This past Monday was different in not having a FHE at a member's house, due to the fact that about half of the members are in Kiev at the temple for these next couple of weeks. So we tried to get members on as many lessons as possible before there would be hardly anyone. Chelyabinsk is one of my favorite cities on the mission. We just got a new ward mission coordinator (Kostya). He is super cool and willing to help us in anyway possible. The only thing that I have began not to like is feeling like I am swimming outside every time we go contacting. We finally decided that we needed to go get a fan to replace the old one that we had that was held together by shoe glue. The motor broke and therefore one night without a fan was enough.
Our new investigator has been able to hangout with us at basketball on mondays and on saturdays football. It has been great to go outside and play to get to know investigators and some of the members better. But these activities have been tough to get participation from everyone, but you can always count on the missionaries.
The zone is doing well and we are trying to hit the standard of excellence of one new investigator a week. The tough part is trying to meet with people who are not in the village or on the garden during this time of year. It is weird to see that on the weekends the city almost turns into a ghost town. Yesterday, We were contacting and we started talking to this kid and basically give him a street lesson and all of a sudden in the corner of my eye I saw a face, which I recognized. I thought to myself, "OH NO!" I saw him stop and take a look at my nametag and wait until we had finished our converstaion with the other man. He then yells, "Well, well well...LeFevre! You never called me back!" I immediaatley knew who this man was and had remembered that we had taught him a couple lessons with Elder S. Last time I talked to the man he had questions about the Book of Mormon and why it didn't contain anything about the first seventeen years of the life of Jesus Christ and so on. And I remember asking him if he had prayed about the book of Mormon. he didn't commply with the request, so I told him that there is no other way and that he needs to have an open heart and act in faith to recieve answers and not just state that all religions are true and that God is a speck of life. He had read every religious piece of literature and Elder S and I tried to lay it out straight with him when we met about the priesthood. So he then followed us back to our general area of residence and then I faked a call and we told him "goodbye." This time, I didn't say anything about calling him back. ha-ha-ha
Our investigators are moving forward towards baptism. We announced the baptism of one of our investigators for this Saturday in the lake near the southern part of Chelyabinsk. However, it is just the branch president who is in town for two weeks and we have been making a ton of calls to get people to come and be aware of the service this Saturday. There is a ton of planning taking place due to the low hands of help. I pray that it works out and tonight we have a potential of teaching a family that Elder B and I found contacting. Miracles happen everyday here and in life in general!
Love you alll and have a good week.
Elder LeFevre
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
June 18th, 2012
HAPPY FATHERS DAY! This past week was a fun filled week here in Chely. The weather is warming up greatly here, to the point were it is just horrible due to the humidity. I totally agree with the Russian saying, "the summer is to remember the winter and the winter is to remember the summer." Last Monday we played basketball with our new mission ward coordinator, Kostya, and the other elders who live in the city. It was a perfect day to play because of the partly cloudy weather and the sporadic rain we had received. That night we had the spiritual thought at the FHE in our area, where our investigators didn't show up, but it is a good time to get to know the members better. I was just glad that we didn't play UNO again, or else we would have much contention among the people on the FHE. Elder B and I continue to enforce "Operation GO BIG!" It is basically a companionship goal to shut out the fear of talking to some people and just do it! This past week was fun in doing so. One guy that I contacted told us that he loved the "Beatles." We were on our way to a lesson and he just recognized from our appearance that we were Americans and started to sing "Yesterday"-Beatles. We sang with him for a while but then decided we need to go because he was totally drunk dude. I swear just crazy stuff always happens like this.
Thursday, we woke up early to take a taxi to the train station at about 4:15am to catch a 10hr train to Ufa. (Of course, we stopped across the street at the 24hr SUBWAY with the whole zone to have something to eat for the train.) We got into Ufa and it was blazing hot, that I got a stain from the backpack strap on my right shoulder. (Gross, I know!) There, we had interviews with President R and then went on splits with the Zone Leaders in Ufa. Ufa is such a nice city! However, most the people you come into contact with lead you to talking about how Jesus was more than just a prophet, but the Son of God. There were some pretty crazy looking mosques that were within the city. The next day we awoke to go to the church building in Ufa to attend Zone Conference. I loved every moment of Zone Conference as we talked about obedience and what separates those missionaries who are 95% obedient and those that are 100% obedient. I am confident and I will say that I know everything is centered around the law of obedience. It is super key to pick the best amount the good things and not fall into doing good things, but doing the best things. I learned so much from everyone's' testimonies and the Rusts. We were glad to be taught how we need to live the higher law in order to ensure blessings to come forth, because the Lord is bound when we do what he says.
We came back to Chely on Saturday morning and had a lesson with our other investigator who is trying to help his wife understand the goodness the gospel brings into our lives everyday as we live it. We planned to talk about half the plan of Salvation with him, until we started drawing up on the board that famous diagram. He said, "What the heck is that?" ha-ha-ha I laughed a little bit and realized we will be talking about the whole plan with him. He enjoyed the lesson and I think in the near future he will accept an actual baptismal date. I love the mission and the the people here in Russia. They teach me so much. Being a Zone Leader in Chely is awesome and I learn from the missionaries (including the wonderful M's!) every day. Love y'all at home and remember to do the things which you believe and know are right!
Love,
Elder LeFevre
Tuesday, We had a FHE at the Meng's and we played Yahtzee and minute to win it games. The was a good turn out of about eighteen young adults and three investigators showed up. One investigator was this eighteen year old guy on the street that we talked to and invited him to come to the activity after our meeting with him. We talked for hours about MMA and about Фёдор and his rise to fame in the UFC. Our new investigator is super cool and has good values and goals for a kid his age. Our other investigator is progressing towards the thirtieth of June and and is in the hospital for liver problems. I see it as a blessing that he is in there, because he cannot smoke while he is in there and this will help him cope with the absence of cigarettes in his life. He has a good foundation of support from the members and we are confident that he will quit by that date.
We came back to Chely on Saturday morning and had a lesson with our other investigator who is trying to help his wife understand the goodness the gospel brings into our lives everyday as we live it. We planned to talk about half the plan of Salvation with him, until we started drawing up on the board that famous diagram. He said, "What the heck is that?" ha-ha-ha I laughed a little bit and realized we will be talking about the whole plan with him. He enjoyed the lesson and I think in the near future he will accept an actual baptismal date. I love the mission and the the people here in Russia. They teach me so much. Being a Zone Leader in Chely is awesome and I learn from the missionaries (including the wonderful M's!) every day. Love y'all at home and remember to do the things which you believe and know are right!
Love,
Elder LeFevre
June 11, 2012
This past week was really awesome! We got another baptismal date set with one of our investigators, who was prepared by the Lord! Me and Elder S found him on the street back in February and have had a baptismal date before and he got scared. We had a great meeting with him and a member and solved that problem and this past week we set the date on the 4th of July! He picked it himself! КРУТО! Elder B and I were ecstatic about it and our other investigator that has a baptismal date is going strong in trying to completely give up smoking by the 20th of June. His baptism will be on the 30th of June. Two baptisms in this transfer!! We are trying to get as many members on meeting as possible and get everyone involved in teaching new convert lessons.
This past week, we had Zone Leader Council at President R's place.It is like stepping back into America every time that we go there. However, don't take my word for it because I have been in Russia for about a year now and everything seems normal to me. (Except when I see peanut butter and oreos, or even a WHOPPER!) President instructed us on many great topics and then we had a great discussion among ourselves over the missionary work and testified. It has to be my favorite time of each month. The church is true in all aspects. We came home all energized and ready to talk to everyone that we saw about the Gospel that night around ten o'clock at night.
Our zone is trying its best to do better in finding as well. This past week we set the goal to talk with two people on transport at least a day. I really needed to set that goal in order to get myself back in the habit of being more open with everyone, except for the drunk people. ha-ha
This past week we have been stopping by less actives and had a couple of meetings at member's homes with an investigator. That by the way was a super good idea. While stopping by one less active we came to the entrance and this man walked out staring at my badge. So, I said hello! He then looked at me astonished and immediately I knew that the man was drunk. He then proceeded to tell us that our mission here in Russia is a waste and that no one will change their lives and that it was no use talking to people about God. We laughed and told him to have a good day and went down the way and after returned to the spot to complete the stop. The member came out and talked with us and after about five minutes the drunk man came out again and then he started to yell at us to go away and not disturb the peace! ha-ha. We gave an invitation and said that we "came in peace!" (holding up the Vulcan sign) He then went his merry way! ha-ha. Always be offering cheer in any situation with a smile to make things better. This past week was great in gathering information on less actives and meeting with some
potentially new investigators. We are doing work here! Love you all and enjoy the summer! It is really humid here! Sitting in priesthood the other day in a suit was awful! ha-ha
Love,
Elder LeFevre
This past week, we had Zone Leader Council at President R's place.It is like stepping back into America every time that we go there. However, don't take my word for it because I have been in Russia for about a year now and everything seems normal to me. (Except when I see peanut butter and oreos, or even a WHOPPER!) President instructed us on many great topics and then we had a great discussion among ourselves over the missionary work and testified. It has to be my favorite time of each month. The church is true in all aspects. We came home all energized and ready to talk to everyone that we saw about the Gospel that night around ten o'clock at night.
Our zone is trying its best to do better in finding as well. This past week we set the goal to talk with two people on transport at least a day. I really needed to set that goal in order to get myself back in the habit of being more open with everyone, except for the drunk people. ha-ha
This past week we have been stopping by less actives and had a couple of meetings at member's homes with an investigator. That by the way was a super good idea. While stopping by one less active we came to the entrance and this man walked out staring at my badge. So, I said hello! He then looked at me astonished and immediately I knew that the man was drunk. He then proceeded to tell us that our mission here in Russia is a waste and that no one will change their lives and that it was no use talking to people about God. We laughed and told him to have a good day and went down the way and after returned to the spot to complete the stop. The member came out and talked with us and after about five minutes the drunk man came out again and then he started to yell at us to go away and not disturb the peace! ha-ha. We gave an invitation and said that we "came in peace!" (holding up the Vulcan sign) He then went his merry way! ha-ha. Always be offering cheer in any situation with a smile to make things better. This past week was great in gathering information on less actives and meeting with some
potentially new investigators. We are doing work here! Love you all and enjoy the summer! It is really humid here! Sitting in priesthood the other day in a suit was awful! ha-ha
Love,
Elder LeFevre
Monday, June 4, 2012
June 4, 2012
This past week was eventful with transfers and we had the most meetings in the are in a long time. Elder S and I at the beginning of the week got to hangout with the M's and some families in the ward at a family home evening, where we mad sure to not play another game of UNO. Before Elder S left we met with our golden
investigator, who was a referral from a member and had an interesting meal with them. The people here are super nice and are always feeding us, even if we tell them we don't have time or we ate. We had a full cooked chicken with all the insides still attached basically and some salad that was purple due to the beets and then some potatoes. It was super good until I looked at the inards and thought I was going to throw up. She must have seen my face turn blue and then stated that I didn't have to eat it and gave it to her boyfriend, with some chicken juice that was left in the pan. I gladly take carbonated horse milk over that any day! haha
Our investigator who is trying to quit smoking and convince his wife that we aren't weird. A lot of things are going well and it looks like our investigator is going to be baptized. He finally got in contact with us and we met with him on Friday and he is busy with his two jobs and running in and out of town to take care of his mom. He is such a cool guy.
Wednesday was transfers. I went to the train station to pick up Elder B and dropped off Elder S on the Electric train to Perm. We sat in the station for a while and then it was back to Chelyabinsk. However, I was in a hurry and got caught in doing other things and carrying bags that I forgot my own backpack! I sat down on the bus and said to myself well darn it felt weird not having my backpack on my
back. OOPS! Called the assistants and they picked it up. So no worries. I have been wondering this past week how I am going to be doing with a new companion who is new being zone leader and all the crazy junk that goes on sometimes. This past week, Elder B and I planned to do seven Dan Jones's in order to treat ourselves at McDonalds for an "Ochosinko." It has been a while, since I have stood up in front of people in a bus and announced or soap boxed the whole bus.
Definitely take out my comfort zone. There are many changes that are taking place here in the branch as we are getting the branch moving along with some activities to invite nonmember friends to them and help the area out with some meetings. Elder B is legit and happy to be serving with him. It will be a great transfer!!
Love,
Elder LeFevre
investigator, who was a referral from a member and had an interesting meal with them. The people here are super nice and are always feeding us, even if we tell them we don't have time or we ate. We had a full cooked chicken with all the insides still attached basically and some salad that was purple due to the beets and then some potatoes. It was super good until I looked at the inards and thought I was going to throw up. She must have seen my face turn blue and then stated that I didn't have to eat it and gave it to her boyfriend, with some chicken juice that was left in the pan. I gladly take carbonated horse milk over that any day! haha
Our investigator who is trying to quit smoking and convince his wife that we aren't weird. A lot of things are going well and it looks like our investigator is going to be baptized. He finally got in contact with us and we met with him on Friday and he is busy with his two jobs and running in and out of town to take care of his mom. He is such a cool guy.
Wednesday was transfers. I went to the train station to pick up Elder B and dropped off Elder S on the Electric train to Perm. We sat in the station for a while and then it was back to Chelyabinsk. However, I was in a hurry and got caught in doing other things and carrying bags that I forgot my own backpack! I sat down on the bus and said to myself well darn it felt weird not having my backpack on my
back. OOPS! Called the assistants and they picked it up. So no worries. I have been wondering this past week how I am going to be doing with a new companion who is new being zone leader and all the crazy junk that goes on sometimes. This past week, Elder B and I planned to do seven Dan Jones's in order to treat ourselves at McDonalds for an "Ochosinko." It has been a while, since I have stood up in front of people in a bus and announced or soap boxed the whole bus.
Definitely take out my comfort zone. There are many changes that are taking place here in the branch as we are getting the branch moving along with some activities to invite nonmember friends to them and help the area out with some meetings. Elder B is legit and happy to be serving with him. It will be a great transfer!!
Love,
Elder LeFevre
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