(This picture was taken in an effort to scare us - nice building)
I love Russia, it is so.... dog eat dog… you gotta get what
you want because nobody is going to give it to you. Even in line for the post
office. They don't make a nice line, they all stand in a clump and jump in
where there is a free spot to go. I didn't realize that at first and like 3
people cut me. Then I put my shoulders back, stood up tall, put on my grumpy
face, stared down some guy, stepped in front of him and took my turn... haha
whoops I was frustrated. I should’ve been nicer! It is okay:) The guy didn't
even care, it’s just how they work here. I still love these Russians!
This week at our English practice there was a girl who
showed up. I have seen her a couple times, she is probably 17 or so, and I
tried to talk to her in English. She said she didn't like English. I giggled
and asked her why she was at English practice. She paused a second and told me
"To see you" aww she’s got a crush on me! That’s so cute :) I am out
of her league anyways. Haha just kidding I just said thanks and walked away.
We finally found somebody new! His name is S___. We met him on the street, introduced
ourselves and the first thing he said is "Hey do you want some sunflower
seeds?" He gave us each a giant handful and then we talked about God. He
was a way cool guy. He has a real desire to change his life, he has been in and
out of prison his whole life and now he is 40. He has a grandson and he needs
to get his act together. He is the first real investigator we have met in the
past 8 weeks or so. The work is slow but it wouldn't be fun if we had baptisms
every other day... right? Or maybe that’s just what I tell myself ;)
We met with another guy, he has a baptismal date coming up
in the following weeks. His name is A___. He is a way cool guy, way nice. The whole time we were meeting with him, his senile,
bed-ridden mother was in the other room screaming the whole time. She was
screaming "Get out!" And she wouldn't give it up. A couple times he
went out and told her "If you don't keep it down I am going to carry you
out of this house and you’re gonna live on the street" haha Russian Humor.
She kept screaming and we ignored her, we closed the door and then we heard a
shatter. She threw a glass onto the ground and smashed it. He cleaned it up and
we kept going with the lesson. A little later she started screaming
"Neighbors! Neighbors help me!" She took a shoe or something hard and
started banging the floor trying to get somebody to help her. The guy just
turned to us and said "Don’t worry guys none of the neighbors are coming
to help." Haha oh that’s reassuring. As we were leaving, the mother said
"Get these Americans out of here!" Al_____ said to her "These are
my Russian friends. Don't you feel bad now?" She got dead silent... She thought
she had made all that racket over some Russian guys.. haha as we were leaving I
puffed out my chest, put on my deep Russian voice and said "Da
Svadanya" "До Свидания". (English translation: “Bye Now”) Hahahaha super funny :) 
Let it snow.
We taught him about the Law of Chastity and it wasn't as awkward
as I thought it was going to be. He was way open to accepting it. He said that
he agreed with the principle and he was ready to follow it :) Pretty fun being
a missionary, never a dull moment!
I am so jealous of the weather! I miss just going outside
with no shoes and shorts and whatever I want to wear.
Here, you have to leave 5 minutes early from anywhere and everywhere
to account for time to dress yourself.
I am glad you liked the photos last week. I have been bad
about sending as many as I should. Pictures are worth a
thousand words. I still need to figure out how much I weigh in Kilograms
and how tall I am in Meters. You guys have your handy
dandy iPhones and laptops to tell you the conversion between the two.
I have math and a brain. I hope I can do the math J
I am so glad I can still keep in contact with the Schindele’s.
They are a fabulous family!
We just noticed today how expensive everything is getting.
Yeah we have to buy less at dinner time, or be smarter about what we buy
because some of the stuff here, the price is skyrocketing. Crazy. It definitely
doesn't help us at all with missionary work. The people are getting more
frustrated and less happy to talk with us. They are worried about their
families and finances - which they should be. There are a tonnnnn of sailors
here who are leaving for the sea. They normally leave for 6 months of
work and come back. They all need the money. There are also a bunch of people
leaving to go to Thailand. They are looking for better work. It is weird
that they have to leave their country to find work to provide for
their families. Either they stay and work 3 jobs to still be poor, or
they leave. It is so hard here.
I love you all so much! The Church is True and I Love You!
Keep on smiling!
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