(This email was written to his mom.)
So I want to first off let you know that we upgraded our emails so that they are through gmail. We have a lot more memory now, but I don't have any of my contacts and the formating is strange as it doesn't let me use enters. My email is still the same address though, but if you could send the the email addresses of anyone who wants emails, that would be great.
So to answer your first question, email is going to be the easiest. Dear Elders can be printed off in Kyiv but I would only get them once a transfer, so weekly email is best. Second, we did receive our Flight Plans and we are flying Lufthansa. Here it is (and remember that all times are local times for that area) - Salt Lake 8:00 am to Chicago where I have a layover from 12:03 to 4:40. That would be the best time for me to call because we don't have much time in the morning before our flight. I can give you a call but you need to let me know what time between 11:00 and 2:30 (here) is best for you. Our next flight is from Chicago to Frankfurt where we get in at 7:00 (midnightish here I think) and where I have a 3 hour layover before our final flight into Kyiv. I will be arriving in Kyiv sometime around 1ish there and from there I meet the Mission President and my Trainer. From what I have heard, my p-day won't be until the following Monday so this may be the last email you get for two weeks. Again, let me know what time works best and I can try to give you a call. I have about 4 dollars of quarters to help me on the payphone.
I am sending home a package probably within the next few days. I am just letting you know so that you can expect it. I may or may not put letters in it (I might also just send them today through regular mail) for the girls and dad, so they don't feel bad that I didn't email them. Tell the Thorpes that I did receive their letter and I am grateful for their support. Just tell anyone who asks that I am doing great. Also, give anyone who wants to talk to me in the field my email such as grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, or friends who ask (you said Mary asked for my address, so if you would like you can give her my email). I may not have much time to write to them, but that will be the easiest way to hear from them. Let Curtis know that he is going to be awesome and let me know how his farewell goes please. I am going to try to write him today but it would be great if you told him good luck from me as well.
As for some of your other questions that you asked this week, I did get to say goodbye to Travis Sunday night which was nice. He is going to be an awesome missionary I am sure. Also, thank you for getting that letter to Graham. I hadn't really talked to him in a while and I felt like it would be good to write something. So tell Chelsea congrats for the Play, even though she was sick. I was glad to hear that you said she did awesome. Also tell Caitlin congrats for the swim awards and good luck with SUU. And as far as getting a tie from Costco, it doesn't really matter whether or not you get it. We will be fine without it. And I got your package yesterday - thanks for the shoes which are working out so far. I will break them in this week and they should be good.
--- So for a few updates from me. I started packing again on Sunday night, just folding up a few things and I don't think weight should be a problem. I actually almost filled up one of the suitcases last night and it only felt like it weighed about 40ish pounds so I think I will be fine. It is pretty crazy to be packing up again. Today was also the last time we get to go to the Temple, maybe for two years. That just depends on whether Pres. Steinagel will let us go to the Kyiv temple after it is dedicated in the late fall. That is going to be an exciting event, no matter whether or not we get to go inside.
So, last week, we had Bishop Edgley speak at our devotional. We still have only seen one Apostle, but one of the Elders in our zone, who had played the piano a little for prelude in devotionals asked Brother Ullman, the organist, if he could play tonight and Brother Ullman said No because an Apostle is coming. I am looking forward to it and hopefully it does turn out to be an Apostle. And if not, it will be ok because all the devotionals are great anyway.
Well, I am almost out of time, but I want to encourage you to keep reading and finish the Book of Mormon. I finished it on Sunday which was absolutely awesome and I know that you will be able to as well. Keep working hard and you will be blessed so much for your efforts. I want you to know that I love you very much and that I am praying for you all the time. I am so grateful for all that you have done for me. I know that this Church is true, that Joseph Smith is the Prophet of the Restoration and that Thomas S Monson leads us today. I know that Christ is our Savior.
Love, Elder Ryan Jones
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