Week 20  The Big News!!

So this week was crazy, but y’all already know that. The news came out that we can TALK TO OUR FAMILIES! Super crazy no one expected that, but we are all so excited about the change! I will tell about how we learned about that later in the email.

The week started out with all the Georgian missionaries going to Lisi Lake for a small hike and to roast hot dogs and marshmallows. Super fun! Then after that we went to go "pop our referrals". We haven’t had the opportunity to see them since they have been in the village and sick. So we finally met with them and we left a printed copy of The Book of Mormon for them to read. They seemed really excited about it and have actually learned a lot through their relatives who are members since our first meeting. From Tuesday on, Sister Van Brocklin was sick so we didn’t do a lot of things this week besides on the weekend. Wednesday was interesting because I had to be in charge of the phone because Sister Van Brocklin didn’t really have a voice. During English night our phone rang and I had to answer alone. Usually I would have Sister Van Brocklin with me for small translation but they were teaching in another room, so I answered it and tried to do my best in Georgrain. I made it through and basically just listened for all the words I knew and prayed that the phone call would go well. So that was an experience. Valentine's day was sooooo fun. So we did a whiteboard activity that morning, so that was fun. We asked people as the walked by how they showed love for others. Later we met with "X" which was so fun. We celebrated valentine's day since she had lived in America and knows about holiday. We bought a bunch of McDonald's fries, because its her favorite, and made some letters for her and brought them over. We also finally showed all our family pictures to her and she showed us her’s. After that we then celebrated Valentine's ourselves by going back to McDonald's since it is a mission tradition. Tried my first BigMac. Also, I got separated from my companion…I didn’t get off the metro when we needed to so that was interesting. Saturday was the day we found out about the big news that we can communicate with our families every week if we want. The elders texted us the night at like 1040 but we were asleep. They had gotten a text about it from one for the american families and forwarded to us. I flipped out and didn’t think it was real for a bit. The elders are known to joke around a bit. Sunday we got to go to one of the american families for dinner for pizza. A ton of food and...suuuper good food. There was guacamole there and I about died! Avocados are expensive and it isn’t in season yet either so I haven’t bought any. Now it is today we are going shopping and we have a meeting tonight. I already talked to the fam over google hangout and it was so weird seeing their faces. I kinda forgot I had a family for a bit. I LOVE this new change let's just say. It is the last full week of the transfer so that will be interesting. I won’t be a trainee anymore so that also will be weird. That was basically the week.

So I started to read Jesus the Christ because we have an extra one in the apartment. Super interesting to read. I have always wanted to understand Christ more and since our purpose is to invite others unto Christ I felt that it was fitting. I have only gotten a few chapters in, but I have to say this book explains his role in a way that shows just how perfect the plan of salvation is. Reading this made me realize just how grateful I am that I know I have a redeemer and that I can be with my family, both earthy and heavenly, again in the next life.

Well until next week!

-და ჯენსენი

Zone Conference before Donovan's left