July 21, 2010

To my wonderful family and friends,

This being my last email that I will write to you from Armenia causes me to think that I should write something profound, but I don't have anything profound to say. My thoughts of late have been quite simple. In short I cold summarize my thoughts in the following three words--amazement, gratitude, and love. I am amazed at the experiences that I have had and maybe a little more amazed at how quickly my time has passed. I am grateful for the opportunity that I had to come to Armenia and serve a mission, for the lessons I have learned, and the friendships I have made. And I have truly loved my mission and the Armenian people...it was an amazing experience--one that words cannot express or explain. And that about sums up my thoughts of late :)

So many wonderful things have taken place in the past couple of weeks. In all honesty time has flown. I was fortunate enough to see three investigators baptized. Edgar was baptized on the 10th of July. Edgar is red headed (Armenians were originally red heads) and 13 years old. The baptism went really well. Edgar has ADD so it has been a long teaching process with him. Our lessons had to be very entertaining and could not take more then 20 minutes and that's if it was a good day. Edgar is honestly such a good kid and I am hoping other family members will one day come into the gospel through his example.

Then Saturday the 17th of July Vacek was baptized. There were few in attendance, but I actually prefer small private baptisms cause they just tend to be more reverent and spiritual here. The baptism went really well. I was afraid that Vacek wouldn't be able to make it back out of the water, but he did...and he did it twice :) He's such a great man. Good heart...he just knows its true and that is that. Vacek called me later that night...and he sounded so happy...happier then I have ever heard him.

And then on Sunday the 18th of July Alexandra was baptized. It is very rare here in Armenia to see an 8 year olds baptism. It was very touching. Alexandra is the sweetest young girl and has been an example to me that even at the young age of 8 one can find out the truth and make the choice on their own to be baptized. She loves the Book of Mormon and one of her favorite activities is to read to me.

So preparing for baptisms has kept me busy of late. Also, I had the opportunity to go on exchanges with Sister Christensen for a day. It was definitely an inspired exchange. Just another proof that God steps in when he needs too. I will also be going on exchanges for a day with Sister Deaver on Wednesday. And I am looking forward to that.

Other then that I am just trying to make the most of my remaining time her in Armenia. The next few days I am extremely busy...trying to fit in seeing people for the last time. Sadly I don't have enough time to say goodbye to everyone, but that's okay. There are a few that are must sees and then others I will just leave a note or call and say goodbye.

Yesterday, was my last Sunday in Armenia. It was as crazy as ever :) but it was good. I had to chase kids out of the sacrament meeting because they were running around with guns and screaming just before the sacrament...well I ended up getting locked out of the sacrament room. HAHAHAHA...so I didn't get to take the sacrament. I thought it was pretty funny. Then President Carter came to speak in our branch and he surprised me by calling me up to the stand. He then proceeded to tell the branch that I was leaving (which I had tried to keep a secret) and told them what a marvelous missionary I was and how everyone he had talked to had just spoken highly of me. And then he gave me an opportunity to bear my testimony to them one last time. To be honest deep down in my heart I wanted to do that so it was an answer to a silent prayer. I cried...everyone cried. hahaha. Sister Crego said everyone was crying and they were. The spirit was so strong. It was a very unique experience for me...in many ways it was a good closing of my mission. It felt good and it was needed...for more then one reason.

Well, I love you all so much. Thanks for the prayers and support you gave me. Its greatly appreciated. And I guess I will be talking to you soon.

Until then let me leave you with a thought "Believe in God; believe tht he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend. And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now if you believe all these things see that ye do them. And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angle. And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true." Book of Mormon, Mosiah 4: 9-12

Sister Davis

Pictures July 21, 2010

July 5, 2010

To my wonderful family and friends,

First, I want to say that I love you all so much. I am continually praying for you and hope that all is well in your lives. Second, I am sorry I have not been a more diligent writer, but as the time has drawn closer to my returning home the haves to write has dwindled. However, seeing how I only have 2 1/2 weeks left in country (weird) I thought I should give you at least one more update on the missionary work here in Armenia and certain events in my life.

Things are going extremely well. This week we had transfers and I am still in Shengavit (no surprise there), but I do have a new companion! Sister Crego is her name and she is from Virginia. She is a beautiful, fun girl and I am already having a blast serving with her. It will be a really fun couple of weeks serving with her. As far as the missionary work I am just focusing on teaching Sister Crego the area as well as helping her form relationships with our investigators and new members. There are a lot of new members, which is wonderful, but I want them to have a support so its really important to me that Sister Crego forms relationships with them...so we will be doing a lot of new member work until I die :) Besides, new member work I will also (I am hoping) to see at least 3 of our investigators baptized by the time I go home. That would be wonderful...I am hoping for two more, but I don't know if it will happen. Time will tell. So things are going wonderful. The missionary work is going great. Edgar our 12 year old investigator will be getting baptized tomorrow. He is great. I love that kid. And then we have two baptismal interviews this week as well. So we shall be busy.

We had a baptism on Saturday and I was able to meet the new mission president and his wife. They are a very nice couple and I can already tell they are going to do very well here. The missionaries here already love them...cause they are so friendly. It will be interesting to see the changes that take place...it will be good.


So I will share on experience that I thoroughly enjoyed from last week. So for District Meeting Elder Stutz decided to take us to Cascades...which I will attach pictures so you can kind of get an idea. Anyways, its a place were you can over look the city. Its really beautiful. Anyways, so we go to the very top and we sit down to start our meeting. Well, a security guard comes over and tells us we can't sit there...so we move...same thing happens...and so we move again...and same thing happens. Well, one of the things that has occurred on my mission is my bluntness and my desire to not beat around the bush so to speak has just tripled. hahaha. So I see the security/cop guy coming to us again...but this time there are two of them. So I get up and I start walking towards them. They tell us we have to move. And I say well that doesn't make much since...you have this beautiful area and people aren't allowed to come her and sit and enjoy the view. And they said no people are, but you are not. hahahaha. And I ask them why that is. And they said they didn't want us there (which I already knew) and they didn't want our "works". But I told them that we weren't proselyting and that if they remembered correctly they were the ones who came up to us first. Anyways, so after I tell them how unright and unfair and untrue they were being...we got escorted off the property. HAHAHAHAHA! So great. Anyways, so we get to the bottom and we go to sit on some benches. And again the security people had been radioed about us and they came to tell us to leave. Well, I had had enough...so I refused to move. HAHAHAHA. And I told them they had no right to kick us out...and I could sit on the bench if I wanted too. And that I wasn't moving cause I wasn't doing anything wrong. Well, the cop didn't know what to say...and I sat on that bench for a good chunk of time :)

Also, it is getting really really hot. I can't wait till I can swim in the ocean again. It has been far to long. But with heat brings some hilarious stories...which I will save to tell in person. Needless to say I have gotten to know some of my investigators better then I would have originally wanted.

Well, things are going so good. I am happy and semi healthy :) My body is ready to die. However, I will definitely be leaving 1/2 of my heart here in Armenia. I am already missing parts of my life here. The wonderful thing is I recognize that my time here is quickly coming to an end. And that is okay with me. To every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

Well, I love you all. Until next time. God bless.

Sister Cami Davis

Pictures -- July 5, 2010

Leana and I at her sister baptism on Saturday. And the little guy is named Hike. He stole my heart. And kept giving me kisses on the cheek throughout the baptism.

Vacek...this was an example in our lesson on repentence...so funny!

Sister Crego, Vacek, and I

It is SO hot of late...and I have found a new craving. Grand Candy chocolate ice cream. You can usually find me with a banana in one hand and and ice cream bar in the other.

Our investigator Edgar...he'll be getting baptized tomorrow

Sister Hallewell, Edgar, and I

Iza and I -- she's a new member and has such a desire to serve.

Sister Hallewell, Sister Davis, and Meisam. Meisam is such a great friend.

Elder Wainwright, Elder Lusk, Sister Davis, Sister Hallewell, Elder Stutz, and Elder Grigoryan

From the top of Cascades you get a really cool view of Yerevan

Cascades in Yerevan, Armenia

Pictures--June 28, 2010

Sasa, me, Katia, Sister Hallewell, and Amelia

My brothers from the MTC! Elder Piercy, and Elder Simonsen. This was at the Mother of Armenia Statue for celebrating the dedicatory prayer in opening Armenia up to missionary work.

At Pandok. A nice and cheap restaurant across from the center church. This is a normal food selection. I love Tolma...its the green stuff...SO GOOD!!!!!

Sister Cornwell, Sister Bishop, Sister Davis, Vanek, Sister Hallewell, Elder King, Ruza, Iza, and Elder Santos

Lesson on the restoration while celebrating Sister Cornwell's birthay :)

Sister Hallewell, Rahim, and I

Rahim and I...it will be the last time I see Rahim for a quit some time :(

Zaven, Sister Hallewell, Ana, me, David, Artak, Ashot, and Elder King. Artak got baptized on June 26, 2010.

Sister Hallewell, Zaven, David, Artak, Ashot, me, and Ana

Artak and his three children: David, Ana, and Ashot

Ashot, Ana, David

Pictures -- June 21, 2010

Vahe, Rahim, and I -- having a nice chat in a park

Me and Alexandra walking to a baptism in Komitas. I love her SO much! She is such a good beautiful girl and has such a hard life. She's eight and will be getting baptized in a couple of weeks.

This is my friend Meisam...he is awesome. We are helping him learn English. He also played the Daf for us...its a beautiful Iranian drum.

Rahim and Sister Davis...every Saturday our district gets together and plays frisby. I tried this past saturday, but was scared of my nose getting hit again...so I chilled with Rahim on the side lines :)

Sister Hallewell and I...showing off her new umbrella...we've been getting crazy thunderstorms of late...its so nice...reminds me of Virginia.

Ara's and Giane's family--- I love them SO much! I will miss them.

Our last district lunch together...transfers came up...and I'm staying in Shengavit!!!!

In the back ground you can see Yerevan...kind of :)

The Mother of Armenia Statue

Sister Lara Bishop, Sister Davis, and Ruza out for a wonderful day in the sun celebrating Ruza's birthday.

This is Ruzzana...she is our fruit lady :) After living in Shengavit for almost 10 months I know so many people around our apartment. I will miss all of them so much.

Sister Davis, Ruzzana, and Sister Hallewell. Sister Hallewell's first time eating a bone cheek.

Sister Hallewell, Sister Davis, and Vacek. Vacek is our investigator. He is such a funny old man...and is slowly progressing :) I love the glasses.

Sister Lara Bishop, Armen Hovsepiyan, and Sister Davis at the conference with Elder Scott

Sister Lara Bishop, Elder Clarke, Ani Kariyan, Rahim, Sister Davis, Elder Lowe, and Sister Hallewell

Branch President Agashi, Armen, Seda, Sister Davis, and Sister Hallwell. This was honestly the best baptism I have yet attended in Armenia...the spirit was so strong. Armen and Seda