A great mission experience

Hey guys,

Well I'm in Almaty, along with the other three elders who are going to Astana. We are awaiting permission to preach the gospel in Astana. I already have permission to preach here in Almaty, so we are just here working until we are able to leave in order to not waste time. It's cool to work here with Elder Hasbiullin. It's a lot easier and more productive than it was the past couple of months. We are working hard and the time is flying! Just like I knew it would. We are all pretty antsy here in Almaty, waiting to go to our real area. Elder Hasbiullin and I are just working in the area I worked in with Kruglyak, the other two elders are on splits with some other elders here. We are working hard and doing pretty good. We didn't have a ton going for us when I was with Kruglyak as you remember but we are trying to build it up a little right now before we have to pass all of our investigators and contacts to other elders in Almaty. The elders are being reduced from 6 to 4 so our area is kind of being absorbed by other elders. We have been doing quite a bit of street contacting trying to get in shape for Astana. Yesterday we were on the streets for a few hours straight and it just flew by because we were talking with everyone. We got I think 5 or 6 contacts and had a good time. That's how it will be in Astana, talking with everyone, all day every day. Last night we went over to a members house and had a lesson, she said she had some friends in Astana. She called this guy right up while we were there and said to him that he would have a chance to help us build the church in Astana. It was obvious he was a little confused, he asked, "what, do they need an apartment to meet in or something?" She just said, no, don't worry, all you have to do is show up and listen, they will explain everything when you get there, just listen to them! She's awesome, there have been like 4 or 5 or even more people that have been baptized because of her. She'll be meeting with this guys mom today and has already told her all about us. I really hope that turns out to be a good contact. President Woolley said that our assignment is to build the church by finding families and prosperous people. It should be awesome. Today I think I will by some warm shoes. We have been watching the weather in Astana, the coldest I have seen it (during the day) was -32 and the warmest -18. Also it is supposed to be pretty windy there, so that only adds to it. The senior couple claims that a few nights ago it got down to -47, that's just crazy. If it is that cold, I don't even think you are supposed to go outside. I'm glad I brought my thermals! I wanted to just tough it out in these shoes, but my left foot has been wet and cold for the past couple weeks and it's no fun. Also, I think the leather is spoiled on that shoe due to the crack, so the leather gets really wet and then when it dries, it is completely white from the salt on the roads. I look pretty bad. I think I'll buy some nice warm shoes, then when the snow is gone, I'll get these shoes back out to finish the mission in. They look fine if I can get the salt off of the one.

Anyway, we got here to Almaty about 6:30 Friday morning. We got here to find out that the missionaries that were here while I was in Russia left us with around 4000 tenge, that's 800 rubles, for two weeks. We have a few more days to last and we have 1000 tenge, 200 rubles! that's like 6 dollars or so! We are going to buy a bunch of Raman noodles to last us a few days until we get our new money. What a joke. We're doing okay though, mooching off of everyone of course. We had to take our p-day today because the patriarch has been here this week giving blessings in the branch. We have taken turns as missionaries sitting in the branch while he gives blessings to help make sure the reverence is maintained and to help the people who are recieving their blessings fill out things, answer questions, anything they need. It has been such a neat experience. The patriarch is from Provo, he is assigned to our area, the Eastern European area, and he comes to different missions throughout the year. He has such a busy schedule when he is here, giving 7 blessings a day for about three weeks. I'm sure it is just spiritually draining. He takes it very seriously and is an awesome guy. The branch has had a spirit in it like never before for the past week. It has been a sweet experience to feel the spirit so strong when in the presence of one of God's chosen and very valuable servents. His name is Gary Browning and he was actually the first mission president in Russia back in the 90's. Cool huh?

That's cool that Marie was a page, I can't believe she is a senior either. I got a letter this week from a bunch of the youth in our ward back home. It was sent sometime around Christmas, but it was awesome to get it. Jack James is also graduating? That's crazy to me. He told me he is really excited to graduate and move to college. He's a cool kid. He said he can't wait to talk to me after I finish my mission, and to watch out for muggers because they are evil and greedy. There are a lot of people I can't wait to see from the ward, the James family will be some of them. How are they doing? Did they get divorced? Are they still living in that house? What's Joe doing?

A few days ago someone called us, a former investigator that I have never met. She wanted to meet with us and told us an address where to meet here. We set up the meeting and last night went to it. The address was a hotel and we were taken into a conference room where there were a few other people, a table with a tv and some kind of health products on the table. There was some kind of infomercial playing. I immediately understood what it was but it was too late, we were already there. We sat there for about 15 or 20 minutes and listened to the most unoriginal pyramid scheme ever. All you have to do is invite people and you can become a millionare. It was pretty funny, we participated, answered questions. The guy asked me some questions and said, if you were to continue doing what you are doing today, would you be able to become a millionare in 15 years? I said, absolutely not! Ha, it was funny. We finally just said, we have to get going, we have a different meeting. He stopped the whole presentation to try to talk us into staying. This lady must have been pretty desperate to invite a couple of young missionaries to her little pyramid scam thing. The guy's whole point was that the company had existed for 15 years and already 80 people in the company have become millionaires. He asked me what I was doing 15 years ago, I said, well, I was 5 years old, if that answers your question, ha. It was a good laugh, but a waste of time. I think we offended the investigator lady but oh well, I had called her a few times to try to meet and she never wanted to, so I guess that's that.

That's good that you got to speak in church. I have decided that I have learned what a talk should be, and that I will take every chance I get to stand up in front of people to teach the gospel. That's what a talk should be, teaching the principles of the gospel. That's what the Prophets and apostles do, and that's what we should do, I can't wait to give it a shot in English. My mission has helped me in so many ways. One thing I have been searching out my whole mission is what gifts of the spirit do I have. There have now been a few times where people have given me their opinions, without me asking, and I take it as answers to my prayers. Pasha in Kaluga, who I wanted to baptize, told me I have the gift of speaking with people, conversing with people. No wonder I always got in trouble in school for talking too much! Little did those teachers know, they were trying to hinder my spiritual gift! But last night when we were on that lesson with the member, she mentioned something that she noticed and felt. Elder Kruglyak and I had a lesson with her a while back. She invited a friend from a different church, and it ended up being a big argument between this friend and Elder Kruglyak. I was trying to keep my calm and still teach the restored gospel. The lady wasn't listening, but one time I said something and she said, Just look into his eyes, he has the calm peaceful eyes, something to that effect. Last night, I was surprised, but Svetlana, the member, remembered that comment and began to talk about it. She was talking about why some people don't accept the gospel because we don't always teach with love. She used the example of Elder Kruglyak and I last time we were there. She said Kruglyak was just trying to argue, to prove everything, and trying to teach without love. She said both her and her friend felt from me and saw in my eyes, peace and love. She said after we left that this lady told her that when I would tell her something she would feel peaceful and appreciated how calm I was and that I didn't argue. There have been a few times on my mission where people have commented to me that I have a calm about me that helps people feel comfortable. Obviously God doesn't give us gifts for us to brag about, but I feel like this is one of my gifts and I know that my mission has helped me develop this gift and find out about it. It's important to find out our gifts so that we can use them to our benefit and more importantly, to the benefit of the people we serve and associate with. God truly does answer our prayers, he listens to us and loves us. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice and open the door unto me, I will come in to him and sup with him, and he with me." (Rev. 3:20) Something to that effect, maybe not word for word, but close. I know that God could give us anything and everything we need, but sometimes he just waits for us to ask for it, to show faith that he can and will answer our prayers. Sometimes we are shy to ask, or we just think, if it is the will of God he will give it to me, if not, then not, but we see so many times in the scriptures, ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened. How often do we try that? All we have to do is open the door. I love the gospel and all the blessing that it brings. I hope everyone has a chance each day to open the scriptures and study the words of life, actually, I know everyone has the chance, but I hope we are all taking the chance. I love you guys and am so thankful for your support and love. I feel your prayers and hope that you feel mine. I hope everyone has a great week!

Elder Geddes

Traveling again

Hey guys,

Hello from Smolensk Russia!! I flew in to Moscow Friday night and
took a 7 hour van ride from there to Smolensk where I will be for a
few more days while I'm waiting for my visa. Elder Hasbiullin is here
finishing up his service as branch president. It has been cool to see
my greenie in action as the leader of an entire branch. I'm pretty
proud of him and we are both really excited to get working in Astana.
Although President Woolley is still not 100% sure about when we'll get
there. I will have a new Kazakh visa on the 17th and will be flying
back to Almaty as far as I know, at least I hope because all I brought
with me from there was a couple extra changes of clothes. The senior
couple in Astana found us some apartments and a place to meet, so
that's good. I've been trying to think about what exactly will be the
best way to approach this whole new city deal. I think we'll be on
the streets a whole lot, but all four of us are ready for that.

I can't believe they got rid of the 8th ward, is Bro. Hegamen the
bishop of the 5th ward? That's cool that Scott Gambles is the bishop,
he'll do a really good job. Was Delvin happy to be done? What
exactly is happening to Soda Springs? Is it because of the economy?
What's going on with Monsanto and Agrium and all those places, are
they still laying people off? Have a lot of people packed up and
moved away or what? That's pretty crazy.

I have a major cold going on right now, my nose is just completely
useless to me right now and I've been coughing all over the place.
The problem is that when I left Almaty it was around 0 degrees, maybe
even plus 1 or 2, so I didn't bring a scarf or thermals or anything,
but when I got here to Smolensk, it has been -15 or more the whole
time. I've been freezing here. I always only get sick when I have no
medicine near me. When I went to Kazakhstan I left all my medicine in
Kaluga. I got sick the first little while there. Elder Bressler,
bless his heart, decided I might need my medicine so he boxed it up,
took it to the office in moscow the next time he went and had them get
the box to me in Almaty, ha. In Almaty I have a huge bag of medicine
now, but of course, I leave for a week and immediately get sick. Oh
well, colds aren't bad, they are just uncomfortable.

I was pretty sick of traveling by myself by the time I finally got
here. It's no fun. The plane ride then the long van ride. They guy
sitting next to me smelled pretty weird and fell asleep on my shoulder
for a good portion of the ride. The last few hours they showed a
movie. It wasn't a good movie, in more ways than one, so it was a
pretty uncomfortable ride. I got to the station in Smolensk and
there was nobody there to meet me. I asked a lady if I could use her
phone to call Elder Hasbiullin, she said no so I just said thanks
anyway and walked away. People here are always so suspicious, anyway,
as I walked away she caught up to me and asked me what I needed, she
ended up letting me use her phone. Turns out Elder Hasbiullin had
been at the station a while before that but they said my van was
running pretty late because it was snowing pretty bad. He had called
two girls from his branch and asked them to wait for me at McDonalds.
I asked around and found the bus to McDonalds and found the girls. I
just sat there for about a half hour with them while we were waiting
for Hasbiullin who was a in a meeting with someone. I was pretty glad
to see him and his companion. There are 4 of us here right now
because this week Hasbiullin is training the new branch president. We
are supposedly going to be leaving Thursday but we'll find out for
sure probably later today. I am glad I got to come to Smolensk, it is
a super old city here in Russia. I think they even filmed part of the
movie Get Smart here, but I can't remember. Anyway, it's cool to see
another city.

Anyway, other than that, not a whole lot has happened with me since
the last time I wrote. Tell Delvin and Bishop Gambles congratulations
for me, and make sure Bishop Gambles knows I want to speak in the 4th
ward when I get home. I hope everyone has a good week, I'm not sure
when I'll write next, either Thursday or Monday, depending on where I
am. I love you guys.

Elder Geddes

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

Transfer soon?

Hey guys,

Well, we had kind of a rough week this week. We weren't able to get a hold of our investigator, and there were some motivation problems in our companionship if you know what I mean. The AP's came on Wednesday, that was fun, and President was here for the weekend. He was accompanied by Elder Senkants from Latvia. Our zone conference was pretty good, I had to translate half of it into Russian for one of the Sisters here who doesn't speak English. The cool thing was that night, they had a fireside where Elder Senkants spoke. He talked about a lot of things that have been interesting to me my whole mission. He talked about agency, truth, and the 93rd section of the Doctrine and Covenants. It was a really good talk, not a whole lot of people bothered to show up, which was sad, but it was still really cool. I had an interview with President Woolley after the fireside. He asked if I would like to go to Astana, the new city that will be opened. He said he still isn't sure who he will send, but I'm one that he has been thinking about. I'm in a good position to go, my companion is leaving, stuff like that. It would be cool with me whatever happens. I think we will know within a few days.

We had kind a discouraging week, a lot of time got wasted and I got in a couple of arguments with my companion. I can't see how you can just let your last couple of weeks go by like this. Elder Player, the ap, and I were on splits and we talked about how we won't even be stopping for lunch our last couple weeks. We'll carry a sandwhich around with us, ha. I hope I have that same attitude when my time comes. I'm just trying to use my time wisely. I'm trying to be effective. Only another couple of weeks. He's a really good guy, he is just tired I guess.

After we write home we are going to go to watch some of the Asian winter olympic games that are here right now. We bought some tickets yesterday for the freestyle ski event. It should be pretty awesome. I'll take lots of pictures and videos. I hope we get good spots. It's pretty fun here. I think that's why my emails are getting shorter and shorter, and less and less detailed. That and the fact that we are just struggling to find people who are really interested in the gospel. Right now on my mission, I think I have really learned how to study. The past week or two I have just learned a lot. I have really enjoyed learning from the scriptures and reading the conference talks. The gospel is just a cool thing when we think about it.

I can't believe that Dallin Brown was hurt so bad. That is a pretty big miracle that he was able to come out of it. I just want everyone to be careful, car crashes are scary. I thought it was pretty funny what happened to dad when he needed a shot, ha, I laughed about that one. And I honestly have been having dreams about Otis lately, I can't wait to get home and play with him.

Anyway, things are going as good as possible. I'm happy and doing my best. Thanks for the letters. I love you guys and hope you all have a good week.

Elder Geddes