Barrett's email, Monday, October 15th

Mother, do you know that you are a miracle? I've been thinking about it lately, and then reading this email it just strikes me how awesome you are. How old were you when you joined the church? You have an incredible conversion story! I guess I never gave it much thought before. It was cool, for sure, but being out here and seeing what it takes for someone to change their lives, the commitment it takes to continue on the path. You are a miracle! And Elder S and Amy and Greg R! Miracles! I took it for granted. Yeah, why wouldn't you just join the church? But there are so many who don't. So many excuses and obstacles not overcome. It is a miracle. I read your email and feel your testimony and I know the church is true. I think of Elder S serving a mission right now! Amy and Greg serving in presidencies! It's unbelievable! I don't want to estimate the number of investigators who come and go, lose interest, or refuse to change. Or the number of recent converts who fall away, unfellowshipped, offended, or unappreciated. You are a miracle. I have such a testimony of the importance of member missionary work. I'm not going to try and say that you wouldn't have joined the church if it weren't for the Dopps, or Elder S wouldn't have joined if not for us, Amy without the Mackeys, or Greg without his wife. God has a plan for each of us and He is aware of each of us and He would provided a way, but I am tempted to say it wouldn't have happened when it did, and the road might have been more difficult, and remaining active might have been harder if it weren't for the friendship of those members. The purpose of the church is to bind us together. If the purpose was just to fill seats, the missionaries could do it alone, but the purpose is to make connections, to build friendships, forge relationships, to strengthen the body of Christ, and that's up to all of us! Every bee giving their 1/12 teaspoon. Holy cow, I'm getting carried away. haha. короче Missionary work is awesome, the church is true, and you're awesome.

So it's been a good week. We went on a couple splits. We were down in Tula over the weekend. So far we've only been able to watch the first 2 saturday sessions. They were way good. Elder Uchtdorfs talk was awesome, and Elder Nelson, and Elder Cook, and Elder Oaks, and President Monson making the announcement. It was great. They were all good. I hope I get to see the rest soon.

So I have my release date. It is officially the 2nd of May, 2013. Wow. And don't give this away to the Bs in case Elder B hasn't told them yet, but his date is also May 2. So I will talk to President next about letting the mission travel know. I had a dream last night that we were here in Russia sitting in the apartment and I realized that this was the end of my mission and then I came to the even scarier realization that in a few days I would be home. Haha. And speaking of the apartment, Definitely try to get it! I am sure it will be harder the longer we wait. The location is perfect. Literally minutes away from the main things we want to see, and the May 9 parade will go right under the window. That is too good to be true. If you need me to go talk to them or anything, just let me know.

I'm not sure what to say about the wrapping of presents. I think that so long as not everything in the box is wrapped it will be fine. If they see a bunch of random stuff and a couple wrapped things, I'm sure nothing will happen. I'm sure you're already planning to put some pictures in the box, but just to be safe, pictures would be a great thing to put in a package. Oh man, I gotta get working on you're christmas package. My goal is to get it out in the next couple weeks, but at the very latest by the end of the transfer. Any requests? I can't believe christmas is coming around. It's getting colder here.

Well, gotta go. Thanks for the email. I love you all. Have a great week. Talk to you soon

Love

Elder Hamp

 Sister Sorenson's at it again

 Now that's just good advertising

On splits in Tsaritsina park and we get attacked by a squirrel. (We'll go there in may)

Two of my best friends from a previous area, one a member, the other an english-clubber who has finally started taking the discussions

Quercus wislezeni "Interior Live Oak" or "Sierra Live Oak" (ie a little piece of home)

And here we are, in russia, walking through the drive through window. We stood in line between cars in line for 20 minutes, and we weren't the only ones. Good times