Week 69- AUSUST- Hi Ho Hi Ho

"I have often said one of the greatestsecrets of missionary work is work! If a missionary works, he will get theSpirit; if he gets the Spirit, he will teach by the Spirit; and if he teaches bythe Spirit, he will touch the hearts of the people and he will be happy.There will be no homesickness, no worrying about families, for all timeand talents and interests are centered on the work of the ministry. Work,work, work—there is no satisfactory substitute, especially in missionary work.” (President Ezra Taft Benson. Preach My Gospel, Pg. 121)
I think every missionary can admit to falling in "the rut" at one if not many times during their mission. And you know missions...if you're comfortable you are obviously not doing something right. Yup, i was victim of falling face first in that dirty rut, and so Zone Meeting came just in time to the rescue! Fake proposals, free roses, arm wrestling and the most amusing role playing i have ever done sparked something inside and suddenly missionary work was once again...FUN WORK. And you know, work really does bring the greatest happiness. I mean, just think about it! I don't think i can think of anything else that brings such immediate and gratifying joy than missionary work, which really is nothing more than serving others. Even if you never see the reaction of the person you serve or the results of your efforts the feeling is amazing when you just make up your mind and do it. So if you're feeling a lack of special joy serve someone. Someone who doesn't expect it. If you don't know who, pray. I triple dog dare you, and we'll see how you feel.

THE ZONE

On the way home we had to stop by the store and stopped a babushka asking if she needed a bag for her banana's which NATURALLY would start up a conversation about the gospel, and bada bing bada boom...i got her number. My brilliant companion caught me in the act. 

So when you get down to it, the only wrong way to do missionary work, is to not do it. Simple, right? So that got me thinking...we're all great members. We read the our scriptures, we pray, we go the church, we CTR it up all day 'ery day, but it's time to step it up and asking ourselves, "Am i a great member missionary?"
I recently made the missionary newspaper for the ward and quoted a commitment from Elder Ballard when he said, "I feel I should follow up on was delivered just last general conference, when I encouraged members to pray to be led to at least one person to whom they could extend an invitation to learn about the restored gospel before Christmas."
.......Ohhhhhhh THAT commitment.....was that THIS year?
Well Christmas is coming up buddy ol pal, have YOU been working on that extended invitation? 
How you ask? Well here's 3 steps:

1. Living the gospel principles (attract in those elect by living the life of a good member!)
2. Beginning gospel conversations! It's not as bad as you think. If someone were to ask how your week was don't just brush it over with a, "Good, thanks." but plump it up with a, " It was great! I went to an awesome conference and heard this really cool story about..." lada lada lada. Honestly i would be more creative here but the clock is ticking
3. Never go to any church event without atleast inviting someone to go with you. Even a member. Heck, we all need help, and who knows who THAT member knows
4. Im adding this one because it's gold: PRAYER. Don't be shy, use it!

For FHE  we met with the Primary President who is in training to mastering the "French tip" and i happily volunteer thrilled at the thought of feeling like a girl. The process took a bit longer than we thought and we actually had to return the next morning for her to finish, and so i did my personal study right there and then. Talk about pampered studies!

And behold the the 6 out of 10 broken nails as a result of ultimate frisbee. Well, it felt nice to be a girl for a little time atleast....

 Guess who went out to a horse farm in the middle of the Ukraine wilderness? This sister! I swear i felt like i was right in Utah! We met up with one of our potential investigators who comes to English who has a passion for rapping in Russian and a passion for her white stallion who stays out at a horse farm, so we joined along with her!

And if you go just a little further you'll find the disco club!

We may or may not have thought we missed out bus and tried to hitch hike back into town...

Elder and Sister Watt's, the sweetest and spunkiest senior couple in town took us out to lunch in mourning of Sister Roberston going home in only two weeks now. How better to mourn than with a hamburger as big as your face?

So my camera took a little fall and will randomly choose to not focus during once in a life time moments. No big deal Cam, thanks.

There's power in chocolate. A LOT of chocolate. The more chocolate the more power so go crazy. Im telling ya, brownie contacting is where it's at!

Im pretty sure by blogs are officially lame and the most random things ever. Me and ticking clocks were never good friends. I love you all! Missionary work really is FUN work, so go out and have some fun!

XOXOXOXO
-Сестра Ро