Hailey in Russia: Are you married?

Another week just flew on by, no big deal. Happy birthday to Cato and to Maddy my sissy aka mama from the mish and also to Agg and Chan! I miss you cousins and I love you all. If I forgot your Bday and didn't mention your name here...... just know that I love you and wish you a happy magical birthday as well.

Good week over here in the dang Tolyatti. I LOVE it here still.

So......................"ND" my gal pal in the branch has a house mate named "VL". "VL" has a little brother named "LS" and he is 23, and he just recently moved in with "VL" and "ND". "VL" and "LS" smoke together, and it's so evident in "LS" that he just really wants to start over. And that he's experienced some difficult things in his life. Anyway, "ND" has told us that "LS" is a spiritual kid and that he is interested in knowing more about the church. "LS" has one of the most SPECIAL spirits I have ever met. He's a great kid, just a little misguided. He and his brother "VL" read the bible together when they were kids and they told us several stories about Christ from the bible and shared with us their simple testimonies about how amazing Christ is.

Anyway, so we met with "LS" and "ND" and "VL" last night after deciding through prayer with the elders who should teach him. We spent time getting to know each other. "LS" told us of his desire to know more about God and Christ. We talked about the Book of Mormon and the Bible and how they support each other. Then, "ND" chirped in with the sweetest testimony of the two books and how they led us back to Heavenly Father. We also taught him how to pray and he said such a sincere and simple prayer! Seriously... I think that could possibly my favorite part of the mission, is seeing people talk to Heavenly Father for the first time. It's always such an honor to be able to be a part of it! Anyway, We also read Moroni 10:3-5 with him, and he agreed to start reading and praying about the Book of Mormon. We gave him his own book and he is really excited to read. We set up a meeting for wednesday which will also be at "ND"'s house so it's going to be great. We'll probably teach him the restoration. "ND" is just so dang cool! She served a mission 7 years ago and her testimony is so solid and she really is just like having a third companion. We're really excited to continue teaching "LS" and we have faith that he'll be baptized soon.

Did something new last week: went out with this member named "OL" who is 60 but acts like she's about 90 because she has bad ankles and can't walk for too long because of her back. Well, she signed up on our sign-up sheet to work together with us, and we figured out a time and went out to work with her. Usually when we contact, we approach people with friendly, warm greetings. But "OL"? hahahaha she's just a gem. She'd approach people and say things like "HELLO WOMAN! Would you like to know more about God?!" or "YOUR CHURCH IS WRONG AND OURS IS RIGHT. LISTEN TO US!" Haha so funny. Well, funny story: she yelled out to this man while we gave "OL"'s legs a rest sitting on a bench together. "YOUNG MAN ARE YOU MARRIED?!?!?!" The man informed us that no, he is in fact NOT married. and her priceless reply was "GOOD! Cause' today we're talking about the gospel!" Don't know how that's related at all but... really I can dig it. I'll have to try that approach sometime.

It was sweet though, because we went over to her neighbors house and found them outside sitting on a bench together as a family. An older man, his wife, and their handicapped son named "VC".He is 30 years old and he has a sweet spirit too. He asked me "Are you married?" haha not yet my friend... but soon. :) Haha anyway, they took the book of mormon and we found out that might have been the last time we would see them or even hear about them because apparently they don't always sit outside. But get this: yesterday at church, "OL" came up to us and told us that they've been reading the Book of Mormon together as a family! ISN'T THAT RAD?!?! The Lord is amazing and He just keeps on touching the hearts of people and melting them in the best way possbily. It's honestly such an honor to be a representative of Jesus Christ. I love this work SOOO MUCH DANG IT!

Something else that's worth writing about... THE DUNNS CAME TO TOLYATTI!! It was awesome. They're in charge of the young single adults and so they came to spend some time with the young singles. Well, Friday was great. We talked about how to improve the program for institute here in Tolyatti and then made pizza's! 3 investigators came and it was a great turn out. Saturday we went to the park by the forest and played games and ate snacks. 2 investigators came, including our cute "KT"! The one who speaks english. She's a treat. We ended up later that evening going to the hotel where the Dunns stayed which was in the forest. SO PRETTY. It was a great time. We saw a wedding and the bride's dress was like a peacock! I have photos that I will include. Anyway, we went to dinner with them at this little restaurant that they have there which is just on the bank of the Volga river and it was just to die for. The food rocked too. There were a couple of wedding parties going on at the outdoor restaurant, and it was interesting because when Russians want to see the couple kiss, they don't tap their glasses with forks.... they yell the word "GORKA GORKA GORKA GORKA GORKA GORKA!" Good dang times. I heard that word a thousand times on Friday haha. I love Russia. Anyway, being with the Dunns was just heaven. I love them so much, they have taken such good care of me. AND they understand my trunkiness because they're trunky too! "KT" came with us to dinner with them and it was awesome. Then.. on Sunday..... 7 less active came to church IT WAS SO AWESOME! I love my branch here in Tolyatti.

I have to go, but before I do I will end with telling you about the study I had the other day. I asked a question before my scripture study "What do I need to do in order to have a solid faith in Jesus Christ?" Get this: I read Alma 5 and found SO many things that we can do in order to have solid testimonies in Christ. I invite you to all check it out and read it, but not only read it. Write down the things you can do according to the verses and see what things you can do to strengthen your faith in the Savior. I found 28 different things.This invitation isn't only because I'm a missionary... but it's because I love you all and I pray for you all and I know that when we have faith IN Christ we can do all things. He is the best and so omnipotent and amazing. I really love Him and please don't forget how much He loves you.

I miss you all. I have 35 days left and I'm so trunky hahaha poor sister Hullinger. I just can't wait to see you all so soon. I love you and I hope you have a great week and........................................................................ SEE YOU IN 35! Love you.

Love Sissy Twede