Week 89: Marching Onward!

There were many really cool things that we had happen this week! We had a really cool day on Saturday where we had 3 back to back lessons with members an exchange and than another lesson with someone we are teaching right now! 

Saturday People 

The first of these lessons was with Franklin, who was baptized about a year ago. Since I've been in Kharkiv I haven't ever been able to meet him. He's responded only a couple times to messages on Facebook and WhatsApp but most of the time attempts to connect had been unsuccessful. This week we were able to set up a meeting and it went very well! We got to know him and talked about our baptismal covenants and the Book of Mormon! The lessons went very well and Franklin agreed to join in the English church service the following day, which he did attend! So that was so cool! We were happy to see him!

The following lesson was with Kurt who is a member from Peru living here in Kharkiv. His records aren't on the list and he didn't know there were branches here in Ukraine. He was baptized 15 years ago but for about 10 years hasn't been going to church. We talked about the miracle of how me and Elder Payne met him on the street and how the hand of the Lord guided and led our meeting that day! It was amazing as we concluded speaking how he thanks Heavenly Father for his loving guidance and direction that brought us together. He actually lives on Aleksyevka which we came to find and so we passed him over to Elders Richards and Glass who have been working to connect him with the branch. 

We then had a lesson with some active members Vitya and Tamara and we had a really special and powerful meeting together as we spoke about the commandments and how they've been given to bless us! This lesson was so amazing and it really lead me to reflect on how we have been able to form great relationships with the members at this time and support each other well. I think this has really been able to strengthen and uplift us as a branch. 

Sacrament!

This Sunday we had a really good meeting as a branch! This was our first meeting we did on Zoom that was more like a normal sacrament meeting. We sang hymns and had speakers, and a period where we broke and had that time to administer the sacrament. It was really great and it's such a blessing to me to see how the branches continue and how we are able to still keep the sabbath day special each week. 

Other People

We continue to teach most of the people we have been teaching and they are doing really well. They continue to read the Book of Mormon and continue to pray. It has been a challenge to help them attend church meetings on Sundays. We try our best and sometimes they are able to join. One of our lessons was with Peter and we taught the Plan of Salvation and invited him to be baptized! He believes the Book of Mormon to be true but still considers that his baptism was performed by the proper authority. He told us that he doesn't think he needs to he baptized but said that he was willing to pray about it. We hope to talk another time about the Restoration and authority with him soon! 

We had planned to invited as well Sasha to be baptized this week but as we began our lesson it didnt feel like the proper time and as we continued teaching we were able to ask some inspired questions and we found out some different concerns and questions he has. And in the long run we and he as well determined he needs to continue to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. We have had Dima on most of the lessons with him and he still continues to progress! He's a great brother! 

It continues...

Well we just got word that they've extended once more the quarantine here in Ukraine but it's a lot lighter now so things like the Metro will run once again but I think gatherings are probably still not allowed. We shall see I don't really know for sure. I heard June 22nd as the date. But that being said we are able to be out and about so we are trying to figure out what contacting and other things look like now so wish us luck! ;) 

Spiritual Thought

I wanted to share some words from one of the youth songs and encourage you to go and listen to it! It's called "Like Him" and you can find it one the Sacred Music app and I'm sure in other places too!!

I love this song because really our ultimate goal in life is to follow our Savior Jesus Christ and become like him. It should be our goal because we love Him and our Heavenly Father and others and that's what they've asked us to do! As we do so we will have abounding joy in our lives!!

When this world was created

we all shouted for joy.

Cause it was just the beginning,

and we had a way to grow and to change.

We were provided a savior

to pay for our sins.

And so He could show us the way we should go

and that we’re not alone.

And we can be like Him

if we just let Him in.

We hear his voice in the dark,

He put His love in our hearts,

so, when we see Him again,

we can be like Him.

His grace is eternal,

His love without end.

And if we go where He leads us and walk in His ways,

we’ll see His face.

I'm excited to continue forward and do even more this week to help others come unto Christ!! Missionary work is a great blessing and I'm so happy to be here serving!

Love you all!! Go serve someone!

Elder Halls