6 Months

Thanks for the nice letters.
I told Brandon about a film they made here, you should see if you can find it, it seemed like it'd be pretty good. A family here said it was pretty sad, though. It's called "Tango of our Children," or Mer Mankutsian Tango in Armenian.

We've gone through a lot of investigators recently. I think it's good though. We just don't have anyone we are teaching who are really ready for baptism yet. Yesterday, we decided to do a finding hour and walked down some cool streets and through a nice little park before we again got invited into someone's house. It was actually some workers, but it was really nice. They want us to come back again. So far we have been so successful with those little finding hours, that being our fourth time invited into someones house who was at least a little interested. Elder Larson said that has only happened two other times in the whole 8 months he's been here. We are doing way good together and have already built a good relationship. I think we're working harder, but I feel more relaxed. I really love this work and hope I can keep becoming a better person and follower of Christ.

I hope your Old Testemant class goes well. It sounded like you had a really good first lesson. It is really hard to find the precious doctrines in the old testemant because things were so different, but I'm excited to hear what you get out of it. I'm trying to get through the Book of Mormon right now. I'm in Alma 9 I think. I love the Book of Mormon so much, the doctorines and testimonies are so powerful and clear.

That's too bad about Gloria. (That was the boys piano teacher) She was such a wonderful lady. I'm so grateful for all I learned from her and for all of our piano recitals. I love good music so much. It has such a powerful effect. I'm so glad I have been able to learn the piano and violin. I for sure don't want to lose those talents.

Tell Gary and Sheila, I'll keep them in my prayers. I hope they can overcome their challenges. A cool quote that I read from a mission president's talk called "The Fourth Missionary" is that the single purpose of every challenge or opposition that we face is to give us an opportunity to apply the teachings of Christ in our life, or in other words His gospel. I know that's true and that every decision we make in this life is important and can be for our good if we allow it to be.

Thanks for everything Mom. I love you. I hope your work and everything continues to go well. I really like it here. I love my mission already. I can't believe I've already been out for six months since the 22nd. I practically missed it. It's been some pretty good six months though. I wouldn't trade it. Miss you. Have a good week.

Love,

Bruce

1-18-2010

Hey Mom,

I uploaded some pictures onto your picasa thing. It takes a little while, but that should work good. I hope you like them.

I've had a pretty good week. Elder Larson and I are still working hard and doing good. We've been invited into people's houses as we walk by or talk to them and it's been pretty good. So far we haven't been able to teach those people a lot, but they usually invite us back. These people are so hospitable. They have a thing called Hyurasirution which being interpretted literally means "guest love." They think it's shameful if they don't give you some coffee, sweets, food, or something. They're funny.

We've been going out to a nearby city lately too, and I think it's possible we could start a group out there sometime. That'd be so neat.

It's still very slushy even though it's snowed a couple times. I got a new coat, though, that's even warmer than my other one. It's brown, has a furry inside, and goes to my knees.

I'm way excited for our zone conference tomorrow. We're going to have six of the crazy elders from Georgia sleeping at our house tonight and the next, so that'll be fun.

You should tell Brandon to try posting the pictures and videos on his blog so I can see them. He can use youtube straight onto his blog I think.

I have enjoyed teaching people and sharing my testimony this week. I feel pretty comfortable here. Gyumri is a good city. I hope I can continue to make these people's lives a little bit happier, and help them find their purpose in this gift of a life.

Have a nice week Mom. Tell Dad not to have too much fun and to watch out for those wooden nickels.