What a crazy week. I was glad to hear that you got my letter. I wasn't expecting it to arrive so quickly! (Here we are on our way to the airport in Самара (Samara). I'm on the far left then Elders West, Males, Condie, Sister Wilson, and Elders Nielson and Kruckenburg) I think that might actually be quicker than pouch. That's good to know, if that is the case. We shall see because on Tuesday I sent a letter through pouch. What can I say? I got back from Petersburg yesterday. It was pretty nice to be able to see the city. We almost didn't get to because the mission decided to stop paying for a tour for the missionaries. Of course they had to do that first with my group. Well, we were a little upset about that but we paid for the tour out of our own pockets in order to actually see something. (Right - This was on the way fromt the airport in St. Petersburg, that sign says St. Petersburg) Here's how the trip went.
On Tuesday morning a taxi came for me and my companion to take us to Самара (Samara). We arrived around 9:30 am there. We had a little orientation meeting so we would know what was going on, then we got into a gazelle to go to the airport. We stopped at McDonalds on the way there to eat. When we got to the airport, we went through security and we ended up not waiting too long before getting on the plane. They fed us lunch even though it was only a two hour flight, that was nice. It was really hard to sit there for so long. (Left - at pizza hut! Clockwise around the table - Elders Nielson and Barber, our guide, Elder West, Sister Wilson, Elders Condie, Cragun, and Males, me, Elders Christiansen, Lambert, and Smart) I am not used to that.
Actually, now that I think about it, it may have been a three hour flight. But that's not really important. There was a man sitting next to me on the plane. One of the Elders ended up talking to the people next to him and the man next to me was listening. I wanted to talk to him, but I didn't want to interrupt his listening. Then, with about 45 min. left of the flight, he tried asking a question. The other man said, girls, why don't you Heavenly Fat sit down and talk to this man? So I did. He had a lot of questions. (Right - the border between Russia and Estonia) The first thing he did is ask what happens if we go on a mission and then start doubting. That was a really interesting question that led to me explaining how God is ourher and He answers our prayers. Then he wanted to know why we pray for things and don't get them, even though we were sincere and believed we would. He has a son and I explained to him that God wants what is best for us, but we don't always ask for that, just like his son sometimes wants things that aren't good for him. He seemed to really understand that. (Left - This is the sign for Estonia) He didn't want to give any information, but I think he had a lot to think about after our conversation and who knows what will happen.
Then, after the flight landed, we got into some SUV with the man who was supposed to meet us. Somehow 12 missionaries, the driver and our guide fit into that SUV. It was pretty cool. We went to a mall where there was a food court, but we decided to go across the street to eat at Pizza Hut. That was the first time in a long time, but it was fun.
After eating, we all piled in again and headed for the border to Estonia. We traveled for about 2 hours before arriving. (Right - Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg) By the time we got there, it was getting dark. We headed towards the border. I ended up having to wait a little for Sister Wilson, so the others were way ahead. As we walked, I was surprised to see an Elder getting out of a van. I thought, what is he doing there? He should already be at the border! Then he said, Sister Wilson! That is when I realized he was from the MTC! He was in our branch, but not in my district though Sister Wilson was in that district for 3 weeks. He is serving in the Ekateringburg Mission. We were so surprised! We found out that they were waiting for 2 more Elders from our MTC branch. We were really excited to see them there, but we couldn't even get pictures because it was the border and we're not allowed to take pictures there. (Left - statue to Peter the Great) That was too bad. We ran into the other two on our way to the border. It was really crazy to see them, we were definately NOT expecting it.
After leaving Russia, we found ourselves in "No-Man's Land" walking towards Estonia. We continued on until we reached their building and entered. Inside, we changed a little bit of money so we could get something to eat, then we went in. One Elder who was with us is from Romania. I guess they had never seen a Romanian passport before, so there was almost a problem. They had to check something to see if it was real. It was funny because I was after him and the man inside the booth asked if he was with us. I let him know that he was and that seemed to reassure him a little. (Right - Revolutionary Square. The Bolshevik Revolution took place here) They eventually, after a few minutes, let him in, too. We didn't know where to go, so we walked in the direction of the signs for McDonalds. When we arrived, I ended up ordering in Russian, Estonian, and English. That was pretty cool.
Then we had to head back. We walked back across the border and while we were waiting to enter Russia, a lady started talking to me. (Left - Another Cathedral) We talked about a lot of things and I was just starting to explain about the Word of Wisdom when her son came. He was not happy that his mother was talking with me and basically told me to go to Russia (but in a rude way). But, his mother had already given us the address of her cousin who lives in Romania. She wants the Romanian Elder to go visit her.
Then we headed back to Petersburg. We got to a hotel late and then we had to deal with our guide trying to sell us things. That was a little annoying because he was the one who was supposed to do the tour. We all decided together that we still wanted to do it, even though we needed to pay for it ourselves. (Right - Peter the Great, he really did have a little head and big body like depicted here. That is why, they say, that he killed all his sons and many other people because he was so sensitive about his looks) There were a few who didn't want to do it, but they did it anyway because we couldn't if everyone didn't go. That also meant that we had very little time to sleep because the office didn't give us time for the tour because they weren't going to pay for it. We woke up early the next morning and headed out. We drove around seeing sights of the city, getting out to take pictures and hear about the history a little. It was a two-hour tour. Then we went to McDonalds for breakfast before heading to the airport. We made it just in time to register. That means we also didn't spend a lot of time waiting in the airport. (Left - the airport in St. Petersburg. I took this picture because it still has the old name written on it, Leningrad) They fed us lunch on the flight back, too. They gave us raw fish as part of it. That was interesting. Then I slept for most of the flight.
After arriving in Самара, we had to find our ride to the office. That was interesting because all the taxi drivers wanted to take us, but we told them we already had a ride. It was crazy because they were really pushy. Finally we got to the office and we had to wait for a while before our taxi arrived to take us back to Тольятти. (Right - eating raw fish on the plane, I think it was dried) It was a really fast trip with very little rest. I have to say that I kind of wish I wouldn't have had to go because I came back so tired and I didn't want to do anything. I feel a little better now, but even now, there is this weird feeling.
Well, that's about it for my trip. In 6 months I will go to Moscow, but until then, just an ordinary Missionary life. I am hoping that our investigator will get baptized soon, hopefully in the next month before transfers. We will see because we want to get a date set at our next meeting with her. I am excited about that.
Well, I guess I should go!

Love,
Сестра Атвуд