Opening a new city in Kazakhstan

Hello everyone,

Well a lot of exciting things are happening in the mission these days. Before I get too far ahead of myself, I better talk about last week. Last week, we went and watched one of the events of the Asian Winter Olympics. We traveled up to the mountains and watched a freestyle ski event... in the pouring rain! We were all completely soaked. I didn't have a hat at first, but then one of the other elders gave me one to wear. Our feet were soaked, our clothes were soaked, and we had a blast. I'm really surprised they were able to do the event, the snow was probably terrible! I expected them to cancel it. We got there, rode a ski lift to the top of the mountain, and had to walk half way down the mountain. They figured out how to get all the people to the top, but they didn't plan much for us to get half way down, it was slushy, muddy, and slippery. I think I am one of the only elders who didn't fall down. I had just complemented one of the sisters about how she hadn't fallen once, after which, she quickly fell about 5 times in a row, ha. It was pretty funny. Anyway, we all froze to death but it was fun. By the way, speaking of wet feet, I think I might have to bite the bullet and buy a pair of new shoes. My left foot has been wet for the past week straight. If only I could hold out until April, after that it would be dry enough to last til the end. Oh well, maybe I can find some cool cheap European shoes to buy. Anyway, this week has been okay. It has been a bit stressful, for the fact that I knew President would be calling about transfers any day. Finally last night I got the call.

We were contacting last night when President Woolley called me. He told me that I would be transfered and that I will be working in Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan that we are opening up. I was pretty excited, but then he told me who my companion would be, that's when I got really excited. I will be serving with the elder that I trained last year. Elder Hasbiullin has been one of my best friends on the mission, and when I got transfered here, I thought we would probably not see each other again for a long long time. He's from Russia and I just don't know when I would be able to see him again after the mission. He was such a good elder, super fun and optimistic. He's a great teacher and the nicest guy ever. He will definitely help me to work hard until the very last day of my mission. The other two elders there will be Elder Player and Elder Melling. Elder Player was with me in the mtc. He is currently the AP and one of my best friends here. We have been talking to each other since the mtc about opening a city together. Now our dreams come true. His companion, Elder Melling is a pretty cool kid. Today is his year mark on the mission, he is already an awesome elder from what I hear. Working with these three elders in this new city will be the greatest adventure of my life, and I couldn't think of a better way to spend the last 3 transfers of my mission. I know that miracles await us there. I can only imagine that God has enough of his elect in this city, that he has decided to send missionaries in to find them and teach them. There are already 3 members there, one a mongolian woman who has been a faithful member for a number of years, until just recently she was the only member in the city. Last month, a man and his son who were baptized a few months ago moved to Astana for work. Soon after he moved there, he recieved the Melkizidek Priesthood, so he will most likely be the branch president. His son is around 16 I think. They will be a big blessing to the work. I am going to Russia tonight on a plane, I will be there for about a week. I hope President gives us some good advice about what we should do first. I know they are looking for apartments and a branch building right now, so they don't even know exactly when we'll go to Astana. I'm hoping within the next two weeks. I think if it takes longer than a week we will just be here in Almaty working. I am excited and humbled to say the least. I have prayed a lot on my mission, but I think the next couple of transfers are going to include a whole lot more time on my knees. I want to be an instrument in bringing the gospel to as many people in this city as possible. There will be only 4 of us there, but D&C 64 talks about how we are agents of the Lord and that anything we do in his name is his business, that out of small things, great things are brought to pass. I believe that with all my heart and will do everything I can to show faith in God's plan. I have been studying a bit more about a couple of principles lately. Faith and Obedience. The two are so much connected. Faith is the first principle of the gospel, obedience is the first law in heaven. When we have the faith to be obedient to the commandments, we receive the blessings attached to those commandments (D&C 130:19-20). Mosiah 2:22 says that all the Lord requires of us is to keep his commandments. Why? Because only when we are obedient are we able to receive all the blessings the Lord has in store for us. I like to picture a literal pile of just great things, blessings, sitting right next to the Lord. He watches us and waits for that moment when we show our faith and obedience. When we do, he sends down all of those great blessings. As we receive the blessings, and understand that it is thanks to our obedience and faith, that strengthens our resolve and desire to have more faith and be more obedient. It is one big circle. If we can get into a habit of exercising these two principles, the Lord will be able to give us so much, and even better, we will be in a position to allow the Lord to use us as instruments in his hands to serve others and move the work forward. I get excited just thinking about it.

Anyway, that's the spiritual thought for today I guess, ha. Today is my companions last p-day. He will be serving with a mini missionary for the remainder of his time here. His companion is an elder who finished his mission here about a month ago, went home for a few weeks and is already back to help for a week. Cool huh. We are going to go to the branch and play some ultimate frisbee and some board games with the other missionaries. It should be a pretty fun and relaxing p-day. Then I will have a few hours to myself as I fly to Moscow. I will take my books and keep studying, time is short. I love all of you guys, and I'm so glad to have you as a family. So many good examples of all these principles that I am learning and teaching others. Keep up the good work. I hope all of you have a great week! I don't know what will happen in Russia, where I'll be or what, but the pday is on monday in Russia, so I'll be able to write you sometime next week. Thanks again for everything.

Elder Geddes