Sunday, October 02, 2016

Dear Family,

I can’t believe it’s time to write home again. Time is flying. Officially, we have 10 months and 12 days left. When I get to the office on Monday, I have to start working on the travel home arrangements for our volunteers going home in February 2017. In March or April 2017, I’ll start on travel arrangements for Dad and me. I just have to request information from the parents and then enter the dates and passport info into the Church Travel website and they do the rest. I do have a packet I put together for them and Dad gets them luggage money and creates a mission history CD.

The last part of the week has been pretty wild with Volunteers all over the place. We had visa trips on Thursday and a lot of them are just staying because of transfers and trainers picking up new Volunteers. The New ones will be flying in Tuesday night at 7:45 to Samara. I’ll get to see them Wednesday morning when they come for orientation. We have 10 Elders and 1 Sister coming in. We have an Elder and Sister scheduled for November and 8 Sisters for December so far. We had a lot more Elders but they were reassigned to other missions. We did have only two sisters for December then the other 6 were reassigned to us.

President O was telling us about when he and Sister O went to the mission president’s conference a few weeks ago. I guess they stood up and said that the Samara Russia mission deserved the Green Beret award because we’ve had twice as many incidents as the other missions. Since the new law started, we used to be able to say we hadn’t had any but we did get one call up on Friday. It was just a document check.

Friday we took Elder Johnston and Elder Buchanan to lunch, for Elder Johnston’s birthday, at a little Russian place just across the street from the market we go to. Dad, Elder Johnston and I had chicken Shashalee and Elder Buchanan ordered Dove. He wondered if he got the right stuff because it kind of tasted like ground beef. We fed all 4 of us with drinks and everything for around 1350 rubles, about $22.

 

We had district meeting and I made a cake to celebrate Elder Johnston’s birthday. It was lemon cake with vanilla frosting. We had two extra people there. One of them is going home on Monday and the other one is his companion. After everyone had a piece of cake and I gave, President Blinkov and Sister Anna a piece there were three left. Elder Mills, and Sister Shumway asked for one and I gave the other to the birthday boy. After the meeting, Elder Mills came over to the cake pan and was scraping the frosting off it. It turned out pretty good.

Saturday Dad took me to the Hadsen Steak house for lunch for my birthday. We’ve been there before so we knew not to order so much. We both got chicken Caesar salads and an appetizer of tiger shrimp (which had about 10 good-sized shrimp on the plate). It was all really good. With the salad, I gave Dad my tomatoes and olives and he gave me his eggs. The eggs were tiny so I wonder what kind of eggs they were. They tasted like chicken eggs. We didn’t do much else besides grocery shop because it was overcast and rainy.

I’ve decided my hair is the worst type in Russia. When it isn’t actually raining, it feels like its misting. The ends of my hair in front are always going every which way. The people with naturally curly hair pay a price also. Then when it’s hot and humid, my hair doesn’t cooperate either. I should probably just get it cut like Dad’s. (no chance of that)

We woke up early this morning because I had to put together my dinner. I made Chicken potpie stew. When the recipe calls for cream of chicken soup I have to make that from scratch, (I did that on Saturday night). I made buttermilk biscuits with real buttermilk the night before. I made the apple crisp last night without the topping; I did that when we got home from church. We ended up with on biscuit left out of 24 and a smidgen of potpie stuff. I did send the left over apple crisp home with them. We had to team the apple crisp up with chocolate chip ice cream. (I forgot to get some vanilla)

Elder LaBaron is being transferred so this is his last Sunday dinner with us and he’s not happy about it. The other Elder’s promised to text him a picture of the meal next week. I heard Elder Quarnburg, who is the new zone leader, saying to one of the other Elder’s “Yes, Sunday dinner with the Stewarts.” He said this with a fist pump. I don’t know if he realizes that since they are looking for an apartment for the zone leaders in Bezimanski that he’ll probably be too far away to come to dinner. It’s about a 45-minute bus ride away. I guess he’ll have a couple of dinners under his belt before he has to stop coming.

It was fast and Testimony meeting today. As I was sitting there, a wave of emotion came over me. I thought about how these people were really my brothers and sisters and that we probably knew each other in the pre-existence. I could hardly contain the love I felt for these people. We are family. I bore my testimony with some help from the Elders and Dad bore his. He didn’t have hardly any help. He is learning the language really well, although he doesn’t think so. He did announce that it was my birthday on Monday. I got some happy birthday wishes and then one sister wanted a party and wanted to know which day I could come. I told them we’d be there on Saturday to watch conference and we could celebrate then. Sister Ludmilla gave me a bag of grapes and something else to eat that I don’t know what it is. I felt bad taking it because I know she doesn’t have much. She is the sweetest lady. She bore her testimony about how grateful she was for the temple. She is a widow and she was able to have him sealed to her. It was a very good testimony meeting with many heartfelt testimonies.

As Dad and I were waiting for our taxi home little 6 year old Veronica (the Elders nicked named her the tank) gave me some flowering weeds. I told her thanks you and gave her a hug. I told you we woke up to fog today; well by the time we left for home, we had sunshine. It was beautiful.

President O had another great letter this week that I wanted to share with all of you:

President Letter--Bathroom Prayer--9/25

23 Sep 2016

“Dear Elders and Sisters!

Even though I had prayed my whole life as a young boy, I don't think I every really connected with god in meaningful prayer until my mission. Frankly, I seemed to struggle constantly with my mind wandering as I prayed. I ultimately realized that the best way to deal with this problem was to speak out loud as I prayed. Unfortunately, the only private place my German apartments was the bathroom—which was shared by other tenants on the same floor. It became my practice retire there, lock the door, and kneel next to the sink—often with the light off. In those dark bathrooms, often in tears, I struggled (and found) a new connection with God. I know this will sound odd but those dingy German bathrooms are now sacred places to me. When I finally take sister Ottesen back to Germany to show her where I worked and lived-- I think I will first take her first to the bathrooms where I first learned about meaningful prayer.

Joseph Smith also learned much about meaningful prayer as he grew in the gospel:

1.            Connecting with God in prayer requires you to accept the fact that Heavenly Father is driving the Marshutka—and that if you are even on the bus --you are simply a passenger.

The first vision reminds us that we are absolutely dependent upon the Lord for knowledge we simply cannot get without His help. After Joseph read James 1:5, he later wrote:

“Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know…At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God.”

Note that Joseph came to know that without God’s help he would remain in darkness and confusion about the knowledge that he needed. Do you ever feel like that? ? Are there things important to you that you cannot know without God’s help? Is there inspiration you lack? Or intervention you need? If so, you need to start your prayer connection by acknowledging Heavenly Father is driving the bus and without his help you have no hope of getting what you desire.

2.            Don’t be shy about repeatedly asking the Lord in prayer for the same blessing---"weary the Lord" until He blesses you.

What? This sounds like nagging, doesn’t it? Don’t forget the parable of the widow and the unjust judge. The parable reads:

“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.”

Of this parable, Joseph Smith said: “God is not a respecter of persons. We all have the same privilege. Come to God. Weary Him until He blesses you.”

3. Ask your family at home to join you in prayer over things you things you desire from God. Join in their faith.

It seems obvious that we would want to join our faith with our family to obtain blessings, but consider this account of Joseph and Hyrum-- both being stricken with cholera:

“Soon after arriving at the point of destination, the cholera broke out among us, and the brethren were so violently attacked that it seemed impossible to render them any assistance. They immediately sent for us to lay hands on them, but we soon discovered that this also was the judgment of the Almighty, for when we laid our hands upon them in the name of the Lord in order that they might be healed, the disease instantly fastened itself upon us. And in a few minutes we were in awful distress. We made mute signals to each other and left the house for the purpose of going into some secluded place to join in prayer that God would deliver us from this awful influence; but before we could get a sufficient distance to be secure from interruption, we were scarcely able to stand upon our feet and we were greatly alarmed, fearing that we should die in this western wilderness so far from our families, without even the privilege of blessing our children or giving them one word of parting counsel. Hyrum cried out, ‘Joseph, what shall we do? Must we be cut off from the face of the earth by this horrid curse?’

“‘Let us,’ said Joseph, ‘get down upon our knees and pray to God to remove the cramp and other distress and restore us to health, that we may return to our families.’ [Here we see these two brothers, Joseph and Hyrum, joining their faith in praying for each other and their healing] We did so but without receiving any benefit, but still grew worse. We concluded, however, to make a second effort, and when we kneeled again, the cramp seized the calves of Joseph’s legs, gathering the cords into bunches, and then the operation extended in like manner all over his system. He cried heartily unto God, but the heavens seemed sealed against us and every power that could render us any assistance shut within its gates. The universe was still. ‘When we arose again,’ said Joseph, ‘I found Hyrum was in the same situation with myself.’

“We soon came to the resolution of appealing again to God for mercy, and not to rise from our knees until one or the other got a testimony that we should be healed, and he who received the first intimation from the Spirit should inform the other of the same. We prayed some time, first one and then the other, and soon perceived that the cramp began to loose its hold. In a short time Hyrum sprang to his feet and exclaimed, ‘Joseph, we shall return, for I have seen an open vision in which I saw Mother on her knees under an apple tree praying for us, and she is even now asking God, in tears, to spare our lives, that she may behold us again in the flesh. The Spirit testifies to me that her prayers and ours shall be heard’-and from that moment we were healed and went on our way rejoicing.”

“Oh, my mother,” said Joseph, “how often have your prayers been a means of assisting us when the shadows of death encompassed us!”

4. Don’t be afraid to pray for something better than what you now have.

John Lyman Smith, cousin to Joseph Smith, was staying with Joseph and Emma and recorded this story:

“In my early years I used to often eat at the table with Joseph the Prophet. At one time he was called to dinner. I being at play in the room with his son Joseph, he called us to him, and we stood one each side of him. After he had looked over the table he said, ‘Lord, we thank Thee for this Johnny cake and ask Thee to send us something better. Amen.’ The corn bread was cut and I received a piece from his hand.

“Before the bread was all eaten, a man came to the door and asked if the Prophet Joseph was at home. Joseph replied he was, whereupon the visitor said, ‘I have brought you some flour and a ham.’

“Joseph arose and took the gift, and blessed the man in the name of the Lord. Turning to his wife, Emma, he said, ‘I knew the Lord would answer my prayer.’

Is this a prayer of ingratitude? I do not think so. I believe this is a prayer from someone who really knows the Lord and knows that He is a giver of good gifts to them that ask.

Note the Prophet’s translation of this scripture:

What man among you, having a son, and he shall be standing out, and shall say, Father, open thy house that I may come in and sup with thee, will not say, Come in, my son; for mine is thine, and thine is mine?

5. Come to know God so well that you really know to whom you are praying.

Joseph said the following about our exercising true faith in God:

“Let us here observe, that three things are necessary in order that any rational and intelligent being may exercise faith in God unto life and salvation.

“First, the idea that he actually exists.

“Secondly, a correct idea of his character, perfections, and attributes.

“Thirdly, an actual knowledge that the course of life which he is pursuing is according to his will.”

As I have come to know Him better, I am better able to pray to Him. His attributes are scattered all through the scriptures. King Benjamin said:

“Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.”

So, what's the point? What do we learn?

He is the Creator of all things

He has all wisdom

He has all power both in Heaven and in earth

Man cannot comprehend all the things which the Lord can

A knowledge of these things helps us exercise true faith in Him.

Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner records this story-:

“[My mother and I] went a few evenings later to the Smith home, where others were already assembled. Soon Joseph came in and they held a meeting, the people mostly sitting on boards put across chairs. The Prophet began addressing the group, but after a while he stopped speaking and remained silent. His countenance changed, and he became so white that he seemed transparent. He stood looking intently over the congregation. Finally he spoke. ‘Do you know who has been in your midst tonight?’ Someone said, ‘An angel of the Lord.’ And Martin Harris said, ‘I know, it was our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.’ The Prophet put his hand on his head and said, ‘Martin, God revealed that to you. Brothers and Sisters, the Savior has been in your midst tonight. I want you all to remember it. There is a veil over your eyes, for you could not endure to look upon Him.’

“Then they knelt in prayer, which he led. His prayer was so long, that several of the people rose and rested and then knelt back down to endure to the end. Such a prayer,” Mary said, “I have never heard before or since. I felt he was talking to the Lord, and the power rested upon us all.”

Joseph could have this kind of prayer because he really knew the Lord personally and talked to Him as one man talketh to his friend. This is the kind of powerful prayer we are looking for.

6. Believe beforehand you will obtain your answer—exercise great faith.

The prayer Joseph offered that brought the angel Moroni into his bedroom was a prayer of faith. Oliver Cowdrey heard Joseph's version of the event and wrote this:

“[Joseph’s] heart was drawn out in fervent prayer, and his whole soul was so lost to every thing of a temporal nature, that earth, to him, had lost it charms, and all he desired was to be prepared in heart to commune with some kind messenger who could communicate to him the desired information of his acceptance with God. [And as Joseph recorded: …for I had full confidence in obtaining a divine manifestation, as I previously had one.

“At length the family retired, and he, as usual, bent his way, though in silence, where others might have rested their weary frames ‘locked fast in sleep’s embrace;’ but repose had fled, and accustomed slumber had spread her refreshing hand over others beside him—he continued still to pray—his heart, though once hard and obdurate, was softened, and that mind which had often flitted, like the ‘wild bird of passage,’ had settled upon a determined basis not to be decoyed or driven from its purpose.”

So what do we learn from this prayer?:

Joseph had full confidence he would obtain a vision.

He was drawn out in fervent prayer.

His whole soul was lost to every thing of this earth.

His heart was softened.

He was determined.

7. Cry from the depths of your soul.

Sometimes we really want something from the Lord and we have to keep praying for days, weeks, months or longer. This seemingly unanswered prayer keeps us on our knees pleading for much longer than we ever planned.

Joseph Smith had been arrested on November 1, 1838—and for the next 140 days straight he prayed for release and pleaded with God for justice to be given to him and his companions. He cried out in the anguish of his soul:

“Oh, God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place?”

I have gotten to that point of crying out. A mission in Russia (or even Germany) can do that. I have prayed for relief --hoping for the same words that came to Joseph: “My son [my daughter], Peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but for a small moment.”

As Joseph did his crying out--he drew closer to the Lord. He was given strength and confidence and power that he did not have. Before Liberty Jail, Joseph always had a spokesman to speak for him: Sidney Rigdon or Oliver Cowdery would give the big addresses, Joseph the short ones. After Liberty, no one spoke for Joseph.

I testify that God is willing to teach us how to meaningfully pray here in Russia--whether your prayers are in the bathroom, or someplace else.

Sister Ottesen and I love you!!

President Ottesen”

Love you all tons,

Mom