A quick note:

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!

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? :)

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

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?

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!