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!