Chudas.

11/10/13

In Russian the word for miracle is, "chuda." Which basically perfectly describes this week. So at the beginning of this week we were feeling a tad upset because we've been contacting like crazy mad fools, getting so many numbers but not actually meeting with anyone. Our teaching pool had pretty much been drained so we didn't have anything to do but contact. So we hit the streets and contacted and contacted and then contacted some more. We were handing out so many invitations and talking to so many people but then when we would try to call them, nothing would work out. So frustrating. We've set a baptismal goal for this transfer of two people for each companionship in our district. It was actually the coolest thing. Our district leader asked us all to think and pray about how many people we thought could get baptized this transfer. Then at District Meeting we all reported and we had each decided two people. Then we got down on our knees and prayed about our goal and decided for sure that we would each try to bring two people into the branch. So, the fact that we couldn't meet with anyone was making us crazy. Then. Saturday. Saturday was bound to be a crazy day because our zone leaders had a baptism and baptisms are always the craziest and coolest. The person getting baptized was a guy from China so the service was in English. We had some of our Chinese investigators come too and we were able to do a lesson with them right after. Then we met with someone we had contacted earlier in the week. Holy cow. I love her so much. She's the happiest Russian I have ever met. And she has a darling baby and the lesson was so good. Then we had a lesson with one of our members from Africa. She's the coolest and agreed to give out two Book of Mormons at her youth hostile. Then we had a dinner appointment with these people we had met on the street. They're all from Malaysia and probably some of the coolest people you will ever meet. One of them has been looking for a church because his mom was Buddhist and his dad was Christian so he's just been way confused his whole life. And we're like, "We got your back. Everything's about to get real clear." Then, we got a call from an unknown number from someone who had received one of our invitations on the street. And she wanted to meet. That day. And talk about the Church. That never happens. Mind blown. So right after our dinner appointment we had to sprint to meet her. Our lesson with her was so good and she asked all the right questions. And after that our intense International day was over. I've never been so exhausted in my life. Just kidding. That's a lie because my first week in Russia made me want to die from exhaustion but this was a different type of tired. It felt good to be that tired because I knew I had nothing left to give, that I had done my best that day and that we had seen miracles. Seriously, so cool. Our whole district is on fire right now and I know that so many miracles are coming our way. I'm happy and healthy and loving my life. I know this Church is true and I wouldn't trade this experience for the world. I love you all and hope you have the best of weeks! Love, Cectpa Harris