March 17th ~ Good ol' contacting

Well, since we are both new in this area and really don't kow anyone, my companion and I spent a lot of time just on the street this week.  We had a couple interesting experiences.  We were walking in kinda this shady part of the area and this guy stopped us- he and his friend were standing behind a store smoking and drinking... anyways long story short the friend finally left after a while of not being the nicest person I've ever met, and we started walking away too cause I didn't really want to talk to this guy anymore, he wasn't really listening, but he followed us and continued talking and so we stopped again and must have talked for another like half an hour with him.  He was totally different after his friend left, he opened up about his life and started talking about how he just really didn't like who he was and it was a really awesome experience to be able to testify to him about the atonement and the power of it and how when applied, it can literally change people.  The spirit was so strong and it was awesome!  He seemed like he really wanted to know more, but was convinced that he couldn't change or anything would get better.  He wouldn't give us his number, but we gave him ours and told him to call us.  Not sure if he will, but we know where his hang out is so we will be going back frequently to try and find him.

Also in this ward we have a ward mission leader!!!! And he is so awesome!! He is super intense and really just excited about everything and I love it, he's so cool!  I actually met him yesterday and was impressed so that's why I'm saying about that.  Also in church we had a miracle!!!  One of the eternal investigators who the elders had actually been working a lot with (who came to chuch last week drunk) didn't answer his phone all week.  We went to their appartment and the mom just said that he will come to church on sunday.  And he did!  And was pretty sober!  And brought his girlfriend!  And she is the miracle.  It was her first time and she loved everything!  All of it she just loved.  We had just like a missionary lesson during the second  hour with the sisters and one of the members (this ward btw is just filled with rockstar members) and it was awesome!  She was really actively participating and it was just so great!!  She lives in St. Petes but apparently lives/relaxes here in Kolpino on the weekends and she gave us her phone number and really wants to meet next saturday when she will be here.  We aren't really sure who is going to be teaching her, us or the sisters, but she's great!

And the last thing I want to talk about is one of my favorite investigators ever!  The guy I talked about last week who is moving to Utah in may to study at dixie state.  He is so awesome!!!  We met with him a few times this week and had really good lessons. He would be progressing really well if it weren't for his dad who isn't the most supportive person in the entire world when it comes to church.  He just doesn't really see why it's necessary.  And we've asked this guy a few times about maybe meeting his dad or something and really I think he's just scared of him.  But he believes everything and lives all the commandments and stuff we just have to pray for both him and his dad so that he can really start progressing.  His dad isn't against our church - he's been to salt lake city and likes everything, just doesn't really see a need for church in general... but that will change.  Anyways, this guy is so cool!  He will be studying there for 4 years and thinks that he won't have enough money to come home more than once or twice the whole time so I will definitely have to look him up, now that we live so conveniently close!

Anyways, we've already got a lot more appointments set up for this week, so I'm excited and things are great!  Also, so remember how I thought it was spring... it's snowed the past 2 days.. but the sun is out again today and missionary life in Russia is the best!

Elder Robison