Feb. 17, 1999

Family,

Well, this past week went pretty good and my pen is running out of ink. [Something in Russian] I am doing fine. I'm a little sore. My lower back sort of hurts. I'll be fine though. Russian beds sure aren't like my Sealy Posturepedic. Neither is the floor.

Sunday was good; we had 9 investigators at church (Me and my companion that is). And there was 116 people overall which was good. We have 5 people lined up for baptism on March 7th. It's a family. The grandma, her daughter and her 3 kids. They are great. I told Elder Seeley on November 24th that while we are together we would baptise 5 people. Well that vision/prophecy will be fulfilled in a couple of weeks.

This morning I woke up around 5:15, because I couldn't sleep so I decided to do my studies. So, I started with my scripture study. I was reading the Book of Mormon (in Russian) I'm reading Alma right now and I read chapter 26 in Alma and I got to a scripture and I wasn't totally sure what it said. So, I looked in my English scriptures. It is verse 22. I read it and I was moved. I knelt down and I said a prayer thanking Heavenly Father for the wonderful blessing of teaching that family. I realized this is the key: REPENT, HAVE FAITH, DO GOOD WORKS AND PRAYER = A HARVEST OF SOULS!

I changed again this morning. Your 19 year old, 250 lbs. son who left 1 ½ yrs ago is now almost 21 years old and has changed. Mom, Dad, I've grown up a lot. Thank you for finding the church. Thanks, Uncle Bernard, for helping Mom find it. I am grateful for everyone's support while I have been gone. I love the members of our ward. Say "hi" to "EVERYONE!", and I'll be home soon.

I am ready to help the missionaries teach my friends the gospel. I'm ready to baptise them too.

Well, until next week. With love and prayers, I am in the Lord's hands.

Love,
Derek
A.K.A. - Ctapenivuha Ctpelka
P.S. I hope you like the pictures. :-)