Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Elder and Sister Stewart's message this week included their home ward. 

Dear Ward

While we miss a few conveniences, such as, getting drinking water from the tap, a clothes dryer and dishwasher, we have learned to adapt. While we miss our family, we aren’t homesick. I thought it would take months to be able to get over not seeing and being with my family every day. Heavenly Father blessed us, and we haven’t had even a single day that we weren’t happy to be here.

There are only two cars assigned to our mission and they are President Schwab’s car and a van. Elder Stewart and I were pretty worried about getting around at first because we don’t speak a lot of Russian but now we are going everywhere on our P-day and seeing the sights of Samara. As far as the language everyone has been more than helpful. We even ordered lunch at a Russian restaurant with a little help from a woman who asked us, pig, beef, or chicken. Between her and the Google Translate app on our phone, we both ordered a pork dish and a Caesar salad.

We’ve had some very spiritual and moving experiences. We both went with our AP’s to a couple of lessons where we were able to bear our testimonies. Elder Stewart was able to bring his knowledge and bear his testimony in such way that it touched Sergey’s heart. They also invited us to talk to a couple from their branch. They wanted us to tell them about our Temple sealing. Afterwards Kameel and Lubov said they could picture it in their minds and hearts. I was invited to go with the Sister’s every Wednesday to visit with Svetlana who is an 85 year old investigator who was raised as an atheist. She was an English professor for 30 years so our lessons are in English. These are times I will never forget. I told her when she prays God will listen and answer. I told her about my little 5 yr. old Sadie who knows that she is a daughter of God and prays to him as if he were sitting on her bed.  I told her how Sadie knows about the Holy Ghost and how he helps us. In bearing my testimony to Svetlana I could feel it grow and expand in my heart.

Another Wow moment was when we were at District (stake) conference. They were getting a sustaining vote for all the officers and leaders when we heard Elder Stewart’s name being presented as the Secretary to the Mission. Everyone raised their hand to support him. That’s not anything that was ever on his bucket list, not on any list anywhere. Wow.

I have loved working with Sister Schwab on several projects. She is an amazing woman and Elder Stewart and I love and admire both her and President Schwab. They are leaving to go back to America in July and we will have a new President.

We are assigned to the Novokuybushevsk branch or, as we all call it, Novo K. When we come in on Sunday morning, every woman comes and gives me a tight hug and a few give me a kiss on the cheek when they say hello and they do it again when we leave. Last week Sister Ludmilla gave me three kisses on the cheek. Elder Stewart gets a hug from the men and a handshake from the women. They love us and we know they are happy we are there. Our young Elders there will translate everything for us. Sister Larisa will translate for me in Relief Society. A few members speak a little English and Sister Larisa speaks a lot more. Our Branch President speaks some also.

Our mission motto or slogan is FLOW. We are asked to become masters of FLOW. F=Faith, L=Love, O=Obedience and W=Work. These Elders and Sisters we work with are such strong missionaries.

Alma 26:22

“Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing…it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls unto repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance.”

Brothers and Sisters, people are waiting out there to be taught, they are waiting for you. Even working in the office and supporting our missionaries we help them. We free them up to be out contacting and not sitting in the office doing the things that Elder Stewart and I can do. Share your talents, share your heart, and share your testimony.

5 Myths about why you, as a senior, can’t serve a mission

5.            Can’t leave my grandkids

                Your grandkids will receive more blessings while you are away than if you stayed home.  You will set a great example for them. Do it for them. The young missionaries will    become your family.

4.            I don’t want to leave the country.

You don’t have to. You can serve whatever kind of mission you want to and for however long you want to. Remember, if you don’t specify where you want to go, the Lord will inspire an Apostle to send you where you are needed most.  Don’t be afraid of the unknown, look on it as an adventure. They treat senior missionaries like gold!!

3.          I don’t know if I can be with my spouse 24/7.

It really is ok. You work together but have separate duties. You will learn new things to love about each other. If you pray for it Heavenly Father will give you the patience you need to co-exist.

2.            I don’t speak the language and it might be dangerous where they send me.

You don’t have to speak the language because there is always a missionary to translate at church and you just figure out the rest. Learn a few basics and you’ll be fine. Samara is probably safer than some parts of the US. We have never felt afraid for our safety. If you listen to the Spirit he will help keep you safe.

1             I can’t live without my diet coke.

 We drink diet coke at our mission, in fact it’s on my desk right now. It’s not against mission rules. In fact the MTC only offers the caffeine free drink but our Branch President there brought in the real stuff for some of the seniors. He told us that he knew some of us had a hard time staying awake.

There is nothing to keep all of you seniors from serving. The Lord will bless you and your family. You will grow closer to your spouse.

Elder Stewart and I know this church is true. We know Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon through the power of God. We know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God and leads our church today. We know when we keep the promises we made in the Temple (consecrating all your time and talents) we will feel a closeness to God that we won’t feel any other way. God loves each and every one of you. He loves and guides us. Elder Stewart and I are where we are supposed to be; doing what we are supposed to do; when we are supposed to be doing it.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.