complicated by the fact that one of my suitcases was sent to Moscow rather than to Самара (Samara). (Right - My MTC district, more than half of us came to Samara) Luckily, the lady who was helping me spoke English and is very sympathetic with the missionaries because she was getting baptized the next day. They than made us get on a bus a travel to the mission home in Самара. We arrived, ate a little breakfast, and basically sat around doing nothing for the next several hours while we were individually interviewed by the mission president and given our assignments.I am now a few hours from Самара in a city called Тольятти (Togliatti - Toliyattie is how it sounds). It is an Italian city, which you can guess what that means, but it is good here. I really like it. We have a small branch in a very large city. I am in the part called New City which means nicer homes and cleaner streets, though it is still rather dirty. On
Saturday we had two baptisms and then another on Sunday morning. (Left - Me with the newly finished Samuel Smith statue at the MTC) It is great because we just had one the last Monday, too. The work is progressing well here, but there is still more to do. Someone (I don't remember who) said that 1% of the population is ready to receive the gospel. Тольятти has about 1.2 million people and only about 50 members or so, if that even. That means 12,000 people are out there who are ready for the gospel, they are just waiting to receive it. That means we have a lot of work to do.We are lucky here in New City because we have 4 Elders and 2 Sisters. In Old City, there are only 2 Elders, and another area that I don't remember what we call only has 2 Elders as well. One of the Elders in my district was in my branch at the MTC. He has been here for 6 weeks. One of the Elders from my district in the MTC is in Old City, so I get to see him every now and then. It is a lot of fun.
Everyone here tells me that I speak very well, even the Russians, but I really only talk to people who are acquainted with the missionaries, so I think they mean comparatively. At least I can get my point across and I can teach the lessons. It's the other stuff that I don't have the vocabulary for. One Russian told me that I speak like I have been in Russia for 4 months. That's good, I guess, but I feel like I can't understand a thing that is going on around me. It is like I am in a happy little bubble, and Sister Vernon (my new companion) tells me to stay there. But, I don't want to, so I'm not going to.
Because our area is so large, we spend a lot of time traveling. 
We usually ride on bus-like vans that are called маршрукаs (marshrutkas). (Above - Traveling does not treat me well - just after our arrival in Russia, on the bus to the mission home) They cost 8 rubles a person no matter where you go, as long as it is within New City. So far I have had the chance to teach the first three lessons (not to the same person) and we have contacted several people on the street. It is very difficult to go knocking here, so we do street contacting. The apartment is little, but nice. We even have a washing machine. That is because President Давыдик (Davydik) decided all the missionaries had to have a washing machine in their apartments so time could be better spent in other ways. That's nice and will make my life a lot easier.
We usually ride on bus-like vans that are called маршрукаs (marshrutkas). (Above - Traveling does not treat me well - just after our arrival in Russia, on the bus to the mission home) They cost 8 rubles a person no matter where you go, as long as it is within New City. So far I have had the chance to teach the first three lessons (not to the same person) and we have contacted several people on the street. It is very difficult to go knocking here, so we do street contacting. The apartment is little, but nice. We even have a washing machine. That is because President Давыдик (Davydik) decided all the missionaries had to have a washing machine in their apartments so time could be better spent in other ways. That's nice and will make my life a lot easier. I had my first experience with Russian food the other day. It was quite an experience. Let's just say that I felt a little sick afterwards. It had a lot of garlic and I think it was beats and carrots mixed together. I also had a little eggplant (or so we guessed). That was pretty good, but who knows which made me feel sick. They have some interesting treats that are alright, but nothing super fantastic.
Well, let's see. I really don't know what else to say. I'm having fun and Sister Vernon tells me that she is always amazed that I am doing as well as I am; I feel comfortable and all that. I don't think I really believe that I am not in the 
US. (Below - Frunza's baptism) I keep looking at the people to see if there is something different so I will actually feel like I am in Russia, on the otherside of the world, but they look like Americans (though many would hate to hear that said) or rather they look like people. Even when they open their mouths and I don't understand a word that is being said, I still don't see them as any different. One woman told me that it is good that I am always smiling because that means I am happy to be here, and I really am.
US. (Below - Frunza's baptism) I keep looking at the people to see if there is something different so I will actually feel like I am in Russia, on the otherside of the world, but they look like Americans (though many would hate to hear that said) or rather they look like people. Even when they open their mouths and I don't understand a word that is being said, I still don't see them as any different. One woman told me that it is good that I am always smiling because that means I am happy to be here, and I really am. Well, here's a little thought I had. Most of the members here are so strong. They know that what they have chosen is the right thing, and their stories are amazing. Life is hard here, and things are bad, but they are still willing to sacrifice so much of what they have for the gospel. That testifies to me that this is something better than anything else they've ever had. What a great blessing it is for me to be able to search out the others who are waiting to hear the gospel. 12,000 people here are ready, we just have to find them!
Well, write to me, my P-day is on Wednesdays, so 
preferably before then.
preferably before then.Oh, I took care of my credit card. (Right - Yuri's baptism) It only had 6 dollars left. I don't think they charged me a late fee, so that is good, and now I don't have to worry about it, but I only have $175 in my account. I don't know how much I'll need to buy my coat and boots and all that good stuff, but I have to withdraw money before I can buy it. We are going to go look around today, but if you can, could you put a couple hundred in my account so that there is enough to cover withdrawal fees and all that stuff and still have enough to buy my winter clothes? Maybe $250 or $300 if you have it, if not, whatever you can. Thanks. Also, I will at least be able to use this email address for a while. They may have all of us switch later, but for now you can post this email address on my website for people to email me.
Love,
Сестра Атвуд
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