Astana!!! finally, now the adventure begins

Hey everyone,

Well it sounds like everyone is really excited to welcome a couple of new babies into the family, myself included. The pictures looked pretty good, they look healthy and cute. I can't wait to see them in a few months. I hope they get to go home soon, or maybe they are already home, anyway, I hope they are healthy and happy and that Liz makes a good quick recovery as well. My big news for the week... we finally made it to Astana!! After barely making it onto our train, we enjoyed a nice 20 hour trip from Almaty to Astana. I actually really do enjoy the overnight trains, they're fun.

Anyway, I'll start from last week. After writing home, we went to the mountains and went sledding and played some football. Sledding was crazy, it was fun, but a little scary. One sister wrapped herself around a tree going about a hundred miles an hour, she jumped right up after that though. We all though she was a gonner! I had a good time, even though I didn't feel way good. The next day we had zone conference. I was just feeling terrible the whole time. I had a headache and my whole body was achy and stuff. I think I had a flu or something. The worst possible day to get sick, after not eating hardly anything the whole week before due to a lack of food, I ate very little at Sister Moore's dinner due to lack of appetite! I was pretty bummed. She made some kind of shredded pork or beef sandwiches. I did eat some and it was really good but I just couldn't eat too much. I slept through a good portion of zone conference, nobody bothered to wake me up because they all knew I wasn't feeling too great. All day Saturday I wasn't feeling too good either, but by Sunday I was feeling better, which was a miracle. President Woolley was with us at church and after church he gathered the four of us who are going to be here in Astana and told us some news about when we would be able to go. He said, I want two elders to go Tuesday night. He wanted my companion and me to go but he thought I was sick so he was going to send someone else. He asked me how I was feeling and I said, I'm feeling great, I'm ready to go. So that was that. The other two elders didn't come with us because one of them has to go back to Russia and get a 6 month visa for Kazakhstan, which means his companion had to stay in Almaty to wait for him there, rather than have an awkward threesome here in Astana. We were happy to go, they were bummed to stay of course. They should be here next week or so. Well Tuesday was the 8th of March, a big holiday in Russia and Kazakhstan. It's Womens Day, the equivilent to our Mothers Day in America, I think. Anyway, there was a big branch activity and we missionaries prepared a number. We watched and studied a clip of the Temptations performance of My Girl. We practiced for a combined total of probably 2-3 hours, and we pulled it off. The dance was a way big hit, I got it on film and will show you all someday. It was a lot of fun. Anyway, after the activity, we needed to get home to finish packing and cleaning up our apartment. We had someone from the branch coming to pick us up at 7. We scrambled to get everything ready, we each had one suitcase and then there was one more suitcase full of supplies for Astana. We jumped in the car and headed out. Our train left at 7:53 or so, so I was keeping an eye on the clock the whole time. At about 7:30, the driver started asking us some questions about our train and stuff. We told her what train it was and she said "guys, that train leaves from the different station!" We said, ya we know, where are you taking us? So she got us on the right course and we started cruising to the other station. We jumped out of the car at about 7:40 or so and started running, asking people where we needed to go. We got on the right track and started heading out but two young guys stopped us and we had to weigh our bags. I guess you are only allowed to take 35 kilograms per ticket, I'm not sure why, but that is their rule I guess. Well both Hasbiullin and I had about 37 or 38 kilos, plus another suitcase that weighed about 36 kilos! We said, our train leaves in about 5 minutes. They said, okay, 2000 tenge. Luckily I'm with a Russian, he bargained them down to 1000 and I threw them the money and they let us through. It has been interesting living in countries where everything is taken care of by under the table deals like that. Anyway, we ran through, found our train and headed for the wagon. I forgot to mention that the suitcase full of Astana supplies is about the most worthless sorry suitcase you've ever seen. The entire handle that usually comes out to drag it with has been ripped out, leaving a gaping hole, so you have to drag it just using the top handle thing, and both of the wheels are messed up so you are just dragging it on its bottom, ha, it's a joke of a suitcase. It's Elder Player's suitcase, and he is taking it home with him, I can't wait to see his parents faces when they see it. The inside supporter things along the walls of the suitcase are broken so now it naturally sits flat as a pancake, ha, its funny. Anyway, some older guy had grabbed it out of our hands to help us take it to the train, of course for money, but we just let him take it. As we were jumping on the train, we grabbed whatever coins we had and gave him a grand total of 170 tenge, around a dollar. He wasn't too happy since he had just ran a good distance, including a couple staircases, hauling our 70 pound piece of junk, ha. Oh well. After that, things went pretty smooth. We had a pretty restful 20 hour ride. I fell asleep probably around 11 o'clock and woke up at 8:30. Not that I was trying to be disobedient, but we were in a train until 4:30 anyway, I didn't feel like waking up at 6:30 just to sit there until 4:30. It felt good.

We got here yesterday, Elder Maxwell met us at the station. He is originally from Canada, but lived in America since he was 14 years old. He and his wife lived in California the past 20 something years. His wife is from Tahiti, I'm guessing they met on his mission since that's where he served. They are way nice. They themselves have only been here about 2 weeks, so we are all just going to figure this out together. They had been living in one of the apartments that the elders will be living in while the other senior couple has been showing them around. The other couple left so they have just moved into their apartment. Sister Maxwell fed us dinner, some bean soup that tasted a lot like a soup that mom makes, it was pretty tasty. After that we went to see our apartment. Elder Maxwell gave us the keys and we said goodbye. Elder Hasbiullin and I just walked around a bit, crossed the river (still completely frozen solid) and took a look around. We got back to our place and unpacked a bit, although we don't really have a chance to unpack everything yet because we have no hangers and no place to hang hangers. Today we will hopefully get a rod to hang our stuff on. Also, we will need to get a cell phone, an iron, an ironing board, food, and whatever else we come across that we need.

We are starting a big adventure, along with Liz and Dallin! It will be really interesting for us all to see what the next few months will bring. I am just now realizing how close it is, and how fast time will fly. I just finished my last transfer, moved into my last apartment, am serving with my last companion probably, it's all pretty crazy to me. There is a lot to do here in Astana, next week I'll have stories about how the people react to the first missionaries in their city. We are excited to get going. I'm glad to know that everything is going good back home. Thanks for everything, have a good week. Love you guys.

Elder Geddes

Still in Almaty and waiting.....

Hey everyone,

Well I got new shoes! They were about 1000 rubles, they are pretty nice and they were a pretty good deal too. I figured that was one of the first things mom would want to hear. I will wear them until about may when it starts to warm up in Astana, then I'm going to put on my good ol' eccos to finish out the mission. I figure as long as it is dry I can wear them, they still look okay. I cleaned them up real good and set them aside. My shoes are pretty warm. They'll serve me well the next few months in Astana. Oh ya, by the way, I'm still in Almaty! We still don't know when exactly we will get to go, but the rumor is next Tuesday or Wednesday. As far as the money goes, I think the picture of our fridge should explain that, ha. We are fine though. We have money now and will be fine. We still don't want to buy a ton of food just to leave it all here in Almaty.

Anyway, I'll start from the beginning. Last week after writing home we all went to the market and I got shoes, then we took a look at the central Mosque here in Almaty. It was pretty cool. They are very simple inside, no pictures, not really anything at all. It was just a really big room that only men are allowed in. There is a different part for women. People were praying there and doing their thing. It was quiet and peaceful. We went into a different room and I witnessed a lady become a Muslim. She had to recite in Arabic a certain phrase, something like There is no other God besides Allah and his prophet Muhammed. Then she signed a paper and, boom, she's a muslim. The man told her that now she should start praying five times a day and coming to the service on Fridays. Pretty interesting.

On Saturday we went to the mountains with the priesthood from the branch... or at least 3 of them. Honestly this branch has some problems. People are so laid back here in Kazakhstan that certain things just aren't important. Only a couple people were there but we made it fun. We sledded down a way steep mountain, I immediately plowed into a tree, giving myself a dead leg for the rest of the day, it is still a little sore now. We got it on film, two different angles so it's pretty cool. We had some shishkabob things that we all probably would have been better off not eating. After lunch we were playing american football. Our elders quorum president walks over to the middle of the field, says he doesn't feel very good, bends over and throws up right in the middle of our field! It was pretty funny. We grabbed a sled and shoveled off the puke. When we were getting ready to clean it up, the guy with the car, who happens to be an American, drives his big heavy suv into our field to pack up the stuff. The snow was way soft and pretty deep so he got his car way stuck! It took around an hour for like 10 or so guys to get it out! I couldn't believe it. It was a pretty good adventure though. We got back to the branch and there were two baptisms.

The next day we were pretty dead tired from pushing and pulling and running and playing the day before. Sometime on Monday, my stomach started bothering me really bad. Tuesday and wednesday we spent about an extra hour inside the house because I felt pretty junky. Last night I was still feeling bad and this morning too. The AP's came and stayed at our apartment last night and we are all going back to the mountains right after this. I asked Elder Harrison to give me a blessing. It was a really powerful blessing, I know I have asked for a lot of blessings, in particular because of this sickness, but my partrarchal blessing tells me to never hesitate to ask for a priesthood blessing. I feel really confident that the priesthood has the power to heal people. I am so glad we have this true principle in our church. It is such a blessing for all of us.

We have been actually doing a lot of contacting the past week. We are trying to get some good contacts and investigators for the other elders when we leave. Honestly it is a little hard to work as hard as possible here when we are just waiting for the go ahead to go to Astana. We are doing pretty well though, I think. We are talking with everyone and getting contacts and having a great time. President will get here sometime today and we will be having zone conference tomorrow. I'm pretty excited for it, especially for the dinner that will come after it. We really have been eating pretty poorly lately. Although, with how my stomach has been feeling, I haven't really had a huge desire to eat a ton of food.

Thanks for writing me last minute, I know my pdays have been messed up lately. I was happy to hear from you guys. I hope you have those babies soon Liz, I can't wait for the day I get to come read my emails and find out I have two new nephews. When I get home, one of my first assignments will be to learn which one is Ashley, which one is Lacey, which one is Miles, and which one is James. That should keep me busy for a little while!

Dad, I'm glad you are enjoying your new job, even if it is a bit boring. It's cool that you are making changes and are able to magnify your calling so to speak. Keep saving up your frequent flyer miles, that would be so awesome to come back with you guys!

And say thanks to Bishop Humble for the letter, I was glad to hear from him. I wanted him to be the bishop when I got home, but Bishop Gambles will do a great job.

Anyway, thanks for the letters and support. I love you guys and can't wait to write you next week from Astana (I hope). Have a great week everyone.

Elder Geddes

A great mission experience

Hey guys,

Well I'm in Almaty, along with the other three elders who are going to Astana. We are awaiting permission to preach the gospel in Astana. I already have permission to preach here in Almaty, so we are just here working until we are able to leave in order to not waste time. It's cool to work here with Elder Hasbiullin. It's a lot easier and more productive than it was the past couple of months. We are working hard and the time is flying! Just like I knew it would. We are all pretty antsy here in Almaty, waiting to go to our real area. Elder Hasbiullin and I are just working in the area I worked in with Kruglyak, the other two elders are on splits with some other elders here. We are working hard and doing pretty good. We didn't have a ton going for us when I was with Kruglyak as you remember but we are trying to build it up a little right now before we have to pass all of our investigators and contacts to other elders in Almaty. The elders are being reduced from 6 to 4 so our area is kind of being absorbed by other elders. We have been doing quite a bit of street contacting trying to get in shape for Astana. Yesterday we were on the streets for a few hours straight and it just flew by because we were talking with everyone. We got I think 5 or 6 contacts and had a good time. That's how it will be in Astana, talking with everyone, all day every day. Last night we went over to a members house and had a lesson, she said she had some friends in Astana. She called this guy right up while we were there and said to him that he would have a chance to help us build the church in Astana. It was obvious he was a little confused, he asked, "what, do they need an apartment to meet in or something?" She just said, no, don't worry, all you have to do is show up and listen, they will explain everything when you get there, just listen to them! She's awesome, there have been like 4 or 5 or even more people that have been baptized because of her. She'll be meeting with this guys mom today and has already told her all about us. I really hope that turns out to be a good contact. President Woolley said that our assignment is to build the church by finding families and prosperous people. It should be awesome. Today I think I will by some warm shoes. We have been watching the weather in Astana, the coldest I have seen it (during the day) was -32 and the warmest -18. Also it is supposed to be pretty windy there, so that only adds to it. The senior couple claims that a few nights ago it got down to -47, that's just crazy. If it is that cold, I don't even think you are supposed to go outside. I'm glad I brought my thermals! I wanted to just tough it out in these shoes, but my left foot has been wet and cold for the past couple weeks and it's no fun. Also, I think the leather is spoiled on that shoe due to the crack, so the leather gets really wet and then when it dries, it is completely white from the salt on the roads. I look pretty bad. I think I'll buy some nice warm shoes, then when the snow is gone, I'll get these shoes back out to finish the mission in. They look fine if I can get the salt off of the one.

Anyway, we got here to Almaty about 6:30 Friday morning. We got here to find out that the missionaries that were here while I was in Russia left us with around 4000 tenge, that's 800 rubles, for two weeks. We have a few more days to last and we have 1000 tenge, 200 rubles! that's like 6 dollars or so! We are going to buy a bunch of Raman noodles to last us a few days until we get our new money. What a joke. We're doing okay though, mooching off of everyone of course. We had to take our p-day today because the patriarch has been here this week giving blessings in the branch. We have taken turns as missionaries sitting in the branch while he gives blessings to help make sure the reverence is maintained and to help the people who are recieving their blessings fill out things, answer questions, anything they need. It has been such a neat experience. The patriarch is from Provo, he is assigned to our area, the Eastern European area, and he comes to different missions throughout the year. He has such a busy schedule when he is here, giving 7 blessings a day for about three weeks. I'm sure it is just spiritually draining. He takes it very seriously and is an awesome guy. The branch has had a spirit in it like never before for the past week. It has been a sweet experience to feel the spirit so strong when in the presence of one of God's chosen and very valuable servents. His name is Gary Browning and he was actually the first mission president in Russia back in the 90's. Cool huh?

That's cool that Marie was a page, I can't believe she is a senior either. I got a letter this week from a bunch of the youth in our ward back home. It was sent sometime around Christmas, but it was awesome to get it. Jack James is also graduating? That's crazy to me. He told me he is really excited to graduate and move to college. He's a cool kid. He said he can't wait to talk to me after I finish my mission, and to watch out for muggers because they are evil and greedy. There are a lot of people I can't wait to see from the ward, the James family will be some of them. How are they doing? Did they get divorced? Are they still living in that house? What's Joe doing?

A few days ago someone called us, a former investigator that I have never met. She wanted to meet with us and told us an address where to meet here. We set up the meeting and last night went to it. The address was a hotel and we were taken into a conference room where there were a few other people, a table with a tv and some kind of health products on the table. There was some kind of infomercial playing. I immediately understood what it was but it was too late, we were already there. We sat there for about 15 or 20 minutes and listened to the most unoriginal pyramid scheme ever. All you have to do is invite people and you can become a millionare. It was pretty funny, we participated, answered questions. The guy asked me some questions and said, if you were to continue doing what you are doing today, would you be able to become a millionare in 15 years? I said, absolutely not! Ha, it was funny. We finally just said, we have to get going, we have a different meeting. He stopped the whole presentation to try to talk us into staying. This lady must have been pretty desperate to invite a couple of young missionaries to her little pyramid scam thing. The guy's whole point was that the company had existed for 15 years and already 80 people in the company have become millionaires. He asked me what I was doing 15 years ago, I said, well, I was 5 years old, if that answers your question, ha. It was a good laugh, but a waste of time. I think we offended the investigator lady but oh well, I had called her a few times to try to meet and she never wanted to, so I guess that's that.

That's good that you got to speak in church. I have decided that I have learned what a talk should be, and that I will take every chance I get to stand up in front of people to teach the gospel. That's what a talk should be, teaching the principles of the gospel. That's what the Prophets and apostles do, and that's what we should do, I can't wait to give it a shot in English. My mission has helped me in so many ways. One thing I have been searching out my whole mission is what gifts of the spirit do I have. There have now been a few times where people have given me their opinions, without me asking, and I take it as answers to my prayers. Pasha in Kaluga, who I wanted to baptize, told me I have the gift of speaking with people, conversing with people. No wonder I always got in trouble in school for talking too much! Little did those teachers know, they were trying to hinder my spiritual gift! But last night when we were on that lesson with the member, she mentioned something that she noticed and felt. Elder Kruglyak and I had a lesson with her a while back. She invited a friend from a different church, and it ended up being a big argument between this friend and Elder Kruglyak. I was trying to keep my calm and still teach the restored gospel. The lady wasn't listening, but one time I said something and she said, Just look into his eyes, he has the calm peaceful eyes, something to that effect. Last night, I was surprised, but Svetlana, the member, remembered that comment and began to talk about it. She was talking about why some people don't accept the gospel because we don't always teach with love. She used the example of Elder Kruglyak and I last time we were there. She said Kruglyak was just trying to argue, to prove everything, and trying to teach without love. She said both her and her friend felt from me and saw in my eyes, peace and love. She said after we left that this lady told her that when I would tell her something she would feel peaceful and appreciated how calm I was and that I didn't argue. There have been a few times on my mission where people have commented to me that I have a calm about me that helps people feel comfortable. Obviously God doesn't give us gifts for us to brag about, but I feel like this is one of my gifts and I know that my mission has helped me develop this gift and find out about it. It's important to find out our gifts so that we can use them to our benefit and more importantly, to the benefit of the people we serve and associate with. God truly does answer our prayers, he listens to us and loves us. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice and open the door unto me, I will come in to him and sup with him, and he with me." (Rev. 3:20) Something to that effect, maybe not word for word, but close. I know that God could give us anything and everything we need, but sometimes he just waits for us to ask for it, to show faith that he can and will answer our prayers. Sometimes we are shy to ask, or we just think, if it is the will of God he will give it to me, if not, then not, but we see so many times in the scriptures, ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened. How often do we try that? All we have to do is open the door. I love the gospel and all the blessing that it brings. I hope everyone has a chance each day to open the scriptures and study the words of life, actually, I know everyone has the chance, but I hope we are all taking the chance. I love you guys and am so thankful for your support and love. I feel your prayers and hope that you feel mine. I hope everyone has a great week!

Elder Geddes

Traveling again

Hey guys,

Hello from Smolensk Russia!! I flew in to Moscow Friday night and
took a 7 hour van ride from there to Smolensk where I will be for a
few more days while I'm waiting for my visa. Elder Hasbiullin is here
finishing up his service as branch president. It has been cool to see
my greenie in action as the leader of an entire branch. I'm pretty
proud of him and we are both really excited to get working in Astana.
Although President Woolley is still not 100% sure about when we'll get
there. I will have a new Kazakh visa on the 17th and will be flying
back to Almaty as far as I know, at least I hope because all I brought
with me from there was a couple extra changes of clothes. The senior
couple in Astana found us some apartments and a place to meet, so
that's good. I've been trying to think about what exactly will be the
best way to approach this whole new city deal. I think we'll be on
the streets a whole lot, but all four of us are ready for that.

I can't believe they got rid of the 8th ward, is Bro. Hegamen the
bishop of the 5th ward? That's cool that Scott Gambles is the bishop,
he'll do a really good job. Was Delvin happy to be done? What
exactly is happening to Soda Springs? Is it because of the economy?
What's going on with Monsanto and Agrium and all those places, are
they still laying people off? Have a lot of people packed up and
moved away or what? That's pretty crazy.

I have a major cold going on right now, my nose is just completely
useless to me right now and I've been coughing all over the place.
The problem is that when I left Almaty it was around 0 degrees, maybe
even plus 1 or 2, so I didn't bring a scarf or thermals or anything,
but when I got here to Smolensk, it has been -15 or more the whole
time. I've been freezing here. I always only get sick when I have no
medicine near me. When I went to Kazakhstan I left all my medicine in
Kaluga. I got sick the first little while there. Elder Bressler,
bless his heart, decided I might need my medicine so he boxed it up,
took it to the office in moscow the next time he went and had them get
the box to me in Almaty, ha. In Almaty I have a huge bag of medicine
now, but of course, I leave for a week and immediately get sick. Oh
well, colds aren't bad, they are just uncomfortable.

I was pretty sick of traveling by myself by the time I finally got
here. It's no fun. The plane ride then the long van ride. They guy
sitting next to me smelled pretty weird and fell asleep on my shoulder
for a good portion of the ride. The last few hours they showed a
movie. It wasn't a good movie, in more ways than one, so it was a
pretty uncomfortable ride. I got to the station in Smolensk and
there was nobody there to meet me. I asked a lady if I could use her
phone to call Elder Hasbiullin, she said no so I just said thanks
anyway and walked away. People here are always so suspicious, anyway,
as I walked away she caught up to me and asked me what I needed, she
ended up letting me use her phone. Turns out Elder Hasbiullin had
been at the station a while before that but they said my van was
running pretty late because it was snowing pretty bad. He had called
two girls from his branch and asked them to wait for me at McDonalds.
I asked around and found the bus to McDonalds and found the girls. I
just sat there for about a half hour with them while we were waiting
for Hasbiullin who was a in a meeting with someone. I was pretty glad
to see him and his companion. There are 4 of us here right now
because this week Hasbiullin is training the new branch president. We
are supposedly going to be leaving Thursday but we'll find out for
sure probably later today. I am glad I got to come to Smolensk, it is
a super old city here in Russia. I think they even filmed part of the
movie Get Smart here, but I can't remember. Anyway, it's cool to see
another city.

Anyway, other than that, not a whole lot has happened with me since
the last time I wrote. Tell Delvin and Bishop Gambles congratulations
for me, and make sure Bishop Gambles knows I want to speak in the 4th
ward when I get home. I hope everyone has a good week, I'm not sure
when I'll write next, either Thursday or Monday, depending on where I
am. I love you guys.

Elder Geddes

Opening a new city in Kazakhstan

Hello everyone,

Well a lot of exciting things are happening in the mission these days. Before I get too far ahead of myself, I better talk about last week. Last week, we went and watched one of the events of the Asian Winter Olympics. We traveled up to the mountains and watched a freestyle ski event... in the pouring rain! We were all completely soaked. I didn't have a hat at first, but then one of the other elders gave me one to wear. Our feet were soaked, our clothes were soaked, and we had a blast. I'm really surprised they were able to do the event, the snow was probably terrible! I expected them to cancel it. We got there, rode a ski lift to the top of the mountain, and had to walk half way down the mountain. They figured out how to get all the people to the top, but they didn't plan much for us to get half way down, it was slushy, muddy, and slippery. I think I am one of the only elders who didn't fall down. I had just complemented one of the sisters about how she hadn't fallen once, after which, she quickly fell about 5 times in a row, ha. It was pretty funny. Anyway, we all froze to death but it was fun. By the way, speaking of wet feet, I think I might have to bite the bullet and buy a pair of new shoes. My left foot has been wet for the past week straight. If only I could hold out until April, after that it would be dry enough to last til the end. Oh well, maybe I can find some cool cheap European shoes to buy. Anyway, this week has been okay. It has been a bit stressful, for the fact that I knew President would be calling about transfers any day. Finally last night I got the call.

We were contacting last night when President Woolley called me. He told me that I would be transfered and that I will be working in Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan that we are opening up. I was pretty excited, but then he told me who my companion would be, that's when I got really excited. I will be serving with the elder that I trained last year. Elder Hasbiullin has been one of my best friends on the mission, and when I got transfered here, I thought we would probably not see each other again for a long long time. He's from Russia and I just don't know when I would be able to see him again after the mission. He was such a good elder, super fun and optimistic. He's a great teacher and the nicest guy ever. He will definitely help me to work hard until the very last day of my mission. The other two elders there will be Elder Player and Elder Melling. Elder Player was with me in the mtc. He is currently the AP and one of my best friends here. We have been talking to each other since the mtc about opening a city together. Now our dreams come true. His companion, Elder Melling is a pretty cool kid. Today is his year mark on the mission, he is already an awesome elder from what I hear. Working with these three elders in this new city will be the greatest adventure of my life, and I couldn't think of a better way to spend the last 3 transfers of my mission. I know that miracles await us there. I can only imagine that God has enough of his elect in this city, that he has decided to send missionaries in to find them and teach them. There are already 3 members there, one a mongolian woman who has been a faithful member for a number of years, until just recently she was the only member in the city. Last month, a man and his son who were baptized a few months ago moved to Astana for work. Soon after he moved there, he recieved the Melkizidek Priesthood, so he will most likely be the branch president. His son is around 16 I think. They will be a big blessing to the work. I am going to Russia tonight on a plane, I will be there for about a week. I hope President gives us some good advice about what we should do first. I know they are looking for apartments and a branch building right now, so they don't even know exactly when we'll go to Astana. I'm hoping within the next two weeks. I think if it takes longer than a week we will just be here in Almaty working. I am excited and humbled to say the least. I have prayed a lot on my mission, but I think the next couple of transfers are going to include a whole lot more time on my knees. I want to be an instrument in bringing the gospel to as many people in this city as possible. There will be only 4 of us there, but D&C 64 talks about how we are agents of the Lord and that anything we do in his name is his business, that out of small things, great things are brought to pass. I believe that with all my heart and will do everything I can to show faith in God's plan. I have been studying a bit more about a couple of principles lately. Faith and Obedience. The two are so much connected. Faith is the first principle of the gospel, obedience is the first law in heaven. When we have the faith to be obedient to the commandments, we receive the blessings attached to those commandments (D&C 130:19-20). Mosiah 2:22 says that all the Lord requires of us is to keep his commandments. Why? Because only when we are obedient are we able to receive all the blessings the Lord has in store for us. I like to picture a literal pile of just great things, blessings, sitting right next to the Lord. He watches us and waits for that moment when we show our faith and obedience. When we do, he sends down all of those great blessings. As we receive the blessings, and understand that it is thanks to our obedience and faith, that strengthens our resolve and desire to have more faith and be more obedient. It is one big circle. If we can get into a habit of exercising these two principles, the Lord will be able to give us so much, and even better, we will be in a position to allow the Lord to use us as instruments in his hands to serve others and move the work forward. I get excited just thinking about it.

Anyway, that's the spiritual thought for today I guess, ha. Today is my companions last p-day. He will be serving with a mini missionary for the remainder of his time here. His companion is an elder who finished his mission here about a month ago, went home for a few weeks and is already back to help for a week. Cool huh. We are going to go to the branch and play some ultimate frisbee and some board games with the other missionaries. It should be a pretty fun and relaxing p-day. Then I will have a few hours to myself as I fly to Moscow. I will take my books and keep studying, time is short. I love all of you guys, and I'm so glad to have you as a family. So many good examples of all these principles that I am learning and teaching others. Keep up the good work. I hope all of you have a great week! I don't know what will happen in Russia, where I'll be or what, but the pday is on monday in Russia, so I'll be able to write you sometime next week. Thanks again for everything.

Elder Geddes

Transfer soon?

Hey guys,

Well, we had kind of a rough week this week. We weren't able to get a hold of our investigator, and there were some motivation problems in our companionship if you know what I mean. The AP's came on Wednesday, that was fun, and President was here for the weekend. He was accompanied by Elder Senkants from Latvia. Our zone conference was pretty good, I had to translate half of it into Russian for one of the Sisters here who doesn't speak English. The cool thing was that night, they had a fireside where Elder Senkants spoke. He talked about a lot of things that have been interesting to me my whole mission. He talked about agency, truth, and the 93rd section of the Doctrine and Covenants. It was a really good talk, not a whole lot of people bothered to show up, which was sad, but it was still really cool. I had an interview with President Woolley after the fireside. He asked if I would like to go to Astana, the new city that will be opened. He said he still isn't sure who he will send, but I'm one that he has been thinking about. I'm in a good position to go, my companion is leaving, stuff like that. It would be cool with me whatever happens. I think we will know within a few days.

We had kind a discouraging week, a lot of time got wasted and I got in a couple of arguments with my companion. I can't see how you can just let your last couple of weeks go by like this. Elder Player, the ap, and I were on splits and we talked about how we won't even be stopping for lunch our last couple weeks. We'll carry a sandwhich around with us, ha. I hope I have that same attitude when my time comes. I'm just trying to use my time wisely. I'm trying to be effective. Only another couple of weeks. He's a really good guy, he is just tired I guess.

After we write home we are going to go to watch some of the Asian winter olympic games that are here right now. We bought some tickets yesterday for the freestyle ski event. It should be pretty awesome. I'll take lots of pictures and videos. I hope we get good spots. It's pretty fun here. I think that's why my emails are getting shorter and shorter, and less and less detailed. That and the fact that we are just struggling to find people who are really interested in the gospel. Right now on my mission, I think I have really learned how to study. The past week or two I have just learned a lot. I have really enjoyed learning from the scriptures and reading the conference talks. The gospel is just a cool thing when we think about it.

I can't believe that Dallin Brown was hurt so bad. That is a pretty big miracle that he was able to come out of it. I just want everyone to be careful, car crashes are scary. I thought it was pretty funny what happened to dad when he needed a shot, ha, I laughed about that one. And I honestly have been having dreams about Otis lately, I can't wait to get home and play with him.

Anyway, things are going as good as possible. I'm happy and doing my best. Thanks for the letters. I love you guys and hope you all have a good week.

Elder Geddes

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