12 September 2005
"Life is sure good right now. I really am enjoying things today and I think the main reason is because we have been so busy. This morning we headed off early to the office and started work. I grabbed the stats and then I decided to get to work making some chocolate revel bars. They were good and I can't make food because all I do is eat it before it is ready. Well, it was fun to make them and then I had to get everything ready for MEC. That was fun to put everything in and the statistics were fairly interesting for the week. We then started our meeting and that went well. We talked about how we can help the branches to do better and to be able to help themselves. We also talked about some of the problems in our mission and it is very interesting to hear how missionaries always just sit at home and don't want to work. I don't understand how this is so, but some missionaries just don't want to I guess.
Well, I just forget that we had собрание округа this morning - I guess I am just tired and not thinking about these things. Well, we started late and then we talked forever before we finished. Сестра Фамичева had a good мысль языка about different Russian expressions that they use. I had practice and we shared some experiences.
So, after the MEC with president, we immediately left for FHE. That was cool and we had a good time with that. Денис taught the first half of the lesson and then Валя taught also. It went well, and then I set Юрий up to teach on Sunday. That was way cool and I am glad for him. Well, on the way home we rode with Анна and she is cool. She knows English way good. She is a lot of fun to talk to. Well, we got home and we are getting ready for tomorrow. I am tired, but tomorrow e have a lot to do. I love to work! It's way cool!
"
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
At the Ehlert's
11 September 2005
"I feel a lot better after today. It was nice to be out and talking with members and other people on the streets. It was way cool . This morning we went to the church early to pen in up because President Колцов didn't have his keys. We opened it up and then we sat there. Well, the sacrament wasn't there and so that meant that someone had to run get some bread. Not only that, but they forgot to bring the water up after getting it ready, so we started sacrament w/o water and bread. Luckily I noticed and we got it before there was much of a problem. The meeting was good and then Elder Ehlert taught priesthood - that was the best lesson since I've gotten here to Russia and everyone participated. We then sang in a choir that went well. I sang bass with a crazy guy here - Mark Chamberlain. We then came home and Elder Bennett and I chatted a bit about things before heading off to do some contacting! We then went and tried to talk to people but not much came from it. We just felt good to be helping people and to be doing missionary work. We went to the Ehlert's house for dinner and as always, it was really really tasty. I love the Ehlerts and I will miss them when I do leave. We talked about the branch and how to help them, and so we had a good time there. I also thought some about the areas that I have serve in and about my success. It was interesting and even more so in 8 months when I leave. We got home, and now I feel a lot better that we got out and worked. I love to work!"
"I feel a lot better after today. It was nice to be out and talking with members and other people on the streets. It was way cool . This morning we went to the church early to pen in up because President Колцов didn't have his keys. We opened it up and then we sat there. Well, the sacrament wasn't there and so that meant that someone had to run get some bread. Not only that, but they forgot to bring the water up after getting it ready, so we started sacrament w/o water and bread. Luckily I noticed and we got it before there was much of a problem. The meeting was good and then Elder Ehlert taught priesthood - that was the best lesson since I've gotten here to Russia and everyone participated. We then sang in a choir that went well. I sang bass with a crazy guy here - Mark Chamberlain. We then came home and Elder Bennett and I chatted a bit about things before heading off to do some contacting! We then went and tried to talk to people but not much came from it. We just felt good to be helping people and to be doing missionary work. We went to the Ehlert's house for dinner and as always, it was really really tasty. I love the Ehlerts and I will miss them when I do leave. We talked about the branch and how to help them, and so we had a good time there. I also thought some about the areas that I have serve in and about my success. It was interesting and even more so in 8 months when I leave. We got home, and now I feel a lot better that we got out and worked. I love to work!"
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Good day
10 September 2005
"So today there was another interesting experience. We went to the office to write home and did well. I got Elder Bennett to cut my hair this morning also, so now I look like a real missionary. While we were there, I got a call that Elder Yesaysan didn't come in from Moscow. Well, we made several calls and found out that he left for sure. After worrying about it, we went to the store and then back to the office where I started to make Chocolate Revel Bars. We then went to вокзал before we went to lunch with our округ. We ate an Italian place call Патио and there I had really good lasagna. We had a good time with the district and that really helped me to feel better. I wish that we could see them more, but I guess that is part of life. We decided to go with them to the opening social in Bezimanski for seminary and institute. That went really well, and I really like it. One thing that I had to do was talk with the mission president in the Moscow South Mission and in the Yekatrinburg mission to work things out for Yesayan. Well, that went well, and we got things worked out. We chatted with people and had a good time that way. We then came back to the office to get things worked out with Yesayan but it turns out that he showed up and had just missed his stop, but he caused us a lot of headaches. Well, we just sat there for an hour or so and wasted time honestly. I sat and thought about what we could be doing, and what we were doing. Well, I finally said that we needed to leave and we did, and we came home. Now we are chillin here. I am super tired, so now I am going to sleep!"
"So today there was another interesting experience. We went to the office to write home and did well. I got Elder Bennett to cut my hair this morning also, so now I look like a real missionary. While we were there, I got a call that Elder Yesaysan didn't come in from Moscow. Well, we made several calls and found out that he left for sure. After worrying about it, we went to the store and then back to the office where I started to make Chocolate Revel Bars. We then went to вокзал before we went to lunch with our округ. We ate an Italian place call Патио and there I had really good lasagna. We had a good time with the district and that really helped me to feel better. I wish that we could see them more, but I guess that is part of life. We decided to go with them to the opening social in Bezimanski for seminary and institute. That went really well, and I really like it. One thing that I had to do was talk with the mission president in the Moscow South Mission and in the Yekatrinburg mission to work things out for Yesayan. Well, that went well, and we got things worked out. We chatted with people and had a good time that way. We then came back to the office to get things worked out with Yesayan but it turns out that he showed up and had just missed his stop, but he caused us a lot of headaches. Well, we just sat there for an hour or so and wasted time honestly. I sat and thought about what we could be doing, and what we were doing. Well, I finally said that we needed to leave and we did, and we came home. Now we are chillin here. I am super tired, so now I am going to sleep!"
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Real Work
9 September 2005
"I had a good experience today that I will write about here in the end, but it turned out to be a decent day. We were able to study this morning for the full time, and that was really nice. The Zone Leaders - Lister and Andelin - came over this morning so that they could take showers - they don't have any water. We chatted with them for a bit and they distracted us from studying but it was all good. We then took off to the office where all the fun began. I started to work on a "to do" list that I had made and that went fairly well. I finished writing up my Line of Authority and so now I have that to show people. Well, I also worked on getting things together for MEC on Monday so that I would have less to do. I worked with Blinkov on some things and then I tried to find more to do before we ate lunch - spaghetti and sauce. After lunch, I worked on doing a lot of translating and things for the future. I started to read a book about how to teach better (Teaching, No Greater Calling) and I fell asleep for about 10-15 minutes. I worked on some more random things and I felt like just sitting in the office all night as Elder Hunsaker and VanHouten are still here. I thought more and more and wanted to sit and go nowhere, but then I felt impressed to go and so we had a meeting with Вячеслав. It didn't turn out great, but afterwards I felt great and I was really happy. What a wonderful feeling to be out and about and doing real missionary work. Tomorrow is p-day, so it should be fun!"
"I had a good experience today that I will write about here in the end, but it turned out to be a decent day. We were able to study this morning for the full time, and that was really nice. The Zone Leaders - Lister and Andelin - came over this morning so that they could take showers - they don't have any water. We chatted with them for a bit and they distracted us from studying but it was all good. We then took off to the office where all the fun began. I started to work on a "to do" list that I had made and that went fairly well. I finished writing up my Line of Authority and so now I have that to show people. Well, I also worked on getting things together for MEC on Monday so that I would have less to do. I worked with Blinkov on some things and then I tried to find more to do before we ate lunch - spaghetti and sauce. After lunch, I worked on doing a lot of translating and things for the future. I started to read a book about how to teach better (Teaching, No Greater Calling) and I fell asleep for about 10-15 minutes. I worked on some more random things and I felt like just sitting in the office all night as Elder Hunsaker and VanHouten are still here. I thought more and more and wanted to sit and go nowhere, but then I felt impressed to go and so we had a meeting with Вячеслав. It didn't turn out great, but afterwards I felt great and I was really happy. What a wonderful feeling to be out and about and doing real missionary work. Tomorrow is p-day, so it should be fun!"
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Running Around
8 September 2005
"What a long day! We had tons to do. This morning I got up on time and I took a shower and then started to study. it was a lot of fun to finally be able to study a bit. Well, we then had to leave and go to the office to help the Assistants to move some boxes. We found out that Елена Ревиякина from Saratov couldn't go with Роман to the sister's house, so I went with Elder VanHouten and took her there to their house. On our way back we made a search for a printing company that could print some fliers for the film. We went to the place and they had moved, so we then went to find the new place. We searched for the street forever, and then after that we finally found it. We walked up a little alley and found it. We talked with them and then we got on the gazelle back to the office that we sat on forever while we waited to get back to the center. In the office, we made some lunch which was really, really good and spicy - chili. Well, I worked on getting some e-mail addresses together, and I read some from the ensign. We then went out to get a mattress for the sisters as they didn't have one and need it. We then went on to the church for the hymn singing and giving out of the new books. We had a good time but it wasn't well planned at all, and we're kind of embarrassed for them. After a long time, we came home, and here we are now. I am ready to pass out I am so tired. Tomorrow, we will be back on a normal schedule! Hoorah!"
"What a long day! We had tons to do. This morning I got up on time and I took a shower and then started to study. it was a lot of fun to finally be able to study a bit. Well, we then had to leave and go to the office to help the Assistants to move some boxes. We found out that Елена Ревиякина from Saratov couldn't go with Роман to the sister's house, so I went with Elder VanHouten and took her there to their house. On our way back we made a search for a printing company that could print some fliers for the film. We went to the place and they had moved, so we then went to find the new place. We searched for the street forever, and then after that we finally found it. We walked up a little alley and found it. We talked with them and then we got on the gazelle back to the office that we sat on forever while we waited to get back to the center. In the office, we made some lunch which was really, really good and spicy - chili. Well, I worked on getting some e-mail addresses together, and I read some from the ensign. We then went out to get a mattress for the sisters as they didn't have one and need it. We then went on to the church for the hymn singing and giving out of the new books. We had a good time but it wasn't well planned at all, and we're kind of embarrassed for them. After a long time, we came home, and here we are now. I am ready to pass out I am so tired. Tomorrow, we will be back on a normal schedule! Hoorah!"
Monday, September 7, 2009
Film Work
7 September 2005
" I think this is really the last time that I will be writing here in a row at least. I am sure that I will end up writing another time here sometime before I leave and problem several times. Today has been a good day other then the fact that Tom was unable to come today. We found out and that was sad. We weren’t all that ready so that is too bad, but we need to work with him to be able to help him along. So this morning I got up and we got all ready and we left right away. We had to go to the sister’s house here – Silva and Фомичёва to help them with their filter. They were unable to open the filters in order to replace them so that meant that we had to do it for them. We went there and we changed that and then we chatted with them for a bit. They are great sisters, and it is always fun to have a little chat with them. Sister Silva knows the language really well and Sister F. is always willing to help her out. They are always so happy and always smiling and laughing and working. What a great example that they are to me. I love working with them. We got things worked out there for them, and then we came to the office and got started. We had to do several things here and that was fun. On the way here, I just remembered, Elder Kirk gave me a call and got mad at me that we weren’t here in the office this morning to help them put some boxes in Roman’s car. Because of that they forgot to print off a guide of the day and so they called me and wanted me to do it. We weren’t in the office, but we weren’t far from it and I told him that I would get it as soon as I could. Sister Ehlert made us cookies again and so that means that we pigged out, and ate way too much. We had some cream cheese frosting with them too and so that made them even more tempting. I got the language books all ready for the elder that are coming in and after about a half hour of copying it finally finished. Well, I worked on some other random things that I had to do, and then Elder Hunsaker and I went and showed a lady the film that he is working on so that they would show it to others here in Russia. Well, she didn’t really like it all that much and she said that the artistic film wasn’t really her style and the other one she didn’t like a ton because there was a lady in it that she didn’t like. Well, we talked with her for a bit and then we left. We stopped by to a couple of stores quick like so that we could find some DVDs but they weren’t really available. Well, we came back to the office and took a look at the apartment there on the 2nd floor. It is really nice and they have the furniture going there and things so soon it will be super nice. We came back to the office and we ate some really good food, and I enjoyed it a ton. It was rice and chicken and some other things. Well, we then have been working on different things, and I am right now working on calling people so that they know about a conference that we are going to have in a couple of weeks here in Samara and trying to get things worked out. I also did some translating of papers tonight for one young lady to serve on a mission and got that basically worked out. So, as we see another day has gone by in the office and we have a ton to do tomorrow, and then Friday will be a fairly free day to be able to work finally. Right now I am super tired and just want to get to bed. Elder Bennett will be here soon and we are going to go home and I will just crash. This life is crazy, and I understand why some people have died here in the office if they are always here. It is so boring. Well, I am going to finish up some things and make some calls. That’s all for tonight!"
" I think this is really the last time that I will be writing here in a row at least. I am sure that I will end up writing another time here sometime before I leave and problem several times. Today has been a good day other then the fact that Tom was unable to come today. We found out and that was sad. We weren’t all that ready so that is too bad, but we need to work with him to be able to help him along. So this morning I got up and we got all ready and we left right away. We had to go to the sister’s house here – Silva and Фомичёва to help them with their filter. They were unable to open the filters in order to replace them so that meant that we had to do it for them. We went there and we changed that and then we chatted with them for a bit. They are great sisters, and it is always fun to have a little chat with them. Sister Silva knows the language really well and Sister F. is always willing to help her out. They are always so happy and always smiling and laughing and working. What a great example that they are to me. I love working with them. We got things worked out there for them, and then we came to the office and got started. We had to do several things here and that was fun. On the way here, I just remembered, Elder Kirk gave me a call and got mad at me that we weren’t here in the office this morning to help them put some boxes in Roman’s car. Because of that they forgot to print off a guide of the day and so they called me and wanted me to do it. We weren’t in the office, but we weren’t far from it and I told him that I would get it as soon as I could. Sister Ehlert made us cookies again and so that means that we pigged out, and ate way too much. We had some cream cheese frosting with them too and so that made them even more tempting. I got the language books all ready for the elder that are coming in and after about a half hour of copying it finally finished. Well, I worked on some other random things that I had to do, and then Elder Hunsaker and I went and showed a lady the film that he is working on so that they would show it to others here in Russia. Well, she didn’t really like it all that much and she said that the artistic film wasn’t really her style and the other one she didn’t like a ton because there was a lady in it that she didn’t like. Well, we talked with her for a bit and then we left. We stopped by to a couple of stores quick like so that we could find some DVDs but they weren’t really available. Well, we came back to the office and took a look at the apartment there on the 2nd floor. It is really nice and they have the furniture going there and things so soon it will be super nice. We came back to the office and we ate some really good food, and I enjoyed it a ton. It was rice and chicken and some other things. Well, we then have been working on different things, and I am right now working on calling people so that they know about a conference that we are going to have in a couple of weeks here in Samara and trying to get things worked out. I also did some translating of papers tonight for one young lady to serve on a mission and got that basically worked out. So, as we see another day has gone by in the office and we have a ton to do tomorrow, and then Friday will be a fairly free day to be able to work finally. Right now I am super tired and just want to get to bed. Elder Bennett will be here soon and we are going to go home and I will just crash. This life is crazy, and I understand why some people have died here in the office if they are always here. It is so boring. Well, I am going to finish up some things and make some calls. That’s all for tonight!"
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Double Responsibility
6 September 2005
"This is sure becoming into a habit to be writing here. I will be writing here for a couple of days at least probably as Elder Hunsaker has a lot to do on his film. He always has to work on the thing and he seems to work well, but it is just easier for him in the evening as there is a lot less people – well only us in fact. Well that means that he is able to work a lot more effectively. That also leaves me to be very bored and have not much to do. Well, anyways, we are doing a lot here and today was an alright day although I am dead tired. It was sure long, and I have sat in way too many meetings. I have had to help a lot of people and do a lot of things and the meetings just didn’t help. This morning we slept in for a long time as we didn’t go to bed until about 1 last night. We were here and then Hunsaker and I talked for awhile about how things are going and about life as a missionary in general. It is pretty crazy, and we always have a ton that we have to worry about and there is always some kind of dumb problem that is arising. We talked for a long time about things and it is pretty crazy how long we talked. So that means that I got up at about 8 this morning and then we were here before 9. We basically just live here. I had to fill up some orders for Elder Bennett as he was unable to do so and so that means that I have been super busy. I do not know anything about the library and I don’t know where things are or what they are called, and basically it is pretty crazy. I spent forever trying to get all these things together and I finally got it all, but it took me awhile. After I did that I finished up the preparations for MEC and we started that meeting. Well that was way long and we talked a long time about how we can help the branches to help themselves. It was pretty crazy and we had a ton that we had to do, but we just talked forever. We also talked about FHE’s here in the branch and how we shouldn’t be doing them. Well that meant that Elder Kirk has some words with President and talked with him about how it helps. President in the end said that we shouldn’t do things on Monday nights, and I agree but it was interesting. We also talked about how we can make things more interesting with the programs for Young Men and Women and how we can get them excited about this. Well, let’s just say that there is a ton of work here, and there is a ton to do. We have to help a ton of people and get them to understand a lot about the church. It will be a struggle, but that is part of our work here and why we are doing what we are. We talked forever about statistics and how that is going and of course as always we had a good time listening to President. We got out after 4 hours of discussion and I decided to go with the APs to eat something. We had a good time eating, and we enjoyed that of course. The food was good and of course since we are in Russia I got taken for every last coin that they could get from me – they charged me for the garnishes that I didn’t order that were on the plate. I mean come on, how can you get so stupid. We came back to the office and I immediately ran off with Денис from our branch to do some service. We did that for Баба Нина and we helped her to be able to have a place to plant some fruit and things. Well, we worked on that for about an hour and then we came running back here to the office. It was the first time for a long time that I have run and it felt good to do. As soon as I came to the office I changed and we started right into another meeting, and got things going that way. Well, that means that I sat in on a committee for this film that Hunsaker is making and that I will have a fairly large part in it. There is sure a lot to do that way, and I will have to watch after the technical part of things. That was another hour or so and by the end I was dead tired. I came to my computer, and I was ready to fall to sleep. I didn’t know what to do, and so I just sat here for a bit, and tried to figure out what to do. I have no idea, but I am just dead tired now. I saw the transfer sheets and it will be interesting because I am supposed to be getting a new companion in a couple of weeks. We will see how things work out. Right now I have to fulfill Elder Bennett’s responsibility and call some people. I am sure it will be another exciting one tomorrow, and we will have a meeting with Tom! Hooray for that and we shall see how that goes!"
"This is sure becoming into a habit to be writing here. I will be writing here for a couple of days at least probably as Elder Hunsaker has a lot to do on his film. He always has to work on the thing and he seems to work well, but it is just easier for him in the evening as there is a lot less people – well only us in fact. Well that means that he is able to work a lot more effectively. That also leaves me to be very bored and have not much to do. Well, anyways, we are doing a lot here and today was an alright day although I am dead tired. It was sure long, and I have sat in way too many meetings. I have had to help a lot of people and do a lot of things and the meetings just didn’t help. This morning we slept in for a long time as we didn’t go to bed until about 1 last night. We were here and then Hunsaker and I talked for awhile about how things are going and about life as a missionary in general. It is pretty crazy, and we always have a ton that we have to worry about and there is always some kind of dumb problem that is arising. We talked for a long time about things and it is pretty crazy how long we talked. So that means that I got up at about 8 this morning and then we were here before 9. We basically just live here. I had to fill up some orders for Elder Bennett as he was unable to do so and so that means that I have been super busy. I do not know anything about the library and I don’t know where things are or what they are called, and basically it is pretty crazy. I spent forever trying to get all these things together and I finally got it all, but it took me awhile. After I did that I finished up the preparations for MEC and we started that meeting. Well that was way long and we talked a long time about how we can help the branches to help themselves. It was pretty crazy and we had a ton that we had to do, but we just talked forever. We also talked about FHE’s here in the branch and how we shouldn’t be doing them. Well that meant that Elder Kirk has some words with President and talked with him about how it helps. President in the end said that we shouldn’t do things on Monday nights, and I agree but it was interesting. We also talked about how we can make things more interesting with the programs for Young Men and Women and how we can get them excited about this. Well, let’s just say that there is a ton of work here, and there is a ton to do. We have to help a ton of people and get them to understand a lot about the church. It will be a struggle, but that is part of our work here and why we are doing what we are. We talked forever about statistics and how that is going and of course as always we had a good time listening to President. We got out after 4 hours of discussion and I decided to go with the APs to eat something. We had a good time eating, and we enjoyed that of course. The food was good and of course since we are in Russia I got taken for every last coin that they could get from me – they charged me for the garnishes that I didn’t order that were on the plate. I mean come on, how can you get so stupid. We came back to the office and I immediately ran off with Денис from our branch to do some service. We did that for Баба Нина and we helped her to be able to have a place to plant some fruit and things. Well, we worked on that for about an hour and then we came running back here to the office. It was the first time for a long time that I have run and it felt good to do. As soon as I came to the office I changed and we started right into another meeting, and got things going that way. Well, that means that I sat in on a committee for this film that Hunsaker is making and that I will have a fairly large part in it. There is sure a lot to do that way, and I will have to watch after the technical part of things. That was another hour or so and by the end I was dead tired. I came to my computer, and I was ready to fall to sleep. I didn’t know what to do, and so I just sat here for a bit, and tried to figure out what to do. I have no idea, but I am just dead tired now. I saw the transfer sheets and it will be interesting because I am supposed to be getting a new companion in a couple of weeks. We will see how things work out. Right now I have to fulfill Elder Bennett’s responsibility and call some people. I am sure it will be another exciting one tomorrow, and we will have a meeting with Tom! Hooray for that and we shall see how that goes!"
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