Hello again everyone! This has been a really busy week for us. Last Monday and Tuesday we were in Ivano on exchanges, which was a lot of fun. Afterwards, we came back home and had our English class before going to bed. The next day, Wednesday, we had enough time for district meeting and lunch before I went on exchanges with Elder Schmidt and the two of us caught a train to Kyiv--I went for zone leaders' council with the new mission president, Elder Schmidt went to see the mission doctor because he has a fungus on his hands and feet and a weird set of cold sores spread on his nose and right eyebrow. I stayed away from his side of the train compartment as much as possible, which is tricky when the whole compartment feels like two phone booths laid on their sides and stacked on top of each other.
So, from their we came back on Friday morning for almost a whole day of actual missionary work. Then came Saturday, when our branch and the Ivano Frankivsk branch met up for a Fourth of July picnic (...on the 5th...). After that was Sunday, and we had church as usual and then finished some preparations for the Elder Hurst Solo Show (i.e., zone conference) this coming Wednesday. It's kind of cool, but really really weird, that I get my own zone conference. My name's on the program all over the place. I'll have to keep a copy of it. Especially if President Steinagel ever makes the mistake of trying to assign me a responsibility again, I can take it out and remind him.
It was sad to read about Grandpa Hurst's passing. He was a great man, and it's always hard to see such things happen to such people. But those who understand the gospel understand that this is not a time of mourning, but happiness, for Grandpa is now free from the heartbreak of our fallen estate. At this time it helps me to think of Elder McConchie's description of the three pillars of eternity--the Creation, the Fall, and the Atonement. When God created the world, He created it in a state of perfection. Adam and Eve dwelled in the Garden of Eden in a perfect state where God could visit with them and speak with them. When Adam fell, the whole of creation inherited a lower state of being. As Elder McConchie described it, to fall literally means to move from a higher place to a lower place, and so did man, animals, plants, and the very earth when Adam and Eve transgressed. And so life continues even until today, with each of us still bearing the fallen nature of our world. Having fallen, we each now need to climb back to our higher state. How is this possible? If I fall into a ten foot deep hole, no matter how high I reach or jump, I can't reach the top. If I try really hard by myself, I might seem to get close, but in the end I'll still be in the hole, tired and alone. To get out, I need some help. Thankfully, each of us has someone up top reaching into the hole to take our hands and pull us out. When Christ atoned for us, He gave us the opportunity to grasp His hand and be pulled out of our personal hole. Through the Creation, we were perfect; through the Fall, we became imperfect; and through Christ, we can become perfect again, if we so choose. How many people there are around us who ignore the hand reaching down to save us! Grandpa was a man who recognized the Lord and accepted Him readily, and he lived his life in such a manner. He set his feet on the gospel road, and he continued thereon until he passed from this frame of existence to the next. Arvel Hurst is now in the next stage of the plan of God, having successfully navigated our current one. His passing is not a time of grief, but joy; and while we should indeed be sad that we'll be apart for a time, we have the comfort of knowing that that sadness is as lasting as a rainstorm or a summer night. Sooner or later, the sun will come again.
I love you all, and I hope you all have a great week!
--Elder Hurst
In Ivano...again...(but just for the day)
Hello everyone! Well, I'm back in Ivano once again, but this time it's just for exchanges with the elders there, so tomorrow I'll be heading back to Chernivtsi. Things have been going really well, although it's kind of weird; you see, yesterday, President Davis finished his mission and President Steinegal took over. I haven't heard anything from him except that he called someone in my district to sing Happy Birthday to him, but it's so strange that its happened. I really enjoyed President Davis. He was a great mission president.
So, in other news, there's a weird possibly-schitzophrenic and definitely-obsessive-compulsive lady in Chernivtsi who has decided that she wants to marry me. Yeah. Everyone calls her the Cat Lady because she comes to church with a picnic basket holding a little cat. She told me during Gospel Essentials that she has five children--three dogs and two cats. So this will be fun.
We had a branch picnic on Saturday that was a lot of fun. I have a red jacket that says CCCP, and everyone thought it was really funny; then I also have a white t-shirt from Yulia Tymoshenko, one of the three top politicians in Ukraine, that says "VirYU v Ukrayinu," "I believe in Ukraine" (with the 'yu" emphasized for Yulia), and people liked it also. I hope people at BYU have the same sense of humor, because otherwise I'm going to get called a communist a whole lot.
Well, I'm running short on time as usual, so I'll have to wrap up. I love you all, and I hope you all have a great week!
--Elder Hurst
PS - Happy 55th anniversary Grandma and Grandpa Wing!!!!!!
So, in other news, there's a weird possibly-schitzophrenic and definitely-obsessive-compulsive lady in Chernivtsi who has decided that she wants to marry me. Yeah. Everyone calls her the Cat Lady because she comes to church with a picnic basket holding a little cat. She told me during Gospel Essentials that she has five children--three dogs and two cats. So this will be fun.
We had a branch picnic on Saturday that was a lot of fun. I have a red jacket that says CCCP, and everyone thought it was really funny; then I also have a white t-shirt from Yulia Tymoshenko, one of the three top politicians in Ukraine, that says "VirYU v Ukrayinu," "I believe in Ukraine" (with the 'yu" emphasized for Yulia), and people liked it also. I hope people at BYU have the same sense of humor, because otherwise I'm going to get called a communist a whole lot.
Well, I'm running short on time as usual, so I'll have to wrap up. I love you all, and I hope you all have a great week!
--Elder Hurst
PS - Happy 55th anniversary Grandma and Grandpa Wing!!!!!!
Better late than never, right?
Hey everyone! Sorry this is a couple days late, our internet club had some serious trouble on Monday, so I wasn't able to send out anything. Unfortunately, that means I'm going to have to be brief, but at least I get to write you all still!
I'm now in Chernivtsi with my new companion, Elder Hubbard. It's a lot of fun here! The branch is really cool, my comp's a cool guy, and the city is amazing. I don't know what it is, but there's something about Chernivtsi that just makes it so much more likeable of a place than any other area. I love Kyiv, and I love Ivano, but I didn't like either of them as immediately as I liked Chernivtsi.
Well, I'm a zone leader now, but because our zone's so large I'm technically a "third wheel" zone leader. There's a companionship of zone leaders in L'viv, and then there's me here in Chernivtsi, and though we talk on the phone a lot, it kind of feels like we're still in different zones. Basically, the zone is split in two parts, with the L'viv elders in charge of one half, and I'm in charge of the other (Chernivtsi and Ivano). Many of my jobs now are kind of fun--zone leader councils in Kyiv, nightly calls to Ivano, and exchanges to Ivano twice a transfer--while one little job is still a little worrying...you see, since our zone's in two parts, we're actually going to have two zone conferences, with the L'viv elders in charge of one, and, well, me in charge of the other. My companion's not a zone leader, so it's literally going to be my show through and through. It's actually kind of exciting, once I get past all of the nervousness.
Apparently, I didn't have enough on my plate yet, so I'm also second counselor in the branch presidency here as well. So, it's a good thing I got to translate so much last transfer when Elder Hinkle conducted sacrament meeting, because pretty soon (as in, this Sunday) that'll be me. Weird.
All right, well, I should get going. I think that next P-Day I'll actually be in Ivano again on exchanges; I'll let you all know. Love you!
--Elder Hurst
I'm now in Chernivtsi with my new companion, Elder Hubbard. It's a lot of fun here! The branch is really cool, my comp's a cool guy, and the city is amazing. I don't know what it is, but there's something about Chernivtsi that just makes it so much more likeable of a place than any other area. I love Kyiv, and I love Ivano, but I didn't like either of them as immediately as I liked Chernivtsi.
Well, I'm a zone leader now, but because our zone's so large I'm technically a "third wheel" zone leader. There's a companionship of zone leaders in L'viv, and then there's me here in Chernivtsi, and though we talk on the phone a lot, it kind of feels like we're still in different zones. Basically, the zone is split in two parts, with the L'viv elders in charge of one half, and I'm in charge of the other (Chernivtsi and Ivano). Many of my jobs now are kind of fun--zone leader councils in Kyiv, nightly calls to Ivano, and exchanges to Ivano twice a transfer--while one little job is still a little worrying...you see, since our zone's in two parts, we're actually going to have two zone conferences, with the L'viv elders in charge of one, and, well, me in charge of the other. My companion's not a zone leader, so it's literally going to be my show through and through. It's actually kind of exciting, once I get past all of the nervousness.
Apparently, I didn't have enough on my plate yet, so I'm also second counselor in the branch presidency here as well. So, it's a good thing I got to translate so much last transfer when Elder Hinkle conducted sacrament meeting, because pretty soon (as in, this Sunday) that'll be me. Weird.
All right, well, I should get going. I think that next P-Day I'll actually be in Ivano again on exchanges; I'll let you all know. Love you!
--Elder Hurst
Transfer!
Hello again everyone! First of all, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!
Well, there's a little bit of interesting news in the mission this week: I'm actually getting transfered! Apparently, I'm pretty good at holding down areas for long periods of time, because between Sviatoshinsky in Kiev and Ivano Frankivsk, I've spent about 1 year of time in 2 areas. However, I am actually getting transfered, and it is actually going to be a third city--Chernivtsi, just a little east of Ivano, as a zone leader. I'm already here, but in about an hour we're heading to Kyiv so my companion, Elder Budge, and I can get our new comps, and so I can go to zone leaders conference. It's going to be weird because I'm going to be a third zone leader, with the other two living in L'viv, so in a lot of ways it'll be like being a lone zone leader instead of a companionship like usual. Also, in just another few weeks (or less, I'm not sure) our new mission president, President Steinegal, will be here, and that will be a VERY interesting change. There's already rumors circulating about how he's going to change the mission, but given the general unreliability of mission rumors, I'm not sure what to expect. All I know is he's going to be in his early 50's and he'll have children with him.
Well, besides that, the only real exciting news is that yesterday I got to translate for a church disciplinary council (!) that was held in Ivano. The person didn't show up, so we held the council in their absence, and it was a little strange and worrisome. It looks kind of like the person we were meeting about was an even bigger problem than we initially thought. Interesting experience. And on that note, I left Ivano.
Well, I hope everything's going well at home! Mom, I sent home two packages with things I've been collecting during my time that I didn't want to pack with me. If you want to open them when they come, feel free, or you could wait and have us all open them together and I can explain them all.....
Well, I should probably get going, but I love you all, and thanks for all your letters and emails! Have a great week!
--Elder Hurst
Well, there's a little bit of interesting news in the mission this week: I'm actually getting transfered! Apparently, I'm pretty good at holding down areas for long periods of time, because between Sviatoshinsky in Kiev and Ivano Frankivsk, I've spent about 1 year of time in 2 areas. However, I am actually getting transfered, and it is actually going to be a third city--Chernivtsi, just a little east of Ivano, as a zone leader. I'm already here, but in about an hour we're heading to Kyiv so my companion, Elder Budge, and I can get our new comps, and so I can go to zone leaders conference. It's going to be weird because I'm going to be a third zone leader, with the other two living in L'viv, so in a lot of ways it'll be like being a lone zone leader instead of a companionship like usual. Also, in just another few weeks (or less, I'm not sure) our new mission president, President Steinegal, will be here, and that will be a VERY interesting change. There's already rumors circulating about how he's going to change the mission, but given the general unreliability of mission rumors, I'm not sure what to expect. All I know is he's going to be in his early 50's and he'll have children with him.
Well, besides that, the only real exciting news is that yesterday I got to translate for a church disciplinary council (!) that was held in Ivano. The person didn't show up, so we held the council in their absence, and it was a little strange and worrisome. It looks kind of like the person we were meeting about was an even bigger problem than we initially thought. Interesting experience. And on that note, I left Ivano.
Well, I hope everything's going well at home! Mom, I sent home two packages with things I've been collecting during my time that I didn't want to pack with me. If you want to open them when they come, feel free, or you could wait and have us all open them together and I can explain them all.....
Well, I should probably get going, but I love you all, and thanks for all your letters and emails! Have a great week!
--Elder Hurst
Baptism!
Hello again everyone! This is actually the second time I've tried writing this letter, seeing as to how, once again, myldsmail is the worst email service in the world. But hey, it happens, right?
Remember our investigator, Oleg? He had a lot of questions and concerns, especially about the atonement, resurrection, and the proper role of women. Oleg's always been a really great guy, but he's studied a lot of different religions for a long time, so he's got a lot of ideas about things that are kind of patched together from a multitude of different beliefs. We've had a lot of very spiritual lessons with him, and thanks to the fact that his testimony's strong enough that he's willing to accept new ideas that may contradict or even discredit his current beliefs, we've been able to work with him all he way until this last Saturday, when he was baptized. It was a really great service, and I'm really proud of him. He's going to be a great addition to the branch here.
I've attached a picture of that, and also a picture of me from a lesson we had last night. There's a member in the branch, Serhey Bazovsky, who's a rock musician, so after the lesson he and I had a little fun...basically, even though I can't actually play a guitar, I sure can hold one pretty well....
Also, concerning my end date: I spoke with President Davis, and we agreed on October 28th. The only hitch remaining is, depending on how fast the mission office orders tickets for the next few groups getting home, the new mission president may be the one who actually decides this. President Davis said that he'd do everything he could to leave notes and things for the new president so he follows through on this, but there is a slight possibility that this date may change. However, I think this is pretty set, so I'd say expect me then!
I love you all, and I hope you enjoyed the first email I sent also! I put a bunch of pictures of Oleg's village there. It's right in the foothills of the Carpathians, and it's very beautiful.
--Elder Hurst
Remember our investigator, Oleg? He had a lot of questions and concerns, especially about the atonement, resurrection, and the proper role of women. Oleg's always been a really great guy, but he's studied a lot of different religions for a long time, so he's got a lot of ideas about things that are kind of patched together from a multitude of different beliefs. We've had a lot of very spiritual lessons with him, and thanks to the fact that his testimony's strong enough that he's willing to accept new ideas that may contradict or even discredit his current beliefs, we've been able to work with him all he way until this last Saturday, when he was baptized. It was a really great service, and I'm really proud of him. He's going to be a great addition to the branch here.
I've attached a picture of that, and also a picture of me from a lesson we had last night. There's a member in the branch, Serhey Bazovsky, who's a rock musician, so after the lesson he and I had a little fun...basically, even though I can't actually play a guitar, I sure can hold one pretty well....
Also, concerning my end date: I spoke with President Davis, and we agreed on October 28th. The only hitch remaining is, depending on how fast the mission office orders tickets for the next few groups getting home, the new mission president may be the one who actually decides this. President Davis said that he'd do everything he could to leave notes and things for the new president so he follows through on this, but there is a slight possibility that this date may change. However, I think this is pretty set, so I'd say expect me then!
I love you all, and I hope you enjoyed the first email I sent also! I put a bunch of pictures of Oleg's village there. It's right in the foothills of the Carpathians, and it's very beautiful.
--Elder Hurst
Another week in Ivano
Hello again! Well, this week wasn't quite as exciting as some of my other ones have been. I did find out that it's probably a pretty sure thing that I'm finishing on October 28th, although I found that out in a pretty roundabout way (someone else was told that there will be no transfers, either in the mission or to home, in September). This Wednesday will be our president's interviews, so I'll ask him then more in depth. It's still pretty strange to me to hear that most other missions don't have the same go-home-date thing that we have; I thought it was universal that you either go home a couple weeks before your two-year mark, or a couple weeks after. Odd.
Because our zone is pretty big, they have, in addition to two zone leaders in L'viv, a third zone leader in Chernivtsi, and that just happens to be Elder Kauffman from my MTC group. He came up to Ivano last week with my secondborn son, Elder Horne, on exchanges, and it was a lot of fun. We all went to Nadvirna to interview our baptismal date, Oleg, and he took us on another little nature hike. They have ski jumps there also, so we hiked to the top and looked out over the entire valley. It was really beautiful.
People here are starting to call me the "super translator" because I have to translate a LOT for the senior couple here. Maybe that's what I need to look into as a career, except I can't stand translating from a native speaker into English, and that's how you're supposed to translate professionally. My mind gets stuck sometimes into Ukrainian mode, so I understand them perfectly, but I have no idea how to express it in English except by translating certain things word by word into bizarre little phrases. The good news is, because of all the translating, I'm getting a great amount of language study.
Well, I should probably get going. I love you all, and I hope you all have a good week!
--Elder Hurst
PS - Happy Birthday Carter!!!!!
Because our zone is pretty big, they have, in addition to two zone leaders in L'viv, a third zone leader in Chernivtsi, and that just happens to be Elder Kauffman from my MTC group. He came up to Ivano last week with my secondborn son, Elder Horne, on exchanges, and it was a lot of fun. We all went to Nadvirna to interview our baptismal date, Oleg, and he took us on another little nature hike. They have ski jumps there also, so we hiked to the top and looked out over the entire valley. It was really beautiful.
People here are starting to call me the "super translator" because I have to translate a LOT for the senior couple here. Maybe that's what I need to look into as a career, except I can't stand translating from a native speaker into English, and that's how you're supposed to translate professionally. My mind gets stuck sometimes into Ukrainian mode, so I understand them perfectly, but I have no idea how to express it in English except by translating certain things word by word into bizarre little phrases. The good news is, because of all the translating, I'm getting a great amount of language study.
Well, I should probably get going. I love you all, and I hope you all have a good week!
--Elder Hurst
PS - Happy Birthday Carter!!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
