Saint Nicholas Day

Week 69

Quite a few things happened this week, it is already Wednesday, which leaves us with a very short time before Christmas! I cant wait to see my Family again!  Just this Monday I could not Email becasue we were at a Russian Orthodox Temple singing for them. We attended their mass, wich consisted of some ceremonies, Confessions(Which they do at the front while everyone is watching, they whisper to the priest) then after that they have sacrament, which is bread put into a cup with a liquid that I assume is wine, so the bread is all soggy from the wine, and then the priest spoons it into your mouth.  At the close the priest talked using his own words, and with the Little Ukrainian I understand he explained the importance of loving others as the savior loved us, and helping others.  Then they set up a "stage" and Elder Vanbuskirk and I sang o come all ye faithful, other people there also got up and read poems, or sang a song. Then there was a small puppet show. And that concludes their Saint Nicholas day celebration.  For us Santa Claus is a man who brings presents, for them, Santa claus is Saint Nicholas, and he is probably the most highly regarded priest in their Religion.  They had an Icon of him at the front and people took turns going up to it, kissing it, then kissing the cross, after which the priest would spray them with Holy water.  Interesting Sacrament meeting.

This next week should be really good we have lots of plans to carry out as a district.

Hey buddy,

YAY!!!  I am so excited to Skype next week!  Seriously it is the best knowing that the longest time we have to go is now behind us!  So awesome:)

Thanks for all the pics last week, that was awesome!!!

LEt's start out with our week...

Kaestli had her Gymnastics performance.  She did great and can do kick over's now.  She is getting strong and flexible.  It makes me so happy to see her doing well.

Josh has had a ton more madrigals performances.  

Jordy's school situation is turning out to be a great thing.  I am so glad we switched him!  It will make all the difference in the long run.  It was hard at first, but he is so much better off!

Jacob won both of his basketball games, made a nice 3 pointer and also made his foul shots.  They played a team that had boys and girls on it and it is so funny to watch him play against girls.  He is normally so aggressive, but he doesn't want to hurt girls so he is a gentleman to them while playing.  His coach noticed it and so did I.  I teased him that he would give them the ball and then offer to open the door for them.  It was funny.  At one point during the game I said, "come on Jacob they are just girls...they won't bite:)"  

Kaestli had her dance recital on Friday night.  Lily, Kate, Paris, Faith, and Seraphina were all in it too, which made it super fun.  Mary Ann and Spencer came up and then they and Casey and Jen came over to the house afterwards.  Mary Ann and Spencer actually came to Jacob's game as well.

Today I went to Elder Ditty's homecoming!!!!!!!  IT was so awesome to hear him speak about his mission.  He really did a great job.  Elder Montgomery's parents came too.  I talked to him for a minute after and he said you were doing great up in Sumy.  HE said you are a great missionary.  

Jonny Sirrine came home this week and it was his homecoming today as well.  I saw Leigh with her boyfriend...that baby is not hers in the picture;).  She said they are pretty serious.  

I got an awesome video of you and EV singing from Julia.  She actually tried to call through on Facebook live, but I didn't answer it.  She told me the week before she wanted too but you said no, and I told her not to as well but to send me a picture.  I'm assuming she told you guys she was just videoing you.  I think that EV mom answered...she said it was just a live video of you guys singing and then it cut out.  I know you wouldn't have been ok with it, and neither was I.  I was glad I didn't answer it.  Did she tell you she was going to do that?  She did send a ton of great pictures of you guys and the video was awesome, I'm just glad I didn't see it live, or I would have guilt!

I have been pretty worried about you this week and the issues you are having with EV.  I am praying like crazy for you and him.  I am so sorry it is like that.  Does President Sullivan know of your issues?  I really want you to get a new comp this week!!!!  I am really praying for that.  I am proud of you for continuing to try and serve him and stay positive through out.  Pray that you will learn whatever it is you need to learn from this experience.  Maybe it's just so you'll like Josh better when you get home;).  

So questions for this week-

1-Did you know about the Julia thing/what did she tell you about it?  How do you feel about it?  I didn't even want to tell you because I didn't want you to get upset, but I know that EV will tell him and she was super obnoxious about it, so I wanted you to know my side of it too, and know that I didn't answer.

2-Does President know of the struggles you are having?  Has EV had problems with all him companions? Have things gotten better or worse with him?

3-Does Elder Jeffery help and carry his weight?

4-Are you still happy and positive?

5-Have you come up with a list of questions for us for our Skype?

6-Is there anything else we should discuss about the Skype? Remember to do it at 9:00 am my time:)

7-Do you have any info or thoughts on transfers this week?  (I hope you get a new comp at least!!)

8-How is Anna and Roman doing?

9-How is the gloves guy doing?  Also do you have another pair of gloves to use??

10-How can I best help you?  I'm pretty worried about you right now in the situation you are in.

11-Have the Christmas packages from the other moms been fun?  Are you feeling the Christmas spirit at all?

12-What was you favorite thing that happened this week?

13-message for  me

14-pics and recordings.

So I really hope your doing well.  No sign of the package you sent yet, but I'm hoping it will be soon.  Life is good here, but I've really been missing you!  Funny story...last week I wrote this big long email to you, it took over an hour.  The last paragraph talked about Daddy Jake a little and your life growing up.  The spirit told me to delete the paragraph.  It made no sense though.  I read it and re read it and decided not to delete it, even though the spirit was clear that I should delete it.  Then I sent the email...and the whole email was deleted in cyberspace and just disappeared.  My computer froze and I couldn't recover the email.  I was so frustrated with my self for not listening to the spirit.  The next morning when I read your email I got the feeling that if you had read it, maybe it would have made you sad or frustrated and Heavenly Father wanted to protect you from getting more down.  So just so you are aware, Heavenly Father is quite aware of you and your feelings.  I also learned a valuable lesson!

I heard Daddy Jake laughing at me the other day when I was trying to give the puppy a bath.  I'm training her right now, and she has to be leashed to me for several hours a day, and I carry around a doggy treat bag.  I honestly can't recognize the person I have become with her.  It's funny and I know Daddy Jake is getting a big kick out of it!

I love you and miss you like crazy.  I am very proud of you.  Keep trying, praying, repenting, working, and having faith.  Missions are hard but worth it!  So is life in general.  I am glad you are learning so much out there.  It will all be for your benefit!

Love you so much!!!! 

See you Sunday!  Merry Christmas!

Mom

Yeah, I told her that we were in her house, and that she can do what she wants, but that we are only allowed to call our family twice a year, and that I was going to call you in a week anyway.  She is a little bit crazy, but her husband seems to have decent potential. I was aware that she was calling you, and I was pretty sure you wouldnt answer. ELder VanBuskirk Was way akward about it, it was funny.  IF you had answered I would have just said. MOm I will call you in a week, you know what to do!

YEs President knows, he also knows it is at least 90 percent Elder Vanbuskirks fault. Ye he has, even with Elder Jeffery.  Honestly I cant tell if things are better or worse, I stopped helping with him in the language, and now he speaks basically as good as when we first became companions.  HE is way stressed out, and the other day he yelled at me for our entire companion inventory.

At the beginning I said lets make a list of all the things that we like about eachother. I tried really hard to make a good list for him. He said"I dont want to do this right now"  but he made me a list anyway. then he opened fire.

Ill Summarize what he didnt like about me really fast: I breathe too loud sometimes, and I read the book of mormon aloud during language study to practice pronunciation.  His solution "If we are still companions next transfer, I want an emergency transfer from you" I just took all of the harsh words, and told him to keep it coming (at this point I value his opinion of me at a high 2/10) He finally got it all out and we got out on the street to go to a lesson.  I honestly just felt bad for him, because this is going to be a problem that if he doesnt take care of will seriously affect his entire life(I pitty his wife).  He finally apologized as we were about to go back inside, and he said he felt really bad for being such a jerk and that he didnt actually mean all of those things. I forgave him. 

Yes I am still happy and positive, I will be more happy and more positive after Christmas!

Elder Jeffery kind of carries his weight, he is better than the other two.  I am still working on the list of questions. I think I will either stay in Sumy, or Leave. I do not know, but I know that somehting needs to change in my companionship at least. Anna and roman should meet with us tonight and then we will find out how they are doing.Yeah I bought a new pair of gloves, his phone has been off all week, so he must be out of town or really busy.You dont need to worry about me, I have changed a lot on my mission, and I almost never get angry anymore. Elder Vanbuskirk is only like 20 percent on my nerves, it helps not to value his opinion of me.

Yeah I feel the christmas spirit everything is going well for that side of it. One of the good things that Elder Vanbuskirk does is spend money on people. He bought me that pipe(for Josh in the future, he would love a Gandalf pipe) and a book for Christmas.

My favorite thing was singing at the Temple, and being able to meet with Inactive that went back to Orthodox, and she still knows everything we say is true.  She said she would come back to our church, if ____, ______, and _______ died or moved away.

I love you so much mom you are the best! I am still keeping the binder updated for you and it is still huge, I dont know what I am going to do with them, I have almost filled up the second one.  You dont need to send a binder or sheets though, I can buy those here. I cant wait to see you!