Dear Family,
Wow those pictures are way awesome. I'm really on a Russia loving spree right now because I just love it here so much (I know I'm not in Russia but basically) It sounds like all of you are having a really great time and that makes me really happy. Things are all good over here I'm having a lot of fun we got 3 new people with baptismal dates this week so I'm way happy because the work is really moving a long and making people really happy over here. We had a cool miracle this week were a member that has been less active for about 5 years started coming back to church a few weeks ago when, and he also brought his friend named Evgeni that he's living with him. We started teaching him and he instantly felt the truth of our message and wants to change his life. He's getting baptized next month on March twelve it will be a very good day. Working with members really is the most effective work because they can form friendships with these people that can bring so many blessings into these people's lives that we can't do as missionaries. We haven't been able to meet with the guy who we found following the bird yet because he's just way super busy, but he actually has been calling us before we even had the chance to call him. I have a feeling that it's going to be a good lesson when we are finally able to meet with him. That's way cool that Sean Miller is home you should tell him hi for me, and congratulations for making it all the way to the end. Today me and Elder McNerney went and served a lady that was moving so I don't have a ton of time to write but I have some picture that I want to send so I'll try to get those sent to you while I still have time. I hope that all of you have a great week. It's always great to get your letters.
-Elder Pack
Monday, February 7, 2011
January 31, 2011
Family!
Well I just realized that you're probably going to be upset... but I forgot my cable. I remembered my camera but the cable is all ready to go at my apartment. I'm way sorry but I'll just send you extra pictures next week and everything will be ok right? Wow it sounds like you all had a really good week. Things were really good over here in Daugavpils also. Missionary work is just a whole lot of fun. We're teaching a lot of really cool people. A few families that are really coming along, and it's really fun seeing them progress and see how the gospel is changing and blessing their lives. Yes I did get a couple of Russian books I got one called Idiot, another called Two Captians, and I also got The Road by Cormac Mcarthy in Russian I'm way excited to read them when I get home. Especially idiot because everyone says that it is a classic and way good. Elder Mcnerny is a really good companion and we're having a lot of fun working together. He knows a lot about the area and the language so it really is helping me a lot to learn and grow. This week we had a crazy experience because an investigator was at church and it came out that she thought that a lot of the members were very self centered. It started a very heated discussion with a lot of the members but everything was ok in the end and it actually helped the members a lot I think. It made them start thinking about different ways that they can improve and be better. Me and Elder McNerny had a cool experience this week: we were planning and for some reason I just really felt like we needed to get out on the street in the morning and start talking to people (during the time that we usually study) so we went out and we actually started following this bird (I know sounds way weird) because it was just jumping right in front of us and not flying away and we had no idea where we needed to go. After following the bird for a while and winding around a few blocks we ran into a way awesome guy. We talked to him for a while, and by the end he was actually just begging us to meet. It was way awesome. He's a way busy guy that we would have probably never found if we wouldn't have gone out early. I'm really grateful that the lord can lead through impressions and I guess even through birds sometimes haha. I hope all of you have a great week. Sorry I don't have a lot of time to write because we're heading out today to go to Riga for a zone conference. I love all of you and I'm excited to hear from you again.
-Elder Pack
Well I just realized that you're probably going to be upset... but I forgot my cable. I remembered my camera but the cable is all ready to go at my apartment. I'm way sorry but I'll just send you extra pictures next week and everything will be ok right? Wow it sounds like you all had a really good week. Things were really good over here in Daugavpils also. Missionary work is just a whole lot of fun. We're teaching a lot of really cool people. A few families that are really coming along, and it's really fun seeing them progress and see how the gospel is changing and blessing their lives. Yes I did get a couple of Russian books I got one called Idiot, another called Two Captians, and I also got The Road by Cormac Mcarthy in Russian I'm way excited to read them when I get home. Especially idiot because everyone says that it is a classic and way good. Elder Mcnerny is a really good companion and we're having a lot of fun working together. He knows a lot about the area and the language so it really is helping me a lot to learn and grow. This week we had a crazy experience because an investigator was at church and it came out that she thought that a lot of the members were very self centered. It started a very heated discussion with a lot of the members but everything was ok in the end and it actually helped the members a lot I think. It made them start thinking about different ways that they can improve and be better. Me and Elder McNerny had a cool experience this week: we were planning and for some reason I just really felt like we needed to get out on the street in the morning and start talking to people (during the time that we usually study) so we went out and we actually started following this bird (I know sounds way weird) because it was just jumping right in front of us and not flying away and we had no idea where we needed to go. After following the bird for a while and winding around a few blocks we ran into a way awesome guy. We talked to him for a while, and by the end he was actually just begging us to meet. It was way awesome. He's a way busy guy that we would have probably never found if we wouldn't have gone out early. I'm really grateful that the lord can lead through impressions and I guess even through birds sometimes haha. I hope all of you have a great week. Sorry I don't have a lot of time to write because we're heading out today to go to Riga for a zone conference. I love all of you and I'm excited to hear from you again.
-Elder Pack
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Januray 24, 2011
Well of course you're forgiven! I just guessed that you probably forgot about me haha. It's ok though because I've forgotten a lot of things in my lifetime. It sounds like all of you had a really fun week this week. I wish all of you really good luck with the upcoming events. Wow dad you are old... No I'm just kidding you're still in your prime. How was your birthday? Did you get anything cool? I got a couple of books for Christmas that are some "Russian classics" so I'll send a package home one of these days before the end of the transfer with those in them. So I'll get to answering your questions so that I don't forget...
Did you get the package the ward sent you? Maybe you could send us a written email to the ward to thank them and I can pass it along. Nancy too. We just got an email about new regulations and we are worried you haven't got it. Yes I did get the package from the ward. It was a really nice surprise I actually just barely got it this last week. I got a couple of cards that I'm going to fill out then I'll send them home to you probably today, and you can give them to the ward.
Did you buy anything for Christmas? woops already answered this question
How's your new city? The new city is very good, I accidentally forgot my camera with pictures today, so I'll send some next week. It's a lot smaller than Riga or Vilnius, but that just makes it feel more like home. And every single person here speaks Russian so that makes me way happy. Even signs and stuff are in Russian, so I basically feel like I'm in heaven.
Are you getting along with your companion? Tell us some more about him.Yes I'm getting along with my new companion really well. He's a really good missionary. He's basically a master on the piano, and on the guitar, it actually kind of makes me sick how good he is. He's from Michigan I don't know if I already told you that. And he's 27 years old (pretty old for a missionary as you know, but I'm way glad he came)
Where did Elder Reeves get transferred? Elder Reeves stayed in Vilnius, he's companions with an Elder that just got done being Assistant to the President so that's cool.
How are your discussions going? They're coming along just fine. I still have a lot to learn but I feel like things are going good.
Is the food any different? What is your favorite? No the food isn't really that different. They just really like meat and putting meat in stuff. But we did have the worlds best rolls that this lady in the Branch here made that were stuffed with apple pie filling or something but they were way good that's all I can say.
How big is your branch? Are there a lot of members in your area? The branch is actually really really really small here. Daugavpils is one of the newest areas in this mission. But all of the members here are really solid and always way willing to help on lessons.
Well that's basically all that's going on over here. Wow that's way crazy that Sean is going to Cili... I probably should have guessed. He'll have a lot of fun there I bet, I'll need all his mailing information so we can keep in touch. That reminds me I still need Grandma and Grandpa's mailing addresses. Well I hope all of you have a great week. I'm way excited to talk to you next week.
-Elder Pack
Did you get the package the ward sent you? Maybe you could send us a written email to the ward to thank them and I can pass it along. Nancy too. We just got an email about new regulations and we are worried you haven't got it. Yes I did get the package from the ward. It was a really nice surprise I actually just barely got it this last week. I got a couple of cards that I'm going to fill out then I'll send them home to you probably today, and you can give them to the ward.
Did you buy anything for Christmas? woops already answered this question
How's your new city? The new city is very good, I accidentally forgot my camera with pictures today, so I'll send some next week. It's a lot smaller than Riga or Vilnius, but that just makes it feel more like home. And every single person here speaks Russian so that makes me way happy. Even signs and stuff are in Russian, so I basically feel like I'm in heaven.
Are you getting along with your companion? Tell us some more about him.Yes I'm getting along with my new companion really well. He's a really good missionary. He's basically a master on the piano, and on the guitar, it actually kind of makes me sick how good he is. He's from Michigan I don't know if I already told you that. And he's 27 years old (pretty old for a missionary as you know, but I'm way glad he came)
Where did Elder Reeves get transferred? Elder Reeves stayed in Vilnius, he's companions with an Elder that just got done being Assistant to the President so that's cool.
How are your discussions going? They're coming along just fine. I still have a lot to learn but I feel like things are going good.
Is the food any different? What is your favorite? No the food isn't really that different. They just really like meat and putting meat in stuff. But we did have the worlds best rolls that this lady in the Branch here made that were stuffed with apple pie filling or something but they were way good that's all I can say.
How big is your branch? Are there a lot of members in your area? The branch is actually really really really small here. Daugavpils is one of the newest areas in this mission. But all of the members here are really solid and always way willing to help on lessons.
Well that's basically all that's going on over here. Wow that's way crazy that Sean is going to Cili... I probably should have guessed. He'll have a lot of fun there I bet, I'll need all his mailing information so we can keep in touch. That reminds me I still need Grandma and Grandpa's mailing addresses. Well I hope all of you have a great week. I'm way excited to talk to you next week.
-Elder Pack
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
January 18, 2011 - Sad Day
Well it's a sad day when I don't get an email from my family, but it's ok I bet that something is keeping you busy. You must be on a trip or something. Not really a lot happened this week. We have a person that's preparing for baptism, and some other investigators that are really progressing well. But that's basically all that's over here. I hope you have a great week and I hope to get an email from you next week.
-Elder Pack
(Yes it is true. We didn't get an email sent to Elder Pack. Very sad day for us as well. Hopefully, he will forgive us.)
-Elder Pack
(Yes it is true. We didn't get an email sent to Elder Pack. Very sad day for us as well. Hopefully, he will forgive us.)
January 10, 2011 - Tranferred!!!
How is everybody doing back in the land of America? I'm having a way good time in *********... why yes I did just put stars instead of the name of where I am serving now and it will be a good game to see if you can guess where I am right now. I don't know if you'll be able to do it, and just so you know I'm not in Vilnius any more sadly. I've really come to enjoy and love serving the people down in Vilnius. I've been there for such a big chunk of my mission that I don't know what the future holds in store in my new areas at all. Ok I'm just kidding I'll let you know where I'm serving. I'm in Dougavpils, Latvia and it is awesome. I'm so lucky to be able to serve here. It's the land of Russian dreams! Because absolutely every person here is Russian! It's been really fun couple of days, I haven't heard a single crazy Lithuanian word that I don't understand and it feels good. I'm sorry that I don't have any pictures yet because this is the first pday that I've been here so I'll get some later today, and make sure to send them next week. Daugavpils is quite a bit smaller than Riga or Vilnius, but it just has a really cool feeling to it and I'm really excited to serve here. There was actually a baptism here this last Saturday and it was just so cool. His name is Anatoli and he's just the world’s best recent convert. I have a feeling miracles are just going to start coming in and I'm way excited to be here during it. My new companion's name is Elder McNerny (I actually have no idea how to spell it in English haha) He's from Michigan and he's a way solid missionary. He's been out for about a year and a half so it will be fun to learn a lot from him. I actually have no idea if I received that package or not because I only receive mail when someone can bring it from Riga. And I haven't talked to anyone that has been to Riga for a long time. But I'll make sure to write that letter and send it out today. And, also for my guesses where Sean Collins is going.... I just have to say Baltics first because I just wish everyone could serve here it's so awesome, then for some reason I'm thinking Italy, Brazil, Denmark, or England. Well there are my guesses; I'm way excited to hear where he is actually heading. Thank you for all the support and love, it really does help. I'm having a way fun time out here as a missionary and it's thanks to all of you. I hope that you have a great week and I'm excited to hear from you next week. And don't ever forget who we are and whose we are.
Elder Pack
Elder Pack
Monday, January 3, 2011
January 3, 2010
Family,
Hey! Wow it sounds like everyone is having a way fun time. I'm jealous of the skiing that's going on over there without me, but it's ok I'll get over it. This week was kind of a weird week, because President Dance was sick so he wasn't able to do transfers so we're actually getting them this week, so false alarm ha-ha. So next week I'll make sure to give you a heads up of where I am in the Baltic Nations. This week me and Elder Reeves had a fun New Years together. We had to be inside by 5:00 so we basically just sat around and tried to think of fun things to do, but we failed and just decided to go to bed early it was a nice surprise ha-ha. Last week we were also able to go to a Christmas party for the Branch it was really funny, let me just tell you it is about the funniest thing in the world to have a bunch of Russians together and trying to do karaoke. So yeah I'm really sorry that I don't have a ton to say because of all the holidays not a lot of things happened. We're starting as a cool thing as a mission right now, where we're reading the Book of Mormon by April. And while we read we're focusing on Faith and Charity/Love. It's actually really neat because it gives direction to our studies and we are learning a ton. I'd even suggest doing something like that. It's amazing the things we can learn from the scriptures. But I'm glad that all of you are having a great winter. I'm sorry that this email is kind of boring, but next week should be a little more exciting.
-Elder Pack
Hey! Wow it sounds like everyone is having a way fun time. I'm jealous of the skiing that's going on over there without me, but it's ok I'll get over it. This week was kind of a weird week, because President Dance was sick so he wasn't able to do transfers so we're actually getting them this week, so false alarm ha-ha. So next week I'll make sure to give you a heads up of where I am in the Baltic Nations. This week me and Elder Reeves had a fun New Years together. We had to be inside by 5:00 so we basically just sat around and tried to think of fun things to do, but we failed and just decided to go to bed early it was a nice surprise ha-ha. Last week we were also able to go to a Christmas party for the Branch it was really funny, let me just tell you it is about the funniest thing in the world to have a bunch of Russians together and trying to do karaoke. So yeah I'm really sorry that I don't have a ton to say because of all the holidays not a lot of things happened. We're starting as a cool thing as a mission right now, where we're reading the Book of Mormon by April. And while we read we're focusing on Faith and Charity/Love. It's actually really neat because it gives direction to our studies and we are learning a ton. I'd even suggest doing something like that. It's amazing the things we can learn from the scriptures. But I'm glad that all of you are having a great winter. I'm sorry that this email is kind of boring, but next week should be a little more exciting.
-Elder Pack
December 27, 2010
Dear Family,
Hey!!! Well that was a wonderful opportunity to be able to talk with all of you. I really enjoyed that. It's a lot easier to explain how things are over the phone than it is by email. I hope that all of you had a wonderful Christmas, and had a fun time remembering what the real reasons are why we celebrate. I know that as a missionary Christmas just opened the hearts of the people. It's a great time to try and share the gospel with someone who doesn't know Christ. Yesterday me and Elder Reeves had a miracle happen when we on the street talking to people. There was a man who was in his young 30's who has had some hard times in his life and a whole lot of unanswered questions. But we were able to sit him down in our teaching center and answer his questions. It was amazing to watch him go from apprehensive and doubting to asking us questions and listening very intently. Missionary work is such a blessing, and I don't only mean for the people we find but for us as missionaries. Me and Elder Reeves are having a lot of fun reflecting on the past couple of transfers and seeing how we've grown. Transfers are coming up soon and it's going to be really weird being with someone besides Elder Reeves because I've been with him so long. That makes me really sad about that family. I do know Ashlyn and I do know the dad also because he drove my group at the first Ragnar relay I did. We really are so lucky to have the knowledge that we have, because we know that everything will be ok. It's been really eye opening over here because the people do not know what we know and a lot of them have had a loss. I know that this gospel can bless so many people's life.
So I just want to say thank you again for the gift that you gave me, I'm really diggen the adventure time t-shirt. I've been wearing it around for the couple nights, and I can just tell that Elder Reeves is jealous. I'm sorry I don't really have a ton to say because I barely just talked to you and not a lot of things have happened the last couple days. I hope that you all have a great week and a happy New Years, thank you for all the support. It really helps me appreciate the decision I made to come out here on a mission. I'm having the time of my life, and I hope that you have a great week.
-Elder Pack
P.S. I need Grandma and Grandpa's address so I can get writing them a letter ha-ha (both Pack and Robinson)
Hey!!! Well that was a wonderful opportunity to be able to talk with all of you. I really enjoyed that. It's a lot easier to explain how things are over the phone than it is by email. I hope that all of you had a wonderful Christmas, and had a fun time remembering what the real reasons are why we celebrate. I know that as a missionary Christmas just opened the hearts of the people. It's a great time to try and share the gospel with someone who doesn't know Christ. Yesterday me and Elder Reeves had a miracle happen when we on the street talking to people. There was a man who was in his young 30's who has had some hard times in his life and a whole lot of unanswered questions. But we were able to sit him down in our teaching center and answer his questions. It was amazing to watch him go from apprehensive and doubting to asking us questions and listening very intently. Missionary work is such a blessing, and I don't only mean for the people we find but for us as missionaries. Me and Elder Reeves are having a lot of fun reflecting on the past couple of transfers and seeing how we've grown. Transfers are coming up soon and it's going to be really weird being with someone besides Elder Reeves because I've been with him so long. That makes me really sad about that family. I do know Ashlyn and I do know the dad also because he drove my group at the first Ragnar relay I did. We really are so lucky to have the knowledge that we have, because we know that everything will be ok. It's been really eye opening over here because the people do not know what we know and a lot of them have had a loss. I know that this gospel can bless so many people's life.
So I just want to say thank you again for the gift that you gave me, I'm really diggen the adventure time t-shirt. I've been wearing it around for the couple nights, and I can just tell that Elder Reeves is jealous. I'm sorry I don't really have a ton to say because I barely just talked to you and not a lot of things have happened the last couple days. I hope that you all have a great week and a happy New Years, thank you for all the support. It really helps me appreciate the decision I made to come out here on a mission. I'm having the time of my life, and I hope that you have a great week.
-Elder Pack
P.S. I need Grandma and Grandpa's address so I can get writing them a letter ha-ha (both Pack and Robinson)
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