My last week as a missionary... Well last week was my full week and I guess this week doesn't really count because I'm heading up to Moscow tomorrow. I have to tell you though last week was the most amazing, stressful, emotional thing of my entire life. I'm here to inform you that WE HAD A BAPTISM!!!!!!!!! Such a complete miracle and blessing. Hazam was SO ready though. This past weekend was probably the best part of my mission. So here's what went down.
Hazam works at night. So he went to work at about 6 pm Friday night, then he had to be at the church at 12 the next day for his baptism which was at 1. Also it was his birthday:) So the morning of we were out picking up trash next to the river for a service thing. As I was staring out into the river and looking at the city of Voronezh I just got this strong feeling that god had excepted the work I've done here. Then I just thought how grateful I was that THIS was my last weekend and I have a baptism!!!!!! Like this doesn't happen. I thought about it too and I realized that If I would have extended my mission I probably would not have been in Voronezh right now. It's amazing how God knows exactly what he is doing.. So nuts!! But I feel so blessed and most the time I don't feel like I deserve it!!
So 12 comes and Hazam and Hazar show up, mind you it was Hazam's birthday:) And when they walked in they were just glowing. I can't even explain how happy and excited I got knowing that this was actually happening? I was about to have a baptism!!!! So he got changed.. went down to the font and took some pictures. Now you notice that I said font.. So if you don't know Russia is probably the strictest mission in the world. There are SO many rules and especially recently because of all the political stuff. I guess President Klebingat found out that we were doing a baptism in the river and shut it down. I guess it was just going to cause problems.. so we had to do it in the font.. which broke.. We had scrubbed it the whole night before and thought everything would be good. But as it was filling the pump broke. So we had a hose running into it and elders running up and down the stairs trying to fill up the font with buckets. Ahaha barely made it...
The Baptism it's self was incredible. Hazam was so excited and it was so cool seeing Hazar's face as he was getting batized!! She was crying and as we were going upstairs she's like fist pumping her hands in the air celebrating!! It's such an unreal moment when you see someone get baptized. I can't really explain it. I guess those who have served on missions know what I'm talking about yeah?? Haha indescribable!! After we went down into the kitchen for treats and we surprised him with a birthday cake and a sign and sang happy birthday:) I've never felt so happy in my entire life!! It was a great day!!
So Sunday comes and Hazam ended up going right back to work after his baptism and then after work again he came to church to receive the Holy Ghost!! So he has now been up for 48 hours through this entire thing. He was so excited to receive the Holy Ghost. I think more excited then getting baptized! haha During the blessing the spirit was so strong and I just had this feeling like we did it!! He is officially a member!!!!!! Haha when he was walking back to his seat he literally was glowing and just had this smile on his face. The whole thing just seems like a dream to me. It doesn't seem real that I had just experienced a baptism. But I think that's what it means by incomprehensible joy. Because it's so true. It's so different then any other joy I've felt in my life. But we did it!! My last weekend I had a baptism:):):):) In Russia!!!!!!!!
So I'm not going to lie.. I never thought I would reach this point on my mission. I literally thought I was going to die here and never return home haha.. which who knows I still haven't come home yet;) just kidding mom!!!!!! But really.. How did I get here? How have I lived in Russia for 16 months.. preaching the gospel in Russian? I'm just a simple person and yet I've accomplished something that I never even pictured I would do in this life time. My mission has completely changed my life. I honestly would not have done anything else at this time then what I have just done. I remember leaving and thinking what the heck am I doing??? I don't even know why I'm going on a mission... I had no purpose.. All I knew is that I needed to go. But I trusted that. I trusted that Heavenly Father knew what he was doing and that everything would work out. And that's what I came out with.. And even as time went on I still didn't understand why I was here. Why I was spending every day doing things that made me feel uncomfortable or scared. Now that I've reach the end I know why I'm here and why god wanted me to serve a mission in Moscow, Russia. I was called to serve because I made a promise to my Heavenly Father long before that I would help him find his children. I was called to serve to bless my family and my future family. I know without a doubt through meg's and my service (soon to be chan's) our family has been so blessed and will be for the rest of our lives. I was called to find the people that I helped bring to the waters of Baptism, especially Hazam and Hazar:) I was called to make friends that I will have for eternity! I was called to realize what the gospel even was and why it's important. I was called to learn to take care of myself and live on my own. I was called to strengthen my relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I was called to learn how to do hard things. I was called to serve so I could learn to set goals and accomplish them. I was called to serve to meet these Russian people.. to be yelled at, to be threatened for my life, to be ridiculed and mocked, but also to help these people, to feel their love, to strength them, to tell them that there is a god that loves them. To learn everything I can from them to become the person that God wants me to be. I know that I would not be this person I am now if I had not gone on a mission if I had not experienced every single thing that has happened to me on my mission. I know that by small and simple things, great things come to pass. My success does not matter by how many baptisms I've gotten because I know that there is so much more then that. I love Russia. I love my mission with all my heart. I love Russian people SOOO much.. haha they are crazy, but so incredible. I know I can do hard things. I know what every emotion feels like:) haha I know that with God ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. I know that this Church, The Church of Jesus Christ is true. It's not a part of my life anymore. It has become my life and I hope to keep that the rest of my life. I know that Jesus Christ is MY savior. He has carried me through my entire mission.. I am so weak. There were times, many times I was done. I couldn't go anymore.. but he lifted me up. Energy and desire to do the work would randomly come out of know where. I learned to walk with him day by day. I know that Joseph smith is a prophet of God and so is Thomas Monson. I know without a doubt families can be together forever which is probably the greatest blessing God could ever give me. I know that we aren't alone. That we always have a companion with us and that's the holy ghost. He will guide and help you, but you just have to be willing to listen. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. It is a book that is specifically given to us to help us learn and grow and become like our Savior. And to help us to return to our Heavenly Father. Ah I love my mission. I love everything about it and it kills me to think that this is it.. this is the end.. I'm terrified to come home.. I have no idea what I'm doing. But as always, like coming out on a mission, I have to trust him that everything will work out. Thank you everyone for all your support and prayers. I can't believe it's the end but I love you all!! And yeah.. I'll see you soon:)
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