A promising new contact

Hey everyone,

We got up early today to come write home. We had the ap's over so we had to wake up at 5:30 to be here by 6:30. We have a breakfast at the senior couples house because it is one of the missionaries birthdays soon so we are celebrating today. After breakfast we are all going to head to the huge market here in Almaty. I'm going to start looking for a nice new suit! I don't know if I'll find one today, but we'll see, I'm sure I'll find something interesting.

I'm glad I'm not in Moscow too. I think that is a pretty scary city when it comes down to it. Especially since we use that airport often. I flew out of a different one the last two times but I have used that airport on my mission. Crazy. I just don't understand why people want to hurt other people. It just dosn't make sense.

I think President might hold off on opening the new city for one more transfer. It's really cold in that city because it is up on a steppe with no mountains or anything and it is way windy. It is pretty cold there all the time. He's afraid that it would be a bad time to open the city since the elders will be doing a lot of street contacting. I kind of agree with him, but at the same time, if he wants to send anyone from my group there, he would probably need to do it now since we only have 3 transfers left. Two transfers isn't a very long time to try to get some things moving in a new city. Oh well, as for me, I'm happy wherever. I think it would be a pretty cool experience to open up that city, but I really like it here in Almaty as well. The ap's came yesterday with President Woolley. President got straight on another plane and flew to Astana, the city he wants to open. He needed to renew his visa and wanted to check out that city so he decided to fly there to do it. It is an hour flight from here, so not too bad. He will be back tomorrow night and we will have zone conference on Saturday. We have a member of the 70 who will be with us so that will be cool.

This week we started working with a really cool guy named Almaz. He called us up one day and wanted to meet with us, kind of to practice English but I invited him to come to church and he said okay. He came to church, all three hours, really enjoyed the lessons, stayed after church to meet with us and then came back at 6 o'clock when we went to one of the members house for dinner. He's cool and we have another meeting with him on Sunday again. He can only meet with us on Sundays, but that's okay, I really want to help him do success and accept the gospel, I really hope he continues to enjoy what we have to tell him.

I think my companion is officially dying. I'm doing all I can to keep him going but he has three weeks left and he doesn't think there is much more to work for. It's sad but I'm glad to serve with him to see the things that I shouldn't do during my last transfer. I'm sure it is easy to get distracted and trunky, but it's also possible to work hard to the end. I'm really glad that the ap's came because it will give us some time apart to do splits and stuff. I think he will leave around the 16th so just a couple more weeks with him. The thing is, he's a really good missionary when he tries, but sometimes he doesn't try too hard. I'm sure its the same with all of us, we have our good times and bad. Anyway, I have no idea who I'll be serving with after him. I'll have to fly back to Russia sometime around the 20th. Maybe even a little earlier so I could go with my companion when he goes. I have to get a new Kazakh visa, in Russia. Maybe I'll be able to fly back here with a new companion. We are getting 4 new elders, maybe I'll get another greeny. Who knows. I hope I get a hard worker. There is so much potential here, it's crazy. That is one reason I want to go open up that city, because I know the other three elders would be the best in the mission and they would be able to help me work hard and be effective. It would be just the best end to a mission.

Sounds like everyone is doing pretty good. I can't believe Mikelle painted that picture, I thought she was just standing by one she liked or something. That's awesome! Congratulations to her. I hope dad's hand is okay, Rob said he sliced it up pretty good. Anthony wrote me a little note, I can't wait to see him again. Sounds like he's a little genius.
I haven't heard from Liz in a while, how is she doing? Is she large and in charge? Only a few more months for her. I hope she's not too sick. Anyway, I'm glad everyone is doing good. I hope dad is liking his new job. I'm sure loving my job. I gotta go though. Thanks for all the letters. I love you guys!

Elder Geddes