I have never had a crazier week in my life!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY CUTE GRANDMA JANE!!! OH BOY DO I LOVE YOU CUTESSSS!!! I love you grandma jane, i think you're a gem and a doll and i can't wait to squeeeeeeze you! I hope you had the best birthday!!! ps tell grandpa i love him:)

and grandma lee i love you too! you're the precious!

AND CLAIRE! I LOVE YOU MY BABY PRECIOUS!!! YOU'RE A DREAM!!!!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'RE TURNING ONE!!! Ah you're the best. I miss you all the time. I can't wait to squeeze you my lil squishy! I hope you have the best birthday!

Alright so this week...

This week sissy c and I set a goal to have 5 member present lessons during the week. We prayed really hard and with the Lord's help, we were able to exceed that goal! We got 12 member lessons and it was such a blessing! I have never had a crazier week in my life, but I know that when I rely on Christ when times get crazy, I can do all that which is required of me. I know that this work is the Lord's work and I am beginning to really understand how big his role is in all of it. I have been having so many fears about the language. But I just really feel like I just can't get it. And I try so hard to rely on Christ and to have faith that I'll be able to communicate some day. I just need to continue to pour all my worries on him! I know he listens, and he has all power and with his help I can do all things. AND YOU TOO CAN DO ALL THINGS WITH HIS HELP!

We have bee praying for miracles like crazy. "A" the 14 year old boy getting baptized has his baptism on saturday. We have been able to meet with him basically every day and teach him all that he needs in order to be ready for baptism. It's been a miracle to see him gain a testimony for himself and it will be such a miracle to see him enter the waters of baptism! You guys it's the coolest. It feels like christmas morning! We also have literally given out all of our  books of mormons and everything except a few brochures and cards.  It's been such a miracle to pray for strength even when I have none towards the end of the day, and to see the Lord really help and give me strength to carry on through the day. 

Transfers are next week, so we are going to samara again tonight to have zone conference. I have a feeling that sister coleman and I are getting separated and I had a dream that I was trainging..... oh dear I hope that's not the case because I cannot speak Russian! hahah Okay but yeah the miracle. So I told you about "L" and "M" our investigators and how their friend misha died. Well, we went over to their house last Monday for the first time in a while because they were really concernced about the word of wisdom. Well, we gave misha the man that died a book of Mormon. and we were at "L" and "M's" house just testifying about the word of wisdom when "M", "L's" husband said, holding the book of Mormon that we gave his friend, and staring at it, "i hope you and sister coleman know that the day misha died, he wanted to come to your church. He felt so much light around you just as me and "L" do." It was so spiritual! I really feel that one of the main reasons we met "L" and "M" was to save their friend, so that he could hve the opportunity to learn the gospel in the next life. He died with a knowledge of the book of Mormon, and he died with knowing the light of Christ. It was such a testimony to me that this work we are engaged in is god's work. I know it's true. THEN ON SUNDAY "L" AND "M" CAME TO CHURCH!!! SOOOOO COOOL! ahhh the church is true my people. 

so....I heard from my friend sister kline who is in rostov russia (that borders ukraine) they aren't allowed to wear their nametags in public, or even contact on the streets. There is so much anti american stuff going on here in Russia, it's freaky. It's really scary and I have a lot of worries that I'm going to get booted out of russia and to some crazy country like turkey or kahzikstan because there is so much anti american stuff going on here. They even closed down mcdonalds in moscow! And they are getting rid of all the coke machines here and coke products.... it's really crazy. I hope that everything will be okay. The world is just getting scary, but we know that jesus is coming which is pretty dang great! I can't wait to see him again.

Sorry this is all over the place. Life is crazy today but I love you all so much. Thanks for all you do and for all your love and light! never forget that you CAN rely on christ for anything, and everything. LOVE YA'LL!!

love hayster

 a foggy morning at 5am

 me and sister bussmann taeching together it was a secret photo taken of us haha

 DELICIOUS DUMPLINGS!

soups soups

Blessin's, lessons and... we went to a morgue.

First of all..... 2 years ago today I met Hayden and it was the best day ever! Love that человек! This week was one filled with miracles. We surpassed most of the goals which we set as a companionship and really came to see that Heavenly Father is just waiting to shower down his miracles upon us and our area.

Also.... it was horrifying. Why? I"ll tell you why!

SO. Remember hearing about "L" and "M"? Our investigators who we found who really wanted to be baptized? Well, everytime we were at their house, two of their alcoholic friends were always there. One's name is "S" who used to call us 20 times in the middle of the night, and then the other is named Misha. I swear every time I saw Misha he looked so beat. Like, his spirit looked tatterred because his body was tattered from years of alcohol and drugs. Well, one lesson we had a couple weeks ago, the tattered Misha sat in on the lesson. He didn't say much because honestly I don't think he was all the way there. BUT both sister Coleman and I felt like we needed to give him a book of mormon and we did. It just so happened that the lesson that we wanted to teach "L" and her husband fell through because they didn't keep their committment of reading mosiah 18 together, so we had to read that together and drop our lesson plan. Well, I know that they all felt the spirit, and they asked us to sing two songs at the end because it really brings the spirit and it sounds SO beautiful (thanks to sister Coleman's amazing voice.) 

ANYWAY, we got a phonecall from "L" telling us that MISHA, the one that sat in on the lesson who we gave the book of mormon to passed away. Turns out he drank himself to death. Really tragic. It's so tragic because these russian people don't have a knowledge that this stuff is bad because it's the traditions of their fathers. YOU GUYS. Heavenly Father gives us commandments to keep us safe! I know that the word of wisdom is a commandment from him because he knows just as I know that harmful things really do tatter your body and your spirit. He gives us commandments to help us grow! Anway, and then "L" asked us to go to the funeral. We said yes once we asked our mission president for permission. We figured it would be the perfect opportunity to testify about how when we die, our spirits leave our bodies and that death really isn't the end and that people are very much alive after they die, their bodies are just unoccupied for a time and that we will see those we love after a time. Well, we went to the funeral.. and guess where the funeral was held? At a morgue.It was one of the most horrific moments of my whole life.

I will leave out the details because I really don't want to remember what I experienced. BUT i will tell you the whole story when I get back home in a few lots of months. Anway, it was crazy because the spirit was not there at all. These Russian people praise and worship icons. They believe that Christ is our Savior, but really they just praise icons instead of Jesus Christ. But it's all twisted. It's a blessing to me because I get to help introduce them to jesus christ! I get to help them realize that icons aren't necessary and that Jesus Christ still lives! I think they forget that a lot that he lives. Anyway, crazy because the spirit wasn't there. So It's russian tradition to go to a cafe after a funeral and so we went to that. We didn't eat, because neither of us had an appetite. PLUS we wanted to get outside and get back to work and find people! But yeah we sang abide with me tis' eventide in russian and it was the only time I felt the spirit all day. We brought some people to tears but it wasn't us it was the spirit. It was worth all the crazy stuff I experienced that day to help people feel something they have never ever felt before: the spirit.

Sorry I feel really bad I really want to give you all the details and I know it's eating you up but just imagine a scary movie and then you know what it was like! 

OH AND JARED LANCASTER, thank you so much for the email you sent last week. It really uplifted me a lot. I really look up to you a ton.  Thanks for your love and support and tell Bonnie i miss her and please give her a squeeze from me! 

Sorry for that interruption, i didn't want to forget to tell him. 

Okay okay we reeeeeeeealu really are seeing tremendous blessings in our area. 

One of those tremendous blessings/miracles that we saw this week was with a boy named "A" and his mom "T". "A" is a 14 year old boy who has been coming to activites at our branch for a very very long time. He was found by Sister Coleman and her last companion and they decided to pass him over to the Elders because they thought that they could get through to him.. because "A" has a crush on sissy C hahahaha but who doesn't? she's a babe! 

Well, they passed him over to the Elders and they would say that whenever they tried to teach him, he would just change the subject. Sister Coleman and I got an impression to take "A" back because we really felt like we could begin teaching him and that he would listen to both of us. Well, that is exactly what we did. We talked about the restoration one day. The next day we talked about the plan of salvation. We invited him to be baptized and he was weirded out by the question. He told us he knew the book of mormon is true! So then we told him "A", if the book of mormon is true then baptism is true and then you can know that you should be baptized." His committment that night was to pray to ask if he should be baptized. On sunday, he came to church! He intently listened to the speakers it was so great to see. His mom came to church later TOO! It was such a miracle! We had a lesson with he and his mom after church. We asked "A" about baptism and he said "I know for myself that I need to be baptized." It was such a miracle to see that God answered his prayers! His mom gave permission easily. She has been coming to activities too, and all the branch members know her. We invited her to start meeting with us and eventually be baptized too. She agreed after we taught our lesson which was on the doctrine of baptism. IT WAS SUCH A MIRACLE!!!! I know that the Lord sees mine and sister colemans hard work and increase in being consecrated all day long and is showering his blessings upon us to help us discern who needs to be taught. "T" and "A" have been around for a while, like I mentioned earlier, and nobody has invited them to be baptized!!! It was a testimony to me to what President Bennett of the 70 told us last zone conference "When you don't talk to people or invite them to baptism, they will feel bad because in their minds they won't think that they're qualified." Well, I see the truth to this statement and I know that as we fulfill our purpose as missionaries to help people come unto christ through repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the holy ghost and enduring to the end, THEN the Lord will give us the blessings in store for us!

Things are really smooth right now. I have been working harder than I have ever worked in my life. I am soaking wet with sweat all throughout the day, my feet are sore at the end of the night, and I pass out immediately when I lie my head down at night. I know that my hard work and dedication to losing myself in it all, as well as sister Coleman's dedication to doing these things also, we really are seeing amazing things happen. We have been working every night with members and we are seeing the benefits of that! Now, I just wanna talk about sister Coleman for a sec. You guys, I love her. She's my best pal out here in russia. I know that Sister Coleman is exactly who I needed to train me. From having her as my trainer, I have come to learn what it means to be obedient, and why it's important. I have come to know what working hard really means. I have come to know christ's character because she reflects it every single day. I love her so much and I am so grateful to have her as my trainer/companion.She's a gem.

My favorite lesson that I learned this week comes from Mosiah 24. You should go and read it tonight! I think it's one of my favorite chapters from the книга мормона. It just talks about how the lord delivered Limhi's people out of bondage. I came to know from reading this that the Lord is the ONLY one that can deliver us from bondage. Bondage can be anything. Bondage to addictions, bondage to bad habits, bondage to debt, sin, anything. BUT we have the Lord to deliver us out of bondage. I know this is true because the times on my mission that I have had a really rough time, and where the thought of being home was just so tempting, I prayed to Heavenly Father, and threw all my sorrows and stresses and worries on the Lord and I felt/feel him deliver me from my personal bondages. Verse 16 is the Lord speaking to Limhi's people " Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage." We have to remember that the Lord will deliver us ACCORDING to his own timing. He chastens us to help us submit to him and to help us grow. BUT he will always deliever us out of bondage. I am so grateful for this principle and I can't WAIT for you to read that chapter tonight!!! haha DO IT! It'll take not even ten minutes!

You're all gems! Thank you for all writing me all the time. You have no idea how much it means to me. YOu have no idea how much I miss you all and please don't ever forget how much I LOVE YOU AHHHH I LOVE YOU!!!! 

xoxoxo sissy hayster

 ps all the babyshki wear these dresses. We couldn't resist so we bought them

chillin on a marshrytka in 107 degree weather

president of our branch is the best. I really think he's my russian dad. 

He and his wife had us over for lunch after we did language tests at his office 

a taste of russia for you all. I sent this to hayd and said "thanks for not dumping me." haha get it?

 Penza

abandoned mirrors

 we found the most american bathroom and we were so stoked about it!

sunny sets

I ate it... hard.

So the STUPIDIST thing just happened. I was leaning on the keyboard here in the library as I was writing this email and then guess what.My arm hit the keyboard and made the text on the screen MICROSCOPIC!! hahaha someone get me GLASSES PLEASE! 

Pretty funny especially because that really only would happen to me. OH my. OH but wait! Sissy C just showed me how to fix it so now it is big again. LIfe is allll better. 

DAD THANKS FOR THE WEDDING PHOTOS OF MY TWO BEST GALS!!! MOST BEAUTIFUL BRIDES EVER!!! MOM THANKS FOR STAYING UP LATE I LOVE YOU!

THANKS MARY KNAPHUS FOR THE WEDDING INVITE! i JUST LOVE MY RIA AND BRENTON! HAYLEY MCDONALD AND BRADEN, YOU ARE A BEAUTIFUL COUPLE AND YOUR WEDDING DAY LOOKED MAGNIFICENT AND PERFECT!! So did your ria and b :) 

Thanks nellies for the letter!!! seriously THANKS FOR THE SNAIL MAIL! I got it yesterday. I loved it so much. You're the best and cato and moags you are beautiful GARRGEOUS and perry is so big! what the!

Thanks skyler for the letter! Also, can someone please make sure Skyler Ryser reads this email? He's Wht's friend. SKYLER THANKS FOR THE LETTER YOU SENT ME! Of course I remember who you are ya nut! I actually forgot that you served in ukraine but it's all coming back to me now. Seriously your letter really lifted me up, i have been going through some rough things right now so thank you! And yes, I am in LOVE with these russian peopel. Some of the best people ever huh? It'll be a blast to speak russian to you when I get home. But I am scared because you have been studying for years now. I won't be surprised if you never understand my russian haha. Most people don't. Anyway, thanks so much! You're a pal!!! And good luck with work and I really am sorry about what has been happening with your life. Just know heavenly father has a different plan and that you can ALWAYS trust him!

Alright folks, being a missionary is so different, but I also love it, but I am trying to learn how to REEEEALLY love it. It's been getting easier to love because we have been working with members on the streets a lot more and oh my gosh I LOVE the members. They're so great here! Working with the members has been awesome. We had a member with us basically every night this past week and we met some really cool people and also visited with less actives and guess what? WE GOT 4 LESS ACTIVES TO COME TO CHURCH! It was such a miracle so cool. That may not seem like much, but that's so much in russia!

 We had a pretty cool day yesterday. Our mission president came to our city and oh my gosh he's a spiritual giant. Like,,,,, i seriously don't think he has ever done a foolish thing in his life. and he is a master of the scriptures! Anyway, it was just such a great thing. I learned a lot from him. mom n dad  I can't wait for you to meet him and sister schwab! Angel dream puffs i tell you what. 

We had a cool miracle yesterday though. We were contacting and were looking at the ground, looked up and saw this lady with sunglasses on and we were like "HI!" and she stopped walking (which is so rare here) and said "hi!" Anyway, turns out that this lady prays in the name of jesus Christ, like us. She believes in the god head, like us. She told us she has read the bible inside out several times and that she loves it so much. We ended up teaching her the restoration on the street! It was so cool. We gave her the book of mormon and testified of it, and she promised us she would read it. I wish you could've seen the light in her eyes, it truly was amazing. She was really weird about giving us her number, but we have faith that she will call us soon. She better... or else i will pounce on her and step on her sunglasses. haha not really, but maybe.

We were out contacting after a lesson that we had with our investigators. OKAY so our investigators "L" "M" and their 7 year old daughter "K" have a baptismal date for august 23. well, they have to come to church twice in order to be baptized on that date and they didn't show up yesterday so now they can't get baptized on that date. We tried to call them and even dropped by their house and they were gone and their neighbors were telling us things like "they're NOT good people. They are severe alcoholics and they neglect their daughters." We have been giving them the benefit of the doubt but... it is true. They are alcoholics and they do neglect their babies. We just want to help them so much but I just don't know if they can keep comittments. super sad but we will pray to know what to do. 

This email is called I ate it... hard... and here is the story:

The other night we were running so late. It was 9:26pm and it was so dark because the street lights here are like soviet age! And I couldn't see. And we are literally sprinting home because we were far away and then the unthinkable happened. I fell. Flat. On. My FACE!!! so hialrious!!!! but not because i started crying because it reeeeally hurt. HAha go ahead and laugh i know I'm a big baby! I Bruised my elbow and beat up both my knees, so I can't kneel and pray (how disobdedient of me!) haha it's all good though, because they're healing so nicely and I have some cool wounds to show everyone.

That's all folks. Love you all so much. Thanks for you love and support you're all dreams. Miss you and I am so happy to have you all in my life. I pray for you, and never forget that you can ALWAYS pray too!!

love sissy T

 working with sissy bussmann in saratov!

 elelvator selfies

 fun nights in saratov

 love her

 place called prokrov

 i ate it haha see?

 we ordered a pizza! so tasty.

 me + cat = it's true love

 russian gardens in the shaaade

 scary russian illustration on the bus 

 cat hat. I AM NOT ALLERGIC TO THIS CAT CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!??!?!?!? 

 funniest cat 

 cami i took this creepy photo for you

 look at  those eyes. ps this cats name is alyssa hahahaha

good times

short email again this week

Our time is short because of this questionaire we had to take. So sorry in advance for that.

As most of you know, one of my best pals Harrison Robbins passed away. He played a major role in my life and a major role in everyones lives because he is just a light with infectious humor and love for all those he knew. I testify that the atonement is real and that as we rely fully on the lord we receive comfort, joy, and peace. I know that Harrison is finally at peace, and that death in this life is just a short interruption in the grand scheme of things. Thanks for all you taught me about loving others, music, joy, and how to just BE happy. Harry, we love you, and we will see you soon. 

It's been a rough week as far as mission life goes. However, we witnessed many miracles. This one night which was particularly difficult. We went knocking these domes and i knocked on this door and a sweaty old man came out. I prayed "heavenly father i have no desire to work. No desire to speak russian, please help me." and that was exactly what he did. He gave me the words I needed to tell this man. I CANT speak russian! it's almost hilarious really. It's so hard but I love the challenge and i know that as I rely on christ and turn myself over to him, I receive his blessings. I can testify to you that the gift of tongues is real and that I was able to say what I needed to say. I told that man about the importance of church and it just was flowing out of my mouth and I knew it wasn't me. It was all the Lord and I know that as we turn ourselves over to him, he blesses us tenfold. In Mosiah 3 verse 19 it talks about how the lord gives us afflictions so that we submit ourselves to him. I know this is true and I love it because I receive so much love and comfort and humility as I do so. The church is true. Never forget the Lord when afflictions come! He is ALWAYS there.

We go to Saratov tonight on exchanges. It's going to be such a blast. I know, I know what you're thinking. "DANGER! THE SARATOV APPROACH OH NO!" But it's all good my people. Because I know that I am protected by angels! I testify of it because I have felt their presence many times in many situations here in Russia. PLUS Russia reeeeeally isn't that dangerous. It's so beautiful and lovely and the people are just a treat. 

Well, you're all a treat too. I love you so much .Thanks for your prayers and support. I pray for you always and love you all ALWAYS!

love, shishter tweeeeeeeeeede

 russia out the taxi window. samara

ran into kolby my pal at zone conference haha

just a scary picture for my mama hahahaha gotcha

 matching hair

squeezing sister hancock

I wasn't wearing a shopka so this sweetest oldest babushka put one on my head hahaha

 BAD ADVERTISING

and also i hate this photo of me it's ugly but it's so russian so you just gotta love it. 

watermelon