From Russia With Love...

a.k.a. Letters from Sis. Lynes in Russia

Letter #3: From the MTC (Missionary Training Center)

Subject: #3
Date: Sun, 08 Apr 2001 10:34:39 +0600
From: Shirley Lynes <gma@jacklynes.com>
To: jlynes@jacklynes.com

Hello from the SMTC!!!!
Wasn't conference great last week?!!! All of the talks were so good. And I was so glad I didn't have to feel guilty when at every session, someone talked about the need for senior missionaries. How did that make you feel, knowing where I am? Everything is going great here. I appreciate all of your prayers. The language does not seem so impossible now. They tell us that we are doing well, but I never know if they are just trying to keep an old lady's morale up! We have classes for a total of about 9 hours a day. The teachers are wonderful and patient with us. Our teachers are mostly returned missionaries, (students at the Y). We have a couple of girls from Ukraine teaching us too. Our beds are comfortable. The food is alright. At least I don't have to cook it. It only costs 50 cents to wash and dry a load of clothes. They send a shuttle for us when we need to be somewhere, like the temple (we go every Saturday morning), or for firesides & devotionals at the main MTC. All the other missionaries are friendly. We have reserved seats at the devotionals & firesides. If we eat at the main MTC, we don't have to wait in line, just go to the front of the line. And people are properly surprised when they find out we are going to Russia. By the way, we will be leaving here on 14 May. So we still have a few more weeks to try to learn all we can of the language. And Baskins-Robbins is next door! I spent some time today with Marilyn Harley. We actually went to amovie, "Brigham City". It's the product of the same people who did "God's Army". See it if you get the chance. And don't let anyone who'sseen it tell you the ending! It would ruin the whole thing for you. The weather here has been mostly good, and the daffodils & tulips are gorgeous. I know most of you are enjoying spring. I hope the flowers are making a good show. It snowed up on the mountain again this week, but we just get a little rain. From our window we can see Helaman Halls and the big Y on the mountain. Yes, I know you can see it from most places in Provo, but it is directly ahead of us here. It's time for dinner. Poro yest! (Let's eat). I love you all and appreciate your love and support. There isn't much new going on.Mostly classes and eating! We have a class after supper tonight. I think they are afraid to let us have 2 days in a row with no Russian! They might think we will forget! More (maybe) next week.

Love,
Mom, Grandma, & Greatgrandma