Transfers, not going to happen

Hi everyone,

First of all, my trainer would like you to forward my weekly emails to him if you can. isaachiatt@gmail.com. Anyway, it sounds like everyone is doing well. As far as I know, Elder Traasdahl and I will be together for this next transfer. You never really know until you get the phone call but we're pretty sure we will be together. Elder Traasdahl thinks we will be together for the next two since he only has two left. We'll see what happens. We had zone conference this past week here in Veronezh. In my interview with President, he told me that Elder Traasdahl really loves me and that he told him I have been his best companion on his mission. Ever since Elder Traasdahl got back from the temple trip, we have been getting along a lot better and he has been working a little harder. When we got back from zone conference, we had weekly planning which means we had our companionship inventory. Elder Traasdahl told me a little of what he told president and just said he likes being my companion. He told me that the first transfer and up until now he has just kind of been leaving me hanging during lessons and stuff so I would have a chance to grow. He said he usually does that with his younger companions (stupid excuse if you ask me) but he said he was glad I didn't back down from the challenge but instead took charge of the lessons. That made me happy because it was my goal. I figured if he wouldn't plan and teach a lesson, I would. He said from now on, he will be helping out a lot more in the lessons which made me really happy. He actually has been too, it's been pretty cool. I figure we can carry this through this transfer and things will be okay, but I still am not sure if I would want to be with him for 2 more transfers, that's a long time to be with someone.

Last night, we got a new investigator. His name is Sergey and his mom is a really active, strong member. His parents are divorced and he lives with his dad. He is almost 17. We have met with his mom quite a bit and if anything, I think her faith and prayers will carry her son to baptism. She has no doubt that someday, both of her sons will be members, if not now, in the future. Her other son is around 21 or so and would be a lot more of a challenge but I hope as much as her that they both accept. She is a great lady and shows great faith in the Lord. We had a lesson with him last night and Elder Traasdahl did a really good job of getting Sergey to understand that we are kids just like him, that just because we are missionaries doesn't mean we are robots, but we have stuff in common. I think that will help out a lot throughout the process. He seemed to be pretty open and honest with us which is really good. He says he really doesn't like to read and his mom has told us before that he doesn't even read very well so that might be a challenge to get him to read the Book of Mormon but if we are careful about the reading assignments we give him, I'm sure he'll do it.

That's about the exciting news for the week. I can't really think of much else. It has been crazy cold here, the warmest it has been is -20 and the coldest is -30. Everyone says that this is one of the coldest winters they've had for a long time. I got my honey candy finally, it was so delicious! I still have a few pieces left. For some reason, my companion doesn't like it, oh well, I didn't want to share anyway. He did however like the apple cider that you sent. I had to hide the last pack of it once I realized how many he had drank. If you do send another package, I would love more of those crystal light drink pack things. Also, I would really appreciate two pairs of garment bottoms so I can get rid of Elder Vernon's old worn out pair and also the other pair that Elder Hiatt found for me in the lost and found. I hate those two pairs. And the other thing I would love is a small jump drive so I can back my pictures up on it. I know there are a bunch of those things laying around the house if you want to just send me one. All this stuff isn't really necessary so if you don't want to send a package, don't worry about it, I know they're pretty expensive. Our money has been holding out okay, I'm pretty sure we'll get our next months money within a few days so today we just have to buy some groceries and we have survived another month. I'm not sure how Elder Traasdahl and I have been spending so much money, me and Elder Hiatt never even came close to running out. Maybe the fact that we live about 50 yards from a McDonalds doesn't help. We have been cooking more as well. We use a lot of chicken and hamburger for different things. We even eat vegetables from time to time. I think that should be everything, I'm glad you guys are doing well. Keep up the good work there in the senate dad, work hard so you can retire early and go on a mission. That's really sad about Senator Parry. Make sure everyone is driving safely this winter. Have a good week, I love you guys and I'll talk to you next week.

Love, Elder Geddes