Rich

6 December 2004


"Wow – good things are happening in Ижевск and I am leaving. We met with Маши и Саша (rich lady, friend of Лена), and here friend Игор was there. Well, we talked about the BofM, and wow they were way interested. All 4 of us were there. Well, I took some pictures, but I really want to be here to work with them. Well, before that we were with Денис, and it was nice to talk with him. He is such an awesome guy. It will be weird without him. Well besides that not much happened. No crying today at least, so that was good. Tomorrow is the last day here – wow, it will be hard. Luckily, I found out a week ago – Elder Jensen found out late tonight. Well, I will miss Ижевск, and especially the people. The Lord has truly blessed me to serve here!"

Thanksgiving!!!

25 November 2004
"Happy Thanksgiving!! Well, that's all we have thought about today. There's a long story for all, so I'll get started. Yesterday was -pday. We wrote home and ate at Позимь. Jeff got his call to Ecuador...and he goes in to the MTC Jan. 5. Anyways, so we got haircuts and all that good stuff, and then we had a meeting with Лена's friend Маша. She lived where Бела lived, so is way rich. She is way cool, and has a way cool daughter. She said she'd be interested to here more. That will be cool to meet with them again. Well, we finished way late there and it was by the центр. We just decided to sleep a the other's house.

Well, this morning we just waited till about 12 and went to a restaurant – Кама. We ate, and it was way good, but way expensive. Well, after the 3 hours there we went to Baskin Robbins. Now we are at home because Elder Kirk has to talk on Sunday. We have a meeting with Ольга и Настя Ермелайовы later, so I will write about that later.

Later – well, the night ended way good. We ended up stopping by to Наташа and talking with her. We then had a meeting like I said with Ольга и Настя. It was good. Настя talked in English with us and it was funny! They are such great people! I love working! It makes me feel good! Я скучаю по брату. Я очень хочу говорить с ним. Все-такие, только 19 месяцев еще!"

Rich and Poor

27 September 2004


"We have met the richest person we will ever meet here in Russia. Бела is her name, and she is super nice. Лена from English introduced us to her. She has a huge house, and has been everywhere. We even watched a video from when she was in California. It was crazy - her house was nicer then mine at home.

On the other hand, we met with another investigator who is on the other end of the scale. She lives with very little. It is in insane. Неля has a son and husband who were killed about 5 years ago. She is very humble, but said that she doesn't want to meet with us anymore because she is already living correctly. We will return though.

It's funny how the Lord blesses us in weird ways, and we don't realize it. Неля is so blessed because she is so humble. I think I need to step back and look at all the things the Lord has given me. I know that he has blessed me, but I often take it for granted. The Lord blesses me, I just don't realize it always.

Also, we had district meeting, and we are starting a new program for missionaries worldwide. It is awesome - we now actually have time to write here. Also, we will have time for dinner, and we have to be home at 9. Talk about crazy! It will take getting use to, that's for sure!"