Thomas News

Well, first week in Daugavpils has seen me working very hard, which is odd. Normally first weeks end up pretty poor as I'm usually trying to figure out the area. Thankfully no such situation this time around.

We came across a great family this week. The parents names are Yevgeni and Ludmilla (it's hard to write names like these down in english, but believe me when I say that Yevgeni is a very masculine name). They are incredibly friendly with the cutest little 1 1/2 year old imaginable. His name is Lev- or Levchik, as the cutesy name goes. His name literally translates into "Lion". Nobody is going to mess with that kid. The only problem here is that Yevgeni knows the Book of Mormon is true, he knows that Joseph Smith was a prophet, yet he believes that every religion is true. It's going to be hard, not convince him of the truthfulness of the church, but that the church is alone in this.

Robert hasn't been keeping the commitments as of late, we're trying to find a part of the message that can really "hook" him, something that will make him want to pray. We really want to meet with both him and his wife, we really want them to join as a strong family. I wouldn't want to see a family torn apart because one believes and the other doesn't.

Apart from that, we've been speaking with a lot of people on the streets. Meetings have been set up, but they have rarely worked out. So Elder Arnell and I have had multiple cases where we have ended up just waiting at the church. But nothing to worry about. We're here for a reason, which will become more apparent as the weeks progress.

Until last transfer, I had usually been staying in one area for two transfers. But to be honest, Imanta was a tough area to get whitewashed into. Particularly because by the middle of the transfer, my confidence had taken some serious blows. I think I'm likely to stay here a few transfers. In small cities like this, you're usually here for one transfer, or for four. I don't mind that a bit.

I'm not sure whether I have been complimented this week, or insulted. While tracting on Sunday night (we call them "blitzes" because all the missionaries in the city gather in one suburb- the idea being to find all possible people there), we knocked on the apartment door of one lady who came out to talk, I tried speaking, but she told me in the nicest way possible that she couldn't understand me. Elder Cavender took over and at the end I asked her to excuse my accent. She told me "Oh, no. I really quite like the Latvian accent, I think it's really nice." Like I said, don't know whether that was a compliment or not.

I haven't received any mail from the Grays as of yet. But I did get a whole bunch of stuff from the Sturgesses. I don't know how they knew the Tallinn adress, but it got there. I haven't even told you that one. It was a really nice, yet somewhat confusing package. A lot of random bits and pieces there. I'm not sure what the occasion was.


Well, Daniel, I'd say I pity you mate, but when you work with Lee, he really does get you to work. I've never had to push a roller, but occasionally the heavy stuff comes about.

Hey Alec, let me know how skirmish goes. Don't get yourself beat up too much.

Wivenhoe is just a bad place for a dam, isn't it? You know you have problem when half the state is flooded and you are still in a drought. maybe when we pray for rain, we need to be a little more specific.

Well, that's all from me today, now to write to president and tell him about our investigators. There'll be more next week to be sure.

Wishes

For FFFN we watched Aladdin (the Disney version) - Max and Louisa had never seen it. It was a hit and as we were driving yesterday Max asked what we would wish for if we found a genie who gave us three wishes - we had to follow the genie's rules - no asking for more wishes, can't bing anyone back from the dead, can't make anyone fall in love with you.

I made dumb 'miss universe' type of wishes, Jesse wished for a good OP, Louisa wished for a house in the country with lots of trees on a mountain, and lots of animals.

Max's wishes were:

1. To never grow up
2. For nobody in the whole world to smoke or drink alcohol
3. A lamborghini gallardo.

Then after a moment he said 'no wait, cancel the lamborghini, I want another baby in our family.'

Hair

Louisa is growing her hair in preparation for high school - in 2 years time - and has Jesse braid it on Sundays. This is a wise choice since I can't do hair under any circumstances. Don't really know where or how Jesse learned, but it's gorgeous to watch.

19

Alec turned 19 on Thursday and celebrated with his favourite dinner - lamb chops and salad - he's a man of simple tastes.

Anne sent the traditional card with cash, Lee & Joan gave a wallaby jack (for 4 wheel driving);

Family presents:

A maze pen from Max, a waterproof GPS holder from Louisa, a waterproof backpack from Jesse and Peet and a knife from Roger and me.

Fireblade flew down and landed on the BBQ while Roger cooked the chops then stayed on the clothesline to watch the evening.

Chocolate cake for dessert:

This boy is going to be one good catch - imagine a man so easily pleased that chops and salad and chocolate cake make for a very happy birthday - and contrary to appearances he doesn't always wear a jackie howe singlet!

New Shoes

Max has been after me for weeks to buy him a 'comfortable' pair of shoes - he claims all his others hurt his feet. So we found some on sale, and Max thinks they are the most comfortable shoes ever and puts it down to the padding. Now I am off the hook for one request.

While we were shopping for these shoes - amongst other things - Max was goofing off so much that I was seriously starting to think he must be hyperactive. If there were chandeliers in that shopping centre he would have been swinging from them. (My perception may be a bit off since I was sick at the time.) But when we got back in the car Max buckled himself in and said "I'm pretty impressed with how sensible I was in there."

Sewing

Louisa loves to sew and stiched by hand a present for me - a rice pack to put in the microwave when it finally gets cold.

Willies Jeep

Driving through Toowoomba today Lee and I saw a very well restored left hand drive WW2 Willies Jeep - which sparked a memory for Lee of riding around Canada in one just like it - though the one we saw had a canvas roof and the one in Canada had no roof. Which all means it was very cold in minus 20 degree F weather with snow swirling etc. Lee had the bright idea of using some cowskins to make a top for it but Grandad Walker wouldn't have it - he said 'you can't have your Mother riding around town in cow skins'. I guess riding around in the snow was preferable.

Thomas News

Well, transfer calls came on Sunday evening (a day late). I have now been transferred to the Latvian city of Daugavpils. Every companion I have had since my trainer has gone off about how wonderful this city is, and I believe it. There is a real "goodness" here that just isn't in other place I have served. And even though the trees are still bare, and there is still slush from snow everywhere, the place is beautiful. Working here is pure energy!

Daugavpils is East of Riga, closer to Belarus. This is the first small city I've served in and the city has an enormous Russian population. EVERYONE here speaks Russian and most small companies have advertisements in Russian as well as Latvian. There is only one Russian-speaking branch in the whole city. When I say the place is small, I mean it is VERY small. Think somewhere between Rockhampton and Mackay in terms of size.

The Daugava river (the same river that runs through Riga) runs through the city and occasionally you will see people get out onto the ice (very brave, considering winter is almost over, and even then, this winter was a very warm one) make holes in the ice and fish. For the record, missionaries are not allowed to eat fish from the river.

My companion is Elder Arnell. He's a fun guy who works really hard. He comes from Portland, Oregon and has a voice kinda like Kermit the Frog. My district leader is Elder Cavender (my second companion in Tallinn), so was very excited to see him. You'll likely hear more as the weeks progress.

Missionaries here aren't told to keep 72 hour packs. But how interesting to hear about the 12 months thing. Especially in light of the fact that there seems to be flooding everywhere in QLD at the moment.

This week has already seen some really good things happening. We went to speak with a man named Robert. Our intention was just to read the Book of Mormon with him, from 1 Nephi 13. And he started to ask what the great and abominable church was. Well, throughout that conversation we were trying to explain that we recognised that there was good in all churches, but that none of them had all the truth of God or the authority to teach, which was the abominable part. It dawned on me that we would have to teach about the apostacy and Joseph Smith. It was a wonderful lesson where the spirit was really felt. We commited him to read and pray and set up a meeting for Thursday. I seem to be able to have a greater control of the language at the moment, I'm understanding people more and am able to better handle lessons.

Happy Birthday to Alec tomorrow. I hope it all goes well. Get to work on those mission papers- you don't want to delay it- believe me.

I keep neglecting to mention, so I'd better do it now- I received your package for my birthday. It was wonderful. I do need to ask though- where did you find all that milo? It was well loved by me and Elder Rasmussen.

Our apartment here is really nice, considering that we didn't have an oven in our last one (just a stove). This one is very modern-looking for the Baltics. I've really lucked out in the apartment-department.

My hand is fine- nothing to worrry about there. Elder Calderwood was shocked about it-particularly the scar. But it's feeling fine- I just need to remember to exercise it. Well, thats all from me, more in the following weeks.

I hope all of you are well. Again, no need to worry. I love this mission and the wonderful work of the Lord.

Need for Speed

Max got into the drivers seat of the car this morning when we were about to leave for church and loudly told everyone to 'do your seat belts up tight because I'm drivin' and I've only practiced on Need for Speed' (on the Wii). Just hope it never happens for real.

Pumpkins at Pine

The Pine kids harvested 15 pumpkins from their pumpkin vine yesterday - Pumpkin Soup for lunch today!

Tuba

Peet has joined the music program at high school - we reckon they took one look at him and said "Tuba!"

Luckily he's loving it - and I even like the sound of it.

Loved

For Christmas Maris gave our family an unbelievable cross stich:

It's a lousy photo but Maris stitched it herself over who knows how many hours - it's on linen and there are beads and special cottons and it's gorgeous. Every time I see it hanging on the wall in the lounge room I feel loved.

Fireblade

Introducing Fireblade - the family Kookaburra. Actually he has joined the extended family - he stops here, at the other Fulchers and at Granny's house and gets fed at each one. This is a good thing - Fireblade is missing one eye and we think he's deaf too. When it rains he looks forlornly into the house - wanting to come in but not quite game. He's pretty tame though -we can pat him and feed him by hand - well, Alec can - the little kids aren't brave enough yet.

FFFN

Alec had a church activity on at Redcliffe and said that he thought he would go up to Cottonwood to climb trees before he went - alone if necessary. Since the trees there are a wonder - you can climb from one tree to the other without touching the ground - we decided to all go with him - and because Max was in desperate need of cheering up due to Anastasia's departure - we took all the other Fulcher kids. Roger met us there after work.

We were hoping for a day without rain - and almost got one - but just as we got closer to Redcliffe it started to rain heavily. We went anyway and played in the rain. The rain went away for a bit though it was still blowy and cold. The biggest boys - Nathan, Daniel and Alec - climbed the trees the longest. The little kids and Monica used the playground equipment.

The little boys playing together was soothing to Max's broken heart and unbearably cute to watch and the big kids were so good with them. Alec and Daniel left after dinner to go to the church activity and we stayed and played a little longer.

The three little boys, Simone and Louisa are now snuggled on mattresses in the lounge room planning to watch all 6 episodes of Star Wars tonight.

Anastasia

Anastasia has been Max's best friend for a couple of years now - she is a girl but Max assures me she is more like a boy - and it's true. She loves Spiderman, won't wear a skirt, and plays rough. Since Max is a class of all girls Anastasia has been a great friend - she has her girly moments - like when she gets jealous if he plays with the bigger boys - but generally she's just a great friend to catch tadpoles with, play in mud with, collect spiders with, and read with. Now Anastasia is going to another school - Max was devastated - he cried for 7 whole minutes on my lap in the car after school. All of this reminded Louisa of how she felt when Lily left so Louisa started crying too. Max finally recovered and said we could go home and then Louisa had to have a turn on my lap too. We did finally make it home.

Max took this photo of Anastasia for the school photography exhibit.

Luckily there are heaps of other kids who are just as rough and tumble and just as much fun. Max is particulary good friends with Jessica (who has her muddy back to the camera in this photo):

and Jessie:

But other great friends aside it's still tough on Max to lose his best friend.

Thomas News

Poor Tom - our email didn't get there -I am distraught - hate to think of him opeing his emails to find nothing. His letter:

P-day was changed last week, but I think I'm entitled to a more comprehensive letter, aren't I? Sorry to sound like I'm being grumpy (that's not what I am trying for at all) but I always get really excited when this time comes around. I love hearing from you guys.

Well, this week all my bandages came off. I now have a two-inch (I think) scar on my hand. That is also healing pretty well. It's still not anywhere near as usable as I'd like it to be, but I guess I should just be glad it isn't deformed.

Well, as of last week, our mission has adopted a new technique in contacting people- we are now challenging them to baptism on the street and using a LOT of testifying to do it. It's really exciting and has made contacting more real. Previously, if I testified of anything in contacting (back when my contacts were centred around Joseph Smith or The Book of Mormon), I had always felt like I was doing this because this was just "what missionaries do". Sure, everything I said I knew was was true, I knew was true. But when I said it, it just felt like going through the motions. This time around, I'm contacting, I'm talking about forgiveness of sins, testifying about how clean I felt after my baptism- and there is nothing routine about it. I'm getting spiritual confirmation- "Yes, you definately felt that way. You feel it, and he feels it." It's also been a lot more effective, more meetings have been set up in this manner.

Well, a couple of amusing experiences this week. The first one- we've been mistaken for mafia members. We were getting off the bus and one VERY drunk man says to us "The Mafia is immortal. It doesn't matter where you're from when you come here." We think he was just too drunk to notice our name tags. Apparently this sort of thing happens regularly. I've also had my hand shaked a little too firmly by some people, reminding me that the bones are still technically broken.

Well, we have a lot of potential for this week, our new method of contacting has been doing wonders. Tonight we will speak with a man named Alexander. He's been commited to baptism and says he could be baptised. He wanted to know where it was going to happen and was happy to meet with us. We also have Micheal, who is going to receive a baptismal date, along with many more just around the corner, I can feel it.

Well, that's all from me. I hope all of you are okay in spite of a lack of news from you (the phrase "no news is good news" does not apply here). This is an amazing work and I look forward to sharing many more great spiritual experiences when I see you again.

Thomas News

Well, trying to write to you today with my bad hand. By "bad" I think I'm over-emphasising the problem. It's actually been healing really well and in a couple of weeks should be as good as new.

Of course, I've had every missionary and his companion take the micky out of me. Some of the ever-so-heartfelt comments have been "Hi cripple". When I first broke my fist, I actually didn't feel too much. A little pain, but hey, I just punched a solid concrete wall. I look down to see how my hand is going, and it's pretty misshaped. Two broken bones are poking up against the skin and my pinky had sunk lower than normally possible. I show it to the other missionaries and it is decided that it will need an X-ray.

Problem is, very few hospitals on my side of Riga do x-rays as it turns out. We spend about 4 1/2 hours looking for a hospital during which I was able to laugh most of the way through (so much for my low pain threshold- squeezing pimples is still far worse and that day proved it). So it all turned out okay.

Hospital was a spirit killer. The movies that one guy was watching there involved a lot of swearing and some of them had a horror theme. It was hard to really get refocussed. Back on track now, glad to say.

One of our investigators, sadly has taken a turn for the worse. His name is Stefan, I might have told you about him. He has a large alcohol and smoking problem and is not married to the less-active woman with whom he has had a child (who is just as sweet as can be). Well, last week we come by and he is well and truly plastered. On top of that the whole place smells of smoke. He hadn't been smoking or drinking for two weeks.

We ran into a nice family yesterday night while tracting, who were just amazingly nice. Ruslon and Ielina. They are both Hari Krishna, a common religious group in Europe. I think I saw them in Prauge, even. They were the ones with the drums and were singing everywhere. Their religion agreed with a lot of what we said, which is sometimes even worse than when they don't, doesn't give a whole lot of reasons for conversion.

Thanks for your letter, Max, I really liked it. You seem to be doing a good job of ironing your shirt, keep it up, buddy. Peet playing the tuba? I find that hard to fathom in Peet. Oh well, I guess it's just something I'll have to see to beleive.

You'll be interested to know that Pres. Watterson was also in property devealopment before he was called. Apparently land councils were the devil- sounds like the project your working on right now.

We have a somewhat new missionary with us- Elder Prat. He's currently serving in the Rustov, Russia mission and is here for Visa work. He's a good kid, but they seem to do things pretty differently there. I had to call him on the beanie he was wearing- looked like a hoodlum. I hope you all are well, there is no need to worry about me, I am healing well, and in the service of the Lord, that is the least one can expect.

Remorse

When Max was five he stole a wrist band from Officeworks - it was totally premeditated. We were getting some printing done and while we were waiting he was begging for a wrist band. Then when we got into the car he reached into his pocket, pulled out a wrist band and said 'I'm so glad you didn't see me put this in my pocket!!!"

When I could breathe again we had a very long talk about stealing - took the wrist band back amidst many tears of remorse - and learned a (hopefully) valuable lesson about repentance.

The repentance lesson went something like: "you are only five so you really can't do anything wrong - you haven't learnt enough yet to make your own choices - but you are lucky to be able to practice for the time when you are eight and will be responsible for the things you do' etc etc.

There were plenty of tears and an appropriate amount of remorse. And it's true that there are none so virtuous as the newly converted - Max would seize every possible moment to tell the other kids that they shouldn't steal, or do the wrong thing.

That was a couple of years ago. Today, when I pointedly asked how school went those remorseful tears started all over again. (I actually already knew what had happened - but I was hoping he would tell me.) The story went something like: 'I don't know why I did this - sob - I looked through Maris' wallet - sob - it was just lying there and I wanted to look and then Maris got mad - sob, sob, sob - and I said sorry and I won't do it again'. There was no stealing and I was so pleased that even though Anastassia actually did it too he didn't tell me about that and just took the responsibilty himself.

For a kid who is so sure of himself, so old for a seven year old, and so confident he has a really tender heart.

And truly - how could I not adore a little face like this.

FFFN

It must be close to six years ago that we went camping with the extended Walker family. They had just bought Uno Attack which all the kids enjoyed. I have been planning to buy it ever since.
Not one to procrastinate (!) I bought it on Friday and for FFFN we played one too many games.

Jesse and Alec were both out for the night - Alec at the movies and Jesse at the motor show - so it was Peet, Louisa, Max, Roger and I. It was 'one too many games' because it was all fun and happiness till the last game when it got competitive and teary.

Saturday was a stake sports morning, and the world wide leadership training broadcast. Roger couldn't make it because he was working and Alec couldn't possibly make it because he got an offer to go fishing on the Grays boat. The training broadcast was so good they will both attend another stake tonight to see it. My favourite parts so far:

Dallin H Oaks - 'don't expect to be applauded each time you do the right thing'
Jeffrey R Holland - distinction between homemaking and housekeeping - Fathers should be just as engaged in homemaking as Mothers.

Of course, these are subject to change when the transcript comes out.

Faith?

Max said to me last night "does Heavenly Father go to sleep?"

"Not that I know of."

"Well he's sure not helping me to find my Lotus."

Apparently Max had lost the matchbox car Lotus that Roger had given him that day, prayed and was hoping for a quicker response.

One resilient cricket

If Charlotte from Charlottes Web lived at our house she would weave a web above this cricket that would say 'one resilient cricket'. (Look carefully near the middle of the lettuce leaf)

This one legged cricket was found at school by Max and Anastassia - they made him a 'habitat' and he has lived in it for three days! Max and Anastassia take it day about to look after him at their homes - I can sense some major disappointment coming soon.

Ironing

The first time Max ironed we didn't take any photos - but it's just so cute.

Moth

Roger got home from work tonight and told the two little kids that if they hurried to finish dinner he would show them something amazing.

The excitement was barely contained.

Finally the unveiling - it started with Roger saying 'you have to remember this is not alive'.

It turned out to be an enormous and beautiful - though dead - moth - it is going to school tomorrow.

Testimony

Brenton bore his testimony on Sundday. This is a monthly occurrence but always a little nerve wracking - we start thinking through the month to see if we've been nice enough, or we're likely to get in trouble. Once he actually said 'I love everyone in this ward except my brother Roger, the Bishop' - apparently Roger had offended him that month.

This time he did pretty well - we were all coming out ok. He said he 'loves his two brothers Roger, the Bishop, and David, but the Bishop - sigh - he bosses me around sometimes.'

After this went on for a while Roger scrunched forward and tapped him on the heel so Brenton concluded with 'I just got tapped on my foot so I have to stop.'

Later Roger saw him in the corridor and asked 'Hey Brento - did Pres Gilkes (the Stake President who was visiting for the day) tap you on the heel?' Brenton looked surprised then answered 'Yeah'. So maybe Roger is off the hook for next month.

Hinckley

Our church President and Prophet died this week -and although there will be a new prophet shortly who will also receive the same directions and guidance from the Lord, we'll miss him all the same.

Gordon B Hinckley became prophet the year Peet was born - so for most of our kids he is THE prophet. He was also funny, ridiculously sprite for a man of 97, and someone to look up to.

As testament to the wonders of modern technology the teenagers of the world seem to have spread the news. I got a call from Donna Parry on Monday afternoon to ask if it was true that the prophet had died. One of her teenagers had received a text message. Roger hadn't received an email so Donna and I were web surfing around trying to get some confirmation. We checked the lds.org newsroom and there was nothing but a few minutes later the announcement was there. Which means that teenage texting was quicker than the official announcement - and that had to get all the way to Australia.

Simone was playing at our house so we said she could ring her parents to tell them. She was too adorable for words - she tried to talk but couldn't stop laughing - turned red - couldn't catch her breath - doubled over - and laughed and laughed. We were all watching her so we started laughing which made her worse. It all sounded like she was joking but she finally got her message across.

The funeral was held Sunday morning our time and we watched it on the internet - Jesse and Alec went to the stake broadcast to see it on a bigger screen. Gorgeous funeral - cheerful but respectful. So many people saying how glad he must be to be with his wife again. Lots of funny stories.

Motor Show

Roger took the boys to the Motor Show, while the girls and I went to a school meeting. Max was a bit non-plussed till he heard there would be a Ferrari. Then he was pretty keen.

As it turned out the big hit was a kids quad bike.

Now Max is trying to save up for a quad bike - after the budgie.

Poor Max came into the lounge room crying on Sunday night - it had dawned on him that $3,000 was going to take a long time to save up. I tried to reassure him by saying that Alec has saved up more than that and he would be able to eventually. It didn't help - as Max pointed out - by the time he is Alec's age he won't be able to fit a kid quad bike and the adult ones are more expensive - so he'll never catch up. Reminded me of Matthew as a little kid being really worried about how he would ever get a tractor for his farm, and how people could cope with being so high up in the air.

Thomas News

The end of the saga - I think - last letter from Sister Watterson:

"As predicted in yesterday's email, Elder Fulcher was released from the hospital today. Elder Rasmussen and Elder Lindstrom did the actual deed - I was involved in Leadership Council at the time your son needed to be released. It went without a hitch.

They brought him to the mission home briefly to show me that he was actually a free man, and that he was feeling good and full of energy. He looks great, although his hand is still quite orange. They took off the cast and replaced it with a very heavy wrapping of bandages, which he will have to have changed at a polyclinic every other day until the wound is healed. The bandages give him more use of his fingers than he had with the cast. He must keep the bandages dry, and exercise his fingers for 5 minutes every hour so that his hand doesn't get stiff. He says that it's not too sore as long as he doesn't bump it on anything (!).

He was, to his credit, eager to get back to work. We had 3 servings of left over lasagne from Leadership Council lunch - so we sent it home with them, which they planned to heat up at home, and then they were off to the Church to teach their English class.

He's in great spirits, and learned a few things along the way. He promised me that he would be more patient and less impulsive - a good combination, all considered.

He will write to you next Wednesday on his preparation day, and will probably tell you of his adventures from his perspective. You won't be hearing any more from me - in this case, no news really IS good news. Love, Sister Watterson "