Plan Your Dive, Then Dive Your Plan

Thanks mom for the blog update it's good to know that there is stuff going on outside. Also, thank you for the ring! It hasn't got here yet (thanks to Presidents Day) but I won't get a chance to thank you for it until next week,  if I don't do it now. They are trying to redo the my lds mail service. So we'll see how that goes. I was told that when I get in the field I will  have more email time once a week because I only get mail once every six weeks unless I am actually in Novosibirsk.

Our branch presidency got reconfigured last week and we now have Bro. Mickelsen in our branch. He is a former Novosibirsk Mission President, served prior to President Trejo. He's pretty sweet, he's told us some great stories about our mission. He also slid a cool pen into my lapel pocket the other day that says SIBERIAN BATALLION on it. I'm so excited to be going there! Only a month left!

This week has been good, very productive. I've learned alot--- not just about the Russian language but about the gospel.

We got our new troops in this week, 26 new missionaries in our zone  and we will be getting another 13 tomorrow. Elder Drasso and I gave a training presentation to the new Elders the first night they were here. It's weird to think I am in charge of that kind of thing. We taught them about the importance of planning, and how important obedience is here at the MTC. While we were teaching, the new missionaries were being interviewed by members of the branch presidency. There were so many of them that we had to stall for time for them to finish. I felt bad that the lesson got drug out a bit, to accomadate for the branch presidency to finish their interviews but all in all it was very good.

I've sat in on a few of the planning sessions every night with the new districts and they actually listened and are using what we taught them---it was a cool feeling. It actually shows in their study time too. Planning is so important. I got to use one of my favorite quotes from diving, "plan your dive, then dive your plan." your day really does go so much better here when you've planned out what youre going to study and then you follow it. We get to do it again this Thursday but we only have to teach 13 new missionaries. The challenge this time will be doing it in Russian! Needless to say, I'm terrified.

This week's been great in my scripture reading as well I read about Ammon coming home from his 14 year(see mom it could be worse I could be gone for an additional 12 years!) mission and boasting in how great the Lord is. It's something I've become very well acquainted with here trying to learn this crazy language. With out the Lord I couldn't accomplish anything. I'm so greatful for a loving Heavenly Father who knows me, and recognizes my efforts then makes up for my short comings. We've also been learning how to teach The Plan of Salvation in Russian this week, which we get to teach tommorrow. It's so cool!  Ha I love teaching in Russian it brings the spirit in so powerfully! The Plan itself, is amazing. I hope I can do it justice in teaching it. Our father in Heaven and Savior really did know what they were doing when they put this whole shin-dig together. I'm so greatful for the knowledge I have that I can be together with my family, and those that I love forever. All we need to do is follow the example of our Savior.

I love you all and hope all is well at home keep the letters coming! It's great to hear from you all after a long day. Some times the only thing that keeps me going.... is a letter from home :).

I love you all! keep me in your prayers, as you will be in mine.

LIVESTRONG,
Elder Eborn