Memory Week

Week 22-

SO Elder Bates and I are staying together again for this transfer!  So I will finish his training, and now I am no longer considered a Greenie, becaue I have been here for 2 transfers, which is crazy, thats so long, but I look back and it feels like it all happened so fast.  I am gonna get home and be like, wait that was it? 2 Years used to be a lot longer.  Alright, there are a couple reasons for the subject line.  

   The first story concerns the Preach My Gospel, and Companion Study.  SO Elder Bates and I found out that there is an area here on left bank we have never been to, so we planned the night before, to go there, and check it out.  We decided we would study finding in preparation for the day so as to help us find some people. There is a story about a Taxi Driver there.  We read it and analyzed it, and got ready to go.  That story is on like the 3rd page of chapter 9, you should read it, and compare.  So we get on the street, grab a marshutka which we think might get us there.  After about 30 minutes we cross a bridge.  The way Left Bank works, is if you cross a bridge, you are no longer in your area, so Elder Bates and I get of ASAP.  We pull out the map, figure out where in the world we are.  A native aproaches us, he speaks english and helps us figure out how to get there, then he wanted us to come speak english for some kids at his school to see us. He gave us his number! First person we found! We finally get where we are going, and there is just nothing there... so we start walking back to where we usually contact, it would have been about 4 hours in the pouring rain, and we would be late for dinner:( that would have just been the worst thing that could possibly happen.  So we walk, Elder Bates was determined to find someone in this place I would call the Land Desolation.  After discussing whether or not we should take a marshutka the rest of the way, we decide to keep walking, in the rain, with no one there (I wanted to take the marshutaka).  After about an hour and a half of this, we see a Taxi pulled over, and the driver is working on something under the hood.  He looks up and sees us, and the biggest look of relief comes over his face.  He explains his starter is out, and that we need to push start it, and that if we helped him he would give us a ride to wherever we need to go. We get it going, and we are sitting in the back, and as soon as I had seen the taxi I thought to myself " Oh, I see what you did there God, well played, inspired study is a funny thing." Eventually we start talking to him, we get his number, and a ride to where we needed to be.  I basically said the same things as the elders in the story.  We get out, and I am just beaming at Elder Bates.  And I was like "Wow isnt inspired study cool" and he said yeah, he didnt realize quite how deep that went until I was like, remember that story about the Taxi driver that I thought could never happen here? That just happened.  Then understanding came into his eyes and we laughed about it.

Well the other thing isnt so happy, unfortunately Elder McCleary, who wants to serve the Lord SOOOO bad, is sick.  He could really use your prayers as he is trying to heal, Elder Bates and I have visited them a few times, they have been Grounded(Not aloud to leave the house) for 4-5 days now. He is getting better, and I gave him a blessing, so he should heal up, but we all know the power of prayer is incomprehensibly helpful. 

NOw that there is a lot of snow, the natives have started using sleds instead of strollers for their children, its funny!

Weirdest thing this week about ukrainians, IF they tell you they will be there anytime between 9-12, that means they will be there at 8:45.  Very different from america where 9-12 means 1. Well that is all, I love you all!

Gods sense of Humor...

Week 21-

SO Elder Bates and I are staying together again for this transfer!  So I will finish his training, and now I am no longer considered a Greenie, becaue I have been here for 2 transfers, which is crazy, thats so long, but I look back and it feels like it all happened so fast.  I am gonna get home and be like, wait that was it? 2 Years used to be a lot longer.  Alright, there are a couple reasons for the subject line.  

   The first story concerns the Preach My Gospel, and Companion Study.  SO Elder Bates and I found out that there is an area here on left bank we have never been to, so we planned the night before, to go there, and check it out.  We decided we would study finding in preparation for the day so as to help us find some people. There is a story about a Taxi Driver there.  We read it and analyzed it, and got ready to go.  That story is on like the 3rd page of chapter 9, you should read it, and compare.  So we get on the street, grab a marshutka which we think might get us there.  After about 30 minutes we cross a bridge.  The way Left Bank works, is if you cross a bridge, you are no longer in your area, so Elder Bates and I get of ASAP.  We pull out the map, figure out where in the world we are.  A native aproaches us, he speaks english and helps us figure out how to get there, then he wanted us to come speak english for some kids at his school to see us. He gave us his number! First person we found! We finally get where we are going, and there is just nothing there... so we start walking back to where we usually contact, it would have been about 4 hours in the pouring rain, and we would be late for dinner:( that would have just been the worst thing that could possibly happen.  So we walk, Elder Bates was determined to find someone in this place I would call the Land Desolation.  After discussing whether or not we should take a marshutka the rest of the way, we decide to keep walking, in the rain, with no one there (I wanted to take the marshutaka).  After about an hour and a half of this, we see a Taxi pulled over, and the driver is working on something under the hood.  He looks up and sees us, and the biggest look of relief comes over his face.  He explains his starter is out, and that we need to push start it, and that if we helped him he would give us a ride to wherever we need to go. We get it going, and we are sitting in the back, and as soon as I had seen the taxi I thought to myself " Oh, I see what you did there God, well played, inspired study is a funny thing." Eventually we start talking to him, we get his number, and a ride to where we needed to be.  I basically said the same things as the elders in the story.  We get out, and I am just beaming at Elder Bates.  And I was like "Wow isnt inspired study cool" and he said yeah, he didnt realize quite how deep that went until I was like, remember that story about the Taxi driver that I thought could never happen here? That just happened.  Then understanding came into his eyes and we laughed about it.

Well the other thing isnt so happy, unfortunately Elder McCleary, who wants to serve the Lord SOOOO bad, is sick.  He could really use your prayers as he is trying to heal, Elder Bates and I have visited them a few times, they have been Grounded(Not aloud to leave the house) for 4-5 days now. He is getting better, and I gave him a blessing, so he should heal up, but we all know the power of prayer is incomprehensibly helpful. 

NOw that there is a lot of snow, the natives have started using sleds instead of strollers for their children, its funny!

Weirdest thing this week about ukrainians, IF they tell you they will be there anytime between 9-12, that means they will be there at 8:45.  Very different from america where 9-12 means 1. Well that is all, I love you all!

Hey buddy,

I can't believe it has been 20 weeks.  First off I forwarded a message from dad with a bunch of pictures to you...and then checked your email and opened it to make sure it worked.  So even though it looks like it's been opened you still need to go open it, it has fun pics from this week.

As far as the Russian hat color for me...I don't really care.  I would love anything from you seriously so you pick:).  

We had a good week.  Dakkon started his mission papers and we took a good picture today.  He is starting a job at Zupas this week.  This is the last week of second quarter so we are working to get all the last minute things finished up.  Cam and Jacob go back to school on Tuesday.  I wrote a blog post as an update since it was 2 years ago that it went viral.  Jacob had a Junior Jazz game and won.  Dad was on a business trip all week.  I took the kids to the aquarium on Thursday with all the cousins.  We watched them feed the shark's so that was really cool.  

I talked with the editor about my book and we have decided to make it LDS specific so now I need to work with a new editor.  If Cedar Fort publishing doesn't end up publishing it I will just self publish on amazon I think.

I miss you a lot and think about you all the time.  It is strange that you are really gone, and time is passing.  It's passing faster than I thought it would.  

It was Sarah's farewell today.  She did a great job...or course.  She is really excited to go on Wednesday.  I am excited for her.  I promised her some cupcakes, like you got;).  Stacey is holding up pretty good it seems.  Cami browns parents have really struggled with her being gone.  Lane keeps offering to come get her.  He says he is joking...but I think he is pretty serious.  All the other ward missionaries are doing good.  It's fun to have so many out from our ward.  I hope Dakkon gets his papers out quick.  Nicole Lindsay is working on her mission papers now.  Trevor is working on his papers and wants to leave right after he graduates.  Lisa is a little worried because he has a serious girlfriend though.

I can't believe January is half over...I love that!  It's the 12 year anniversary of Dad dying this friday the 22.  The kids don't have school that day for the last day of the quarter so I think we will drive down to the cemetery.  We are going to the cabin tomorrow for MLK JR day.  

Well, I miss you like crazy, but I am still proud of you and so glad you are serving!!!  Yes, I will say this exact thing every week until you get home.  

I am so excited for your email to find out about transfers!!!

Questions,

1-do you need anything other than the maple extract?  More hand warmers?? other spices? any specific treats?

2- Next package will have some things for Sister Sullivan (ziplock bags) so open it at the mission office so you can leave them for her.

3- Assuming you do get transferred...Details on new transfer.  New comp. name, where is he from etc.

4 New area info??

5- Are you excited about the transfer (or lack of transfer).

6- Weirdest thing you ate this week?

7- Are the pop tarts gone or are you rationing them?

8- More info of how you are changing, how is your testimony growing? (I loved last weeks letter when you wrote me more about that stuff)

9- Would you recommend the blanket idea for Sarah?

10-Are you still happy?  How are you managing to stay positive and happy, even when things are hard?

11-What do you do in the branch on Sunday's?

12- Tell us more about the branch activities/ English classes.

Well, I hope I don't sleep through your email again.  I missed you by 15 min. last week.  Somehow it is emotionally unsettling for me to not just email 1 little thing back and forth.  I hope you are still doing fantastic.  I pray for you every night very specifically.  I hope you see the hand of the Lord in your life, everyday.  He is in the tiniest details and is always helping.  He can't prevent trials, or opposition but he does do so many things to help us deal with them and get through it.  

Love you so much!

Mom

-Id appreciate more carnation, there was something i wanted to ask for, but I forgot what it was so whatever. I am staying in Left bank with elder bates, and in fact, nothing about our district has changed.  We are all still here.  I am going to describe our district for you,  Elder Bates is straight laced, and is not entirely sure how to have fun, but he is really good at working hard, and loving the people.  Elder Beesinger and Elder McCleary are both our comedic relief.  We eat dinner with them every Sunday, and they even get Elder Bates laughing, there are just so hilarious.  They are Perfect for eachother, and they always get along.  At the same time they know when they need to lay off a little, and they also know how to work hard, everyone in our district is willing to walk till our legs are gone for the Lord. They are like Chip and Dale, but spiritual. Sister Morris is a really quiet, sister, and she loves missionary work, she is always happy.  Sister Bonsova is the hardest to describe because we dont have that personality type in America.  She has a really great sense of humor, and she loves to Joke around with us, but when she gets serious, its scary, but then immediately she goes back to being her jolly self.  And then I fit somewhere in there.  Weirdest thing I ate was Cabbage, Potatoes, and Something else rolled up into a little Tube about the size of a half of a cheese stick, covered in a red sauce.  IT was good, we ate it at a members house this week.  The poptarts were gone in a week.  My testimony is growing deeper.  IT is to the point where if the church isnt true, then we are not actually here. IF the church isnt true, then God isnt, and if GOd isnt, we arent. But we are, so God is, and so teh church is true.  It depends on how much she has, I dont know how much it costs to send packages to Norway, but I would say send it in a package to Norway, I do love it. Everyone thinks it is wierd, but I dont care, its my favorite.  I am still happy, I dont know the answer to the second part of that question, I never have known the answer to that part of the question, I just know that I am.  On sundays we do the same thing that we do at home, sacrament, Sunday school, Priesthood.  With english, we really only teach walter now because he is the only one that comes.  And its just a discussion about a lesson from PMG in english.  We have had to start emailing later because We found out we had been doing P-day wrong, so now I will email closer to 2 or 3 in the morning there.  I lve the pictures, and I love you. 

I would appreciate letters from all of the Boys(T boys too) and more pictures of me with them. I love you! Thanks for being an awesome mom.  If you hear about a flu going around Ukraine, dont worry, one of the only differences between you and sister sullivan, is I wont live with sister Sullivan for eternity, she takes such good care of us, and if I get even kind of sick, she will do everything in her power to heal me, short of flying me back to america.

Baptismal DATES!

Week 20-

Okay, so obviously as far as key indicators are considers, my mission has been less than amazing.  As far as experience is concerened, it is the best thing ever! So this week, we had a zone training meeting and some "Standards of excellence" Were introduced, they are sort of mission goals that we are striving for.  One of trhem is 4 people on baptismal date per month.  Looking back, I have only had one person on baptismal date ever.  So I was like, wow, this is gonna make us make some major changes.  But like nephi, elder bates and I knew that if we were asked to do something by president we could do it.  So we went to work, and we set some goals to help us get to those standards of exellence.  What we did during the week didnt make a huge differnce in our key indicators, which was kind of discouraging, so I fasted on sunday that we would find some new investigators, and have some investigators that wanted to be baptized, or would at least consider the idea. Well during church, we got a call from the assistants to the president saying they wanted to go on splits that night so that they could teach someone in left bank.  So I and elder Oman, a native, went on splits, and taught a member's parents the plan of salvation, the lesson went really well, and the investigators to be were like 80 years old, so I wasnt expecting a whole lot other than a return time.  Then Elder Oman committed them to be baptized on Febuary 13th!, And they said yes! SO the moral of the story is that if we depend on the Lord, he will do his work through us! The miricale only happened after I had fasted and prayed for specific things! Elder bates and I are really working hard, and we are so excited to have some investigators to lead to the baptismal font, and eventually to eternal life.  We asre going to meet with them again probably this Sunday so wish us luck! 

Funny story: Elder Bates keeps slipping! His boots have weird treads and so they dont get a good grip on the ground, and there is so much Ice on the ground it is crazy, he has slipped 10 times since the snow started to really come down.  I havent slipped once yet, so I am winning.

This week we taught Walter, and he basically commited to be baptized, but only because he didnt understand what he was saying.  We had him re read the intro to the book of mormon, and he pointed out that he couldnt do all the stuff we asked him to do because he hadnt read the whole thing yet, so we committed him to do everything in the introduction, he said he would, we said he would have to live his life in accordance with the book.  and he agreed, so we are having him read in 3Nephi 27 this time where it explains the Gospel of Jesus CHrist.  HE will get baptized eventually, and he said that he got an answer from God that he has to keep reading the book of mormon, so he is just progressing at snail speed, But progressing none the less. Well, that is it for this week, I love you all!

Emails with Mom-

Hey buddy,

Thanks for sharing your experience about the letter with me.  It means a lot.  I prayed so much about those letters that I would be inspired to write what message you would need to hear from me, from the Lord, or from Daddy Jake.  I prayed they would be an answer to prayer when you needed it most.  I hope that you have more experiences like that, even if it's rereading a letter that you already opened. 

I am sorry you got sick.  Are you feeling better?  What kind of sick were you???

So we went to Disneyland this week and also to the beach.  It was great.  Grandma came for a couple days, and we really enjoyed the weather.  We were laughing because the local news had a story of "how to beat the winter blues".  It was 62*...so I'm sure they are all just suffering out there in Southern California;).

We had more snow this week, it's piled up all around the neighborhood.  The kids have one more week of off track.  Second quarter is over in a week...so that is crazy.  The time really is flying by for us.  This January hasn't seemed near as depressing as I usually feel it is.  I think another blessing of you serving.  Dad is on a work trip all this week in San Francisco.  I am really hoping Dakkon finds a job this week.  He needs to get something going.  He has been helpful around the house though, and he has regular chores, like everyone.  Dad and I really regret not holding him to a higher standard the first time he was here.  We were being cautious with his situation, but it probably wasn't the best option. 

I miss you like crazy.  We are really all doing really good, but I still miss having one of my best friends around.  I am really proud of you for doing so well out there.  I love watching for Sister Sullivan to update the blog.  The last post you were only in one picture though.  So here is my picture request...be in more pictures!!!  And also get better lighting on the pictures you are taking with your camera.

Sarah's farewell is next Sunday...crazy.  She is so excited!

Questions-

1-Are you enjoying the seasonings, and also brown sugar?

2-What are your predictions for this weeks transfers?/Do you have any preferences in staying in Left Bank or a new area?

3-Where do you do your laundry?

4-Are you safe?

5-Are you still happy and positive?

6- Some of the other moms have talked about their missionaries struggling with depression, have you dealt with any of that?

7-Were you able to send the hats yet?

**8*** Important....last week over $330.00 was taken out of your bank account.  Was that you? for the hats?  

9-Random Ukrainian fact?

10-What was your happiest moment this week?

11-Most memorable moment?

12-Favorite thing about Bates?

13-What do you miss about home?

14-Specific prayers needed from us?

Well,  I miss you and love you so much.  I pray for you everyday...and several times a day!  Your such a great son, and a wonderful missionary.  We are all proud of you, especially me and dad.  I am continually grateful you are in my family and my son.  I feel it is an honor.  Thank you for that.  I know that Daddy Jake is proud of you and with you every step you take.  Having you serve has made me so excited for Grandma and Grandpa to serve as well.  Including all the other boys.  My whole life I have dreaded when the missionary revolving door would start...thinking of how hard it would be.  But I am so excited about it now and grateful, I love it!!

Love you tons.  Be safe!!!  Stay happy and positive.  Stay faithful.  Hit your knees when it's hard and when it's easy!!  Stay close to Heavenly Father and Christ.  Know that you are loved no matter what choices you make.  You can do hard things!!!

I love you,

Mom!!!  

Yes I am loving the seasoinings, and I havent used the brown sugar yet, but I am saving it for a special occasion.  I am not sure, I think I will get moved, and Elder bates will stay here and train.  We do our laundry at home, but we have to hang everything to dry.  I am way safe, sister sullivan wouldnt sleep if I was in danger.  I am still happy and positive.  I dont know what depression means.  I havent been able too yet, and yes the 330 dollars was me.  So I still have to buy yours, and I need to know whether or not you want a white hat or a black hat? And it will be mink. Random ukrainian fact: A. Open a window and a door at the same time, you will get sick, B. If you go outside without a hat, you will get sick, C. If you go outside without a scarf, you will get sick.  Basically they believe everything will make them sick, it is really funny.  Favorite thing about Elder Bates is that he is willing to work hard.  I really miss you all! But like materially, I miss having my own car, I would describe the marshutkas here as "sweaty" in one word.  Just pray for us to find investigators that want to be baptized.  Thanks so much for all the love and support.  I miss you all so much and I have really changed our here.  One thing that has changed is my definition of profanity, porn, etc.  There are a few things I did before my mission that I didnt consider profane, but that now I do, so that is one thing that has changed.  I still feel really bad about the way I treated Josh sometimes. LOve you!

With New Year to You! (That's their translation for Happy New Year)

Week 19-

So this week went well, we talked to alot of drunk people becasue of the new year, we try to avoid doing this, but when they are standing still, and not drinking then, it kind of takes a minute to smell it out.  So thusly, most of my funny stories stem from them this week! The funniest encouter was when we were almost home the day after new years eve.  We started talking to this guy, and at first he sounded kind of sober, so I pulled out the book of mormon, and started testifying about how it has helped me, then I smelt it. He responded and said"What? That is a book, it cant help people! BUt you are a person, you can help people." I turn to elder bates and say in perfect english"He is drunk"  Elder bates looks at me "Oh...I know"  The man continues"Listen, listen, this is just a book, it is only paper it cant help people, but you can, and you do"(Slowing down on the last sentence) so I play along a little and say "THanks, we try, we will help people a lot, you are right we can help people, but we need to go now. You live here right?" He responds "Yes I live here and you live there, and we are going to meet again" I hand him the book of mormon, and Elder bates and I skeedattle.

​We had a hard week this week, Walter still wont come to church, and we finally found the record from the other elders for him, and it said that they promised him his mom would walk again if he just came to church, and he still didnt come to church... so he will be a tuff nut to crack, we are trying to figure out what he is willing to change and what he is not.  IF he is not willing to change we may have to drop  him and wait for later missionaries to help him when he is ready to change.  ​

​Unfortunately I got sick this week, so we havent been able to work as hard as we want, I feel better today though, Elder bates is doing well.  I miss you all!  Happy NEew year!

I know that this church is true, becasue no matter where you look at it from, it stands to the tests! No matter how many faults people try to find, they can all be subdued by the book of mormon, and by history, and by science.  I full support the leaders of the chruch, becasue the Book of Mormon is true, and because they are the men God has called to lead us.  We as a people have never had more proof that God exists, and that this is his church, I believe the world will soon consist of 2 kinds of people, The ones that know this chruch is true, and live accordingly, and the ones who know it is true, and are unwilling to change.​

Email with Mom

Hey buddy,

I can't believe I slept through your email alert last week!!!!  I was so bummed when I woke up and realized...but also was well rested, because I didn't spend an extra hour trying to fall back to sleep;).  

As far as last weeks email.  YES!!!!  SEND the hats!  We would all love it!  I put the extra $150.00 in your account to cover it.  I do watch your account each week, so if you use it I will always add more.  

Also Grandma and Great Grandma both gave me $50.oo to put in your checking account for your Christmas gift, so make sure to email them a thank you.

That is funny about the acne cream.  If you want me to send some proactive to you I can do that too.  Let me know.  I saw that my other package was delivered last week.  Did you get it Monday?  Do you like how you mentioned that you want brown sugar and it was in the box??  Plus, I sent that box before you asked for taco seasoning and that was in there too.  The youth of the ward put those packages together for all the ward missionaries.  I knew you wouldn't get it before Christmas, so that is why I did the separate packages.  As far as the Maple extract goes, I will send it with the next package I do.  That Roxolana wants it to be 10 pounds so you might have to wait a couple months before I send that one.  

This week has been full.  We spent some time at the cabin which was awesome.  We saw a Bull Moose on the trail right in front of us...that was cool and scary!  The kids have been off school and start up tomorrow.  The young kids are off track so we are heading to Disneyland again this week.  I'm excited, Grandma is coming too, she also got an annual pass.  We went to the Jorgensen New Year's Eve party because it was at liesl's.  We had fun playing games.  Uncle Don died yesterday, so that is sad, but I am sure Grandpa and Dad were excited to see him up there.

I finished your photo book from the last 4 years, also got Josh and Kaestli both caught up as well as did the 2015 year.  It took forever, but I'm glad they are done.

I just cried last week when I read the letter last week about you sharing about Dad dying.  It makes me so happy that you were able to share that and that possibly it could really help Walter accept the gospel.  I hope you have more info on him today and also the other new guy that called...you didn't mention his name.  I am praying for both of them and also for you to find people searching for the gospel, and ready to hear your message.

Dakkon received his Patriarchal Blessing today.  It was just awesome!  It had so many great things and talked a lot about him serving a mission.  We are working hard with him.  

Questions-

1.  Have you received any letter from the Dear Elder site?  Just want to make sure that system is working too.

2.  When are transfers coming?

3.  I noticed the temperatures have really dropped the last couple of days.  Are you doing ok?  Staying warm enough?

4.  What is "center"?

5.  Remember how you said that something I wrote in one of those letters was exactly what you needed to hear?  I still am wondering what that was.  Please tell me.  If you won't tell me then will you make sure to write it down in your journal so that you will remember it in the future?  You'd be surprised at the things you can forget.  

6.  Are you keeping a journal?

7.  Your emails tend to have some typo's, I am doing a blog with all your emails and pictures, it is private, but do you want me to fix the typo's?

8.  Do you have anybody's emails that need to be added to your group?  I can add them for you if you don't have time.  I have added a couple people the last couple weeks.

9.  Funny story of the week?

10.  Did you wish Sister Sullivan Happy Birthday?

11.  Are you happy you are serving a mission?

12.  How is the language?

13.  Things still good with Bates?

We all miss you so much.  I hope so bad that Dakkon serves a mission.  I honestly love having a missionary and hope they all serve.  When you write you email just to me you only answer the questions, which I LOVE...but you could also write me a personal message every once in a while.  I miss you and hearing kind words from you really helps.  I love you so much and am just shocked that I am surviving with out you.   You are such great son.  I couldn't have asked for a more helpful loving kind son.  I am proud of you and so glad to know you...let alone be your mother.  You are one of my best friends.  Thank you for everything you did to help me through out your life, especially the help I needed while trying to survive my grief.  You are a blessing to me.

I love you!  Be safe, Stay safe, Stay warm, Stay faithful, Stay positive, Stay obedient.  

Obedience brings blessings, but remember that it doesn't mean the absence of trials. 

I love you,

Mom

I got a few from dear elder.  I did get teh christmas package this week, and I loved it, the poptarts nearly brought me to tears.  Transfers are next saturday.  Right now in the internet cafe they are playing "When I see you again" That song has a new meaning to me since I have been out here, I think of Kade, and Dakkon and Josh, and Nate, and all my brothers.  Yeah, it changed from 10 degrees celcius, to -13 in the course of like a day.  It is so cold here that the river froze over.  It is freezing, every day, elder Bates and I come in with a Ukrainian face freeze, and we take a few minutes to warm up.  I am on the Left bank of the river, center is the Right bank of the reiver. I did write down teh story and I kept the letter.  IT was the one about Daddy Jake, and how he had a hard time feeling worthy to be out on his mission.  THat really helped me, because I know he was worthy, and I have been having those same struggles, but in my interview with president I talked to him about it and he says I am worthy, and GOd always tells me i am worthy, it is just me being too hard on myself.  He told me Satan is happy if we are on any path but the straight and narrow, we cant be too easy on ourselves and say all is well when its not, but we also shouldnt underestimate the healing power of teh Atonement and hold ourselves back because of the mess ups we had.  I am keeping a journal.  If you want to fix the typos you can, but I dont care one way or another.  I think dakkon will serve a mision for sure, didnt I always tell you that he eventually does the right thing.  I dont think So, I got all the emaisl added.  Yes I wished sister sullivan, a happy birthday.  And I will include the funny story.  Yesterday I was translating again, and I probably translated about 80% word for word.  YEs me and elder bates are getting alo9ng.  WE are different, and have different Ideas, but if we were exactly the same, we couldnt learn from eachother, he says he is so grateful that I know how to cook well, we mad borsht to gether for the first time! (without a recipe too!) I am so happy serving a mission! Thanks so much for the encouragement every week.  I am loving being out here, it is the best thing I have ever done.  Elder Bates and I are gonna go by some more warm stuff today, and yes the hand warmers are helping now that it is freezing! I love you!

Love Jax

You sound great. I love you and miss you. Thanks for the long letters!