3 Months
3 May 2017
Dad and I have been on our mission and away from you for
three months now. Time is going very slowly for me. I’m sorry for my lack of
letters. When I think about writing you or even facetiming you, it’s so hard…
because of how much I miss you! But there is so much to share with you…
We first arrived in Saratov (Su rah tiv) late Friday night, February
24 (two days after Willow was born). Seven hour train ride from Samara. There
were four of us in a sleeper car, the Hancocks and us. We visited and played
games. Alexsey joined us for games from the regular passenger car.
Here we are with the Hancocks in their teeny tiny little
elevator. Barely enough room for the
four of us. They live on the 10th floor and the ride is very
slow. I love the Hancocks, they are very
good people.
A funny thing about Elder Hancock… He loves to find the best
price on everything. He has time so he shops around and can tell you where to
find the best deals. Good thing there are so many stores/markets close by.
I call the Hancocks our trainers, they have helped us out so
much!!! J.D. and Ann Hancock from Rexburg, Idaho. This is their third mission
(Connecticut MLS, Kiev, Ukraine, Temple, and Humanitarian here). The two of
them took us shopping, showed us around town a bit, including taking the bus
and even took us to the Russian Ballet of the Nutcracker.
This very old theatre is within walking distance of our
flat. When you first enter you must go to the basement to check your coats
(which is a pain afterward with the crowd). And I heard the bathrooms are very
primitive here, like hole in the floor primitive (I will not be checking).
It is VERY bizarre not being able to understand anyone or
anything written. The Russian people are very reserved, meaning there is no
smiling at each other on the street (why would they, to smile would be
insincere, because we don’t know each other). And there is really no such thing
as personal space, everyone pretty much takes care of themselves, squeezes in,
cuts you off, etc.. On the other hand no one gets upset if you do the same to
them, it’s just how things are. No one seems very happy, and no one seems very
upset. In the US it seems we are so much more independant, here, they are all
the same and just go along with whatever (imo).
At church though… The first place that I see happy Russians!
Happy and friendly, talking to us as if we have spoken Russian our whole lives.
They are so grateful to have us here. Yet the language barrier is HUGE!
My first full day here, no internet (which means no phone
service), no communication with my family or anyone else for that matter… I was
having a melt down, a big fat pitty party! This was hard. So, of course, I went
to the One who always listens and prayed my guts out. I was pleading for help,
for comfort, and peace. What am I doing here? This is so scary! And ‘honest to
goodness’ I immediately hear the words from a hymn, “Fear not, I am with thee,
oh be not dismayed, for I am thy God and will still give thee aid” I sang
along, “I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand…” Father heard
my pleas, and was sending help. I have reflected on this answer over and over
again and have felt angels lifting and helping me, when missing family, and the
English language gets so hard to bare.
It’s still weird to me every morning when I wake up and see
that I am still in Russia! What’s a nice girl like me doing in a place like
this.
The first time in the Volschky Ward we are asked to share
our Testimonies. I shared my ‘Fear not’ story. We are visiting lots of wards
and we are asked to speak each time. Dad is fearless here.
Our regular week:
Sundays – Church Meetings (of course), any volunteers who
have an investigator or less-active are invited to dinner.
Mondays – Dinner with a Bishop and his family, and the
volunteers from that ward. We are trying to get to know each other and build
relationships of trust. The first Monday of the month we have the Single Adults
over for Family Home Evening, the second Monday, the Young Single Adults.
Tuesdays – 1 ½ hour bus ride to Dochney for Institute and 1
½ hour ride back.
Wednesdays – Institute council meeting and Institute at our
flat. We make dinner for the YSA.
Thursdays – The Stake leaders often have meetings here.
Fridays – District Meeting at our flat. Game night, here or
the Prehode (church building).
Saturdays – Seminary meets here.
The Church is so young here. The Saints are exceedingly
faithful. I tell them about all of you all the time. They love to see your
pictures. I get so chocked up when I talk about you.
Dad eating a black burger. And McDonalds has become my
comfort food, since I have yet to find a Chik-fil-a.
We are experiencing so much, learning so much, loving the
young volunteers and the members, and we are learning more and more about the
importance of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It really is all about Him. Because of
Him we will be family forever! Because of Him we can be forgiven of all our
sins and shortcomings. Because of Him we can have strength beyond our own. Because
of Him we can live HAPPILY EVER AFTER!!! Let’s all draw closer to Christ this
week, and next week, and every week after that…
I LOVE AND MISS YOU ALL, LIKE REALLY LOVE AND MISS YOU,
EXCEEDINGLY!!!
And really really really really really really like
you!!!
Mom, kath, nan
Did you know that the word ‘really’ is only found twice in
the Book of Mormon, and are in the same verse?! Jacob 4:13
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