September 26, 2016

So this week was interesting!  We had Zone Conference and because we have to fly here and back we had some issues with flights and ended up being in Saint Petersburg for 4 days!  Too long, I was wanting to get back to my area the whole time.  Anyway, the title of my email is that because my poor little trainee took after my stomach problems issues, and our whole time in Saint Petersburg he besically couldn't eat anything and was always on the toilet.  Anyway, he lost 15 pounds in about 5 days, sounds about right.  Anyway, he's better now (none of the 12 day nightmare I went through) but he said it's annoying that his pants and collars are already loose.

Anyway, Elder Tribe is awesome, from Bountiful, Utah.  Has 2 siblings and really likes basketball. Which was fun because I really like basketball too, we had a fun time talking basketball for a bit. His best friend growing up was President Eyring's grandson, and so he actually got to meet President Eyring on several occasions and said that that was a big help for him and a real blessing. He also realizes that we're basically just as new at this volunteer thing and that he has stuff to contribute which makes me so happy, because a lot of time trainees don't speak up at all.  We were also staying with other Elders this week in St. Petes, and there was one night I laughed harder than I ever have before, it took me a long time to calm down after that.  

Zone Conferences were definitely the highlight of the week.  We talked about a lot of different things, but the thing that stuck out to me the most was about prayer.  My previous companion Elder Crookshank (now one of the Assistants to President Childs) pointed out the need to pray to know what to pray for.  I honestly hadn't really thought to much about that beforehand, but it really struck at that point the need to rely even more on God, and ask Him, to help us to know what we need.  If he really does know it all then doesn't it just make sense that we should be asking him for what we need to be asking for?  Sorry if that's confusing, it makes sense to me :).  Anyway, I've been applying that a lot as of late and that has been a huge help these last couple days.  The Lord knows what we need better than we know, and the more we rely on him, the more he can help us.  I love the example from Elder Mervyn B. Arnold's talk this last General Conference when he talked about his "angel mother" and that when she was sick and could no longer leave the house, she'd spend her days writing letters to the people she would used to visit, encouraging them, reassuring them, and strengthening them spiritually.  The rest of the day she was entertaining those people that she used to visit by welcoming them into her home when they stopped by.  To many, a little old lady who can't leave the house might not seem to be the ideal prospect for someone to make a lot of change in the world, but to the people that she made a difference for, she made all the change in the world. I love D&C 123:17 and D&C 97:8 which always give me comfort that if we are doing what we are meant to be doing, then the Lord is proud and oh so accepting of us.  

I'm super excited for General Conference this week!  I know I mentioned it 6 months ago, but that's the great thing about it is that there is a new one evey 6 months.  For people who get this that aren't of our faith, General Conference is what we call the worldwide broadcast where the leaders of our church counsel, give guidance, and support.  If you've ever been more curious about what "Mormons" are all about, it's an awesome resource to hear from the leaders of our Church about different things we believe in/try to do in whatever places we might find ourselves.

Love you all!  Have a great week!  Sorry mom, I don't have enough time, I'll answer the question about how much zoo service next week! 

Elder Belnap

September 19, 2016

Dear Family and Friends, 

First off, thanks mom for filling me in on everything that is going on at home right now.  I miss Grandma and Grandpa a lot and it's fun hearing about all the things they do, especially Grandma and her night wandering activities, that really cracked me up!  Also you almost got the чуть чуть right mom, but you forgot the мягкий знак there at the end.  I'm still impressed that the rest was correct though :).  I appreciate you sticking through and writing me a letter although I'm sure you were very tired.  I love hearing the updates on how things are going, and especially the pictures, because it gives me a scope for how high up I'll be looking at Spencer while he grabs the pickles from the top shelf that I can't reach (I've repented by the way and will be sending some today).  

Just a quick run down of the week, and then I'll answer your question about what we do know as volunteers because of the changes.  Well, I got my new volunteer, Elder Tribe, and he's a stud.  I really get along with him well, and we've had the opportunity to get good work done thus far.  We had a lot of time up in St. Petersburg because they had to stay up for a while just to get documents in order and so on, and I could tell by the end of that he was kindof tired, but he was a trooper and stuck it out.  We went up to St. Petersburg on Tuesday and finally got back Friday night.  We did his registration with the members who help us out with that.  It was funny because my ears hadn't popped and I could barely understand English, let alone Russian.  It reminded me of what I felt like once upon a time, and what Elder Tribe must be feeling like right now, which was something I was grateful for as a reminder of what it feels like to be new.  Anyway, the sister in our branch who helps with that was suffering from bad dizziness, and we offered to help her get home (she's a little older than dad, by just a couple of years).  So we helped her on either side be steadied, and slowly made our way to the bus stop, got on, and helped her get to the front steps of her home.  It was a wonderful opportunity to help out someone in need, and just another reminder that God works through us all, and that when we serve people, we're truly carrying out God's will.  That's one of my favorite things about being a volunteer, is the heightened awareness to all the service opportunities around us, it makes me want to make sure I don't miss a single one at home.  

On Saturday we also had a mutual activity with the youth, and helped one learn English.  It was fun, I just stepped back and let Elder Tribe and him take turns reading in English and Russian respectively, and although they couldn't understand one another super well, they immediately had that bonding moment.  We played soccer, had шашлык, and then after that I had a Presidency skype meeting with the other branch presidencies and President Childs just to discuss other things that are going on, and what we should be aware of in the near future, a lot of good information was learned.

On Sunday I conducted Ward Council and our Sacrament Meeting because our branch president is out of the city, he's had some medical problems as of late and had to go see a doctor.  It was a very spiritual day full of very spiritual moments, as well as I was just humbled by the fact that there I was with all these Russians leading a discussion about how we can grow in strength and numbers.  I never cease to be amazed that they understand me and I understand them, and that the Gift of Tongues is a true gift that we can receive as we pray and work hard to learn a language.  I love the people here so much, and it's been a very rewarding year (and some) in Russia thus far.

In answer to volunteer responsibilities, we study like normal, and then meet with people still who are interested in learning the Gospel, serve in the community (both planned and unplanned that we just do as we search for it), we help the members with whatever they need help in (tonight we're making dinner for someone who needs to undergo treatment soon at the hospital for a couple of weeks).  It's really fun because everything is inspired by what we can do to serve at any given time.  Sometimes that service takes the form of teaching people the missionary discussions, sometimes that comes as helping people with English, across the street, petting giraffes (joking).  

I really love being a volunteer and I love you all!  Zone Conferences are this week so I'll fill you in on how those go!

Love, 

Elder Belnap

Cathedral of Christ the Savior

Soccer Game

At the Soccer Game

Калиниградский Оркестр "The Kaliningrad Orchestra"

Elder Tribe (Greenie) and Elder Belnap (Trainer)

September 14, 2016 (received) Dear Brother and Sister Belnap, We are pleased to inform you that your son has received a new leadership position in the Russia St. Petersburg Mission.  We are very grateful for ElderBelnap’s  faithful and capable service.  Attached is a copy of the letter he received concerning this new position.  Have a wonderful day. Sister Hintze Office Secretary THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

RUSSIA SAINT PETERSBURG MISSION Pr. Malookhtinsky 16/1  POM 11-H, 12-H Saint Petersburg, Russia 195112 Voice: +7 (812) 331-3502 Fax:    +7 (812) 331-3503

Российская Санкт-Петербургская Миссия Россия 195112, Санкт-Петербург Пр. Малоохтинский 16/1 ПОМ 11-Н, 12-Н Тел: +7  (812) 331-3502 Факс: +7  (812) 331-3503

14 September 2016

Dear Elder Belnap,

You have been called to serve as a trainer for a new volunteer who will shortly be arriving in the Russia Saint Petersburg Mission.  Being a trainer is one of the greatest expressions of trust that the Lord and I can give a volunteer.  A volunteer’s first companion will have a profound, lasting influence on the development of the volunteer’s attitude and habits throughout his  service in the mission as well as throughout his life. The Lord has chosen you for this because the excellent example you have set.

As a trainer in this mission, it is important that you conduct yourself in such a way that the Spirit of the Lord will always be with you. Your example of loving the Lord and this people, of consecrated obedience, working diligently, and living the mission language will be the principle way you will train this new volunteer. It is vital that you understand and exemplify the standards, and principles outlined in the Missionary Handbook and Preach My Gospel. As you work together with your new companion to strengthen the Church and give Christlike service, you will be able to teach many the blessings of repentance and baptize true converts.

As you begin this new assignment, please thoroughly review the accompanying document, “Responsibilities of the Trainer in the Russia Saint Petersburg Mission.” Additionally, please spend sufficient time in companion study and daily planning to thoroughly introduce the new volunteer to the area, to the members of the ward or branch, to the various ways you are working with your ward or branch, and to current planned service activities.

Please know that I am here to help and support you in this new responsibility, and in all of your service in the mission, and of course, you should seek the guidance of the Spirit in all that you do.

May you find joy in this new assignment,

Larry G. Childs

President

Russia Saint Petersburg Mission

September 12, 2016

Dear Family and Friends,

What a week!  I honestly don't know what to start with, maybe with the subject heading for this email!  So, being volunteers, we try to do lots of service, the more the better, and the other week we really got going on doing service at the local zoo! We've had various jobs, none of which involve us touching/working with animals (the Missionary Department of the Church would probably freak out over that), but thus far my favorite has absolutely been painting the gate for the giraffe cage!

The people at the zoo are so nice, and they've really taken a liking for us, there was one lady there who has started calling me саша because she said that I just look like one, and I speak well enough that I can pass for being named саша, what a compliment!  I've also been trying to help the Branch President a lot and not feel too overwhelmed, but this week I was able to arrange a Presidency Meeting before Ward Council which went super well.  It was the first time we had an agenda for Ward Council which went super well, and we were able to split up responsibilities among us so that we each know over which organization we're in charge of in order to find out if anyone in that organization needs particular help and what we can do to help.  For all my friends who aren't members of our Church, I apologize for the overload of church-related vocabulary, it's basically a bunch of meetings that we have to make sure that things are coordinated and so that individual people are watched out for and given the help that they need.  I was really happy that we were able to do that, because it really showed just how much organization helps.  It's still a talent I'm trying to develop, but it's coming along.  

We had a couple of cultural activites this week, one was a soccer game, which was super fun, and we went with a recently activated man who is very sweet. It was fun, but I enjoyed seeing the Калиниградский Оркестр "The Kaliningrad Orchestra" a lot more.  It's so interesting what good music does to the soul, and watching so many things coming together as one made it really cool.  We went with a member and her friend, and it was wonrderful.  They closed the concert with "My Way" by Frank Sinatra, just the instrumental, and it was awesome.  Reminded me a lot about what our work requires as volunteers, as contributing members of society, it 2 violinists were to go off on different notes, the rest would have sounded just as bad with them, but when it's all working together, it comes together beautifully.  It was actually a really spiritual moment, and I'll be sure to send pictures (the computer still isn't working!  I know, I'm sorry, I know all you want is pictures).

I saved the best news for last, I'm getting a trainee in 2 days!  I'm sad Elder Hawkins and I are ending our time as companions, it was a lot of fun, but I'm also super excited for a trainee.  One thing I've been doing this week is I've started writing out my testimony of each of the points of doctrine in Preach My Gospel.  I've loved it because it really helps me get my feelings out in a coherent way, and then I will be translating to Russian for language study just to make sure all my feelings about what is most dear to me are the things I can explain clearly.  I think it was Albert Einsten that said, "If you can't say it clearly, you don't know it well enough"!

I love you all, have a great week!

Love, 

Elder Belnap

P.S.  Can you add michael.friedman@myldsmail.net to the list?  He was my RA freshman year.  Also, one story I forgot to mention, the lady that we helped walk only a few yards a couple of weeks ago and praised our family all the way back to Adam, well we ran into her again today.  She said pass on to мамичка and папичка (dimunitive forms for mom and dad) health and spiritual strength, she's such a sweet lady and I had to honor her request :)

Love you!

September 5, 2016

Dear Family and Friends, 

First off, thanks mom for the letter, it brought a smile to my face.  I actually got a lot of notes from friends this week that were very much appreciated, and a funny thing from dad last week that made me laugh when I noticed it again.  I want to just say thank you for sharing little thoughts/experiences/ramblings, I love them all and it brings a smile to my face without fail.

This week was crazy!  We had a lot of service opportunities, and it really has been super cool being able to see that people want to hear what we're about and what we are doing here when we've been serving them, and it brings more interest to them when we say that as of know we can't tell them anything, but if they want to come to the address of our building when we're there, they are more than free to do so. There's one lady we do service for that asked us this last week to just pray for her as she was looking for a new job, we prayed all week, and she got a better job (just found out last night).  Prayers work miracles, especially when those prayers are with others in mind.  We're really happy for her, and we're also really happy that we'll be able to continue to do service for her.

This week the Zone Leaders were in for another training, there were a lot of topics covered, but my most favorite was the fact that baptisms will still happen here in Russia.  That the service we are doing will soften hearts, and help people want to listen to why we are here, and what's cool is that we won't have to go to them, but that they'll come to us as they notice that behind our actions has to be some sort of motivation, which is true, we're trying to serve as Christ did.  It was a powerful meeting just as people shared that we'll still have the opportunity to teach people the Gospel, and help them feel the joy that it brings.

The members here are such wonderful examples of that joy, they sacrifice so much, and yet they always have a smile on their face.  Of course they have hard times, that's normal, but they've all found something that they can hold onto that get's them through the hard times, the Atonement of Christ.  It's been humbling working with and serving the people here.  I don't feel deserving of the outpouring of love and trust that I've been given here, and yet it keeps coming.  The people are amazing, and every day brings more humbling experiences.  There was one this week that particularly stuck out to me, that actually was with my companion.  So he and have little disagreements about things often, but for the most part, we sort them out quick, and we're both very willing to hear the other person's side of why they don't think that way, but at one point this week, I just really wanted to prove my point about something that was not even a big deal at all.  Anyway, I got home with my companion, and we just started talking about what had happened, he was pretty annoyed and I was too.  Anyway, at one point his voice got a little raised and he was starting to get flustered, and in that moment I realized that I had totally just let my own pride and my own desire to prove my point cloud my logically thinking.  So as soon as he finished, I just said, "I'm sorry, I was in the wrong, you are right."

And it went away!  The little argument that wasn't really a big deal, but to us at the time it was had just grown and grown until we were both frustrated and flustered, and then I finally realized that I WAS in the wrong, and that I WAS the one who needed to repent and humble myself.  So I said it, and "poof!" it was gone as quickly as it came.  You're right mom when you say, "I takes two to keep an argument going, it takes one to stop it."  The whole situation reminded me that I need to more quickly humble myself and admit when I'm wrong, as well as it reminded me of a talk from this last General Conference entitled, "Be Thou Humble", by Elder Steven E. Snow.  In it he says: "It is especially important to remember humility when you feel contention rising in your home. Think of all the heartache you can avoid by humbling yourself to say, “I’m sorry”; “That was inconsiderate of me”; “What would you like to do?”; “I just wasn’t thinking”; or “I’m very proud of you.” If these little phrases were humbly used, there would be less contention and more peace in our homes."

Humility is so very important because it allows us to be teachable!  Anyway, I've gone on long enough, President and Sister Childs were also here this last weekend (and yes mom, they do send us the stories, I love them too) which was super fun.  I was pretty wiped out on Sunday after about 4-5 hours of translating, but it was good practice and a lot of fun.  I love them both very much.  

Transfers are this coming week, I'll let you know if anything changes!  Also I'll send pictures (maybe) next week!  I try not to make promises I know I might not be able to keep :).

Love you all!

Elder Belnap

29 August 2016

Dear St. Petersburg Volunteers,

Alex  Hulka,

It is with great sorrow that I announce  the death of Alex Hulka.  As many of you know,  Elder Hulka entered the St. Petersburg Mission  two years ago, and had to return home early when cancerous tumors were discovered in his chest.  He underwent numerous cancer treatments,  but none were effective, and he passed away from the disease last Friday.  A week ago Sister Childs and I were able to Skype  with him.  He maintained his usual positive attitude, and greeted us with a smile from his sick bed.  This is a sad day for us, but a sweet day for him. D&C 42: 46 says: "And it shall come to pass that those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them."

Mission Fast

Last week I had you share your ideas with your zone leaders and sister training leaders on how to increase baptisms. We discussed those ideas in our MLC on Thursday,  and you will hear about them in your zone trainings this week.  However,  we decided to act on one idea immediately.  This Sunday, September 4, is Fast Sunday,  and we invite you all to join in a mission fast where we ask Heavenly Father to send us people to teach who are ready to accept the Gospel.

I also sent an email to priesthood leaders in the stake and the mission branches,  asking them to  invite the members to join with us if the desire.  I sent the email after the MLC on Thursday, but  I think that many members have not had a chance to hear it yet. Would you please personally invite as many members, both active and inactive, as you can to join with the volunteers in fasting on Sundayfor more baptisms. It will make a difference.

For your information, this is the email that I sent to the church leaders:

On next fast Sunday (September 4), the volunteers in the Russia St. Petersburg Mission will be fasting to ask the Lord to send us more people to baptize.   I invite you to invite your members to join with us in this fast, if they wish.  We teach our volunteers to do as President Monson has suggested (Ensign, March 2009):

Pray as though everything depended upon God.

Work as though everything depended upon you.

Молитесь так, словно все зависит от Бога.

Трудитесь так, словно все зависит от вас.

We invite the members of the Church in this mission not only to pray and fast with us, but to work together with us as volunteers to find, teach repentance, and baptize converts. I know that God has many children within our mission boundaries who will accept the invitation to come unto Christ and be baptized.  If we work and pray together, God will direct us to these people.

The recent Yarovaya laws have changed the way that missionary work can be done in Russia, but the Lord still expects us as members and volunteers to work together to find, teach, and baptize.  Elder Brent H. Nielson, the chairman of the Church Missionary Department, recently taught mission presidents that: “It is the Lord Himself who has commanded us, ‘Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.’  You and your missionaries have been called to fulfill that commandment throughout the world. Our purpose is the same in every nation. The commandment from the Lord is clear. Our purpose as missionaries is the same whether you serve in Brazil or Poland or Russia.”  (New Mission Presidents Seminar, June 2016)

Obedience

Another topic we discussed in the MLC was the need for obedience.  Without our honest striving to be obedient, we will not have enough spiritual power to be true teachers of repentance.  I would like to share a pair of stories about obedience with you in this letter that we did not discuss in the MLC, but which have been meaningful to me and will help you prepare for the zone trainings.   Both of these incidents took place in Missouri in the late 1830's when persecution of the Church was very strong.  Both involve men who received personal counsel from the Prophet Joseph Smith.

John L. Butler

John L. Butler and his family were faithful Latter-day Saints who were living near Gallatin in Daviess County, Missouri in 1837.  Brother Butler had gone into Gallatin to vote in an election and found there a “furious mob” who had come to prevent the Mormons from voting.   Brother Butler was a strong man and took a vigorous role in helping to defend himself and the other Mormons by driving off the attackers.

The next day, Brother Butler rode into Far West, about fourteen miles away, to speak with Joseph Smith. Brother Butler recorded this conversation and the subsequent events as follows:

He [Joseph Smith] asked me if I had removed my family. I told him no, I had not. "Then," said he, "go and move them directly and do not sleep another night there." "But," said I, "I don't like to be a coward." "Go and do as I tell you," said he. So I started back again and got home about two hours after dark. I then said to my wife, "We must pack up our things and leave here directly, for Brother Joseph has told me to." My wife was very glad for she had been wanting to move for a long time. So we loaded up one wagonload and took it down to Brother Taylor's about one mile and a half and my wife and Malinda Porter, a young woman that was boarding with us, who was keeping school. They packed up another wagonload by the time I got back and we all started off just about the break of day.

Now about sunrise, or a little while after, Brother Gee saw in the distance a large body of men. He said that he thought there was about thirty-odd. He watched them come toward the house and surround it. He then ran down to Taylor to tell them that we were all killed, I suppose, and when he saw us, he said, "Oh, I am so glad that you are here for there are about thirty men around your house to kill you all." I then saw the hand of the Lord guiding Brother Joseph Smith to direct me to move my family away. If he had not, why in all probability we should all have been murdered, and I felt to thank God with all my heart and soul.”  (John Lowe Butler, Autobiography, 1808-c. 1858, http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/JButler.html)

Jacob Haun

Jacob Haun founded a small settlement called Haun’s Mill in northern Missouri in 1835. Over 70 LDS families had moved to this settlement by 1838. When tensions ran high in northern Missouri in the fall of 1838, the Prophet Joseph Smith called for all the Saints to gather to Far West for protection.  On October  25,1838, Jacob Haun met with Joseph Smith at Far West. Recognizing the volatility of the situation, the Prophet told Jacob to abandon the settlement so as to not risk the lives of the Saints in the area. He instructed Jacob to inform the Saints who were living there to leave and come to Far West.  However, Mr. Haun did not deliver the message.  Instead, believing that he could judge the danger better than the Prophet  could, he lied and told the settlement that the Prophet said that “if we thought we could maintain the mill, it was Joseph’s council for us to do so.”

On 30  October 1838, a mob composed of more than 200 men from the surrounding area attacked the settlement of  Haun’s Mill. Fifteen Latter-day Saints were killed during the attack or died shortly afterwards. Two others died within a few weeks. Another fourteen were wounded.  None of the mob were killed. The mob then ransacked the homes and temporary shelters, taking household items and food and confiscating animals.

After the incident, the Prophet Joseph recorded in his history: "Up to this day God had given me wisdom to save the people who took counsel. None had ever been killed who [had abided] by my counsel" (History of the Church, 5:137). Then the Prophet recorded the sad truth that innocent lives could have been saved at Haun's Mill had his counsel been received and followed.

Sources:

Baugh, Alexander L. “Joseph Young's  affidavit of the Massacre at Haun's Mill.” BYU Studies v38, Number 1 [1999].

Cowan, Richard, Encyclopedia of Latter-Day Saint History., s.v. “Haun’s Mill

Eyring, Henry B., “Finding Safety in Counsel”, Ensign (CR), May 1997, p.24.

Wikipedia, sv. “Haun’s Mill Massacre."

With gratitude for all that you do,

President Childs

---------------------------------------------

Sister Childs's letter

Dearest St.Petersburg Volunteers,

President Childs has shared with you the news of the passing of our dear Elder Hulka. We will be forever grateful for the privilege of knowing and serving with this capable, willing, and dedicated missionary. No doubt he will continue to be in the Lord’s service forever. May I share with you a very profound lesson I learned from this humble, and faith-filled, Elder.  Through all that he endured during his battle with cancer, he was often asked how he was able to cope with the pain, the uncertainty, and the disappointment of not being able to do the things he had planned to do. With his characteristic huge smile, Elder Hulka simply responded, “I don’t focus on what I cannot control.” My life has been enriched by knowing and learning from Elder Alex Hulka.

I want to share with you some great news from Novgorod. Like each of you, Sister Johnson and Sister Everitt have been working diligently to find service opportunities. After wading through many potential projects, they received a positive response to their offer of service to an organization that helps blind children. This organization wants to create some fabric books that help the children learn Braille. The books have soft shapes of objects for the children to feel and a story written in Braille below the pictures. The organization was in need of help creating the books, and also with the needed materials to make the books. The Novgorod Sisters had just received the word that the Area Humanitarian office has been given instruction that service projects that are found by Volunteers have first priority in receiving funds from the Humanitarian office. The Sisters quickly called Elder and Sister Higley and they got right to work on getting approval for the project and the needed funds. This is the first Volunteer-found service in Russia to be funded by the Humanitarian office! (Way to go, Sister Johnson and Sister Everitt!) The organization will receive a sewing machine and fabric for the books, as well as the help from the Volunteers to create and assemble the books. What adds to this remarkable service opportunity is that this organization is nation-wide. We will be working with the Novgorod volunteers to arrange contact with other branches of this organization here in our mission, as well as throughout Russia.

This service project is a great example of the potential power of service in softening hearts and building the Lord’s kingdom in this area of the world. This seemingly small group of people who work with the organization helping blind children will share with others the positive experience they have had working with the Church. This information will continue to spread, building the esteem of the Church in all parts of this great country. Other projects are also in the works that will help us with positive connections across Russia. Small and simple things do bring about great things! (See D&C 64:33) What a blessing to be a part of this miraculous work.

I’m still in awe of each of you for the way you have embraced the changes in our work and have taken initiative to explore the many possibilities for doing this work in a manner that will make a significant difference in the lives of so many. Thanks to each of you for being such remarkable, quick-to-observe volunteers.

With profound love,

Sister Childs

August 29, 2016

Dear Mom/Dad/Family and Friends, 

Thanks for the updates and all the pictures!  That looks like such a fun trip, and I hope everyone enjoyed it and didn't bicker at all.  It's sad that I've yet to be to California.  I'm glad things are working well with Tambi caring for Grandma and Grandpa.  I love them so much, and I'm hoping that they are doing well.  I hope things are figured out with dad's dizziness and that it'll all work out soon.  Also, David said he was going to NYC, but since then hasn't filled me in on how that went!  That's so weird that the kids are starting school again, because I feel like my time as a volunteer is coming to an end super quick, but then it gives me peace that there's still a whole school year and some before I get back.  Weird that Spencer is starting his senior year!  Proud of him for biking to school, oh what I wouldn't do for a bike here in K-Grad, SO MUCH WALKING.  But a bike wouldn't be too helpful with all the potholes, weird roads, areas without stop lights, and cobblestone...maybe it's best to walk.

This week went a lot better than the previous week, because we finally found out some things that help us keep the focus a little more on our new responsibilities as volunteers here in Russia.  One of my favorite things about being a volunteer is that we get to do whatever we feel is best at the given moment.  Sometimes that's going to visit someone, sometimes that's doing things that need to get done to fulfill our callings in the branch at the church, sometimes that's making the cake that they asked us to make for the branch activity that we are going to have, sometimes it's sitting and talking to someone and just trying to make a true friendship and now how best we can help them, sometimes it's asking a little babushka if she needs help across the street after which she goes on to praise your parents and your parent's parents all the back to Adam, sometimes it's going on a run with your branch president to help him get into shape and blow of some steam.  Volunteer service is definitely far more diverse than what we were doing before, and it's a blast.  Sometimes I miss contacting and just being able to ask people if they're interested in learning more, you get a lot of no's but the people who say yes and who are open to possibly learning something new that will benefit their lives made it all worth it.  But now, we're able to more fully support the people in our little branch, really come to know them, and feel at the end of every day that we were able to strengthen them in some way or another, and that in some ways we're able to make more of a difference in the community.  People have been noticing our service and we definitely get kinder looks sometimes than what I was used to before.  

The other day I was reading a talk by Elder Per G. Malm who we got to know in Moscow and recently passed away.  He shared a quote by President Joseph F. Smith that I really liked and wanted to share.  It goes: "To my mind, it means entering into the knowledge and love of God, having faith in his purpose and in his plan, to such an extent that we know we are right, and that we are not hunting for something else, we are not disturbed by every wind of doctrine, or by the cunning and craftiness of men who lie in wait to deceive. We know of the doctrine that it is of God, and we do not ask any questions of anybody about it; they are welcome to their opinions, to their ideas and to their vagaries. The man who has reached that degree of faith in God that all doubt and fear have been cast from him, he has entered into ‘God’s rest’”“

This has lead me to ask the question of whether or not I have all doubt and fear cast away from me.  Honestly, I can't say that that's the case yet, but I know I'm in the right direction.  That with anything of a worthwhile nature, it takes practice and experience.  That every time I take a step of faith, I have a little more experience, a little more practice, and a little bit of a greater understanding.  I know it works that way for everyone, and that that level of faith is available to anyone who starts on the right direction and keeps going that way.  I'm excited for the day that I'll enter into "God's rest."

I love you all so much, and I hope you have a great week!  If you want to know about details feel free to ask me questions, otherwise I can't promise answering the questions you might have :).

Love you!

Elder Belnap