Showing posts with label Plane. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Plane. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Flying Home

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."

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."

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."

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!"

Monday, October 27, 2008

Registration Trip

27 October 2004
"It was a quick one to and from Samara. We took of early and flow into Samara around 10. We went to the office, and they took my stuff to get all registered. We sat around for a bit, and then we headed to an Italian restaurant for lunch. It was way good, and I loved it. We just sat and read in the office most of the day. We took off, and our flight was delayed, so we just waited a bit. We took off about an hour late, but made it back to Izhevsk without any problems. I slept most of the time on the plane, and on the hour taxi ride.

I kind of wish I had been here in the city, but all is well. It was a nice break. I was with Watts and we had a blast talking. He's a good elder, and knows the language very well. I enjoy missionary work, and I can't wait to get going again! Well, p-day again tomorrow, but yes.."

Monday, September 22, 2008

New Companion

22 September 2004
"Well, we're back in Izhevsk after a short day in Samara. We took off on the flight this morning, and got to Samara with few problems. I sat in the office most of the day, and wrote letters home. I met Elder Kirk and I met a lot of other Elders also. I did get to write a quick note on the internet so that was nice. We flew back, and got settled in, and that's all that happened.

Once again, I will be in an adjusting period. Elder Kirk is a good elder, but I will have to adjust to how he works for course. I will pray for the Lord's help to have a strong companionship."

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."