NOTE: the "thankfuls" were written in Russian, and I wasn't always sure what I meant to write -- I did my best with the translation!
1) I ate ice cream, and no one else got it, except my companion -- a friendly worker gave it to me!
2) Only eleven more days here...
3) Lots of free time yesterday and today
4) I continue to feel that a mission is right
5) Lots of new words that I learned today, when I found my scriptures
80 push ups
Oops! My companion and I did not wake up early enough to run this morning. But I didn't sleep at all during study time -- which I was pleased with.
I have found that I love to study out of the Russian scriptures... and while it may mean looking up every other word, that's how I like to learn the words. I truly have felt blessed with the gift of tongues here at the MTC. I pray it continues in the field because only 11 days left until immersion! SWEET! I love the Russian language and the Russian people.
Oh -- we just found out Russian parliament voted against having missionaries in Russia. Oh well. The work of the Lord will continue! Amazing how we took the news with a grain of salt. We all just feel very confident of where we'll be going and when...
Sunday, October 10, 2010
June 24, '97
I KNOW! I just plain know. Ya znayu!! (I know). I can't expressly put it into words other than that. I KNOW.
I know my Savior lives.
I know he has special witnesses on this earth today. I know I am one of them! I have a work to do -- beyond this mission -- a life long mission.
Pres. Faust spoke this morning at a special devotional because Mission Presidents are in training.
I KNOW. That's all there is to it! There is no denying -- no doubting ever again.
I KNOW.
As of this day, June 24, 1997, age 21 and less than 1/2, I have a knowledge. Clear and distinct. The Savior Jesus Christ heads this Church. There is no room in the kingdom for people who don't, won't follow the Savior and make his will theirs, adopting his mannerisms, his characteristics, his love, his nature, his countenance.
I KNOW!! And hence I have a responsibility to live what I know. I know.
I know Joseph Smith is a prophet as is President Hinckley. I know my God is my Heavenly Father, the almighty God of Heaven and Earth, creator of all. I KNOW!!
President Faust, a member of the First Presidency, knows, and so do I, a Sister called to serve a full-time and a full-life mission.
I KNOW! And I love that I know. And I know that my life must be different now that I know. No more excuses. No more wandering around. I KNOW! There is nothing left to do but live by what I know -- to shout it from the housetops, to exclaim by example but also by word that Jesus is the Christ! We can bask in His glory and return to fulfill out potential by embracing His gospel and the eternal truths therein.
I love this! I know I am but a human and must continue to struggle with my weaknesses. But what great hope and glory and joy exists in this knowledge!
I love that I am feeling the Spirit so strongly right now but that I am not crying. My heart is swollen with the light of knowledge -- I can't write fast enough to record it! I am not burdened, however, with tears. It's nice! I feel like it is an added strength to be able to endure the Spirit in great amounts! Wow.
I know I must continue in the day-to-day life but what more strength of purpose there is with this knowledge. I'm so grateful for it!!
I'll write more tonight! I get to hear from President Packer tonight!
1) hearing from two General Authorities in one day -- two apostles, even...
2) receiving a package from Mom by means of my sister, who has arrived safely in Provo.
3) being at the MTC at this time of year and thereby also arriving in Russia when I will.
4) skipping lunch today. My body needed a break from trying to digest it all.
5) the increase in unification in the district!
walk: 15 min; 50 push-ups
Love, Cectpa Bepi
I know my Savior lives.
I know he has special witnesses on this earth today. I know I am one of them! I have a work to do -- beyond this mission -- a life long mission.
Pres. Faust spoke this morning at a special devotional because Mission Presidents are in training.
I KNOW. That's all there is to it! There is no denying -- no doubting ever again.
I KNOW.
As of this day, June 24, 1997, age 21 and less than 1/2, I have a knowledge. Clear and distinct. The Savior Jesus Christ heads this Church. There is no room in the kingdom for people who don't, won't follow the Savior and make his will theirs, adopting his mannerisms, his characteristics, his love, his nature, his countenance.
I KNOW!! And hence I have a responsibility to live what I know. I know.
I know Joseph Smith is a prophet as is President Hinckley. I know my God is my Heavenly Father, the almighty God of Heaven and Earth, creator of all. I KNOW!!
President Faust, a member of the First Presidency, knows, and so do I, a Sister called to serve a full-time and a full-life mission.
I KNOW! And I love that I know. And I know that my life must be different now that I know. No more excuses. No more wandering around. I KNOW! There is nothing left to do but live by what I know -- to shout it from the housetops, to exclaim by example but also by word that Jesus is the Christ! We can bask in His glory and return to fulfill out potential by embracing His gospel and the eternal truths therein.
I love this! I know I am but a human and must continue to struggle with my weaknesses. But what great hope and glory and joy exists in this knowledge!
I love that I am feeling the Spirit so strongly right now but that I am not crying. My heart is swollen with the light of knowledge -- I can't write fast enough to record it! I am not burdened, however, with tears. It's nice! I feel like it is an added strength to be able to endure the Spirit in great amounts! Wow.
I know I must continue in the day-to-day life but what more strength of purpose there is with this knowledge. I'm so grateful for it!!
I'll write more tonight! I get to hear from President Packer tonight!
1) hearing from two General Authorities in one day -- two apostles, even...
2) receiving a package from Mom by means of my sister, who has arrived safely in Provo.
3) being at the MTC at this time of year and thereby also arriving in Russia when I will.
4) skipping lunch today. My body needed a break from trying to digest it all.
5) the increase in unification in the district!
walk: 15 min; 50 push-ups
Love, Cectpa Bepi
Sunday, August 15, 2010
June 23, '97
1) We got to return home early (our teacher was sick)
2) I felt the Holy Ghost ALL DAY!
3) I could help other Sisters here at the MTC by asking good questions
4) I received a letter from Tae Hee!
5) I read a lot in the Book of Mormon!
walking: 15 min; 120 push ups
Darnit... I took another nap today. Granted, it was short, but I want to eliminate naps altogether! I shouldn't have let my body get into the habit. But, as Sister Smyth pointed out, when we get to Russia, our bodies are going to be a little screwed up anyways. I believe it's a nine or ten hour difference. So, nothing that we're used to will be a "burden" to us!
For some reason, today I felt that our district was more unified. My goodness -- on Saturday, my companion and I were ready to give up on the district and just push ourselves harder for the last two weeks. But today we didn't feel such a need... everyone seemed to work hard on their own... and unity was a little more evident. Some of our most common problems were, of course, still there, but overall there was marked improvement. I can't help but think it had something to do with the talk on charity. But quite honestly, that scares me a little because as the week wears on, will the lesson be less and less helpful to our attitudes? Will it die as many of Sister Halford's motivational talks do? I dunno. I hope not. I guess all I can do is keep it alive in me. Love, Cectpa Bepi
2) I felt the Holy Ghost ALL DAY!
3) I could help other Sisters here at the MTC by asking good questions
4) I received a letter from Tae Hee!
5) I read a lot in the Book of Mormon!
walking: 15 min; 120 push ups
Darnit... I took another nap today. Granted, it was short, but I want to eliminate naps altogether! I shouldn't have let my body get into the habit. But, as Sister Smyth pointed out, when we get to Russia, our bodies are going to be a little screwed up anyways. I believe it's a nine or ten hour difference. So, nothing that we're used to will be a "burden" to us!
For some reason, today I felt that our district was more unified. My goodness -- on Saturday, my companion and I were ready to give up on the district and just push ourselves harder for the last two weeks. But today we didn't feel such a need... everyone seemed to work hard on their own... and unity was a little more evident. Some of our most common problems were, of course, still there, but overall there was marked improvement. I can't help but think it had something to do with the talk on charity. But quite honestly, that scares me a little because as the week wears on, will the lesson be less and less helpful to our attitudes? Will it die as many of Sister Halford's motivational talks do? I dunno. I hope not. I guess all I can do is keep it alive in me. Love, Cectpa Bepi
Sunday, August 1, 2010
June 22, '97 thankful...
1) the lesson on charity and the strong spirit I felt
2) the lesson on family and the strong spirit I felt
3) the opportunity to repent
4) my companion's patience with me
5) the letters I got written
80 push-ups
2) the lesson on family and the strong spirit I felt
3) the opportunity to repent
4) my companion's patience with me
5) the letters I got written
80 push-ups
June 22, '97 (Gospel Doctrine Notes)
Excellent lesson on CHARITY for Sunday Evening Gospel Doctrine Class. We started in 1 Corinthians 13 and went to Moroni 7. Fill in the blank: Love is ________ and __________. I said: greatest & endureth. The "right" answers were: suffereth long & kind. He gave us time to memorize Moroni 7:45. He gave us situations to decide how it applied. He showed a few videos.
Overall, I could totally see how he (most likely) graduated from the Seminary Teaching Program. But that was not all I gathered from him.
I renewed my desire for charity within myself! When I was young -- under the age of 14 -- this was literally my favorite verse -- for some reason, I did not even try to pinpoint why, I just simply loved that verse... and now I love it again and want to strive for it again. I want to relive myself of all the anger I felt for my district, by loving them. I want to be happier and brighter person to be around because others will feel love emanate from me. I want to be thought of when someone reads that verse -- at least, for my efforts.
I'm afraid I give myself too much lee-way, too many allowances. "Oh, everyone needs a bad day here & there!" Or whatever... granted, there are going to be tough days but does that mean I can languish in them? NO! I must still try to fight them! I haven't been doing that lately.
I have a question (I just thought of it). Does God love Satan?
Back to charity: I'm going to repent tonight. Repentance is like pooping. Nobody likes to talk about it or have anyone else know they're doing it, but everyone needs to and once they're done they feel much better. It also can only happen after an intake of either food or an experience, and after as much nutrition or learning is squeezed out of what was taken in, and then all the bad stuff is excreted. Is that analogy too disgusting to be shared? I dunno...
Anyways, I have some repenting to do. And hopefully from here I'll fill my clean slate with beautiful stuff! Love, Sister Berry.
Overall, I could totally see how he (most likely) graduated from the Seminary Teaching Program. But that was not all I gathered from him.
I renewed my desire for charity within myself! When I was young -- under the age of 14 -- this was literally my favorite verse -- for some reason, I did not even try to pinpoint why, I just simply loved that verse... and now I love it again and want to strive for it again. I want to relive myself of all the anger I felt for my district, by loving them. I want to be happier and brighter person to be around because others will feel love emanate from me. I want to be thought of when someone reads that verse -- at least, for my efforts.
I'm afraid I give myself too much lee-way, too many allowances. "Oh, everyone needs a bad day here & there!" Or whatever... granted, there are going to be tough days but does that mean I can languish in them? NO! I must still try to fight them! I haven't been doing that lately.
I have a question (I just thought of it). Does God love Satan?
Back to charity: I'm going to repent tonight. Repentance is like pooping. Nobody likes to talk about it or have anyone else know they're doing it, but everyone needs to and once they're done they feel much better. It also can only happen after an intake of either food or an experience, and after as much nutrition or learning is squeezed out of what was taken in, and then all the bad stuff is excreted. Is that analogy too disgusting to be shared? I dunno...
Anyways, I have some repenting to do. And hopefully from here I'll fill my clean slate with beautiful stuff! Love, Sister Berry.
June 22, '97 (Devotional Notes)
Sunday Night Devotional -- Brother Sherman Crump, Managing Director of the Missionary Department
Three sacred places: the temple, the MTC, and HOME... where family is!
A survey was done of what's most important to people, and money and career was first and other materialistic things as you went down the list... in regards to Spiritual things, even higher than the Savior or the Plan of Salvation, was FAMILY!
We played a game called "Can you Find out" out of the Family Home Evening Manual... He named things about himself and if it was similar to us we raised our hands: "Red toothbrush... Wear glasses... Size 12 shoes..." Romans 8:14-17 and Ephesians 5:25 & 31. There is no place more influential to instill values than the family.... COMMUNICATE!
We become stronger when we appeal to God for help and await his decision. Alma 40:23 -- consoling scripture when his beautiful daughter, Colette, was killed -- She is alive!! That is the message of the family. The gospel of Christ takes the bitterness out of funerals.
Three sacred places: the temple, the MTC, and HOME... where family is!
A survey was done of what's most important to people, and money and career was first and other materialistic things as you went down the list... in regards to Spiritual things, even higher than the Savior or the Plan of Salvation, was FAMILY!
We played a game called "Can you Find out" out of the Family Home Evening Manual... He named things about himself and if it was similar to us we raised our hands: "Red toothbrush... Wear glasses... Size 12 shoes..." Romans 8:14-17 and Ephesians 5:25 & 31. There is no place more influential to instill values than the family.... COMMUNICATE!
We become stronger when we appeal to God for help and await his decision. Alma 40:23 -- consoling scripture when his beautiful daughter, Colette, was killed -- She is alive!! That is the message of the family. The gospel of Christ takes the bitterness out of funerals.
June 22, '97 (Relief Society Notes)
My seventh Sunday -- 6th Relief Society Morning...
Sister Patricia Pinegar --
When we sing, seek the Spirit to witness that the words of the hymn are true!! When women in the fabric store want to see the true color of the cloth, they take it outside to the perfect light of the Sun -- like in "Our Savior's Love" (author of the hymn explained that background).
We are becoming a great global society, yet we must not forget individuals. When we pray, we need to include not just the children of the Church but of the world.. they are at great risk & are growing up amidst AWFUL circumstances -- child labor, pornography, babies born already addicted to drugs... children killing children.. children bearing children...
Video with children laughing, singing I am a Child of God.
I love children! They are delightful and a heritage of the Lord. Matthew 18:1-6 -- Not teaching children is an offense!
What will bless children most? When their parents accept and live the gospel.
3 easy things to help children:
1) Listen to children -- 3 Nephi 17 -- show love for children one by one! SMILE at them -- get down on your knees and look into their eyes. Compliment them! If you're ever discouraged, find a child!
2) Be an EXAMPLE! You will touch more lives and bless them on the mission field and especially in Motherhood by example. 1 Thessalonions 2:4-13 acting in a Godly manner -- 1 Timothy 4:12 -- do not despise youth!
3) UNDERSTAND and USE the AUXILIARIES -- our prophet is very concerned about retaining new converts -- leaders, members, stake & full-time missionaries work cooperatively in a balanced effort to help convert, retain, and activate our Heavenly Father's children. Explain to investigators about primary! Know the names of the children and inform the auxiliary presidents. The Purpose of Primary is to teach children the Gospel of Jesus Christ and help them know how to live it! CHRIST-CENTERED Primary!
Things to do if organizing a Primary:
1) Love the Children
2) Teach them to Pray
3) Listen to the Promptings of the Spirit
4) Share scriptures
5) Sing Primary Songs
6) Bear Testimony!!
Sister Patricia Pinegar --
When we sing, seek the Spirit to witness that the words of the hymn are true!! When women in the fabric store want to see the true color of the cloth, they take it outside to the perfect light of the Sun -- like in "Our Savior's Love" (author of the hymn explained that background).
We are becoming a great global society, yet we must not forget individuals. When we pray, we need to include not just the children of the Church but of the world.. they are at great risk & are growing up amidst AWFUL circumstances -- child labor, pornography, babies born already addicted to drugs... children killing children.. children bearing children...
Video with children laughing, singing I am a Child of God.
I love children! They are delightful and a heritage of the Lord. Matthew 18:1-6 -- Not teaching children is an offense!
What will bless children most? When their parents accept and live the gospel.
3 easy things to help children:
1) Listen to children -- 3 Nephi 17 -- show love for children one by one! SMILE at them -- get down on your knees and look into their eyes. Compliment them! If you're ever discouraged, find a child!
2) Be an EXAMPLE! You will touch more lives and bless them on the mission field and especially in Motherhood by example. 1 Thessalonions 2:4-13 acting in a Godly manner -- 1 Timothy 4:12 -- do not despise youth!
3) UNDERSTAND and USE the AUXILIARIES -- our prophet is very concerned about retaining new converts -- leaders, members, stake & full-time missionaries work cooperatively in a balanced effort to help convert, retain, and activate our Heavenly Father's children. Explain to investigators about primary! Know the names of the children and inform the auxiliary presidents. The Purpose of Primary is to teach children the Gospel of Jesus Christ and help them know how to live it! CHRIST-CENTERED Primary!
Things to do if organizing a Primary:
1) Love the Children
2) Teach them to Pray
3) Listen to the Promptings of the Spirit
4) Share scriptures
5) Sing Primary Songs
6) Bear Testimony!!
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