Nervous mom, what can I say

Hey everyone,

Well, I figured I could get away with emailing one day late, what with transfers and all, but to my surprise I got a call from President Woolley this afternoon and he said, "Elder Geddes, I got an email from your mother, she's worried about you". At least I know I am loved but for future reference, wait until at least day two to email the president

Anyway, we picked up my new companion from the train station this morning. We will be in a threesome for a day or two while Elder Khusainoff's new companion is stuck in Kazakstahn trying to get a visa. Hopefully he will be here by Sunday though, threesome's are no fun. My companion is named Elder Cecil. He's from Sacramento. He is one transfer younger than me and is very energetic and enthusiastic. We have spoken Russian all day and will hopefully keep that going throughout our service together. I can't wait to get to work with him and revive this area.

Last Sunday I had the chance to be in the circle to give Sergey the Aaronic Priesthood. What a sweet experience that was to help him take one more step toward being a strong solid member of the church. Elder Cecil and I will be working closely with him and with Inna to help them along the way.

The rest of the week was pretty uneventful. We met with all the people Elder Traasdahl wanted to meet one more time before he left and then we had to spend pretty much the entire day Wednesday packing his stuff. I took the opportunity to clean the apartment really well. That's another thing I hope comes from this new companionship is a little bit of a cleaner apartment. I never understood why it bothered you so bad, mom, that I would always leave my coats, or my sweaters, or my clothes or just random stuff all over the place until I was companions with Elder Traasdahl. For some reason the guy doesn't belive in hangers or something because he had a pair of pants in ever room, shirts draped over every chair, and ties (still with a knot in them) all over the apartment. It is pretty annoying, isn't it. Anyway, Wednesday night when we went to the trainstation to drop off Elder Traasdahl and Elder Waite, four members and one investigator came to see them off. It was pretty cool that they care about the missionaries that much.

We will be moving into a new apartment pretty soon since we found one right by the branch in the same building as the other elders. President wants us all to live as close to the branch as possible so we are signing the contract tonight. Our landlady will be sad to hear it. She loves us to death. Every time she would come to pick up the rent, we would clean up real fast so when she got there she saw two american boys in shirts and ties, studying from the scriptures or other books, listening to some low classical music, ha. Also, all of our neighbors like us too. We have a bunch of old grandpas that stand outside our building and smoke and shoot the breeze and they always say hello to us and goodbye. One time our land lady came to the building while we weren't there and she said the old guys explained to here that of course we weren't there, we leave every day at around 11 o'clock. I thought that was pretty funny. I like our apartment a lot, especially since we live right by the mcdonalds but this one we will move into is nice too. It's a bit smaller but it is brand new and so we will be the first to live there. Also, it is 5000 rubles a month cheaper, so that's nice.

I still didn't get my package yet, maybe if it comes today or tomorrow to Moscow, Elder Tanner can bring it with him when he comes down here. I didn't even know it was St. Patricks day until later that day and I just happened to be wearing my green pants with my green tie, so I was safe. Molodetz mom, for doing all your phone stuff by yourself, how come you got a new phone? That's really cool that it hooks up to your car.

I am still feeling healthy as ever, of course with the exception of a few days here and there. Namely the morning after "The Ultimate P-day" If you remember me telling you about the ultimate pday and how the priesthood makes a big meal, I am starting to doubt that day. Last month it was hot dogs and macaroni noodles covered in butter. I figured it was just an off month. Last night was Greshka and nasty meat with a side of grease. Oh well, I have learned that anything becomes edible with just a bit of ketchup and mayonnaise.

Kind of a short boring letter but hopefully things start picking up real soon. I am so glad to be with my new companion and have a fresh new chance to get things done here in Veronezh. Thanks for everything, I love you guys and will talk to you next week.

Love Elder Geddes