Hey Mom
So another week has gone by already. It is incredible how fast time is going. I have been in Ukraine for over six months now and in the next few weeks, we will have conference again, a whole bunch of birthdays and before you know it, it will be winter. It kinda feels like Winter here already, well not quite, but almost. It has been in the 50's and 60's pretty much my entire time here in Ivano. It also rains every single day which is kind of tough, because it limits what we can do, but also nice, because it keeps it cool and more bearable to walk around. I don't start sweating when I walk out of the shower anymore.
By the way, business section; is there anything you want, or that you can think of that the family might want, for Christmas/birthdays? I spent a little bit of money recently (about 100 gryven which is really only about 14 dollars) but I have tons that I pulled out once for train tickets that was reimbursed. I figure that I won't be in Ukraine forever and plus I want to send a package home soon so what do you think? Business concluded ;)
Anyway, so you asked about lunch...again. I thought you asked about that a week ago, but maybe not. Usually, we eat out on p-day, just because we are out doing business anyway, and then we grab snacks and stuff on other days, but usually prepare lunch at home. I usually don't prepare anything Ukrainian, because it takes time, but, this week for example, I will be eating a macaroni salad, mexican-ish beans and fried potatoes. I usually just grab some foods and especially recently I have been using more veggies while they are still good, and put stuff together. It usually works out well.
I can't believe that Grandma and Grandpa have been married for that long. (I told him that it was my parent's 63rd wedding anniversary on the 17th. Sorry Mom and Dad, he is just teasing you about the age thing!) They must be old or something to have already been married that long. That is really cool that they have made it that long in this world where more and more people are having problems. The divorce rates here in Ukraine are especially high from what I have seen which is really sad. Many people seem to get married multiple times here, and those second and third marriages don't always work out either. It is really sad, but Satan truly is fighting against the family. I prepared a lesson yesterday for gospel principles (out of the new Gospel Principles manual the church released this year) on families. It was really cool to read the basic principles behind what a family is supposed to be and how we can strengthen families. Sadly no one was there for the lesson, but it was still great to study it myself. Plus next week's lesson is on family responsibilities so I will get a chance to teach about families again. I truly love to see families, especially the young member families, and the joy that comes to parents from their children. It is really weird, but it makes me very excited for my own family, whenever that comes down the road. It is so cool to me to see how the family truly is central to our Heavenly Father's Plan of Happiness. Even though it is tough to raise three kids, especially when they don't always get along, but the blessings are so incredibly great and the eternal joy that comes from living those covenants is immeasurable.
I love you very much Mom and I am so grateful for all you did to help raise me correctly. I know that this is the Lord's church and that He is guiding it today. Thomas S. Monson is the Prophet of the Lord and soon we will be able to listen to his council. What a wonderful blessing to hear what the Lord wants us to know. Even though life may be hard, he gives us plenty of opportunities to figure out how we can get through our trials. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I love to read it, each and every day and to find peace in its pages (You can find peace, even when reading about war...silly how that works). I know that Jesus is the Christ and that he lived and died, 100% obedient to the will of His Father. He is truly our perfect example and I know that through Him, we can live again. He is our Savior and only through His atonement and His love and mercy can we truly be happy.
Love,
Elder Jones
No comments:
Post a Comment