Really Big Week!

Week 31  7 months

Well this week was just really busy.  We had something everyday that wasnot the usual.  I think I will start with Monday:  So we had one new investigator named pasha, we gave him a call on monday and set up a time to meet which was awesome.  ON Tuesday we found a new investigator, we were Contacting on a street called Pravda on are way to another street named Boronsova, we felt impressed we needed to talk to a less active member around there instead of continuing on to where we had planned.  We stopped by their apartment, and no one was home, so went back out to Pravda and continued onto Boronsova, it just didnt quite feel like we were in the right place, Elder Schwieghardt asked me and pointed to a tiny street that led to the river bank, and asked "Whats down there?" I said, "Houses, and the River, there is a beach though, is that where you feel we need to go?"  He took a minute and said "Yeah" so thats where we went, we got to the Beach and he pointed to someone looking out over the river at the view.  Elder Schwieghardt said "That is him, hes the one we need to talk to" we went over and had a really good restoration lesson, he asked why we needed more instructions than the bible, and I explained how many of the instructions had been lost over time because of bad translation and wickedness.  Then I testified of the restoration, it was one of the most powerful moments that I have felt the spirit work through me.  We all became solemn and we asked him if we could meet with him again, because there is more.  He said Yes, next Tuesday, so we will meet with him tomorrow.

We had an awesome english lesson.  Walter has been quite disruptive, and to control that, elder Schweighardt brought out the talking stick.  Man it was awesome, walter treated it so seriously and it was hilarious, to show the class we were serious, one time I started talking while elder Schweighardt was talking and he snapped at me and said "Hey! I have the talking stick" I responded "Oh Sorry!"  IT was really good.  We talked about miracle stories and prayer, and everyone felt the spirit there. THat is about it, the rest was just meetings, MLC a branch evening, everything went really well.  At the Branch Meeting a 70 came and spake, he was really funny, but he was talking mostly about marriage so... Back to the mission! Well thats about it I love you!  

  

Hey buddy,

First off....Dakkon's mission call got delayed, should be this week or maybe even next week.  I will let Sis Sullivan know when it does finally come.  So sorry you probably were dying all week!

Second...we love the recordings!  It is crazy how much you sound like Daddy Jake now!!!  It's nuts.  Don't forget to send a little message for Cam and Kaes...all the kids really.  Just do it in the same message but maybe talk to each kid directly for a second and then the next kid.  Even just, "Kaes-I love you so much your my best sis" or "Jordy good luck with baseball" etc.

I also loved your pop tart email!!!

We went to the cabin today for Easter dinner.  I let Josh drive my car...on the freeway, through parley's, and then almost there.  He nearly swerved into a semi once, but other than that it wasn't too bad.  His birthday is Wednesday so he will officially have his license.  He has a new friend that is a girl, so that will be interesting.  I am honestly just glad he has a friend right now.  He is still doing better though.

Dakkon isn't as helpful as he used to be.  Dad told him he could start gaming again when his paper's were in...so he is back to playing a lot.  He is still kind and respectful, but isn't as helpful.  I'll be happy when he is on that mission, starting his life finally.

The kids are off track now for a month.  I planned a trip to california in a couple weeks.  I told josh he can't come, but I am surprising him for his birthday with a plane ticket.  He can come Friday to Sunday on Grandma's flight with out missing school.  The other kids and I are going Thursday-Tuesday.  We will stay on the beach and do mostly beach and disneyland a couple days.

Last chance for package requests...it will go out this week.

Casey and Jen are moving back to Utah.  casey got a job and they just sold their house.

Jacob and Jordy's games start this weekend.

We had our missionary mom lunch yesterday.  IT was fun.  They were all shocked that I send regular letters as well as emails, and most were appalled that the packages cost $60. to send and only plan to send 2 packages total!!!  Maybe I am the crazy one for over sending things...but I don't care either.  You're right they are just jealous;)  the moms too.  I love sending you things and it makes me so happy to think that I might brighten your day just a little.  I am sending a new binder so you will have a second:).  I seriously love Julie Biesinger!  She is so fun and we are so much alike!  We drove to the lunch together.  We will be lifelong friends for sure!  The other moms also commented on the lack of information and emails they get from their Elders...maybe it has to do with the amount of mail they are sending..haha.  You do a great job with your emails so thanks!

We also had the easter egg hunt yesterday.  

Nicole Lindsay got a mission call for Washington State speaking spanish.   She is excited!

I love you so much and I am so proud of you!!!  You are the best.  I am so glad to be your mom.  I love having you serve a mission.  

Questions-

1-How are the new investigators coming along?

2-Are you happy and healthy still?

3-How was the first MLC?  I saw pictures of you on the blog.

4-Do you have the hang of the District leader thing?

5-Did you guys hear about the brussel attacks and injured missionaries?

6-Are you really safe over there?

7-Has the weather warmed up at all?

8-I loved the pics last week...keep them coming.

9-Request for a certain kind of pop tart?

10-Where will you watch conference?

11-Do you know the other missionaries in your mission that are not in your area very well?

12-Is your weight still stable?

13-Favorite branch member?

14-Do you have a separate calling in the branch, or responsibilities?

15-Who is the main teacher for the english lessons?

16- recorded message

Well,  I love you completely!!!  Have a fantastic week and keep doing your best and staying faithful!!!

Mom

I was really confused why it hadnt come yet, but that makes sense.  Investigators are good.  Yes I amstill healthy and happy! Elder Schweighardt and I work out a lot, and I am putting on some muscle so I have gained about 3 pounds, I think I am 6 foot now.  MLC was really cool, It is a whole different experience than anything else on the mission.  Yeah being a district leader isnt too hard.  NO we dont hear about anything unless you tell us, we dont watch tv and we only email for internet, who attacked who, and why?  Yes we are really safe, we got chased by a drunk guy a few nights a go, and everything was okay (Drunk People are really slow, and you can hear them coming from a mile away)That was a ffunny one because Elder Bunker was with us for MLC, he looked behind us and was like "Oh He is saying bad words" He looked again and said "Oh hes chasing us, time to go" So we ran away real quick, honestly that is the most dangerous thing we encounter here, Guns are to expensive to buy, and you need a passport to buy a knife(Pass ports are also expensive here) so you dont have anything to worry about.  "Look unto me in every thought, doubt not, fear not."  No it is the same, it snowed agian yesterday, and if its not snowing it is raining, but no Ice! It has literally rained everyday for a week.  Any kind will do, Blueberry, Cinnimon, whetever will make me happy.  We will watch conference in center.  I do know other missionaries really well.  My favorite Branch member is probably Sister and Brother Tarneko, they are just really funny, and feed us.No seperate responsibilites, The sisters and us are the teachers for english.  I love you too!

   

Tear Drops on My Pop Tart (Teardrops on my guitar tune)

Week 30

The subject line is because we went on exchanges this week and Elder Biesinger left me a surprise.  On monday hed gotten a package that contained, drumroll...... Cinnimon brown sugar poptarts.  First thought that came to my mind was "I want one" But i restrained my self becasue you do not poach another mans poptarts.  My mom sent me some disney land mickey suckers, and I had been trying to bargain with him the night before the exchange, the deal was 2 suckers for one package of poptarts.  HE originally turned me down, so I fortified myself to try not to think about the pop tarts.  He said that they were numbered and would know if I took one while on exchanges, so I didnt look for them.  I am eating breakfast with Elder Gerasimov when he brings in a silver package, on it there is a note:  "This may or may not contain Cinnamon brown sugar, Bon Appetit!" I almost shed a tear, thus the subject line.  I had already eaten and was full, but I ate the poptarts anyway.  So Elder Biesinger bought my eternal Loyalty, and 2 mickey suckers.  Yeah we are just the best of friends on Left Bank, Elder BIesinger supplies me with poptarts and geeks out with me over super hero movies we cant see, Elder Schwieghardt keeps me in shape(we run a lot and go outside to workout so we have to get up at 6:00 I am so happy about it!)  And Elder Gerasimov is Ukrainian, and his sense of humor gets me everytime.  

Now on the Serious, We got a new Investigator! His name is yoori and he is so cool, he is a business man and is learning english and Java(programming language).  HE was pleasently surprised to find out I can read Java, and write a little bit.  He has a large family for a Ukrainian:4 kids, and we asked him to come to church and he wanted to, but declined because every week on sunday he visits his mom, and he doesnt know how much longer he will be able to see her, he is pretty golden.  We have another Potential Investigator named Pasha(paul) and we found him on Pravda, and almost walked past him, when I said "Hey we should talk with him" He is super interested in the gospel, but doesnt live in Dnepr, but lives just out side the city, and is often in left bank for groceries and such.  He begged us to call him so we could meet again another day, and so we will!  I learned a lesson on accountability Saturday during exchanges, As district leader, when on exchanges I am supposed to provide training for whoever I am with.  During the extra hour of study we were supposed to have we just kind of messed around because we got distracted with something.  Later that day we had a lesson, and it was just not as powerful as it could have been if we had focused better in studies.  This experience opened my eyes to something that our district needs help with, and that is focus, so we are going to talk about focus in studies in distirct meeting, and I am personally going to repent.  Usually we are a lot more focused, but we are starting to lose it.  I know how it feels when you have a good focused study where the spirit teaches you, and now I know how it feels when you goof off for a bit.  As missionaries we always have to learn to change the way we behave when we start slacking off, because there is no one babysitting us during studies, except for The Holy Ghost, and that thought should make us work more dilligently than at any other time in our life.  Thats all,  Love you!

Hey Buddy,

First off...I forgot to tell you that the recording did work and it was so awesome to hear your voice.  Please do more of them!  Also you could say little messages to each kid individually, which I think would help them.  Especially sis and cam.

Also the letters came in the mail this week!!!!!  It was so great!  It totally made my week and was so exciting.  I loved reading through them and the messages you sent us.  The kids were so happy.  I would love more letters if you can do it.  Even if it's just to me...or the family.  You don't have to worry about doing one for everyone everytime.  I really appreciate the time and effort you spent on each one!

Spring is HERE!!!  We are loving the nice weather so much.  We spent all day yesterday getting the yard cleaned up and organized.  It looks great and is so nice to have the kids playing outside regularly again.  

I've been thinking a lot about what you wrote about the adversary.  I have a real strong testimony that when things are going to be really good for the kingdom of God he will do all he can to stop it.  That has been one of the hardest forces to fight in my marriage with Curtis.  When we got married I KNEW we were supposed to be married and that Heavenly Father had a plan for us.  He tried so many different things over the years to end our marriage.  I tired of the fight sometimes and wanted to give up, but Heavenly Father always found a lifeline for us to see and it would save our marriage.  Even when I first started speaking the adversary would work hard to make things at home fall apart so I would feel guilty and wouldn't want to speak anymore.  I tell you all of this because I want you to remember that Heavenly Father has a plan for us.  Satan knows that plan and doesn't want us or His plan for us to succeed.  We are a threat.  You as a missionary is one of his biggest threats.  He will always try but we can't give him the power to discourage us.  I had a meeting with the Bishop a couple years ago.  Things were hard with Curtis and I and it was a rough time, right after Dakkon left.  I opened up to the bishop about how hard Satan worked to cause marital problems and disfunction in our home.  That I was tired of fighting and he always seemed to just work harder to cause problems.  The Bishop gave me advice that has permanently changed my view on this.  Years ago I became afraid to read the scriptures, go to the temple etc.  I knew if I tried to do something righteous he would cause something bad to happen.  I would try to do those things still, but I lived in fear with it.  When dad and I would go to the temple we wouldn't tell you guys or even talk to each other about it.  I would say something like, "let's go on a date and dress up".  That was how dad knew I wanted to go to the temple.  So the advice the bishop gave was this.

"Sure the adversary will work against things.  But why are you giving him so much power?  You living in fear like this makes him stronger and signals to him that it's working.  When something happens acknowledge what it is and move on with the thought...'that won't stop my plan or thwart my goals'.  Regardless of the fight he is putting up don't allow it to discourage you at all.  Take the power back from him and remember he may have power to bruise your heel, but you have the power to crush his head."

I never realized that me living in fear of it was making it stronger until this moment.  It was a valuable lesson for me and I hope you will remember it too.  Our testimonies don't come from an angel coming down and telling us that the church is true.  Think of Laman and Lemuel.  They saw angels literally all the time and still they did not follow.  That is why Heavenly Father builds our testimonies line upon line, slowly, one small miracle or experience at a time.  They are stronger when the are built like that and will last our lives if we continue to believe everyday.  

Well, I loved your story last week about the food!  You were inspired last week when you wrote both of your emails to me.  One Monday I could tell that Julie Biesinger was having a bad day because of a Facebook post.  I texted her that I had a couple fun emails from you about Elder Biesinger that would cheer her up.  (Don't tell her Elder about this next part).  She responded that she has spent the morning crying because of his email.  I guess he had a down week and was discouraged.  She was so thankful to get the email and that you specifically said, "tell Elder Besieger's mom that his Russian is coming along better than he says."  She said it was just the message that she needed and was so grateful for your inspiration as a District Leader to be mindful of her Elder and her as a mother.  So that was really awesome!!!  We went to lunch this week and had a lot of fun.

We have a lunch planned this week with any of the moms in the area for Saturday.  One of the out of town moms is going to be here.  It's based off the Facebook mom group we have.  We are still trying to find moms so find out if your Comps mom is on Facebook and give her my email so I can contact her and add her if she is interested.  Or tell me her name so I can look her up.  This week we found a couple more.  Here is who we hav-e

Montgomery 

Olsen

Knorrp

Walker 

Harris

Jeffery

Biesinger

Peterson

Bates

Novakovich

Rice

Vanbuskirk

Bryson

Robison

Miller

So feel free to give my email to any other missionaries that want to have their parents added...unless you don't have time to talk about that kind of stuff of course.

So I loved your emails last week!  You sounded so happy and excited about your new district and companion.  I am so glad about that!!!  We are all doing good.  Josh is doing 100% better so thank you for the prayers and know that it has really helped.  He is a different person.  It is great.  The kids go off track this week on Thursday and we have an entire month off!!!!  Then when we go back they only have 5 weeks of school until we go to Lake Powell and they are all off for the summer!  A track this year is awesome!!!  Cam's heart is stable.  It did get a little worse, but remains to be stable at this point.  We have at least a few years before we could be looking at anything major, so that is awesome!

Dakkon should get his mission call this week!!!  We are excited.  He and ethan had their wisdom teeth out last week.  I could get an email to sister Sullivan once we receive the call and maybe she can tell you...or would you rather just wait until pday?

Questions-

1-Are there areas in the mission that are more desirable than others?  safer? nicer? cleaner?  Where does Left Bank fall in that?

2-Are things still going good with your new comp?

3-Favorite thing about your district?

4-Favorite thing about being a DL?

5-Is it hard to be a DL?

6-Anything you are struggling with mentally, physically, or spiritually?

7-Any last requests for a package?  specific candy or treat?

8-Any thing I can put in the package for your companion?

9-How is the weather now?

10-Still happy and positive?

11-Any guesses for Dakkon's mission call?

12-Should I tell Sister Sullivan or just wait to email you next week?

13-Spiritual lesson for the week?

14-Special message for me if you have time:)

15-You haven't sent pictures for 2 weeks...I need more pictures!!!!

Well,  I love you so much!!!!  Thank you  for being amazing and doing such a great job. You are an example to so many.  We are proud of you and love you.  I pray for you continually.  I miss you and love seeing the time fly by!

Love you so much!!

Mom   

So each area has its perks and its downsides, Left Bank reputedly is the most dangerous, run down, dirty area in the mission, but like nothing happens here, and its like not even way dirty Left bank perks: You are close enough to center to pick up mail if you have it, and you can get pretty much anything you want.  LIke my area is better than Sketchville, but the people here smoke and drink more, and there are 100s of thousands of them.    Yeah we go running alot now, we run like 4-5 miles some mornings.  My favorite thiing about my district is district meeting, and we are all so funny, and we are just having a blast.  I love being able to do call ins because they are so fun, also I get to call on people to say prayers so that is fun the best part is proably being able to recieve revelation for my district, there have been many times where something will just come to me.  It is just a little more time consuming being a district leader, and people depend on me for a lot of stuff.  No I am perfectly fine, I was kind of concerned becasue sarah hadnt emailed me back since she got on the mission, but she just emailed me today.  I am really sad that I am missing batman vs. superman, and so is elder biesinger, so we are morning with those who morn by morning with eachother.  I need a pair of leather gloves, we did service this week and I ripped myself a few new blisters.  I cant think of any specific treats.  It was warm, and then it dropped back down to 0 and it has snowed a few inches the last few days.  It was funny because it was snowing on the first day of spring.  Still happy and positive.  My guess is Kiev Ukraine, Russian speaking, or Alabama, SOuthern speaking.  Yeah tell Sister Sullivan I was going to beg to get to call you for it, but my guess is the answer would be no.  I will send pictures. I love you! 

It is hard to write so many emails, but I will try, so I really love the recorder and I think that it is a good idea.  I miss you a lot and I love all the stuff youve sent, I literally nearly cried when I found the Frisbee in the package, my feet have only gotten better, your such a good mom.  Elder Schweighardt is awesome and we get along so well.  Everyone is always jealous that I have a mom like you, so thanks for everything, I love you bye! 

   

The Pink Stuff...

Week 29!

Wow being a district leader is tiring, i went from just working to having my phone ring every few hours while I am trying to work, lots of stuff to do.  So this week we had our first district meeting with me leading it, and it went good, at the end, the sisters who do Thai Chi at the branch in the morning asked if we were going to join them for dinner, we politely declined because we had our heart set on some Poozata hatas.  Well Us elders leave, and Sister Bantsova and Bollingbrook stayed, little did we know that they made sure that the sisters at the branch set our a plate for each of us to return to.  Sister Bantsova and Bollingbrook proceed to follow us over to Poozata hatas, where we had just finished eating, so we were full, then they told us we had to go back to branch because the sisters had made food for us, and if we didnt eat it it would offend them.  We get there, and what was on my plate did not look like ukrianian food, but apparently it was.  There was some green stuff, and some orange stuff, and some brown stuff, and a bleencheek(small sweedish pancake filled with creamcheese).  I saved the bleencheek for last because I trusted it.  I ate the Brown stuff first, then I tried the green stuff, and saved it for after the Orange and Pink stuff, which I mixed togther.  I put the pink stuff in my mouth and boy did it taste wierd, imagine looking at Lyndsee's pink fluff, and then replace the sweet stuff with beats, the coolwhip with pickle juice, and add peas that are really hard into the mix.  I mixed this with the orange stuff that looked almost like cheese but definitely was not, I dont know what it was.  ANyways, I choke this down for the members, one of them walks in, sees that I finished it, Elder Biesinger hasnt even touched his, and elder garasamov had no problem since he is ukrainian, Elder Schweighardt ate his earlier, and was in the bathroom.  She walks back in with a large contaner of this pink stuff, and proceeds to refill my plate with it.  Elder biesinger walked out so that the member wouldnt see him laugh at the pain and anguish hiding behing my smile and thankyou.    I ate it all, and then I ate my Bleencheek victoriously.  That was the highlight.  No new investigators, but do any of you remember Valeree?  Well we saw him on Friday night, and he wanted to meet with us again! IT is a miracle!  Also the spirit and God will protect missionaries, we were contacting on Saturday night and we got the impression to cross the street.  We did, and continued walking.  The road eventually splits, and we Run into the sisters on our fork.  On the other fork there is an over pass, and we heard some scary noises coming from the over pass, gratefully we werent over there and we were safe becasue we listened to the spirit, thats all, Love you!

  Hey Buddy,

I am so excited to hear about your week!!!  Don't leave anything out!  

We are all doing really good.  Josh is doing better and so is everyone else really.  We are feeling your prayers and the blessings of you serving.  I loved your extra letter and message. It made the difference for sure to be able to read a little more from you instead of "chatting".  I hope you will keep doing that.  It really meant a lot!

News for the week...

Josh passed his driver's ed test so now when he turns 16 he can get his license.  He is also going to be joining NHS so he is excited about that.  I was relieved he passed his test.

Jordy started baseball and had his first practice.  He is super excited.  It was Daylight savings last night, so the day is lasting a little longer which is awesome.  That is always a sign that spring is here!

Jacob is still loving basketball but hasn't had a game yet.  He is doing well in school.

Cam's kidney is doing good and hasn't gotten any worse so that was great news.  His heart appt is Friday.

Kaestli is doing great, loves school, dance and gymnastics.  She goes to bed great now with our new system too.

Dakkon was presented as an Elder today so will be ordained next week.  He had his interview with Pres. Ghiz and the papers have been sent in.  So should be able to tell you in 2 weeks where his call is.  I wish we could Skype you for the opening!!!;)  He has been less helpful around here, but I'm just glad he is almost on that mission.  We are hoping he leaves ASAP.

Me and Dad are doing good.  We spent several days in Vegas this weekend which was a great break.  I mostly laid by the pool reading my book club book while he worked...but it was nice.  It was 80* which was amazing.

Dad got released as the Sunday School president last week too.

I miss you but I am proud of you too.  I am not at all surprised you are a District leader already.  I was actually feeling like that is what would happen, but I didn't want to assume either.  I am so excited for you and I know you will do great.  Remember who the Lord calls, He qualifies.  Believe in yourself, because Heavenly Father and I believe in you!!   You will do great.

Questions-

1-Any requests for the next package?

2-I want full details of your new comp.  Getting along?  Better than others? Not so much? Where is he from?  How long has he been out?  Hard worker?

3-What is your job as a District Leader?

4-Send a picture of your District.

5-Are you happy to be a DL?  Will it be hard?

6-Are you staying happy and positive?

7-Any new investigators?

8-How is Elder Besieger getting along with his new native comp?  Any food issues with that?

9-How are your feet and legs?

10-Anything we can do for you?

11-Please send another personal message for me...I really loved it!

Well,  I love you and am just so glad you are serving a mission!  I love how fast time is going by!  It is awesome.  Thanks for all you do for us and blessing us by serving your Heavenly Father.  I am so grateful!!!

LOVE YOU a million times!!!

Mom  

I know root beer wouldnt make it here and taste good, but I wish it could, send more snack type things, like granola bars, and stuff like that, they are really good for when we are contacting and I am hungry.  keep sending carnation, they are awesome.  So elder Scwheighardt is from Missouri, and he talks like he is from castle dale.  We get a long really well, and he is a lot more fun than elder bates. HE also trusts me to lead and so it is really easy to get along with him, we dont really have any conflicts. He is really short 5'3".  HE came in with Elder Bates.  IT is weird being district leader now, because now I am the best option for translating for people in Left Bank.  District leader is fun, it means i have to call the sisters and the Elders Everyweek, go to Missionary Leadership meetings etc.  He is a hard worker, and We get a long really well.  He was a Cross Country runner in High School, so to exercise we have been running, we found a new park we are going to start going to, it is awesome, it has a track, and a soccer(Frisbee) Field, and there are work out machines like the ones in the picture I sent a few weeks ago, so we are gonna start going there. I am happy to be a District Leader, and no it wont be hard.  I cant send pictures from this computer for some reason.  I am happys, and positves.  NO new investigators, Elder Biesinger is getting a long well, the only food issues might be for the native, we made dinner yesterday, and we mader French Toast with Maple syrup, which hed never had before, he liked that, then elder Schweighardt tried to make biscuits, and they did not trun out well, we are hoping we didnt ruin him for Biscuits and Gravy.  IT is good for Elder Biesingers language, becasue he is starting to realize he can speak russian now that he is surrounded by it, before he thought he couldnt but that was just because he wasnt confident, I am glad he is starting to think better of himself in that aspect(tell his mom he speaks fine).  My feet and legs are tired as usual, my bunion still gives me some problems, but not as bad now. I love you!

Transfers!!!

Week 28!

So a lot of big things happened on saturday morning(That is when we get transfer calls.  Firstly, I am staying on Left Bank as the new District Leader, Elder Bates has been transferred to Zaparozhe and will be working with Elder Bryson(He came in a transfer before me)  Elder McCleary, My former district Leader will be serving as an assistant to the President, in Center(just across the river from me)  Elder Biesinger is finishing the Training of a native missionary here on left bank. Sister Morris is a new sister training leader, and she is serving in Poltava, Sister Bantsova is staying on Left Bank, and will be working with Sister Bollingbrook(I know I spelled that wrong).  Thats all the big stuff that happened this week.  Our two awesome investigators dropped us and said "We are Old, we wont do anything to change, you should talk to young people"  They were so awesome though, they gave both of us a blue tiny new testament in russian and I love it.  As far as the Language goes, Sometimes I can talk, sometimes I cant, I almost always understand.  The only problem with talking is whether or not they understand me, so I will just have to continue to speak slowly and clearly until they get the message.

Yesterday we had our last dinner with the Other elders, It consisted of Potatoe chips, Cheeseburgers, and of coarse, Kontiki, It is sad that they have to leave, but it is also fun to have a new companion.  My new companions Name is Elder Schweighardt, and he is pretty cool, we are moving him in today, and we will work.  I love you all and Miss you!

   

Hey Buddy,

Gosh I am really missing you lately!  I mean I always miss you, but lately it's a little deeper.  I miss you always cheering me up and being kind to me and the way you always knew if I was having a bad day.  You had a way of making me feel like you cared about me so much and loved me, and thought I was a good mom.  Thank you for being that person for me.

This week has been full.  Josh is finished with Driver's Ed and just needs to take the driving test now.  He is worried about parallel parking.  He also made the acapella choir for next year.  

Jordy is signed up for baseball, it will probably be his last year.  He is with Tom and Max again.  He hangs with them and Kannon and Landon a lot lately.  He loves doing instagram too.  Gorgerbot39 is his name:)  

Jacob is doing good and loves his basketball team.  It will be weird that he isn't playing baseball though.  

Cam is starting all his Dr. appt.  His Kidney dr is in the morning so I'll update you on that next week.  His heart dr is the next week.  

Kaestli is all signed up for Kindergarten so that is crazy!  Our school is going to traditional so we will have a full summer since we are on A track.  The kids go off for a month in 2 weeks and then when they come back we only have 6 weeks until they are out for the year!  So that seems crazy too.  We are later gators so they will start at 9:15 and go to 3:35.  I will miss being on tracks.

Dad bought a new car that I have named midlife crisis, but the other kids named Z.  It is a nissan 350Z two seat convertible that is fast and makes all the boys gitty.  Dakkon can't walk past it without smiling ear to ear!  It's our date car now I guess.  He still has his other car for real life.  It was pretty inexpensive so I was fine with it.  

Kate is getting baptized this week.

Dad and I are going to Vegas for a conference this weekend that should be a really nice break.  I am looking forward to it.

I am sad about not being able to "Chat" anymore.  It was emotionally satisfying to be able to connect to you for just a few minutes.  Your emails are always great which I love.  I also love the fact that you answer all my questions in the other email.  I am wondering though if you'll do me a favor and always add a separate message just for me.  Short or long.  I just really need that right now.  I think it will help with the no chatting thing.

I am hoping you have figured out your voice recorder by now.  I would really love to hear your voice and I think it would really help the kids too.  

Questions-

1-Did you give the ziplock bags to Sister Sullivan?

2-Are the insoles making a difference, how are your feet?

3-Should I send more insoles for your other shoes?  How many?

4-Do you have to pay for packages when they are delivered?  How much if so?

5-I want full details of your new area/companion/assignment....FULL details of all of it....if it changed.

6-Can you share a spiritual message for me to share with the kids?

7-Do you love the people of Ukraine yet?

8-Are you still happy and positive?

9-How has the weather been?  It is warming up here:)

10-What is your favorite kind of mail to get?

11-Do you like me sending recent pics of us?

12-How often would you like packages?

13-How can I help you better?

14-Remember a nice little message for me:)

I love you so much and I am so proud of you.  Thank you for always caring about me and making me feel like a good mom.  Thanks for being my best friend and biggest support in my life.  I had a dream about Daddy Jake this week.  He burst through a door in my dream almost as if he was bursting through my sub conscience.  He grabbed me and hugged me.  I looked at his face and grabbed it and just said, "It's really you, your here."  He said he is always with us.  It was a great dream.  I sure miss him.  

Well, I love you.  I am praying for you.  Don't worry about us here.  We are all doing good. I am super proud of you.  Stay positive and strong.  Keep the faith.  You will have hard days and maybe even down days, but you will make it and be amazing.  You are changing your life, our life and the lives in Ukraine even if your "numbers" don't show it on paper!  Thank you for all you have done.

I LOVE YOU!!!!

Mom 

  Yes I delivered the ziplocs to sister Sullivan  The Insoles are making a difference and I think just one more pair would do.  I don't have to pay anything for them when they come.  So like I said in the group email, I am the New district leader in Left Bank, and Elder Schweighardt is my new companion.  I am super excited.  Yes I love the Ukrainian people, even when they don't love me back.  Yes I am still happy.  Weather has been up and down, sometimes it is really cold, other times, it is 63 degrees.  It just depends on whether or not the sun is shining.  My favorite kind of mail to get is the kind that has poptarts in it;)I love the pictures, the only problem is I don't have anywhere to put all the pictures.  Just as often is you want to send them, I shouldn't need one for a while, but i wont complain if you were to send me a package.  Your doing just great.  I love you too, I will send you the message and a spiritual story on separate email.

So my entire mission, and ever since I graduated high school, it has been kind of weird for my testimony and me.  Because Satan is constantly attacking it, and by extension me.  I often feel so many doubts encompass me, and it creates feelings of sadness, and emptiness.  But I choose to believe anyway every time I put on my tag.  My feelings are reflected perfectly by the words of a Russian writer who wrote the Brothers Karamozov.  "Don't think that I believe in ignorance, my faith was forged in the furnace of doubt"  Often we have doubts, but if we do as president Uchtdorf suggests, and doubt our doubts before we doubt our faith, then we can testify with power and authority, and with the shield of faith we will be protected from all the fiery darts of the adversary.  As soon as I feel the spirit, any doubts I have are purged.

     Alright, Mom I miss you and everyone a lot.  And I love you all so much.  I sent may letters last Pday so you should get them soon.  It could be a few weeks.  I am so glad that you are my Mom.  I dont know why josh is having problems, do you know what his deal is?  He hasnt responded to my email from last week, but I wish he would write me everyweek.  I am glad you are a good missionary mom, and that you keep me updated, other missionaries always tease me for how much mail I get, but secretly they are jealous.  I wrote a lot more in that letter and I am almost out of time,  By love you!