Lot o' sun, and a lot' rain

Interesting Fact #28 - Well let's see. I am starting to run out of interesting facts. It worries me. Well here is one observation I made: Trying to find canned soup is impossible. They don't sell them here in Russia, which is too bad. You can do so much with a can of Cream of Chicken. Well I guess that's where making stuff from scratch comes in.

Hello family! 

So school started/is about to start, huh? Well I am not sure if that's totally applicable. Well I guess. Sarah teaches. Ryan still is in school, same with Josh. I guess Katie and I are the ones that matters not whether school is starting. Did that sentence make sense? I am not sure myself. Well weeks are flying by really fast. It's really scary. We have a few missionariesr going home in a week, one of which I am gonna miss. I never served with him, but he was an awesome missionary. His name is Elder Schrader. Great guy. He is just one of those guys where you can just talk to for hours if you wanted to. Next transfer (6 weeks from now), we will be having 6 or 7 missionaries go home as well, which means 6 or 7 new missionaries. I keep on telling my greeny (missionary term for those you train) that he will be a trainer after I am done training him next transfer. He doubts it. I doubted too, and now look where I am. So yeah. It will happen. This whole mission is become brand new. All of the older missionaries are leaving, and there is a lot of them.

Well this last week we finally finished the How To Quit Smoking program with our investigator Anatoli. It's supposed to take one meeting to finish. It's only 15 steps we had to explain, and that's it. But with him, we could only get through about 3 at a time so that he can retain and understand each step. So we fiiiinally finished it. Thank the heavens. I just pray it will work for him. He has allergies to grapefruits which is a big part of the program. Kind of put a dent in it, but we found alternatives to help him out. 

We met with one of our favorite inactives, Vladimir Denisov, last thursday. He has been inactive for about 10 years since he married his wife, who isn't a member. Since this last sunday was fast sunday, we talked about fasting with him and invited him to fast. I called to check up on him and he was fasting all day Satuday and Sunday. We wanted him to fast so that he can find a way back to church and that he could find a way to let his wife let him go to church as well. She isn't the biggest fan, unfortunately. But we are working with them. But I hope and pray that that fast provided him with strength and faith to return. We then met with Boris Shestapal who is also an inactive. He said he would come to church this Sunday but when I called him he said he couldn't, so I asked if we could meet. We met up with him and it was a very spiritual lesson about scriptures and personal revalation. He didn't understand how we can receive correct personal revalation. He thought mistakes could me made, and I basically told him that the missionaries that prayed and came in contact with him and taught him made no mistake in knowing their personal revalation on where to go and what to say. That really humbled him and he came to church the next day. It was just really cool to see. I did not plan on saying that to him, it just kind of came out. 

We also met with a new investigator later Saturday night. We came in contact with him a week or so ago. His name is Michael and he is from Nigeria. He speaks English, which was perfect for us. But he was really excited for us to teach him. We get there and he teach the Message of the Restoration and gave him a Book of Mormon. He just picks it up and looks at it, and says, "Yup. This is true. It testifies more of Christ. This is true." It really just stunned me to see some one to know already. It was sooo awesome. It just really goes to show how important it is having the Holy Ghost with you when you teach. Without it, you are nothing. You may be able to speak Russian perfectly or be an amazing orator or public speaker, but without the Holy Ghost, no one will be converted. Their hearts will not be touched. 

That's it really for this week. The exciting things at least. Oh. I bought a cool hat? No. It's not a shapka, though I do plan on buying one of those. Those are those big Russian Fur hats. But it's like this hat that looks like its from the 20s or something. I like it. THat's all that matters. Oh yeah. My companion is also a really good cook. Moreso a really good baker. He made homemade calzones. They were absolutely amazing. One of my favorites meals so far.

Oh. And about that title. Yeah it got really sunny here for a few days, but it started to pour again. Like today, for instance. It's pretty wet. 

I love you all and you are all in my prayers every night. I pray for your safety and wellbeing and that Heavenly Father will bless each and every one of you. Dear reader, whether it be family, friend, or some random person that came across this blog that I have not yet seen before, I love you and so does our Father in Heaven. Always remember that.

Love,

Elder Tekulve

Week 28 - And the Friscolating Day of Knowledge. PART III

Interesting Fact #28: When a month has a day where it's the 31st in Russia, they have some sort of protest gathering kind of thing... deal. Yeah, it's like the 31st part of their constitution says they have the right to do that, so they do it. And the missionaries can't be anywhere near. For instance, last night (the 31st), there was some sort of demonstration right off of Nyevski Prospekt, which is the main street in St. Petersburg where we get off at a lot to get to the Institute Building. But because of Stradegy 31 (as it is called) we had to take a metro transfer unto another line and get off at another stop. A minor inconvenience. 

Week's are really started to blend together and are starting to go by faster than I can  think. Honestly. That could have felt like the fastest Lake Powell trip I never went to. That's not saying much now is it, because this is the only time in the past 9 or 10 years where I haven't been. But nonetheless, it felt like you were at Lake Powell for a very short period of time. Maybe it was fast to you as well. Well by the looks of it, it still sounded like a blast. I mean, come on. Musical Fire Dances in the cliffs with bugles and pans? Klasno. (As they say in Russian)

Well the language is coming. Just not having anyone to rely on has made me really push myself. I honestly have to do 90 percent of the talking, 100 percent of the phone calls, 85 percent of the teaching or so. I think just that balance right there has helped me more than I could otherwise. I suppose that is the blessing of progressive training program change? Who knows. Well the transfer has 2 weeks left of it. The training program is now 2 transfers long (3 months), so I am going to be with Elder Pace one more transfer here in Center. Like Vyborg, I absolutely love it here. Once the 2nd Transfer starts though, I am gonna get Pace doing some of them phonecalls here. It will kickstart his language skills ten fold. 

Anywho, like I said. I love it here. I think I am bound to love anywhere I go. I will find ways to love it. Right now, I love it, because of the people that we met with. We have an investigator, George, who have asked to be baptized twice, but hasn't accepted... yet. BUT, he loves to meet with us and has come to church twice. He is the fellow we talked to in the street the first week or so here. He hadn't seen the missionaries in about 7 years or so,  and we are the first contact since. He wants to bring his stepson to the meetings and to teach with us too. Really geniune, awesome guy.

We have also been meeting with our new convert, Yegor. He is 18 and was baptized almost 2 months ago. One of the COOLEST kids in this whole mission. So great. We have to teach him the lessons after baptism still, so we have been working with him with that. But he is just so down-to-earth and so outgoing. He had never heard about brownies before, so I found a more international start and bought some for him to eat. He is a HUGE fan. The stuff I bought was almost like the Corner Bakery brownies I used to get with Ryan and Tyler Olpin. Next time though, I am going to make him homemade brownies.

We met with a lot of less actives this last week. One of which is named Vadeem. He is a young guy, English teacher (so he speaks really really really really really good english. Again, another miracle of this transfer). We met with him yesterday, actually, and he invited him to come back to church and he is set on going. He had a lot of questions about prayer but we explained it to him in a very nice, caring, and simple manner. We had a member there from America. He had served here like 7 or so years ago in the St. Petersburg mission, and is back here working and teaching English as well. Anywho he helped us out a LOT. 

Speaking of Americans. We were going to the Hermitage to serve and ran into a huge group from Utah. Well. They saw us and were really happy to see "the elders". They were all in Russia to teach English under this program. They are supposed to teach in Moscow, but for some reason they came to St. Pete for a little vacation until things were ready and set up in Moscow. Well at anyrate, I invited them to come to church with us and to go to FHE. So our congregation was very large this last week. Twas marvelous.

So today is the Day of Knowledge here in Russia, at least that's what the signs said. Today is the first day of school so I saw a lot of kids dressed in suits and school uniforms. I guess we will fit in for once here in The Motherland. 

Well that's all for now. I hope this email was as exciting as the title was. I know what you're thinking... Where's part 1 or 2?......

UNTIL NEXT TIME!

And on that note, I would like to say simply that this Church is true. This is the true church of Jesus Christ. The Atonement is so applicable to everyone, everywhere. Even here. I have seen so many miracles and so many blessings just being here so far, and I want you to know that. I love you all. 

Love,

Elder Tekulve

With a Whole Bunch o' Borsh

Interesting Fact # 27 - Clothes in general in Russia are really expensive. I looked for a winter coat last week, and it took a long time to find a decently priced coat. I kept on running into 20,000+ ruble coats. There was this one leather coat that was 40,000 rubles. I think it's 28 rubles to a dollar, so you can do the math.

I had my first zone conference in the field! Aren't those interesting. Actually they are. They fed us subway, and Sister Clark (President Clark's wife) made us cookies, always an amazing treat. But we are changing the way we do things a little bit here in St. Petersburg. We are focusing a lot on working with less actives and investigators at the same time. We have been working with a few inactives, one of which loves to meet with us. His name is Vladimir Denisov. Such a nice guy. We have come over about once a week, and he really wants us to help his friend quit drinking. Gladly! We are developing a really solid friendship with Vladimir, and every time we have invited him to come to church with us. He also is very appreciative and thankful for our invitation and knows we will not stop doing so, but that doesn't dent our relationship with him. 

This last week, we meet with our new investigator George, or Gyorgy in Russian. He speaks English as well, so it's definitely really helpful. We met with him yesterday and we asked him to be baptized. He will think and pray about it, he said. He came to church with us this last Sunday. The problem is that he has Multiple Sclurosis? I don't know how to spell that, but anywho, it's really difficult for him to go around. He is on a cane and stuff, but we walked with him from the Metro station to the branch, which is maybe a mile away? I don't know for sure. But he was exhausted at church. But the cool thing is that he wants to come again and bring his friend who is been interested in religions. Again, I say, Gladly!

We made a big batch of Borsh this week. I made somewhat differently because we didnt have oil. It was Elder Pace's first experience of Borsh, and I felt like it was a bit underwhelming. I have made better before. No but really though. Russian food. Absolutely amazing. I guess it was that blessing from President Francis that the food I eat will taste sweet. I am obsessed with Russian foods. My motto that I have so far in the field is from 1 Corinthians 10:27: "...whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake." Yup. So far, it's been great.

The city is still beautiful. I sometimes forget that I am in such an old city. I will be walking to the Hermitage, yeah the Hermitage which an old Victorain HUGE Winter Palace building, and I will pass all these cathedrals and think nothing of it. But then I realize, "Oh my goodness. This city is beautiful." It's quite a busy city too. In fact, it's really busy. Walking down the sidewalk is ridiculous, weaving in and out of people. It's the worst when you are in a hurry to a meeting or appointment and there so many people.

We have been asking everyone we see for referrals to see if they know anyone that would be interested in our message. I know it will work and be successful soon, but right it's not the right time. Doesn't mean we won't stop asking. Even people in the street, we ask them too. There was this one time where I was talking to this lady and who claimed that I am only here to add more wives to my already endless collections wives. I obviously told her that I am here to preach the gospel but she would not believe me. I found the incident rather hilarious, to be honest. I asked for her a referral and she kind of just walked away. We've seen her a few times with the same ridiculous accusations. 

Well things are going well here. I am learning and figuring out the area better. I know that you don't take Bus 9 to get the Metro, but if you want to get to the other end of the Island, you got to get off before Universtat Prospekt or the next stop will be a mile or two away. Also, don't run inside the metro trying to risk getting on before the doors close when your companion is a bit slower than you. The doors closed on us while I was inside and he was outside. Needless to say, he wasn't too happy. I went straight back to the last station where he was at, but now I know just not to risk it. Again, I thought it was hilarious. 

I hope Lake Powell is just as amazing as I remember it as. I got those pictures from Mom and there were a few of just Lake Powell and it twas marvelous. They provide great stories for investigators or members. Yeah. This is Lake Powell. The Lake of Dreams. 

I Love you all, and I am so thankful for everyone's support.

Love,

Elder Tekulve

P.S.: I guess it's been 6 months already. That was fast. Way too fast...

Andrew Alexander Tekulve

Stratsvoyetyey Family! (Hello!)

Interesting Fact #26 - Shopping Carts in Russia. Now you wouldn't think they were different, but they are. To be honest, I like American ones. Have you ever noticed that shopping carts, let's say Vons, (Or should I say BASHA'S!? Remember that place? They had terrible bread) the shopping carts there have two sets of wheels that turn, whereas the back ones are fixed. It's very easy to meaunevuer (butchered that word). In Russia, all four wheels on the carts turn so it's really difficult to control your shopping cart. There will be times you are pushing your cart straight, but yet it speeds its way onto the right. Maybe I'm just not made to grocery shop.

Things are starting to get cold here in St. Petersburg. I think it has rained every day this week. Now don't panic, Mom. I am buying my winter clothes today. There was aboslutely no need to buy them in the months previous because I have never been so hot in my life. But now... Yeah, I definitely will need them. It's interesting how fast the weather changes and how soon. It's the middle of August, for goodness' sake. Well, you are all probably in a nice 99 degree weather with a beautiful lake and gorgeous red cliffs. So 110 feet higher eh? That's pretty intense. Good luck finding beaches! ah-ha! No but seriously though, Lake Powell is gorgeous and I pray that you will be safe and have a whole lot of fun.

St. Petersburg is such a gorgeous city. I forget how pretty it really is. Well, it's man-made beauty and it's not terribly natural like Lake Powell is, but then again, Lake Powell was made by the geniuses of men, so therefore it is natural. Anywho, St. Petersburg is gorgeous. But I am starting to get used to it. I will be walking and see this towering Russian Orthodox temples and cathedrals and think it's completely normal. I haven't had time to take photographs of them. But you that famous church that was my desktop backgrounkd on my laptop for so long? That's in my area. I see it a lot, and it's massive, and gorgeous.

This week we got two new investigators, one of which we find on the street. The other was found previously by other missionaries and we just now met with him. The one we found was on Monday as we were walking down Fontanka, right off the Neva river. He is this older looking man with a cane and starting talking to him. He had met with the missionaries a long time ago, but then he said the missionaries kind of disappeared and he hasn't seen them since until now. So we exchanged numbers and he gave us his address and we met with him yesterday in his apartment. You remember in Doctor Zhivago when their apartment gets commonalized where every and there dogs now live there? Yeah his apartment (as he was explained) was a common apartment back in the Soviet area. 7 families would live in this apartment and share a kitchen and bathroom. I have absolutely no idea how it could be possible, but it was. He had just one small room to his own, but it was apparently where he has lived his whole life. His name is George too, and he is a really nice and humble guy. We taught him the Restoration and the Spirit was just so strong. It was really neat to see. It''s also kind of crazy how far I have come with the language. It catches me off guard. Oh yeah, I talk in my sleep in Russian now. My companion hates it. It wakes him up. I think that by being in charge and having no one to rely on has really forced me to make some advances with this language. It's not too bad.

That's pretty much all the exciting news really about this week. The weeks are flying by and it's really freaking me out. Last P-day felt like yesterday. Nope. It was a week ago. Well you are all probably on the Lake right now. The Lake of Dreams, as I like to say. Well I would just like to tell this much. So far as I have been out here I have already seen so many blessings from the Lord in my work and with all of you. The day I left to the MTC, we lossed the keys. We found a perfect solution right after we prayed and it got me to where I needed to be. There was the question about that cellphone that I once had. Then Dad got this blazing awesome Thunderbird 5003dx.21 phone from work. Katie graduated and has so many job offers and working hard, it seems. Ryan got work at one of the coolest little joints in Orange County and rocking it at Lazer Tag AND had some awesome classes at Santa Cruz and ACED them. Sarah got a job for the summer successfully and is still working hard with teaching. Dad has been blessed with the ability to work in another state by living in the home he loves (even if it seems ridiculous hard). Mom finished her crazy-insane real estate offer and has more on the way and with new potentially successfully business ideas. Grandma and Grandpa have been blessed with health and safety, and they will continue to be blessed. I have seen the Lord's Hand in my work everyday, and as well as in your lives. I really love you all. You are my biggest support, each and every one of you.

And for those of you who are reading my blog that is so awesomely kept by my sister, whom I love, I know you have also been blessed, but I just don't know the details. Well. Family first. Sorry pals.

I love you and I pray for your safety and happiness everyday.
Love,
Elder Tekulve

deep-fired gold

Hellooo family!

Interesting Fact #25 - McDonalds in Russia is considered a nice place to take a girl out on a date too.

Well we are still in the Central area. Of course. It's been really interesting being a trainer. In fact, it's very very difficult haha. I don't have anyone to rely on with the language anymore, which is a great thing, but also a difficult thing. I feel like, though, in the past week and a half alone, I have gotten better with the language. I love the Russian Language. Yeah, it's very difficult, but I can do it. How many times? That's right. 9 times. No but really though, I love this language. What's so interesting and fun about is that EVERYTHING changes depending on the gender, case, preposition, verb, noun, etc. Everything changes. So you really have to think really hard if you want have correct grammar. I mean, you could just say it how it would be in English minus all of the spelling and grammar rules and it would still be understandable, but that's no fun, now is it?

Well, another part that has made this transfer intersting already as that we were "white-washed", a term used by missionaries. It basically means you are completely brand new in an area, and you have figure out everything on your own: investigators, members, public transit, stores, who-is-who in the cell phone. I am starting to figure things out here in Central. We actually live on the outermost island off the Neva river. Off of Vasiliostrovskaya island or something. If you look at a map, we live on the island furthest west.

So last Friday we did service inside the HERMITAGE!!!! That was the one place I was so excited to go to before the mission. It's absolutely beautiful. It is basically a Palace. HUUUGE beautiful palace. We haven't looked at the exhibits, but we plan on doing that soon, we hope. We need to get our hermitage pass from the mission office so that we can into it for free. All we do there for service really is check their tickets to see if they are ok. Occasionally we tell them to take off their backpacks and that water is not allowed inside. I got to help and translate a little bit for a few Americans from Texas and California visiting. Speaking of Americans, we were walking down Nyevski Prospect (the main busiest street in the City) and we ran into several Americans from Orem, Utah! What do you know! They gave us some Chewy bars and trailmix. They tasted like deep-fried gold.

Well on Saturday, I also went to Estonia. That was very interesting, I have to admit. You know when you're driving up the 15 and the road is terrible and bumping right up until you cross the border into Nevada? Yeah, it was kind of like that. Estonia is such a nice place. We stayed in a place called Nerva or something for 8 hours. Well, if the bank is freaking out that my card was used in Estonia, just tell them its ok. I put a few snacks and a meal there becaues I didn't have any Euros on me. Only rubles and kopecks. It was a beautiful little city though. There are two big castles there and this big Catholic church there. It's almost like good ol' Vyborg.

Well we finally scheduled some meetings after a few days of contacting in the streets because no-one could meet. We meet with a few investigators. We got a new one yesterday. He is this interesting man named Anatoli who wants to quit smoking. I have never tried to help someone stop smoking before, let alone in Russian. So we are going to be working with him to help him quit and teach him the Gospel. We have a few investigators who are from Africa that came to Russia to work. They are fun to meet with as well. Well nice people.

Well that's been my life so far here in St. Petersburg. I know I have more exciting things to come, and obviously I will be here to tell you about it. We are so close to getting a Stake here. So close. Just pray for us, and we will get it. And after we get a stake here, we can get a temple to be built here in Russia. Wouldn't that be something?


Well it looks like all my paragraphs start with the word "well". Well, that's okay.So it looks like Daniel and Megan got their mission calls eh? They be em Texans! They are going to have so much fun. Honestly. Mission work is so great. I love it.

I hope all is going well with you all. I love you all and you are all such a great strength and support for me. You are in my prayers always.

Love,
Elder Tekulve

transfer to the city!

Interesting Fact #24: St. Petersburg is one of the MOST gorgeous cities I have ever seen. Again, that could very well be an opinion, but I would like to state it as fact. 

So I got transfered! Guess where? Right into the heart of St. Petersburg. The area is called Central, which is a most apt name for such. It is absolutely beautiful. I already miss Vyborg, but this is also an amazing change. So I got transfer calls on Saturday morning from President Clark. He has given me a new responsibility. I am a trainer now. I am training a brand new missionary who has been in Russia for 3 days just like how I was 3 months ago. President Clark has given me a lot of trust and responsibility with my new position that I have been called as. I am now Senior Companion, which is nice after surviving the storm that is Elder Balabanov, last transfer. But, I am having my companion right now give a lot of input on what he thinks and what he wants to do. He is a really awesome missionary. Oh yeah, his name is Elder Pace from Fresno, California. The Californian Brigade! He is a solid kid who has a huge desire to work. I feel like I can work at my full potential with him. Needless to say, I am very excited for this transfer. Actually, I am insanely excited. 

I am just glad that last transfer was over. I didn't want to make my emails back home sound negative so I never said anything bad (not too bad at least) that happened in them. But let's just say that I don't have to deal with him ever again, and that I am unbelievably happy that I am here in the city with Elder Pace, and I can actually focus on my work, and not worry about the never-ending cleaning up projects I would have to do in the apartment, and trying with all my power to keep the companionship stable and unified. Again, like I said, I have come out being the most patient person I know, which is honestly why I think I got put with him for a transfer, so that I can be a better, more patient, more qualified, and a more hard-working missionary.

Well anywho, I am absolutely excited to be here. I live probably 20 minutes away from the Hermitage and the famous Russian Orthodox Temple that you see when you see St. Petersburg. For our service project, Elder Pace and I will be doing service inside the Hermitage, which in return they give you a volunteer pass. This pass gets you into the Hermitage and all other museums in the whole city for free. Expect gorgeous pictures soon. I am actually on a computer that is normal for once, too, so I can possibly figure out how to send pictures. Ha.

Well, I am definitely going to miss Vyborg too. I absolutely loved our ward (our branch) there. I loved our investigators there, and I loved the members there. I took a few pictures with Edward Arsyonov (who is still committed to get baptized on the 20th of August) and with some people in the branch. But at the same time, this is a new chapter of my mission, one of which I have a lot more responsibility. I know that I am going to love whoever I meet here, and whatever happens. I know what you probably thinking: How is it that Elder Tekulve is training after 2 transfers? I don't know, but my companion in the MTC, Elder Clark is too. The church has changed the whole curriculum and training program for missions so now it is a lot more specific and the training period is longer. I am going to train Elder Pace for 12 weeks now. These next two weeks are going to be awesome. And again, I know what you are probably thinking: How is that Elder Tekulve is training after 2 transfers? Can he even speak the language? I can speak enough to get by. I am not too worried about the language aspect. It will come, and the best way to learn this language is to be COMPLETELY SUBMERSED INTO IT. I have no more older companion, more experienced companion to rely on. I gotta figure it out on my own. Sounds good to me. :)

The weather here is starting to normalize too. It's actually perfect out here. It's no longer insanely hot. I had to pack all my stuff on Sunday and Monday and move down to Petersburg. We took this electric train instead because it's a lot more convenient than a bus, to be completely honest. After that we take a trollybus thing for 40 minutes. As we were unloading my luggage off the trollybus, Elder Balabanov dropped a bag, and the other bag burst open in the middle of the street. That was an interesting 20 seconds as I scrambled to pick everything up. It wasn't really his fault (kind of). I did pack the bag a bit too much. But it just was a funny little experience. Stuff like that happens all the time. Transfer days are known for broken luggage. The thing is though my suitcase is completely fine. I just had to rezip it and realign. It's totally good.

Well, seeing the date today and yesterday just really makes me think of a very important moment in time that happened 3 years ago. I miss Kyle a lot, but I know he is okay. I know he is safe and that he is loved. Heavenly Father prepared a plan for all of us and I know that he is absolutely fine. The more I study about the Plan of Salvation, the more I know that Kyle is alright, and that God loves us all. 

I will probably have more exciting things to say next week. I go on my first visa trip in a few days, so I will take a nice fun trip to Estonia. That will be excited to talk about to you guys. Well, I love you. I love you all. I also love this wonderful experience I am having here. I so far absolutely love my mission, and I am having the time of my life. I hope you are too.

Love,

Elder Tekulve

"doing what cats do best, I suppose"

Interesting Fact #23: Russia has some very interesting flavors of chips. They have Lay's here, with a wide variety of flavors. Well for starters, they have Original, of course. They also got Sour Cream and Onion. A common standby. Then they have sour cream and mushrooms? Okay. Not bad. A little strange, but not bad... Then they have Shishkabob flavored chips... Ok. Alright.... Then they have Bacon flavor Lay's...Kinda odd..... And then the Grand Mal Flavor to top it all.... They have, get this.. get this... Crab flavored chips! I have not dared to try them. Oh and I almost forgot, they also have Cavier flavored Lay's. I think the favorite flavor here is Bacon. People love their bacon flavored chips.

Week 23. Week 23. Week 23. A few very notable things happened. Actually plenty. Some funny, some great. Well last weekend, on Friday, to be exact, we took a trip back to St. Petersburg. Instead of the typical hot busride, we took an electric train this time. It was nice and comfortable and much faster. We get there to meet our new mission president, President Clark, who might I add, is an incredible guy. Guess where he's from? Midway, Utah. The same city where the Zumatt is located at. He has 2 kids on missions right now as well. One of them is in Zimbabwe. But President Clark is a really awesome guy. He is very fired up on getting a stake here in this mission. He knows only 2 weeks worth of MTC Russian, so that is his weakness, but he is a very inspired individual. I can tell he is really going to take this mission to a whole new direction where a lot of success will come. 

So we take the train back thinking it will be just as comfortable. Nope. It was absolutely packed. We forgot that it was rush hour in Pete and also the weekend so everyone and their mothers were leaving Petersburg. There were no real sits left so we sat in the median part in the train between the carts. I wish it was outside where there was air flow, but it was sealed tight. Again, I just never thought it was ever this hot in a country where it's known to be so cold hahaha. I just remember the man standing next to us was literally pouring sweat onto the ground. To be honest, I am actually really used to being hot all the time. I've grown accustomed to it. I welcome it. 

This week, actually, they turned off our hot water. It will be off for the next three weeks. So I have been taking ice cold showers for the past few days. I love it. It feels excellent. My companion can't stand it so he heats up some water in a pan and bathes a little bit with that. I just remember what you, Dad, were telling me what Bishop Clayton once said about me that I have a "Come as it may" attitude about everything. It's true. Hot water is off for 3 weeks. Oh well. Won't stop me.

Well the awesome thing about this week is that we a got a baptismal date set up with one of our investigators. His name is Edward Arsyonov and he is the husband of this part member family. I'm sure I spoke a lot about him already, but he wants to get baptized! We really didn't say anything about baptism, and he told us he wanted to get baptized on the 20th of August. He is a solid investigator who really understands really well. He has questions, yes so does everyone, even members, but he understands a LOT. So that was the really exciting part of this week. I may or may not be here for the baptism. It depends on if I am staying in Vyborg next week. I can't believe that it's already transfers again. I will be getting a new companion next Wednesday, but I am not entirely sure if I will be leaving or staying here in Vyborg. To be honest. I love this place, and I would hate to leave it. But if I am needed elsewhere, I will go.

Well because I seem to talk about the foods that I make every week, I will talk about the foodstuffs I crafted this week. Well yes, I made borsh, and it was way good! It's kind of a strange recipe, but i did it well. It tasted pretty dang good. I also made this other Russian Cabbage soup called Shshee, (pronounced just She). It's actually like a sourkraut soup. And I was really surprised that it, too, tasted great. It's an easy recipe too. I am a big fan of Russian food. Huge fan, in fact. It's amazing.

Well things are great here. I hope things are just lovely back in the States. Did Zoey ever come home? That little sneaky cat. Speaking of cats. There are cats all over here in Vyborg. Just sitting around, doing what cats do best, I suppose. But at any rate, I love you all and I hope you are all doing great. You're in my prayers everyday.

Love,
Elder Tekulve