Hailey in Russia: Dang.

Dang.

I love you all so much.

Dang. This was the craziest week of all i am sooo exhausted!

Sunday The president of the eastern Europe area named President Porter came to Saratov for a HUGE conference to see if Saratov is ready to have a stake. So, in order to do so, there had to be a number of people to attend so that he could discern if they were ready or not. Well, there is a HUGE church building in Saratov, and that is where we all go for all the conferences that we have in the Saratov Zone. We have been working for about two months to round people up and get them excited to go to Saratov for the conference and it was sweet because they ordered a bus for us all so it was free so people just couldn't say no. Well, Satan has just been stepping up his game soooo much because guess what happened? Everything bad.

Apparently they were announcing every 15 minutes on the radio in Saratov the night before our conference that they needed protestors to protest our church and was telling the people that we are the most violent people. The police went and shut down our branch building and put up baracades so that we couldn't meet there on sunday. Jokes on them though because we have two branches in Saratov, but the protestors went to the main big building where we were planning on meeting and so our leaders and the branches met at the little building. But the government shut off the power there so that we couldn't meet there... but they met there anyway and guess what? Luckily someone had their laptop all charged up so we were able to skype in. It's just ridiculous the things satan does. We still had the bus ordered, and so instead of going to Saratov we went to this little city that is close to Balakova called Marks. And on our way to Marks to skype in with that branch there, OUR BUS BROKE DOWN. Hahaha literally one thing after another I just had to laugh. But then we ordered a mini bus that had not enough room so we were all sitting on laps. It was ridiculous and it was all just evidence to me that Satan is stepping up his game because just before good things happen, all the bad stuff happens from Satan because he is trying sooo hard to get this work to stop. Well, it won't stop, it's just going to explode because this is the Lord's work. Haha oh my gosh it was just so much at once, we ended up getting to Marks late so we missed a bit of the conference, but it's all good. It's all just evidence that there will be a stake here soon and nobody can do anything about it. Once Saratov gets a stake, that will be the third stake in Russia which means that's enough to build a temple someday! AHHH SO EXCITING and so exhausting.When we got home last night after all the madness, I wanted to sleep for days haha it was exhausting but very worth it.

Want to know something CRAZY? My trainer Sister Coleman is companions right now with my MTC companion Sister Gerritsen. Guess what? Sister Gerritsen slipped on ice and just broke her ankle suuuuper bad. So she has to go home. She went home today. When I found out that she was going home I really did get sad about it. I really do love Sister Gerritsen so much. But, it's a big blessing in disguise it's all in the Lord's hands and he just blesses and blesses and blesses. I can't wait to take Sister Gerritsen out to lunch when I get home!

Miracles are happening left and right though.There is a new convert here in Balakova named “N”. She's handicapped and has the most goldenest of hearts. She has a mom named "S" and from time to time as we go to meet with "N", her mom will listen through the door. We invite her in to hear our lesson, but she just says no and just listens through the door. As the date of conference grew closer and closer, we tried harder and harder to get "S" to sit in on our lessons with us. Well, she finally did, just for a little bit, and felt really touched. As we asked for permission to bring "N" with us to the conference, "S"'s answer surprised us. She said "Well of course.... but what if I want to come too?" Long story short, they both ended up coming to the conference, we called "S" after the conference to ask how she enjoyed the conference, and she told us she LOVED it! She then invited us to come back during the week. SO cool dang. You would just squeeze her if you knew her. Two other investigators came to the conference, two of which are two guys who attend our english group. Get this. The 16 year old named "D", he has been coming every week for about a month to our group. Well, just on saturday he came wearing a suit! We asked him why he was dressed up, and for what occasion, and his reply was "The elders wear suits, so I want to too." How cool is that? He's basically a missionary already.

Having faith in Jesus Christ has been the only thing keeping me going. We had a zone conference on saturday in Saratov with President Porter. He's so great it was a great conference. I realized after our zone conference how much his message was needed for me to hear. I have really felt Satan step up his game in trying to discourage me. It really lifted me up, and I just love how much it helped me to remember the Savior. So many unfortunate events happened on Sunday as we were trying to get to the conference, all evidence of Satan trying to slow this work, but nothing stopped the determination of our branch from getting to that conference. They have such great faith in Jesus Christ. Their faith strengthens my faith! I really feel so blessed to serve with them here. They're just the silliest.

Right now I feel really afraid if i'm being honest. I feel really afraid of Satan. I am trying to cast out my doubts and my fears so that I can remember the Lord and just focus on serving Him. While we were on the streets last night contacting, I thought of our Savior. In that moment when I thought of Him, I didn't feel that it was just me and sister martinez alone on the streets, the Lord was there along with us, and it took a lot of the fear away. That really just is the key to life my friends and family, just remembering Christ to cast out our doubts and our fears. The other key is just taking each day a day at a time. Something really cool President Porter promised us that as we study the Savior more in our lives, our hearts will break because of how much we will love the Savior as we learn more about Him. I look forward to that day, and I pray for a stronger testimony always.

FUNNY FUNNY FUNNY thing happened. We ordered a taxi, and long story short he waited forever as we were trying to get all of our things put together.... that he just left. It was pretty funny but maybe you had to be there. Literally.. we hadn't paid him his 170 rubles ($2.50) and he just took off without another word. Oh my gosh something is wrong with me! All the dumb stuff is funny! Hahaha YOU JUST HAD TO BE THERE, OKAY?!?.

I love you all. I FINALLY got all my letters from christmas and packages too. Thank you all for your support and for helping me feel your love! You know who you are. Nelsons, Plehns, Brooks, GrandmaGrandpa, Grandma, Bonae, Hayd, Whit, Halpins, family friends. I love you all so much and appreciate all you do.

I hope you have the best week of your lives. Be happy and if you have a bad day just remember that the Lord love you.... and THIS gal loves you. If that's not enough, then go treat yourself to some sweets because that's what I would do. I love you all more than you know!

Love Sissy