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
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
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
Thursday, May 31, 2012
May 28, 2012
Cotton season is back and there is a ton of cotton flying everywhere like snow. Reminds me of last summer when I came to the country in Perm. This past week was a busy week for us here in Chelyabinsk with meetings, investigators, and a whacky visa trip! Oh, and by the way we got transfer calls from President R this past Saturday and our companionship is being split. Elder S is going to
be zone leader in Perm in my first area, while I am staying here in with Elder B as my new companion and fellow zone leader. It will be fun serving another transfer here. The members are
awesome and the zone is pretty much staying the same except we get a short term missionary from Per and now need to translate on meetings that will be conducted in English.
This past week we got a call from a member with a referral for her boyfriend and we got super excited setting up two meetings with him, and while I was in Finland he accepted a baptismal date. He is already reading the book of Mormon and praying. He came to church again this past week already in a suit and tie. He is super cool and we will be getting him ready for an awesome baptism by continuing to teach him. Then our other investigator is including the goals which he
has made on a list and implementing them in his actions to experience the blessings of living the gospel. We taught him that he needs to pray about Joseph Smith and about the Book of Mormon in order for him to gain greater strength and build his testimony. He is doing awesome. V, our new member is getting involved in the branch at every opportunity possible from participating in class to preparing the sacrament. You couldn't have asked for a neater member. He is really happy that I get to stay and talk to him about engineering and science more and to help boost my vocabulary in that aspect!
The visa trip was alright and not really special. Elder A and I got up very early in the morning after going to bed at 10:00pm the night before. All tired and exhausted we get on the flight and sit behind
these guys that became friends at the bar before getting on the plane and ordered some more vodka for the plane ride. That was a sight to see! ha-ha. Then we all landed in Moscow and went to Red Square, which was shut down by a ton of police for some celebration going on and then we decided to just go eat Mc Donalds right next door for thirty minutes. We went out to the rally point and some of the other missionaries were late there. We went back through the metro and back to the electric train with our tickets and found out that some of us didn't buy tickets for the return trip. We missed the train and waited for the next and arrived at the airport fifty minutes until our flight! We ran and I mean literally ran to make it to print off our tickets and go through security and into the terminal. That was a miracle that we got on and made it without missing the flight. We arrived in Helsinki to know that we don't have that much time to go into the temple to do anything and relaxed in the hotel there. That was really nice. I got myself a huge liter of chocolate milk! Then we came back on Saturday and unfortunately we had to close English Group.
I am so happy I get to be in Chely for another transfer with the awesome members here and their great support and to be in the midst of great missionaries and a senior couple. The mission is awesome and the Russian language is super! Всего Хорошого! Я вас всех Люблю!
( Have a nice day! I love you all! )
Elder LeFevre
be zone leader in Perm in my first area, while I am staying here in with Elder B as my new companion and fellow zone leader. It will be fun serving another transfer here. The members are
awesome and the zone is pretty much staying the same except we get a short term missionary from Per and now need to translate on meetings that will be conducted in English.
This past week we got a call from a member with a referral for her boyfriend and we got super excited setting up two meetings with him, and while I was in Finland he accepted a baptismal date. He is already reading the book of Mormon and praying. He came to church again this past week already in a suit and tie. He is super cool and we will be getting him ready for an awesome baptism by continuing to teach him. Then our other investigator is including the goals which he
has made on a list and implementing them in his actions to experience the blessings of living the gospel. We taught him that he needs to pray about Joseph Smith and about the Book of Mormon in order for him to gain greater strength and build his testimony. He is doing awesome. V, our new member is getting involved in the branch at every opportunity possible from participating in class to preparing the sacrament. You couldn't have asked for a neater member. He is really happy that I get to stay and talk to him about engineering and science more and to help boost my vocabulary in that aspect!
The visa trip was alright and not really special. Elder A and I got up very early in the morning after going to bed at 10:00pm the night before. All tired and exhausted we get on the flight and sit behind
these guys that became friends at the bar before getting on the plane and ordered some more vodka for the plane ride. That was a sight to see! ha-ha. Then we all landed in Moscow and went to Red Square, which was shut down by a ton of police for some celebration going on and then we decided to just go eat Mc Donalds right next door for thirty minutes. We went out to the rally point and some of the other missionaries were late there. We went back through the metro and back to the electric train with our tickets and found out that some of us didn't buy tickets for the return trip. We missed the train and waited for the next and arrived at the airport fifty minutes until our flight! We ran and I mean literally ran to make it to print off our tickets and go through security and into the terminal. That was a miracle that we got on and made it without missing the flight. We arrived in Helsinki to know that we don't have that much time to go into the temple to do anything and relaxed in the hotel there. That was really nice. I got myself a huge liter of chocolate milk! Then we came back on Saturday and unfortunately we had to close English Group.
I am so happy I get to be in Chely for another transfer with the awesome members here and their great support and to be in the midst of great missionaries and a senior couple. The mission is awesome and the Russian language is super! Всего Хорошого! Я вас всех Люблю!
( Have a nice day! I love you all! )
Elder LeFevre
Summer is Back
Summer is back! Hurray! Everyday we have been running in the morning and dodging the huge mosquitoes that come buzzing in like B-52's! Watch out they go for the big arteries! ha-ha-ha. Finally, we can wear some short sleeve white shirts with the warm weather. With all the traveling that we do here, longsleeves are hot. This past week we had some great success in moving forward with some of our investigators and trying to accept a baptismal date. This past Monday, we had a FHE with a cool family in our area with the M's and a couple of other families. We ate well later the spiritual thought that we gave and then they pulled out UNO! Oh yeah! I was ready to play
some cards, because I haven't played cards in a long time. However, before we played we went over the rules to make sure everyone was on the same page. They started to tell the rules to us, which turned out to be totally different. They basically changed the rules completely around and everyone was arguing and playing for other people and it was chaos! CRAZIEST UNO GAME EVER!!!
Elder S and I then had a miracle and finally got a hold of the man who had a baptismal date back in April and checked up on him and his progress in the book of Mormon. He is doing well and then we tried to establish a baptismal date with him but then he said he wasn't too sure about the whole thing. Then our member on the meeting, Sister N, helped us out so much and him with his feeling of unworthiness to be baptized. Hey that is what we are her for to teach the principle then allow them to act upon the principle with obedience. It was a great meeting. This past Wednesday we planned splits with the elders in the Northwest area and I got to stay there with Elder A. We are trying to help that area out with investigators and meetings. Elder A and I went out and had a long day on the streets talking to people that were outside.
Our other investigator is still trying to enforce goals that he has written down to convince his wife to meet with us. He is doing well and quitting smoking all together in due time and has not drank alcohol for over a month. English Club is chug chug chugging along and looks like we will shut the program down due to lack of participants and new investigators. One man from English group is form Miass and we set up a meeting with him on the day that we were in Miass to meet him. We left in the morning and got there in two hours by train. We sat on hard benches and enjoyed to the humid air and the constant stops along every little village to Miass. We arrived in Miass and met with Brother V, who was super happy to meet us. We arrived at a members house, where they hold sacrament meeting and sunday school to meet the active members there. We prepared and blessed the sacrament and then spoke! It was really humbling to see the group get together and weird to think that there was once a branch there. We then visited with a Sis and Bro. V. Then we visited a young family and then had dinner with the S. We had a good time with the members. We then met with the investigator who is interested in English. We walked in and automatically we heard a bunch of giggling. Elder Smith and I looked at each other and immediately knew that this was an English club. We taught some lesson and then had a conversation with the man and his friends. Yesterday was a long day and we will be getting transfer calls this week! It will be interesting to see what happens.
some cards, because I haven't played cards in a long time. However, before we played we went over the rules to make sure everyone was on the same page. They started to tell the rules to us, which turned out to be totally different. They basically changed the rules completely around and everyone was arguing and playing for other people and it was chaos! CRAZIEST UNO GAME EVER!!!
Elder S and I then had a miracle and finally got a hold of the man who had a baptismal date back in April and checked up on him and his progress in the book of Mormon. He is doing well and then we tried to establish a baptismal date with him but then he said he wasn't too sure about the whole thing. Then our member on the meeting, Sister N, helped us out so much and him with his feeling of unworthiness to be baptized. Hey that is what we are her for to teach the principle then allow them to act upon the principle with obedience. It was a great meeting. This past Wednesday we planned splits with the elders in the Northwest area and I got to stay there with Elder A. We are trying to help that area out with investigators and meetings. Elder A and I went out and had a long day on the streets talking to people that were outside.
Our other investigator is still trying to enforce goals that he has written down to convince his wife to meet with us. He is doing well and quitting smoking all together in due time and has not drank alcohol for over a month. English Club is chug chug chugging along and looks like we will shut the program down due to lack of participants and new investigators. One man from English group is form Miass and we set up a meeting with him on the day that we were in Miass to meet him. We left in the morning and got there in two hours by train. We sat on hard benches and enjoyed to the humid air and the constant stops along every little village to Miass. We arrived in Miass and met with Brother V, who was super happy to meet us. We arrived at a members house, where they hold sacrament meeting and sunday school to meet the active members there. We prepared and blessed the sacrament and then spoke! It was really humbling to see the group get together and weird to think that there was once a branch there. We then visited with a Sis and Bro. V. Then we visited a young family and then had dinner with the S. We had a good time with the members. We then met with the investigator who is interested in English. We walked in and automatically we heard a bunch of giggling. Elder Smith and I looked at each other and immediately knew that this was an English club. We taught some lesson and then had a conversation with the man and his friends. Yesterday was a long day and we will be getting transfer calls this week! It will be interesting to see what happens.
Love you all! Have a good week!
Elder LeFevre
Friday, May 18, 2012
May 14, 2012
This past week was a couple of big celebrations. Last wednesday, it was Victory Day in Russia and we had to stay inside all day unfortunately and could not see the demonstrations and the parade. I heard it was pretty cool but no worries it was a super great day to write a ton of letters! Then, Yesterday was Mother's Day and after the proselytizing day we got to Skype home! I loved telling the family some of the funny things I have seen and experienced.
This past week we spent a ton of time on the street talking to people and trying to reach our month's goal of finding a family. It is going well, as all of the companionships have been trying to receive more contacts for there potential investigator list. Collecting the names on our list this past week, I was calling old contacts and new contacts and organizing the lists and came across about four people that wanted to learn more about the gospel and our message! I was jumping for joy after I set up a few meetings to allow us to teach four lessons this past saturday. That was such a great day and I love teaching lessons and people in general. one of the guys that we talked to was a man around our age and an Atheist. He had questions every time we finished talking and tried questioning our testimonies and knowledge. After about two times of trying to explain what the Holy Ghost feels like we just bore testimony about the need for him to read the Book of Mormon and pray. Well, he said he would not pray right after we gave the commitment without a stutter. We might have some work ahead of us. haha Our progressing investigator is still trying to quit smoking and be an example of changing for the better for his wife. He has come a long way and now reads and prays regularly.
This week was great as we met new investigators and there are only two weeks left in the transfer. Time goes by super fast. I am super excited for summer and for the investigators who are coming towards baptism. Thanks for all the prayers, love and support from back home! Love you all!
Elder LeFevre
Monday, May 7, 2012
Baptism, ZLC, and Service
Everything has been great here in Chelyabinsk and we have been enjoying the weather and the cool practices that have been going on at the Square of Revolution here around the statue of Lenin. Everyday, I just look around me and take in the fact that I am in Russia! Especially, while they have old tanks and jeeps getting into position for the big celebration. There were so many police officers on the street today. They had a ton of people running a marathon.
This morning, we awoke to go running and then got ready to do some service at the hospital in the northern part of the city. I thought that we were going to help the kids in the hospital and that our investigator would be there to help us out. However, we ended up painting curbs around the buildings and the bases of all the trees. I asked Sister N, why they paint all the bases of the trees white and I got a legitimate answer from a few people. I don't know if all of you have seen some of my pictures and notice that the bases of the trees are white. It is to protect the trees from the rabbits who like to chew at the bark on the tree. I guess this was a practice to protect the trees from bugs too when they put a chemical in the paint. Now, however, they just do it because it has now become a thing of beauty. Tonight, we have another FHE at a family's house this time.
Last, Monday Elder S and I planned to be on the street talking to people for quite some time, until we received a phone call from the M's requesting us to come over to be translators and accompany them on the surprise family home evening that took place. We ran on over there and picked up a few stones for an object lesson and some cookies. We came in just in time to give a spiritual thought on Christ being the rock of our foundation.
This past week was a ton of running around with our heads cut off at some points. Tuesday, we had another baptism for our zone! It was a great baptism and we had the chance to sing a great children's hymn together before she was baptized. After that baptism, we jumped into the car with the assistants and President R to go to Yekaterinburg. We talked for a while, but then President stuck in a Mormon Tabernacle Choir CD and I fell asleep and before we knew it, we were at the office in Yekaterinburg. Zone Leader Council was great and the Spirit definitely was their as we put in our input and shared our testimonies with each other about the Gospel. Unfortunately, we had to take a bus back to Chelyabinsk, but nothing a little SUPER SNICKERS cannot fix.
We came back late and went to bed, knowing that on Thursday we had service on the garden. For three hours we tilled the land with our hands and got rid of the weeds and old apples that had fallen and became rotten. Then a sister from the ward and I planted the potatoes in her garden. She treated us to some excellent soup and tea! I love doing service and enjoy just plain work, but however I am sore do to lack of that kind of physical work lately. Our investigator who was baptized last week is doing super well and we enjoy leading the after baptism lessons with him. Our other investigator has picked up smoking and we are continuing on working towards no drinking and smoking completely. it is super tough in trying to help him come closer to baptism when you have taught about everything but somethings just need to take time. Right now, we are just trying to gain more investigators, because they have either gone missing or we haven't had contact with them in quite some time. maybe it has to deal with the celebration that is going to take place as many go out to the dachas and meet with family.
Love you all! I love the mission! Love all the support that you all give me!
Elder LeFevre
This morning, we awoke to go running and then got ready to do some service at the hospital in the northern part of the city. I thought that we were going to help the kids in the hospital and that our investigator would be there to help us out. However, we ended up painting curbs around the buildings and the bases of all the trees. I asked Sister N, why they paint all the bases of the trees white and I got a legitimate answer from a few people. I don't know if all of you have seen some of my pictures and notice that the bases of the trees are white. It is to protect the trees from the rabbits who like to chew at the bark on the tree. I guess this was a practice to protect the trees from bugs too when they put a chemical in the paint. Now, however, they just do it because it has now become a thing of beauty. Tonight, we have another FHE at a family's house this time.
Last, Monday Elder S and I planned to be on the street talking to people for quite some time, until we received a phone call from the M's requesting us to come over to be translators and accompany them on the surprise family home evening that took place. We ran on over there and picked up a few stones for an object lesson and some cookies. We came in just in time to give a spiritual thought on Christ being the rock of our foundation.
This past week was a ton of running around with our heads cut off at some points. Tuesday, we had another baptism for our zone! It was a great baptism and we had the chance to sing a great children's hymn together before she was baptized. After that baptism, we jumped into the car with the assistants and President R to go to Yekaterinburg. We talked for a while, but then President stuck in a Mormon Tabernacle Choir CD and I fell asleep and before we knew it, we were at the office in Yekaterinburg. Zone Leader Council was great and the Spirit definitely was their as we put in our input and shared our testimonies with each other about the Gospel. Unfortunately, we had to take a bus back to Chelyabinsk, but nothing a little SUPER SNICKERS cannot fix.
We came back late and went to bed, knowing that on Thursday we had service on the garden. For three hours we tilled the land with our hands and got rid of the weeds and old apples that had fallen and became rotten. Then a sister from the ward and I planted the potatoes in her garden. She treated us to some excellent soup and tea! I love doing service and enjoy just plain work, but however I am sore do to lack of that kind of physical work lately. Our investigator who was baptized last week is doing super well and we enjoy leading the after baptism lessons with him. Our other investigator has picked up smoking and we are continuing on working towards no drinking and smoking completely. it is super tough in trying to help him come closer to baptism when you have taught about everything but somethings just need to take time. Right now, we are just trying to gain more investigators, because they have either gone missing or we haven't had contact with them in quite some time. maybe it has to deal with the celebration that is going to take place as many go out to the dachas and meet with family.
Love you all! I love the mission! Love all the support that you all give me!
Elder LeFevre
April 30, 2012
BAPTISM!!! Our investigator this past week got baptized, after he had been investigation for some time and it was a great experience for me to see how much someone changes when they live by the gospel! His countenance changed over the time that we have been in here in Chely and was willing to do whatever to be baptized. he was super happy on Sunday, especially after he received the Holy Ghost!! Putting his baptism was some work for us, however due to the fact we had problem after problem arise after we set the date with him. We announced the baptism a week in advance and somehow, we didn't get news of a Russian working day on the day of the baptism. So as we made calls to make sure that people were going to be there and those that were going to speak would be ready, we met with some "I am not going to make it!" it was frantic calls up until ten o'clock at night making sure we had support. President R came and saw the baptism and we had a better turn out than it looked like the night before the baptism. Elder S baptized him and I talked on baptism! We were super happy to see him participate in class actively already and just have a big smile!
This past week was great getting our investigator ready for baptism, but we faced problems with our other investigators in having trouble keeping in touch with them through the phone and on meetings. Basically, they are known as missing in action at the moment. We are trying hard to move forward in finding families and other people from the streets, as the weather begins to be more like summer and we are all happy to see the sun! After the baptism we went out to SUBWAY and treated ourselves to some foot long sandwiches, which actually came with a free half of a sandwich on top! Ha-ha. Everything was working out and our phone was silent after the baptism. What a sigh of relief for one second. Ha-ha. We are just trying to keep our area moving forward right now. We went on splits with the assistants before the baptism and made some Beach Body pancakes for the day that was ahead of us before we met V on the bus stop.
Today, we had our washing machine replaced by a new one. The landlady came with her friend and switched them out. I helped them prepare the washer to move out of the bathroom and began to unscrew the hose that was connected to the pipe in the back. Well, I forgot the turn off the water and i began to unscrew and then the water shot out like a fire hose onto the floor. I was fishing for the valve and trying to plug the pipe, but to no avail. So, I let the other guy handle it and finally, we found it in two minutes. They left after we cleaned up the water for a bit and then we got a knock on our door. There stood a grandma who lived right below us. She was not too happy needless to say due to the fact that the water had somehow leaked through the cracks in the concrete into her own bathroom! hahaha OOOPS!
Zone Leader Council is this week and I am trying to guess what will be there to eat because Sister R is in America, while she is getting a new passport. I am hoping tacos! This past Monday, we had a FHE at the M’s and they made tacos and they had some leftover meat and extra stuff after a few people didn't show up. In short, I ate 8 tacos! WOW I fasted the next day, I tell you what! Well, I love you all and I am so happy to be here in Russia! It is one legit place to experience and to serve. Speaking of service we got a farming job to do on the garden in the village this week. I will tell you all more about that next week.
Love,
Elder LeFevre
Elder LeFevre
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