My monkey bite is doing great! I haven't had to wrap it for
the past few days, it’s really kind of a bother anyways. But, if I wrap it then get
lot's of sympathy - and it is also a good conversation starter :) But if I wrap
it then I can't do the dishes or I have to be careful washing my hands to not
soak the bandage. The wound has scabbed over and it looks great. I think I will live. :) I have heard SO MANY monkey jokes and comments
this past week you wouldn't believe it haha. During the training of the 3 new
missionaries there were probably at least 20 made. I am now known as, "that missionary that
got bit by a monkey".
It's always an adventure especially in Russia! I am glad
that you liked the video. Elder Siebach
wasn't even making a video when I first started playing with the monkey. I
asked him to turn it on and then 10 seconds later he munched me! We almost didn't get it but I am really glad
we did. Dang, it really hurt bad. Monkeys
have strong grips and really strong teeth. He definitely had a hold of me and
wasn't letting go if I didn't stop him haha.
The Perkinsons are so great, it feels like I was at home
when I stepped into their house.
This week was good, we were in Vlad for two days and I got
to work with Elder Bacon for a day. He is a great elder, and has a great desire
to share the gospel. All three of the new missionaries here speak really good
Russian. It's pretty cool to see! Elder Bates is my new companion, Elder
Siebach went to Ussurisk. Elder Bates is a really great elder, he speaks
awesome Russian just like Elder Tracy and it is such a blessing. It makes a big
difference in the work. In addition,
Elder Bates has a very strong work ethic
which is terrific. I think this is going to be a good transfer.
At church we had 11 people. That is a lot more than we had last
week and I think the whole meeting was really fabulous. We had a great
testimony meeting, and the three new missionaries got up and shared their
testimonies along with all of the other members. Maybe you hadn't thought about
that before, but each month every member bears their testimony. That wouldn't
work in a big ward but here in a small branch we have that great blessing. The
new missionaries are Elder Bates and Sister Stevenson and Sister Jossie. Sister
Stevenson was in Irkutsk with me for a little bit, and I hadn't met Sister
Jossie before. She's from Kansas. Sister Stevenson is from Utah but has
Polynesian roots.
Speaking of Polynesia, we are having a luau on the 16th of
April. Should be great! It is going to be a big party in Vlad and we are
helping get set up, we are getting some Bob Marley songs and grass skirts.
The number of missionaries definitely fluctuates each month
and it is a challenge to keep all the areas covered. When I go home we will be getting 6 new
sisters. Should be pretty great! Getting rid of some goofy elders and replacing
them with really spiritual giants, the sisters, in here is never a bad thing.
All the sisters that I have met on the mission are very dedicated and more
spiritual as a whole than the elders. They are great, they make us work hard to
try and be better.
That is so cool about Marshall! I am sad though that I won't
get to see him when I get home. I will
have to wait 2 more years. It will be really weird to see him when I finally do
see him.
We are watching Conference next Saturday and Sunday. I am
very excited to see it all. Elder Sayers used to say that it was like the Super
Bowl of being on a mission. It’s the best part of every 6 months. I agree
wholeheartedly.
Not a whole lot happened this week. My studies were good
though. I was reading this week about the Sermon on the Mount. I can't even
imagine how it must have felt to sit at Jesus' feet while he taught the people.
I can only imagine what his voice sounded like. I really love the bible videos
that the church put out, especially the ones where Jesus is teaching. We often
study the Book of Mormon as missionaries because it is our unique message to
the world. We need to be experts in the doctrine because we can't expect the
people on the street to know it already. With that said there is no way that we
can get rid of the Bible. Often people say to us that we aren't right because
we only teach about the Book of Mormon but I have a dear testimony of the Bible
as the word of God. The Book of Mormon doesn't have the same writings about the
Savior like the Bible does. A friend of mine once said that the Book of Mormon
and the Bible are 2 wings of the same bird. That is so true. I am grateful for
the many people who sacrificed their time and resources to translate the Bible
and even some sacrificed their lives for the cause of the Christians.
I love you, and hope you all find time each and every day to
make their sacrifices worth it. That is, don't let all their time and energy be
in vain. Read the words of the scriptures and make them a part of your life.
Elder Gardner
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