Happy New Year

 

December 28, 2020

 

ოკეი მეგობრებო,

 

We just had a wonderful Christmas, but being in a post-Soviet country, we still have a couple of days before the big holiday of the year. In a couple of days, the curfew will be lifted for one night only. I'm not sure that this will be needed since in past years the metro and other public transport are completely empty for about 36 hours. That's a fun tradition. Let's take another. Oh boy, I can't wait for Santa to come on New Year's Eve. And now that I have the expectations for fireworks, I'm really excited. I have to tell you again, last year I saw far more fireworks than all the previous fireworks I had seen in my life. They aren't the coolest or fanciest, but quantity certainly makes up for quality in this case. 

 

As we enter into the year that I return from my mission, let's give an update on how much longer I have. Approximately 170 days. 23% left. That's right. Some of you may see that as a long time. Others of you will certainly view this as the home stretch. Regardless of where you stand, this alignment of the new year and my 18-month mark makes this the perfect opportunity to look at a few things I've done and things that have happened throughout my time as a missionary. I thought of making a list for you all, but I figured I wouldn't bore you with all the little things. If you REALLY want to know, I can supply you with a non-comprehensive list.  A lot of things happen. I've done a lot, but it is mostly routine for me. Whether or not something is actually unique, I just knew it as something that comes with being a missionary.  I've said it once, and I shall continue to say it. My expectations were shattered as soon as I read that I was assigned to serve in the Armenia/Georgia Mission and that I would prepare to teach in the Georgian language. My mind was opened on the 29th of January almost two years ago. That has been the theme of my mission. The continual shattering of expectations. Luckily, I expect that now. Things may happen that I don't anticipate, but it takes a lot to surprise me. What does this mean? It means that I can just keep going. I'm not interrupted in my normal flow of things. This has been a great blessing this year because of the frequency at which things change right now.

 

My last little bit is again on the scriptures. As of a couple days ago, I finished reading the Old Testament. That means I have read the whole Bible. I have read every word of the standard works of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That is 2468 pages. For some reference that is about the same length as The Lord of the Rings and War and Peace combined. As a matter of coincidence, I've heard both the Bible and Book of Mormon compared to each of those books, and while I've not read either, I can guarantee you can learn more from the scriptures than either The Lord of the Rings or War and Peace. I don't remember when I started reading the Bible, but I know it took me less than eight months. If you read 3 chapters a day, you can read it in 13 months. Read the scriptures. Study them. Figure out the truths that are taught. I recommend reading The Book of Mormon because it's shorter and simpler. It teaches about Christ, just as the Bible does. Just read the scriptures. Make it a habit. Do it with your family. It'll enrich your life. If you've been reading my emails lately and you haven't even considered reading in the scriptures, do it. Do an experiment. Look for good when you read. You'll find it.

 

Anyway, I hope you all find love, hope, and knowledge this new year. If you strive for it, you'll find all three. Until next time. 

--უხუცესი ფიშერი 

 

Pranked by the Government

 December 21, 2020

გამარჯობა, გენაცვალეთ! 

 

I have three big pieces of news:

 

1. Remember when I told you all that we would be going to Armenia? Ya, that's not happening anymore. Contrary to the usual pattern of governments doing things very slowly, Georgia very quickly changed their mind and decided to allow foreigners to stay in the country until 1 July. That keeps me safe until I go home. The three of us were all pretty disappointed when we heard, but it's definitely better for us to be here in Georgia. What would we do in Armenia with Armenia speaking companions? It would make things harder. Honestly, missionaries down in Yerevan seemed more torn up about it than us. That actually cheered us up a bit. 

 

2. Daviti was baptized! (This honestly should be number 1, but setting the record straight seemed important, just in case some of you don't read the email every week.) This was very special for us because we found, taught, and baptized him. It's rare for missionaries to be there through the full process. It was a very nice service. Only six of us were in attendance with plenty more joining over Zoom. President Kikiani baptized and confirmed his son which was very special to see. Elder Herr and Elder Springer spoke and I translated the meeting. It was a good time. A much easier translation than my previous attempts despite my being out of practice. Daviti shared a brief but powerful testimony about how he knows that the decision he made was correct. It took him time to come to it, but he finally did. 

 

3. The Doctrine and Covenants is fully published in Georgian online! This is one more step to getting the Book of Mormon printed in Georgian. Maybe I'll see it on my mission, but I won't hold my breath on that. 

 

4. Here's just a fact that isn't news. Christmas is this week! You all know that it's the most wonderful time of the year. What an amazing thing for such a cold, dark, gloomy time of the year to be so full of joy. What a paradox for the shortest and darkest days of the year to be accompanied by pure white snow. It is not only the pureness of snow but at this time is often when we find time to drink and share the pure milk of human kindness. Let us be patient, meek, charitable, wise, and joyous for the next week, and, if you're up to it, for the next month or year or decade. 

 

Well, read your scriptures, pray with your family, and have a Merry Christmas! 

 

--უხუცესი ფიშერი 

Time to Leave Georgia

 December 14, 2020

დობილებო, ძმობილებო, მეგობრებო!

Well, I've been reading lots of email subject lines from sister missionaries that were in the MTC with me with very similar subject lines to my own. Mine, however, does not have the same connotation because I am not going home. Let me give you a bit of background.

Here in Georgia, Americans don't need a visa to stay in the country. We can stay for a year without any problems. Since we are here for 17-22 months, we just need to cross the border halfway through our missions. Elder Herr and I were in Armenia last year for Christmas, so we are coming up on that year point where we have to cross a border. Leaving is easy but coming back isn't for us since we aren't business travelers, remote workers, or students. Since obeying the law is important, we'll be going down to Armenia for 4-8 weeks until our applications to reenter the country are approved. Can I tell you how excited I am to live with other people? Unbelievably excited! I have nothing against them as roommates, but they are more than roommates. We literally spend every waking moment together. We are coming up on 9 months of that. Those of you familiar with human biology know that that is enough time to have a baby. 

To be clear, I'm not comparing our experience to pregnancy in any way other than the length of time. The other two might be willing to compare it to the pain, but you can bring it up with them.

Anyway, this week was good. When teaching a lesson on commandments to Davit I made a connection. Jesus taught that the two great commandments are to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself. He says that all the other commandments hang upon those two. Well, if this is true, then why do we have other commandments? There are many answers to this, but this is the one that occurred to me in the lesson. We don't actually have a good idea of what is important to God. At least without the commandments. They give us an idea of how we can show our love. As we continue to live in accordance with those commandments, we learn more about Heavenly Father and improve our relationship with him. What a wonderful thing!

That's the week. Have a good one all. Read your scriptures. Say your prayers. Be good. See you soon. 

--უხუცესი ფიშერი 

Christmas Time Is Here

 December 11, 2020

We (Elder Springer, Elder Herr, and I) have been celebrating Christmas over here since November 1st.  The three of us have been living together for the last 8 1/2 months. I've been spending all my non-sleeping time with either Elder Springer or Elder Herr for the same amount of time. 

The three of us would not deny that it had been a tough time. We need some Christmas. Luckily this year, we have a way better environment to celebrate. If you remember last year, we only had a 2D (paper) tree on our wall. If you take a look at our living room this year, you'll notice an upgrade. We may be getting a nice New Year's gift too, but we won't be sure about that for a couple more days. Stay tuned.

 

We are preparing for our friend Davit to be baptized on December 20th. This is super exciting because the is the first person that any of us have taught from start to finish. He is so awesome. He has made some awesome spiritual growth and, even better, he has grown his relationship with his dad. He'll be having his interview on Wednesday and if he passes, he'll be ready to be baptized the following Sunday. The service will only be us three, Davit and his dad who is also the branch president. We're all very excited.

Anyway. Hopefully this next Monday, we'll have some more news. In the meantime, read "A Christmas Carol" and, of course, read the scriptures. Bye! 

 

--უხუცესი ფიშერი