Armenian Time

Monday, January 25, 2010

6 Months

Thanks for the nice letters.
I told Brandon about a film they made here, you should see if you can find it, it seemed like it'd be pretty good. A family here said it was pretty sad, though. It's called "Tango of our Children," or Mer Mankutsian Tango in Armenian.

We've gone through a lot of investigators recently. I think it's good though. We just don't have anyone we are teaching who are really ready for baptism yet. Yesterday, we decided to do a finding hour and walked down some cool streets and through a nice little park before we again got invited into someone's house. It was actually some workers, but it was really nice. They want us to come back again. So far we have been so successful with those little finding hours, that being our fourth time invited into someones house who was at least a little interested. Elder Larson said that has only happened two other times in the whole 8 months he's been here. We are doing way good together and have already built a good relationship. I think we're working harder, but I feel more relaxed. I really love this work and hope I can keep becoming a better person and follower of Christ.

I hope your Old Testemant class goes well. It sounded like you had a really good first lesson. It is really hard to find the precious doctrines in the old testemant because things were so different, but I'm excited to hear what you get out of it. I'm trying to get through the Book of Mormon right now. I'm in Alma 9 I think. I love the Book of Mormon so much, the doctorines and testimonies are so powerful and clear.

That's too bad about Gloria. (That was the boys piano teacher) She was such a wonderful lady. I'm so grateful for all I learned from her and for all of our piano recitals. I love good music so much. It has such a powerful effect. I'm so glad I have been able to learn the piano and violin. I for sure don't want to lose those talents.

Tell Gary and Sheila, I'll keep them in my prayers. I hope they can overcome their challenges. A cool quote that I read from a mission president's talk called "The Fourth Missionary" is that the single purpose of every challenge or opposition that we face is to give us an opportunity to apply the teachings of Christ in our life, or in other words His gospel. I know that's true and that every decision we make in this life is important and can be for our good if we allow it to be.

Thanks for everything Mom. I love you. I hope your work and everything continues to go well. I really like it here. I love my mission already. I can't believe I've already been out for six months since the 22nd. I practically missed it. It's been some pretty good six months though. I wouldn't trade it. Miss you. Have a good week.

Love,

Bruce

Monday, January 18, 2010

1-18-2010

Hey Mom,

I uploaded some pictures onto your picasa thing. It takes a little while, but that should work good. I hope you like them.

I've had a pretty good week. Elder Larson and I are still working hard and doing good. We've been invited into people's houses as we walk by or talk to them and it's been pretty good. So far we haven't been able to teach those people a lot, but they usually invite us back. These people are so hospitable. They have a thing called Hyurasirution which being interpretted literally means "guest love." They think it's shameful if they don't give you some coffee, sweets, food, or something. They're funny.

We've been going out to a nearby city lately too, and I think it's possible we could start a group out there sometime. That'd be so neat.

It's still very slushy even though it's snowed a couple times. I got a new coat, though, that's even warmer than my other one. It's brown, has a furry inside, and goes to my knees.

I'm way excited for our zone conference tomorrow. We're going to have six of the crazy elders from Georgia sleeping at our house tonight and the next, so that'll be fun.

You should tell Brandon to try posting the pictures and videos on his blog so I can see them. He can use youtube straight onto his blog I think.

I have enjoyed teaching people and sharing my testimony this week. I feel pretty comfortable here. Gyumri is a good city. I hope I can continue to make these people's lives a little bit happier, and help them find their purpose in this gift of a life.

Have a nice week Mom. Tell Dad not to have too much fun and to watch out for those wooden nickels.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Crazy Week

Hi Mom,

I'm doing fine, just so you know. I have been thinking about you too, though, it seems like it's getting harder to stay in touch. I just feel pretty far away.

I love Elder Larson, though. We are doing way good together, and my faith is growing. He's a good missionary and really wants to do good work. So we are working hard, and I'm glad. Our last week has been sort of crazy though, let me tell you about it.

The cellebrations weren't as big and bad as I thought, but it did detract from our work. Practically no one works for a week up to two weeks. The bad thing, though, was everything that we forgot. First of all, our gas was off because of our mistake with the bills, which was crazy ( and a little cold). Then, I forgot my keys at another Elders' apartment, we lost our phone or got it stolen, I forgot to leave the door unlocked for the maid leaving our clothes dirty, and we forgot to turn on the bak twice for our shower! It was a crazy week, but we made it through.

These last couple days have been real nice, though. We have really tried to get a lot of gospel conversations - as we call them - on the streets while focusing on bearing our testimonies. It has really helped improve both the conversations we have on the streets and the lessons we're giving.

Two days ago, we were talking to three old guys and they invited us into their home. So far, I have had really good experiences with those, and this one was really nice too. The man and his wife that live there are pentacostals, but he really wanted us to come back. The wife was a little intense and defensive, but it could be really nice. Then, the same thing happened last night. We were talking to some people on a marshutni and a guy invited us to his house. It was way nice, and his family is nice too. It's sad, though, his son has a huge tumor, I guess, on the side of his head that they were wanting us to somehow help with. We can't do anything for that, but I know the gospel would do so much good for them. I'm excited to go back.

Sako wanted me to say hi to you all. He just got the priesthood, I'm really happy for him. He's going through some hard times, though, I hope he can make it. Good man.

Right now I'm preparing a talk on obedience for our zone conf. next week, which is going well. I've also felt really good about my language this week, and I'm trying to work hard. It's hard to memorize ten words a day, but I can try harder. I actually had a funny experience listening to a song. I thought for a second "why is this armenian song in english?" when it really wasn't. I thought that was pretty cool. I've been so blessed with the ability to communicate and learn through the gift of toungues, and I know that at least some of that has come from my father's blessing from dad before I left.

I'm so grateful for the peace and healing I have felt through the atonement of Christ and living His gospel.

Thanks for telling me about Sam's call, that's so awesome! I hope he writes me soon. Tell Josh congratulations too, I'm so excited for both of them. This mission is really such a blessing to me. On page V in PMG, the first presidency says how there is more happiness felt in this work than we have ever felt before. I have already begun to experience that, and I know that the most joy and happiness comes from trying to make others happy. Christ did all that he did because of His unsellfishness and willingness to give up His will for the Father's will. Love for others is such a powerful motivating force, just like Harry Potter's mother:)

Well, I love you Mom. Have a great week. Thanks for your care, love, and prayers. Talk to you next week.

Love,
Elder Wainwright

Monday, January 4, 2010

Happy New Year

Hi Mom,
I'm glad you had a nice holiday. Ours is still going, but it has been nice. On the sixth will be their Christmas, so I think the partying might die off after that. Every house has a table full of food and drinks, so we eat everywhere we go. The fireworks woke me up on New Years Eve, they were really obnoxious banging fireworks, which made it sound like a battle outside. Our movie day was nice too. We watched Up, Harry Potter, Wolverine, Monsters vs. Aliens, and Angels & Demons. Up is still my favorite.

I'm so happy, it finally snowed again this morning. There's about five inches or so. It's been rainy for a while and all my pants are dirty and my shoes muddy, so it was nice to have a change.

Sako's baptism this week was very nice. A lot of elders were here for our district meeting, which was nice too. It was pretty simple, but the spirit was very strong. We also had a nice little prayer together after we had changed. He's a great guy, I hope he can stay active even though it's difficult to get to church. He has changed so much. It's too bad his mother didn't make it to the baptism though, she's a great woman.

Merujan should be getting baptized soon too. He's so funny, but he has a great testimony. We're also meeting with some really nice older ladies right now. There are two women from little villages that are doing some really good missionary work right now, and they get so excited. It really feels good to try and share your happiness and knowledge with others. In our baptismal covenant we promise to be a living witness or testimony of Christ. It's a wonderful and important role that we all play. I like Pres. Hinkley's quote you sent about how no role is more important than another. That's so true.

It's been a good week. I haven't been able to do much with the pictures, so I'll try and get on that next week. I love you though. Have a wonderful new year. I am so grateful for the life God has given me, and I know I often take my precious time in this life for granted. It really is a gift for us. I am grateful to have such a wonderful Father in Heaven who watches over me, cares for me, and wants me to be happy. I guess how we show are love is by being obedient children and making wise choices. I have been very blessed with wise and loving earthly parents as well. Thank you for all you do and have done, Mom.

Love ya
Elder Wainwright