Photo

Ryan with Аліна Вовкович

March 28, 2011

Hey Mom,

First off, I don't know if I am supposed to use that website.  (I asked if he could upload pictures to snapfish.)  We are only allowed to use this email one and lds.org so I am not sure if I should do that and anyway, while I am here in Lviv, it won't make a difference because for some reason, pictures just don't upload here at all.  It is a pain, but I have them and I am buying an hard drive from another missionary this week so I can back them up there for now.  Don't worry, I will send pictures eventually.  For now, just know that Lviv and the members/missionaries here are all looking good ;)  I'll figure out what we can do with that soon.

So I feel you with the spring thing because it decided to snow here too.  We were doing a sports day when all of the sudden the temps dropped a good 10 degrees and the snow came.  It is pretty chilly now, but it is going to be ridiculously hot soon so I willing to be patient.  As a missionary, you can't do much to beat the heat, but you can always put on more clothes.  And I believe you with the snow on the mountains.  If you could send me some pictures of the snowy mountains or the temple or other cool things from America, that would be appreciated.  I love printing off pictures from home and showing people.  Maybe some cool lacrosse ones too if you can.  Thanks mom!

And Chelsea did mention Bear Lake, but I made her promise to stay in touch with you so that you aren't too lonely. (Chelsea and Caitlin will be working at the Boy Scout Bear Lake Aquatics Base this summer.)  I think it will be an incredible experience for her and she'll meet tons of great kids up there which is important.  I am excited for her.  And dad told me that you two are planning on going to the temple weekly which will be so good too.  Summer is going to be awesome!  

Wow mom, the greenie comment wasn't too nice.  (We had the missionaries over for dinner and I mentioned the one was a greenie, he has only been out of the MTC for two weeks.)  I am still pretty green too even though I have been out a year.  I bet that those missionaries are great and I am happy that you had an opportunity to feed them.  I bet it is hard for them to get to know members, but they are definitely lucky that they have so many to work with.  How big is their area?

Let everyone know that I am really grateful for their support.  I was thinking about the ward yesterday and I do love everyone there.

So it is transfer week here so I will let you know what is going on.  We are closing our apartment here so we are pretty busy and I am going to have to pack everything, but I don't know if I am leaving the city or not yet because there are other areas.  It has been a bit of a hassle because I haven't been able to stay as focused as I need to be on the work, but it will be fine I am sure.  I am really excited to see what happens.  I am pretty sure Elder Wallis and I are done, but it was a great transfer with him and I learned a lot.

Well mom, I want you to know that I love you so much.  I know that this is the only true church on the earth.  I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that He loves us perfectly.  God is our Father and He knows each of us personally.  I have a testimony that God's plan is perfect and through it, we all can become perfect as well.  Thanks for all you do.

Love,

Elder Jones

March 21, 2011

Hey Mom,

Zone Conference this past week was absolutely incredible.  Elder and Sister Lawrence came and gave incredible talks and training and I am just so excited and ready to go forward and use what I learned.  I still am trying to figure out what exactly I need to do here, but I certainly got some great guidance from that meeting.  We are so lucky to receive instruction from all these inspired men and women who receive revelation specifically for us as missionaries.  I think of President Steinagel and all that he does for us and it is just a miracle.  Honestly, it all testifies of how perfect the church is.  I am so thankful for the fact that God still gives us revelation daily and that we can receive such perfect guidance from the prophets.  I am really looking forward to conference.  

To answer your question, here in Lviv I have only gone to another city once, when I went to Ivano.  Usually when I go on exchanges, it is with other Elders in our district here.  Elder Wallis went to Lutsk last week so Elder Larsen (from the MTC) and I were here together for two days.  We do exchanges fairly regularly, but only the zone leaders go to other cities to train other district leaders. Anyway, here in western Ukraine it is pretty fun because it takes at least 3 hours to get between cities.   The work is going ok and we found these two new investigators, brothers, who are searching for God which is great.  We gave them a Book of Mormon and we will probably talk about baptism soon so I am excited.  It has been really hard here in Lviv, but we are talking to lots of people and the blessings are certainly coming.  We are just here to invite people and teach them as best they can.  As 2 Nephi 2 teaches us, we all have agency and there are influences that entice us to choose either the one or the other.  The thing that we know is that the one way is to choose Christ and eternal life, while the other way leads to eternal captivity.  We teach the doctrine of Christ to help these people use their agency as best as they can.  That is truly what changes and what entices to do good, and so that is what we focus on as we teach.  The missionary department came out with some new focuses last year and that has really helped us as missionaries to know what we must do to help more people come unto Christ through baptism.

Thanks Mom for all you do.  You are so incredible.  I am so happy that you have taught me so well.  I know that without you, I wouldn't be the person I am.  Because you have taught me of Christ and to trust in him, I know what I must do.  I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true.  He truly lived a perfect life and then suffered and died for all of us so that we can become perfected.  By having faith in Him, we learn and grow and mold our character.  We need to make right choices and as we do so, we will always be happy.  I know that true happiness comes through Jesus Christ.  Even though this is a difficult work, I am happy because I am doing what Jesus taught.  He is our Savior and Teacher, our Master and our Brother and only through Him can we achieve what we truly want in life.  I know that He lives and loves us.

Love,

Elder Jones

March 14, 2011

Hey Mom,

So I did hear about the earthquake, but didn't realize it was that big.  Crazy!  I wrote to Caitlin and Dad about it and said something along these lines. What are you doing to prepare for the future?  President Steinagel has talked a lot recently about how the second coming is really really close.  President Steinagel recently said it will be within 30 years, without a doubt, but he thinks it will be much sooner.  That is so incredible.  The earthquake in Japan is another sign that Christ is coming soon and we need to prepare.  On my mission, I have really learned what I want from life and I know that which is important right now and I always think about how I can be prepared for the future.  As long as we just do what we have always been told to do, then we will be fine, but it is awesome to think that the end is so close.  Anyway, I just want you to think a little about that and how we can prepare.  I am just so happy that God has given us the knowledge that we need to be prepared.  Anyway, so it is crazy to think about, but we really do need to prepare and now because the end is close.

The temple was awesome and I can't wait to go back.  I am definitely going to make that a weekly habit after the mission.  The two sessions I have done were both in Russian, but I used headphones for an english translation.  I will do Ukrainian next time I think to try it.  It is really cool though.  Thanks for the support too.  I have allowed some things to frustrate me recently, but it is good to remember that the Lord is happy with what I am trying to do and that I am making an impact.  I know I am and I am glad that I have this great opportunity.

I am glad that you enjoyed your lesson at church.  I can't wait until I am home and able to enjoys Sundays again.  Honestly, on the mission they are hard because we have to work the whole time and everything is in a different language and it is just hard.  Luckily we will have zone conference this week and that will be an awesome opportunity to receive some guidance. It is so great that we do have our sabbath day and other opportunities to learn and grow each week, not to mention the study we can do personally and as a family.  It is just great that the Lord loves us enough that He has made it so easy for us to prepare for the future.  We just have to do our part and give in to the will of the Father and we will never have to worry.  I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that He loves us.  We are here because He has given us a chance to receive the fulness of happiness.  It is possible through the gospel of Christ.  This is His Church and Kingdom on the earth.  I know this is true.  

I love you,

Elder Jones

March 7, 2011

Hey there Momma,

You all get healthy, ok.  I have been fine here.  The weather has been pretty crazy, just like Utah.  It warmed up and then snowed again and now it is cold and snowy, but it isn't too bad.  Like I said, I bought a new jacket, a nice one that is much warmer, and it is treating me well.  It was on sale 70% off too so I had to get it.  I will probably just leave the other one here.  It worked for a while, but it was starting to just get a little cold.  I rarely ended up using the long underwear, but it was nice when I did.  And I still need to get my shoes resoled so we will see.  I only wore the boots a few days throughout the winter, but those will be nice for back home.  And socks are going to make it.  Well, hmm, so you asked for things I might need and even though I don't really want to make you send a package, I wouldn't mind getting some contact solution and lotion because those are really expensive here and I like American stuff more.  Also some peanut butter and mike and ikes would be nice too ;)  If you feel like sending a package, I would be happy with it, or I can just deal with what I have, which honestly isn't that bad.  I can't believe that I have been here so long.  I love it though which is great.  And for p-days, I can't think of anything fun.  We just spend time together which is the most fun thing to do.  

So the work is going slowly.  We are finding people and working hard and the Lord is blessing us.  We have had a lot of flaky people, and I was in Kyiv for one day this week which threw a twist in the week, but it was still a great week.  I feel like this is one of those weeks where the Lord helped me a lot and prepared me to go out and do the work better.  My day in Kyiv was just incredible.  It was full of personal revelation that I have been seeking as I was there for some training, and then I got to do a session in the temple which was just the spiritual reboot that I needed.  In two weeks, Elder Lawrence is coming to do a mission tour and we are just working hard to be ready for that.  I am just really excited for all that the Lord has for us in the future.  I am really looking forward to the work that is coming and I know that the Lord is guiding us here.  What a great blessing to be here at this time!

Well I know that this church is true.  Testimony meeting was incredible yesterday.  I truly love being here in Ukraine.  I honestly love this work, the country, and the people here.  I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior.  He lived and died and lives again, for us.  I know this is true.

I love you Mom,

Elder Jones

February 28, 2011

Hey Mom,

So we'll play Nertz when I get home.  That competitive streak of mine still exists by the way.  Thanks for bringing up my impatience ;P  Honestly, I think I have gotten better, but I bet I would still get a little fired up sometimes.

Thanks for the update on the family.  I didn't know anything about Scott and Marie or PJ and Kelli.  How often do you see Chad and Rachel by the way?  Roy isn't a big change, but I bet they are busy there.  That is good to hear that Jeffrey is doing well too.  He would have funny stories about crazy stuff like that.  I have lots of drunk people stories, but that is about it.  I do have some funny ones for sure.  I guess the mission field is just full of crazy stuff.  Europe is pretty civilized, but you can almost say that Ukraine is not Europe.  At least not the western Europe that you have seen, that is for sure. Oh I got the Christmas letter from Mark and Debbie so I heard from them about their family.

Good job on being a "strict mother" by the way.  (Chelsea's friends told her I was a strict mom because of my rules.)  I constantly am reminded of Elder Lawrence's talk from this past conference entitled "Courageous Parenting."  Maybe you can have an FHE and read that talk together because it is incredible.  I am definitely going to apply those ideas to my family in the future.  Speaking of Elder Lawrence, he is the 1st counselor in the Eastern European area and in two weeks, he is coming for a tour of this mission so he will be speaking to all of us.  I am super excited for that.  Anyway, seriously, I have thought a lot on my mission about how you raised us and you truly did a great job.  You are courageous and even though it wasn't perfect, I know that I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you.  Keep on doing what you know is right and what the Lord says and you don't have to worry.  We as kids recognize that you are the best parents in the world.

So Lviv is going great.  Elder Wallis and I are doing well and having success talking to people on the street which is good.  He is a great example for me and I am really happy.  We are working hard and even though it is coming slowly, we saw tons of success and expect a whole lot more this week.  We are just doing what the Lord expects and that is what is important.  He will bless us as we keep going.  Speaking of blessings, we had a huge miracle here yesterday.  An old investigator came to church yesterday morning and said he wanted to get baptized.  He had worked with the other Elders a while back, but he lives 8 hours away and didn't have a phone so they couldn't stay in touch.  He came though and they worked it out so that he could be baptized Sunday evening.  I interviewed him and he is just so humble and ready and I knew that it was the right thing so we put together a baptism and invited tons of people, all in about 6 hours.  We ended missing Sacrament meeting and had to take the sacrament later on, but it was so worth it.  It was just so cool that Marian decided that this is something that he wants and made it possible.  He has a testimony and it was so cool to be there and see him decide to come unto Christ by being baptized.  Now he will probably go to church in Ivano which is only an hour away from where he lives and that will be so great for him.  It was truly a miracle that Marian was ready and that we could make it work out so that he didn't have to wait any longer to make that covenant with Christ.  I just love this work!

Well Mom, thanks as always for the great updates and the thoughts and support.  You are the best.  I know that this Church is true.  This gospel is truly Christ's doctrine and it is what we need to come unto Him and truly be happy.  I am so glad that I am here and able to testify to all these people that Jesus is the Christ and that thanks to Him, we don't need to suffer or be afraid.  We don't need to worry.  He will help us get past anything if we just turn to Him.  I know that this is the only true church and I know that as we do what Christ has taught, we are preparing ourselves to return to Him for eternity.

I love you Mom,

Elder Jones

February 21, 2011

Hey Mom,

So first off, what is Nertz?  (I told him his cousins were playing it here, it's a card game.)  I am completely confused by that.  I am glad that you had a fun crazy day yesterday though and got to see some family.  That always makes the day better, when you can just spend time with those people that you love and reminisce about life.  I think that is crazy that you were able to skype too so that Steve and Linda could be there.  (It was his cousin Lauren's birthday and we skyped with her parents while she opened presents.)  What a cool thing technology is.  By the way, how is the rest of their family?

I am glad to hear that you had fun and learned at church yesterday.  I think that is cool that everyone was together. (We had a joint young men/young women/adult meeting during Relief Society/Priesthood hour talking about missionary work.)  And the theme of missionary work is of course, incredible.  That is one thing that we try to do here - get people to invite their friends to activities and meetings.  Sometimes it is hard to invite people to church, but that is why we have things like mutual and firesides and other activities.  I wish I had done a better job at home of inviting friends to those kinds of activities.  I know that is one thing I want to focus on at home.  Oh and how often do you see the missionaries there?

So all is well here in Lviv and I am glad that I am staying for at least 6 more weeks.  Elder Shurtleff and I had a lot of fun and it was great to spend a couple of days with him.  I am now with Elder Wallis, who is in his third transfer.  He is fun and excited to work and that makes me happy.  We are going to have a great transfer I am sure.  He is from Utah, Orem I think.  He grew up in Arizona, but when he was 16, moved in with his Dad in Utah and got baptized.  I am really looking forward to getting to know him better and having fun as we succeed this transfer.  We are going to do great work together, especially as we start to find those people who are ready for baptism.  We are expecting the miracles and so now we need to go out and get them.  

Oh, by the way, look up Jorg Klebingat on the church news.  He is our new mission president starting in 5ish months when President Steinagel goes home. It was announced this last week.  He is German and it is going to be so much fun to work with him.

Well, where was I???  Well, I am super happy out here and I have been blessed so greatly.  I know that this is the Lord's Church.  This is His work and I am so happy to be here and help these people, whom I love, to come to Christ.  I can't wait to be with them forever in the celestial kingdom.  I would honestly do anything for them so that they can get there.  It also makes me want to live worthily to make it back there.  I know more than ever what I want in life and what is important and I am so thankful to the Lord that He has given me this opportunity to learn and grow and to serve others, so that my love for everyone can grow.  I know that this Church is true.  Jesus Christ is our Savior and our Brother.  He loves us and has done everything that we need to return to Him.  I honestly wouldn't be here is if weren't for my Savior Jesus Christ.  I also wouldn't be here if it weren't for you Mom.  I love you and I am so grateful that you taught me so well.  Thanks for all you do.

Love,

Elder Jones