the pure love of Christ." We thought how though we pray for blessings for those we teach and members, we don't actually pray, asking for Charity. We then made a goal to pray for Charity every single time we pray, if it be during study, during church, or even in a lesson. I have seen how this little act has made me more focused on being charitable. I wasn't blessed with more charity in my life, but I was blessed to be more aware, and every day I am striving to only show love, and only think love. The zone leaders even gave a 24-hour challenge, which is to not complain or criticize, or make any negative comment for a full 24 hours. It is so hard...I still haven't accomplished it. It is a constant effort, but the blessings from it are really desirable. Every day seems more positive. I highly recommend others to try this challenge, and see if your lives are not happier.

The branch is definitely different. There are the same members who I remember, but there are also new faces, which I am really grateful for. I gave a talk in sacrament meeting about living the Gospel, about what is expected of us. We have to have Faith in Jesus Christ, repent, be baptized by proper authority, receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end. It is a daily effort, where you can't afford to be lazy one day and come off conqueror. Satan is constantly attacking us. I know he constantly attacks me, throwing doubts and temptations every which way at me. Just one day of being lax can make a weak spot that Satan will directly target. We need to diligently study the scriptures, pray, follow the commandments, make the covenant of baptism, renew that covenant through the sacrament, obtain the Gift of the Holy Ghost, be worthy for His presence in our lives, and do this for the rest of our lives. I remember when I started my mission, I gave a talk in the same branch building, and how halting my Russian was. Now I was freely sharing my feelings, my testimony, and I knew that the Spirit testified that my words were true. I love being a missionary, and testifying. There is no feeling such as testifying of truth, it is happiness, confidence, love, and all the other good feelings wrapped up together in a simple statement. "I know that my Redeemer lives."

The most wonderful thing that happened this week, in my opinion, was that we had a meeting with Nikolai. Over a year ago, I personally baptized him in my second transfer. He is now a holder of the Melchizedek priesthood, and a very faithful man. Even though such a long time passed, our friendship is still the same. I actually learned of his conversion story. He was walking in the streets during winter time, and he saw a piece of paper on the ground. It was an invitation for English. He came to English, and there heard the gospel, and realized that this was truth he was seeking. He says that day when he found that card changed his life. He firmly believes that God placed that card in his path. It was definitely a miracle to me, and I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father that puts things in our path to bless us.

I can't say enough how much Heavenly Father loves us. The most wonderful thing is that we can feel His love at any time. Sometimes it may seem that we feel alone, that we can't feel His love. During those moments, that is when we need to humbly pray. I say humbly, because the only thing that can separate us from God's love is ourselves. Emotions like pride, anger, and even fear can place that pavilion between us and God. If we strive to humble ourselves, we can feel that love. We need to have our wills be swallowed up in the will of the Father, and we receive countless blessings.

I love you all so much, and I pray for you. I pray for your safety, your health, and your happiness. You are my greatest blessing.

Elders Probst, Johnson, Rubow, and Hoggan