I Have the Good News!

Needless to say, I miss you all a whole bunch.  It was a good thing mom hung up the phone cause I wasn't gunna ;) That hour really did go by way too fast, but, it was so good to hear from all of you---even my Scout dog! I do miss you guys a lot that is for sure. The rest of my birthday was pretty good as well, we had zone conference and Sister Maugh made me a chocolate cake. Elder Drasso snuck my little party hats you sent me and brought them to zone conference lol. I walked into the kitchen for lunch and every one was there wearing those silly little hats singing happy birthday to me . Even President Trejo wore one! It was awesome!

President Trejo and Elder Eborn

The conference was awesome, I think it was just what I needed so that will be ready for the next year of my mission. We talked a lot about finding people, testifying, as well as planning more effectively. It was just plain awesome I can't get much better than that, I am ready to do better this year than I did last year, and leave it "all on the mat" as we would say in my wrestling days.

So I am old now, I can say that. I mean like 2 years ago I graduated from highschool! Now it's Tanner's turn ;) But yeah, it's been a really good couple days.

I had a great interview with President Trejo the day before, which scared me a little bit, he told me that my day's of being a "greenie missionary" were over and that the Lord will be expecting a lot more out of me. I know that I have been blessed with much; A wonderful family who loves me, Friends who support me, and a Father in Heaven who is behind me 100% to hold me up when I need it. Because of this...ALOT is expected. I hope I can measure up. I also got to share my testimony in front of the zone, and I got up there and my mind went blank, and I just started to smile ha, so I told them about my phone call and about what dad told me about smiling...I  realize, I as a missionary, have no reason to not be smiling! I have the good news, and I get to bring it to people! I love being a missionary.

We are having a baptism today, which is the best news! Yesterday, after we finished our Zone Conference, we had a meeting with our investigator, about 30 years old and really was searching for truth. When we first got in this companionship Elder Stuart had said that he likes to know all of the informantion before he'll make a decision. He was thinking it probably wouldn't be good to set a baptismal date yet, but during first meeting we both felt that it was right, and so we asked him to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be Baptized.

He accepted, and for the last month we've been working with him getting him ready. Last night he had his baptismal interview, and came out after it just smiling :) He came up to me and said, "Elder Eborn, I don't know everything, But I am ready for tommorrow." I know that I played a very small part in his conversion, that he felt the spirit, and recognized it as from his Heavenly Father, but that was probably the best thing that could have happened on my birthday for me to see someone I've worked with, prayed for, loved, and taught come unto the fold of our Heavenly Father. The Baptism's not until tonight at 6:30 so I will send you pictures later on that and tell you all about it of course!

What else to tell ya that I didn't yesterday? Hmmm if you couldn't tell by my voice I am a little under the weather, I have a cold but, I will be alright, I am planning on working it out of my system. I hope you all have a very happy New Year :) We will be inside our apartment before dark due to the fact that New Years in Russia is the biggest holiday of the year, and it's not safe to be out on the streets. So New Years day we'll be at the Maughns all day watching movies and playing games, who knows maybe I will write some letters or something. 

So I love you guys! Thanks for everything you do for me, I couldnt' be doing this with out you all :)
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Mom & Dad- Thanks for the call! I miss you guys like crazy. I'll be home in less then a year, and I promise there's a lot more that I will tell you ;)

Grandma & Grandpa - I just wanted to thank you guys for the emails :) They are really something I do look forward to every week! I love you guys and am extremely grateful for your example.

Lift Up Your Head and Be of Good Cheer

 

We'll as you probably know, the weather outside has become freezing! You know it's cold outside when your giant fur hat freezes! Ha but I love it, there is no where else on the earth I'd rather be than in Siberia! 

I should probably give you info on when to call and stuff. I am trying to be more patient and loving so, I've decided that it would be best for you to call me on my birthday so Decemeber 28th at 7:00 am, which is actually December 27th around 7:00 pm for you I think? I'm not quite sure on the time difference but that is a guesstimation for ya lol.

That day we will be having our zone conference so I will get to talk to you then go meet with President Trejo for a couple hours, it'll be good :) I haven't seen President Trejo for almost 3 months I guess it happens when you serve in the biggest mission in the world!

So this week was pretty good, we've been working hard and trying to help people to come a little bit closer to the Savior, this really is such a wonderful time of the year. We get to celebrate the birth of our Savior here in Russia ...they don't really celebrate Christmas, ( it's a little more than sacreligious to drink on the birth of the Savior and all so they don't do anything until New Years lol) but it's been interesting.

With not a lot of people worrying about the hustle and bustle of Christmas, you can really think about what this holiday is really about. I was reading in the Book of Mormon where Samual, the Lamanite, is prophecing about the coming of Christ and about all of the miraculous things that would precide his coming, then I read in the first Chapter of 3 Nephi, the people were waiting for these signs and if they didn't happen they were going to put to death those who believed. The prophet Nephi went in prayer to the Lord, and the Lord answered his prayer, saying,"lift up your head, and be of good cheer, for tomorrow I come into the world. "

Megan, .you did an awesome job of playing that song by the way, it is my favorite Christmas song (ha you made me cry you little booger ;) I dont know if I told you that that song is one of the only songs that the Russian hymn book has that the English one doesn't, and the translation they have in Russian comes saying, "This is Christ our Lord, who came to earth to save, of who angels sing, our Savior, the Son of mary.."

We may be home for Christmas, with those we love or maybe on the other side of the world. But no matter what we are doing, what our situation is this Christmas, remember the good news that we are celebrating this time of year. That which was told to a prophet long ago, " Lift up your head, and be of Good Cheer, For Tomorrow I come into the World."

I know that our Savior Jesus Christ came to this earth, for each and everyone of us, That he lives, and that he loves us. That is the message we have to share with the world. That he was and is our older brother, our Savior, and Redeemer, and that he loves us and is here to help us. Even the cold, that is Siberia, can't keep that love away.

I want to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas :) I can't wait to hear from you all!

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Mom and Dad - Hey Thanks for the updates! I love you guys, try not to miss me to much this saturday ;) I can't wait to hear from you!

Megan - Wowsers Sis! That was way good present! Maybe you can play it for me on and I will sing you the Russian version alright?

A Gift, Love Megan

Megan is 12, she learned this song as a gift for her missionary brother Elder Eborn. 

Merry Christmas to JT ...

This weekend, we had our annual Eborn Family Christmas Party.  Elder Eborn was missed, however, should be getting a great package in the mail next year, full of many love letters from little nieces, nephews, and others who love and miss him.  We are proud of our Elder in Siberia. 

The Happiness and Joy the Gospel Brings

 Another week and another email. but don't worry, in a few weeks we'll be able to talk! Not going to lie, I'm pretty excited to hear from you all :) I actually needed to talk to you about it though... you see I have 2 other companions who's families will be calling as well on Christmas, and it might be better if you guys call me on my birthday instead, just so that we don't all interrupt each other and stuff, lol Christmas and Mother's Days calls are "holy" and we don't wanna screw things up. So if you guys really want to call me on Christmas that'll be cool, let me know what you wanna do and I will give you a time to call next week alright? :) Cool now that thats out of the way.

So this week was good :)  I did buy me some boots they were a lot cheaper than I was planning so that was pretty sweet. They're actually american boots ha hi-tec like all the hiking boots we usually get but they're winter and super warm :) so thank you! The comps are doing good, we're just working. It does they require a lot of patience and holding of our tongues but we're getting better. I may have ulcers after this, but we'll be alright. It's been pretty cold this last week, but nothing to bad, frozen Siberian lands and all. But yeah..... things are doing good. Today we're going to go sledding at a park on the otherside of the city so that should be fun. we'll try not to break anything. lol (no tail bones Mom ;).

Don't worry mom, I really don't need anything, but I will make sure I pick something up I'd like for my holiday present. Sounds like you are all getting ready to have an awesome Christmas, I  know that I will miss you like crazy but no worries, I will just be chilling here in my big furry hat sipping hot cocoa and having myself a Merry Christmas.

We found a little tree while we were grocery shopping and bought it!  I am the only of us 3 who hasn't opened our Christmas presents yet, so I've got all my presents under a little Christmas tree it's in our living room right by my bed.

Our investigators are doing great, we'll be having a baptism on the 29th, Roman one of our investigators has committed to getting baptized and that's going go through, I am very excited for him. Also we'll be having another baptism the beginning of January, probably the 1st or 2nd. his name is Sergey his wife is a member and they have a small son, they have a goal to go to the temple and be sealed for time and all eternity and the first step to making that goal a relization will be fulfilled here soon. This time of year is always special, even here in the middle of Siberia, where the weather isn't the only thing that is frozen but even here, the Lord will cause his works to be fulfilled. Little miracles, are happening everywhere, and we're helping people "shake up the happiness" (you probably have all heard that song already but being a missionary and in the middle of Siberia it takes a some time those types of things, I mean I have to wait until I hear a song while riding buses to know what they are!) but I can see the happiness and the joy that the gospel is bringing to people and it is an amazing thing to be a part of it! I love being a missionary!

Well I guess that's probably it for this week. Sorry I know it's not much, we've gotta get going though, a lot to do in not a lot of time to do it. Seems like the day's are geting shorte and shorter here maybe just because the sun doesn't stay up very long any more but oh well. I love you guys! :)


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Mom & Dad - Thanks for everything you guys are the best! :) I love you guys thanks for being the best parents in the world. :) see ya next week

Tanner - 7 Seconds?! Holy fast swimmer batman! you rock broski!

Dale & Barbara - Thank you guys for Everything :) It's great to have such wonderful people in my life like you. I love you! have a very Merry Christmas!

Trusting in the Lord | Finland and Back

Well, another visa trip has come and past!
That makes three...I probably only have 3 more... man I don't feel like it should be this far on the mission. Kyle, Deven, and Gabe will be starting out and here I am, getting closer and closer to the half way...

Finland was awesome! As always. It felt so much like Christmas there it's was like a little Christmas village in Helsinki especially around the Temple, all the little houses covered in snow with  glow of the Temple illuminating the area was just an amazing thing. I got to go attend two sessions. I did both of them in Russian (Yes, I can speak Russian!) ha I was very impressed with myself and the Temple worker there that was Russian was impressed that I haven't even been out a year yet, and that I could speak with him as well as I was.  I told him that I was impressed with myself, a year ago i wouldn't have ever thought I'd be speaking in two languages, let alone be in Finland doing it. but eh that was my little pride moment... (I'll will repent later).

I sent a package home to you guy's you should get it by the end of the month hopefully, I sent it from Finland so it shouldn't be sent via Russia mail. I had a wonderful experience while in the Temple, as well. I took some time in the Temple thinking about what I needed to do starting out into my 2nd year as a missionary, what changes I needed to make, and how I could fulfill all that the Lord has in store for me. While I was there I opened up the scriptures and read from Alma 26, where Ammon is talking about his mission, and about how he is weak, but that he knows that in the strength of the Lord he can do all things. I thought about something I've said before while on the mission. "Pray like everything depends on God, then get up and work like everything depends on you." I feel like I've been working very hard on my mission, (my shoes attest to that) but maybe I've been relying to much on my own strength. I need to trust in the Lord more and to put more of my confidence in the Lord. Let him do his part. He is the most powerful and I know that like Ammon said, "In his stregnth, всёвозможно".

This week since I've been back has been interesting as well. We found tortillas at our grocery store (you may laugh but they were the first burrito's I've had since leaving the MTC) which was awesome!  As well as, being in a three companionship in a small apartment (sleeping on the couch) having to figure out how to work in 2 areas with 2 other companions, it's been rough, requiring a lot of patience. I am the only one who gets up on time and actually has studies, I've had to try and wake them up and they just lay in bed untill almost 11, it's been rough...and I am sure I annoy them (I am like dad in the AM I think, I get up and get going).  Then on meetings they won't say anything... and then after get upset with me because I didn't let them teach. Ugh,  it'll be alright.  We are all just learning how to work with others.... we're just working hard and trying to make things happen.

We met with one of our investigators Monday, we opened with a prayer and she just started to cry, we asked her what was wrong and she said, "Nothings wrong, I just feel that I found what I've been missing. " We talked about the foundation upon which we should build our lives, and she told us she want's that foundation. so we set a goal for her to get ready to be baptized. We don't have a date or anything planned but she wants to.

Artiom, is also doing, alright. last night in our meeting his mother called (she just underwent surgery and is in the hospital) Apparently his family is having a lot of problems, keep them in your prayers. He looked up at us with tears in his eyes and asked us where do people who don't believe there is a God go after this life? I could tell he was concerned for his parents. We kind of went away from his question, and offered to give him a blessing. He accepted and asked Elder Drasso to voice, I've never prayed for the gift of tongues more in my life, than at that moment, for Elder Drasso. I think he was as well, and said what Artiom needed to hear, and standing there in the dark primary room of the branch building (the light went out on us) we gave him a Priesthood blessing. Elder Drasso was amazing and Artiom, he is great and a great friend, I know that what he needs now more than anything is to have the sure foundation. A foundation that if we build upon we can not fall.

So that is basically my week in a nutshell! I hope you guy's all had a wonderful week, and I can't wait to hear from you next week!
I love you guys!

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Mom & Dad - Well all is well for me! I used my sky miles on the way back to Omsk, (thanks Mom) and I am going go buy some boots today! so yeah :) thank you guys for everything! I couldn't do this with out my wonderful parents who support me. You rock! Thanks for taking flowers to Am.

Tanner - You have 7 pair?! Wha? How? If I could wear them outside I totally would ha, I just don't have the option, it's either 2 pair of socks or frostbite. Your girlfriend Laura, is cute, ha just don't be an idiot alright? I am not worried you're my bro, and i love ya! Keep on being the awesome man you are!

Maddie - Ha isn't it good to have friends, especially who drive the bus? Dale rocks! I must say ....he .has safed my butt a time or three over the years (he is a great man)  love ya sis!

Yep! It Is Cold in Siberia!

Elder Drasso, Elder Stuart, and Elder Eborn Contacting in the Siberian Weather

We'll it's officially winter here, yesterday we had -25 degree weather and well it was just plain cold. I thought thermals would help and well honestly nothing helped. Elder Stuart and Drasso were talking about how their boots weren't really doing anything to help their feet from getting cold and they asked how mine were doing, looking down at my dress shoes I realized, 'huh, I haven't been able to feel them for a while...'  it was great adventures in Siberia!

Omsk Missionaries 2010

I was at the Maughns yesterday and they invited me to come say hello to their son who lives in Provo (they were talking via Skype) and he laughed and told Artiom, (when they found out he grew up on a cattle ranch) they sent him to serve in the nethermost regions of Mexico. We then saw some pictures it was like paradise with beaches and jungle and yeah, so I then asked him what do you have to do to get sent to Siberia? He just laughed. it's probably a good thing we can't use skype to talk to each other while I am here I would be way super trunky..


Speaking of which, I got my giant box from America last week.. I've been wearing the toe shoes everywhere around our apartment, they're interesting (Ha Tanner). It'll probably be better to wear them in the summer.. I haven't opened any of the presents... except the cd's... I was hoping one of them would be Transiberian Orchestra, I  love the motab and we've been snacking on beef jerky all week, you wouldn't even begin to imagine how good that tastes!  Thanks so much family.

Thanksgiving was great, I have included some pictures, we even had pumpkin pie! Ah gotta love Elder Nelson, he spent over 1000 rubles on the last pumpkin in Omsk so we could have pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving.  We couldn't find a turkey so we had chicken with all sorts of yummy fixins. It was way good, we watched Chronicles of Narnia, and then the most trunky missionary approved movie there has to have ever been ... UP... man I tell you what I was just like in "totally I  wanna go home mood.  We all left around 4 and just got back to work! We met with people and did some contacting. So yeah, that was my Thanksgiving.

We've been having some success, Artiom is doing great, he's come to church twice now and says he feels something while he's there. I am praying to be able to set a baptismal date with him this week before I leave, we'll see what happens.

I think the Lords trying to teach me patience or something but it's been a tough week. That doesn't suprise me that Sister Knudsen knows Elder Stuart.. And don't worry mom, yeah there is a lot of stuff that goes down here that I don't tell you guys, but just think :) it'll make for all the cooler stories when I get home!

I am leaving tomorrow for Finland for my third visa trip, which is super crazy to think I've been out this long but yeah, I got an email from Elder Winter today he was all excited about being out 10 months and I realized wow that was like a month ago for me. I am planning on going into Helsinki to send you guys a package of stuff. and then hitting up the Temple for as many sessions as I can! I am super excited. I defintely need a spiritual recharge before I start the next half of my mission.

So yeah! I love you guys! have a great week, and happy December! :)

liveSTRONG,
Ст Иборн!



Mom & Dad - So I need some boots... I found out this morning that my church shoes have not become aclimmatized to this weather, and that the stiching ripps when you're in subzero temperatures lol.Thanks for evertyhing :) You are the best parents I could have asked for...thanks for always being great examples to me and helping be the person I am :)

Pictures... one is us contacting in the cold... another of our zone in front of the Liahona... the third is my planner that a member in Tomsk made me for this transfer lol.

Tanner - Dude! Are you sure you aint got fins? ha love ya bro, keep being you!

Maddie - Hey B! thanks for the email :) You're way to funny. I love ya sis, give my puppy some loves k?

Grandma and Grandpa - Thanks for the continual emails :) I always love hearing from you guys, I will read those quotes from that guy on the plan ride to Finland I love you both so much! Thanks for everything!

Thanksgiving in Russia | 2010

It seems like you guy's are all having a little taste of what I am living in. It seems like the weather changed overnight here, no kidding. One day I was in my palto and shlapa and the next I had to wear my thermal underwear and big Siberia coat! Well either way I love the fact that it's getting cold. I hope you guy's are all being safe and driving very careful. There are no snow plows here in Russia, (bad idea huh?) and the roads turn in to giant sheets of ice after the first snow fall. It makes things interesting ha. and a little scary, a good thing these people know how to drive in this kind of weather. The bus drivers just gun it then slam on the brakes just in time to slide to stop at the bus stop. But yeah, it's been fun I am going need to buy me some winter boots here soon, one pair of shoes I've worn holes in the soles, and the other aren't big enough for me to wear my warm socks. So I will be proably buying boots before I go to Finland in a few weeks.

SO President Trejo gave me a call last Friday regarding my transfer... and I will be serving in Omck again.

BUT, due to the fact that we have an odd number of missionaries and no one can serve a mini mission, Elder Drasso and I will be with Elder Stuart. He's been here in Omsk with us the last transfer or so and now we are all companions, we moved into his apartment and we'll be working in both areas. So we're going to be very busy this next transfer. Monday we got all packed up and moved to his apartment and have been slowly been settling in. It's a small apartment for 2 missionaries and now that there is three of us.. well its pretty cramped but well get by...I sleep on the couch in the living room.  But it's all right, it's a good thing we only are in our apartment for a couple hours each day.

Yesterday was our first day together as a companionship, and we had to go and meet with some people lol. It was way funny, we got on a bus that we thought would take us to where we needed to go, then we realised that the bus wasn't going that way lol, but it didn't stop to let us off. so we had to ride it untill we stopped, and when we did, we were in the middle of no where ha. We had to walk almost an hour to get back to where we needed to be. It was fun, even if it was way cold ha adventures in Siberia right?

Artiom is doing awesome, we had a great meeting with him the other night before sports night. He had a question about a verse he read in the Book of Mormon, he's been reading when Christ appeared to the Nephites, and he read in 3 Nephi 11:39, where it talks says "Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them." he asked me, "what does it mean?" I turned to Helman 5:12 and read with him about where we need to build our foundations, Looking up at me with almost tearful eyes, he asked, " what do i need to do to strengthen my foundation? ".  Afte reading mom's email (her talk) today, she is so right! I've been thinking about it, all of us need to Strengthen our Foundations, and it's like mom said it's building our relationships with our Father in Heaven, through scripture study, daily prayer, and doing what we know is right, It's through our relationships with our family, our fellow men, and our relationship with ourselves. As much as I am here as a missionary serving the people of Russia, the mission is doing so much more for me.

I can see more clearly how important the concept of building our foundation upon the rock of our Savior Jesus Christ really does make the difference. Artiom, told me he knows the Book of Mormon is true and that the gospel is true, he just needs to take some time to decide for himself if this is the path he wants to walk. Keep in him you're prayers.

So it's Thanksgiving, tommorrow! Goodness I can't believe how fast time has been flying buy! Tomorrow we're going to have a big lunch deal at the Senior couples, they've been on the search for a Turkey since they got here but it ...doesn't look like that's going to happen ha we might have chicken.

It'll be fun like I said earlier President Trejo asked us to sacrifice for the holidays and he asked us to have a half lock down for Thanksgiving and Christmas so.... tommorrow we're going to be trying to find some people that need the gospel! I want to take a little time here at the end of this and express my gratitude to all of you who are supporting me here.

I couldn't do it with out you all. This is hard, but with you're love and support, and like Alma said when he returned from his mission with the strength of a loving Heavenly Father, I can do all things. Thank you all...I hope you have a wonderful turkey day! And...have an extra slice of pumpkin pie for me and have a great week!

liveSTRONG,
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Mom & Dad - Sounds like the house is going  to look different when I get back.  Also, if you could make sure I have enough money for a pair of boots soon that would be a wonderful Christmas present. I'll need like 4000 rubles or so. Yeah. I love you guys, thanks for everything!

Another Week of Adventure, Language Barriers, and Awesome Spiritual Experiences!

Does it seem to anyone else like these weeks are just flying by? I am pretty much freaking out about how fast time has been flying by! I feel like I was just here writing you about my week, but here I am yet again, writing you about another week full of adventure, language barriers, and awesome spiritual experiences. Sometimes I really don't know what I should write you guys, I mean my weeks are pretty repetative, I wake up, work out, eat, study, go out and meet with people and try to find those people who the Lord has prepared to recieve this message that I am here to deliver. I just do what I do and try to have a great time while I am at it! So far things are working out!


This week Elder Drasso and I had to do a lot of stuff, its weird when I got to Omsk it seemed like no one wanted to meet with us, but now we hardly have anytime to take a break. We're working hard that's for sure and things are working out. I am trying to do like I learned in the MTC.." Pray like everything depends on God, then get up and work like it all depends on you."  I feel that the Lord is blessing us with a lot of work because we are willing to do it. We've spend a lot of time with individuals who are less "active" as well as our investigators.

Artiom is doing awesome, yesterday Elder Drasso was on a meeting with him and Elder Bounus, (we were on splits because we had two meetings at once and Artiom told him that he believes the Book of Mormon is true. Which was way sick! I am so glad that Artiom is progressing like he is!

One thing is that he has school on Sundays, and it goes from 11 -3 which is when Church is. It's hard to tell him not to go to school, when he's already paid tuition and is working hard to become what he wants. I am kind of at a wall about how to work with that part of it but, I know like it says in Nephi the Lord will provide a way! Also, while Drasso was with those two I was on a meeting with Elder Nelson working with some new investigators, they've been coming to English for as long as I've been in they asked me last friday if they could meet with the Elders because they had some questions about the Church. So we arranged to meet with them.

They started by asking why our Church is "of The Latter Day Saints" we then explained to them about Prophets, dispensations, and the Apostasy. When we got to the part about the Joseph Smith, they both looked like they were going to cry. So we asked them, "how are you feeling right now?" Through tear filled eyes one answered, "I can't describe how I feel, but it's good" .

We then explained to them about the Holy Ghost, also that that was what they were feeling. Many times we can feel the impressions of the Holy Ghost, but we need to learn how to recognized it and act on it better. We invited them to read the Book of Mormon and to find out if Joseph Smith was a Prophet. Then to act upon the answer they recieved and to come unto Christ, and be baptized.

There was an amazing feeling in the room, the Spirit was there, and right as they went to answer, a phone went off. Isn't it funny how those things always seem to happy right at the time you don't want them too! It always happens. The Spirit is strong and then wham, and Satan tries to screw things up---the punk. It always happens when I talk about the Joseph's First Vision. The Spirit is the thing that converts' people, it's not us missionaries. We just do our part to deliver the message and the Spirit does the rest.

SO other than that our week's been pretty good, It's been really cold, and wet. The snow has been turning to slush and then to mud and water and it's really just gross every where. Transfers are next week... President will be calling Friday with our transfers. I am kind of wondering, I've been here for 3 transfers already and I think I might be leaving, but I feel like I just got my area up to where it should be and I want to see what is going to happen with the rest of the year! So yeah, next week you either will get an email or you won't if not it means I am traveling to and from places but no worries you'll hear from me sooner or later! I will be in Siberia somewhere so... keep me in you prayers, you will be in mine. I love you guy's thanks for the support :) I couldn't do this with out you!


liveSTRONG~

Elder Eborn


Mom & Dad - Mom, ha don't worry about what to write me just write! It always makes my week a little better when I hear from my mommy :) Sounds like you guys will be very busy the next couple weeks. Holidays are starting up, the Maughns got in last week and are way sick, I guess Elder Maughn grew up in Montpelier? Small world....but yeah. I am expecting some cool pix from your fishing trip! Yesterday, at English that was our topic we talked about camping and fly fishing it was way fun. Super trunky topic but oh well. That's way cool that Jord is Tyler's  trainer! Send them my email. I wanna hear from them. Well Love you guys! :)

Tanner - Swim hard retard.


Emilie! - You found me eh! About time lol. It's not like I've been gone for almost a year.  I am just kidding, thanks for the email! It always is good to hear from my friends. It sounds like you're doing way great, what are you doing and the hospital for work? tell your mom hi and give her a big hug for me :)

A Moment of Clarity in the Snow

Another week and I am still here, it's getting pretty cold here everyone'sstarting to dawn there big winter  coats and shapki! It's definetly not Utah cold. We had the first snow of the winter this week which was pretty cool. We woke up and could see all this white stuff in the air ha Elder Drasso let out a loud, "ah crap.." being from southern California was not to thrilled about the snow and the cold.

Elder Drasso & Elder Eborn Halloween 2010

Welcome to Siberia! It snows here a lot. This week has been good. We've been working hard.  It looks like you've all been having a sick time ha literally. So the pictures did make me pretty trunky, actually
I wasn't trunky until I saw my puppy... lol silly I know but I miss my brown friend. that's not good that you've all been sick, I am sorry I guess thats one plus to not being home I dont have to catch what you all got!

This week has been good, we met some new people and got some new investigators, that hopefully will start progressing. Artiom (Jon Bon Jovi) is doing awesome, keep him in you're prayers.

Elder Eborn and Artiom

We were asked by President Trejo this week to make some sacrifices for the end of the year, not meaning anything crazy or sectanty like, but he asked us to read through some stuff by the end of the year as well as to sacrifice some of the holidays. Meaning in place of having a "lock down" on Thanksgiving and Christmas for the whole day, well be having a lunch at the senior couples, and then we will return to do doing missionary work the rest of the day. I am actually very excited to see what this will bring.

It's going to be a wonderful holiday season. I can't wait! ha plus I will be getting a Christmas box soon! Seeing as how both of my old companions are serving in the office right now I got a phone call saying my Christmas package was there ha, it's not what ya know, but who! It was so nice of them to let me know.

I will attach some pictures to this email of some of the stuff I've been up to lately so sorry if this email is shorter it just takes a while to upload pics...

Dad always talks about those "moments of clarity" and honestly this city has been tough, it's been a transfer that has made me stretch and sometimes I think that everything I am doing is just "seed planting" but Sunday I had one of those "clarity moments".

Our branch time changed, we now start sacrament time at 3 in the afternoon and I was not excited about it. but as I sat there in the back of sacrament meeting and looked around me I felt the Spirit. I looked up at the sacrament table and I saw a young man there who had been very inactive, and honestly not very happy, and now he was standing in front of the congregation with a smile on his face, blessing the water. Then I noticed another young man who was getting ready to pass the sacrament, who we'd also been working with, and both of them had just these big grins on their faces as they looked back at me.

It being Fast and Testimony meeting, member's all got up and shared their testimonies of the truthfulness of the Church and the impact it's had on their lives. From the back, a man walked in. he also was very inactive, and had kind of gone off the deep end. he had some problems with drugs, alcohol, and other things. We'd met with him earlier in the week, and I really didn't think much of what we'd talked about. He didn't really say much during the meeting with us but I could tell he felt something. Sunday, he got up and walked to the front of the sacrament hall...stood with tears in his eyes, he told us. That he knew his Father in Heaven loved him, Because when he needed him the most he sent two missionaries to come and help him find his way back.

The Gospel is changing lives of the people in Russia, I know it. It may not be visible but Zion is being built, even here where it's really cold. I know it, and  I am gratetful that I can be here and do this work. The
Church is perfect. Even if we as member's aren't. Our Father in Heaven loves His Children, and I get to help people realize it.

We'll I love you all! I hope things are going good and that you all have a wonderful week!

liveSTRONG,
Elder Eborn

Mom & Dad - Hey folks! Dont worry mom :) I am doing fine, I am actually going to buy a dumbbell set today, seeing those pictures of Tanner made me realize that I need to get back in to shape ha. The pictures looked way sick! Halloween seemed like you had a blast! Let everyone know I love them and miss them. As for the sky miles deal you just have to register on the internet we fly via Aeroflot most of the time and Delta so their all partners and work together.  I am good... on the warm side,  the cold feels so good!

Tanner - Dude, WHAT? Who said you could go and get all big and buff? Oh well, I speak Russian! I love ya bro, keep being the stud you are!

Megan - What up lil sis?! I heard you made comp volleyball!? Way to go you're such a little studmuffin that's for sure. I am proud to be able to say you're my sister. Remember what it says in Jacob 2: 17-18. :) I love ya sis.

Maddie - Hey baby sister! love your guts! Keep being you and hug the brown one for me!

News From Russia

We recieved an email from the main office.  Elder Eborn's holiday package arrived safe and sound----and will be delivered to him at the end of November.  Phew!  Silly things we mom's worry about. 

Halloween 2010 in Russia

Can you believe it's already November?! I am slightly freaking out about the fact that time's flown by so quick and that I've been gone this long. I sounds like you all had a fun Halloween (even without me) way to go on being a Running Ute dad! I can't wait to see some pictures next week!

We had a fun little Halloween party for English Club, we had a lot of people show up expecting a good time, I made the biggest cookie I have ever made and rootbeer for everyone it was way fun to watch everyone  trying Rootbeer, everyone wanted the recipe, it was fun we had a lot of games and stuff, I'd send pictures but I forgot my card reader... I wore my suspenders and my shlapa with some sunglasses and rolled up my sleeves---it was a lot of fun. We had a lot of games and treats and stuff and then we had a bobbing for apple contest... At first Idid not won't to compete to say the least, because I knew if I was going to do it I'd go all out...and yeah, so after I tried to tell everyone that I wasn't going to play, I ended up being the first one to go... dang peer pressure. 

Elder Nelson and I ended up being up to our shoulder's head down in the bucket of water bobbing for apples we laughed way hard. One of the Sister's here, is a very strick, straight forward,  only one way to do anything, kind of person, came up to us and told me how I was the craziest person she'd ever met, commented on  how I did everything to the extreme, how I work, how I play, just everything was to the extreme.  I thought about that a little bit.

I remember what Dean Karnazis wrote in his book "The Ultra Marathon man" (Not that I am quoting him as scripture or anything, this is just something I liked) "life is not meant to be finished by walking across the finishline. It's meant to come sliding in broadside, bruised, broken, and bleeding proclaiming, what a ride! " I will only serve on one full time mission, and it's getting shorter and shorter as the days go by, and I am going to enjoy it. I am here to work, to help people come unto Christ, and I've only got 14 months left to do it full time, so yeah, I maybe a little crazy, I may dive into buckets of water after apples, I may work hard and have a lot of fun while  I am at it, but I am here for a reason, and I am going to be me. I may be becoming a better me but I'll always be me!

Well other than that we had a some success with our investigators and also finding some new ones. we had a contact come to Church on "I wiill give you a thosaund rubles for it!" I smiled and said "it's worth a lot more than that but, I will give you one for free. Hopefully things will start to pick up with him well meet again with him Saturday so I hope everything works. Artiom is doing awesome, tonight we're going to teach him about the law of chastity... LOL I had to learn a lot of new word's this morning to say the least ha. i think we've become good enough friends that it won't be to awkward... but then again that kind of stuff is alway's pretty awkward lol.

We're also working with the youth to get some stuff going like Young Mens. They don't have things like that here or scouting so these 12 and 13 year old kids just come to Church and don't really have anyother outlet for things. It makes me grateful for all my leaders that I've had that really did make the extra effort to make Scouts fun and to get me wanting to come to Church, it's not just through the gospel but it's through other activities that the Lord can help people to understand the importance of the Gospel, and these kids need it!

Well, thats about it from me this week, sorry sometimes I just don't know what to write you guys ha it's a lot of the same stuff, I am just working and having fun. I love you all, and I miss you like crazy!  I get to talk to you on Christmas!! ;)

liveSTRONG,
Elder Eborn!

Mom & Dad - Wow mom , look at Mrs  Big-Wig down in Texas being a speaker it's sounds like you're having a lot of fun and getting to be away from the kids for a couple days sounds probably would be nice. If you do get me another mellow johnny's tshirt make sure it's not too small this time ha I am still not a very big  guy, but I am not a kid any more. I love you guy's :) thank you for all the support, I feel like one of the Son's of Helaman out here, I doubt not, my mother (parents) knew it!

Tanner- Hey Broski, just wanted to let ya know I love ya and miss ya. Keep being the brother you are, and know I am proud to say your my brother.

Girls, Love you sisters!

Beyond Our Capabilities

Another e-mail from Sibieria for ya'll, sound's like you are all getting ready for a sweet Halloween.  I think this year I am going to go as a missionary (Ha! Maybe we'll switch nametags and go as each other) it's not like being home that's for sure, I've been way homesick this week. Probably due to the fact, that Elder Drasso loves his family tons too and  we have been talking about home, but it's been good. We've been having fun and things have been working out. We're getting a long,  I guess it's kind of a good thing to be trunky because if you weren't it means you didn't have much to look forward to back home. So in short, I'm looking forward to coming home and seeing you all :) BUT I've still got a long way to go, so we'll not get to far ahead of ourselves, there's still 14 months ahead of me here in Siberia and I love doing what I am.

I am expecting some sweet pictures from Halloween next week ha, we're having a Halloween party in English club Friday so that should be way fun. Gunna make some rootbeer!! Oh, I bought a new hat... Elder Nelson and I were walking around on the reenok (basically a swap meet type place) he's training a greeny and he needed to by some winter clothes so we went together, and I found a hat that is called a shlappa in
Russian but I think it's called a Fedora in English idk for sure. but any ways, we talked the guy down on the price and we bought them ha. if you go outside without a hat on in October, you'll get a swift swat upside the head from a babushka ha. So if I have to wear a hat I am gunnna get a fun one so we got them ha and well when I wear it with my suit and tie and my leather gloves and palto, I look like mafia ha. it's way fun,( it's actually been pretty effective for contacting too, people come up and talk to me ha). I will send some pictures next week.;)

So this week was very productive as far as the missionary work goes, we found 3 new investigators and had some awesome meetings with Artiom, he's doing awesome. He's getting closer and closer to baptism and I  think he can feel it as well.

Yesterday, we had a meeting and talked about the Atonement, and how it is a free gift to all that accept it. I love the verse in 2 Nephi 25:23, "it's is by mercy that we are saved, after all we can do" the all we can do involves our willingness to accept Christ and his Gospel. To do the things that he asks of us and then we can recieve that mercy. As we explained it to Artiom we talked alot about faith, and how it was the first step because if we don't have faith in Christ nothing is going to work, and it's interesting the word faith in Russian and the word trust are very similar in fact only a prefix seperates their meanings. We all should Trust
in our Savior more, people here are different than back home, they tell us often that we have a confidence about us, that they haven't seen before, and Elder Nicholaisen, our senior couple explained it perfectly. He said, it's not that we are confident in ourselves it's that we trust in our Savior, and that gives us strength to do things that our beyond our own capablities. Like learning Russian, preaching the gospel, or having the faith to take a step into an unknown future, with that trust in our Savior we know that no matter what he will be with us and that gives us strength that can't be measured.

Oh! forgot to tell you this, our senior couple here the Nicholiasens got a transfer, they were transfered to Turkey for the remainder of their mission they are going to be the humanitarian missionaries for the whole
country of Turkey.  The church isn't recognized in Turkey yet but they're going to lay some ground work, cool huh? So we are senior coupleless for the time being but it's all good, The Maughns will be coming here-- is what the plan is.  Mom mentioned that it's our dear Brother Maughn's brother,right? Isn't that cool, be sure to tell Brother Maughn for me, love that man. They'll be here the 9th of 10th of November so I will help get them accustomed to life in Siberia!

Well family, I love you, I miss you like crazy and I hope that everything is going well. Until next week, with love from Russia.

liveSTRONG,
Elder Eborn

Mom & Dad - Thank's for the emails Yeah the Russian., who emailed you is named Olga she's a member here in Omsk and speaks English well. She asked me if I wanted to say anything to you and I didnt think she
would remember what I said ha that's way funny though. Anyways have a fun Halloween, I am looking forward to pictures :) and mom, to answer your question, I've been thinking about it and yeah, i think i want to go school in the spring, but idk for sure yet that's the plan for now. I wanna get my CNA and get a job working in a hospital or something but idk if or how i could get it all worked out and with college so we'll see. What are your thoughts on it?  I know you have good advice.

Tanner - Dude, your cosutme is looking sweet! Gotta send me a pic of the completed thing! You will be amazing I am sure.

Grandpa - Thank's for the picture :) That sure is a beautiful temple!

Aunt Meegan - Thank's for the email! So good to hear from other Eborns (Especially the ones in Layton :) tell Garrett Gav, and Libby Lou , I love them.

Remember Who You Are and Where You Came From

Another week another email! It's crazy how fast time is going by, a year ago I was getting ready to go the Temple and now I am in Siberia and winter is closing in! it has been about 0 degree's all week, I've had to start wearing my palto and hat when we go out it hasn't snowed yet here but I hear it's not far from it  every morning we wake up to a nice layer of ice that is blanketing out windows and the ground. Welcome to Siberia - There's no where I'd rather be!

Elder Drasso came in last Friday early in the morning, (Transfer weeks are hard here do to the fact that you have to be up early in the morning or out late at night and man it just make's you super tired, it's been good to get back to the regular routine of missionary life) and we just got straight to work.---he's great, we've both come a long way from the MTC I will tell ya that!

It'll be a good transfer, we figured out though that we are the youngest companionship in our mission! Which is a little scary to think. But we can handle it, like Good Ol' Joseph Smith said, "Deep water is what I want
to swim in" and hard things are what make us realize what we really can do.

We got to watch general conference this weekend, which was just AWESOME! A lot of really good stuff about which they talked about will help me in my work here. When President Monson talked about missionaries at first I just thought "ha, I am already there :) but, I think Iwill probably want to serve a mission as a senior couple sometime when I am a "older person" but for now I am glad to be a missionary in the far reaches of Siberia!

We've been still working trying to find some new investigators as well as getting the young men really active in the Church here and it's been well, the work is progressing, we've been having fun with it as well. Artiom, (aka Jon Bon Jovi) is doing awesome, we had an amazing couple meetings with him since last time I wrote you, we started in on the Plan of Salvation and what it is, and what it means that we really have the plan. It really is an amazing thing and it's perfect, I'm so greatful that we have it and that we are a part of it.

We've been taking it very slow trying to make sure everything is understood and that he can feel the Spirit as we teach. ( That is the key after all, I can talk all day, but if I don't have the Spirit with me he isn't going to learn anything) and Monday after FHE we had a meeting with him where we started in on our Pre-Mortal existence. and how in reality, we are all sons and daughters of God, and that he loves us, and because he loves us he has given us the ability to choose for ourselves what we want to do do, and in our wisdom we chose his plan which enabled us to come here and to recieve a body and to learn. It was an awesome meeting, I remember just looking into Arty's eyes, and opeing my mouth and the words came out, "Artiom, you are a son of the most incredible being in the universe, the Creator of all, and you chose to come here, and you wanted to follow your Elder Brother Jesus Christ. and you are here meeting with us because you are ready and your Father in Heaven knows it. He loves you and he want's you to return to him and to learn what you need to do here." I stopped, and realized what I had told him and was just like wow, that was really bold, I hope I didn't over do it and scare him. He kind of looked down then back up at me and started to cry. He knew his Father in Heaven loved him, and we all could feel it.

Family, we all need to remember who we are, and where we have come from. Whether we are older and working in the temple (not that grandma and grandpa are old...my grandpa can out hike anyone) a parent with four children, or a senior in highschool, we are all children of the most magnificant being in the universe, and He loves us. No matter how hard we fight it, or how much we deny it. The truth is that he is, and that he loves us, we chose to come here and to learn and to grow. He is looking forward to the day when he can sit down with us and talk with us about how our adventure here was. Take some time to talk with him, he's there to listen and he want's to hear from you.

Well, idk what else to tell ya? Sound's like you've had a great week those pictures dad sent me where way funny ha, I am still busting up about Gavin with the Shotgun, ha you should have got a video of that. I can't wait until I get home and we can all go fishing together, but it's not about the fishing, it's about the trip, and about the "Damn Trains" and Cupcakes. Family, I love you guy's, thank's for everything, I couldn't do this without you that is for dang sure.

liveSTRONG,
Elder Eborn

Mom & Dad - All is well with me, just wanted to say thanks for being the examples you are to me. I love you. :) oh and also I had a brilliant idea.. seeing as how I fly like thousands of miles a year we should set meup a skymiles account so I can earn some points for when we get home ha. If you have some time to set up an account before the December trip it would be cool to start using while I go on visa trips and earn some extra points for what ever trips we want to take when I get home ;) (b/c we are gunna!)

Tanner - Dude, I know! The Scout Office is haunted huh? It's way freakin at night, I always had to have my headphones on and turn on all the light's or I'd get scared ha. Let me know how swimming's going big guy. Love you Tanner.

Girls & Gramm - Love you and miss you all!

Will You? When You Know?

Hey...
How's it all going back home? Sounds like you've been having a pretty good week  I saw Tanner's homecoming pics, ha (way to go Bro!) even if you were in my shirt ;) ha still looked good and I like that you had fun.

This week has been super hectic for us. Transfers here in Siberia aren't like they are anywhere else I mean what other mission do you have to take a plane to get to your next city? I've been bouncing around between other companionships here in Omsk helping out where I can, due to the fact that I don't have a comp. but it's been good last Thursday, we got tickets to a professional Hockey Game! It was so sick the team was called Avangard.

They're here in Omsk and they're way good, they actually like won the National Championship last year so it was way fun.  They actually lost but the energy and stuff at the game was just way fun! They played all sort's of good music after 10 months of MoTab, listening to other music make's one feel good. 

We went to the game and got some cool pics I will send some today or next week hopefully. Then on Friday, President called and told us about our transfers... I will be here in Omsk on left bank again, and I will be with Elder Drasso again. This will be the first time I've had a companion that hasn't been out longer than me on the Mission since the MTC and ha again it'll be with Elder Drasso.  It will be a good transfer, I'm glad to be staying here in my area where I  can continue on with what I've started. I hope we can do all that we need to and what the Lord would have us do.

We've been working with this young man named Artiom, I think I've told you about him, he looks like John Bon Jovi . He's 19 years old and he's been coming to English pretty steadily and so Elder Birtcher and I started meeting with him, and he's such a cool guy!

 Last Friday, I met with him and we talked about how important all of this really is and how much happier his life will be here now and in the life to come if he starts doing what he needs to. It was way cool because, I asked him, when he knows that the Book of Mormon is true, will you get baptized?  He sat there for a few moment's in silence. Olga, the member we had with us started to say something, and he stopped her and said he needed to think so we sat there for a few minutesin silence. I felt like Ammon before the King when he asked the King what he wanted from him then waited an hour as the King sat in silence.

Reality it was just a few moments he said, "Elder when I know, yes". It was so cool, the Spirit was very strong and we've been in contact everyday he's guy.  I know that when he does the thing's that he's suppose to---reading, praying, and going to Church, that he will recieve the answer, just as I know that it will happen to anyone of you who tries. Read and ask and you'll get an answer,  I promise our Heavenly Father will answer you!

We'll it looks like you've all been having a great time, if you haven't sent my Christmas box off yet I would ask if you would add a few more things, like a new Scout Handbook/ Cubscout handbook. We're going to see if we can get some stuff going here with some of the youth to help them do other things than "coming to church". So we'll see, plus I just want a Scout Handbook, it was always such a big part of my life and I miss it!

Tanner Way to go on your Eagle Board! Let me know when your Court of Honor is! We'll I'd better get going, there's alot to do today and time's not slowing down! I love you all! Thank's for the support, I couldn't do this without you that's for sure! Keep me and especially the people in Russia in your prayers, they need lots of love. I love you all!

liveSTRONG
Elder Eborn!

Grandpa - Wow, that must have been very sudden and unexpected for Uncle Stephen and Aunt Candice. But you're right, The Plan of Happiness is a wonderful thing. This is not the end, that's for sure. Let them know that I love them, and that they'll be in my prayers.

Mom & Dad - So I found a Solomon Store here and I had to buy some pants that were on sale... they're just  way to cool ha so yeah I took some money off for that, im also planing on buying my winter boots probably next week.  Columbia has some really good sales right now and the boots are like way sick it'll be like 5-7000 rubles so just so ya know. I will  look for your letter next week before I go shopping. But yea, also I am getting ready to send you guy's you're box of "I have been gone a year / do need this stuff" box so yeah ha it probably won't get there for a few months but just be aware :)
I love you guys! Thank you for being the best Parents and Friends I could ask for!

Amber - Hey missy :) Thanks for the letters, goodness I miss you. I hope you're having a great day and that your week is just wonderful!! ha tell Rachel thank's for her letter also :) I got it late last week lol. You're
family is awesome tell them all hi from me. Anyways, have a great week!
see ya Am

By What Authority?

Well hello there family!
How are things back in the good ol' USA?! Man those pictures of you guy's in St.George were so sick! I want to go out and run a marathon right now!

Elder Britchers dad actually was down there and ran the marathon too. It sounds like you had a blast. We'll have to do it when I get back in a couple years deal? Well this week has been way interesting. We had the whole leadership training with President Trejo and it's been way cool to start implementing those things into my teaching and missionary work.

Saturday night we finally got a meeting with one of our contacts who told us he had a "youth group" he wanted to introduce us too ha. so we went and we took another companionship with us and we found out that they were actually a Baptist Church ha that was a little weird, we had 4 Mormon missionaries in a Baptist Church with a youth pastor and about 20 youth.

We walked in and the other companionship says to me in English, "these were the guy's we almost got in a fight with a couple nights ago"... I was on edge. But it turned out alright, we talked with them and told them why we were here, and we even gave out a few copies of the Book of Mormon. I was showing them all my pictures and I showed a picture of Maddie and Dad after Maddies baptism, where they were in all white and wet and their main pastor came up and asked "by what authority can your father baptize people?"  I told him very calmly that My Father was commissioned of Jesus Christ, and had the proper Priesthood authority to do administer the ordinance of baptism. He then asked "is he a pastor?" and I said "no, he holds the Melchizedek Priesthood which was restored by Peter James and John to the Prophet Joseph Smith, who restored the Church of Christ to the earth." I asked him by what means he baptized people and he got quiet and changed the subject.

We sang some songs with them and prayed with them (they prayed a lot) and then left. I was ok, and it ended being cool. Later that night President Trejo called us... I thought he was going to say something to us for going and talking with them.. But he called to let us know that Elder Birtcher will be leaving Wednesday to go to the office and serve with Elder Espinoza thats the second great comp I've lost to the office!

So I will be with the zone leaders for a week until I get a new comp. We don't know who I will be with yet but President will call Friday and let me know. I will miss Elder Birtcher but what can ya do, gotta serve were you're called to serve! Anyway,. ...

I had a way cool experience in the scriptures the other day, we have an investigator who has a lot of questions about EVERYTHING, and we do our best to answer them but its hard to answer question after question. I was reading and I was thinking about why are there so many questions, why are the things of God such a mystery to us, and I just opened my scriptures to 1 Nephi Chapter 11 where Nephi is conversing with the Angel about Lehi's dream and the angel asks him a question. he says, " Knowest know thou the condescension of God?" I thought about that and I personally interpet that as "do you know why God does what he does?" and then I read Nephi's answer, he says, " I know that he loves his children, but I don't know meaning of all things." We all need to remember that God infact loves us, and that he wants what is best for us, that's why he's given us all that we have. We have the scriptures to know what to do, and we have the opportunity to pray to him, and communicate with him, I love our Heavenly Father, and I know he loves us.

I love you all! I hope all is going well I will see ya next week a probably the same time!

liveSTRONG,
Elder Eborn

Dad - Way to go big guy! another 26 miles in the bag! hope ya know I think
you're a stud and love ya dad :)

Mom - Sweet pics mom :) sounds like everything's going good at home, and
like you're all having a great time! i love you all :) see ya in 14 ish
months.

Tanner - ha sounds like a sweet date broski! i want to see some pics!

A Super Hero w/ a Name Tag

JT sent this at the end of last week.  Just got it up today.  Sorry for the delay.  We were in St. George.

Hey again!
So this last week has been hectic!  We started our little picnic deal and after a day of stressing about what to do for it. I decided to do some COPE acctivities with the group that came. It turned out way good! We all had a lot of fun and ended up eatting hotdog sandwhiches (don't ask lol) and yeah, we had a couple investigators and quite a few member's show up and it was way cool one girl came, and she has just been doing way good, she's come to English and a whole bunch of stuff.

She always tells me how much happier she is when she's around us. She told us she can't figure out what is was so we asked her to meet with the Sister's and she has been. We had a spiritual thought from Koctya who is a member here, he's like 17, and a stud, he's been on a mini mission and he is a way good kid. He talked about what the meaning of life is and shared a verse from Alma 34:32 which talks about how we are here to prepare to meet God. This girl just started to cry, she asked us why she was crying and what she was feeling. It was cool to help her understand that it was the Spirit.

Many times we don't feel the spirit quite that strong, but we need to be able to let it work through us, to feel the love of the Lord through his guidance. We need to put ourselves in the position to be ready to feel that when we need it.

This is my real email for the week! We are in between sessions at this leadership training deal. It's way cool, it's all about making us more effiective teachers President and Sister Trejo came down to Omsk for the week and are putting on the training. It's not just something that our mission is doing but it's a training that The First Presidency has asked us all to go through to make us better missionaries so that we can better relay our message. (Mom would be all over it) A big part of it is really focusing on the point of why we are here, which is to bring people unto Christ. We've been focusing on the doctrine of Christ and what that means.

We've had a few little breaks during sessions (like this one) where we are suppose to go out and try and apply what we've learned. Due to the fact that we leave a good hour away from the Nicholaisens we didn't have any opportunities to meet with people. So Elder Birtcher and I have gone contacting! We've actually met quite a few people who are interested and want to meet so it's been really neat.

We've been more focusing on the fact that The Gospel of Christ is what is contained in The Book of Mormon, and that people need to know about it. President Trejo put it perfectly, there will be no "fence-sitters" when it comes time, We will not be able to have one foot in the Kingdom of God, and one in the realm of the devil.  It's our job to be the most effective teachers we can be in order to help people make the right descision. I'm far from perfect, and I've got a long way to go, but people need to know this:

Eternity hangs in the balance, not only mine but my fellow brothers and sister's here in Russia. I've always been a super hero fan, I mean goodness I even have a spandex superman costume that hangsin my closet at home. Though I may not be able to fly, or have the ability to regrow limbs, I do have the Gospel. I know that it is the only thing that will bring us true happiness in this life, as well as eternal life in the world to come. I don't have a cape, or boots, but I've got a Book of Mormon, and a testimony and thats all I need. I love being here and I love doing what I am doing. I may not have any success, I may not be able to save the world, but I am sure going to try.

 I love you guys and im thankful that you're all supporting me back home. I couldn't do this without you, and I know I wouldn't be where I was without you.
I love you all!
Keep doing what's right, and I will see you in year or so! :)

liveSTRONG,

Elder Eborn!

Mom - Hey mommy, love ya... thanks for everything! President was all worried about my card and made it a point to make sure I got it before we got started with this training. It was way cool. Yeah its kind of a bummer they do that (tear apart postal boxes etc). but what can ya do. hopefully my Christmas package will make it alright. Like I said, I wouldnt' mind some new socks lol. maybe some dry fit long black ones or something. idk I am just sick of church socks like crazy and more fun fettie cake :) mmm I love you guys! All is well!

Dad - Hey big guy, good luck this weekend. I wish I could be there running with you (ahead of you ;) you'll do awesome, just keep putting one foot in front of the other and you'll get where you want too. I wanna see some sweet pics. Oh! an Run Dang It!

Tanner - A yellow tie? What? Dude you gotta send me some pics and who is this girl? I mean you haven't told your brother?! I want details man!

Remember this?  http://ebornsontherun.blogspot.com/2008/12/superman-saves-sharing-time-happy-b-day.html

Time Doesn't Wait

Hey,
Just a quick note, I have a leadership conference here this week so we
won't really have a P-day...so I will probably write home about my week,
when I have a break and can stop by a net cafe, but I wanted to drop a line
and let you know that I got my package!  It had been cut open and
everything had been gone through (even the Reese's peices ha) the card
games were ripped open as well, but you did a pretty good job hiding the important stuff
---it was still there between a pack of cards. So I've got it :) so idk, it all worked so no worries. Oh, and I am sorry if my last email was a little scary ha no worries. President won't take away my Christmas call. he wouldn't want to have moms wrath. LOL

Well I'd better get going. We've got a lot to do today and time doesn't seem to want to wait!

I love you guys :) Thanks for everything. I will send you another email tommorrow.

из руссию с любовью,
Elder Eborn

Hello? Dude! It's Your Dad!

Hello!
So getting a phone call from dad was a little unexpected at 1:30 In the morning last week. lol but any ways, I wrote President Trejo about it seeing as how he already knew via you guys. I  hope everything will be alright.....I am little nervous I might lose my Christmas Call because of it, but we'll see. Ha mom might not be to happy about having to wait untill May to hear from me but, if that's what happens.... then that is what'll happen.

This week has been good, just working hard trying to get this whole peoplewanting to except the gospel thing rolling! ha but what can ya do, we all have agency and get to choose for ourselves. We've been getting a lot of little project-like things rolling here. Trying to get new ways of finding people. We started a Strengthening the Family Program that the senior couple here leads on Tuesdays and doing a lot of contacting trying to find new people lol it's fun. I enjoy talking to people and ithelps my Russian when I speak with Russians on the street lol. Alot of funny experiences, thats for sure lol.

We talked to the branch president about doing an end of summer bbq or something for the branch to invite in actives, and some investigators too and yesterday he told me that I am in charge of it and that he'll buy the food and take care of all the cooking...but,  I am in charge of the agenda. We're going to do it Saturday so we'll see what happens. I have some planning and stuff to take careof for this to work out. thats kind of how Russians work, there isn't a lot of planning that goes into anything. it's alot of quick thrown up jobs that for some reason or another seem to come together. I will have to pull a play out of the old JT and Danny hand book and "just wing it" and be flexible.

So we had English last night and a young guy was there and after we finished story time and spiritual thought, he asked Elder Birtcher and I, if we had a few minutes to talk to him. It was way cool. he actually has heard from the missionaries before but he kind of told them off and thathe didn't want to meet any more. He asked me how I found out about the Church and how I obtained my testimony. It was such a good meeting. I told him about how the gospel has blessed my family, and me in my life and how I  know that he could find out for himself. he said that he felt something andthat he wanted to keep meeting with us. It's amazing, while I was talking to him, I stopped and realized that I was actually speaking Russian and it was all understandable lol. I couldn't believe it! Man it was amazing!! Littlemiracles every day thats for sure.

Well sorry this letter's short, next week will be better, i hope. lol I love you all! Thanks for everything!

liveSTRONG,
Elder Eborn.

Mom & Dad - hey :) Havent got the card... yet but we check the mail everyday. Hopefully it comes and if not we'll see what happens ha. I confessed to Prez Trejo too. Gotta repent... I guess all part of becoming better. I was thinking of stuff I wanted for Christmas... and I want a copy of the Transiberian Orchestra cd lol. it would be sick if you could send me that :) love you guys.

Lorin - whats up first love! ha good to hear from you , sounds like things are going good for you. when is your roomies friends leave for the mtc? ha he might be here soon! who know's maybe I will be his trainer. any ways, send my love to Taryn, Whit, and all  Gotta run saving lives and all!

Tanner - so let's hear the story about how you found the room big guy lol.

Sisters - miss you guys! :) Be excellent to each other!

A Package To Send?

Letter From the Siberian Battalion

Dear Missionary Family,


As the holiday season fast approaches, we want to remind you of a couple things:

1. Your missionary loves getting mail from family and friends.

2. NOW is the time to send your holiday greetings- cards, letters, or packages- in order for your missionary to get them for Christmas. Packages from America can take 2-3 months as the season gets busier. And then they only get the packages when someone is going to the city where they are serving and that could be only once a month.

3. They love special treats that are consumable and non-perishable. Remember, our missionaries move often and carrying extra “stuff” is very hard for them. Please keep this in mind when making your gift selections. They may not transfer or go home with more than 2 bags 20 kg each and some are collecting a lot of things. Please don’t add to that. Also remember that someone has to carry those packages to their cities and if there are 12 missionaries in a city and each one gets several packages that weight 20lbs each, you can see it will be difficult to get the packages to them.

4. Please don’t send any electronic equipment. Missionaries are not permitted to use them (but family tapes are fine).

5. If you send CD’s remember that just because you find it in Deseret Book does not mean that it is missionary acceptable. The only music that does not need pre-approval by Sister Trejo is Tabernacle Choir, classical music and EFY (and some of that is questionable). Sister Trejo can approve other music but some that has come has not been acceptable. Please help your missionary obey the music rules. Music can be a great aid or a great distraction. And sometimes CDs doesn’t make it through customs.

6. As missionaries have come through the office I have asked for ideas they like in packages. These are only a few and you will need to adjust this to your missionary’s particular tastes. Missionaries can buy just about anything they NEED here in Siberia manufactured in Russia. In other words, don’t send shampoo or deodorant or socks unless they like a special brand from home. There are plenty of candy bars but some special kinds not found here are 100,000 Grand, Butterfingers, Nutrageous, Rees Peanut Butter Cups are a few. They do have Snickers here.

7. Other ideas: Past and current pictures, Koolaid, peanut butter, spaghetti sauce dry mix, Tide pens, Spray and Wash stain sticks, dry cider mix, vanilla, maple and rootbeer extract, games (no face cards), games that can be used for family home evenings or Single Young Adult gatherings that could involve a lot of people, things to be used for object lessons, stickers to use in other missionaries’ journals, American souvenirs or pins to give away, jerky, dry BBQ sauce, any favorite spices, homemade candy, Doritos, hot sauce, dry taco seasoning, ranch dressing mix, jello. Missionaries spend a lot of time traveling (buses, trains, planes) and an inflatable travel pillow may save a few necks. They only carry their backpacks on these trips so there is no room for anything that can’t be deflated.

8. If you will write Merry Christmas on the outside somewhere or put on a Christmas sticker so we know that this is for Christmas, we will try to save it for Christmas time if it comes in early.

Send your mail/packages to the mission office address:



630102 Novosibirsk, Russia

ul. Kirova 46

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Russia Novosibirsk Mission

Elder/Sister ___________



Our missionaries are the very best of Heavenly Father’s servants. We love and appreciate them, as you do. Thanks for sharing your missionary with us and the good people of Siberia.



Love from Novosibirsk office couple,

Elder and Sister McCauley

Visa Trip II

It's me again, good news I got another Visa and will be staying in Siberia for another 3 months! Score.

This last week has been way hectic, but, super awesome.  The last couple weeks when p-day came around I felt like "eh just another day". But, last night when I was getting ready for bed I was just super stoked! I just miss you all a lot and reading your letters makes me feel closer to you even when I am on the other side of the world.
Any how, you're probably all wondering how my trip was, so I will give you a little run down of what happend

We got up Wednesday morning.. and got to the tiny airport here in Omsk at about 5:30 AM and got on a little bus which took us to our plane. We flew into Moscow, met up with everyone else in our group, and then went to TGI Fridays in the Moscow Airport. Let me just say, a good burger every three months is like heaven! mmm.

We were all standing in line to get checked into our flight and we heard the faint sound of English being spoken with American accents. We turned and saw group of about 50 americans standing in line behind us. ha it was so nice to get to speak American English with some people lol. It was the most understandable conversation I've had in months! It was fun, they all sat with us on the plane and we talked about Russia and why we are doing what we're doing ..it was cool. There was one lady who actually is LDS and she was super excited to see the missionaries! When we all landed in Helsinki and got threw customes and stuff we all broke off into seperate groups. With the Temple being closed, we were going to be staying at a hostel in down town Helsinki so we went checked in and then hit the Helsinki streets! It was gorgeous! It was warm the sun was out, the trees were starting to turn colors and we had the entire day to explore the city.

We went to this cool church called the church in the Rock (above), which is like a Catholic Church but it's carved out of the rock. Then we went to what was called the island. We took a ferry out in the middle of the bay and got to walk around this island which had a huge fortress on it.

I got to watch the sunset (or sunrise for you guys) over the ocean with these sailboats just everywhere It was so sick! I was a little trunky for that part but oh well. I couldn't get sailing out of my mind the rest of the trip!

The next day we woke up early and got to the airport and headed back to Moscow where we had a 12 hour lay over so we took the express train into down town Moscow!

It was sick, I got to see a whole bunch of cool stuff. Unfortunately,  Red Square was closed due to a concert going on that night but I got to walk around and got as close to St. Basil's as possible.

We got to see a scottish pipe band play "Praise to the Man" or something that sounded like it... on Red Square though it was so cool.  It was way fun and needed. my flight to Omsk was at like 12 am and we landed in Omsk at 6 am. It's funny how time changes when you fly to Siberia. we got off the plane and I don't know what happend. It was beautiful in Moscow and Finland, but it seems like in a day, the weather has turned to Winter.  The sky's grey and it was snowing ha it was crazy! Well it's a good thing I got most of my stuff for winter already.  So we got in a taxi to go home and the driver was all scared and asked us if we were mafia ha we got a good laugh out of that. but he tried to charge us like 3000 rubles for the ride but we told him how it wasn't nice to take advantage of American's especially one's who speak Russian, ha it was funnny. So yeah I slept for like 10 hours then got up and went to district meeting at the Nicholiasens it was pretty much my visa trip in a nut shell. lt was good and much needed.

I got back to Omsk and have been working ever since! we're trying to get a family home evening deal set up in order to find some new people to teach, and it's been way fun, we made some new invitations and then went contacting with our senior couple here. it was way funny lol. Sister Nicholiasen would walk up to someone and just start speaking to them about this program that could help strengthen families and then I'd walk up and translate for her we actually got quite a few people interested.

Thats basically whats up with me! just working. but I love you guys, thanks for everything I miss you like crazy!

liveSTRONG,

Elder Eborn


Dad - Hey, so I am  not sure about what to do with the card, I will just send you my address or the address of the senior couple here in Omsk and you could probably just send it to them. I will talk to Elder Nicholiasen today.  Let me know the details I will check my email in about a couple more hours to see any updates on that. but yeah sounds like you're getting ready for the big race. I wanna see pictures, I wish I could be runnin with ya pops. I miss ya.

Mom- Mommy! All is well here, I am healthy, working, and not dead. No worries :) The package was super sick. I am saving the fun fetti cake for a special day ha idk when yet, but it'll be good! I need to by some winter boots so I will probably buy those this week it'll be like 150 bucks or so. Ha in Finland I realised I am too much... like my mom... I bought a bag because it was "black and I liked it" lol. but its a good thing :) Love you mommy!

Tanner - Alright bamf mama jama, you want the location of the Senior Wall??? You need to do the following and my next letter will contain it's location... I need Jake and Kendyll's email (my Idaho Bud's) and you also need to get on my facebook and up date my status to "I am in Siberia!" and put a cool pic up of me here with my Shapka. Got it? You do this and I wiill send you the cooridinates... love ya broski ! keep running hard retard.