Where were we then...

Time again to look back at what we were up to 5 years ago this month courtesy of our old journals.

Tori was in Las Vegas waiting for a travel visa to Venezuala and Tyler was being buried alive by snow in eastern Russia:

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Tori-
Monday, Jan. 19, 2004

I’m in Vegas!!! I’m serving in the Las Vegas mission until my visa clears. I was sad at first, but now, it will be hard to leave. My trainer is Rebecca Brown from Texas. She is so happy. She reminds me of Rosie O’Donnell minus the whole gay part. Tomorrow marks one week in the field. I’m learning so much!!! Time is of the essence here. I already love all the people-the homeless, the gangsters, the drunks, the locos. I love the members. I want to share my message. I’m a missionary!!!
My favorite part that I’ve learned so far is praying all the time and learning to know the promptings of the Spirit. I am the Lord’s, and He tells me what to do. I have to constantly repent to be worthy of the Spirit, but I love this life.
As far as my visa, I still desire to serve in Venezuela. I know there is work for me there too, but my feelings would not be hurt to continue to serve here. However, I know my visa is coming. . . soon. I pray for it to come when the Lord sees fit. He knows the plan. I don’t’ really want to worry about it, or I may miss an opportunity here.
I hope the Lord is using me. I hope I will be humble to change and work. I know he hears my prayer. Oh, I pray for the people of Vegas!
My goals:
1-Estudio Espanol diligentemente. (Study Spanish diligently.)
2-Hablo a miembros-no duda, no miedo. (Talk to the members-no doubt, no fear.)
3-Reconoco y obedeco a el espiritu primera tiempo. (Recognize and obey the Spirit the first time.)

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Tyler-
Tuesday, Jan. 20th, 2004

Last Thursday and Friday the snow continued, and got so bad that we had to stay home. We did try and walk to our 2 appointments, but everything in the city was closed and so were all of the roads. It was snowing and blowing so hard as we walked that my EYES FROZE SHUT. Because of all the snow, we also weren’t able to move into the new apartment on Komsomolskaya until yesterday when things started to clear up a bit. We went to the airport and met E. Weidmann (my new greenie) and E. Neeves. E. Weidmann is 24 years old and from Switzerland. He is pretty fluent in English, and so between that and the 5 or so words that I remember from my years of high school German, we get along all right. He works and tries very hard and I am impressed with him so far.

Russia gave him a royal welcome yesterday. The airport was open again after the storm and a few of the roads were plowed, but most everything is still covered in 7 feet of fresh snow from the recent storm. This morning our upstairs neighbors flooded us and so we awoke to water pouring through the ceiling in the bathroom and kitchen. E. Weidmann and I spent his first morning study in country filling buckets with water until the city came and shut off all of the water in the building since the people with the leak weren’t home. We still don’t have any hot water and everything in the apartment is wet. I’m sure it all must be quite the shock for him, but he’s adjusting very well.

Today we had another discussion with Ira, who is leaving for the sea in 2 weeks and is pretty much gone as an investigator. We taught a man named Alexander a 1st D and it went very well. We also met with Masha and taught English club.