Sullivans in Kremenchuk

Week 91

So the sullivans were in Kremenchuk yesterday and Saturday as you can tell by the subject line. They checked our apartments and we got promised Cinammon Rolls :) So now I will definitely look forward to zone conference.  

This week went great! We had several successful activities and tons of people at Church on Sunday.

We had our first ever sports night here, we made many friends and were able to bond with some potential investigators better.  We played basket ball and volley ball.  Elder Snow and I played a pickup Basket ball game with some random Ukrainian teenagers.  Their shot form made my want to cry... But one of them was actually really good and could even dunk the ball(Ukrainian hoops are like always a foot short, I can probably dunk here)  They of coarse enjoyed playing with us as Basketball is our native language.

On Sunday, we had a lot of people here for the Sullivans including Annya and Nastya for the first time at Church.  They enjoyed the meeting and will likely come again.  Viktor did not come because he has moved to "Russia"(The crimean peninsula used to be Ukraine but is now Russia) temporarily for work.  HE will come back in June sometime, and then they will get married. I really hope I will be here for that.

Later that night we had a lesson with Nastya and Annya and 2 members came with us.  She taught me how to play badgammon and we taught her about Faith Repentence and Baptism.  She understood everything well, then Elder Jarman asked if she would be baptized.  She said that she cant make that kind of decision now for several reasons, and that she needs time and needs to learn more.  WE told her how much we loved her and assured her that we will help her to learn and to know for herself that it is right.  Then I washed her dishes.

Thats all Love you!

Hey buddy,

How are things going?  I hope you are doing great.  I have been really praying for your family.  

Things are going good here.  We are officially done with school.  Which feels amazing,  I am so done with managing everyone's schedules, grades, tests, IEP's etc.  I am totally ready for a 3 month break!  I can't believe when summer is over you will be coming home!!!  That is just awesome:)  This will be the first summer in history that I hope goes fast!

Kaestli had her Jolley's performance this week.  At the end they got to do their favorite trick across the mat and she just started to back walkovers continuously...she hasn't ever done that.  It was super cute!

Jacob won a bunch of great awards at the 6th grade award ceremony.  He won the Presidential award which is the hardest award to earn, it's a bunch of physical requirements.  He ran a mile in 6.42 which is pretty awesome.  He also won the most push ups award in his class at 70 push ups.  He was voted most likely to be famous from his classmates.  Silver academic award.  He also won the citizenship award for the class...which is what they do now instead of "hope of america" award.  He is now officially in middle school!

The new park by our house finally opened and it is so fun.  It will be great for the kids!  There are good basketball courts and tennis courts as well as the playgrounds and splash pads.

We went to the new South Jordan Joe Morley's for Daddy Jake's birthday.  It's so much faster so that is nice.  I can't believe he would have been 43..he will never age past 29.

Biggest news was Ethan graduated this week.  Shock of the world they (Mike and Margaret) saved seats for us and we all sat together.  The kids were in between us, but we had conversations after and it wasn't toxic, so progress;).  We took the boys out for ice cream after.  It was a nice night.

We are just packing for powell now, and when you read this we will be there!  It sure came up fast for us.  We are praying for a safe fun trip for everyone.

Everything else is about the same.

I miss you and love you.  I think about you all the time.  I really can't wait for you to come home!!!  

Questions-

1-you said that Masha wanted to talk to you about something...what was it?

2-Does President get mad at you about this girl situation?  or is it common?

3-How is the family doing Viktor and Nastya?

4-We picked social dance so that you could meet some girls, are you sure that you want to drop it?

5-Are you still thinking about AFROTC?

6-Any info about transfers?  Do you think you will be transferred still?

7-What are you most proud of from your mission?

8-what is your biggest disappointment?

9-Are you still happy and positive?

10- Is there anything you need from me?

11-Are you still getting letters from me regularly?

12-How is your skin doing with the proactive?

13-Are you still not eating candy?

14-Do you still work out?

15-pics

16-recordings

17-special message for me.

I love you and miss you so much!  Be safe and work hard!  3 months left today...the 29th!!!  Happy memorial day too:)

I miss you a lot lately so write an extra good/long letter please;)

Love you,

Mom

1 We still havent found out because I have avoided that conversation purposefully. (ALSO I am 300% sure she is not my future wife. Patriarchal blessing rules her out too)

2 No he was proud of me and said that he thought we were handling it well.

3 sooo good.  Elder Jarman commited her to be baptized, but I will talk about that more in the group email.

4 I knew thats why you picked it hahaha, we can probably leave it, I will need some pretty good game if you expect me to get girls when I still have braces on in college at age 20.

5 Yes, it feels like its the right thing to do for my future and it seems like an environment I would excel in.

6 I dont know. no clues.

7 Tamara getting baptized, that made me really happy, and when Nastya and Viktor and Anny get baptized them.

8 I dont know and i dont want to think about it.

9 Yes

10 Of coarse, but I dont think you can send me a hug.

11 No, I havent gotten any in over a month, I thought you got tired of sending them.

12Pretty good, it looks better.

13 not often. but I have moments of weakness.

14 Yes

17 I love you so much and you are just the best, I am so proud of you and so thankful for all of the things you have done for me Love yoU!

Just another week of being a missionary in Kremenchuk...

Week 90

So this week went really good.
BIG NEWS Viktor proposed to Nastya on the 16 so yay! I just hope I am here for their wedding at the end of June.  Annya is so excited and she has taken it upon herself to plan the wedding. She is so happy.

We went to an English Practice with them in Center held by an IT place, it was really cool and we met a lot of people.

This week we have been working hard to find new people to teach and are trying really hard to be focused on our purpose and diligently working.

I dont know if I mentioned a random JDub about 6 weeks ago, but he talked to me all that time ago about how the Church isnt true and that hes proved it to other missionaries before. The Usual Jesus isnt Jehovah argument that anyone who serves here has heard quite a bit of.  Anyway our Friend Igor turns out to be A JW, so he invited that man to our lesson with him.  He used the same approach he did on the street. So he talked for like 20 minutes, I looked at Igor and started speaking in English. "Igor, he wants me to Bible bash with him, I am not going to do that. We came here to teach not to be taught and I can show him all I want in the bible to show him I am right, he can show me everything to show he is right, and neither of us will believe the other, it is pointless and long." He replied" I cant believe what you tell me until you overturn his points" So I thought fine whatever, Ill share one verse and that will be the end of it.  So he had just shared Isaiah 43:10 which according to them is Jehovah speaking and saying ye are my witnesses etc.  So they claim that their church is the only true church based on that. I asked if they profess Jesus Christ to be our Savior and Redeemer, they said YES of coarse we do.  Then I cited Isaiah 43:11 the verse right after their favorite one to share "I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour."  Jehovah=Savior=Jesus Christ, and there is none other.  I bore short testimony, and then the lesson was over(He tried to argue but I didnt want to hear any of it). And we told Igor if he actually is interested to leave his friend at home, and that we would be happy to tell him what we believe and why believe it because literally we didnt get to teach him anything.

Oops, hit send to early. 

 I love you all!

Hey Buddy,

Wow can you believe we are down to double digits?!  It's just crazy!  I am so excited about it.  So get to work and finish strong;)

We are doing pretty good this week.  Kaestli is officially out of kindergarten, her last day was on Thursday since we will be in Lake Powell the last week of school.  The rest of the kids are done on Friday.  

Josh is having his last choir performances this week.  His girlfriend broke up with him...so yay..and a little sad for him.  But he is taking it well now and I think it's for the best.  He is also working his rear off trying to pull up his grades for the end of the year.  He burned his arm at work on Saturday pretty bad on a bread pan, but it will be fine.

Jacob's basketball team won their first tournament game and play again in a couple weeks.  He has gotten really good.  He had a scout camp this week, they did an 8 mile night hike.  He said it was awesome.  

Jordy talked me into bleaching his hair for summer.  It was a compromise.  He wanted to do it bright blue, but I told him he couldn't pass the sacrament with blue hair.  So we decided on bleaching it.  We had his IEP this week and he is doing really well in school now.  The new program and school he is in has made a huge difference.  It's still hard to hear how low he is though.  His reading comprehension is on a 3rd grade level:(.

Cam is doing good.  He is excited for summer and starting tennis in June.  I can't believe he will be in third grade next year.  It's strange to have all the kids growing up.

Kaestli started her new competitive cheer team this week.  She loves it.  I am going to have to learn to embrace "cheer" bows...apparently everyone wears them and it's a huge thing....the bows are HUGE!!!  Like as big as their heads!  HAHA...she is so excited about it though.  She has her back walkovers and is almost doing front walk overs too.

Ethan and Kalten had their frisbee championship this weekend.  They ended up losing, but had a great game.  Ethan hurt his ankle though and didn't play the last game.  Ethan graduates on Thursday!  The tboys all finish school this week.  They are coming to Lake Powell with us.  Ollie won the "Hope of America" award in his 6th grade award assembly this week.  He was very proud.  I can't believe Jacob and Ollie are headed to middle school next fall!!

We head to Lake Powell on Saturday:)  So we are getting the boat and wave runners ready.  Adela and trent are bringing their girls and my friend Melinda is coming with her 4 kids.  We should have a great time.

So discussions this week-

1-We are signing you up for ballroom dance, basketball, and the airforce PT class...but you don't need them for credits, so if you want we can drop any of those.  What is your preference?  All 3? or just one or two of them, and which ones?

2-How is Viktor and Nastya doing?  It was so great to meet them!!!  Any wedding plans coming along?

3-How are things with Elder Jarman?

4-Are you happy and positive?

5-How are you feeling about your remaining time in Ukraine?

6-The girl situation.

7-So what did the president say when you called him, and what did you say to him about the situation.  Give me full details please.  

8-Do you think you will be transferred for sure?

9-It seems like this would be a common problem with missionaries close to coming home.  Especially since there is such a lack of priesthood holders around to marry.  

10-How has the week gone with the branch/girls situation?  Any other conversations or fallout from it?

11-How are you feeling about everything now?

12-Are you still happy and positive?

13-special message for me:)

I love you and miss you so much.  I am very proud of you and so happy you are serving a mission.  Hopefully we will soon have news of Ethan's mission call.  Thanks for being my best friend and such a support to me while you were growing up.  I am so glad you are my son.

Work hard, pray hard, stay focused on serving the Lord.  This is a great time in your life.  Enjoy every last moment you have.  

Love you!!!

Mom

Umm, probably just PT and Bball are good but thanks so much for doing all of that!

2Great, they are getting married at the end of June, he is moving to Crimea for work now, but they will stay here, we will probably teach over skype.

3Great

4Yes

5 It is intimidating and kind of scary.  I will be so sad to leave, but I cant wait to be home.

6Nothing new. I talked to president and he said that we are handling the situation well.

7​ Basically everything I told you I think, I made it pretty clear that it will not be a problem because I am not going to let it be. Masha will move to Germany for the summer in June, so that will make it even easier, she will move there and I will probs never see her again.

8 I am not sure, but I wouldnt be sad to get transferred at this point, that will make my next area my last one for sure. I only have two more transfer calls left.

9Yeah it kind of makes sense, Elder Jarman and I talked it over and there are very few good things that would come out of us being together, one of them is her life getting drastically better.

10 Good, everything was a lot easier this week.  Masha says she wants to talk to me about something, I guess about what, but I am not sure how to let her down gently. Me and Elder Jarman have been roleplaying it.

11Good

12yes

13 you are the BESTwe did an english practice with some other people this week, and one of the questions was who is your fav. person to spend time with and I got to say it was you!  I told them about how your my best friend and about how I trust you with literally anything.

Love you!

LAST SKYPE CALL!

Week 89

So basically that is terrifying, the idea that I dont have any more skype calls left means that I dont have too much time left.  I am sorry for not sending an email last week. I felt a disturbance in the Force halfway through the week informing me that I had failed to do something important, and it was that.

To update you on Viktor and Nastya and Annya:

We had a really great day with them on Saturday and were able to go to a park watch a bit of Rugby and just talk. Then we watched meet the mormons with them and at the end Nastya was so sad because she finally realized how much it meant to us to be here and to be with them. After that we taught them the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and they loved it. Viktor says that he feels different around us than with other people and that he thinks it may be the holy ghost, Nastya said that she has never had the holy ghost talk to her before so we commited her to pray that night and to focus on her feelings and that she would be able to know.  They wanted to come to church yesterday but were busy and couldnt but, if you saw the video that my mom probably posted of my skype call they came to that and met my family. They were so happy to meet you all and said that they feel like our family is just really light and good.

Other news... It started raining and hasnt really been sunny since. so that is fun and a little bit soggy. But it is okay because I love the rain.

​I love Ukraine so much it is such a great place

OH BIG NEWS: They sell bacon at our favorite grocery store! IT WAS SO GOOD I may have gotten several grease burns on my hands but as soon as you take a bite of delicious bacon you forget all about it. You may be surprised that I am so happy about this but I havent had bacon for nearly 2 years( They dont really sell it here, because they take what we call bacon, cut off the meat part, keep the fat and call it Sala and then eat that with everything, or with nothing depending on how ukrainian you are), so just enjoy your pre cooked refrigerated costco bacon while you can.

Next quest: good Sausage and a waffle iron.

Love you all! 

Hey Jax,

Did you know that you are 85% done!!!  The funny thing is so is Grandma and Grandpa.  Both exactly 85% done.  You will hit your 100 days left this week!  I can't believe it, I am so excited to get you home:).  

Skyping was so fun!  I am so glad you explained what was going on or it would have made me so upset all day thinking about it, wondering what was going on.  I seriously will want all the details of the entire situation!!!  

You looked so great though.  It was crazy to listen to you conversing with them in Russian.  I am so glad you had them come to meet us.  It made it even more awesome!  You know me well.  The entire point of you being gone from me is for that very reason.  So to be able to see a glimpse of the relationships your building and the good you're doing was a huge blessing.  Honestly I think all the moms would feel the same way!  It was a perfect surprise!

We are all doing well as you saw yesterday.  Things are good.  Mikey and Keely are in Fiji right now with G&G with the baby.  Grandma is so happy to hold the baby.  I don't know how they will get him out of her arms next week when they get back on the plane.  Elder Forbush was using Grandpa's iPad to Skype his family, so that is crazy, small world.  

Kaestli tried out for Cheerleading and made one of the teams.  So I think we are going to do it.  It's a bit more money and more time, but it's all she talks about.  She wants to do it more than tumbling and dance so I'm not sure how we will work out the schedule.  Her last day of Kindergarten is this Thursday because of the week off for testing.  Then the other kids will finish a week from Friday.  

We will then head to Lake Powell for a week.  My widow friend Melinda is going to come with her kids.  She is struggling in her marriage and may end up divorced, so it will be a good vacation for them.  I think Adela and Trent are going to come as well with the girls.  Curtis's friend from work is also coming with his wife.  It should be fun.  The kids are super excited about it.

It was great skyping with Dakkon too.  He looks really good and seems happy.  He is hoping to get transferred to a car area now that it is getting really hot in texas.  His comp is coming home in August and is heading to BYU so that is cool, maybe you will meet him.  I just found out Ally Woolsey is heading to BYU in the fall, so...   

So things I would like to cover and discuss.

1-Every detail about this situation.  

So does the girl like you?  Do you like the girl?  Why is the other girl pushing it on you?  Is it normal for this to happen?  It seems to me that maybe as you get closer to the end the Ukrainian girls may get more aggressive about it because you will be leaving soon...and could take them with you.  It seems easier than if it is a year or more away, do you think I'm right?  

2-Have you discussed the situation with the President?  Is he aware of it?  Is it a common issue?

3-It sounds like there was a situation with Elder Olsen too, but I think it was mutual.

4-Is it a big enough issue that you will have to be emergency transferred out because of it?

5-Why were you so upset about it?  (plus...I know my kids and know if you are sad and this is my new proof;)

6-Explain the phone call from the girl too...what do you mean she is corrosive?  Was she rude to you?  Why does she care so much about it?

7-I love the little family, I'll be praying for them.  If they are on Facebook have them friend me!!  They were so sweet!  I hope you get to help them get married and baptized!!

8-Don't forget a group email...and pictures!

9-If you had to get transferred where would you hope to go?

10-Do you think you will need one more package before you come home?  If so start giving me a list.  I don't think I'll send you a birthday package..because you'll be packing up the next week...unless you still want one?  I was just thinking I'd get the truck running for you for your gift this year.

11- I loved your letter in the mail last week.  I want more details like that had.  How missionary life is, the work, the people etc.  I live for it...even if it isn't all roses.  I know its got to be hard, I love to see your strength and growth.  It's amazing for me to see!!

12-Special message for me...I honestly live for them:)

13-Is there anything you need from us?

14-Are you still happy and positive?

I love you and miss you like crazy!  The next time I see you it will be coming down the stairs...not the escalator in the airport...running to me!!!  I can't wait for that!  It will be awesome that so many of your friends and my friends will be there at the same time!!  I am so proud of you.  You are a great missionary, a great son and an outstanding man.  I love you.

Have a great week!!!  Don't let that girl get to you!  I love you.

Mom

So basically when I was with Elder Larsen I started to kind of get feelings for Masha and then I thought about it and made it go away until a few weeks ago when Vladlena started to probe me for info on it.  Basically she doesnt want me to do anything stupid is what she says and I dont want to make any stupid mistakes.  Elder Jarman and I talked about it and I dont have feelings for Masha in that way.  I talked to Masha on Saturday night to make sure she wasnt expecting anything and she took it really well, and so I was happy. and then Sunday Vladlena called me to tell me off because it was wrong of me to do that and that it was rude.  But if it was Rude, then Masha should talk to me about it and take care of it herself. She seems fine, we as missionaries concluded that Vladlena wants it to happen, but that she cant just say that so she is upset because I totally shot down the scheme. Basically no not going to happen. I LOVE Masha so much and according to Vladlena she can see it in my eyes that I like here when I look at Masha, but really I just really respect Masha because she has changed a lot since I have gotten here and it is amazing to see. She has read the Book of Mormon and her testimony has grown so much. According to Vladlena Masha likes me, but I dont have reciprocal feelings.  I am going to inform president about it today.

4NO it is not that big, but I think it is time for a transfer for me.

5and 6 basically she is a ball of stress, depression, and pecismism and missionaries are like the only people who care about her so we hear all about it, and if I give her the tiniest excuse then she tries to verbally rip me a new one. I was probably just sad because she makes the situation more difficult than it needed to be between me and Masha.

7Yeah I do too I love them so much.

9 I have no clue. Probably zap or kreevirog

10 I dont think I need another one, it will be hear halfway between now and when i go home so that would be really funny. But I love the thought. Yes the Truck would be the perfect birthday present.

12 I dont really know what to say at this point since we just talked yesterday. But I love you so much and I am so grateful for the support and love that you give me you are the best!

14 nope

So that is the first no...I'm not happy and positive anymore...

Even when you were with EV. 

Is it really that bad?  

I wish I could help!!!  I'll be praying for you and we will put your name in the temple. 

Love you

Mom

NO I just forgot to answer that question! Yes I am happy and positive and things are going great, that is the only bad thing, I love the rest of it I am so happy see!

Haha. You labeled the last thing 

14- nope

That was the happy question, but you must have meant it for question 13...do you need anything from me. 

Thank goodness I was really worried!!!

I'm glad. Don't worry about girls until August 30

1 week to Skype!

Week 88


No Group email this week!!!

Hey Buddy,

I got your letter this week:).  Last week I got one from 4 months ago, and yesterday I got one from 4 weeks ago...so I give up trying to figure out the mail system over there:).  Anyway, I loved the post it notes, I thought that was super funny.  It was also one of my favorite letters.  You apologized for "ranting" but honestly I loved it.  You spoke so honestly about the challenges that missionaries in Ukraine face.  It also touched on so much of Ukrainians and their beliefs.  I loved the entire letter and didn't feel like you were ranting at all.  Thanks for sending it!  I will probably type it up so I can add it to the blog.  Reading it made me even more proud of you.  I can't imagine the challenges you have faced out there.  It is amazing to think of all the things you have been doing without me.  It's strange, but I am so proud and happy about it too.  

Well last week it snowed and this week on Friday it was 87* so that is Utah spring for ya:).  We sat by the pool on Friday with my sisters and the kids.  The water is still cold because our heater broke and it needs to be replaced.  The kids still jumped in, but didn't last long.  

Everyone is doing good.  Josh took his AP test and said it went well.  Jacob had 2 basketball games, they won the first but were super tired for the second game so they lost that one.  He made several shots though including a couple 3 pointers.  I signed Jacob and Jordy up for track that starts in June.  Cam and Kaestli are going to do tennis in June as well.  I think Brayden and Zach may play too.  

Everything else is about the same.  I am super excited about skyping my 2 missionaries on Mother's Day!  I can't believe it will be my last Skype with you!  I am so excited about that!.  

So big discussion items this week.

1-First is Skype.  Do you remember your password and log in info?  

Your Skype account name is: jaxon.jorgensen 

With your password being: byucougars1

I am Julie.toone3 but we should still be saved as contacts. Just email me at this email  (jjtoone@gmail.com) when you get on and it will send me an alert right when the email comes in, and we will hop on.  YAY... I can't wait!

What time will you be able to Skype with us?  Our church is at 1-4 so if it is earlier that will be better, but I will make anything work!  I can't wait to Skype with you.  We need to prepare questions again, you too.  But we also need to plan on a couple minutes for college discussions!  It's so hard going back and forth.  

2-College-  Dad is going to send you a good email with about this, but basically don't stress about it.  We figured out how to get everything in your "cart" and then when it's time to register we just click submit and the computer does the work for us.  

 3    ---you had several religion classes selected.  You only want to take one per semester, dad said they are harder than you think and it makes the credits weird somehow.  We will get you in the bofm first.

 4   ---you have to have 15 credits for the regency scholarship so we will make sure it is above that.

5   ---we found a good Russian class that is 4 credits and after you take some tests and it gives you like 20 credits.  It should be easy for you too.

 6   ---Dad's main concern is that it is an easy semester for you to transition.  Some of the classes you had selected are harder courses.  So trust us to set you up with some easy ones and a couple fun ones.  Right now he has you going for the ROTC PT class that is required, but also a ballroom class and a basketball class.

7    ---you should be able to log on to your byu account and figure out where your cart is of classes we selected.  I'll take a pic of it and send it to you just incase you can't figure it out.  But remember that the president said you can take all the time you need to prepare for college.  Once we have this figured out you shouldn't need to do much more this summer for it.  

8   ----You should email the AFROTC lady though.  I'll send you that info.

9 Anything that you definitely want to do for the first semester or are you good with us figuring it out for you?

10-Recordings

11-pics....make sure you send them to just me and authorize me to view them.  Last week it didn't work again, so I went into your account and downloaded them that way so that I could add them to the blog.  I like to keep it up to date so it will be done when you get home.  

12-More details on Bogdan?

13-How are things with your comp?

14-=Are you still happy and positive?

15 The newsletter mentioned someone having bedbugs...was it you guys?

16- Mikey, Josh and Jacob want you to issue a challenge based on your "tell Mikey I'm coming for him" comment.  So they said, name the challenge and they will start preparing for it;)

17-Special message to me:)

I Love you so much!  I can't wait to talk to you again next week.  I am getting so excited for you to come home.  I can't wait to meet so many of the missionaries.  It's so close!  

 I'm so proud of you.  Keep doing your best!

I love you,

Mom

Sounds good We should be able to skype sometime around 6 here, we may go to an internet Cafe because the other elders will be here.  But sounds good to me.  

2 THanks a ton that will be great!

8 okay, what do I need to talk with her about?

11okay

12 Yeah I met him in Sumy, he is cool, I dont really know much about him other than Soccer Player studying at Snow college. He showed me Pokemon Go for the first time while he was there.  

13 we are getting along really well.  

14Yes

15nope, it was Elder SNows Old appartment apparently

16 Ill have to think about what I can beat him at... Probably a Mile Run, Push up contest(Dont tell them I am up to 120 now) and tell him he can pick two others. I have thrown the Gauntlet.

17 youre the best mom EVER and I am so grateful for all of the help you give me, the classes look good, I am actually starting to really feel good about the ROTC because I will potentially graduate with 0 debt and all of the other stuff. Thanks so much for the help and the packages, sometimes I feel bad for being an expensive child, but I am so grateful:)

No place like home-

Week 87

Yeah I spent 3 nights this week NOT in my own bed, there fore, there truly is no place like home, where you have your favorite pillow case, your favorite blanket and the calming sounds of Ukrainian traffic all night :) ( its like sleeping next to a river... kind of) The reason I was not in my own comfy habitat was A)Zone Conference, B) Exchanges with the APs, C) Exchanges with Elder Bates. All of which were very much worth it. 

This week we had transfer calls and Elder Jarman and I are remaining together which is really good news, because I dont know what I would do without him!  We get along so well and he is so helpful and useful, we are clean, happy, punctual(mostly), and working hard!

The biggest thing this week for our family was a lesson on Monday. We talked for a bit like usual but then I told them about how we do family prayers, and how it could help them. We taught them a bit about why we should pray and how to do it. So then we all gathered in a circle, held hands, and I offered a prayer in their Living room. They LOVED it! I called viktor while we were in Dnepr and he said that he has continued to Read the Book of Mormon and that they prayed together as a family without us! We are so happy for them and they are so great.  

WE saw Nastya this morning at the grocery store after our work out and she looked so surprised to see us. She said in rough english "You are not as usual?" haha, it was good to see her. NO news on when they will get married exactly yet.

Well Love you all one funny moment this week was when Elder Bates was explaining to Elder Owen about why we take off our name tags when there are drunk people. Oh dear was that funny to watch! HE stumbled over to Elder Owen, touched his Name tag and read slowly "Elder Owen" and then slapped him! (Not hard, dont worry sister sullivan it was in the name of fun and learning)

Well That is all for today.

love you!

Hey buddy,

I'm so excited to hear about transfers:)  I am hoping you are happy with you current or new situation. I am also hoping you are still working with your family so I hope you're still there in Kremencuk.

We got your package this week...it was awesome:)  We also got a letter from you.  It is one from when you were in Sumy with VB still!!!  It said, only 232 days left...I got it when you had 123 days left so wow...that took a long time!!!!  Thanks for the letters and the packages though:)

Things are good here.  The biggest news of the week is that Jordy finally got his braces off!  That was a rough 2.5 years!  Seriously though I consider it one of the best days of my life!  They look great and I haven't seen food in his teeth now for several days in a row, so all is right in the world again.  He still has food on his face often enough though so don't get too excited;).

Jacob is still in basketball and they have a couple more games in this season.  It is weird that I don't have anyone playing baseball this year.  It's the first year in 17 years that I haven't had a child in baseball!  That is a long time!!  I'm a little sad about it, but the weather here has been terrible so when I see people sitting in the rain, snow and wind I feel a little better:).

I am going to put Jordy, and Jacob in track this month and Cam and Kaes into tennis for June.  It should be fun.  They will all be at Herriman high at the same time twice a week during june so it should be easy to manage as well.

Josh started his job at Subway.  He likes it so far, and I think it will be really good for him.  

We only have 4 weeks of school left, so that is just crazy!  Kaestli only has 3 weeks left because they take a week off for testing.  I am going with Cam on his field trip this week to the Zoo.  Then next week Kaestli has her field trip so I'll go with her too.  

Ethan broke up with his girlfriend this weekend, so that is probably good.  She was super controlling and high maintenance, but she was really nice.  I'm glad they broke up though.  He is working on his mission papers and is putting Aug. 20 as his availability date.  Ethan and Kalten are both still doing ultimate frisbee and their team is really good.  Ollie seems to be doing good.  He is really excited about going to middle school next year.  Jacob is too.  So crazy that they are that old!

I saw Katie Allen at church today.  She has a boyfriend that is pretty serious.  He came to church with her last week and she was showing him all the missionary plaques from our ward.  When he saw your picture he said, "Hey I know him!  I met him last summer in Ukraine, he was teaching my sisters."  !!!!!  So apparently he was born in Ukraine and both parents died.  He was adopted when he was 14 but still goes out to visit his sisters occasionally.  I asked her if he was in Sumy, but she didn't have any other details.  I told her to have him come talk to me.  Can you think of anyone that this description would fit?  I'll found a pic on instagram and sent it to you maybe it will jar your memory.  Isn't that crazy though!!!  I can't wait to talk to him.  His name is bogdan.  

So questions this week...

1-Do you know bogdan, do you remember meeting him?  His sisters?  any info on this???

2-Transfers-all details of changes, comp, area, responsibilities etc.

3-Are you happy with the change or with the lack of change?

4-Did you get your package yet?  

5-How is your family doing that you are working with?  Any wedding date planned yet?

6-Sierra Francis...so that is the girl you walked with and went to prom with right?  She was cute and nice.  Where is she at and when does she come home?

7-How is the mission feeling about Elder Walker being sent home?  I miss you so much, but would be so sad for you to miss the last few months of your mission!

8-Who is stuck with EV now?  Is he still in Sumy?

9-Send the pics from last week and the new ones too...just send them to me...not everyone.  I think that is why it didn't work.  

10-Are you still happy and positive?

11-Is there anything I can do for you?

12-Special message for me...don't forget I love you;)

13-College...

So can you look up classes and info on the website or do you need me to make a list for you?  We need to register you at the beginning of June.  My suggestion would be to just take a few easy generals to ease your way back in.  I will call the ROTC people this week and figure out what we need to do to get you signed up for the right classes for that.  The first semester is just a fitness class I think.  I'm not sure how many credits you have to take, but I think it has to be over 12 for your scholarship.  

I love you and really miss you.  Time is flying and your mission will be over before you know it.  Love the rest of the time you have out there!  Give the Lord all you have left in you.  I know you can do it!  I am so proud of you, I am sure it has been so hard at times.  You have been a strength and a rock to so many.  Elder Jarman's mom sent me and email this week thanking me for raising you the way I did.  She put in it part of a message from Elder Jarman about a district meeting you had where you gave a promise to them about the language.  He speaks so highly of you and is so grateful to you!  She said you've been an answer to prayers.  It made me so proud of you and so happy!  You are awesome!

Love you tons!

Mom

1Yes, I know Bogdan, His sister kind of flirted with me actually... She is cute though.  He is a really good guy, and he and Katy would probably make a good couple.  WE got Ice Cream together and his sister made us food. Nothing ever happened with his Sister, she didnt really want to meet with us after he left, but she was still happy to see us.

2ME and Elder Jarman are still together, Elder Owne is going to Poltava as District Leader, and Elder Bates is going to have Elder Snow as a companion.

3 Yes I am very happy with the lack of change.

4 Yes and it was amazing thankyou so much you are the best!

5 not much progress this week, but they started praying and Reading the book of Mormon is what they said.

6She is in North Carolina and I am not sure when she will come home.

7We are all so sad and it was so sudden that President and Sister Sullivan didnt even really get to say good bye. 

8 NOw Elder Knorpp is with him so that will be funny.  

9OKay

10Yes

11 not especiialy, I love you though!

12 I love you so much and I cant believe how fast the time is flying! It is crazy to think about how long I have been here, it feels like just yesterday I got to Kremenchuk but its already been 3 months here!  You are such a big support me and I am so happy that I have a mom like you! I have a letter ready to send.  

13 Okay, soounds good, I will be happy doing whatever works! I looked through some of the courses and "selected" the some that look interesting to me.