February 11, 1999

Dear Family,

Hi, how are you? I'm doing pretty good. Things were going a little tough, but they are getting better. Well, transfers happened here in the mission, but not in Omck. everyone is going to be together for at least another month because the work is going great here.

Our area is finally coming alive. We have 8 people that we are working for baptism next month (the 7th of March) One, we are a little worried about, but the rest are really great people. There is a family of 5 that we are working with. The Grandma, her daughter, and her 3 kids. Also, another mother and daughter, and a single mom. They are all great people. This new program we are doing is really neat. I see a difference in how people respond to us.

Also, tomorrow we are going to have Zone Conference in our new building. Well, it's not quite a building. It's the Second floor of a building that the church bought.

Wow, the new meeting place is something else. It's nice. I took some pictures. Of course, I'll send them when I can. Within a couple of weeks. Zone Conference was pretty good. Most of the time we talked about how we can teach better, then President talked to us about the Apostasy.

Mom, don't send me anymore Peanut Butter. I found some here, so I bought a lot of it, 6 bottles. Thanx.

Well, last night we had a member visit and we read together Helaman 5. It's pretty good. Anyway, while we were reading it two verses really stuck out to me: 13 + 14. When I read them I thought of Dad and all the times he asked me to do something and I wouldn't. Then, I thought if I have trouble following my Dad's commandments here now, can I follow my Dad's commandments who is in heaven.

Hey pop, I love you. I'm sorry for the times I didn't listen. I grew up last night. I miss you and can't wait to give you a hug in August.

Well, I'm not sure what else to say. Nothing much is new. Well, still no package or letter. Just letting you know. I guess you'd be better off start sending mail through the pouch again, because it's a joke this Russian mail. In two months I've gotten 1 letter from you, that's it. Well I gotta run. Hey 3 months is Mother's day.

[In Russian] With love,
Derek