# 27

Dear President,

On Monday, we met with A and E, member referrals. We went to their home and did How To Begin Teachings with them. We established our expectations for them, and after getting through most of the lesson, A's husband, pulled back the curtain that divides their home and said that he wanted to learn too! We didn't know he had been home at the time, but he had been listening to us and was interested in our message. We were very excited about that!

On Tuesday, we had District Meeting and had a great discussion on the Questions of the Soul. We discussed how we can better use them while finding and this week I have used some extra meal time to find other scriptures to answer the common questions that people have. After District Meeting, we went on exchanges. Sister R came with me to Arabkir. I love Sister R! She is wonderful. She bears powerful testimony and intently listens to the people. We visited L, and talked more about the atonement in her life. She has been sick and unfortunately has been at the hospital this week. We are praying that she will get better. We also met with G and read the Book of Mormon with her. She has had a hard time remembering to read and feels uncomfortable about coming to church. We are planning on bringing members with us next time so that she will have a friend in the church.

                                                                                Misa's 20th birthday.

On Wednesday, we visited with A and E again. A's husband was at work unfortunately and couldn't make the lesson. However, we were able to teach the others the Restoration, establish baptismal dates and left them with Books of Mormon. We then visited M, a new member. We went over the Plan of Salvation. She has many questions about the Resurrection and the Three Kingdoms. She knows the Bible very well, so we have been using the Book of Mormon to clearly explain and expound upon the doctrine in the Bible. It has given me the opportunity to study the Plan of Salvation more carefully in my studies. After our visit with M, we visited M and A, members. A's sister was in town and so we went over and taught about the Restoration. We gave her a Book of Mormon and a soft baptismal date. It was also a wonderful opportunity for A and M to bear their testimony about the gospel to their family member. 

On Thursday, we met with J (member) and S (inactive) and read Alma 5:14-15 with them. We had a nice discussion about renewing our covenants with the Lord and becoming reconverted to his gospel. I think it was a great message for S to hear, and she told us that she would try to start coming back to church again. We later had an appointment with L, but she was still in the hospital, so we ended up going walking. Before we left to go walking, we prayed about where to go, and decided on a set path. We met H, an elderly man on the street who invited us in off the street. His daughters weren't home, so we had to schedule for another time, but we were able to talk to him about our purpose on life. I asked him about his family and he told us that his wife had passed away, but that he loved her very much. He was getting choked up. We bore testimony to him that he will see his wife again someday and that he can live with her and his family forever with Heavenly Father. That seemed to give him comfort and he told us to call and meet with him later in the week.

On Friday, we tried calling H, but his daughter answered the phone and wouldn't let us speak to him. She said they weren't interested in our message. We are hoping to run into him on the street again though, since he lives so close to the church. We also met with A and N, less actives and taught them about the temple. We invited them to come to church and to make the next temple trip their goal so that they can be sealed together. We then met with R, who has not been keeping commitments and encouraged her to read the Book of Mormon, but since she has not been keeping commitments, we are going to give her back to the Lord for a little bit and call her in a few weeks to see if she is ready to meet again. That is always hard. We also had a few other meetings scheduled, but they fell through and so we went walking and met some great people.

On Saturday, we met G, a middle-aged man on the streets. He told us that his wife had recently passed away. We bore testimony about the Plan of Salvation and told him he will see her again some day. We then gave him a Plan of Salvation packet and invited him to read it. He wouldn't agree to meet with us right then, but as we walked away I saw him open the pamphlet and start to read it as he kept walking. A few minutes after we had walked away from him, I felt like we should go back to see him, so we did. We found him sitting on a bench reading the pamphlet. He told us that he lives in a village not far away, but felt like coming to the city today but wasn't sure why. He told us that he would call us a little bit later when he got home, and he did. We are hoping to meet with him this week, or pass him to the Elders. Later at night, we called and reminded investigators and less active members to come to church. 

On Sunday, we were pretty disappointed that after all the great lessons we had, none of our investigators or the less actives came to church. We also got a phone call from A's husband saying that he and his family do not want to hear any more about our message. We asked him why, but he never answered us and just insisted that we don't come back. It was very hard. I feel so much for them and for our other investigators. I know I have been doing all I can to help them, but it is just hard watching them choose not to act or to accept our message after already having felt the Spirit. How can I help them? And how do I know when is an appropriate time to give them back to the Lord for a while? It is something I have been praying about and thinking about. 

Later after church, we met with L, a new member whose nephew just past away. We read Alma 40 with her and talked about the Resurrection and eternal families. This brought her much peace and comfort. The Spirit was there and she thanked us for the lesson. After, we visited M & A, new members and read the Book of Mormon with them. A said that her sister isn't interested anymore in learning and so she didn't show up for the lesson. It was such a completely different experience from our previous lesson with L. I have seen how the gospel can bring peace into the lives of many if they accept it, and it breaks my heart when I see others who could benefit so much from it who turn it down. 

But I will continue to keep working. I love the Armenian people. One marshutani driver was very friendly to us this week, and the man who runs the fruit stand that we go to on Preparation Days gave us some grapes for free. Tender mercies! 

I also have a question…last year, some companionships did a service week where they went out and did service in the mornings and then came back in to do studies. Would it be all right if Sister M and I try that before it gets too cold outside? 

I hope that your week has been a great one. I know that you are very busy, but I appreciate the time you take to read my emails and to respond back.

I love you,

Sister M

Family, 

I hope all is well with you! How are Grandma Mandarino and Grandma Gerry doing? And the cousins? Mom, I hope you are still continuing to do well. I heard Binghamton won the homecoming game. That is awesome! That is too bad about the Yankees though. Trev, do you have your license yet? Asia...still waiting on your letters heffalump! ;) How is seminary going? I am sending out another letter this week. Glad you all got my last one!

I love and miss you all and hope you are doing well!

Love,

Misa

Funny/cool things:

So this is not very fun or cool...but I think when I get home I want to get tested for parasites or worms...a lot of the food here has worms in it...I know from experience. Also, when people who have nothing give all they can to you and it is a peach with a worm in it...you eat it. Again, I have been humbled by how little these people have, but how much they give. 

A 6 year old also corrected me on my Armenian this week...on a phrase I have been saying my whole mission...that was pretty humbling too. But inch anem! (What do I do?) I am still learning! Haha.

Also, the 27th was my 6 month mark! One more year left to go! (Although, I will fly home in the middle of October because of the way transfers work out.) It is crazy how fast the time flies by...I'll see you all soon next year ;)