Hey hey everyone!
It has been a GREAT week. :) First, I have to say, I already know
about the temples. Since we have pretty easy computer access here at
the ward building in ZGrad, we looked it up. I am SO excited that
they're turning the Provo Tabernacle into a temple. I was so sad when
it burned, and Provo needs another temple, even though that is quite
the surprise. Also, when I noticed that Elder Holland spoke at the
Priesthood session, I was super bummed, because he is one of my
favorites. And then I realized I could just listen to it, so I did!
Awesome awesome talk. I loved when he said "In this family, we serve
missions." I can't wait to watch all of Conference this weekend,
especially for President Uchtdorf's talk. He is always a fav.
Well, Moscow IS beautiful, but not everywhere. Most of it is probably
exactly how you thought it would be. :) But ZGrad is also beautiful. I
love all the trees here. It has been getting colder, and has been
really wet and rainy. There have been a few really cold days and a few
nights ago it was almost snowing, but then a few days ago it was also
nice enough to walk around without my jacket at times, so it's up and
down. It will probably be winter by the end of the month though, I'd
imagine. Which is kind of depressing. The fall is super gorgeous here.
It gets dark probably around 7? A little later. It's really dark by
8. I have to say, I am not super excited for winter and it being super
cold and short days. But I am pretty excited for Christmas to get
here. Speaking of winter, I realized that I'm probably going to want
some long sleeved shirts that I can wear under things for warmth. Do
you think you could maybe send me some? Like white and black, maybe a
brown, maybe some fun colors, but probably just 2-3 white and black
one or two. (Also, while we're talking about things to send me...some
good smelling bath and body works lotion and shower gel would be great
presents, that I don't really need but would be nice.)
Who all have I received letters from? Wow. That's a big question. A
lot of people. But more people should write me. DearElder is soooo
easy. It takes 5 minutes. However, I have not heard anything from the
Bishopbric, but feel free to give them my emails.
Anyway, the biggest thing about this past week was Ksusha! Friday was
her 18th birthday, and then Saturday she was baptized! She is just a
miracle. I love hearing her bear her testimony and I am so excited
that she is now an official member of the church! The baptism was
wonderful. It was funny--something was wrong with the water heater so
after promising Ksusha that she would for sure have nice, hot water,
it was freezing cold! The Elders got there early and did their best to
make it warm--one of them boiled water for hours and poured it into
the font trying to make it warmer. It didn't really help much, but it
makes a good story. And I don't think I told you last week, but Ksush
asked me to speak at her baptism. Oh man. I was so honored that she
would ask me, but it was so nervewracking. My first official talk in
Russian. I was so nervous, plus I wasn't feeling too great that
morning when I woke up. But it all went great. I definitely had help.
Sister Marty said that she was blown-away by my Russian. Gift of
Tongues for sure. Everyone said I did great--I'm not sure that I
believe them, but I do know that it for sure was not me talking up
there. My Russian isn't completely horrible, but it definitely is very
far from super great. But the Spirit is there and that is all that
matters. I was just grateful to be a part of Ksusha's special day. The
Spirit at baptisms is so perfect and wonderful. I think back to before
my mission and I don't think I realized how important and beautiful
baptism is.
In other news, also involving my Russian skills...I translated for the
Gronnings, our senior couple, during sacrament meeting on Sunday.
Translating is super cool--because a lot of the time I only have a
basic idea of what they're saying, or I miss something because I'm
translating and they continue and it's hard to speak English and
process Russian at the same time, or they're just talking super fast.
So a lot of it is relying on the Spirit to pick up what you missed or
to just kind of guess as to what they said, while still communicating
thoughts to whoever you're translating for that will help them. And
then Sister Gronning asked me to translate into Russian for her while
she bore her testimony. I know I did a horrible job, but once again,
the Spirit was there, and that's all that matters. So although I know
I'm super far from perfect, I'm feeling a lot more confident in
general about my Russian skills, for sure in understanding at least. I
just need to learn more vocab to use when speaking.
Lastly, can I just say how much I LOVE the Book of Mormon? Before my
mission I knew it was true, but I think that only on my mission have I
truly developed such a deep love for it. We are reading it backwards
as a mission right now and I love it. I love reading it in English, in
Russian, outloud or in my head, on the metro or the bus or at my study
desk or in the branch building. It always brings such a special spirit
and there is always something to help me that day, that moment, hidden
(or pretty obviously displayed) among the chapters I read. It is the
word of God, true through and through, and it is distinct proof that
this is Christ's Church on the Earth today. Elder Holland said it
right when he said 2 years ago, "I want it absolutely clear when I
stand before the judgment bar of God that I declared to the world, in
the most straightforward language I could summon, that the Book of
Mormon is true, that it came forth the way Joseph said it came forth
and was given to bring happiness and hope to the faithful in the
travail of the latter days." I know it's true. That's why I'm here on
a mission.
I know that this is the true church, that this is where I am supposed
to be. The Russia Moscow Mission is the greatest on Earth (sorry Matt.
:P) But no matter where in the world you are, and whatever language
you are speaking, whether in English or Spanish or Russian or German
or Cantonese, this is still the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, and it will always be true and it will always be His.
Love you all!
с любовью,
Сестра Ашби
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