January 12, 2010, part 2

(This e-mail was in response to Rob's e-mail while Ryan was online.)

So I realize I haven't written a letter to you yet. I promise I have not forgotten, but I am just so very busy. How are things going without me? I realize it is hard being stuck with the girls but I know you will be just fine. I also know that you need to always be around for them, now that you are the only priesthood holder in the home. I know you will be just fine without me there, but remember that you need to stay worthy so that you can always bless the girls. I feel really weird saying that to you, and I know you know that, but I guess I just wanted to remind you to always be aware of that.

So what in the world happened to TCU? I heard they were beat pretty handily by Boise. A lot of those bowl scores really surprised me, but especially that Fiesta bowl. If it hadn't of been for TCU messing everything up, the Mountain West would have come out again as a top 5 conference (yeah I realize I am a missionary and shouldn't know these things, but our teachers still live in the real world and so do the families of other missionaries).

So I know I have already asked this, but what is going on in Babylon...I mean the real world? I feel really weird being stuck here in the MTC where I see TVs only in big conferences, and I see cars only when I can look beyond the buildings that surround us missionaries. It is pretty interesting to be living here preparing to go out into the world, not knowing a thing about what is out there. By the way, I heard that there is an election coming up soon in Ukraine. If that happens while I am here, I would like to know the outcome. My teacher Sister Georgiyeva has been concerned because one of the contenders is strongly pro-Russian and I guess he wants to further Ukraine from the west if he wins. Anyway I don't have any time left so I will go. If you learn some Russian while I am away, that would be awesome. I would love to have someone to speak to when I get back. Anyway, I love you a ton and hope all goes well. I will send another email next week if I don't get a letter out. Tell the girls I love them, and tell Chels that I will write soon.

Love, your son
Elder Ryan Jones