September 3, 2012
"Real cowboys don't live in Texas...they live in New
Mexico!" -- President Gritchen
Hey there everyone!
Gosh, it's been a fun week! We had exchanges and for I think the 4th
or 5th time on my mission I was on exchanges with Elder Anderson, one of my
best friends on the mission. He's a couple of cycles older and we had a
ballgame going out and doing good stuff. I had a pretty interesting experience
though while we were working together. It was about 8:00 at night when we
bumped into a guy on the street who had (coincidentally) told us "Go home
Yankee!" the week before (as a joke, we found out today. Me and Elder
Strebe nearly burst out laughing when we heard him say it). As we came to talk
to him we found out he was a very nice man who knew the history of Marks (and
history in general) really well. In trying to introduce him to the Book of
Mormon and our message, he rejected it saying that our Church and the society
that goes with it just can never work in Russia until it adapts itself to the
culture. He told us that until we really figure out what's inside a Russian
soul we will never succeed in our work, and to find out how a Russian live you
must do what Russian does. In the end, our discussion didn't lead him to
accepting anything we had, but me and Elder Anderson had an interesting
conversation afterwards on how to understand a Russian.
In relation to that experience, let me tell you a story about what
happened last night. We visited a rather rich former investigator the other
night. When we came to his house we found that he was slightly drunk and pretty
dang rude. Whenever he'd ask a question we'd try to answer but he'd then
interrupt and tell us his opinion on what he thought we'd say and tell us we
were wrong before we could even say a thing! We were about to leave when a friend
of our investgator came in. She's a nurse and our rich ivnestigator had injured
both of his feet, so she had come to apply some medicine and help him out. She
got a bit interested in what we were saying, but said a common Russian saying
that goes along the lines of "All of us hope on God, but we can only rely
on ourselves". She proceeded to tell us how she has 3 jobs and that
despite all of that she still didnt have enough money to buy her little boy a
notebook for school. No matter what money she got she had to thorugh [throw] it
into some kind of hole, whether it be paying for the apartment, food, etc...
She teared up a bit in talking about it all, and Elder Strebe bore a sweet
testimony on the power and love of God and that as we truly rely not on
ourselves but on the grace and love of God, we are provided for. We taught her a
little bit and gave her our number and she thanked us for the little lesson.
The whole time the former investigator was swearing and making fun of it all,
but it didn't matter for the conversation. Shortly after she left, we left too.
It's interesting to hear it almsot daily that we don't understand
the people. Lot's of them say that to understand them we have to drink Vodka
and sell your morality. So many people suffer from the effects of sin, not even
really understanding what sin is or how it's messing up their lives. Families
are torn apart, kids are taught young incorrect principles and it's a hard
thing to find a really lasting happiness. Of course, not everyone's life is
like that, but it's a widespread mentality at times it seems. It's moments though
like with the nurse and with other investigators we've got that when they feel
a slice of the love of God for them, there's a change, a hope in their lives
that lights their lives, if even for just a little bit. It's true that I don't
fully understand the Russian soul or what makes even the standard American
tick, but it's a common and solid knowledge in me that everyone can feel the
love of God and know that He exists, and that His existance can mean everything
to us.
Of course, that doesn't excuse me from being totally ignorant of the
culture! I had a fun meeting with some members this past week wherein they gave
us good tips on how to contact on the street better, finding that even the way
we greeted people was a bit too old fashioned and overly formal. There's still
lots to learn , and I'm glad that I've got such good friends everywhere that
are helping me out.
Zone conference is coming up this upcoming week and we've got a
member of the 70 who is the second counselor in the Europe East area presidency,
Elder Malm, coming out along with his wife. More news on how all that goes next
week! :)
I'm not gonna lie, I cried when I found out that Mer died [Brian’s
grandmother], but I was able to cover it up and look manly so no one really
noticed I think :) I'm so glad that you were able to be there with her, Mom.
You've cared so much for her and helped out tons and been a terrific daughter
to my awesome grandma. I always remember those trips that just you and I took
in going out to Mer and helping her out. Nothing could have been better than
helping you that one last time last summer in going out to gather her things
and prep the house for sale. So many floppy discs! Argh! I remember when we
were cleaning up and we found a whole new cabinet full of discs and books to
put away and we were just so exasperated from it all. Those were fun times :)
Sean wrote me this week and told me about all the fun times we had in going
there to El Paso. I remember when she had just at first gotten her computer and
we were all awed as to how cool it was. I think we placed some kind of podracer
game on it and just thought it was the best thing ever. I remember all the good
times with Mer and her Pig stories book, which I absolutely love...gotta read
those again when I come back home. A lot of time too, I find, when I'm trying
to learn a new Russian word I remember Mer asking you words and what they meant
and telling you cool facts. I bet Mer would have been a pro at learning Russian
:) I remember on that last trip too having the blessed opportunity to give Mer
a blessing. I don't remember what I said, but I remember the good feelings I
had in blessing my grandma before going on my mission. I had a feeling that
that'd be the last time I'd see Mer, and I'm glad that that was my "final
act" with her before she crossed the veil. I know Mer and Daddyguy are
together now, and it'll be a fun reunion afterwords in having Mer introduce him
to me.
I'm out of time now, but thanks for your everything. You all sure
are the best :)
Be good now! With love
--
Elder Peterson
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