From Jenae Brett:
Hey Family!
HAPPY 12/3... aka: PB&J day!!!!
I am so sorry it's been over a week since I've written! Last week was just so insane with transfers and Christmas lights going up on the Square that we only got part of our preparation day!
It sure has been exciting around here though. Like mentioned, the Christmas lights are now turned on each night on Temple Square and it is complete and overwhelming insanity each and every night! It has been really fun though. Each night has a unique feel as well--Monday night lots of families come for FHE, Tuesday and Wednesday are PACKED to the brim with mutual groups from all over the place, Thursaday night draws out more non-members who come to watch the Tab choir practice and visit Temple Square, Friday and Saturdays are always fun and awkward as we have a night full of date-interupting, and Sunday, well Sunday is the the Sabbath and is always special :)
Highlights of the past 2 weeks...
-The lights coming on= TONS more people, more smiles, more missionary opportunities, and a greater chance to share the reason for this beautiful season---JESUS CHRIST.
-This past week the Barnes family visited!!! It was pretty unexpected and they actually came right in the middle of the ONLY hour I had on the Square that day so it was perfect timing! (I was in the call center, office and Beehive house the rest of the day). Anyhow, Sister Tyree and I were blessed to be able to take them through the same family presentation that Sister Beylis and I took you all through a few weeks ago. I just love how every family truly brings a unique spirit to the already wonderful spirit on Temple Square. Being with the Barnes for a little bit felt a lot like being with my very own family and I am one lucky sister for that very reason!
It baffles me how someone could deny how special families are, and it makes complete sense that Satan #1 tactic is to break down families. When Bethany showed me her little tummy with Baby Barnes inside I just couldn't help but think what a divine plan our Father in Heaven has for us. What better way would there be to become like our Savior than to become stewards over one another in family units just as He is the great shepherd of us all? I dunno about chu, but I can't think of any better way.
-Yesterday, Sister Tyree and I were in charge of "opening" and "closing" the Joseph Smith movie, and we had a really neat experience. There was a couple we had just taken on a tour that wanted to see the Joseph Smith movie, so we took them there and talked a little bit beforehand about the movie and what it is depicting. They were, however, pretty uninterested in trying to believe. The man said something to the effect of "God spoke to a 14 year-old boy? hmm, that sounds a bit far-stretched if you asked me." Soooo, we did our best, bore our testimonies and started the movie. Then, afterwards, two guys came right up to us after the movie with tears in their eyes and down their cheeks. One was named Gregg and the other Stephen. We learned that Gregg had had his first discussion with his missionaries the day before, and already knew it was all true. He said that at the end of the discussion they asked if he would pray, and he uncomfortably said okay...then one of the elders suggested he even pray right then and there to know if what they had taught was true...so he did! He explained that as he sincerely and vocally asked, "it was like someone was pouring a bucket of warm water over my head and heart." Gregg's life was going downhill fast, and the light in his eyes and excitement he carried showed the hope and faith he had that through Jesus Christ he could turn everything around-including his failing marriage (his wife is a member and he hasn't been willing to listen for years).
As I thought about the difference between the couple before the movie and the two friends after I realized how blessed we can be if we merely are willing to come with a sincere and broken heart. God will unfold the way to happiness, all we have to do is ask and be willing to act on the answer we receive. I know that is true, and the joy I felt as Gregg shared his new and joyful testimony with us is the joy I want everyone in the world to feel!
I have to go, but I sure love you all and I was so happy to hear the Spokane reception went so well!
All my love and prayers,
-Sister Nay Brett#3
P.S. Happy almost Christmas break! You can make it!
P.P.S. Tell Jess all that extra time could be used dropping her sister a
letter...just maybe....LOVE YOU!
Welcome to the Sager Family Blogspot. Please post your ballgames, Phase 10 victories, motorcyle trips, family pictures, and missionary updates.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
BUNNY BYNNY RABBITT!!!
Dear Family,
I can't believe I won this month. It was December 1st yesterday and nobody said anything. I feel like a million bucks!
Somehow, every week just gets better and better! I don't think I told you last week but we had Thanksgiving soup with our District provided by the Senior missionaries in Riga (there are 3 couples, plus the two office sisters) and that was great and tasty. That evening we had a really great lesson with Ilvars, who's progressing well. That evening we taught a man who is a gate guard for the mission home and was baptized about 2 years ago, he's very kind and faithful but has been pretty depressed with all of the economical problems in Latvia. He said that 70% of the pension has been cut. I think pension is an English word but it's basically like retirement plan or social security. So we read the 10 lepers story and had a lesson on gratitude. We also brought the candy corn you sent and listed off 5 things we're grateful for. At the end of the lesson he was beaming and was so much more at peace. I think one of the biggest things I've learned and realized is how much gratitude can affect our outlook on life, which often determines how happy we are, no matter what's going on.
We spent some time this last week preparing for a leadership meeting that we held yesterday, with all of the district and zone leaders from across the mission. There are 17 districts, and 6 companionships of zone leaders so it was a big group (about a third of the missionaries). We reviewed the goals and results of 2009 which is really interesting to me, and Christopher asked about them as well so I'll give you the update. Our big goals were 150 total baptisms, 12 families, 30 baptisms from member referrals and part member families, and 75% retention. As of November, we've had 111 Baptisms, 8 families, 38 baptisms from referrals and exactly 75% retention (which has been steady for the last 7 months!) Retention means that they come to at least one sacrament meeting in the last month. So we're doing really well in some areas, especially member work, but the total number of baptisms is down. Next year's goals are similar with 150 Total Baptisms, 12 families, except 50 baptisms from member referrals and 85% retention. I didn't even come up with the number of families, but I fully support it. It's neat to see the progress of the church here, and it really is incredible to see the growth that has happened after only 15-16 years. I'm excited to hear about the first stake in Latvia in 12 years from now. Oh that would be so cool. Still a ways to go.
Katya is making amazing progress. We taught her yesterday evening and she's in Alma 24, but again that was yesterday so she's probably somewhere 15 chapters beyond that now. No joke, she says that when she wakes up, the first thing she wants to do is read the Book of Mormon. That is awesome. A very prepared person, and she'll be a strong addition to the branch. Tatiana, her mother is also becoming more and more interested. She's always listened and participated in lessons, but she's not as quick to accept everything, especially commitments. Yesterday evening we taught them with a couple in the branch who moved here for good in the summer. They are from Omsk Russia and have been members of the church for 11 years, he was a district president, their son is a returned missionary and their daughter is serving right now (both kids served in Russia). They are easily the most solid members of the church I've met here, as well as just very fun and loving people. But last night the wife just took over the lesson (in a very good way) and spoke about their conversion and life in the church and shared their testimonies and favorite scriptures and experiences and it was awesome. Especially because the lesson I had prepared (my companions were teaching someone else in the same area), was not the one we used-- we focused much more on Tatiana than we usually do and it was worth it because she said she would read the Book of Mormon! Lessons are always more powerful when members are there, that's another thing I've learned over and over here. So you may have gotten the hint but if the missionaries ever ask you to teach, I'd highly recommend it. Or if YOU ask them if you can help teach, you'd be their absolute favorites. The experiences I had working with the missionaries beforehand were very helpful, and always fun! But it's often the fun that you don't realize how much fun it was until after it's over because at first it's somewhat scary. But I learned a good lesson two weeks ago before going into a lesson with a REALLY old family in the ward (the Kuchins-- who are in their 70s) as we gathered in the stairwell and the father offered a prayer that the Lord would guide our words through the spirit. And throughout the lesson, things that they said were definitely prompted by the Holy Ghost. It's so simple-- God really answers prayers. Ah I love it.
Well, we gotta run but I love you!
Love, Elder Barnes #12
P.S. We ate the thanksgiving dinner Sunday between Latvian and Russian sacrament
meetings. It was the quickest and most delicious thanksgiving meal I've ever had! Well your homemade rolls, and turkey and gravy and stuffing are Jello are much tastier but you gotta love a meal that's made in less than 20 minutes.
Especially as a missionary.
I can't believe I won this month. It was December 1st yesterday and nobody said anything. I feel like a million bucks!
Somehow, every week just gets better and better! I don't think I told you last week but we had Thanksgiving soup with our District provided by the Senior missionaries in Riga (there are 3 couples, plus the two office sisters) and that was great and tasty. That evening we had a really great lesson with Ilvars, who's progressing well. That evening we taught a man who is a gate guard for the mission home and was baptized about 2 years ago, he's very kind and faithful but has been pretty depressed with all of the economical problems in Latvia. He said that 70% of the pension has been cut. I think pension is an English word but it's basically like retirement plan or social security. So we read the 10 lepers story and had a lesson on gratitude. We also brought the candy corn you sent and listed off 5 things we're grateful for. At the end of the lesson he was beaming and was so much more at peace. I think one of the biggest things I've learned and realized is how much gratitude can affect our outlook on life, which often determines how happy we are, no matter what's going on.
We spent some time this last week preparing for a leadership meeting that we held yesterday, with all of the district and zone leaders from across the mission. There are 17 districts, and 6 companionships of zone leaders so it was a big group (about a third of the missionaries). We reviewed the goals and results of 2009 which is really interesting to me, and Christopher asked about them as well so I'll give you the update. Our big goals were 150 total baptisms, 12 families, 30 baptisms from member referrals and part member families, and 75% retention. As of November, we've had 111 Baptisms, 8 families, 38 baptisms from referrals and exactly 75% retention (which has been steady for the last 7 months!) Retention means that they come to at least one sacrament meeting in the last month. So we're doing really well in some areas, especially member work, but the total number of baptisms is down. Next year's goals are similar with 150 Total Baptisms, 12 families, except 50 baptisms from member referrals and 85% retention. I didn't even come up with the number of families, but I fully support it. It's neat to see the progress of the church here, and it really is incredible to see the growth that has happened after only 15-16 years. I'm excited to hear about the first stake in Latvia in 12 years from now. Oh that would be so cool. Still a ways to go.
Katya is making amazing progress. We taught her yesterday evening and she's in Alma 24, but again that was yesterday so she's probably somewhere 15 chapters beyond that now. No joke, she says that when she wakes up, the first thing she wants to do is read the Book of Mormon. That is awesome. A very prepared person, and she'll be a strong addition to the branch. Tatiana, her mother is also becoming more and more interested. She's always listened and participated in lessons, but she's not as quick to accept everything, especially commitments. Yesterday evening we taught them with a couple in the branch who moved here for good in the summer. They are from Omsk Russia and have been members of the church for 11 years, he was a district president, their son is a returned missionary and their daughter is serving right now (both kids served in Russia). They are easily the most solid members of the church I've met here, as well as just very fun and loving people. But last night the wife just took over the lesson (in a very good way) and spoke about their conversion and life in the church and shared their testimonies and favorite scriptures and experiences and it was awesome. Especially because the lesson I had prepared (my companions were teaching someone else in the same area), was not the one we used-- we focused much more on Tatiana than we usually do and it was worth it because she said she would read the Book of Mormon! Lessons are always more powerful when members are there, that's another thing I've learned over and over here. So you may have gotten the hint but if the missionaries ever ask you to teach, I'd highly recommend it. Or if YOU ask them if you can help teach, you'd be their absolute favorites. The experiences I had working with the missionaries beforehand were very helpful, and always fun! But it's often the fun that you don't realize how much fun it was until after it's over because at first it's somewhat scary. But I learned a good lesson two weeks ago before going into a lesson with a REALLY old family in the ward (the Kuchins-- who are in their 70s) as we gathered in the stairwell and the father offered a prayer that the Lord would guide our words through the spirit. And throughout the lesson, things that they said were definitely prompted by the Holy Ghost. It's so simple-- God really answers prayers. Ah I love it.
Well, we gotta run but I love you!
Love, Elder Barnes #12
P.S. We ate the thanksgiving dinner Sunday between Latvian and Russian sacrament
meetings. It was the quickest and most delicious thanksgiving meal I've ever had! Well your homemade rolls, and turkey and gravy and stuffing are Jello are much tastier but you gotta love a meal that's made in less than 20 minutes.
Especially as a missionary.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
It's funny to talk to people here about thanksgiving, because the only thing they know about it is that we eat turkey. Turkey here is really expensive, so we're going without it today, but that's okay with me because the best parts about thanksgiving can still be celebrated, even from far away. I was really touched by your 5 kernels of corn, so I'll start with mine--
1)I'm grateful for a Heavenly Father who loves me and hears and answers my every day prayers.
2)I'm grateful for a family that I love more than anything else. I'm so excited to live together forever!
3)I'm thankful for living prophets and apostles who guide our church. Without them this couldn't be Christ's church, and we would know and laugh a lot less, and struggle a lot more.
4)I'm thankful for little small and simple things which bring a lot of joy. Ranging from morning jogs, to snail-mailed e-mail updates from happy missionaries across the world, to funny things my companions say, to investigators who call you because they want to meet, to weekly homemade pizza, to pump-up EFY songs,to awesome scriptures that involve the numbers 12 and 3 and everything else in between.
5)Finally I'm grateful for the atoning grace of Jesus Christ. Like Elyse said, I don't understand completely, but I know that He lives and died for every individual person, and will make up for us when we do our best.
As I was planning out my kernels, I realized that they all tie pretty close into Gospel. It kind of looks like a lesson plan. But at this point in my life, these are the things that I think about most all of the time. I forget what a blessing it is to be on a mission sometimes, until I realize that wow I'm on a mission! I really do love serving, there is nothing else I'd rather be doing. And right when I start to miss home cooking, boom I get a package from home, (which came today!). Thank you! I love and miss you.
This week has been so magical. I don't know if magic is the right word but it's been really good and everything is just working out. Firstly, I love my companions. Even though we can't fully understand each other when we pray or teach, we are getting along really well and are united in what we're doing. Both Elder Hatch (lithuanian-WA) and McLaren (latvian-ID) are starting to study Russian so that's been fun pulling out the MTC materials and starting all over. They both have the alphabet down, and are working on the cases. I'm not exactly sure how to explain cases but it's a good thing we don't really use them in English.
We had our last zone conference in Estonia last Friday and it went really well. Elder and Sister Senkans are so amazing and really understand and live the gospel. Like every other general authority I've ever met (which is three, but still) Elder Senkans is always happy and cracking jokes, even when everyone else is stressed out. We were trying to find an address in Tallin and didn't know the street name or something, and Elder Senkans kept saying, “why don't we use the GPS?” Haha, I dont know if everyone in the car thought it was funny, but I was cracking up, on the inside. When he speaks he just teaches doctrine, knows the scriptures so well and really invites the spirit. In Estonia, he mentioned how we shouldn't worry about the language because if someone wants to hear perfect estonian/russian, they can go talk with anyone else. What we need to focus on is our calling and just being happy. He also said that as representatives of Jesus Christ we don't have the right to get offended. That was way powerful.
The theme of zone conference was working with members, so while driving home we realized we should put the new knowledge to use and Saturday was miraculous! We had two solid lessons with members, one to Juris with Petris from Australia and the other to Luba Valiolova (woman who cleans the church-- so saintly) with Katya and Tatiana. We're going to give Juris a break for a while, because his family is really opposed and he's swamped with work. But Katya and Tatiana are good to go! We knocked into them our first night together (Nov 12th, jeah) and they told us to come back on Saturday. So we came back and the first lesson went smoothly, it was clear that they were interested and looking for truth. We returned the following week and Katya had already read up to 2nd Nephi and was just beaming. So at the end of the lesson we invited her to be baptized on December 12th and she was all for it! So excited. Tatiana is her mother, mid 50's and (Katya is 31) is the sister of a man who had been investigating the church in Riga for over a year with his wife and 2 kids. They recently moved to Canada but are still in contact with the missionaries, and had given Tatiana and Katya a Book of Mormon and everything. Tatiana has yet to start reading, but is happy to meet just not as quick to act. But this last Saturday is when we brought Sister Valiolova and the lesson was perfect and she testified the whole time and Katya came to church the following day and Sister Valiolova had already told a lot of members so they all came up to her and were hugging and kissing her and giving her nicknames and they whole ordeal. It was awesome. We've taught her again this week with some other members and she is flying through the Book of Mormon and really excited to be baptized. Her husband is working in Finland
right now, so we haven't been able to talk with him, but she says he's perfectly okay with it all. I should send his address to Sister Richey and then she could teach him! Hey, that might actually work. He is from Azerbazjan and Muslim, so that might be pretty interesting. I'll ask where he's living right now, and maybe we can work something out! But Katya and Tatiana are such kind, good people and very prepared for the gospel. I love prepared people.
Another quick miracle for this week is Ilvars! He's the man we found on Halloween, and he called us last week to come to church. He has been reading a lot from the Book of Mormon and says that since he's met with us, he thinks about God a lot more and good things have happened. For example the other night he said he lost his wallet with all his cards and about 60$ cash and within half an hour someone called him and returned everything! That is a big time miracle. He actually just called a little while ago because he doesn't have to work today and wants to meet up. He's also very prepared and working towards being baptized on December 12th. That is going to be one happy day.
We had a district thanksgiving lunch hosted by the Senior missionaries today who made all different kinds of soup. It kinda reminded me of our annual Christmas party! Just a lot more formal and not so much free time. But it definitely reminded that we are big time blessed!
I love you all a whole heap, and wish you a happy thanking feast!
Love, Elder Barnes #12
1)I'm grateful for a Heavenly Father who loves me and hears and answers my every day prayers.
2)I'm grateful for a family that I love more than anything else. I'm so excited to live together forever!
3)I'm thankful for living prophets and apostles who guide our church. Without them this couldn't be Christ's church, and we would know and laugh a lot less, and struggle a lot more.
4)I'm thankful for little small and simple things which bring a lot of joy. Ranging from morning jogs, to snail-mailed e-mail updates from happy missionaries across the world, to funny things my companions say, to investigators who call you because they want to meet, to weekly homemade pizza, to pump-up EFY songs,to awesome scriptures that involve the numbers 12 and 3 and everything else in between.
5)Finally I'm grateful for the atoning grace of Jesus Christ. Like Elyse said, I don't understand completely, but I know that He lives and died for every individual person, and will make up for us when we do our best.
As I was planning out my kernels, I realized that they all tie pretty close into Gospel. It kind of looks like a lesson plan. But at this point in my life, these are the things that I think about most all of the time. I forget what a blessing it is to be on a mission sometimes, until I realize that wow I'm on a mission! I really do love serving, there is nothing else I'd rather be doing. And right when I start to miss home cooking, boom I get a package from home, (which came today!). Thank you! I love and miss you.
This week has been so magical. I don't know if magic is the right word but it's been really good and everything is just working out. Firstly, I love my companions. Even though we can't fully understand each other when we pray or teach, we are getting along really well and are united in what we're doing. Both Elder Hatch (lithuanian-WA) and McLaren (latvian-ID) are starting to study Russian so that's been fun pulling out the MTC materials and starting all over. They both have the alphabet down, and are working on the cases. I'm not exactly sure how to explain cases but it's a good thing we don't really use them in English.
We had our last zone conference in Estonia last Friday and it went really well. Elder and Sister Senkans are so amazing and really understand and live the gospel. Like every other general authority I've ever met (which is three, but still) Elder Senkans is always happy and cracking jokes, even when everyone else is stressed out. We were trying to find an address in Tallin and didn't know the street name or something, and Elder Senkans kept saying, “why don't we use the GPS?” Haha, I dont know if everyone in the car thought it was funny, but I was cracking up, on the inside. When he speaks he just teaches doctrine, knows the scriptures so well and really invites the spirit. In Estonia, he mentioned how we shouldn't worry about the language because if someone wants to hear perfect estonian/russian, they can go talk with anyone else. What we need to focus on is our calling and just being happy. He also said that as representatives of Jesus Christ we don't have the right to get offended. That was way powerful.
The theme of zone conference was working with members, so while driving home we realized we should put the new knowledge to use and Saturday was miraculous! We had two solid lessons with members, one to Juris with Petris from Australia and the other to Luba Valiolova (woman who cleans the church-- so saintly) with Katya and Tatiana. We're going to give Juris a break for a while, because his family is really opposed and he's swamped with work. But Katya and Tatiana are good to go! We knocked into them our first night together (Nov 12th, jeah) and they told us to come back on Saturday. So we came back and the first lesson went smoothly, it was clear that they were interested and looking for truth. We returned the following week and Katya had already read up to 2nd Nephi and was just beaming. So at the end of the lesson we invited her to be baptized on December 12th and she was all for it! So excited. Tatiana is her mother, mid 50's and (Katya is 31) is the sister of a man who had been investigating the church in Riga for over a year with his wife and 2 kids. They recently moved to Canada but are still in contact with the missionaries, and had given Tatiana and Katya a Book of Mormon and everything. Tatiana has yet to start reading, but is happy to meet just not as quick to act. But this last Saturday is when we brought Sister Valiolova and the lesson was perfect and she testified the whole time and Katya came to church the following day and Sister Valiolova had already told a lot of members so they all came up to her and were hugging and kissing her and giving her nicknames and they whole ordeal. It was awesome. We've taught her again this week with some other members and she is flying through the Book of Mormon and really excited to be baptized. Her husband is working in Finland
right now, so we haven't been able to talk with him, but she says he's perfectly okay with it all. I should send his address to Sister Richey and then she could teach him! Hey, that might actually work. He is from Azerbazjan and Muslim, so that might be pretty interesting. I'll ask where he's living right now, and maybe we can work something out! But Katya and Tatiana are such kind, good people and very prepared for the gospel. I love prepared people.
Another quick miracle for this week is Ilvars! He's the man we found on Halloween, and he called us last week to come to church. He has been reading a lot from the Book of Mormon and says that since he's met with us, he thinks about God a lot more and good things have happened. For example the other night he said he lost his wallet with all his cards and about 60$ cash and within half an hour someone called him and returned everything! That is a big time miracle. He actually just called a little while ago because he doesn't have to work today and wants to meet up. He's also very prepared and working towards being baptized on December 12th. That is going to be one happy day.
We had a district thanksgiving lunch hosted by the Senior missionaries today who made all different kinds of soup. It kinda reminded me of our annual Christmas party! Just a lot more formal and not so much free time. But it definitely reminded that we are big time blessed!
I love you all a whole heap, and wish you a happy thanking feast!
Love, Elder Barnes #12
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
THREESOME!
It's been a packed week and having an extra side kick has been a big time help! I'm really enjoying serving with Elders McLaren and Hatch in our tripanionship. We have a lot of fun while we preach a lot of gospel. Well this week has been less proselyting because we had zone conference in Latvia on Monday and Lithuania yesterday. The conferences have been a little shorter because we're doing a special mission tour with Elder Gvido Senkans, the first member in Latvia who is in the third Quorom of the Seventy. We drove the van with them down and back to Lithuania and it's been great spending time with them and especially listening to him speak at zone conferences. He has a really neat conversion story-- 17 years ago as we has studying with his wife in Russia he met missionaries and was just really impressed at how happy they were. More than anything else, he saw the happiness in their eyes, and it was a rough time and he couldn't understand why they were so happy if they “didn't smoke, drink, date or make any money.” He gained a strong testimony of the book of mormon, he learned english as he read the doctrine and covenants because he wanted to hear how the Lord spoke to the prophet in our day, and now has a very large and active family with 5 children. They are just great and really love the Lord and His church. I had an interview with him yesterday and learned a lot of things, but the number one thing that stuck out to me was how blessed I am to have an active family and amazing examples of service and dedication to the Lord. Happiness truly comes from serving and loving the Lord and those around you. I've learned that over and over.
We had an awesome miracle on Sunday morning when Ilvars called at 9 saying that he'd be coming to church. We'd hadn't been able to get a hold of him the last week, but we met him at the church and he's doing great! We actually had district conference that day, so we were able to teach him and he told us that he had been really busy with work and an old lady (which was his grandmother) had been giving him slack for reading the Book of Mormon saying that we teach a ton of bad things. Well, he finally asked her to name one of them and she couldn't so he decided that he'd come back. He said that he was impressed at how friendly and good the people at church were and he came to the district conference with all the members from Latvia later in the afternoon and really enjoyed it. In between our lesson and the conference he went to the park and read the Book of Mormon and wrote down questions. That's what I'm talking about! Juris also came to the conference and sat with a member named Peter who's from Australia but his dad is Lativan so he speaks fluently with a land down under accent. He's the man and is always willing to help us teach, which is even more fun now cause we can have one of us teach with him (Elder McLaren cause he speaks Latvian) and then Elder Hatch and I go out and work. Another bonus of a threesome. Both Elder Hatch and Elder McLaren are starting to learn Russian, and they're picking it up quickly. So we can't really SYL, but maybe we can start pretty soon. Haha, I forgot how hard a new language is though. Especially when the alphabet is a little different. I can't even imagine learning Chinese or something. Those little squiggly lines that make a whole word are just absurd.
Another thing that Elder Senkans talked about at Zone conferences was a study that it takes about 10,000 hours until you become a professional at something. He then compared it to faith, and how that is THE most important thing we can grow and develop while here on earth, and are we spending enough time to do that. I realize that being an active member in the church feels like it takes a lot of time sometimes, but in the long run it's only a fraction of everything else we do and the benefits completely outweigh the “sacrifice.” I'm just very glad to be able to spend these two years and dedicate all of my time to serving. I can't even believe how quickly it's going and I can see that the blessings are huge. I know this the most important/eternal work I'll ever do and I'm thankful for your love and support which lifts me up and keeps me keeping on. Have a happy thanksgiving. Go Ducks!
Love, Elder Barnes #12
P.S. I attached a few pics of our apartment, we've definitely cleaned it since then but it's a way nice place even if it's a little messy! Next preparation day is next Thursday. Be sure to give everyone in Utah a big hug from me! Ok not everyone, but just family members. And any familiar missionaries you run into at the MTC/Temple Square...
Friday, November 13, 2009
My companion speaks...
Lithuanian and Latvian!! Well okay, I've got two companions. One is Elder Hatch, and the other is Elder McLaren. And they are awesome. They came out in the same group about a year ago, both work extremely hard and are very humble, easy to get along with missionaries. Basically they are Elders who played sports and dated before the mission, which I think should be a requirement for any prospective missionary. Elder Hatch is from Bellingham, WA and looks like a clean cut Luke Ridnour. Elder McLaren is from Blackfoot, ID and looks like a dark haired version of Brad Pitt. Elder McLaren thinks I would be the George Clooney of the group-- so that could give you a comparison of how accurate my description was. Although Elder Hatch did grow his hair out in the 6th grade so that he could look like Luke. I still think he does.
It was tough to see Elder Brown leave, but he'll just be in Imanta so we'll see him around for sure. And I might be calling him very regularly to ask him about administration stuff that he just dominated. Any doubts that I ever had about having crazy companions are out the window, because my companions have been just so solid.
Four new Russian Elders came in last night, they were so excited and it reminds me how fresh and new it is to serve. One of them got the swine flu in the MTC, but didn't know Elder Barnes, unfortunately. But maybe that's good because it means the whole quarantine thing was not a joke. I'm feeling healthy and so excited. My body is kinda tired, but I might take a nap why my companions unpack later. Hmm, that sounds good.
It's been an exciting week of preparing for transfers. It really is such an inspired process, and it's clear that President Dance receives revelation in all that he does. I love the President and Sister Dance! We taught a few members that Elder Brown has worked a lot over his mission-- seeing as he's served all but 1 transfer in Riga. Some of my favorites are the Straupmani family who got baptized about a year and a half ago and have three children, one newborn. The father is a policeman/ coast guard lifesaver who earned the “lifesaver of the year” award last summer for saving a drowning 8 year old kid. So physically he's a beast, and he's also one of the most spiritually dedicated people I've met. They met the missionaries, the same day he'd been praying for help from God, he was an active member of the Russian Orthodox church, but after praying and fasting (for 4-5 day periods at a time, with only water) he knew the church was true and the whole family was baptized in less than a month! They are preparing for the temple and should be going in February to be sealed. So cool! One thing that I had never seen until this last couple days, was that at home, when they say things they don't want the kids to understand, they speak Russian. Haha, I guess it's something a lot of Latvian parents do because the kids are mostly learning English in school. But after a while the oldest (9 years old) son picked it up so he could understand, but they said they still do it anyway out of habit. I decided that I might say things in Russian to my family that I don't want anyone to understand. Although I don't think that'll be quite as fun, and I don't really know to say anything too bad because I've still yet to learn the swear words. And I'm planning to keep it that way.
We're also teaching a family who was found in a miraculous way! We were walking through the city to switch back from exchanges on a Saturday morning and the last man we talked to just seemed really interested once we said we have a message about Christ. We wanted to teach them right then, but he said he'd rather come with his wife, which we said would be perfectly fine. So the next evening we went to their place, and he told us after the lesson that he'd been praying that same day for help! During the lesson, as we were talking about the Restoration and explaining how we get answers from the Holy Ghost, I said that sometimes he testifies to me through feelings of peace and warmth-- and she goes “yeah I definitely felt that warm feeling.” The church is so true. They came to church last week and really enjoyed it, after sacrament meetings Zintra said she was “drunk with the Holy Ghost”, haha, never heard that one before. But they are reading every day and praying together and really humble people who are looking for truth. She works a crazy 12 hours a day, every day a week schedule, every other week, so it's difficult to teach them sometimes, but I really think that if they keep it up, they could strengthen the branch.
We had another Latvian man come to church last Sunday, after just meeting him Friday afternoon. He'd been contacted by missionaries in the past, and had wanted to come, but his son who'd lived in America told him not to. But we taught him and he came and also really liked it! A member just basically pulled him into sunday school which was awesome. The best part was the last talk from a Sister who had just returned from her mission. I didn't understand everything, obviously, but I could tell she was testifying a ton and said the first vision in Latvian and English and talked about how the holy ghost speaks all languages. It was a really powerful talk, and from watching Juris, it was clear he was feeling the spirit. He turned to me afterwards and said, "that was super! I get that feeling once in every ten years!” I went up to the Sister afterward to thank her, and I was pretty sure that she had just come back from Temple Square, because there's a Latvian sister who just returned from there. Turns out she had just returned from the Leeds England Mission, so she definitely didn't know Sister Brett-- but she thought that was neat that that's where Dad served too. I was curious why she said “England” during her talk and for some reason I was thinking about dad's mission and the things he'd told me as she was speaking—yup yup. The spirit is definitely understood in all languages! And I'm really glad that's true seeing as we have a tri-lingual companionship. But I'm not scared. I really have a testimony that in the Lord's work nothing really gets in the way. Or as President Hinckley would say “Things will work out.”
I love you! Thanks for your prayers. I'm praying for you!
Love, Elder Barnes #12
It was tough to see Elder Brown leave, but he'll just be in Imanta so we'll see him around for sure. And I might be calling him very regularly to ask him about administration stuff that he just dominated. Any doubts that I ever had about having crazy companions are out the window, because my companions have been just so solid.
Four new Russian Elders came in last night, they were so excited and it reminds me how fresh and new it is to serve. One of them got the swine flu in the MTC, but didn't know Elder Barnes, unfortunately. But maybe that's good because it means the whole quarantine thing was not a joke. I'm feeling healthy and so excited. My body is kinda tired, but I might take a nap why my companions unpack later. Hmm, that sounds good.
It's been an exciting week of preparing for transfers. It really is such an inspired process, and it's clear that President Dance receives revelation in all that he does. I love the President and Sister Dance! We taught a few members that Elder Brown has worked a lot over his mission-- seeing as he's served all but 1 transfer in Riga. Some of my favorites are the Straupmani family who got baptized about a year and a half ago and have three children, one newborn. The father is a policeman/ coast guard lifesaver who earned the “lifesaver of the year” award last summer for saving a drowning 8 year old kid. So physically he's a beast, and he's also one of the most spiritually dedicated people I've met. They met the missionaries, the same day he'd been praying for help from God, he was an active member of the Russian Orthodox church, but after praying and fasting (for 4-5 day periods at a time, with only water) he knew the church was true and the whole family was baptized in less than a month! They are preparing for the temple and should be going in February to be sealed. So cool! One thing that I had never seen until this last couple days, was that at home, when they say things they don't want the kids to understand, they speak Russian. Haha, I guess it's something a lot of Latvian parents do because the kids are mostly learning English in school. But after a while the oldest (9 years old) son picked it up so he could understand, but they said they still do it anyway out of habit. I decided that I might say things in Russian to my family that I don't want anyone to understand. Although I don't think that'll be quite as fun, and I don't really know to say anything too bad because I've still yet to learn the swear words. And I'm planning to keep it that way.
We're also teaching a family who was found in a miraculous way! We were walking through the city to switch back from exchanges on a Saturday morning and the last man we talked to just seemed really interested once we said we have a message about Christ. We wanted to teach them right then, but he said he'd rather come with his wife, which we said would be perfectly fine. So the next evening we went to their place, and he told us after the lesson that he'd been praying that same day for help! During the lesson, as we were talking about the Restoration and explaining how we get answers from the Holy Ghost, I said that sometimes he testifies to me through feelings of peace and warmth-- and she goes “yeah I definitely felt that warm feeling.” The church is so true. They came to church last week and really enjoyed it, after sacrament meetings Zintra said she was “drunk with the Holy Ghost”, haha, never heard that one before. But they are reading every day and praying together and really humble people who are looking for truth. She works a crazy 12 hours a day, every day a week schedule, every other week, so it's difficult to teach them sometimes, but I really think that if they keep it up, they could strengthen the branch.
We had another Latvian man come to church last Sunday, after just meeting him Friday afternoon. He'd been contacted by missionaries in the past, and had wanted to come, but his son who'd lived in America told him not to. But we taught him and he came and also really liked it! A member just basically pulled him into sunday school which was awesome. The best part was the last talk from a Sister who had just returned from her mission. I didn't understand everything, obviously, but I could tell she was testifying a ton and said the first vision in Latvian and English and talked about how the holy ghost speaks all languages. It was a really powerful talk, and from watching Juris, it was clear he was feeling the spirit. He turned to me afterwards and said, "that was super! I get that feeling once in every ten years!” I went up to the Sister afterward to thank her, and I was pretty sure that she had just come back from Temple Square, because there's a Latvian sister who just returned from there. Turns out she had just returned from the Leeds England Mission, so she definitely didn't know Sister Brett-- but she thought that was neat that that's where Dad served too. I was curious why she said “England” during her talk and for some reason I was thinking about dad's mission and the things he'd told me as she was speaking—yup yup. The spirit is definitely understood in all languages! And I'm really glad that's true seeing as we have a tri-lingual companionship. But I'm not scared. I really have a testimony that in the Lord's work nothing really gets in the way. Or as President Hinckley would say “Things will work out.”
I love you! Thanks for your prayers. I'm praying for you!
Love, Elder Barnes #12
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Happy THIRD day of November! from Jenae Brett
Hello beautiful family!
I just love you all so much. We had Relief Society yesterday! Oh, church works differently here (don't worry the same doctrines are taught though :)...We have just sacrament each Sunday at 7:30am with all the sisters, Senior couples(the husbands pass the sacrament), and mission presidency, and then we get Relief Society every other Monday morning at the same time because we can't afford to be off the Square.
So, Relief Society was wonderful and the lesson was about eternal families! I think that is my favorite topic...ever. We ended with talking about a quote from Joseph Smith- he said "Parents who love support, and pray for their children bring immeasurable blessings into their children's lives." I am a living testimony of the truth of that statement. As I read your letters and emails, and as I feel the power of your support and prayers I am motivated to want to be better, to work harder and testify through the Spirit to more people so they can know of the possibility of having their own eternal family!
Okay...our miracle for the week:
Yesterday morning was really slow on the Square, but Sister Beylis and I had planned for a language tour and prayed it would come. So, 15 minutes before we had planned to find our Russians or Israelis, we got a page (yeah...we use pagers. I don't even know if I have seen a pager in my life until now). Anyhoo, we responded and found out there were 20 Russians who just got on the Square and were interested in a tour! Haha, WHAT?!? Big language tours like this don't happen a whole lot unscheduled during the winter-time. So we got there and guess who we were taking on a tour? The 2010 Ruassian Olympic Luge Team! They are here training in Park City for a few weeks and decided to come see the sights. It was SO fun! I may not speak Russian, but I had fun attempting to communicate nonetheless. We had taken the Russian Speed Skaters on a tour a few weeks ago, but this one was completely different from the very start. They listened, they were more receptive than many of the russians we have taken around have been...and three of the referrred to hear more from the missionaries! Oh yeeah. Miracles do happen.
Alright, I have to go because we are way limited on time, but we may be able to pick of 5 minutes later tonight, we'll see!
I love you all and am ALWAYS praying to you!
Love,
Sister Nay Nay Brett #3
I just love you all so much. We had Relief Society yesterday! Oh, church works differently here (don't worry the same doctrines are taught though :)...We have just sacrament each Sunday at 7:30am with all the sisters, Senior couples(the husbands pass the sacrament), and mission presidency, and then we get Relief Society every other Monday morning at the same time because we can't afford to be off the Square.
So, Relief Society was wonderful and the lesson was about eternal families! I think that is my favorite topic...ever. We ended with talking about a quote from Joseph Smith- he said "Parents who love support, and pray for their children bring immeasurable blessings into their children's lives." I am a living testimony of the truth of that statement. As I read your letters and emails, and as I feel the power of your support and prayers I am motivated to want to be better, to work harder and testify through the Spirit to more people so they can know of the possibility of having their own eternal family!
Okay...our miracle for the week:
Yesterday morning was really slow on the Square, but Sister Beylis and I had planned for a language tour and prayed it would come. So, 15 minutes before we had planned to find our Russians or Israelis, we got a page (yeah...we use pagers. I don't even know if I have seen a pager in my life until now). Anyhoo, we responded and found out there were 20 Russians who just got on the Square and were interested in a tour! Haha, WHAT?!? Big language tours like this don't happen a whole lot unscheduled during the winter-time. So we got there and guess who we were taking on a tour? The 2010 Ruassian Olympic Luge Team! They are here training in Park City for a few weeks and decided to come see the sights. It was SO fun! I may not speak Russian, but I had fun attempting to communicate nonetheless. We had taken the Russian Speed Skaters on a tour a few weeks ago, but this one was completely different from the very start. They listened, they were more receptive than many of the russians we have taken around have been...and three of the referrred to hear more from the missionaries! Oh yeeah. Miracles do happen.
Alright, I have to go because we are way limited on time, but we may be able to pick of 5 minutes later tonight, we'll see!
I love you all and am ALWAYS praying to you!
Love,
Sister Nay Nay Brett #3
The Church is true! Go Ducks! Happy Halloween!
Dear Family,
Overall Halloween is not really celebrated too much here, but we had a trick or treat miracle on Saturday evening! It had been a pretty long day of not much going on, and right as we opened the door to go into another building, a group of 5 or 6 young trick-or treaters without their parents, came from out of no-where and ran right by. We debated whether it was worth it to knock at the same time, and just figured it wasn’t the best of ideas. So we turned around and headed towards some different buildings a hundred or so yards away. While walking, we came across a man with a hoodie. We greeted him, he took off his hoodie and it turns out that he was a nice, prepared guy who said he had few minutes. So we sat down on a nearby bench and taught him for the next 20 minutes. It was zero degrees out, so not too warm, but it felt very comfortable and he definitely felt the spirit. He came to church the next morning (he got there 20 minutes early!) and really enjoyed it. We’ve yet to teach him this week, but it’ll work out tomorrow I think. His name is Ilvars, he’s about 30, and has gone to other churches, just didn’t really like them. So he’s pretty prepared.
Yesterday morning we returned from exchanges in Vilnius and it was another highlight of the week. I love Vilnius! It has a lot of trees, the buildings and homes are more spread out, and it just feels like Eugene, kind of. We drove down Sunday evening after church, and arrived after a quick/dark 3 ½ hours. Like mom mentioned to me, it’s getting dark here really early (between 4 and 5). We also had a full moon yesterday, which I kind of forgot you were seeing too! Sometimes I forget that life is going on ever where else, especially when it’s moving very quickly where you are. That was another part of the fun of going to Vilnius; the city was the same more or less, a few new buildings here and there, but it was a lot colder than when I left, and now there are more members! I was with two Russian speakers who live in the area I served in, so we taught Karl (the man to whom we taught piano), and Artiom, who are both doing really well. Artiom had been dating one of the new converts, Ina, but she left for England a month ago and he said it’s been lonely without her, haha. My last lesson with him she came to teach with us, and I joked that they would become
“really good friends” and he said no way, but it just turned out to be destiny. But I’m telling you all of this because he baptized one of her good friends last Sunday, who’s been investigating for the last few months, and now her brother has been starting coming to church. Artiom’s friend, Jefim, that got baptized 2 months ago is doing really well, and is dating a long time member from the Lithuanian branch, and they are very lovey dovey. So basically, there’s a lot of baptizing and righteous dating going in Vilnius, which is what it’s all about.
Transfers are coming up next week, so we’ve started to do some planning. I’ve been serving with Elder Brown for three transfers, so we’re both pretty sure that we’ll have new companions next week, which is weird. Senior Missionaries are lucky in that they get to keep the same companion the whole time! I’ll for sure miss Elder Brown and his cooking, driving, and leadership skills. But transfers are always fun because you get to look at where you are, and figure out how to get where you want to be. My guess is I’ll still be in Riga, but you never know, anything can happen! Welp gotta fly, I love you and you’re in my prayers!
Love, Elder Barnes #12
Overall Halloween is not really celebrated too much here, but we had a trick or treat miracle on Saturday evening! It had been a pretty long day of not much going on, and right as we opened the door to go into another building, a group of 5 or 6 young trick-or treaters without their parents, came from out of no-where and ran right by. We debated whether it was worth it to knock at the same time, and just figured it wasn’t the best of ideas. So we turned around and headed towards some different buildings a hundred or so yards away. While walking, we came across a man with a hoodie. We greeted him, he took off his hoodie and it turns out that he was a nice, prepared guy who said he had few minutes. So we sat down on a nearby bench and taught him for the next 20 minutes. It was zero degrees out, so not too warm, but it felt very comfortable and he definitely felt the spirit. He came to church the next morning (he got there 20 minutes early!) and really enjoyed it. We’ve yet to teach him this week, but it’ll work out tomorrow I think. His name is Ilvars, he’s about 30, and has gone to other churches, just didn’t really like them. So he’s pretty prepared.
Yesterday morning we returned from exchanges in Vilnius and it was another highlight of the week. I love Vilnius! It has a lot of trees, the buildings and homes are more spread out, and it just feels like Eugene, kind of. We drove down Sunday evening after church, and arrived after a quick/dark 3 ½ hours. Like mom mentioned to me, it’s getting dark here really early (between 4 and 5). We also had a full moon yesterday, which I kind of forgot you were seeing too! Sometimes I forget that life is going on ever where else, especially when it’s moving very quickly where you are. That was another part of the fun of going to Vilnius; the city was the same more or less, a few new buildings here and there, but it was a lot colder than when I left, and now there are more members! I was with two Russian speakers who live in the area I served in, so we taught Karl (the man to whom we taught piano), and Artiom, who are both doing really well. Artiom had been dating one of the new converts, Ina, but she left for England a month ago and he said it’s been lonely without her, haha. My last lesson with him she came to teach with us, and I joked that they would become
“really good friends” and he said no way, but it just turned out to be destiny. But I’m telling you all of this because he baptized one of her good friends last Sunday, who’s been investigating for the last few months, and now her brother has been starting coming to church. Artiom’s friend, Jefim, that got baptized 2 months ago is doing really well, and is dating a long time member from the Lithuanian branch, and they are very lovey dovey. So basically, there’s a lot of baptizing and righteous dating going in Vilnius, which is what it’s all about.
Transfers are coming up next week, so we’ve started to do some planning. I’ve been serving with Elder Brown for three transfers, so we’re both pretty sure that we’ll have new companions next week, which is weird. Senior Missionaries are lucky in that they get to keep the same companion the whole time! I’ll for sure miss Elder Brown and his cooking, driving, and leadership skills. But transfers are always fun because you get to look at where you are, and figure out how to get where you want to be. My guess is I’ll still be in Riga, but you never know, anything can happen! Welp gotta fly, I love you and you’re in my prayers!
Love, Elder Barnes #12
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)