Happy November, Well What a Week!

Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2010 13:35:34 +0200
Subject: Happy November
Well What a Week!

It really has been just a great week of hard work and fun.  Because Missionary work should be fun and if you make it fun it will be and then you are more productive and get more accomplished and the blessings just keep coming.  So I'm having the best of times with Elder Hinkson right now and we really are having so much fun.  The work is going and I feel the support of prayers of many.  When the spirit leads you it is just great.

First last Monday we had an awesome family home evening with this way cool family the B------'s.  The have a single mom with 5 kids that very in ages but are so much fun.  The mom gave the lesson purely on thinking about past family nights and thinking about one that was most memorable to us.  It really hit me hard to think about all the wonderful times that I have been able to spend with my family over the years and all the many lessons my wonderful parents have taught me.  I love my family so much and I'm so grateful for the relationships we have in our family, I couldn't imagine it any other way.

Tuesday, We had a sweet lesson with this guy named K-----.  It is always great when someone says that they are looking for something for their soul (because it just so happens we have something to give to help with that).  He is way interested but he travels on business like crazy so we only had that meeting with him but we have one already set up for this week, so I'm way excited!

Then we had Beginning English and it went pretty well.  We talked about Halloween and then I had brought a Cake I made to share for a mini Birthday Party, it was great fun!

Wednesday we had a way good combined District Meeting out by the temple which was great, always good to go out there.  Then we came back and went and met with this partially paralized guy but he isn't too interested and we found out he's had a Book of Mormon for 15 years he just doesn't really care, which is way sad.  Then we had an awesome lesson with the B----- Family and our Mission Leader came with us and it was great we talked about establishing a baptismal date but they wanted to talk about it.

Thursday was a bit of an interesting day with some random lessons and the adventures of stopping by Less Actives (they can be quite the adventures).  We had Advanced English where we just talked about Halloween a little more in depth.

Friday Morning we had a way sweet lesson with just P----- the father of the B----- family.  We found out that he and the kids feel ready but the mom is still hestitant she wants to be sure.  So we talked about how we can help her and just as we were leaving she walked in and he was like "talk to her" so we talked to her about it and said we'd come with a plan for them our next lesson.  Later in the day we had a way sad Less Active visit.  It was way sad because it is just heartbreaking to see someone who has made baptismal and temple covenants go away from what they know is true.  It really is one of the hardest things to see.  We were able to lift our spirits after by visiting with a great member family and talk about their missionary work.

Saturday during study I got a call from my cousin Mark and so then we got it all planned so that we could meet eachother before his temple session.  It was so awesome to see him and visit for a little bit.  The weird thing was just how normal it seemed.  We swapped mission stories and talked about the work here in Kyiv vs where he is in Moscow.  It was such a neat thing to see him!  All of our lessons fell through on Saturday but we were able to create a way tight plan to give to the B----- which brings us to Sunday.

As always Sunday was the greatest day of the week.  It was even greater because we got to have an extra hour of sleep.  We went off Day Light Savings a week earlier than the states so that extra hour was way nice.  We then headed to the church.  First we had the international branch which has just a comfort feeling about it.  Some great talks about gratitude.  J----- the L------- were glad to hear that you are doing well.  

Then it was the Vinohradar Ward which was way good.  The best part I think was the 3rd hour.  It was 5th sunday combined and pretty much ward leader after ward leader got up saying what needed to be done, like missionary work, less active fellowship and all this great stuff.  The greatest part was when the Bishop was like I think we should fast for the B----- family tomorrow to help them journey towards baptism so today we are fasting with the ward for the B----- family.  It is so wonderful to have that support from the ward leaders and all the members.  After church somehow I got dragged into being the pianist for the Holiday Choir they are having for some different service things like singing for the blind and such.  That was quite exciting to accompany as they are telling me different things mainly in Russian.  My piano skills have definitely been blessed by being a missionary.

Then we had a sweet lesson with this babusya (grandma) V--------.  V--- our MCL came with us and she basically understands the Book of Mormon like I have never seen before.  She basically recited the whole 1st chapter of Nephi with explanations.  The one thing she doesn't really understand is that if this is the only true Church of Christ, the one she is currently going to can't also be true but we are working with her and she is awesome.

Then came the highlight of the entire week.  We swung by home to pick up the special birthday cake I made and then we met a member T----- to go to meet the B----- with us.  They went to the village so weren't at church which was way sad but we have retaught the importance of them coming so I have high faith in them this week.  We presented them with the awesome plan we prepared for them that has what we want to teach again and then it also has goals, including their baptism on the 20th of November, and priesthood ordinations and a temple sealing next year.  They were way excited for the plan.  I had told them I'd bring a cake for my birthday but it was the first time I had a chance so then we celebrated with them and it was really one of the greatest meetings of my mission.

Wow well that was my awesome week.  I'd like to welcome my new cousin E---- to the family and hope she and Aunt R---- are doing well.  I'll be excited to meet Eliza sometime in the future!  Well I love you all and I love this gospel!  Thanks for your support and love!

Love
Elder Alexander Larsen

Hidden Treasures in the Ukraine

Welcome to Elder Alexander Larsen, a cousin in the long reach of our extended family.  We currently have none of immediate descent serving missions, but we want to continue sharing to joy found in serving the Lord and spreading His Gospel.

*****

Happy Fall All!

It is a great time of year.  It has gotten cooler sometimes even a bit chilly, and today is quite rainy but we are supposed to just have good fall weather until November, at least that is what all my Ukrainian friends tell me.  The work continues to go very well here.  We had an absolutely stellar week and we were just constantly busy, which is the greatest feeling ever as a missionary.  Today even we are super busy with a lesson and baptism prep, so much for Pday but then again who really needs a Pday when there is work to be done. 

 

Last Thursday was zone conference and it was fantastic.  We journeyed out to Lviv and I'm even getting used to the night trains (except we almost weren't allowed on, but that is another story).  Lviv is just beautiful and we had a great zone conference.  It was all focused on the new Preach My Gospel training and so we focused on teaching the doctrine of Christ.  There isn't anything better to teach and it is just so much fun!  I have also changed my study because I want to have a greater focus.  I had just started the Old Testament which I planned to read before the years end and so I would have completed all the standard works (some multiple times) and Jesus the Christ in one year.  But I came to the reallization that I need to be focussing on what I'm teaching and I just need to learn it more and more so that I can teach it better and better.  I need to be able to open the scriptures and teach from them, knowing them so well.  So that is my new goal.  I think it is a better less selfish one too.

 

This week started slow with lessons but we worked hard to make them happen and they were all great!  I love being able to teach.  We had some really great lessons with both Chidi and Serhi.  I have been blessed to see time and time again the Lords hand in this work.  I quote chidi who said this week "It is like the Lord sent you to me knowing what I needed to hear and the words you are speaking are not your words."  Another great thing to hear came from Serhi "I would love to live the law of Chastity."  Also another one from Serhi "I want as many people as possible to hear about the church in Ukraine."  And thus we are meeting with him and his friend on Wednesday.  Serhi is abosultely amazing but sadly I don't think he'll be getting baptized this week because he thinks he isn't ready as he has a complete understanding of what it means to be a member of the church and even created a personal goal to go to the temple.  He is ready and we just need to help him reallize that so that is where much of our energy is going now.  Chidi is doing just great and ready to jump in that font on Saturday as he won't let anything stand in his way from his decision to be baptized.  It is amazing to see how he is effected by the spirit in our meetings and how he just loves being happy.

 

We taught both of them the Word of Wisdom as well last week which they both immediately accepted.  Serhi commented on how hard it would be to not start the morning with a cup of tea but he was so willing to do and we brought him some herbal tea to enjoy the next day to help him.  It is amazing how you can come to love people through the gospel.  I think that is really truly the only way we can love someone is according to the principles that we learn in the Gospel.  The first commandment is to Love thy God, which I think is easier to do when we reallize that God is Love and therefore we are simply gaining more love by loving God and those around us.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is just so beautiful and perfect.  I want people to understand it the same way I understand it because it has made my life everything that it is.

 

Well there is probably more I could say but I'll just end by sharing my love with you and telling you that the Church of Jesus Christ is on the Earth today and only true happiness can be found by living the Gospel taught therein.  Jesus Christ lives and is our Saviour! I love you all!

 

Love,

Elder Alexander Larsen

I'll Be Home for Christmas

From Elder Paul Freeman, dated October 1, 2008

Dear Mom,

I appreciate your email very much. I'm glad the power is back on and you and Dad can get back to regular every day living. And, these pictures are amazing. The new Park has a volley ball net?! That is terribly exciting. Ever since I got transferred out of the Samoan ward I haven't played volleyball.

Oh, as far as jury duty goes, I might as well stick to that date and get it over with. I'm not sure if you read about it in my last letter, but I checked my application status online a couple weeks ago and it said I had been denied to BYU Provo. I'm not really sure where to go from there, but going to school in Idaho doesn't sound all that appealing. I check out both the University of Texas and Sam Houston University, but still I'm not convinced one way or the other. I've got the idea that I can start out like Adam did in community college and see where it takes me from there. Especially because I really don't know what career I want. I know I've got plenty of time to figure it all out and only two months at home doesn't sound nearly enough to get grounded before heading out to school. I'll leave it at that for now.

I always say there is plenty of time to think about those things on the plane ride home.

We've spent the last week here in Upland, searching for new investigators. At times it feels like we're not doing as well as we should be. That just means I need to step back and remember that this is the Lord's work. All I have to do is make sure I'm focused on doing it His way. Whenever, I try to take over to do it my way it hardly ever works out. We've talked to really great people who are sincere about learning the gospel. I feel so blessed when we finally find someone like that. Each time is a miracle and a breath of fresh air. It feels like I've been out forever, but I really wouldn't have it any other way because I know I have been about my Father's business.

I'm so grateful for everyone who has made this possible. Especially my parents.

Thank you both Mom and Dad.

Love,

Elder Freeman

End of Another Transfer

From Elder Paul Freeman, dated March 12, 2008

Dear Family,

We're coming to a close of another transfer. While planning for this 6th week my mind was called to reflect the past 11 weeks Elder Leiato and I have been working together in the Inland Empire ward. It occurred to me that we didn't have very much to show for it as far as typical missionary work is concerned. Our ward has yet to have a baptism in 2008. So, I thought to myself if I wanted anything to show for the hard work we've been doing it would be at least one person with a baptismal date by the end of this week. The new transfer begins on Monday and we still have yet to commit someone to a baptismal date.

Tonight we are going up to Victorville and staying until Saturday. Our only hope is one family we've been teaching for several weeks now. His name is Vi (Vee), and his wife is Nina and they have 6 children. They have taken to the church more than anyone expected. Last week Vi told us he knew that the Book of Mormon is true and that he knew Joseph Smith was a prophet. I just about stood up and danced. After teaching about faith, repentance, and baptism we invited him to make the decision. He said he knew it was the right thing, but he wanted to learn more and improve some things. We told him to set a goal and pick a date where he would want to be ready by. This week we go back to follow up with that and set the date. The funny thing is, they probably will end up being baptised in a different ward. They don't speak Samoan and they've been attending the English ward for a few weeks now.

We also went into the mission office on Monday to update our report on all the Samoans we're finding in the Victorville/Hisperia areas. We've recorded about 230 people complete with names and addresses. It includes members, non-members, and less actives. About half are active, so we're not sure if Salt Lake will approve a new unit, but that's what we're hoping for. President Sanchez seemed very pleased with the work we've been doing regardless of the fact that we haven't had any baptisms.

So, we'll continue plugging away at things like we've been doing already and hope more good comes out of it than we're seeing. President also told us it would probably take a lot more time and if anything did happen it sounds like I'd be long gone. Nevertheless, I'm confident that we are doing the Lords work and, while we're far from perfect, I hope He is pleased with the effort we put forth and the things that are happening. Everything happens in His own time and we may not even see the fruits of our labor fully realized in this life.

But, thank you all for your love and support.

Love,

Elder Freeman

Faith Like Ammon & Alma

From Elder Paul Freeman, dated January 30, 2008

Dear Mom,

First, thanks a whole bunch for wrangling that bank account thing. I feel really stupid for having overdrawn like that, and to top it off, I lost my mission bank card and had to order a new one. I thought I was getting better at handling finances, but it looks like there are yet plenty of lessons to learn. But, the good news is that the mission account should be well full when I get my new card. So, don't worry any more about money for me.

We spent several hours in the office on Monday compiling a master list of Samoans in the High Desert to submit to President [Sanchez]. I'm afraid the list only represents about half of the people up there, so the total right now is around 147. That list includes members, less-actives, part-member families, and non-members. There's probably another 100 people or so we haven't met, and that includes congregations of other churches that we know are Samaon.

President told us that we should convert all of them.

I share his ambition.

But, that is easier said than done. First, some of them were previously members but have since left to start up their own church. Second, those churches are how they make their living. President admits that those details complicate the matter, but encourages us still. Something deep down inside me says it will take faith like that of Ammon, Alma, and all those other to get past these seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

What a wonderful opportunity we have! It's exciting and intimidating at the same time. I don't know how successful we will be, or what it will take to bring these people to the Gospel.

On top of that we found two new colonies of Samoan families, the majority of which are Seventh-day Adventist. One in Loma Linda and the other in Highland. They will all be difficult.

However, prayers are being answered and the work is going forth just like the stone cut out of mountain without hands.

Thanks for all of your help and support, especially your prayers. Know that I keep you in mine.

Love,

Elder Freeman

One Fold, One Shepherd

From Elder Paul Freeman, dated January 23, 2008

Dear Mom,

Oh how much fun we have as missionaries. Here are a few pictures and a movie. I'm not sure if I told you before, when they split my companion and me all those weeks ago, his new companion is Elder Marsh, first cousin to Billy Marsh. Then, last week I talked to a missionary up in the desert who said he new a girl from Texas and he said her name was Stacia Johnson. I thought it was pretty neat. So, Billy's cousin is in one of those pictures (he's the one wrestling in blue). The movie is pretty interesting and the other picture is the new missionary in our apartment in his James Bond pose.

So, we're finding out a lot more about the situation with all the Samoans up in the high dessert. At first I was really excited because it seemed like there was a strong possibility they could get their own unit. Now, we understand more of what's going on and it's harder to say what they really need. The majority of Samoans are second generation and English is their first language and speak or understand very little Samoan. Well, I should say, the majority of strong, active members. The number of non-members and less-actives is astounding, and if a unit was created it would be a great platform for missionary work. The biggest problem is not a having a strong enough pool from which to draw priesthood leaders for an independent unit. On top of that, there isn't, and will most likely never be, enough support from multiple stake leaderships that are involved.

However, if the area authorities and the strong faithful members that we do have were to catch an idea of how well a unit like this could thrive it would be done without hesitation. Perhaps the roots are not yet strong enough to support the amount of new growth that could result. But at the same time, if these roots are strong enough now I fear they never will be. I'm also afraid that those who would be the greatest strength simply don't want to come to a Samoan unit, because their families don't understand Samoan.

Then again, I'm reminded that it isn't our responsibility as missionaries to form a branch, and thank goodness it isn't. But, in all fairness, President Sanchez did ask for my opinion on the matter. We are also in charge of accounting for all the Samoans in that neck of the woods including non-members. So, we are compiling lists of people, the majority of which are less active and non-member.

Once again to the other hand, it occurs to me that the purpose of forming a new unit would be less about catering to the needs of those already converted to the gospel, but more about bringing others who haven't. How much strength could a unit draw from people who don't understand the language or the culture? A whole heck of a lot more than members who don't understand the way the church works. The most valuable thing President Price taught me was the difference between Ministering and Administrating. One is subjective the other is objective. How good are people who speak English at administrating, and how good are Samoans [at] ministering? This kind of hybrid unit has potential to become the most successful unit in the mission. But, all parties involved need to forget themselves and do what's best for everyone.

I'm sorry, but this email has turned out to be more a letter for me than the rest of you, but I really could use all of your input. It seems like the weight of this entire situation falls on our shoulders as missionaries because we gain the perspective from every different angle possible. And President Sanchez is the one who is going to be reporting our findings to the coordinating council in two weeks, and it sounds like that is what ultimately decides what is going to be done for the time being. It feels like such a delicate situation with every move we make that I don't feel like we can afford to take it any less seriously.

I know in my heart that it truly is the work of the Lord and He won't let His sheep go astray, but I don't want to begin doubting that this could be they way He has of going about this particular situation. I care [too] much for these people to let them go unnoticed by those who have the authority to do something about it.

Here's your long letter :) Enjoy.

Love,

Elder Freeman

[Editor's note: the remainder of the pictures Elder Freeman sent are included in the slide-show to the right.]

Free Agency

From Elder Paul Freeman, dated January 16, 2008

Dear Mom,

Thanks for the letter. There isn't a whole lot that I can say about it, just that I hope and pray everything works out for the best.

One of the things I've been learning is not to worry myself about things I have no control over. That mostly comes from recognizing what it is I can't control. It's a fun process.

The best way I get by is to focus on goals for things I know I can accomplish. For instance, I know I can keep the apartment clean, take car of all my laundry and shopping and stuff like that. I also know I can teach so many missionary lessons in a day, how many scriptures I can memorize and other things like that.

Now, the gray area lies in things like my companion waking up on time every morning. I could try forcing him to wake up every morning to accomplish that as a goal. But I know that wouldn't be in keeping with how the gospel requires everyone to make the decisions for themselves. But, at the same time, that doesn't mean I have to give that up as a goal. That's where D&C 121 comes in. The parable of the sower is a good one too.

This isn't meant for advice in reply to your email, so much as a reminder for myself in case I ever forget, which I usually do.

There are some exciting things going on out here. I tell you as more develops.

Thanks again for everything.

Love,

Elder Freeman