How Cold is it.....in Sergut?

I've had a busy week! The weather is so bitter cold in the midwest right now. The dashboard on my computer says it's zero outside. But I think it's like 20 below with the wind-chill. My bones still ache from going out to lunch in it. But I'm still smiling!

I had a great time today! My friend Joanney from Faith Writers took the time out of her busy day and took me out to lunch. She lives about an hour away from me and I appreciate the trouble she went to. We ate at my favorite Deli by the waterfront (or is that "icefront" now? LOL) The food was great, the company even better. It was nice to spend time with a friend who understands the heart of a Christian writer. I loved hearing all about her kids, and her writing. My children are all so grown up now. Kids grow up way too fast for my taste. I wish I had three or four more at home now. I hope I can get together with her and other writers more often from now on. It gave me such a lift and inspired me to write more.

On Wednesday we heard from our Elder in Russia! His letter was amazing! Here is an excerpt from his latest letter:

"Hi family, I will answer your questions =)

1. Did you have a safe trip? Yes, but it was the worst train ride of my life. They weren't able to order a whole coupe for us, so we were in there with two Russians and they were freaking out about how many bags we had, because we put them on the bed above one of them. So they got in a big argument with the conductor and it was really awkward, but everything worked out. We had to pay an extra 600 rubles and the conductor put one of my bags in his room to satisfy the angry Russians, but we made it to Surgut. The handle on my non-broken big bag broke off, so now both of my bags are crippled >.<

2. How many of you traveled together and names if
possible. 4 - Elder Farmer, Savage, Jensen (my comp) and me.

3. Who is your newest companion. Elder Jensen

4. How cold is it. Really dang cold!. It hasn't gotten above -25c since I got here. And I've been out contacting on the street in -32c. I get frost all over my scarf and fur lining from my breath. I guess it might get down to -50c pretty soon.

5. Do you get to eat at member houses since it's a
more affluent area? What the heck does affluent mean? We are busy a lot and we don't have sign up sheets for meals at members houses here in Russia lol. I have seven member families in my whole area and 3 of those are active. So not a lot of opportunity for eating, but we do fine by ourselves, we have a good amount of food.

6. How does it feel to be the senior comp? It feels different but good. I'm choosing our path now and everything is going amazing. It's like I've gotten rid of a buch of baggage and entered into a whole new world. I was really worried about my language skills at first, but the Lord is helping me and I'm speaking like I never have before.

7. Is it anything like you pictured in Sergut? I don't really know what I thought it would look like. It's really cool though, it's a rich oil/gas city so all the buildings are really shiny and nice. All the trees are covered with frost and sometimes the doors on buildings are all frosted up so it looks like you're walking into a freezer instead of an apartment building.

8. When is your next zone conference? In a week, this monday I think, and guess what? President Piper, a member of the first quorum of the seventy is coming with President Allen. So it's going to be amazing, and really scary! He's going around our entire mission, seeing whats good and bad, etc. So it's going to be really interesting.

9. Have you drawn any more pictures? Nope, I worked a little on one, but I'm really busy and I have a lot more important things to do, and my extra time is now devoted to writing in my journal. I'm just going to have to draw when I get back .

Well, I don't have much time left, I sent a big letter to my mission President. But I'm really happy that everything is going great for you guys and that you are all happy and alive and what not..."

I've learned as a mom that the best way to get kids to answer your questions is to list them at the beginning or the very end of the letter. Our son went on to tell us the details about four people he is now teaching. He is so happy and we are very happy for him too.

Yesterday was a day of opportunities for my writing. More tomorrow. I have to get back to my novel I'm writing. Have a wonderful day filled with hope and the knowledge that God loves each and every one of you!