January 7, 2011 - Friday

So there are a couple of things I wanted to talk about. 

First - I forgot to explain the Black Hole Year thing from a couple of posts ago.  It means the year where you are entirely in the country.  It has a sort of bad connotation.  My trainer, Elder Barnes, was at the end of his mission, and a little frustrated with Russia.  He was also sick of the smoggy, unhealthy air, and some of the peeps that he hung around with, were as well. 

So one of the mission traditions was to count out your Black Hole year.  I even had a little calendar that I got from a bank and it had '96 - '98 on there.  I marked off each week as it went by and celebrated the end of the Black Hole Year when it was over.  So for me, in '97 I would be in Russia the whole year.  '96 I was only there for a month and a half, and in '98 I was only in Russia for the first 9 and half months. 

Even though I was down about Russia sometimes I guess after a few months I wasn't all that negative.  Recently one of my mission companions told me that he enjoyed being my companion because I really liked Russia, and wanted to be there and it showed.  That made me feel good.

Second - I also forgot to relate a super funny event that happened in the MTC lunchroom one day.  All the time, at least once a week someone would drop one of the glass cups.  You would hear it across the big cafeteria...tink...tink...tink...pshshshsh as it bounced a couple of times and then shattered on the floor.  We'd all look over at whoever had dropped the cup and laugh at him/her a little.  It wasn't a really big deal (because it happened so often) but it had to be embarrassing for that person. 

So we are eating one day and most of my district was already sitting at the table.  And then we hear it...tink...tink...tink...and...nothing.  We all look up and there is Elder Kindred and he is slightly bent over and...he has the cup in his hand!  He has actually caught it after 3 whole bounces.  He straightens up and holds both his hands up like he's just scored a touchdown.  The cafeteria goes wild.  Everyone clapped and laughed.  It was something pretty small, but it was cool.

night

September 12, 1996 - Thursday

Well today I was made a senior companion.  We change every two weeks so for the first little while I am in charge.  That just means that I get to say where we go.  It's all the same any way.  I had an interview with the Branch Pres. and he asked if there was some unresolved concerns.  [I told him about some past sins that I had already taken care of.  He explained that even after missionaries had taken care of things - the MTC kind of brings them out again and you feel guilty again].  Afterwords I still felt concerned about it, but then I rebuked satan and invited the Spirit.  I couldn't feel bad, so I think that I am clean and it was only a ploy of satan.  night.

September 10, 1996 - Tuesday

The Tuesday before I go into the MTC.  We are right now traveling down to Salt Lake, actually Pleasant Grove, to stay with the Van Dorns.  Last night was one of hectic preparation.  I didn't eat very well last night, the whole day, and I had a huge headache.

3pm - we just went and watched Legacy.  As the movie started and the music started playing.  I felt the spirit and it testified to me that what I was doing was right.  It gave me peace and told me not to worry, I'd do alright.

September 10, 1996 - Tuesday

Well we are off to the MTC.  I hope that I can get everything packed. 

love walter

Have a wonderful life sir  [Don't ask me what that meant]