It's p-day, it's field trip day!
How is life? It sounds pretty
hectic for everyone, I hope you're feeling a little bit better! Go 30th
ward tonight! Thanks
for the dearelders, and thank the Ellsworth's for the chips/salsa and
Sister Kimball for the treats. Does she speak russian or did hunter
write out that note to me? I enjoyed it, especially because I could
actually understand it haha..
Life in the mtc is great. The beginning of this past week was kind
of boring but the past few days have been exciting. Oh and me and elder
Schneider got called to be zone leaders, if I figure out what that means
I'll let you know.. ha just kidding it just means we make sure everyone
in the zone is doing good and talk with all the district leaders then
report to the presidency.
Yesterday was exciting! Sometimes the church lets people come from
around the world to see the church things, temple/welfare square,
bishops storehouse, byu, mtc. So a big russian news station came
yesterday, and our district was recommended so they came to our class
and filmed us a little bit. They filmed us doing language practice, and
introducing ourselves, etc. And then they called out Schneider for an
interview and he ended up touring them around the whole mtc! he was gone
with them for 45 minutes. Apparently it was politically driven, because
of the mitt romney situation. They were trying to prove that the church
is preparing our generation to be world leaders--through missions. Ha
one of the questions they asked elder schneider was whether or not he
will run for president after his mission!
Maybe it wasn't that big of a deal but I thought it was cool. The
day before, a church public relations guy came in and told us some stuff
and one thing he said was that we may contact more people through this
one thing than the rest of our mission.. I don't know about that but
apparently it is a big tv station, I think it's called REN. They are
going to send us the link to the video so I'll forward it when I get it.
Speaking of politics how are the campaigns coming? I heard there was another debate a couple nights ago. Who won??
I
am so excited to go to Russia! Did I tell you already that I got a
letter from kevin? It was sweet to hear from him, he said Russia isn't
how he thought it was going to be but it is amazing.
What are your plans for thanksgiving? Turkey trot? I have been
preparing myself! I have a plan to run a turkey trot in russia on
thanksgiving. I started running the other day and I've been running 2
more laps every day. I started at a mile and 10 laps equals a mile. So I
have no idea how far I'll be running by the time I leave because I
don't feel like doing the math.
It snowed this morning while we walked to the temple! I think we might
even get some more tonight. It's not sticking down here but there is a
layer on the mtns. It's good to finally have some change.
Has
there been a change in the stake as far as girl's mission calls? I heard
some crazy statistic from the deseret news but I can't remember it,
something like a 471% increase in mission call applications since the
announcement. Sure is crazy. Here's a cool story--
Elder manning's friend got his mission call and it just had a phone
number in it. So he called the number and they asked him to come to salt
lake for an interview. In the interview they said he is going to be one
of the first missionaries going to mainland china and they just wanted
to tell him face-to-face! That is so cool huh?
Let me know how life is, Amy thanks for the carmels and starbursts!! Love you all and miss you a ton!
Scott
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Pictures from 10/17 letter
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
MTC Week 6
This week was pretty good, just about the same as every other week here has been.
Yep the mtc is going by fast which is awesome! Everyone around here is freaking out though saying they don't have enough time to learn the language.. But I just want to get to Russia! It sounds like six flags and carlsbad were fun, did you go to cessy's? and tell the pothier's I'm sorry my starburst cost them 1.25$! I finished writing the letter and was about to seal it and I asked elder bingham if you can mail a starburst in a regular envelope. He said he didn't know, and I said me either and threw it in haha.
Tell Marcus I'm not sure whether or not he will have his mtc time cut short but I'd think so. The younger russian districts that came last week have 9 weeks instead of 12 though.
Guess what? I got a letter from Kevin Boyer, and it came from Russia! It was awesome to hear from him. He told me to take advantage of being in the mtc and America because everything is dirty and smells like garbage over there apparently. I'm going to write him again and send it with the samara missionaries when we leave.
Since conference was so exciting last week I forgot to tell you that elder Bednar came and spoke at our tuesday devotional. We were sitting in the choir like an hr. before it started and it flashed on the screen that he was coming. So we ditched out of choir super fast so we could get front row seats! He spoke just about how to review conference talks. He said he goes through each talk and looks for 1) doctrine 2) invitations to act and 3) blessings promised.
The new Russian missionaries came on wednesday! They are all awesome guys, the ones going to rostov are cool too. luckily. also luckily, they are actually good at basketball so we have some better games going nowadays.
And on sunday Daniel and Jon forrest were in sacrament meeting with us! it was awesome, their uncle is in our branch presidency. So we talked for a while and then I saw them at the temple again. We were standing there at the temple and daniel said hey lets call your mom real fast. I did not object but I told him I wouldn't hold the phone. So he put it on speaker and it rang and rang and you didn't answer!! so I could have talked to you if you weren't busy but I did get to hear your answering machine message.
Also I know Daniel told you but I blessed the sacrament in Russian! it was awesome. I was pretty nervous so I practiced it so much and in the end I had it memorized haha. I still used the card though-just in case. The water prayer is interesting. Because the regular form of water is 'vadoo.' when it gets declined in the prayer you have to be careful because if you say 'vodoo' that means water and if you say what you think it should be- 'vadoo' that means you bless it 'in hell.' crazy russian.
Yeah I still go on splits with elder bingham to play basketball everyday and we eat meals together so I see him fairly often.
Amy thanks for sending the carmels! I haven't gotten them yet but I am looking forward to when I do. And I enjoyed your stories this week, especially the porta potty one. Your life is so entertaining.
Jason good luck with tryouts when they come up and the stake tournament. It sounds like you had an awesome time in cali, I am beyond jealous! The funnest thing we do here is go to the vending machines and buy hot pockets so I can't even imagine the fun you had at six flags. That place is so fun. Don't tell mom but it might even be more fun than disneyland. any new music that I am missing out on?
Dad thanks for your dearelders they make my day. I didn't know you say the sacrament prayers in german every week in your head. That is so cool, I want to do that with Russian. It sounds like work is fun and the yard is looking nice. I thought I'd never say it but I wish I were there so I could help out with the yardwork.
Mom I wish you had answered your phone on sunday! It's ok though I'll talk to you in less than a month. And then on Christmas. Sometime this week I challenge you to just RELAX for 20 minutes and enjoy the beatiful day.
Taralynn, Kory and Bowen- Thanks Bowen for the dearelder! You are getting way too big. Guess who spoke last night in the devotional? Elder Bowen! He spoke in conference and he came and spoke to us again last night. I hope Kory gets something hunting when he goes next.
Anyway I love you guys! I'm going to try and send a couple pictures to you today, it's hard with these dinosaur computers they have here. Talk to you later. Answer your phone next time! haha
-Scott
Yep the mtc is going by fast which is awesome! Everyone around here is freaking out though saying they don't have enough time to learn the language.. But I just want to get to Russia! It sounds like six flags and carlsbad were fun, did you go to cessy's? and tell the pothier's I'm sorry my starburst cost them 1.25$! I finished writing the letter and was about to seal it and I asked elder bingham if you can mail a starburst in a regular envelope. He said he didn't know, and I said me either and threw it in haha.
Tell Marcus I'm not sure whether or not he will have his mtc time cut short but I'd think so. The younger russian districts that came last week have 9 weeks instead of 12 though.
Guess what? I got a letter from Kevin Boyer, and it came from Russia! It was awesome to hear from him. He told me to take advantage of being in the mtc and America because everything is dirty and smells like garbage over there apparently. I'm going to write him again and send it with the samara missionaries when we leave.
Since conference was so exciting last week I forgot to tell you that elder Bednar came and spoke at our tuesday devotional. We were sitting in the choir like an hr. before it started and it flashed on the screen that he was coming. So we ditched out of choir super fast so we could get front row seats! He spoke just about how to review conference talks. He said he goes through each talk and looks for 1) doctrine 2) invitations to act and 3) blessings promised.
The new Russian missionaries came on wednesday! They are all awesome guys, the ones going to rostov are cool too. luckily. also luckily, they are actually good at basketball so we have some better games going nowadays.
And on sunday Daniel and Jon forrest were in sacrament meeting with us! it was awesome, their uncle is in our branch presidency. So we talked for a while and then I saw them at the temple again. We were standing there at the temple and daniel said hey lets call your mom real fast. I did not object but I told him I wouldn't hold the phone. So he put it on speaker and it rang and rang and you didn't answer!! so I could have talked to you if you weren't busy but I did get to hear your answering machine message.
Also I know Daniel told you but I blessed the sacrament in Russian! it was awesome. I was pretty nervous so I practiced it so much and in the end I had it memorized haha. I still used the card though-just in case. The water prayer is interesting. Because the regular form of water is 'vadoo.' when it gets declined in the prayer you have to be careful because if you say 'vodoo' that means water and if you say what you think it should be- 'vadoo' that means you bless it 'in hell.' crazy russian.
Yeah I still go on splits with elder bingham to play basketball everyday and we eat meals together so I see him fairly often.
Amy thanks for sending the carmels! I haven't gotten them yet but I am looking forward to when I do. And I enjoyed your stories this week, especially the porta potty one. Your life is so entertaining.
Jason good luck with tryouts when they come up and the stake tournament. It sounds like you had an awesome time in cali, I am beyond jealous! The funnest thing we do here is go to the vending machines and buy hot pockets so I can't even imagine the fun you had at six flags. That place is so fun. Don't tell mom but it might even be more fun than disneyland. any new music that I am missing out on?
Dad thanks for your dearelders they make my day. I didn't know you say the sacrament prayers in german every week in your head. That is so cool, I want to do that with Russian. It sounds like work is fun and the yard is looking nice. I thought I'd never say it but I wish I were there so I could help out with the yardwork.
Mom I wish you had answered your phone on sunday! It's ok though I'll talk to you in less than a month. And then on Christmas. Sometime this week I challenge you to just RELAX for 20 minutes and enjoy the beatiful day.
Taralynn, Kory and Bowen- Thanks Bowen for the dearelder! You are getting way too big. Guess who spoke last night in the devotional? Elder Bowen! He spoke in conference and he came and spoke to us again last night. I hope Kory gets something hunting when he goes next.
Anyway I love you guys! I'm going to try and send a couple pictures to you today, it's hard with these dinosaur computers they have here. Talk to you later. Answer your phone next time! haha
-Scott
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
MTC Week 5
What is up!? The mtc is still the same, it's getting a little monotonous
but I'm sure that's how it is for everyone. It's still fun though. And
in a way all this change is kind of good for me because it makes the
time go by a little faster. Also I've gotten to know pretty much every
Russian missionary, since I have been in a district with at least one
companionship in every district. The new missionaries will come today,
and I am so excited! There are 6 that are going to Rostov, I think. 4
guys and 2 girls, but they will be in the opposite zone.
My new district is fine, and I get along with all of them. It is a bit different though because there are more sisters than elders. There are 6 sisters and 4 elders! Our teachers are good, they are a little bit behind our old district but I enjoy the extra review I get. And my companion is a really hard worker, we've been getting up at 5 the past few days to study the language. I can definitely see why these missionaries were called Russian speaking because they are so dedicated to learning the language! And I think Russian is honestly the coolest thing I have ever studied. My teacher was talking to us the other day when some of us were bummed about how little of russian we know and he told us that the mtc is one of the most efficient ways to learn a language. He said "you've been here for 6 freaking weeks, and if a Russian professor came from any university in the nation he would be impressed with how much you already know." Then he had us watch 'finding faith in Christ' in Russian to show us how much we do really know.
So general conference was mehh, alright.. SIKE! It was insane! When Pres. Monson announced the new age change the whole mtc went nuts! Everyone was screaming, girls were crying, it was entertaining to say the least. But the first thing I thought was that I better see Jason before he leaves!! Maybe he should come to Russia to pick me up. I also hear that Russian speaking missions run in the family, in a way. So many of these missionaries here have had siblings serve in Russia. So I'm calling it right now that Jason is going to Donet'sk Ukraine. I had so many plans for the two of us before he left, I wanted to go to BYU together and make it the best snowboarding season ever! But obviously the prophet knows more than me..
Also I think this new age change is great for sisters! It removes the stigma that goes along with them serving a mission. People won't think they're doing it just because they couldn't get married. So all the girls in Mesa need to go! There's no excuses now.. My teacher is the executive sec. in his ward and he showed us the list of all the people who called him to start the process. Like 15 girls and 1 guy haha.
I could sense the urgency for missionary work in conference. And also my teacher reminded me that we need to continue to pray to open new areas of the world. The prophet asked us to do that, and alot of people have forgotten to do it (including me). But the last time a prophet told us to pray for this was Spencer Kimball, and that was right before the Berlin wall FELL and the red curtain FELL! So the Lord knows his will and he will hasten it when the time is right. I'm pretty sure the time is about to be right! But God won't open new areas if we are not prepared, I think.
Also for the new missionaries they are permanently shortening all the language courses and time in the mtc. Every one will be shortened by 1/3 which means russians will only stay 9 weeks, spanish 6 weeks, english 1 week, etc. They are building a new building here at the mtc in the short future (8 stories tall!) So you can see all the pieces fitting together, missionary work is about to get alot more awesome!
So I've got a funny story.. The other night I woke up at 2 or 3 a.m. and I honestly had no idea where I was. I started yelling and for some reason I thought I was in a warehouse or something. I went and looked out the door and I was like oh. I'm in the mtc. great.
Well I love you all even though you are in CA without me. Are you going to carlsbad to? Take some pictures and have fun! Amy have fun in Mesa, but not too much fun. haha your letters are the best! I laugh through every one. I am super excited for my carmels to get here! and if you wanted to send my obama shirt that would be great! The black one that says hope. I gotta represent during the elections, ya know? haha no really I just want to get people riled up. Courtney and Ben from the Bach split up, whaaaa? Perfect, now I am one step closer! When she tweeted me, that was the first step. So we're making progress here.
Jason me and Elder Bingham were so excited reading about your 35 pt game! haha that is so awesome. Did you get an Iphone yet? Maybe when you make the team dad will get you one *cough cough*. But really, I miss you and whenever anyone asks me what I miss most from home I say hands down I miss my brother most. Your future is so bright! Continue to make friends with everyone and have FUN! I'll see you soon enough.
Mom I miss you too! I'm glad you were excited to hear Rostov in conference. haha I may or may have not been asleep when he said that and my comp basically gave me a heart attack waking me up.
Dad have fun in CA. thanks for all the dearelders and all your support. I can't wait to skype all of you from RUSSIA!
Talk to you all in a week, send dearelders! Thanks Allen's for the candy! sorry again for such a long letter
-Scott
My new district is fine, and I get along with all of them. It is a bit different though because there are more sisters than elders. There are 6 sisters and 4 elders! Our teachers are good, they are a little bit behind our old district but I enjoy the extra review I get. And my companion is a really hard worker, we've been getting up at 5 the past few days to study the language. I can definitely see why these missionaries were called Russian speaking because they are so dedicated to learning the language! And I think Russian is honestly the coolest thing I have ever studied. My teacher was talking to us the other day when some of us were bummed about how little of russian we know and he told us that the mtc is one of the most efficient ways to learn a language. He said "you've been here for 6 freaking weeks, and if a Russian professor came from any university in the nation he would be impressed with how much you already know." Then he had us watch 'finding faith in Christ' in Russian to show us how much we do really know.
So general conference was mehh, alright.. SIKE! It was insane! When Pres. Monson announced the new age change the whole mtc went nuts! Everyone was screaming, girls were crying, it was entertaining to say the least. But the first thing I thought was that I better see Jason before he leaves!! Maybe he should come to Russia to pick me up. I also hear that Russian speaking missions run in the family, in a way. So many of these missionaries here have had siblings serve in Russia. So I'm calling it right now that Jason is going to Donet'sk Ukraine. I had so many plans for the two of us before he left, I wanted to go to BYU together and make it the best snowboarding season ever! But obviously the prophet knows more than me..
Also I think this new age change is great for sisters! It removes the stigma that goes along with them serving a mission. People won't think they're doing it just because they couldn't get married. So all the girls in Mesa need to go! There's no excuses now.. My teacher is the executive sec. in his ward and he showed us the list of all the people who called him to start the process. Like 15 girls and 1 guy haha.
I could sense the urgency for missionary work in conference. And also my teacher reminded me that we need to continue to pray to open new areas of the world. The prophet asked us to do that, and alot of people have forgotten to do it (including me). But the last time a prophet told us to pray for this was Spencer Kimball, and that was right before the Berlin wall FELL and the red curtain FELL! So the Lord knows his will and he will hasten it when the time is right. I'm pretty sure the time is about to be right! But God won't open new areas if we are not prepared, I think.
Also for the new missionaries they are permanently shortening all the language courses and time in the mtc. Every one will be shortened by 1/3 which means russians will only stay 9 weeks, spanish 6 weeks, english 1 week, etc. They are building a new building here at the mtc in the short future (8 stories tall!) So you can see all the pieces fitting together, missionary work is about to get alot more awesome!
So I've got a funny story.. The other night I woke up at 2 or 3 a.m. and I honestly had no idea where I was. I started yelling and for some reason I thought I was in a warehouse or something. I went and looked out the door and I was like oh. I'm in the mtc. great.
Well I love you all even though you are in CA without me. Are you going to carlsbad to? Take some pictures and have fun! Amy have fun in Mesa, but not too much fun. haha your letters are the best! I laugh through every one. I am super excited for my carmels to get here! and if you wanted to send my obama shirt that would be great! The black one that says hope. I gotta represent during the elections, ya know? haha no really I just want to get people riled up. Courtney and Ben from the Bach split up, whaaaa? Perfect, now I am one step closer! When she tweeted me, that was the first step. So we're making progress here.
Jason me and Elder Bingham were so excited reading about your 35 pt game! haha that is so awesome. Did you get an Iphone yet? Maybe when you make the team dad will get you one *cough cough*. But really, I miss you and whenever anyone asks me what I miss most from home I say hands down I miss my brother most. Your future is so bright! Continue to make friends with everyone and have FUN! I'll see you soon enough.
Mom I miss you too! I'm glad you were excited to hear Rostov in conference. haha I may or may have not been asleep when he said that and my comp basically gave me a heart attack waking me up.
Dad have fun in CA. thanks for all the dearelders and all your support. I can't wait to skype all of you from RUSSIA!
Talk to you all in a week, send dearelders! Thanks Allen's for the candy! sorry again for such a long letter
-Scott
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
MTC Week 4
Hey everyone, it's P-day again!
Thanks for
your dearelders, and Aunt Dawn too. I'm glad you had fun in Idaho with
bowen, he is getting really big! Happy birthday to Kory on saturday
right!? Hopefully he gets a day off for the big day. And it's conference
too! I am excited for conference here in the mtc, I don't think there
is an mtc choir this time-bummer. And if there is then I'm not in it!
And that is awesome that you guys are getting Jason the new Iphone! One
of our teachers has one and it is sweet.
So Obama is still president over here because guess
what? You'll never guess. I got a new companion!! Ahhh! Everytime I get
comfortable with something they throw a 180 at me. It's crazy. Yesterday
my branch president called me in for an interview and he was talking
about how he had like 21 companions on his mission and all this stuff
and he was able to help so many people, and I was like cool story bro..
and then he said he decided to switch my companion and I was thinking
whaaa? seriously? So who knows what's going on around here. I was joking
with bingham after and I said I'm pretty sure next week we are getting
called to Equador or something haha.
So with 5 weeks through in my mission I have been in 3
districts, 2 zones, had 2 companions, 9 different russian teachers, and
lived in 3 different bedrooms!
I feel ok with the
decision, and my new comp is cool. But Bingham has been having a harder
time, partly because his new companion is a little odd. We were still
in our own beds last night and we were falling asleep and all of a
sudden he punched the wall and walked out. (at like 11 oclock). So I let
him be out there for 10-15 minutes and then went out to talk with him.
He will be fine, he just feels tired of all these moves and everything.
But he is doing better today..
Our week was good, we taught alot and I learned alot of
Russian. We committed both of our 'investigators' to baptism this week.
Ha but I feel like it is not going to be this easy over in Russia!
There is a computer program with a ton of russian church vocabulary and
it I know most of those words. And my speaking is improving, this week I
worked alot on russian grammar.
All the 'older' russian missionaries left this monday. I'm
gonna miss them! Kevin Boyer is so lucky, all the coolest missionaries
were going to his mission. And all those guys gave me a ton of their
stuff. I got a few notebooks with missionary's vocabulary and lessons
and stuff, a nerf basketball hoop, a ton of food, a hackie sack, etc. I
got a picture with all the missionaries I was really close with,
hopefully I'll get some pictures sent out today.
The older missionaries leaving got me re-excited to go
to Russia. Because at this point in my mission, it feels like the mtc IS
my mission. Like I'll be here for 2 years. But seeing all of them get
their travel plans and packing their suitcases made it feel more real.
Next week the 'new' missionaries will come in. That is exciting!
Hopefully some cool ones will come in that are going to Rostov! Oh, I
forgot to tell you, so now that I'm in this newer district- there are 3
missionaries going to rostov. So I will get to know them a little
better..
Grandpa Allen I met someone that knew you at Mesa
High.. His name was Elder Goodman, and he served a mission in russia, in
Rostov. So that's all I know about him, maybe you'll know who I'm
talking about and maybe not. He said one of his brothers dated aunt
carrie or something, I don't know..
Well I love you guys, and I am hopefully going to send a
package for you today.. Have fun at SIX FLAGS! Without me!! Tell
everyone I say hi.
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