Привет Всем! июль 31, 2008

Dear Everyone,

How is everyone doing in the many places that we are spread out over? I recieved word that we have another new member of our family-that is so exciting and I and so glad to hear it. I am not allowed to go to that blog site but if someone would like to e-mail me some pictures that would be much appreciated! So let's see-that makes 3 new members of that the family that I have yet to see, pretty crazy to think about, I already have Brandon beat on his 2 (kailee and Taylor), but don't let me down, my guess was 5 before I left!!!

Well let's see, another week in Russia has passed by and here I find my self in the warm Russian weather, sitting down at a computer in a little internet cafe, fighting mosquitoes, and cat running around my feat. Got to love it! But even more suprising is how fast this transfer has come and gone because on Saturday we will receive our transfer calls. The time has gone by so fast and it only seems to be going by faster as I am starting to get a hang of things. This transfer will be number 4 and seeing that Elder Dunford has already been in Vyborg for 6 months the chances are pretty good that it will will до свидания to him, but we will have to see. This next transfer will be interesting to see what happens because we are losing 9 Elders and I think that we might be getting one-maybe. So obviously there have to be some cuts in the number of companionships in certain areas.

Every week I forget to tell you about our service here in Vyborg besides working on the Datcha. Every Tuesday we go and work at the Vyborg Castle. Which was built by the Sweds, then taken by the Fins and now belongs to the Rooskees.(That would be the Russian people for all you that may have gotten a little confused...Jared) But it is a lot of fun, all we really do there is move things from one place to another, but like I said it is always a lot of fun. And so if you ever get a chance, google "Vyborg castle" and maybe you can see some pictures because it is pretty cool looking-it even has a mote, moat..? "Have fun storming the castle!"-Jared, I know you were thinking it so I had to write it.

Last night was Wednesday night and so that means it was "English Club Night"-Yeah!!! Which is always a lot of fun but last night was especially fun because we played Jeopardy! Yesterday I took some time to prepare some questions for it and we played it last night and it was so much fun. Elder Croskrey and I gave them each a Hymnal a when they thought they knew the answer they would shut the Hymnal and answer. It was great, we made them answer in the form of a question, taught them the phrase, "May I please have..." and everything. I came up with three subjects, Sports-Places-Animals and came up with five hints for each. They were tough too, but I was suprised at how well they did. It was funny because they would understand the question but did know the word in English and so we gave each of them our dictionaries to use, but most of the words were cognates so it all worked out. But like I said it was a lot of fun and I think that they really appreciated the effort put into it, as well as Elder Croskrey's spiritual thought at the end. I am not going to lie, they had a little trouble with the clue and impersonation of-In what place would you here somebody say this-"Yo Man-the weter(weather) is beautiful here!!" Jamaica of course!!! I love having fun doing what you are supposed to be doing!

The other day I was studying in Alma chapter 5 and I came across something that I thought was pretty neat. In the 57th verse in says, "All you that are desirous to follow the voice of the good shepherd, come ye out from the wicked and be ye separate, and touch not that which is evil" I love that because it is so simple and so true. All you that desire to come unto Christ "Come ye out" from the wicked and then my favorite part-"Be ye separate" because that is so true. In the world that we live in we need to be separate, we need to be different, we need to be unique . And not separate to just be different but separate because God's people are separate from the evil that surrounds them. It reminds me of what President Hinckley said as he quoted the poem describing his life. "I chose the path less traveled by and that, that has made all the difference" What an amazing priviledge we have to be members of the Lord's Church and to have the comfort of knowing his truths. Don't ever forget that. I love you all.

-Elder Dean

Britt if possible please send these to Pres. comin also