The adventure of the week is almost always Matthew's in Russia! This week was no different. I clicked open the e-mail and saw the photo and gasped! Matt had an ugly purple welt and gash on his forehead. He had been playing capture the flag in the forest with all the other Elders and had tripped and fallen and hit his head. Thank goodness it wasn't any worse than it was. We want him to stay out of the Russian hospitals at all costs. I'm sure there are good ones there somewhere, but the one he described at the beginning of his mission was a nightmare. So I'm happy he's alright now. He said it didn't bleed for long--though the Russians were freaking out and wanted to take him to the hospital. They put their iodine on his forehead. I think it's either green or blue and stained his skin. How funny! He said he just told people that he had gotten hit in the head by a beer bottle. What a kidder! Needless to say he got a lot of attention and had fun with it.
I guess Estonia is closed to the missionaries now. They have to go out of the country to renew their visa's every three months. Now, they will go to the Czech Republic. Read below...
Matthew is now the Branch President of his little congregation. It makes me smile! You know, the mom in me being so pleased coming out:) If you aren't LDS, a Branch President is a Pastor. He has been trained well by Elder Later his previous companion. I know Matthew will miss Elder Later so much. He and Matt are dear friends now. Elder Later is either on his way home or transferred. I'll have to ask his mom. I'm going to try and include some photo's here today. I've never done this before, hope it comes out okay. Until then, here is part of Elder Matthew Otis's letter.
"I just got transfers, I'm the new branch president, and Elder Isenbarger is going to be my new companion. I don't know him but I hear he's great! Elder Magelby is coming to Revda, I hear that he is also really great, so our district should be fun next transfer. It's crazy that I've already been in this area for 3 months. It's gone by really fast, doing branch work really passes the time. Also next transfer I will be going on another visa trip. And I've hear that Estonia has closed it's borders to us missionaries, so now we are going to Prauge, Czech Republic. I hear that it's a really amazing city, so that should be fun. Hmmm....I always forget what I want to write about, I guess thats all I've got then. Keep on going. I'm praying for you, and I know that you're praying for me. Things are going good, and I know that they will only continue to get better if we have faith and try and look at the big picture. I'm glad that our family is really optimistic. I've had a good amount of experience here with people who whine about everything, and its funny because it doesn't help them one bit, in fact it makes things worse. It's just sad, we really do need to live by faith and not by fear, everything just works out so much better. Well, I hope you have a good week, happy fathers day dad!!! Catch a lot of fish and keep sending me pictures(small ones plz!!), i'd love to see them.
Love,
Matt"
For those moms and dads who don't think your making a difference in your child's life. I challenge you to think again. Your life may be easy or even difficult. It's the way you handle the hills and valleys in life's tangled web that matters to these kids. Show them you can overcome the obsticals when do come. Show them by example that you will stay faithful while going through heartbreak and tragedy. Rise above all that life brings. Then when they go out into the world on their own, hope and light and faith will be the greatest gift you ever passed onto them. Be a blessing to your children.
