3-21-10

Hey Mom,

Thank you for the wonderful letter. I loved all of your thoughts and I really appreciate that you put those things in your letters. It makes them mean a lot to me.

I'm excited for Josh and Grant. I hope they both have wonderful experiences. I hope Matt is doing alright as well. You'll have to let me know how he's doing. Do you actually have his email? That has to be a hard challenge for him. I wonder how Kyle is adjusting being back as well.

I like my new area a lot and the branch too. The branch here is less developed as in Gyumri, though. The people here are quite different than in Gyumri. One down side is that they aren't as interested in talking to us and are generally more apposed to us being here, but a plus is that there are more people who are educated and some sort of job. For example, I can't remember if I told you, but Adam our new investigator is a script-writer for tv, and I think he sells ad spaces for magazines or something when he can't do the other. He's a way good kid, and already wants to serve a mission before he gets married. We also got another older man and a women to teach this week. Something that has been hard for me this week, though, is talking to people on the streets. It's not easy, and I think I started having some fears in the back of my mind, like peopling thinking we're Jehovah's Witnesses or making them uncomfortable. It was good to realize I had those fears, so that I can exercise my faith and overcome them. I never want to be afraid to do the Lord's will, and I know don't have to if I am being obedient. The Holy Ghost is also an amazing gift, and I want to be able to better recognize its promptings. Something I'm trying to work on is being positive and going out of my comfort zone like you were talking about. I've already seen that it's a lot better and I have learned a lot.

The branch has very few priesthood, which is sad. It's got a lot of work, but I'm excited. The city is very beautiful as well. There is an opera house here, and we might be able to go see one if there's something good showing. That'd be pretty cool. There's one metro in Yerevan that just goes in a straight line. I like riding that, but we don't ride it often. I don't know what else to say about it. I like it better than I thought I would, though, which is nice.

Yesterday we ate dinner with the Shulz's who work in the institute building below our church and that was way nice. The new couple the Pincock's were also there. We had roast beef, Deseret instant potatoes, green beens, fruit salad, and cheese cake! It felt like we were in America again, but they assured us that that's not always how they eat. They're both great couples, as well as the Blunks who are from Santa Clara. They probably are related to the McDermitt's or whoever it was in the neighboring ward. Speaking of the McDermitts, I never got the package that Summer sent. I hope it didn't get lost. That's too bad, though.

So after all that hassle with the water in Gyumri, pretty much the same thing is happening again here. I hope they figure it out. There's not really much we can do about it. It's pretty funny though. Renting is a rough thing, especially in apartments.

Well I'm doing good. I love all the things that I learning and how much I am growing. I hope that I can become the son and servant that God wants me to become. I know he loves me and is watching out for me and leading me. I also know that the Savior atoned for me so that I would be able to learn all the things I have learned, and have an opportunity to become like Him. I'm so excited to hear from God's prophets in a couple weeks. I'm so glad I was born at this time. I'm glad I can serve these people as well, and I hope I can think of some better ways I can do that. Dad has always been a great example to me of selfless service and being aware of opportunities to serve. I'll have to keep my eye out. Have a great week. I love you all.

Sincerely,
Elder Wainwright