Monday, November 17, 2014

A Yooper in Siberia, Now is the Time

Good Morning! 

Well so far, Siberian winters are letting me down. Dad sent me a couple pictures of the snow we got back in Ironwood, Michigan and our snow here in Novosibirsk hasn't got anything on it. So congrats Ironwood 50+ inches to you. Maybe this year it will actually be colder there than here. The Siberians are saying that this is going to be a nasty one. So we'll see!

Let's be honest for a second. One of the top 5 things I miss is skiing. All of the snow and cold and ice is making me more determined to ski for the rest of my life. :)

Well a lot of people and meetings and things happened this week. Being with Elder Stucki is great! We've been in it together since day one of the MTC and are having a grand old time. Since names are so frequent here, we have to come up with nicknames for all the people we are working with. We've got Vacili the Rapper, and Ivan the Rocker, for example. We found Vacili last week and have been back to his place twice since then. He is great and sincere. He has some obstacles to overcome, but he is humble. He has a recording booth and mixing station in his living room. It's a pretty sketch rig up, but it works surprisingly well. We teach him a lesson, and then he records us singing hymns in his booth. Ivan the Rocker. I think I've written about him before. He's still great. So sincere, humble, clean, and prepared to receive the Gospel message. I really love teaching them, and all of our investigators. It's fulfilling when after a lesson, Ivan said the closing prayer and thanked God that we were able to meet and learn more about him. 

Elder Miller gave a good District meeting on receiving revelation. That'll be a focus this transfer. 

President Williams is great as always. Here is his email to us this week.

The Hour of Your Mission is Come -- Now is the Time

Recipients:

Russia Novosibirsk Mission

17 Nov 2014

President Williams

Dear Elders and Sisters,

I greet you from Almaty, Kazakhstan, where we have had a delightful weekend, first meeting with the elders and Carters (missing very much the sisters, but glad we will see them later this week) and then meeting with branch leaders and members. The work is thriving here, despite persistent challenges.

My subject line comes from a scripture I have shared in some of our most recent visits with you, including here in Kazakhstan, from D&C 31:3-5,7:

3 Lift up your heart and rejoice, for the hour of your mission is come; and your tongue shall be loosed, and you shall declare glad tidings of great joy unto this generation.

That verse actually started to take effect for you, the very moment you were set apart. And it is still here! The "hour" (or time) of your mission is STILL here!! And what is your focus, in preaching the Lord's gospel? See the next verses:

4 You shall declare the things which have been revealed to my servant, Joseph Smith, Jun. You shall begin to preach from this time forth, yea, to reap in the field which is white already to be burned.

And here is consecration -- the "all your whole soul" part:

5 Therefore, thrust in your sickle with all your soul, and your sins are forgiven you, and you shall be laden with sheaves upon your back, for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Wherefore, your family shall live.

As I have been emphasizing in our recent visits, you can be consecrated no matter where you are on the "path" of the Lord (i.e., keeping commandments and covenants, repenting "really really" well, each day as needed). Consecration is a matter of offering your willing heart and mind to Him, which is done right where you are, no matter how weak or inadequate you may feel.

And then, this promise, which is even more powerful in light of what Elder Porter said about, "Now is the time for the Gospel" in this region of the world, "... and we must be prepared":

7 Yea, I will open the hearts of the people, and they will receive you. And I will establish a church by your hand;

Elders and Sisters, I pray for God's blessings as we go about doing this. We prepare as we serve as "Consecrated missionaries, working with covenant members, like unto angels, inviting all to act with faith." 

Sincerely,

President Williams

This week we've got exchanges with The Assistants. I'll be with Elder Lewis! Then we'll be going down to Berdsk, and then with Elder Miller and Zhidkov. So this will be a busy week. 

Well!...I wish you all a happy week. If you've got snow, enjoy it! If not, I'm sorry for you. :)

Take a little time this week to seek revelation! God is always ready, but it is us who need to prepare ourselves. Consider what you are going to pray about, and have a notepad and pen to write down thoughts and impressions as you pray. Just by being ready to record revelation, you are putting forth faith that will tell God you really want it. 

Love you all, 
Stay safe, happy and warm

Elder Moore

Pictures:
 Ironwood, Michigan (home) under snow
 Picnic table in the back yard
A painting outside the branch


Elder Stucki and I out front of the big park in our area














Hello!

I found this page on LDS.org... It might help you to understand what kids talk about these days as we are living in a Technological age. :)

Your long awaited questions like. What is facebook?  What is a Hastag? And who in the world is a Blue tooth? will be answered here. :P


Love ya!

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