Still learning and growing...

Wow, it was soooo great to hear from my family this week. Not saying that sometimes are better than others but for some reason, I was especially grateful to hear from you all. I love you all so much. Dad, I never got a package from you...sssooooo it might have gotten "ukrained" as we like to say. Also, I’m kinda feeling this winter out with what I can handle to see if I need to buy a big coat, but for now I’m doing fine with layers. This was probably the best week of my mission thus far. soooooo, here we go.
Last Wednesday was the youth broadcast for the EER (Europe East Russia) for all the YSAs (Young single Adult) and then later for priesthood and anyone one who had a teaching Calling. It was amazing, Elder Bennett from the quorum of the Seventy, Brother Richardson, the 2nd counselor of the general Sunday school presidency, and Brother Gibson of the general young Men presidency were all there. Brother Richardson was the guy who spoke about hiking in Conference and Elder Bennett about paying attention to the warning signs and swimming in a rip tide. Anyways, after the first meeting with all the youth, there was a break between meetings, and the Assistants to the Mission President say that Elder Bennett wants to speak with all of the missionaries asap. So we were all excited but also kinda nervous cuz it sounded like some chastising was coming our way. So we get in a small room with only the missionaries in our area, so maybe 25 of us and that was all. And he spoke to us....it changed my mission. He starts off by telling us that he is on assignment to come put this broadcast together by Pres Monson. And that he didn’t know why he was to come to Donetsk of all places when he could have gone to Kiev or Moscow where there are actually people that would show up, and where there are stakes...but no...here in little dinge Donetsk where maybe only 50 people tops were there. So he has a specific Assignment to talk with the people and in the middle of the entire thing...he gets this was strong prompting to call a meeting with the missionaries ( the YSA mtg was about eternal marriage so the missionaries didn’t need to be there but were on assignment from our president). He gets in there and had us open to JS history meanwhile telling us that he had nothing prepared b/c he should be doing a broadcast for the entire EER shortly. We start reading the account of the 1st vision, and then he stops us and asks us what happened to joseph during the 1st vision. So being missionaries and having the 1st vision on lock, we tell him. Then in the middle of the account when reading, he stops at the part when Satan comes into to play...and points out that the only thing that Satan could do was bind Joseph's tongue. Then he stops ( btw he is the most loving person and is on the verge of tears) and says that he’s sad that we were even at the broadcast when people were outside "perishing" and we were in side not helping them. But because we were on assignment by our president, it was ok because our mission president has stewardship over his mission and the keys to run it. He then gave us a whole lesson on why Satan binds our tongues and as missionaries even we let it happen let alone when we are just regular people without the tag. It was POWERFUL. he asked some questions and only a few people the entire meeting participated, and it was cool because he said that the spirit can work through when we put ourselves out there ( which is an interesting topic to study ) so I participated...I literally only answered a question and gave my thoughts and my opinion. It was one of the spiritual experiences I’ve had on my mission. The love of God just took over every inch of my body. And all I did was put myself out there. He also said that this mission is hard b/c it’s still in the "Covered wagon stage", and that "because it’s still in the covered wagon stage, we need to teach like Samuel Smith did and talk to everyone". This may not sound very powerful in this letter b/c I’m not the best writer, but I’m not kidding...it was powerful and I just wish you all could have been there to experience it for yourself. The meeting went on for 1.5 hours and the whole time he didn’t care that was missing a huge broadcast to speak to 25 missionaries. He then goes on to say that he could have ignored the prompting but he didn’t and that that night he did as Joseph did, and unbound his tongue. He opened his mouth. I’m not sure if I can even grasp how hard that must have been for him. When he traveled all this way to speak to the entire EER and then bounced to talk to a handful of missionaries. The days that followed were some of the best days of missionary work ever. We got nothing for our area, got 4 referrals for our sisters in the Center area and I’ve never felt like such a missionary, never felt so productive. My mind set has changed and if the only person that took effect with that meeting on wed was me?...it was worth it. God works in mysterious ways. I’ve never been so tempted and worked on by the adversary in my life but at the same time I’ve never been and felt so blessed. We have to experience the depths of sorrow in order to feel the highest of joy. I love this mission. I love the lessons I’ve learned. From so of my studies, I’ve learned an interesting concept. We need not to just believe in Christ, but we need to BELEIVE Him. There is a HUGE difference. Do I actually believe Him? Sure His teachings are great (not taken lightly) but do I actually Believe Him? Think about that and let me know what your thoughts are. I also had the opportunity to speak with Brother Richardson one on one...he learned how to testify in Russian JUST for this one occasion. When I asked him why he told me " I’m here aren’t I?...might as well give it my all." I look up to people like that with the highest amount of admiration. He is a great example to me. Well this was kinda long but I want you all to know that my testimony is building every day and every day I’m being converted to this Gospel. I love you all so much, oh and I just found out that for Christmas....we're Skyping!! Have a great week!

- Старейшина Руни



Tracting in the neighborhood

Getting Colder....

SUP FAM!
Sounds like everything at home is getting into the groove with school, work, and a MARRIAGE! It’s great to hear from you all. I love you SOOOOOO much. Things here are going well. The weather for starters is ALREADY colder than Utah and it’s not ever NOVEMBER! I’m gunna die out here. The temp isn't that low yet but for some reason it likes to be reallll realllly windy when it’s cold out...:) we're doing great though, we're having a great time. This week will be SO COOL. On wed we are having a Young Single Adult fireside and Elder Bennett and Elder Richardson will be speaking to us and yes, it will be in Donetsk at my branch bldg of all places!! It’s for the whole Europe east area I think. Anyways, I’ll be there and it will be awesome! What won’t be awesome is the fact that there will probably be more missionaries there than actual youth. People here just don’t get it and it breaks my heart. We've been working with a less active named Michael and he has a smoking problem (like everyone else here) and we found out that he really wants to do family history work and the best part is that he has a testimony of it and its way strong. What makes me super frustrated is when the home teacher gets called to go over and help him out with it and does nothing. Then our branch president calls Him AGAIN, and still, the home teacher does nothing. Then I spoke with the branch pres. and he told me that Michael's home teachers just aren’t going over there. So we devised a solution, talk to the family history lady for the branch and the missionaries will go with her to teach him how to use family search. So we go over to her place last night to ask her for her help and she kind of just goes off about how this man doesn’t need family search but that he just needs to stop smoking and all about how he pretty much is a lost cause and how she won’t literally walk 5 min to the NEXT APT COMPLEX and spent one half hour with us, to teach him. And it’s just gets frustrating when I want to just take over everything and get things moving here...but it’s not in my stewardship. My job is to invite others unto Christ....Oh and our branch president hasn’t been to church in a month now. Like my companion has never seen him at church yet :) there are also a ton of other problems about how things are run here and well, it’s not run correctly and I just want to help but it’s not my job. Its soo hard to do missionary work here b/c there is no branch bldg. in my area b/c there aren’t enough people at church. So when I tell people on the streets that our bldg. is in Donetsk...an hour away on buses (b/c no one here has their own car unless you're part of the mafia) they get turned off to everything. There used to be a bldg. in our area but then everyone decided to go inactive and so then they combined braches. And the best part is...that we have an area that the church bought and is ready for construction for a brand new bldg. in our area...but we just need members to come to church then they'll ok it for building. It’s a paradox really, people don’t want to listen to us b/c the church is so far away and its costs a ton of money just to get there and back. But if the members just went to church then they could have a closer bldg. and investigators would come more often. Things here are just slacking. We really do have awesome people who really have a true desire to come to church but the honestly just can’t afford it. as;dlkthaeoith;askldjhg;oearit! Anyways, thanks for letting me vent to you all, I feel better :) other than that, things are great! I’m becoming great at having almost nothing to cook with and making edible things! Now I just have to work on making it all taste good haha.. No really though, we're having a great time together and missionary work is great. My mission prep class is turning out good too. Next week I’m taking my class out to a park right by the church and we're going to practice contacting! We practiced it yesterday in class so next week they get to really experience it, it'll be way fun, and I’m stoked for it. Well, that’s all for this week. We pretty much just looked for all the youth to try and invite them to this fireside on wed b/c it’s our priority for now. I really am super happy though, it’s crazy how when you just trust in God, EVERYTHING will turn out. I love personal study; right now I’m studying the time line of the Book of Mormon, in comparison with the Bible...its super interesting and actually kind of fun to see all the connections. Well, I’m going bowling right now so I hope you all have an AWESOME week! I love you all!


- Старейшина Руни

Conference is the BEST THING EVER!!

Those were the sickest pictures EVER!!! The family sounds like all is well! I’m sure the pepper eating contest was a waaaay funny. it reminds me of when we had family reunion in California and we went fishing out of Davey's Locker and me and Nate threw the live bait in our mouths...good times. I honestly have the Raddest family ever. It sounds like things are getting crazy with an upcoming WEDDING!! Blows my mind, can’t get over that still. That'll be a fun P-day getting all of those pictures. We got to watch General Conference in our native tongues!! It was the best thing ever!!! President Monson is getting funnier and funnier. It’s good to see that having a sense of humor is allowed in the church... I think people need to loosen up a bit, especially here haha. I can’t choose a favorite talk b/c they were all sooooo good. It annoys me that I never took advantage of General Conference before my mission, but that’s just another reason why the mission is sooooo important. It really is the Best 2 years for my life. It’s my (and anyone one who has served) school for eternity. Watching General Conference made me way trunky haha, but not in a sense that I wanted to come home really bad, but it made me just want to get my life after the mission started already so I can FINALLLLLLLY apply everything that I’ve learned. Never letting the mission leave you is something that I want to strive to happen when I get back. Families are forever, and there is NOTHING greater. That’s why we're here. AHH I love the Gospel so much. And it makes me sad that I’m just BARELY allowing it to REALLY change my life and I’m a missionary. The more I learn about the Gospel the more I realize that I don’t know a thing! And it’s so hard to see the people here, that much further away from it all. This truly is an Inexhaustible Gospel. What I’ve learned a ton on my mission is seeing things as they really are. After reading a ton of conference talks and byu devotionals out here, you begin to see patterns in the way prophets and apostles speak and write. Neal A Maxwell almost ALWAYS brings that reference up in his talks. It’s SOO crucial to see things as they really are, and to have that eternal perspective about everything. PMG (preach my gospel) is becoming more and more inspired as I dig into it. Here's an interesting concept about having an eternal perspective I think is from PMG....but think of all the people that you associate with every day, even the ones that you might not have the strongest feelings for...they still are just like you in that they also have the full opportunity if they choose, to become like God. Crazy. Changes your view about them doesn't it? I love getting all of your letters! I feel your love. Know that I love you all soooo much, but that God loves you perfectly. Keep working hard and keep being missionaries! None of us are perfect, I know I’m definitely not but this is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day SAINTS. I like the quote that I heard that I have absolutely no idea who wrote it but..."saints are just sinners who kept going". So don’t EVER stop trying and moving forward with your Eternal Goals, and let’s stop living below our privileges! I love you all!! Have a great week!


- Старейшина Руни



Our Branch President and his family...


Bath time, with a little help from a friend, Valentin.... can't wait for winter :o)


The neighborhood....

Mission Prep Class

FAMILY!
NO letter today from anyone?? wooooooow....there's only 5 of you that could write.....its ok I forgive you ;) . You’re all lucky I had a killer week!! So I hope things are go well at home. A lot can happen in a week! How was general conference?!!! I get to watch it in my native tongue in a week when all the translations are done. I guess they put all the missionaries in a room at the church and we chillllll all day and watch conference together! I’m way stoked. Kendra sent me a dearelder!!!!! Kendra! Thank you so much!! You’re the best. Letters mean a lot here so thank you!! I’m glad to hear that all is well Kendra; you'll be a way dope cub mom! Just make cookies and play with fire and all the kids will love you :) keep up the good work, and I’m glad you remembered I like VEGAS ROLLS!!! We’re going again when I get back. Kyle, my man I haven’t heard from you...write me a.s.a.p. fool. Anyways, I love you all and I hope you all have a good week!
This past week was way good. Yesterday was fast Sunday...I love fast Sunday! But other than the sacrament the coolest part was my mission prep class I started!! Sunday we planned everything out and how we wanted to run it and kind of just went for it. After our zone conference I was really motivated with getting youth to serve missions b/c by how it looks now, there won’t be a very strong leadership in the church here if the youth don’t shape up. And we know that temples are going to scatter this land like South America...so I hope that I can help move that prophecy along. So after zone conference there were a ton of ideas that people came up with to try and help the youth here, then I thought back to what helped get me motivated to serve a mission and that was the mission prep classes. It was way cool b/c actually went through with something and did it. Ideas are easy to get going but when it comes down to actually doing something, that’s were people slack (including me). So, we got permission from our branch president and got the word out. There are 2 in our branch that are working on papers to go so that’s who we're aiming toward. B/c we want them to get stoked so that they will get their friends stoked. So we had 2 in our class on Sunday but one of them is debating whether or not he wants to serve and the other is solid. The other person working on his papers didn’t show up but we'll get him next week! It was way cool, it was in a little nursery room but it was all good b/c Sasha (21) said that he felt the spirit and that’s all that matters to me. Another reason why it was so rad was b/c I led the WHOLE thing...in Russian. CRAZY!!! My Russian is so bad but God makes weak things become strong and everything worked out perfectly! So that was yesterday....on Tuesday we contacted this drunk dude on the streets, which we never do. They chose to give up their agency so why would we talk to them right? Wrong...this one was pretty toasted but we decided to go through with it, his Name is Nikol. Anyways we called him Saturday along with another contact that we contacted into and we have 2 new investigators!!!! Nikol blew me away with how prepared he is and it was just another lesson to me that even though we see people who are drunk out of their minds EVERY day...they still need the Gospel too. I’m definitely not perfect so that gives no room to judge. I learn a ton of lessons out here, and I have more and more respect for those that served before me because this is no joke. If I wasn’t on the Lord's errand....I’d be dead out here already haha. Just kidding...but probably. The weather is getting way cold and our apt has no insolation, yup its freezing. I wear a hoodie and sweats to bed already! And the worst part is, that it’s supposed to get 80 DEGREES COLDER!! Last year was a MILD winter I guess and the lowest it got was 40 degrees F in the NEGATIVE....yup, it was nice knowing ya. I’m loving life right now, seriously I feel the love of God so much and I can’t wait to go home so that I can actually apply the things I learn. I figure that I learn a ton of lessons on the mission, buts it’s not until you're on your own to apply them, that’s when things really count. I love being a missionary. It’s so hard, but its way rewarding, this Gospel truly is the Inexhaustible Gospel. I love you all!

- Старейшина Руни

Zone Conference

HIIIII!!!!
That’s crazy that my buddy is in your area!!! He served in Taiwan but then had an infection of some sort then got sent to our mission! crazzzzzzyyyyy we were just talking about him too! Small world. It was great to hear that Alex is official now! Way to be!!! I love hearing about what’s going on at home. Chris Hunt is now married...blows my mind. I love life.
This past week was great! we had zone conference that went for 2 days and from what i got out of it is that we need to start working more with the youth who are ready and worthy to serve missions...and if they're not worthy, we need to get them there! there are 550 members in just the one center Donetsk branch but only 70 are active...there are 650 youth in the age ready to serve missions in my whole mission and only 135 of them are active and only 6 of them are on missions, and the majority of them are girls. So, with that i decided to start a mission prep class for all the youth that are of the age and i just got it approved on Sunday!! I felt like i was in ASB all over again, it was fun to brainstorm what could be done to help the youth. This transfer so far is going great. There are a ton of inactive members in my area that we are going to find! My area used to be bumping and now is one of the slowest areas in the mission, but that’s changing little by little. K so here’s the miracle for the week. We just finished service at the Dacha and Valentyn calls us when we just got home and says something about sis Hatch (senior couple) lost her passport and dredit cards and stuff like that and that he wants us to call Elder hatch and tell him about it....so we tried and no one answered. sooooo, i thought that this was weird b/c the Hatchs were in Harkov with president Campero for the Zone conference up there (8 hours away) and then i got a phone call about Sister Hatch's stuff in the Don Bass (where i live) I guess what happened is that her purse was stolen while at the zone conference and everything was taken except for the passport, credit cards, and a planner; the rest was gone. A woman found the "stash" and looked in the planner and saw a number so she called it. That number was to a woman who lives in the Don Bass who was a member of the church but not active. Then the woman in the Don Bass had no idea who Sis Hatch was so she called someone she thought might know....Valentyn. He then called us. He ends up getting a hold of my branch President who was with President Camero in Harkov...making full circle back to Sis. Hatch. They got the personals back to sister Hatch. So here's why it’s a miracle in a few ways. Earlier that day, Valentyn tells us that he had prayed for a miracle but didn’t know what he wanted...he just wanted one. Also, up in Harkov (being missionaries) they prayed specifically that Sister Hatchs things would "fall into good hands". So....everything turned out perfectly AND the lady who found the passport is now taking the lessons....God's plan is perfect. Oh and to top it all off, from the time that they noticed the purse gone and after the prayer that was said....it only took 8 min to locate it...which means God's plan was already deep into action before they even found out that the purse had gone missing....yup, i was blown away too. Anyways the weather here feels like at home and it’s the craziest thing but the snow is coming soon so that will all go away haha, i love you all!
Have a great week!

Transfers

WOW
What a week, sounds like it was a dream come true. I’m so proud of my family!! Way to do missionary work, one down...only 1000000000034659028437502938750293845 to go :) who's next? Really though, I couldn’t be happier for Alex, its sounds like she gets it. There are a ton of members who aren’t at that stage yet. DAD!! How many baptisms have you done?! Classic...I’m glad it all worked out. Keep up the good work guys; it’s so nice to have a family who is willing to work with missionaries, that’s VERY rare out here, so you guys are a huge blessing. Kimi and Nate are getting married, Kyle is a SENIOR in high school, and Cami has a dope job with Matt Frisbie...blows my mind. It’s great to hear from you all.
This week was a whirlwind of emotions. My trainer left me....that was way harder than I expected. We became a great companionship after these few months together. the mission throws everything at you...it was hard because we both put so much effort into our companionship and now I have to do it all over again. Well, the good news is that my new comp is elder Jordan Smith...yup sis Love's grandson that was in the MTC with me, from Chino. He is in his 4th transfer and I’m in my 3rd....and the whole Russian language thing, well....it’s coming. Our district this transfer is way young. we have 6 and 2 are training ( who haven’t been out a year yet), which means 2 of them just got to the country less than a week ago, and then there is me and my comp, its gunna be crazy. I’ve noticed that whoever your companion is, in the beginning of the transfer...it’s kind of hard adjusting. I just know that we'll get into the groove and turn this place upside down. We FINALLY got a hold of a "ward" list so now we have that to work with which is huge. I have met with only 7 members/ families since I’ve been here (and 2 of those are inactive) and now with this heaven sent list...turns out that we have 52 members in our area!!! This and 5 of those members/ families are active...we've got some work to do. So we had a miracle yesterday but I have to start the story from the beginning. About a month ago I would say, we went contacting (as usual) and ran into a man who was baptized but is completely inactive. His name is Michael (Mee-kh-i-el) and said that we could meet with him. Then I met with him only once after that. We called him yesterday morning and asked if we could meet and he said yes!!! So we get there with a lesson about how to break an addiction because he related a bunch of his problems to smoking and that he wanted to stop (at our last meeting). So we start and everything is going well, then it was as if he got way offended and he told us not to bring up smoking again...so we agreed went on to our back up plan...the Restoration. We asked him if he wanted a blessing and he said yes, but that he didn’t want to sit but to kneel as we gave it. That was powerful. That let us know that he has a testimony and really wanted to change...we will meet with him next week I hope. So that was great but when we got back to our apt I called our branch president to report that we had given a blessing. turns out that our branch president had called about 10 days earlier just to see how things were going and Michael told him of his no job and bad health. The branch president then offered to come for a blessing and Michael said not at that time but in the future....that blessing was given yesterday. We had no idea that branch president had that conversation with him. God's hand is in everything! I’m learning so much right now during my personal studies, that’s “MY TIME" and I love it. Also I’m becoming a pretty good cook :) well, my new companionship will be great and I’m excited for the upcoming transfer. The weather here is stupid. It is EXACTLY like California right now and every time I’m outside if I were to close my eyes....I would be home. Anyways, that’ll change in a few weeks when its starts snowing and getting dark at 4 pm :) I love you all and have another GREAT week for me!

End of Summer :(

Hey guys!
Great to hear from you mom and kimi! Thanks for hooking me up with some good things to read. Sounds like Alex is gunna pull through with the baptism! That’s great. I pray for her b/c its coming fast and this is when Satan will whip out the big guns so Alex...you got this, you're making literally the best decision of your life so hang in there. Other than that, Kyle is a senior in high school which still blows my mind and kimi is getting married....and cami sounds like she’s living the dream. Mom that’s dope that your new principle is Mormon! Way to 9 hours a day! I finally know what that feels like haha; and Dad it’s still weird for me that you're not bishop anymore more but it’s got to be great with all the extra family time.
Well, this week was not eventful in the least bit. The mission is crazy with all the ups and downs. I have transfers on Thursday where I’ll get a new companion!! I’ve heard that I’m staying in my area and that a young comp is coming to me, as in I was with them in the MTC, as in we both don’t speak Russian haha. Its going to be a blast though b/c so far its sounds like the sister in our district will be training and the other missionary will be training as well....young district!!! I’m sad to leave my trainer cuz we've become way tight. He was a friend from BYU before my mission, like we would chill together and now the mission has brought us way close. I’m STOKED to get a new companion though.



The summer days here are over; the weather went from hot to cold in 2 days literally so we're expecting not to see the sun here soon. I guess in the winter it is ALWAYS overcast and the sun goes down at 3:30 - 4 ish and by 4:30ish it’s as if it was midnight....crazy, I guess you literally don’t see the sun for 6 months!! I will be a ghost :) As for Victor he didn’t come to church and we didn’t get to meet with him! When we called him his whole demeanor changed and it was as if he were a different person. I hope that he doesn’t drop us. But I met another AWESOME person on a bus named Andrei; he was in the Soviet Army's Special Forces and is in love with the missionaries. He’s this short stalky guy who is always calling us and letting us know the scores to all the "Shocktor" games (Ukraine’s pro team, means Miners) and he said that since we live in a dangerous area that if we call him he will "take care of us". I honestly feel safe now here I’m not even kidding. We had a great first lesson with him while I was on a split and he fed us this soup stuff that I thought was way good although I didn’t really ask what was in it nor did I want to find out.
Well, honestly that’s all for this week but next week will be a great letter b/c I’ll be going in to my next stage as a missionary! As for the package, I would really like the Voice male cds please!! Especially Christmas! Just burn them and send them over if possible! I’ll try to send pictures today, but most times the card reader thing doesn’t work haha but I’ll try :)
I love you all! Sorry this was a short letter, honestly NOTHING happened this week. But I love you and Have an AWESOME weeeeeek!

- Старейшина Руни