Zone Conference

Combined zone meeting with President and Sister Lawrence is a member of the Area Presidency

My District left to right Adam Sorenson, Blake Hamliton, Casey Fredrickson, Justin Larimore, Austin Doutre, Elder Schmutz, Sister Robinson, Sister Carpenter

Easter

Yesterday was Easter!!! And yes I did have some of that Ukrainian bread, it is called Paska which translated means Easter bread! It is good and let me tell you mom the bread you made when I was home tasted exactly like it but yours was better. Last Pday I bought 2 loaves at the store.

Yesterday was a great day. I thought about the Savior a lot and all that he has done for me. Here in Ukraine Easter is a huge holiday and they even have a special greeting that they use only on Easter it is "Христос Воскрес" "Воистину Воскрес" It means Christ is risen, in truth he is risen. That isn’t translated exactly right but that is the thought of it is. So someone says the first part and then the other replies with the second part, it is cool. We had a chance to talk to a lot of people about Christ yesterday and all that He has done. I read the First Presidency message for April and then I studied the scriptures. I love the verses 5 and 6 from Luke24: "Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is arisen.” I know that Christ lives today and that He is my older brother and my Master. Through Him all things are possible. I love this, "Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives: I know that my Redeemer lives" Wow so simple yet so powerful. I also like John 21:15- 17, I will let you look it up but I love how the Savior asks Peter if he loves Him and if He does to feed his sheep. That is what I am doing here and it feels great. I want my banner to be Clear and I want the Lord to know that I gave it my all. I am a Disciple of Jesus Christ and I know that He is the reason I am here. I have felt His hand through my whole life and still do. I love you family and thank you for all that you do.

Brushing Up On My Cooking Skills

I have been working on my cooking skills this month I made Jell-O cake for district meeting and it was a hit. The senior office sister, Sister Park, was impressed that I made it. It tasted so good. I also made Barbeque Chicken and the corn bread mix my mom sent. For Elder Sorenson birthday I made cinnamon rolls. (The missionaries in Justin’s mission do not eat with members so they do their own cooking)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANNY!!!

"Mother Doutre"

We went over last night to teach Alexsie, they had some guest over that are here getting sealed in the temple. Alexsei's wife saw them at the temple and realized they didn’t have a place to stay so she invited them stay at their house. They are from Moscow, before we started the lesson Elder Doutre showed the couple his pictures from home. The wife said, "Mother Doutre" and pointed to one of the pictures, she was referring to his sister. Come to find out, the lady was one of Elder Dourte’s sister’s mission companions. She was someone that his sister trained. His sister went to Russia on her mission about 2 years ago. I think that was a tender mercy of the Lord for Elder Doutre and it was neat.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

I had a great birthday last week and I was so glad that it was on Monday and I had the chance to email you. That was the best. I went to TGI Fridays with Elder Newsome and his companion who is going home after this transfer. It was a lot of fun and I got the chicken sampler and I even got a free ice cream since it was my birthday. That never ever happens in Ukraine but I guess since it is an American owned restaurant they can do stuff like that.