That was one of the most stressful weeks of my life.
Let us begin.
So I had the super cool cross stitch project that I was
assigned to complete before our Jewish Cultural event on this past Saturday. It
was this cool picture of the Star of David with some Jewish embellishments and
the word "Shalom" in Hebrew in the center. Everyday it was getting
closer and closer to being Saturday and everyday I saw more and more the
amount of time it was going to take to complete it. So what had to happen was I
had to start devoting every spare second I had to this project and that even
didn't seem to cut it. Then came Friday. The day we planned to finish up all of
our cooking and preparations for the event the next day at 3:00 pm. So what we
did was from the earliest time we could get there, we went to the church and
Elder Mattina put on his Italian pants and got cooking. Then the sisters came
and started doing the same. All the while I was in the corner embroidering
away. Evening came and there was a lot of pita bread left that couldn't be put
off because of the stage it was in and we won't even mention the cross stitch
project. So what happened, and now, we realize that this was probably not the
most missionary like thing to do, was we stayed pretty. Long after the sisters
left for home Elder Mattina and I where still going full bore. He on the Pita
for everyone that would come the next day, and me on my cross stitch
assignment. Then the time came that Elder Mattina finished all of the pita
bread and we left for home at 3:00 am. At this point I had a decision to make.
My cross stitch was still too far from being completed to do it in the morning.
So I settled down for a nice long cross stitch session. The whole time I wasn't
sure if I was going to be able to finish it in time for the party and for
getting ready. But I kept going despite the pain in my arms, the sleepiness in
my eyes and the growling in my belly. This was one of the craziest experiences
I have had in my life. Looking back on it I saw a lot of miracles of God taking
pity on me, a little apostatizing missionary (not really). It was good and evil warring
around me in my head. I was probably mostly delusional because of lack of sleep
and food but it was a very interesting experience. Then what happened was I was
on my final stretch but still a ways off and the time was ticking on on my
clock, but I was either determined or just plain stubborn. Elder Mattina was
cheering me on and getting things ready so that as soon as I finished I could
immediately hop in the shower and get ready as fast as possible and shoot out the
door. The time was getting closer and closer and I was having a panic attack. I
was on my way but my thread wouldn't stop knotting up which cost me those
precious seconds. But then it happened. I finished it at 2:25 pm and then got
ready faster than lightning and was out the door.
We got there even a few minutes early and had a great time
at the party. We had our Branch president, president Kokorev give a spiritual
thought on the history of the church in Israel and then a musical number by us
Elders and president Kokorev. Then the sisters led us as we learned some Jewish
dances and songs and then we played a game called "Three Sticks." It
was fun and everyone enjoyed it. But the whole time I was just glad that I didn't have to do anymore embroidery work. After the game we all piled in and
ate the delicious Israeli food that we all prepared. We had Pita bread,
Fallafel, Humus, Salad, and some coconut covered dates that was all done by us
missionaries. It was all super good and everyone was super impressed,
especially with what Elder Mattina did. But the thing was, none of the people
who came knew how to eat fellafel with pita and humus so we had to show them
after they already started. After that it was all over and we cleaned up and
went home. I went straight to bed as soon as I ate something. I had stayed up for
36 hours and 30 of them were consumed solely by cross stitching.
So that is the story that I ran a timed marathon of cross
stitching and became apostate. The End. Ha ha.
Other than that, We had an awesome day at church and even
had Elder Podvodov of the area seventy visit and speak after I spoke. Oh yeah.
So this transfer was a five week transfer because of the missionaries who are
going home a little bit early to get to school so we got our transfer calls. So
to our surprise and despite what President Kumferman told us, someone from our
District is leaving. It's me. I guess President Kumferman found out about my midnight project. But I will
be heading up to Kiev again, but this time I will become one of the Office Elders
who serve in the Mission Office. So in our mission we have a set of
missionaries who are assigned to do all of the computer work besides the
finances for the mission as well as lots of other little responsibilities.
That's me now. And what is funny is that the Elder I am replacing is coming
down and taking my place here in Cherkassy. He's British so everything's fine.
And also on Sunday we finally got to meet with Vanya who we have been trying to
meet with for forever. The lesson was a little bit all over the place but it
was still very good. He has lots of questions and lots of desire. Oh yeah. My
companion will be Elder Glade.
That's it for this week folks!
Старейшина Класон / Elder Clawson
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