Hello Family!!
So there's this story here in Russia about a taxi driver and a priest. Both die. The taxi driver goes to Heaven and the priest goes to Hell. The priest, confused, complains to the devil and asks "Why am I down here while that Taxi driver is up there? He was the worst, most reckless driver in town!" The devil responds "Because the taxi driver got a lot more people praying in his car than you ever got to pray in your chapel."
I thought that was funny.
I hope Thanksgiving was wonderful! I'm sure it was! I ca't even tell you how much I was craving to have the food we usually have on thanksgiving! Don't worry, over here we had a little celebration too! We had a little bit of mashed potatoes and turkey! Not as good as our family's stuff, but it was delicious nonetheless! I really am loving the members here. They are becoming my family... I really hope that I don't get transferred. Of course I won't complain, but I will definitely be sad. What day is Mary going into the MTC again? I think about her everyday! I wrote you a letter, and I'm sending it today!!! you probably won't get it before the MTC, but I expect mother and father to forward it to you in the MTC.
So I was sitting next to Sergey Pakrovskey, one of my best friends here in Russia, speaks English fluently, and he was translating for our mission president because he came to our branch this past weekend. The speaker was talking about the woman taken in adultery and how the people wanted to stone her. But the way he translated it was "The Jesus said to these people 'if any of you are a good person, throw a rock at her.'" I had to work hard not to laugh. Not only that, but I suddely realized why I get laughed at all the time here in Russia. Learning another language is so hard, so humbling, so fun, so stressful, and so fulfilling!
So we had about 11 or 12 people who could be baptized, but one of them dissapeared of the face of the earth, actually, no. two of them did. two others called and said they want none of it anymore. two went crazy... Another one said he really wanted to be baptised, but there is nothing wrong with smoking, so no. Anya knows everything and considers us her second family, but every week there is another reason why she can't come to church. The others refuse to set a date that they can meet with us! SO DIFFICULT! You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it get baptized.
So I was going to buy you all Christmas presents, nothing much, but presents nonetheless... but I gave the money away. This guy Vitalee really needed some help... So too bad for you guys! haha!
I'm running out of time!!! I love you all! I heard Seth Wood is going Spanish Speaking, texas! That is so great!!! Good luck to him! I love you all!
Elder Swartz!
Elder Swartz
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Letter #10 from Russia
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Hey, so a member of my branch said that he found Rachel on Facebook and gave her pictures. At least... I think that's what he said... anyway, just wanted to check on that and see if you guys got them. Also! I found out that dearelders are free for the Russia Samara Mission, or at least they should be... so if you want to save money, just send me a dearelder instead! It's not like I really care though, I'm here to be a missionary, not to get letters... but seriously... send letters. haha!
So this Stephanie lady! When she was a young wife with a good son, good husband, and a good life, her husband left the country for work and after a few months of not hearing from him, the government sent her back an earn (spellcheck?) saying it was her husbands ashes. Apparently the government didn't like something he did or knew so they got rid of him. She doesn't believe it was really his ashes, but Vsyo Ravno (nonetheless) her husband was gone. Then later, her son got beat to the point of being permanently brain damaged for the rest of his life and never recovered physically either. She doesn't receive any sort of money from the government because she's not Russian. Finally, she found this church and really liked it, but when she was walking home from a branch activity these guys broke her arm and her hip and told her never to go to our church again. She hasn't been able to come to church anymore because now her health is too poor! She has a crazy tough life... And a lot of people here have lives just like hers.
There's one lady, Larisa, I don't know much about her but apparently her mother killed her father, or maybe it was her brother who killed her mother... anyways, her family is all dead now and her life is really hard... People here are so scarred and battered. They have been chewed up and spit out time and time again. It reminds me of a talk I read in the MTC by Boyd K. Packer, Touch of the Master's Hand. You should read it. There was a poem at the end I really felt applied to the people of Russia more than it may to other people. If there was anything I could do for these people, it would be to help them remember who they really are. That they are worth more than the 30 rubles of material their bodies are made up of, but rather the infinite value of their own magnificence. If they could only see who they could be when touched by the master's hand, this people, the people of Russia could have exponentially better lives! They wouldn't even have to change much. Just their perspective! Everything else would follow naturally!
Russian fun fact: Graffiti is rampant! it's insane... All these little russian Gangs running around tagging their "English" Gang Names on stuff like "TickleMustaЯd" or the "Dragon Stabbers!" seriously... it's worse than the Cedar Hills Jads. haha! Actually there are a lot of really good taggings though. There is some true talent, too bad it's wasted.
I have to go bye!!
Love elder sdfjldasf
Hey, so a member of my branch said that he found Rachel on Facebook and gave her pictures. At least... I think that's what he said... anyway, just wanted to check on that and see if you guys got them. Also! I found out that dearelders are free for the Russia Samara Mission, or at least they should be... so if you want to save money, just send me a dearelder instead! It's not like I really care though, I'm here to be a missionary, not to get letters... but seriously... send letters. haha!
So this Stephanie lady! When she was a young wife with a good son, good husband, and a good life, her husband left the country for work and after a few months of not hearing from him, the government sent her back an earn (spellcheck?) saying it was her husbands ashes. Apparently the government didn't like something he did or knew so they got rid of him. She doesn't believe it was really his ashes, but Vsyo Ravno (nonetheless) her husband was gone. Then later, her son got beat to the point of being permanently brain damaged for the rest of his life and never recovered physically either. She doesn't receive any sort of money from the government because she's not Russian. Finally, she found this church and really liked it, but when she was walking home from a branch activity these guys broke her arm and her hip and told her never to go to our church again. She hasn't been able to come to church anymore because now her health is too poor! She has a crazy tough life... And a lot of people here have lives just like hers.
There's one lady, Larisa, I don't know much about her but apparently her mother killed her father, or maybe it was her brother who killed her mother... anyways, her family is all dead now and her life is really hard... People here are so scarred and battered. They have been chewed up and spit out time and time again. It reminds me of a talk I read in the MTC by Boyd K. Packer, Touch of the Master's Hand. You should read it. There was a poem at the end I really felt applied to the people of Russia more than it may to other people. If there was anything I could do for these people, it would be to help them remember who they really are. That they are worth more than the 30 rubles of material their bodies are made up of, but rather the infinite value of their own magnificence. If they could only see who they could be when touched by the master's hand, this people, the people of Russia could have exponentially better lives! They wouldn't even have to change much. Just their perspective! Everything else would follow naturally!
Russian fun fact: Graffiti is rampant! it's insane... All these little russian Gangs running around tagging their "English" Gang Names on stuff like "TickleMustaЯd" or the "Dragon Stabbers!" seriously... it's worse than the Cedar Hills Jads. haha! Actually there are a lot of really good taggings though. There is some true talent, too bad it's wasted.
I have to go bye!!
Love elder sdfjldasf
Letter #9 From Russia
Baiu Baiu Baiu Bai (beginning of a Russian lullaby.)
That's terrily tohear about Sister Montrose! I'm so glad that She's doing a bit better! I'll pray for her! I wonder if Tessa was there when it happened and had to use any of her First Responder training. It would certainly be a good thing she had taken that class if she was there. They have had so many trials as a family. And still they are always so strong and so happy! When I imagine any of them, they are always smiling!! It's so sad to hear about so many sad things happening to such an incredible family! I'll talk to Heavenly Father about that tonight to see if I can pull a few strings for them. We're kind of on good terms right now. Haha!
So This week has been my favorite so far on the mission. My companions are incredible! I really could go on forever about them! Both of them are SO obedient! I love it! They are incredible planners, very spiritual, very nice, and really fun! Elder Anderson is a great cook too! We all wake up at 6:00 in the morning everyday! I love it! I tried doing that with Elder Benham and all it did was get him mad at me for even mentioning it... haha! I'm seriously the worst missionary of the three of us. I have so much to learn from both of them! I love them both so much! I'm not going to blame my trainer for how I have turned out as a missionary so far... but... I feel like I'm going to make leaps and bounds now that I have some good examples of what I always knew a missionary could be... haha!
So Russia is doing well, she is getting colder lately, but not too bad. Only about 10 degrees or so. It still hasn't snowed yet... sad. I'm excited for it... ish... but that also means I'll have to whip out my winter boots. Hastle. oh well. Stylin. (Stalin?) haha! ... Sorry, my mind just kind of went on a strange tangent... I've been wearing my beautiful fur coat and I got my hands on a good scarf too! I'm loving it! This is what russia should feel like!
So on friday, my companions and I were going around knocking on doors and this babooshka invited us into her backyard. She took us into this shed and surprised us with a birthday party! haha! It was the funniest thing! She then told us that it was actually for her 1 year old grandson, but it certainly threw us off for a second... They were practically trying to shove the vodka down our throats. They just couldn't fathom us not drinking vodka at a party. Finally they forced us to drink this really good juice. They made us eat all this food and then shoved us out the door before we could really talk to them about our message. Before we left, the lady said "I'm going to tell everyone that God sent three American boys to this party!" It was probably the funniest thing since [something really funny]! For reals. It was good because just before that, we got dominated by this guy who used to be a way active member, even got his mom baptised, but is now wrapped up in so much anti mormon stuff it was disgusting. At first, everything seemed fine, but as we continued talking, it became apparent that the spirit was absent more and more. In fact, there was a very different spirit in his home as well. We couldn't do anything to prove him wrong. What was worse was that he is a lawyer and he knows more about the gospel than I do. It was definitely not my favorite thing... He knew fluent English, so it made it even harder in the fact that we just wanted to argue with him. We didn't of course, but the temptation was strong.
I'm so grateful for this gospel! I'm so grateful for this opportunity to serve! I love you all so much! I pray for you all!!
Love, Elder Swartz.
PS: I finally found out how I can send letters home and stuff, so I'll try to do that soon!
That's terrily tohear about Sister Montrose! I'm so glad that She's doing a bit better! I'll pray for her! I wonder if Tessa was there when it happened and had to use any of her First Responder training. It would certainly be a good thing she had taken that class if she was there. They have had so many trials as a family. And still they are always so strong and so happy! When I imagine any of them, they are always smiling!! It's so sad to hear about so many sad things happening to such an incredible family! I'll talk to Heavenly Father about that tonight to see if I can pull a few strings for them. We're kind of on good terms right now. Haha!
So This week has been my favorite so far on the mission. My companions are incredible! I really could go on forever about them! Both of them are SO obedient! I love it! They are incredible planners, very spiritual, very nice, and really fun! Elder Anderson is a great cook too! We all wake up at 6:00 in the morning everyday! I love it! I tried doing that with Elder Benham and all it did was get him mad at me for even mentioning it... haha! I'm seriously the worst missionary of the three of us. I have so much to learn from both of them! I love them both so much! I'm not going to blame my trainer for how I have turned out as a missionary so far... but... I feel like I'm going to make leaps and bounds now that I have some good examples of what I always knew a missionary could be... haha!
So Russia is doing well, she is getting colder lately, but not too bad. Only about 10 degrees or so. It still hasn't snowed yet... sad. I'm excited for it... ish... but that also means I'll have to whip out my winter boots. Hastle. oh well. Stylin. (Stalin?) haha! ... Sorry, my mind just kind of went on a strange tangent... I've been wearing my beautiful fur coat and I got my hands on a good scarf too! I'm loving it! This is what russia should feel like!
So on friday, my companions and I were going around knocking on doors and this babooshka invited us into her backyard. She took us into this shed and surprised us with a birthday party! haha! It was the funniest thing! She then told us that it was actually for her 1 year old grandson, but it certainly threw us off for a second... They were practically trying to shove the vodka down our throats. They just couldn't fathom us not drinking vodka at a party. Finally they forced us to drink this really good juice. They made us eat all this food and then shoved us out the door before we could really talk to them about our message. Before we left, the lady said "I'm going to tell everyone that God sent three American boys to this party!" It was probably the funniest thing since [something really funny]! For reals. It was good because just before that, we got dominated by this guy who used to be a way active member, even got his mom baptised, but is now wrapped up in so much anti mormon stuff it was disgusting. At first, everything seemed fine, but as we continued talking, it became apparent that the spirit was absent more and more. In fact, there was a very different spirit in his home as well. We couldn't do anything to prove him wrong. What was worse was that he is a lawyer and he knows more about the gospel than I do. It was definitely not my favorite thing... He knew fluent English, so it made it even harder in the fact that we just wanted to argue with him. We didn't of course, but the temptation was strong.
I'm so grateful for this gospel! I'm so grateful for this opportunity to serve! I love you all so much! I pray for you all!!
Love, Elder Swartz.
PS: I finally found out how I can send letters home and stuff, so I'll try to do that soon!
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Letter #8 From Russia
Baiu Baiu Baiu Bai (beginning of a Russian lullaby.)
That's terrily tohear about Sister Montrose! I'm so glad that She's doing a bit better! I'll pray for her! I wonder if Tessa was there when it happened and had to use any of her First Responder training. It would certainly be a good thing she had taken that class if she was there. They have had so many trials as a family. And still they are always so strong and so happy! When I imagine any of them, they are always smiling!! It's so sad to hear about so many sad things happening to such an incredible family! I'll talk to Heavenly Father about that tonight to see if I can pull a few strings for them. We're kind of on good terms right now. Haha!
So This week has been my favorite so far on the mission. My companions are incredible! I really could go on forever about them! Both of them are SO obedient! I love it! They are incredible planners, very spiritual, very nice, and really fun! Elder Anderson is a great cook too! We all wake up at 6:00 in the morning everyday! I love it! I tried doing that with Elder Benham and all it did was get him mad at me for even mentioning it... haha! I'm seriously the worst missionary of the three of us. I have so much to learn from both of them! I love them both so much! I'm not going to blame my trainer for how I have turned out as a missionary so far... but... I feel like I'm going to make leaps and bounds now that I have some good examples of what I always knew a missionary could be... haha!
So Russia is doing well, she is getting colder lately, but not too bad. Only about 10 degrees or so. It still hasn't snowed yet... sad. I'm excited for it... ish... but that also means I'll have to whip out my winter boots. Hastle. oh well. Stylin. (Stalin?) haha! ... Sorry, my mind just kind of went on a strange tangent... I've been wearing my beautiful fur coat and I got my hands on a good scarf too! I'm loving it! This is what russia should feel like!
So on friday, my companions and I were going around knocking on doors and this babooshka invited us into her backyard. She took us into this shed and surprised us with a birthday party! haha! It was the funniest thing! She then told us that it was actually for her 1 year old grandson, but it certainly threw us off for a second... They were practically trying to shove the vodka down our throats. They just couldn't fathom us not drinking vodka at a party. Finally they forced us to drink this really good juice. They made us eat all this food and then shoved us out the door before we could really talk to them about our message. Before we left, the lady said "I'm going to tell everyone that God sent three American boys to this party!" It was probably the funniest thing since [something really funny]! For reals. It was good because just before that, we got dominated by this guy who used to be a way active member, even got his mom baptised, but is now wrapped up in so much anti mormon stuff it was disgusting. At first, everything seemed fine, but as we continued talking, it became apparent that the spirit was absent more and more. In fact, there was a very different spirit in his home as well. We couldn't do anything to prove him wrong. What was worse was that he is a lawyer and he knows more about the gospel than I do. It was definitely not my favorite thing... He knew fluent English, so it made it even harder in the fact that we just wanted to argue with him. We didn't of course, but the temptation was strong.
I'm so grateful for this gospel! I'm so grateful for this opportunity to serve! I love you all so much! I pray for you all!!
Love, Elder Swartz.
PS: I finally found out how I can send letters home and stuff, so I'll try to do that soon!
That's terrily tohear about Sister Montrose! I'm so glad that She's doing a bit better! I'll pray for her! I wonder if Tessa was there when it happened and had to use any of her First Responder training. It would certainly be a good thing she had taken that class if she was there. They have had so many trials as a family. And still they are always so strong and so happy! When I imagine any of them, they are always smiling!! It's so sad to hear about so many sad things happening to such an incredible family! I'll talk to Heavenly Father about that tonight to see if I can pull a few strings for them. We're kind of on good terms right now. Haha!
So This week has been my favorite so far on the mission. My companions are incredible! I really could go on forever about them! Both of them are SO obedient! I love it! They are incredible planners, very spiritual, very nice, and really fun! Elder Anderson is a great cook too! We all wake up at 6:00 in the morning everyday! I love it! I tried doing that with Elder Benham and all it did was get him mad at me for even mentioning it... haha! I'm seriously the worst missionary of the three of us. I have so much to learn from both of them! I love them both so much! I'm not going to blame my trainer for how I have turned out as a missionary so far... but... I feel like I'm going to make leaps and bounds now that I have some good examples of what I always knew a missionary could be... haha!
So Russia is doing well, she is getting colder lately, but not too bad. Only about 10 degrees or so. It still hasn't snowed yet... sad. I'm excited for it... ish... but that also means I'll have to whip out my winter boots. Hastle. oh well. Stylin. (Stalin?) haha! ... Sorry, my mind just kind of went on a strange tangent... I've been wearing my beautiful fur coat and I got my hands on a good scarf too! I'm loving it! This is what russia should feel like!
So on friday, my companions and I were going around knocking on doors and this babooshka invited us into her backyard. She took us into this shed and surprised us with a birthday party! haha! It was the funniest thing! She then told us that it was actually for her 1 year old grandson, but it certainly threw us off for a second... They were practically trying to shove the vodka down our throats. They just couldn't fathom us not drinking vodka at a party. Finally they forced us to drink this really good juice. They made us eat all this food and then shoved us out the door before we could really talk to them about our message. Before we left, the lady said "I'm going to tell everyone that God sent three American boys to this party!" It was probably the funniest thing since [something really funny]! For reals. It was good because just before that, we got dominated by this guy who used to be a way active member, even got his mom baptised, but is now wrapped up in so much anti mormon stuff it was disgusting. At first, everything seemed fine, but as we continued talking, it became apparent that the spirit was absent more and more. In fact, there was a very different spirit in his home as well. We couldn't do anything to prove him wrong. What was worse was that he is a lawyer and he knows more about the gospel than I do. It was definitely not my favorite thing... He knew fluent English, so it made it even harder in the fact that we just wanted to argue with him. We didn't of course, but the temptation was strong.
I'm so grateful for this gospel! I'm so grateful for this opportunity to serve! I love you all so much! I pray for you all!!
Love, Elder Swartz.
PS: I finally found out how I can send letters home and stuff, so I'll try to do that soon!
Letter from Russia #7
Hey hey hey!
Whoa boy... this week has been tough... but good. First: Muslims are tough to convert... their religion is so similar to ours that all of our little explanations about why we need the book of Mormon or prophets and stuff apply to the Koran! haha! Not only that, but they have no faith in Jesus Christ, so there's nothing to build off of there... it's tough. You really just have to bring everything down to the spirit testifying to them of the truth of your message. With my Russian abilities thus far, I can't do anything else to explain. But I know that I have the power of the Lord on my side.
God does not love eloquence, He loves His children.
Also: An elevator broke down while my companion and I were in it. He got all mad, but I stayed cheerful and somehow he cheered up as well. It actually became funny... Finally, after probably 20 minutes, this guy came and got us out. We talked to him as he was on top of the elevator prying the door open with his crow bar and by the end, he said he'd come to church! haha! We couldn't get his number or anything though, so we'll see how that turns out.
So I was reading Mosiah 21: 14 and I felt like it totally described my pleadings with the Lord about my companion. I was scared that verse 15 was going to apply to me as well, but the Lord answered my prayers. My companion got transferred. He's not even in my zone anymore... I feel bad for praying so hard for that very thing to happen, because he did so much work here and now he has to leave it all behind. As happy as I am, I certainly understand him being sad to leave. But honestly it is good that it is happening. It got to the point where I was giving in everytime he was disobedient for the sake of not starting an argument. I feel so bad for wasting that time, for it was not mine to waste, but I really didn't know what to do anymore. However, just the other day during my language study, I came across a quote from a Russian book "Doctor Zhivago" by Pasternak that says
"The root of all evil to come was the loss of confidence in the value of one's own opinion. People imagined that it was out of date to follow their own moral sense, that they must all sing in chorus, and live other people's notions."
I decided at that time that, new companion or not, this upcoming transfer, I would rather please the Lord than get along with my companion. I will obviously try to do both, but I will not give in the fight to be obedient when my companion will not be. It's a hard thing when you're the new one, you're companion is the District Leader, and you have to be the one to say no or that we should be doing something else, especially when you know he will get mad at you. It sounds so easy to do (It always did to me at least), but I know from experience that it can seem impossible when it is actually happening. Luckily, I'm starting fresh with new companions, and I won't feel so uncomfortable if I establish it at the beginning. It's definitely harder to get out of the groove when you are already in it instead of staying out of it in the first place.
I'm getting put with the new district leader for Penza and one other Elder as well. Yeah, I'm in a tripanionship. I've never met Elder Glad, I will later today though. But I'm already good friends with Elder Anderson because we were in the same district before. I'm so excited. I really don't know what to expect, but I'm praying that I wll have the right set of attributes to get along with both of them well. Both of them were in the military before the mission, so I'm excited about that... haha!
Hey, well I have to go! I love you all and I love getting your letters! I promise I'll write back! It just takes forever to respond!
Love, Elder Swartz!
Whoa boy... this week has been tough... but good. First: Muslims are tough to convert... their religion is so similar to ours that all of our little explanations about why we need the book of Mormon or prophets and stuff apply to the Koran! haha! Not only that, but they have no faith in Jesus Christ, so there's nothing to build off of there... it's tough. You really just have to bring everything down to the spirit testifying to them of the truth of your message. With my Russian abilities thus far, I can't do anything else to explain. But I know that I have the power of the Lord on my side.
God does not love eloquence, He loves His children.
Also: An elevator broke down while my companion and I were in it. He got all mad, but I stayed cheerful and somehow he cheered up as well. It actually became funny... Finally, after probably 20 minutes, this guy came and got us out. We talked to him as he was on top of the elevator prying the door open with his crow bar and by the end, he said he'd come to church! haha! We couldn't get his number or anything though, so we'll see how that turns out.
So I was reading Mosiah 21: 14 and I felt like it totally described my pleadings with the Lord about my companion. I was scared that verse 15 was going to apply to me as well, but the Lord answered my prayers. My companion got transferred. He's not even in my zone anymore... I feel bad for praying so hard for that very thing to happen, because he did so much work here and now he has to leave it all behind. As happy as I am, I certainly understand him being sad to leave. But honestly it is good that it is happening. It got to the point where I was giving in everytime he was disobedient for the sake of not starting an argument. I feel so bad for wasting that time, for it was not mine to waste, but I really didn't know what to do anymore. However, just the other day during my language study, I came across a quote from a Russian book "Doctor Zhivago" by Pasternak that says
"The root of all evil to come was the loss of confidence in the value of one's own opinion. People imagined that it was out of date to follow their own moral sense, that they must all sing in chorus, and live other people's notions."
I decided at that time that, new companion or not, this upcoming transfer, I would rather please the Lord than get along with my companion. I will obviously try to do both, but I will not give in the fight to be obedient when my companion will not be. It's a hard thing when you're the new one, you're companion is the District Leader, and you have to be the one to say no or that we should be doing something else, especially when you know he will get mad at you. It sounds so easy to do (It always did to me at least), but I know from experience that it can seem impossible when it is actually happening. Luckily, I'm starting fresh with new companions, and I won't feel so uncomfortable if I establish it at the beginning. It's definitely harder to get out of the groove when you are already in it instead of staying out of it in the first place.
I'm getting put with the new district leader for Penza and one other Elder as well. Yeah, I'm in a tripanionship. I've never met Elder Glad, I will later today though. But I'm already good friends with Elder Anderson because we were in the same district before. I'm so excited. I really don't know what to expect, but I'm praying that I wll have the right set of attributes to get along with both of them well. Both of them were in the military before the mission, so I'm excited about that... haha!
Hey, well I have to go! I love you all and I love getting your letters! I promise I'll write back! It just takes forever to respond!
Love, Elder Swartz!
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