JUNE

Hello family!! Well I have two things to say real quick. First of all, the assistants just called down and they want us to write home to our families that you'll probably be hearing really soon that there was an explosion in Izhevsk, one of the cities in our mission. But don't worry about anything because all of the missionaries and members are safe, including the 2 elders serving in that city. Just so you know. Also, mom is all worried about my veggie/fruit intake. Haha. I just want to let you know that I eat more fruits and veggies that most other missionaries in our mission, thanks to my last companion. We ate like we were in Chile or something. Vladimir Nikolaovich, my favorite church member in this branch, told me last night about the Europe E-Coli thing, so I heard about that, but I haven't noticed a difference at all. We haven't been grocery shopping this week yet, but all the produce stands on the streets look norm. I am looking forward to some vitamins, though... I lost my bottle when I got transferred from Samara. But I'll probably just hold on to the fish oil until it starts getting dark... The summer here is nuts. I woke up at 5:15 the other morning and it was already completely bright. And it doesn't get dark until 10 at night. But winter is complete opposite, the sun goes down at 3 in the afternoon sometimes. Anyways. One time Chris told me about fish-oil-pill burps. Num nums!

But how's life? How's my trunky wunky sister? It's so weird to me that you've already got school registration going on. You're in it for the last stretch. That blows my mind! People say that the first six months is just surviving (true), then the second six months is acquiring skills and really getting to be the kind of missionary you want to be (also true, so far), and then the last year is just flying (I assume true). Of course, one of the biggest things I've learned so far is that you never ever ever "get there." There's always a whole pile of stuff you just wish you were way better at. That was one of the misconceptions I had about a mission when I first came out. I always thought Oh won't everything be just great when I'm 6 months in and I've "got" the language and I'm just cruising? You've never cruising, though, or at least you shouldn't be. I think the day I'm a perfect missionary will be the day I've died and I'm waiting in front of the JUDGEMENT BAR. I even hope I'll be ready by then. Because if you want to be a perfect missionary you have to be a perfect person. Probably. (I couldn't resist typing JUDGEMENT BAR in all caps.) But enough rant. Sam you're not trunky! That was a joke. It seems like you're one of the sisters that your president really trusts. Because I'm just finding out that training is a big deal. Also, from what I read, you seem like you're really in the groove of things and ripping up your area! Keep on keeping on. You're gonna be awesome right up until the end! And then I'll call home for Christmas and you'll already be there.... weeeeeiiirrrddd. Maybe we'll get to skype again. Man. That'd be weird.

So things are going good. That email last week from home had a whole bunch of news that I'm trying to process. I think it's waaaay cool that Megan's going on a mission. And Kim! It will be dang cool to find out where they go! How's Tyson doing? Pass that boy a hello. Also, tell him that last night I was walking down the street and I saw 5 or 6 Russians get out of 2 different cars, and they were all wearing blue camoflauge and a couple of them had AK's. I didn't really think much of it until I realized that Tyson would think it was the coolest thing ever haha. I always see these old Soviet Union army trucks and think to myself man, there's a bunch of Russian dudes hiding in the back and they're going to jump out and fight with James Bond. You think I'd be over it by now, but it really is strange how much I'm reminded of James Bond by stuff on the street. I'm glad to hear things are going good, though. Do you have any plans for the summer? It was probably good timing for you to quit work right before everyone got out. The kids are old enough and now you can go lots of fun places for the summer. Don't get too carried away with extra stuff! Stick at home! I regret not doing that. If you haven't gone to Logan yet, pass on a hello to all the Hyrumites and Loganites (and Providincites and Hyde-Parkites??).

What happened this week? Sorry I've only got 2 minutes left to write, I spent a lot of time going over your emails. Last week was normal we had one set of exchanges with a trainer and his trainee. Other than that, we were in our own area, which was good. Most of our investigators have gotten "too busy" to meet. We're putting a new focus on working with inactives to really strengthen the branch. We want to make a difference while we're here, so that the branch is bigger than when we left it! And it's already time for me to get off the computer!! agggghhh!!! I love you all so much and pray for you all! Keep on keepin' on!!

LUUUURRRRRVVEE

alex