June 22, 2020

к + к is so cool

Two emails two weeks in a row!! So good.

Все по-старому here in the life. I had several neat moments this week, and killer personal study. Learned A LOT of things that I found were super interesting. I've been studying the bible a lot more recently, and have found some GEMS wow oh wow. I've read the bible before, but I guess I must have skimmed over everything good. 

One chapter that I read this week was Exodus 18. And wow ok its not a huge crazy thing, it is just where Jethro and Moses are setting up the system for the Israelites. But I learned so much. I learned so much of what I should be teaching the members here and how I can be helping the work progress forward. Moses was solving all the Israelites problems and being the common judge for everyone. But then his father-in-law comes and tells him that he doesn't have to do it all alone. 

He needs to 1) teach them correct values so they can govern themselves: "And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do." 

And that really hit home with me. I cant solve every problem here. I am here to help teach correct principles so they can govern themselves. Show them the way to walk, and the work they must do. The same is going for the role of the prophet. He isnt here to solve each and every one of our problems. He is here to teach us the right ways, to answer questions for ourselves, to "Hear Him", and to push along the path. 

And 2) call people to help ease his burden: "Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: 

And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee."

That one was a little difficult for me to read. If you know me, you know that I like to do everything myself and am not super keen on recieving outside help. Especially here on the mission I have started sooo many "projects", and tried to single handedly make them all run well. And whenever one project wasn't doing well, I felt like a complete failure because I had put so much effort and time into my projects and they weren't working. And then about two weeks ago my mission president kind of roasted me in front of the whole zone and told me that it could be because I'm trying to do it on my own and not getting help from the members and reaching out to other people to help. Lol rip. And that made me even more upset because I wanted to do it on my own. And knowing that I couldn't do it on my own made me feel even more like a failure. SO, I was thinking about this a lot. And then I read this chapter. And just realized that it is fine to have other people help me. Letting my companion help, other missionaries, branch leaders, etc. They can help bear my burden with me. 

In verse 18 it says "The thing that thou doest is not good." And wow I was like.... okok got it. Not good. So now I'm trying to let other people help out and am realizing that there are other capable people out there. And guess what!! My projects are a lot more successful with other people helping out! Suprise suprise! 

Also thought this story was super interesting. Because Moses is a very capable man. Parted the Red Sea. Provided Manna from heaven. Water from a rock. Delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians. Talked to God. Like he is a true prophet of God. BUT in this instance, he had to receive counsel from someone else to know how to govern the Israelites better. It was his father-in-law. God wasn't telling Moses what to do. Rather, he had prepared Jethro and helped him know how to help Moses. Sometimes God isn't giving us all the answers directly, because he already gave them to someone else. We need to be counseling with other people to be getting these answers and solutions in our life. 

SUPER interesting chapter. Hope you all read it. 

Ok but some highlights from this week:  👀

•one of our 40 year old investigators did a lesson with us without his shirt on, and then about 1/2 way through he excused himself for like a minute and then came back with a little tank top on.... lol love russia

•made kabsa with our mission and WOW so yummy loved it 

•I was featured in the russian liahona, so I guess you can say I'm a local 🤧💁‍♀️

•hahah so guess for like 2 weeks every year they turn off the hot water in the city. So ya. Showers have been gr8 for the past while :)))

•Facebook lends it's way to lots of interesting people... many an intersting conversation 

•got "transfer calls" hahah ya we are staying together. So us everyone else in our mission. Lol. But love it though. 

Сестра Каммингз 

June 15, 2020

kinda like new year-new me, but new transfer-new me

Lol jk gotcha. Still the same old same old. Still in quarantine.

BUT there was a great surprise :))))) guess who can go out of the house EVERYDAY to buy groceries now?!?!!

For the past 3 months, we have only been allowed out once a week to only buy groceries then return home. But now our mission president said we can go buy groceries every day in order to get out of the house :)) one day milk, the next day eggs, the next day huge gymnastic balls ;) We still arent allowed on the streets without a purpose (tbh dont know why. every other person here in rostov keeps telling us quarantine is over and is already on the streets. but not for our mission I guess :)))

Every day I hope I finally get the call I can go running again , or talk a walk through the "park" here or something like this. Mom I'm pretty sure my adhd is off the charts here in quarantine lol.   

This past week was good. Lots and lots and lots of meeting people and facebook finding (also who knew it, but there are so many memes on the facebook world and wow so tempting miss that lol) and trying to keep busy. There is so much to do, and we don't quite have time for it all. Just keep going. 

All of our investigators right now are at a standstill. So we are trying new things and praying about what they need and how we can help them continue along the covenant path. Any ideas-- lmk. Trying to fulfill that missionary purpose out here of course still. ;) 

Аня (anya)- She is awesome!!! She is always so accepting and ready for whatever we teach her. We extended the baptismal invitation about 2 months ago. She told us she would be baptized with joy, but her parents are against it, and probably don't want her leaving the Russian Orthodox Church. So we have been praying and fasting with her to soften their hearts. But last week she told us she talked to them, and they said they dont approve and she won't be able to get baptized. So now me and Sister Keil are praying to figure out the next step and help her recognize how importance repentance, baptism, and the gift of the holy ghost are. 

Даря (daria)- She is an awesome mom and is trying to push through mental repercussions of quitting smoking. She is very faithful as well and is always reading and praying and striving to live every commandment we have taught her. She attends institute, and every church meeting and activity. We extended the baptismal invitation as well about 2 months ago, and she told us she wants to get baptized, but doesnt see it happening at least until september. So we are slowly trying to work with her as well. 

Илья (Iliya)- He is super fun! He always has amazing questions and thinks very hard about what he read. A lot of his questions aren't your "normal every day" questions. Me and sister keil often have to search for answers with him. We are trying to use the scriptures when we answer his questions, but sometimes we tell Илья that he just has to trust in God sometimes because we don't know all of his plan. He goes to church every week at his uncle's house. We asked him how he felt about baptism if he were to continue on this path, and he said he doesnt see why not. However he doesnt believe in the book of mormon. So we are trying to help him have a testimony and faith he is acting on before he gets to that step. So this past week (thank goodness we had a member there!!!) we talked about how important it is to find out truth for yourself. And the importance of the holy ghost. We have talked several times already about personal revelation and receiving answers, but this time was really good. I think he finally understood that if he wants an answer, he needs to read and pray every day, every day, every day. And ask with a sincere heart. And listen for an answer. 

Олег (Oleg)- He has a wife and kids. Super great guy. He actually brought himself to church. The elders got his number. Never contacted him. He came to church again, me and Sister Fender got his number, gave it to the elders. They still never contacted him, and then about a month later quarantine happened and the elders got sent home. So. Then he reached out to a member here, and she reached out to the branch president, who then reached out to us. So we said, ok looks like we are teaching this guy now. It took about a month to finally schedule a lesson with him (he is very busy) and had a great lesson on the restoration with him. Sent him a book of mormon. Now we are just waiting for our next lesson :)) but that was like 2 or 3 weeks ago, so we are hoping soon to finally get another one scheduled.  

Маша- She is the funniest and craziest little girl ever!! We have been teaching her for a while. She is afraid of the water and doesnt want to get baptized. If it didnt involve getting in the water, she would be fine with it. We are calling her sometimes during the week and playing a game with her or something like that, but we haven't had an actual lesson with her since quarantine started. Most of the time she doesnt listen and cant sit still that long while on the phone. 

Anyways that's about it for our investigators right now. Hopefully we can get them moving along. Slow and steady wins the race I guess. We of course are also trying to work with less actives as well. That's a whole different email lol. But we are also trying to figure out the ministering in the central branch. Pretty much no one knows who has who, but it is probably because the leadership positions have been changed so often within the past year. So me and my comp are making sure that this is getting done, and people know who to help minister to. 

Twice a week, we have a get together with the youth to do a lesson on Come Follow Me. I thought it would be a good idea and great way to keep the youth connected still while on quarantine, and would be good. We have been doing it since about the end of March. I talked to the district president, central and taganrog branch presidents, and a lot of the parents of the youth to help increase participation, but the turnout is still pretty much the same for Come Follow Me. I asked all the missionaries in our zone to follow up with their branch presidents and maybe the parents of youth in their branch, but I dont know if any of them have actually done it. I talked to our district a few weeks ago if we should cancel it because only 1-5 youth show up every time (average being about 3), but they said they want to keep doing it. So I dont know. I want to keep doing it, and of course helping one person is worth it. But I'm not sure if it's even helping one person. Lol.

Also transfers are coming up (whether that is in 4 days or 4 months, I dont know haha) but I LOVE Rostov. I know I have already been here 8 months, but I'm fine staying longer. Like I really would be fine being here for a long time. I have so much I need to do here still. Of course it would be nice if there were mountains around here or something like that, but other than that everything is fine. ;) 

THE LORD IS WORKING. There are people prepared everywhere. It is our job to change our attitude and get to work. Every member a missionary. We watched this devotional this week, and it talks about how sometimes when you're gaining a testimony it is less about feeling all these things. But it is taking what you have felt, and acting on it. And while you are acting, then the Lord can start to use you and build your testimony even stronger. I think it is so true. An airplane cant take off until you've brought it onto the runway and already started driving super fast (maybe there is a technical term for that but tbh dont know lol). Same with the Lord. He can't help you take off until you've already got to the ru way and started trekking your way forward. 

Сестра Каммингз 

Ps. Sorry if there are typos in this. Typing on a phone is very hard. Lol.....

Pictures- 

People on WhatsApp not answering our calls. It ends always with the last face you made and freezes. So the key is to get the timing just right. 

An elder in our district is suddenly twins with Brad Wilcox 

The outside:')

Hahahah traveled in the rain and got SOAKED after only like 2 seconds 

Spotted the MTC comp 👀

The elders showing us their hats they've collected 

Videos:

Trying some cold soup called akroshka. I had it once, yummy. Then we made it with the mission and with kvass. Nope. Never again. 

One of the trips to the store this week, we bought huge gymnastic/sport balls to sit on during our lessons. 10/10 decision of course 

May 18, 2020

12 months gone

Alright!!! Next week is my year mark. So wow. Of course of course, lots of reflecting (especially with all the added time to reflect because of quarantine;). One year ago I had no idea what was coming for me. The ups, the downs, the middles. So of course, I wanted to send a few little reflections and things I've learned. 

Here are some things I never saw CUMMINGS:

                                                                lol;)

•Ice cream in bags. Only bags. Very hard to cut (not scoop, but cut)

•The cities here all have the same street names 

•Russians can TALK. Despite lots of stereotypes, Russians LOVE to talk. Once they stop, it is very difficult to get them to stop. 

•Doing 300 pushups in one day lol 

•Becoming famous in Germany (kind of)

•The power of effective daily scripture study 

•Getting trapped in countless sketchy Soviet era apartment buildings (and almost having my arm sliced off)

•How many people eat mushy apples here (of course, primarily the baboshke)

•Not having an actual conversation with a single person (besides my companion) face to face in about a month and a half. 

•How great the senior couples are

•How many holidays there are here. Like wow. At least one a week. 

•Meeting SO MANY new friends. Wowoow 

•We got smart phones, and this past week, me and my comp are testing out Facebook along with a pair of elders to see if it will work for our mission. So we will see... 

•The love I have for the Russian people 

•How many miracles the Lord put in our path if we are trying 

•how many taxis I've taken 

•The mission being soooo good even with difficult challenges legit every day 

This is only a very very short list of some general things I've learned here on the mission. I'm so grateful to have had this experience, and am grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve. I love my mission! The time is short my friends. You have to use it while you still have it. What better way to use it than creating memories that will bless not only your life, but countless others around you. 

This link contains some of the videos we have made here in quarantine. Maybe you will be interested. Most are in English, but some are in Russian. Some musical parodies, some movies that helped us win competitions in our mission and have food delivered to us. Some just random videos we made.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/zYh7dMwUBk2YW6eB6

Also sooo sorry if I haven't responded to your email yet!! Getting around to it!!! 

Pics from the last few weeks:

-out on the streets!!! went to the further away store so we could walk by some trees lol

- Day of Victory 1945-2020 (75th anniversary)

- Every monday we get something yummy!!! Sushi, pizza, hachepuri, yum! 

-mission conference 

-me and my comppppp 

April 16, 2020

quit your bellyaching

Quit your bellyaching. Suck it up. Just do it. Stop whining. Put your shoulder to the wheel (if you're looking for a holy version). All these various phrases have been bouncing around in my head for the past several weeks. 

Since the start of quarantine, it has been difficult to adjust to the new lifestyle and working schedule that is required of a normal volunteer (or missionary). The approach to working and teaching is completely different than it was before. Just when I was finally getting used to how to do the work and how to do it effectively, the normal lifestyle of a missionary I enjoyed flip-flopped and morphed into something I didn't know how to deal with. For the first week or so I just sat around the apartment all day unsure on what I shoukd and even could do. I was consistently getting emails from people who had to cut their mission short and had gone home, and I just kept wondering why I was still out here. It seemed there was nothing to do and no purpose for me being here if we couldn't do something as simple as ride on the bus or talk to our neighbors. I kind of just accepted the fate that we would probably get sent home as well and so might as well just not do anything. 

But time went on and there was no moves to take us out of Russia. I was a little confused as to why we were allowed to stay here if we couldn't do any work. As I thought, studied, and prayed more about what my role and purpose was here, I still came to a dead end. I had no idea why I was still here. I felt like I didn't give up 18 months of my life to serve God's children just to spend 2(maybe more) months of it inside all day. Вообще, не понятно. 

Then as time inside gradually grew on, and I realized this was going to be more of a long-term thing and I wasn't going to be getting sent home, I needed to find a solution. I still couldn't find a reason for being here. I figured it would be better to spend my quarantine at home than here with all the mission rules. I wanted to see all my friends who had returned home. Eat something besides our month supply of pasta and гречка. But one phrase just kind of started bouncing around in my head. "Suck it up." My parents said this, and various other phrases, to me a lot growing up (I needed to hear them a lot lol ;). 

Once I realized I couldn't change anything about my situation and that I was still a full-time volunteer (missionary) who just needed to "quit my whining", I started seeing little miracles. New investigators, all making great progress despite the circumstances. Friends responded to more texts and did not ghost us (truly a miracle). Members called US and asked how WE were doing. Lessons became more spiritual. My Russian improved. My motivation and dedication to the work increased. I realized that this quarantine is not a 2-month stall on my mission, rather a 2-month accelerator to help further the work. 

While of course there are still frustrations and mishaps in the work, it is no different than the regular frustrations and mishaps. But, I've been able to see better why I am still here and the miracles associated with accepting the will of the Lord and trusting that He has a plan. If we want to see miracles, be productive, and find a purpose, we need to work for it. It won't be handed to us. Just quit your bellyaching, and get to work. 

Some of the "getting to work" we have done this week (since we aren't allowed to use social media in our mission, we have tried to find other ways to work)

•Lessons with Daria and Anya. We gave Daria the baptismal invitation. While she said she has to think about it, I know that she feels it is the right move to make. She just has to gain that witness for herself. 

•Easter!!! We decorated easter eggs with the district. Send out inspirational thoughts and videos every day to our branch, friends, investigators, less actives, etc about Jesus and what he did for us. 

•Calling the branch list. There are sooooooo many numbers on that thing. And soooooo many non-working numbers. Love it. We've had some pretty good conversations from our calls from there. 

•So many lessons and just friendly conversations with the members. 

•baking and cooking. Yummmmm

•reading, reading reading. Finished d and c, almost finished saints, jesus the christ, and the new testament. 

•Yoga. every morning. All the sisters in my mission. Followed an hour later with a mission wide devotional. So good!!! Great start to the day. Also bedtime stories 2x week (look up Jack weyland's stories from the new era if you get the chance)

•institute. we attend 2-3 various institutes a week. 

•come follow me lessons with the youth. While usually its only 1-2 youth who join in, we have a few lessons of the come follow me during the week. 

•playing the violin, sending songs to members. My companion plays the guitars so sometimes we play duets together. Pretty fun  

Next week, hopefully we can start teaching Russian sign language to some of the members and our friends (I started learning it a few months ago and has kind of been stalled since quarantine came) 

It's hard to stay motivated and keep finding things to do and coming up with new ideas. But it is possible. Good weekly and daily planning, goals, and lots and lots of prayer for guidance is what has really helped me see a change in how I am now doing the work. I am so grateful for the opportunity to still be on my mission here in Russia. 

This year, Easter is a week later in Russia. So we get to celebrate Easter twice. :))) I am so grateful for my Savior and his life he gave for me. He truly showed the way on how to follow the plan the Lord has set for us. While he struggled with much more than I can ever imagine, I do find comfort that he too asked for things to be different. Asking the Father to "let this cup pass." But his example of remembering that it is "not my will, but Thine be done." I know that because of that greatest, most holy sacrifice, I have the opportunity to be forgiven of my sins, make my weaknesses strong, and feel comfort in times of sorrow. I am so grateful for the call I have right now to bring that message of hope to other people as well. He is risen! He lives! 

Сестра каммингз 

Photos:

-our month (+) of food supply 

-missionary easter egg 

-lasagna 

-making wok 

-some huge bread/cupcake thing for easter here in russia 

-our groceries we had ordered to our door (bless technology)

-king Benjamin made an appearance in one of our youth come follow me lesson this week 

                                              

                                                

March 30, 2020

she's out there somewhere

Привет всем!!!! 

These past few weeks have seem to have been rough for everyone. My heart goes out to all the missionaries who have returned home early and had to cut their time short. All of you are so amazing and I am very grateful for the great example you have set for me. :)))) 

Thought come follow me/Enos from the Book of Mormon was super cool this week. Enos 1:4-6. 

 He talked about how after he learned everything, he didn't just straight away ask God. Instead he knew he had to be worthy/ready to receive that revelation and information. So he went to the Lord and prayed for forgiveness. It was a testament to me how we have to be willing to make a change in our lives before we can receive the answers we are searching for. And THEN God will reveal all. 

We have been calling people on the phone, trying to have lessons with them, and doing the best we can with what we have. I have two companions now. One is doing online MTC while she is with us (Sister Измалкова/Izmalkava) so most of the time it is just me and Sister Keil. And we had a little bit of extra time on our hands this week so hope you enjoy. ;) 

Also idk who sung this but I think they might have tried their best lol

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vAKHjQdw2nfIYEXps3zims8k3m-KAhkk/view?usp=drivesdk

Have a good week in quarantine. If you get bored, feel free to email me. I read them right away. ;)

Сестра каммингз 

March 23, 2020

all-in

привет)))

These past few weeks have been a little bit wild for all missionaries. People getting sent home left and right and no one really knowing what will happen next. My mission (lol Rostov-na-Donu, Russia) has been no exception. I feel like I am sometimes living in an "you got pranked" world because so many things are happening and we don't know the next "prank" that will be coming our way. 

It has been a little over a month since my last email and lots, lots, lots(!) have happened since then. 

The transfer was going really well. Me and my companion, Sister Fender, were meeting with lots of people in our branch and inviting them to read JSH/ the First Vision Account in preparation for General Conference. As well as to be doing Come Follow Me and follow the guidance and invitations the Prophet has given us. We met several new friends who were showing promise. Our investigators are still progressing, and we invited one to be baptized. She said she wants to, but is afraid of water. So we asked her to pray and work through that with the Lord. We have been trying to be a good support as well in that case. 

Me and Sister Fender were constantly checking updates on the Coronovirus, hoping that it wouldn't reach Russia.

But then on Friday the 13th (lol spooky days all around!) we got a call saying we are now only allowed to go places on foot. No more transportation. Our game night was canceled. We could only meet with people in the branch. No public places. Thank goodness our branch was 5 minutes walking from our apartment (there are some volunteers who had the branch building 1-2 hours away walking). 

So we lived in this 1/2 quarantine limbo phase for a few days.

On Saturday we walked an hour and a half to a members house. When we get there, she comes out and says, "Oh! Actually I don't have time anymore and like I am so sorry..." So we said all was good. Gave her cookies. And walked an hour and a half back to our apartment. (side note-stopped for shamrock shakes on the way home at mcdonalds, turns out they don't have those. only pistachio mcflurries)

Sunday we got picked up by the Assistants to go have Sacrament at President's house with his family. It was so nice. They fed us lunch after. President Ustyuzhaninov and his wife are the best. They have four little girls from ages 2-13 and still have time to run a whole mission. After our time with them, we went over to the branch and spent the rest of the evening creating a map of where all the members in our area live, and located those we could walk to on foot for the upcoming week. Monday we had a normal p-day, and then Monday night we planned our week and made calls to all our friends and members on who we could meet with that week. 

10 minutes after we finished our weekly planning, we receive a call saying we have now been put under full quarantine and we are only allowed outside for an hour at most a day (if necessary). So all of our plans went to the trash. 

Tuesday morning we get a call from one of the Assistants telling us he was going home along with several other volunteers. We were so shocked. We had heard of other people going home, but didn't think it would reach our mission. But disease stops for no one I guess. So that day was a little crazy, and then later in the day we got emergency transfer calls for the last 2.5 weeks of the transfer. Sister Fender would be leaving to Samara, and I would get Sister Keil to finish the last 2.5 weeks of her training (in quarantine lol).

Our already small mission got smaller. We now only have 6 sister areas in our entire mission, and next week we will only have 5. 

AND HIGHLIGHT-WE BOUGHT SMARTPHONES. Our mission was approved like 2ish weeks ago to start having smart phones, and we were planning on getting them in like a few months, but because of quarantine and everything happening, the time line drastically was moved up. It is so weird not texting in Russian on a brick phone with a rubbed off keyboard. But so nice. It is such a blessing that now we can keep in better contact with our members, investigators, friends, family, and other volunteers here to stay updated. 

Wednesday Sister Keil came to me, the two new APs showed up, and everyone going home came to Rostov. However we weren't able to see them (due to there being such a time crunch) so the Assistants drove out to say goodbye to us. It was so weird. My trainer went home (rip sister richter, but all is good we got permission to call the next day when she was home!!). 

Thursday Sister Fender left with Sister Lindsay,  and me and Sister Keil went to a "smart phone setup" thing. 

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, today, and for the unforeseeable future: quarantine! We have just been trying to find things to do. Calling members, having lessons online, painting, studying the scriptures more, studying Russian, practicing violin and piano, etc. If you have any good ideas for what to do in quarantine, shoot them my way. 

Turns out me and Sister Keil will be getting another sister joining our companionship tomorrow probably. She is from Samara, Russia and since the England MTC is closed, she will be doing her online MTC with us over the next few weeks. So that will be fun! 

It is actually kind of funny being in quarantine here because everyone keeps sending emails and stories of how everyone is going crazy all across the world. But Russia is actually pretty mild. The stores are all still stocked. People still roaming on the streets. No one is really too concerned for the virus. One newscaster was saying it is because the virus is like normal life for Russians. They're not phased by another bad thing like this happening to them. Thought that was kind of funny. 

It may have not been my first choice to be trapped in a soviet-era apartment building in the middle of Russia for who knows how long, but right now I don't know a better place to spend quarantine than in a place trying to get closer with the Lord and His children. It may a little (or a lot) stress-full not knowing what is next, but I know that this is all in the Lord's plan. Already I have learned so much more and gained a closer relationship trying to trust the Lord that He is playing a part in all of this. I love my mission so much and hope that the Lord will give me more time here to learn, develop, and grow. 

Also---this extra time almost everyone has in quarantine is now a GREAT time to be doing Come Follow Me, and preparing for general conference by reading Joseph Smith's First Vision. :))) President Russell M Nelson is a prophet of God and has provided these things for us to keep us on the right path even if we can't attend church every week. 

hope everyone has a good week and is staying safe :) 

сестра каммингз

pics-

district meeting online!

me and sister fender

me and sister keil painted each other... lol

lots of the sisters in my mission a couple weeks ago

rip to the elders and sister fender