January 21, 2013

What a great week in Kurgan! We did a ton of finding and it worked out for us like always. We got two new investigators this past week meeting with a family that was placed on the potential list and planning to make tacos with them this weekend. It is going to be a 'kick'!! The zone is doing great work here in Kurgan and I believe that we are all working hard and obedient. Nothing can stand in our way nor are we placing limits upon the Lord. Anytime that we have we are talking to people and knocking upon doors. We had many first lessons with people this week as we have been knocking on doors.

Last night was one of the craziest little encounters I have had in a while being here in Kurgan. We decided to go to a microarea here and talk to all the people that live there. When we go half way down the staircase we ran into a shirtless guy with tattoos filled with symbols of Nazi Germany. His head was shaved and imediately we got the feeling that this guy was a white supremisist. At first he thought we were Jehova's witnesses but we assured him that we weren't and in the end he was convinced that we are cool and that we are true christians. Our assumptions were correct however in his feelings towards other nationalities.

The weather has been jumping up and down constantly and we are still enjoying skiing on the bottom of our shoes from appointment to appointment. I love Russia! People are very hospitable and have been open to listening to our testimonies lately. We are working now on how to get them closer to baptisms witha specific date. The zone has been doing well in our goals for referrals and dates. Our dates however lately have been canceling on us. We are currently at 8 referrals for the month out of 12! Keep praying for us and I love you all. Thanks for sending an email Derek. Good luck on all your missions!

Love,

Elder LeFevre

January 14, 2013

I am just praying that the weather stays in the negative mid twenties here in Kurgan. The zone is doing great as we are striving to find new investigators and setting baptismal dates with them. It has been a testing period for all the companionships here as we have set baptismal dates and meetings but many fall through in the end. The elders in the center of the city have two baptismal dates that are looking not as concrete aw they once did. They ,like us, have been experincing difficulties in keeping in contact with investigators. We are keeping our spirits up, however, not considering the dissapointments by strengthening our member-missionary relationships. 

This past week, I conducted zone training succesfully. The whole zone was edified by the training, role plays and spiritual thought that were shared. It was great to get through all the information due to the smart idea I had of making my own agenda similar to the one that we have at ZLC and sending that to everyone before hand. We all came prepared to learn from eachother and from the Spirit. I couldn't ask for a better zone! Everyone is working hard. 

Elder P and I, have been meeting and strengthing the members in our area and have been working with recently found or former investigators. One man from the formers has been showing interest and we met with a family this past week that is willing to make tacos and have a lesson before hand. We will be looking forward to doing that this week and seeing the progress that comes from it. In January we started to clock in contacting hours for the new english converstion group that we will be leading in February. We have to collect about ten or more contacts specifically pertaining to the new group. 

I am enjoying everyday here in beautiful Russia! I am so greatful everyday to do work, have fun and live the gospel to its fullest! I love you all and appreciate the love and support you all give! I am also praying for you and would like to let you know that all the trials you are facing or may face is a chance to become stronger. Look and rely upon the Lord, working and striving to accomplish everything that is good and virtuous and he will provide the extra strength you need to rise above the darkness, trials, and hardships you face! It is all due to the Atonement of Jesus Christ and his love for everyone of us. Don't forget that! MAY THE FORCE (SPIRIT) BE WITH YOU!! 

Love,

Elder LeFevre

January 7, 2013

This past week was great in celebrating the New Year and saying goodbye to the old one. We ate at SUBWAY here in Kurgan and finished the rest of our needed activities before the "lock down."  (We had to stay in from New Years Eve to morning of Jan 2). We went to bed at the designated time and woke up at 11:30 pm to the sound of the non stop fireworks exploding outside our window. After that we couldn't get to sleep until 5 am in the morning due to the thumping and pounding of the neighbors' sub-woofer and singing!! We were super tired the next day as we did a two hour workout according to the Chuck Norris Plan that we made. 

It was pretty awesome and interesting week for our area and for me being in Yekaterinburg for a couple of days. Elder P and I are having a blast and enjoying how much fun we are having in doing the Lord's work here. We had a few meeting set up to where we almost had a couple of new investigators but unfortunately they canceled and couldn't meet with us while I was in Yekaterinburg. Elder S and I caught the elektrishka to Yekaterinburg Wednesday and arrived to be edified by the training that was presented to us for the benefit of our zone. I absolutely love ZLC's. I feel honored every time I am there on the council communicating with the leaders of the mission and being taught by the Spirit so strongly. We talked about the ways we can work effectively in the cold weather as it approaches the coldest month of the year, February. It seems that everyone is having "trackting fever" in the mission and there have been great success coming out of that. In our zone we have two baptismal dates as of now. The first would be from the elders in center, and then the sisters set one the other day! They are both strong investigators and I am sure we will see them enter into the waters of baptism. We haven't been able to meet with any of our other investigators that had baptismal dates or the ones that we found this past week but we hope this week they will turn up. 

On the ride back from ZLC we were getting some dinner at McDonalds across from the bokzal and were suprised to see all of our great friends from Yekaterinburg and Perm! It was great to see you all!! We had a great turnout at church this past week since everyone was in for the holidays. Lately so many opportunities to serve the members and others has been showing up and it has been great to use our priesthood to bless the lives of others. The mission is great and this week should also be a great one. Love you all and good look with work, school and hunting!!

Love,

Elder LeFevre

December 31, 2012

Kurgan is enjoying the warm weather and everyone is preparing for the holidays. This last week on Saturday we had our ward party for the celebration of all the holidays. It was nice to see so many people come for the activity and to meet investigators and members. We played a few games and enjoyed the presentation and activities. We have some the best youth here in Kurgan. Always fun to spend time with them. 

We stopped by investigators and members to share a Christmas message and even spent time on the streets during -34C weather to find investigators. We had a couple of awesome miracles this past week happen to us in our hard efforts in serving the Lord. When we were out on the streets contacting we talked to this man who at first wasn't interested but with a few questions that were exchanged in our conversation, he became intrigued. We didn't write down his number our his address, but I asked him for referral of someone that would be interested and he gladly gave us a name. We planned later that night to stop by her and contact the referral given to us after we were finished with our meeting in the center of town. We found her and she was not interested at all. My companion and I  decided knock on all the doors in the stairwell. In just about three doors we came upon the fellow that we talked to earlier that day. We came in and got to know each other and drank tea and taught the Restoration to him. He accepted and we will be meeting with him this Friday!! His wife is getting out of the hospital this week and we will have the opportunity to meet with both of them. 

Another miracle was a while we were trackting we ran into this bus driver that we see quite oft in the city here. He knew us and we spent forty minutes teaching him the Restoration and getting a return appointment for this upcoming week. It is looking really good for our area at this moment and we are not going to let up. This week however is full of travel for me again as I leave for Yekaterinburg this Thursday in the morning for ZLC and then come back Friday on that good ol' elektrishka. I am excited maybe we will get to talk to a couple of cool lads on the way again that will be willing to speak that is. 

Thanks for the cookies! Those are going to good use as we stop by and hand people goodies and wish them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year! Love you all and Good luck to all y'all going to school in a few days.(Derek) BYU ROCKS!

Love Elder LeFevre

December 24, 2012

It was a hectic week, starting with our day on Monday on the the elektrishka ride to Yekaterinburg on Monday morning. I had to carry some pretty heavy luggage this past week in -37 C due to the early departuring trains and late trains that were taken for transfers. It is all good though, because it is going towards the goal that my new companion and I have in becoming Chuck Norris in seven steps or less! We have found that in any small ways we can find to keep ourselves warm, whether it be boosting the metabolism or making hot chocolate helps. 

This week began with a great conversation on the elektrishka with a man from Shadrinsk. We talked to him for five hours! Everything from the aweful news in Conneticut to the gospel. I know that he left that train knowing that at least we weren't a sect or weird. He promised to look at the mormon site according to the pass along card we gave. After dropping off Elder E, I went on splits with the office elders  for two days until I could unite with my new companion, Elder P on Wednesday. I even got to spend the day in the office and experience an office meeting. It was completely different side of the work in that office. Seemed like everyone was focused upon fulfilling the tasks that had been given to them and making deadlines, while I was folding papers and eating candy. It was great being around the elders there and the M's again. We even made this epic meal where each one of us ended up eating 500 grams of Pelmeni. Yeah, that is a lot of food! It gave me enough energy for the rest of that day and the next as we went tracting and looking at some great new apartments for the office/assistants.  

Wednesday afternoon came around then it was off to K again. The end of the week was tough because it has been a while since I was the one in the companionship that knew the city and about everyone. I have been filling in the spaces for my companion as we have been tracting and and contacting. We received some good potentials and even a return appointment, but that fell through yesterday for us. It definately has been tough in finding like always but we all know that nothing is meant to be easy but really a trial of our faith. Our companionship is going well and has set some goals to become like Chuck Norris and be 100% obedient to all the rules. We have set specific goals and are now trying to rely on the Lord as we do his will. I love the mission and you all have a Happy New Year and Merry Christmas!!

Love Elder LeFevre

December 17, 2012

WOW!! It is super cold in K and it is ten times more cold than it was last year. One guy told me last year that after -25 C it doesn't matter, but now I am thinking that it was not true. When Elder E and I left for Yekat this morning to drop him off at President's house it read -37 C in the taxi. No worries though it is not too bad just little icicles form on the eyelids, nose hairs, and on the fur lining of your coat. This last week overall was pretty tough to find new investigators. We went out to talk to people as the sun was at the highest point in the sky and no one stopped. We will be inventing new ways to find some people.

We met with some of Elder E's favorite investigators this last week and had great lessons with all of them. We had great successful meetings with some of our less active members. I went on an amazing split with Elder G this past week on Tuesday and we had the greatest time sharing our testimonies with everyone that we met that day and there was not one meeting that day that didn't end without the investigator or member seriously pondering upon the message that was shared. I love testifying and having this calling every week makes me realize how much God cares about his children.

Great things are going on in K. Everyone is doing miraculous work with the members and we are seeing everyone here following the voice of the Holy Ghost in their missionary work. Elder P and I will also be doing the same in finding those that have been prepared by the Lord. Christmas is coming up and the branch is putting on a celebration this Saturday for everyone and we hope that this will be a good success in seeing unfamiliar faces. We are so excited for our goals that we set in K and are looking forward to the accomplishment of them. I love you all and I will be looking forward to talking to you next week! KEEP WARM!!

Love Elder LeFevre

December 10, 2012

Hey thanks for the all the Christmas packages!! I am trying to wait until Christmas to read the letters at least because that is basically all I want for Christmas is to hear from all of you! This past week was filled with traveling for me. Last week we were in T on splits in order to go to ZLC and leave our companions to work in that area there for a couple of days before heading back to Yekat for Zone Conference. ZLC was great. We had a great discussion on the new mission goals for the next year. We had set these goals a month ago as a council and laid out the plan in achieving them. We set the goal for 84 baptisms and 12 instances of real growth in the branches. President and his leaders of the mission discussed our role in passing information clear and simple to our missionaries. I am excited to start running into the new year with baptismal dates and potential baptisms for the first month in January. Yesterday we set goals for our zone at the end of all of our church meetings and duties. We are striving for five baptismal dates at the end of this month and one baptism in the month of December. We have such a great zone and they all have great patience with me as their leader.

After ZLC, we came into T then went on a bus to K. We had the rest of the evening to proselyte and meet with our investigators. The only meeting that worked out that night was with a member, who is striving to hold to the rod and endure by preparing to receive the Melkezidic Priesthood in the next year. Meetings with recent converts and less active members were all that came about this last week.  We bore testimony about the power of involving God in our decisions to receive guidance and warnings to keep us in the right and in safety.

This past week I had the opportunity to go on splits with Elder W in Yekat before Zone Conference. We met with one member who was super nice to us and just wanted to feed us non stop but we got out of there just in time and enjoyed some kompot, pereshki, and shi with the C's. It was great to see everyone there in Yekat. I got to see the M's, former companions and we were taught by the R's. It was a very spiritual week learning about the Holy Ghost and how we receive
revelation and the need to act accordingly. I appreciated it a lot. This week will be good week without the traveling and the warm weather of -36 C. Love you all and stay warm!!

Elder LeFevre

December 3, 2012

Yes, no week of crazy traveling around the mission but at the start of this next week we will have like two days in our area. This week contains ZLC and Zone Conference in Yekaterinburg. I am excited for these meetings because you get to see everyone and talk about who got baptized! Most of all I am excited to be taught from President R and Sister R. I love them so much. They are plain awesome. 

Speaking about how awesome the mission is, our last week was great! Last Monday we finished off the P-day going to the treat stand that is on the bottom floor of our apartment complex. We got these waffles wrapped around skyshyonka or sweetened condensed milk. It helps put on the fat for the -28 C
temperatures that we have been having lately! I was reminded of the last winter quickly as I took a breath through my nose and instantly felt the flesh stick for a couple of seconds. It definitely is colder this winter than last. We met with our progressing investigator twice this week and taught him. Finding has turned towards the more interesting side due to the cold temperatures and the little breeze that Kurgan gets as it sits upon the hill in the middle of the frozen tundra. We like to do "POWER HOUR" and contact people using the questions of the soul and have engaged in some quite good conversations. Now more than ever we have been tracting in order to find investigators and it has helped us
twice in doing so. On one the return appointments, however, didn't work out this week with our new investigator that we counted last week. We did get into a home this last week of a man who was super nice to us and actually lived according to his beliefs 100%. He in the end didn't want to listen to our message, but we made a friend!

This last week we also had a good meeting with the recent convert. We had
a good lesson with him upon the priesthood and what he needs to do in
receiving the priesthood. It was like a flash back to when Bishop Pullan was preparing me. Now I am on the other side of things. It is super cool helping others become closer to Christ. I also had to make the trip to T this last Thursday to do a baptismal interview with a lady who got baptized this last Saturday! I love doing baptismal interviews. I had all the questions memorized and I saw the difference
as I was allowed to be more engaged in the conversation we were having and allowing the Spirit to preside with a stronger influence. The new language program is great and I have been memorizing things like crazy and using the verses and paragraphs I know in my own speech and grammar. The lady I interviewed was from Mongolia. Her son and daughter were separated from her and for many years thought that they would never find each other again. However in the end her son who now lives in America found her and introduced her to the church. She gave the missionaries a call and the rest was history. Such a great week and now I get the chance to soak up the Spirit more as I will be present
on several more meetings.

Love,

Elder LeFevre