Merry Christmas!!!
I hope today finds everything great with you and yours. I won't write much because we don't have a lot of time today plus half of you will be calling me in 8 hours anyway. Today is our p-day since, of course, it's Christmas. So I won't get your emails til next week if you haven't already written. I'm sad that I didn't get to "see" and "open" the present mom said she would email pictures of but hopefully they'll just tell me tonight when they call.
I haven't gotten any of the packages but that's because no one has come down this way from Rostov. Though President Harrison should prolly be coming soon to change up the branch presidency here so hopefully he'll bring anything that's there. In a couple of hours we'll meet up with the elders in our area and eat somewhere...maybe Subway...not sure, watch a movie, and exchange secret Santa gifts, and we might possibly play football-I mean soccer just so we can have a reason to wear jeans sigh...aww...jeans...it's been so long 8)
Our branch had a Christmas party and it was really great- many investigators and less-actives came out for it and I of course sang in the branch choir-which was the bulk of the festivities. The choir consisted of more missionaries than branch members, haha-I think the director was happy to have a full choir and people that could read music 8)
It was a really fun night, and after the choir sang, and the lil primary kids acted out the manger scene, they brought out "ded ma-rose" their Santa clause and each of the kids had to come up and recite some kind of verse/poetry/talent/something and then he gave them a brightly colored cardboard gift box with candy and lil' toys in it. it was really fun and interesting to see their traditions and the richness that is in their culture- such an emphasis on poetry! The room where we had it was well decorated with streamers and a tree. It was lots of fun 8)
Grandpa Adams, I think I forgot to mention in my last letter, thank you soooo much for your consistent financial support and help-I know it's a great blessing for our family. I'm so lucky to be surrounded by loving and supportive family and friends.
You will all have to email me pictures of you wherever this Christmas finds you! (that goes for R22 and F6 too) just email them to mom and she can forward them on to me 8)
I love you all and can't believe it's Christmas-really feels weird but I'm so grateful to be here and know that eventually being home for Christmas will be all the more sweet if I give my all here and now. I now I already said it but I love you all and more importantly I know the Lord loves you all- give him a present on his birthday, consecrate something more to Him whether it's omitting something you're doing now or recommitting to do something better. Again, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
Luv
Cectpa Richards
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
How do you spell Borsh?
MERRY CHRISTMAS ONE AND ALL!
This will be my Christmas email since this time next week it will be long gone...that is of course until my second Christmas on the 7th-score!
Well this week has gone well and we're starting to get back into our normal routine which feels good. We had our second zone conference on Friday which was our Christmas zone conference. It was a lot of fun and always charges me up and gets me excited for the work.
We had a talent show of sorts put on by the different districts of missionaries. One district performed Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem on bottles-was very impressive, another companionship tried to do the Rubik's cube blindfolded racing against each other-one finally peeked to end it, our district which is us and the ZLs put on a skit titled appropriately: "Borscht". Where we act out a scene where I make borscht, one ZL comes in and eats it, dies, and the other comes and pronounces him dead, and my comp was the "director" and kept making us redo the scene in different ways for example: opera, ballet, and my favorite: mafia. Basically he came in talking with a new york accent, I gave him borscht, and as he stood eating it I shot him in the back, then when the other ZL came I payed him off-ta dah, mafia style! Everyone laughed pretty hard at it. Another companionship-one of which was Russian did an American rap about missionary work, it was pretty funny, and the last act (the funniest of all) a district put on a shadow puppet show explaining why there wasn't unicorns or dragons on the earth today-the unicorns left the ark, sacrificing themselves, to hold off the dragons long enough for Noah and the ark to get away. They recorded the story on a tape player and had a projector and cardboard cutouts of the ark, unicorns, dragons, etc and two elders put baking soda in their mouths and with lighters tried to breathe fire like dragons...it didn't work that great but it was sure funny to watch.
We had a white elephant gift exchange which pretty much consisted of ties for elders and us sisters got girly things of course. We got a CD of Christmas music from Sister Harrison and a jar of peanut butter and nutella-the first of these gave me much joy 8)
Sadly I didn't get any of your packages at the zone conference. If anyone comes down to Krasnodar and the packages have arrived at the office I'm sure they'll bring them with them, but it's not a sure thing so I may not get them til next transfer-that is if they make it through the postal system (yea for Russia!) haha, o well...it would have been nice to have whatever crazy decorations were in there but we found an old small Christmas tree in our apartment and put it out on the table and taped up paper snowflakes so it's all good anyway. We can just have a third Christmas whenever we get those packages. I mailed a package last week so hopefully you will get it sooner than later. Man was it a nightmare though! We had to refill out all these little forms saying exactly what was in the package-just a big envelope really, and they wouldn't let me send mom's gift 8( it was these cool looking candles, but they said that if it gets to America and when they open it to check it, if it's broken they'll send it back to Russia and not on to it's destination in America-crazy I know...oh well, and there's a letter that I had to send separately so hopefully that will get there around the same time.
Thank you for all your letters this week-it sounds like everyone is doing great and it was especially cool to read the comments from my mission blog! It's so crazy to think about what everyone is doing and the many changes that are going on in their lives-I still can't believe Heather is married, I don't think it will feel real til I go home and have a lil kid yelling "Aunt Whit" at me...haha, just kidding...or am I? 8)
I'm so excited that Eric can be there for the phone call and I'm sure it will be great to have a 9 day break and enjoy all the Christmas festivities at the house. I'm excited to read about these so-called presents that have apparently already been bought for me and are waiting at home. Though I must point out that I should be seeing them today because next Wednesday Christmas will be over-ahem.
The work is going better here, we have gotten a few investigators that the elders knocked into -met with one yesterday, who had MANY questions and was really interested in religion in general. Another seems really cool and interested but will work a lot until after the holidays but she works at the store that we buy our groceries at every week and said she'd come say hi so that was cool.
It looks like New Years eve we have to be home by dark and can stay up til 12:30 to see fire works, though they said fire works will be goin on all night-we get to sleep in til 8:00 8) So it should be fun and interesting.
Grandpa and Grandma Richards, thanks so much for the Christmas present! I bought warmer winter boots with fur inside and a turtleneck-both were really needed, so thanks for helping me stay warm out here.
The weather has really turned colder the past few days and yesterday or the day before-can't remember it snowed. It was really pretty-I want it to snow, otherwise it's just grey and boring, if I'm gonna be cold I at least want something pretty to look at 8)
I love you all and thanks for your continued support and love! be sure to give your gift to the savior for His birthday this upcoming week whether it's improving something about yourself, service to those around you, or something like that! Oh, and Eric, thanks so much for the advice-consider it noted 8)
Merry Christmas!
luv
Cectpa Richards
This will be my Christmas email since this time next week it will be long gone...that is of course until my second Christmas on the 7th-score!
Well this week has gone well and we're starting to get back into our normal routine which feels good. We had our second zone conference on Friday which was our Christmas zone conference. It was a lot of fun and always charges me up and gets me excited for the work.
We had a talent show of sorts put on by the different districts of missionaries. One district performed Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem on bottles-was very impressive, another companionship tried to do the Rubik's cube blindfolded racing against each other-one finally peeked to end it, our district which is us and the ZLs put on a skit titled appropriately: "Borscht". Where we act out a scene where I make borscht, one ZL comes in and eats it, dies, and the other comes and pronounces him dead, and my comp was the "director" and kept making us redo the scene in different ways for example: opera, ballet, and my favorite: mafia. Basically he came in talking with a new york accent, I gave him borscht, and as he stood eating it I shot him in the back, then when the other ZL came I payed him off-ta dah, mafia style! Everyone laughed pretty hard at it. Another companionship-one of which was Russian did an American rap about missionary work, it was pretty funny, and the last act (the funniest of all) a district put on a shadow puppet show explaining why there wasn't unicorns or dragons on the earth today-the unicorns left the ark, sacrificing themselves, to hold off the dragons long enough for Noah and the ark to get away. They recorded the story on a tape player and had a projector and cardboard cutouts of the ark, unicorns, dragons, etc and two elders put baking soda in their mouths and with lighters tried to breathe fire like dragons...it didn't work that great but it was sure funny to watch.
We had a white elephant gift exchange which pretty much consisted of ties for elders and us sisters got girly things of course. We got a CD of Christmas music from Sister Harrison and a jar of peanut butter and nutella-the first of these gave me much joy 8)
Sadly I didn't get any of your packages at the zone conference. If anyone comes down to Krasnodar and the packages have arrived at the office I'm sure they'll bring them with them, but it's not a sure thing so I may not get them til next transfer-that is if they make it through the postal system (yea for Russia!) haha, o well...it would have been nice to have whatever crazy decorations were in there but we found an old small Christmas tree in our apartment and put it out on the table and taped up paper snowflakes so it's all good anyway. We can just have a third Christmas whenever we get those packages. I mailed a package last week so hopefully you will get it sooner than later. Man was it a nightmare though! We had to refill out all these little forms saying exactly what was in the package-just a big envelope really, and they wouldn't let me send mom's gift 8( it was these cool looking candles, but they said that if it gets to America and when they open it to check it, if it's broken they'll send it back to Russia and not on to it's destination in America-crazy I know...oh well, and there's a letter that I had to send separately so hopefully that will get there around the same time.
Thank you for all your letters this week-it sounds like everyone is doing great and it was especially cool to read the comments from my mission blog! It's so crazy to think about what everyone is doing and the many changes that are going on in their lives-I still can't believe Heather is married, I don't think it will feel real til I go home and have a lil kid yelling "Aunt Whit" at me...haha, just kidding...or am I? 8)
I'm so excited that Eric can be there for the phone call and I'm sure it will be great to have a 9 day break and enjoy all the Christmas festivities at the house. I'm excited to read about these so-called presents that have apparently already been bought for me and are waiting at home. Though I must point out that I should be seeing them today because next Wednesday Christmas will be over-ahem.
The work is going better here, we have gotten a few investigators that the elders knocked into -met with one yesterday, who had MANY questions and was really interested in religion in general. Another seems really cool and interested but will work a lot until after the holidays but she works at the store that we buy our groceries at every week and said she'd come say hi so that was cool.
It looks like New Years eve we have to be home by dark and can stay up til 12:30 to see fire works, though they said fire works will be goin on all night-we get to sleep in til 8:00 8) So it should be fun and interesting.
Grandpa and Grandma Richards, thanks so much for the Christmas present! I bought warmer winter boots with fur inside and a turtleneck-both were really needed, so thanks for helping me stay warm out here.
The weather has really turned colder the past few days and yesterday or the day before-can't remember it snowed. It was really pretty-I want it to snow, otherwise it's just grey and boring, if I'm gonna be cold I at least want something pretty to look at 8)
I love you all and thanks for your continued support and love! be sure to give your gift to the savior for His birthday this upcoming week whether it's improving something about yourself, service to those around you, or something like that! Oh, and Eric, thanks so much for the advice-consider it noted 8)
Merry Christmas!
luv
Cectpa Richards
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Crazy Week
Hello one and all!
Wow, a great bunch of emails this week-thanks everyone for writing 8)
Well the past week has been kind of crazy because my companion's back was really hurting her. For some reason there was a doctor who was staying with a member's family in the branch so we are now going over there once a day for her to get a massage and she says it's doing a lot better. Yesterday we had two girls from the branch come over one to stay with my comp and the other to go knocking with me. It was really weird to not be with my companion, it was really humbling because I realized how much I rely on her. I really need to start opening my eyes and learning the things around me better because next transfer she could leave and someone else will come expecting me to be able to teach them about the area etc. It's hard cause it all looks the same to me but I will try harder. With all of the crazy illness of my comp, our finding abilities have suffered so we're in a sort of rut right now with no new investigators and few progressing. It's hard because well...it's frustrating when you feel like you're not doing enough, your part, but now that she is on the mend hopefully we'll be able to up our work efforts and get back into the swing of things.
The language is really hard but this next week I'm gonna really prayerfully re- evaluate and set up how I use my hour of language study and just work hard, study hard, and pray hard...though it's frustrating when you're not able to really share with people your personality/who you are because of language barriers-it's easy to feel isolated from the world, but that's just part of the process and I know when I start working harder and studying harder, trying more and really show my faith that the Lord will help me, gotta do my part.
Um....what else....it's been raining and cold for the past couple of days-I kinda wish that it would just snow, I think it would be warmer and you can just brush it off anyway, but my coat continues to be great and I'm staying dry and warm.
Ok, now for the number you should call to talk to me on Christmas-and actually you can call me whenever you want within the time I sent you since my companion's family will call a different day all together so let me know what will be best for you; hopefully Eric will be able to be there for it, that would be really cool.
Friday is our Christmas zone conference so I'll see if any of your packages make it to me by Christmas (fingers crossed!) It was almost torture to hear about all the Christmas baking going on at home and decorations but good too, I'll just get re-lost in the work and not dwell.
Steve, it's cool to hear about all of your plans for the future. I realized too that that would be the one time that I would ever be in the same school with one of my siblings-crazy cool! You sound so old from your emails, where's my lil brother?? you're like...full-fledged teenager or something....weird...haha, stay strong in your studies (I won't say to have fun because I know you already will for sure 8)
Mike, Jess, and fam, how do you like your new home? Has everyone adjusted back into a normal routine again? I bet the kids are getting way excited for Christmas, you'll have to tell me how they like sitting on Santa's lap: fun or terrifying. It was so fun to hear you are back in Broken Arrow-tho I don't remember that house particularly well, but a little and mom mentioned that you are near the mall that had Mr.Bulkies-how could I forget that wondrous place! haha, it must be a fun trip down memory lane.
Well, I better go. Please continue to pray for our success and the strength needed to carry out this great work, I know that this gospel is the true church of Jesus Christ with only Him at its head leading and guiding us today through a prophet. I'm so thankful for the knowledge that this gospel gives me, and the importance of this life and our goals after this life. I know God loves each of us and is aware of us in every state that we are in (happy and sad) and knows what we need the most; what a comfort. I love you all and pray for you daily, be sure to use this great time of year as an opening to share the gospel with those around you (hey, you guys should invite our neighbors who are from Russia over for your Christmas party! And tell them I say "preevyet"
Luv
Cectpa Richards
P.S. And of course: hey F6 and R22!!! Be sure to leave comments chronicling any cool developments or just email to my mom if you don't want everyone to see it on the blog (hmmm...mysterious...) cause I wanna know what's up with everyone.
Your thought for this week: getting yelled at by an angry Russian when you don't understand the language, is a lot like getting yelled at by Taz the looney tunes character. It sounds like a lot of nonsense and occasionally there's some spit. Thankfully though, Alan has helped prepare me for the experience of getting yelled at while not laughing (of course I'm referring to our spy movie and the interrogation scene, by the way how did it turn out?)
Oh yea! Real, quick sorry this is so long, but last Wednesday I went into an orthodox church- the inside was covered with gorgeous gold leaf paintings and there was this heavenly choir singing old medieval type music because it was their sacrament and people just stood around in a large room with vaulted ceilings (no chairs) crossing themselves while the priest read in chant from something, and there were hundreds of candles lit everywhere-the only lighting, because that's how they repent sort of...the bigger the sin, the bigger the candle (they pay for the candles from the church). Interesting huh?? Man it was really pretty though....too bad they don't have the fullness though-def could feel a difference.
Wow, a great bunch of emails this week-thanks everyone for writing 8)
Well the past week has been kind of crazy because my companion's back was really hurting her. For some reason there was a doctor who was staying with a member's family in the branch so we are now going over there once a day for her to get a massage and she says it's doing a lot better. Yesterday we had two girls from the branch come over one to stay with my comp and the other to go knocking with me. It was really weird to not be with my companion, it was really humbling because I realized how much I rely on her. I really need to start opening my eyes and learning the things around me better because next transfer she could leave and someone else will come expecting me to be able to teach them about the area etc. It's hard cause it all looks the same to me but I will try harder. With all of the crazy illness of my comp, our finding abilities have suffered so we're in a sort of rut right now with no new investigators and few progressing. It's hard because well...it's frustrating when you feel like you're not doing enough, your part, but now that she is on the mend hopefully we'll be able to up our work efforts and get back into the swing of things.
The language is really hard but this next week I'm gonna really prayerfully re- evaluate and set up how I use my hour of language study and just work hard, study hard, and pray hard...though it's frustrating when you're not able to really share with people your personality/who you are because of language barriers-it's easy to feel isolated from the world, but that's just part of the process and I know when I start working harder and studying harder, trying more and really show my faith that the Lord will help me, gotta do my part.
Um....what else....it's been raining and cold for the past couple of days-I kinda wish that it would just snow, I think it would be warmer and you can just brush it off anyway, but my coat continues to be great and I'm staying dry and warm.
Ok, now for the number you should call to talk to me on Christmas-and actually you can call me whenever you want within the time I sent you since my companion's family will call a different day all together so let me know what will be best for you; hopefully Eric will be able to be there for it, that would be really cool.
Friday is our Christmas zone conference so I'll see if any of your packages make it to me by Christmas (fingers crossed!) It was almost torture to hear about all the Christmas baking going on at home and decorations but good too, I'll just get re-lost in the work and not dwell.
Steve, it's cool to hear about all of your plans for the future. I realized too that that would be the one time that I would ever be in the same school with one of my siblings-crazy cool! You sound so old from your emails, where's my lil brother?? you're like...full-fledged teenager or something....weird...haha, stay strong in your studies (I won't say to have fun because I know you already will for sure 8)
Mike, Jess, and fam, how do you like your new home? Has everyone adjusted back into a normal routine again? I bet the kids are getting way excited for Christmas, you'll have to tell me how they like sitting on Santa's lap: fun or terrifying. It was so fun to hear you are back in Broken Arrow-tho I don't remember that house particularly well, but a little and mom mentioned that you are near the mall that had Mr.Bulkies-how could I forget that wondrous place! haha, it must be a fun trip down memory lane.
Well, I better go. Please continue to pray for our success and the strength needed to carry out this great work, I know that this gospel is the true church of Jesus Christ with only Him at its head leading and guiding us today through a prophet. I'm so thankful for the knowledge that this gospel gives me, and the importance of this life and our goals after this life. I know God loves each of us and is aware of us in every state that we are in (happy and sad) and knows what we need the most; what a comfort. I love you all and pray for you daily, be sure to use this great time of year as an opening to share the gospel with those around you (hey, you guys should invite our neighbors who are from Russia over for your Christmas party! And tell them I say "preevyet"
Luv
Cectpa Richards
P.S. And of course: hey F6 and R22!!! Be sure to leave comments chronicling any cool developments or just email to my mom if you don't want everyone to see it on the blog (hmmm...mysterious...) cause I wanna know what's up with everyone.
Your thought for this week: getting yelled at by an angry Russian when you don't understand the language, is a lot like getting yelled at by Taz the looney tunes character. It sounds like a lot of nonsense and occasionally there's some spit. Thankfully though, Alan has helped prepare me for the experience of getting yelled at while not laughing (of course I'm referring to our spy movie and the interrogation scene, by the way how did it turn out?)
Oh yea! Real, quick sorry this is so long, but last Wednesday I went into an orthodox church- the inside was covered with gorgeous gold leaf paintings and there was this heavenly choir singing old medieval type music because it was their sacrament and people just stood around in a large room with vaulted ceilings (no chairs) crossing themselves while the priest read in chant from something, and there were hundreds of candles lit everywhere-the only lighting, because that's how they repent sort of...the bigger the sin, the bigger the candle (they pay for the candles from the church). Interesting huh?? Man it was really pretty though....too bad they don't have the fullness though-def could feel a difference.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Hello everyone!
Thank you all for your GREAT letters-it's amazing what a boost they bring to read something and feel something so familiar again. This week has been...good. I dunno, it's been kind of a crazy week cause my companion has been needing to go to the dentist and finally got referred to one. (It's actually a pretty nice office and seems as good as American dental care). So Monday we went there and were waiting in the office FOREVER though afterwards it was pretty funny because he had given her the shot that numbs your mouth/face etc and she had never had that before. (Don't ask me what she has had-no idea) But anywho...so all night long she was poking at her face and saying, "He killed my face!", etc. Watching her eat dinner was pretty funny too cause she didn't hear him say: wait two hours, and so it was like watching a baby eat, haha. I kept telling her it was normal and it will wear off but we needed to go knocking cause our whole day had been wasted by this appointment and she couldn't really talk good. That's right, I stepped up to the plate. It was pretty comical cause it always registers on people's faces pretty quickly that you're not Russian and sometimes (especially with old people) they ask: "shto-shto?" which means: "what, what-didn't understand you" etc.
It was good though because I can't learn how to speak comfortably without speaking as much as possible. This one door though, Cectpa Malinina pointed out a big spider web in the corner and I was happy to see that it was unoccupied. Then I rang the bell and just as I did this, a huge spider came flying down onto the web from who knows where-I guess one of his strings was attached to the bell as a trigger. It took everything in me not to scream though I backed up three big steps really quickly and Cectpa M tried to mess with it/ play with it laughing at me. (shudder)
Not much came from knocking that night, though one man after saying something that sounded like "you speak real bad" I said I know, I'm from Texas which peaked his interest and we got a number to give to the elders to contact him so hopefully something will come from that. There was another woman who said we could come back but I think she might have thought we were Jehovah's witnesses-we get that a lot here. "Oh, we already talked to your people and got your literature" and we keep trying to say: "No! That's not us, we're different etc" sigh...it's like they're following us and getting to our areas first, oh well.
Yesterday Cectpa M's tooth still hurt and the dentist called us and had us come back so there went another day-though we taught the lesson at English club last night which went ok I guess. We taught about making verbs past tense and had them play a game and give candy and then they asked questions about America, what I like about my city etc. And afterwards one girl who we had taught the first lesson to and she has avoided us came up to us and asked if we could meet tomorrow.....um....YES! It's rare when they ask you to meet, haha. We'll show her Testaments and talk about the Book of Mormon some more-I'll have seen this movie 3 times this week (ugh) but it's a powerful tool and really invites the spirit.
For P-day today we're going to go visit an orthodox church-it's really big and beautiful, I'll be sure to take some pictures-from a distance of course. I'm excited to see the architecture etc. and something that is so old and rich in culture-it really caters to my love of humanities etc.
I sent to Dad the instructions we received about Christmas calls and will email my number and exactly what time (have to coordinate with my comp) to call etc. We'll have zone conference on the 14th so hopefully I'll get at least one of my packages 8) I have Steve for Christmas but I think I can send something from here for not that much-the only expensive thing will be the actual sending of it and if I think it's a lot maybe mom can put 20 odd bucks into my account or something, but it shouldn't be bad. He may have to wait til after Christmas but it's ok-Christmas is Jan 7 here anyway.
As to Mom's questions: We have lots of interactions with the branch members here-at least the younger ones and like I said there's quite a few RM sisters in our branch who are really cool. Every week there's prolly 30-40 in attendance. We don't eat meals with members-mission rule, tho every time we visit with this one LA lady she tries to feed us (was a chef) and let's just say her restaurant wouldn't be my fav, we'll prolly do a Christmas party with the missionaries in our area and I'm sure our branch will have some sort of Christmas/New Years party. I speak mostly English with my companion-she's pretty good at it but not perfect so we still have funny lost-in-translation moments. (Though I'm gonna ask her to only speak to me in Russian outside of our apartment from now on to help me learn faster). I gave a talk in sacrament a couple weeks ago-was short but everyone afterwards complimented me and was amazed at how much I could say (yea right 8) , um...I think they have a McDonald's in Rostov but I haven't seen one here in Krasnodar and we haven't been to any restaurants-just vendors on the streets for bakery type items- pear-O-shkee- my fav thing here right now: basically bread and inside is mashed potatoes, or meat or cabbage or cheese etc-kind of like a glorified hotpocket only that description doesn't do it justice...like a celestial hotpocket more like it! Don't' worry, you will taste them some day 8)
As far as in my next package- could use some Q-tips, mascara, um...fluoride rinse? haha that's about it...exciting huh?! Would it be possible to send skorper and some type of hot chocolate mix that only takes hot water like Stephens? That reminds me- it's not too bad weather wise here, though we've had a couple of crazy days that had warm weather, wind, cold rain and snow all in the same day-pretty wild.
Well I better go-still need to write the mission president, but know that I love all of you soooo much and love hearing from you and how every one's lives are going. I'm grateful for your prayers and support-I know it makes a difference and that God is preserving me out here every day.
Love,
Cectpa Richards
It was good though because I can't learn how to speak comfortably without speaking as much as possible. This one door though, Cectpa Malinina pointed out a big spider web in the corner and I was happy to see that it was unoccupied. Then I rang the bell and just as I did this, a huge spider came flying down onto the web from who knows where-I guess one of his strings was attached to the bell as a trigger. It took everything in me not to scream though I backed up three big steps really quickly and Cectpa M tried to mess with it/ play with it laughing at me. (shudder)
Not much came from knocking that night, though one man after saying something that sounded like "you speak real bad" I said I know, I'm from Texas which peaked his interest and we got a number to give to the elders to contact him so hopefully something will come from that. There was another woman who said we could come back but I think she might have thought we were Jehovah's witnesses-we get that a lot here. "Oh, we already talked to your people and got your literature" and we keep trying to say: "No! That's not us, we're different etc" sigh...it's like they're following us and getting to our areas first, oh well.
Yesterday Cectpa M's tooth still hurt and the dentist called us and had us come back so there went another day-though we taught the lesson at English club last night which went ok I guess. We taught about making verbs past tense and had them play a game and give candy and then they asked questions about America, what I like about my city etc. And afterwards one girl who we had taught the first lesson to and she has avoided us came up to us and asked if we could meet tomorrow.....um....YES! It's rare when they ask you to meet, haha. We'll show her Testaments and talk about the Book of Mormon some more-I'll have seen this movie 3 times this week (ugh) but it's a powerful tool and really invites the spirit.
For P-day today we're going to go visit an orthodox church-it's really big and beautiful, I'll be sure to take some pictures-from a distance of course. I'm excited to see the architecture etc. and something that is so old and rich in culture-it really caters to my love of humanities etc.
I sent to Dad the instructions we received about Christmas calls and will email my number and exactly what time (have to coordinate with my comp) to call etc. We'll have zone conference on the 14th so hopefully I'll get at least one of my packages 8) I have Steve for Christmas but I think I can send something from here for not that much-the only expensive thing will be the actual sending of it and if I think it's a lot maybe mom can put 20 odd bucks into my account or something, but it shouldn't be bad. He may have to wait til after Christmas but it's ok-Christmas is Jan 7 here anyway.
As to Mom's questions: We have lots of interactions with the branch members here-at least the younger ones and like I said there's quite a few RM sisters in our branch who are really cool. Every week there's prolly 30-40 in attendance. We don't eat meals with members-mission rule, tho every time we visit with this one LA lady she tries to feed us (was a chef) and let's just say her restaurant wouldn't be my fav, we'll prolly do a Christmas party with the missionaries in our area and I'm sure our branch will have some sort of Christmas/New Years party. I speak mostly English with my companion-she's pretty good at it but not perfect so we still have funny lost-in-translation moments. (Though I'm gonna ask her to only speak to me in Russian outside of our apartment from now on to help me learn faster). I gave a talk in sacrament a couple weeks ago-was short but everyone afterwards complimented me and was amazed at how much I could say (yea right 8) , um...I think they have a McDonald's in Rostov but I haven't seen one here in Krasnodar and we haven't been to any restaurants-just vendors on the streets for bakery type items- pear-O-shkee- my fav thing here right now: basically bread and inside is mashed potatoes, or meat or cabbage or cheese etc-kind of like a glorified hotpocket only that description doesn't do it justice...like a celestial hotpocket more like it! Don't' worry, you will taste them some day 8)
As far as in my next package- could use some Q-tips, mascara, um...fluoride rinse? haha that's about it...exciting huh?! Would it be possible to send skorper and some type of hot chocolate mix that only takes hot water like Stephens? That reminds me- it's not too bad weather wise here, though we've had a couple of crazy days that had warm weather, wind, cold rain and snow all in the same day-pretty wild.
Well I better go-still need to write the mission president, but know that I love all of you soooo much and love hearing from you and how every one's lives are going. I'm grateful for your prayers and support-I know it makes a difference and that God is preserving me out here every day.
Love,
Cectpa Richards
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
I've been crossed
Greetings one and all!
Thanks for your continual support and letters,they are a huge highlight to my week! Speaking of sending correspondence: All packages need to be sent to the mission office if you didn't already know, thank you 8)
So another week has come and gone. Our lil' Thanksgiving was great last week. We all met up at the elders' apartment-it is a huge apartment, I'm so jealous
8( We all went out to a cement court out back and played some football which was fun. I'm not sure which was more fun playing or watching people's interest and expressions as they passed seeing real Americans playing real American football. Pretty funny. Then we went back to the apartment. We watched the "Emperor's New Groove" in Russian which was pretty comical because I remembered all that was being said and then learning what it was in Russian-not exactly an exact translation but still hilarious. The part when they go over the water fall and he says bring it on was pretty funny. There's a word: "Feegnah" which just means that something is worthless, not important, or our slang word: crap. And that's all he said before they went over the waterfall- we were laughing pretty hard.
Our meal was amazing even for American standards-everyone brought something and we had about ten of us together. We had chicken marinated in this barbecue/pineapple sauce stuff-really good, pumpkin bread (so good!). Fruit salad, jello, rolls, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing casserole, and more but I can't remember at the moment...then we had these lil personal pumpkin pies which were ok-just add water on the back of package type of thing, but then we had our apple pies and ice cream. I think I'm still working off all that I ate and haven't really been that hungry since.
Um...what else happened this week...we got this one lady from the elders who had knocked into her (not literally of course) and she's really amazing. She has already come to church and brought her 6 year old son, came to FHE at the branch, and came to English last night and we taught her the plan of salvation which I think went well...only she had a problem with pre-earth life-thought that our spirits were just created once God created our bodies with His breath or something. We'll find some good scriptures though and address it next time-she's really great and a sincere lady. Our knocking hasn't found as much success as normal this past while-a bit of doubt with lots of interesting, old, Russian-orthodox people (always a good combination with a couple young Mormon missionaries 8)
One man we knocked into was trying to convince my companion that she should be orthodox and how can she not be orthodox because she's Russian-she gets this a lot and hates it (understandably). Here it's really interesting because people are way strong Russian Orthodox because they are Russian and they think that that's enough of a reason to be orthodox-never mind the religious aspects of it, you're Russian so therefore you should be orthodox. Anywho, this man and Cectpa Malinina hashed it out for a good 20-30 minutes on the doorstep with me just standing there and wanting to say something but thought better of it when I started hearing him say "amerakanskee" a lot. Let the bashing begin! Hahaha, he went on and on about how Americans were fat and lazy and only want to invade lands, eat all the food and then move to the next land etc. My comp wanted to point out that I was American and not fat and he was the fat one but thought better of it 8) She tried to point out that all people are the same and Russia has bad leaders too- what about Stalin and Lenin etc and he actually was ok with them and thought they were good people (never mind that they killed millions of their own people) def. interesting....
I feel bad for people who have been so brainwashed by politics and what the media tells them-you just can't believe everything you hear, and because of it they have such a skewed and small view/understanding of the world. Everyone Everywhere wants the same things- to be happy, successful, have a good life, and I think too often politics and media cause more problems then they're fixing-turning people against each other. But anywho...enough of that, afterwards we were able to laugh about it.
We were walking down the street and one old man passed by and asked who we were/what we were doing and we told him and the second he realized we were a different church than orthodox he started yelling how A.) we should be orthodox and B.) we were possessed.
Yesterday we knocked and an old "babushka" came out and after explaining we wanted to talk about Jesus Christ's gospel etc. she crossed US! (you know when people cross themselves etc? She did it to us!) Hahaha we just stood there awkwardly looking at her like...um....is something supposed to happen, what now?
It's really interesting because we say we want to talk about Christ and God and the gospel and people say-I don't want to talk about that I'm orthodox etc and we're thinking.....what, you don't believe in God, Jesus Christ and study his gospel in your church?? It's the same person isn't it and if not...what kind of church is the orthodox church? Haha
I hope you all don't think I'm sounding discouraged or depressed cause I'm fine-these experiences are mere musings at the end of the day, a dime a dozen if you will, haha. But at the end of the day I feel good cause I tried to open my mouth and speak and invite others to come unto Christ- nowhere does it say we have to pick them up and force them into the font, in the end it's up to them.
It has been a bit colder here but when I'm all done up in my winter coat, wool beenie, scarf, etc I'm pretty comfortable-but those warm socks will be a great addition. I think we'll have zone conference in two weeks or so, so if you could get them here in time for me to get them that would be great! (I have no idea how long it takes to send 8)
Well I made it through my first transfer. I'm still here with my companion and I'm glad-I'm starting to get settled and used to everything, it really is starting to feel like home now and I don't want to leave yet-I want to be with Cectpa Malinina through Christmas 8)
Though one elder in our zone is leaving and an elder who came out with me from the MTC is coming so it will be fun to see how his experiences have been/how he's doing etc. I can't wait to work with Cectpa King or Taylor who I roomed with in the MTC-it'll be like working with family 8)
Well I better go but first I'd just like to say thanks for all of your support and love. Eric,Grandpa Richards and Grandpa Adams, thank you so much for your help and support-it really means a lot. I remember when Dad told me that you (Eric) wanted to help pay for my mission and I was so touched cause I know it's not exactly convenient or easy for you but just shows how much you love me and the gospel and you know how important this great work is. I love you all and am excited to hear about your holiday plans and experiences. The nursery sounds like it's one happenin' place thanks to mom and dad 8) Hey Steve, you don't have to write an epistle or anything, just a quick note-come on man, it's email, not even hard! 8)
Luv you guys
Cectpa Richards
Thanks for your continual support and letters,they are a huge highlight to my week! Speaking of sending correspondence: All packages need to be sent to the mission office if you didn't already know, thank you 8)
So another week has come and gone. Our lil' Thanksgiving was great last week. We all met up at the elders' apartment-it is a huge apartment, I'm so jealous
8( We all went out to a cement court out back and played some football which was fun. I'm not sure which was more fun playing or watching people's interest and expressions as they passed seeing real Americans playing real American football. Pretty funny. Then we went back to the apartment. We watched the "Emperor's New Groove" in Russian which was pretty comical because I remembered all that was being said and then learning what it was in Russian-not exactly an exact translation but still hilarious. The part when they go over the water fall and he says bring it on was pretty funny. There's a word: "Feegnah" which just means that something is worthless, not important, or our slang word: crap. And that's all he said before they went over the waterfall- we were laughing pretty hard.
Our meal was amazing even for American standards-everyone brought something and we had about ten of us together. We had chicken marinated in this barbecue/pineapple sauce stuff-really good, pumpkin bread (so good!). Fruit salad, jello, rolls, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing casserole, and more but I can't remember at the moment...then we had these lil personal pumpkin pies which were ok-just add water on the back of package type of thing, but then we had our apple pies and ice cream. I think I'm still working off all that I ate and haven't really been that hungry since.
Um...what else happened this week...we got this one lady from the elders who had knocked into her (not literally of course) and she's really amazing. She has already come to church and brought her 6 year old son, came to FHE at the branch, and came to English last night and we taught her the plan of salvation which I think went well...only she had a problem with pre-earth life-thought that our spirits were just created once God created our bodies with His breath or something. We'll find some good scriptures though and address it next time-she's really great and a sincere lady. Our knocking hasn't found as much success as normal this past while-a bit of doubt with lots of interesting, old, Russian-orthodox people (always a good combination with a couple young Mormon missionaries 8)
One man we knocked into was trying to convince my companion that she should be orthodox and how can she not be orthodox because she's Russian-she gets this a lot and hates it (understandably). Here it's really interesting because people are way strong Russian Orthodox because they are Russian and they think that that's enough of a reason to be orthodox-never mind the religious aspects of it, you're Russian so therefore you should be orthodox. Anywho, this man and Cectpa Malinina hashed it out for a good 20-30 minutes on the doorstep with me just standing there and wanting to say something but thought better of it when I started hearing him say "amerakanskee" a lot. Let the bashing begin! Hahaha, he went on and on about how Americans were fat and lazy and only want to invade lands, eat all the food and then move to the next land etc. My comp wanted to point out that I was American and not fat and he was the fat one but thought better of it 8) She tried to point out that all people are the same and Russia has bad leaders too- what about Stalin and Lenin etc and he actually was ok with them and thought they were good people (never mind that they killed millions of their own people) def. interesting....
I feel bad for people who have been so brainwashed by politics and what the media tells them-you just can't believe everything you hear, and because of it they have such a skewed and small view/understanding of the world. Everyone Everywhere wants the same things- to be happy, successful, have a good life, and I think too often politics and media cause more problems then they're fixing-turning people against each other. But anywho...enough of that, afterwards we were able to laugh about it.
We were walking down the street and one old man passed by and asked who we were/what we were doing and we told him and the second he realized we were a different church than orthodox he started yelling how A.) we should be orthodox and B.) we were possessed.
Yesterday we knocked and an old "babushka" came out and after explaining we wanted to talk about Jesus Christ's gospel etc. she crossed US! (you know when people cross themselves etc? She did it to us!) Hahaha we just stood there awkwardly looking at her like...um....is something supposed to happen, what now?
It's really interesting because we say we want to talk about Christ and God and the gospel and people say-I don't want to talk about that I'm orthodox etc and we're thinking.....what, you don't believe in God, Jesus Christ and study his gospel in your church?? It's the same person isn't it and if not...what kind of church is the orthodox church? Haha
I hope you all don't think I'm sounding discouraged or depressed cause I'm fine-these experiences are mere musings at the end of the day, a dime a dozen if you will, haha. But at the end of the day I feel good cause I tried to open my mouth and speak and invite others to come unto Christ- nowhere does it say we have to pick them up and force them into the font, in the end it's up to them.
It has been a bit colder here but when I'm all done up in my winter coat, wool beenie, scarf, etc I'm pretty comfortable-but those warm socks will be a great addition. I think we'll have zone conference in two weeks or so, so if you could get them here in time for me to get them that would be great! (I have no idea how long it takes to send 8)
Well I made it through my first transfer. I'm still here with my companion and I'm glad-I'm starting to get settled and used to everything, it really is starting to feel like home now and I don't want to leave yet-I want to be with Cectpa Malinina through Christmas 8)
Though one elder in our zone is leaving and an elder who came out with me from the MTC is coming so it will be fun to see how his experiences have been/how he's doing etc. I can't wait to work with Cectpa King or Taylor who I roomed with in the MTC-it'll be like working with family 8)
Well I better go but first I'd just like to say thanks for all of your support and love. Eric,Grandpa Richards and Grandpa Adams, thank you so much for your help and support-it really means a lot. I remember when Dad told me that you (Eric) wanted to help pay for my mission and I was so touched cause I know it's not exactly convenient or easy for you but just shows how much you love me and the gospel and you know how important this great work is. I love you all and am excited to hear about your holiday plans and experiences. The nursery sounds like it's one happenin' place thanks to mom and dad 8) Hey Steve, you don't have to write an epistle or anything, just a quick note-come on man, it's email, not even hard! 8)
Luv you guys
Cectpa Richards
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Happy Thanksgiving! (sort of...)
Well hello from Krasnadar!
Man I had a lot of emails to read today-don't worry, not too much from fam, just a lot from our mission president etc. It's ok though, I'm a fast typer and I still have thirty minutes.
Well today is our "Thanksgiving" even though it's tomorrow (and the next day for you guys) because today is P-day 8) So basically we're gonna get to meet up with the other ten elders in about an hour and have a turkey bowl (even though we can't touch each other...should be interesting, not sure how we'll "stop" each other) and then we'll have our Thanksgiving feast as it were... Well, they don't have turkeys here like at home, but we'll have some sort of meat product which is always good and some different salads, maybe potatoes, bread/rolls, and drum roll please: apple pie and pumpkin pie. An elder's mom sent him pumpkin pie mix cause they don't have that here that I could find so he made that and I made two apple pies. I'm not gonna lie I was a lil' worried how it would turn out but it seems to appear and smell good which I think are good signs. So I guess we'll see how they turned out-hopefully good for the elders' sakes, I'm sure it's hard for them to think about mom's cooking back home etc.
Um....what else....we went to a store yesterday to get our weeks groceries since we didn't have time today and it's called "Ok" (spelled in Russian, but it sounds the same). I felt like I was home-it was just like Wal-mart, huge, shopping carts, appeared clean, had music playing-sigh...heaven. It was def cool. anywho...we have three investigators that look promising right now, one is taking forever but we encouraged her to pray specifically about the Book of Mormon and she said she would, the other two are getting closer.
Um...in answer to Mom's questions:
We live in an apartment building it's about 6 stories high, and there's three different stairwells, and on each landing there's three apartments. We're on the fourth? floor...haha I've never stopped to count how many floors we're climbing but it's not that tall of a building so it's not bad. I can't remember if I told you but one day we were coming home and all of these huge flower wreath things were outside the bottom stairwell and my comp said: oh...that means someone died. I was like: what?! We climbed the stairs and we could hear the orthodox priest sing/chanting like you hear in old Latin/medieval songs etc. We got to our landing and sure enough the apartment next door to us directly across from the landing where we came up-there was a priest in his robes with the tall hat etc waving that gold ball with the smoke and chanting. There was a coffin and a bunch of people standing around holding candles and they all turned and were watching us. I felt very aware of my name tag at this point 8) but felt it wasn't the best time to explain the plan of salvation. It was an old woman who had passed away but it was def interesting to see...
Anywho...I've bought a hat and scarf, but those long socks to your knees sound nice-doesn't really matter about color, maybe a blue of some kind. Anywho...the work is going good in that we're working, haha.
Yesterday we were out knocking-so far it seems the best way to find people, that and English. An old man passed by and asked us who we were and then he started yelling at us about how could we be in this sect and why we weren't in the orthodox church and how we were possessed etc. I didn't understand what he was saying of course but I understood "orthodox" and when he yelled "Satana" over and over at us....yea, pretty much got the jist of what he was saying at that point 8) Eh, it doesn't really bother me, they don't know any better...they've just had such strong tradition ingrained in them, they haven't known anything different and change is scary-especially to old people who have been through everything they have been through. For most people the orthodox church was the one constant thing through all the communism, wars, etc it's understandable that they'd feel loyal to it.
Um...yes we have a light that we use when it gets dark (which is at five/six here) Our rent has been payed for the next month or so from the last sisters so we haven't' had to deal with that yet. We get about 5600 rubles every month for groceries etc which is really all we ever use our money for.
Well it was great to hear about your new job mom-it sounds really cool/easy money/ and nice people, always a plus. I'll try not to think too much about our house done up in Christmas decorations or all the great cooking going on in the kitchen-it'll only be torture 8) But it's easy to get lost in the work. I can tell it will be a struggle to keep my mind here in the mission during the holiday season but we'll just have to keep ourselves busy.
Steve, congrats! Way to give it your all at Nationals-pretty cool competition huh? I was thinking back on our competition when we went-it was sooo fun and I loved the band that won, they were so cool and nice-our bands were friends/were staying at the same hotel etc. anywho....I think it's funny that there's controversy about the mocking flag thing- Oh well, I guess our band will always rattle the cages, haha.
I hope you all will have a great holiday, it was funny to try and explain Thanksgiving to my companion. I was like....well....really we just.....eat.....a whole lot....and there's a parade (also hard to explain floats) but it should be fun today. Anywho, I better go since I still need to write the Pres.
O yea, um... you can email Sister Harrison and ask but I think to send packages you would either do it to the mission home or the mission office-both in Rostov obviously but yea...and we'll get them soon cause the transfer is in a week or so and then we'll have another zone conference so it should work out nicely. I'll be sure to ask about the Christmas call home- not sure if we do it on the 25th (prolly, even tho it's on the 7th of Jan here)
Well, I love you all and thanks for the pics! They were soooo cute 8) Steve, you'll have to write me about your thoughts/experience at nationals etc. Eric, congrats at doing so great! You're just a lil' smarty pants. O yea! the other day we visited a potential investigator and he was a man from Afghanistan with a family and he's trying to get refugee status in America and he's been through a lot-got captured by an army (can't remember which) because he was here in Russia and his father had fought against this army so they saw him as an enemy and he was in prison and tortured for 20 years etc. Now he's married has kids and they're hoping to get to America cause the army is still looking for them-pretty wild, he's devout Islamic but really cool and open to Christianity and religion in general. I'll keep you updated but I think he speaks Farsi, anywho..
luv ya!
cectpa Richards
Man I had a lot of emails to read today-don't worry, not too much from fam, just a lot from our mission president etc. It's ok though, I'm a fast typer and I still have thirty minutes.
Well today is our "Thanksgiving" even though it's tomorrow (and the next day for you guys) because today is P-day 8) So basically we're gonna get to meet up with the other ten elders in about an hour and have a turkey bowl (even though we can't touch each other...should be interesting, not sure how we'll "stop" each other) and then we'll have our Thanksgiving feast as it were... Well, they don't have turkeys here like at home, but we'll have some sort of meat product which is always good and some different salads, maybe potatoes, bread/rolls, and drum roll please: apple pie and pumpkin pie. An elder's mom sent him pumpkin pie mix cause they don't have that here that I could find so he made that and I made two apple pies. I'm not gonna lie I was a lil' worried how it would turn out but it seems to appear and smell good which I think are good signs. So I guess we'll see how they turned out-hopefully good for the elders' sakes, I'm sure it's hard for them to think about mom's cooking back home etc.
Um....what else....we went to a store yesterday to get our weeks groceries since we didn't have time today and it's called "Ok" (spelled in Russian, but it sounds the same). I felt like I was home-it was just like Wal-mart, huge, shopping carts, appeared clean, had music playing-sigh...heaven. It was def cool. anywho...we have three investigators that look promising right now, one is taking forever but we encouraged her to pray specifically about the Book of Mormon and she said she would, the other two are getting closer.
Um...in answer to Mom's questions:
We live in an apartment building it's about 6 stories high, and there's three different stairwells, and on each landing there's three apartments. We're on the fourth? floor...haha I've never stopped to count how many floors we're climbing but it's not that tall of a building so it's not bad. I can't remember if I told you but one day we were coming home and all of these huge flower wreath things were outside the bottom stairwell and my comp said: oh...that means someone died. I was like: what?! We climbed the stairs and we could hear the orthodox priest sing/chanting like you hear in old Latin/medieval songs etc. We got to our landing and sure enough the apartment next door to us directly across from the landing where we came up-there was a priest in his robes with the tall hat etc waving that gold ball with the smoke and chanting. There was a coffin and a bunch of people standing around holding candles and they all turned and were watching us. I felt very aware of my name tag at this point 8) but felt it wasn't the best time to explain the plan of salvation. It was an old woman who had passed away but it was def interesting to see...
Anywho...I've bought a hat and scarf, but those long socks to your knees sound nice-doesn't really matter about color, maybe a blue of some kind. Anywho...the work is going good in that we're working, haha.
Yesterday we were out knocking-so far it seems the best way to find people, that and English. An old man passed by and asked us who we were and then he started yelling at us about how could we be in this sect and why we weren't in the orthodox church and how we were possessed etc. I didn't understand what he was saying of course but I understood "orthodox" and when he yelled "Satana" over and over at us....yea, pretty much got the jist of what he was saying at that point 8) Eh, it doesn't really bother me, they don't know any better...they've just had such strong tradition ingrained in them, they haven't known anything different and change is scary-especially to old people who have been through everything they have been through. For most people the orthodox church was the one constant thing through all the communism, wars, etc it's understandable that they'd feel loyal to it.
Um...yes we have a light that we use when it gets dark (which is at five/six here) Our rent has been payed for the next month or so from the last sisters so we haven't' had to deal with that yet. We get about 5600 rubles every month for groceries etc which is really all we ever use our money for.
Well it was great to hear about your new job mom-it sounds really cool/easy money/ and nice people, always a plus. I'll try not to think too much about our house done up in Christmas decorations or all the great cooking going on in the kitchen-it'll only be torture 8) But it's easy to get lost in the work. I can tell it will be a struggle to keep my mind here in the mission during the holiday season but we'll just have to keep ourselves busy.
Steve, congrats! Way to give it your all at Nationals-pretty cool competition huh? I was thinking back on our competition when we went-it was sooo fun and I loved the band that won, they were so cool and nice-our bands were friends/were staying at the same hotel etc. anywho....I think it's funny that there's controversy about the mocking flag thing- Oh well, I guess our band will always rattle the cages, haha.
I hope you all will have a great holiday, it was funny to try and explain Thanksgiving to my companion. I was like....well....really we just.....eat.....a whole lot....and there's a parade (also hard to explain floats) but it should be fun today. Anywho, I better go since I still need to write the Pres.
O yea, um... you can email Sister Harrison and ask but I think to send packages you would either do it to the mission home or the mission office-both in Rostov obviously but yea...and we'll get them soon cause the transfer is in a week or so and then we'll have another zone conference so it should work out nicely. I'll be sure to ask about the Christmas call home- not sure if we do it on the 25th (prolly, even tho it's on the 7th of Jan here)
Well, I love you all and thanks for the pics! They were soooo cute 8) Steve, you'll have to write me about your thoughts/experience at nationals etc. Eric, congrats at doing so great! You're just a lil' smarty pants. O yea! the other day we visited a potential investigator and he was a man from Afghanistan with a family and he's trying to get refugee status in America and he's been through a lot-got captured by an army (can't remember which) because he was here in Russia and his father had fought against this army so they saw him as an enemy and he was in prison and tortured for 20 years etc. Now he's married has kids and they're hoping to get to America cause the army is still looking for them-pretty wild, he's devout Islamic but really cool and open to Christianity and religion in general. I'll keep you updated but I think he speaks Farsi, anywho..
luv ya!
cectpa Richards
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
"Preevyet"
Hey everyone,
Thanks for all of your great emails this week-it was great to hear how the kids liked Halloween and what everyone has been doing lately.
This week has flown by and I'm trying to remember things of note that happened that I could mention...We have two who are close to baptism but again, one wants to finish the Book of Mormon and the other's mother is against it so we'll see what will happen this next week. I don't know if I have already mentioned it or not but our District has about I dunno...50? in attendance every week-could be more or less not sure...but it feels small to me. Our building is really nice though-has white pillars out front, it's sandwiched between other dirtier/shabbier buildings of course so it kinda sticks out. It's pretty narrow inside but has three floors to it and has really nice accommodations, font etc. The members work hard to keep it clean and nice-really showing their love for the church and the place they are allowed to worship. The other night me and Sister Malinina stood outside the building and asked people that were passing by if they knew about the church/new what this building was, and one actually said that she had wondered what this building was cause it used to be a fabric store, and that maybe she would come on Sunday with her granddaughter-who knows, we'll see.
In answer to Mike, I haven't gotten any mail yet (snail mail that is) though I think we only get mail/packages every zone conference when the president and his wife come from the mission office-they bring it all, so that's every transfer (six weeks).
Our members are really great and many have served missions and are great resources to use with investigators. We have quite a few investigators right now but not many are progressing investigators. We're trying to meet with the three that we taught first lessons to last week but they seem to be really busy-hopefully we can meet with them because two of them have real promise.
Yesterday was an interesting day of weather. It started out sunny, warm, then became REALLY windy, then it got colder and was raining all late morning/early afternoon (really fun to knock in let me tell ya! haha people that we were crazy for being out in it) and then later in the day it snowed (none of it stuck) but yea....interesting, it was good-i like a lil' variety.
Um...what else...It gets dark around five here and light around seven. It makes it hard to contact/ knock because people don't like it when you're knocking in the dark (it does get really dark in the streets because there are very few streetlights/lamp posts). Every other door they say something about it being too late, then we look at our watches and it's only six....frustrating, but I guess we need to try and schedule all our meetings etc. at night so we can contact during the day...though many are at work...not exactly the perfect system-can't wait for summer when it's light til late.
I was telling my companion about Thanksgiving last night and the different foods we eat. I don't think we do anything special, but maybe we'll have some sort of zone party for Christmas/New years...not sure. Christmas here is Jan 7th after New Years, but church members celebrate the American date I think. My comp was like: "Hey we can make your mom's pie", but I'm not sure if they have the canned pumpkin filling here-prolly not, but I guess we can look. Maybe you can email me the recipe mom just in case. Well I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season in the next lil' bit.
Steve-knock 'em dead at nationals! play with all the passion and fire that you've got, but don't go so crazy that all your technique and practice goes out the window-there's definitely a balance to be found. I know you'll do great! I was trying to explain to my comp about marching band but I don't think she really grasps the full picture-prolly thinks it's like a parade, marching and playing in lil' lines in one direction. O well, it'll be real fun to hear how everything goes-I'll try to remember and keep you in my prayers on Friday-Sat.
Eric, have fun with the fam! let me know what your next bit of plans will be- I guess you're going to Kentucky and then Iraq? Let me know about dates/what you can say about what you are doing etc. It's exciting to think that you'll be sort of close to me 8) at least the closest to me out of our family.
Mike, that's so exciting about Brina walking! I know when I get back I won't even recognize them and even more so they won't know me, but it'll be fun to see how they've grown up and who knows, maybe another lil one. Keep up the good work at the job-way to be.
The work is hard but it makes you appreciate the little things a whole lot more. I continue to try to be patient with myself and my lack of Russian skills. I'm trying to really study the language every day-at first wasn't so good at it. It's hard to discipline yourself and study for yourself, hard to know where to begin-need to know everything. It's going good though and I know if we keep trying to do our best the Lord will help us find those that are willing to hear the message.
I love you all and o yea, I wrote mom/dad/Steve and Route 22 and F6 a letter-coming to you through pouch. There was an elder who was going to the mission office and we sent them on with him so hopefully you'll get a physical letter soon. And hey, R22 and F6, if there's any news you want to update me with you can comment on the blog and tell my mom to email me the comments etc. or use pouch, though it's one page, one side and I won't get it for awhile-but whatever you want 8)
love you all, keep the prayers and letters coming!
Cectpa Richards
Thanks for all of your great emails this week-it was great to hear how the kids liked Halloween and what everyone has been doing lately.
This week has flown by and I'm trying to remember things of note that happened that I could mention...We have two who are close to baptism but again, one wants to finish the Book of Mormon and the other's mother is against it so we'll see what will happen this next week. I don't know if I have already mentioned it or not but our District has about I dunno...50? in attendance every week-could be more or less not sure...but it feels small to me. Our building is really nice though-has white pillars out front, it's sandwiched between other dirtier/shabbier buildings of course so it kinda sticks out. It's pretty narrow inside but has three floors to it and has really nice accommodations, font etc. The members work hard to keep it clean and nice-really showing their love for the church and the place they are allowed to worship. The other night me and Sister Malinina stood outside the building and asked people that were passing by if they knew about the church/new what this building was, and one actually said that she had wondered what this building was cause it used to be a fabric store, and that maybe she would come on Sunday with her granddaughter-who knows, we'll see.
In answer to Mike, I haven't gotten any mail yet (snail mail that is) though I think we only get mail/packages every zone conference when the president and his wife come from the mission office-they bring it all, so that's every transfer (six weeks).
Our members are really great and many have served missions and are great resources to use with investigators. We have quite a few investigators right now but not many are progressing investigators. We're trying to meet with the three that we taught first lessons to last week but they seem to be really busy-hopefully we can meet with them because two of them have real promise.
Yesterday was an interesting day of weather. It started out sunny, warm, then became REALLY windy, then it got colder and was raining all late morning/early afternoon (really fun to knock in let me tell ya! haha people that we were crazy for being out in it) and then later in the day it snowed (none of it stuck) but yea....interesting, it was good-i like a lil' variety.
Um...what else...It gets dark around five here and light around seven. It makes it hard to contact/ knock because people don't like it when you're knocking in the dark (it does get really dark in the streets because there are very few streetlights/lamp posts). Every other door they say something about it being too late, then we look at our watches and it's only six....frustrating, but I guess we need to try and schedule all our meetings etc. at night so we can contact during the day...though many are at work...not exactly the perfect system-can't wait for summer when it's light til late.
I was telling my companion about Thanksgiving last night and the different foods we eat. I don't think we do anything special, but maybe we'll have some sort of zone party for Christmas/New years...not sure. Christmas here is Jan 7th after New Years, but church members celebrate the American date I think. My comp was like: "Hey we can make your mom's pie", but I'm not sure if they have the canned pumpkin filling here-prolly not, but I guess we can look. Maybe you can email me the recipe mom just in case. Well I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season in the next lil' bit.
Steve-knock 'em dead at nationals! play with all the passion and fire that you've got, but don't go so crazy that all your technique and practice goes out the window-there's definitely a balance to be found. I know you'll do great! I was trying to explain to my comp about marching band but I don't think she really grasps the full picture-prolly thinks it's like a parade, marching and playing in lil' lines in one direction. O well, it'll be real fun to hear how everything goes-I'll try to remember and keep you in my prayers on Friday-Sat.
Eric, have fun with the fam! let me know what your next bit of plans will be- I guess you're going to Kentucky and then Iraq? Let me know about dates/what you can say about what you are doing etc. It's exciting to think that you'll be sort of close to me 8) at least the closest to me out of our family.
Mike, that's so exciting about Brina walking! I know when I get back I won't even recognize them and even more so they won't know me, but it'll be fun to see how they've grown up and who knows, maybe another lil one. Keep up the good work at the job-way to be.
The work is hard but it makes you appreciate the little things a whole lot more. I continue to try to be patient with myself and my lack of Russian skills. I'm trying to really study the language every day-at first wasn't so good at it. It's hard to discipline yourself and study for yourself, hard to know where to begin-need to know everything. It's going good though and I know if we keep trying to do our best the Lord will help us find those that are willing to hear the message.
I love you all and o yea, I wrote mom/dad/Steve and Route 22 and F6 a letter-coming to you through pouch. There was an elder who was going to the mission office and we sent them on with him so hopefully you'll get a physical letter soon. And hey, R22 and F6, if there's any news you want to update me with you can comment on the blog and tell my mom to email me the comments etc. or use pouch, though it's one page, one side and I won't get it for awhile-but whatever you want 8)
love you all, keep the prayers and letters coming!
Cectpa Richards
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