1) The pictures I got back!
2) the wonderful time in the temple and that the feelings stayed with me afterward.
3) seeing Elder Ross! He's SUCH a missionary!
4) the love I feel for my companion.
5) the trust I can have in Heavenly Father.
50 push-ups -- that's it
What a lovely day! I don't think I did a durn bit of Russian, but I wrote a lot of letters wherein I said I loved it! I got about 8 letters written -- two of which had a bunch of pictures where my companion had followed me around for a day. It was fun -- I felt artsy again!
But particularly memorable about today was the temple and the strength of the feelings with which I was overcome -- and then how those same feelings were reproduced later during culture night.
I was fasting for re-assurance taht I am doing what I'm supposed to do -- that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. And it's ALL TRUE!
I'm so blessed and EXCITED to have the truth and share it! love, Cectpa Bepi
Showing posts with label testimony. Show all posts
Showing posts with label testimony. Show all posts
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
May 23, '97
1) the SHORT nap I got (I'm grateful it was short -- I don't like to waste too much time!)
2) all the letters I got to write
3) the friendship of my room-mates
4) the opportunity to increase my testimony about Joseph Smith
5) just barely getting in dinner but getting enough to eat
15 min walking; 200 back-friendly tummy crunches; 30 push-ups
Well, yet another day done at the MTC. I got all my letters written that I needed to... but not as much studying as I would have liked.
I actually find myself in love with the Russian language. I'm feeling so much better -- completely opposite from my initial reaction of fear -- I'm experiencing gift of tongues in a few different manners, including that of comfort and confidence and love for the language, which means a desire to speak it more, to hear it more.
I pray this continues to grow over the next six weeks and I'll be ready!
2) all the letters I got to write
3) the friendship of my room-mates
4) the opportunity to increase my testimony about Joseph Smith
5) just barely getting in dinner but getting enough to eat
15 min walking; 200 back-friendly tummy crunches; 30 push-ups
Well, yet another day done at the MTC. I got all my letters written that I needed to... but not as much studying as I would have liked.
I actually find myself in love with the Russian language. I'm feeling so much better -- completely opposite from my initial reaction of fear -- I'm experiencing gift of tongues in a few different manners, including that of comfort and confidence and love for the language, which means a desire to speak it more, to hear it more.
I pray this continues to grow over the next six weeks and I'll be ready!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
May 22, '97
1) the opportunity to be delving into something so focused-like
2) my companion's laugh
3) the uplifting stories told today at LGM
4) the increasing unity of our district
5) the "sense" I am making of grammar!
run- 15 min; 80 sit-ups; 30 push-ups
Today went much faster than yesterday. Quite honestly, I think all of our time here will go much faster than we think and we will be out on the field in no time. How exciting!
Monday night we did that TRC (I dunno what the initials stand for) but pretty much people are staged as investigators and we get to teach them. My companion and I did it in English and the first time I don't think she was totally comfortable but the second time she caught on fire!
The Spirit is there when you need it, when you see it, and when you trust in it.
Tonight, our {staryeishini} Elders really impressed me. They led the discussions about gospel study. Our district leader, Elder Day, hadn't (in my opinion) been doing his complete duties, as far as keeping things under control and particularly in the area of setting a good example. But tonight, he was able to lead the discussion in such a way that the Spirit was indeed there and that several of the {staryeishini} Elders were impressed to bear their testimonies. And, in answer to my personal prayers, the testimony of Elder Miller was just what I needed to hear. Apparently he has been touched by the Spirit in the way that he needs to be to be motivated to dig in and learn this language so he can teach effectively.
It's wonderful for me to witness the hand of the Lord in others' lives!
I know these next 18 months will be full of such opportunities -- how grateful I am for that!
{Vo imya Iicyca Xpista, Amin} In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen
Cectpa Bepi
2) my companion's laugh
3) the uplifting stories told today at LGM
4) the increasing unity of our district
5) the "sense" I am making of grammar!
run- 15 min; 80 sit-ups; 30 push-ups
Today went much faster than yesterday. Quite honestly, I think all of our time here will go much faster than we think and we will be out on the field in no time. How exciting!
Monday night we did that TRC (I dunno what the initials stand for) but pretty much people are staged as investigators and we get to teach them. My companion and I did it in English and the first time I don't think she was totally comfortable but the second time she caught on fire!
The Spirit is there when you need it, when you see it, and when you trust in it.
Tonight, our {staryeishini} Elders really impressed me. They led the discussions about gospel study. Our district leader, Elder Day, hadn't (in my opinion) been doing his complete duties, as far as keeping things under control and particularly in the area of setting a good example. But tonight, he was able to lead the discussion in such a way that the Spirit was indeed there and that several of the {staryeishini} Elders were impressed to bear their testimonies. And, in answer to my personal prayers, the testimony of Elder Miller was just what I needed to hear. Apparently he has been touched by the Spirit in the way that he needs to be to be motivated to dig in and learn this language so he can teach effectively.
It's wonderful for me to witness the hand of the Lord in others' lives!
I know these next 18 months will be full of such opportunities -- how grateful I am for that!
{Vo imya Iicyca Xpista, Amin} In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen
Cectpa Bepi
Sunday, March 14, 2010
May 16, '97
1) THE TEMPLE!! (I could put that for all five!)
2) The potential "my" Elders are showing
3) P-day and the letters I got to write
4) How well I am provided for as I serve
5) My knowledge of the Gospel
run- 30 minutes! 150 sit-ups, 25 push-ups
Tonight I am fulfilling a commitment to write in my journal my feelings regarding Joseph Smith.
I know that he was a man -- meaning he suffered just as I do. But more than that, I know he was a prophet and that I am indebted to him for the knowledge that blesses my life and makes it worth living.
As I learn greater and greater truths that were provided by this prophet, I am almost overwhelmed by the possibilities it introduces into my future. I am excited to learn more and share more and pray I can be guided by the Spirit as I do both!
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Sister Berry
2) The potential "my" Elders are showing
3) P-day and the letters I got to write
4) How well I am provided for as I serve
5) My knowledge of the Gospel
run- 30 minutes! 150 sit-ups, 25 push-ups
Tonight I am fulfilling a commitment to write in my journal my feelings regarding Joseph Smith.
I know that he was a man -- meaning he suffered just as I do. But more than that, I know he was a prophet and that I am indebted to him for the knowledge that blesses my life and makes it worth living.
As I learn greater and greater truths that were provided by this prophet, I am almost overwhelmed by the possibilities it introduces into my future. I am excited to learn more and share more and pray I can be guided by the Spirit as I do both!
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Sister Berry
May 13, '97
1) Others' testimonies
2) Each of our individual talents and how they combine for the benefit of everyone
3) My friends and family who are writing and supporting me
4) Growth through struggle (hard to admit)
5) the example of Christ
run- 25 minutes - 140 sit-ups - 25 push-ups
Well, tomorrow marks one full week at the MTC. We sure learn a lot in a little time!
We memorized phrases that help us to bear our testimony today! It was particularly gratifying when some of the Elders, who have been struggling all along, "got" a key concept in grammar... I could tell it was a success that came at the right time! I'm excited for them.
As I am in the midst of this great work, indulging in the Spirit so strongly and regularly, I recognize the forces of Satan to be discouragement and doubt -- things we don't often attribute to him. I pray for the strength to overcome and know I will be blessed!
Love, Sister Berry
2) Each of our individual talents and how they combine for the benefit of everyone
3) My friends and family who are writing and supporting me
4) Growth through struggle (hard to admit)
5) the example of Christ
run- 25 minutes - 140 sit-ups - 25 push-ups
Well, tomorrow marks one full week at the MTC. We sure learn a lot in a little time!
We memorized phrases that help us to bear our testimony today! It was particularly gratifying when some of the Elders, who have been struggling all along, "got" a key concept in grammar... I could tell it was a success that came at the right time! I'm excited for them.
As I am in the midst of this great work, indulging in the Spirit so strongly and regularly, I recognize the forces of Satan to be discouragement and doubt -- things we don't often attribute to him. I pray for the strength to overcome and know I will be blessed!
Love, Sister Berry
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
My Missionary Journal
Eleven years and three months ago, I returned home from St. Petersburg, Russia, after serving an eighteen-month, full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When I stepped off the plane, I said to my family: "It's so good to be back in the Seshaw!" Ooops -- Russian had taken over my brain to the point that I couldn't remember the proper initials for my home country!
Alas, time has passed and seriously impairs my memory and now I'm embarrassed if I try to speak Russian with anyone who knows it. I can still read it well enough, which is good since I wrote in my journal in Russian. In an attempt to make sure that I don't forget so much that I can't share my journals with my posterity (one of the residual effects of therapeutic journal keeping), I've hired my wonderful friend Ksusha to type up my journals. Yes, yes, I did say that at this point I CAN still read and understand Russian -- however, I also have five children... so taking the time to translate and type it all out just isn't a possibility at this point in my life!!!
I must end this introductory post with my testimony. I have felt the blessed guidance of the Lord all my life! I am so thankful that He allowed me to chisel that time into my life when I could fully focus on sharing His gospel with His children, and I am incredibly grateful that He sent me to Russia to do it. I continue to feel of His directive inspiration and humbly strive to follow it as I now focus on motherhood, another form of divine partnership.
I pray that if anyone has come across this blog (I don't plan to privatize at this point but I also won't be telling people to come read it), that they will feel of the Lord's Spirit and know that He is alive! He is aware of us as individuals; He has a plan for us that is for our happiness! We can best know His plan and reap the blessings of it by becoming one with Him. He has restored His gospel in these Latter-days to give us time to prepare for His Second Coming. I invite you to investigate the Church that has a prophet, the priesthood, more scripture, and so many more necessary attributes that we might KNOW of Him. I stamp these words with the name of the Savior, the name I took upon myself at baptism, the name of Jesus Christ -- Amen!
Alas, time has passed and seriously impairs my memory and now I'm embarrassed if I try to speak Russian with anyone who knows it. I can still read it well enough, which is good since I wrote in my journal in Russian. In an attempt to make sure that I don't forget so much that I can't share my journals with my posterity (one of the residual effects of therapeutic journal keeping), I've hired my wonderful friend Ksusha to type up my journals. Yes, yes, I did say that at this point I CAN still read and understand Russian -- however, I also have five children... so taking the time to translate and type it all out just isn't a possibility at this point in my life!!!
I must end this introductory post with my testimony. I have felt the blessed guidance of the Lord all my life! I am so thankful that He allowed me to chisel that time into my life when I could fully focus on sharing His gospel with His children, and I am incredibly grateful that He sent me to Russia to do it. I continue to feel of His directive inspiration and humbly strive to follow it as I now focus on motherhood, another form of divine partnership.
I pray that if anyone has come across this blog (I don't plan to privatize at this point but I also won't be telling people to come read it), that they will feel of the Lord's Spirit and know that He is alive! He is aware of us as individuals; He has a plan for us that is for our happiness! We can best know His plan and reap the blessings of it by becoming one with Him. He has restored His gospel in these Latter-days to give us time to prepare for His Second Coming. I invite you to investigate the Church that has a prophet, the priesthood, more scripture, and so many more necessary attributes that we might KNOW of Him. I stamp these words with the name of the Savior, the name I took upon myself at baptism, the name of Jesus Christ -- Amen!
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