Week 86: Happy Accidents

May 04, 2020

This week we're gonna save the best for last

So that means I'll start with the least important interesting things:

We went running with our masks on, it was hard but not impossible ;) it gets tough when you really get tired.

I made some Оливье and it was really good! Not quite as good as the Оливье that Elder Stosich made on Thanksgiving though. So... you know...

I kicked this weight we had lying on the floor.... twice. And kicked is the wrong word, but we'll leave it. (Also my philosophy about these types of things. I think we can either laugh or get mad. I choose to laugh. And then I see that Heavenly Father sends these moments when you slip and fall on ice or kick a weight or hit your head on the cupboard as just a moment when you need a little extra laughter in your day.) So I guess you could say I had 2 good laughs all in one day! ;)

We did some remodeling and it's really nice let me tell ya! I'd send a picture but I didn't send one before so you wouldn't know the difference.

We had a devotional about Ukraine's history! Wow it was super interesting!! Look into it folks!

Alrighty

ВОТ, вы дошли до "the last"

This week has been so great!! I feel like there have been so many opportunities to teach and help others! Not just those we are teaching but also members and other missionaries!! As well as my family! It's truly a blessing to be in a place to help others and be the Lord's hands. This week we studied together as a district the attribute of virtue and I was really touched by some of the different things we learned together. Virtue is power and strength! The scripture "let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God" (D&C 121:45) has strong and special meaning. As we remain virtuous we will be able to act when the Lord calls upon us through our lives. Especially as Priesthood holders and Fathers!

This week there were a few very impactful events that we had! It was very helpful to have our meeting of mission leadership with all the district leaders. I think we were reminded of why we do exchanges and how best we can do them in this time. As we went and took the things we learned from that and applied them to our exchanges this week they went really well! They were even better than the exchanges we had had the previous weeks. One of our exchanges was with the Assistants and I was with Elder Stosich. We were able to have a lesson with a new man we are teaching here in Kharkiv whose name is Peter. He's a really great brother and we had a very powerful lesson as we taught the Restoration. I think we learned so much as we talked together. We felt impressed to begin with the story of King Limhi and his people, who were desirous to be baptized but there was no one with the authority from God who could baptize the people at that time (Mosiah 21) this was super impactful and it helped him understand the need for authority as we went on to discuss and we taught the rest of the Restoration. It's easy to get into the routine and teach similarly the lessons but I'm grateful for what we learned about trying new things and following the spirit.

We had another lesson with Alexander and Dima was able to join once more and it was a very strong powerful lesson. Dima bore mighty testimony that really sunk deep for Alexander. He was unable to attend church this week. We are still unsure why but he is progressing forward and things for him are going well!

We have seen great things happening with Ahmed! He is still kinda closed off to the idea as Jesus Christ being the Savior of the World but he loves church service on sundays and has come 2 times in a row now. He was ecstatic as he told us about his experience on our lesson this week. We hope to help him gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon and in doing so gain a testimony of Jesus Christ.

We received a large number of referrals here in Kharkiv from Facebook ads and that has been so great!! Actually really amazing. We've been able to have a lesson with one of them. He referred himself, we contacted him and taught him all in one day and it went really well. His name is Stephen and he really just wants to grow and deeper understand the Gospel! He's a special brother for sure!

We've been blessed to do lots of teaching and I've been sooo amazed by how many of those we are teaching are genuinely interested in the Gospel and are growing and developing! It's a special time!

Elder Wilson is a big blessing for me and it's fun to serve together and see his growth and excitement for the work! He has a genuine love for these people and the missionaries. He's a great and loving leader. Our district is doing really good as well and that has been in turn really helping the branch! We had a lot more connecting with the group this week for a fast and testimony meeting on Zoom. It was the biggest group we've had so far! Which was tremendous!!

Spiritual Thought!!!

1 John 3

17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

I hope you like these scriptures as much as I do!!! We have such a big responsibility to help, lift, love, and serve others!! They need our help so much. And by serving them we show the love we have for them and for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Service can be a light and blessing in our lives! A sad life is one that is lived selfishly. I hope you all think of and find ways you can serve someone this week and I promise it will bring more light and love into your life!!

Love you much!

Elder Halls