I received a phone call yesterday from Mary Pearce, wife of Senator Monty Pearce, and she said she was relaying a message from her sister who is in Russia. She and her husband are serving in the area general presidency right now and have served as mission presidents there a while back. She said she met the most delightful missionary the other day and that he was from Idaho. She said his eyes just shined with light and he was obviously a wonderful missionary. She said he spoke well and she had just a wonderful time visiting with him. She said he knew of Monty because his dad served in the legislature with him. She wanted Mary to call me and tell me what a wonderful missionary son I had. She said she always appreciated it when someone saw on of her missionaries and called her to tell her about it. I really appreciated the phone call, it made my day. She didn't say anything I didn't already know but it was nice to hear from someone who was with him and to know he is doing well. As you read the letter below, it is the Lawrence's that he is talking about that called about him.
Hey everyone,
Things are going pretty good for me right now. Yesterday we had such an awesome zone conference. I always love getting together with the other missionaries in our mission. I especially love seeing Elder Hasbiullin. He's doing great and having a good time. We are really good friends and probably will be forever. By the way, he got transfered and is currently serving as the Branch President in Smolensk. He's a stud. Anyway, apart from that, we had Elder and Sister Lawrence speak to us. Elder Lawrence is the first counsilor in the Area Presidency. He is a former mission president in the Novosibirsk mission here in Russia. He and his wife gave such great talks. His wife spoke a lot about the blood of Israel and who we really are, that we, as the blood of Israel, promised before this life to share the gospel. She told us some really interesting things about so much stuff, I immediately wanted to enroll in an old testament class and start studying. Although we are studying the old testament in Sunday school, it's just not the same in a foreign language. Anyway, she has taught seminary and institute and has taught a lot of classes like Gospel Principles and stuff so she really knows a lot about the gospel. Elder Lawrence gave one of those talks that you just walk away feeling like you can try a little harder to be a little better. I always love those talks, they give us so much hope and desire as missionaries. I swear, they should have zone conference every week, we would probably get more baptisms! Elder Lawrence gave us some steps on how to strengthen our faith. He said we should pick a righteous goal or desire that doesn't exactly have a clear path. We must be believing, pray constantly, do everything in our power to accomplish the goal or gain the desire, then expect the Lord to perform. I definitely have a goal without a clear path, that is to baptize someone here in Kaluga. At this time, we don't really have anyone progressing to baptism, but that doesn't mean we can't have the faith to baptize.
Anyway, we had an awesome day on Sunday, Elder Frehners last day. We got 21 people to come to church! Pretty much we told them that it would be their last chance to see Elder Frehner so a lot of people from English club came and even a couple inactives came. It was really great. Monday we woke up at 4 to get on the 5 o'clock bus to Moscow. I met my new companion and got strait back on the bus to Kaluga. Elder Lesevich is his name. He's not so bad. A little moody and likes to get his way, but nothing too serious. It is kind of weird being with a mini missionary, they don't exactly have the same desires and goals as a full time missionary because they know they are going home in a couple weeks. Anyway, we worked for a couple of days then once again yesterday woke up at 4 to catch the 5 o'clock bus and spent the day in Moscow. We might have to go back to Moscow on Monday because my companion needs to be back home for just a day on the 21st. I would spend the day in the office while he traveled back to his town and we would come home early Tuesday morning I think. We'll see what happens.
I have thought about what I could possibly need or want for Christmas. Pretty much nothing that can't be eaten, I have no room in my suitcases for anything else. But I think I might be ready to make the transfer from manual to electric razor. They say it hurts at first but after a few days you get used to it. If you happen to see a good deal on an electric razor, I think I'm ready. I saw some here, they were pretty expensive. If they are way expensive at home too, don't worry about it. One thing also that I might request, pop tarts. Elder Frehner let me have one of his that he got in a package and I almost started to cry. It was pretty tasty. I hear that Ludmilla is still doing great in Veronezh. She still asks about me and Elder Hasbiullin all the time, so she hasn't forgotten. I am almost certain we will be kicked out of our apartment in December. I'm about ready to start looking for apartments a little bit. I will obviously be here for a minimum of one more transfer but I feel like I will end up being here a couple more. If I am here over Christmas, I can skype you guys. Our branch has a laptop and Frehner and Harrison used it to skype home for Mothers day. That would be cool. It wouldn't be fun to move again, but you gotta do what you gotta do.
Anyway, that's about all the news from me this week. It sounds like everyone is doing good and happy, other than the fact that Liz is pretty sick. I'm sure that will go away soon though. Thanks for everything you guys do. I love reading the letters from home. Have a good week. Love you guys.
Elder Geddes
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