Hey Mom,
So, life here in Rivne is absolutely crazy. This past week we had to drop Zhenya as an investigator. He wasn't serious and he isn't making the right choices. David is also tough to meet with, but his sister, who is serving a mini mission in Kyiv, should help a lot when she gets back next transfer...assuming I am still here. I feel that he will start progressing soon when he is out of school. Having two other missionaries here has helped us so much, but it has also lessened our work load a little. Plus they speak Russian! The scary thing is that I can say little phrases in Russian now. Maybe that means I will be going to Kyiv sometime where there is tons of Russian. This past week, we had our zone leaders here on a 3 day exchange too. We saw some miracles from that! They called it a dedication exchange and we did all we could to more fully dedicate ourselves to the work. After two tough days, Elder Dorius and Monson ran into an old investigator and he wanted to get baptized. We set a date with him and hopefully within the next month it will go down. Elder Monson just said hi and the guy stopped him and they started talking. Turns out he wanted to get baptized 10 years ago but couldn't. Also, yesterday, after having 3 lessons fall through on us, Elder Monson and Sasha Polyshuk ran into these two kids and set up a meeting. When Elder Monson and I showed up for the meeting, there were these 5 teenagers together who all wanted to be taught. Hopefully a couple of baptisms come...
So, today, we don't have much planned, but last week's p-day was awesome. President Didyshok took the four Elders and his 5 year old son and we spent the day out in a village where a 200 plus year old fort was. It was a great day and it helped us build his trust as our branch president. Sadly, my camera died - battery - but I will get pictures from the other Elders.
So as you guessed, we have been getting tons of rain and it is always humid. The umbrella has been great though and my shoes are doing just fine.
So I look forward to this spiritual thought thing from the conference talks. Elder Monson and I are through all but the last session now in English. We have been listening to them every day and this conference was absolutely incredible. I love the emphasis on family, because in today's tough times, the Family is the best way to keep out of trouble. Elder Holland's talk was absolutely incredible as he testified so boldly against moral sins. I also loved...well I loved them all. The Atonement was at the center of so many of those talks and that is exactly as it should be. Christ is at the head of His Church and His Atonement is the center of our Heavenly Father's plan. I have been reading in Alma where Alma and Amulek teach so powerfully about the Plan of Salvation. I have developed such a love of the scriptures and each and everyday as I read, I learn so much more of the importance of following the Gospel and Plan of God. This Church is true and my testimony of that grows stronger everyday as I read the scriptures and then bear my own testimony to others that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that Heavenly Father has a perfect plan for us. I know as we do our best and remember to apply the Atonement everyday, the Holy Ghost guides us and we feel the Love of our Father in Heaven. I know that we can all live together as a family and gospel is the path. Christ is the means if we will just turn to him. As Amulek said, we cannot be saved in our sins, but we can be cleansed through the Mercy of Christ. I see that mercy always as we are given opportunities to teach. God blesses us everyday. I know that He knows us and loves us and wants us to live with Him again. Keep following the words of the Prophets and we can't go wrong.
Love,
Elder Jones
Monday, May 17, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
May 10, 2010
We had the chance to talk with Ryan for almost 1 1/2 hours on Mother's Day so his emails were short. He mainly sent pictures. One of the things he mentioned is that Elder Scott will be in Kyiv in 4 weeks to meet with the missionaries. He'll be going to Kyiv for the meeting. He also said that all the missionaries will be helping out for the temple open house in August for some period of time since they don't have enough volunteers. He also will be able to go to the temple dedication.
(1st email)
It was great to talk to you too but now it is time to get back to work ;P
Here are some pictures by the way...Number 1 is when we changed our filter. The white one is the one we put it I think ;)
Number 2 is of Vova Polishuk at the top of a really tall tower we climbed.
It was probably the most dangerous thing I have done on my mission but I didn't climb out to where Vova was which would have just been stupid. The rest are the pictures Vova took from the tower looking out over the city
(2nd email)
Well Mom,
Here are the pictures that I took of the branch building in Lviv. It is an awesome building. I don't have any pictures of the city but that is ok for now. (Ryan told us in the phone conversation that Elder Holland had prophesied that some day a temple would be where the branch building is now. Ryan had zone conferences there last Friday.)
Well, I am probably going to send a letter to Elder Sudbury in a minute, but I just want to let you know that I love you...all of you, and that I am really thankful to be serving a mission right now. I know that this church is true. That Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer and that through Him and only through Him, we can live with together eternally. I know that this is where I need to be right now and that the work here is going forward. The Lord's hand is in the work. I see it everyday. I have a strong testimony of the Temple too and I know that as I prepare people to go, and as you yourselves find the time to go, we will feel God and His Spirit more closely in our lives. The Temple is the House of God. I know that this time on Earth is for us to prepare to live with God and we need to do all we can to get there. Read the Book of Mormon everyday because it is the true word of God. The Book of Mormon is truly the most incredible book on the Earth. I love you all and I love Jesus Christ.
Love Elder Jones
P.S. I am into Mosiah again in my reading of the Book of Mormon. It is really so much fun that I cannot stop. I just read Abinadi's preaching to King Noah and his Priests and it is so full of doctrine. I know that it is true.
(3rd email)
Hey again,
So here are a few more photos. The video of the parade yesterday is too big to send but I will see if I can edit it down or something for next week. (It was V-E day.)
Number one is Elder Smith who is training Elder Fanning here in Rivne. Elder Monson asked him to pose :P
Two and Three are a statue of Bogdan Khmelniskty who was a famous warrior who always had a mace.
Four and Five are Elder Fanning and Smith being themselves. And the camera that Elder Smith has is not his own - it belongs to a member here. (They had two more missionaries join them in Rivne last transfers. These two speak Russian.)
(1st email)
It was great to talk to you too but now it is time to get back to work ;P
Here are some pictures by the way...Number 1 is when we changed our filter. The white one is the one we put it I think ;)
Number 2 is of Vova Polishuk at the top of a really tall tower we climbed.
It was probably the most dangerous thing I have done on my mission but I didn't climb out to where Vova was which would have just been stupid. The rest are the pictures Vova took from the tower looking out over the city
(2nd email)Well Mom,
Here are the pictures that I took of the branch building in Lviv. It is an awesome building. I don't have any pictures of the city but that is ok for now. (Ryan told us in the phone conversation that Elder Holland had prophesied that some day a temple would be where the branch building is now. Ryan had zone conferences there last Friday.)
Well, I am probably going to send a letter to Elder Sudbury in a minute, but I just want to let you know that I love you...all of you, and that I am really thankful to be serving a mission right now. I know that this church is true. That Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer and that through Him and only through Him, we can live with together eternally. I know that this is where I need to be right now and that the work here is going forward. The Lord's hand is in the work. I see it everyday. I have a strong testimony of the Temple too and I know that as I prepare people to go, and as you yourselves find the time to go, we will feel God and His Spirit more closely in our lives. The Temple is the House of God. I know that this time on Earth is for us to prepare to live with God and we need to do all we can to get there. Read the Book of Mormon everyday because it is the true word of God. The Book of Mormon is truly the most incredible book on the Earth. I love you all and I love Jesus Christ.Love Elder Jones
P.S. I am into Mosiah again in my reading of the Book of Mormon. It is really so much fun that I cannot stop. I just read Abinadi's preaching to King Noah and his Priests and it is so full of doctrine. I know that it is true.
(3rd email)
Hey again,
So here are a few more photos. The video of the parade yesterday is too big to send but I will see if I can edit it down or something for next week. (It was V-E day.)
Number one is Elder Smith who is training Elder Fanning here in Rivne. Elder Monson asked him to pose :P
Two and Three are a statue of Bogdan Khmelniskty who was a famous warrior who always had a mace.
Four and Five are Elder Fanning and Smith being themselves. And the camera that Elder Smith has is not his own - it belongs to a member here. (They had two more missionaries join them in Rivne last transfers. These two speak Russian.)
Monday, May 3, 2010
May 3, 2010
Hey Mom...again,
Well, here is my real email to you, but I figured I would send the other so I don't forget. (He sent an email with his phone number so we can talk with him next Sunday, I'm so excited!) Also, I just thought - since you say you always forget questions, if you want to write a list before Sunday, that may be a good idea.
So when I said Columbia, I meant Marmot - Elder Monson just bought a columbia jacket and I guess I was thinking about that. It would be wonderful if you could send that and some socks sometime soon. The jacket I won't need until fall - It has been in the mid to upper 20's(C) all week and the humidity is killing me - I am always sweaty. The socks I will need though - maybe another 10 to 15 pairs if you can. Men's Wearhouse took us for a ride with those sock because about half of them have holes already. And don't worry about the ring - whenever it comes, it will come. Also, I never wore the wool socks but I am sure they will work out. Tons of missionaries don't even have them but I do :)
Anyway, so my interview with President Steinagel was cool. He is such an incredible man. He is so strong spiritually and he is really in charge of a lot of stuff here, but he always gets it done. I will be seeing him again on Friday because we have zone conference in Lviv, and then on Sunday he is coming to Rivne to do some Branch changes I hope. He is like the equivalent of the Stake President for all of the cities in the mission except for Kyiv where they have a stake, so he is always going around.
Elder Hofeling is the same one that was in the MTC with me. He is a cool kid and has a solid testimony. I will see him on Friday at zone conference and then on Saturday because we are doing a Rivne/Lutsk branch activity. Last week was fun to hang out with him. (Elder Hofeling is in the next major town over, Lutsk.)
As far as our baptismal dates, Zhenya is pretty cool and he is set to be baptized on Saturday - his story is a cool one and he luckily has support from his mom. Also, we have a kid named David, the brother of a member who will hopefully be baptized in June if his parents support him. His sister had to wait until she was 18 to be baptized but I think their parents are softening.
The temple is an incredible story right now.
Well, I am out of time. I didn't realize the time is gone, but we will talk again in a week. I love you and hope all is going well. Tell everyone hi from me.
Love,
Elder Ryan Jones
Well, here is my real email to you, but I figured I would send the other so I don't forget. (He sent an email with his phone number so we can talk with him next Sunday, I'm so excited!) Also, I just thought - since you say you always forget questions, if you want to write a list before Sunday, that may be a good idea.
So when I said Columbia, I meant Marmot - Elder Monson just bought a columbia jacket and I guess I was thinking about that. It would be wonderful if you could send that and some socks sometime soon. The jacket I won't need until fall - It has been in the mid to upper 20's(C) all week and the humidity is killing me - I am always sweaty. The socks I will need though - maybe another 10 to 15 pairs if you can. Men's Wearhouse took us for a ride with those sock because about half of them have holes already. And don't worry about the ring - whenever it comes, it will come. Also, I never wore the wool socks but I am sure they will work out. Tons of missionaries don't even have them but I do :)
Anyway, so my interview with President Steinagel was cool. He is such an incredible man. He is so strong spiritually and he is really in charge of a lot of stuff here, but he always gets it done. I will be seeing him again on Friday because we have zone conference in Lviv, and then on Sunday he is coming to Rivne to do some Branch changes I hope. He is like the equivalent of the Stake President for all of the cities in the mission except for Kyiv where they have a stake, so he is always going around.
Elder Hofeling is the same one that was in the MTC with me. He is a cool kid and has a solid testimony. I will see him on Friday at zone conference and then on Saturday because we are doing a Rivne/Lutsk branch activity. Last week was fun to hang out with him. (Elder Hofeling is in the next major town over, Lutsk.)
As far as our baptismal dates, Zhenya is pretty cool and he is set to be baptized on Saturday - his story is a cool one and he luckily has support from his mom. Also, we have a kid named David, the brother of a member who will hopefully be baptized in June if his parents support him. His sister had to wait until she was 18 to be baptized but I think their parents are softening.
The temple is an incredible story right now.
Well, I am out of time. I didn't realize the time is gone, but we will talk again in a week. I love you and hope all is going well. Tell everyone hi from me.
Love,
Elder Ryan Jones
Monday, April 26, 2010
April 26, 2010 - photos
Here are a few of the pictures Ryan sent this week.
A picture from Nastia's baptism. He wrote about that in his email last week. Elder Monson baptized Nastia.
A picture from Nastia's baptism. He wrote about that in his email last week. Elder Monson baptized Nastia.
This is Ryan looking over the city of Rivne.
Here is a statue of "some legend warrior dude about to finish off a three-headed dragon - totally awesome." His words.
Ryan on top of a World War II tank.
A castle in Lutsk that Ryan visited a couple of weeks ago on his p-day.
World War II monument that says "Glory to the Heroes."
Ryan standing next to the monument to give you an idea of the immense size of the monument.
Looks like he is having fun seeing the sights on his p-days! :)April 26, 2010
Hey Mom,
So 9:05 PM (our time) will work out just fine. That will give us as much time as you want to talk, seeing as you will be paying for it ;) I will send you an email next week with our companionship's cell number. And btw, if you use a calling card, the prices will probably be a little higher than advertised because you will be calling a cell phone...just so you know. Also, transfers are this week, but we found out on Saturday (the Zone Leaders get a fax and then call everyone) that Elder Monson and I are staying together in Rivne for another transfer.
So, this past week was absolutely crazy. On Monday, I had my interview with President Steinagel which was cool. Then afterward, Elder Clemmens and Hofeling (who are serving in Lutsk) and I went around town and checked out some statues. I will send some pictures home. This week, we also set two new baptismal dates which is very rare. One of them was a total miracle; here's the story. On Thursday we met with an active member, and had a quick lesson on the importance of testimony and then challenged him to write his testimony in a new Book of Mormon and pray about someone to give it to. That night he gave it away and the next morning at 7am, he called and told us he found a new investigator and asked if we wanted to come and meet him. We met with him that day, a 15 year old kid named Zhenya, and then he ended up staying at the branch for 4 hours and he sat through institute. Then on Saturday, he came to the branch building 3 hours before a 20th anniversary of the Church in Ukraine activity which the branch held. Then yesterday, he sat through all three hours of church before meeting with us after. After a 20 minute lesson, we asked him to set a goal to be baptized and he said "Why not do it right now?" It was absolutely incredible and now on the 8th of May, Zhenya is getting baptized. Those are the types of miracles that we see everyday here in Rivne. It is truly the only way the work can progress so quickly because of all that we cannot do here. But, as we do our very best and trust in the Lord, and pray for miracle after miracle, the Lord's hand is literally evident in all that we do. It is absolutely incredible what is going on here.
Well, you heard about the Temple dedication date. We were so excited to hear about it. President Steinagel sent a text out to everyone. He is pushing us so hard to do our very best to prepare the people for the temple, whether it is the members or those we meet. It is truly such a miracle and a blessing for the people in this part of the world. I am so excited to help out and there is a rumor floating around that all the missionaries will be pulled into Kyiv to help with the open house and dedication. Also, There are going to be many General Authorities coming in and out of Ukraine for the next few months before the dedication. The temple is just one more miracle that the Lord has granted to all of us here in the Eastern part of the World.
So I am glad to hear that the family is all doing so well. It is good that everyone has been so busy, but you also have to be safe in the process ;) I know your ankle will heal soon enough.
Oh, I have a request for some items. First, have you heard anything about my ring? Whenever you get that and you are ready to send a package, could you also send me my Columbia Jacket. I don't really have any mid-weight jacket and even though I may not get it until it is too warm, it would be nice for the fall. The other option is that I spend $50 to buy one here. Also, the socks we got were pretty poor quality and many of them are suddenly getting holey. I think I will just buy some more here, but I just want you to know that I will be spending a little money sometime within the next month or so. Also, with the package, some peanut butter would be appreciated ;P And I don't know if I told you this, but from what everyone has said, a USPS flat rate box is the safest and easiest way to get a package here.
Well, I don't have time, but thanks for your support and love and for your testimony. I love you all and am grateful for your examples. Keep close to each other, follow the prophets, read your scriptures and pray often and all will be just fine.
Love, Elder Jones
So 9:05 PM (our time) will work out just fine. That will give us as much time as you want to talk, seeing as you will be paying for it ;) I will send you an email next week with our companionship's cell number. And btw, if you use a calling card, the prices will probably be a little higher than advertised because you will be calling a cell phone...just so you know. Also, transfers are this week, but we found out on Saturday (the Zone Leaders get a fax and then call everyone) that Elder Monson and I are staying together in Rivne for another transfer.
So, this past week was absolutely crazy. On Monday, I had my interview with President Steinagel which was cool. Then afterward, Elder Clemmens and Hofeling (who are serving in Lutsk) and I went around town and checked out some statues. I will send some pictures home. This week, we also set two new baptismal dates which is very rare. One of them was a total miracle; here's the story. On Thursday we met with an active member, and had a quick lesson on the importance of testimony and then challenged him to write his testimony in a new Book of Mormon and pray about someone to give it to. That night he gave it away and the next morning at 7am, he called and told us he found a new investigator and asked if we wanted to come and meet him. We met with him that day, a 15 year old kid named Zhenya, and then he ended up staying at the branch for 4 hours and he sat through institute. Then on Saturday, he came to the branch building 3 hours before a 20th anniversary of the Church in Ukraine activity which the branch held. Then yesterday, he sat through all three hours of church before meeting with us after. After a 20 minute lesson, we asked him to set a goal to be baptized and he said "Why not do it right now?" It was absolutely incredible and now on the 8th of May, Zhenya is getting baptized. Those are the types of miracles that we see everyday here in Rivne. It is truly the only way the work can progress so quickly because of all that we cannot do here. But, as we do our very best and trust in the Lord, and pray for miracle after miracle, the Lord's hand is literally evident in all that we do. It is absolutely incredible what is going on here.
Well, you heard about the Temple dedication date. We were so excited to hear about it. President Steinagel sent a text out to everyone. He is pushing us so hard to do our very best to prepare the people for the temple, whether it is the members or those we meet. It is truly such a miracle and a blessing for the people in this part of the world. I am so excited to help out and there is a rumor floating around that all the missionaries will be pulled into Kyiv to help with the open house and dedication. Also, There are going to be many General Authorities coming in and out of Ukraine for the next few months before the dedication. The temple is just one more miracle that the Lord has granted to all of us here in the Eastern part of the World.
So I am glad to hear that the family is all doing so well. It is good that everyone has been so busy, but you also have to be safe in the process ;) I know your ankle will heal soon enough.
Oh, I have a request for some items. First, have you heard anything about my ring? Whenever you get that and you are ready to send a package, could you also send me my Columbia Jacket. I don't really have any mid-weight jacket and even though I may not get it until it is too warm, it would be nice for the fall. The other option is that I spend $50 to buy one here. Also, the socks we got were pretty poor quality and many of them are suddenly getting holey. I think I will just buy some more here, but I just want you to know that I will be spending a little money sometime within the next month or so. Also, with the package, some peanut butter would be appreciated ;P And I don't know if I told you this, but from what everyone has said, a USPS flat rate box is the safest and easiest way to get a package here.
Well, I don't have time, but thanks for your support and love and for your testimony. I love you all and am grateful for your examples. Keep close to each other, follow the prophets, read your scriptures and pray often and all will be just fine.
Love, Elder Jones
Monday, April 19, 2010
April 19, 2010
Mom,
So thanks for the update from Elder Sudbury. I am glad to hear that all is going well for him. If you get the chance to write him, let him know that I would like his email and that all is well with me.
So things here in Rivne are still very busy. We are working hard with only two and the results are paying off. We had a baptism this week! Nastia, a 14 year old girl who has waited for six years to get permission, was baptized on Saturday. She is absolutely incredible and it is truly fun to work with her and to be strengthened by her example and testimony. She has come to church for six years, since she was 8, but wasn't allowed to be baptized until now. She had an especially hard week with family who has been telling her that she is doing the wrong thing. Her testimony in Christ is solid though and even with an inactive member grandmother who is now проти(against), she finally had the opportunity to be baptized. It was such a spiritual experience and I am so grateful to have been a part of it. Yesterday I stood in the circle as we gave her the Gift of the Holy Ghost. It is truly incredible.
We have another investigator, David, who is 17 years old and has some really big exams coming up (remind you of anyone at home?). He was at the baptism and I really hope that he continues to work towards being baptized himself. His sister Sveta, is a member and she has been great at trying to help and support him and I feel that he is progressing well.
We have a young family that we are teaching too - Nina and Alexey. They are recently married and they are so solid. They come to English class, but we have been teaching them for about a month and I feel that they may be baptized soon too.
There are others that we are working with too and each one is different. Some of them know a whole lot and are just afraid to act, while others are young and haven't lived very spiritual lives but they are looking for peace and knowledge. They are all progressing differently, but it is truly a miracle to see each and every one of them grow. Even with my limited knowledge of the language, they are all so patient and willing to help and I do my best each and every time we meet them, to help them come just a little closer unto Christ. This work is truly the Lord's work and His hand is in everything. We see miracles everyday as people find us, or as an investigator realizes something, or even just in conversation with the members. The Lord is in control of everything and as we put our faith in Him and do our very best to be diligent and obedient, he is so willing to bless us. I have a strong testimony that our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ love us so very strongly and all they ask is that we do our best. As we do so, they send blessings of peace and comfort, or knowledge, or love, and we feel Their love in our lives even more. I know that this is the true Church of Jesus Christ. He lives and he leads this church through a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson, and through living apostles. This gospel is true. The Book of Mormon is the true word of God and He has given it to us so that we can bring those blessings into our lives. Jesus Christ is the Savior and the Redeemer of us all. He suffered in Gethsemane and He died on the cross at Golgotha so that we can be free from sin and He is Resurrected so that we can live with Him again. I know that I don't deserve the things that He has given me, but Christ's love is perfect and each and every day I feel it. I am trying so hard to become just a little more like Jesus and as I do my best, He helps me to do things that I could only imagine.
I love you very much and I am very thankful for your love and support. I know that you are sacrificing a lot so that I can be out here and I am truly grateful for that. Stay strong in the faith and I know that these next two years will be one of the greatest blessings of your life, as well as mine. The Lord is always ready to support you and as you remember that and ask for His help, it will come.
Love
Elder Ryan Jones
So thanks for the update from Elder Sudbury. I am glad to hear that all is going well for him. If you get the chance to write him, let him know that I would like his email and that all is well with me.
So things here in Rivne are still very busy. We are working hard with only two and the results are paying off. We had a baptism this week! Nastia, a 14 year old girl who has waited for six years to get permission, was baptized on Saturday. She is absolutely incredible and it is truly fun to work with her and to be strengthened by her example and testimony. She has come to church for six years, since she was 8, but wasn't allowed to be baptized until now. She had an especially hard week with family who has been telling her that she is doing the wrong thing. Her testimony in Christ is solid though and even with an inactive member grandmother who is now проти(against), she finally had the opportunity to be baptized. It was such a spiritual experience and I am so grateful to have been a part of it. Yesterday I stood in the circle as we gave her the Gift of the Holy Ghost. It is truly incredible.
We have another investigator, David, who is 17 years old and has some really big exams coming up (remind you of anyone at home?). He was at the baptism and I really hope that he continues to work towards being baptized himself. His sister Sveta, is a member and she has been great at trying to help and support him and I feel that he is progressing well.
We have a young family that we are teaching too - Nina and Alexey. They are recently married and they are so solid. They come to English class, but we have been teaching them for about a month and I feel that they may be baptized soon too.
There are others that we are working with too and each one is different. Some of them know a whole lot and are just afraid to act, while others are young and haven't lived very spiritual lives but they are looking for peace and knowledge. They are all progressing differently, but it is truly a miracle to see each and every one of them grow. Even with my limited knowledge of the language, they are all so patient and willing to help and I do my best each and every time we meet them, to help them come just a little closer unto Christ. This work is truly the Lord's work and His hand is in everything. We see miracles everyday as people find us, or as an investigator realizes something, or even just in conversation with the members. The Lord is in control of everything and as we put our faith in Him and do our very best to be diligent and obedient, he is so willing to bless us. I have a strong testimony that our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ love us so very strongly and all they ask is that we do our best. As we do so, they send blessings of peace and comfort, or knowledge, or love, and we feel Their love in our lives even more. I know that this is the true Church of Jesus Christ. He lives and he leads this church through a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson, and through living apostles. This gospel is true. The Book of Mormon is the true word of God and He has given it to us so that we can bring those blessings into our lives. Jesus Christ is the Savior and the Redeemer of us all. He suffered in Gethsemane and He died on the cross at Golgotha so that we can be free from sin and He is Resurrected so that we can live with Him again. I know that I don't deserve the things that He has given me, but Christ's love is perfect and each and every day I feel it. I am trying so hard to become just a little more like Jesus and as I do my best, He helps me to do things that I could only imagine.
I love you very much and I am very thankful for your love and support. I know that you are sacrificing a lot so that I can be out here and I am truly grateful for that. Stay strong in the faith and I know that these next two years will be one of the greatest blessings of your life, as well as mine. The Lord is always ready to support you and as you remember that and ask for His help, it will come.
Love
Elder Ryan Jones
Monday, April 12, 2010
April 12, 2010
Hey Mom,
So everything is going well for me. We are hanging out in Lutsk today which is about an hour west of Rivne. We came to spend the day with the Elders here and I saw some of them from Lviv too. We have been crazy busy, but this conference weekend was kinda slow because of all the time conference took. We watched it all in Ukrainian which was incredibly tough. My brain was fried by the end and I still don't understand a whole lot, but I got the basic overview of all of them. There were some really good ones. Family and the temple were stressed a lot too. I really liked Elder Hales' talk about family. That is a really good one to go back and to study and I know if you do what he said, and what Elder Ballard said in his about Young Women and Mothers, that everything at home will be fine. One thing I was thinking of that we didn't do very regularly at home was FHE. I know it would definitely strengthen the family if you just set apart ten minutes to do a quick spiritual thought on Monday after dinner but before the girls go out and play, that things would be just that much smoother. It is a commandment from the Lord and I know that it would bring so many more blessings upon our home. You and Dad should definitely talk about that.
So, I am glad that my pictures came through just fine. Just so you know, on that one picture Святиня для Господа means "Holiness for the Lord" and Дім Господа means "House of the Lord." Those were just a few pictures of the beautiful temple. They are almost done, probably within three months. I have heard the inside is almost done and the grounds are the biggest work ahead of them. The dedication still hasn't been announced, but President Monson alluded to it as one of the temples being dedicated this fall. I have heard late August our early September a lot. Hopefully it is then. I also heard that all the missionaries were being pulled in to help with the open house for three weeks and then after the dedication we would all head back out. Just a rumor though. Btw, it takes eight and a half hours to get to Kyiv from Rivne so we take a nightish train and get in the early morning.
Caitlin told me a little about all that is going on with her. She is stressed out with all the changes coming, but I think she will be fine. Just tell her to relax and have fun. 'If you aren't having fun, you aren't doing it right." - Elder Monson
So, I haven't heard from Curtis. How long is he going to be in Ogden, do you know? I am sure he is doing great out there. Hopefully he gets his visa soon.
Well, I don't have time because we are in a hurry, but tell everyone that I love them. Tell Dad that I will write him next week because I don't have time. Also, please feel free to send pictures if you have anything new. It would be nice to get updates every once and a while about home. Anyway, remember that I love you very much. Also, remember what President Monson said in his closing speech. You get the Ensign so always remember to go back and to study the words of the prophets. They are very important and they are very true. Remember that the Lord loves you, that Christ is our Savior and that I am out doing His work. Don't worry about me, because the Lord is always watching over me. Remember to do the things that the Prophets said and I know that you too will be blessed. I love you very much.
Love,
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