Hey all-
We had a great time talking to Kathy on Christmas. She sounds wonderful and happy and absolutely loves the mission. She did tell us though that her mission president has asked that she only email family. She won't be able to respond to any of your over email. Send her letters! She loves getting letters. We've found that that pouch isn't nearly as effective as just sending the letters straight to the Ukraine. Her address is on the right side.
Thanks for supporting her!
Monday, December 28, 2009
29th email: December 28th, 2009
Rein – Dear Mamochka and family and friends and foes :)
HA! Merry Christmas! I can't believe I TALKED to you all...weird. Actually it was all so normal that it was weird. I forget about everyone and just figure that I have my own little life in Ukraine. No, I loved it! MOM – we got all our packages yesterday! No worries! THANKYOU! Everything was there and perfect and the right size...I will no longer have to wear layers and layers of summer clothes on cold days...although it's kinda fun to wear bright orange and purple and red when everyone else is in black and gray :) thankyou so much...Cectpa Lav was hilarious. So basically her ONLY love language is gifts. She got a package from her trainer full of an entire American Christmas. She literally screamed like a little girl and jumped up and down and said over and over, “This is the happiest day OF MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!” She got a gingerbread house, and you would have thought is was a new car...And all that coupled with what you guys sent her and The Sheets and Dan and Taryn...she still hasn't stopped talking about it. She said to me yesterday, “Cectpa Jones, all my dreams are coming true with you!” I died of laughter...her dreams, so far, have consisted of chicken and broccoli casserole (which she calls Kass-a-rell-a...thats ironic...but seriously she does)...check...stroop waffles...check...an American Christmas with a Christmas tree and stockings and new pjs and leaving santa cookies and caroling...check. Haha...man I love her to death...she is the funniest lil ukrainian.
I died over that book that Judi put together. I just cried and cried...i can't even believe how amazing all of our friends are that are serving...plus some great support and advice from the crew back home...best christmas present I think I could ever think of. I know they are all over the world, in all sorts of weird situations, learning all sorts of life long lessons...but I tell you...as cheesy as this sounds...they were with me in my little ukrainian Дом last night. I'm a better missionary today...mos def. They're all so amazing, I can't even stand it.
And thankyou Sheets gang! Dangit...stop growing up without me! Andrea, I loved what you said about your Christmas on the mission...Jim I loved what you said about the Utes...i still can't get all the cougars in the mission off my back! Hannah! I had a vision you're coming to Ukraine, so don't worry about any other place...just start buying your fur hats. Sam...i feel your prayers for me!...and I was proud to hear that you are a hide and seek champ...James – I told a a little boy the other day (he's 7) that my cousin James's favorite color is white...he stared at me like I was crazy...”that's not even a COOL color!” haha...so according to Ukrainian culture, you better change your mind...if ya haven't already :) Mary - thanks for your picture! It's on my fridge...right next to a picture of Roy and my grandpa Jones skydiving....not roy with grandpa skydiving...separate pictures...dangit...sentence structure.... but I love it! And Nate...you give Zoe a big sloppy kiss for me, ok? Seriously...thanks so much! Like I said, I'm trying to bring my companion back to life thanks to the overdose of christmas joy :)
Thanks Dan and Taryn and ROY! I cried at how ridiculously cute my nephew is. I seriously can't even believe it. I can't wait to see your new house...hey if you need some horses for your backyard, just ask...they're everywhere here...covered in bows and hats and ribbons...people treat them like they're those tiny little chihuashuas that girls put in their purse...but it's a horse. I guess they could try to shove one in a purse as a companion... :)
And thanks Nattle-berry ding-dong digger! You thought I forgot :) HA...the pooping reindeer is the biggest hit...and I loved the Vash kids cards...send them a little love and a HUGE hug...there's a letter coming their way ;)
SOO our christmas party was amazing...i was santa clause and my costume was amazing...a member flat out just made it for me out of a tablecloth...the members are amazing here....they are few, but happy to help and strong! The a couple highlights of the night...an innactive member of the church came on her own accord. She hasn't come to church in 6 years, but came and smiled and was so nice. The other highlight was Аня. She's a strong member of the church and brings her two boys often. Her husband is really against the church. She is beautiful, but she never ever smiles. She has a hard bearing life, but has always stayed true to her covenants and close to the church. We played a hilarious game called Хру-Хру ...basically you snort and people try to guess who you are...but she was not only smiling, but laughing! Аня laughing! Everybody always thought that I was the one snorting...like without fail, they'd guess it was me...she thought it was sooo funny... When she left she just said, laughing, “thank you so much our little snorter!” That made my year.
My study in the scriptures has taken a huge turn for the better...i just feel like everything is opening up for me...i know the Book of Mormon is true. People just can't seem to expect it! They believe in God, and they believe in Satan. So everything on earth either brings people to God or way from Him (towards Satan)...If the Book of Mormon is an imagined story made up in one young man's head in order to bring him glory and confuse the hearts and minds of mankind – then explain to me...Why do I feel so close to God when I read it? Why do I always find answers to my questions? Why, every time I act upon the answers I receive or apply these “ancient prophets” counsel and teachings into MY life, 100% of the time it works...meaning I'm happier, my relations are healthier, I walk and teach and testify with a power that is obviously not my own...and we are urged in James to “Ask God...in faith, nothing wavering” and He will answer us...so when I do that with steady hope, a clean heart and a clear and sharp mind, I am overcome by an indescribable, genuine sense of peace that I've ONLY experienced when I have asked God to reveal truths to me. Why would this happen if this book wasn't from God? Well the answer is simple. It wouldn't. Human emotions don't rise and fall on their own...happiness and clarity are not figured or formed in our brains – these feelings are straight from God to help us recognize the truth that can only be found in Him. Having said that, the Book of Mormon is the word of God. That young man Joseph Smith was a prophet...one who sacrificed every comfort and satisfaction of a normal life in order to establish Jesus Christ's church. I respect him and honor him...he helped open our once closed path to know Jesus Christ. But know we know Him! I have never been able to live off of a lie...i can't eat a real cake when I like toast...i can't wear church shoes when I know I like my flower boots...and I definitely can't work all day every day focused on on purpose if I didn't know it. I know it. That's why i'm here. I'ts beautiful and I thank God every day!
Love you allllllllllll so so so much...stay strong and work hard...
love cectpa jones
ps./... ANDREA – you're having surgery?! Lame...i'd hook you up with the good doctors if I was there...love you! Don't be scared...who needs a gall bladder? :)
HA! Merry Christmas! I can't believe I TALKED to you all...weird. Actually it was all so normal that it was weird. I forget about everyone and just figure that I have my own little life in Ukraine. No, I loved it! MOM – we got all our packages yesterday! No worries! THANKYOU! Everything was there and perfect and the right size...I will no longer have to wear layers and layers of summer clothes on cold days...although it's kinda fun to wear bright orange and purple and red when everyone else is in black and gray :) thankyou so much...Cectpa Lav was hilarious. So basically her ONLY love language is gifts. She got a package from her trainer full of an entire American Christmas. She literally screamed like a little girl and jumped up and down and said over and over, “This is the happiest day OF MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!” She got a gingerbread house, and you would have thought is was a new car...And all that coupled with what you guys sent her and The Sheets and Dan and Taryn...she still hasn't stopped talking about it. She said to me yesterday, “Cectpa Jones, all my dreams are coming true with you!” I died of laughter...her dreams, so far, have consisted of chicken and broccoli casserole (which she calls Kass-a-rell-a...thats ironic...but seriously she does)...check...stroop waffles...check...an American Christmas with a Christmas tree and stockings and new pjs and leaving santa cookies and caroling...check. Haha...man I love her to death...she is the funniest lil ukrainian.
I died over that book that Judi put together. I just cried and cried...i can't even believe how amazing all of our friends are that are serving...plus some great support and advice from the crew back home...best christmas present I think I could ever think of. I know they are all over the world, in all sorts of weird situations, learning all sorts of life long lessons...but I tell you...as cheesy as this sounds...they were with me in my little ukrainian Дом last night. I'm a better missionary today...mos def. They're all so amazing, I can't even stand it.
And thankyou Sheets gang! Dangit...stop growing up without me! Andrea, I loved what you said about your Christmas on the mission...Jim I loved what you said about the Utes...i still can't get all the cougars in the mission off my back! Hannah! I had a vision you're coming to Ukraine, so don't worry about any other place...just start buying your fur hats. Sam...i feel your prayers for me!...and I was proud to hear that you are a hide and seek champ...James – I told a a little boy the other day (he's 7) that my cousin James's favorite color is white...he stared at me like I was crazy...”that's not even a COOL color!” haha...so according to Ukrainian culture, you better change your mind...if ya haven't already :) Mary - thanks for your picture! It's on my fridge...right next to a picture of Roy and my grandpa Jones skydiving....not roy with grandpa skydiving...separate pictures...dangit...sentence structure.... but I love it! And Nate...you give Zoe a big sloppy kiss for me, ok? Seriously...thanks so much! Like I said, I'm trying to bring my companion back to life thanks to the overdose of christmas joy :)
Thanks Dan and Taryn and ROY! I cried at how ridiculously cute my nephew is. I seriously can't even believe it. I can't wait to see your new house...hey if you need some horses for your backyard, just ask...they're everywhere here...covered in bows and hats and ribbons...people treat them like they're those tiny little chihuashuas that girls put in their purse...but it's a horse. I guess they could try to shove one in a purse as a companion... :)
And thanks Nattle-berry ding-dong digger! You thought I forgot :) HA...the pooping reindeer is the biggest hit...and I loved the Vash kids cards...send them a little love and a HUGE hug...there's a letter coming their way ;)
SOO our christmas party was amazing...i was santa clause and my costume was amazing...a member flat out just made it for me out of a tablecloth...the members are amazing here....they are few, but happy to help and strong! The a couple highlights of the night...an innactive member of the church came on her own accord. She hasn't come to church in 6 years, but came and smiled and was so nice. The other highlight was Аня. She's a strong member of the church and brings her two boys often. Her husband is really against the church. She is beautiful, but she never ever smiles. She has a hard bearing life, but has always stayed true to her covenants and close to the church. We played a hilarious game called Хру-Хру ...basically you snort and people try to guess who you are...but she was not only smiling, but laughing! Аня laughing! Everybody always thought that I was the one snorting...like without fail, they'd guess it was me...she thought it was sooo funny... When she left she just said, laughing, “thank you so much our little snorter!” That made my year.
My study in the scriptures has taken a huge turn for the better...i just feel like everything is opening up for me...i know the Book of Mormon is true. People just can't seem to expect it! They believe in God, and they believe in Satan. So everything on earth either brings people to God or way from Him (towards Satan)...If the Book of Mormon is an imagined story made up in one young man's head in order to bring him glory and confuse the hearts and minds of mankind – then explain to me...Why do I feel so close to God when I read it? Why do I always find answers to my questions? Why, every time I act upon the answers I receive or apply these “ancient prophets” counsel and teachings into MY life, 100% of the time it works...meaning I'm happier, my relations are healthier, I walk and teach and testify with a power that is obviously not my own...and we are urged in James to “Ask God...in faith, nothing wavering” and He will answer us...so when I do that with steady hope, a clean heart and a clear and sharp mind, I am overcome by an indescribable, genuine sense of peace that I've ONLY experienced when I have asked God to reveal truths to me. Why would this happen if this book wasn't from God? Well the answer is simple. It wouldn't. Human emotions don't rise and fall on their own...happiness and clarity are not figured or formed in our brains – these feelings are straight from God to help us recognize the truth that can only be found in Him. Having said that, the Book of Mormon is the word of God. That young man Joseph Smith was a prophet...one who sacrificed every comfort and satisfaction of a normal life in order to establish Jesus Christ's church. I respect him and honor him...he helped open our once closed path to know Jesus Christ. But know we know Him! I have never been able to live off of a lie...i can't eat a real cake when I like toast...i can't wear church shoes when I know I like my flower boots...and I definitely can't work all day every day focused on on purpose if I didn't know it. I know it. That's why i'm here. I'ts beautiful and I thank God every day!
Love you allllllllllll so so so much...stay strong and work hard...
love cectpa jones
ps./... ANDREA – you're having surgery?! Lame...i'd hook you up with the good doctors if I was there...love you! Don't be scared...who needs a gall bladder? :)
Monday, December 21, 2009
28th email: December 21st, 2009
Let me just say...Sevastopol...and Ukraine/USSR in general...is a strange place to celebrate Christmas for an over-zealous and enthusiastic American.
"Christmas" here is kind of celebrated on January 7th. I little history lesson...when Stalin was in charge, he told people that there was no God, meaning no Christmas. He still wanted people to get presents though, so New Years became the big "presents" holiday. So Christ is completely out of the picture. Instead of nativities or stars of Bethlehems, there are fireworks and tigers everywhere (2010 is the year of the tiger). It's very different! We are doing our best to bring the spirit of Christ back into this time of year...and into people's lives in general. Not to mention its almost too hot to wear a coat! Gotta love Ukraine :)
I'm sorry...that's all I have time for today! I love you all so much and don't worry...I'll talk to you soon!
Merry CHRISTmas dangit. :)
love cectpa jones
"Christmas" here is kind of celebrated on January 7th. I little history lesson...when Stalin was in charge, he told people that there was no God, meaning no Christmas. He still wanted people to get presents though, so New Years became the big "presents" holiday. So Christ is completely out of the picture. Instead of nativities or stars of Bethlehems, there are fireworks and tigers everywhere (2010 is the year of the tiger). It's very different! We are doing our best to bring the spirit of Christ back into this time of year...and into people's lives in general. Not to mention its almost too hot to wear a coat! Gotta love Ukraine :)
I'm sorry...that's all I have time for today! I love you all so much and don't worry...I'll talk to you soon!
Merry CHRISTmas dangit. :)
love cectpa jones
Monday, December 14, 2009
27th email: December 14th, 2009
FAMILY! Happy Christmas to you...i will not believe that it's already the middle of December. What happened to July? haha...time is flying before my eyeballs and I can barely stand it. Cectpa Kondrateva is leaving on Saturday. Like home leaving. Моя Мамочка!! It'll mos def be a new adventure. She's so funny right now...she just doesn't know where to put herself...here or home. I'll really miss her!
Our нина doesn't have a baptismal date anymore. She decided that she's not ready to live the law of chastity. You know, she wants a family so badly, but she's not quite sure how to do it right...but she still wants to be baptized and she came to church yesterday. Church yesterday was AMAZING! We had 4 investigators show up which is an absolute miracle....we had a great meeting, low on the crazy comments, saturated with the spirit. It was 3 of our investigators first time at church, and first impressions mean something. It was a real answer to our prayers! One of our new investigators (well the elders are meeting with her and her mom) is just...i can't even describe her...i just exlope with love for her. Her names Lena, she's 19 years old, and she's consistenly coming to everything...english, fhe, church, p-day stuff...she is open to the gospel, understanding of our sweet language skills, happy to help out with anything, and just shines with christ's light. She's the first person in Ukraine that I've felt a real, sincere friendship with....of course I love the people here, but theres a difference between that love and friendship. She's a blessing for ME! I straight up was like, "Hey Lena, we have church tomorrow at 10...you should come!" She was like "OK! I will!" and then she actually does...ugh....i love her. I hope and pray with all my SOUL that there will be more to come for her...
Our work in Sevastopol is picking up again...we hit a hard month this part November when we literally lost 6 or 7 investigators in one week. That followed no-show after no-show and hours of tracting and contacting with no success. Maybe it was a little refiners fire, if you will, or the droop in the sine curve before it slopes back up...but I know that consistancy (or constancy :) haha) is key through those times. If we prove to be just as strong and diligent - if not more - through the crappy times, then we prove to God that we can't be shaken through a little rumble in the road. Then He blesses us with exactly what we need. I love what Dad wrote me last week, about "concecrating" this time to the Lord. I'm trying to up my anti (anty? auntie? ha) this month...to really use my calling as a missionary to build up Sevastopol. It's just, we have the help from God right now and I don't want to waste it. I'm trying to figure out how to be the most effective I can and stay sane at the same time. It's SO easy to get caught up in the "thick of thin things" as President Monson says...even if they are good things. President Scott said that somtimes Satan doesn't bother distracting us with the big things that he knows won't shake us, but he distracts us with other good things, "righteous" things, that only serve to distract us from our main purpose...returning to God in families - and helping people around us do the same. I experience this everyday...like on the marshrutka when I could have a 30 minute ride home to be off in my own world and give my brain a break...or not. When I'm on the street and laughing and recalling funny memories with my companions, walking by people we pass...hmmm. Or at church when I could be "getting a lot more out of my english scripture study"...or try my hardest to be intune and respect the speakers and teachers. It's a constant struggle... but i'm getting better!
It got cold this week and snowed for like 8 flakes and then stopped :( The rest of the mission is in a winter wonderland...lame. We'll see...maybe we'll wake up to whiteness...i really should be grateful for the warmish weather...a least i still have all my toes and fingers and stuff. I heard that a missionary up in Poltava lost two fingers this week from frost bite. haha..just jokin
This morning we went on such a great adventure...We woke up way early (well just at 630...it's still early for me :) and ventured into a little grove of trees and burned cectpas shoes and a couple of her shirts...we bought some stuff at the renok (I still don't know what it is) but the lady said that it would definitely burn...well it burned....right in my face! I built this great little fire, thinking all was all cool with my fire-making skills, and then doused it with the mystery stuff and once the match was lit, so was everything else :) man alive...haha...gave me a little fright is all. I'll never buy a mystery fire burning liquid from the renok again....
WElp...love you guys a whole whallop and a heap! I'm loving life and working hard and trying to serve the Lord the best I can. Keep you encouraging and uplifting letters coming! They help me a lot. Hwave aw gweat week...stay strong...cover yous...pray for the robbers to trip and fall...urge the donkey backwards and forward...please pass the butter...I'm a little ballet swan...sprinkle the "seasoning" on the food at the cannery...and stay away from the nursery...i heard it's dangerous and broken....
lots of loveeeeeeeeeee
cectpa jones!
ps...do you want me to call christmas eve late or christmas day late or after christmas?
Our нина doesn't have a baptismal date anymore. She decided that she's not ready to live the law of chastity. You know, she wants a family so badly, but she's not quite sure how to do it right...but she still wants to be baptized and she came to church yesterday. Church yesterday was AMAZING! We had 4 investigators show up which is an absolute miracle....we had a great meeting, low on the crazy comments, saturated with the spirit. It was 3 of our investigators first time at church, and first impressions mean something. It was a real answer to our prayers! One of our new investigators (well the elders are meeting with her and her mom) is just...i can't even describe her...i just exlope with love for her. Her names Lena, she's 19 years old, and she's consistenly coming to everything...english, fhe, church, p-day stuff...she is open to the gospel, understanding of our sweet language skills, happy to help out with anything, and just shines with christ's light. She's the first person in Ukraine that I've felt a real, sincere friendship with....of course I love the people here, but theres a difference between that love and friendship. She's a blessing for ME! I straight up was like, "Hey Lena, we have church tomorrow at 10...you should come!" She was like "OK! I will!" and then she actually does...ugh....i love her. I hope and pray with all my SOUL that there will be more to come for her...
Our work in Sevastopol is picking up again...we hit a hard month this part November when we literally lost 6 or 7 investigators in one week. That followed no-show after no-show and hours of tracting and contacting with no success. Maybe it was a little refiners fire, if you will, or the droop in the sine curve before it slopes back up...but I know that consistancy (or constancy :) haha) is key through those times. If we prove to be just as strong and diligent - if not more - through the crappy times, then we prove to God that we can't be shaken through a little rumble in the road. Then He blesses us with exactly what we need. I love what Dad wrote me last week, about "concecrating" this time to the Lord. I'm trying to up my anti (anty? auntie? ha) this month...to really use my calling as a missionary to build up Sevastopol. It's just, we have the help from God right now and I don't want to waste it. I'm trying to figure out how to be the most effective I can and stay sane at the same time. It's SO easy to get caught up in the "thick of thin things" as President Monson says...even if they are good things. President Scott said that somtimes Satan doesn't bother distracting us with the big things that he knows won't shake us, but he distracts us with other good things, "righteous" things, that only serve to distract us from our main purpose...returning to God in families - and helping people around us do the same. I experience this everyday...like on the marshrutka when I could have a 30 minute ride home to be off in my own world and give my brain a break...or not. When I'm on the street and laughing and recalling funny memories with my companions, walking by people we pass...hmmm. Or at church when I could be "getting a lot more out of my english scripture study"...or try my hardest to be intune and respect the speakers and teachers. It's a constant struggle... but i'm getting better!
It got cold this week and snowed for like 8 flakes and then stopped :( The rest of the mission is in a winter wonderland...lame. We'll see...maybe we'll wake up to whiteness...i really should be grateful for the warmish weather...a least i still have all my toes and fingers and stuff. I heard that a missionary up in Poltava lost two fingers this week from frost bite. haha..just jokin
This morning we went on such a great adventure...We woke up way early (well just at 630...it's still early for me :) and ventured into a little grove of trees and burned cectpas shoes and a couple of her shirts...we bought some stuff at the renok (I still don't know what it is) but the lady said that it would definitely burn...well it burned....right in my face! I built this great little fire, thinking all was all cool with my fire-making skills, and then doused it with the mystery stuff and once the match was lit, so was everything else :) man alive...haha...gave me a little fright is all. I'll never buy a mystery fire burning liquid from the renok again....
WElp...love you guys a whole whallop and a heap! I'm loving life and working hard and trying to serve the Lord the best I can. Keep you encouraging and uplifting letters coming! They help me a lot. Hwave aw gweat week...stay strong...cover yous...pray for the robbers to trip and fall...urge the donkey backwards and forward...please pass the butter...I'm a little ballet swan...sprinkle the "seasoning" on the food at the cannery...and stay away from the nursery...i heard it's dangerous and broken....
lots of loveeeeeeeeeee
cectpa jones!
ps...do you want me to call christmas eve late or christmas day late or after christmas?
Monday, December 7, 2009
26th email: December 7th, 2009
Momamomamomachka! And family and friendssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IT'S ME! Guess what I'm listening to right now...stairway to heaven, boston, journey...the goods. It's on in the Internet club and its making me so happy and I feel like a little rebel...haha. Missions make you weird. OK MOM. Look back at the past 5 emails and you'll see that I got the packages at halloween! Haha...I loveeed them so mucho and everything was there and intact and hannah montana loved the journey to ukraine on those UNO cards...dont worry! I'll let you know the second the others ones come...thankyou soooooooo much for not forgetting about lil Rel in Ykraina...love you. I got the envelope with pictures and your questionaire this week! And you'll be proud to hear that I already sent you a letter with all the answers :) Should be there sometime. I loved those pics of Roy boy...i think he looks like a turtle. Haha...i also got a nice package full of candy from my relief society presidency...they're the best! We found a christmas tree and we named it Doug. He's a sad, tiny little fella, but once we slap some lights and ornaments on him, he'll perk up, I'm confident. My companions said no to the big tree...but thats okay :) We're too poor for it anyway. Welp, another fabulous week in Sevastopol! We really are in the best city...I've only worn my winter coat once and can STILL get away without wearing nylons. Happy happy day. We have a lot of fun in our little threesome – i've learned to just laugh at the fact that I'm surrounded by russian all day. I learned a ton this past transfer. I learned that one of the biggest temptations that we're faced with is feeling sorry for ourselves and getting stuck in our own little pity parties. One night I was wading around in such a pity party, thinking, “Ugh, Heavenly Father, I know you need me here right now to learn something and to serve and to do some good...but how am I supposed to do any good with two strong, russian-speaking companions?” I was thinking all this to myself as my sisters were gabbing away about something and then, like a rhino to the face, I realized that one of my OBVIOUS blessing is right in front of me. I pray every night and ask God to help me with russian so that I can understand it better, respond in an understandable way that doesn't hurt people's ears...bam...start listening to your companions cectpa jones. I felt so ashamed after that...that when God was trying to answer my consistent prayers, I was wading around singing my own little pity song. So often God IS there...he's answering our prayers at the same time that we're complaining that He's not! So now I'm trying to soak in every phrase and word order that they use...this is a HUGE blessing, and I've got to use it!
So Neena's getting baptized :) WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You know what she said when she came into our 3rd meeting? “Will you baptize me? I know this is true...i prayed and read the Book of Mormon just like you said! I feel so good and special when I do. I can't believe you found me on the street!” Uhhhhh. Wow! We were like, welll, there are a few commandment you need to keep, there are a few lessons we need to go over, you need to gain a firm foundation of a testimony! She was like, “Ok, so we meet for about an hour...if we meet for two hours, can we move up my date another week?” Hahah, I literally laughed...she's amazing. She flat out accepted to live the law of chastity, though she has a boyfriend...she broke up with him. She flat out accepted the word of wisdom. She flat out accepts Joseph Smith as a prophet of God. We give her assignments to read in the book of mormon, and she decides to read to the end of the book....i just love her. This is so new for us! So her date was for this Saturday, but she got sick on Sunday and couldn't come to church, so we had to move it back to next Saturday...but our hopes are high for it actually happening ;) I can't get too excited too soon because then I just disappointed too fast, but she's got my faith and we're supporting her a lot. She's a lovely lovely beautiful lady – I hope her desires are pure...I hope satan goes on vacation these next two weeks. Era is back in action, but progressing like a slug. I'M the one that needs more faith and patience in her though. To be honest, her job is suffocating her...not just that she works all the time, but the product she sells is one of those “quick fix” products that is supposed to make you soo energetic and happy....it's a piece of plastic in a velvet cover that you sit on...all for 5000 hriven ($600)...it's killing her and the faith and spirit that she used to have. She claims she's not tired and she has joy every day because “this is her mission”, but we see how this is draining her...but this is her job. What else is she supposed to do...if she doesn't believe in her product, or act like she does, she won't sell anything, than she won't have a job. Finding work right now here is virtually impossible. We don't know what to do. I pray the Lord will provide some kind of way for her to open her heart to Him.
I love being on a mission. I'm so happy that I have to biggest and best chunk in front of me...it's already been so good. Cectpa K is so sad and confused to be going home. We're sad too to loose her...but we've got some amazing plans for her last week... :)
I'm glad you found the tree stand! And we have lights! You know how happy that makes me :) And dad sent me pics of the dogs...Sadie is HUGE! I remember her being half that size...maybe just cause jack is scrawny...i miss the dogs...I think I want to get my own when I get home...what do you think about that? Haha...it'd be so fun. And about calling...i have no idea what we do...i forgot about it until last week when lizzie reminded me...the elders said that we just call you a couple days before and then you call us on our cell phone...i dunno...i'll tell you next week...lov eyou gotta go!!!11
love cectpa jonesy
ps....send me that cinnamon roll recipe!
Psps - love you all...stay strong!
IT'S ME! Guess what I'm listening to right now...stairway to heaven, boston, journey...the goods. It's on in the Internet club and its making me so happy and I feel like a little rebel...haha. Missions make you weird. OK MOM. Look back at the past 5 emails and you'll see that I got the packages at halloween! Haha...I loveeed them so mucho and everything was there and intact and hannah montana loved the journey to ukraine on those UNO cards...dont worry! I'll let you know the second the others ones come...thankyou soooooooo much for not forgetting about lil Rel in Ykraina...love you. I got the envelope with pictures and your questionaire this week! And you'll be proud to hear that I already sent you a letter with all the answers :) Should be there sometime. I loved those pics of Roy boy...i think he looks like a turtle. Haha...i also got a nice package full of candy from my relief society presidency...they're the best! We found a christmas tree and we named it Doug. He's a sad, tiny little fella, but once we slap some lights and ornaments on him, he'll perk up, I'm confident. My companions said no to the big tree...but thats okay :) We're too poor for it anyway. Welp, another fabulous week in Sevastopol! We really are in the best city...I've only worn my winter coat once and can STILL get away without wearing nylons. Happy happy day. We have a lot of fun in our little threesome – i've learned to just laugh at the fact that I'm surrounded by russian all day. I learned a ton this past transfer. I learned that one of the biggest temptations that we're faced with is feeling sorry for ourselves and getting stuck in our own little pity parties. One night I was wading around in such a pity party, thinking, “Ugh, Heavenly Father, I know you need me here right now to learn something and to serve and to do some good...but how am I supposed to do any good with two strong, russian-speaking companions?” I was thinking all this to myself as my sisters were gabbing away about something and then, like a rhino to the face, I realized that one of my OBVIOUS blessing is right in front of me. I pray every night and ask God to help me with russian so that I can understand it better, respond in an understandable way that doesn't hurt people's ears...bam...start listening to your companions cectpa jones. I felt so ashamed after that...that when God was trying to answer my consistent prayers, I was wading around singing my own little pity song. So often God IS there...he's answering our prayers at the same time that we're complaining that He's not! So now I'm trying to soak in every phrase and word order that they use...this is a HUGE blessing, and I've got to use it!
So Neena's getting baptized :) WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love being on a mission. I'm so happy that I have to biggest and best chunk in front of me...it's already been so good. Cectpa K is so sad and confused to be going home. We're sad too to loose her...but we've got some amazing plans for her last week... :)
I'm glad you found the tree stand! And we have lights! You know how happy that makes me :) And dad sent me pics of the dogs...Sadie is HUGE! I remember her being half that size...maybe just cause jack is scrawny...i miss the dogs...I think I want to get my own when I get home...what do you think about that? Haha...it'd be so fun. And about calling...i have no idea what we do...i forgot about it until last week when lizzie reminded me...the elders said that we just call you a couple days before and then you call us on our cell phone...i dunno...i'll tell you next week...lov eyou gotta go!!!11
love cectpa jonesy
ps....send me that cinnamon roll recipe!
Psps - love you all...stay strong!
Monday, November 30, 2009
25th email: November 30th, 2009
Haha – a christmas bush?! I died when I read that! Probably because we're searching our eyeballs out for a stupid christmas tree here...they just don't exist. Next plan is a little trip to the mountains with an axe.... ha...i'm joking mama. But good luck with the bush...I'm trying to figure our how you'll slap a star on the top...or throw the cherries... :) Christmas here is celebrated in on January 7th and is absolutely nothing compared to New Years. ALL types of fireworks are legal...no rules, just explosions everywhere...i can hardly wait! We're planning a Westernized Christmas party at the prixod on the 25th...and yes we tracked down a Santa Costume...and yes they asked me to be Santa....HOHOHO!!!!
Thanksgiving was great! We ordered pizza, watched “UP”, and played games in Sinferopol (center of Crimea) While the elders played footbal, cectpa K, Lav and I ventured over to some botanical garden that wasn't too botanical...all the flowers were dead...BUT there was this really cool and thick forest in the back and we heard from a babyshka that the squirrels will eat out of you hands! We frolicked over like little kids with our pockets full of walnuts from the babyshka...but I tell you...those squirrels are EVIL. They look exactly like the killer bunny on monty python except with a huge fluffy white tail...red eyes, huge ears...and they scamper around like humming birds. It was like being in a cursed forest....hahaha...oh Ukraine! Great thanksgiving...and you won't see pictures of me with elder anderson...he's up in Dnepr or something, and only Crimea got together for thanksgiving...sorry! Have you not gotten that picture cd yet? You should this week...well who knows actually...but I think it's coming! Woohooo!
I spoke in Church on Sunday :) It actually turned out a lot better than I thoughts it would. President gave me the topic of “The Blessing of Work”, a talk in the new Liahona that we only get in Russian...hmmmm...give a talk and my resource is only in russian... and speak for 20 minutes... hahah...no I worked through it and pulled together my thoughts. I think everything went well...people understood and I hope they felt the spirit through my mistakes. I love that topic. I promise you a billion times over that it's through OUR work that God can work. It's definitely not at the exact same moment for most things...to tell you the truth, I'm still trying to see how God will work through me to touch the hearts of His children here in Ukraine. I see it every day with my companions and I know I have the same calling they do...the same purpose and responsibility and support that they do...so I not going to quit working at it. I know that love and sacrifice speaks louder than any words ever will, so I'm trying to make that the center of my service here. I've come to terms that I'll never express with eloquence or depth, like my sisters, the beautiful blessings of the gospel in russian. I will always be the American missionary that came to Ukraine trying learn Russian to communicate with people...because I love the people here. I want to strengthen our little prixod so bad... I want to find someone that receives every ounce of Christ's gospel and loves it and wants to live it...I want our members to receive a stronger witness that Christ is our Savior and become more active in His church...so bad...I hope the Lord can use me. I know I've got to work a lot for it...so that I can be a properly welded, sharpened, strong, capable tool in His hand... I know it's not just “Alright Lord, I came on a mission...I suffered through the MTC...I can testify and contact in this language...I'll do what I'm told...ready go! Changes lives!” I have to change something and repent everyday of something I'm not doing right...every day! I know with my hard work and faith, I will be able to help someone come to Him...and stay with Him. I'm so grateful that you've taught me my whole life to work hard at everything I do...school, work, church callings...whatever...that is definitely a family learned trait from example and “contracts” and high expectations! Thankyou!
Speaking of investi-alligators...we have a new, fabulous lady that we are teaching. She was one of those, “Lets go back and talk to that lady” people that passed us on the street...on our way back, she turned around wanting to come back to us and was surprised to see us already half way back to her :) She had a lot of soul-searching questions...she felt guilty after her mother died because she was mean to her...she had no idea what to think about life after death...We met the next day...then two days after that, then the next and again tomorrow. She takes notes when we talk, reads what we ask her too, comes with questions, and PRAYS! We kinda don't know what to do with ourselves. It's like the dog that chases after the car and then finally gets it...and doesn't know what to do with it. Haha...no it's fabulous...the spirit is always there in our lessons. Cectpa K is the talkative powerhouse who loves to answer all the questions, Cectpa Lav brings in the spirit with her first word...she has a serious gift of sharing her powerful testimony...and I struggle through what I want to say, use a ton of scriptures (cause they speak better than I do in any language), and then look up at her understanding, but confused face and resort to my testimony. After I shared what I knew, she asked me, “So how did you receive your testimony that this church is true?” And it's funny how quickly and clearly I was able to answer her, without searching for words or organizing the order or conjugating... in short, we'll see. She's fabulous, but we'll see!
We are meeting with Era today for the first time in a month...we're either going to stop meeting with her, or seriously make some big steps. I pray for her every night...I hope the spirit can get through to her today.
Today we went to balaklava again...i love it there :) We went on a boat ride out in the middle of the Black Sea! Well not in the middle, but pretended...i sang yo-ho-yo-ho a pirates life for me! The whole way out...our captain thought I was weird. The whole way back, I took the ropes he uses for tying up the boat and held them like reigns and sang “On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer and VIXEN!” and so on...then he thought I was just crazy. I love the sea and the salt-water smell and the water and the sea spray...oh man...it's like heaven.
I'm ticked about the game. I got like 80 texts from different elders and the senior couples with various stupid comments like “Sis. Jones, how bout them cougars” and “overtime...3 points...happy day...hows it feel?” and “merry christmas cectpa! Go BYU!” ugh... why are all missionaries byu fans. Haha..the rivalry is still alive and well and making me crazy here in Ukraine.
Thankyou for everything family dearest or as the say here in Russian, “family expensive”...I wondered how much I had to pay to be sent to you guys... couple thousand hriven probably. I'm doing great....having at least a couple hilarious adventures every day...depending a lot on God...being humbled a lot...cleaning my apartment with a branch witch broom, you know...the regular...HAPPY DECEMBER! Weird...i felt like a just barely left
с любовью всегда
сестра джонс!
Pssss – :)
Thanksgiving was great! We ordered pizza, watched “UP”, and played games in Sinferopol (center of Crimea) While the elders played footbal, cectpa K, Lav and I ventured over to some botanical garden that wasn't too botanical...all the flowers were dead...BUT there was this really cool and thick forest in the back and we heard from a babyshka that the squirrels will eat out of you hands! We frolicked over like little kids with our pockets full of walnuts from the babyshka...but I tell you...those squirrels are EVIL. They look exactly like the killer bunny on monty python except with a huge fluffy white tail...red eyes, huge ears...and they scamper around like humming birds. It was like being in a cursed forest....hahaha...oh Ukraine! Great thanksgiving...and you won't see pictures of me with elder anderson...he's up in Dnepr or something, and only Crimea got together for thanksgiving...sorry! Have you not gotten that picture cd yet? You should this week...well who knows actually...but I think it's coming! Woohooo!
I spoke in Church on Sunday :) It actually turned out a lot better than I thoughts it would. President gave me the topic of “The Blessing of Work”, a talk in the new Liahona that we only get in Russian...hmmmm...give a talk and my resource is only in russian... and speak for 20 minutes... hahah...no I worked through it and pulled together my thoughts. I think everything went well...people understood and I hope they felt the spirit through my mistakes. I love that topic. I promise you a billion times over that it's through OUR work that God can work. It's definitely not at the exact same moment for most things...to tell you the truth, I'm still trying to see how God will work through me to touch the hearts of His children here in Ukraine. I see it every day with my companions and I know I have the same calling they do...the same purpose and responsibility and support that they do...so I not going to quit working at it. I know that love and sacrifice speaks louder than any words ever will, so I'm trying to make that the center of my service here. I've come to terms that I'll never express with eloquence or depth, like my sisters, the beautiful blessings of the gospel in russian. I will always be the American missionary that came to Ukraine trying learn Russian to communicate with people...because I love the people here. I want to strengthen our little prixod so bad... I want to find someone that receives every ounce of Christ's gospel and loves it and wants to live it...I want our members to receive a stronger witness that Christ is our Savior and become more active in His church...so bad...I hope the Lord can use me. I know I've got to work a lot for it...so that I can be a properly welded, sharpened, strong, capable tool in His hand... I know it's not just “Alright Lord, I came on a mission...I suffered through the MTC...I can testify and contact in this language...I'll do what I'm told...ready go! Changes lives!” I have to change something and repent everyday of something I'm not doing right...every day! I know with my hard work and faith, I will be able to help someone come to Him...and stay with Him. I'm so grateful that you've taught me my whole life to work hard at everything I do...school, work, church callings...whatever...that is definitely a family learned trait from example and “contracts” and high expectations! Thankyou!
Speaking of investi-alligators...we have a new, fabulous lady that we are teaching. She was one of those, “Lets go back and talk to that lady” people that passed us on the street...on our way back, she turned around wanting to come back to us and was surprised to see us already half way back to her :) She had a lot of soul-searching questions...she felt guilty after her mother died because she was mean to her...she had no idea what to think about life after death...We met the next day...then two days after that, then the next and again tomorrow. She takes notes when we talk, reads what we ask her too, comes with questions, and PRAYS! We kinda don't know what to do with ourselves. It's like the dog that chases after the car and then finally gets it...and doesn't know what to do with it. Haha...no it's fabulous...the spirit is always there in our lessons. Cectpa K is the talkative powerhouse who loves to answer all the questions, Cectpa Lav brings in the spirit with her first word...she has a serious gift of sharing her powerful testimony...and I struggle through what I want to say, use a ton of scriptures (cause they speak better than I do in any language), and then look up at her understanding, but confused face and resort to my testimony. After I shared what I knew, she asked me, “So how did you receive your testimony that this church is true?” And it's funny how quickly and clearly I was able to answer her, without searching for words or organizing the order or conjugating... in short, we'll see. She's fabulous, but we'll see!
We are meeting with Era today for the first time in a month...we're either going to stop meeting with her, or seriously make some big steps. I pray for her every night...I hope the spirit can get through to her today.
Today we went to balaklava again...i love it there :) We went on a boat ride out in the middle of the Black Sea! Well not in the middle, but pretended...i sang yo-ho-yo-ho a pirates life for me! The whole way out...our captain thought I was weird. The whole way back, I took the ropes he uses for tying up the boat and held them like reigns and sang “On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer and VIXEN!” and so on...then he thought I was just crazy. I love the sea and the salt-water smell and the water and the sea spray...oh man...it's like heaven.
I'm ticked about the game. I got like 80 texts from different elders and the senior couples with various stupid comments like “Sis. Jones, how bout them cougars” and “overtime...3 points...happy day...hows it feel?” and “merry christmas cectpa! Go BYU!” ugh... why are all missionaries byu fans. Haha..the rivalry is still alive and well and making me crazy here in Ukraine.
Thankyou for everything family dearest or as the say here in Russian, “family expensive”...I wondered how much I had to pay to be sent to you guys... couple thousand hriven probably. I'm doing great....having at least a couple hilarious adventures every day...depending a lot on God...being humbled a lot...cleaning my apartment with a branch witch broom, you know...the regular...HAPPY DECEMBER! Weird...i felt like a just barely left
с любовью всегда
сестра джонс!
Pssss – :)
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Sand Animation- Ukraine's Got Talent
This is incredible. Props to Richie for sending it to me. Maybe Kathy will learn how to do this on her mission.
Monday, November 23, 2009
24th email: November 23rd, 2009
Ok so I'm typing on microsoft word this time so I don't loose everything again...and it also explains why all my grammar errors are being corrected...stupid computer...let me make my own mistakes.
Ok...Cectpa Lavryenenko...haha...I just laugh when I think about her :) She's from Western Ukraine (where they only speak Ukrainian) and is a convert to the church. Her dad is a member, but not yet her mom...”yet” she emphasizes. She speaks english absolutely perfectly...she sounds more american than me...she basically is more american than me! She knows more about how to make american food, more about where cities are in Utah, more about our traditions...it's hilarious. Though she speaks english like a fiend, her and sister Kondratyeva yap yap gab gab in russian all day. It's great. I'm really learning a ton from listening to them. Sometimes I look over at them and I'm like, “hey, the sister misisonaries!” then I'm like...oh, thats me. Haha...being in a threesome is weird, but like I said...I'm learning a ton. Cectpa K will leave December 20th, so she won't be here for Christmas...so cectpa Lav and I will have a straight up Westernized santa down the chimney christmas...we've already talked about chopping down a tree. Cectpa Lav is a bit smaller than me, short dark hair, and a cute doll face...she's always smiling and laughing and she always wants to play cards and make tort (cake)...she's brought a lot of energy to our companionship! She's been out for a year now and will probably spend the rest of the time in Cevastopol...I think I'll be with her next transfer, but who know...President Nielson is ochin unpredictable!
Today we ventured to Bakchesirai, a sweet cave city in the middle of the mountains...oh what a breath of fresh air!!!! Literally, fresh mountain air is like oxygen for my soul...well it really is oxygen...stupid analogy...anyways...we wandered through the mountains and the city, stopping in random caves and pretended to be cavemen...we climbed up (safe-white-handbook-appropriate) to these cubby caves carved into the mountain, but when we got down, we kind of lost the path and ended having to climb through a barbed-wire fence and go down the side of the mountain. It sounds a lot more dangerous and risky than it was, but I loved it. I miss my random adventures...this satisfied my craving :) And on top of that, the weather was ridiculously fine...short-sleeves, and I'm pretty sure I got some sun...i love Cevastopol!
We're still working with Rosa and her babyshka, Valentina. They've come to church the past two sundays, and Valentina is actually, genuionly (whatever...the computer says I can't spell “genioun”...ughhhhh...go away little squiggly red line! В настоящий.. Haha...got it in russian) interested in the Gospel. Rosa is still a saint, but she needs support from home in order to be baptized. She's too young to venture down the road by herself...who am I kidding, she's already on it, but I think Irina is a little against her being baptized...Oksana is still with us. We have a hard time meeting with her, but she really loves and respects and trusts us. It meant a lot that she wanted to fast with us...Just Irina...We're praying that she can have an open, soft, and understanding heart to the faith and desire of her family. She likes us and our message, but I think she just thinks it's a little weird. I understand...we're a strange oversize brady bunch to the rest of the world...if they only knew how awesome our party is going to be in heaven, they'd leave their vodka parties and come to ours :) We have another great investigator, Olga. She's Enna's friend...enna just loves us and invites all her friends to our lessons, but won't progress a bit...how do you drop someone like that? Hard situation...but Olga is great...she's a happy, smiley, jolly women...she invited us to her perfume party...weird...i smelled like a mix of pansies and old ladies when I left...but what do you do? After we had a fabulous lesson with her about the Book of Mormon...no matter how awful we smelled! Era is making us crazy...it's been a month and she's flakey as ever. I really don't understand at all why she said (and continues to say) she wants to be baptized. Ugh...she has made my patience a thousand times stronger!
For thanksgiving, Crimea is getting together so the ELDERS came play football...lame. I'm planning on having a three on two game with the sisters, whether they like it or not :) imagine...me, two ukrainians, one russian, and one armenian, playing american football...in Ukraine. Just the idea gives me tingles :) We're watching “forever strong” at the prexod in Sinferopol and ordering pizza and playing games. Our district is having our own real thanksgiving dinner that night...pizza does not cut it! I'm making mashies (even though I won't eat them...i can't eat another potato for as long as I live...how cectpa k eats them breakfast lunch and dinner, i'll never know) and pies...haha...we'll see how that goes...the mission has made me a WORSE cook...if you can imagine. :)
Speaking of...papa, I need a cinnamon roll recipe...we want them for Christmas! And mom, chicken and broccoli cass. ...i found curry!
I'm thankful for all you all you all...I feel the same as basically every other missionary, and I appreciate my family a ton more now that I'm away... I realize how good I've got it. God's blessed me more than I deserve with my friends and family. I love you all and miss you a little bit, but my heart is here right now. Everyday I try to discuss with the Lord what needs to change with how I'm working. Everyday I feel like we talk with eachother and work out an agreement of sorts about what I'm going to do and what I need to do. It's really just what He needs me to do, but it's becoming what I want to do. Think of how unstoppable we can be if we align our will with God's! A- He's kind-of all-knowing, loving, and divine and knows what works the best for us and for those around us...and B – if we stop fighting against the grain and start moving with Him, we'll pick up the pace and He'll make us faster and stronger and happier than ever! If I want something and am trying to reach a goal, I want God behind me 100%... My goal is to bring souls to Christ, and I'm pretty sure He's okay with that :) I still need help figuring out how to do it most effectively with my little hurdles of language and satan and incompetency... but I know that as I live worthily for the Spirit to be with me, He'll guide my steps, my words, even my mood. Sweet. We have to ability to basically be walking forces of truth.
Welp love you all...i'm working harder than I ever have in my life and stupid satan is like a whip in my face, but my reliance and love for God is my rock...with Him, I cannot fai! I hope you're all so happy and working hard in whatever you're doing! Happy happy thanksgiving...tell everyone I love them and kiss the ground of zions for me :) And as you eat your delicious pumpkin pie or honeybaked ham...just think of me...and my pumpkin pie...that i'm planning of making out of REAL mashed up pumkin, with random alternative spices, and all in a pizza pan, with hand whipped cream... I already feel bad for my district :)
love you...thankful for you...stay strong!
Love cectpa jonesy
pcpcpss – mama...thankyou for sending packages...gorsh :) I'll let you know when they get here...do you want me to send home anything for Christmas? I have zero money, but I could send something small
pspspsps Happy birthday Taryn! You old hag :) hope it was wonderful! You're my companions age...weird! Give roy boy a kiss for me!
Spspsppps – LOVE YOU!
Ok...Cectpa Lavryenenko...haha...I just laugh when I think about her :) She's from Western Ukraine (where they only speak Ukrainian) and is a convert to the church. Her dad is a member, but not yet her mom...”yet” she emphasizes. She speaks english absolutely perfectly...she sounds more american than me...she basically is more american than me! She knows more about how to make american food, more about where cities are in Utah, more about our traditions...it's hilarious. Though she speaks english like a fiend, her and sister Kondratyeva yap yap gab gab in russian all day. It's great. I'm really learning a ton from listening to them. Sometimes I look over at them and I'm like, “hey, the sister misisonaries!” then I'm like...oh, thats me. Haha...being in a threesome is weird, but like I said...I'm learning a ton. Cectpa K will leave December 20th, so she won't be here for Christmas...so cectpa Lav and I will have a straight up Westernized santa down the chimney christmas...we've already talked about chopping down a tree. Cectpa Lav is a bit smaller than me, short dark hair, and a cute doll face...she's always smiling and laughing and she always wants to play cards and make tort (cake)...she's brought a lot of energy to our companionship! She's been out for a year now and will probably spend the rest of the time in Cevastopol...I think I'll be with her next transfer, but who know...President Nielson is ochin unpredictable!
Today we ventured to Bakchesirai, a sweet cave city in the middle of the mountains...oh what a breath of fresh air!!!! Literally, fresh mountain air is like oxygen for my soul...well it really is oxygen...stupid analogy...anyways...we wandered through the mountains and the city, stopping in random caves and pretended to be cavemen...we climbed up (safe-white-handbook-
We're still working with Rosa and her babyshka, Valentina. They've come to church the past two sundays, and Valentina is actually, genuionly (whatever...the computer says I can't spell “genioun”...ughhhhh...go away little squiggly red line! В настоящий.. Haha...got it in russian) interested in the Gospel. Rosa is still a saint, but she needs support from home in order to be baptized. She's too young to venture down the road by herself...who am I kidding, she's already on it, but I think Irina is a little against her being baptized...Oksana is still with us. We have a hard time meeting with her, but she really loves and respects and trusts us. It meant a lot that she wanted to fast with us...Just Irina...We're praying that she can have an open, soft, and understanding heart to the faith and desire of her family. She likes us and our message, but I think she just thinks it's a little weird. I understand...we're a strange oversize brady bunch to the rest of the world...if they only knew how awesome our party is going to be in heaven, they'd leave their vodka parties and come to ours :) We have another great investigator, Olga. She's Enna's friend...enna just loves us and invites all her friends to our lessons, but won't progress a bit...how do you drop someone like that? Hard situation...but Olga is great...she's a happy, smiley, jolly women...she invited us to her perfume party...weird...i smelled like a mix of pansies and old ladies when I left...but what do you do? After we had a fabulous lesson with her about the Book of Mormon...no matter how awful we smelled! Era is making us crazy...it's been a month and she's flakey as ever. I really don't understand at all why she said (and continues to say) she wants to be baptized. Ugh...she has made my patience a thousand times stronger!
For thanksgiving, Crimea is getting together so the ELDERS came play football...lame. I'm planning on having a three on two game with the sisters, whether they like it or not :) imagine...me, two ukrainians, one russian, and one armenian, playing american football...in Ukraine. Just the idea gives me tingles :) We're watching “forever strong” at the prexod in Sinferopol and ordering pizza and playing games. Our district is having our own real thanksgiving dinner that night...pizza does not cut it! I'm making mashies (even though I won't eat them...i can't eat another potato for as long as I live...how cectpa k eats them breakfast lunch and dinner, i'll never know) and pies...haha...we'll see how that goes...the mission has made me a WORSE cook...if you can imagine. :)
Speaking of...papa, I need a cinnamon roll recipe...we want them for Christmas! And mom, chicken and broccoli cass. ...i found curry!
I'm thankful for all you all you all...I feel the same as basically every other missionary, and I appreciate my family a ton more now that I'm away... I realize how good I've got it. God's blessed me more than I deserve with my friends and family. I love you all and miss you a little bit, but my heart is here right now. Everyday I try to discuss with the Lord what needs to change with how I'm working. Everyday I feel like we talk with eachother and work out an agreement of sorts about what I'm going to do and what I need to do. It's really just what He needs me to do, but it's becoming what I want to do. Think of how unstoppable we can be if we align our will with God's! A- He's kind-of all-knowing, loving, and divine and knows what works the best for us and for those around us...and B – if we stop fighting against the grain and start moving with Him, we'll pick up the pace and He'll make us faster and stronger and happier than ever! If I want something and am trying to reach a goal, I want God behind me 100%... My goal is to bring souls to Christ, and I'm pretty sure He's okay with that :) I still need help figuring out how to do it most effectively with my little hurdles of language and satan and incompetency... but I know that as I live worthily for the Spirit to be with me, He'll guide my steps, my words, even my mood. Sweet. We have to ability to basically be walking forces of truth.
Welp love you all...i'm working harder than I ever have in my life and stupid satan is like a whip in my face, but my reliance and love for God is my rock...with Him, I cannot fai! I hope you're all so happy and working hard in whatever you're doing! Happy happy thanksgiving...tell everyone I love them and kiss the ground of zions for me :) And as you eat your delicious pumpkin pie or honeybaked ham...just think of me...and my pumpkin pie...that i'm planning of making out of REAL mashed up pumkin, with random alternative spices, and all in a pizza pan, with hand whipped cream... I already feel bad for my district :)
love you...thankful for you...stay strong!
Love cectpa jonesy
pcpcpss – mama...thankyou for sending packages...gorsh :) I'll let you know when they get here...do you want me to send home anything for Christmas? I have zero money, but I could send something small
pspspsps Happy birthday Taryn! You old hag :) hope it was wonderful! You're my companions age...weird! Give roy boy a kiss for me!
Spspsppps – LOVE YOU!
Monday, November 16, 2009
23rd Email: November 16th, 2009
I'm computer retarded and lost my email again...this'll be short, sorry!
I sent home a picture cd on tuesday and it should get there sometime in the next century...haha, who knows. Sorry I took so long...i just wanted to get my money's worth for the cd :) The biggest news this week came wednesday night...we were soaking wet and beat tired after our 10 flights of stairs up to our apartment and President called with a little surprise..."We're sending you Cectpa Lavryenenko!" Haha...we had no idea and she was coming the next morning...that's right...i'm in a fabulous threesome :) She is a little Ukrainian angel who is more american than i am :) She speak english perfectly without an accent and brought along with her all these american games and food (peanut butter, oreos, teriyaki sauce, wheatables, almond mm's, mint cookies...i died) She brings such a love and light to our companionship...i love her. In the process of moving our apartment around in preparation for her, our massive closet almost fell on me and one of our beds DID fall on me...i'm really good at moving furniture :) Rosa is amazing as ever...she came to church with her babushka. She (babushka) has been searching for truth her whole life and brought rosa, met with us the second hour with amazing questions, and then stayed for relief society and participated. We fasted with Oksana on Saturday (her request...she's having a hard time...haha...it's a miracle...she lives to eat :) ) I hope this helps her gain a testimony. gotta go, love you all so much...i'm happier than ever...the church is true, god lives, christ is our redeemer.
love cectpa jones
ps. mom, cectpa lav. doesn't have a ton of support from home...will you send her some christmas stuff? maybe send us some ms. clause pjs or something...like i said, she loves americans and our traditions...also my tape is the normal big size
ps/ thanks
pspsp alot
I sent home a picture cd on tuesday and it should get there sometime in the next century...haha, who knows. Sorry I took so long...i just wanted to get my money's worth for the cd :) The biggest news this week came wednesday night...we were soaking wet and beat tired after our 10 flights of stairs up to our apartment and President called with a little surprise..."We're sending you Cectpa Lavryenenko!" Haha...we had no idea and she was coming the next morning...that's right...i'm in a fabulous threesome :) She is a little Ukrainian angel who is more american than i am :) She speak english perfectly without an accent and brought along with her all these american games and food (peanut butter, oreos, teriyaki sauce, wheatables, almond mm's, mint cookies...i died) She brings such a love and light to our companionship...i love her. In the process of moving our apartment around in preparation for her, our massive closet almost fell on me and one of our beds DID fall on me...i'm really good at moving furniture :) Rosa is amazing as ever...she came to church with her babushka. She (babushka) has been searching for truth her whole life and brought rosa, met with us the second hour with amazing questions, and then stayed for relief society and participated. We fasted with Oksana on Saturday (her request...she's having a hard time...haha...it's a miracle...she lives to eat :) ) I hope this helps her gain a testimony. gotta go, love you all so much...i'm happier than ever...the church is true, god lives, christ is our redeemer.
love cectpa jones
ps. mom, cectpa lav. doesn't have a ton of support from home...will you send her some christmas stuff? maybe send us some ms. clause pjs or something...like i said, she loves americans and our traditions...also my tape is the normal big size
ps/ thanks
pspsp alot
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Just missing Kathy...
Video with some scenes of the city her mission is named after, Dnepopetrovsk, or Днепропетровск in Russian. If you listen in the song, they'll say it for you a few times. Beautiful!!
Monday, November 9, 2009
22nd email: November 9th, 2009
The weather is definitely bipolar. Now its hot again and we're walking without jackets...november...во обшей! But I did by a coat and these awesome nylon/pants that everyone wears, and a hat and gloves and a sweater and these shoes insert things and socks...cectpa k knows what i need, so i was glad to have her. But everything was aroung $200. Sorry, i tried to get cheap stuff, but I also had to get good stuff. I look like a red marshmellow. haha...
I talked to a guy on the Marshrutka earlier this week that was really interested in religion and the Book of Mormon. His names Stepan. When he came and sat by me, he straight up stared at me, like I was painted blue or something. I was like "Страствуйте" and thought to myself, forget my nerves, i've got no choice but to talk to him! He was patient with my russian and we agreed to talk more about the book of mormon and the restored gospel another time...the miracle is that he came to our meeting with the elders, he took the book of mormon and said he'd read it. To be honest, we weren't too siked about him. He's kind-of a strange guy. Well, even though we passed him to the elders, he called us a couple nights ago and said, "I read your book, thankyou! I have some questions, lets meet." A-buh. Ha, we were blown away...he read the book of mormon in 5 days. We can't even get Era to read 5 pages in 3 months! We're meeting with him tomorrow, so we'll see...man...cool story.
We have a new investigator, Olga, and she's fabulous! She has to little boys, Женя and Дима (djenya and deema) 6 and 4, and they remind me so much of james and jakey...little stinkers, but you love them :) She's surprising us. She's got a chill and submissive personality, but she read the book of mormon and is really thinking about it. She's out of town this week, but we'll meet with her on Saturday. ooo..it'd be so great to help her family...our little branch would really really benefit!
Rosa is still on fire. She said this week, "Ya know, I know I've got to pray and ask God if this church is true. I've got to ask him if Joseph Smith was a prophet. I've never done it before!" She interupts the lesson all the time with comments like "Wait, so it's like this, yeah..." or "So if I ask God, he'll answer me, yeah?" She is incredible. She loves us and already acts like a member. She scolds all our young obnoxious english friends when we're giving our spiritual thought...it's awesome...who'da thought we need a 12 year old body guard...speaking of...did i mention that the elders are teaching the body-building champion of ukraine the gospel? hahaha...man...i'd love to have him in the branch :) how cool is that.
Cectpa and I are working really hard...we've picked up any slack that we've felt like we've had and are determined to do everything we can for our little branch...for the innactives...for investigators. This is her last transfer, and I'm so grateful that she wan'ts to go out with a bang...I've been praying for a boost in our work together. So we practically run from meeting to meeting, eat lunch and dinner on the go, plan on the marshtrukas and buses...it's hilarious and really fun. We find time to laugh and have fun while we're going too...I know that as we work harder, we see more success, but even better, we become sharper more pliable tools for the Lord. I know I can be better...it's a constant effort really.
Ct. Flewellen (our district leader) is leaving this week probably for Sinferopol to be zone leader. We'll really miss him...he's fabulous. We have 6 missionaries in the district, and all of us are in the same branch (theres only one) We see them a lot (at service, english, fhe, district meeting, joint lessons, church, sports day). We live 10 hours away from the mission home...boons...and we only see president and sister nielson and aps once a transfer at zone conference.
I took a bunch of pictures of my apartment and random stuff for you mamichka...cectpa is transfering everything to a disk for me right now and I'll send it home today. Sorry i'm so spacey about it. The people, to be honest, are typically unhappy, but we're working on that :) We're thinking my next companion will be Cectpa Zadyikan. She's an absolute saint (i was in the mtc with her) and I already love her. We'll see...you never ever never ever ever know :)
I got those packages before halloween...Спасиба :) And the food? Well there's not a lot of American type food at all...and especially because I live with a Russian and I can't cook, I eat russian food. When I'm cooking, I just make veggies or eggs. The milk here is really good and the smetana (sour cream) is heavenly...but you've got to buy them домашный or home made...I still eat like 3 apples every day
Things have changed a lot at home, I can tell...but its good. I'm glad people are moving forward to bigger and better and exciting things! As much as I'd love to freeze frame everything...haha...no, I'm glad everyone is happy :)
Have a wonderful week...work hard and stay strong. Try to follow what the Savior did and he will give us happiness (John 13:17) I know it.
Love Cectpa Jones
p.s. love you!! I'd love you to send me some of that utah snow...but blien...enjoy it
I talked to a guy on the Marshrutka earlier this week that was really interested in religion and the Book of Mormon. His names Stepan. When he came and sat by me, he straight up stared at me, like I was painted blue or something. I was like "Страствуйте" and thought to myself, forget my nerves, i've got no choice but to talk to him! He was patient with my russian and we agreed to talk more about the book of mormon and the restored gospel another time...the miracle is that he came to our meeting with the elders, he took the book of mormon and said he'd read it. To be honest, we weren't too siked about him. He's kind-of a strange guy. Well, even though we passed him to the elders, he called us a couple nights ago and said, "I read your book, thankyou! I have some questions, lets meet." A-buh. Ha, we were blown away...he read the book of mormon in 5 days. We can't even get Era to read 5 pages in 3 months! We're meeting with him tomorrow, so we'll see...man...cool story.
We have a new investigator, Olga, and she's fabulous! She has to little boys, Женя and Дима (djenya and deema) 6 and 4, and they remind me so much of james and jakey...little stinkers, but you love them :) She's surprising us. She's got a chill and submissive personality, but she read the book of mormon and is really thinking about it. She's out of town this week, but we'll meet with her on Saturday. ooo..it'd be so great to help her family...our little branch would really really benefit!
Rosa is still on fire. She said this week, "Ya know, I know I've got to pray and ask God if this church is true. I've got to ask him if Joseph Smith was a prophet. I've never done it before!" She interupts the lesson all the time with comments like "Wait, so it's like this, yeah..." or "So if I ask God, he'll answer me, yeah?" She is incredible. She loves us and already acts like a member. She scolds all our young obnoxious english friends when we're giving our spiritual thought...it's awesome...who'da thought we need a 12 year old body guard...speaking of...did i mention that the elders are teaching the body-building champion of ukraine the gospel? hahaha...man...i'd love to have him in the branch :) how cool is that.
Cectpa and I are working really hard...we've picked up any slack that we've felt like we've had and are determined to do everything we can for our little branch...for the innactives...for investigators. This is her last transfer, and I'm so grateful that she wan'ts to go out with a bang...I've been praying for a boost in our work together. So we practically run from meeting to meeting, eat lunch and dinner on the go, plan on the marshtrukas and buses...it's hilarious and really fun. We find time to laugh and have fun while we're going too...I know that as we work harder, we see more success, but even better, we become sharper more pliable tools for the Lord. I know I can be better...it's a constant effort really.
Ct. Flewellen (our district leader) is leaving this week probably for Sinferopol to be zone leader. We'll really miss him...he's fabulous. We have 6 missionaries in the district, and all of us are in the same branch (theres only one) We see them a lot (at service, english, fhe, district meeting, joint lessons, church, sports day). We live 10 hours away from the mission home...boons...and we only see president and sister nielson and aps once a transfer at zone conference.
I took a bunch of pictures of my apartment and random stuff for you mamichka...cectpa is transfering everything to a disk for me right now and I'll send it home today. Sorry i'm so spacey about it. The people, to be honest, are typically unhappy, but we're working on that :) We're thinking my next companion will be Cectpa Zadyikan. She's an absolute saint (i was in the mtc with her) and I already love her. We'll see...you never ever never ever ever know :)
I got those packages before halloween...Спасиба :) And the food? Well there's not a lot of American type food at all...and especially because I live with a Russian and I can't cook, I eat russian food. When I'm cooking, I just make veggies or eggs. The milk here is really good and the smetana (sour cream) is heavenly...but you've got to buy them домашный or home made...I still eat like 3 apples every day
Things have changed a lot at home, I can tell...but its good. I'm glad people are moving forward to bigger and better and exciting things! As much as I'd love to freeze frame everything...haha...no, I'm glad everyone is happy :)
Have a wonderful week...work hard and stay strong. Try to follow what the Savior did and he will give us happiness (John 13:17) I know it.
Love Cectpa Jones
p.s. love you!! I'd love you to send me some of that utah snow...but blien...enjoy it
Friday, November 6, 2009
21st Email: November 1st
So the shopkas are out :) Ha - the weather freaked out this week at it got SO COLD...remember last monday when I was in shorts and a tshirt? Well today I can barely type my hands are so cold! Ha...i love it...everyone in their furs and shopkas and boots. It was interesting for me cause all I have is summer stuff...but you'd b surprised how warm one can be with layer after layer of summer clothes :) We're going to buy winter stuff today at the Reinok (like the huge market) It's extra cold in Sevastopol because we're right on the sea...no snow, but windy windy! So today will be a big purchase day...fyi...don't worry, i'm frugal.
Halloween was a hit. They don't really celebrate it here, but of course we do...we had a fun party at the branch. Cectpa Kondratyeva and I were a ложка и вилка...a spoon and a fork! haha...the journey of making the cotume was SO funny...we hunted down some refridgerator boxes (like 8 or 9 feet tall and SO fat) and then had to take them home on the marshrutka...you can image how hilarious it was seeing two missionaries waltzing around town with two boxes twice as big as them and then shoving them onto the marshrutka (much to the dismay of the driver...luckily he was a nice one) and even better, once we made them, getting on the marshrutka as a massive silver spoon and fork. I'm getting used to standing out here :)
OK...my apartment...its great! it's probably as big as our first floor...minus mom and dad's room and j's room and the back bathroom. Kitchen, bedroom, front hall, bathroom, toilet, study room...not bad! Every apartment has a balcony were you hang your clothes to dry (i'm still trying to figure out how they won't freeze in the winter) we take showers with a hose, only use filtered water (when it works) and everyone in Ukraine sleeps on couches... well those bed couches...i forgot what they're called... loufans? boufans? whatever. Our apartment is bigger than most others...Инна 's apartment is just two rooms and the whole floor shares a bathroom and kitchen. We live on the 2nd to the top floor, so you can imagine how huge my calves are getting :) haha... We cleaned today. after 5 weeks mom...it was nasty. but now it's like heaven! It really really cold in the apartment. We turn on the fire on the stove and hudle around it...it's like our little fireplace :)
We see President and Sister Nielson every 6 weeks is all at Zone Conference. Thats when we get packages...THANKYOU!!!! Everything I needed, and the Vinogradyeva's will die over those uno cards! I got them right before halloween, so the little rings and paints were perfect. We devoured the chex mix within a day and I'll find someone to give modern russian too...it's a big hit with missionaries...thankyou so so much...it's so fun to get a little taste of home :) Do you send letters ever? I know you mentioned j wrote me one...don't worry about pouch...you can send it right to the mission office and I'll get them at zone conference or transfers. I might spend Christmas in Dnepr I found out. Cectpa leaves the 20th of December and I don't know if we'll have transfers right before Christmas or not.
OUr area is huge. Our apartment building is one of like 100 in the middle of no where...we do a lot of tracting (it's nice to get out of the cold ) Most grocery places are just little and have a couple things...there are a few big places in the center. The closest reinok is like 15 minutes on a marshrutka...it smells like cigarette smoke, bonfires, beer, and...marshrutkas. It's lovely. I'll do my best to let it all seep in to my skin so it stays with me at home :)
We had a great week of contacting and first lessons and new investigators...We have three new promising investigators which is an absolute miracle out here. Вита Ольга и Алёна (Vita, Olga, and Alona) We'll see how things go with them...i've learned not to freak out too fast when we have a good lesson...I kindof still do, but then I get sad when we loose them...all part of the work! Rosa is still amazing...I have two little 13 year old friends, rosa and veeka. Veeka is a sass-a-frass and is molding into the life of the world...she got a nose ring this week. But she loves us and her mom likes her to be around us. Rosa is the sweetest, strongest, most confident little 13 year old you've ever seen. She loves us and her mom likes her to be around us too. It's so interesting to see how quickly lives can change out here. Irina (rosa's mom) is HILARIOUS...oh my goodness...she was half clown, half witch for halloween..she thought she was so funny. I just die of laughter whenever she's around! Era finally accepted help from us this week to quit smoking...we prepared this whole lesson for her based on this program that the church set up to beat addictions. It works. It hits on the the roots of addiction and cuts them out of your life...so we did this whole lesson and we were so excited - and then she didn't come to church or our lesson. I'm so confused with her. It's like a rollercoaster ride of emotions. We haven't stopped praying and fasting for her this whole time and her progress is SO small if any...but she still wants to be baptised. She knows she can't with how she's living her life, but she still wants it. ugh...we really need the Lords help with her. But desire is first...and she's still got it.
Zone conference was SO great... theres a scripture, i can't remember where in the Book of Mormon...oh wait just kidding, it's moroni 6:4... but that we are numbered once we become members of the church...we focused on bringing back innactives. There's a scripture in Luke (4:33?) that says that what the Savior did was to bring back those that have been "bruised spiritually"...i can't think of a better way to describe it. Innactive members have a story and probably a testimony of our Savior, but something has happened that has hurt them, bruised them, and it's our responsibility really to do as the Lord did and put bandaids on them and bring them back. To apologize in behalf of the church and help them back to happiness. Just under 75% of the members in Eastern Europe are innactive. I can't even believe it. We need help from our members! I feel such a responsibility as a member to keep the Lords children in the fold. We covenanted to do this at baptism! I know I'm going to try harder. We're focusing this week on innactive member of our branch. I expect to find some people needing some bandaids...and I'm stocked...scooby-doo ones thanks to mama...
Thats all...um...happy as a lark...and cold...but i'm buying a shopka today! I"M in Ukraine!!! love you alll...stay strong, be good, seek out those innactives if you can!
love cectpa kass-a-rella-stoopid-chile jones
ps...i dont have time to write a friend letter this week...i realized we've got to head a little early today...next week i promise...and I'll send a picture cd home this week... :)
Halloween was a hit. They don't really celebrate it here, but of course we do...we had a fun party at the branch. Cectpa Kondratyeva and I were a ложка и вилка...a spoon and a fork! haha...the journey of making the cotume was SO funny...we hunted down some refridgerator boxes (like 8 or 9 feet tall and SO fat) and then had to take them home on the marshrutka...you can image how hilarious it was seeing two missionaries waltzing around town with two boxes twice as big as them and then shoving them onto the marshrutka (much to the dismay of the driver...luckily he was a nice one) and even better, once we made them, getting on the marshrutka as a massive silver spoon and fork. I'm getting used to standing out here :)
OK...my apartment...its great! it's probably as big as our first floor...minus mom and dad's room and j's room and the back bathroom. Kitchen, bedroom, front hall, bathroom, toilet, study room...not bad! Every apartment has a balcony were you hang your clothes to dry (i'm still trying to figure out how they won't freeze in the winter) we take showers with a hose, only use filtered water (when it works) and everyone in Ukraine sleeps on couches... well those bed couches...i forgot what they're called... loufans? boufans? whatever. Our apartment is bigger than most others...Инна 's apartment is just two rooms and the whole floor shares a bathroom and kitchen. We live on the 2nd to the top floor, so you can imagine how huge my calves are getting :) haha... We cleaned today. after 5 weeks mom...it was nasty. but now it's like heaven! It really really cold in the apartment. We turn on the fire on the stove and hudle around it...it's like our little fireplace :)
We see President and Sister Nielson every 6 weeks is all at Zone Conference. Thats when we get packages...THANKYOU!!!! Everything I needed, and the Vinogradyeva's will die over those uno cards! I got them right before halloween, so the little rings and paints were perfect. We devoured the chex mix within a day and I'll find someone to give modern russian too...it's a big hit with missionaries...thankyou so so much...it's so fun to get a little taste of home :) Do you send letters ever? I know you mentioned j wrote me one...don't worry about pouch...you can send it right to the mission office and I'll get them at zone conference or transfers. I might spend Christmas in Dnepr I found out. Cectpa leaves the 20th of December and I don't know if we'll have transfers right before Christmas or not.
OUr area is huge. Our apartment building is one of like 100 in the middle of no where...we do a lot of tracting (it's nice to get out of the cold ) Most grocery places are just little and have a couple things...there are a few big places in the center. The closest reinok is like 15 minutes on a marshrutka...it smells like cigarette smoke, bonfires, beer, and...marshrutkas. It's lovely. I'll do my best to let it all seep in to my skin so it stays with me at home :)
We had a great week of contacting and first lessons and new investigators...We have three new promising investigators which is an absolute miracle out here. Вита Ольга и Алёна (Vita, Olga, and Alona) We'll see how things go with them...i've learned not to freak out too fast when we have a good lesson...I kindof still do, but then I get sad when we loose them...all part of the work! Rosa is still amazing...I have two little 13 year old friends, rosa and veeka. Veeka is a sass-a-frass and is molding into the life of the world...she got a nose ring this week. But she loves us and her mom likes her to be around us. Rosa is the sweetest, strongest, most confident little 13 year old you've ever seen. She loves us and her mom likes her to be around us too. It's so interesting to see how quickly lives can change out here. Irina (rosa's mom) is HILARIOUS...oh my goodness...she was half clown, half witch for halloween..she thought she was so funny. I just die of laughter whenever she's around! Era finally accepted help from us this week to quit smoking...we prepared this whole lesson for her based on this program that the church set up to beat addictions. It works. It hits on the the roots of addiction and cuts them out of your life...so we did this whole lesson and we were so excited - and then she didn't come to church or our lesson. I'm so confused with her. It's like a rollercoaster ride of emotions. We haven't stopped praying and fasting for her this whole time and her progress is SO small if any...but she still wants to be baptised. She knows she can't with how she's living her life, but she still wants it. ugh...we really need the Lords help with her. But desire is first...and she's still got it.
Zone conference was SO great... theres a scripture, i can't remember where in the Book of Mormon...oh wait just kidding, it's moroni 6:4... but that we are numbered once we become members of the church...we focused on bringing back innactives. There's a scripture in Luke (4:33?) that says that what the Savior did was to bring back those that have been "bruised spiritually"...i can't think of a better way to describe it. Innactive members have a story and probably a testimony of our Savior, but something has happened that has hurt them, bruised them, and it's our responsibility really to do as the Lord did and put bandaids on them and bring them back. To apologize in behalf of the church and help them back to happiness. Just under 75% of the members in Eastern Europe are innactive. I can't even believe it. We need help from our members! I feel such a responsibility as a member to keep the Lords children in the fold. We covenanted to do this at baptism! I know I'm going to try harder. We're focusing this week on innactive member of our branch. I expect to find some people needing some bandaids...and I'm stocked...scooby-doo ones thanks to mama...
Thats all...um...happy as a lark...and cold...but i'm buying a shopka today! I"M in Ukraine!!! love you alll...stay strong, be good, seek out those innactives if you can!
love cectpa kass-a-rella-stoopid-chile jones
ps...i dont have time to write a friend letter this week...i realized we've got to head a little early today...next week i promise...and I'll send a picture cd home this week... :)
Sunday, November 1, 2009
FINALLY!
A picture of Kathy! Her hair is shorter and looks darker but other than that, she looks the same. We'll try to get more.
Monday, October 26, 2009
20th email: Octobert 26th, 2009
famfamfamfamfamfamfamfamfamfamfamfamfafm!
What a fabulous week in Sevastopol! We started off with a family home evening with some members, natalia and youlia, and they invited some of their friends! oh i was so happy...we're really trying to help our members feel the joy of missionary work. I understand it's tough...i wasn't very good at being a member missionary before i left, so I'm in no place to judge...but i think once they experience it a little bit, they'll get addicted :)
We got this contact from church headquarters of this family that was in salt lake city...that they were really interested and wanted a book of mormon...ya hoo! well we finally got a hold of them and met the dad at his work...he ended up being the owner of this huge wine company...like big man rich guy..SO weird and different from what we're used to! He's read the Koran and a few other religious books and is anxious to read the book of mormon...i can't believe it! at the same time though, reading it without prayer is like showering without soap...We told him this, but we'll see. He said, "Ya know, you people have a real light about you...i can see it shining through your eyes." I'm glad I flipped my switch on that morning :)
Life is exciting with opposite extremes! We go from probably the wealthiest man in sevastopol to this run down dacha (a little house, not apartment, in the hills or out of the city) that hasn't been cleaned or taken care of for a billion years...but this is where our investigators mama lives. Irina, Oksana and Rosa...i think i mentioned them... but they really needed some help at the dacha on Saturday. I can't even describe this place...they kept on saying to us "Are you sure you want to come? You'll be scared!" Food everywhere, bugs and spideys everywhere, cats and dogs everywhere, and the cherry on top is a crazy drunk guy you lives there with the babyshka. So we tackled it! It was hilarious..Irina is SO ADHD and just talks and talks and starts doing 15 projects at once, Oksanas answer to everything we find is to throw it in the fire (that's how they get rid of garbage here...huge bonfires), and Cectpa K is fabulous, but such a girl. Babyshka was at the renok (market) and drunk man was drunk. So here i am, looking at this masterpiece of a dacha...and i remember back to costa rica construction, new zealand building, hugo...and have at it. We tore everything out of one of the rooms - carpet, furniture, the weirdest odds and ends, MASSIVE spideys! I was mixing some plaster and I felt what I thought was a hair on my neck...nope I pull out a spider as big as the palm of my hand from my shirt...ughhhhhhhh! But we scraped down the parts that were falling off the wall, repaired the holes, painted, (in the meantime oksana was burning everything we found...oh it was sooo funny :) Huge job but I loved it...even better, we were able to show irina and oksana they kind of people that we really are. They agreed to let little rosa spend time with us (she's 12) SHE IS INCRDIBLE! She came to our appt having read Alma 32 plus another 3 or 4 chapters...she marked the parts she liked and underlined what she didn't understand. We taught the plan of salvation...she asked questions like "So what if my dad, my mom, and me are all in different kingdoms? How can we be happy together?" She's a mature and smart girl...she really thinks about her life and her future and i know she will be a angel for her family. She already prays before every meal, tests in school..morning and night...she sets up her own appts with us...she loves the book of mormon and said when we asked her if she reads the bible, "Why? I have this!" She is just a breath of fresh air...she hasn't been affected by the filth of the world yet, shes open minded and strong...she's confident and smart...i am just beaming just thinking about her :)
We had family night with Ena (eena) last night with her two daughters and she invited her friend...so fun and lighthearted...we're here to bring together families! I hope she can she beyond our kind faces and god messages though and realize that this is her and her family's eternity!
Era. I'm learning a lot about her every day. She still smokes and I understand it's so hard to quit, but she won't try or accept help from us. She gets caught up in the complexity of the gospel, which does in fact exist if you see through the simplicity. She want's to understand everything, when we don't understand everything...faith would be pushed by the wayside if we understood and had proof for everything. We try and try to help her, but we can't break down her iron wall. I think we have to tell her she can't be baptized...we could continue to push back her date, but what would that be saying about these commandments and commitments that she isn't keeping? That we have all the time in the world to figure them out? It breaks my heart...Satan has such a hold on some of the people here that they can't even step back and examine their lives. My prayers for her will only be stronger and our effort will only be more...maybe telling her this will help her make some changes in her life.
Slavik (our baptism here) moved back to Hercon to the orphanage...he said that everyone there is giving him such a hard time and saying that he "joined some cult"...I hate satan. I hope he trips and falls and has a bad day. Aleksandra, the women who helped him, wants to take him to russia with her...we'll see.
Natalia, Sasha and Vladimir (that little miracle family we found) are moving to Russia. Slap in the face for us! It's better for Sasha there I guess...probably for his surgery or something...to tell you the truth, they are far from joining the church...but step by step...Natalia hasn't drunk for 2 weeks already...that's our miracle :)
Our Bransh President here is incredible...such a strong, hard-working christlike man...he's only been a member for 1 year. The Lord prepares people to be leaders! His son is the spitting image of Johnny...he's darker, but the same face, hair, body build, character...its crazy....
The weather is STILL warm! I wore a t-shirt and capris today... we went to фиолен (fiolen) so pretty... there are about 450 stairs down to a beautiful rocky beach...I love the black sea...i fell in it today...oops. haha...I was trying to block the elders from seeing the naked lady...haha....
MIssionary work...hmmm...you know I've made some goals for when I get home. I understand that I'm in the thick of the work right now and I love it, but keeping it alive and running is the key. It's acually our covenant with God. In Mosiah 18 it talks about our baptismal covenant...it's basically to represent God and help people that need it always...we made that covenant. So my goals are to be a ridiculously good visiting teacher...one on one service to gods children..thats how Christ did it, thats where miracles lie! Another one is to actually invite those people that I THINK about inviting to church or FHE or activities or whatever...thoughts are useless...actions are where the miracles lie! Another one is to seek out the broken hearted at church...I was reading to sermon on the mount yesterday and Christ himself lays it out...what benefit does it do to love your friends that already love you...to support your group that already support you? Seek out the little guys...thats where the miracles lie! So visiting teaching, inviting, and seeking out the broken hearted. Couple that with sharing what Christ shared and doing my best to be like Him... I think I might be able to keep the flame burning :) I'm trying my bestest to live by this now...I think our branch would really benfit from home/visting teaching...they don't want to do it...yet... :)
The gospel is true...the work is hard...it should be. because the reward is great! Have a happy happy happty holloweenie... send me pics! love you all so much... i hope you're all working hard...staying strong...sharing what you know. I'm bad at using words, but just pretent like I gave you all a massive bear hug...all better :)
love cectpa jonesy
What a fabulous week in Sevastopol! We started off with a family home evening with some members, natalia and youlia, and they invited some of their friends! oh i was so happy...we're really trying to help our members feel the joy of missionary work. I understand it's tough...i wasn't very good at being a member missionary before i left, so I'm in no place to judge...but i think once they experience it a little bit, they'll get addicted :)
We got this contact from church headquarters of this family that was in salt lake city...that they were really interested and wanted a book of mormon...ya hoo! well we finally got a hold of them and met the dad at his work...he ended up being the owner of this huge wine company...like big man rich guy..SO weird and different from what we're used to! He's read the Koran and a few other religious books and is anxious to read the book of mormon...i can't believe it! at the same time though, reading it without prayer is like showering without soap...We told him this, but we'll see. He said, "Ya know, you people have a real light about you...i can see it shining through your eyes." I'm glad I flipped my switch on that morning :)
Life is exciting with opposite extremes! We go from probably the wealthiest man in sevastopol to this run down dacha (a little house, not apartment, in the hills or out of the city) that hasn't been cleaned or taken care of for a billion years...but this is where our investigators mama lives. Irina, Oksana and Rosa...i think i mentioned them... but they really needed some help at the dacha on Saturday. I can't even describe this place...they kept on saying to us "Are you sure you want to come? You'll be scared!" Food everywhere, bugs and spideys everywhere, cats and dogs everywhere, and the cherry on top is a crazy drunk guy you lives there with the babyshka. So we tackled it! It was hilarious..Irina is SO ADHD and just talks and talks and starts doing 15 projects at once, Oksanas answer to everything we find is to throw it in the fire (that's how they get rid of garbage here...huge bonfires), and Cectpa K is fabulous, but such a girl. Babyshka was at the renok (market) and drunk man was drunk. So here i am, looking at this masterpiece of a dacha...and i remember back to costa rica construction, new zealand building, hugo...and have at it. We tore everything out of one of the rooms - carpet, furniture, the weirdest odds and ends, MASSIVE spideys! I was mixing some plaster and I felt what I thought was a hair on my neck...nope I pull out a spider as big as the palm of my hand from my shirt...ughhhhhhhh! But we scraped down the parts that were falling off the wall, repaired the holes, painted, (in the meantime oksana was burning everything we found...oh it was sooo funny :) Huge job but I loved it...even better, we were able to show irina and oksana they kind of people that we really are. They agreed to let little rosa spend time with us (she's 12) SHE IS INCRDIBLE! She came to our appt having read Alma 32 plus another 3 or 4 chapters...she marked the parts she liked and underlined what she didn't understand. We taught the plan of salvation...she asked questions like "So what if my dad, my mom, and me are all in different kingdoms? How can we be happy together?" She's a mature and smart girl...she really thinks about her life and her future and i know she will be a angel for her family. She already prays before every meal, tests in school..morning and night...she sets up her own appts with us...she loves the book of mormon and said when we asked her if she reads the bible, "Why? I have this!" She is just a breath of fresh air...she hasn't been affected by the filth of the world yet, shes open minded and strong...she's confident and smart...i am just beaming just thinking about her :)
We had family night with Ena (eena) last night with her two daughters and she invited her friend...so fun and lighthearted...we're here to bring together families! I hope she can she beyond our kind faces and god messages though and realize that this is her and her family's eternity!
Era. I'm learning a lot about her every day. She still smokes and I understand it's so hard to quit, but she won't try or accept help from us. She gets caught up in the complexity of the gospel, which does in fact exist if you see through the simplicity. She want's to understand everything, when we don't understand everything...faith would be pushed by the wayside if we understood and had proof for everything. We try and try to help her, but we can't break down her iron wall. I think we have to tell her she can't be baptized...we could continue to push back her date, but what would that be saying about these commandments and commitments that she isn't keeping? That we have all the time in the world to figure them out? It breaks my heart...Satan has such a hold on some of the people here that they can't even step back and examine their lives. My prayers for her will only be stronger and our effort will only be more...maybe telling her this will help her make some changes in her life.
Slavik (our baptism here) moved back to Hercon to the orphanage...he said that everyone there is giving him such a hard time and saying that he "joined some cult"...I hate satan. I hope he trips and falls and has a bad day. Aleksandra, the women who helped him, wants to take him to russia with her...we'll see.
Natalia, Sasha and Vladimir (that little miracle family we found) are moving to Russia. Slap in the face for us! It's better for Sasha there I guess...probably for his surgery or something...to tell you the truth, they are far from joining the church...but step by step...Natalia hasn't drunk for 2 weeks already...that's our miracle :)
Our Bransh President here is incredible...such a strong, hard-working christlike man...he's only been a member for 1 year. The Lord prepares people to be leaders! His son is the spitting image of Johnny...he's darker, but the same face, hair, body build, character...its crazy....
The weather is STILL warm! I wore a t-shirt and capris today... we went to фиолен (fiolen) so pretty... there are about 450 stairs down to a beautiful rocky beach...I love the black sea...i fell in it today...oops. haha...I was trying to block the elders from seeing the naked lady...haha....
MIssionary work...hmmm...you know I've made some goals for when I get home. I understand that I'm in the thick of the work right now and I love it, but keeping it alive and running is the key. It's acually our covenant with God. In Mosiah 18 it talks about our baptismal covenant...it's basically to represent God and help people that need it always...we made that covenant. So my goals are to be a ridiculously good visiting teacher...one on one service to gods children..thats how Christ did it, thats where miracles lie! Another one is to actually invite those people that I THINK about inviting to church or FHE or activities or whatever...thoughts are useless...actions are where the miracles lie! Another one is to seek out the broken hearted at church...I was reading to sermon on the mount yesterday and Christ himself lays it out...what benefit does it do to love your friends that already love you...to support your group that already support you? Seek out the little guys...thats where the miracles lie! So visiting teaching, inviting, and seeking out the broken hearted. Couple that with sharing what Christ shared and doing my best to be like Him... I think I might be able to keep the flame burning :) I'm trying my bestest to live by this now...I think our branch would really benfit from home/visting teaching...they don't want to do it...yet... :)
The gospel is true...the work is hard...it should be. because the reward is great! Have a happy happy happty holloweenie... send me pics! love you all so much... i hope you're all working hard...staying strong...sharing what you know. I'm bad at using words, but just pretent like I gave you all a massive bear hug...all better :)
love cectpa jonesy
Monday, October 19, 2009
19th email: October 19, 2009
Привет возлюбленый семья!
Hey der lil famfamfamfam...it's me...cectpa kjonez...broadcasting from UKRAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIINE!! ha...i've lost all my skills of acting like I'm black. Every black person we see (MAYBE 4 in this whole time) we stop...cause you know they speak english...i told you about our brothas up in cinferopol. Don't worry, i'll get it back...a quick trip back to Chicago and it'll seep in like a sponge. :)
What a busy crazy week you had! I love business with a little dash of chaos...it makes life exciting! Grandpa's thing sounded like a blast! I haven't seen Dad's side of the fam for a while now! Ha - cectpa's talking to some guy about the book of mormon...just a sec. haHA! seems promising! I love it when people ask about US...we're calling him back later after he finishes reading about the restored gosepel pamphlet...
oh another greaaat week. Era came to church!!!!!!!! Like real church, sacrament, sunday school, the goods. She sang with me and participated in discussions and knew the answers to some questions which really helped her confidence. You know this is her first time at real church in 4 MONTHS of invesitgating??? It really is a miracle. Before church on Sunday I read that little book you gave me mom abou missionary miracles...I prayed for a miracle that day...That era would live up to her words and come...oh man! AND we started teaching Славик (Slavik) a guy we found on the street. He's paralyzed from the waist down but he OWNS on crutches... handicapped people here just beg on the streets...people dropping in a couple kopecks every know and then (like less than a penny) We walked right up to him, looked him in the eyes, and started talking about the gospel. I could tell that no one does that to him very often. He was a bit uncomfortable and taken back at first. But he came to general conference, he came to our appt. with the elders, he came to church on sunday, he played ping pong with us (he held the paddle while I played fetch) I think he's surprised that we actually care about him...that we want to meet with him...that we want to be his friends. I've never looked at people the way I do now...as children of God. Ive always understood this...had a testimony about it...but it's like...it doesn't matter if someone doesn't love exactly what you love. It doesn't matter it they're funny looking or smell bad (we still like dad)...It doesn't matter if they're ridiculously mean or if you think you have absolutely nothing in common with them. ya know? We're all children of God...brothers...sisters...and every person is actually really cool if you give them the time of day. Right now we're just Clavik's friends...but I know He can see a light in us...I know he feels something.
I think I told you about Ирина и Оксана? Well they're two sisters we've been meeting with for a couple weeks now...they are HILARIOUS...Oksana has a hilarious sense of humor, which to be honest, is hard to come by here! Irina is SO ADD, I love it. They are definitely a comic relief to our week...but also, they have a lot of questions about the gospel. Oksana right now said she's only living so that she can buy a car and an apartment, other than that, she doesn't really have a purpose. Ira lives for her little girl, Россия (Rocia - haha...her name is Russia!) They believe that like 6 generations ago, this weird lady put a curse on their family so that the men in their lives would either be awful or non-existent...and i guess so far its true :S Anyways, they brought Roca to our appt the other day and she was SO amazing....SO AMAZING...like she really accepts the restoration and that God loves her and really likes us and wants to continue to meet...I know she'll be a strength to her aunt and mom. Oh it's a miracle.
Era is still smoking. We don't really know how to help her. She's a stubborn lady and wants to do it all by herself, but after 25 years, I think this is proving a lot harder than she thought. We're trying everything we can, but I know we need the Lord's help more than anything. She needs motivation, self-control, a real deep desire to quit based on her love and trust in the Lord. She trys SO HARD to understand, but understanding isn't enough. I've learned it's actually not very important. Understanding comes after desire, faith, and action. I KNOW that. Help us pray for her to quit...
инна...eena eena eena...she loves the idea about family home evening. We're going to hold one with her this week. We've started meeting with her at her school (she teaches Ukrainian to kids) before class because it's too distracting at home. Kids here learn Russian, Ukrainian, French and English in school...and actually learn it!
Людмила (lyoudmila) an amazing lady in our branch, just got back from the temple this week. This was the lady we helped that one day to do all her temple names on the computer...oh shes still glowing. She gave a fabulous talk in Sacrament about how special she felt there. she expressed her want for everyone in the room, who hasn't yet, to get to the temple. She gave eveyone little rocks from the temple grounds to remember our goal...she's so solid.
Cectpa K is so funny...she's a little...oh i forgot the name, but she always thinks she's got some kind of disease. She lost her voice a little this week and i swear to you, we went to the Аптека (pharmacy) everyday to get some new herb or gargle or tea or syrup or pills or spray or rub...there were so many different things in her body, i'm surprised she slept at night! Actually she didn't...i woke up one night to find her bent over a boiling pot of water, baking soda, and herbs...just breathing in the steam...haha...i was rolling with laughter... ya know what worked? What i always drink when i'm sick? Sprite. Her voice cleared up an hour later. She's hilarious. She leaves a few days before Christmas, but I told her its forbidden to talk about anymore...haha...i'm scared to death to be honest...
We teach English twice a week now... we have a fairly good turnout, and a lot of people wanted to come on saturday...more crazy lesson plans for me! Cectpa doesn't feel completely comfortable teaching, so she translates (our class is on the ABC's) and I teach with LOTS of hand motions...we have a good time...
Ukraine is so beautiful right now...the weather is incredible and the leaves are all changing... the trees look like they're on fire! We strolled through the forest yesterday with some members before our lesson...it's so beautiful here. You gotta look for it, but when you do, you find it :)
Love you alllllll....stay strong, be happy...i'm doing my best :)
love cectpa jones
ps...mama - i haven't gotten the packages yet but they've probabaly gotten to the mission office...next week is zone conference, so most likely then! MOM. what are you being for halloween?? i forgot to ask!
pspspss - give roy a kiss for me :) oh wait...you already do...
Hey der lil famfamfamfam...it's me...cectpa kjonez...broadcasting from UKRAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIINE!! ha...i've lost all my skills of acting like I'm black. Every black person we see (MAYBE 4 in this whole time) we stop...cause you know they speak english...i told you about our brothas up in cinferopol. Don't worry, i'll get it back...a quick trip back to Chicago and it'll seep in like a sponge. :)
What a busy crazy week you had! I love business with a little dash of chaos...it makes life exciting! Grandpa's thing sounded like a blast! I haven't seen Dad's side of the fam for a while now! Ha - cectpa's talking to some guy about the book of mormon...just a sec. haHA! seems promising! I love it when people ask about US...we're calling him back later after he finishes reading about the restored gosepel pamphlet...
oh another greaaat week. Era came to church!!!!!!!! Like real church, sacrament, sunday school, the goods. She sang with me and participated in discussions and knew the answers to some questions which really helped her confidence. You know this is her first time at real church in 4 MONTHS of invesitgating??? It really is a miracle. Before church on Sunday I read that little book you gave me mom abou missionary miracles...I prayed for a miracle that day...That era would live up to her words and come...oh man! AND we started teaching Славик (Slavik) a guy we found on the street. He's paralyzed from the waist down but he OWNS on crutches... handicapped people here just beg on the streets...people dropping in a couple kopecks every know and then (like less than a penny) We walked right up to him, looked him in the eyes, and started talking about the gospel. I could tell that no one does that to him very often. He was a bit uncomfortable and taken back at first. But he came to general conference, he came to our appt. with the elders, he came to church on sunday, he played ping pong with us (he held the paddle while I played fetch) I think he's surprised that we actually care about him...that we want to meet with him...that we want to be his friends. I've never looked at people the way I do now...as children of God. Ive always understood this...had a testimony about it...but it's like...it doesn't matter if someone doesn't love exactly what you love. It doesn't matter it they're funny looking or smell bad (we still like dad)...It doesn't matter if they're ridiculously mean or if you think you have absolutely nothing in common with them. ya know? We're all children of God...brothers...sisters...and every person is actually really cool if you give them the time of day. Right now we're just Clavik's friends...but I know He can see a light in us...I know he feels something.
I think I told you about Ирина и Оксана? Well they're two sisters we've been meeting with for a couple weeks now...they are HILARIOUS...Oksana has a hilarious sense of humor, which to be honest, is hard to come by here! Irina is SO ADD, I love it. They are definitely a comic relief to our week...but also, they have a lot of questions about the gospel. Oksana right now said she's only living so that she can buy a car and an apartment, other than that, she doesn't really have a purpose. Ira lives for her little girl, Россия (Rocia - haha...her name is Russia!) They believe that like 6 generations ago, this weird lady put a curse on their family so that the men in their lives would either be awful or non-existent...and i guess so far its true :S Anyways, they brought Roca to our appt the other day and she was SO amazing....SO AMAZING...like she really accepts the restoration and that God loves her and really likes us and wants to continue to meet...I know she'll be a strength to her aunt and mom. Oh it's a miracle.
Era is still smoking. We don't really know how to help her. She's a stubborn lady and wants to do it all by herself, but after 25 years, I think this is proving a lot harder than she thought. We're trying everything we can, but I know we need the Lord's help more than anything. She needs motivation, self-control, a real deep desire to quit based on her love and trust in the Lord. She trys SO HARD to understand, but understanding isn't enough. I've learned it's actually not very important. Understanding comes after desire, faith, and action. I KNOW that. Help us pray for her to quit...
инна...eena eena eena...she loves the idea about family home evening. We're going to hold one with her this week. We've started meeting with her at her school (she teaches Ukrainian to kids) before class because it's too distracting at home. Kids here learn Russian, Ukrainian, French and English in school...and actually learn it!
Людмила (lyoudmila) an amazing lady in our branch, just got back from the temple this week. This was the lady we helped that one day to do all her temple names on the computer...oh shes still glowing. She gave a fabulous talk in Sacrament about how special she felt there. she expressed her want for everyone in the room, who hasn't yet, to get to the temple. She gave eveyone little rocks from the temple grounds to remember our goal...she's so solid.
Cectpa K is so funny...she's a little...oh i forgot the name, but she always thinks she's got some kind of disease. She lost her voice a little this week and i swear to you, we went to the Аптека (pharmacy) everyday to get some new herb or gargle or tea or syrup or pills or spray or rub...there were so many different things in her body, i'm surprised she slept at night! Actually she didn't...i woke up one night to find her bent over a boiling pot of water, baking soda, and herbs...just breathing in the steam...haha...i was rolling with laughter... ya know what worked? What i always drink when i'm sick? Sprite. Her voice cleared up an hour later. She's hilarious. She leaves a few days before Christmas, but I told her its forbidden to talk about anymore...haha...i'm scared to death to be honest...
We teach English twice a week now... we have a fairly good turnout, and a lot of people wanted to come on saturday...more crazy lesson plans for me! Cectpa doesn't feel completely comfortable teaching, so she translates (our class is on the ABC's) and I teach with LOTS of hand motions...we have a good time...
Ukraine is so beautiful right now...the weather is incredible and the leaves are all changing... the trees look like they're on fire! We strolled through the forest yesterday with some members before our lesson...it's so beautiful here. You gotta look for it, but when you do, you find it :)
Love you alllllll....stay strong, be happy...i'm doing my best :)
love cectpa jones
ps...mama - i haven't gotten the packages yet but they've probabaly gotten to the mission office...next week is zone conference, so most likely then! MOM. what are you being for halloween?? i forgot to ask!
pspspss - give roy a kiss for me :) oh wait...you already do...
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Мормони популяризують свою віру в Україні
Again, not a clue what they are saying unless the Elders are speaking English. But SO COOL! This is what Kaffers is doing. Sweet is the work.
Мормоны - Установка статуи Морония на Храме в Киеве
I know we can't understand this but it's about when they put the angel Moroni on top of the temple in Kiev on September 19th, 2009. Pretty cool to hear some of the language and see those people!
an apology
Sorry I've been such a slacker about keeping this updated. This last month has been a little crazy. I've been sufficiently chastised by my mom and will do better. But Kathy is doing awesome and we're so proud of her.
I really miss her sometimes... a lot. I still sometimes forget that I can't just pick up the phone and call her when I want to talk to her about something. I'll try to get her to send some pictures home so I can put some up. In the meantime, here are some I found of Crimea, the area where Kathy lives.
These last three are of the city Kathy is serving in, Sevastopol. It is right on the black sea.
She's got just over a year left! Weird...
Well, keep reading!
I really miss her sometimes... a lot. I still sometimes forget that I can't just pick up the phone and call her when I want to talk to her about something. I'll try to get her to send some pictures home so I can put some up. In the meantime, here are some I found of Crimea, the area where Kathy lives.
These last three are of the city Kathy is serving in, Sevastopol. It is right on the black sea.
She's got just over a year left! Weird...
Well, keep reading!
18th email: October 12th, 2009
hey der lil fam-damily ! wasn't conference amazing? We watched it just yesterday and the day before . We have to wait for the copies to be sent to boonville sevastopol. We thought up until the day before that we would watch it in Russian, but we were surprised with english copies from the office elders...better than christmas i tell you! Didn't even matter that instead of the prophets faces, we had flashing green boxes and the sound was just above the wisper...it was kinda precious...5 american missionaries crouched around a tiny ghetto laptop...haha...we got speakers later...it was amazing!!!!!! Definitely a theme of love, action, and being a true disciple of Jesus Christ by doing as He did. I'm trying to change my life to be more synonomous with the Lord's life. I think it takes a open heart, open mind, and open eyes...that's what I'm praying for right now. It's so easy to turn inward...think about what you want, what's comfortable for you, sticking to things you know...so I'm praying to be open. The Lord was open. I'm trying to be like Him! And I don't think anyway in the universe could deny the Book of Mormon after the witness and testimony of Elder Holland. Blew my pants off...well not really...i don't wear pants...i don't even OWN pants...skirts and overalls...and genie pants (thanks an)...i want to put conference on a massive big screen and blast it from the speakers at the center here...when I left our little prixod, that's how i felt. "So I just listened to modern day REVELATION from LIVING PROPHETS that lead and guide our RESTORED GOSPEL under the direction of GOD! Yeah that's right, drop that boolichka and come...be happier than you can ever imagine is possible!" The gospel has become more alive for me than ever before...it's beautiful, miraculous and simple...it's for the learned and the naive...for the Spartoks and the Natalias...for the successful and the handicapped...the Eras and the Claviks.... doesn't really matter who you are because the the Lord is the same, everlasting and loving Lord he was with Adam, with Noah, with Nephi, with Mormon, with Jared, with Joseph, with President Monson, with me! haha...wowweee.
Natalia and sasha are now in the hospital...sasha has bronchitis from their terrible apartment. Vladimir wants Natalia to get professional help with her mood swings...it may be the best thing for her. It's so hard to progress with her. She accepts our service, our help, our support...and of course we willingly give it...but she won't take the book of mormon again. She allows us to pray with her, but won't pray herself. We wont' give up on her...
Era came to Saturday session of conference! The elders helped her son move that whole morning, so she was so open and willing to come, take notes, SING! She didn't come on Sunday...oh era era era...
We taught elnglish to two of our investigators (sisters) this week...thay knew nothing...nothing nothing...like not even abcs...haha..it was SO funny...it is physically impossible for russians to say "three"..."ffffffdddddrrree" ha...but then i just start talking and they laugh at me...
Thanks so much dad for sharing that story about josh...I wish Era could see his desire to be baptized and how he can't. We're trying to help her take whats in front of her with two hands...she's got to realize the miracle that is in front of her! She's such a tough strong lady.
Ya know, this week was landmark in russian for me :) haha... I understand! Cectpa doesn't talk in English anymore, I don't ask for a recap of lessons any more...i teach about things in accordance with what cectpa k actually says... wahhooo...the lord's helping me and strenthening me. I had my first conversation with someone without racking my brain about which case and v erb ending and sentence format to use... Russian is still a disease, mind you, but I'm not dieing from it anymore...
The weather is gorgeous here...i'm still wearing summer clothes...it's breezy and smells like apples and leaves :) We got to rake leaves at the old folks home (called internat...same word for orphanage...haha...sad...) oh how joyous it was...i wouldv'e jumped in, but it was infested with spideys...HUGE spideys...
I've added to my menu of apples and tortillas this week..tvorak! it's so good...it's like cottage cheese (which is also amazing here) but not at all... we buy it from the babyshkas on the street and mix it with cmetana (sour cream) and a lil bit of sugar... it's good cause it's got protein...mmmmm...so good. No I actually eat normally pretty much...lots of veggies and fruits and tortillas and blinchiki, and whatever cectpa k whips up...but we've stopped running...:( it was fun while it lasted...we saw the sun rise every morning.
Ukraine is the most beautiful country. I love it here.
I love you mama. You're my example, source of strength, and stability! Tonight we're talking with the Vinogradeva's about how God has a body, senses, a voice, flesh and bones (like Elder Hale's talk). In my psychology class, we talked about how we experience an object or feeling. When we use ALL our senses (sight, smell, touch, taste, hearing) our brain literally makes more nerve connections, giving us a more complete idea of what the object is. We're taking a boolichka (a warm delicious bread thing that everyone eats here) and having them "experience" this with all their senses. Compare that to just smelling it. Just touching it. Just hearing it. Whatever, you can't hear bread, you get the picture. Well this is why God knows us so well. He has all these senses. He's not a vapor or idea or in our hearts or icon or whatever. He is a glorified being who HEARS our prayers, SEES when we are struggling, He SPEAKS through prophets, and the way he embraces us is through other people...he really really knows us...spiritually and scientifically speaking :) But anyways, on that last point...we are the Lord's hands in this life. You know how important a hug is to me! You are evidence of the Lord's hands for me mama...not only my life, but the lives of all these people you write me about every week that you are helping...love you. I love everyone else too. love love love...it's the new shizzle-dizzle...
until the adventures of next week...as beckyfarley (meant to be said together) advised :) stay strong, be good...if you say swears repent...look out for the little guy... be the lord's hands :) thankyou for everything you amazing family you
love cectpa jones
ps. post script
ppss.. warm fuzzies...
pspsps. the church is true!
Natalia and sasha are now in the hospital...sasha has bronchitis from their terrible apartment. Vladimir wants Natalia to get professional help with her mood swings...it may be the best thing for her. It's so hard to progress with her. She accepts our service, our help, our support...and of course we willingly give it...but she won't take the book of mormon again. She allows us to pray with her, but won't pray herself. We wont' give up on her...
Era came to Saturday session of conference! The elders helped her son move that whole morning, so she was so open and willing to come, take notes, SING! She didn't come on Sunday...oh era era era...
We taught elnglish to two of our investigators (sisters) this week...thay knew nothing...nothing nothing...like not even abcs...haha..it was SO funny...it is physically impossible for russians to say "three"..."ffffffdddddrrree" ha...but then i just start talking and they laugh at me...
Thanks so much dad for sharing that story about josh...I wish Era could see his desire to be baptized and how he can't. We're trying to help her take whats in front of her with two hands...she's got to realize the miracle that is in front of her! She's such a tough strong lady.
Ya know, this week was landmark in russian for me :) haha... I understand! Cectpa doesn't talk in English anymore, I don't ask for a recap of lessons any more...i teach about things in accordance with what cectpa k actually says... wahhooo...the lord's helping me and strenthening me. I had my first conversation with someone without racking my brain about which case and v erb ending and sentence format to use... Russian is still a disease, mind you, but I'm not dieing from it anymore...
The weather is gorgeous here...i'm still wearing summer clothes...it's breezy and smells like apples and leaves :) We got to rake leaves at the old folks home (called internat...same word for orphanage...haha...sad...) oh how joyous it was...i wouldv'e jumped in, but it was infested with spideys...HUGE spideys...
I've added to my menu of apples and tortillas this week..tvorak! it's so good...it's like cottage cheese (which is also amazing here) but not at all... we buy it from the babyshkas on the street and mix it with cmetana (sour cream) and a lil bit of sugar... it's good cause it's got protein...mmmmm...so good. No I actually eat normally pretty much...lots of veggies and fruits and tortillas and blinchiki, and whatever cectpa k whips up...but we've stopped running...:( it was fun while it lasted...we saw the sun rise every morning.
Ukraine is the most beautiful country. I love it here.
I love you mama. You're my example, source of strength, and stability! Tonight we're talking with the Vinogradeva's about how God has a body, senses, a voice, flesh and bones (like Elder Hale's talk). In my psychology class, we talked about how we experience an object or feeling. When we use ALL our senses (sight, smell, touch, taste, hearing) our brain literally makes more nerve connections, giving us a more complete idea of what the object is. We're taking a boolichka (a warm delicious bread thing that everyone eats here) and having them "experience" this with all their senses. Compare that to just smelling it. Just touching it. Just hearing it. Whatever, you can't hear bread, you get the picture. Well this is why God knows us so well. He has all these senses. He's not a vapor or idea or in our hearts or icon or whatever. He is a glorified being who HEARS our prayers, SEES when we are struggling, He SPEAKS through prophets, and the way he embraces us is through other people...he really really knows us...spiritually and scientifically speaking :) But anyways, on that last point...we are the Lord's hands in this life. You know how important a hug is to me! You are evidence of the Lord's hands for me mama...not only my life, but the lives of all these people you write me about every week that you are helping...love you. I love everyone else too. love love love...it's the new shizzle-dizzle...
until the adventures of next week...as beckyfarley (meant to be said together) advised :) stay strong, be good...if you say swears repent...look out for the little guy... be the lord's hands :) thankyou for everything you amazing family you
love cectpa jones
ps. post script
ppss.. warm fuzzies...
pspsps. the church is true!
17th email: October 6, 2009
What a crazy week of emotions and firsts and love and reliance on my Savior! And it doesn't stop here...i'm like a fountain of tears and my neighbors are a little concerned :) Thankyou so much for your letters this week! They are all such huge spiritual boosters for me...just knowing i have an amazing family and friends back home that DO live the gospel...that DO love me...and HAVE testimonies...and can't even say how much that means to me. A mission is all sorts of twists and turns with all sorts of things that aren't really in the job description. Remember that family we found? Well we called natalia and said we wanted to meet with her and help her. She was like, "alright, help me quit drinking". haHA desire! We agreed to meet later in the week. The next night she called us at 930 and said she wanted us to come and talk to her, but we're homebound by then. She told us that she was talking to her ex-husband that day and just felt so strongly that she "needed to talk to these girls...I need to listen to them" This whole thing is so miraculous. We met with her and her ex-husband said that the next three days she was on cloud nine. Then she called us yesterday on our way to internet and was crying and said Vladimir beat her and locked her out of the house. So we went to her...she was so drunk. We caught Vladimir leaving and he told us what happened...she was so drunk that she started hurting Sasha so he forced her off of him...He left and we went to her. I was terrified when she opened the door...she looked terrible and said through sobs "So you prayed again?" Their tiny apartment (smaller than our living room) was torn apart. A hammer throught the microwave, food everywhere, a bathroom that had never been cleaned, carpet with food smashed in it, the book of mormon and bible that we gave her were ripped apart on the floor...but sure enough there was Sasha smiling on the bed. Cectpa took Natalia in her arms and calmed her down and I took Sasha. We couldn't reason with her, but we scrubbed down their apartment, cleaned up all that she broke, gathered the pages of the Book of Mormon...we played with sasha as she threw up a bottle of vodka and wine...we cleaned her up when she was sober, made sasha some dinner, took their laundry to our house to do (they don't have a washing machine), and just prayed with them. I have never experienced first hand how drinking is such a serious disease...it's not funny, it's not a cool past-time...it's literally crawling into the hands of satan as her tears apart your life and the life of those around you. This family needs so much help...I keep on thinking back to Christ's ministry though. Nothing was too low for him...nothing was too much. I'm trying every day to do what He would do. We gave Vladimir, the dad, to the elders, and we'll work with natalia and sasha seperately. They need this gospel...sasha needs a supportive home...it says in the bible how without the word of christ through the prophets, we're tossed to and fro on every "wind of doctrine" with no stability. Pray for this little family.
Era is so slow...but we are being patient with her. She has started praying which is amazing! We've given her everything and every time she says the same thing "The hardest thing in life is to change"...this is true! But when we change our lives taking steps towards our Father in Heaven, he takes our hands. She will take those steps...
OK everyone is asking about the city and stuff...i'll do it...sorry i just get so distracted...my life is other peoples lives...ha...i love it...my life is so boring compared to Spartok's, for example...he runs so funny. He's a physist and speaks perfect english through his funny facial hair...his desire right now is to learn and says he's far from religion...but he came to church on sunday :) there i did it again...sevastopol is amazing! The coast in balaklava looks like hawaii. There's this really famous sailer school here so there are a ton of sailers. it's so funny, you get this little black and orange ribbon when you graduate i guess, and everyone wears it with pride...on their head, pinned in their marshrutka, on their zippers...i want one so bad, but it's kinda hard to swipe something off a huge russian head. Sevastopol is a Greek name...i think it was either invaded or founded by greeks...probably founded...i dunno, i'm not way into history. We eat all sorts of concoxtions...a lot of pellmenee (like pot-stickers) and cectpa loves kartoshkee (potatoes) ugh... haha...i dunno...i eat mostly fruits and veggies...their fruit stands are amazing here....and the apples are soooo delicous, but you've got to hunt for the good ones...i probably eat 3 a day...i'm trying to keep the doctor away forever :) grechka in the mornings (buckwheat) and maybe a parochkee on the street (just a bread something with something in the middle...right now i'm eating one with these black seed thingys, but they're sweet...maybe its fig...) People wear reinok clothes (a reinok is a huge market where you can literally buy anything) it's like crazy european style, but cheap...and funny shoes. Everybody takes marshrutkas everywhere...it only 2 hriven (like 20 cents) to anywhere! yesterday we bought 2 kilos of tomatoes for 2 hriven...20 cents of yumminess :) Everytime you go to someones house, you take off your shoes and they give you tapochkee...slippers...and then chai and cookies or bread...i dont know what elses...i just live here!
The language is crazy! I can understand people and can simply simply get a point across...i understand church stuff completely...i think thats an extra booster shot god gives missionaries :) I told cectpa that you thought she was a huge scary russian and we laughed so hard...haha...she is SUCH a girl and a little cutey misisonary...she is strong-willed though and a great leader and trainer. She eats more than 3 times as much as me and has 3 times as many clothes as me and speaks russian 30000 times better than me...you'd think she was russian :) I really couldn't have dreamed of a better companion/trainer...we laugh and play and we had to go to the doctor this week because she got a disease on her neck becasue she picks up and plays with every cat she sees...you'd think she was 12 not 24 ;)
I's happy you went to disneyland! haha... i didn't even know! hope you had a good time...and i hope you rode california screaming like 8 times...and ate just as many churros...mmmmm
It's still hot believe it or not. but this means i still don't have to pull out my nylons...so ZERO complaining! i'd take the heat over the cold any day.
The work in our city is slow compared to the rest of Ukraine and Crimea. We don't have the strongest branch in the world, but we're growing. Just ten years ago it consisted or 4 women...and now we have a presidency, primary, priesthood. The missionaries do a lot to support, but the members that are active and come are so great...I can't believe their strength and dedication in the mucky muck of the adversary...but anyways...the missionaries do a lot, but i'm happy cause we're busy and constantly thinking about how to be effective...
Welp...i'm happy, healthy, learning and growing...it's harder than anything, but funnier and more exciting than anything...keep doing what you're doing!! yOu'r love and support is like my gatorade for the week...prayer is my water...and as a babushka in our branch says "I'm all thumbs up with salt on top! " (imagine that with a thumbs up sign and her sprinkling salt on it... :) stay strong...cause the church is true!!!1
love love love cectpa jones
ps...pouch mail doesn't really have to be pouch mail...i got mail that was normail style and came fine...just send it to the mission office!!
Era is so slow...but we are being patient with her. She has started praying which is amazing! We've given her everything and every time she says the same thing "The hardest thing in life is to change"...this is true! But when we change our lives taking steps towards our Father in Heaven, he takes our hands. She will take those steps...
OK everyone is asking about the city and stuff...i'll do it...sorry i just get so distracted...my life is other peoples lives...ha...i love it...my life is so boring compared to Spartok's, for example...he runs so funny. He's a physist and speaks perfect english through his funny facial hair...his desire right now is to learn and says he's far from religion...but he came to church on sunday :) there i did it again...sevastopol is amazing! The coast in balaklava looks like hawaii. There's this really famous sailer school here so there are a ton of sailers. it's so funny, you get this little black and orange ribbon when you graduate i guess, and everyone wears it with pride...on their head, pinned in their marshrutka, on their zippers...i want one so bad, but it's kinda hard to swipe something off a huge russian head. Sevastopol is a Greek name...i think it was either invaded or founded by greeks...probably founded...i dunno, i'm not way into history. We eat all sorts of concoxtions...a lot of pellmenee (like pot-stickers) and cectpa loves kartoshkee (potatoes) ugh... haha...i dunno...i eat mostly fruits and veggies...their fruit stands are amazing here....and the apples are soooo delicous, but you've got to hunt for the good ones...i probably eat 3 a day...i'm trying to keep the doctor away forever :) grechka in the mornings (buckwheat) and maybe a parochkee on the street (just a bread something with something in the middle...right now i'm eating one with these black seed thingys, but they're sweet...maybe its fig...) People wear reinok clothes (a reinok is a huge market where you can literally buy anything) it's like crazy european style, but cheap...and funny shoes. Everybody takes marshrutkas everywhere...it only 2 hriven (like 20 cents) to anywhere! yesterday we bought 2 kilos of tomatoes for 2 hriven...20 cents of yumminess :) Everytime you go to someones house, you take off your shoes and they give you tapochkee...slippers...and then chai and cookies or bread...i dont know what elses...i just live here!
The language is crazy! I can understand people and can simply simply get a point across...i understand church stuff completely...i think thats an extra booster shot god gives missionaries :) I told cectpa that you thought she was a huge scary russian and we laughed so hard...haha...she is SUCH a girl and a little cutey misisonary...she is strong-willed though and a great leader and trainer. She eats more than 3 times as much as me and has 3 times as many clothes as me and speaks russian 30000 times better than me...you'd think she was russian :) I really couldn't have dreamed of a better companion/trainer...we laugh and play and we had to go to the doctor this week because she got a disease on her neck becasue she picks up and plays with every cat she sees...you'd think she was 12 not 24 ;)
I's happy you went to disneyland! haha... i didn't even know! hope you had a good time...and i hope you rode california screaming like 8 times...and ate just as many churros...mmmmm
It's still hot believe it or not. but this means i still don't have to pull out my nylons...so ZERO complaining! i'd take the heat over the cold any day.
The work in our city is slow compared to the rest of Ukraine and Crimea. We don't have the strongest branch in the world, but we're growing. Just ten years ago it consisted or 4 women...and now we have a presidency, primary, priesthood. The missionaries do a lot to support, but the members that are active and come are so great...I can't believe their strength and dedication in the mucky muck of the adversary...but anyways...the missionaries do a lot, but i'm happy cause we're busy and constantly thinking about how to be effective...
Welp...i'm happy, healthy, learning and growing...it's harder than anything, but funnier and more exciting than anything...keep doing what you're doing!! yOu'r love and support is like my gatorade for the week...prayer is my water...and as a babushka in our branch says "I'm all thumbs up with salt on top! " (imagine that with a thumbs up sign and her sprinkling salt on it... :) stay strong...cause the church is true!!!1
love love love cectpa jones
ps...pouch mail doesn't really have to be pouch mail...i got mail that was normail style and came fine...just send it to the mission office!!
16th email: September 28th, 2009
Dear dear cemya -
What a week...ha...i can't believe I'm already here again typing away. They play really good music here...like modern day amercian music that I would listen to...I fell a little bit guilty, but at the same time, it's a mercy for me. I can only listen to so much russian disco. It's so funny. They mix in English and say funny phrases like "you are so delicate like the trinkets on a bracelet." and "I you love" for the WHOLE song...haha...
So we witnessed a miracle this week. Seriously. I don't think I told you about Cаша and his mom that we met on the street near our house. They passed by just like anyone else, but Cectpa K felt so impressed to stop her again (after she was far behind us) Her little Саша is about 6 and is handicapped. We told her again, that if she would just listen to us, we could help her. She said "You don't know how I'm feeling. You don't know what it's like to not have an exit from this (meaning Саша)" We explained that there IS a way! We can be happy! The Plan of Salvation is real! We agreed to meet later that day in the park...however I was a little suspicious because she said she didn't have a phone and didn't want to meet in her apartment. Lo and behold she didn't come. Cectpa K said she has never felt the spirit that strong when talking to someone, and when I got my first look at her little boy and his massive smile, the tears came. We both wanted to teach her...to help her so much, so why didn't she come? So we searched for her. We went to parks and stores and stopped people with children asking if they knew of her (she would stand out with her little boy). Many people knew of her, but didn't know where she lived. We asked all our investigators who lived around where we found her. We prayed together every night that we would be led to her. For almost three weeks we kept this up. We were waiting outside our appt with Алла on Thursday(she had canceled both tuesday and wednesday) because Cectpa was on the phone with our Zone Leader. I saw Саша! He stood out like a massive light on that playground...i basically punched cectpa in the arm and we hung up the phone and just stared for a little bit. You have to understand that we live in a huge complex with maybe 40 квартиры (huge apartment buildings where everyone lives) with 10 or so floors and 10 or so stairwells in each building...i can't describe it well cause i'm a horrible writer, but basically there are a ton of people where we live...the chances of us stumbling across one person are 0. So we gathered ourselves and built up the guts to go talk to them again (he was with his dad) We told him our story... that we have been searching for them. He was so surprised, taken back, open to us...it was a miracle. He used to be a successful businessman with a lot of money, but Саша was born and needed a lot of help and surgeries. He has three holes in his skull and the blood can't get to his brain properly meaning his developmental system is all wacked. He gave everything to help him and they're struggling to find money for one more surgery. наталя, (natalia) the mom, has a really hard time with it. She feels trapped and drinks to escape. Владемир (Vladimir) the dad, loves Саша, but only wants to him. They are still a family though, being held together by this little boy. He gave us his number, her number and said he would like to meet with us, but she doesn't know if наталя would be so open. We called her yesterday and just said we want to help...she agreed to meet with us too.....holy cow. I can see how much this gospel can help this family if they are open to it... I have never felt this much of a desire to help someone... I can't describe how close this little boy is the his heavenly father...he has this permanent smile on his face, though he can't speak, struggles to walk, doesn't understand... what a blessing for that family! I still can't believe we found them. Heavenly Father saw our faith, our desire, and he helped us. He is our real, loving, father in heaven....that's my testimony!
So needless to say, we are praying even harder now...for open hearts, willing minds... we're moving with зра... We have a lot more to work out than we thought. She want this, but she's not quite working for it yet. She dogged us a few times this week (however she did meet with us 3 times) including church. We found out today that she is still smoking, drinking cofee, and drinking a little bit. We had an intense lesson today. We copied the list in PMG of all the qualifications for those who want to be baptised (set out my 1st presidency and D&C 20) And went through each of them and told her that she will have an interview and needs to be ready. It doesn't matter that she won't be baptised this next week...we need to help her gain a testimony, act on her desire, turn towards god and stay there...she want's it, but she needs a lot of help. Goods news is we didn't scare her away and we're still meeting with her tomorrow :)
We finally started meeting wtih Инна again...I love her... haha, she is still really busy, but she's giving us 30-45 minutes a couple times a week. She said she loves when we come because we lift her out of the stresses of the world for a little bit... :) She calls cectpa K "Полинтчки" (Polinichkee - cutesy form of her name, Polina) and just calls me джонс "the jones"... our next goal for her is church...and daily prayer...
Ukraine is as great as ever...transfers are this week and we're losing Elder Belnap and Makloop. We found out that Cect. K will be her until she leaves (3 days before Christmas) meaning I'll be here for a little while after that...maybe... I already can't imagine leaving...i love these peeps...
We had a hilarious talent show on Saturday...there was a boxing match and screamo band out in the center (right outside the Приход ) but we were just pretending to be raindrops and singing funny songs inside... what a great contrast... I sang in 7 different languages (thanks beln) including lion kings "BAH SA VANE YA!" haha... it was embarrassing for me, entertaining for them. I bought a guitar (for way cheap) and it's been entertaining at the приход... President Neilson is so great...he's smart, strong, and understands missionary work. He is not overly strict, which is a blessing for me, but we live by the rules. Obedience is the price.
Life is so good...i'm trying hard to be as effective as a i can. The parable of the sower says is well... as missionaries, we're throwing seeds all over the place... I need to think about where I'm throwing though... just into the wind? just places where the thorns are too thick, where the ground is too rocky to take root, where the birds eat them up? Or am I taking care to place seeds in fertile ground and patiently wait and work for that seed to become a strong well rooted beautiful fruit bearing tree... it's true that missionary work takes strategy and thinking...god gave us brains, and we're meant to use them, not just waltz out of our apartment and toss some seeds around. The last verse of the parable says "and all who have ears to hear, let them hear" As far as I have seen, everyone has ears here...haha...it's easy to talk about it, but a thousand times harder to do...Heavenly Father expects a lot out of us, but he also provides a way to do it...I'm still seeking to be uncomfortable :)
Thankyou so much for sending packages! I won't get them for a while, but I look forward to them...I actually got Modern Russian at the MTC...the started giving it to missionaries because so many people wanted it...but no worries, I'll find someone, no doubt, that needs it!
I discovered that I can make tortillas...my tum tum has never been happier :) they're so easy! and i feel so domestic making dough...
I so excited to get those pictures of grandpa and lizzie skydiving (so dad went too?) i have the coolest family... sounds like a blast...I look forward to you letter gpa jones! Give roy boy a kiss for me...he's probably huge... ugh...wowo
congrrats dan and taryn on the house-diddly! i think you shouldn't make the neighbors pay you rent in money, but in horses...lets make roy into a cowboy...haha...i'm siked to see it :)
J-fus...you're becoming smarter than all of us...keep working hard... you'll be glad you did!
WElp everyone else, i'm happy as a clammmm...love you all...stay strong, don't say swears...
с любовью...счастлива!
сестра джонс
ps... don't forget about Obama in the garage...take him for a ride up the canyone or something...give him some fresh air...
pspsp - Sadie. haha. i love that dog. hose pictures of grandpa and lizzie skydiving (so dad went too?) i have the coolest family... sounds like a blast...I look forward to you letter gpa jones! Give roy boy a kiss for me...he's probably huge... ugh...wowo
congrrats dan and taryn on the house-diddly! i think you shouldn't make the neighbors pay you rent in money, but in horses...lets make roy into a cowboy...haha...i'm siked to see it :)
J-fus...you're becoming smarter than all of us...keep working hard..
What a week...ha...i can't believe I'm already here again typing away. They play really good music here...like modern day amercian music that I would listen to...I fell a little bit guilty, but at the same time, it's a mercy for me. I can only listen to so much russian disco. It's so funny. They mix in English and say funny phrases like "you are so delicate like the trinkets on a bracelet." and "I you love" for the WHOLE song...haha...
So we witnessed a miracle this week. Seriously. I don't think I told you about Cаша and his mom that we met on the street near our house. They passed by just like anyone else, but Cectpa K felt so impressed to stop her again (after she was far behind us) Her little Саша is about 6 and is handicapped. We told her again, that if she would just listen to us, we could help her. She said "You don't know how I'm feeling. You don't know what it's like to not have an exit from this (meaning Саша)" We explained that there IS a way! We can be happy! The Plan of Salvation is real! We agreed to meet later that day in the park...however I was a little suspicious because she said she didn't have a phone and didn't want to meet in her apartment. Lo and behold she didn't come. Cectpa K said she has never felt the spirit that strong when talking to someone, and when I got my first look at her little boy and his massive smile, the tears came. We both wanted to teach her...to help her so much, so why didn't she come? So we searched for her. We went to parks and stores and stopped people with children asking if they knew of her (she would stand out with her little boy). Many people knew of her, but didn't know where she lived. We asked all our investigators who lived around where we found her. We prayed together every night that we would be led to her. For almost three weeks we kept this up. We were waiting outside our appt with Алла on Thursday(she had canceled both tuesday and wednesday) because Cectpa was on the phone with our Zone Leader. I saw Саша! He stood out like a massive light on that playground...i basically punched cectpa in the arm and we hung up the phone and just stared for a little bit. You have to understand that we live in a huge complex with maybe 40 квартиры (huge apartment buildings where everyone lives) with 10 or so floors and 10 or so stairwells in each building...i can't describe it well cause i'm a horrible writer, but basically there are a ton of people where we live...the chances of us stumbling across one person are 0. So we gathered ourselves and built up the guts to go talk to them again (he was with his dad) We told him our story... that we have been searching for them. He was so surprised, taken back, open to us...it was a miracle. He used to be a successful businessman with a lot of money, but Саша was born and needed a lot of help and surgeries. He has three holes in his skull and the blood can't get to his brain properly meaning his developmental system is all wacked. He gave everything to help him and they're struggling to find money for one more surgery. наталя, (natalia) the mom, has a really hard time with it. She feels trapped and drinks to escape. Владемир (Vladimir) the dad, loves Саша, but only wants to him. They are still a family though, being held together by this little boy. He gave us his number, her number and said he would like to meet with us, but she doesn't know if наталя would be so open. We called her yesterday and just said we want to help...she agreed to meet with us too.....holy cow. I can see how much this gospel can help this family if they are open to it... I have never felt this much of a desire to help someone... I can't describe how close this little boy is the his heavenly father...he has this permanent smile on his face, though he can't speak, struggles to walk, doesn't understand... what a blessing for that family! I still can't believe we found them. Heavenly Father saw our faith, our desire, and he helped us. He is our real, loving, father in heaven....that's my testimony!
So needless to say, we are praying even harder now...for open hearts, willing minds... we're moving with зра... We have a lot more to work out than we thought. She want this, but she's not quite working for it yet. She dogged us a few times this week (however she did meet with us 3 times) including church. We found out today that she is still smoking, drinking cofee, and drinking a little bit. We had an intense lesson today. We copied the list in PMG of all the qualifications for those who want to be baptised (set out my 1st presidency and D&C 20) And went through each of them and told her that she will have an interview and needs to be ready. It doesn't matter that she won't be baptised this next week...we need to help her gain a testimony, act on her desire, turn towards god and stay there...she want's it, but she needs a lot of help. Goods news is we didn't scare her away and we're still meeting with her tomorrow :)
We finally started meeting wtih Инна again...I love her... haha, she is still really busy, but she's giving us 30-45 minutes a couple times a week. She said she loves when we come because we lift her out of the stresses of the world for a little bit... :) She calls cectpa K "Полинтчки" (Polinichkee - cutesy form of her name, Polina) and just calls me джонс "the jones"... our next goal for her is church...and daily prayer...
Ukraine is as great as ever...transfers are this week and we're losing Elder Belnap and Makloop. We found out that Cect. K will be her until she leaves (3 days before Christmas) meaning I'll be here for a little while after that...maybe... I already can't imagine leaving...i love these peeps...
We had a hilarious talent show on Saturday...there was a boxing match and screamo band out in the center (right outside the Приход ) but we were just pretending to be raindrops and singing funny songs inside... what a great contrast... I sang in 7 different languages (thanks beln) including lion kings "BAH SA VANE YA!" haha... it was embarrassing for me, entertaining for them. I bought a guitar (for way cheap) and it's been entertaining at the приход... President Neilson is so great...he's smart, strong, and understands missionary work. He is not overly strict, which is a blessing for me, but we live by the rules. Obedience is the price.
Life is so good...i'm trying hard to be as effective as a i can. The parable of the sower says is well... as missionaries, we're throwing seeds all over the place... I need to think about where I'm throwing though... just into the wind? just places where the thorns are too thick, where the ground is too rocky to take root, where the birds eat them up? Or am I taking care to place seeds in fertile ground and patiently wait and work for that seed to become a strong well rooted beautiful fruit bearing tree... it's true that missionary work takes strategy and thinking...god gave us brains, and we're meant to use them, not just waltz out of our apartment and toss some seeds around. The last verse of the parable says "and all who have ears to hear, let them hear" As far as I have seen, everyone has ears here...haha...it's easy to talk about it, but a thousand times harder to do...Heavenly Father expects a lot out of us, but he also provides a way to do it...I'm still seeking to be uncomfortable :)
Thankyou so much for sending packages! I won't get them for a while, but I look forward to them...I actually got Modern Russian at the MTC...the started giving it to missionaries because so many people wanted it...but no worries, I'll find someone, no doubt, that needs it!
I discovered that I can make tortillas...my tum tum has never been happier :) they're so easy! and i feel so domestic making dough...
I so excited to get those pictures of grandpa and lizzie skydiving (so dad went too?) i have the coolest family... sounds like a blast...I look forward to you letter gpa jones! Give roy boy a kiss for me...he's probably huge... ugh...wowo
congrrats dan and taryn on the house-diddly! i think you shouldn't make the neighbors pay you rent in money, but in horses...lets make roy into a cowboy...haha...i'm siked to see it :)
J-fus...you're becoming smarter than all of us...keep working hard... you'll be glad you did!
WElp everyone else, i'm happy as a clammmm...love you all...stay strong, don't say swears...
с любовью...счастлива!
сестра джонс
ps... don't forget about Obama in the garage...take him for a ride up the canyone or something...give him some fresh air...
pspsp - Sadie. haha. i love that dog. hose pictures of grandpa and lizzie skydiving (so dad went too?) i have the coolest family... sounds like a blast...I look forward to you letter gpa jones! Give roy boy a kiss for me...he's probably huge... ugh...wowo
congrrats dan and taryn on the house-diddly! i think you shouldn't make the neighbors pay you rent in money, but in horses...lets make roy into a cowboy...haha...i'm siked to see it :)
J-fus...you're becoming smarter than all of us...keep working hard..
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