Called to serve

I guess I will introduce myself.
My name is Sister Bonazelli... or I guess сестра Bonazelli now :)

In March I was called to serve as a full time missionary for the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints. I have been called to serve in the Samara, Russia mission. Russian speaking. I depart for the Provo, UT MTC on June 19th.

My mission is very large in area, but very small right now in terms of missionaries currently serving there. There are even fewer sisters than elders. There are currently 0 temples in all of Russia. The nearest one is in Kyiev (I know I probably spelled that wrong) Ukraine.


I am really excited (but nervous as of late) about this mission call.
My best friend, Elder Johnson, is currently serving in the mission right exactly next to mine. He is serving in Donetsk, Ukraine and speaking Russian as well. I think that's really cool and I am excited to converse with him in our letters in Russian!

So far I haven't been able to get much mission prep done because of a number of reasons...
1.) I am the only member in my family. No one has ever done this in my family before so it's totally new!
2.) I have a job in which I'm working 40 ish hours a week.
3.) I have two callings right now that take up a lot of my time and effort. I am YSA leader for the ward and Ward chorister. A new YSA leader was just called so I will probably be released soon. But choristing takes a lot because I'm still learning how to do it. I love my callings though!
4.) Family. Trying to do lots of stuff for my family and keeping track of my puppy can be a lot.

We are going on vacation for a bit and when I get back I have goals and things I want to get done as soon as possible.
So far I have a rough draft of a packing list and things I need to do.

I need to get my driver's license, get my passport done, get at least 2 more shots (Yuck! Hate needles!), figure out banking stuff, lots of shopping, read book of Mormon, temple stuff, and more!

But...

I just finished both interviews for my temple recommend. I officially have it ready to go and within the next month or so, I can go to the temple to get my endowments! I am so excited. Soon after I get back from vacation it will happen. That is one of the parts I am looking forward to most about preparing to serve my mission.

I also have this goal of learning at least 20 hymns on piano before I leave. So far I have these totally learned:
Come, follow me; we thank thee o god for a prophet; I am a child of God; Sweet Hour of Prayer; As Sisters in Zion.
So I am 20% of the way to that goal. I also have a few childrens songs learned... Army of Helaman, When I am baptized, and I love to see the temple. So I guess those can count too. So I guess I'm really at about 40%... right? Mental math. I hope I'm right. Otherwise, that's pretty embarrassing. I promise I took 3 math classes in High School.

Well, I don't have much else to say. I have to wake up early to go get my teeth cleaned. So I really should be getting to bed.

Before I do... I've been thinking a lot about the story in the bible, in John, where the Savior washes the feet of the disciples. I know it's because of the popular quote (a hymn is totally based on this scripture) where Jesus gives a new commandment to love one another as he has loved us. It goes along with my thoughts and observations in the whole gay-marriage debates lately. Here is a status I posted on facebook today because I got totally irritated with all the hate that has been launched back and forth from both sides of the debate:

"It's really annoying how people want their opinions and views to be respected, yet they call others of the opposite opinion bigots or close minded. Isn't that a double standard? There is hate toward both parties in every situation. I'm a straight white teenage Mormon girl. I don't hate anything except the word itself. But guess what? I get hate. And on the opposite end, I have friends who are gay ...and my age and not necessarily religious. They are good people and they also receive hate. Hate and bigotry and prejudice can go both ways. In the bible Jesus washed the feet of the disciples to teach by example the commandment to live one another as Jesus loves you. Guess why? God and Jesus Christ loves everyone. Gay, straight, male, female, and every race. Everyone sins and he still loves us. So don't judge or condemn someone just because they sin differently than you. It's none of your business. If you claim religion then practice what you preach. Don't try to play God and condemn people. It's not your place to judge. And if you have an opinion that you want to be respected... Respect the opinions of others. If you write a response to an opinion that offends you, be aware before you write that your comments might be just as hurtful.
Seriously tired of all the hate people are throwing at each other. Whatever happened to a civil debate???"

It doesn't even matter what I think. Actually, my view on homosexuality is just this:

I will not be a homosexual. It's not who I am, and that's all there is to it. I believe that it is wrong for me to be that. So I will not do it. I will not judge or condemn or hate people who claim to be homosexuals or bisexuals. You know why? Because I sin too. Granted, I sin differently. But I sin all the same. I have been commanded by God to love all of His children. So that is what I will do. We are taught as latter-day saints to "love the sinner". We are not God. We do not have the power to judge others because of what we think to be right. And on the other end, not all Christians are what the modern media call "homophobes". Guess what? There are bad people in every crowd and there are good people in every crowd. There are even some bad people in my religion, some people who hate or judge where none should be placed.

I am not one of those people. I have a firm belief that you should absolutely look for good in other people. No matter what. And of course you should always practice what you preach. In the end, people are people. The world would be a lot nicer if we just minded our own business and loved one another no matter what.

Anyway, I guess I'm carrying on a bit. But seriously. It makes me so sad to see people be so awful to each other. I bet if those people pushed past their differences they could even be friends.

Well. With that I guess I will bid you farewell. Just keep in mind that God loves everyone. Not just Christians or just catholics or just any one group in particular.

Just be kind to your fellow man for Heaven's sake.