Here are our Signs
Look! There he is!
Blessings at Christmas
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Friday, December 16, 2011
Welcome Home Elder!!!
Elder Eborn was traveling for over 36 hours with other missionaries from Novosibirsk as well as some missionaries who joined them from Romania.
This video is the family Dog seeing his long lost brother for the first time in two years.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
We Return Him Home
On 14 Dec 2011, your son Elder Jason Taylor Eborn will complete his service in the Russia Novosibirsk Mission and return home. He has had a deep and lasting impact upon the work here in Russia. He has served valiantly as one of those "few" servants called to labor in "the nethermost parts of the vineyard", working with "The Lord of the Vineyard" to graft the "natural branches" back into the "mother tree". (See Jacob 5). I know that you will rejoice in his homecoming. He will bring with him a powerful testimony and spirit.
Elder Eborn has labored in the cities of Tomsk, Omsk, Novosibirsk, and Kemervovo. He has served in positions of trust and leadership, including Zone Leader, Assistant to the President, District Leader, Branch Presidency Counselor and Trainer. He has been fruitful as a missionary and has been a beacon of light to his converts, his companions, fellow missionaries and to the Saints in Russia. His legacy as a missionary will bear fruit for generations to come. One of the great blessings in our early service in the mission was to have your son by our side as an assistant. He is cheerful, capable, unflappable and wise beyond his years. Sister Gibbons and I love him very much and cherish the time we spent with him on trains, in taxis, in church meetings and in the mission home. We return him to your home with deep gratitude and joy.
May the Lord bless Elder Eborn and your family forever.
With kindest regards,
President Daniel Bay Gibbons
Russia Novosibirik Mission
Monday, December 5, 2011
Recognizing the Spirit
Hey!
Can you believe that it's really this close? I've honestly been trying to keep
myself as busy as humanly possible to keep myself from getting distracted
and it's working! I feel kind of bad though, Elders Carr and Erickson are
probably not enjoying skipping lunch and dinner and just working all day, I
just feel like I need to sprint the last little bit into the finish line
and so that's what we're doing. The wrestler in me just says to work as
hard as possible and eat later and the voice of Elder Danny in the back of my
head keeps yelling, " you can sleep when you're dead!!" So we've just been
trying to do everything we possibly can this last week of my mission.
Last week we went into Novo for a leadership training, I ended up
translating for the Russian sisters the whole time. Kind of fun being
bilingual. We brought back Elder Brock Erickson
from SLC to Kemerovo with us. He's going to be training a new Elder and
opening up a new area.
President Gibbons finally heard my whinning about needing another set of
Elders here in Kemerovo and is sending them this next transfer. Elder Carr
will be staying in Kemerovo with Elder Krushinsky. I'm so pround of him,
he's come a long way in the last 3 months. His training is offically over
and he's ready to tear it up, I'm sure he's going to be ten times the Elder
I have been. Elder Erickson is with us for the next week until I leave, President
wants me to help him learn the city and learn the branch. I got a good laugh at that.
There's only 14 people in the branch, not to hard to learn :) he's going to be with us this
last week. He and Elder Carr leave for Finland this week and I'll be on
splits with Elder Capps who'll be coming up from Novokuzz. So yeah!
This week in Kemerovo, like I said we've been very busy. Running around
trying to meet with as many people as possible in hopes of helping them
come just a little closer to Christ. It's been pretty cold here, No wind
like you've been having but it's been getting closer and closer to -20.
Elder Carr's latest contacting method is, "are you cold? Would you like
to feel warm inside?" so far not many takers, but we'll keep trying. For
some reason this week on all of our meetings, I've been feeling the spirit
very strongly. We met with our friends and I can't explain how I felt.
It was чудесное. Thats how they've all been lately. One
thing that've learned on my mission is the importance of recognizing the
spirit. Learning how the spirit works with you and being able to help
others understand when Heavenly Father is working through the
Holy Ghost. It takes practice, and its not always the same,
but when you learn how to recognize that the Heavens are opened to
you, and Heavenly Father is working through you, you understand what it
feels like to be part of something amazing. And there is
no better feeling. I may not have baptized thousands of people, but I've
felt the spirit work with me. And, I know that when that happens the Lord is
with me. да будь смирен; и Господь Бог твой поведёт тебя за руку и дасть
тебе ответ на молитвы твои. (D&C 112:10)
I don't know if this will be my last email from Siberia or not... it's
possible, I leave next Monday morning from Kemerovo to Novo. I have to be
there Tuesday for some departure stuff.. So if this is it, I will see ya
in SLC, ha but I am thinking I'll get to write even if I write from Novo
Monday. SO you got one more Email to send my way :)
Love you all!
liveSTRONG
Старейшина Иборн!!
Mom and Dad - is our home Phone still the same? LOL I figure I'll probably give
you a call in NYC to let you know when I'm back on US soil.
Can you believe that it's really this close? I've honestly been trying to keep
myself as busy as humanly possible to keep myself from getting distracted
and it's working! I feel kind of bad though, Elders Carr and Erickson are
probably not enjoying skipping lunch and dinner and just working all day, I
just feel like I need to sprint the last little bit into the finish line
and so that's what we're doing. The wrestler in me just says to work as
hard as possible and eat later and the voice of Elder Danny in the back of my
head keeps yelling, " you can sleep when you're dead!!" So we've just been
trying to do everything we possibly can this last week of my mission.
Last week we went into Novo for a leadership training, I ended up
translating for the Russian sisters the whole time. Kind of fun being
bilingual. We brought back Elder Brock Erickson
from SLC to Kemerovo with us. He's going to be training a new Elder and
opening up a new area.
President Gibbons finally heard my whinning about needing another set of
Elders here in Kemerovo and is sending them this next transfer. Elder Carr
will be staying in Kemerovo with Elder Krushinsky. I'm so pround of him,
he's come a long way in the last 3 months. His training is offically over
and he's ready to tear it up, I'm sure he's going to be ten times the Elder
I have been. Elder Erickson is with us for the next week until I leave, President
wants me to help him learn the city and learn the branch. I got a good laugh at that.
There's only 14 people in the branch, not to hard to learn :) he's going to be with us this
last week. He and Elder Carr leave for Finland this week and I'll be on
splits with Elder Capps who'll be coming up from Novokuzz. So yeah!
This week in Kemerovo, like I said we've been very busy. Running around
trying to meet with as many people as possible in hopes of helping them
come just a little closer to Christ. It's been pretty cold here, No wind
like you've been having but it's been getting closer and closer to -20.
Elder Carr's latest contacting method is, "are you cold? Would you like
to feel warm inside?" so far not many takers, but we'll keep trying. For
some reason this week on all of our meetings, I've been feeling the spirit
very strongly. We met with our friends and I can't explain how I felt.
It was чудесное. Thats how they've all been lately. One
thing that've learned on my mission is the importance of recognizing the
spirit. Learning how the spirit works with you and being able to help
others understand when Heavenly Father is working through the
Holy Ghost. It takes practice, and its not always the same,
but when you learn how to recognize that the Heavens are opened to
you, and Heavenly Father is working through you, you understand what it
feels like to be part of something amazing. And there is
no better feeling. I may not have baptized thousands of people, but I've
felt the spirit work with me. And, I know that when that happens the Lord is
with me. да будь смирен; и Господь Бог твой поведёт тебя за руку и дасть
тебе ответ на молитвы твои. (D&C 112:10)
I don't know if this will be my last email from Siberia or not... it's
possible, I leave next Monday morning from Kemerovo to Novo. I have to be
there Tuesday for some departure stuff.. So if this is it, I will see ya
in SLC, ha but I am thinking I'll get to write even if I write from Novo
Monday. SO you got one more Email to send my way :)
Love you all!
liveSTRONG
Старейшина Иборн!!
Mom and Dad - is our home Phone still the same? LOL I figure I'll probably give
you a call in NYC to let you know when I'm back on US soil.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Salvation is Personal
Looks like you guys all had a pretty good Thanksgiving, I'm glad to hear that Aunt Terri and the gang was alright. I also have to say your cowboy hats were way funny, I didn't know that mom learned how to shoot from a gangster ha. I'm kind of freaking out at how big my baby sisters are getting. вам нельзя быть такими большими!
But yeah, with the days winding down, I'm not trunky don't worry, I'm looking forward to being with you all again for the holidays and finishing my mission strong.
This week was pretty hectic, we were trying to make sure that everything went according to plan and that nobody died, and well we got half of what we wanted accomplished (no one died). Thursday was Thanksgiving, as you're all aware, and throughout the mission missionaries gathered at the mission home, at the homes of senior couples to eat and to celebrate the holiday. Elder Carr and I didn't have that option had so we had our own Thanksgiving! По Русский! I figured, what do we eat on Thanksgiving..?? Meat, Potateos, some kind of vegetables and some deserts. So I figured eh, we can put all that in one big pot so I made борщ and блины :) I'll show you pics when I get home, it was a pretty humble Thanksgiving. Elder Carr and I sat down at the table said a prayer and then shared some stories about Thanksgivings and things that we've had in the past. Then we got all cleaned up and got back to work.
It was an intersting night, we had a few meetings fall through but one man came to the branch. He was from Azrabajan (something like that) and he asked if I could help him. He explained to me in broken russian that his father had a brain tumor and that there was a clinic in London that could help him, but he didn't speak english. I called up President Gibbons an asked for permission (which he gave) and I spent the next 45 minutes on the phone with a woman in London trying to help this man.
That night when we got home from our day, my mind wouldn't stop spinning I ended up just going out and sitting on the couch and thinking about everything in my life, before the mission, on the mission everything. I really do have a lot to be grateful for. I have a wonderful family, I have great friends, I am healthy, I'm not as dumb as I look, I have the Gospel in my life, and most importantly I have a Savior who knows and loves me enough to take upon himself my mistakes, my sins, and willing to help me overcome my obstacles.
It's interesting how for some reason it takes untill you're half way around the world, in Siberia to help you see things that should be so obvious.
The Filipovs returned from the Temple this week which meant for me, I didn't have to speak at sacrament meeting! First time in 8 weeks! It was pretty legit actually, Saturday night we were in charge of the branch activity, we went ice skating! It was a pretty good turn out. Elder Carr wore this helmet and was practicing his areobatics. Ha if pro surfing doesn't work out he can always go figure skater! The cool thing was that after everyone came to the activity most of them all came to church sunday, it was a good week over all.
Unfortunately, neither of our investigators were baptized this weekend...
One lady asked for a little more time to find out if Jospeh Smith really was a prophet, and the, other individual, well, she said no. Sometimes it's hard, you learn to love these people so much, and you want only the best for them. But matter how hard we try, no matter what we say, how strong the spirit is present, It all comes down to them and their personal agency. Salvation is a personal thing, but we can all help each other. Our job is to introduce people to the Spirit, who will introduce them to Christ, who will introduce them to the Father.
Well I've gotta get going! We're picking up Christmas presents today! We'll be going to Novo this week and be coming back with Elder Erikson who'll be taking my place here in Kemerovo. We'll be in a three companionship until I go home to help him get adjusted to this part of the vineyard that is KEMEROVO!!
Love you guys!!
liveSTRONG
Старейшина Иборн!
Maddie - Don't worry B. 3 times is enough ;)
Monday, November 21, 2011
Finding, Teaching, Testifying
This week's been another good one! I seem to have a lot of those :) I've been pretty blessed here on my mission and I'm so grateful that I am where I am. With the end getting close, I've had a lot of time to reflect on what the last 2 years of my life have been. The Lord really has blessed us here in Siberia. I'm very grateful for everything the Lord has done for me here. There really have been miracles everyday. I'm very grateful that he has made me an instrument in his hands.
Last week we picked up Sister Tamara from the вокзал (railway station). She's the first person from Kemerovo to go to the Temple. She was basically glowing when she got off the train and on to the platform :) She's so sweet; she's almost 80 years old and has had an amazing path which brought her to the church. She was afraid she wouldn't make it to the Temple but we made sure that she got there. She fed us борщ (borscht) don't worry I've learned how to make it and will make you all sorts of Russian stuff when I get home. She told us how much she loved the Temple. It was great, after that we had to run and take a bus to Novosibirsk where we had a Zone Conference.
This was my last Zone Conference and almost all the missionaries that were there with the exception of Elder Drasso, Capps, and myself had all started their missions within the last 6 months. I felt old, Elder Lawrence from the Quorum of the Seventy came and did some presentations it was very good. There was a strong spirit there. That seems to happen when you gather a group of missionaries together. I got a picture with my first companion and my last companion. Talk about a weird feeling. I ended up translating for the Russian sisters the entire conference, and I had the chance to bare my testimony one last time, which felt very good. I'm going to miss this a lot, I've grown to love these people, missionaries, the people of Russia, and it's going to be hard to say goodbye.
We got back into Kemerovo and got things ready for our week, and just worked. Finding, Teaching, Testifying. The things that we do as missionaries. This weekend we're hoping to have 2 baptisms. If all goes well, We're hoping that Heavenly Father will throw a miracle our way. We had a blizzard sunday morning and only had 6 people come to sacrament meeting. But the spirit was there and that's all that matters. It's going to be different seeing a sacrament hall with a lot of people in it after this.
Elder Carr's doing awesome. His Russian is coming a long great, a month or two more and he'll understand everything that is going on around him. I'm proud to say he's my comp. I've learned a lot from him in the last 2.5 months and I'm sure that these last 3 weeks are going to be no different. He's a stud of a missionary and will be even better than I could ever have hoped to be.
I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving. Eat a slice of pumpkin pie for me. Elder Carr and I will be alone for Thanksgiving but it's all good :) We're going to learn how to cook some yummy stuff ....if we could only find a turkey... Anyways, I gotta run :) Love you all!
liveSTRONG
Старейшина Иборн!!
Aunt Terri and Uncle Stan - Thank$, from Me I love you and appreciate your support.
Gram, love you too! thank$
Barbara don't worry about the date thing :) .
Last week we picked up Sister Tamara from the вокзал (railway station). She's the first person from Kemerovo to go to the Temple. She was basically glowing when she got off the train and on to the platform :) She's so sweet; she's almost 80 years old and has had an amazing path which brought her to the church. She was afraid she wouldn't make it to the Temple but we made sure that she got there. She fed us борщ (borscht) don't worry I've learned how to make it and will make you all sorts of Russian stuff when I get home. She told us how much she loved the Temple. It was great, after that we had to run and take a bus to Novosibirsk where we had a Zone Conference.
This was my last Zone Conference and almost all the missionaries that were there with the exception of Elder Drasso, Capps, and myself had all started their missions within the last 6 months. I felt old, Elder Lawrence from the Quorum of the Seventy came and did some presentations it was very good. There was a strong spirit there. That seems to happen when you gather a group of missionaries together. I got a picture with my first companion and my last companion. Talk about a weird feeling. I ended up translating for the Russian sisters the entire conference, and I had the chance to bare my testimony one last time, which felt very good. I'm going to miss this a lot, I've grown to love these people, missionaries, the people of Russia, and it's going to be hard to say goodbye.
We got back into Kemerovo and got things ready for our week, and just worked. Finding, Teaching, Testifying. The things that we do as missionaries. This weekend we're hoping to have 2 baptisms. If all goes well, We're hoping that Heavenly Father will throw a miracle our way. We had a blizzard sunday morning and only had 6 people come to sacrament meeting. But the spirit was there and that's all that matters. It's going to be different seeing a sacrament hall with a lot of people in it after this.
Elder Carr's doing awesome. His Russian is coming a long great, a month or two more and he'll understand everything that is going on around him. I'm proud to say he's my comp. I've learned a lot from him in the last 2.5 months and I'm sure that these last 3 weeks are going to be no different. He's a stud of a missionary and will be even better than I could ever have hoped to be.
I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving. Eat a slice of pumpkin pie for me. Elder Carr and I will be alone for Thanksgiving but it's all good :) We're going to learn how to cook some yummy stuff ....if we could only find a turkey... Anyways, I gotta run :) Love you all!
liveSTRONG
Старейшина Иборн!!
Aunt Terri and Uncle Stan - Thank$, from Me I love you and appreciate your support.
Gram, love you too! thank$
Barbara don't worry about the date thing :) .
Monday, November 14, 2011
Rich Soil
Not gunna lie, slightly freaking out about the whole going home in a month deal. I'm pretty much terrified ha. It's going to be the longest 21 hour flight of my life I'm sure of it. Sounds like I'll have a pretty busy couple of weeks right after I get home, I guess I'd better be ready to hit the ground running.
Don't worry Mom, I think I got the topic covered for Sunday lol. "Missionary Work in Russia", walk in the park. I've spoken every Sunday in church since arriving in Kemerovo so I don't think another talk will be a big deal.This week we spoke about faith. We had 9 people at church 2 members, 2 missionaries and 5 investigators! :) We may be in the "nethermost part of the vineyard" but the Lord knows what kind of soil to plant us in to help us grow. I always am the last one to speak here just in case there is reason to have to correct some doctrine or in case we have a lot of extra time. Elder Carr's been a champ about talking in church. He prepares a talk every week and then I get up after him and fill in the rest of the time. His Russian is coming along great.
So... This last week was a little more rough than I'd of liked. I kind of have, ok not kind of, I do have a superman complex. I get it from my Mom, I like to make sure that everything is always taken care of that there are no loose ends and that everything is done perfectly. Anyways, sometimes it feels like I've just got a big weight on my shoulders being one of two missionaries in a city of over half a million people. And this week, it was just one thing after another that kept happening. I feel kind of like Satan was just taking swings at my legs as I run this race.
After we had finished English Club up on Tuesday, after a rough day, I open my bag and find that some of my stuff was stolen. My camera was stolen...I was way bummed, the last 3 months of my mission were on there, I hadn't put them on my hard drive yet, and plus, it was the camera strap that Aunt Megan made me (that Libbie and the G' boys gave me :( was on it :( I seriously was way upset. We got home that night and Elder Carr and I got ready for bed. As I layed there in bed I knew that I wasn't going to fall asleep any time soon so I got out of bed and on my knees and just poured my soul out. It felt very good to just get it all off my shoulders. I need to keep remembering, that this is His work and that He's really here with us. Don't worry about the camera though, Elder Carr's taking lots of pictures of our adventures and will make me a disc before I fly out of here.
Our investigators are doing well. They're all progressing, We're looking forward to the 26th when Galina and Lena will be getting baptized :) We're stoked! They're so ready it's not even funny! There really needs to be another set of missionaries in this city, we had to tell people that we couldn't meet with them this week because of the fact that we just didn't have time to meet with everyone. Who knows maybe when I leave they'll be able to bring in the big guns and get this city rolling!
Well that's about it for this week I'm thinking... we'll be going to Novo tomorrow for a Zone Confrence so yeah, last one of my mission. I'm not dead yet ha. So I'll keep running.
I love you guys :) Thanks for everything you do for me!
liveSTRONG
Старейшина Иборн!!
Mom & Dad - No worries about the money thing, we actually went with Ulia shopping ---I got some some stuff because if you see it and you want it you buy it or you'll never see it again. I think I'm almost done, within a week or two I should be good to go.
Monday, November 7, 2011
The Lords Angels - Last Visa Trip
So I get back from Finland and I see that I've got a few messages from some people in Kemerovo and one of them was raving on about my families Halloween Costumes. LOL They were pretty excited. I just called them after I saw the pictures and said, "oh yeah, that's my family!" looks like you guys had a pretty legit halloween party! I loved that Maddie was a gypsy. I may not have told you but there are many gypsies here in Russia, so it made me smile. I can't wait to have some good ol' parties with ya'll when I get back!
This week has been pretty interesting, with a 3 day trip to Finland and back. I've decided that after living in Russia for 2 years traveling anywhere else in the world isn't going to be too hard. There was an American couple in Moscow that we talked to and helped with some translation and they were all, "aren't you terrified to travel by yourselves in Russia?!" It's just become second nature for me I guess.
ANYWAYS... Visa trip went well, because it was our last time going we got permission to go into Moscow and take a walk around Red Square and we even hit up McDonalds :) yum. It was pretty legit I'll send pics next week or just wait until I get home to show them to you. We got into Finland and took a train to our stop and as we sat down a man got on the bus. He came up to us and just broke down into tears. He started to speak to us in English (cause most Finns speak English) and told us how he needed help. He went on to tell us about everything that had happened to him the the last few months and how he felt his soul was dying. He then looked at our nametags and said, "Is that Russian?" We said "yes", we're from Siberia. At that point, asks he us what it means and we explained who we are and what we do and he started crying again. "Help me" he pleaded. We got his number and passed it on to the Missionaries in Helsinki. It's interesting, He couldn't read our name tags but he knew we could help him, the Lord does hear our prayers.
The next day we had a chance to go through the Temple--- it was amazing. I was a little sad that it was my last time to be in the Finland Temple. I did the session in Russian and I learned a lot. I guess teaching the Temple prep class is a good thing.
While sitting in the Celestial room, the four of us just sat down and had some personal pondering/prayer time. After a few moments a lady came in and sat down by herself. it was us four and her in the room for a peaceful time. We all got up and left. This Lady got up and ran after us. She yelled something at us in Finnish, and I said по-русский или English please? She asked us who we were, and we said "Elders from Siberia". She told us how she had been feeling very alone and came to the Temple to feel some peace and when she'd walked into the room she could feel the presence of hundreds of angels, standing around the room, and that when we got up to leave they all left with us.
She got all teary eyed and said, "I've met a lot of missionaries, but the Lord's sent angels to bear you up." Humbling.
We made it back to Novo and all is well, we took a bus to Kemerovo which was the worst thing ever. I was so tired. 36 hours of traveling takes it out of you. Yesterday, at Sacrament...we had 3 investigators and the 2 of us. The Filapov's and Tamara went to Keiv to the temple :) so I'm presiding for the next few weeks until they get back, Humbling.
Its been fun, I'm glad to be back in Kemerovo though. I just want to run as hard as I can until I hit the finish line of this race! I love you guys! Have a great week!
liveSTRONG
Старейшина Иборн!
Mom & Dad - LOL, no worries I won't bring anything back. I will donate my stuff to those in need here. I bought a new pair of underclothing (ha) that I'm not going to wear until the ride home.Washing machine's here change anything white to a nice grey... so I'll have a nice pair to come home in ;) Mom, you are so funny! I won't get a hair cut until I get home no worries. However, what's up with me not knowing about my cousins having babies and getting married earlier? (Josh/Garrett?) I am feeling way out of the loop. I guess I will catch up in a month or so.
Do I need to do anything for school in January?
Just curious. I love you, thanks for everything.
Megan Shea! - I love ya sister! I don't know if I've gotten taller but I think I've lost some weight. but no worries I am still me! :) We will have a lot of fun when I get back no worries there...
Maddie B- Way to go on the Reflections contest B! you rock! go play in the snow with my puppy for me will ya?
Tanner - Dude, I totally am digging your sword...
This week has been pretty interesting, with a 3 day trip to Finland and back. I've decided that after living in Russia for 2 years traveling anywhere else in the world isn't going to be too hard. There was an American couple in Moscow that we talked to and helped with some translation and they were all, "aren't you terrified to travel by yourselves in Russia?!" It's just become second nature for me I guess.
ANYWAYS... Visa trip went well, because it was our last time going we got permission to go into Moscow and take a walk around Red Square and we even hit up McDonalds :) yum. It was pretty legit I'll send pics next week or just wait until I get home to show them to you. We got into Finland and took a train to our stop and as we sat down a man got on the bus. He came up to us and just broke down into tears. He started to speak to us in English (cause most Finns speak English) and told us how he needed help. He went on to tell us about everything that had happened to him the the last few months and how he felt his soul was dying. He then looked at our nametags and said, "Is that Russian?" We said "yes", we're from Siberia. At that point, asks he us what it means and we explained who we are and what we do and he started crying again. "Help me" he pleaded. We got his number and passed it on to the Missionaries in Helsinki. It's interesting, He couldn't read our name tags but he knew we could help him, the Lord does hear our prayers.
The next day we had a chance to go through the Temple--- it was amazing. I was a little sad that it was my last time to be in the Finland Temple. I did the session in Russian and I learned a lot. I guess teaching the Temple prep class is a good thing.
While sitting in the Celestial room, the four of us just sat down and had some personal pondering/prayer time. After a few moments a lady came in and sat down by herself. it was us four and her in the room for a peaceful time. We all got up and left. This Lady got up and ran after us. She yelled something at us in Finnish, and I said по-русский или English please? She asked us who we were, and we said "Elders from Siberia". She told us how she had been feeling very alone and came to the Temple to feel some peace and when she'd walked into the room she could feel the presence of hundreds of angels, standing around the room, and that when we got up to leave they all left with us.
She got all teary eyed and said, "I've met a lot of missionaries, but the Lord's sent angels to bear you up." Humbling.
We made it back to Novo and all is well, we took a bus to Kemerovo which was the worst thing ever. I was so tired. 36 hours of traveling takes it out of you. Yesterday, at Sacrament...we had 3 investigators and the 2 of us. The Filapov's and Tamara went to Keiv to the temple :) so I'm presiding for the next few weeks until they get back, Humbling.
Its been fun, I'm glad to be back in Kemerovo though. I just want to run as hard as I can until I hit the finish line of this race! I love you guys! Have a great week!
liveSTRONG
Старейшина Иборн!
Mom & Dad - LOL, no worries I won't bring anything back. I will donate my stuff to those in need here. I bought a new pair of underclothing (ha) that I'm not going to wear until the ride home.Washing machine's here change anything white to a nice grey... so I'll have a nice pair to come home in ;) Mom, you are so funny! I won't get a hair cut until I get home no worries. However, what's up with me not knowing about my cousins having babies and getting married earlier? (Josh/Garrett?) I am feeling way out of the loop. I guess I will catch up in a month or so.
Do I need to do anything for school in January?
Just curious. I love you, thanks for everything.
Megan Shea! - I love ya sister! I don't know if I've gotten taller but I think I've lost some weight. but no worries I am still me! :) We will have a lot of fun when I get back no worries there...
Maddie B- Way to go on the Reflections contest B! you rock! go play in the snow with my puppy for me will ya?
Tanner - Dude, I totally am digging your sword...
Monday, October 31, 2011
Best Five Words
It's hard to believe that it's already Halloween! I'm slightly freaking out about that ha. It doesn't feel like Halloween though, there's already snow on the ground here and people are getting ready for New Year's already. New Year's is like Christmas for us but it's been fun.
We had a good week last week a couple of miracles and a good Halloween Party for our English club. It's been interesting how successful our English club has been here, we've found 10 new investigators through it, and some of which are showing a lot of progress in the gospel. There's so much to do here in Kemerovo that the two of us is definitely not enough. I go to bed every night just dead tired and get up every morning ready to do it again! there's no better feeling! :) As much as Mom wants me (and is excited for me) to come home, I'm way scared about how fast time is flying...
Our Halloween Party was a big hit, we had trick or treating, scary stories, bobbing for apples and a costume contest. My whole suspenders and my favorite green tie didn't cut it for the prize though. I think that they all had a good time, I think I've got a little bit of my mom in me or something with these Halloween Parties.
I just got a call from Novo, and looks like I'm going to Finland this week for my last Visa Trip. Talk about weird, this one will be for 6 weeks and then всё я поеду домой... So yeah, I might send one last package home from Helsinki with some stuff that I want but don't have room for in my suitcase so we'll see. I'm looking forward to going to the Temple and relaxing before I finish this marathon up. Yesterday Elder Carr noticed that I've got a few grey hairs starting to show up... I'm not ready to be Badger Jr. пока... It's all good though we went and got it cut today so now no one will notice ha. It's probably just from being in Siberia for 2 years, oh well.
Well I've gotta get going we've got a lot to do and it seems like no time at all to do it! So have a wonderful Halloween. I'm looking forward to seeing some pics next week! I love you guys! Have a great week!
liveSTRONG
Старейшина Иборн!
Tanner- You're a stud!! Love ya bro! Don't worry, I'll stay up with you and play video games until 4 in the morning, just not right off the bat ha, I'll need to get acclimated to the whole time difference I am sure.
Mom& Dad - Have a great Halloween! Love you guys!
We had a good week last week a couple of miracles and a good Halloween Party for our English club. It's been interesting how successful our English club has been here, we've found 10 new investigators through it, and some of which are showing a lot of progress in the gospel. There's so much to do here in Kemerovo that the two of us is definitely not enough. I go to bed every night just dead tired and get up every morning ready to do it again! there's no better feeling! :) As much as Mom wants me (and is excited for me) to come home, I'm way scared about how fast time is flying...
Our Halloween Party was a big hit, we had trick or treating, scary stories, bobbing for apples and a costume contest. My whole suspenders and my favorite green tie didn't cut it for the prize though. I think that they all had a good time, I think I've got a little bit of my mom in me or something with these Halloween Parties.
So last week we had a lot going on, trying to work with the members to help them to grow and develop, Our sacrament numbers are still going up, 13 this week! Mind you, 5 of which were investigators, I was so stoked. We're hoping to be having some baptisms here in the next month or so. Galina is wanting to get baptized the 26th and we're hoping some of the others will as well.
Another individual gave us a scare, Elder Carr (the stud muffin that he is) invited her to be baptized, and she asked why she needed to be baptized again. So we started to explain the whole Priesthood thing and we told her about Joseph Smith again and the Restoration, and she says, " I don't know why but as soon as you said Joe Smith, I heard something in the back of my mind saying 'don't listen'".
I looked at her and handed her the Book of Mormon, Elder Carr says, " That's the proof, don't just trust us, Trust God, He won't lie". I was afraid we'd lost her and that she wouldn't want to meet any more. BUT! she came to sacrament meeting and after taking pictures of Elder Carr and I playing in the blizzard, She sent us a text. "I've just realized it, and I want to be baptized". Nothing sounds better to a missionary than those 5 words, " I want to be baptized" Elder Carr and I were basically jumping up and down! A miracle.
I just got a call from Novo, and looks like I'm going to Finland this week for my last Visa Trip. Talk about weird, this one will be for 6 weeks and then всё я поеду домой... So yeah, I might send one last package home from Helsinki with some stuff that I want but don't have room for in my suitcase so we'll see. I'm looking forward to going to the Temple and relaxing before I finish this marathon up. Yesterday Elder Carr noticed that I've got a few grey hairs starting to show up... I'm not ready to be Badger Jr. пока... It's all good though we went and got it cut today so now no one will notice ha. It's probably just from being in Siberia for 2 years, oh well.
Well I've gotta get going we've got a lot to do and it seems like no time at all to do it! So have a wonderful Halloween. I'm looking forward to seeing some pics next week! I love you guys! Have a great week!
liveSTRONG
Старейшина Иборн!
Tanner- You're a stud!! Love ya bro! Don't worry, I'll stay up with you and play video games until 4 in the morning, just not right off the bat ha, I'll need to get acclimated to the whole time difference I am sure.
Mom& Dad - Have a great Halloween! Love you guys!
Monday, October 24, 2011
It Maybe Hard, But it is Worth It
How's it going back home? Seems like you guy's are having a grand ol' time Megan sure makes a cute Pirate, I think this year I'll be a missionary one last time for Halloween. It's crazy that it's already almost Halloween. We're going to try and have a Halloween party for English class this Thursday but we'll see how it turns out. It's hard to do things all big and fun when there are only two of you making things happen.
I'm not liking how fast time is going by, in missionary time the transfer is coming to a close and my last transfer is getting ready to start. Plus, the fact that Elder Carr found my Christmas music doesn't make things any easier lol. But, have no fear I'm focused and still good to go! This marathon isn't over until we cross the finish line.
This week has been a good one. Elder Carr had his birthday Friday and everyone wanted to have a party. So we invited all our investigators, members of the church, and a few people that we were hoping to start teaching and went bowling. I tell you what it's the funniest thing ever to watch bowling. I'm surprised that no one got killed. We had bowling balls flying every where and people slipping in the bowling shoes. It was legit, we had cake and ice cream and sang happy birthday then our visa registrar picked us up and took us out to have шашлык. Elder Carr was in heaven. For it being his first Birthday in Russia I think he had a pretty good one. He's always all smiles :).
Happy Birthday Elder Carr
The weather's been getting a little chilly. I put on my scarf one day before heading out and Elder Carr goes, "it's not that cold out side" then on the street, "блин, can we go back inside for a second." my сынок will have to get use to Siberia здесь мороз бывает... He'll be fine though, we've got his winter coat already and are planning on going to a рынок today to get him some gloves and a hat so he doesn't freeze.
We've been working hard with our investigators/members and things seem to be going well. Alexey agreed to be baptized when he receives an answer, Lena has some deep questions about the Atonement, and Galina is still trying to get baptized. We might take her to Novo and get her baptized there where there is a real font and a big church. Hopefully things will work out well.
Like Joseph Smith said, "the standard of truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing, persecution may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth ofGod will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done."
We as the branch presidency are going to working on reactivating/finding those members of the church that we have here. It's not like we haven't tried before, but we've got a plan to do it. We only have 2 Elders here in the city other than us. the branch president and another who's in active. We're going to try and help get a good solid foundation of priesthood men here on which we can build the the rest of the church so, we've been focusing on that and using the Duty to God program to help those members who are here learn what their duties are and what they need to do. It's just hard.
Like Alma says the best way to help people to change is not by the sword, but by the hearing of the word of God. So we'll pick up our Books of Mormon every day and hit the streets.
I've been teaching the Temple Prep Classes here for the members who are getting ready to go to the temple next week.It's been quite the experience.
A 20 year old kid teaching two 40 year olds and a 70 year old бабушка about the Temple and helping them get ready to enter. One of the guys we've been working with told us the other day, " you can't expect some one who's twice your age to listen to you and to expect them to change their entire life around.." Elder Carr answered him right back,
"Yea, we can, we have no right to deny them the chance. We have no right to deny them that Hope which is in us."
It may be hard out here, but it's worth it. I know God Lives and He loves all of his children. It's a great time to be a missionary. We'll i'd better get going before i start blabbering on, nobody likes those missionaries who just talk about their missions the whole time, plus if I tell you everything now I won't have any stories for later. I love you guys! Have a great day/week! I'm expecting a ton of pictures from Halloween!
liveSTRONG
Старейшина Иборн!!
Mom- Don't worry mom. Also, I'm totally down with the whole St. George Marathon thing. Elder Carr said his mom's thinking about running it too.
Tanner - I'm diggin the hair bro. ha In the MTC they told us to not come home and grow out our hair and a beard but I tell you, it might just happen! Love ya Bro :) keep doing what you're doing.
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