April 4, 2011 - To Mom and excerpts from letter to Caitlin

Mom,

So the statue was Taras Shevchenko, the Ukrainian hero and poet in downtown (center) Lviv.  I think I took that photo in December which is why it was so gray.

 

I haven't gotten the package yet.  If it comes by the weekend, I will get it next Monday because we will have a conference then, and if not, then it will be at the end of the transfer probably.

By the way, I bought a hard drive this week from another missionary and so I am going to back all of my stuff up on that.

 

Well, this past week was a pretty crazy one.  On Tuesday, we found out that Elder Wallis and I, along with Elder Larsen and Elder Clemmens, all got transferred out of Lviv.  We closed the one apartment because they were taking our companionship out, but I thought I was just going to go to the other apartment with Elder Saltmarsh for the next transfer.  I was wrong.  So we got all of our stuff packed up and on Wednesday night, we headed into Kyiv for transfers.  On Thursday, we had a big transfer meeting with about 3/4 of the mission there and I was convinced I would be going somewhere in Kyiv.  I was wrong again.  They passed all the Kyiv areas and then got out west where I've been my whole mission.  I ended up getting assigned in Ivano-Frankivsk again, with Elder Belashov again...what a shock.  I was so incredibly surprised to hear my name called with his.  I honestly don't understand it, but I am really happy to be back and excited for what's up ahead.

 

On Saturday, we had a country wide "Helping Hands" day and here in Ivano we repainted and repaired a children's playground area thing.  It was a neat experience and fun to be able to get out and work.  Sunday was really cool as well as I got to see some members and Zhanna, our recent convert who is doing really well.  I am super happy to be back here and work with them again.  Oh and Elder Belashov is the branch president here so it will be a lot of fun to see how that goes.

 

I am so excited for conference which we will watch next week.  I bet it was absolutely incredible and I am sure it will be really cool to see, whether in English or Ukrainian.  I am glad to hear that you enjoyed it.  Elder Grow spoke to us in the MTC so I am excited to hear his talk.  Conference is always such an opportunity to receive revelation and guidance and so I am really excited to hear it and figure out how I can become even more like our Savior.  

 

By the way, there is a talk I read recently called "The fourth Missionary" by Elder Larry Corbridge of the Seventy.  It was absolutely incredible and has truly changed my mission and my life.  I don't know if you can find it anywhere on the internet, but if you could find it and then send me a copy, that would be so great.  Thanks.

 

Mom, thanks for all you do.  I am so happy that you are happy and that all is well.  I am so thankful for your testimony which truly strengthens mine daily.  I know that this church is true.  Jesus Christ is our Savior and has made it possible for us to fulfill our potential.  We are here to become like Him and I know that as we live the gospel, we are indeed fulfilling our purpose.  True happiness comes through Christ and His gospel and I know this, because I am truly happy right now.  I know that this is the work of the Lord and we are all here to help in it.  The worth of each soul is great in the sight of God so we must all do our part to bring these souls, including our own, to Him.  I know that Thomas Monson is a prophet, called of God to lead His Church.  Follow his words and example and we will always have that happiness that we are here to find.  I love you Mom.

 

All my Love,

Elder Jones

 

Excerpts from letter to Caitlin:

I am glad to hear that you have your recommend up to date.  I got to go to the temple this past week which was awesome.  It was a great opportunity and I love the spiritual recharge I get every time I go.  This work is really exhausting, especially spiritually, and so the temple is one of the best places for missionaries to go.

Oh, and Elder Sudbury totally passed a hi to me the other week.  Our mission office elders called him because they had a referral for them and he was like, hey my friend is in that mission, so he told the Elders to call me and say hi.  Anyway, I am sure he is doing great work down there in Mexico.