March 27, 2011

Top Three Picks for the week.

#3 We were able to have LOTS of teaching opportunities this week. That is always a highlight. Many return visits and a few new investigators. But the top of the list on teaching this week was when Elder Aland started up the mission preparation class and two of the beautiful young sisters in our ward came to it. So after the class the word sort of leaked out that both of these sisters are planning to turn in their papers. We were SO excited. One set of the elders in particular have been teaching and teaching lots of post baptism lessons about the gospel to these young women and now I know what good came from that. They are pretty much on their own to decide to go on a mission, without family support. But the branch is behind them and they will be great missionaries.

#2 We got to have a "culture" day with our elders and got permission to go to see "Fiddler on the Roof" - in Russian as well as have an American culture event - watching the great movie, "Secretariat". We have 3 of our 6 elders leaving on this transfer so this was our last hurrah! The American movie had everyone cheering like crazy and I am going to include a quote from the movie which we all felt applied to our missionary work from Job Chapter 39. The elders felt this was a motivational movie then after appointments and a RS Celebration program, we went to Fiddler on the Roof which was at the Tomsk Concert Hall and included a live orchestra in the pit and a fantastic cast, especially Rectavia and Golda. WOW!

#1 Well, the good elders did it again and we had a baptism this week on Wednesday which was well attended and supported by half the branch. You gotta love these missionary minded members. They desire a temple here in our mission so badly that they are doing all they can to make that miracle come to pass. Our Mission President promised us that if we do all we can, then we could expect a miracle and plan for it. So we had more investigators to church today than the missionaries could handle. That's a good start, eh?

Our love to you all. We miss your association but appreciate your support and prayers in our behalf. That's what helps miracles come about too. We watched as our elders said goodbye to branch members that they have known from 3 to 6 months and know that we are going to have a rough time after 23 months of living and loving these good people. We hit our 2 month mark, for those of you that are counting. Pretty amazing isn't it?

Love, Elder & Sister, John and Marsha , Ma & Pa Aland