Sunday, October 23, 2016

Dear Family,

So this week has be quiet since the Ottesen’s and the AP’s have been gone to zone conferences.  Last Sunday Sister Ottesen invited us, NovoK Elders, Avrora and Bezi Elders and Sisters to come over for dinner. There were 18 of us. I made some banana cake and brought ice cream. It was a really good dinner. After dinner, we all sat around and President asked Sister Ottesen, and Dad and I to bear our testimonies. It was a great night. Dad quoted the scripture Moses 6:39 about walking with God. I bore testimony that I felt that each one of us is here at this time and this place for a purpose.

We had zone conference on Wednesday. I worked on making about 75 copies of a 27-page hand out for President. When we got to conference, we discovered that about ½ to 2/3 of the copies were missing the even pages. I’m not sure what happened. I know it couldn’t have been operator error. Anyway, after conference I went and fixed all of the ones that were wrong. So at least Saratov got the correct version. Of course, my mistake was discovered after President and Sister O heaped praises on Dad and I.

For conference the AP’s gave us a physical demonstration from our about the Armor of God. President and Sister Ottesen brought some armor with them from California. A sword, (actually they bought that here), breast plate, shield, footwear, Head stuff. Elder Pacheco wore it and he looked like a roman soldier. I’ll include some pictures.

Ephesians 6:11-18 are the scripture references we used as they were taking off his armor. We had a great discussion about it. There was a lot of good feedback from our Volunteers. I already told this to Nica in an email but while the discussion was going on it occurred to me that the armor we were looking at would physically fit Sister Shumway a lot differently that it did Elder Pacheco. I thought how the Armor of God is personal, made to fit each of us. Through our prayer and preparation, we can be ready for whatever comes at us. Maybe Elder Pacheco (branch president for the Bezi branch) needs a stronger shield today because everyone is coming at him with problems. Maybe Sister Shumway needs a thicker breastplate because she is feeling a little tender hearted. The Armor of God is made to fit each of individually, even though its purpose is universal.

Elder Wilde was there at conference. He has been out since last May. He had been in the office when the new volunteers came in October. He was sitting in the office saying how much he was reminded of home. He didn’t know what it was. Some smell or something. He kept saying is just feels like home! We finally figured out that it was my lotion and it reminded him of his mom. When I saw him at zone conference, he came over to shake my hand and said the same thing. I hope I don’t make him homesick.

Saturday we met our NovoK Elders and went to a museum about the history of NovoK. It was very interesting. We paid 330 Rubles or about $5.50. Apparently, that bought us a whole tour (usually 12 people) and our tour guide was the director of the museum.  It was great having the elders there to interpret for us. Dad and I left a donation for their children’s program. They showed up a mannequin of a woman in traditional dress. I guess at the woman’s wedding if she had made 14 dresses, she would wear them all to her wedding. The husband to be wasn’t there. He was just walking around town and came back later. There was a small spinning wheel there and the director told us that children, as young as 5, would start to learn how to spin yarn and weave cloth. When we were done, the director invited us back anytime and she will show us some of the things we couldn’t see. They had some stuff set up for a children’s group that was coming.

Then we were taking the elders to lunch. They decided to hit this bakery. We bought some drinks at a market and then stopped at the bakery. We bought some Bread stuffed with hamburger and cabbage. Then some smaller ones that were bread stuffed with mashed potatoes, and one with Egg and onions. We also bought a chicken sandwich and of course some pastries. It was all really good. Dad and I really wish we had a bakery like that close to us. We took everything back to the branch building to eat. It was great.

We went home and I started on my Sunday dinner preparation. I made my rolls and chopped up carrots and onions and, wrapped my potatoes for baking. I bought this big oblong fruit. It looks like a cross between a cantaloupe and honeydew on the outside. The fruit inside is white. It is really tasty.  I made Roast today. I bought some ice cream and had chocolate topping as well as some homemade peanut butter topping.

I can’t believe that Dani is almost turning 18!! Where has the time gone? Then is a few short months Lauryn will be 14 and Sadie will be 6!! Then on and on!  Ahhhhhhhh you all need to stop this right now. No more growing up. We don’t have to worry about Brian in that regard because he may be getting older but we all know he isn’t growing up!!!

November 6^th we have a couple coming from Moscow to train us on addiction recovery and self-reliance. That is also fast Sunday. We are fasting as a branch for Vera. She has heart problem and will be having an operation on November 11^th. Please remember her in your prayers. After church, we are all bringing food to break our fast.

Well, that’s all from me.

President O is an amazingly spiritual man. He always seems to know what is needed by our young volunteers I’m including the President’s letter and some miracles. The volunteers write to him each week; here are some things they shared.

HAND OF THE LORD

1.         I have seen the hand of the Lord this week through the people in the ward. They have started to bring their friends to church and we now have a potential investigator to work with this week. This would not be possible without His help!

2.         This week, we had a great experience with a less active member, who we challenged to become worthy to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood. We've been working with this member for quite a while--and in fact, it's a miracle that we're even meeting with him. Not too long ago he was quite hostile towards the volunteers and members of the church, and he wouldn't agree to meet with anyone. Now, we meet with him weekly, do weekly service for him, and now he's accepting more and more of our words when we teach him. This past week, he came to church and--like we challenged him to do--spoke with the branch president about his goal to become worthy of the Melchizedek Priesthood. We were really excited when we heard that he had spoken with the branch president, we're sure that he can be a powerful asset to the branch.

3.         I started carrying my consecrated oil on my key chain with the house keys. Ever since I did that this week, I've given and been a part of more blessings than ever before in my life. I probably should have been carrying that with my before, but now I'm not going anywhere without it! We had the opportunity to stop by a member's home who had just been released from the hospital, and they asked us to come over and give a blessing to her. It was such a spiritual experience I am so grateful for the opportunity we had to bless that mother with the power of the priesthood.

4.         We stopped by last night at a member’s house who has been having a tough time because her mother is very ill and she has been taking care of her. We shared with her a spiritual thought and listened. Listening is key to building a relationship with people here. Granted, I don't understand everything, but I still try to listen and help them as the spirit directs. Love the people.

5.         We did some less active drop bys this week and my companion and a member stopped by a lady's home where she prayed and promised to come to church. All the members when we told them were doubtful, but she came!!

6.         This week I saw the hand of the Lord when I went on splits with a member to do drop bys. We went to this one address and this babuska answered the Door and the member with me said, "Hi Nina! We've missed you,etc" and this less active was so cute. She said, "Hello girls! Its so good to see you. I'll pray!" And she started praying right then and there. We told her about General Conference and she wants to come. She also asked when we take the sacrament and we explained its every sunday at 10 and she said, "REALLY?!" She was so happy. We told her how to get to the prehod from there and she was so excited. I was super excited afterwards. I was literally bouncing I was so happy and you know what? SHE CAME!! She showed up early for sacrament meeting and she came to gospel principles class with us and had some great comments on the lesson.

7. To strengthen the branch this week we did some more construction on Sister Yakovleva's house in order to help her get ready for the winter. We also talked more with branch leaders about getting her some help and had some more positive responses than we had heard in the past. We talked about organizing home teaching and the elders quorum. I think we are starting to see some real changes get made here.

8. Miracles of this week start with our member, Vera. She is that baba whom we help take to church in a taxi. She feels super sad whenever we don't meet with her. We haven't had much time to meet with her these past two weeks, so we stopped by on Monday. She told us then how it was her birthday on Friday, although she didn't think it was anything special. She wasn't looking forward to it. I felt pretty bad. We wanted to stop by and make her something, but I knew we'd be in Samara on Thursday for my visa trip so we would have no time to see her. However, due to registration reasons, we had to be back Friday morning. So after waking up at 4am to go on a bus to Kazakstan for about 10 hours, I was right back on an 11pm 8-hour bus ride back. You could say it was not the most comfortable situation. We got home around 5:30am. Despite the business of the day we were still able to make a super simple cake and drop it off to her. We weren't planning to stay there long since we had a lot of stuff to do that day. We got there and just chatted with her a little bit. We had nothing planned, but my comp felt impressed to share 2 Nephi 2:25. After her testimony about having joy in this life, you could tell Vera was super touched by that thought. Then it hit me all at once. She is the reason why we took that long, uncomfortable bus ride so late at night. Heavenly Father sent us to her. He made it possible for us to be there with her on her birthday. I then expressed my realization with her and she felt the Spirit testify of its truthfulness to her. It was one of the most beautiful moments of my mission. It was so simple, but it meant so much to her. God forgets no one.

9. We had a miracle this week. This member who had a bad stroke a couple of years ago came to church for the first time since he had the stroke. He bore his testimony and he just seem to be so happy to be at church. He talked about how the visits from the volunteers have really helped him. We gave him a blessing, he really has gotten stronger since then. We really do have the same priesthood that Christ used to heal so many people. It is amazing how the Lord gives us power as we try to help others and do His will.

Might Men and Women of Samara--October 17, 2016

17 Oct 2016

President Ottesen

Dear Elders and Sisters-

If you "are what you eat"---then you definitely become what you think about.

Your thoughts are connected with your future. Your thoughts precede your actions. President McKay used to say---"Thoughts lead to actions, actions lead to habits, habits form character and character shapes your destiny." If that is true, then when your mortal life is over, you will be the product of all your thoughts. Learning how to control your thoughts here in this mission environment will be a blessing to you here in Russia--and will bless you all your life.

In our Zone Training last month, we talked briefly about King David’s hand-picked “Mighty Men”. You will recall there were 37 of them, each mentioned by name in the Book of Chronicles. I am certain they were all men who could control their thoughts. They were noted for absolute obedience, self control and spirituality. They were all mentally disciplined --[they could “keep rank” (1 Chron 12:33)]. They were all spiritually converted to God--[“they were not of a double heart” (1 Chron 12:33)]. They possessed eternal perspective --["they were “men of understanding” (1 Chron 12:32)]. They also had unusual physical qualities. For example: 1) “they were armed with bows and could use both the right hand and left in hurling stones and shooting arrows from a bow” (1 Chron 12:2); 2) they were men “fit for battle” who could handle a sword and shield” (1 Chron 12:8); 3) they were courageous such that they had “faces like lions” (I Chron 12:8);and 4) they could run— so much so that they were “as swift as the deer upon the mountains” (1 Chron 12:8). A Mighty Man named Benaiah is reported to have killed a lion all by himself (1 Chron 11:24). A Mighty Man named Eleasar fought a troop of Philistines and smote them all “until his hand was weary” (1 Chron 11:12-14). And finally, a Mighty Man named Joseheb-Basshebeth fought an entire company of Philistines and defeated them (1 Chron 11:11). A pretty solid group.

4 GOOD REASONS TO CONTROL YOUR THOUGHTS

1. The greatest commandment is to love God not only with all your heart, might and strength--but also WITH YOUR MIND. You keep or break this (the greatest) commandment to love Him with your MIND by choosing what you think about each day --in your MIND. If you think unkind thoughts about your companion--or if you replay unworthy images in your mind---you have broken this (the greatest) commandment. On the other hand, if you have kind and virtuous thoughts in your MIND ----and if you are, for example, patient and long-suffering with your companion--then you are keeping this key commandment.

2. You need revelation from God to be a successful volunteer here. You will need to hear and feel the promptings of the Holy Ghost which come to your heart and to your MIND (D&C 8:2-3). You will need to make sure your thoughts invite --and not scare off--the Holy Ghost so that critically needed revelation can be part of your work here.

3. You will be judged by your thoughts. The Lord said this: "But this much I can tell you, that if you do not watch yourselves, AND YOUR THOUGHTS, and your words and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God and continue in the faith...ye must perish. And now, O man, remember and perish not." (Mosiah 4:30)

4. President McKay said: "You tell me what you think about when you do not have to think, and I’ll tell you what you are."

YOUR HEART

To control your thoughts you need to start deep in your heart. To whom does your heart really belong? Who owns you? Who are you trying to please each day? You are looking for that deep "mighty change of heart" described by King Benjamin. Of that process, Elder Bednar said: "this mighty change is not simply the result of working harder or developing greater discipline, rather it is a fundamental change in our desires, motives and our natures made possible through the atonement of Christ the Lord." The Holy Ghost will transform your nature--and with His help you will be able to move from "natural man" kinds of thoughts to "man of Christ" kinds of thoughts. When you feel the influence of Holy Ghost, you can know that this mighty change is underway in your heart. And, as it becomes more constant in your heart, you will find you have less desire to do evil---but rather to do good (AND THINK GOOD) continually.

YOUR SEARCH

This change of heart has to begin with serious study (not casual reading) of His word. There is no other way to get it done. Diligently searching (not casual reading) the Book of Mormon will help your thoughts become more like your Heavenly Father's thoughts. The Book of Mormon will have a more powerful effect on your mind than any other book. I am a serious fan of the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is the best possible washing machine for your thoughts. The very best. If you want to control your thoughts then spend time in Book of Mormon. The more time you spend in there the greater desire you will have to pray. Prayer will give you power to turn away any angry, dark or unworthy thoughts. If you fail to make searching prayer a regular part of your day then it is not a matter of WHETHER you will give in to temptation--it will just be a matter of WHEN. I suppose I have counseled thousands of people in the church over the last 35 years---many with serious personal spiritual problems. Here are 2 undisputed takeaways from the sum of those counseling sessions: 1) all sinful actions described to me began with improper thoughts, and 2) Never once did I sit across from someone in an interview who had a serious spiritual problem who was also daily praying, and daily searching the scriptures. Not once.

Christ said: "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and and take up his cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23) Put another way, we cannot follow Christ without first denying ourselves of worldly thoughts and appetites.

I admire your desire to serve the Lord here in Russia. I invite you to recommit yourselves to being mighty men and women in Samara----powerful models of mastering thoughts. As you know, we are each witnesses of Him who is the mightiest man of all. He lives. He has all power. He will help you. I assure you He is very interested in helping you succeed with this one.

Sister Ottesen and I love you very much!

Love

Mom