Grateful

I'm coming home. I'm leaving my eastern home and returning to my western home. I never thought that this day would come, honestly. I have SO many mixed emotions about it. It really doesn't even feel real to me that it's my turn to go. Well.... here it goes.

Guess who's 22? This gal. So weird. I still feel like i'm 12! Anyway, I honestly think this birthday was truly one of the best that I've ever had. The festivities began at 6:30am. I woke up, opened my cute socks and card from mom and dad and read the card my sister wilson wrote me. It was a good time. I made myself some breakfast which consisted of fruits and yogurt and then we started out the day with studies. 

I think my favorite part about the day was when I changed my outift.................. 3 TIMES! Just like I'd do as a first-grader. (fam, remember that?) Then at noon we had a lesson at “BI”’s house with “KY”. Let me paint the picture for you: “BI” calls several minutes before we got to his house and he sang me HAPPY BIRTHDAY! And then he also proceeded to sing a song from his favorite movie "Love potion number 9". It was just majestic and SOOOOO funny.  Anyway, he bought me a cake and we all ate it with tea together, and then had a sweet lesson with “KY” about trusting God, and about repentance and baptism. She hasn't committed to a date yet, but she agreed to pray to ask God if she needs to be baptized into Christ's Church. 

We went home, finished our studies, and then at 5 I got to go to my family! (in Tolyatti) The “YLSW’s house. It was so fun! We made tacos for my birthday. They're the dang friends. They gifted me pretty yellow flowers and a russian necklace and bracelet. It was truly the dang best. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!

Do you know what's better than yellow flowers? RED ONES! You'll never believe it. I got a phone call from a random man tat said he had a gift for me. I was really confused... and then I thought of the sneakiest friend in all the lands. HAYDEN! that sneak sent me flowers and a cake and a message in a bottle. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!?! It was so great. I felt so special. I sure do love him. It was just the best dang surprise. 

It really was a great day. I can't believe how lucky I have been to be able to celebrate 2 birthdays in Russia! I love Russia and I love russians. Quick story that will melt your heart just like it melt mine.

The other day we were on a bus. The woman who sat across from me had such a kind face. We began talking with her and found out that she knows a tiny bit of english and that she travels the world and has been to most places. Well, I made the HUGE mistake of telling her that I really loved her pretty scarf. She proceeded to tell me that she bought it in Turkey while on vacation. And long story short... we gave her the Book of Mormon and right as we were getting off the bus, she takes off her scarf and wraps it firmly around my neck and INSISTED it as a gift to me for the wonderful book that we gave to her. It really did melt my heart and I wanted to cry. I can't believe her generosity, to give me something that she really treasured, and she didn't even know me! ALL russians are that way. They'll give you the clothes off their backs if they have to.  I really do love them. It's going to break my heart to say goodbye to them in just a couple of days. 

I have learned so many things as I've had the opportunity to serve the Lord here in Samara Russia. I have made a list of 20 condensed things that I have learned while being here.

1) Christ is in charge. ALWAYS.

2) The minute you think: "I did that!" or "I could understand that person because I know russian" we take Christ out of the work, and His hand gets stayed a bit because of our pride.

3) NEVER agree to giving an old 76 year old babyshka a "little back rub" because the next thing you know she's literally topless, and you've got yourself a big saggy smelly silly back massage in front of your eyes.

4) Never give compliments to things you like which people have. Because they will 70% of the time give it to you. (They're just the dang best!) They are so generous and kind. AND hilarious.

5) Without the Spirit, this work really can't progress. The Spirit REALLY is a member of the Godhead, and we really can't do anything unless we rely on the Spirit to know where to go, what to do, and what to say.

6) God's children are just so beautiful. All of them and their cultures are just amazing. 

7) EXACT obedience brings miracles. I've seen it over and over on my mission.

8) The corn on the cob that is 10 rubles is AWFUL. ALWAYS spend the extra 20 rubles for the good stuff.

9) MEMBERS ARE THE DANG FRIENDS! They've truly changed my life for the better. They're so dang funny and so dang weird.

11) Heavenly Father and Christ want us to have fun on our missions.

12) What they say "The Lord doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called." It's soooo true.

13) Before my mission, return missionaries would say "the mission is the hardest thing i've ever done in my liiiiife." I thought they were all just whiners, but no. They're so right. Mission really are so heart-breakingly difficult but so flippin worth it.

14) Dogs don't say "woof woof" they say "gaff gaff". Cat's don't say "meow meow" they say "kees kees"

15) Sister Meyers from the district is my IDOL! (jk. all you former missionaries get me.)

16) Heavenly Father won't deny His children the opportunity of hearing the gospel because we may not speak their language too well. He will always make up the difference. 

17) The atonement is real. It is infinite. It's for sinners, the broken hearted, the used, the misunderstood, the comfortless, the depressed, the lonely, and everything in between. It's real, and it's for all of us!

18) I am NOTHING. I am weak, I can't write in russian, I can't speak russian the way I'd like to. I can't ever feel satisfied with the efforts I give. BUT like in 2 Nephi 33:4 "I know the Lord God will consecrate my [[efforts] for the gain of His children. All the [efforts] I've given in my weakness WILL be made strong [because of Christ] for His children." 

19) We really can obtain Christ's attributes.Above all of His attributes, the BIGGEST and the most important is Faith in Jesus Christ. I love what Preach My Gospel says about it. "With faith in Jesus Christ you accomplish what the Lord wants you to accomplish." And then later in the paragraph it goes on the say "Faith is a principle of power. God works by power, but His power is usually exercised in response to faith." GOD. WORKS. BY. POWER! But He can't exersize His power unless/until we give something. Unless we exercise faith in Him and in His Son Jesus Christ. This is just so true.

20) I have learned to trust my Father in Heaven. I have learned to trust my Savior. I have come to know my Savior. I know Him. He knows me perfectly too. I thank God and Christ every day, and I'll continue to thank them everyday of my life, for sending me here to the Samara Russia mission. This place has my heart. They knew I wasn't needed here in this mission, they knew I needed this mission. Specifically THIS place. I have been reaquainted with my friends from Heaven here in Russia. I really strongly feel that that's true. I have changed for the better because of these russian people. I am more humble, I am stronger, and I know that I can do hard things WITH the help of my Savior. I love this place. I will always long to be back here. I am grateful for the opportunity I've been blessed with to become more and more, here and little and there a little, who God needs me to become. My mission has helped me to do so. I love Russians, I love Russia, EVERYTHING about it, and I love the Lord Jesus Christ. He is ALL knowing, ALL powerful, and omnipotent. I love Him, and I love His work. I will serve Him all the days of my life.

I would be so ungrateful if I didn't mention the help and support which my mission president President Schwab and his wife Sister Schwab. I LOVE them. They have filled the void of my family for the passed 16 months. I love them. They have been willing to drop EVERYTHING that they're doing to answer my questions, to lift up my broken spirit, to teach me, to tell me jokes, to listen to me. I will miss them so terribly. I also truly believe that the Lord called me to this mission because I needed the example of the Schwabs in my life. I will NEVER forget them and their sacrifices on my behalf, and their examples, and all the bad jokes we would tell each other. I love them so much AHHH! The Schwabs for life! 

I would also be so ungrateful if I didn't mention my companions. 

SISTER COLEMAN, you taught me to love the work. You taught me to always be myself and to just be a freak and to share my talents with everyone. Love you for that! Best trainer ever. Singing with you always was a treat. I love you.

SISTER MCKELL, we had the best times together. We got to live together for 5 months! Some of the best 5 months of my mission. You taught me to just rely on Christ and to know that success isn't measured by anything. It just is measured by the love you feel to and from others. I love you. (& shiny Craig ) hehehe

SISTER MARTINEZ, you taught me to give all the glory to Christ. All of it. You taught me what it truly means to serve others. Thanks for that my lil mexican bean feast! I love you.

SISTER MCKELL, you taught me SO much. You taught me to never ever give up and to never ever complain, even when you break your foot. You really are a light to me and to others and you took care of me when my health was at it's worst, and I took care of you. You're just the pal! I love you.

SISTER REED, you are so sassy. You made the best crepes I've ever tasted in my life. You taught me to push myself just a liiiiitle bit further and further each and every day. You have amazing drive. I love you.

SISTER HULLINGER, you introduced me to my turn on earth. Need I say more? Just kidding. You have taught me a lot about loving others. You have so much love, especially for children. You have a desire to be obedient and it whips me into shape when I sometimes fall off the obedient train. I love you. 

I am so grateful to have served here. I am most grateful to my God, and my Savior, and to my parents who provided me with the means to be able to be here. I LOVE YOU! Neighbors and family who helped me to get here too, I LOVE YOU. 

I am grateful to the Russian people. My friends, my family, all the things that I have learned from you. I love you dearly and will always always miss you and always always love you.

I have come to know the mysteries of God little by little, and I will continue to do so as the door of my mission closes, and as the Lord opens up the next door. I am so excited to get to the other side of that door and see all the cool things in store. I am so grateful and I hope that you all retain in remembrance the greatness of God. He LIVES! And He LOVES each and every one of us. I know it. I have seen it. I have lived it. I will continue to live it. 

I will see you soon. I love you all!

Love, 

Сестра Хэйли Джейн Твид

Россиская Самарская Миссия 

April 2014-October 2015

this is the message that was in

HAYD IS THE BEST IN ALL THE LANDS!

 Took a bus to samara for zone conference

and then I got fro yo with sissy Reed!

With "LY" "TL" and "SG" my pals from the Samara branches

That moment you find out that you and your pal elder peterson are 4th cousins

Bye to the pals. We grew up together in the sod. MTC sod that is

the cake from "BI"'s house

the lesson at "BI"'s house

Bye Brooklyn!

Taco dinners in russia are the finest

I love them SUH MUCH

22

me and my sissy "AY" eating the YUMMIEST caramels

just taking a ride on daisy

birthday cakes

so much... just soooo much

I really really really really do

and then me and "TY" and elder choate creepin his way in

me and "VK"

we had to finish the cake "BI" bought, so in order to do so, we had a picnic in the hall hahaha

 HEAVEN REALLY IS A PLACE ON EARTH. HALLELUJIAH.

Got to see "JH" our investigator one last time before I go home. 

We ran into her this morning before we wrote home

Go Home

Hey ya'll! I finally watched conference this week. And it was magical, and I loved it. We also went back to Kazan earlier last week, and me and sister wilson had a date with each other at mcdonalds. I love that gal so much she's the dang friend! We just talked about the mission and the future all while we drank hot chocolate and ate cheese cake and cookies. It was a magical time. We saw a lot of cool miracles there too. People are just SOOOOO nice in Kazan, it's crazy. I even met an old lady named Maria feeding the stray dogs CHICKEN NECKS and CHICKEN FEET! The crunch sound..... it was great. Crunchatize me captain. Dang. I actually really miss captain crunch. 

Had a cool experience the other night. I had to go to the bathroom, and so we went and by the time we went back outside, we only have ten more minutes before having to come back into the house for the night (it was late). We set a goal for the last ten minutes of the night to find someone and invite them to church. Well, we were outside and I felt really weird, and I was praying in my head and just asked for faith in Christ to be able to find this person when a sick feeling came to my stomach and the Spirit clearly and loudly said to me "GO HOME. NOW." So I grabbed my ginger companion and we returned home. I don't know what would have happened had I not listened to that prompting from the Spirit, but that's the goal! To not find out. So never ever delay promptings, okay?

I can't believe that soon I come home. Last week is my last P-day. EVER as a missionary and I am filled with a lot of emotion and a lot of joy and regrets and satisfaction and everything in between. To be completely honest, it still doesn't feel real that I'm going home so soon, but I feel ready and I just can't wait to see all of you, and to hug you all (especially you Hayd) And you too mom. Don't worry, you (reading this) your'e on the list too!

I am unfortunately out of time due to having to get things done before my journey home in a couple weeks! so, before I go, I just wanted to share a few of my insights which I loved from President Monson and the Apostles. 

Dieter F. Uchtdorf- "Are we making our discipleship as members of the church too complicated? It's so simple, that even a child can undesrtand, yet so deep that we are constantly learning during our lifetime." Great reminder of the simplicity of this Gospel.

M. Russell Ballard- "We cannot separate Christ from His servants." Isn't that so simple and profound? That's the secret to happiness. Our goal is to always live worthy to have Christ's spirit fo be with us, and we can have this as we serve Him and others. We have the promise from this apostle of the Lord, that Christ WON'T separate from us, IF we will just serve.

Quentin L Cook- "Rewards for righteousness are available NOW!" We often think, I know that I do, that blessings according to our behaviors will come later. But no! We can receive rewards from Heaven right now. All we need to do is behave, and then ask.

Robert D. Hales- "After prayer, spend some time alone. Think ahead." Prayer really isn't a 'dump everything onto Heavenly Father' really quick so that I can hurry and get to sleep, but rather, a literal two way conversation WITH Him. You guys.... we ahve connection with God of the most high. Make time for Him, because he ALWAYS makes time for you. Spend time alone before, during, and after your prayers to spiritually digest the feast of knowledge which He will and does give to you and to each of us. It works for me, and it'll work for you.

Jeffery R. Holland- "No love in this mortal life comes closer to Christ's love, than a mother's love for her child(ren). When times of temptation come, think of the Savior and your mother." Isn't this just the dang truth. I invite you all to tell all your mums of the love and gratitude you have for them. Whether they're alive, or not, I promise that they'll hear you.

Dallin H. Oaks- "The atonement of Jesus Christ belongs to those who ask." How often do we ask for patience THROUGH the atonement? Or strength? Or deliverance from afflictions? Or even the patience and capacity to endure our afflictions? I really know that just as edler Oaks said "those who seek Christ's help, get it." ASK! And rely on the enabling atonement. 

Neil L. Andersen- "Our faith comes by choice, not my chance." Are we making this choice? I also love when he said "Live worthy of the Lord's saying 'great is your faith'."

Henry B. Eyring- "Keep your testimony fresh!" How do we do this? Well, how do you keep food from spoiling? You don't just leave it stashed away in a zip lock bag and shove it in one of the dark drawers in the fridge, and then shut the fridge and forget about it. NO! Take taht food out! Share it! Keep your tesimonies fresh! We all benefit from each others tesimonies. I also loved when he said "Do little things for the Lord." Small and simple things bring to pass great things.

Ronald A. Rasband- "Become a living witness of Christ." It's not enough to just quietly believe. SPEAK UP! LIVE! Be a living witness of Him.

Gary E. Stevenson- "The gospel offsets the alamaties of life." So why aren't we LIVING the gospel to it's fullest? Don't you want protection from the calamaties of the world and of life itself?

Dale G. Renlund- "See others through a parents eyes: through Heavenly Father's eyes." Think about it.... if we truly do this, there will be NO hate, No contention. NO jealous, none of that. Look at each other for what we REALLY are. Annoying habits and isms aside, we are Heavenly Father's children. All of us. 

Russell M. Nelson- When telling the story of when 3 people died in one family of heart failure, Russell M Nelson explained how he went home, threw himself on the floor, and cried all night long. His wife, by his side heard him cry "I'll never do another surgery again." And his dear wife said "If you quit now, others will painfully go through what you've just now experienced. Don't quit now. Get up and get dressed, it's time for you ro work." DON'T QUIT NOW!

D. Todd Christofferson- "Be converted to CHRIST, not to the church." I know that this is His only true church. I also know like elder Christofferson said "we are the hands, eyes, head, and feet of Christ's church. We are all members of the body (or church) of Christ. We all need to work together. Just as we read in 1 corinthians 12: 18-26. 

David A Bednar- "We are here to grow specifically from trials and challenges." Whatever these tirlas and challenges are in your life right now, ACTIVELY come unto Christ. Only He can help us overcome EVERY trial. 

President Monson- He spoke of a vast, wide variety of things. I am grateful when he reminded all of us that "Faith and doubt cannot exist in the same sphere." He then spoke about what we need to do to strengthen our faith. Things including reading, studying, and pondering the scriptures and NEVER neglecting those things, Having charity toward others, being an example in word and conversation and by striving to follow the Savior."

I love these men. I know that they are God's prophets and apostles here on the earth right now, TODAY. Thomas S. Monson truly has, and is wearing out his life in the service of God. I add my testimony that not only is he the prophet of God, but each apostle really is the Lord's apostles. He calls them. I feel it time after time as I hear and read their words. I know that this church is true, and that it LITERALLY is God's kingdom here on the earth. The Savior gave His life for His churhc. Do we REALLY remember that? I really truly do pray that we do, and if we don't then we can remember that! This IS the way. I love this gospel. I know that coming to kno it's true is a process, but in order to really truly know, we need to ask, and act. LIVE the gospel! That's my testimony to you all. 

Love to you from Russia. See you SOON.

С любовью, Сестра Твид 

me and uncle Lenin just chillin

We look like twinzzzz

On the way to kazan we stopped at a place for the bathroom, and this lady Ludmila was wearing the same sweater as me! Good times. 

feasting on chicken feet

I've got the hailey in my hands

great lesson with a blind less active in kazan. Okay, she's not completely blind but she's getting there. she's just the cute friend lil VL!

THE BEST FRIEND I EVER MET ON A BUS! her name is ND from Ukraine. She was in kazan visiting her sister. I honestly feel like I knew her before this life, and when I told her that, she agreed. We gave her the Book of mormon and it was just a magical time. She even gave me her address so that we could write each other. I love her so much. Best spirit you'd ever meet.

chubby face in the cold kazan with my shishter crooklyn

haha it was the coldest. Snow fell the next day. Don't we look so prepared for that? NO.

Kazan

snick sonalds

if you look close you'll notice that sister wilson spilled her hot chocolate all over the plate hahaha.

Us with Dasha. She's the dang friend I LOOOOOVEEEEEE her!

I got new teeth.

Gimme a piece of that man meat

Had a lesson with our cute "MR". I love her, she's just the most solid and the dang best. Mom do you want dolls like these? I sure do. 

OL and IR the dang pals. OL collects bottle caps on the ground for me because she knows that I collect them. ahahhahh she's a pal. 

Us with OY and VT her husband. They're just the solid members too. He's a convert and he also had cancer 3 years ago and they got married 2 years ago. They're the best humans

and this............. is what I woke up to this morning. Good morning russia!

selfies in mirrors

it was just suh cold

haha this shot though. 

see you in a few days! I LOVE YOU!