Week #7

Sister Emily Downing Oct 29 Rus-Mos 2011 N 900 E Unit 236 Provo, Utah 84602 Family and Friends!! Its moving day!! We will be heading over to the main campus in a couple of hours. packing this morning was a little stressful but it is great practice for the real move in 2 weeks from today!! I saw Tenesia!!!! or....SIster Schroeder!!!! She is here on West Campus!!! She is such a cute wonderful little missionary and it was so good to see her! Cectpa Jackson and I have been doing a lot of practice contacting. One will do it in Russian while the other translates and then we swap for the next one. I love!! Even though is is kinda hard, it is probably the most fun thing to do! Something funny I learned about the language this week...is that commands are polite. In a crowd it is better to say, "move please." than to say excuse me..or would you please move out of the way? It gets to the point alot quicker. the person know exactly what you want them to do haha and if you make it elaborate with words like..."if it is convenient for you..or would you please...or do you mind... you are actually being rude. apparently it means that you see yourself as being in a higher status by using extreme politeness. so..I may have a problem with being too bossy when I come home.. hahahaha This week I have noticed a reoccurring theme within lessons, devotions, and meetings. the gospel of Jesus Christ is simple. As members of the church, most of us have known about the doctrines and simplicities for so long that we tend to get caught up in the hows and whys and analyses and historical details and facts. These things ARE interesting! and fun to learn, but iv really realized this week that those things are not as important. They are not the things that usually make up a testimony. Bearing simple testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel can be so much more powerful than a beautiful elaborate slightly complicated one. Christ tells us to become as a child; humble, meek, teachable, and simple. As I have taken a step back and looked at all of the lessons and doctrines in their simplest forms, I have come to better understand the principles and ordinances, and doctrines of His gospel. I love you all and hope you are doing great! :) have a wonderful week. Much love, Cectpa Emily Downing