A Rotten Apple

Why Hello there one and all!
Once again writing you from the wonderful section of the world known as Siberia! Same mission just 13 hours away from where I wrote you last week.

I've got some fun stories to tell ya!

So I got on a bus last Wednesday and took of for Novo, I sat next to the old babushka, (thats Russian English for Grandma type lady) and she offered me some apples, these apples, I am  pretty sure were from like last year, and I was like no thank you I am not very hungry. Then she said "young man, you will not last the winter if you don't eat this" So being a polite missionary, I took the apple, it was completely rotten, and she then told me to eat it. I said a quick prayer and snarffed it down. It was awful but I didn't get sick or anything, score for me!

She and I talked for about half the ride to Novo, but when we stopped for the halfway break she talked to another older lady and I heard the word "sektanti which is what people that are against the Church call us.  My babuska friend didn't talk to me the rest of the way to Novo after that :( .... I kind of felt bad I am here to help.

On to my next part of the story, I got to Novo stayed the night there and the next morning was getting on a train to Omsk, the office Elder's helped me get everything taken care of and well, normally we get a train that has a little cabin type thing, but not this time.  I was stuck in the commercial class car, which consisted of 4 bunkbeds in each hallway, and 2 bunkbeds on the side between the aisle,  I sat down on my spot and had a bugger of a time finding a place for all my luggage, when you live out of 3 suitcases for 2 years, things get interesting. but I got all situated and Elder nelson who was coming from Irikutsk was there with me. There were 4 people that were across the aisle from us and they were pretty drunk. We started talking to them due to the fact that they wanted to talk to us, and they tried to convince us that we hadn't been in Russia untill we'd had Russian Vodka. We told him "no" about 5 or 6 times before he got upset and told us that we were the rudest americans he'd ever met. He then asked us why we didn't drink and we had a good little conversation with him, and about how if he wanted to he could change is life for the better. Score for missionary work! He ended up just rolling over and falling asleep after.... Elder Nelson and I played monopoly, ate at the dinning car, and wrote some letters for about 9 hours it was way cool.

We were met by the entire zone in Omsk and it was awesome! Getting to know the area will be rough, it is just such a huge area! There are 3 branches, one district, and 8 elders, 2 sisters, and a senior couple. There are alot people here, more than in Tomsk that's for sure.

We had some meetings getting me use to the area, and then Sunday came. I asked Elder Espinoza if I should prepare a talk, and he was all, "nah, don't sweat it they will give you a week or 2 before they ask you to speak. So I didn't sweat it. We got to church Sunday, and the Second Counselor comes right up to me, Elder Eborn, our speakers didn't show up, will you speak for like 15-20 minutes on what ever you want? lol

I was just like, "ahhh yeah, no problem"  SO I did, I spoke about Enduring to the End. I gave the analogy of running a marathon and how I felt at the end. It was cool. I had a whole bunch of people come up to me after and try to convince me to run the marathon here in Omsk here in a few weeks. I would totally be down with it! Just gotta get some permission from President! ha jk I'd die!

Elder Espinoza is actually in the Army Reserves, and got a 2 year leave to serve his mission. He has to stay in shape. We've been running every other day, as well as, doing some hardcore Army work outs. Who know's maybe I will come home in better shape than I thought I would!

We were walking home one night and this guy was looking at us weird, so we stopped by to talk to him, and he asked us if we really believed that our message could better people's lives, I said "da". Elder Espinoza said, "HET", Russian for no, we don't believe it, We Know it will". The guy's total attitude changed, instead of trying to argue, he asked how can I know? He has invited us over to his house for dinner tommorrow and wants us to teach him and his family! The power of a Testimony is Great, I know it's the quickest way to invite the Spirit, and it is why I am here.

I have had many experiences that have brought me to this point in my life, but the real thing that got me here, is my testimony. I know God lives, and that he loves us, He gave us his Son to help us get back to him and through his Gospel, which has been restored through a Prophet in our day, we can do that.

I challenge you all to share your testimony! Tell someone what you know, and see what happens.
I love you all. Thanks for the support, pleae keep the letters coming! I'm at nearly 7 months!

liveSTRONG,
Elder Eborn


Mom- Hey mom :) Thanks for the emails, you are awesome! I couldn't do it with out your support.... and way to snatch Garrett off the road with a sat dish lol. You're a hero. That's way cool about what you said though, it's one thing I've noticed here, is how reading your scriptures really does help, we can get so much out of them if we just set some time a side and make it a priority. Love you! :)

Dad- Alright mister.... those pictures were super trunky. I wanna go do a tri SO bad! Way to beat Tanner ha, but you're looking good, looks like you're getting thinner and staying in shape. I can't wait to get home and to do those with my best buds again!! (thats You and Tanner).

Omsk Russia

Elder Eborn is riding the Transiberian Railroad to his new area.  Omsk Russia.

Omsk (Russian: Омск) is a Russian city located in southwestern Siberia and the administrative center of Omsk Oblast. It is Russia's second-largest city east of the Ural Mountains. The distance from Omsk to Moscow is 2,700 kilometres (1,700 mi).

In imperial times, Omsk was the seat of the Governor General of Western Siberia, and later of the Governor General of the Steppes. For a brief period during the Russian Civil War in 1918–1920, it served as the capital of the anti-Bolshevik Russian State and held the imperial gold reserves.

Omsk is the administrative centre of Siberian Cossack Voisko, it also serves as the see of the bishop of Omsk and Tara, as well as the administrative seat of the Imam of Siberia.

Location

Omsk is situated on the banks of the north-flowing Irtysh, at its confluence with the smaller Om River. The city has an altitude of 87 metres (285 ft) above sea level.


Both branches of the Trans-Siberian railway pass through the city, which also serves as a major junction for the regional highway network. River port facilities handle both passengers and freight, giving the city access to the extensive navigable waterways of the Irtysh and Ob rivers. The waterways connect Omsk with the coal and mineral-mining towns in Kazakhstan, as well as with the oil, natural gas and lumber operations of northern Siberia. Omsk is served by the Tsentralny Airport, which offers access to domestic and international (primarily, German and Kazakh) destinations, making the city an important aviation hub for Siberia and the Russian Far East.

Farewell Tomsk...

Hey Family,
I hope things are going well for you, it is so good to hear from you all you have no idea! The highlight of P-days is when I get to hear from my family and friends, so thank you all for your letters and the prayers.

I guess I should start by telling you the news, I recieved a phone call from President Trejo last Saturday, and I am leaving Tomsk, actually I am leaving today in about 6 hours.

Apparently, I have grown out of my greeny missionary stage,  and am being transfered to Omsk, Russia.

I know, just lost a "T" at the begining of my city, silly Russia.  I have mixed feelings about leaving, I am excited to get to meet new people, to see a new city, and all the traveling that goes along it. For instance, I get to ride on the Transiberian Railroad! Oh yeah!! I am super excited about that! But, I will miss Tomsk.  I've grown to quite like it here, the people here are wonderful... I love them.

The Lord has need of me in Omsk right now, so I will take a 5 hour bus ride to Novo, then hop on a train for 8 hours to Omsk. I am holding out for the big one next time....our mission has the world's longest transfer ( comes with being the biggest mission) it is a 48 hour train ride from Omsk to Ulana Day.  How sick would that be? Well see what happens.

This last week has been super hectic, last minute meetings with investigators, members, packing all my stuff. (Being able to live out of a backpack has sure come in handy when it comes to having to live out of 3 suitcases for 2 years! I can pack up everything I own and be ready to go in under an hour.)

Elder Hansen and I have been reflecting on our last 3 months together and all that we have helped accomplish here in Tomsk. I'm a little sad that I will not be here to see my Investigator get Baptized next week, but man he's ready! I have made sure of that before I left.  He's a good guy, he's ready for the gospel and he wants to do what is right. We have a lot of investigators that have just started to open up to us and are making some great progress, But I guess I will have to leave that for Elder Hansen to finish up with.

Elder Eborn, Alexy, and Elder Hansen July 2010

After I receieved my call from President, we had a rough lesson with a contact that just well it was bad, all he wanted to do was argue. At the end of the meeting Iwas not the happiest camper, but we got on the bus and were heading up to the branch for English and a song came on the bus radio, which could not help but make me smile. It brought me back to nights with Danny, being with my family and having mom singing it with the whole family in the car, and just a whole bunch of good times.  Gotta love " I gotta feeling " by the Black Eyed Peas LOL. Tender Mercies of the Lord, that is just another proof that he knows us, and he does want us to be happy.  He even knows when a missionary in Siberia is having a rough day and needs a little pick me up.

Sounds like the family reunion was fun. I miss playing at the lake. Unfortunately, everyone here has told us that summer is now over and the weather is only going to get colder from here---thats Siberia. Some of the leaves on the trees have even started to change colors. It kind of stinks but oh well, what was I expecting when I got called to Siberia? Palm trees?

Well family I have to go, I've got a bus to catch! I'll see you again next week! Only in OMSK!
God Lives and loves us, I am so glad I have the opportunity to help people understand that a little better. I love you all.

Thanks for the support and the love.
I couldn't do it without you.

liveSTRONG

Dad - I've been thinking alot about the whole evolution thing too, and as I've been studying the scriptures, it all just makes sense that things would be the way that they are. It's funny to try and explain to people about the whole concept of it all in Russian. I'm still not where I want to be but I'm getting there with the language. I love ya dad.

Mom - I've actually gained weight out here and no worries!

Early Birthday Wish to My Dad

BADGER,
Happy birthday!

I know it's a little early but well, Wednesdays only come once a week.

Dad, I just wanted to say thanks for everything , you're my best friend, I've always known I could always count on you and that you'd always be there for me. I look up to you big time, and I know that I wouldn't be where I am without you're example. I love ya Dad.

Livestrong,
Elder Eborn in Russia

but I Believe

Hey family, friends, and those who read this letter!

How are you all doing? I hope Maddie's arm is alright, that sounds like not to much fun getting--- burned.  I am glad the cookies turned out pretty good though!. I will be looking forward to the package :) who know's maybe it will get here by Christmas! jk Elder Frolich and Whitchurch have gotten packages in a month at the quickest. However, Elder Hansen has been waiting for a package that was sent in January and still hasn't gotten here. Gotta love the fact that I'm on the other side of the world!!

Sounds like Dad and Tanner's high adventure will be fun. I told a story in English Club last night about how we went to the Bahamas and found a Tombstone. Made me want to go diving way bad!! Plus going wake boarding for a couple days would be just amazing. 18 months and we'll see what happens right?

Anyway, This week was way good! Elder Hansen and I have just been trying way hard to get the goals we set for this transfer, and we are almost there! We get Transfer calls this Friday so I might be emailing you from another city in Siberia next week..... we'll see what happens.

One of the goals we set was to have2 solid baptismal dates before the end of the transfer. Last Thursday, we had a meeting with one of our Investigator's who is progressing. We invited him to be baptized on the 31st of July! He sat there for a few minutes then looked at us and said, "да я хочу" it was so awesome!! We've met with him a few times since then and are getting him ready for his baptism. The only thing---is that I may not be here for it... depending on what happens Friday... I really want to be here one more transfer, but I know the Lord will put me where ever he knows I will do the most good.

Since then though, another investigator has been reading more and more of the Book of Mormon and it's been way good for him. He's been telling us how much he likes it more and more as he reads! Last night we had a meeting and we invited a member to help us out.  She's is way solid...she loves having us over and feeds us!  Anyway, we met with them both and started to talk about the questions for the baptisimal interview. She asked him if he knew that The Book of Mormon was the word of God, and if he knew Joseph Smith was a prophet. He looked at her and said,  "I can't say that I know for sure but I believe what the Elder's have taught me is true. She then looked at me and said he's not ready for baptism. I looked down at the baptisimal interview questions and read them aloud. Every one of them asked not if they had a testimony, but if they believed. It made me think of my life and how things in my life have built my testimony into what it is today.

This individual has been investigating the Church for a total of about12 weeks, I've been a member of the church for 12 years, and my testimony is still growing. We told her that he was ready and that he needed to nourish the seed in order for it to grow, and this is one of the steps that he needs to take in order to do that. I am so greatful for my parents who helped me learn and grown into what I am today and that I have the opportunity to continue to learn and grow. Everyone needs that opportunity and I am glad I can help them along the path.

I may have a lot to learn here in this life, but I am sure glad that i have the opporunity to do it.
Well gang, I love you all, the computer is flashing 5 minute warnings at me so I'd better get going.
I love you all!
I hope all is well and that you're having fun :

BE EXCELLENT TO EACH OTHER
LiveSTRONG,
Elder Eborn!


Danny- No way that is so sick! ha We are going to have some awesome stories to tell each other when we get done with these 2 years! How's you're new area? Did you get a new comp too? What's it like over there man? Sorry lot's of questions. We'll catch up in a few years, Just remember to look out for the Chupacabra, I hear he's loose out there in Belgium! SHALOM MY FRIEND!
I love ya big guy!

I Feel Good When You Pray

I hope all is well back at home, another week here in Tomsk has flown by! I've been kind of sick (stuffy nose and some sinus stuff) but no worries (mom), nothing a good day of missionary work can't fix! SO I guess you got that email of me dancing and stuff ha, let's just say that I was a little excited to hear some music other than efy or motab lol.

Weather wise, this week has been good it's super humid and muggy due to the rain and the heat, it is Siberia and I love it! There are a ton of people on the street and it make's it way easy to contact and talk to people about our message. We've been getting al ot of new people at English which is good,  as you saw lol yesterday for English we had a little 4th of July party! It was way fun ...we made apple pie, american pancakes (they were just easy to make in mass quantity) and of course ROOTBEER!! It was so fun to watch some peoples reactions. They don't have Rootbeer over here so we had to make it from scratch which was super delicous! When you send me a package anytime soon, buy me some rootbeer extract! :) ha but it was way fun. I dont know why or how, but i got talked into being the MC for the thing, and well it turned out pretty good, we played some COPE games to get to know people, and then we played quite a few other games that where just way fun!

Investigator wise, we've been working hard and trying to get people ready to make the commitment to be baptized! ..Well it's been rough, we've been working with a couple of people that have been slowly progressing, but they've been progressing.  One individual is a man about 65 years old and he's a famous artist in Siberia that wants to find God and has taken a liking to our Church. He's come to Church for the last 5 sundays and meets with us about once a week. He's way cool and very patient with our limited Russian skills. Yesterday we had a meeting with him. and he told us that he will get baptized once he has decided for himself if our church is true or not. That may not sound like much but he loves our church and loves coming to sacrament and reading from the book of mormon! I have no doubt that he will receive his answer and find the truth he seeks.

Another individual,  yesterday we had a miracle! At the end of every meeting, we ask him to pray and he always says no. but yesterday he asked us, "Elders, will you teach me how to pray like you do? I  feel good when you pray and I want to be able to do it." We taught him how to pray and he gave a simple prayer to close our meeting.  I was so happy after that meeting! :) It's amazing to me how prayer works, really. I never realised how important it is, communication with our Heavenly Father is such a great thing. we can feel his love and talk to him about anything, and we will know that he is always there to listen!

Well family, sounds like you're all having fun and doing well.
Keep me in you're prayers and you'll all be in mine!

Livestrong
Elder Eborn



Tanner - Sweet shoes big guy ...and way to google translate some stuff! It was almost all understandable too! some stuff just doesn't translate from Russian to English . It makes this language just that much harder..but yea love ya bro, keep me in your prayers.

The B! - I love your guts!! You big 10 year old! Happy Birthday! :)



Mega Shake - Hey sis i love ya :) Keep on being awesome.