Family,
I'm so happy for Christopher and Bethany, and it was a blast to read your detailed e-mails and feel your joy. It's great to hear that everything went smoothly and that so much family and friends could take part. Of course I would have loved to be there, and I know I won't be the first to say this but I know this is where I'm supposed to be. There's absolutely no doubt. Heavenly Father has the biggest and bestest plan of all, and I'm thrilled to know that like Christopher, Bethany, Elder and Sister Dickerson and many others, I am doing what he wants me to do.
Speaking of marriage, on monday Elder Brimley and I were riding into center on a marshroute (the little buses's) and I saw a very nice russian couple, the man sporting a shiny ring. I asked if they were together and he said that got married the week before. I excitingly told him that my brother just got married too! After that, we kind of just had some random thing in common, and they were interested in learning more about the gospel! So we set something up for saturday and we'll see what happens. I've learned that being real, interested in them, and quick to testify is just how missionary work get's done, and it's fun!
Richard is the man. We taught him at his apartment last week and I was again impressed with how respectable and prepared he is. He told us that his boxing name in America was "Richard Danas" and that we could look him up on google. That's not allowed for us, but you can if you want! He's tall, big, a little darker skinned, and I bet Mom would think he smells good, (although probably not while in the fighting ring). We talked about how Christ is the rock upon which we must build our foundation and we do that by learning and applying his doctrine. We challenged him to baptism and he replied that it was a big "honor," and would continue to think about it while reading and coming to church. He came to all three meetings again last week and the members did a great job of talking to him and helping him feel welcome. We're teaching him again this evening and it's just exciting. He'd be such a strong member and even asked us if they were any lessons that he could help us on with other people! Preach my Gospel has yet to make a key indicator for teaching with investigators present but we might have to start one. Although hopefully not for long!
Elder Brimley and I were in Siaulai monday for exchanges and that went great! We left Vilnius at 7:30 for a 4 hour bus ride and return home the next morning at the same time so it makes for a tiring and exciting adventure. For finding, most missionaries go "harvesting" or knocking which is a perfect way to get into someone's home and teach. I'm a big fan of contacting, it's a little less in your face and people can really see you as a normal person, and then they're more likely to listen. The other day on an exchange with Elder Seastrand (my "Brother!" from MTC district) we were walking between apartment "domes" and started talking to a group of kids outside playing basketball. Andre, about 18, was the oldest of the group and really interested. So we walked over to some benches, his seven neighborhood clan followed, we prayed and taught a great first lesson. Haha, Elder Seastrand said it felt like being Alma and just calling everyone to repentance. It doesn't always work out that quite picturesque but when times are rough, you only just appreciate how beautiful it will be!
We've got zone conference in Kaunus tomorrow and we're excited! I'm looking forward to the spiritual feast and inspiration, and it will be great to catch up with the missionaries there who i just love, including Elder Hansen who I served with in Riga is now in Klaipedia as the only Russian-speaker there! Oh and did you run into Elder Glauser in Utah?? I'm assuming that everyone in Utah knows who he is, at least that's pretty much how it is in the Baltics. I love the Baltics.
And I love you!
Love, Elder Barnes #12
I'm so happy for Christopher and Bethany, and it was a blast to read your detailed e-mails and feel your joy. It's great to hear that everything went smoothly and that so much family and friends could take part. Of course I would have loved to be there, and I know I won't be the first to say this but I know this is where I'm supposed to be. There's absolutely no doubt. Heavenly Father has the biggest and bestest plan of all, and I'm thrilled to know that like Christopher, Bethany, Elder and Sister Dickerson and many others, I am doing what he wants me to do.
Speaking of marriage, on monday Elder Brimley and I were riding into center on a marshroute (the little buses's) and I saw a very nice russian couple, the man sporting a shiny ring. I asked if they were together and he said that got married the week before. I excitingly told him that my brother just got married too! After that, we kind of just had some random thing in common, and they were interested in learning more about the gospel! So we set something up for saturday and we'll see what happens. I've learned that being real, interested in them, and quick to testify is just how missionary work get's done, and it's fun!
Richard is the man. We taught him at his apartment last week and I was again impressed with how respectable and prepared he is. He told us that his boxing name in America was "Richard Danas" and that we could look him up on google. That's not allowed for us, but you can if you want! He's tall, big, a little darker skinned, and I bet Mom would think he smells good, (although probably not while in the fighting ring). We talked about how Christ is the rock upon which we must build our foundation and we do that by learning and applying his doctrine. We challenged him to baptism and he replied that it was a big "honor," and would continue to think about it while reading and coming to church. He came to all three meetings again last week and the members did a great job of talking to him and helping him feel welcome. We're teaching him again this evening and it's just exciting. He'd be such a strong member and even asked us if they were any lessons that he could help us on with other people! Preach my Gospel has yet to make a key indicator for teaching with investigators present but we might have to start one. Although hopefully not for long!
Elder Brimley and I were in Siaulai monday for exchanges and that went great! We left Vilnius at 7:30 for a 4 hour bus ride and return home the next morning at the same time so it makes for a tiring and exciting adventure. For finding, most missionaries go "harvesting" or knocking which is a perfect way to get into someone's home and teach. I'm a big fan of contacting, it's a little less in your face and people can really see you as a normal person, and then they're more likely to listen. The other day on an exchange with Elder Seastrand (my "Brother!" from MTC district) we were walking between apartment "domes" and started talking to a group of kids outside playing basketball. Andre, about 18, was the oldest of the group and really interested. So we walked over to some benches, his seven neighborhood clan followed, we prayed and taught a great first lesson. Haha, Elder Seastrand said it felt like being Alma and just calling everyone to repentance. It doesn't always work out that quite picturesque but when times are rough, you only just appreciate how beautiful it will be!
We've got zone conference in Kaunus tomorrow and we're excited! I'm looking forward to the spiritual feast and inspiration, and it will be great to catch up with the missionaries there who i just love, including Elder Hansen who I served with in Riga is now in Klaipedia as the only Russian-speaker there! Oh and did you run into Elder Glauser in Utah?? I'm assuming that everyone in Utah knows who he is, at least that's pretty much how it is in the Baltics. I love the Baltics.
And I love you!
Love, Elder Barnes #12
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