The Cockroaches Returned in Strength!

Week 32!

So remember that email a few weeks ago about how elder Bates and I killed 15 cockroaches? I thought that was the end of it, we didnt see any for ever.  Then We walked in one night from contacting and killed 18, then the next night we killed another 11, then on the next night 12, and another few here and there, we killed over 40 cockroaches in 3 days, 3 freaking days!! Elder Schwieghardt can always tell ive spotted one(I am the look out) because I stop saying whatever I am saying and look at it.  Then we both run to grab toilet paper or a paper towel, sometimes we even just kill them with our bare hands.  Elder Gerasimov saw one when we were at dinner on sunday last week, and he just started yelling and freaking out "Woo AHhh Тарканы!!!" thats how you say cockroaches. Elder Schwieghardt and I were curious about how many we killed, so we started keeping a cockroach kill count.  We also had to start a "The ones that got away... for now!" count(Every cockroach will die!).  Ill send some pictures of the one we started 3 days ago.  

Well I bet conference was Good! I dont get to watch it until this sunday and Saturday, becasue they do a delayed transmission.  We had a lesson with Rooclan on Tuesday, man it was rough, he had a question about a part in the book of Revelation that says something to the effect of "Dont add or take away from the book of revelations, or it will suck to be you."  He thought it was talking about the bible, and wanted to know how we could have the Book of Mormon if it was scripture like the Bible.  1. that verse is talking specifically about the book of revelation, 2. The book of mormon is not an addition to the bible, but is its own witness of the divinity of Christ.  I explained these points very weakly in russian, and was expecting him to shoot it down, but he accepted my explaination, he only has a problem with the Three degrees of glory inthe Plan of Salvation, and quoted Matthew (Ye cannot serve to masters...)  He thought for some reason that the two lesser degrees of glory were for those who had kind of served God, and Kind of served satan, he totally agrees with the Celestial Kingdom, and Outer darkness though, they make sense to him.  He is a really good man, he used to be an alcoholic, and he recognized that he was throwing his life away, it was then that he really started to apply the atonement of Christ to help himself overcome that challenge, He loves the Book of Mormon even though he isnt quite comfortable with it yet, he said that he had taken part of it into his heart.  He might come to General Conference on Saturday and Sunday, Thatll give him a testimony of the Prophets.

Last story, "Dont Talk to strangers"-Mom "Even if they want to give you food or candy"-Also mom.  after that lesson with rooclan, I felt we needed to be in a specific area on the oppisite end of our area that we were in.  We went, and contacted for like an hour and a half, no one wanted to talk to us.  I saw this Muslim, and felt I needed to talk to him, I said to myself "Nahh he wont talk with us he is a Muslim" So I made like akward eye contact with him as I was having this inner struggle, and we pass eachother, about 2 minutes later, he walks around us, stops us, and says, "Hello, I see you are also foreigners here, and I wanted to know if you would like to join me for tea or coffee at my house" So against the teaching of my mother and the my best judgement, the Holy Ghost Over ruled, and we went and had a muslim tea party.  He shared the Quaran with us, we gave him the book of mormon(He was honored at the fact that we would so freely give him the book)  Nothing else has come of that yet, he might call and invite us to dinner some time though. 

   

Hey Buddy,

First off...again...we are still waiting for that dang mission call!!!!  Sorry.  I promise I will text Sister Sullivan (she gave me her cell number and told me to text when it comes) the minute the mission call is opened.  But it is still probably 2 weeks away so don't hold your breath this week.  The bishop said yesterday that it is finally saying "ready for assignment" on his account instead of just submitted.  But it hasn't been assigned at this point.  We are all really frustrated and feeling like we are failing in this test of patience.  Sister Sullivan started instant messaging me today asking about the mission call too.  She is looking out for you.  

We had a good conference weekend.  All the talks were really good and I felt like some were directly for you and the other boys.  Sister Sullivan also mentioned you won't be watching it until next week so I won't give any spoilers:).  The boys and dad all went to priesthood last night except for Jordy, he had a game.  

The games have begun.  Jacob had his first game yesterday.  They won 36-10 and Jacob had 4 points.  It should be a fun season.  Jordy had 2 games this weekend, got some good hits and had fun.  tied and then lost to the same team...but they were a super league team so we felt good about our playing.  They are on with Max and Tom again.

Kaestli had Kindergarten orientation and did really well.  She is super excited about starting it.  We are heading to Cali this week on thursday.  I surprised Josh with a ticket to come with Grandma for friday to sunday.  We will do the beach mostly and Disneyland.  

I'm speaking this week in South Jordan and then I am doing a stake fireside in Wellington UT in 2 weeks.  I am excited about it.  I wish I could come do a fireside in Ukraine;)

It was prom this weekend and I did Jessica's hair and Bailey Reagh's hair.  

We had a good week, but I have had a bad cold so that was rough for a couple days.  The weather was terrible the first part of the week but yesterday and today was beautiful.

I got your package sent this week.  There is some powdered sugar and vanilla for Sister Sullivan.  I put a small thing of vanilla for you too.  It was the heaviest package yet...22lbs I think!  HaHA.. hopefully you love what is weighing it down;)

I received a letter in the mail from Ukraine this week, not from you.  Guess who??

Elder Bates.  It was such a nice long letter about how great you were and how I did such a good job raising you.  He spoke highly of you and the lessons you taught him while you trained him.  It was really sweet!  I'm going to meet his mom for lunch tomorrow so I can share the letter with her.

Josh got his driver's license on his birthday and is actually not bad at driving.  We are trying to figure out the car situation now.  He can drive the green car good, but with Dakkon still here it is tricky.

FYI so the attack was in the Brussels airport.  IT was ISIS again and there were 4 missionaries close to the bomb.  A senior male, two Elder's, and a sister they were dropping off at the airport to come to the states.  They all survived and were burned on their faces, hands, and legs.  No burns where their garments covered.  The Elders were from Utah and are home now in the huntsman burn center.  It was a miracle...everyone around them died.  It has made international news that the mormon missionaries survived and has received a lot of praise from all faiths.  The paris missionaries (Cami Brown) were all grounded to their apartments for a few days after.  It was about 10 days ago.

Questions this week-

1-How is everything, are you doing good?

2-Still happy and positive?

3-What is the hardest thing about serving a mission?

4-How are things going as DL?

5-How are things with the native that you guys have in your district?

6-How are your dinners going?  What do you make most often?

7-How are things with your comp?  Do you guys still get along?

8-Any issues with your Comp?

9-Why would you run 5 miles a day when you walk 20 more?????????

10-Does it bother you if I tell you about trips or things we are doing?  I'm trying to keep you updated, but I DON'T want to make you sad.

11-Do you get sad?  How often?

12-Anything I can help you with, or pray for?

13-Special message for me...even a short one;)

Well, I love you to pieces.  I miss you like crazy, but I am so glad you are on a mission.  I am really proud of you and wouldn't want you anywhere else!  I am super excited to see time passing so quickly and mostly painlessly.  We have many blessings as a family from you serving, and I thank you for that.  I really appreciate all you did for me your entire life.  The truth is  I would not have survived my trials and life had Heavenly Father not given me you.  You made the difference so many times.  When I have a bad day I miss you coming up and giving me a hug and telling me you're sorry I'm having a bad day.  You always knew and you always cared about how I felt.  That is a talent!  I love you so much.

Have a great week and be safe.  Stay faithful.  Follow the promptings of the spirit.  Remember you are worthy to serve Heavenly Father.  Look at the big picture and don't worry about the small failures.  You are the best!

I love you,

Mom 

Everything is good!, I am happy and positive! The hardest thing is being away from my family,It is fun being a district leader, He is just culturally different, and now we know how natives fill when we try to put our two cents into a conversation in russian,  we were talking about protein one day, and then like a few minutes after we finished the subject he started talking to us a bout protein, it always cracks me up.Dinners are always good, we usually make something like Spaghetti, or tacos, or chicken carrots and Rice, we eat really healthy here.I eat an apple everyday.  We are the best of friends, literally 0 problems, we are going fishing soon., dont worry i know not to eat the fish.  Because we both want to be ripped, and so we work out hard, we even bought some protein mix.  It doesnt bother me.  I actually dont really get sad.  I will try to do a short one after pictures and voice recordings. 

  

--Email from Elder Besieger

I went on exchanges with Elder Jorgensen, and he took me on an adventure of his area!  We stopped by a train that says on the front: "Onto the West!" with the USSR hammer and sickle on the front...guess what that could have meant?! (invasion) Also, a tinfoil jet that is RIGHT on the dnepr river.  And we had some awesome burritos!