Family

August 3, 2005
Family, (семья́)

Утром, мы переéхали. Сейчас, мы живем на четвёртом этáже. (This morning, we moved. Now, we live on the 4th floor). We used to live on the 1st floor of our building, so it was rather difficult to get my heavy luggage up the stairs, but пóмошью (with the help) моей сестёр (of my sister), somehow we managed. Don’t ask me how, it was exhausting. Though, we actually moved last night. The rooms we were moving into were empty, so we figured, почемý нет? (Why not?)
Well, so far I’ve only received one letter to reply to, so I’ll go for that. Sara, that’s too bad you couldn’t go to youth conference. I’m also óчень рáда (very glad- if you are female, sorry, dad, you can’t use that) that Gizmo isn’t attacking you as much. If you are in there enough, when I come home, he may feel that way about me. That would be very sad. You can tell Elizabeth that she better be able to change the litter box when you are in there, even if your music is playing because Gizmo comes first. If she can’t sacrifice her ears for Gizmo, then she will answer to me. – Oh, I love the paper and envelopes!
We had a really good MTC devotional last night. I sang in the choir again, конéчно ! (of course) Elder L. Lionel Kendrick spoke. One thing that he said that really stuck out to me went a little something like this: “You were called to be successful.” That is so true. The Lord called me on this mission, to Russia, of all places, not to fail, or even to make me feel like I will fail, but to succeed. (Picture - Sisters Skabelund, Johnson, and me. Sister Johnson was in a class with me at BYU) After the devotional, we had a short discussion and testimony meeting. It was great. One thing happened that really surprised me. I guess I need to explain something first. I’ve told you about the RC (referral center) right? This is the building where we go to take calls for media. We also do outbound calling which is a follow-up on the inbound calls. Anyway, last Saturday, one of the стáрейшины in мой округ (my district) wasn’t doing outbound calls like he was supposed to do. He was only taking inbound. I guess I need to explain something first. I’ve told you about the RC (referral center), right? This is the building where we go to take calls for media. We also do outbound calling which is a follow-up on the inbound calls. Anyway, last Saturday, one of the старейшины in мой округ (my district) wasn’t doing outbound calls like he was supposed to do. He was only taking inbound. I asked him if he was going to do outbound and he said no because he’s not good at it and people always yell at him. Well, I shook my head at him (you know, with a disappointed look on my face) and told him, how do you expect to get better if you don’t try? I also told him to suck it up and do it and shared a scripture with him, I think it was Alma 32:17 (it should talk about having a desire to believe, exercise that particle of faith and you will). Anyway, he told me I wasn’t going to guilt him into it. Soon after, he got a message to log into predictive (the program that does outbound calls) so he finally did. We also went to the RC yesterday. Now, back to our testimony meeting. This старейшина mentioned what I had said to him (not the suck it up and do it part, the other part) and said how true that is. He also said that he had some really good conversations with people that morning while doing outbound calls. He then THANKED me for chastising him. I had no idea that what I said to him would stick with him, or that he would eventually appreciate me admonishing him to do good. Now, perhaps you see what I am getting at. That is what I am here to do; besides testify of Christ, I am here to cry repentance unto the people of the world and though at first they may not like what I am saying and may not heed my words, those who truly desire to believe and be righteous will be grateful later (if I do it in the right way). So many times people are afraid to say anything because they don’t want to offend anyone, and that’s good, but sometimes things need to be said. As a servant of the Lord, my DUTY is to call people to repentance and I think perhaps that will be easier for me to understand from now on.
It is truly amazing what I am learning to do here, not only as far as making envelopes and such, but also to do with talking to people and listening to them. It is great. I am so glad that I am leaving in a month and a half, though. Well, I guess it’s 7 weeks, barely under 2 months. Next week will be our half-way mark, ура! I still have a lot to learn and I wonder if I will ever truly be prepared to go to Russia. I guess we will find out.
My jaw started hurting yesterday. It only hurts when I chew, but it makes it very difficult for me to eat, so that kind of sucks. If it doesn’t feel better tomorrow, I think I will go to the health clinic.
Just so you know, I have enclosed an old copy of my first lesson so you can see what it is like for me. This is only the last without the new material we added, but it is pretty close to the complete version. We teach that this week and next week. Then we start on the 2nd lesson. That will be fun.
Man, my hand hurts from writing, so I guess I will just have to write more later, hopefully after I have received more letters.

08-04-05
Something really sad happened yesterday. One of the Elders in the other district that came in at the same time as me, went home. I don’t know all the details, which is good, but it is still sad. All I know is that he said he is sick. I don’t know if he’ll be able to come back. Even though that is sad, I’m glad it was not one of our elders (I mean in my district). I can’t imagine not having them there. Things would be so different. I know the MTC is a difficult place to be, but I have faith in all of them, that they can do it. It worries me a little, though, that THEY don’t always know that. PLEASE pray for them . . . pray for them to know of God’s love and to know that he will help them to get through this. I don’t want to see any of them give up. Я знаю что они будут хорошо. (I know they’ll be good) Я знаю это. (I know this) Мне надо to use мои слова (I need to use my words). Сегодня, I am wearing Сестра Shelton’s рубашка, и Сестра Nielson’s юбка. We do that a lot here so we don’t get sick of our clothes. It is fun. I am trying to learn the days of the week, but мне трудно, я не знаю почему. So, I will tell you (я скажу вам), starting with Sunday: воскресенье, понедельник, вторник, среда, четверг, пятница, суббота.

08-05-05
Anyway, I got the package yesterday. It seriously felt like Christmas! It was great. Everything was perfect, though the nail polish wasn’t exactly the color I wanted, it was still good. Probably the best thing besides pictures were the letters. I love hearing from you. You have no idea how long the weeks are if you don’t get mail. Each day feels like a week in itself, I’m not kidding.
Ok, let’s see, I guess I’ll start answering letters. I’ll go the opposite direction this time, from oldest to youngest. I guess that means you, mom. The socks are great, at least I hope they will do what I want them to do. It will be hard to know for a while because I have to make my shoes not stink first. It’s really bad, the women’s dorm always smells like feet. That’s great you got to go through a session with dad. I was really excited I got to go through one with my entire district last week. This week 4 of our старейшины were in our session. Afterwards, we went and did sealings. That was great, too. My companion and 4 старейшины from the other district were in the room, so the dealer kept explaining what things meant. He even explained the difference between a live and proxy sealing. It was great.
That’s too bad about Moelina and her kids, but I have faith that they can do it if they really want it.
About the pictures, I LOVED the ones you sent. I would like a picture of Aunt Linda and her family (you know, at least Jordan if not Darrell, too). You know, depending on what you can get. I would also like a picture of my roommates. The easiest way would be to get them off my website. They are on the “My Roommates” page, or since I gave dad a copy of all that stuff, you should be able to take the CD and print them off from there. Let’s see, pretty much anything else would be good. Hey, did you know, I had never seen those pictures of Lizzy and Sara at the park. Where and when were those taken, do you know? You know, the ones on the tire swing and see-saw. You sent me 2 copies of Clarence’s senior picture. I didn’t know if you wanted one for yourself, so I have sent that back for you. I would also like a copy of my sea turtle picture from Hawaii and maybe another one from then. They should be in the last book that has pictures in it on my white shelf. That would be really great. I can’t think of anything else in particular. Oh, maybe a picture from Erin’s wedding. How about one of the three of us and maybe one from the ceremony. Dad should have those. Hmmm…let’s see. Do you have another good picture of Becky? I have some of Lizzy and Sara separate, but only ones with Becky in a group. I also only have 2 pictures total of dad, so maybe another of that. Could you also send me a picture of ‘Lil Ben? Those should also be on the CD of my webpage or on “My Pets” webpage. I would LOVE that. Other than that, if you find a picture you want to send me, that will be great, too. Everyone who has seen the one of me when I was little really liked it. If you find any other cute ones, I wouldn’t mind more of that. You are the best.
Now, this part is to all of you. You don’t know how much it means to me that you support me in all that I do. It means a lot because it makes it easier to keep on going when the going gets tough. Well, that and the fact that my branch president told me even if I wanted to go home, he wouldn’t let me AND моя напарница told me she would kill me if I went home, or give me a good reason to go home. I don’t know why she said that to me, well I guess it is because of what happened with the other старейшина.
Ok, now dad. Lucky day! Well, I hope everything goes well on your trip. That sounds like a long drive, all the way to Maine, so be careful and safe. Thanks for the advice on the calls. I’ve been very lucky. I’ve only had hang-ups for my bad calls, but I’ve had so many good ones, too. I really enjoy it . . . after I do it, but every time I have to pray for strength to be able to do it, but I know that the Lord helps me because I do it anyway and He sends me good calls so I can keep on doing it.
Elizabeth, thank you so much for taking care of my cat. That really means a lot to me. But WHY on EARTH did you sing Happy Birthday to Sugar on the 1st of August? Did you forget that her REAL birthday is July 29? Besides, she can’t have the same birthday as our cousin. So, don’t forget her birthday next year! I think that’s really great that you are doing a second personal and family history. You can put my letters in, but only copies. If mom and dad don’t want the originals, than I do.
Sara, even though I LOVE hearing about Gizmo, I want to hear about YOU, too. So don’t forget to include yourself in your letters. As for Gizmo, that is really funny that he is hiding under the covers. Почему? What have you done to him to make him hide from you? Я шучу! (I’m kidding). Seriously though, be patient with him. He is obviously having a rough time with you moving in on his turf. Hold that to the fact that he hasn’t seen me in a month, and what is he to assume but that you did something to me to keep me away and cause me to not come back so you could take my room? As for the biting, when he does that or even comes close to it, gently, but firmly, tap him on the nose and say, “No! You don’t bite!” I can’t really think of anything else to do. You might want to get a squirt bottle to squirt him when he bites you or scratches you. I hope that helps. Just be nice to him and give him attention when he wants it and show him that you love him, if you can (j/k).
Well, that’s all for answering letters. There was one other thing I wanted to say, but I can’t think of it right now, so I guess I won’t be able to tell you about that . . . Hmmm . . . I don’t know. Perhaps I’ll think of it for next time.
Oh, this isn’t it, but it’s something else good. Did I tell you that there is a new Russian hymn book? The one we’ve been using only has 60 hymns or so, but the new one has 207! We are so excited, but they are on backorder. (Picture - new hymn books!!) We don’t know when we are going to be getting them in, but we are all excited to have more to choose from.
Oh, I remembered! Our district is writing down our conversion stories to be typed up and made into a book for all of us. We are very excited about that. We will also be making a district directory with names, contact information and a little about the person. We may combine them. It will be great.

Love,
Сестра Атвуд