What's the Saratov approach?

 This week was LOOOONG! 10 days and finally a P-day!

I had to say goodbye to my district on Monday and Tuesday. Elder Kia and Elder Carling left on Monday and the rest of us left Wednesday from 3 in the morning to 5 in the morning. So, we said goodbye the previous night. We were all so sad and probably all wishing that we could stay and not leave. At least I was. The sisters gave all of us letters as a goodbye gift. They were really sweet. I already miss the fun times we had and have reminisced many times. I miss you guys!

My flight to Pocatello was at 11:15 but we got there at 8. We caught Sister Madsen and Sister Spenst before their flight and talked with them for 30 minutes. They had to board their flight and Elder Thompson and I said goodbye again. We sat there with the 4 other missionaries going to Pocatello as well until 10:45 when we went to get on the plane. But they had a problem and sent us back to wait until 1:30. We arrived at 2:40 and President Herrod and Sister Herrod along with the 4 Assistants to the President/APs. We went to the mission office (on the 2nd floor of a church building!) and got taught how the mission is going to work. And oh boy is it tight. Fairly strict and basically is the MTC rules again... for 2 years. We slept and got to our areas the next day to meet our trainers. My area is Twin Falls South 1 and my companion is a 6'6" guy who was in Ukraine but because of the war he was sent here. (See photo)

This week has been crazy. On my first night, my companion told me about the Saratov approach where 2 missionaries in Russia get kidnapped and held hostage. That same night, a guy walked up to us in a dark parking lot and asked us to come by in an hour and pray with his family a few apartments over. We were excited and said sure! I was definitely scared out of my mind only thinking that this would be the Saratov approach 2.0. Well, we went on over and instead of teaching the family and praying with them.... the guy and his fiancée (who have 3 kids) were splitting up... that was a little awkward... So not much happened there but it was kind of cool, I guess.

The next crazy thing was just how tired we are all the time! I've had 3 naps in the last few days..... great naps but still, that's more than before my mission.

And the last one is from last night. My whole mission had a blitz. That's where every missionary in the zone goes to each area and knocks on doors the whole day. My companion and I taught a lesson then went to meet the others to end the day and he told me of a serious door he knocked. The guy had problems and was a member but is inactive now. The Elder with him tried to teach him instead of help him. So. His takeaway from that was to always ask "what would Jesus do?" And then do it. So that is why my email is titled that way. 

Overall. I'm loving it. It's amazing and I wouldn't change it. Other than p days.... my whole MTC district other than Elder Thompson and I have them on Mondays. So, we can't really talk to them. 

Photos:

My trainer, Elder Klomp, and I.

My mission president and his wife in front of the temple.

The 'weed couch' they found on the street that we threw out today.

Me and the gang at Walmart.

Me in front of an LotR themed door on the blitz yesterday.

My district's last photo together.🥺

And a very tired me yesterday...