oh, here's some more

Oh, I almost forgot, you can forward my email to family who wants to hear from me. Other than that, I think friends and others can just check the website.

I wanted to tell you a little about our service we did. We went to the hospital yesterday to do some cleaning. (Left - The hospital where we did service) It is so dirty! I felt like I was in a hospital from the 1930s or so. It was really bad. They had all sorts of weird contraptions that I don't know what they are for. It was definitely an interesting experience, one that will be repeated every week for a long time. Oh well, at least we can help a little, but it is really amazing how dirty that place gets. I think if there was a hospital like that in America, it would have been shut down years ago and maybe condemned. Well, gotta go!

Love,

Сестра Атвуд

Hey! I'm here!

Well, I finally arrived here in Russia on Friday, very early in the morning, but at least I made it. I was so tired, though, that it was difficult for me to know what was going on. Things were 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.

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.

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.

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

Семья,

Семья,
I got the package today. I was so excited. It was like Christmas, especially finding the smarties, but first I’ll start with the letters.
Elizabeth, thanks for writing me twice this week. That means a lot to me. So, to answer your letter, that’s really great that you’ve been reading every day. The scriptures are important and so good to have. (Left - the sisters from our floor, Spanish speaking) That’s great that Sis. Free said you can come back to seminary. I guess she really liked having you in class. Thanks for 3-hole punching my copy. I don’t need them in sheet protectors. That will be really great to have when I get back, though I’m glad I don’t have it now because I probably won’t have space.
Mom, I also asked about my mission plaque. Do I get one and if so what is the scripture on it. That’s the only thing I can remember. Oh, do you know who delivered Becky and Clarence? I think I mentioned that one of the Elders in my district has a grandfather who worked there as an OB-GYN, but I don’t know when he retired. Oh, I just asked. He said it was after he was born, so that means he was working there when Becky and Clarence were born. I think his last name was Theurer, but I could be wrong, so could you let me know about that if you can? Maybe I’ll ask when I call. Anyway, sorry about the postage due, I didn’t realize how heavy it was. I have a few more pictures you can have if you want, but I’m just going to give them to Becky and you can see them when you come and decide if you want them. That will be the last because it will be hard to send them home from Russia.
Thank you for sharing that conversion story with me. It was really great to hear and came at a time when I felt a little down. It really helped me to feel better. I really hope Anna writes me, but soon I will no be here to receive her letter. (Above - All the Russian speaking sisters in the MTC. After we left, only two of these sisters remained). That’s too bad about the accident. It is good that her insurance will cover the damage. That’s great about Brother Bundy, though it is too bad he will not be able to be the Sunday school teacher. He always did such a good job, but I’m sure he will be great in the bishopric. Thanks for the calling card. It should work great. I will try calling from CA if I can because I will be able to use more time, but if I call from Germany, I won’t be able to talk as long. It should be all great, though. I wrote down the times so I can know when to call. That should be great. I’m excited to be able to talk to you on the phone. Thanks so much for all the stuff you sent. You should have seen me, I was so excited especially for everything in the box. It was better than Christmas. I especially, especially liked getting the smarties. Thanks, you are the greatest.
Dad, thanks for your letter. It sounds like you’ve been busy, but that must be exciting to be getting your library put up. It will be nice to come home and see it all done. (Left - Брат Снег in his traditional Russian dress). I think things are really going to be different when I get back, and not just with the house, but with everyone. I’m kind of hoping that my being on a mission will affect everyone for the better. That would be a great thing. I’m really getting anxious to get out in the field and start really teaching people. I still have a long way to go in being able to speak the language, but I think all I can really do is do it, speak the language and I’ll be better able to do that when I am in Russia. Plus, it will be nice to be able to feed myself, w/ what I want to eat and it will be nice to get to know some new people, even though I love the ones I have come to know. 11 full weeks is a LONG time to be in the MTC and not be able to leave. I haven’t left for any reason. But soon I will enter a new world.
Well, I guess I should go now. I don’t know what else to say. I still haven’t received a letter from Becky. What’s the deal w/ that? Sheesh. You’d think she didn’t have time for anything at all since she can’t take time to drop me a note or to use DearElder.com which is free, at least in the MTC. Anyway, if she comes on Wed., I will chew her out for it.
Well, I look forward to talking to you in a few days.

Love,
Сестра Атвуд
P.S. I found out that one of the other sisters has a dad that wouldn’t even go with her through the temple her first time, or to get her patriarchal blessing. I am truly blessed to have a family that supports me in all I do.

Семья!

09-08-05
Семья!
I’m starting to write a little early because we got our flight plans today! Ура! I will give you that information in two ways, one with the times they gave us and one with the times the way I figured it out they will be in Bismarck. Since I didn’t really have access to anything to know for sure, you might want to double check those times so you can be home when I call. That reminds me, did I ask you to send me a calling card so I can call home? I don’t know if you can get one that works internationally, but that would be the best so I can call you from Germany.
Ok, here goes: (as they gave it to us).
United Airlines LV: SLC, IT at 3:05pm – Sept 21
AR: LA, CA at 3:54pm
Lufthansa LV: LA, CA at 6:55pm
AR: Frankfurt, Germany at 2:25pm – Sept 22
Lufthansa LV: Frankfurt, Germany at 10:30pm
AR: Samara, Russia at 5:30am – Sept 23
Ok, so what I figured out are these times (in order) LV SLC at 4:05pm, AR-5:54pm, LV LA at 8:55pm, AR-7:25am, LV Frankfurt at 2”30pm, AR: 7:30pm
So, let me know what times will be best for me to call during my layovers, which should be from 6-9pm on Wed, and from 7:30am-2:30pm on Thurs. (Left - my name spelled in Russian by using pretzels) I will also probably call before I leave SL, maybe around 2:00pm that Wednesday. I hope that will be alright. Would it be better for me to call on the house phone? I’ll probably do that, but make sure to have my cell phone nearby so you can give me Heather’s and Erin’s phone #s, or you could send them to me in a letter, I guess that would work, too. I don’t know if I can call them, but just in case, I want to have them. Send me both Erin’s house and cell # and Heather’s cell #.
So, I’m flight leader. I guess they pick the flight leader based on alphabetical order, so since my last name starts w/an A, that’s the way it goes. It doesn’t really mean a whole lot, it just means I’m in charge of counting heads and calling people if anything goes wrong. But I guess what my branch president, President Fillmore, said is true. He said I would have more opportunities to lead on my mission, and here his prediction is being fulfilled.
I have to be in the travel office by 11:30 am, so you should try and find out for me when Jordan and them will be coming to the MTC so I can see them and give them my stuff for you. Then let me know. I should be able to wait out front for them, so I just need a general time.
It really doesn’t feel real. I think about going to Russia and I feel nothing. I think about leaving the MTC and I feel great joy because I feel like I can’t do anymore until I leave. But I’m sure when I’m on the flight going across the ocean to Germany, maybe then it will hit me. Or maybe it won’t hit me until a few months after I get to Samara. Who really knows?
Well, I’m going to go to bed for now, but I will write more tomorrow. . . maybe we’ll see how I’m feeling. Well, I guess I will for dure write to answer your letters since everyone was great and wrote to me!
09-09-05
There was something I was going to say, but I’ve forgotten it now. Oh, yeah, I remember now. When you tell me the best times to call, tell me in both Bismarck time and the time of the place I will be in, that way, I won’t get confused, hopefully. And if dad isn’t going to be home, give me another # that I could reach him at.
Now to answer your letters. First, dad, I was so sad to hear about Ron. What did he die of? That would have been horrible to have found out through an obituary. One of the sisters here who is going Spanish speaking had a friend who died in a freak accident. She found out by getting the funeral program in the mail. That was really hard for her. That will be great to get to Conference. (Right - an Elder had a camera that could do split pictures) I wish I could be here for it, but they tell us we will get to watch. I think it depends where we are in Russia because my friend over there had to wait a couple of months. Thanks for working on my website. I really appreciate it. But, do think you could not wait until she has finished them all, but after she finishes each one put them up so that the people who were wanting to check that out can have something to see. Maybe no one wanted to, but just in case, that would be nice. That would be great, though.
Mom, that’s great. Lizzy likes seminary so much. As for the temple, you are lucky. We only get to go one more time before we leave and then, unless some big miracle happens, we won’t get to go again until 2007. I can really going to miss being able to go to the temple.
Yeah, we heard about the hurricane. That is so sad, but it may very well be a good missionary opportunity. I am glad that I don’t have to buy gas, though. That is crazy that it is so easily affected. No, I didn’t hear about the temple president. That’s too bad. Thank you for typing my letters. I really appreciate that.
Elizabeth, I think that is great that you get to go to Relief Society and that Sunday School now, but I was sad to hear about your ankle. You really shouldn’t do that anymore. So, what about getting a job? Have you done that yet? Or what about taking classes? You really need to get on the ball and take care of those things.
Sara, it sounds like school is going really well for you. And that you have a class you are enjoying so much. How’s YW’s going? That must be exciting for you to be able to go to Gen. Conference on your birthday, huh? I’m going to be watching it по-русски, but I don’t know when. Thanks for not telling me about Gizmo. You can tell me about him, but only if it is something good.
I am getting lots of copies of pictures from my elders. It is really great. You will get to see them because most of them I won’t be taking to Russia, but will be in the stuff I give to Becky. Oh, I just want to remind you to answer my questions, but if not, have my letters by the phone so you can answer them when I call. I don’t even remember what they are, so it will have to be done that way.
Yeah, so I am getting really excited to leave, especially now that I know that I can have plenty of weight and I don’t have to worry about fees. (Left - a rainbow) I almost wish I wouldn’t have taken some of the stuff out that I did, but it’s better this way. Then I can have plenty of space for souvenirs and momentos, and perhaps presents if people keep writing me, or for some START writing me. Maybe it will be easier when I can email people, but I almost think not. Well, I don’t think Becky will email me because I don’t even know if she has one and if she did, it would probably be shut down soon after. Ah, нечего.
It is really crazy to think that I have been here for over 2 months. In one way it seems like I have been here for much longer, but in another way I feel like it has been a much shorter space of time. It is really funny how time works. I hate to think about it, but I almost wonder if that is how my mission will be. I don’t want it to fly by because I want to be able to enjoy every minute. A year and ½ really isn’t very much time.
There are a lot of things I only will be doing 1 more time before I leave here. One more night teaching in the TRC, one more day of service, one more day of primetime gym, one more temple visit, one more p-day, and as each day passes, more and more things will be added to that list until it begins to become a list of things I won’t do again. That should make me sad, but it really doesn’t. I’m not exactly sure why.
I think I’ll go now since my pen died and this isn’t mine.
Love,
Сестра Атвуд
P.S. Can you send me another pair of jeans, or two. They should be on the right hand side of my dresser. You’ll know which because they say LEI, have no holes, and probably look newer than the others. There should also be a pair of darker colored jeans and should be at least size 14, I think. All my nice jeans are in the same drawer. I can’t remember which, though. One or 2 would be great so my 1 pair doesn’t wear out completely before I even get to Russia. Thanks.

Моя семья

Моя семья,
You are all so great, though I wish certain ones among you would be more diligent in writing me every week. That reminds me . . . you should call Becky and yell at her for not writing me. I have been here for nearly 2 FULL months and I haven’t heard a thing from her.
So, I found out what time we are leaving, but I don’t know if that is when our flight leaves or when we leave the MTC. But the time is 4:00 n the afternoon or so. I will get my flight plans for sure this week and then I will write to let you know. That means I may get to see Jordan when he comes in. I wonder if Becky is going to come with. You should find out and let me know because I should be able to give her my stuff that I was going to ship home rather than paying to ship it.
I am sending home an insurance claim form for you to fill out and send in. It is for my Hepatitis B shot that I got on Wednesday, my last shot. I already paid for it, but I would like to get my money back if I can. Also, about the meningococcal meningitis shot. They told me the bill won’t arrive to you until 2 months after I leave and they won’t send an insurance claim form until after it is paid. Lame, huh? They told me I could just pay and avoid all that, but I didn’t know if I had the money and I didn’t want to pay with my credit card until I knew the other was taken care of. So, let me know about that. It is $91.
Ok, now for letters to you. Sara, boating? That sounds like fun! I wish we would have done that kind of stuff when I was in Young Women. It is exciting to me that you are starting school. I ALMOST wish I was starting school, but I’m glad, too, that I will be leaving for Russia soon. I guess I almost feel the way you do. I’m not nervous about leaving, but I’m sad because I won’t get to see 6 of my Elders for a long time. Oh well, I am ready to leave. That’s great that your prescription has been cut down. That must mean you are still improving.
Mom, I am always so glad to get your letters. You are the one who has written me the most. I really appreciate it. It’s really funny that Lizzy blames everything on Sara, but maybe she should get out of the habit of doing that. It’s not very charitable. That’s good that you go your talk to be over 5 min, but it’s too bad you weren’t able to go to the temple. That is the only thing I’m not looking forward to when I leave the MTC. I won’t be able to go to the temple for nearly a year and a half. But I guess at least I don’t have to worry about the language. We took this grammar test yesterday that I got a 100% on. Брат Снег said I am the only student he’s had do that. That’s great that Moelina and her kids were finally baptized. (Left - me and Sister Christensen on P-day in the laundry room) I think that will make it easier to stay active if they go as a family. That’s good that Elizabeth is moving on to Relief Society. I’m sure she’ll enjoy it. As for Harry Potter, I will only read it if my mission president allows me to and then it will be по-русски (in Russian). But thanks for offering to send it to me.
I think I did order the Thief and the Cobbler and that Becky paid for half of it . . . maybe. I would have to check it out for sure in my email. If you can get into that it would be in my hotmail account. Otherwise I will have to see if I can use the internet in the airport. When I can do that, or you can, I will better know what I can do, or what needs to be done.
Things have been great since the companionship exchange, not that things were bad, at least not for me, but things are better now for all of us. Though, I do feel bad for Сестра Wilson (my old companion). She does not like her new district and says that she doesn’t have a good feeling there. She says there is too much pride. That’s kind of interesting now that I think about it because we are watching “Beware of Pride” right now. Anyway, I guess that’s really the only thing that ISN’T better. I am glad that I didn’t have to switch districts, though. I think this district is exactly what Сестра Christensen needed because all the Elders are great here. That’s another thing I’m sad about. When we leave, I won’t be able to see 6 of my Elders and I probably won’t see the others very often. But at least I will get to travel w/ them. That will be so much fun. So, I should be able to call you from the airport. You should send me a phone card so I can do that. Get whatever # of minutes you think you would want to talk to me and keep in mind that I can call on every lay over and I may have at least 2. Will you also get me a new pair of ear phones? One of mine doesn’t work and it lets the noises of the night sneak in while I am sleeping. I need the kind that go IN the ear so I can sleep w/ them (that is the only time I can use them). Preferably they will have a plastic case that will protect them and they wind into so the cord doesn’t get caught. That is only minorly important though, as long as they go in my ears. I would also prefer silver or black, but again that is just a preference and not a requirement. Just in case I haven’t already asked, will you send me some clear nail polish that I have and a few other colors, maybe blue and my really red color. That would be nice. The clear is basically necessary because otherwise my fingernails break. The colors are just for fun because I like how it looks. Let’s see that should be all I need. You don’t have to hurry about anything that I have asked for, but try to have it all here by at least Friday the 16th if you can. Oh, could you get me 9 more of those foot liners, the s size. Some of mine have started to get a run in them and it would be nice to have a bunch of extra so hopefully you won’t have to send them to me when I am in Russia.
So, let’s see. I am so glad that another week is nearly over. The time has gone by a lot quicker than I thought it would end up going. That is good because I am very ready to leave. It’s funny because I haven’t left the MTC since the 6th of July. That is a long time to have to be confined to the walls of the MTC. Some people call this Spirit Prison. I guess, in a lot of ways, it is like Spirit Prison. You can’t leave and you are taught by servants of the Lord. The only difference is, we aren’t spirits and we have already accepted the gospel.
I have 4 cankersores in my mouth. It really sucks. I think maybe they put too much salt in their food. I can’t think of any other reason why I would have so many. (Right - Ice cream party!!!) It really hurts though. I am very ready to not be eating MTC food anymore. It makes my stomach groan and yel at me. It’s not very fun at all.
Yeah, so I am going to be done, I think. Don’t forget to send in my claim form. Also, I am still waiting for answers to any of my questions. One thing that helps me is this: I usually have your letters right w/ me when I write so I can respond to anything that was said in your letters.
There is this stuff that is really good that I like. It is Western Family complete Allergy and Sinus headache relief. It works so fast! And it lasts for a while. I know that Western Family isn’t in ND, but maybe you could get me a couple boxes of something similar. Сестра Wilson said to find the Benadryl and look for a store brand. That would be great and that should really be the last thing I want.
Love,
Сестра Атвуд