Hi everybody!
First week of February, gone! Actually, it was kind of a long week.
It's a little hard keeping up momentum after a baptism, but all's
well. Our husband and wife who were baptized, Golden, both came to
church yesterday, and Golden Husband received the Aaronic Priesthood
in sacrament. We really need some priesthood holders in our branch,
so that was exciting. Golden Wife said she's going to try to find a
way to work so she never has to work on Sundays, all on her own. They
are so great, and they don't hestitate to ask questions about the
Gospel. (We had to explain why Nephi killed Laban this week. We knew
it was going to happen eventually.) They're also going to introduce
us to their nineteen-year-old son tonight... Possibly a baptism in the
future?
Some of our other investigators who had baptismal dates or who were
progressing toward baptism haven't been able to meet with us lately.
Either they're working a lot, not home, or not answering their phones,
so we've been having a difficult time preparing anyone to be baptized
this month. We have some other investigators who do meet with us
often, but they either don't have a desire to be baptized or just
don't listen. There are lots of Pentecostals that we teach, and they
LOVE to talk. We could sit there for an hour and not have to say a
thing if we wanted to because they love to talk about religion and
about the Bible. One of the women we met with last night (which was
great because it was really cold yesterday and we did not want to be
on the streets, and I'll call her Grandma Bible) kept trying to tell
us that our pamphlets had a bunch of mistakes in them. Even though we
can't see a lot of progress with her, Sister Watts said that she
thinks maybe something broke through yesterday, so we shall see what
happens with her.
There was another woman whom we met only recently. We found her
outside of her apartment while looking for a potential investigator,
and although we never found the potential, we did meet with the other
woman. I'll call her Owl. She's kind of slow in her understanding,
so we've only been teaching the lessons point-by-point with her, but
yesterday she came to church (although late, in the middle of third
hour), and she prayed all on her own for the first time. We're seeing
some potential with her, even if we do have to take it slower with her
than with our other investigators.
Everyone's been saying that January and February are the coldest
months here. Although it was pretty chilly and windy yesterday and
today, most of last week was pretty warm. The snow melts during the
day, and the streets get really wet and muddy (and so do our boots),
but all the water freezes again at night, so it becomes really
slippery the next day. Supposedly it's supposed to be warmer
tomorrow.
We had zone training on Friday, and everyone who was transferred moved around. Elder Sayers left for Khabarabsk (I think that's how it's
spelled in English), and Elder Murphey came into Nakhodka, and he's
our new district leader. Our zone leaders are Elders Erickson and
Sitton, and they came to Nakhodka to pass on some information from
President Brinton, and we also talked about how we can be led by the
Spirit and receive revelation through prayer. I love studying with
other missionaries because I feel like I learn so much and I feel
remotivated to improve and be better. Also, when they came, they
brought mail! I received some letters, some from Christmas time and
some for my birthday, so thanks to those that sent something. It's so
fun to read, and I really appreciate the thought! It's interesting to
see that some of the mail was sent in December and some from January, and they all got to me at the same time. They came faster than the Christmas package for Sister Watts, probably because they came after Christmas when lots of mail is being processed.
Last week, Sister Watts and I went shopping for souveniers. We looked
at Russian stacking dolls (Matrioshkas), and she bought about 5 lbs.
worth of dolls for her family. I didn't buy anything, but I got a
good preview of what's out there. They also have some Chinese type
souveniers, like Buddhas and dragons. I love looking at souveniers
and seeing the culture of Russia, like the food and the songs and the
clothes and the houses... everything! I can't even begin to sum it
up.
Random Russian stuff: (I'll try to think of something cooler than
"stuff" to make it a sweet acronym, but for now, it's "stuff".)
There's a kid's TV show called Masha and Medved. Masha is a little
girl who has all kinds of adventures and is always making trouble, and
Medved (which means bear) is a big bear who takes the brunt of Masha's antics. I've seen lots of things in the stores with pictures of Masha and Medved on it. Lots of kids also like Winx and Monster High tv
shows from America, and they like to show us their backpacks and
dolls. One day I saw an older woman walking around with a Monster
High bag, so maybe it's not just the kids who like it.
I only found this out last week, but they have lockers in stores
where you can put your bags while you shop. You just drop off your
bags in the locker, turn the lock, and take the key (for free I might
add). Some things in Russia would be nice to have in America, like
how they heat their water. It's kind of like a coffee pot, but it
doesn't make coffee. You just fill the pitcher up and click this
button and it heats up your water. Perfect for making hot chocolate
and oatmeal.
That doesn't cover everything we did this week, but you'll have to
wait 'til next week to hear more. Thanks for all your love and
support, and have a great week!
Love,
Сестра Спрингер
Can you pass on some thanks for me?
I got the letters from the ward - Pass on my thanks to Bishop!
(I wish I could thank every person individually)
Relief Society? The return address was Annette Livesy, and I think
the card had other RS people on it. Tell them thanks for the
cookbook, Sis. Watts and I are excited to try new things!
Aunt Carol and Uncle Ed - Their letter was super sweet, and I
appreciate all their love
My birthday package from my loving family! I loved the jewelry and
the cake mix (we'll make that soon), and Sis. Watts is really excited
about the vanilla. Is it from Mexico? Did you just think to send
vanilla, or did I say something about how they don't have vanilla
here? Either way, we love it!
First week of February, gone! Actually, it was kind of a long week.
It's a little hard keeping up momentum after a baptism, but all's
well. Our husband and wife who were baptized, Golden, both came to
church yesterday, and Golden Husband received the Aaronic Priesthood
in sacrament. We really need some priesthood holders in our branch,
so that was exciting. Golden Wife said she's going to try to find a
way to work so she never has to work on Sundays, all on her own. They
are so great, and they don't hestitate to ask questions about the
Gospel. (We had to explain why Nephi killed Laban this week. We knew
it was going to happen eventually.) They're also going to introduce
us to their nineteen-year-old son tonight... Possibly a baptism in the
future?
Some of our other investigators who had baptismal dates or who were
progressing toward baptism haven't been able to meet with us lately.
Either they're working a lot, not home, or not answering their phones,
so we've been having a difficult time preparing anyone to be baptized
this month. We have some other investigators who do meet with us
often, but they either don't have a desire to be baptized or just
don't listen. There are lots of Pentecostals that we teach, and they
LOVE to talk. We could sit there for an hour and not have to say a
thing if we wanted to because they love to talk about religion and
about the Bible. One of the women we met with last night (which was
great because it was really cold yesterday and we did not want to be
on the streets, and I'll call her Grandma Bible) kept trying to tell
us that our pamphlets had a bunch of mistakes in them. Even though we
can't see a lot of progress with her, Sister Watts said that she
thinks maybe something broke through yesterday, so we shall see what
happens with her.
There was another woman whom we met only recently. We found her
outside of her apartment while looking for a potential investigator,
and although we never found the potential, we did meet with the other
woman. I'll call her Owl. She's kind of slow in her understanding,
so we've only been teaching the lessons point-by-point with her, but
yesterday she came to church (although late, in the middle of third
hour), and she prayed all on her own for the first time. We're seeing
some potential with her, even if we do have to take it slower with her
than with our other investigators.
Everyone's been saying that January and February are the coldest
months here. Although it was pretty chilly and windy yesterday and
today, most of last week was pretty warm. The snow melts during the
day, and the streets get really wet and muddy (and so do our boots),
but all the water freezes again at night, so it becomes really
slippery the next day. Supposedly it's supposed to be warmer
tomorrow.
We had zone training on Friday, and everyone who was transferred moved around. Elder Sayers left for Khabarabsk (I think that's how it's
spelled in English), and Elder Murphey came into Nakhodka, and he's
our new district leader. Our zone leaders are Elders Erickson and
Sitton, and they came to Nakhodka to pass on some information from
President Brinton, and we also talked about how we can be led by the
Spirit and receive revelation through prayer. I love studying with
other missionaries because I feel like I learn so much and I feel
remotivated to improve and be better. Also, when they came, they
brought mail! I received some letters, some from Christmas time and
some for my birthday, so thanks to those that sent something. It's so
fun to read, and I really appreciate the thought! It's interesting to
see that some of the mail was sent in December and some from January, and they all got to me at the same time. They came faster than the Christmas package for Sister Watts, probably because they came after Christmas when lots of mail is being processed.
Last week, Sister Watts and I went shopping for souveniers. We looked
at Russian stacking dolls (Matrioshkas), and she bought about 5 lbs.
worth of dolls for her family. I didn't buy anything, but I got a
good preview of what's out there. They also have some Chinese type
souveniers, like Buddhas and dragons. I love looking at souveniers
and seeing the culture of Russia, like the food and the songs and the
clothes and the houses... everything! I can't even begin to sum it
up.
Random Russian stuff: (I'll try to think of something cooler than
"stuff" to make it a sweet acronym, but for now, it's "stuff".)
There's a kid's TV show called Masha and Medved. Masha is a little
girl who has all kinds of adventures and is always making trouble, and
Medved (which means bear) is a big bear who takes the brunt of Masha's antics. I've seen lots of things in the stores with pictures of Masha and Medved on it. Lots of kids also like Winx and Monster High tv
shows from America, and they like to show us their backpacks and
dolls. One day I saw an older woman walking around with a Monster
High bag, so maybe it's not just the kids who like it.
I only found this out last week, but they have lockers in stores
where you can put your bags while you shop. You just drop off your
bags in the locker, turn the lock, and take the key (for free I might
add). Some things in Russia would be nice to have in America, like
how they heat their water. It's kind of like a coffee pot, but it
doesn't make coffee. You just fill the pitcher up and click this
button and it heats up your water. Perfect for making hot chocolate
and oatmeal.
That doesn't cover everything we did this week, but you'll have to
wait 'til next week to hear more. Thanks for all your love and
support, and have a great week!
Love,
Сестра Спрингер
Can you pass on some thanks for me?
I got the letters from the ward - Pass on my thanks to Bishop!
(I wish I could thank every person individually)
Relief Society? The return address was Annette Livesy, and I think
the card had other RS people on it. Tell them thanks for the
cookbook, Sis. Watts and I are excited to try new things!
Aunt Carol and Uncle Ed - Their letter was super sweet, and I
appreciate all their love
My birthday package from my loving family! I loved the jewelry and
the cake mix (we'll make that soon), and Sis. Watts is really excited
about the vanilla. Is it from Mexico? Did you just think to send
vanilla, or did I say something about how they don't have vanilla
here? Either way, we love it!