We had one companionship, (Elder Jorgensen and Elder VanBuskirk) and the Lord added another companionship(Elder Jeffery and Elder Rice), what does that make? A district of course!
This week went well, it started off with a miracle! We didnt have very much time and we had planned to go to an area that is pretty far away from our house, but we decided to follow the spirit, and we got on that Marshutka anyway. Just a short 5 minutes after leaving the Marshutka, we found a youngman whose family was interested in the Book of Mormon, and our Church. Doesnt matter how much sense it doesnt make to do something, because it makes less sense not to do it if that is what God wants you to do. (If what your doing makes 0 sense... I am not sure how that works, maybe it makes -1 sense).
We are now in 4 wheel drive, we picked up the other 2 wheels on Thursday night, and they brought a box of very much needed copies of the Book of Mormon, which we were nearly out of(good problem right?).
We had a thanksgiving feast for our English class on Saturday night, I will send pictures, it was a really good opprotunity and they all enjoyed it. We tried to have everyone say something they were thankful for. Elder Vanbuskirk started and said something pretty good. Then the Participants went and... the first set a tone of thanking us for what we do, so we got like 20 thankyous from everyone, I dont think they understood the purpose was to be thankful for Family, or Life, or time, or God. But o well, eventually they will be grateful that they got Baptized ;)
I miss and love you all, and it is such a privelege to serve the Lord and his children!
Hey Jax,
I am sooooo excited that they are sending you new missionaries up there! Elder Jeffery will be a great one to bridge the gap for when you get transferred out of Sumy. I feel like you would need someone awesome to take over so you don't lose your connections that you've made with the community and the branch. I feel great about it! I am glad you are the DL too. You are great at leadership and I'm glad you will be doing that again.
Me and Sister Montgomery went to Elder Maylett's farewell today. We talked to him afterward for a few minutes. Any connection to your mission feels like a connection to you some how! A bunch of the mom's are getting together for lunch this Saturday. It should be a lot of fun!
Our week...
Cam had his swollen salivary gland again this week. The Dr. said it is from the shape of the salivary ducts and that they have become pinched, or misshaped somehow and that it will continue to happen regularly. They just hope that it eventually gets better, and treat with antibiotics when it becomes infected.
Cam also had his swallow study this week which was normal...but he choked again tonight on the same pill so I don't know what to do with him. It is super sad when it happens, it's really painful.
We also had the pinewood derby. Clint, Curtis, me and a guy in our ward helped him do the car. It was probably a family best and he took second in several of his races. He was happy and had fun, and didn't cry and throw a fit when he didn't win like several other kids...so I think we are the real winners;).
I have been learning how to bake homemade rolls and pie crust in preparation for Thanksgiving. I wish I had learned sooner because it really has been fun and easy. We are having thanksgiving with Allie and their family and traci. We will have the Tboys the entire weekend too. We are planning to have a lord of the rings marathon with baking and cooking all day. I'm actually excited about it, and it make me want to put more effort into the holidays in the years to come.
I volunteered in Kaestli's class this week and taught a fairytale unit on Cinderella. It was fun and really cute. I had all the kids saying how nice I was and coming and giving me treats. I could tell sis was proud to have me as a mom and that just makes my week!
The boys went to a byu game yesterday with Curtis and Jordy took a friend, garrick gibbons...who is also Jacob's friend so they were happy. Josh took a girl! So that was interesting group. I kept the little kids home and had Colette teach me how to make rolls and pie crust. I saw Coleman and he is doing good. No plans for a mission and no girlfriend. Ethan Glaittli had his homecoming today and did awesome.
I miss you like crazy! I am requesting some "tag" photos. This is a picture of your tag with a background that is unique to your area. I'm sure other missionaries have done them...it's a thing. So ask around if you don't know what I mean.
I hope your bank card comes this week! I am anxiously awaiting Sister Sullivan emailing me that it has arrived.
I want to hear everything about having Elder Jeffery and Rice up there in Sumy!
So Questions-
1-How is it having them up there with you?
2-Did you find them a separate apartment, or are they going to live with you guys?
3-How is the branch feeling about it?
4-Will they be helping you with the English classes? How often will you see them during the week?
5-Do you still see Ksenia very often? I miss her sending pics of you guys.
6-How are you and EV getting along? Has having the other missionaries there helped?
7-What responsibilities do you have as a District leader?
8-Are you still happy and positive?
9-Anything dragging you down, or that you are struggling with?
10-How is your Russian? How are you doing on your test things you told me about?
11-Special message.
12-Pics
13-recordings
14 anything I can do for you or that you need?
15 How is the new greenie, Elder Rice adjusting? Do you guys do splits very often? Will you?
I saw the gibbons girls yesterday and they are both BYU mentors and know all about getting missionaries registered for school. They also said you would have to wait to apply for the MTC teacher position, but that they are always looking for Russian teachers so that is great news. They said they will get me a bunch of information that I can send on to you and you can look over, but they will help me get you all set up and ready so not to worry.
In Ethan Glaittli's talk today he mentioned something I wanted to pass on to you. He talked about his trainer and how positive he was about EVERY THING! He said the he wasn't so positive about anything and his comps positivity bothered him a little bit. When he switched comps and moved around the mission the longer he had been out the more he came to understand that Elder and how he saw how much better of a missionary he was than some of the others. He recognized the difference was his positivity. He started striving to be like that companion and a year later saw him and thanked him for his example. The story reminded me a little of you and some of the things you have said. Just keep being who you are and stay your happy positive self. Even if they don't understand or appreciate it now, you could leave a lasting impact that will change their whole mission, and maybe even the course of their lives. You are awesome!
I love you so much. I hope you have a great week and get to have some sort of thanksgiving dinner. At least eat potatoes or turkey and remember what you are thankful for!
Love you,
Mom
It is good having them here Elder Vanbuskirk has changed a lot because of it. It is nice, he is a lot more helpful. They live with us. The branch is excited, it hasnt been 4 missionaries up here since May! We see them very often, yeah they will definitely help with the english classes. We see her sometimes, we want to watch meet the Mormons with here and her husband sometime. Make sure everyone is home and working hard. To relay information and be a good example. I have to make call ins to the zone leaders. I think this will be either my last or second to last transfer here. I am happy and positive. Nope everything is great! My Russian is good. I dont know about the tests becasue they havent given me my score yet. Elder Rice is doing well, he is a goofy guy, we will do splits every week and a half or so. Are either of the gibbons girls married yet? I'd be surprised if not, but I feel like youd make sure to tell me that. I will try to do the name tag thing. I love you so much you are the greatest and I am so happy for you. I am glad that sis is proud of you, because I am too! I love getting letters, I am working on a big Christmas letter. If its snow there it sounds like Shapka season! Love you!
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