Week 13

Barev! Hello to all who read this. Things have been good here this last week, hard and tiring but good. Elder wood and I have been very busy. We are meeting with a lot of less actives right now and trying to fellowship and earn the trust of all. This last week and through out my time here in Aliverdi I have gained a big testimony of being in the right place at the right time. It happens everyday as a missionary serveral times a day. Its very neat to see things unfold, knowing that you were guidied to that person for a reason. It is great here but most everyone is not interested in what we have to say and those that do will hear but wont listen. So many have such hard hearts to anything other than their own religion which they see as apart of their culture. And most claim to be christians but dont act like christians at all. Its a very sad thing to see. We have had a tough week, so many rejections and insults and meaningless threats its a very sad thing to see a lot of these people harden their hearts. I got really bugged by a guy forcing his 1 year old to drink liquior and then laughing with his friends about it when we walked by. Its times like that when its hard to be a missionary and staying disciplined enough not to let your emotions get the best of you. Its hard to hold it all in at times and to see the sickness of some people. Honestly I feel bad for them and want to help them, but I know at the end of the day we did our best and we gave them the oppourtunity accept this gospel. The only thing that will bring them true happyness and so many reject it. Its hard to not let it get to me, its a sad thing to see them walk away from something that will change their lives. Don't get me wrong there are some great people here and they make it all worth it and they make up for the miniorty of who I just spoke of. The members who actually are and can be called members that are active are some of the best in the world. So devoted and they try to do their best and they are blessed for it. I am building close realationships with all of them and getting to know them personally. Its a great area and is growing fast. As soon as we get a building for church I know that this area will take off. It has a lot of potential and I can feel the excitment stirring. The language is coming along little by little each day just staying patient with it, it is what it is and I am glad I made peace with that before I arrived in country, I have also been very blessed to be patient with myself, the language and my companion ( who is by the way amazing,we get along great). We have a few Investigators at the moment and a lot of potential ones. None are really progressing though and none really want to meet or they try to avoid us, so we are praying for them and we keep trying. There are a lot of stuggles here and in every area and I am sure in every mission, ( our fridge and toilet doesnt work, cold showers, I had food poisioning for a few days, white washing a difficult area as a trainee, the language and not being able to show personallity as much as I want). These are a very few of the inconviences and curve balls that life has thrown at me lately, my point is that as missionaries and people in this world we have things that happen everyday that doesnt go our way most of you proabably have a lot bigger trials and burdens. However ss I have learned lately that it all matters on how you deal with and adapt to those challenges. Its so important to not shrink in our trials but to change our attitude and perspective in the times of our trials. Its something that I think is very important, to always stay faithful in our trials as well as out of them. Well Its a short one this week but I hope that you all know that I know that I love it here and that the lord's work is hastening; I am honered to be apart of it and serve as a disciple. My understanding and love for the savior is increasing each day its such a neat thing to see in myself (and on a less selfish note) in the members and investigators when we were able to meet with them. I love you all so much. I really do. I miss you and am sad to be missing out of your lives but I know this is where I am suppose to be and I have a such a strong testimony of our savior Jesus Christ and God the father and NOW I can truly say that I would give a lot more than 2 years for this knowledge. God be with you.

Love Elder Lunt