20 April 2006
"My mission is coming to an end. I am on the first of 3 flights to get home, and it is crazy. I don't know what to think. We had an interesting day so far and it is only almost 10 by Penza time. First things first - I didn't sleep all that well as I knew I was leaving. After that, we got up at about 3:30 this morning, showered and got all ready and then headed off with Роман. We went to the office and then to the airport. So there, I exchanged some money and then we just waited. We talked with an American so that was cool and we chatted a bit about the church. We saw Лилия who helped us out a ton. We set up everything so it would go smooth. When we left Лилия gave me a hug - it was crazy, but felt good too. Now we're just flying...I hope that I can keep busy for the next several hours, and I will write my feelings as I can.
7:00 PM (Penza Time)
I am going by Penza's time because that is what I have on my watch. That's not so important as is what's happening. Nothing really amazing but a few interesting things. In Germany we split up with Elder Paulsen who flew alone to Chicago while we are headed to Denver. We talked with a few people who wanted to know what we were doing and all. So here on the plane I have been going out of my mind. We have just eaten, but before that, I just sat. We still have 7 hours of flying ahead, and so that should be fun. I am going to write some people and watch something probably. Here on the plane is an Elder Cummins that knows my brother. He just talked with him this morning and was in my brother's zone. I guess it's a small world.
4:00 AM (Penza)
Well, I am on the last leg and almost there. It is sure insane and I can't believe it. It doesn't feel real. It will be even crazier to be home, and see the family in just over an hour. So the last flight ended pretty well, and I slept a bunch and watched the film and all. It was sure crazy but I made it. We went through customs and all before parting with Elder Alton. One of the things I did was ran and got a drink from a water fountain. It felt so good! I jumped on this plane and will soon be home. It is weird to look out the window and see real mountains. Its been so long since I have seen the peaks. It is also strange to hear only English. It has been a long time since I was part o the majority. Well, I want to do a few other things so I will write again later."
Showing posts with label Alton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alton. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Monday, December 7, 2009
Heading Home
7 December 2005
"We are heading back to Penza, and it was a nice vacation. This morning we got into Moscow and we ran to McDonalds to get the breakfast, and fortunately I got it. They changed the sign about 2 minutes after I got there, but I was the only one of us 3 to get it - breakfast. We then took off to the рынок on the Metro. It is so awesome, and I love how well it is set up. We searched for this рынок for a bit, and then we found it. It was huge, and they had all kinds of awesome stuff for really cheap. I got a ton of things there for the family and it is going to be sweet. We bought and bargained all kinds of stuff - shirts, shapkas, and matroshkas.
We then went to the airport where we had a bit of a problem. The dates on our tickets were for yesterday, and so that meant that we had to change them, but they only had business class. Non problem though, and it cost me 22,300 ($745) for our 3 tickets, and I just used my church card as I have a bunch of zone money there. Anyhow, we made it on the plane, and had a good flight home with great service. We flew in and went with Роман (the mission driver) to the office.
There I sat around for awhile, but I was able to read my mail. We went to MickeyD's and then back to the office. There I chatted with the sisters and they are doing well."
"We are heading back to Penza, and it was a nice vacation. This morning we got into Moscow and we ran to McDonalds to get the breakfast, and fortunately I got it. They changed the sign about 2 minutes after I got there, but I was the only one of us 3 to get it - breakfast. We then took off to the рынок on the Metro. It is so awesome, and I love how well it is set up. We searched for this рынок for a bit, and then we found it. It was huge, and they had all kinds of awesome stuff for really cheap. I got a ton of things there for the family and it is going to be sweet. We bought and bargained all kinds of stuff - shirts, shapkas, and matroshkas.
We then went to the airport where we had a bit of a problem. The dates on our tickets were for yesterday, and so that meant that we had to change them, but they only had business class. Non problem though, and it cost me 22,300 ($745) for our 3 tickets, and I just used my church card as I have a bunch of zone money there. Anyhow, we made it on the plane, and had a good flight home with great service. We flew in and went with Роман (the mission driver) to the office.
There I sat around for awhile, but I was able to read my mail. We went to MickeyD's and then back to the office. There I chatted with the sisters and they are doing well."
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Losing Patience
16 August 2005
"It was a pretty good day here, and I had a ton to do. We worked tonight so that was cool. This morning we went too the office early and met all the ZLs that came in from the different zones. It was cool to see everyone, and especially Elder Alton. Well we got going on совет and that went decent. We had a lot to do with them. We learned about faith from President and about how we can have more faith in the work. We also talked about how to be leaders. These young guys look up to us and we have to be good leaders. Well I had the chance to teach with President and that was cool. He had several good ideas and how we could teach the other Zls. We wanted them to change and I felt confident with President. Well, we ate well again today and it was really really good. Sister D always makes really good salads. Well after совет I got really upset with the APs and left. They want me to do exchanges unless it is inconvenient to them. Well they told me they didn't have time to talk and then I just left with Barney. We contacted a bit and met with some members. We also had a couple of street meeting and talked with some good people. Well, we went back to the office and I worked on some of the things that I needed to. I also watched some movies that the elders in Orenburg made. Well, it was nice to work, and I feel a lot better now after being upset. I just lost my patience. I got to do better!"
"It was a pretty good day here, and I had a ton to do. We worked tonight so that was cool. This morning we went too the office early and met all the ZLs that came in from the different zones. It was cool to see everyone, and especially Elder Alton. Well we got going on совет and that went decent. We had a lot to do with them. We learned about faith from President and about how we can have more faith in the work. We also talked about how to be leaders. These young guys look up to us and we have to be good leaders. Well I had the chance to teach with President and that was cool. He had several good ideas and how we could teach the other Zls. We wanted them to change and I felt confident with President. Well, we ate well again today and it was really really good. Sister D always makes really good salads. Well after совет I got really upset with the APs and left. They want me to do exchanges unless it is inconvenient to them. Well they told me they didn't have time to talk and then I just left with Barney. We contacted a bit and met with some members. We also had a couple of street meeting and talked with some good people. Well, we went back to the office and I worked on some of the things that I needed to. I also watched some movies that the elders in Orenburg made. Well, it was nice to work, and I feel a lot better now after being upset. I just lost my patience. I got to do better!"
Monday, June 22, 2009
Moscow Insanity
22 June 2009
"The trip is finally about over, and that is a good thing. I am absolutely dead tired after all that has happened. I just want to pass out. This morning we made it in to Moscow, and we headed straight for the рынок. Once we got there we started the insanity. We talked with tons of people, and we bought tons. I bought 10 Matroshki dolls as gifts, and so now I have a ton to send home. I also bought 8 of them for Smith. So basically it was a bad idea to buy all of them because we had to lug the darn things around with us. Well, I then bought some shirts for the family, and that was all.
After the insanity there, we went to Red Square. The bad part is that it was closed. So we complained a lot - I mean come on here - we're in Moscow. Basically it wasn't cool, but we walked around and took a few more pics before heading out to eat. We had the best food! It was like heaven. We found TGI Fridays there and I got ribs and cheesecake and chips and salsa! Wow - I was in heaven. We also watched soccer, and later a track meet. It was pretty cool. It sure didn't feel like missionary life - it wasn't. We slumped out of TGIF's and we went to the metro again. We headed out to the office there in Moscow and picked up a package that we have to bring back with us. We chilled in their office before heading back to the horrid streets of Moscow to get to the airport. The airport was ад! (Guess that word) We finally got through it all and got on the flight. Well, we are almost back to Samara and so that's cool. Back to missionary work...office life...and everything else."
"The trip is finally about over, and that is a good thing. I am absolutely dead tired after all that has happened. I just want to pass out. This morning we made it in to Moscow, and we headed straight for the рынок. Once we got there we started the insanity. We talked with tons of people, and we bought tons. I bought 10 Matroshki dolls as gifts, and so now I have a ton to send home. I also bought 8 of them for Smith. So basically it was a bad idea to buy all of them because we had to lug the darn things around with us. Well, I then bought some shirts for the family, and that was all.
After the insanity there, we went to Red Square. The bad part is that it was closed. So we complained a lot - I mean come on here - we're in Moscow. Basically it wasn't cool, but we walked around and took a few more pics before heading out to eat. We had the best food! It was like heaven. We found TGI Fridays there and I got ribs and cheesecake and chips and salsa! Wow - I was in heaven. We also watched soccer, and later a track meet. It was pretty cool. It sure didn't feel like missionary life - it wasn't. We slumped out of TGIF's and we went to the metro again. We headed out to the office there in Moscow and picked up a package that we have to bring back with us. We chilled in their office before heading back to the horrid streets of Moscow to get to the airport. The airport was ад! (Guess that word) We finally got through it all and got on the flight. Well, we are almost back to Samara and so that's cool. Back to missionary work...office life...and everything else."
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Tallin Tourists
21 June 2009
"It was sure a weird day. It was like we were tourists the whole day - well, we basically were and so that was cool. This morning we got into Tallinn after a long train ride. We met a guy and gave him our passports and things and he took care of that. Well that gave us all day to just walk around and check out the beautiful city of Талин - Wow - it was awesome. The city is so amazing. We walked all over the city and just took pictures. It was cool. The people there spoke English pretty good, and it was interesting to see what a general language english is. If anyone needs to talk they speak in English. Well, we went and ate at a little Estonian place. It was good and I really like the food there. Well, we did talk with some girls selling postcard and they knew 3 languages - most Estonian people do. We went to the ocean and just sat there for a bit. It was a good time to just relax and think about how things are going. After sitting and relaxing we went to the Вокзал to get our passports and new visas. We had a little time left so we ran and got some food for the train ride and walked through the city one last time.
Right now we are sitting on the border and we are getting registered. Well, soon we will be off again to Moscow. It was such a relaxing day. I really enjoyed it. We enjoyed everything here. Well, it will be hard to get back to work and right now I don't really want to. I guess I sill have another day though. What an amazing place this Tallinn, Estonia was. It was one of the most beautiful places I've ever been!"
"It was sure a weird day. It was like we were tourists the whole day - well, we basically were and so that was cool. This morning we got into Tallinn after a long train ride. We met a guy and gave him our passports and things and he took care of that. Well that gave us all day to just walk around and check out the beautiful city of Талин - Wow - it was awesome. The city is so amazing. We walked all over the city and just took pictures. It was cool. The people there spoke English pretty good, and it was interesting to see what a general language english is. If anyone needs to talk they speak in English. Well, we went and ate at a little Estonian place. It was good and I really like the food there. Well, we did talk with some girls selling postcard and they knew 3 languages - most Estonian people do. We went to the ocean and just sat there for a bit. It was a good time to just relax and think about how things are going. After sitting and relaxing we went to the Вокзал to get our passports and new visas. We had a little time left so we ran and got some food for the train ride and walked through the city one last time.
Right now we are sitting on the border and we are getting registered. Well, soon we will be off again to Moscow. It was such a relaxing day. I really enjoyed it. We enjoyed everything here. Well, it will be hard to get back to work and right now I don't really want to. I guess I sill have another day though. What an amazing place this Tallinn, Estonia was. It was one of the most beautiful places I've ever been!"
Saturday, June 20, 2009
One Year
20 June 2005
"On the way to Tallin we go. Today has been insane. We made it through though. This morning we picked Paulsen up from the Вокзал and brought him back to our place. We then went and took $500 for our visa trip and went to the office. We then went and got on our plane to Moscow. Well, in Moscow we just traveled on the Метро and got our tickets. Basically it was no fun. There's a million people there and its just huge. Well, we just went to the Вокзал and then ate some pizza at a little place nearby. Well, now we're on the train and we are just chatting. Its way cool. I love these guys and to be with them. We are remembering all the good time that we had together. It is weird to thing that I've already been here a year. The time has gone so fast but at the same time it hasn't. Another year to go and that's all. I need to work hard and help others. Wow-it's insane. I can't believe it! 1 year!"
"On the way to Tallin we go. Today has been insane. We made it through though. This morning we picked Paulsen up from the Вокзал and brought him back to our place. We then went and took $500 for our visa trip and went to the office. We then went and got on our plane to Moscow. Well, in Moscow we just traveled on the Метро and got our tickets. Basically it was no fun. There's a million people there and its just huge. Well, we just went to the Вокзал and then ate some pizza at a little place nearby. Well, now we're on the train and we are just chatting. Its way cool. I love these guys and to be with them. We are remembering all the good time that we had together. It is weird to thing that I've already been here a year. The time has gone so fast but at the same time it hasn't. Another year to go and that's all. I need to work hard and help others. Wow-it's insane. I can't believe it! 1 year!"
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Moving
2 June 2009
"Well, it was another long day here. We were in the office for most of it, and then we had to move from the palace that we were living in. Our new place is pretty cool, and I like it a lot. It isn't nearly as nice as that other place though. So today I just worked on getting the basics done. I did get a test on AIDs done today so that I can go for a new visa. I was with Elder Alton and we just talked for a bit, so that was cool. I am getting sick of my cell phone already. I talk on it tons, and sometime is just distracts me. I am working on just relaxing and everything as I have been really stressed lately. I just need to work, and then everything will be alright. Off to another day of work..."
"Well, it was another long day here. We were in the office for most of it, and then we had to move from the palace that we were living in. Our new place is pretty cool, and I like it a lot. It isn't nearly as nice as that other place though. So today I just worked on getting the basics done. I did get a test on AIDs done today so that I can go for a new visa. I was with Elder Alton and we just talked for a bit, so that was cool. I am getting sick of my cell phone already. I talk on it tons, and sometime is just distracts me. I am working on just relaxing and everything as I have been really stressed lately. I just need to work, and then everything will be alright. Off to another day of work..."
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Transfer
2 December 2004
"The news came late yesterday and it wasn’t all that great – I am leaving to Saratov to the дачный район, and Elder Alton will be here in my place. Well, I didn’t sleep well and today I have been kind of sick. Well, we were super busy so that helped, but I was still thinking about the transfer. We decided to help Стася with English, and so that was good. Well, we then ran to Лена’s house and watched her videos with her and met her friend. After chatting we headed off, and we went to find Наташа but of course she wasn’t home. We just went to our last meeting of the night with Ольга и Настя. Also Настя, the other waiting baptism, was there. That was the day, and it was good. I really don’t feel well, but hey, what can you do. I just need to get it in gear, and finish off these last few days."
"The news came late yesterday and it wasn’t all that great – I am leaving to Saratov to the дачный район, and Elder Alton will be here in my place. Well, I didn’t sleep well and today I have been kind of sick. Well, we were super busy so that helped, but I was still thinking about the transfer. We decided to help Стася with English, and so that was good. Well, we then ran to Лена’s house and watched her videos with her and met her friend. After chatting we headed off, and we went to find Наташа but of course she wasn’t home. We just went to our last meeting of the night with Ольга и Настя. Also Настя, the other waiting baptism, was there. That was the day, and it was good. I really don’t feel well, but hey, what can you do. I just need to get it in gear, and finish off these last few days."
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Frankfurt to Samara
Alton and Paulsen sleeping in Germany
4:00 AM Russian Time
"Well, we are almost there! It is crazy. I am really going to be in Russia! It's crazy. Right now I am sitting next to a бабушка who only speaks Russian. She is really nice and understanding that I don't speak good Russian. That makes me fell good about getting to Russia.
After I wrote today, I slept some more before going to another terminal. We sat around and studied a little before going to buy some german chocolate. It was super good, and I enjoyed it greatly.
We then were waiting for our flight time when a huge storm came in. There was tons of lightning and rain and things – we thought for sure our flight would be delayed, but it wasn't really.
We got on the bus and drove to our plane which meant we got to walk up to it. That was an adventure. I fell asleep like 3 minutes after take off, so that was nice. We had an interesting meal, and I didn't finish it!
I am excited to get to Russia even though I don't understand as well as I need. The Lord has truly blessed us in all our flying to get here. I know that he truly loves me and knows the experience that is ahead of me.
It truly has been a humbling experience to get here! I know that the Lord has been teaching me, and that he is molding me into something he wants. I will follows the Lord as Nephi did (1 Nephi 3:7), and do all I can for him. This is the work of God, and he is sending us forth to declare the gospel of his son Jesus Christ."
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Chicago to Frankfurt
22 July 2004
"...We still have about 5 hours on this flight before we arrive in Frankfurt. We already had one meal today, and we will have another in a couple of hours. It was some beef thing that was actually suprisingly good.
It is weird to think how soon I will be in Samara. I am excited to get there. I need tons of work on the language, but at the same time the Lord has blessed me tons. The language has come well to me. I know that I wouldn't be where I am now without the Lord."
--Just as a note, we were delayed in Salt Lake, missed our flight in Chicago and now we made this flight to Frankfurt Germany. This was after a 3 month stay in the MTC.
"...We still have about 5 hours on this flight before we arrive in Frankfurt. We already had one meal today, and we will have another in a couple of hours. It was some beef thing that was actually suprisingly good.
It is weird to think how soon I will be in Samara. I am excited to get there. I need tons of work on the language, but at the same time the Lord has blessed me tons. The language has come well to me. I know that I wouldn't be where I am now without the Lord."
--Just as a note, we were delayed in Salt Lake, missed our flight in Chicago and now we made this flight to Frankfurt Germany. This was after a 3 month stay in the MTC.
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