Armenian Time

Monday, April 26, 2010

4-25-10

Hey Mom,

Thanks for the pictures, thoughts, and updates. It's been a pretty good week for me, but we don't have a lot of investigators to teach right now. One neat guy that we're teaching, however, is Ashot. I might have told you about him with the crutches. He's a very nice and smart guy, but has a hard life. On his crutches he has to climb seven flights of stairs, since there's no lift! He already seems a lot happier and cherishes the things we teach him.

We did exchanges for two days with the zone leaders and I went to the Shengavit area in Yerevan. It was a little more relaxed and seemed less of a big city. Although, there is a store called Yerevan City, that is pretty massive for Armenia. It's about like an average Albertson's. It's funny, though, because even with it being much bigger there was still nothing that you can't get at any other store. So I guess it's like a couple stores combined. I'm going to have such a hard time making decisions when I get home:)

This week was the memorial of the Armenian Genecide. Elder Jonas and I were able to go to the memorial, and it was pretty interesting. There were thousands of Armenians walking up there to put down a flower. We walked about a mile or two actually. And that was about it. There didn't seem to be much feeling behind it for being such a big commotion. It was interesting. Come to think about it, though, that's what their church is kind of like too. They go to the church, buy a candle and burn it, maybe say a prayer and chat a little before they leave. As far as I know there's rarely even any sermons. It's kind of sad how empty it all is, but with their words they are so passionate about their religion. President Dunn mentioned how that is all they have to hang on to. It's a pretty beat up little nation. I respect them a lot, though.

Elder Piercy (one of our Zone Leaders) was talking about building our relationship with God and he said how we need to first get to know his Son, Jesus Christ, which we do by studying his words and works, and then following in His footsteps. That made sense to me and I know that's how we can strengthen our relationship with the Lord. I'm grateful for Elder Jonas' example for me. He is a great missionary and tries very hard to be a good friend. We are enjoying our companionship.

Thanks for all your love and care. I have so little to worry about. Thanks for always taking such good care of me. Elder Jonas and I were thinking about how giving and unselfish mothers are, especially since he was a little sick this week. I hope you learn great things this week.

Love,
Your son Elder Wainwright

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

4-18-10

4-18-10
Hey Mom,

Thank you so much for the letter. I am so glad that we can communicate like this every week. It would be so hard if it was by mail, and I think it would be quite distracting too (always wanting to check the mail). Your letters are wonderful, you don't need to change them. I think why it might be harder for me is just because the work is becoming more a part of me and it's harder to remember or think about other things. That's a good thing I hope. Although, it helps me to be able to talk about what things are happening and to try and write the things I am learning and thinking about. The letters that I receive from you and others help me out as well. It helps me remember the great relationships that we have. Everything here seems more temporal in a way, especially because I never know when I'll leave the area. A good piece of advice that is given in Preach My Gospel is to stay in touch with those that we teach. I hope I can do a good job at that. I know that the relationships we build with others are very important and should be lasting. I wrote a note to Sako the other day and gave it to Elder Larson. I hope he can hang in there. I here that he still hasn't quite smoking from when he started again, and I know that will tear at his testimony if he can't overcome it soon. I'm so grateful for Christ's Gospel, and I know that every question of the soul and of life can be found therein.

Adam did get baptized this week, and it went very well. There was also an amazing blind girl baptized by Elder Jonas for the Queers (the Sisters) and a couple baptized at the same meeting. Our investigator, Anahit, who is an english teacher came, which was so good for both herself and for Adam since none of Adam's family came. Adam looked so good after he got the Holy Ghost on Sunday. He'll be great. He speaks great English and I like his small British accent. He actually already helped voice-over a seminary video into Armenian as well. He makes friends very easy.

This week we had a mission conference, which went very well. They had me translate the opening of the meeting for the few Armenians that come, which was a good experience. I'm for sure not ready to translate for anyone's talks or anything, but that's actually one of the goals that I have. I hope someday I can do a good job at clearly translating information, feelings, and thoughts for others. I am very grateful for the gift of toungues, and I know that it is necessary to have that. There are still so many words and things I have to learn.

Something that I gained from the conference was a strong desire to become a more refined person. President Dunn showed us a talk that he shows to all missionaries going home, since he's leaving in July. It was a talk by Elder Callister to BYU and it was pretty amazing. He talked about what you were talking about with learning. He encouraged us to learn from the best books, to listen to the best of music ( music that listening to it makes us want to be a better person), to use the best of language, and to take care of ourselves; to treat ourselves like sons and daughters of our God. It was a very inspiring talk for me and it helped me remember the potential that I have and that others have. I've been trying to be a better friend to everyone, and it helps me to remember what potential they all have. Every person is great in the eyes of God and I really believe that. Not one soul is more precious than another. It's pretty great that God lets us choose what kind of a person we'll become, though. I hope I can achieve at least some of the potential that God has for me. Elder King is a great example to me of someone who has really tried and is still trying to refine and develop himself.

Something I learned from Elder Jonas this week was to trust in the Spirit, and then I got to try it out. Five minutes before church started President Hunanyan (BP) asked Elder Jonas and I to speak. I didn't know what to say exactly but I just tried to "treasure up the words of life" in my heart so that it could be given to me "in the very moment" and I felt really good about it. Not only is it harder to remember things when stressed, but I also know that God is bound to keep his promises if we do our part. I have had such great companions so far and am learning so much from them.

Thanks for your wonderful letter mom. I'm so glad that you are able to learn in the moment of your trials. That's probably one of the hardest things for us to do in this life. It's too bad it's so easy for us to forget, as Elder Jonas says. I do know that all trials are for our benefit as well as consequences. We really do learn precept by precept, and I hope I can continue to do so.

Could you tell Matt that I love him and am praying for him. I'm sure this is not an easy trial. I do know that all unfair things in life are made fair through the Atonement, though.

Have a great week.

Love,
Your son Elder Wainwright

4-11-10

4-11-10
Hey Mom,
How are you doing? It sounds like things are going pretty well. I'm glad you are still learning and growing, that's so great. I am too. It's funny how we learn things and maybe it doesn't stick, or we just forgot and we have to relearn it again. I am so grateful for this life. I hope I can remember this in the hard times, but I know that God loves me and I am so grateful for this life.

Hey, you're in trouble. You never answered me whether or not Emily was actually pregnant, but now I'm assuming she is. That's so wonderful. I'm way excited for them.

Conference was so wonderful. What wise men. I love how each of them has their own individual experiences in order to learn the gospel principles. One of the focuses of conference seemed to be on the family and its eternal and earthly importance. I feel like I learned a lot about that, and it helped me appreciate even more the wonderful family we've been blessed with. I don't even know how blessed I am, because some things are just a part of me. I know that all of our actions make a difference for those around us, even if we don't think they do. Armenians are really quite family centered, even if they could learn some good parenting skills in many cases.

Even though a lot of the conference was talking about helping the rising generation and things, I felt like it applied to this work quite a bit. Our investigators and those we're helping are almost like little kids we we're trying to teach how to make it through life. This week I have prayed for and have felt the blessings of the gift of discernment to know the needs of others. However, I also need to make sure that I not only discern their needs, but also their strengths so that I can praise and encourage. I really want to be better at lifting others and sharing the love of Christ with them.

Every talk was wonderful. I'm so grateful for our loving prophet, President Monson. I like his personality. It helps me know that God also has his own personality, as well as does the beauty of the Earth and the strong feelings I get while developing my own.

I'm so grateful for this chance I have to serve, learn, and grow. I hope that I cherish my trials so that I can learn from them what I need to. I also have so many reasons to trust and have faith in the Lord. That faith can help me overcome any fears that I have.

I hope it's because my heart is being put deeper in the work, but I noticed that it's getting harder to write people. I'm so grateful for all of your letters, though. The tie that we have from our relationships and friendships are very real and important. I know that the love that comes in our families is very special as well. That was pretty neat when someone said that a mother's love for her children is the closest to God's love that we can get. I know you have felt that kind of love, Mom.

Oh yeah, I really liked Elder Scott's talk on Christ's atonement as well. I have been thinking about that a lot lately, and I am going to try and continue learning through making a study plan like he said. I love that there is always more to learn. That gives me hope for the future and makes me want to keep growing through eternity. Elder King is in my district now ( he's an office elder right now). Elder King has really helped me build my desires to learn and grow. I'm glad I get to associate with him again, because I forgot how much I love him and have learned from him.

So Adam passed his interview and the Branch President will baptize him. What great men. I'm way happy for Adam. His life will have so much more purpose.

Well, I love you. Thanks for listening. We didn't get to see the Priesthood Session of conference yet, so I'm excited to learn more and listen to Dad's favorite part. I feel so good right now and never want to lose that feeling. I wish you luck with all of your endeavors and goals. I'll talk to you next week.
Love,
Your son Elder Wainwright

Monday, April 5, 2010

Happy Easter

4-4-10
Hey Mom,

Thank you for being able to share your thoughts and feelings with us. I really appreciate that and I try pretty hard to be able to do that through my letters. There's no way I can really explain all that I go through or learn though. Every day is different and a new learning experience. In some ways it's so easy, and in other ways it's some of the most difficult things I've done. There are so many things that I don't fully understand as well, like Bryce said.

I'm way excited to hear from the words of the prophets in order to help me grow and know how I can do better. That will happen this weekend. We'll probably watch the normal sessions right in a row for the convenience of the Armenians. It should be wonderful.

Something that I really admire about Armenians is their willingness to give, despite their own difficulties. Not only are they always willing to feed their guests with what little they have, but they also will often pay transportation for their friends and give something to the needy. I don't think there are any homeless people, because their families all take care of each other. It's pretty respectable. A lady was walking and asking for money the other day and as a man passed he stopped, grabbed a coin and went back to give it to her as if he almost forgot to do so. I want to be unselfish like that as well.

One of my goals while I am serving my mission is also to improve my relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Sometimes I feel so close to them and know that they love me, but I also need to work on listening for His answers as well. I think the reason why we were separated from his presence was so that we could have true free agency, but we sure can choose to get to know him better. Elder Jonas is a very good example to me of that. I feel like he really knows how to pray to God and hear his answers. He has already helped me strengthen my faith in expecting an answer from God. Sometimes I'm probably pretty selfish in my prayers in that I talk a lot but don't even listen for an answer. I do know what it feels like when he does answer, though, and I think I am getting better. I hope that you can also get to know him better as well.

It's been a good week of work for me. I'm loving talking to people on the streets. Adam is still going forward. His family doesn't know he's getting baptized, however, so I hope that doesn't hurt his progression. We also met this really interesting kid who showed up to church. He's had a very sad life and has a pretty bad problem where his blood and fluids all go down to his legs. He seems pretty humbled and I know the gospel would change his life, so I hope it works out with him.

Easter was pretty nice. They play a little game with cracking eggs like they do in Romania, I think. They say "Christ was resurrected from death" and then answer with "Blessed be Christ's Resurrection." Like you said about knowing the name of who we receive blessings from, but it being an anonymous person happens here a lot, I think. EVERYone praises God and Christ, but we're finding that they really don't know the true nature of God and that he really does care about them. To me that is such a worthy goal. If all I can do is help someone get to know the God that I know, I will feel content from this work. I really do know that God loves me and has blessed me far more than I am worthy of. Every experience in this life is an opportunity to learn, grow, and become more like our loving Father. It really is. I know I can trust God too, and that if I am doing my part there is nothing I can fear. I love learning with Elder Jonas and I really feel like we are growing together. I hope you have a wonderful week. I miss you and love you.

Sincerely,
Your son Elder Wainwright
4-4-10
Hey Dad,

Thanks for your letter. I'm glad to hear that conference went good, I can't wait to hear it next week. The broadcast is sent out here all through the night, so they record it as they receive it so that we can watch it the next week with the branches. Normally there are returned missionaries and a few Armenians in America that translate it at the conference center, but this year they did the translating all through the night as they received it with native translators. That will be so much better for them. We'll watch it in English in another room though on dvd's. I'm way excited. It's so comforting to have living prophets in these days, who help us better know God and prepare for the future. I teach so much that I cherish every opportunity I have to learn from others. For example, we were waiting for an investigator at the institute building and when she came we didn't want to leave because Elder Shulz ( the senior couple in our branch in charge of institute) was teaching such a good lesson. I find so much joy in learning new knowledge and skills, like a new phrase in Armenian, a gospel principle that makes sense, how to make a great pizza, how to unicycle, and so many other things. I hope that I can keep progressing and becoming a better person throughout my life. I am also so grateful for this opportunity to serve and get to know the people here in Armenia. Probably one of my favorite parts of this work is being able to see people change. That's what's so great to me about the Savior's Atonement, is the opportunity it gives us not only to find peace and happiness, but to become better people as well. Thanks for your great example Dad. I hope that everything is going well and that you also have peace and happiness. Talk to you later.

Love,
Your son Elder Wainwright