Today is Monday.

So yes, it's official: I have, in fact, been transferred back to Vlad. Hooray! In theory there are another 2 cities (Five total in the mission right now, but Sisters don't serve in Nakhodka. They just don't.) in which I could at some point be serving, but given that Khabarovsk is currently occupied by Sister Kapustina and her trainee, Sister Nikolaevich, and Ussurisk is all filled up with Elders, I got to come back to Vlad. I get the feeling the entirety of my mission is going to be spent either here or on Sakhalin. But I'm okay with that.

 

Incidentally, and just in case you're all interested (and I know you're all interested), as of today we are no longer a tiny tiny mission (missionary-wise, obviously. We're still the biggest land-wise. Ha.) with only Zones. We are now a tiny tiny mission with Zones AND Districts. Whoa. AND we're up to 30 missionaries (which may actually be less than the last time I mentioned the size of my mission. But. That's Not The Point.). The future calls, my friends. The Future calls.

 

Today we ate at an Indian restaurant with the Zone (District, whatever), and it actually wasn't too bad. Quality Indian food in the middle (or very very far east) of Russia. Who knew? It was a little on the expensive side, but they gave us a lot of food for our money, so it almost balances out.

 

This week as we were contacting, Sister Tolmachova handed someone a Finding Faith in Christ pass-along card with a verbal invitation to receive a free film about Christ. The lady took the card, looked at it, and handed it back, saying, "no thanks. I've got a bit of a different faith than you have." When we asked her about her faith, she responded, "Christianity." Hmm... I think we may have lost something in translation there. Of course that would make it all the more interesting, seeing as how Sister Tolmachova is Russian, and all. Ha. I love random people on the streets.

 

We also spent a lot of time brow-beating our members into getting ready for the temple dedication in August. "You WANT to go to the dedication. We know you do. Start preparing now. Go ask the branch president about a recommend. YES, you do need a recommend. They won't just be letting anybody in. Think about how amazing it's going to be. The spirit that'll be there. The wonderful memories. Getreadygetreadygetreadygetready..." Ha. Good days. Incidentally, are you all aware that the Kiev temple is going to be dedicated in August? I highly doubt they'll do a broadcast for you, but who knows? Never hurts to be prepared...

 

 Anyway, as the computer has ever-so-politely reminded me ("YOUR TIME IS UP IN 5 MINUTES!'), I've got less than 5 minutes left. Love you all, be safe, and stay busy. Ha.

 

-Sister Read