The MTC will soon be a memory

Thirteen more days left in the MTC and it's off to Russia ready or not.  He's ready, I'm not.  I am getting more nervous for him everyday and it will only get worse as the time arrives.  I guess it's the unknown that scares me.  Maybe once Bob and I  go there in October for meetings I will be more at ease but more likely I'll be more nervous.  I need to remember it's the Lord that is in charge and that he will be protected.  That being said, It's still going to be a long two years for me.

Well, this is the second to last email I will be sending from the mtc. I really can't believe it has gone this fast! Things are going really well which only makes time seem faster. Part of me wants it to be over right away but I'm sure once I get to Russia, I will wish I were back here, safe and sound at the mtc. 

I got the book today and the other package a few days ago. Last week, after I sent my email, Elder Guynn and I decided to look around to see if we could buy garments here. I found out where and it turns out there were two boxes of garments that said free. There was a box that said mens tops and one that said mens bottoms. They were just a bunch of garments wrapped in saran wrap. I asked why they were free and the lady said they are the garments people have left in washers and dryers. I looked through the bottoms and found one my size and the kind of material I wanted and decided to take a chance on it. Turns out, they were clean as a whistle! For all I know, they are brand new. I just decided to put them in my laundry and today, after I do laundry, I won't even be able to tell which one is the hand me down. I was glad to get some extras from you though, with my situation, I never know when I will need an extra pair of garment bottoms!

So, I'm guessing Emily knows what she's having by now? Or is it this coming monday. Thats exciting!

Liz, you better enjoy the problems you are having with your little boy now, because once you get a little brother for him... well I think they made a movie about it called "Here Comes Trouble 2" haha, that will be so much fun!

Meg, it sounds like you guys are doing really well! I'm sad I will miss Anthony's baptism, that will be a fun thing. Are you going to have him baptised in the spring like us or in the font like you? 

Rob, what are your plans for your birthday? Anything cool? How's your arm doing? What have you and Britney been doing lately? How are your brothers doing on their missions Britney?

I can't believe how fast the weeks go here. In two weeks, at about this time I will probably be on an airplane. We are all hoping we get our travel itinerary tomorrow or thursday. We haven't heard anything about our visas, but the lady said if you don't here anything by a week before you leave, that means there are no problems, so I hope we don't hear anything. I'm sure we all get to fly out together, other than Elder Johanson who will have to stay a few more weeks because of his ankle. I'm not sure about the two elders headed to Ukraine. I guess we'll see once we get our flight plans.

Yesterday, we had our official meeting with the head of the Russian elders. He had us commit to him that we will only speak Russian from here on out. We have been doing really well with it anyway, but this will help too. I feel like I don't know the language at all though! I can speak fairly well, but there are so many things I feel like I need to learn before I leave! Hopefully my trainer is ready for me. We found out this week that both of our teachers are leaving about a week early on trips. That means we'll have substitutes for the last few days we are here. I was really bummed out about that.

Let's see, not a whole lot else happened this week... pretty average week. I'm really happy and loving the work and Russian, as hard as it is. I memorized all 13 articles of faith in Russian and am working on D&C 4. We already have memorized the first vision and our purpose. It's really fun. I have also made a goal to try to memorize a verse in english every day of my mission. Brother Sagers did it and he now knows over 500 scriptures. I have about 6 so far. The key is to plan out which ones you want to learn way in advance. I have a few weeks planned out in my planner and every time I come across a good verse I just write it in my planner on the next available day. Then at night I make an index card with the verse on the back and I look at it whenever I have a spare moment. It's really cool.

How was the fair and everything? Do you ever see Kayla or any of her family around town? How did Caleb get an infection in his intestine from a tooth problem? I wonder what his symptoms were. I am trying to decide if I need to go see the doctor once more before I leave. I am almost a hundred percent sure I would be able to handle this problem in Russia if it doesn't go away so I'm hesitant to go to the doctor again. We'll see what happens. When do you guys go to Russia? I can't remember.

Hmm, this is weird, I have almost 6 minutes left and not a whole lot more to say. I'll definately have my flight plans by next tuesday so I'll be able to let you know all about that next week. Thanks for all the emails and letters, and thanks for the garments and book, the book is exactly the one I needed. Good luck with everything at home. I love you all!

Elder Geddes