Tanya got baptized!!! It was probably the best and the worst day of my mission all wrapped up into one. I was exhausted by the end of the day. We met them at bus stop and went with them to the branch. Although, the bus driver decided to take a short cut... and didn't go by the branch so we had to walk for 20 minutes back to the branch. Our branch mission leader is...great. He took over the baptism as he should, but he didn't know what to do and when we tried to help, didn't listen...regardless she got baptized. The spirit there was so strong. In her testimony afterwards (I was shocked she would even get up and say anything) she said she felt light, and new. And that everything bad that happened to her was gone. That was sweet. After that we ate at McDonalds with them and then got on a bus to Komcomolcki for a surprise party for the Peterson’s. All the members in Tolyatti came together for a Russian culture night to say good bye to them. It was the coolest thing ever. They even got President in on it and he made up a fake meeting that he needed them at. And it would have been a surprise except for Elder Louis told them about it 3 times. I guess he is kind of like Todd in that regard. Regardless, it was a great activity and we received two contacts from it so effective as well. 1 of them we had a lesson with yesterday. She is the girlfriend of our ward mission leader but doesn't really know about our church but is excited to learn. And the other one is a volunteer from Germany. She knows English really well and is learning Russian. She just moved into our area yesterday. She doesn't believe in god but we'll see what we can do about that. Anyway, way cool. Being around members for a whole day stresses me out. I have been here for long enough that even the members in the other branch know me so when we are all together they pull me in all directions, (literally pull and poke or any other way to get my attention). I am excited for today just to be alone and sit and be quiet.
Oh! One of our investigators has this way sweet video of Tolyatti that he was going to send you the address to find it online. I don't know if he did or not but his name is Sergei. Watch it! Or if he didn’t look for it on YouTube.
As far as who we are teaching, we are teaching a women who came to English club 14 years ago wanting to learn English. She remembers that they showed the restoration film and that she felt the spirit. She also remembers the testimonies of the missionaries. She is very receptive to the spirit and recognizes it every time. Her daughter is 25 and is really cool as well. She feels like she needs guidance but doesn't know where to go for it. I love teaching them. she came up to the elders at culture night a couple nights back because she recognized them as missionaries gave them her number and she ended up living in our area. We are also meeting with an incredible mom. She works a lot, has an 8 year old son, and a husband who drinks. She loves the Book of Mormon. She says it helps her to feel peace. Every time she talks with us or reads. She’s awesome her husband is not so awesome but we will see if we can help her out a little. Another woman who is 75 has read the bible a ton and now has finished 2nd Nephi. She feels like everything we say is true but doesn't understand the need for getting baptized a 2nd time. We’ll see about that. Those are the main ones I think... we have some others that right now just aren't doing anything.
The weather here has been pretty warm. Cold enough so the snow doesn't melt but not freezing.
Well, love you lots!!
Cectpa Pearce
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