It is another hot one in Sochi! As for our week, we had a lot of time in our apartment this week due to our health. I had a cold and a fever earlier in the week and then Elder Vonn got sick with some stomach problems so we are just trying to get healthy!
This week almost all of our appointments fell through which resulted in a lot of time on the streets. We have some awesome potential investigators that we hope to meet with soon and start their conversion with them!
Through all of this, we did have one lesson this week and it was so powerful. It was with our investigator Alexander and we had a lesson planned but felt prompted to discuss the priesthood authority. The spirit was very strong and at the end, he committed to being baptized in July. We still have a lot of work to do and he is very busy, but with some faith and prayer, all will work out!
Wednesday we got to do some service for a member named Oleg. We went up into the mountains where he lives, it was quite the trip there. We did some digging for him before he whipped out his guitar and played some hymns for us! He is really awesome!
Thursday we had District Meeting and although I was still running a bit of a temperature, we still had a good meeting. This week, based on some of Riley's awesome ideas, I introduced some new things that we are trying. First is #ЧудоДня which means Miracle of the Day. Instead of the other Elders just texting me at night with there stats, I have asked that they send in a miracle or big blessing they saw during the day. We also send them our miracle of the day. It has helped us to recognize all the tender mercies we see each day. And honestly, numbers do not mean a whole lot to me, but recognizing the Lord's hand in our service does! I also introduced the "Prayer Pouch." Russian missionaries all have our Kanga Pouches on us at all times with our documents and all that but as a District we have a Prayer Pouch and each companionship chooses one person they are working with so that we can pray for them throughout the week. We added one of our investigators to the Pouch and it really worked- he just called as we were emailing and asked to meet with us because he was by the branch. He is so prepared and really wants to find out the truth "just like Joseph Smith"! For the discussion, we talked about How to Begin Teaching and the beginning of our teaching appointments. We got to role play and we were all applying what we learned at the last Zone Conference and it was great to see!
Saturday we had Meet the Mormons night and no one showed up. That is not the first time that has happened to me on my mission, it is always a bummer. We need to get some sort of activity going down here for investigators and members!
Yesterday was a great Sunday! I am starting to feel more at home here in the Sochi branch. The members here are amazing and they are all very good at missionary work. They often bring non members with them to church. Yesterday, one sister brought a friend and he stayed for all three hours and said he wants to meet with us this week! The branch was so welcoming to him and it was just great to witness.
After Church we had Choir practice! Elder Vonn and I participate in choir to help support the member in charge and it has really helped us gain relationships with some of the members. They even have a Missionary Song that they sing when missionaries leave - it is quite the tribute! I am going to translate it and send it next week.
Just wanted to testify about the scriptures really quick! One day this week I wanted to learn more about forgiveness and my purpose as a missionary - two pretty opposite topics. That day, I just happened to be in Alma 39 where there is so much written about forgiveness and the purpose of missionary work. I know that prayer works and that Heavenly Father answers our questions through the scriptures, even if it does not seem possible. The Book of Mormon is true and contains the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
I love you all! Thanks for all the support, prayers and love!!
Till next week! Mom - do not think I forgot about you!!!
-Elder Tucker//Старейшина Таккер
Строка за строкой
Pictures-Happy Birthday wishes to Pammer/Mom
More pictures of Sochi
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