Petersburg... again! And a Busy week

Dear Family!

This week felt incredibly fast. I can't even believe it is another week. To be honest, I am really tired of traveling, and it looks like I have to go back to Peter this Sunday for another Zone Leader Council and another Zone Conference/Mission Tour. This week, we just had a Zone Leader Council and a Zone Training meeting over Skype. It was fairly stressful this week running around in Russia and trying to fulfill these responsibilities, but in the end, it all worked out. We found a great new bus that leaves by our place to Petersburg for a lot cheaper and it is a lot more comfortable, so that was a big plus for this week. We then had an exchange in the city with the Assistants, and I went out with the new assistant, who came into the field the day I became an assistant, which was fun to reminisce. I remember taking him out contacting to show him the ropes, and now he is showing me the ropes. It is so interesting how missions just keep going. The work of the Lord will continue and advanced until the Gospel has reached into every ear on this planet. So my time is getting short, but the Mission is still growing and moving. 

Anyway, we had a few cool moments: We had no time to go back to the apartment and eat, so we grabbed some Carl's Jr. instead. As we sat there, and heard strange but familiar tongues behind us. A language that I had once known before. It was American English! There were 2 American study abroad students. We ended up talking to them for a while and got their phone number to meet up. It was just a surprise to hear English around here besides amongst missionaries in the apartments. We decided afterwards to walk in the park to talk to some more people (by the way, it was raining and quite windy in Peter) and there we found yet another American study abroad student! This one, however, is from San Juan Capo, CA and went to Capo High, which was a shock since I have a few really good friends from there. He didn't know them, but it was kind of great meeting a fellow Californian, let alone, Southern Californian in St. Petersburg Russia. 

We had Zone Leader Council with President Webb. President Clark right now is in the U.S. recovering from a surgery he got last week. (So this is my 4th Mission President in the field). President Clark and Sister Clark will be coming home really soon, as in, this week. But we had a great ZLC and then left with the Gardiners back to Pskov in a car, this time. Cars are incredibly more comfortable than buses, for sure. We race back, and then we had a baptismal interview with the Pskov Sisters' investigator Tamara. It was awesome to be a part of it. Elder Gardiner had to give it with me as his translator, and I realized how amazing it is to be a Church leader helping people access the power of the Atonement. It really is a special duty. 

Tamara got baptized this Saturday by the branch members this week! She is a wonderful woman, and by ethnicity she is as Gypsy, interesting enough. The branch has fully welcomed her with open hands. This week, we had the opportunity to help her move into a new apartment and also gave her little 7 year old son a blessing for health. He had a very intense fever, so she had us come over to give her a blessing. We needed a 3rd man with us, so we called up Karl to come with us. He is basically a member now. He is a lot more active than most of the members on our records, and he does service when he can, but just not baptized. But, the more the merrier in Pskov. This Tamara woman though has 2 young children who just love going to primary. So at the baptism, for a musical number, her little son sang her "I am a Child of God". It was cute stuffs.

Anyway, that is about it for this week. We have been racing around Pskov and Petersburg trying to get things done. I think I have taken about 4 or 5 taxis this week along, which on average we take about 1 a week. (Taxis  are a lifesaver in Pskov. Buses are so unpredictable here). I love being a missionary here. This really is a special time for me right now, and I know the God will compensate for the time and efforts that I have sacrificed for you guys! The Church is true!

Love,

Elder Tekulve

P.S. It is snowing like crazy here.