Cherished Dimples in Time...

I can't believe it's been nearly a full month since I last posted an article here. Our lives have been full this past month with the arrival of our son Matthew-- fresh from the mission field.

It was an amazing experience welcoming an adult child home from the mission field in Russia.

One of the things I puzzled over before he arrived, was a sadness I felt when I realized that I was reading his very last e-mail before he left for home. It might sound strange to you as a reader that I would feel that way, so allow me to explain...

For two full years we have only had one e-mail a week from our son in Russia. They have a P-day where they take care of personal things such as laundry, grocery shopping, a group activity and letter writing and e-mailing home. We anticipated that letter each and every week with thanksgiving and excitement as we turned on the computer. Often we read about adventures and near accidents and joy. Other days about uplifting spiritual experiences only found while helping and teaching other children of God and giving compassionate service to the sick, the old and the lost souls they found. There were times of personal sorrow and illness where we were able to pray fervently for our sons and encourage and uplift them as well.

Following my husbands accident, I was able to keep our sons updated on Terry's progress and I know both our missionary sons were grateful for those letters and anticipated more news each week about his recovery. I tried my very best to do so in a way that wouldn't overly worry them and found that I became more positive and hopeful myself for the experience.

Over time I prayed more, studied more and gained a deeper perspective of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I learned about myself as a mother and how deeply indeed I loved my sweet sons.

I became mindful of how our Heavenly Father listens to and answers our prayers. Miracles came our way as a family before, during and after Terry's accident and I recognized those miracles for what they were...

I cannot help but think that our sons willingness to serve allowed me to grow to a depth I knew I wouldn't have found, had they chosen not to serve. Their service was far reaching into lives of so many and I'm forever grateful for their personal sacrifice of two full years of their lives.

It's amazing how simple obedience to a promise to write home to mom and dad each week, caused so much growth in us all. We pray more, we write more, we study with more dilegence than we did two years ago. We ponder deeper meaning in our lives and in our faith. It has brought extended family closer as we pray for our sons well being and success in finding souls to bring to Christ. Some of those might have been so lost, had it not been for the prayers said on their behalf.

Missing a weekly e-mail now for me has been replaced with something even better this month. I'm blessed to sit face to face with a young man, my son, who is now a grown man. We've spent hours catching up on all the things we didn't write about in our letters to each other. I've cherished every moment, gotten to know the man who's face has changed in subtle ways. Gone are soft plains of youth I knew so well. Although the cherished dimples I so love, remain the same. Thank goodness!

The quiet wisdom he gained in two years of full time service as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, set well on my sons shoulders. I'm excited to see what is in store for this quiet man of faith in the years to come. Soon I'll be doing this all over again when his elder brother, Jason, comes home in three weeks. Oh how how I revel in the love I have for all my children. What a blessing it has been to cherish each of them for so long. My life is so full and so rich. I'm so grateful to a Heavenly Father who gave me so many cherished memories of their youth and future so full of hope and love. It's an amazing feeling!

Next post I'll write about his homecoming and post the photo's after I've gathered them from relatives. Have a great day everyone. Take time to hug those kids tight! They grow up far too fast and it's important to take advantage of each moment. I know this mom is so glad she did. Dimples aren't the only things I've cherished. I thank Heavenly Father daily that their lives have been my blessings.

Elder Otis Returns to Russia!

Thank you all, for your prayers and well wishes for our son in Russia. He has safely arrived back in Russia from Sweden! He has had a great adventure and I wanted to share it with all of you. He was Branch President before he left for Sweden a month ago. Now he's a trainer and District Leader just like his Elder Brother Jason. Gosh is this ever exciting! Such a n honor as well. I hope you enjoy Elder Matthew Otis's latest letter below.

"Warning: Huge Email

Hey family,

How was my trip back? Well, Elder Peterson summed it up pretty well in our weekly newsletter. Here is his story of what happened on our trip back.

Six Hour Miracle
After serving for a month in Sweden, we were grateful and excited to be heading back home to "the Russia Motherland." We left our temple friends at 9:00 am Saturday morning and headed to the airport on Sweden's celestial commuter rail. All went well and we got all fourteen of us into the airport, passed probing security, and boarded onto our Scandinavian flight to Moscow. It all worked like clockwork, perfect and smooth. It seemed almost too good to be true…
We landed in Moscow's Sheremyetevo airport at 17:30--and with a 6 hour layover ahead of us, we strode into passport control with confidence that we could easily make our flight connection at the Domodyedovo airport. Now, for those of you who have never traversed the urban jungle of Moscow, Sheremyetevo is on the north side of Moscow―Domodyedovo on the complete other side of Moscow in the South. Our flight was scheduled to take off at 23:10, so we all felt confident that we could make the transfer without problem.
Landing at 17:30 we then stood in lines at passport control for about two hours waiting to get "processed" by the officials. Because of the delay we missed our express train which we were supposed to go on. Frustrated, rumpled, and tired we exited the airport and after following several poorly given instructions we located and headed towards the Express train which would take us to the metro.
Remember―14 people with luggage, running through Moscow, at night, and half of us have never been there.
So we get on the 19:50 express train and head off at a painfully slow pace. After a 40 minute stress filled ride, we jump off, run out of the vokzal, frantically find the metro, stand in a ridiculously long line (so typical of Moscow), grab metro coins, and then head on a Metro.
Remember―14 people with luggage, running through Moscow, at night, and half of us have never been there.
So, we head on the Metro and after a couple stops we get off and try to switch lines. Well, I've never made a metro line switch in my life, so I head off to the right, praying that we are going in the correct direction.
Miracle 1: As we are heading right, a man stops me. His cheeks were red, so I assumed he might be a little tipsy. He asked me if I was looking for something, in short he pointed us in the right direction. Why a miracle? 1. Possible drunk man stops me and doesn't ask "Вы иностранцы что ли?" 2. He asked me if he could help. That never happens. 3. This happened in Moscow. 4. His directions were actually correct.
So all 14 of us get on our new metro line and head to our stop. We jump off, leave the vokzal, find the Express train vokzal, and run in and buy tickets. By this time it is 21:15. Well it turns out that the next train was at 22:00. Which meant that we would get at the airport at 22:40. Our flight was at 23:10. Those times don't add up for checking in.
As we realize the probability of missing our flight, Elder Reynolds ran over to a random counter and started speaking with an attractive young lady attendant (see Miracle 3).
Miracle 2: This young lady told us that we would need to take the metro further down the line and then get on a shuttle. This would help us to get there faster. She also called the airport and let them know that we were going to be a little late and told them to wait. This provided to be one of the HUGE reasons we didn't miss our flight. She truly was a ministering angel for us.
Miracle 3: Elder Reynolds admitted that if he were to come back to Russia to marry someone, it would be her.
So we run outside the express train vokzal and hurriedly, frantically try to find the Metro again. We asked several people who told us to the left. However several people told us to the right. We quickly followed the counsel of the hymn "Choose the Right" and headed off to the right which actually turned to be the right direction.
Heading downwards into the metro, we again went through the process of buying tickets for all 14 of us. And then to our dismay we crammed ourselves into a completely stuffed metro car. We then traveled for a half hour trying to keep eye contact between all of us in order to get off on the correct stop.
After that half hour of grueling shoving and pushing we all stumbled out and ran up and out.
Remember―14 people with luggage, running through Moscow, at night, and half of us have never been there.
As we ran out, we found a shuttle, loaded, and headed out. That was at 22:00.
Miracle 4: It was a sheer miracle that we found an airport shuttle right off the bat, with just enough space for all of us to squeeze on with our luggage. Not only that the driver was nice about it.
So to make this long story short, we travel for half an hour and get at the airport at 22:30. We all run out, rush through check in, almost lose Elder Larsen, rush through security throwing belts and jackets off and on, rush to the gate, and jump onto the shuttle bus.
Miracle 5: We made it on our flight with literally only two minutes to spare. Remember―14 people with luggage, running through Moscow, at night, and half of us have never been there. By logic and reason we should not have made that flight. Miracles happen.
-Elder Peterson

So that's a pretty incredible story. It didn't really end for me either. The next day after going to bed at 4:30am I got up at 9:00 and I needed to get to Revda to get my luggage. I was trying to find someone who would go with me but no one wanted to. I understand since everyone who was with me had served in ekat and they wanted to go to church where they served, and not in Pervouralsk. So the only ones left in the apartment were Elder Finch and Rosel, and they had stuff to do, so they sent me off to Pervouralsk by myself.

Missionaries are stretched pretty thin right now, so a lot of people have had to do some weird transfer stuff. But it wasn't a big deal, I made it to church without a problem and even got there in time to take the sacrament. Just kind of weird flying solo. Testimony meeting was great though. I was able to bear my testimony to them one last time. Getting to see everyone again was really great, It was kind of like going back in time. I got to say goodbye to everyone and I got some numbers and email addresses. Then we went to take the sacrament to Baba Anya, so I got to see her one last time and I took one last picture with her. She was glad to see me and really sad that I wasn't coming back. She cries pretty much every time we leave though, so that's not a change.

Anyway, after that Elder Magleby, Stark, and I went back to Revda to get my stuff. Once we got there we got a call from Elder Finch that I had to be at the train station in Ekat by 6:00, so that meant that when I got back to the apartment I had to call a taxi and leave pretty much immediately. So I hadn't eaten anything, didn't have time to make anything, and was about to be going on a 4+ hour train ride with no food. Not to mention the fact that I barely ate anything yesterday. So I decided that I needed to buy something so I wouldn't pass out.

So I did, and they loaded up my stuff in the taxi and I headed out to the train station by myself again. They said that there would be people waiting for me to help me with my baggage(I was concerned about it since my baggage doesn't really function anymore so I need multiple people to help me), but I got dropped off in the parking lot so I had to get my luggage over there anyway. So I put the grocery bag with the juice and crackers and stuff in it around the handle of one of my bags, and I gery-rigged the rest so I was able to move them. I got through the parking lot and then needed to get them over the curb, then I had some issues. I had taped the handle back on the suitcase that had the grocery bag on it, and it decided to rip off when I tried to heft it over(my bags are pretty heavy), so it fell on the bag pretty hard, but I picked it up and kept going a little ways. Then I looked down and realised that my bag was dripping, my juice exploded, and filled up the plastic bag, which also soaked my crackers. So I was able to salvage my super snickers, and that's the only thing I ate the whole day. So then I waited there by myself for about an hour, and they finally got there and helped me get to the platform and on the train. So they helped me get my junk into the train, but then once I was in I couldn't figure out where my seat was, I was in the right section, but I couldn't find the seat number. Then they said they had to get off, so they left me not knowing what to do, with 3 disfunctional suitcases.

So I asked a guy next to me what to do, and I showed him my ticket. He said he didn't know, just pick an open seat, so he told me to sit next to him, so I did. When they checked out tickets I found out that I was supposed to be in 3rd class, and I was in 1st class, so if I wanted to stay there I had to pay about 10 dollars more. I didn't have any cash on me though, since I used it all on the taxi to the station. So I told her that I only had a card, and of course its Russia and they don't use cards anywhere so that wasn't going to work. But the nice lady took pity on me and told me that I could stay there, but if anyone else came and wanted to sit there I would have to move.

Luckily no one asked me to move, so I got to ride first class the whole way(first class on an electrishka isn't all that great though, but its way better than sitting on a metal bench for 5 hours), so I lucked out with that. But the guy I sat next to was a nice guy, his name was Ruslan. He actually lives in America, he lives in Los Angeles with his wife. His wife is American, but they were both born in Russia, and he mostly just speaks Russian. He said that where he lives in LA he doesn't really have to speak English, there are a lot of Russians there.

But anyway, I didn't really talk about the gospel with him because he told me he was atheist and didn't really want to talk about it. But he was nice and he helped me get my bags off the train, so he helped me out a bunch. Then I met up with my new companion Elder Dewey, but we are actually in a threesome right now with Elder Mizin also, because his companion(Elder Thompson who is my old companion) is in Kazakhstan and won't be back for 3 weeks. So we might be together for a while. He is Russian and doesn't really speak English, so I guess I'll be getting a lot of practice with the language for a few weeks.

So that's my situation right now. Wow, that turned into a long story, but its been a pretty wild ride the past few days, and just wanted to share it with you. Kurgan seems like a fun place. It's pretty Podunk, but its big and has some good members and a great meetinghouse. There are 2 companionships in Kurgan, a pair of Elders and a pair of Sisters, so that makes things pretty interesting, and p-days pretty uneventful since we can't do anything together. But the Sisters here are really good ones, so it's going to be great. I'm also going to be the District leader, so I have to work that now too. But it's going to be a good transfer, things are a little wacky right now, but things will settle down soon.

Well, thanks for the email. Glad you guys liked the stuff that I sent. Have a great week!

Elder Otis

Two Letters and a Terry Update

Guest House in Sweden above
I tried without success to post our Elders letters on Monday due to the holiday and travel plans it didn't work out. So, here are this weeks letters and some photo's of our Elder in Sweden this week. Please pray that Russia will allow him to go back into the country. I hear that now all elders who (Swedish Temple Above)return are given even shorter visa's and must leave every 70 days now. I'm posting Elder Matthew Otis's letter first and then Elder Jason Otis's second. Enjoy!

"Hey Family,

Well, sorry I didn't write you guys yesterday, we kind of crashed after our flight over here. Then in the evening we had a fire side, so we didn't get our emailing done. And I'm pretty tired right now so I'll just write you a quick note, I can write periodically through the week, so I'm not in a big hurry. Well, I just want to say that this place is amazing. We are staying in the guest home, at least I think that's what it's called, and it is really nice. I'm sleeping on a good bed for the first time in....7 months and have access to washing machines, and dryers. But besides that, it's beautiful here. Sweden is a pretty amazing place. We won't be going out into the city until Monday, but the flight in and the train ride was great. Today we did service in the morning, I went around with a big gas powered leaf blower blowing leaves. Then we were in the temple until 5, I did two endowment sessions, the second one they did it in Russian for us missionaries. It was a pretty neat experience. It's really great going back to the temple after not having been to a session in over a year and a half, it was really refreshing.

So I'd like to tell you whats been going on over here for us missionaries. I guess there is a group here from Samara who has been here for almost three weeks, there has been problems getting visas renewed here and we don't exactly know whats going to happen. We are waiting on word from Moscow, and until then we are all stuck here. But it's not like it's bad here or anything, it's wonderful being here, but it's taking a lot away from our missions having so many missionaries here in Sweden. But, maybe this is all meant to be. We are getting so much temple work done. I guess after the Finland temple was built, this temple lost half of it's attendance, and having us missionaries here brought it back up to where it was, so the temple workers just love us. The Swedish people are so nice, most everyone can speak understandable English, so it's easy to get around. It's so weird leaving Russia and seeing how much better other countries are. Most of the times it's just little things that you take for granted, like customer service and drinkable tap water, but it just feels so much different here. Don't really know how to describe it, but there is a tangible difference. But we are just hoping we will be able to get back there quickly, so pray for us to get back into the game. I really wouldn't like to go to another country for the rest of my mission.

I'm glad that dad's surgery went well, glad to hear that he's doing good. Well, I'm just trying to soak up knowledge while I'm here, I won't have another opportunity like this for rest of my life I don't think. We get to regularly talk with the temple president in the temple and ask him any questions we have about the temple or just about anything. This is a great place, and I'm going to try and enjoy every minute of it.

Love,

Matt

Next is Elder Jason Otis's letter from Los Angeles.

"Heya!

I didn't write yesterday cuz it was Columbus day and all the libraries were closed. So that's my excuse, not sure about Matt. I don't think they have Columbus day in Russia ; )
You know, it's really funny how many people keep asking me how my dad is. It's nice to know that people love me! Heehaw. I think for all the people that are praying for dad, God would just heal him to get us to be quiet! HA! You're well taken care of Dad!
So other people mentioned that I bore my testimony? Must've been Elder Moake huh ; ) He's a good guy. Definitely one of the better missionaries here in L.A. It's still really funny to me that you have so many connections mom. If I ever poke fun at you for it just know that I'm actually quite impressed with you. You've done a lot of good for people in the last couple of years and I know the Lord is blessing you now for it. Dad too of course! Our whole family is experiencing the blessings that come from faithful service to the Lord. "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God". You have been serving God by serving others. That's what the Gospel is all about.
Things are heating up around here with the election coming up. Also things are pretty tense about the whole "Proposition 8" thing. That's the bill that will define marriage as between a man and a woman in the California constitution. All the members of the church here have been doing phone calls and knocking doors and handing out signs to support the proposition along with a coalition of other religions. The quorum of the 12 just gave all of California a fireside via satellite asking everyone to give at least 4 hours of work to this effort every week until the vote happens. By far our church has done more for this proposition than anyone else which is really cool. I wish I could help in some way but us missionaries are to stay out of it. In light of the present economy and the election and proposition 8 it seems like California is ripe for the 2nd Coming. ; ) Of course we know that's not going to happen quite yet but the scene is rather intense around here. And it's only going to get worse. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I will never live in California!!
Today I'm on "splits" with Elder Romrell here in Malibu. He's a greenie from Idaho Falls and is an awesome missionary. It's one of my duties as a district leader to go on "splits" once a transfer with every Elder in my district. While doing so I observe the missionary and give feedback at the end of the day. It's always a fun experience. Today we're going to do some tracting up in the Palisades near Malibu. I love driving around in the hills! We also have dinner Scheduled with Rick Schroder finally. He just got back into town from wherever he was filming some movie. I also got to meet Micheal Mclean and his wife at church this Sunday. He's been in Utah at his other home in Ogden for the summer. It's definitely interesting serving in this area.
Anyway I just thought I'd give you some random facts about life recently. I'm having a good time and I'm glad everything is going well over there. By the way mom, did you mean 10,000 dollars or 100,000 dollars in regards to the insurance. You wrote 100,000 and that kinda boggled my mind. That would be a lot of money ; )
Give my regards to everybody! The last email I wrote I sent to everybody who's email address I had.
Just to let you know, I WILL NOT BE TRUNKY TILL THE DAY I SET FOOT ON THAT AIRPLANE! That's a fact! ; ) I may think of home but I just don't get homesick. I think this whole email thing helps with that a lot. That and the fact that I'm still in a fairly familiar place. Life is good as it always is.
I love you all! Ryan I keep meaning to send you a letter that I wrote a while ago. You'll get it eventually. Hunter I'm about to send you an email with some info I've got for you. Some good music that I heard on the Promenade the other day. I think you'll really like it.
Have a great week all! Keep on healing dad! I'm glad to hear the surgery went well. I knew it would. Love ya! Buh Bye!!!!!!!

Elder Jason E. Otis
District leader
District 2
Marina Zone
California Los Angeles Mission
Rockin' the coast!!!!!!!!

Update on Terry......

Terry had his surgery on Monday. It was really tough on him. He was in so much pain it broke my heart. It took us a good 24 hours to get the pain under control. His hand was broken in four places as it turns out, instead of two. So there was a large incision where the doctor had to open him up and there is now three screws holding the blood bearing bone together. After his first follow up apt next week he will have a tens unit hooked up to him. It's an electric stimulator to help his bone heal faster. I keep praying insurance will pay for this as well.
His surgery was on Monday and today it's Wednesday and he is doing really great! His pain is still under control and he sleeps often. He is able to do a lot more things for himself and his headaches are now gone from the concussion. His chest still hurts from the broken sternum. His liver is giving him some problems now and we have to do a repeat blood test on Friday to see what is going on. It does worry me, but I've put it all in the Lords hands and all seems to be improving due to all the prayers going up on his behalf and we are so thankful. Terry heals fast and I can see him returning to work in a couple of weeks time. Another blessing.

We feel so loved by family, neighbors and church family and friends. So many people love this dear man and that includes myself and his boys. My world would be a different place without him in my life, that's for sure. But I also know he would be cheering for me from the other side if things had turned out differently. He's jsut that kind of guy.

Thank you all so much for your love and support. Thank you for keeping our missionaries in your prayers too.

Hugs!
Valora

Hodge Podge of Weekend Activities

This weekend I had several kids come to visit my boys from the previous town we lived in. It was wonderful to see all of them again! Some things never change. They are all still the same unique individuals and most of them make me laugh so hard my guts hurt! I love them all so dearly.

Several of them were in my home day-care for a few years when they were little. Now they are all about 19 years old and doing fantastic! Most are in college and nearly all are staying on the path they had made for themselves as far as serving missions for the church. I'm so pleased to learn that!

They all went to a place in St. Cloud and had fun cliff diving for the day on Saturday. It was a perfect summer day to do so and they all came home sunburned and happy.

We also went to our youngest sons play on Friday. It was amazing! He was in a leading roll in The Pirates of Penzance! It's an operetta and was downright adorable! Hunters voice rang out crystal clear and my mouth gaped as usual even though I've heard his singing voice a million times! I am so amazed at his gift and how humble he is about having such a beautiful voice.

I loved the era the play was written in. Where men were men and women were feminine and adorable. It swept me away as I giggled at their antics and silly humor. The bathing beauties covered from head to toe was so hilarious!

These days of summer have been so memorable for me as I awake from my long slumber and am sleeping better each day. I'm getting stronger and stronger and am amazed at the beauty all around me once again. I have been able to enjoy my kids and go fishing and garden often. Family work has become so much fun again!

Speaking of the garden! We have been inundated with summer squash! Everything is producing at once! Oh my! I have four yellow squash plants and three zucchini. Far too many and after several weeks I'm giving it away left and right. Soon the spaghetti squash will take over and the cantaloupe as well. Green beans are also keeping us VERY busy. But sadly half my tomatoes have fallen to blight! My cucumbers have been fighting a fungus. So, I'll have to hit the farmers market for some later this season to fill in the gaps as I start to can sauces and pickles.

Matthew in Russia has been struggling with getting Baba Anya to allow him to fumigate her apartment and the infestation of bed bugs. Ugh! I told him that he needs to tell her he'll have to inform her neighbors if she won't allow him to spray. I think it will work.

Our son in LA has been warned about bed bugs there as well. Thank goodness for small blessings and the lack of creepy critters in our home! I hate nasty bugs! I quiver just thinking about it.

Grateful and Honored

Here is an excerpt from our son's letter. Elder Otis, a missionary in Russia is proceeded by the official statement from the LDS church about US missionaries going to Russia. This is a bitter-sweet time for the church in Russia. The government has made it difficult and very expensive, to serve humanitarian missions there for more than three months at a time. Our missionaries have to leave the country every three months now to renew their visa's. It is my prayer that the missionaries will be able to remain there until their work is completed. We pray for our brothers and sisters who live in Russia. They are amazing faithful people and we love them dearly.

Can you even imagine the light and hope that the people feel when they learn about Christ? Many there are atheists. Some, especially the poor, feel a sense of hopelessness and drink more than they should. Alcohol is symptom of a much deeper problem I think. Our son has even seen mothers pushing baby buggies with an open bottle of vodka in their hand.

Elder Otis has seen the good and the bad. Joy and the heartache are alive and well in Russia. It has been a journey of faith and often triumph of good over evil. His visa is up in January. I pray he can stay at least that long to help these amazing people. As his mother I have appreciated his journey to adulthood and what a blessing it has been to be a part of it through our weekly letters.

I have loved seeing the happy faces of people who gather in the name of Jesus Christ! Their smiles are beautiful! Just like the sweet sister above who's arms are open. My sons service in this small congregation will not soon be forgotten I think.


"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released this statement Monday about the services of its missionaries in Russia:"

*"A recent change in Russian immigration law now requires foreigners on humanitarian visas (including missionaries) to leave Russia every three months to renew their visas.

The church is working to find an alternative solution to the 90-day renewal requirement. Until an appropriate alternative is identified, new missionary assignments to Russia will be limited to those nationalities not needing visas.

Missionaries currently serving in Russia are not being withdrawn, and the missions are fully staffed. Missionaries needing Russian visas who had not yet left for Russia have been reassigned."


"We haven't had a whole lot of investigator work recently, but we are reaching out to the members, trying to strengthen them and get them ready for the road that lies ahead. Well, I'm glad to be serving here. I know that I'm among the last of the Americans to be serving in Russia and I'm grateful and honored that the Lord sent me here at this time. I'm grateful to be serving in Pervouralsk, there are so many good people in this branch. I just hope that I can have a good effect on this branch and get things going good here. That's kind of bad news that no more American missionaries are going to be coming in. We were told that by April we will only have 50 missionaries in our mission, and that was with a reduced amount of Americans coming in. So now I don't know whats going to happen. The missionaries are working with a sense of urgency, we have to get things done before the number gets reduced. From now on we are going to be losing missionaries every transfer and areas are going to start closing down. So President is going to start closing the areas that are less productive first, so we are trying to make our areas as productive as possible. I'm just grateful that I'm serving here right now, and things are good and will keep getting better. The Lord is guiding his work and everything is happening for a reason. I'm just grateful that I'm a part of it! I hope you guys have a great week, I love you a lot and think and pray about you often. Matt"

We love our kids so much. We also love our Lord dearly and are more than happy for them to serve missions.

Something governments don't seem to understand. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a world wide church. The Europeans and Americans may not be going to Russia anytime soon, but we have plenty of Ukrainian missionaries and soon Russian missionaries who will be preaching the gospel in the streets of Russia. When one door closes Heavenly Father finds a way to open the windows wide!

*Deseret News

Published: Monday, July 14, 2008 6:03 p.m. MDT