New Assignment: Recon

Week 40

So the subject is because I got transferred.  Yup after 7 months on the best river bank in the world, I got transferred.  My new area: Sumy.  Why the assignment is Recon:Our mission knows almost nothing about it(it ws just barely added to our mission, so no one from our mission has ever served there) and it is really far away(like next to russia really far away)and my new companion(Elder Biesinger Yayyy!!!) and I are basically scouts. The native missionaries told me it is really small, and that the branch is awesome.  This week was good, we had an Exchange with the Zone leaders, we had MLC, we had a lot of good stuff happen.  3 Investigators came to church on Sunday, Phillip, Prince, and Pasha.  Phillip and Prince both are really cool, speak English, and are curious about the gospel, Phillip came with out us even calling to remind him about it. Our fishing trip got cancelled on Monday, literally as we got onto the Marschutka, and paid for it, we got informed by our pal that we would not be  going.  We were ticked to say the least, we spent the day cleaning and warring against the cockroaches, we killed 40 in 30minutes on Tuesday.  Elder Schweighardt and his new companion will now be the only missionaries on Left Bank, as opposed to 6.  We have like 6 or 7 investigators he and his companion will probably baptize this transfer.  (yeah I know I leave just as everything is falling into place!)  The branch said goodbye to us and all of us bore our testimonies, and it was sad. I will miss the best bank.  I love you all!

Hey buddy,

Wow...what a week!  It has been just crazy around here.  We did Dakkon's mission pics last Sunday and they really turned out great.  I sent you a couple.  I spent the week getting the house and yard ready for his farewell.  It was a lot of work, but ended up looking really nice.  We have new house cleaners that I love!!!!  

Ethan has been here since thursday and plans to stay until Tuesday.  He is going to come to the MTC with us as well.  We are hoping Margaret will allow Ollie and Kalten to come too.  We had them all this weekend.  We then will all go to Powell on Sat...the Tboys too.

Josh spent the weekend at the Cabin with G&G.  Jordy had a pretty rough week with some bullies.  They are taking advantage of him and telling him inappropriate pick up lines to tell girls.  It's been a rough week with him.  We are considering doing the autism cluster at the school.  The other classes are just too hard.  It's been really upsetting.  We could use some prayers in that department.

I took the boys to Joe's yesterday to celebrate Daddy Jake's birthday last night.  He would have been 42 years old.  It is the 13th birthday we have celebrated without him. I love that you got your call on dad's birthday last year and this year Dakkon had his farewell.  I don't think it is a coincidence at all.  I sent a pic of us too.

The farewell was today and it was good.  Dakkon did a great job.  He was well prepared for it.  At the end he talked about all the help that Dad has been to get him to this point.  He talked about the ward family and how several people helped him on the way to get where he was.  Then he started talking about the biggest influence and greatest person in his life that got him to where he was.  He was someone who came into his life 10 years ago and has been a constant example.  Someone that showed him unconditional love and forgiveness.  Someone who has been example in how to live his life, his best friend.  He said, "I walk by the missionary wall in our home and see his smiling face and as I look in to his picture as a missionary I could see myself as a missionary too.  So even though he is 6000 miles away, Thank you Jax, I love you bro."  He was crying...and pretty much so was everyone else in the room.  It was so awesome!  I wish you could have seen it.  I was really proud of him.  We had all the family over after and it went really good too.  

This is our last week of school for everyone!!!!  I am so ready for a break.  It will be strange to have everyone out for the entire summer together.  That has never happened before.  Kaestli has her last day of school tomorrow.  I sent a pic of her beginning of school and end of school handwriting.  I love it.  Josh is still doing better which is great.  So thanks for the prayers for him.  

I have been pretty worried about you to be honest.  I am not sure why.  I am worried you are struggling right now.  I have been praying extra hard and put your name in the temple.  Last week I asked if you are still happy and positive, and you didn't answer that question.  I don't know if you just forgot too, or if it was because you aren't doing very well.  I don't know if I am being a worrier or if it is because I am being prompted...or mother's intuition.  I hope that if you ever are struggling that you know you can tell me.  I want to be a support to you and you don't need to always be brave for me.  I don't expect you to be perfect!  So my hope is that I am being paranoid but if not, please let me know if I can help.  And just know that I am always praying for you.  I know missions are hard and I can't imagine dealing with the rejection and drunks all the time.  You are doing great.  I am so proud of you.  I love you so much.

Thanks again for your example in serving.  I know Dakkon wouldn't be going if not for you.  Ethan can start working on his papers in like 8 months...it's just awesome!  I updated the missionary wall with stuff for you and Dakkon.  It looks so great.  I also started a second wall downstairs with your photos and the flags.  I love it.  I sent pics of both.  I ordered a plaque for Dad because his ward didn't do them.  We surprised him this week with it.  He was really touched and loved it...again I sent a photo.  Also, I think your advice for him was perfect last week so thank you!

Well questions this week-

1-So are you still happy and positive?  Have you been struggling or was I being paranoid?

2-I need more pictures!!!!!  Did you get a camera?

3-I need more recordings!  Maybe record a goodbye message for Dakkon?

4-How have your workouts been going?

5-Are you excited about transfers this week?  Do you think you are going?

6-Have you liked being the DL?

7-What was your favorite thing in the package?

8-So do you go home on a transfer day or just any day that you pick?  When will you know what day?

9-Will you miss your comp...and Elder Biesinger if you get transferred?

10-What is your favorite thing about Ukraine?

11-What do you think of the family pic I sent?  Do any of the kids look different?  Who looks the most different?

12-Special message for me, please:)

Well, I love you, I miss you, I worry about you, I try not to worry about you, I have faith you are being watched over!  I Am so glad you are serving a mission.  I love you so much.  Be careful and safe!  Pray always, follow the spirit, forgive yourself and those around you, keep trying, love your mission!  Love you

Mom  

Yes I am still happy and positive, no, I was short on time last week too.  I tried to send some just now, and I love the new camera. They have been good, we run and do dips and pushups, and pull ups.  I dont have my voice recorder with me now because we have a crazy pday schedule, and we ran to the email place for our work out so that we coudl kill 5 birds with one stone.  I am, I do think I am going, wich means that I will stay here another transfer.  Sister Pagosava is going home, she finished her mission, so now shell go home to armenia.  I love being a District Leader.  Definitely the protein bars, but I have a funny story about the rootbeer flavoring. NO its anyday I pick within 30 days, I dont know when I will go because I dont know how much time I need for getting ready for college, the earliest I would want to come home is the 10th of august, but that is still 15 months away so I dont want to think about it too hard.  yes, I will miss them both, and sister bollingbrook and pagosava.  Probably just the people, they are quirky for sure, you never know that your gonna get.  The T boys all look equally different, and jordys hair is throwing me off, wheres the mister T haircut? ;) I love you a lot mom, and you should know that whatever dakkon said about me can be said about you because you are the biggest influence on my life, so anything good I do, was inderectly caused by you.  We are definitely being watched over this is the "Most Dangerous" area in the mission, and no one has even gotten close to us, i can just imagine chariots of fire, and the hosts of heaven buffering all the crazys away.  It helps that Elder Schwieghardt and I follow the spirit almost Exactly(its really hard to do it 100 percent right 100 percent of the time)  But when we do make a mistake, we always make the correction, dont worry about us, but dont stop praying for us either!  Love You!

5:00 AM

Week 39

That is what time we got up this morning so that we could Email you all. Because today we are going fishing!!!! One of our potential investiagors is taking us on a fishing trip to another part of the city called Krasnee Kamyen.  It should be a blast, Ill bring my new camera and take tons of good pictures, I sent a ton to my mom just barely, I hope she forwards them to you so  you can see what Ukrainian country side looks like.  My new camera is amazing, I can see Elder Biesinger and Gerasimovs apartment from my apartment with it, unfortunately their window doesnt face ours so we cant do a funny apartment to apartment picture from 5 miles away. This week went really well, we met a lot of good potential investigators, and we saw one of them for a second time on the street, he asked if we were tired and invited us to his home for some "Refreshing Wine" we thanked him kindly and explained that we dont drink Alcohol, he apologized and we agreed on tea,(I keep a packet of Tea that we can drink(Without White, Green or Black Tea leaves) in my bag for exactly this kind of situation.).  We come into his home, he apologizes for the mess, and starts preparing tea.  Turns out he studied tea in college and knows how to do it chinese style, so that was really cool, they use smaller cups.  He gave us his phone and told us to turn on some music, honestly that was one of the harder decisions to make "Do I turn on Motab, or jenny phillips, or country, or classical, or tell him we dont listen to music because we it is too distracting?"  I decided on the Happy medium of piano guys, he was happy to hear it and asked if we liked any Ukrainian composers, we dont know any so he changed the  music to soem of their songs, and it was really good instrumental music and I really enjoyed it.  One example of Ukrainian is "Carol of the Bells" Yup that is Ukrainian music, you can kindly thank this country for your christmas music.  We did service twice this week which was fun, every one here that doesnt live in an apartment has a huge garden.  Elder Schwieghardt and I are going to try to start a window garden, we will grow some basil, and other small stuff.  He is definitely coming to english practice, and we hope he will get really interested in the gospel after that, if he does, we will definitely be going back for tea and gospel discussions.  That is it I love you all!!

Hey buddy,

Wow...what a week!  It has been just crazy around here.  We did Dakkon's mission pics last Sunday and they really turned out great.  I sent you a couple.  I spent the week getting the house and yard ready for his farewell.  It was a lot of work, but ended up looking really nice.  We have new house cleaners that I love!!!!  

Ethan has been here since thursday and plans to stay until Tuesday.  He is going to come to the MTC with us as well.  We are hoping Margaret will allow Ollie and Kalten to come too.  We had them all this weekend.  We then will all go to Powell on Sat...the Tboys too.

Josh spent the weekend at the Cabin with G&G.  Jordy had a pretty rough week with some bullies.  They are taking advantage of him and telling him inappropriate pick up lines to tell girls.  It's been a rough week with him.  We are considering doing the autism cluster at the school.  The other classes are just too hard.  It's been really upsetting.  We could use some prayers in that department.

I took the boys to Joe's yesterday to celebrate Daddy Jake's birthday last night.  He would have been 42 years old.  It is the 13th birthday we have celebrated without him. I love that you got your call on dad's birthday last year and this year Dakkon had his farewell.  I don't think it is a coincidence at all.  I sent a pic of us too.

The farewell was today and it was good.  Dakkon did a great job.  He was well prepared for it.  At the end he talked about all the help that Dad has been to get him to this point.  He talked about the ward family and how several people helped him on the way to get where he was.  Then he started talking about the biggest influence and greatest person in his life that got him to where he was.  He was someone who came into his life 10 years ago and has been a constant example.  Someone that showed him unconditional love and forgiveness.  Someone who has been example in how to live his life, his best friend.  He said, "I walk by the missionary wall in our home and see his smiling face and as I look in to his picture as a missionary I could see myself as a missionary too.  So even though he is 6000 miles away, Thank you Jax, I love you bro."  He was crying...and pretty much so was everyone else in the room.  It was so awesome!  I wish you could have seen it.  I was really proud of him.  We had all the family over after and it went really good too.  

This is our last week of school for everyone!!!!  I am so ready for a break.  It will be strange to have everyone out for the entire summer together.  That has never happened before.  Kaestli has her last day of school tomorrow.  I sent a pic of her beginning of school and end of school handwriting.  I love it.  Josh is still doing better which is great.  So thanks for the prayers for him.  

I have been pretty worried about you to be honest.  I am not sure why.  I am worried you are struggling right now.  I have been praying extra hard and put your name in the temple.  Last week I asked if you are still happy and positive, and you didn't answer that question.  I don't know if you just forgot too, or if it was because you aren't doing very well.  I don't know if I am being a worrier or if it is because I am being prompted...or mother's intuition.  I hope that if you ever are struggling that you know you can tell me.  I want to be a support to you and you don't need to always be brave for me.  I don't expect you to be perfect!  So my hope is that I am being paranoid but if not, please let me know if I can help.  And just know that I am always praying for you.  I know missions are hard and I can't imagine dealing with the rejection and drunks all the time.  You are doing great.  I am so proud of you.  I love you so much.

Thanks again for your example in serving.  I know Dakkon wouldn't be going if not for you.  Ethan can start working on his papers in like 8 months...it's just awesome!  I updated the missionary wall with stuff for you and Dakkon.  It looks so great.  I also started a second wall downstairs with your photos and the flags.  I love it.  I sent pics of both.  I ordered a plaque for Dad because his ward didn't do them.  We surprised him this week with it.  He was really touched and loved it...again I sent a photo.  Also, I think your advice for him was perfect last week so thank you!

Well questions this week-

1-So are you still happy and positive?  Have you been struggling or was I being paranoid?

2-I need more pictures!!!!!  Did you get a camera?

3-I need more recordings!  Maybe record a goodbye message for Dakkon?

4-How have your workouts been going?

5-Are you excited about transfers this week?  Do you think you are going?

6-Have you liked being the DL?

7-What was your favorite thing in the package?

8-So do you go home on a transfer day or just any day that you pick?  When will you know what day?

9-Will you miss your comp...and Elder Biesinger if you get transferred?

10-What is your favorite thing about Ukraine?

11-What do you think of the family pic I sent?  Do any of the kids look different?  Who looks the most different?

12-Special message for me, please:)

Well, I love you, I miss you, I worry about you, I try not to worry about you, I have faith you are being watched over!  I Am so glad you are serving a mission.  I love you so much.  Be careful and safe!  Pray always, follow the spirit, forgive yourself and those around you, keep trying, love your mission!  Love you

Mom

Yes I am still happy and positive, no, I was short on time last week too.  I tried to send some just now, and I love the new camera. They have been good, we run and do dips and pushups, and pull ups.  I dont have my voice recorder with me now because we have a crazy pday schedule, and we ran to the email place for our work out so that we coudl kill 5 birds with one stone.  I am, I do think I am going, wich means that I will stay here another transfer.  Sister Pagosava is going home, she finished her mission, so now shell go home to armenia.  I love being a District Leader.  Definitely the protein bars, but I have a funny story about the rootbeer flavoring. NO its anyday I pick within 30 days, I dont know when I will go because I dont know how much time I need for getting ready for college, the earliest I would want to come home is the 10th of august, but that is still 15 months away so I dont want to think about it too hard.  yes, I will miss them both, and sister bollingbrook and pagosava.  Probably just the people, they are quirky for sure, you never know that your gonna get.  The T boys all look equally different, and jordys hair is throwing me off, wheres the mister T haircut? ;) I love you a lot mom, and you should know that whatever dakkon said about me can be said about you because you are the biggest influence on my life, so anything good I do, was inderectly caused by you.  We are definitely being watched over this is the "Most Dangerous" area in the mission, and no one has even gotten close to us, i can just imagine chariots of fire, and the hosts of heaven buffering all the crazys away.  It helps that Elder Schwieghardt and I follow the spirit almost Exactly(its really hard to do it 100 percent right 100 percent of the time)  But when we do make a mistake, we always make the correction, dont worry about us, but dont stop praying for us either!  Love You!

Roman

Week 38

Well this week went well. I am sorry if you didnt get a reply from me last week, I had a few other things I needed to do on my computer time, and due to those things, ended up with a lot less time to email all of you than usual.  But I will try to reply this week!  It was funny, I told elder Schwieghardt on Thursday last week, that if we wanted to meet our goals we needed four new investigators this week.  So guess what happens on Tuesday? Two sisters, and a brother and a sister, all interested in english practice show up to English practice! And thus elder Jorgensen was shown he will be given exactly what he needs to accomplish the lords work, if he talks to elder Schwieghardt about it. Not much else happened this week.  the brother from that tuesday english practice, is ripped... and I foolishly told him we also worked out, and so now today after emailing, we are going to go work out with him.  No pressure right? I love all of you and I know the Church is true!  My biggest struggles always come from logical standpoints, ie)How can God possibly hear and answer the prayer of millions, or even billions of people? Answer: Shouldnt be possible, Result of prayer:Answers, miracles, promptings etc. Conclusion:God does hear and answer prayers, even if we cant fathom how he does it.  It is as simple as that.  I love all of you!

Hi Buddy,

I got the best email today from the Bishop you met at church.  He sent a photo and a really sweet message about you.  It was a great surprise.  It came right during sacrament meeting and the title said, "I met your missionary today".  I had to open it immediately and then started to cry.  It was a tender mercy.  There were a bunch of us moms that got the messages from him...how many missionaries go to that same ward?

I miss you a lot, but we are all doing well and super proud of you.  I have been worrying about Dakkon this week and thinking about how hard a mission is.  I'm worried he won't be ready, or that he will be surprised by how hard it is and want to come home.  I am praying for him like crazy and we are trying to prepare him.  I'm just not sure how much more we can do.  I know you are always positive and happy, but it has to be very hard and difficult sometimes...maybe all the time.  I am proud of your resolve to find the positive in hard situations.  That is another one of your talents!  Mikey says you need true grit to serve and finish a mission.  He said the only word that sums it up is Grit.  You have a lot of grit and have had to lean on that often.  I am just really proud of you.  Thanks for setting the example you have.

The kids are all doing good.  I went on a field trip with Cam and the bus BROKE DOWN!!!!  With 60 first graders...and I was out of Diet Coke.  It was so sad.  Seriously...  Jordy is doing well in Baseball and growing so much.  Josh is also doing a lot better and continuing to improve.  Jacob spent the weekend at the cabin helping G&G.  Kaestli is graduating from preschool next Monday!!!

We only have 2 weeks of school left!!!!!!!!!!  Even the little kids because we are on A track this year.  We are all missing the last week of school for Lake Powell.  We leave 3 days after Dakkon leaves.  We cleaned out the boat yesterday and he talked about how fun it will be to go with you in 2 years.  

Me and Dad are doing well.  Just managing everything as usual.  G&G are getting everything ready.  It is coming up quickly!  I am super excited for them and excited to visit them too!!!

We went out and took Dakkon's missionary pictures today with Matt.  I am getting super excited.  We had one of Dad's old missionary tags and I got him a pin too.  So we have an actual missionary pic.  I want to do that with you too when you get home.  I am excited for Dakkon.  

Questions this week

1-Do you think you would want me and dad to come pick you up in Ukraine?  Is there places we could stay etc.?

2-Are there any sight seeing, tourist things to do?

3-Did the package arrive?

4-I know it did...so tell me how you felt about it??  Was it some good stuff?

5-Do the letters I send help at all?  I feel like it is strange that they are so out of date when you get them.

6-What was the best part of your week?

7-What was the hardest part of your week?

8-Are you still happy and positive?

9-Did the cake pictures work?  What did Sister Bostonova think about them?  If she lives in Ukraine then she can't get good powdered sugar, so the only solution would be to move to the states for her career;).

10-Start thinking about a Birthday Package.  What will you want, need?  Elder Bates asked his mom for things to bake Choc. chip cookies including a good cookie sheet...it got me thinking about you.  So start thinking creative of something you can't get there that you would want.

11-Any advice for Dakkon?

13- How many missionaries in the branch?  How many members in the branch?

12-Special message for me...pretty please.  I love them!!!

I love you and I am so proud of you.  I miss you like crazy, but I love all the extra blessings we are getting because of your service.  Thank you for that.  You are a strong, valiant missionary.  Remember that the only person that was perfect was Christ.  You don't need to be perfect...you just to do try your best.  You are a worthy strong missionary.  I will never doubt you.  You can do this.  Keep up the good work!!!

LOVE YOU TONS!!!!!!

Mom

Honestly there is no where close in our mission where you would feel safe to stay, and they are actually starting to discourage parents from doing that, I will come home to you in Salt Lake.  There are things to see and do, but it is not worth it, because I am to return home as soon as possible after I am finished here. Yes it was awesome, the candy actually made me feel kinda sick for a few days, I dont think my stomach can handle too much of that anymore.  I love the letters, The four investigators and we got to spend lots of time with a sweet member family.  Yes, I havent been able to shw her yet. They have powdered surgar here, but it is not as good as the stuff in america.  Tell him its going to be hard, and to expect it to be hard, but if he can make it through to the first sunday in the mtc, he can make it through the Mtc and if he can make it to texas, he can make it his whole mission. Tell him to cherish the time he has in the Mtc, because that is both the easiest and hardest part of the misssion. I love you, and i am slmost out of time.  We have 6 missionaries on Left bank, and about 5o active branch members.

Hi, my name is Zack Church and I'm a bishop in a ward in Eagle Mountain, Utah. I am currently visiting Dnipropretrovsk, Ukraine on a business trip, and today I attended a sacrament meeting where I met your missionary, Elder Jorgensen! He was extremely polite and friendly, and seems like a wonderful young man. I have a missionary of my own serving in The Philippines, and I wanted to meet your son and send you this photo that I took with him and his companion.You've got a great missionary, 

representing the Lord and your family very well!

Oche Nash..

Week 37

This week was pretty was really good! I got to Skype my family yesterday! I cant believe how different everyone is!  There is nothing like meeting your goals for the week, it is like a confirmation that you did what you were suppossed to do.  So no one here celebrates mothers day, but it was nice that we were able to skype our families anyway.  People were different this week, which tells me that my theory about as we are more and more effective Satan is going to work harder and harder to bring us down, what he doesnt know is that I learn from those experiences, and create battle plans to take him down next time he tries.  So we had a lot of run ins with people who really thought they knew what they were talking about this week.  ONe while on exchanges with Elder Gerasimov.  He was prava slavne(orthodox) and I think when they teach them the Ten commandments they skip the second one because it kind of invalidates their church.  He asked us for ten commandments to "see if we really knew what we were talking about" When I gave the second one he rejected it and said not thats not it.  Gave him all ten about three times.  Next time I see him I might have to just hit him over the head with the stone tablets on which those commandments were written.  Second, was the reason for this title.  Elder Gerasimov and I were on our way home, and we were almost there when a man said "You will never convert me to your church, but Let us pray together!" So he grabbed our hands and I was like ok,  "We use our own words when we pray, do you mind if I offer the prayer?" He said no, and then as a quarterback shouting a play yelled "Hyet! Oche Nash!" I said, sorry but I dont know Oche Nash, he was quite upset.  He yelled at us for a bit, and recited it.  Then I promised him I would learn it if he would pray about the first vision.  That appeased him, so now I know the orthodox churchs favorite vain repetition.  THen yesterday we saw him again after skype this time intoxciated, it was really funny.  HE remembered we were friends, and so it was hard to get out of there, but he was happy to see that I had started memorizing oche nash (Matthew 6:9-13) He ranted at us about putin for a while I didnt understand so I figured he didnt like him and my response was "Such stupidity" he liked that and then we were able to get out.  Next was a lesson yesterday which was quite frustrating.  We were really tight for time, and when we got there he explained that he wouldnt pray, so we started talking.  He has read the qaran and the bible and has the Book of mormon, but hasnt stated reading it yet.  He knows the bible well.  But he doesnt  under stand it.  He is not interested in coming to church because he feels it is a cruch, he is just an over all prideful guy, and so elder Schwieghardt and I are going to pray for some humbling experiences for him. He just didnt get it, My little sister understands the Role of Jesus Christ better than this "Learned" Man, and she cant even comprehend what she is reading yet, That really just shows me how important the holy spirit is, because my sister has grown up in an environment where the spirit can teach her.  He may have read and known all of this material, but he didnt understand it.  So that is why I may have been not as joyful as usual during the skype call, but at least the skype call put some wind back in my sails.  I love you all!

​But we saw so many miracle despite these people.  The commandments guy distracted us for long enough that we were able to have a lesson with a less active that we would not have had if he hadnt stopped us.  i hope each of these people will be humbled, and be ready to be taught, because then real progress can be made. I love you all!​  

Hey Jax,

It was so great to talk to you!!!  You look great and sound great.  Gosh, I just really miss you!  The time we get to talk just goes by too fast!  I wish we could have had longer.  It is so good to talk to you and see you...I just really can't wait to get that hug in 15 months!!!  

I sent a ton of photos of cakes.  I opened two of the emails to make sure the pictures were coming through correctly.  I also sent on the recipes.  Where does this sister missionary live?  If she lives in Utah it would be fun to make a cake with her sometime!

We are all doing pretty good around here.  Not too much to report because we just talked.  Kaestli is finished with school in 1 week and the other kids only have 3 weeks left.  We are getting excited for summer and being off.  The kids go to traditional next year so everyone will be on the same schedule.

Grandma and Grandpa are getting ready to go to fiji and we are just trying to figure out if we can go visit them...with or without the kids.  I feel like it would be a great opportunity, but it will be expensive so not sure if we can swing it.  I think it will be really good for them.

Sorry about the Tboys.  I hope that they can come in the future.  Margaret has been real bitter about Dakkon living with us and doing all the mission stuff with us.  She is so passive aggressive with him and it just makes him shut down even more.  So she is trying to "win" ethan to her side.  I think he is getting upset too though because ever since she didn't let them come to Dakkon's call opening he has been up here every weekend,,,even the off weekends.  This weekend is Mother's Day so it is in the divorce papers that she gets them.  We hoped she would let them go for the hour but no luck.  Just know that they love and miss you and are really proud of you.  They talk a lot about you being on a mission.

I got the sense that you were a little down today.  I am sorry if you are struggling.  I know it must be really hard to be out there, but really great at the same time.  That can be emotionally exhausting at times.  I am so proud of you and I know you can do it.  I believe in you.  I love you very much.

I added money to your account so you have plenty to get the camera.  Buying the more expensive one would be the same as me buying a cheap one and shipping it...plus you would have to wait 6-7 weeks to get it, so I really want you to get one.  Plus, I am way jealous of the good photos Elder Besinger sends...have him teach you to use it if you have too;).

I took some video of our conversation and I sent the clip of the prayer on to the families.  Kirk said your Russian sounds really good.  Everyone sends their love.

  I hope you get your package today!!!  Tell me if you did.

Questions for this week

1-Do you need any other things like more garments, ties, shoes, shirts, etc.?

2-Where does that sister missionary live?  What is her name?

3-How do you feel after skyping yesterday?  Did it make you homesick?  Were you crying at one point or just have something in your eye?

4-Did skyping make you sad or happy?  or maybe both?  I really just want your feelings on it I guess.

5-How is the weather?

6-Tell me about your surroundings now that it is spring.  Are there flowers, trees?  Is it pretty or ugly?

7-Will you bear your testimony in the group email...or this one.

8-How has being in Ukraine changed your perspective on family? and also on living in America?

9-How do you feel about being a missionary?

10-Any funny stories?

11-Special message to me...pretty please?

I love you so much.  You continue to amaze me and you have so many great qualities.  I love how you put a positive spin on everything including things that aren't so positive.  It is a talent and gift you got from Daddy Jake for sure!  I see so much of Dad in you now.  You even sound like him.  I pray for you constantly and love and miss you!  Keep up the good work, doing your best and staying positive.  Don't judge yourself too harshly and know that you are just amazing!  I am proud of you.

I love you,

Mom  

NO I can get garments and ties and shoes here! but i love the packages and letters.  She is sister bantsova so she lives here in ukraine. I felt really good, yeah looking at the screen hurt my eyes.  It made me happy.  It is awesome, rainy sometimes, windy sometimes, and amazingly sunny sometimes. There are flowers everywhere and trees are all so pretty, I lost my camera at the worst time.  IT is pretty if you dont look at the ugly stuff.  I will in this one.  It has made me see how good we have it in america, but also that it is not so bad here as everyone thinks, yeah sure, nothing in Utah will ever scare me again, but it is not so bad here.  Also Ukrainian families and couples are awesome, they are always buying flowers for their girlfriends or wives. Like just last night I asked a guy who was caring a couple hundred greevens worth of flowers if it was his anniversary or something and he exlplained that he just had a girlfriend and that he loved her.  I will definitely bring a little bit of culture home.  I love being a missionary it is the best.  Plenty of funny stories, I like recording the funny stories, so i will send some next week.  I love you so much and thank you for all the stuff you do for me. it is awesome.  

Testimony

I know the church is true because the book of mormon is true.  It doesnt matter what anyone says about it, or how impossible any of it might seem. The book of mormon cant not be of God.  Too many spiritual things have happened with me.  There are many times, where we have recieved a prompting and followed it and something happened, or didnt happen(to us). I just know it is true, it was hard to earn that knowledge, and sometimes it gets questioned, but then it grows stronger.

Christ is Resurrected!!

Week 36

Yeah that title is just what everyone was yelling at us all day yesterday for orthodox easter.  This week went good.  We taught Yoori the rest of teh restoration and plan of salvation, President was on the lesson with us and boy was that awesome.  Yoori said he wanted 2 weeks to get to read and know the book of mormon a bit better, and he said he would think about being baptized on May 28th. He has 4 children and we really hope we can meet with them too.  Not much else happened this week, except a former investigator showed up to church for easter and he showed alot more interest than ever before, he si the son of the relief society president, so we hope we can help her have her family forever!

​Weather is nice here, we go shortsleeves often.  I went on exchanges with Elder Biesinger, man I love him, we could seriously be best friends. He is so funny and so good at working hard, even if he knows that it might not go well if he tries, he is persistent and loves the Lord, so he tries anyway.​ After 6 months in country my russian is no longer recognized as distinctly american, but just foriegn.  I love you all!  

Hey Buddy,

I am excited to hear all about Ukrainian Easter traditions.  Rumor has it there are some amazing eggs that they do.  I'm going to need one that is really pretty along with the russian dolls.  

We had a good week.  Things are progressing with Jordy's school situation.  They have aides for all the classes now and they will be evaluating him this week for the assistive technology.  The kids are all doing good.  It is just crazy that it's almost the end of the year for school!  It is bringing back all the memories from last year with you.  Dakkon's farewell is Sunday May 22...Daddy Jake's birthday and exactly 1 year after you opened your call so I think that is really cool.  We have been busy getting him ready to go.  He goes through the temple on Wednesday this week.  I can't believe he leaves in just 3 weeks.  I'm really excited for him.  The Tboys have been better about coming more regularly which is good.  I'm glad they are spending some good time with him before he goes.

Josh blessed the sacrament for the first time today and did really good.  It was neat.  He and Jacob asked if they could do the garden by themselves this year and have been weeding and preping the ground for planting.  When they were working on it josh said, "Thanks mom for teaching us it's important to work and that it brings rewards."  Seriously, miracles never cease!! He has been doing a lot better.  He just joined the Bluffdale Youth City Counsel and is really excited about it.  

Jacob just has 2 more basketball games and Jordy is in the middle of the baseball season.  They are both doing well.  Jordy said they are in first place...but I'm not sure.  HE has had a lot of fun though.  

Me and dad are doing good.  I am mostly really excited to talk to you on Mother's DAY!!!!!!  NEXT WEEK!!!  I seriously can't wait!  We need full details on time and when you will be getting on Skype for it.  Do you know when, where, what time?  Do you remember your log in info?  I'll try to find the old email from Christmas and forward it on again just in case.  It will just be us for skyping.  Grandma and Grandpa will be in St. George with all the other families next week.  We couldn't get everyone to do the same weekend so they did both.  

I am so excited that you had a baptism!  I really liked how you said it was a left bank baptism.  I think that is awesome, with so few baptism it is nice everyone can feel a sense of accomplishment with it.  What a blessing for the family to be reactivated as well.   I loved the email from Sister Sullivan praising you guys for all your work and your clean apartment.  I'm so proud of you.  It sounds like you might have a good investigator with Yoori.  I am excited to hear more about that!  I have been praying that he will be able to know the gospel is true.  

I can't believe how much you are growing still!  I am so excited for you.  I feel like you are going to come home 6' 2" and looking and sounding just like daddy Jake!  I can't wait to see how much you have changed!  I noticed in the picture with you and the family for the baptism you were by far the tallest in the picture...that's a first!  So exciting.  I am glad you are eating healthy, but keep in mind I packed the package after the email about coveting Beisingers pop tarts!

Sister Sullivan updated the blog with pictures from the MLC...that looked fun.  I love any pictures I can get of you!

Questions-

1-Full details and info on Skyping is most important!!!

2-You have $280 in your account...do you want me to transfer over some funds or are you fine still?

3-How was Ukraine Easter?

4-Is there anything you need from me?

5-If you need something in the next package start letting me know.

6-Are you still happy and positive?

7-Are you getting any meals from members?

8-What is your main protein source that you and your comp are eating?

9-Special message...I loved last weeks!!!

10-Anything specific I can pray for you?

11-Are you guys still safe? 

12-Do you live by the river that is contaminated?

River monsters did a show in Ukraine about the contaminated water to see if it created any scary mutated monsters.  I recorded it for you so you can watch it with us when you are home:).  I haven't watched it yet, so I'm not sure if they found a monster.

Some one living in Ukraine tried to hack my Facebook account...crazy.  Stay safe and be careful!  

I love you and miss you like crazy!  I am so proud of you.  I am so happy you are serving a mission.  You're the best!  

Love you,

Mom  

So next sunday I will get on at 7:00 pm ukraine time.  That should be like 10 am there.  No I am good, that is alot of greevn. Ukrainian easter felt more like easter than real easter, because everyone here on the street yells "Christ is resurrected!" and we yell back "Truly Resurrected". So something happened to my camera, either it got stolen, and I didnt notice it until they were gone, or it got left at the email place, they dont have it here, so it got stolen:( I am still happy and positive. ELder Gerasimov wants a thing of maple flavoring, we introduced him to maple syrup and he loves it so much.  NOt for the last 2 transfers no.  Protein powder. Yes still safe.  Yeah, we do, its the one we cross everyday. And the one we go fishing at.  IT is okay as long as you dont drink it or go swimming, or eat fish.  Nope all is well.  I love you a lot!  This week I thought about all the responsibity that i had at home, and all the priveleges that I had becasue of them.  I am so happy that I was so blessed to beable to do all the things I did. You dont have to worry about me being "Obsessed" With *****, I dont think about *** too often. By Love YOu!