All the Georgian missionaries took a trip to Kazbegi, a national park, and mountain on the border with Russia. The missionaries rented a 17 passenger marshrutka and drove 3 hours to Kazbegi. The scenery is beautiful and there is a monastery (Tsminda Sameba) at the top of the mountain. It was a fantastic trip.
May 14, 2021
It has been over a year since the Georgian missionaries were able to have a "whiteboard activity". We wrote on the whiteboard, "Why did God give us families?" People wrote their answers and many stayed and talked with the missionaries. It was a good activity.
May 10, 2021
The Home Stretch
გამარჯობა მეგობრებო!
This past month has been a rush. Last week we were all met with
a surprise from President and Sister Picard. After exactly 14 months since last
being in Georgia, they were able to fly up here to visit. They told me the day
before they came about their plan to come up, but they said not to tell anyone
just in case it didn't work out. The next morning, they texted me that they had
arrived, but they wanted to make it a surprise, so I kept it from everyone for
a couple more hours. I happened to plan an exchange with one of the elders in
the part of the city where the church is, so it worked out that we didn't have
to waste any travel time for me to meet with them. They spent the day doing
interviews over Zoom upstairs in the church. I'm actually really surprised that
no one found out they were there. Anyway, after they were done, they came
downstairs. We were in the middle of our Georgian language lesson, and the
other missionaries looked to see who was coming down the stairs. The Picards
waved, but because it was a little dark, nobody could tell that it was them.
Almost all of them did a double-take, and their faces LIT UP! This was an
excellent surprise for everyone.
After that, I met with them to plan out what they would do with
the other missionaries during their stay. They held in-person interviews, we
had a zone conference, and they met with lots of members and friends of the
Church. Elders Springer and Herr and I were very glad that these new
missionaries got to actually meet the Picards so soon after arriving in Georgia.
A lot of things fell into place for that to happen.
This week former-Elder Christensen and former-Sister Gehring
from earlier in my mission (now married to each other), came back to Georgia
for a visit. Brother Christensen is actually an MTC teacher, so the six newest
missionaries know him, but only through zoom. We were so glad to see them,
especially me since I served a good portion of my mission with both of them.
They are just so great.
As many of you know, I'm not going to be here in Georgia for
much longer. I don't have my flight plans yet, but my official release date is
16 June. This leaves me a maximum of 37 days left, probably less. I have had a countdown on my phone since I got
to country. When I made this counter, I wasn't sure if it would be a good thing
for me. It has been excellent. Let me tell you why. Perspective and
realism.
Many missionaries would discourage this practice because it
doesn't show that you really have your heart on the work. Others say that it
would make them too "trunky" or homesick. Some missionaries have the
mindset of "I'm never leaving!" or "Why would I ever think about
going home?" For some, this may be necessary. But for most, I think it is an
unhealthy mindset to have. You do go home. You have to accept it. It has been a
real problem for people when they come home and remember just how different
real life is. I'm not ready to go home yet, but I know how soon it's coming. I
always have. The perspective has been there since day one. I will be ready when
the day comes, but it isn't there quite yet. I actually talked to President
Picard about this in my interview with him. After I told him about my countdown and how
great it has been, he pulled out his phone and showed me his own countdown! It was unexpected but very validating. For
us, these are motivating, encouraging, and perspective-providing. If we had any
other reason for having the countdown, it would be a distraction and a
decoy.
So take a look at the big picture and also focus on what you are
doing right now. Is that a paradox? Not really.
Why not? Because I happen to know of
Someone who does both perfectly. God's plan is a very big picture, but within
it, He cares for every little detail. Let's do a little better at seeing
both.
Thanks to you all who have continued to read these jumbles of
thoughts. See you soon!
--უხუცესი იაკობი
