Hey everyone,
Well, I am just a happy guy right now. Things are going so well and I have had the best past couple of days. Mostly all of my happiness is coming from the fact that I met Ludmilla. She hasn't stopped amazing me every time we meet. She asked to meet with us every day so that she could be ready for baptism on the 19th. We finished teaching her everything we are required to teach, then we went through the baptismal questions with her. She answered them all so perfectly, but we still had to have her talk to President Woolley, but that is later in the letter. Anyway, after the lesson we had with her, which was with a member, the member was talking to me and asked something about when I will leave Veronezh or something. Ludmilla thought that I would be here for my whole mission I think so that was news to her. Ever since then, she has been a little worried about me leaving. She sticks close by my side like a puppy when we're together. She told me that I'm already like a son for her and that especially since I will be the one to baptize her, that makes us family. I agreed with her 100% and will definitely miss her when I have to leave Veronezh. She has told me a lot of interesting things about her life that just show me how God has been preparing her for this decision her whole life. She is so excited for her baptism. She says it will be a day of black and white, a day of death and birth. Remember that her grandson was hit by a car two years ago on the 19th of June? She of course will be sad about that memory but is so excited and fully understands that baptism is truly a rebirth. She told me a little more about her grandson. She said that he was always afraid of cars, and when he would see a car coming down the road he would grab his grandma's hand and hold tight. Two years ago, he saw a car coming down the road, but he also saw a two year old boy playing in the road. I have no idea where that little boy's parents were but her grandson ran out in the road, pushed the two year old out of the way and was hit by a guy driving over 90 km an hour down a residential road. He saved the two year old boy. I told her that her grandson is a hero and that I know for a fact that he is in the kingdom of God right now. She agreed.
There is a member here who had a birthday on the 25th of may, then went to the temple right after that. She promised that we would have a birthday dinner and celebration for both of our birthdays when she got back and it finally happened yesterday. It was so much fun. We brought Ludmilla, the other elders were there with an investigator and the sisters were there with an investigator. We all pitched in for the groceries and had a good dinner. Somehow it turned into my birthday party more than just a fun get together. There was a cake with 20 candles, a happy birthday poster that everyone signed and I even got a couple presents. Ludmilla signed the poster and directed her note to you guys, mom and dad. She said she takes a bow to you and is thankful for the fact that you sent me here. She said you can be proud of your kind loving son and that you can know that there are people in Veronezh who love me as a son. I thought that was pretty special. I'm going to keep that poster forever. I found that the biggest downfall to staying in a city this long is that I have grown to love so many people here. It will be so hard to leave when I finally have to. I don't know what I'll do. While we were together, we had Ludmilla call President Woolley to talk about some things. We told her she would need to do that and she was so nervous but so happy at the same time. She understands the process of repentance and was excited to do it the right way. After she got done talking to president, he talked to me for a minute and said that both he and his translator were touched by her spirit and were so glad that we had the opportunity to teach her. After her phone call, she was just so happy. She knew she had taken one more step towards true repentance and she could feel the love of God in her life. It was such an awesome night. The other elder's investigator who was there hit it off pretty well with Ludmilla. It was really good because she has been struggling herself to make a decision to be baptized or not. I know Ludmilla will be a key instrument in the Lord's hands in bringing people to the gospel. She's amazing.
The baptism will be this Saturday at 9 in the morning. We are having it early because there will be a ward picnic later that day. It will be a pretty special day for everyone. Our ward mission leader wanted to do the baptism in the river, which I was kind of happy about but we ended up deciding to do it in the nice font that we have in the church. I think that is best in the end. I will take lots of pictures to send to you guys. Have you gotten the pictures I've been sending lately?
Elder Hasbiullin is still doing awesome. He's pushing me to be the best I can be as well. We taught 22 lessons this past week, my personal record. President has asked us to try to get 20 lessons a week now. It will be hard but if it is something our leaders have asked us to do, then it's possible. We are on track to do it again this week too.
Well I was glad to hear you all had a good time on the trip. I can't say it was exactly fun to read about all the fun but I'm happy for you all, ha. Next time I hope to be there. A year is nothing and it is already going by faster than I can imagine.
I have been sweating more than ever lately. It has been in the 90's and humid as ever. That kind of weather just drains your energy and makes you smell like an animal, but what can you do. We even got one of our lessons canceled because they said it was too hot! She said she was on her way home but that she had to stop and go to her sister's house because she wouldn't have been able to make it all the way to her house in the heat (it's not that bad by the way) I just thought that was a funny excuse. Today is a lot cooler which is a relief. I haven't slept under a blanket in quite a while.
I have one hamburger helper left and still lots of my crystal light juices. I really like those, unfortunately so does my comp. But there were plenty in there to share so it's okay. The a.p.'s will be coming to Veronezh this weekend to do splits, it should be pretty cool, they'll be here for the baptism. Anyway, I think that's everything. I love you guys and am glad you all got to write me. Thanks for everything. Talk to you next week.
Elder Geddes
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