Great news

Parts of Chase's letter.....

Now for some great news, Dima and Vova have both accepted baptisimal dates. Dima's is for may 19th and Vova's is for the May 26th. But I want to move Vova's up because I think he is ready but I don't want to push him. We had a cool lesson with Dima this week and we brought our branch president, President Sadchenko. He was a huge help. He offered Dima his car to pick him up for anything he needed. Dima said he hopes to start the paper work for his marriage this week. It takes one month to get married which is why we picked May 19th. He better get ready. He is living at his mom's house right now but I still want them to get married so there are no problems in the future. We taught Vova about how to recognize promptings from the spirit and he liked it. We also taught him the Plan of Salvation and he thought it was really interesting. I am so happy with how this week went. When we called President Klebingat he was so happy and then we called him again the same day to tell him about the second one and he could barely believe it. It was super cool.

So as for Seminary, I think it went really well. I taught from Jeremiah about how he didn't feel ready to be a phophet and how to tell if a Prophet is real or false. It was actually really fun. We had three students there two young women who are sisters and a young man. The two girls' mom is the seminary teacher and Sunday she told me that they really enjoyed my lesson. It probably helped that I brought treats. I told them it would make up for my bad Russian. Elder Hughes said I did really good. So I was happy with the lesson. It took me all week to prepare because the lesson manual was also in Russian so it was hard but it went well. But funny story Saturday night President Sadchenko calls and tells me he wants me to speak the next day in church about the Atonement. I had like no time to prepare but again I think it went well. I only did a short 10 minute talk and that was about it but it was cool. 

Alright really cool story. Elder Hare was down here for exchanges this week and we did a book table. It is pretty self explanatory, it is a table with books on it haha. We have found it pretty effective because people walk up to us and ask questions instead of the other way around. So anyways, these two people walked up and they were signing to each other in sign language. Elder Hare whispered to me "I know how to say we want to give you a book in Russian sign language should I?" I was like ya do it. So he did. They look way impressed and took the book and then did somethings with their hands and walked away. I turn to Elder Hare and ask where did you learn Russian Sign?! And he said he learned some from our Zoneleader who learned it from the Assisstants to the President because they have a lady who does sign in their ward. I was so amazed. So he taught me and I can't wait to try it. It was so cool.

Famous Odessa Opera House

Now for a cool thing. We went to Swan Lake at the Famous Odessa Opera House. It was cool but I can only watch so many people jump on their toes for so long. My companion was going crazy he loved it so much. but ya I took a bunch of pictures...

Elder Thatcher, Elder Neman, me and Elder Hughes

stage

ceiling 

right of stage 

orchestra 

conductor's book - way old 

more of the opera house 

God loves being merciful

 My week was super busy and involved a lot of running around but I will get to that later.  It was weird to remember that a year ago on Easter we were all in Florida. Fun stuff. So let Mark know that when I come home I will be more than happy to play swords with him. I am just proud that Katie let him have a sword. I think he is ready to hear the full unedited story of Ammon. haha well maybe we don't want dad to lose any arms. Also I am very glad to hear everything is going well with Natalie and the baby. :)

So I want to start out with General Conference this week. It was so good. I saw a lot of cool correlations between the messages that were shared. One of my favorite talks was from Elder Holland. His quote really hit me. "Surely the thing God loves most about being God is being merciful." I love it so much when I can look someone in the eye and tell them that God is our loving Heavenly Father and that he wants the best for us. This very simple concept is very hard for people to grasp. God here is a very scary firm man who we have to please or he will smite us. I try to tell people that he does not hurt us it is us who makes the pain. We are warned of dangers then we have the choice to keep going or to come back to our Heavenly Father. It is such a great truth that I hold very dear.

The missionaries watching General Conferance 

As far as things go this week it was a great week. We had to take the one hour bus ride to Odessa a lot this week. There is a new law that requires us to get registered in every new apartment that we move into. It is really complicated and requires a lot of work between us our landlord and people from the mission office. It also has a very complicated vocabulary that many timed I have no idea what they want from me, but today was the last day that we had to do anything.... I hope.

But despite all of that things went really well. Vova agreed to be baptized when he receives an answer. We had a really cool lesson that was probably one of the best ones I have ever taught. We tried to set a date but he said he doesn't feel ready yet. I told him I will not baptize him until I feel that he is ready as well. He said he would pray for an answer and he even said the prayer at the end of the lesson. When I told this to his mom and sister, who are members, they started jumping up and down. They were so excited. I really feel like things will start to go well here in Illichosk. Also he went to General Conference which was awesome!

We also had a lesson with Dima this week. He signed a sheet saying that I could do his work if he is unable to do it. I took a picture of it and will keep it very safely. We also tried to set a date with him but he just didn't know when things would work out. I also see things going well with him. His health has seemed to stabilized and I saw him laugh a couple of times. Sister Finanko came on the lesson and acted just like a grandma to him. She felt his head fluffed his pillow and was telling his girlfriend if they need anything just call. It was so good to have her there. He said he would pray this week for an answer of when he should be baptized. He is still reading and praying which is really good.

This week I am teaching seminary and so I am going to say I need Cylvester's help. Speaking of which wish me luck, I have to teach from the Old Testament. Pretty much everything Hannah hears this week in Seminary I have to teach it in Russian haha it will be interesting...

Awesome young man Maxcime

The fake hold up, studying faith and a funny April fools joke

Hey everyone thanks for the letters. So real quick mom, sister Finanko says happy birthday. It was so funny, I think I told her like a month ago that your birthday is on April first because she asked me when mothers day was but the translation is the birth of mothers day so I thought she asked for yours so I told her. After some clarifying questions I realized she was talking about mothers day haha. But she came up to me and said tell you mother happy birthday. It is good to hear that Cameron is going to Bolivia - Dad's mission wow.  Too bad he is not going to Ukraine ha ha.  

So just to clarify something from last week. It was my fault I didn't explain it very well. Alex is a less active member his brother is the one we are wanting to teach and his name is Nakita. They are a really cool family and it is so much fun to see them on the streets. Quick funny story. Nakita is a pretty big kid. He and his brother are really into working out. So he looks like someone you don't want to mess with. So one day we were walking and he popped out from behind a tree and starting to pretend to hold me up at gunpoint with his finger. Elder Hughes had never met him before so he got way scarred and almost ran. Then I pretended to fight back and then we both started laughing and the whole time Elder Hughes is freaking out. It was super funny. But we called him this week and all he wants to do is play basketball with us haha so we will see how we can change that into a desire to come to church.

On Saturday President Klebingat came down and gave us a "Specialized Training." It was essentially a Zone Conference but he is only allowed to have 4 zone conferences a year so he just changed the name so he can come down and see us. It was really cool he interviewed all of us and it was really cool to get some one on one time with him. He is such a great man. I don't want to be too prideful but he told me that I am a missionary he just doesn't worry about. He said I just know you are doing your best. It was really cool to hear because I really am trying to work hard and do what I can. I have been keeping him updated with Dima's situation and he said I am doing everything I can. He said after I get the sheet signed I should take a picture of it a and save it then he will take the sheet and hold onto it until I need it. Speaking about Dima we weren't able to meet with him and I am not sure why. He just said that he couldn't. It has gotten me really scared. We will be going over no matter what this week.

As for more on the Specialized Training, it was really cool. It was all just about getting more faith. He has asked us to step it up and work miracles. It was really neat to hear about what we can accomplish if we are worthy Priesthood holders. So therefore I have begun another study on faith. It is such an interesting concept. If you want more then pray and ask for more. And there are two parts of faith. It can work miracles and it can also cleanse us. I am just striving to be more faithful.

As for our other investigators, Vova is doing good he continues to read. Also he came to a baptism on Thursday and really liked it. He has come to church almost every Sunday so this week maybe tonight or some other time we will be extending a baptisimal date. I believe he is ready. We also hope to have a date with Dima this week. That makes two which would be so cool. I believe it can happen. Oleg is doing good. He meets with us but he just doesn't want to read or pray which is aggravaiting. We have had like 4 lessons on the need to read and pray to receive an answer. We think that if Vova gets baptized it will really show Oleg that we are serious about this. Also it would be cool to get Oleg to his baptism. 

So another quick funny story, On Saturday night we were talking about whether or not they have April Fools jokes here and if they do how do they say it. The next day at church sister Finanko comes in and says Elders look outside there is a bus that flipped over. I was like no way so we ran to the window and she yells hahah April Fools. The actual translation is "with the first of April." it was super funny. 

Well that was my week this week. Thanks again for all of the letters, they give me so much support. I love you all so much.

early morning run on beach

picture I got of the sunrise 

Love Elder Quinn

P.S. Mom as far as my package, peanutbutter would be great also put some koolaid packets in. We found a bunch in our apartment and then we drank all of them. Also you can be as creative as you want :)

We have a lot of great investigators

Hey everyone, first and formost Happy Birthday Mom. I hope you have a great birthday and an even better time in Florida. I am so jealous of all of you. It sounds really pretty there. This week the weather warmed up a lot but for some reason it got cold again today. As far as my language skills go. I feel really good about them. I can get out what I want and can understand most of everything people say. It usually depends on who is saying it and how fast. Last night was a cool experience, so long story short we have to register at every apartment that we live in from now on. This makes it so we don't need VISAs anymore. So anyways last night Loobimere called us from the office. He speaks no english and talks really fast. He started going on about where I have to meet his wife and what bus she needs to take and what we need for registration. I understood it all and still don't know how. Usually over the phone I have to ask them to repeat themselves if they talk for awhile. But everything went well. As far as the other Elders in my district I don't want to compare too much but some know more words but can't talk and some know the grammar well but don't know a lot of words. I put myself in the middle I know words and my grammar is getting better. I heard one Elder talk and it hurt me to listen too haha. But then one Elder is really good but he both lived here for 2 years and studied Russian at the Air Force. Funny stopy about him is that he is serving in his ward that he was in when he was little.

As for my week, it didn't quite pan out like I had hoped. Dima was too sick to even open the door and that was really scary. We have planned to have a member come over with us on Friday and talk about temple work. I hope to have him sign a paper allowing me to do his work if it doesn't work out that he is babtized. He is still really cool and told me that he is still reading the Book of Mormon. He is now in Helaman. 

For Vova and Oleg we met with them and gave Oleg the posters. It was way cool. Sister Kozakova (His wife) just said Wow and his step daughter was like nice job. He opened them and started to laugh and said so you think it is pretty important that I read huh? I was like ya I think it is really important. I really hope things start to progress soon with them. We have asked his wife how we can best help and she just doesn't know. She said she has been thinking about this for a long time. To be honest I think it has to start with his pride. The minute he gets down on his knees and prays he will receive an amazing answer because the Lord will see his sacrafice. We just need to help him to realize that. Vova is doing great. He comes to church and reads. I think we may ask to meet with him separately as well. I think he is close to baptism. 

So that is it for our investigators so far. But we have a lot of potential this week. We have a referral from another part member family of a younger brother. He has already had a baptisimal date but his parents didn't let him get baptized. Now he is old enough that his parents will let him. I hope to get him coming to church again. I also think this will help his less active older brother come back to church. It was really cool this week. We met with him, his name is Alex and he has expressed a desire to be a better person. He said he wants to go back to where he was right after his baptism. I told him to read 3 Nephi 11 and he said ok I will lets meet tomorrow. He had marked up some of his favorite parts and we talked about it. He also said "Guess what I have started praying again!" I was so happy to hear that. This young man is 23 and really loves American football. We have planned a time where we are going to toss a football around. He is a great kid who just wants to work hard and have a family. I hope his brother will help him to raise his standards. 

Well quick side story. An hour ago I got my haircut from a world famous haircutter. She is the 4th best haircutter in Eastern Europe and is also going to France to compete there. I feel like everyone of my hairs has been cut to precise measurements. She is in our branch and offered to do our hair for free. She just wants us to talk to her in English while she does it. Sounds like a good exchange for me. So ya that was for all of the girls to be jealous.

Alright mom I have some questions, what are some good recipes for hot weather. All we eat is pasta, rice, and potatoes and they warm us up too much. I want some cool recipes so that we can eat them when it gets hot. 

Well thats it for today, thanks for the great letters. You are always in my prayers.

Love Elder Quinn