Feb. 24th, 2013

Hey everyone!! 

This week has been a fun one! And I don't expect it to get any worse! yeah! 

First, I want to say that Rachel, your pictures probably made me the trunkiest missionary in the mission... not really, but I was SOOOOO jealous!!! All those pictures of the beach and the private islands and private cabinas!!! That is my dream vacation! Harry Potter world and FREE Universal studios! Swimming with sting rays and dolphins!! Holy cow! Just how rich are you guys!? And then to top it all off, your snarky little email about you eating an awesome fudge sunday relaxing and watching a movie. Certainly didn't help me concentrate... haha!  But, I just had this weird rotten tomato thing that actually isn't a tomato and it was way good. We've been having good succes lately with the members and with investigators, and there is a guy getting lined up to be baptized. So, as much fun as your great and spacious cruise ships may be, I'm happy eating my fruit over here. :)  PS: Happy birthday!

Dang... I have no time... Sooo it's been funny to read all your emails because it seems like your winter has been a lot worse than mine... haha! The snow is constantly melting... meaning it's above freezing where I'm at... at least in the day. The sun is pretty much always out and it is SOOO nice! I'm loving it! And the Russians are too. They haven't seen a mild winter like this in a LOOONG time! I haven't needed to where a hat barely at all, wearing a scarf is completely unneeded, and mittens burn me up. It's soo nice! I remember last year when it was... not like this. I'm glad I experienced it once... but just once.

This week, we went to "Snyezhnaya Koroleva" The snow queen. It was a fun culture activity, and it was interesting to see a fairytale I did not know. Also, I just had a SUPER amazing Shaurma (uzbekistanian version of a burrito) and it was probably the best thing I ever ate. Also, this week we're going over to a members house and I'm teaching them how to make mexican food! As long as we can finish in under an hour... haha! 

I'm just in a good mood lately! The Lord's really been blessing our district and we've been having a lot of fun working hard here in Penza! Haha! So my companion, he's wonderful! We went knocking yesterday and everyone we talked to was super nice. Then on the third door, they let us in and we had an awesome lesson. We went home and I suggested we knock in that area some more another day. My companion looks at me as if I'm crazy and says I'm a fanatic. (not in an offensive way, don't worry) He calls me a knocking Nazi and thinks that we do it way too much and says "it sucks". This is funny to me because we have been knocking for two and a half hours tops this cycle, (two or three times for maybe an hour) each time was awesome and we got let in. He has no idea what he's in for... haha!

Dang it! I don't have time! I was going to share a story about a cool investigator! Oh well, if they progress, then I'll tell you next week! Love you all!

Feb. 10th, 2013

Hello family and friends!

So this week has been a really fun one and interesting one. Being in Penza again is awesome! I love these people so much! The members here are such incredible people! Also, it's fun to see Stas and Lena as strong members now and not just investigators that you're worried about all the time. It's weird to be in the other area and not be able to visit the members that I could before because they aren't in my boundaries, but it's exciting to visit different ones that I could never visit before! The area was supposedly dead for a long time, and then suddenly right before I came it exploded, so instead of coming into an empty area with nothing to do, I've been trying to juggle al the people and teaching records, what makes it harder is that while the transfer was happening, the phone for this area got lost, so they gave me a new phone with... no numbers on it. So that really makes things difficult.  But I'm starting to get ahold of things, so it's going okay.

so I was right about getting the Native companion. He's not from Belarus though, he's from Moldova. It's part of the Romania/moldova mission. He speaks Romanian, Russian, and English fluently, so... yeah. He's a funny guy and really filled with energy. He's been teaching me Romanian phrases, hopefully I'll be able to pray and stuff in Romanian soon! haha! He's really kind and always filled with compliments, but it's going to be weird helping him to get used to missionary life, especially here in our mission. He's always talking about how in his mission missionaries were allowed to do "this", or he always did "that" with the missionaries. Hopefully he'll understand that we simply have a stricter standard for the work, and not that President Sartori is just "no fun" He seems to be okay with it so far, but even now, he gets pretty tired or  discouraged really easily after he's made like, 2 phone calls... haha! He'll get used to it though!

So apparently I'm missing out on a trip to California...? darn. Oh well, I think I'll be okay with my own neighborhood when I get back anyway. Mary! Congratulations on your family of like, 80 people wanting to get baptized! That's so cool! I wonder what it would be like, to be serving in Peru and having people just begging to be baptized...

Well, I have to go! I love you all! Thanks for your support, if I forgot to answer any questions, sorry, I'm kind of distracted today... haha! K, love you!

Feb. 4th, 2013

Hey Everyone!!

So... I got a transfer... I'm going back to Penza. I'm so excited, but... Oh boy... haha! Hearing that I was going back to Penza for the THIRD time was a VERY strange experience for me. haha! Literally fifteen minutes before learning about transfers, I had this way weird feeling that I hadn't done everything I was supposed to do in Penza. I had a strong feeling that I was going back. I tried to tell myself I was simply imagining it. After all, Sister Quinn had also had a strong feeling that she was going to serve in Oringburg but it never turned out to be where the Lord sent her, and so I assumed I was probably doing the same thing. But even then, I couldn't stop thinking about it. I couldn't even pay attention anymore to what I was studying. I told Elder Christensen about how I felt and he told me that I was probably just still sick and that I should stop taking crazy pills. (joking of course, but nonetheless, not taking my comment seriously) I was finally able to get my mind off it when the assistants called and informed me that I was to be serving in Penza for the third time.  I can't even tell you how weird it felt. It felt so... right. I'm nervous to go back though. I don't know why. I really don't want to let the Lord down. I feel like I've already done it two times now, so I'm a little anxious that I won't be able to fulfill what the Lord wants of me there. As much as I want to say "Well, I know that if I do my best, then the Lord will take care of everything else." But that's the problem! I DON'T always do my best! There ARE times where I could be doing better... a lot better! ... I guess I can't afford to do that this time. If I'm not ALWAYS doing my best, than I don't ALWAYS have the Lord's promise...  Well... Whether I do what the Lord wants me to or not there, He knows what's going to happen, He's planned for it. Man I worry too much! Haha!

Oh, and I'm training. That will be fun... And whitewashing. (meaning neither Elder will be familiar with the area, it's not the same area I served in last time, just the same branch.) What's weird is that I'm not really worried at all about that... haha! I just hope that I can be what the Lord needs me to be here this time. I haven't met my companion yet, but there's one coming in from Belarus, and I also had a feeling I would be training him, so now if that happens, I have it on record! haha! 

I called and talked to Elder (Br-ook-how-zen) (Still don't remember how to spell it in english... haha! If your reading this, I hope you understand!) before he left and it was strange. The conversation was completely normal by a listener's standard, but for me it was... very... strange. I don't know how to describe it. Okay... well, moving on. 

Dang I don't really have any time left... Essentially, I'll miss some members in Novo-K and I'll certainly miss Elder Christensen, One of my favorites so far! I guess I like all of them in one way or another, but still!

Well, the end.

Loves, Elder Swartz!

Jan. 28th, 2013

Hello family!

 

So this week, I was pretty sick until thursday, we finally were able to go outside to have a few meetings and we went to district meeting, but then, my companion started throwing up and he got the same thing! he's still sick, and I wouldn't be surprized if we didn't go out today. It's pretty bad. but it's been cool to have some extra study time! haha! However, I'm just itching to get out! Our area is dying and transfers are next week! We can't leave the area in this condition right before transfers! I think I could be leaving, but honestly, I don't really have a preference. I'd be fine with staying or leaving.

 

On friday, one of the only lessons we had, we went over to a member's place and she decided she wanted us to meet her daughter who lived in Provo, so she skyped her daughter right there and we met her! so crazy that we have that kind of technology these days! She was just a part of our lesson, half way across the world! What was even weirder was that in the middle of the call, someone knocked on the door of the daughter's apartment (in Provo) and it was Sister (Chelsea) Quinn! She served in Penza with me for several cycles in the same district and she went home in the summer. It turns out that they are neighbors and good friends. It was SUPER weird, but way cool to have her on the lesson with us as well! it felt like old times... kind of. haha! Oh speaking of which! Parents! I gave them your address and phone numbers and I said that since her mom was feeding me all the way over here in Russia, than my parents would be happy to have them over for dinner some time too! I figured it would be exciting for you guys because you always say it's too quiet or lonely with no one over. So don't be surprised if they call you!

 

That's crazy about the ice rain! That's only happened once here in Russia not too long ago and it was so weird. We were out contacting and we thought we were just wet, but we felt out jackets, and they were completely frozen. It was raining, but it was freesing on to us! And it was doing it onto the streets, but it ended pretty fast. It seems like it really must have been a disaster for you all! That's so sad to hear about everyone! It seems like there is so much misfortune lately! It was especially sad to hear about Brother Clark. He and sister Clark will definitely be in my prayers.

 

Rachel!!! You're pregnant again!?! Holy cow! That's so exciting! Yeah, hopefully it'll be brunnette! We don't need any more Mary's running around, not being able to get lids off of jars or check if they have cancer by hitting themselves in the face. (Just kidding Mary! I love you!) That will be fun to come home and suddenly have all these neices and nephews as well! That will be different... haha!

 

Man, so Sister Sartori called me to tell me that you talked with her about classes, Mom. She gave me permission to check my email tomorrow, but I shouldn't have to register, I'm on deferment. I did that specifically so that I WOULDN'T have to sign up for BYU again. I figured they wouldn't make the mistake of admitting me the second time around. haha!  However, if you need my Net ID and stuff, it should be on my laptop. If it's even mine anymore... my instincts are telling me that's already been snatched by David or Dad though...  About signing up for Scholarships, good thinking, but I have no idea how to even approach that... uhhh... and if I'll get permission. I'm pretty sure I'll get permission for it. President and Sister Sartori are all about helping us with that kind of stuff! Mom, if you could talk to some councilors at BYU or do something for me in that regards, man that would be sooo awesome! Plus, it would save me money obviously!

 

Okay, well, I think that's it. I love you all! I hope everyone is safe and doing well!

 

Loves, Elder Swartz!

Jan. 22nd, 2013

Hey family!

Sorry about writing late, I got the flu and have been in bed for seriously the past 40 hours. I'm doing better now, but still pretty drained. 

Rachel, man your life must be better than you ever thought it would be! haha! Going to all these awesome places, amazing family, good health! I can't even imagine that here in Russia... haha! It almost seems wrong that someone's life could be that great. The only people here that live like that got their money dishonestly. Hey! What's your address, I've been wanting to send a letter to you for a while now, but I haven't been able to... get that to me please!

Mary, your stitches looked awesome!! Battle scar! Your boots are destroyed! ha ha! It's probably from all the hikes/waterfalls/mountains/caves//floating islands of titicaca/ancient ruins of machu pichu you've been exploring. If you were to just calm it down a bit and do normal missionary work like me, maybe your clothes would last a bit longer. haha! Don't worry, I'm just jealous. My culture activity was probably way more exciting anyway... we went to an opera! nosebleed section, way off to the left so you couldn't see half the stage, and there was no hope in understanding it... not even the natives fully understood what was going on... pretty awesome... haha! we left half way through. haha!

Tiffany wrote me this week! She says hi to you Mary specifically and then hi to the rest of the fam! She says she got an extension till the 21st of Feb. Seems like she's doing well. This past week has been fun, and pretty crazy. We've just been working hard this week, but it seems like nothing is really moving too fast. Lorenzo Snow's mission in Italy was pretty similar, but it also says that later, there were tons of people that were baptized because of his influence there, who knows if he even knew about the amount of good he did there. I'm sure I'm having my effect, but it doesn't make it any easier! ha! 

Dad! I'm glad everything is difficult for you! haha! That's how it should be! In fact, it's a blessing to have to work so hard in such a new way right now! It will help you stretch and expand your abilities! Mom, sounds like your life is going well too! sounds like you're having a fun time in life right now. Life must be different without kids around all the time. It seems like you've all started hanging out with other friends now. I wonder how it will be when we get back. Speaking of which, I don't want any trunky comments coming from you as my return date gets closer. I've noticed that the main cause of trunkiness in a missionary are typically his parents. 

Well... that's about it for this week! I love you all!

Love, Elder Swartz!

PS: Congratulations Brittany Fishback!!!  You're married!!!! I hope this doesn't mean that we can't hang out when I get back!! haha! A girl in my mission said that she knows Cameron, she says that they were in the same math class at USU. Small world.

Jan. 14th, 2013

Hello Family! 

It was so great reading all your emails this week! I love it when I get long email that are filled with all the stuff that fills up your lives! I especially love hearing about Boston and Maddie! So keep it up! haha! I'm glad that you liked that cooking blog website (mom and Rachel) I felt it would be something you would be interested in... haha! I didn't know the girl was Mormon, that's cool!

Dad, I'm glad to hear that your feeling at least a bit better. I'm way excited to hear how your classes are going! Mom was telling me all the plans that you have to become a teacher and work in Wyoming and do all that stuff! Holy cow, that would be so cool for you guys! sounds like it's pretty cold where you guys are right now. It may be even the same temperature... at me it's about 17 degrees celcius... I don't know what that is in Farengeit (I can't remember how to say that in English... I just know it's super close. haha!) It's weird not being used to the measuring systems I used to use back in America. I just go by everything the way they do here now. 

That was way cool to hear that Lone Peak's basketball was ranked #1 in the nation... well, for a bit at least... haha! SO crazy that Kolten is back! Tell him I say hola! He must be feeling pretty weird about everything right now! Tell him to shoot me a dear elder or something, I would love to hear from him! Dang, I have like... no time. 

WAy to go about fulfilling your calling mom! The Lord will totally bless you as you do what you can to perfect His tasks He has given you! I wish we had members that would take their callings so seriously! Man, it's so hard to motivate people to want to serve in the branches here! We are so lucky in Utah to have such wiling help! Be those kinds of members!!

Also, I have a good friend from Penza, his name is Sergei Pakrovski, he's serving in the Salt lake city, south mission. If there was anything you could do to send him maybe some candy or some sort of a care package, that would be soo cool! It wouldn't have to be much, I just doubt his family was able to send him anything here from Russia. funds are tight here. I'm sure that would make his day.

Well, I've got to go! I love you all!!

Love, Elder Swartz!

PS: Happy Birthday Steph!!!

Jan. 7th, 2013

Hey everyone!

So this week was fun! The Lock down for two days was awesome because we made SO MUCH FOOD!!! We tested out cooking all the russian dishes we knew how to make, and we made some spankin good desserts, one of which is a new favorite. It's called cinnamon roll cake! Sister Sartori gave us the recipe and my companion and I have been dreaming about it at night. If you want the recipe, you can find it on the-girl-who-ate-everything.com haha. When we saw the address for the site my companion and I decided that it could only be a website with good food on it. (we didn't go online, the website name was just on the page, on which we got the recipe)

Father:I'm still with Elder Christensen, and we get along just great! There's finally snow, but it is not nearly as cold as before. It's been hovering around freezing lately, but it will get back cold again. Man, that's dumb about your neck problems. There's a proverb in Russian that you should know "Berezhonova Bog berezhot". It means God cares for the careful. Listen to mom and stay in bed. Maybe she'll make you cinnamon roll cake! Speaking of cinnamon rolls, Rachel, your story about Boston was so funny! I was cracking up so bad. And since when has Maddie been talking!? I swear it took Boston forever to say anything and it seems like Maddie picked it up way to fast. I was hoping I'd get to see that stage when I got back. oh well! 

Mary, That stinks that you sliced your hand, that same proverb goes for you! I'm proud to say that of all the times I've gone to a Russian hopsital, it has not been because I was the patient! haha! knock on wood.  Grandma, congratulations on laying a good whooping on those boys. I'm proud to call you grandma. I don't hesitate to tell anyone that my grandma is a champion athlete when she's holding a racquet.

Olga is coming along well, but she is having a really tough time getting rid of her coffee. She completely threw out smoking, but she can't seem to let go of her darn coffee beans! I think it will work out in the end though. 

So last night we had a lesson I was really worried about. We were going back to some potentials we had dropped by before. Typically when this happens, the second time around they aren't really interested because they've either looked us up on the internet, or they've talked to someone about us and had a bad opinion of us thrown at them, or they realize that we aren't just here to talk about America and they don't want us to come back. I was a bit apprehensive, and I just kept praying in my heart that the lesson would go well. I didn't get a definite answer that it would be alright, so the apprehension continued all night, and when we dropped by, it seemed to be what I had expected. They only wanted to talk to us about America. However, The Lord answered my prayers and He was able to use my companion and me as instruments in speaking with His children that night. We lightly and easily were able to shift the conversation over to a religious discussion, back to America, and then back to another religious themed conversation. It was so amazing at how natural it felt to talk with them about all the principles of the gospel that I cherish, and directly relate to the stuff that they wanted to talk about. The questions they asked were so easy to answer with a simply statement that led right into a gospel discussion. The people even said that previous missionaries who had knocked on their door or stopped them on the street just felt like salesmen, just trying to get their product sold, but they said that we were really cool and felt like friends that they could just talk with and tell us anything.  I really felt like last night, the Lord was guiding and directing a conversation that led a few more hearts here in Russia to be opened to the gospel. It was a cool experience.