Well hello there family! Well I think I am going to start my emails out now with an interesting fact about Russia:
Interesting Fact #1 : You know those old broomsticks that witches use? Kind of like the broomsticks in Harry Potter, pre Nimbus 2000. Well yeah, those exist here. People use them all the time to dust the streets and sidewalks. They often do it in the rain too, which makes little, if any, sense. But no wonder why people have these predispositions of witches being old, hunchbacked, crazy warts, crazy teeth, and using old rustic broomsticks. Because they also exist here. Thems are called Babooshkee. Or grandmas, for short.
This week we got a baptism and confirmation! Igor came and everything. In Viborg, at the branch building, we actually have a baptismal font, so we don't have to baptize in the neighboring river or Gulf of Finland. BUT! As nice as it sounds to have a font, it took forever to fill up. We had to get to the Branch early to fill it up. The thing is about the water heaters here, they turn off after 10 minutes or so and take about another 10 minutes to warm back up. So granted, every 10 minutes we were either turning on or off the water. Another funny thing about this place is that the water isn't terribly filtered well, so by the end, after we filled up the font, it was a nice greenish yellow hue. How do you like dem apples?
It was awesome though. It really was. We had this 18 kid in the branch baptize him. He is a small little guy, and Igor is pretty big, a little bit taller than me and more dense i suppose. Anywho, after he baptized him, he couldn't exactly lift him back up. It was kind of embarrassing, but all was well. We were all happy. There were two little twins getting baptized right after too so we emptied some of the water and such. Apparently the twins mom is super inactive and she came to the baptism as well. We had talked to this lady who was also pretty inactive and invited her to come, and she did. It was a pretty good turn out to this baptism. Igor didn't want that many people to come to the baptism, but a lot of people showed up. Kind of reminded me of John Tobin's baptism. He didn't really want that many to come. The whole ward ended up coming.
Igor camed and got confirmed the next Sunday which was awesome. He is moving to a city closer to Finland because he got a good job as a chef. Apparently he is a good cook (I wouldn't know), and he likes doing that kind of stuff, which is great to see. We are just worried about his activity now. He says he is gonna be staying there for parts of the week and coming back down to Viborg. So we hope and pray that all good will come out of it.
So on Monday, we came to the realization that we only had 2 Books of Mormon left between the both of us in our companionship. We needed to get more. So we made the trip back down to St. Petersburg and picked up a whole box full at the Mission Office. It was a whole 6 hour adventure. I forgot to mention it's an hour metro ride north, and then a 2 hour bus ride. It took quite some time, but it was our little adventure I suppose.
The other day, some of the most epic seconds of my life occured. We were contacting down in downtown Viborg and we went to their Red Square where a big statue of Lenin is up posing feircefully. Naturally, I wanted to take a picture in front of it. It's not everyday I see a huge statue of Vladimir Lenin. As I was standing there and Elder Hunt taking the picture, I kid you not, the Rocky Theme cued up and it began to rain and the wind picked up. There was a big flock of pidgeons standing around, and as soon as he took the picture, the flock flew away, whilst Rocky was playing and it was raining. My head exploded. It was so grandiouse. There was this kid carrying a boombox on his shoulder playing that song. What a champ!
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention. Yeah, there's a castle in Viborg. A pretty big castle, and we do service in it once a week. Again, it's not everyday you see a castle just standing there either. I have a few pictures of it as well. We mainly just help them move stuff around. This week we disposed of old twigs and leaves that were piled up. It was actually a lot of fun, to be honest. Afterwards, he always take this girl on a walk and help her run her arrends. She is a wheelchair and has some sort of impediment, but she really is a sweet spirit. She lives with her mom in the top floor of her apartment so we carry her down and take her to run her arrends. It's one of my favorite times of the week is helping her out.
That's pretty much all that's been going on here. I hope all is going well with you. I love you all. Hey dad, I got your dearelder because we went back to St. Pete. Thanks for that :) I really enjoyed it. Oh, tell Loyal Sharp I got his too. And tell him that I say "I tried, and was successful". I hope he'll understand. I hear Lake Powell is going to be pretty empty this year, in terms of people. I promise you that Lake Powell 2013 will be a time to remember! Perhaps our funnest! But right now is kind of important for me to be here.
With LOTS of love,
С любовью,
старейшина текольви
A blog about Drew's mission. =)
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
2nd week in Russia
Hey family!
Yes. I am still in Russia. It's so strange here but it's all so exciting. I am starting to get the hang of reading the signs and such. Still dont understanding much of what's going on, but that will come I suppose. As expected, EVERYTHING is in Russian. I am still trying my hardest to study everyday and to converse and understand as best I can. It's a crazy language. Let me not lie.
So let's see. What happened this week... Well if you can't tell, my P-Days are now on Thursdays. It's probably 2 in the morning for you or something, but its noon here. Last Friday we did service at this Babooshka's house a few miles away. We didn't know what we were to be doing, but we get there and she takes us in her car and drives us down to her dachka, or cabin thing. (everyone in Russia has a rundown cabin somewhere that they stay in the summer, called dacha). Anywho, she plopped her dog, that was basically Satan with fur, on my lap. It had a sweater vest on too, but smelt like jaundice. I knew we were in for a surprise at this service project. We get there and she wanted us to shovel the weeds and dirt around and de-weed everything in her garden. We were only supposed to be there for maybe 2 hours at max. She didn't want us to leave until it was finished, so we did that for about 5 hours or so. It was actually kind of hilarious. This babooshka is a member of the church, but kinda crazy. It was just shocking and hilarious. I had no idea what anything she said, but apparently she was railing on me for being a spoiled American. whoops. Oh by the way, you know those "myths" about bearded ladies? Yup. Those exist here. And in abundance too.
The next, to kind of redeem things, something called happened. Apparently, Elder Hunt, my companion, had been meeting with this investigator named Igor for sometime, and we met with him and he wanted to be baptized the following Saturday. It was his choice. It was kind of cool. He is this guy from Latvia who is apparently a great chef and cook. I wouldn't know. We can't eat meals at member's or investigator's houses. Apparently some elder did and he got really really sick, so it's a rule now, which is a pain, but we manage. Anywho, back to Igor (pronounced almost like eager), he seems really excited to be baptised. We are holding a service this Saturday, and he already got interviewed and everything and is ready to go. I wasn't expecting a baptism my first transfer, but here it is. It's really kind of cool. I really didn't have much to do with it, but it's awesome that I get to participate in this convert baptism my 2nd week here
Anywho, We also have this other investigator named Leonede, who is a very very humble guy. We taught him twice so far, but he called us and his sister doesn't want him to meet with us anymore. He knows that we are there to help him out and he is really appreciative of us and likes to have us over. Apparently, last week before I got there, Elder Hunt had committed him to the Word of Wisdom, and he agreed, but said that his birthday is in a few days and he has to drink on his birthday. Elder Hunt told him that it's not a good idea and that it willl only harm him if he does. He didn't listen, and then, evidently. got drunk and tried to cut off his arm.... Fortunately he was unsuccessful, so we still meet with him and help him. He is a really humble man though. After that incident it really woke him up, but it's just unfortunate that that had to happen. I know that something really good will come from meeting with him. .
So the branch here is way way solid. They have a very nice branch building too. I was way impressed. I really like the branch here, a lot. We meet with members from this branch often. When I introduced myself, everything thought I was from Finland beause of my last name. I told them I am from California and they were surprised and asked where my tan was. Good question. I dont know., Apparently there is this returned missionary here who served in Moscow but is from Viborg. He served under President Craney, who is now the 2nd counselor of my MTC branch. It was quite the coincidence. Oh another coincidence. I was looking through the area books here in Vibourg and looked at investigator reports, and i was zipping through missionary comments about a few of them, and guess who i find... Elder Thomas. I started laughing when I read his name.
It's been raining a lot here for the past couple days. I didn't have an umbrella so I had to go buy one. I went to this indoor Reneek, or market thing, to look for one. This one lady was offering a really good price for one, but it was the underwear stand. It was so awkward.
Well other than that, there isn't much more exciting stuff here. We walk all over the place and we cook and make meals everyday. We've some pretty amazing stuff. But I am just winging my recipes, but I manage.
Well family, I hope all is well with you. I love you and miss you, and I pray for you everyday. Apparently dearelders actually take about 6 weeks for me to get because I would have to go back to the mission office which is 2 hours away. So family. Email me. I want to hear what's going on! It's kinda queit out here in Viborg.
I tried to attach some pictures because this computer is not being exactly the most helpful thing in the world.
Anywho,
All is going well!
Much Love,
Elder Tekulve
Yes. I am still in Russia. It's so strange here but it's all so exciting. I am starting to get the hang of reading the signs and such. Still dont understanding much of what's going on, but that will come I suppose. As expected, EVERYTHING is in Russian. I am still trying my hardest to study everyday and to converse and understand as best I can. It's a crazy language. Let me not lie.
So let's see. What happened this week... Well if you can't tell, my P-Days are now on Thursdays. It's probably 2 in the morning for you or something, but its noon here. Last Friday we did service at this Babooshka's house a few miles away. We didn't know what we were to be doing, but we get there and she takes us in her car and drives us down to her dachka, or cabin thing. (everyone in Russia has a rundown cabin somewhere that they stay in the summer, called dacha). Anywho, she plopped her dog, that was basically Satan with fur, on my lap. It had a sweater vest on too, but smelt like jaundice. I knew we were in for a surprise at this service project. We get there and she wanted us to shovel the weeds and dirt around and de-weed everything in her garden. We were only supposed to be there for maybe 2 hours at max. She didn't want us to leave until it was finished, so we did that for about 5 hours or so. It was actually kind of hilarious. This babooshka is a member of the church, but kinda crazy. It was just shocking and hilarious. I had no idea what anything she said, but apparently she was railing on me for being a spoiled American. whoops. Oh by the way, you know those "myths" about bearded ladies? Yup. Those exist here. And in abundance too.
The next, to kind of redeem things, something called happened. Apparently, Elder Hunt, my companion, had been meeting with this investigator named Igor for sometime, and we met with him and he wanted to be baptized the following Saturday. It was his choice. It was kind of cool. He is this guy from Latvia who is apparently a great chef and cook. I wouldn't know. We can't eat meals at member's or investigator's houses. Apparently some elder did and he got really really sick, so it's a rule now, which is a pain, but we manage. Anywho, back to Igor (pronounced almost like eager), he seems really excited to be baptised. We are holding a service this Saturday, and he already got interviewed and everything and is ready to go. I wasn't expecting a baptism my first transfer, but here it is. It's really kind of cool. I really didn't have much to do with it, but it's awesome that I get to participate in this convert baptism my 2nd week here
Anywho, We also have this other investigator named Leonede, who is a very very humble guy. We taught him twice so far, but he called us and his sister doesn't want him to meet with us anymore. He knows that we are there to help him out and he is really appreciative of us and likes to have us over. Apparently, last week before I got there, Elder Hunt had committed him to the Word of Wisdom, and he agreed, but said that his birthday is in a few days and he has to drink on his birthday. Elder Hunt told him that it's not a good idea and that it willl only harm him if he does. He didn't listen, and then, evidently. got drunk and tried to cut off his arm.... Fortunately he was unsuccessful, so we still meet with him and help him. He is a really humble man though. After that incident it really woke him up, but it's just unfortunate that that had to happen. I know that something really good will come from meeting with him. .
So the branch here is way way solid. They have a very nice branch building too. I was way impressed. I really like the branch here, a lot. We meet with members from this branch often. When I introduced myself, everything thought I was from Finland beause of my last name. I told them I am from California and they were surprised and asked where my tan was. Good question. I dont know., Apparently there is this returned missionary here who served in Moscow but is from Viborg. He served under President Craney, who is now the 2nd counselor of my MTC branch. It was quite the coincidence. Oh another coincidence. I was looking through the area books here in Vibourg and looked at investigator reports, and i was zipping through missionary comments about a few of them, and guess who i find... Elder Thomas. I started laughing when I read his name.
It's been raining a lot here for the past couple days. I didn't have an umbrella so I had to go buy one. I went to this indoor Reneek, or market thing, to look for one. This one lady was offering a really good price for one, but it was the underwear stand. It was so awkward.
Well other than that, there isn't much more exciting stuff here. We walk all over the place and we cook and make meals everyday. We've some pretty amazing stuff. But I am just winging my recipes, but I manage.
Well family, I hope all is well with you. I love you and miss you, and I pray for you everyday. Apparently dearelders actually take about 6 weeks for me to get because I would have to go back to the mission office which is 2 hours away. So family. Email me. I want to hear what's going on! It's kinda queit out here in Viborg.
I tried to attach some pictures because this computer is not being exactly the most helpful thing in the world.
Anywho,
All is going well!
Much Love,
Elder Tekulve
Friday, May 13, 2011
Finally in Russia!
Hey family!
It's safe to assume that I have landed safely in St. Petersburg, and I am doing well in the Motherland right now. Wow. This place is so different!! I can't believe it. Everything you can possibly think of, they do differently. It's awesome. I really enjoy it here, and I am really excited to see what else St. Petersburg has in store.
So on Wednesday, after my long flight to London, we had another 2 hour layover in the London airport. It was kind of a mess when we landed becaue Elder Clark was really really thirsty and I guess in Europe, drinking fountains do not exist. It was so bizarre just being in the airport where everyone has a British accent. They all were nice people.
Back up. So in the Chicago airport, we were waiting to board our plane and we met a Scottish couple that were going to go on the same plane. They were Dave and Carol, and we started talking to them. They were very very interesting people. Dave was a professional electric bagpipe player in this rock band and he was just finishing up his tour around the U.S. performing in all sorts of venues. He was a really friendly guy. His wife was a little bit silent, but she was a very kind person as well. I had a difficult time deciphering their thick accents, but obviously I did kind of well considering I knew he was a bagpipe player (or maybe that was just what I was thinking then. I mean come on. He was Scottish) At any rate, we brought up the Gospel, the obvious routine of a missionary, and got talking. He seemed to know a LOT about the Church already and about Brigham Young and the History of Salt Lake City. He seemed to be very interested in that stuff. He told us he really liked the missionaries. He related us to the pioneers in the sense that we were marching on with Faith. He really impressed me on his spiritual understanding of things. Anywho, I whipped out an English Book of Mormon that I bought right before I left to give to someone on my layovers. I had written my testimony in it as well so that it was double bonus points. Yup. So yes, I gave it to them and they were both very eager to read the book. I told them that when they get back home that should contact the missionaries in Scotland to teach them, and they agreed. It was way awesome. Quite the experience.
After we landed in London, we came across him and I asked if he had any questions about the Book of Mormon. He told me he had read a little bit from the Book of Mormon and he made a very interesting point. He said how it was interesting that it says that Lehi came from Jerasulam because there is a lot of similar architecture in South America and the Middle East, in reference to the pyramids. I was so excited. I continued to encourage him to read it and we went our seperate ways to our different flights. They were some awesome people. I hope all goes well with them.
Now to the nitty gritty. Yup. I am in Russia right now. I have no idea what anyone is saying. It's so bizarre. Occasionally I will hear a word or two, but for the most part it's undecipherable for me right now. It will come, i know it will. Well yes, I landed, and picked up my bags in the airport that smelt like a Vegas Casino (but this was better, obviously) and met the Mission President and his assistants at the airport. Guess who his assistant was? None other than Elder Punderson, the cousin of the Seymours. He is a way cool dude. We got our bags and got picked up by our driver. Ok, I don't think I have ever seen drivers quite like Russians. Passing people dangerously is a commonality here. It's really quite funny, in my opinion. But, I often feared for my life. So after, we go to the mission home of President Podvodov and his wife Sister Podvodova. I was told that their apartment will be the nicest I see in St. Petersburg. It was quite nice. Sister Podvodova made us some dinner and it was... .DELICIOUS! I had plof which is this Armenian rice dish, this chicken stuff and a few other Russian eats. It was really really good. Not going to lie. Hey Ryan? Remember that one time I gave up being your slave for 24 hours because I wouldn't eat a jar of mayonaisse? Guess what Russians love here? Yup. Mayonaisse. They almost worship the stuff and they put it on everything. The chicken stuff we had, which I don't remember what it was called, had mayo and cheese on it, but it was actually way way good. Yes. I have already consumed Borsh. I ate it last night actually, and it was pretty dang good too.
So after, dinner on Wednesday, Elder Punderson took me out to contact at Nyevski Prospect which is the busiest street in St. Petersburg, and perhaps their most famous as well. I had to take the metro down to Nyevski. Oh my holy craps. So you buy a Metro token and you take this escalator that goes WAAAY down underground. There are millions and millions of people on these metros. Well, on this giant long escalator, it's a rule that you have to go on the right side, and if you are in a hurry you can walk down on the left side. Well, we ran down, and it was way fun running past all these Russians, whom of which don't really smile too much. So we get on the metro, which is packed and stinking hot inside. One of the many talents that the Russians have in St. Petersburg is insane balance on their metros. They constantly go in varying intervals of stop and really fast. It's quite a difficult task to keep your balance in these beastly machines. By the way, the metro trains themselves are pretty beat, BUT their metro stations are so fancy. All the walls are in marble and there are stained glass windows with beautiful artwork all over. It's way way interesting.
We get to Nyevski Prospect and there were just sooooo many people in the streets. We end up contacting a few and handing out pass along cards. I talked to a few, but I know my Russian was terrible because a few of them were way confused. Or often times they would just shaft with the hand and walk away, or just say no thanks. At any rate, it was way exciting. So we get to a bridge that goes over the Nyeva River. I look down and there she is.. The Spas. The Church of The Lord over Spilt Blood. Thats that really really gorgeous Russian Orthodox church right along the river, which was my desktop background for a long time. So naturally, I get a picture in front of it. Unfortunately, I don't have a USB cord with me so I can't upload it, but I will next week.
Oh yeah. The sun doesn't set until maybe 11ish pm here. It's really really crazy how bright it is here in St. Petersburg. So i got my first transfer and now I am in the city of Viborg, which is 2 hours north of St. Petersburg. They have a very solid branch here in Russia. One of the most active with 70+ people coming everyweek. I think Viborg was the city in this part of the world where a church meeting house was actually built. I hear it's pretty nice too. I got in last night to Viborg after 3 hours of a bus ride where the driver looked literally like Zangeif. Mustache and all. Naturally, i fell asleep. The Jet lag is intense, but I will get over it sooner or later. I am companions with Elder Hunt right now who is from South Jordan, Utah. He is a really cool guy. This is his last transfer and then he comes home after 6 weeks here. He has been in Viborg for about 5 transfers now, so he knows this place pretty well. I am sooo stoked to see more of this place. There are many districts around in our mission. Unfortunately and Fortunately, no one goes to Frans Josef Land. That place is far too cold. The weather here right now is actually really nice. It doesn't start getting cold until the fall, but it doesn't start getting really really cold until Novemberish. So right now, mom, I am fine :)
I hope all is well with you! I love you all. By the way, I found out that dearelder works on my mission for free. Just make sure you select St. Petersburg Russia Mission, and not Provo MTC. Email me though, because that is still faster! I feel like i have so much more to tell you, but there is so much going on that I don't remember.
I am sooo excited here. They place is awesome!!!
With lots' o love,
Elder Tekulve
This is Drew with the Mission President and his wife. President and Sister Podvodov.
Drew is taller than all of them by a foot!
It's safe to assume that I have landed safely in St. Petersburg, and I am doing well in the Motherland right now. Wow. This place is so different!! I can't believe it. Everything you can possibly think of, they do differently. It's awesome. I really enjoy it here, and I am really excited to see what else St. Petersburg has in store.
So on Wednesday, after my long flight to London, we had another 2 hour layover in the London airport. It was kind of a mess when we landed becaue Elder Clark was really really thirsty and I guess in Europe, drinking fountains do not exist. It was so bizarre just being in the airport where everyone has a British accent. They all were nice people.
Back up. So in the Chicago airport, we were waiting to board our plane and we met a Scottish couple that were going to go on the same plane. They were Dave and Carol, and we started talking to them. They were very very interesting people. Dave was a professional electric bagpipe player in this rock band and he was just finishing up his tour around the U.S. performing in all sorts of venues. He was a really friendly guy. His wife was a little bit silent, but she was a very kind person as well. I had a difficult time deciphering their thick accents, but obviously I did kind of well considering I knew he was a bagpipe player (or maybe that was just what I was thinking then. I mean come on. He was Scottish) At any rate, we brought up the Gospel, the obvious routine of a missionary, and got talking. He seemed to know a LOT about the Church already and about Brigham Young and the History of Salt Lake City. He seemed to be very interested in that stuff. He told us he really liked the missionaries. He related us to the pioneers in the sense that we were marching on with Faith. He really impressed me on his spiritual understanding of things. Anywho, I whipped out an English Book of Mormon that I bought right before I left to give to someone on my layovers. I had written my testimony in it as well so that it was double bonus points. Yup. So yes, I gave it to them and they were both very eager to read the book. I told them that when they get back home that should contact the missionaries in Scotland to teach them, and they agreed. It was way awesome. Quite the experience.
After we landed in London, we came across him and I asked if he had any questions about the Book of Mormon. He told me he had read a little bit from the Book of Mormon and he made a very interesting point. He said how it was interesting that it says that Lehi came from Jerasulam because there is a lot of similar architecture in South America and the Middle East, in reference to the pyramids. I was so excited. I continued to encourage him to read it and we went our seperate ways to our different flights. They were some awesome people. I hope all goes well with them.
Now to the nitty gritty. Yup. I am in Russia right now. I have no idea what anyone is saying. It's so bizarre. Occasionally I will hear a word or two, but for the most part it's undecipherable for me right now. It will come, i know it will. Well yes, I landed, and picked up my bags in the airport that smelt like a Vegas Casino (but this was better, obviously) and met the Mission President and his assistants at the airport. Guess who his assistant was? None other than Elder Punderson, the cousin of the Seymours. He is a way cool dude. We got our bags and got picked up by our driver. Ok, I don't think I have ever seen drivers quite like Russians. Passing people dangerously is a commonality here. It's really quite funny, in my opinion. But, I often feared for my life. So after, we go to the mission home of President Podvodov and his wife Sister Podvodova. I was told that their apartment will be the nicest I see in St. Petersburg. It was quite nice. Sister Podvodova made us some dinner and it was... .DELICIOUS! I had plof which is this Armenian rice dish, this chicken stuff and a few other Russian eats. It was really really good. Not going to lie. Hey Ryan? Remember that one time I gave up being your slave for 24 hours because I wouldn't eat a jar of mayonaisse? Guess what Russians love here? Yup. Mayonaisse. They almost worship the stuff and they put it on everything. The chicken stuff we had, which I don't remember what it was called, had mayo and cheese on it, but it was actually way way good. Yes. I have already consumed Borsh. I ate it last night actually, and it was pretty dang good too.
So after, dinner on Wednesday, Elder Punderson took me out to contact at Nyevski Prospect which is the busiest street in St. Petersburg, and perhaps their most famous as well. I had to take the metro down to Nyevski. Oh my holy craps. So you buy a Metro token and you take this escalator that goes WAAAY down underground. There are millions and millions of people on these metros. Well, on this giant long escalator, it's a rule that you have to go on the right side, and if you are in a hurry you can walk down on the left side. Well, we ran down, and it was way fun running past all these Russians, whom of which don't really smile too much. So we get on the metro, which is packed and stinking hot inside. One of the many talents that the Russians have in St. Petersburg is insane balance on their metros. They constantly go in varying intervals of stop and really fast. It's quite a difficult task to keep your balance in these beastly machines. By the way, the metro trains themselves are pretty beat, BUT their metro stations are so fancy. All the walls are in marble and there are stained glass windows with beautiful artwork all over. It's way way interesting.
We get to Nyevski Prospect and there were just sooooo many people in the streets. We end up contacting a few and handing out pass along cards. I talked to a few, but I know my Russian was terrible because a few of them were way confused. Or often times they would just shaft with the hand and walk away, or just say no thanks. At any rate, it was way exciting. So we get to a bridge that goes over the Nyeva River. I look down and there she is.. The Spas. The Church of The Lord over Spilt Blood. Thats that really really gorgeous Russian Orthodox church right along the river, which was my desktop background for a long time. So naturally, I get a picture in front of it. Unfortunately, I don't have a USB cord with me so I can't upload it, but I will next week.
Oh yeah. The sun doesn't set until maybe 11ish pm here. It's really really crazy how bright it is here in St. Petersburg. So i got my first transfer and now I am in the city of Viborg, which is 2 hours north of St. Petersburg. They have a very solid branch here in Russia. One of the most active with 70+ people coming everyweek. I think Viborg was the city in this part of the world where a church meeting house was actually built. I hear it's pretty nice too. I got in last night to Viborg after 3 hours of a bus ride where the driver looked literally like Zangeif. Mustache and all. Naturally, i fell asleep. The Jet lag is intense, but I will get over it sooner or later. I am companions with Elder Hunt right now who is from South Jordan, Utah. He is a really cool guy. This is his last transfer and then he comes home after 6 weeks here. He has been in Viborg for about 5 transfers now, so he knows this place pretty well. I am sooo stoked to see more of this place. There are many districts around in our mission. Unfortunately and Fortunately, no one goes to Frans Josef Land. That place is far too cold. The weather here right now is actually really nice. It doesn't start getting cold until the fall, but it doesn't start getting really really cold until Novemberish. So right now, mom, I am fine :)
I hope all is well with you! I love you all. By the way, I found out that dearelder works on my mission for free. Just make sure you select St. Petersburg Russia Mission, and not Provo MTC. Email me though, because that is still faster! I feel like i have so much more to tell you, but there is so much going on that I don't remember.
I am sooo excited here. They place is awesome!!!
With lots' o love,
Elder Tekulve
This is Drew with the Mission President and his wife. President and Sister Podvodov.
Drew is taller than all of them by a foot!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
5 more days in the MTC
Not too much happened this week besides the fact that time is WINDING down here at the MTC. Yup. It's true. 5 more days and I am in the Motherland of Russia. Last Thursday I got my travel plans to St. Petersburg. They are as follows: Meet at the MTC Travel Office at 4 am. Flight in SLC at 7:05 to Chicago. 6 Hour Layover and then from Chicago I go to London. 3 Hour Layover there, and then a flight from there to ST. PETERSBURG!! I hear in the Chicago Airport they have a Chipotle there. You don't understand. I have been deprived of half-decent food for almost 3 months here in the MTC. So I am might just treat myself while I am in that airport. Oh, and yes. I was partially right when I said I would be going to Chicago for my mission. Maybe I will have time to go to the Art Museum and have Dream Academy play as I wander around the place observing art. Perhaps I will have a mind explosion while looking at this girl with an umbrella on a painting and have it zoom in to the fibers of the piece. Maybe I will have time to go to a Cubs Game as well, and make it back home in time before Mr. Rooney catches me... Maybe not.
Anywho. I am unbelievably excited to go Russia. I have tried countless times to talk to natives and it's very difficult to understand what they are saying, but I know that will come while being submersed in the language fully. I know it will be difficult, but it will come. I seem to understand fluent speakers perfectly. I know exactly what they are saying, but once a native opens his mouth, it's complete nonesense to me. I just figure that it will just click one day. I know it will. With that aside, I feel like I am totally ready. I am ready to be in St. Petersburg. The more I think about it, the more I want to be there right now. It's soooo different culturally, but I am excited. I don't remember if I shared somethings about the Russian culture with you or not, but here I go. First off, it's very very rude to whistle indoors. They believe that if you do, you are whistling their money away. Also, they do not like to shake hands over thresholds, meaning the space between inside and oustide, ala doorframe. They find it very offense if you shake someones hand through a door, to put it simply. They also are very quiet people outdoors. When they are in public, they feel it's rude to be loud, so which explains why they seem to pick out Americans easily because apparently we are loud? Also they have superstitions about the number of flowers you give them. (I don't plan to, but it's an interesting example of their culture). If you give them odd numbers, i believe, it symbolizes death and funerals. Even numbers are for welcoming and homecoming. It could be the other way around, I don't know. But I thought it was very interesting.
What else happened this week? To be honest, I don't really remember. I have been so excited to go, that I have kind of been not remembering what's been happening during the day. We got new schedules like I said last week, but our laundry time got changed as well, and it's seriously a fight for a washing machine. It was a madhouse last wednesday. It was COMPLETELY full, and it took me almost 2 hours to finish my laundry. It was pretty reasonable, I believe. We are 30+ minutes late to class to our TRC. They have since changed it, so now it's at an earlier, less hectic time. BUT, they also changed our weekly service time, so now that's at 5 pm, an hour before class. The person making the schedule definitely received mental inspiration scheduling out these things.. Ha.
I am not too worried or down about it. I figured, this is my last week, so there really is nothing to complain about. It stinks to be those who now have to deal with it for the next 6 weeks. So I am not too complaint about it. I hope that was an adjective. Complaint. Nope. Doesn't sound like it. My English is getting worst. It really is, but that's a good sign I suppose. It's crazy to see how much I have progressed in the language from 6 weeks ago when the older districts left. I feel like I can keep a decent conversation with someone in Russian, although as broken as it maybe. It's just kind of cool to see my own progression. I know I still have a LOT more to improve on, but I know that doesn't really come until actually being in the field. So I am not too worried.
Oh yeah! Elder Mockler came into the MTC this week and it was most glorious. I waited outside for him as he came out of one of the buildings. It was most choice. I see him all the time and it's so awesome to be able to talk to him. He's way excited for Malaga Spain. He, fortunately, goes to go the Madrid MTC in 2 weeks. Lucky dog. But Spain seems to be like the perfect place for him.
A few things: Family: Email me now, because I am not sure dearelder will work in Russia. I hear things that it is free and I can get it in Russia, but I am not terribly sure. As for my mission address, I will make sure I will send an email with it next week. Also, I am not going to be able to call you, Mom, on Mother's Day. BUT! When I am in Chicago, I will be able to call you. That will be around maybe Noonish Chicago time, but I am not really sure what that acquaites too in Pacific time. So expect some sort of call! Oh as for packing. I have started and I feel like I will be fine in terms of weight. I am going to do a dry run to see if everything will fight, and if not. Expect a package from me with some stuff in it :)
Thanks everyone for being so loving and awesome. All those letters and dearelders and treats will brought up my spirits. The MTC is a place of crazy change, and it's sometimes overwhelming. Those letters and treats were much needed to say the least. Thank you all, and I love you so much. Especially you, my family.
Love,
Elder Tekulve
Oh yeah, and to add. I got sunburnt last wednesday by writing and hanging outside. I thought it was pretty hilarious. My skin hasn't seen the sun in quite some time. I will be going to Russian during the white night months. SUn all the time! and then no sun for aw while!!
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