Great Week, Petersburg, German Pancakes, and Pskov's first Primary

Dearest all,

This week was great! The first half of the week went by fairly slowly, and we couldn't get a single meeting for the first 4 days. So we ended up talking to lots of people on the streets, and stopping by addresses with no one home. On Wednesday, in the afternoon, we left to Peter and got there within 4 hours which is pretty fast. Normally, it takes anywhere between 5 to 6 hours. We have discovered these smaller private buses that you can order ahead of time that go a lot faster, and they all depart from this mall right next to our apartment. And they also cost about the same. So, we had another Zone Leader Council there with President Clark. Normal, we participate over skype on those, but we needed to go into the city anyways, so we decided to kill two rabbits with one bullet, as they say in Russian (two birds with one stone). 

Our Zone Leader Council was amazing and I learned an incredible amount. We got into very interesting doctrines about obedience and The Letter of the Law and the Spirit of the Law. When I got into this mission, it felt like all of the missionaries made excuses and justified their disobedience by saying they live by the Spirit of the Law. We studied it all out together in our council and learned that the Spirit of the Law is the Higher Law that Jesus taught. It isn't what the law is trying to show, or the point of the law. The Spirit of the Law is living by the Letter of Law and having the Spirit with you, which would never saw to brake a law. It is giving more and not less. By justifying that you live by the Spirit of the Law you are giving much much less. It was way interesting and inspiring. We then had an awesome lunch at the Clark's and left to go back to Pskov.

We had another Zone Training Meeting, this time over skype. We had it at the Senior Couple's here in Pskov, who fed us an amazing breakfast of German Pancakes, thus the random statement of German Pancakes in the title. The Zone Training went very well. The next one will be in a month from now. So finally, we get back to Pskov and get back to work. We met with our new investigator Sasha (guy) who is a friend of a member here. He is progressing really well. The member, Masha, bore an awesome testimony about her baptism and her conversion which helped a lot. We met with a few others this past weekend.

We had three miracles this week:

1. Our investigator, Yulian, came back from Moldova after about a week or two. He called us himself and asked if there still will be church. And he came for all three hours again and loved it. We met and talked some more and he has read already into page 110 in the Book of Mormon and marking where he has got questions. He is incredibly sincere. Since our last meeting, almost a month ago, he has been praying everyday like we have told him to, and he really feels the Book of Mormon is true because he feels really good when he reads it.

2. Our investigator Family, the Lebedyevs came to church! All 6 of them! It was not easy for them to get all together and go on time. They came to the last 10 minutes of Sacrament Meeting. The wife loved Gospel Principles, which we held in the primary room so that the parents could be with the children. We haven't had a full family with little children in Pskov in years, so we kind of had no idea what to do. They then had Primary combined with Relief Society in the Nursery/Primary room. The family all loved it. Sergay had to go, so he took his wife with him, but the 16 year old daughter was thoroughly loving Young Women's and stayed with her 2 younger sisters who were playing in the Nursery with Relief Society. So, if there is any kind of problem to run into, I guess this is the best one to have. How to incorporate a family of 4 kids in the branch calling-wise... 

3. We got a call from another investigator Sergay, who is one of my favorites. About a month ago, he fell back into alcoholism, and has lost all self control. He called me to tell me hadn't drank in 24 hours and that he admits that he is an addict and lost his self control. The is the first step in the 12 step addiction recovery program that the Senior Couple runs. Sometimes it is the hardest step, to admit and recognize your addiction. He is ready to move on. So we stopped by again with the Gardiners to do the program with him last night. He told us that when he first saw Elder Gardiner (the senior missionary), he wanted to be like him. He is ten years older but looks ten years younger than Sergay. He decided he wants to change his life and fix his bad habits. It was a powerful meeting. I have never seen Sergay so humble before.

This email is quite long! I did not realize. In other news, I am staying here in Pskov for my last transfer! This will be the longest I have been in a given area. I can't complain. This is probably my favorite area too. Well, the church is true! I am incredibly happy that I am a missionary. I honestly love these people with all of my heart.

Love,
Elder Tekulve

Busy week! And Dinner at the Gardiners

This week went incredibly fast. I am still surprised that it is already Preparation Day. We had a lot of stuff going on this week, and a lot of little funny moments.

First off, our family we are teaching! They are doing great. They are the Lebedyev's, or in English, the Swansons. Slippy, Slappy, Swanson, Samsonite. They are just an amazing family. It is pretty hilarious teaching them because there are so many different distractions and things almost going on. They've got this baby wolf puppy that is always just jumping around, a hungry cat always making weird noises, babies running around, telephones ringing, but somehow, they Spirit is still always there. They are very receptive. We had a funny Family Home Evening at their place with the Senior couple, the Gardiners. We ended up watching the Restoration film there to get the children interested a bit. And for some reason, they have this Teaching of the Presidents of Church : Lorenzo Snow book, and they have been reading it and liking it. They are probably the only investigators ever that know who Lorenzo Snow is. They probably even know more about him than me and my companion do. We had organized for them to come over for dinner at the Gardiners. The Lebedyev's absolutely love them, so it was the perfect plan. Bring them over, eat, and then teach there. But the problem was that they were 3 hours late because of all sorts of problems. So, because of our strict schedule, we ate without them but had a little miracle. We invited a member, Masha, who plays the role as the children's 2nd mom during the lessons, and this Masha ended up bringing a friend, who we then ended up teaching. So no complaints.

This week, we were basically a super team with the Gardiners. They are specialists for the 12 step program for Addiction Recovery, so we started the program with an investigator of ours who fell back into alcoholism. It was an interesting meeting with this man, because during the duration of the meeting, he got aggressively drunk. He is such a great man but just needs some help, and he wants it. He recognizes it too. We met with some other new investigators this week with the branch's help. It's really funny. I really love this branch because they are ALL so willing to help anyway they can. Even though it is really small, it is probably the most supportive branch in terms of missionary work. 

Next week is transfer week, and I can't believe it is my last one. There is a big chance I will stay in Pskov, but that is determined this next Saturday. Things are looking up here in Pskov, as investigators are progressing, the sun coming up earlier and earlier and setting later and later (but it is still pretty cold), and the branch growing. This really is a special time for me, and I am loving it so much here. I love Russians, I love the Russian language, and I love Russia.

Love,

Elder Tekulve

Talking to lots of people!

Dear Friends and Acquaintances and Families,

I do not have much time this week for a big email, but as the title states, we talked to a lot of people this week! It is pretty interesting to try to compare missionary work with something that can be summarized in just a few words. I would say that it is constantly talking to thousands of people constantly for 2 years. Now, dear reader, you may think that your mouth would get dry from excessive talking. Yeah sometimes, you're right. But whatever.

So anyway, this week a lot of our meetings didn't work, which was a bit of a bummer, but we kept on going. We met a few great new investigators this week. One of which we just found on the street. His name is Igor and we set up a meeting and he showed up! He is incredibly interested in the Book of Mormon. We tracted a new investigator named Zhenya as well who was just about to close the door, but I quoted a scripture saying that "the Glory of God is intelligence", and he for some reason let us in. We had a great short meeting and we are going to meet again this week. The next day, as we were walking back from a meeting that fell through with another investigator, we ran into a man named Dima. He had seen young guys with suits and backpacks all the time, and wasn't surprise that we stopped and talked to him. He is a great young guy who is just here working. He invited us right in and we sat and talked and taught a little bit. We got him to prayer at the end, which was kind of hilarious. It wasn't any fault of his own, but ours. We didn't really explain prayer too much, but he has got a lot of potential. Those were the great things that happened this week!

We were unable to meet with that great family from last week, but we had a cool little miracle yesterday. We had the branch president and the senior couple at Karl's place to help him out with something (we were not there). After which, they stopped by this family and they set up a Family Home Evening for tonight for all of us. So we are stopping by tonight with the Restoration DVD and some treats. I will let you know what happens.

I love being a missionary and I know that I have been called to a mission where I am greatly needed. I know these people need the gospel in their lives. I am just thankful that I am still here working in this part of the Vineyard. This Church is true, without a doubt, and this Gospel really has been restored in its fullness!

I love you all!

Love,

Elder Tekulve

Frost and the Old New Year 2013

Interesting Fact - There is a popular trend here in Russia. It is the 24 hour flower shop. They have them all over the cities; a flower shop that never closes, in case you need to get that last minute rose at 4 in the morning.

There were many awesome miracles this week. Seeing how I wrote last Wednesday, since Wednesday we have been incredibly busy. We found a family to teach this week! They are actually the neighbors of our investigator Karl, and they are incredibly interested in our Church. It is a family 6, the father Sergay, the wife Yulia, and their 4 young daughters. I have been praying and searching for the past 7 months to find and teach a family here in Pskov. They are incredibly interested in how the Church and the Gospel blessed families. We showed the husband the primary room, which goes unoccupied on Sundays because of the lack of children in the branch, but it made him even more excited to bring his family. We had a great meeting with him and and his family last Thursday, albeit a little loud, with 3 young children running around, a strange uncle, other things, etc. But the Spirit was there and Sergay prayed awesomely in the end.

We also found a few other awesome investigators, namely Volodya and Vladimir out of no where.Vladimir invited us to his work place the next day at the hospital and we met and taught him there. We invited Volodya to the branch to take a look and also sat down and had a great meeting. (Well, at this time, I was on an exchange with another elder teaching that family, but the other elders found Volodya). Volodya then came to church for 2 hours, and Sergay eventually came for the last 20 minutes of the 3rd hour. Our investigator from Moldova came back from Moscow and we had the chance to teach him again. He is about 50 something pages into the Book of Mormon now. 

So last night was the Old New Year. Well today is, rather. It is not a terribly big holiday, but it was once celebrated back in the day before they adapted to the modern calender. There was a lot of frost all over the trees yesterday which made Pskov look rather remarkable. The trees were all white and beautiful. Last night, we met with some of our other investigators Sergay and Raya. Sergay has recently fallen back to alcoholism, so we got there, woke him up, and did a power atonement/power plan for him to quit and to realize that he is sick. He has difficulty admitting that he doesn't need alcohol, because he had been an alcoholic for 33 years, but had quit for another 3 years, and recently fell back in old dangerous habits. He was really grateful that we stopped by and are there to help him. We are meeting again soon.

The more and more I have lived here in Russia, the more my testimony about the Word of Wisdom grows. The difference of someone who lives the Word of Wisdom and someone who doesn't is black and white here. I know with all my heart that was indeed revelation given to Joseph Smith almost 200 years ago. Our bodies are indeed temples.

That is about it for this week! I love you all!

Love,

Elder Tekulve

I survived New Year's!

Interesting Fact - When you weigh your fruit, you got to weigh it yourself and print this sticker from a machine that you put on your bag, and then they scan it when you check out. They sometimes sell pre-weighed fruit. One time I spent 20 dollars on 4 apples because I didn't realize they weighed it wrong. I got my money back, of course, but I was in shock when my 4 apples costed 600 rubles, weighing 7 kilograms. 

So this week, we found ourselves talking to a lot of people! We hit the turf this week and did a lot of finding and street contacting. It was the post-holiday season, meaning the hang-over season and we got a lof of interesting reactions to our procelyting activities this week, but nothing is bringing us down here in Pskov. I really do love this place and I love these people and I am doing all that I can do help them. This last monday we had to stay inside most of the day to stay out of the partying crowds for New Years. I finished the Old Testament finally! I didn't get to finish in 2012 unfortunately, but I am glad I am done. That book was rather intense. Ezekiel has been quite the endurance test.

We found a really awesome new investigator this week. His name is German and is around my age. He has like 8 cars or something like that and just loves everything to do with cars. We had an awesome lesson with him and a member and taught him the Restoration. We really tried to explain it to his level, which was a lot of fun. At the end, he understood really well and made the comment, "Why doesn't everyone understand this?" We haven't been able to meet with him in a while because of our conflicting schedules, but our investigator and that member have been talking a lot on Facebook. The member fellowshipper even taught him how to prayer! I really love this branch. All of the active members are so solid and do so much to help out.

We a funny little meeting with Karl. We took him over to the senior couple's apartment to have them get to know each other. Karl is just.. Karl. But I love him to death. He doesn't really want to hear the gospel, but loves the people in the branch, loves the missionaries, and loves coming to church. He finds everything so interesting. So we tried to get him to meet the senior couple here and the conversation got kind of political as I was translating for both him and the senior couple. It was actually pretty hilarious, but we kindly changed the subject to something more gospel-related... like families! Karl and the Gardiners and some branch members got together again last night, while we were in Petersburg. Karl came to church this last sunday and wants us to meet his neighbor who is interested in hearing the message. He has 7 children. I have been looking for a family to teach my whole mission. Maybe the Lord led me to Karl to find this family? We will be meeting with them tomorrow.

We had a great sunday this last week. We had investigator come with a friend, and Yan come who hasn't come for 4 months or so. The Gardiners took him and has family iceskating and I think he is starrting to open up since then. That's great success! We had 22 people at church which is a lot for us haha. I love these little branches. They are just great.

We went to Peter and back this past few days, which explains my absence of writing. It was great to go back to my old area. We met with one of my favorite families in Center, the Bagdasrayans. We had a great spiritual thought about repentance and the Assistants there are helping them share the gospel with their friends. I had my last visa trip yesterday. I was with Elder Clark during the trip which was nice. He is my first companion in the MTC, and it was great to catch up with him. I haven't talked to him in some time. That's about it for this week!

The Church is true without a doubt. I know that with all my heart. I know that I am on the Lord's errand and I am so blessed to be here in Russia.

Love,
Elder Tekulve

New Year Madness and Building a Bed

Interesting Fact - again, I will repeat this one from maybe last week or the last year's email. New Year's is the BIGGEST holiday in Russian, with Victory Day in second place. We have to go inside and stay inside at 5 tonight to stay away from the crowds and crowds of people.

So this week, we didn't have too many teaching opportunities, with the exception of our Moldovan friend, Yulan (Julian in English). He is incredibly sincere and really wants to know that Jesus Christ really is his Savior. He explained that he is thirsting for something in his life and really wants to know if the Book of Mormon really is true. I don't think I have taught someone with that much of a desire. He is awesome. He is left to Moscow yesterday, but should be coming back on the 8th or 9th. We hope to make contact with him throughotu the week. Honestly it feels like weeks are flying by and I really don't remember what happened this week or last week. Time really is a funny thing.

I think I told you on Christmas that I made this big rice dish called Plov for Christmas. It's this Uzbekistani dish with carrots, onions, and chicken. It's probably one of my favorite things to eat here in Russia. That and Borsht. Holy smokes! Well we have been eating that pretty much all week this week. It's fun training a new missionary again, because I get to show him all of the treats and foods of Russia. He is highly allergic to peanuts, like Kyle was, so he has to avoid some things and I am constantly reading the ingredients in our foods to make sure there are no peanuts haha. But luckily, you have to really search hard for peanuts in Russia. The strange custom of eating peanuts at sport events or  at texas stake houses aren't terribly practiced here. So good for Elder Abbott!

On Saturday, we had an interesting service opportunity. Our new convert, Byachislav recently moved to a new place without any kind of bed. So we got him a roll up mattress and then got pieces of wood and built him a bed. While he was at work, a few members of our branch, namely the Babooshki, the Senior Couple, and we all went into his apartment to build this bed from scratch. Luckily Elder Gardiner (the senior couple missionary) is a Aerospace Engineer and knows how to build stuff, so under his direction and the leadership and devotion of Sister Vera Pavelna (the coolest Babooshka in Pskov), we built Byachislav a pretty sturdy bed. It failed it's first test with one of testing it and having it snap.... But we enhanced and now Mr. Byachislav has a great bed to sleep on. The fun thing about this project was transporting the pieces on over to his place. We had to stand in a PACKED bus with pieces of 2x4 and bags of tools for 20+ minutes. The bus was far more packed than any metro ride in St. Petersburg.

Like in America with the last minute shoppers for Christmas presents, they are thousands of last minutes shoppers here in Russia shopping for New Year presents. All of the malls and markets are just packed. It's relatively warm now in Pskov. +3 degrees celsius which is 30 something. So there is a lot of slush and water, but the air is a lot more tolerable. The windchill doesn't rip your face off right now... How great a blessing! hahaa

Well that's it for this week! I love you all. I know this Church is true and that this is a gospel of change and progression. We can progress and become better everyday. The New Year is a great way to set those goals to improve and become a better disciple of Christ. I have got some goals for next week, and a goal that I set last New Year's that I need to finish... I need to finish the Old Testament! I have 100 pages left.... Wish me luck!

Love,

Elder Tekulve

Merry Christmas!!!

Interesting Fact - Christmas in Russia is not tomorrow. I mentioned this last year. Tomorrow is just Tuesday, the 25th of December. 

So we had transfer week this week and I picked up my new companion, Elder Abbott. So on Tuesday morning, we headed into Peter. It is just as cold as it is in Pskov. I think a little bit colder because they have got stronger winds, but definitely a lot less snow. We had our Christmas Devotional and were taught by President Clark's return missionary children. 3 of them spoke to us, one on skype, and we had practices and learned how to be a better missionary. Maybe to the normal reader of this letter, that probably sounds like a strange Christmas Gathering, but one must understand that we are missionaries and we don't have much of an opportunity to celebrate holidays via parties, gatherings, get-togethers, barbeques, fireworks, etc. But nonetheless, it was fun and most importantly we had food. Some lasagna and salad. Good times! So we then had to literally race back to make our microbus back to Pskov. I went back with the Senior Couple, the Gardiners, through the metro. That was my companions first few moments in the metro and it was rush hour and we had luggage and all of that fun stuff. But after 40 minutes of sweating in winter clothes, moving suitcases around, we finally made it our bus, and four hours later, we are back in our apartment. 

So this week, we were supposed to have a baptism but it hasn't worked out yet. We are meeting with Kostya again tomorrow to see what has happened and to know how we can help him out. So no big worries, I still got the faith that he can be baptized! 

So we survived the end of the world, I guess. So that was a plus! And we also found a new investigator this week by the name of Julian. He is from Moldova and he is incredibly interested in the Book of Mormon. We had agreat lesson with him last night with my companion. Elder Abbott is a great companion! A little quiet. Something that I am not used to, but he is awesome and incredibly dignified. It is going to be great training him these next 2 transfers.

That was more of less last week for you in 3 paragraphs! I did it! 

I realized that prayer really is an amazing thing this week. We always get the answers that we need, and not what we want. Anywho, the Church is true! I love being here serving the Lord. It's awesome. Especially during the Christmas season. 2000+ years ago, the Lord was indeed born, and that through Him, Heavenly Father gave us the chance to return to Him and live with Him again. 

Love,
Elder Tekulve

Merry Christmas!