October 28, 1996 - Monday

By the way - Saturday night I was comforted.  I don't know if I like having Ст. Beckstrand in my room, but it looks like I'm stuck with him.  It isn't so bad, but you know I don't like change.  I had to give up some space and I know I'm being selfish, but hey - I'll get over it.

I'm going to fast today because I want to feel the Spirit.  I don't like the way that I feel.  I think anytime that I can't pray sincerely I'll threaten myself with fasting.  At least maybe I'll lose some weight before I leave.  Only two more weeks wow.  It seems weird.  When the group leaves tomorrow we'll be the oldest group of Ruskies left.  Wow.  Last Friday we went to the temple and Sister Habel & Sister Pipken were there.  I didn't stand by either of them on purpose, because that would be hard to concentrate.  They are companions and are both very beautiful.  But I shouldn't look.

It's about 9:46pm and earlier today, right after supper, we all received notes that I had written.  (I talked about them on 10-19-96. )  It felt so good to hear people talk about who they thought it was and how it made them feel.  It felt really good. 

Okay - we had TRC again tonight and all day I had had negative feelings for Ст. Parks.  So when we went into the teaching I don't think we taught with the Spirit as strongly as we could have.  I didn't really think we accomplished our goal and I was mad at myself and at Ст. Parks etc.  Not feeling at all like I had [when I did TRC] with Sister Jensen.  But when we got back to the dorm Ст. Beckstrand  sensed I had a concern and basically testified that I did good, got me in a better mood.  It felt good.  I love everyone and Ст. Parks included.  I love you.  В имя Иисуса Христа.  [In the name of Jesus Christ]

October 27, 1996 - Sunday

Today we are having a weird change.  One of the companionships is changing - they are going to split up.  Ст. Beckstrand is now companions with Ст. Kindred, and Ст. Parks and I are now companions.  [Ст. Pope went into a threesome with another companionship, but I don't remember who.]

Here's the thought for the day...

"Perhaps we stray from the path which leads to peace and find it necessary to pause, to ponder, and to reflect on the teachings of the Prince of Peace and determine to incorporate them in our thoughts and actions and to live a higher law, walk a more elevated road, and be a better disciple of Christ."  - Thomas S. Monson [Ensign » 1994 » May »The Path to Peace - 3rd Paragraph]

October 9, 1996 - Wednesday

Yesterday before grammar class they called me down to the counselors office & so I thought something like Dad had died or etc.  So I get down there & she said "I suppose you know you are going home to Boise right?"  I go no.  So then she looks for her boss [for]  me and he isn't there.  Well then she gives me a piece of paper with my travel plans on it.  I fly down [at] 8:20pm Thursday & come back at 11 on Friday morning.  It seems that I have a court date Friday morning so that I can take care of my ticket [from Summer 1996 - it was a ticket for reckless driving].  I hope I can plead guilty to a lesser charge or something, pay the fine and come back.

When I'm there I'm going to see if I can get some Mongolian BBQ.  I love that stuff.  It is so good.  But I'm kind of concerned with going out into Babylon.  I don't want to.  I'd  rather stay here where it is nice and safe.  But I'd rather have to go home for one night and go to court than to go home from Russia to take care of this.  Well it's time to go to breakfast.  Добры Утра [Good Morning - misspelled]. 

It's after class today and we prayed as a district.  I had reservations and I got I still have them [nice grammar huh?].  The whole prayer felt weird and uncomfortable because it was so out in the open.  I think that we shouldn't have had it because I felt it was aimed at Elder Beckstrand.  I felt uncomfortable.  I hope that it doesn't become something big.