Привет всем. Старейшина Вайлд здесь 😘
Some fun things been going on! We got an approved district exchange! On Wednesday, we went to Poltova for the day (we aren't allowed to do overnight exchanges yet). We got up and left at 7 a.m., drove three hours there, and then left to go back to Sumy at 6 p.m. and drove three hours again to get home before curfew :). Poltova was absolutely BEAUTIFUL. Seriously loved being there for the short time that I was.
While we were there, we ate two Ukrainian dishes. 1. Окрошка (okroshka) which is this cold white soup, filled with cucumber, salami, dill, etc. It didn't really float my boat, I definitely think soup is better served hot lol.
2. Голушка (golyshka) This was SUPER good but for some reason only served in Poltova which makes me upset. These were dumplings with potatoes inside, with a brothy soup, with cheese and chicken inside, and some greens. Literally soooooo good omg. I already miss it.
Then we got some famous cookies they had there called domoneeks, soooooo good.
Fast forward a few days, we had online Zone Conference (the infection rate has skyrocketed here so we couldn't have in-person Zone Conference). It was super amazing and inspiring.
Big time shout out to my cousin, Jenna, for sending me the cutest card, which she sent months ago (I think in July) and it just got here. She's a gem and a half.
Spiritual sauce 💥 - this is a spiritual thought I shared with the mission not too long ago (we have morning spiritual texts sent out each morning to the mission.)
When my family and I were in Uganda last summer, we had the chance to go Gorilla trekking. Emphasis on TREKKING. We were provided with a guide, a couple soldiers, and a few couriers.
We began the trek thinking, "Alright, the gorillas should probably be chillin' out somewhere no more than an hour away from us. It should be a breeze to get to them." However, we couldn't have been more wrong. In fact, we were completely wrong because our gorillas ended up being the farthest of any other group that day, as well as one of the farthest treks our instructors had ever been on.
We seemed to be traveling aimlessly as we ventured through the thick jungle, but we put our trust in the guides. As the terrain grew tough, the couriers provided a helping hand. Upon running into jungle elephants, snakes, and other obstacles, the soldiers protected us. And when we grew tired, they all helped us press on.
Finally, after three and a half hours or so of continuous trekking, we beheld our end goal. A family of silver back gorillas, all standing less than a few feet away from us. It was one of the most magnificent things I had ever seen and worth every single step it took to reach them.
However, although the trip was worth every step, it wouldn't have been possible if it weren't for those around us, supporting, guiding, and protecting us in every movement.
Similar to the support given to my family and me on that trek, we have all been given support in a much greater trek. The trek of life. We have been given mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, friends, prophets, apostles, scriptures, temples, prayer, and so much more. Above all, we have been given a Savior from the hands of a loving Heavenly Father.
We read in Psalms 18:2 - The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
The Lord will help us through any trek that we will ever face, no matter the difficulty or duration of it. Just as President Wirthlin always says, "The Lord is always a hand up."
And just as the reward that proceeded from much trekking was magnificent, those who "endure to the end shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God." (D&C 14:7)
Brothers and Sisters, we are supported on both sides of the veil, and the gifts of God await those who trek on.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Elder Wilde and his gorilla friends 🦍🦍🦍
Photos of the Week
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