P-day

1 December 2004
"We have another good one today! We wrote home to start out the day, and we were there for 3 hours – Elder Kirk and Watts wanted to know more about the Ukraine crisis. I resorted to playing Minesweeper. Well, after the adventure there, we went and ate, and then Elder Kirk and I came home and slept. Well, we went to visit Галина but she wasn’t feeling well. We then had a meeting with Ангелина и Лидия и Марина. That was way awesome! We talked with them about carrying on, and doing well! They are amazing!"

Rug Beating

22 November 2004
"We went to district meeting, and as usual, it went way long – I ate Elder Watts' chocolate bars which are dang good. Well, we came home and our landlady wanted us to beat the rug and vacuum up. Well, we were at it for about 2 hours, but now our apartment looks way good. Tonight, we just stopped by to people and no one was home as usual. We got some food and came home. We ate some popcorn and just talked. Right now, we have a baptism for the 18th of December – Юлия – and hopefully we will have one more. Who knows – anyways tomorrow we have a couple of meetings. That should be nice!!"

Missed Day

15 November 2004
"It’s the first time in a long time that I was unable to write yesterday. It was a crazy day, and just didn’t know what to do. We had our sacrament meeting as usual, and that was good. We then went to Норья, and there we talked with the family for awhile, and had a good sacrament meeting. After that, we talked with the kids that are going to America (Logan) for the exchange program. That was cool, but it meant we were there for a long time. We came back and spent the night at the other elder’s house – unexpectedly. The good thing was we got to eat chili that Elder Watts had made – it was way good like home.

This morning, we had district meeting as always, and enjoyed that. Well, it was interesting. Elder Watts is depressed right now – he is under a lot of stress being the leader here. He just feels like he can’t do it all. He feels like these have been the 2 hardest year of his life. It was interesting to listen and talk with him. After the meeting, we went to help Лилия again, and were there for a while. After that, we dropped by to a referral that we received from Salt Lake – they ordered a film. They were nice people, but we were unable to conduct a discussion with them – жалко. To finish the night, we stopped by to Ольга и Настя as they were not at church Sunday. They are well, but a little sick. We always enjoy being there! They are awesome people! I am so glad to be here! It’s awesome!"

Good Feeling

1 November 2004
"I'm still in Ижевск!! That's right - all the worrying for nothing! In fact nothing scary happened The lady didn't even mention anything about friday to our landlady. That was good that nothing happened, and I am now registered here in the city. Elder Watts and I then went to the bank where he took about $1200 for the district (crazy how much money we need for missionary work). We met Ирина from America there and she went to the library with us (where everything is still alright, and we can still meet there). Elder Кирк and I ate and then sat on собрание округа. We came home and then went to help Александр - english student - with english. We also wrote to Washington because Юлия will be there!

Ижевск - I love it here! Thank goodness the Lord is blessing us. Talk about an awesome feeling."

Broken Law

29 October 2004
"I am lucky to be writing this! Wow! It was a crazy day! We had English tonight, and so we spent most the day getting ready for it. We were at the internet club, and then we mad pumpkin bread - I'm almost a chef! The bread was alright, but that's not the crazy thing that happened today! So we're at English class and a lady is checking our passports - she registers us here in the government building. Well, I was in Samara on Wednesday because we have to register there in order to register here (there is not religious organization here in Izhevsk). I hadn't registered because we have 3 days to do so. Well, she checked and told me that I couldn't be in Izhevsk without registration. Well, she talked with all of us - made it a huge deal so everyone got all freaked out - and then filled out some papers.

I thought nothing about the papers when I signed them, and neither did Watts who was there when I signed them. Turns out that the papers were saying that I had broken a law - when really I hadn't. Prison...here I come! Well, I don't know for sure, but we'll see what happens Monday. After english, I went with Elder Jensen to a discussion! Elder Watts was too worried and stressed. We might loose the library for this! Satan is working hard, but we just have to keep on going! The Lord will bless us. I just hope its not by sitting in jail."

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.."

Quick Trip

18 October 2004
"Today turned out different then planned – I was back in Норья unexpectedly. We had district meeting after Elder Kirk registered. We were sitting there discussing our week when Марина called and said that Darcy – one of the students – needed a priesthood blessing. Well, Elder Watts and I were on an exchange, and we went out there. We gave the blessing which was weird because it was in English – something Elder Watts hasn't done for almost 2 years. Well, everything was alright with her, and so we decided to stay around for FHE with Алек и Марина. They are awesome, and we watched The Light of the World program that Elder Watts has, and it was a lot of fun. We came home and that was the night. It was crazy.

Also, we where were there, Zan talked about some of her life stories. They were pretty amazing! She has gone through a lot. She is also going to build a home in Норья, and basically just give it to the missionaries there – the Church I guess. Elder Watts and I talked about it, and we were amazed at how generous some people are. They are so willing to give to the people here. It is so awesome! Amazing the things that the Lord is doing here. He truly does have his hand in the work!"

P-Day

14 October 2004
"Weird to have preparation day on a Thursday, but it worked out. Last night after I wrote, we got a phone call and had to go to the other elder's apartment. In short, the Z.L.s couldn't find the apartment, and Kirk and Watts didn't have keys. That meant that we had to go there and help out. We slept there and just relaxed.

Today we wrote home, and ate at our cafe that we always eat at. We then came home and slept and wrote more letters. Tonight we met with Лена, Тимур, и Лиля. It was interesting, but not much happened - they are just super busy."

Exchanges

13 October 2004
"I was with Elder Jensen today, and we didn't have P-day. Elder Kirk and Watts were in Samara for the day so this means that Elder Jensen and I were busy working. We had a good time and worked hard - mainly in their район. We did meet Elder Gallop and Smith (Z.L.) on вокзал. They are in the city to work. We had a time meeting with people, and made several contacts.

It was the second day in a row with snow, so that was insane. It is plenty cold outside, but luckily we are inside a lot. Soon there will be tons of snow! I am excited! I can't wait! I love snow!"

Americans

10 October 2004
"Well, today was amazing. We had sacrament and the 4 of us did everything. I talked about service in the church and about the importance of service in the church. After church we went to the other elders house before going to Норья. What an awesome experience we had there! There are like 13 people - students that is - here from Logan high. They were there at the meeting. Zan - there teacher and leader was also there.

Алексей и Ольга received the Holy Ghost, and that was absolutely awesome. The spirit was strong, and many tears were shed. We then had a testimony meeting in Russian and in English. The spirit was awesome! I remembered how I felt 2 months ago when I came to Russia. The total shock of what love these people have! It is so awesome! There is no question - the gospel is true! What an amazing thing it is that the Lord is helping the Russian people to find truth through youth from America - from Logan that is!

Oh yeah, it was nice to see some American faces here in Russia! I was in the circle and participated in the giving of the HG when Elder Watts gave it - what an awesome experience!"

Baptism

9 October 2004
"An interesting day it sure has been...So, we got home and got all ready for the day, It was fairly hectic as there was a baptism today – Алексей и Ольга. They were baptized, but there was only like 5 people there for that. It was awesome to see them get baptized! I love baptisms, and especially the spirit that is at them. It is absolutely awesome. After the baptism, we came home to eat at about 5...I prepared a nice big meal for us, and then Elder Kirk prepared his lesson. I prepared enchiladas with the stuff my mother sent me. I love her to death! Anyhow, so that was our day!

We talked for awhile with Elder Watts and Jensen for awhile after the baptism about Alec and Marina – they live in Норья. They searched for the true church for awhile, but they couldn't find it. Well after awhile, they found American kids there, and they knew that these kids were different. Well, there leader gave them a BofM. They knew that the church was true, but there were no missionaries in the area. They waited an entire year, and then the missionaries came to Ижевск. Well, now they have brought another family in the gospel today! What an awesome work that this is that the Lord is bringing forth. It is awesome the way that he does so!"

Eating

4 October 2004
"Well, it was a pretty exciting day. Well, at least we ate good today. We had a district meeting, and Watts showed us how to prepare real food. We ate better! Later, we stopped by to Надежда и Настя - they live far away. That was a pretty good meeting. We then stopped by to Ольга quickly and set up an appointment for tomorrow.

We learned that we better eat better because we will work better as missionaries. It just takes a little more time to prepare, but it is worth it! I'm excited to eat better."

-- This is funny because this didn't really happen. Maybe a couple of days, but not overall.

Renewal

12 September 2004
"A good day finally passed, and we met with people finally. We went to sacrament, and it was good because we had 4 people show up that we are teaching. Elder Watts gave an awesome lesson about priesthood, and that it was absolutely lost. It was so awesome. I hope that I will be able to teach like him someday. Anyhow, we also visited with Моша и Наташа which was good.

We then met with Ольга also, and it was a fairly good meeting. I realize that I have a lot of work to do in the gospel. I need to learn and understand it better. I can't talk about the gospel until I know it better. I need to study, and understand the principles better. I have a lot of work to do over the next few months. I know if I will pray and work, the Lord will continue to give me blessing! He we go Elder Tenney!"