Barrett's emaill, September 17th

Wow! It sounds like you had an awesome week! You got to see dad twice, that's awesome. What were you doing down in San Luis Obispo? Just vacation? That's awesome. I had no idea that the luffa is a gourd. I guess I did assume they came from some sort of ocean creature. You're already planning activities in March!! That means soon you'll be planning activities in April!!! That's crazy. And what do you mean by "interesting"? When is Seth getting home? I haven't spoken to President about my release date officially, but I do know that the transfer will not fall in April, so I will go home either on the March 21 transfer or the May 2 transfer, but because of how the visa works I will need to stay in the country for at least 60 of the 90 days on the visa, so that means unless I stay to the May 2 transfer (which I would rather do), I would have to go home on the February 7 transfer before the visa expires. Does that make sense? It's okay, it really doesn't to us either. Long story short, the transfer is on May 2. I haven't talked to President about my release date, so nothing is official, and the visa laws may change any day now, but given the choice, I would choose May 2. You don't want to spend a week here in February. May is the perfect time to come. I think 1 week is a pretty normal amount of time to stay and visit. If you come on Thursday before noon you can come to the transfer meeting and meet everybody (well, everybody that's receiving a transfer). That's what Elder P's parents did. It was cool. But then you would have to fend for yourselves that night, because the Sorensons still have the departure dinner at there house for all the departing missionaries and they ask parents to respect that and let their missionaries finish like they normally would. But then friday morning I'll be all yours and we can go see everything. I asked President a few of your questions. He said Sheremyetova is the best airport. That's the one in the north-west of moscow. He said there isn't a certain hotel that is recommended; parents usually just look for their own price range. He said that Elder Nelson stayed in some fancy hotel in the center and he also said that one time a parent came to pick up his missionary and got a room online at the "Monro Hotel". It wasn't until they got the it that they realized everything was Marilyn Monroe themed. Haha. So be careful when choosing a hotel. I spoke to Elder B about the plan for our parents to come at the same time and then we all go home together. He said that he mentioned it to his parents and he gave me their email in case you want to communicate with them directly, but I can't read what I wrote, so I will get back to you on that.

Well, it's been quite a week. I already told you about last p-day. Super long meeting with President, secret mission, etc. Well, then on tuesday we had another specialized training. It went well. And that night my companion got on the train for Helsinki. I went home with the Officeniki. We had a service project on wednesday out at a dacha. I can't send pictures again this week (as I'm sure you noticed), but next chance I get I will send you some pictures. It was awesome. We cut down a tree, moved a bunch of dirt, and had a ton of shashliki (Russian shishkebabs). Thursday we spent pretty much all day in the office. I helped where I could, entering baptismal records, organizing stats, sorting through mail (looking for mine:), etc. And I documented the whole experience for Elder Mackey on the recorder.

Friday was the exciting day. We did the mail run. So we got up way stinking early and ran to the post office. I got a package!!! Thanks for the dirty sock and the cuticle massage cream. You know who you are. haha. Then we took all the mail to the Central Building where people can pick it up. We also went to the distribution center. That place is crazy. Well it's just a warehouse, but they have guards with guns and dogs and stuff guarding this way sketchy warehouse area. I'm not sure what the deal is there. Anyways, so then we came back to the office. President asked me to be his спутник down to Kaluga. He promised a woman he'd visit her son in the hospital, and I had visited him last time I was down there, plus I my companion was in Finland, so he asked me to come. It was a good little drive. Only 4 hours there and 4 hours back. haha. We had a lot of time to talk. Turns out we have very similar taste in books.

Saturday morning we met back up with Elder T at the office. He had quite an adventure in Finland. Get this: He went on splits with Elder CHASE! As in the Chases, family friends, etc. How cool is that! I guess Elder T let Elder Chase look through the pictures on his camera and he saw a picture of me and was like, "You know Elder Hamp?" and Elder Turner was like, "Yeah, he's my companion" and Elder Chase was like, "The last time I saw him, his hair was longer." Haha.

Georgie came to church again on sunday! He beat us there даже. President Lawrence, the Area President, was there and at the end of sacrament he announced that the church has finally purchased the building that will one day be the stake center. That's unbelievably awesome. We met with Georgie later that night and we got Timur on the lesson. Timur is awesome. It was a great lesson. Georgie is really feeling the spirit. Oh, and did you hear that there's a stake in St. Petersburg now? Holy Cow! That's awesome!

Ok, gotta go. The church is true. Stakes are awesome. Life is good. Love you all

Elder Hamp