Yeah so it is Sumy days, like Bluffdale town days, but Sumy. THey have had a big celebration all weekend long. Tons of Veterans are in town, and all they want to talk about is how much better America is than Russia, they literally like just thank us to death for "Gracing them with our presence" And for all of the support "We" Give them, then they ask if we have any American Dollars, Luckily I didnt.
We have taught Lena twice this week, she is doing good, she said she hasnt been smoking, she is planning on Enduring to the End, and keeping all of the commandments to make it to the Celestial Kingdom. Her Mom is so happy, she always tells us about how God promised her that she could be sealed to her children in the Temple, and Lena is her first one to be baptized. I have so much hope for them.
We met a new woman this week named Kcenia, She owns an English school, and invited us to come speak to her class. WE set up an appointment with her to talk about it and ended up teaching her a lot. It was funny, a lot of people are understandably confused about why we are here, and even more confused about what drives us to work so hard. They just dont get it. She asked what motivates us, and we told her and she said she got Goose bumps, we kept talking and later she said she couldnt describe her emotions, she was feeling the spirit big time, as we taught about what we know. We are going back on Friday, to speak to her class, and we hope we can go to dinner with her and her husband, Elder Biesingers No bake cookies will take them to Heaven for sure.
OTher than that everything is normal here.
Funniest thing: WE went to Natashas dance class on Friday night and so did Lauren and Jada, who are peace core volunteers. They invited us to dinner with them and other foreigners after and we accepted figuring there wouldnt be too much drinking, and that we might be able to build some new contacts. Well, we were wrong. I think that is the first meal that I have been at where everybody but me and Elder Biesinger were drinking. ME and Elder Biesinger just looked at eachother and our faces were like "What in the world have we gotten ourselves into??" But Elder Biesinger got to teach the Italian a bit about the word of Wisdom so it wasnt all in vain. We got us out like Joseph of old, after finishing our Vareniki.
Hey Buddy,
Well, Kaestli started kindergarten this week and I am officially lonely! She leaves on the bus at 11:50 and doesn't get home until 4:00. Every. Day. I don't know how I will survive this. I'm going to have to find a hobby or something! This week with my time I made a new friend in the ward and went to lunch with her. I made homemade chicken noodle soup and took some to Trudy Sorenson. I did a craft project and also went to swiss days with Char. I also signed up for adult piano lessons, haha. It should be fun!
As far as the BofM challenge, I have been working on it all year. I'm not finished yet but getting there. I am glad you checked in on that, I'm sure it will remind people to start if they haven't.
Kaestli loves Kindergarten and is doing really good. She has a busy schedule, but I think it will all be really good for her.
Cam is doing well and has stayed pretty healthy.
Jordy is struggling with behavior at school and also learning at school. It has been a rough start and we could use some extra prayers in this department right now.
Jacob's teacher loves him and sent a really sweet message about how great he is. She called him a quiet leader among his peers, and said he is just darling. I laughed at that because, he is just darling, but how often would a teacher refer to a 6th grade boy as darling!? It's true though, he is darling. His basketball will start up again in a few weeks.
Josh has a date for homecoming and he is very excited about that! It is this Saturday. He is going in McKay's group. He seems to like his classes, but he still sits alone at lunch:( so he could use some prayers to find some good friends.
Oliver is doing football and is liking it. He said his teacher is really nice and she is married to President Monson's nephew.
Ethan and Kalten both started at Lone Peak. I think it is going well for both of them. Ethan isn't going to homecoming, because the girl he wants to take is going to a concert. They are both planning on playing ultimate frisbee this year. We are trying to talk Ethan in to trying out for basketball too.
Dad and I are doing good. His job has been super stressful this week so he has been a bit tired.
Ok...so Lena. First off, I'm so sorry you caught her smoking right after. My heart just broke when I read that. I talked with Dad about it, but didn't tell anyone else. I wanted to tell you about how I found out though. I knew the baptism should be happening at minute saturday morning. I couldn't wait for your email. I had been praying so hard all week for it. We had family home evening about it and had all the kids praying too. I had to know if it happened. So I Facebook messaged Vika and asked her if she knew if Lena had been baptized. She responded with 3 words and a picture...
I was there.
This picture honestly took my breath away. I was in the middle of Jacob's basketball game and just started bawling...like ugly crying!!! But the picture. I can see heaven all around you. Every time I show this picture the reaction is the same. They immediately feel the spirit so strong, tear up, put their hand to their chest and are completely in awe. There is such a reverence to this photo. Me and Grandpa both think that the bright ray of sun coming straight to you is Daddy Jake's presence. But the entire photo to me shows heaven and angels all around you and Lena. It was such a tender mercy for me to get this picture from Vika.
How is Lena doing? I have continued to pray so hard for her and included you and her in my fast today (along with Jord).
Questions-
1-How is Lena?
2-How are you? I can't imagine how sad you were when you found her. Are you doing ok with everything?
3-Who confirmed Lena?
4-Are you still happy and positive?
5-How is the weather in Sumy? Are the leaves changing? Is it pretty?
6-I'm sending the package in the next day so I need any final requests for it. Food or otherwise. Can you get batteries there for your recorder?
7-Any new investigators?
8-What do you usually do on Sundays in the branch?
9-Message for me..
10-Birthday shout out for Kalten
11-Anything else I can do for you?
I love you so much. I am really proud of the strength and faith you have shown throughout your mission. It is really amazing to see the growth in you. I love your emails, pictures, recordings...everything. I can't imagine how hard a mission must be. You have made it look so easy. I know that you aren't perfect and I'm sure you have struggled at times. But I am so proud of the missionary and man that you are. I love you so much and hope to be more like you.
Keep the faith, work hard, stay strong. Do your best and know that that is good enough. Heavenly Father doesn't expect perfection, just progression. Love you!
Mom
Lena is doing good, we taught her on Wednesday and made sure she understood that she really cannot smoke now, or ever. And she sounds like she wants to Endure to the End so that is good. Yeah everything is going Ok, Elder Biesinger told his mom about it too. The Branch President confirmed her. I am still happy and positive. The leaves are changing on some of the trees for the most part it is around 70 degrees, it is nice weather, mornings are cold now. It is a pretty city. If you could print out a list of BYUs courses, and possible majors and send it to me that would be great, I am using my personal time to plan my life, also figure out what it takes to be an MTC teacher and how well it pays. I cant think of anything, if you could send more maple syrup flavoring thatd be great. YEah Ksenia. On sundays, we set up sacrament, and teach Gospel doctrine class, and then we sit in Priesthood. I really love you and I am almost finished with my letters for you. I hope I get more time to write. I will send him an individual email, he emails me almost every week. No, just keep being an awesome mom!
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