Toady was beautiful, productive, and overall amazing! We were able to sleep in until 10:30 which felt really nice, then after eating breakfast we began organizing the clothes in our drawers which turned into organizing our whole room. It wasn't really messy before just a little cluttered, but now it looks amazing! I love when things are clean. We then got dressed to go running and this time took a different route around the small lake in our village. The temperature was great! It was about 36 degrees and the skies were overcast. We ran over a small bridge and through trees which led us to a path that went all the way around the lake. I can’t believe there are still ice fisherman out there because the lake looks like it’s melting which doesn't seem safe. We ran three times around which we think was about three miles. It felt nice to get out and run. We have consecutively worked out for 10 days now!
After running, eating lunch, and showering, we got ready to go to the temple. Today was our branch temple day so we met at three. The baptistery was gorgeous! I love visiting new temples and I’m so grateful that we live near-by the one here. It was such a spiritual experience and I felt so wonderful knowing that I had taken the time to do someone’s work that has probably been waiting for a very long time to have it done. I sometimes wonder what it will be like to meet people in Heaven that you did work for on Earth. I’m sure they rejoice when it is finally their turn. After getting dressed we waited outside the baptistery and near the main door for the Branch President’s wife to finish her session. This gave me an opportunity to read my scriptures for a long time. This is one of my favorite things to do when visiting the temple. I find the spirit to be so strong while I'm there, and I it's easier to focus without "outside" distractions. I am working on finishing the second half of the Book of Mormon, and want to also begin studying Preach my Gospel.
Once everyone was ready we crammed into the Branch President’s car to go eat. We ate at some Ukrainian place that was kind of like cafeteria style. They had all kinds of food where you picked what you wanted then paid for that. I got Kyiv chicken (breaded chicken) with mashed potatoes, a breadstick, dumplings, salad, and a filled croissant. It was all so delicious! I feel like today was very productive and spiritually uplifting. I am excited to go to church tomorrow and feel that again. I can’t imagine what it would be like to not be rejuvenated every single week.
Today was a wonderful Sabbath as always. A missionary serving in our branch named Elder Boise? Spoke. He is from Australia and gave a wonderful talk! He talked about being faithful through trials and afflictions and trust in in God’s will. He said, “if we will put the Lord first before our own desires, we will receive blessings for what we need.” This is similar to what one lady said a few weeks ago. When you question something ask yourself is this my desire or God’s desire. Elder Boise played a lot of Rugby and talked about how he refused to play on Sunday even though it was hard not making the team because of it. Later he was blessed and the coaches called him to say he had made the team without trying out. His family moved to New Zealand so he and his brother could play rugby without having to worry about it being on Sunday. (maybe Sam, Elder Vasquez, has met his family!)
Instead of nursery, we were asked to fill in for some missing primary teachers. We taught the “sunbeams” but it was really a 4 year old and 6 year old boy. Since I teach 3-6 year olds every day, it wasn’t anything I’m not used to. It was such a great experience teaching in the primary. I was amazed at some of the children’s responses. They all have such strong and pure testimonies! Although I love going to Sunday school and Relief Society, I am grateful for the chance to serve in the nursery and primary. I think the experience will help prepare me for future callings, and also to learn things from these children. They are so “in tune” with the spirit.