Mission 25% Complete...

Week 27

This week went really well.  I will go back in time and give an overview of what happened.  Yesterday we ate dinner with the other elders, and Elder Biesinger found all the pictures my mom sent me.  They all enjoyed commenting on how when I was 15 I looked like an 11 year old.  I dont blame them, it is true.  Elder Bates and I made them pancakes and maple syrup, and o boy am I satisfied.  During the meal we watched a copy of the general womens conference that is for some reason in our apartment, I teard up a little bit, it wasnt fair, they design those videos to make you cry(Thats why they have tissues in all the Relief society rooms(thankyou for that life lesson adam edmunds))

Nothing huge happened on Saturday, except we found 2 awesome new investigators, they are a sweet old couple, and they took a book of mormon.  She is going to read it to him becasue he is going blind.  They are somewhat golden.  On Friday we had district meeting, and ping pong.  We have one new investigator from ping pong, his name is Slava, and he is awesome, he said he might come to church but then he didnt, we will for sure see him on tuesday or Friday again. Thursday is when the funniest thing happened.  His name:Serge, his game:Car dealership, his state of mind:Drunk.  He walks up to us, using a cane that is taped together, so its just so he can look like he has a cane.  His wife is following in step(she is sober(maybe)).  He starts talking to us, and Elder Bates and I are just not having it, because it is dinner time, but we cant just say "get out of our way, we are hungry" we give him a book of mormon, he acts quite grateful and insists on giving us a gift in return.  He pulls garlic out of his pocket, and gives each of us a clove.  He proceeds to do a little dance, and is babbling in drunkenese. From what elder Bates and I gatherd(the few people around us were laughing at him), it was either a fertility ceremony, or we are protected from vampires.  We asked sister Bantsova about it at district meeting, she was just as clueless as we were, so It is not a Ukrainian thing.  Wednesday was good, not much happened, Tuesday we had english, after the lesson we had another Lesson with walter.  He explained to us that he wouldnt get baptized until he read the whole book of mormon, and that he wouldnt read the whole book of Mormon by himself until Elder Bates and I are gone(He likes us giving him reading assignments, the only problem is he doesnt act on what the scriptures say to do) So we arent going to meeet with him anymore because we are only in the way, he needs to read the book.  He said he even knows its true, he just wont get baptized until he has read it. Monday was the Best we went and took a ton of pictures, and learned how to make Borscht and Vareniki, which will now be present at any family party I am invited to, because they are soooooo good.  That was our week, I love you all!

Hey buddy,

I really can't believe how fast time has gone by!   I love it! 

I got the BEST surprise ever on Tuesday when I got an email with 4 amazing pictures sent by your Sister...  It was fun that the pictures matched the story you wrote about so perfectly!  I had given up all hope that I would ever get pictures from the members there, so I was so excited.  So were the other moms!  I sent her a thank you email...but please tell her thank you so much and that it just totally made our week!  So appreciated!

 Grandma and Grandpa are really starting to prepare.  They move traci to a new apartment this week and then move out of the South Jordan house at the end of the month.  Dakkon has all his paperwork done and had his appointment with the Bishop today.  He will meet with the Stake President and then they will get sent off!  Dad and I are SOOOO excited for him.  He seems more committed now than ever.  Goes to mission prep every week and is doing really well.  I am really proud of him.  

Josh is still struggling and could really use your prayers!  I could use prayers on how to help/live with him as well.  He finished Driver's Ed this week and has 2 more drives to complete.  

EXCITING NEWS.....Trevor got his mission call this week!  He is headed to the Philippines speaking Tagalog leaving July 6.  He is super excited!!!  I got his email for you just in case you wanted to send him a congrats.  tjtdog@gmail.com

Jacob and Jordy are doing good.  Jordy had a good parent teacher conf this week.  He also went to the Klondike this week.  Me and the little kids went to the cabin yesterday.  It was nice.  The snow is melting fast on the trails...but they still have like 4 feet of frozen solid snow on the driveway.

I found some new cleaners a few months ago...fyi.  And they are seriously a dream.  They do such a good job and so fast.  I can use the dspd for them too which is awesome!  It's really lightened my load and the kids as well.

It's warming up nicely.  The kids are able to play out back again and play a lot of basketball.  All the snow has melted too.  We had so much this year!!

All the missionary moms in our Facebook group are planning a lunch at the end of March. One of the moms from out east will be in town too.  We are excited to meet everyone.  We have fun chatting about what you guys are doing and swapping stories.  

Your package should be there today...it says delivered on my thing.  There are some things for sister sullivan, the ziplock and cinnamon.  I think I packed 4 boxes of ziplock so if you want to keep one box you should.  You'll find the voice recorder thing too...I hope you can get it to work!!!  Also the most important thing, the insoles.  I hope your feet are a little better.  I'm worried about you.  I pray for you constantly, including your feet!

Thanks for being such a great missionary.  It has been a joy to watch you grow and change through this experience.  It is amazing to me how well you are doing and I love it.  I am very proud of you!  Thanks for always being positive and happy.  You are just like daddy Jake.  It is a great example to me and I am trying to be better at this always.  You have always been one of my biggest teachers and examples in my life.  I am so glad you are my son.  I love you so much!

Questions-

1-How are your feet?

2-How are you feeling?  Health, weight, feet, acne, food, spirits etc?

3-Are you still happy and positive? (I will ask this every week...even if the answer is always the same;)

4-Anything specific we can do for you? prayers, packages etc?

5-How long do you have to email usually?

6-Are my emails too long, or do you wish they were longer?  I'm always worried about how long it will take to read.

7-I'd like to send more church talks and quotes...but again worry about email time.  Should I mail that kind of thing instead?

8-Do you feel like you get enough mail?  I do at least 1 letter a week, but don't know how long they take to get there.  Do you want more mail?

9-Do you have any questions for me?

10-Are you excited about transfers this week?

11-What is your favorite thing to cook?

12-The Sharma from last week...describe what it was?  Also someone said that you aren't allowed to eat at those food shops on the street for 2 months or something..is that true?  Was that your first Sharma experience?

13-How has your testimony grown.

14-Are you glad you served a mission right away, and would you recommend it?

Well, I just love you more than I will ever be able to tell you!  I hope you happy and having a great time, while learning amazing things and having the experience of a lifetime!  I love you!

Mom

My feet are feeling progressively better now that i have the shoe inserts, I got them on wednesday, and they have definitely helped.  I am feeling healthy, and happy.  We are pretty much good.  I get an 1:30 of email time.  Yeah you could email them now, if they are general conference talks, I am allowed to download them onto a flashdrive.  I feel like I get enough, and elder bates feels like i get too much. He thinks your a little crazy and that is contagious, because his mom is starting to act more and more like you( going to disney land, and sending what he deems to be "too much" mail)  but I love it.  I dont have any questions.  I am excited for transfers.  The package was perfect, just what I needed.  My favorite thing to cook is probably stir fry or pancakes.  We are not allowed to eat street food for our first month in country just because we wouldnt be used to ukrainian food yet and it would make us a little sick, and would be harder to digest, but we dont usually eat on the street anyway we cook almost all of our food.  Sharma is like a Burrito, but on the inside it is onions, pickles, lettuce(or cabbage), chicken, Potatoe wedges, Mayo, Mustard, and some sort of declicious red sauce, all rapped up in lavash(a tortilla).  It was my 3rd or 4rh sharma.  My testimony has grown in a lot of ways, and the best way to put it is that it has grown up with me.  I am glad I served right away, and yes I would recommend it.  I love you too Mom, I am going to send the group email again, and just so you know, they are starting to cut down on "Chatting" So we cant do conversations anymore:/

4 Elders and a couch...

Week 26

Well this week was good.  We had an amazing zone conference on Wednesday.  On Friday we had a good ping pong activity.  On Saturday Elder Bates and I assisted by Elder Biesinger and Mccleary tried to move a couch for Sister Tarneko(the one who always feeds elder bates and I insane amounts of food) That is what the subject line means, and I will start with that story.  On Friday night, we ate dinner at the Tarneko home, and it was delicious, then Sister Tarneko asked if we could, with the help of the other elders move their couch to another apartment.  We said yeah we could.  SO we get there with the other elders on saturday, she sits us down, and feeds us cake, and compote juice, and then we go to work.  We moved the first couch okay.  The second one, i have no words.  We tried taking it apart as far as we could, we tried shoving it through so many different ways, but this couch was just not going through the door way.  Meanwhile Extreme Couponing is playing in the background... yeah the show you have no clue why your watching.  Eventually sister Tarneko says "Well cant you just pray it through the door way??"  We try praying, but neither the door frame grew, nor did the couch shrink, so we put it back, and tried to move a third couch.  This one took us about 40 minutes to take a part and put back to gether, so we could fit it through the door,  against all odds it made it through.  At one point it was stuck, and the OTher elders and I wanted to stop so as not to scratch the wood,  at this point Sister Tarneko juts wanteed the couch moved so she came and shoved it through herself, giving the trim a nice scratch.  Then the really wierd thing happened.  She had someone coming to look at renting her apartment, he spoke english, and she was really excited and told him about us, and then introduced him to us.  She explains to us he speaks english, I am the first to speak "Howdy" I say.  He responds in the most texas voice "Hello, Where are you folks from"  Us Elders just look at eachother dumbfounded for a moment.  This man spoke english, and I had said Howdy thinking hed have no clue what I said.  Turns out he understood that greeting better than I did, seeing as his name was James, from Texas.  Well that is about it for that story.  We are meeting with Sister Tarneko again today, she is going to teach us how to make Vareniki. 

 As far as spiritual stuff goes, Zone conference was just really awesome.  Elder Bates and I had an opprotunity to role play a Baptismal Golden minute, and I thought it went well.  In 4 days I will have been on my mission for 6 months.  That is 25%, What!? Well love you! 

Hey Buddy,

I can't believe it's been nearly 6 months!  It is so crazy and exciting.

I have been tracking your package and I'm surprised it hasn't arrived yet.  I packed a nice digital voice recorder so that you can record stories for us and send them through email.  I do still expect good long emails though for the group and me.  Don't send the recordings to everyone, just us.  I think it will be good for the younger kids to hear you.  You should add some russian each time too:)  

We are all doing good.  It is starting to warm up and everything is finally melting.  We had a ton of inversion for a week or so and now it has finally cleared.  The sun and blue sky are a welcome sight.

Brother Lord told me a sweet story about Jordy today.  He started crying when he told me.  The YW/YM went to the cannery for an activity.  I guess at the beginning they talked about how the cannery belonged to the Lord.  That it was his work.  While the youth were all packing the food some of the kids started making a few jokes.  Saying things like, "I'm packing this for Jesus" even one of the adults was making the jokes as well.  Jordy spoke up with kindness but firmness completely genuine and said, "You should not be talking about Jesus that way, it is disrespectful.  We need to talk about Jesus respectfully."  Brother Lord said it was so amazing to see such a sweet moment that his soul spoke up for Jesus in a kind and loving way, but firm in the message.  He was so grateful that he witnessed it and told Jordy how great he was for doing that.  I love that story.

Josh is finally in Driver's Ed!!!!!  He is taking with the same lady so I'm sure he'll master McDonald's drive thru's.  I will be glad when he is finished.  He hasn't driven near as much as you did...I just can't take it!

I am speaking this week for my cousin E'shell's ward. So that will be fun.  My book is still just waiting to be read by the publishing company.

Last week was Allie's, Kate's, Grandma's birthday and this week is Grandpa's birthday.  You should do a shout out to them in the group email.  

Sister Sullivan sent me a letter last week thanking us for the mom fast that we did.  It was so awesome for all of us to read our missionary's letters and her letter about the miracles that were brought about by our fast.  We were all so grateful to hear about that.  I am so glad you were able to see those miracles as well.  I pray everyday for you!  You are in my thoughts always.  I am so glad you are serving a mission. It is blessing your life, your future life, and our lives so much.  I love it.  President Ghiz asked about you today and is really proud of how well you are doing.  Thank you for serving your Heavenly Father in this way.

Dakkon had his Dr. appt. this week and is really close to submitting his papers.  He is going to mission prep with out us telling him to now as well.  So I have a good feeling about it.  I am going to add him to DSPD until he leaves.  Now that he has helped so much around the house with out any payment I think he deserves it.  He is a different person now.  It is so great.  I can't wait for you to get to see him and start over again.  He has so much love and respect for you and talks about what a great example you have been to him and how grateful he is for you.  

We all love you so much and miss you, but we are all so glad you are exactly where you are! Stay strong, faithful and do your best!  I love you.  

Questions this week-

1-How are you feeling and how are your feet?

2-Are you still happy?

3-Anything new in the mission, I know you guys had the zone confs. this week?

4-Did Sister Sullivan mention the moms fast in the zone conf?

5-What was the yummiest thing you ate this week?

6-Still doing dinner on Sunday with the other Elder's?

7-Do you do much with the sisters?

8-When is the next transfers?

9-Are you hoping to stay or change it up?

10-What is your favorite thing about President Sullivan?

11-Do you get homesick much or is it just missing us in general?

12-Did your skin clear up?

13-Send me another message about what you love about me as your mom:).  I live for those messages:)

I love you so much.  You stay in my heart constantly with Daddy Jake and I know he is taking care of you and watching you while I am so far away.  Thank you for all the service you gave to me and all the kids throughout your life.  You are the best and I am lucky you are mine!!

I LOVE YOU!!!!

Mom

I am feeling good, and tired, and my feet hurt.  I am still happy!  Not anything extreme, I really liked the zone conference.  Sister Sullivan mentioned it.  THe yummiest thing I ate this week was a soup that Sister Tarneko made for Elder Bates and I.  She made us so much food, and I got full, and was just looking at all this food, and she noticed I had stopped eating, and asked "Whats wrong, dont you like it?" I said "No, its delicious, I love it!" At that point I proceeded to shove my face full of marshmallow things, and chicken patty things. Yeah we still do sundaydinner together, we made them barbeque chicken pizza, it was so good.  We do ping pong, and english with the sisters, but anything else is against the rules.  Next transfers will be on like march 5th.  Elder Bates Blames you because his mom currently has tickets to disney land, and is sending him another package already.  I hope I stay, but I dont know!  I really like how clear he is.  He speaks our language.  Also he trusts me a lot.  I havent really ever been home sick, its just missing you.  My skin didnt clear up, but whatever.  I am trying to send you a letter, but it is hard to write because we dont have a ton of time.  I really do love you, and I miss you a lot, I might send another package soon, what do you want the theme to be? Love you. 

I want Russian dolls...do they have those?  Still there???  Love you 

I would really love a letter in the mail too though. We all loved the package so it's worth the money. I'm not sure what other things the boys would want though. Love you

Yes they have the nesting dolls, I will send some toys too! Send me a picture of the Shrine! Also how are you going to do Dakkon and I together on the shrine?

Can you send me a picture of the truck? I miss it:(

The shrine is looking good. I will just have to rearrange it to fit both of you. The wall is big so it will work. I'll send a picture of it this week. Any other pictures specifically?  Love you

Sharma!!

Dneper Zone Conference!

On Tuesday Mom received an email from someone with a Russian name.  It had these pictures attached to match the story from above.   Mom is assuming it was Sister Tarneko from the story that sent them.

The power of the fast.

Week 25!

Oh my goodness what I week.  So apparently a bunch of the mission moms fasted for us, and probably a lot of family members by extension, so a lot of people were fasting for the mission last week, and let me tell you, we felt it.  SO usually I have a ton of time to describe most of the lessons we taught, this week, I cant even scratch the surface.  We taught 13 street lessons, and have 5 new investigators.  That is a lot of people!!!  We had so many good teaching opprotunities this week, and it was so amazing.  THis week, people hearts were just open!  And the spirit was so awesome during lessons, One of our new investigators(Viktor) after the opening prayer, said "When you pray it feels like you are speaking with God"  And elder bates and I taught him a good lesson, he took the book of mormon, and wants to meet more.  Then on Tuesday, at english, we had 3 new investigators, one was a man named Yelesay, and he brought his friend(another new investigator) Dimitri.  Dimitri is awesome, and he came to ping pong to.  After ping pong, he helped us clean up, and we have a soft appointment set up with him and his wife(who is 8 months pregnant)on Wednesday.  We are thinking we will offer her a blessing after teaching the restoration of the priesthood.  A little bit of sad news now: We might have to drop walter.  He has just been using us as a bible dictionary and topical guide, and has been stubbornly unwilling to change.  There are times when he says he knows the Book of mormon is true, but whenever we try to progress towards baptism, or any commandments, he turtles and says that maybe orthodox is true.  He said he would only be baptized if we could prove ours is true, by having a debate with a russian orthodox priest, and A) that is not part of our purpose B) Disproving his religion wont help anyone. We are not going to stop him from coming to things, but we arent going to give him any more extra time.  

Funny story: Elder McCleary and I ate some Devil Peppers.  We were at the other Elders house for dinner yesterday, and they have these 3 peppers that have been aging since Elder Biesingers first transfer.  Elder McCleary looked at me and said: "If you eat one I will" and so I said "Lets do it"  Of coarse Elder Biesinger videoed it, and he said hed find a way to send it home.  Before we ate them, I looked nervously at elder McCleary and asked "Shouldnt we pray, and cast the demons out of these before we eat them" He said no, and we went for it.  It was hot, but we survived. Then we sat down to a meal of Mac&cheese, and Sloppy Joes, courtesy of Elder Biesinger and McCleary. That is it for this week!  Thanks for fasting for us, we got a lot of work done with its help! Love you all.

That is awesome!!  Can't wait to tell the other moms!!!  Love you 

Hey Buddy,

Happy Valentine's day bud.  I love you so much!  This week has been a good one.  Josh is doing a little better.  Dad and I went to the temple last night for V-Day and did sealings with some people from the ward.  It was really nice.  We have the t-boys this weekend and the ward loves it when they come and play basketball.  

Sad news...

Allie and Matt's brother in law, Nelson died.  He had cancer and was married to matt's sister. She has 3 young kids the same ages you guys were.  6, 4 and 1.  So it has been really sad for everyone.  Allie and Grandma are having some PTSD from it.  

Interesting news...

Kirk and Luci had their baby last week...I forgot to tell you last time.  They finally had a girl.  The crazy thing was that they named her Molly Ksenia and then you emailed last week about the girl Ksenia.  So crazy timing.  Kirk wants to know if in Ukraine you say the K or is it dropped to sound like senia?

Jordy made a 3 point shot in the church ball game yesterday so he was excited.  Jacob's Jr. Jazz is over but he is going to be on a super league now with the coach he has had for years so he is super excited.  He won't do baseball probably.

I did megan and Jessica's hair yesterday for Sweethearts so that was fun!  They both looked great.  I can't believe megan is 16 now!!!

Everything else is going pretty good.  Dad and I are still doing great!  He helps a lot.  Dakkon is helping a ton as well which is really nice.  All the boys love the shopka's and say THANK YOU!!  Ill send a picture of us all.

Sis and I are going to a girl's night tonight with Grandma and all the girls in the family to park city.  We are excited! 

Questions

1-I heard about that missionary's dad dying this week... that is sad.  Has it caused any ptsd for you or just empathy?

2-Are you fully recovered from your illness?

3-Did you hear about the announcement with the church giving aide to the east part of Ukraine?  Will you guys be involved with that at all?

4-I heard transfers are going to be 7 weeks this time, is that true?

5-Are you happy and still positive?

6-How are the ping pong nights and english lessons going?

7- What is your favorite thing to do all week?

8-How is Ksenia doing?

9-Do you need anything?

10-Have you got your package yet?  Are the feet things helping?

11-I really need you to write a quick thank you note that I can read to the YW/YM.

I love you so much and am so glad you are my son.  You make me so happy and so proud of you.  I am glad you have such a strong testimony and are growing more each day.

Love you tons!!!  Have a great week!

Mom

I didnt hear about the missionary, yeah that is sad.  I am fully recovered.  I havent heard about the anouncement.  Yes transfers will be 7 weeks, but I dont know why.  I am happy and positive! we went bowling, and I bought a boomerang today.  The ping pong and english are starting to have more and more people come.  Emailing is my favorite thing to do all week!  We didnt see her, but she almost came to Ping Pong, she had something else in the way. I dont need anything, i could use some ranch powder in the next package whenever that is, its not urgent.  No the package hasnt come yet, but I cant wait for it to come, my feet are okay, they will be better once I get the package.  I love you, I will write the thank you note t his time, last week I ran out of computer time.  This week was really good, and I will talk about it in the group email.

Still there?..you forgot I love you

no i didn't

You're right. I like it at the end too:). Why do late today?

 We went bowling with the other elders and to lunch first. 

 Dear Bluffdale 6th ward youth, 

  Thank You so much for the Christmas tree!  I loved it and i took the time to read everysingle hand!  You are all the best, it definitely made my week!  It got here just in time to celebrate Ukrainian Christmas (January 7th), and so I got to read through it and have my own little christmas miracle.  As far as the candy goes, oh my goodness, I didnt realize how much I missed the taste of american candy.  It really lifted my spirits.  I am so happy you did that for all the missionaries, because mail is something every missionary looks forward to, and knowing that it came from a bunch of neighbors that love and miss you makes it that much better.  Keep on being the best youth in the world!

  That is perfect. Thanks!!

And tell kirk, the k is there, but is so quick its more like Xenia. 

 Ok. Thanks. They say it like kasenia. Strange coincidence though huh. I love you so much. Have a great week! Any pics?

Dear Moms,
Sitting here with your wonderful sons. They all send their love and are doing great!!!
Love
Sister Sullivan

Dear Julie,

We left this past week for the Interim Mission President Seminar. While we were gone and with the fasting and prayers of faithful mothers our missionaries had an amazing week. Many new investigators were found and many, many lessons were taught. Also those who had been sick had some pretty miraculous and quick recoveries just before we left, allowing me to leave feeling a lot better about leaving them.

President Sullivan and I want to thank the wonderful families and especially the mothers who without your dedication and teaching to your sons and daughters this wouldn't have been possible.

It is such a privilege for us to be serving side by side with these amazing young men and women. Oh how we leave each one of them.

This will be a week of photos are we start a zone conferences tomorrow and will be making it to each zone by the end of the week.

Will you please pass this on to all for me?

MUCH love & appreciation,

Karen 

   

Cabin Fever!

Week 24

This was a decent week!  Elder Bates and I were finally getting good at contacting.  And then I got sick.  I woke up wednesday morning and new it was going to be a rough few days.  At first I thought it was strep, but it has turned out to be nothing more than a cold.  we were stuck in until saturday, but now I am okay.  I remember one night I couldnt sleep so I literally just sat in my bed while elder bates peacefully snoozed.  Sister sullivan told me what medicines to take, and motrin PM has put me out cold the last few days.

So we had a lot of miracles this week.  THere is a row of flower shops near our house and  we talked to one of the ladys.  She took a book of mormon and we gave us her number a few weeks ago, and we passed her onto the sisters.  The sisters lost her number or somehting though, but just on tuesday we saw her again and she said "Hey I read the book, but what do I do now? Do you have like a meeting or something?"  And we were like yeah! and gave her an invitation to church, she didnt come, but it was cool.

Funny:  So the other night I was pretty drugged up becasue of the Mucinex, but it was wearing off, and we were contacting, and it was not good.  Elder Bates made us go in early becasue i was so tired and nothing I was saying really made sense, yeah my brain was halfway between here and Pandora. 

NOt much else really happened this week, we had a really good english lesson and a gal name ksenia came, we were talking about the living christ and after we were asking what had been learned and she said "I found out that prophets adn apostles are still on the earth today, I didnt know that before"  And we were like, heck yeah they are.(A little more reverent than that).  Apparently the Broncos won the super bowl, no one in Ukraine cared.  Funny thing about ukrainians for the week:  If they make you food, and you finish, they give you more.  We met with two families this week.  FIrst was the Tarneko family, they are a husband and wife and the wife is the relief society president.  She made us Bleencheeekee(Swedish pancakes with cream cheese inside, and strawberry syrup on top), "Green Borsht"also known as pickle and spinach soup.  IT was all good, i have learned to like pickles here.  Also I never ask what is in what I am eating, the trick is to not mentally prepare yourself. Thats it for us here.  Elder Bates and I are both healthy now and are doing good.

  

Hey buddy,

How are you doing?!?  We are doing good.  First off....Your package came!!!!!!  It arrived yesterday, so just 12 days after you sent it!  I feel like that is amazing!  I was so surprised and so happy about it!  All the kids were so happy too!!!  You should send more mail occasionally!  It was a huge boost to us all.  Thank you so much:)

Sister Sullivan put a video of you on the blog this week singing Happy Birthday in Russian!  It made me so happy!  I have rewatched it a million times!

This week was full of Parent teacher Conf.  Kaestli is doing great, and is doing work for a kindergartener.  I am going to have to put her in Kindergarten even though I don't really want too!  

Jacob is doing really well also.  His teacher likes him and he is learning a lot.  He has become a peer mentor for a kid with autism in his class and really likes that.  It is sweet to have him pay it forward, for the friends we have had for Jordy.

Cam is doing ok.  He is learning and progressing but will remain in full resource for the future and next year.  He is in the regular classroom off and on though for activities.

I am starting Josh at Fullmers boxing...he is still struggling off and on.  He is disrespectful to curtis and me and I'm pretty tired of it.  I am hoping the boxing can help him get out his aggression and then he might be nicer to Jord...and well everyone.  Dakkon has started doing what you used to do and talk him through his behavior and actions.  

Dakkon is doing well at his job, but may be dragging his feet a little with the mission papers.  He just needs to finish a couple things.  We are hoping he does it soon.

I'm having Relief Society here this week and we are decorating cupcakes.  I am going to send Sarah her mission cupcakes this week too.  

It has been really cold, but I think it is going to warm up to upper 30s and 40s this week so that will be nice.  

All of the moms on the Facebook group held a group fast today for your mission, the missionaries, and all the missionaries in your mission with health issues going on.  It was good to do it together.  It is fun for us to have a connection and share stories and experiences.  In Sacrament meeting today sis bore her testimony, it was super cute.  

Questions this week-

1-Have you stayed healthy?  Do you have enough medicine if not?  Have you had to use the antibiotic?  I hope your healthy, but am worried you have been around so many sick people in close quarters.

2-Are the hats real fur?  How much were the hats? and shipping?  All the other moms have been asking.

3-How often do you see the Shumway's?  Sherri Russel said they talk very highly of you!!  

4-What is your favorite thing about serving a mission?  

5-Is the ice melting in the streets as the weather has warmed up?

6-Some of the other missionaries are telling there moms about some crazy stuff.  Some one was punched, an ax murderer in one area and death threats on the street.  Are you having this kind of stuff and just not telling me?

7-Have you found tooth paste and other necessities there?  Anything you need?

8-How is your skin/acne?  Do you need me to send some proactive or something?

9-How are your feet this week?  The insoles are on their way!!

10-Are you still happy and positive? (not expecting you to be sad...just want you to feel like you can tell me;)

11- So are you getting letters from me?  I have been sending them.

12-Any requests for letters/pictures/etc.?

13-**  Can you write a little email specifically to thank the Young Women and young men from our ward that sent the christmas package.  I'll read it to them next week, maybe include your testimony of the church and missionary work.

Well,  I love you and miss you.  I am so proud of you for serving so faithfully and staying positive through tough things...I know it must be tough;)  I am very glad you are serving.  Before you left I was so worried and didn't want you to leave because I knew it would start a revolving door of missionaries at our house for the next 10 years, and now I am so excited about that.  I really hope everyone serves!  It has been so fun to see you doing so well and learning so much!

Remember I don't expect you to be perfect and neither does Heavenly Father.  It's ok if you do feel down sometimes, or get discouraged.  Keep the faith and stay strong.  I know you can continue in this amazing journey with a positive attitude and helpful.  Sister Sullivan sent me an email and said you are a great missionary and companion and that she wished she could bottle and distribute your positive attitude:).  

You're the best!  I love you so much!!!

Mom

I am healthy now! ;) I have enough medicine, I havent used the zpacs yet, THe Lord protects us from the majority of it.  Shipping was 28 dollars, and the hats were 8 each, except for yours which was 50. We see the shumways 2-3 times a week, we love to see them!  They are the best.  My favorite thing about serving the mission is teaching, I really like teaching people the gospel.  THe ice is melting mostly. NO, Elder Bates and I havent really had stuff like that happen.  We just stick with the spirit, and are kind to everyone, we help people when we can, we make it pretty hard to hate us.  THey have pretty much everything health wise here, Ukrainians are nuts about stuff like that.  My acne is mild, so its whatever, I would not be disappointed to get Proactiv, but i dont need it.  My feet were good this week.  I am still happy and positive.  Elder Bates and I are getting along good.  I am getting your letters, and I keep them all! I am gonna need to get a new binder here soon!  I will send that to you.

You forgot to say I love you!!

I LOVE YOU

Love you too!!!  Any pictures this week?

Power, Boldness, Courage, Prayer

Week 23-

Well this week Elder Bates finally got Sister Sullivan Level Healthy, on Thursday, so went out to work on Thursday, after 5 days of nothing but apartment. A lot of thing happened.  Elder Bates and I took the opprotunity to study while we were in and we both learned alot of stuff that each of us needed.  So I dont know how much you know about contacting, but it is hard, and it is scary.  My whole life ive been told not to talk to strangers, by everyone.  Now that is exactly what the Lord expects us to do.  So as a result of us both being brand new, neither of us really knew how to contact last transfer.  We have really been struggling with finding new investigators because we could not teach street lessons well, or frequently.  But after watching the Missionary Broadcast, we learned a bit about teaching, and how we should teach, taking that knowlege, we then had an awesome district meeting on Friday(so 4 days ago).  There were 4 main things that were stressed there by the 4 uncooridanted talks, that totally worked to gether to help elder bates and I contact. 1 the power of God, 2 The power of prayer, 3 Being bold, but humble and 4 being courageous.  I walked out of that meeting with a new perspective on contacting, until then I had really struggled with wanting to go contacting.  but after that, I yearned for it, I cant describe it, but I just couldnt wait to hit the street.  IT was a physical need to contact.  And I felt so courageous and so ready.  Then we didnt find anyone, but we sure tried, and we gained perspective on where we needed to go. So during planning we set a goal for 3 street lessons(That is a lot for us in a day)and we walked out we just felt different, but we still werent really finding people, then I changed something.  We always pray befor we start, but i rarely pray during contacting, and everytime I prayed for an opprotunity to teach, it was given.  We ended up teaching 5 street lessons and gave out 4 books of mormon.  

​IT was awesome, and continuing into sunday, I prayed for an opprotunity to teach before returning home for dinner, and we talked to a man named Antone.  During the golden minute(A minute dedicated to helping them know who we are, why we are here, and to invite the spirit before a lesson) we were kind of struggling with the language, he got a big grin on his face and in russian said "YOu know I speak english right?" Man that was a relief, because we were S-T-rugglin, then i told him that if his Heart was open, he could know that what we were saying was true, he told us that his heart was always closed, but we didnt believe him, and tried anyway.  We know he felt the spirit while we taught, and he told us himself, I have made my choice, and I dont believe.  SO we ended it by asking him if he knew anyone that would want to hear the message.  It was the clearest example of doing everything in your power for someone, and they still just dont accept it.

There were a couple funny things this week.  First, On sunday morning , I was thinking to myself, hmmm its been a while since Sister and President Sullivan came to Left Bank for church, I hope and bet they will be here today, sure enough, they walk into church and in the course of Talking president said "I just felt we needed to be here" So I hope that he accomplished what he needed to.  

Also while on a marshutka, there was a 19 or so year old girl and her friend. Apparently the Ukrainian girls just go Crazy for some Elder Bates because she saw him, and was checking him out and whispering to her friend "Ooo Elder Bates, Elder is a wierd name, but it doesnt matter, he is so cute..." and so on.  IT was hillarious because I could see elder bates in the corner of my eye and he was so uncomfortable.  NOTHING further happened there.​

Well that is it, I love you all!

Hey buddy!

Wow...5 months down!!  I can't believe that!  It's crazy.  I feel like time is flying by!

How are you this week?  I have been praying you wouldn't get sick...the flu, or whatever Bates had.  I hope you have stayed healthy!

I loved your letter last week.  First off, I am glad things are going better for Walter.  We are praying for him too.  Did you find your extra cockroach and kill it??  Haha that was funny, and disgusting!

I totally love what you were inspired to do about seeing God's hand in your life and Daddy Jake's!  I found this awesome quote about angels--

Jeffery R Holland's book "For times of trouble: Spiritual solace from the psalms " 

"However much we believe in angels, we ought to believe in them more than we do, for they truly do "[encamp] round about "us and they regularly protect and deliver us in many different ways. From ancient times to modern, the Ministry of Angels has been one of the principal ways God has communicated with, watched over, and given both physical and spiritual safety to his children on earth. … Angels seen and unseen would watch over [Christ], and on occasion attend to Him, as He carried out the mission given Him by His Father in Heaven in fulfilling the plan for our salvation... We also have watchcare and attention from angels on high.… Occasionally there are divine manifestation allowing us to behold the angelic presence among us, but usually these heavenly agents come and go and in our innocence we are "entertaining [them] unawares." 
"Has the day of miracles ceased? Or have Angel ceased to appear and to the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last or the earth shall stand or there shall be one man up on the face thereof to be saved? Behold I sent to you, Nay: for... Is by faith that angels appear in minister unto men… For behold they are subject unto [christ] to minister according to the word of his command, showing themselves and to them of strong faith and A firm mine in every form of godliness. " (Moroni 7:35-37,30) 
Keep a strong faith and a firm mind. The angels of the Lord willing encamp round about you and deliver you."

--

I can testify of the truth of that statement as well as I am sure you can too.

I also loved the story of seeing Eugene and you knowing it was Dad and Heavenly Father's way of letting you "see" him that day.  I don't know if you remember but I had the exact same situation happen when you went through the temple.  I knew dad would be there, I knew I would feel him, and maybe even hear him in my head.  But I really wanted to SEE him.  I prayed that I would be able to see him somehow, even if it was for just a moment.  When you got dressed in the temple robes and put your hat on it was flipped up in the front.  It looked exactly they way Daddy Jake always had his hat and YOU looked exactly like dad.  I knew that it was Dad's way of allowing me to "see" him that day.  

We are all doing well.  Things are good.  Josh is struggling a little with social situations and girls.  I think it has helped to have Dakkon around.  I think he is still on track for a mission...he is a little slow to do somethings.  He did go to mission prep for the first time today and we have been bugging him to go for weeks.  So that is progress.  Jacob is going to be on a super league for basketball.  He won't play baseball this season.  His baseball coach wanted him for a super league as well but he didn't want too.  Kaestli is reading and writing and super smart.  I may be forced to send her to kindergarten!  We got the schedule for the next year later gater thing.  The kids will start at 9:15 and get out at 3:30...should be a sweet schedule!  Dad and I are doing really good still. Cam is doing good as well as Jordy.  Jordy keeps reminding us that his dog bite anniversary is coming up and we better plan a party;).

We have been getting so much snow!!!  It is nuts, the most we have had in years!  I blame you, for complaining last year about our light snow fall;).  

Elder Besiegers mom and I went to lunch again yesterday.  We get along so great and have so much in common!  We are going to try to go with Elder Bates mom and a few other's too soon.

I was able to get your insoles and I had them shipped in 2 days so I sent the package on Friday.  If the insoles are too big you can cut them down to fit.  I really hope they help.  I feel horrible that your feet are hurting so bad.  It did feel really good to be able to send something that I know will help you.  I got most things you requested and added the ziplock bags and cinnamon for Sister Sullivan.  

I HATE when I sleep through the alert of your message.  I keep waking up 15 minutes later, it's so annoying.  It feels emotionally unsettling!  So I hope I wake up tonight to at least get one extra I LOVE YOU in.

Questions-

1- Did you stay healthy?

2- Are you happy and doing well? (please tell the truth)

3- Are things with your district going well?

4- How are things with Bates?

5- Do you have a calling in your Branch?

6- Do you see the Mission Pres. often?  how often?

7- What was your favorite thing this week?

8- Are you getting letters from me at least once a week?  How often? How many?

9- Do you want another binder in the next package?

10- Have you looked on the inside of the cover of the binder?  You should...

11- Do you need anything from me?

12- Is the weather getting any better?

13- Have you lost more weight?

14- Have you grown more?  Remember you can tailor your suit pants at the bottoms if you grow.

15- Tell me again that you think I'm a good mom:)

Well, I love you so much.  I look forward to Sunday nights/Mondays all week!!!  It is the best way to start off the week!  I miss you like crazy and am still in awe that I have survived with you being across the world!  You are the best and I am so glad you are my son.  Thanks for your positivity.  

Please do me a favor...I need more pictures!!!  Also, you haven't been in any blog posts for over a month and it's making me crazy!  When you are with Sister Sullivan make her take your picture!!!  

Love you tons!!!

Mom

YEs mom I am very healthy, if I wasnt, Sister Sullivan would know about it.  I am very happy and doing very well(Stop expecting me to be sad, because I always have something to be happy about),  Yeah our district gets a long so well, the other elders and us are going bowling today, and the sisters are amazing! Things with elder bates are good, we have a complicated relationship, he has a very strong attitude towards how stuff should be done, and he hasnt really let me lead for a very large portion of the companionship, he identified that himself as a problem last week and he wants to let me lead more, becasue he recognizes that even though I will make mistakes, that the position I have was given for a reason, and that I need to learn from it what I will learn from it.  We get a long well though.  We see president 4-5 times per transfer.  My favorite thing this week? PRAYER, and the scriptures, and the spirit.  I cant remember if I have, if there was a letter there, then I did.  I dont think I need anything, I sent the package last monday, so it should get there eventually(There are stories of some packages taking a whole year to get to the US) I was gonna send letters with it, but writing takes too long(I have spent a 4-5 pdays writing letters for all of you)  The weather is warmer now, everything is melting, but ther is still ice, its just dangerous for the roads.  I have not lost more weight, and I dont eat as much anymore, so my body is adjusting, I was trying to measure myself, and I am really close to 6' now.  I think your an awesome mom.  I love you a bunch, I dont see sister sullivan a ton, but the reason i havent been in any posts is becasue I didnt get transfered, and nothing has happened on Left bank.  I miss the Boys and sis a ton, and I have some pictures this week.

Yay!  I'm actually up:). I'm not expecting you to be sad...I just want to know how you are. I like hearing you are happy:). I love you!

How are your feet this week?

They still hurt, but I am okay!

I hope things get better with bates!  Sorry to hear that!  I'll pray for you about it. Love you.

Dont worry about me and elder bates! we are good, I will learn now better how to lead, even if those you lead dont think you are making the correct decision, he really just doesnt trust me to lead him, so it is sad, but it will only get better as I learn how to make him happy, and get what i feel needs to be done, done.

Sounds good. I'm not worried but I like praying for specific things for you. So that is why I like more details. I pray for your health, happiness, that you'll learn what you need t learn. That you'll continue to grow and gave success with preaching the gospel etc.  I love you bud.  Your email was great as usual:).

Adela sent a calendar and I LOVE IT!!