Well, Happy Independence Day everyone! I have to admit, yesterday was a little strange. It did not feel like a holiday at all. Of course, they don't celebrate that holiday here. Nothing helped, I sang patriotic songs, but I still didn't feel it. Oh well, what can you do? I have to admit, that this is probably the most interesting birthday because while my birthday was starting here, everyone in America was celebrating it with fireworks. (Picture above was taken after out District meeting while we were eating lunch. We decided to call Ирина (Irina) to sing happy birthday to her since her birthday was that day) That's so nice of them. Usually they shoot off fireworks to celebrate that it is coming, but this year they celebrated that it was already here. Too bad I couldn't see it, though we did hear a few fireworks last night. That was cool.
So, lets see, what other things can I tell you about? I'm glad that you enjoyed the pictures and that you opened my box. I am glad that everything made it there safely. That's crazy about my credit card! What are they thinking? I guess they really want me to use it because it just keeps getting higher and higher. Well, they'll have to wait a while yet because I won't even attempt to use it for another 6 months!
Thanks to everyone who wrote this week, Mom, Dad, grandma and grandpa, Lizzy, and Sara. I guess Heather and Erin couldn't get to a computer to wish me happy birthday, oh well. We'll see if Becky will ever write me. (Picture to the right - our district. In the back is Elder Бордун (Bordun) and Sister Блохина (Bloxina). Next row is me and Elders Wellman and Christianson. Front row is Elders Olsen, Мельничук (Melnychuk), and Montandon. Sister Блохина and I bought these balloons, blew them up and tied them together for a present for Ирина. That was pretty interesting taking them on public transportation with us . . .) It is so strange for me to hear that she really exists in emails because I have no contact with her at all.
This last week has been really interesting. Last Wednesday we ended up having an unplanned lesson with the Elders' investigator, Надя (Nadya). She wasn't supposed to tell anyone, but she wants to get baptized. She had a lot of questions and some fears about the whole process and we had a really good talk with her about it. We went over the baptism questions and she told us that now she knows to whom she will be grateful when she gets through the interview. It was nice because we didn't even plan on being there that day, but the Lord guided us, and put us in the right place at the right time to be able to calm her fears. I felt so good afterward because I KNEW that we had done exactly what the Lord wanted. (Picture to the left - at Ирина's for her birthday "party" - she wanted it to be spiritual) I think that often happens when our plans fall through, we just don't always see the result.
We also went to see a few old investigators. They were happy to see us, but they are not interested in the gospel. That was a little disappointing. Other than the lack of work sometimes, I really love it here. I love the people, and there are a few members here that told me I better not even think of leaving! That's all well and good, but when they talk like that, it makes me want to leave so it won't be so difficult later. We'll see what happens. We find out about transfers today, or at least we should. Maybe Пенза (Penza) will close, but maybe I will be here for a while longer.
On Monday, one of the members had a birthday. She turned 21 and she really wanted us to be there for her birthday, so we went. (Picture to the right and below - the notes that my companion left around the apartment for my birthday. This one says Happy Birthday! The ones below say Happy Birthday, I love you, and Be Happy!) She fed us some salads and cake. It was really good and was nice to be able to celebrate her birthday with her. She called me last night to find out if I will be at English today so that she can see me. She said there will be a surprise, so it will be nice to see what she has in mind. Other than that, I have had a few other surprises today. This morning, my companion made some little notes and posted them around the apartment saying Happy Birthday, and other things like that. She also made a really nice breakfast and even washed the dishes! (She always cooks but I always clean up after). But, even before that, I got a call at 6:30. I didn't know what to expect, but I picked up the phone and a voice on the other end asked, who is this? I don't like answering those kinds of questions, so I asked who that was. She didn't answer but asked again, so I told her. She immediately started singing Happy Birthday (in English) but instead of putting in the name, she said, my dear best friend. I didn't know who it was. When she finished, I said thank you, and she started singing in Russian, but this time she put in my name. I immediately knew who it was! It was Sister Саргсян (Sargsyan)! She called from Ижевск (Izhevsk) where she is serving. She worked really hard to get permission to call me. We talked for about 20 minutes and it was really nice because she goes home next week and that may be the last time that I get to talk to her (unless I or my companion gets transfered and then we will see each other in the office). She also passed along a Happy Birthday from an Elder there who served with me in Тольятти (Togliatti). (Picture to the right - while we were walking on my birthday, we found this written on a wall. Who would've known that my birthday is important to others, too!) He said, pass Happy Birthday from her любимый великий (lyubimwi velikii) DL! (that means like, favorite great DL, we always called him our великий DL in Тольятти). It was really nice that he wanted to pass it on because I know two other Elders who serve with her in Ижевск (they were with me in the MTC) and they didn't pass anything along. I was also able to talk with her companion, Кристина (Kristina). She is on a "mini-mission" right now. She is from Тольятти and I know her well. It was a nice surprise, one that I didn't expect or even guess would be, but even if nothing else interesting will happen today, it made my day. The only thing that would have made it better would have been to get a phone call from home, but that's not allowed, so don't worry about it. (Picture to the left - I painted my toe nails for Independence day and my companion painted my fingernails. She did a really good job, too) Also, my companion bought ice cream cake, we made root beer, and she also gave me a manicure for my birthday. At 2:00 today we are doing something with the Elders. I hope it will be fun. We'll see what happens. They know its my birthday, but you know Elders, they often don't think of fun things to do.
So, that's about it. Next week I'll be letting you know if there are any changes in my life, as in where I will be serving, or companion. I am really interested to know what will happen because Саргсян told me that sisters are really needed in Ижевск and that was the city which I thought for sure would close! So, I have no idea what will happen. What a nice surprise on my birthday!
Well, I look forward to hearing from everyone. Thanks for your support and love, I really need it and I enjoy hearing about your lives.

Love,
Сестра Атвуд