Wednesday, June 27, 2012

June 25, 2012

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

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.
 
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.
 
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

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

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

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

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. 

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