THE HARDEST THING IVE EVER DONE - Mkeebka

FAMILY!!!
Hi...so I’ll get just get started...THIS IS THE HARDEST THING IVE EVER DONE IN MY LIFE. I’m in my 1st area called Mkeebka ( "mak-ee-yev-ka" ) i guess its one of the "hardest" areas of the mission? Anyways my trainer is a friend of mine that i went to BYU with!! Tyler Pulsipher! SMALL world! Things are great. The people of Ukraine are so nice!.....just kidding. For real, everyone here is just cold. That’s all i can really say, but my area is probably the most rundown communist places I’ve ever seen. My apartment is hilarious it’s so bad haha, but it’s becoming home. But it’s bad, like you don’t walk around barefoot or in socks cuz...well, bad things would happen to your feet if you did. Don’t freak out but we totally have bed bugs...we're looking in to how to get rid of them, but we'll be fine :)...hopefully haha. Our apt isn’t that bad, i mean, we get water twice a day, which is fun because it shuts off around 9:30 pm so if you have to use the restroom at night...well, good luck, hahah. Living conditions here for everyone is absolutely horrible and no one does anything about it. Morality is down the drain here and everyone is drunk throughout the day...literally. The buses here are way funny, people are all up in your face...personal bubble?...you don’t get one here, haha. The best is when you're on the "mar-shoot-ka"...bus...and a Babushka grabs the rail above you and her dang nasty hairy sweaty arm pits are in your face...deodorant? nope, you don’t get that here either, haha. It may sound bad...cuz it is, BUT i still love it. It’s hard but i love it. I’m speaking Russian!! to Russian people!! It’s crazy how when you open your mouth, the Lord blesses you with things to say! I bore my testimony on Sunday in our branch! and they all said that i did great. Also, a lot of people thing that i have a good accent! oh! and twice someone came up to me and asked me if I’m Armenian, haha, its way funny. I don’t "look" American i guess. It’s really weird to see everything in Russian! and everyone is speaking Russian too, my brain probably explodes 3 times a day. But I’m beginning to see how and why people grow on the mission. Personal study in the morning is like gold for me, it helps me get away from things. My comp is kind of disobedient which is a little bit of a bummer but when we get out on the streets, he works hard. It’s really hard to put my thoughts all in order, but when i get you some pictures, you'll understand. K funny story, so our bathroom is getting fixed and the guy working on it, Cawa " Sasha", is way sick. When he finished the other day, he started talking to my comp and i about the shower and stuff and he straight up strips!!!! down to this nasty little thong thing!!! My comp and i almost died!!! The best part was, he was still talking to us like it was no big deal hahaha! Oh man, it was bad haha but it was way funny. So now after that, he does it every time he's done working for the day. I’m getting used to it now, i don’t think that’s healthy. Anyways PLEASE send pictures. Family, friends, hobbies all the above. people love it and it helps a ton. I love you all and i pray for you every day. Going to pick up Kimi will be a blast. Keep reading and praying together every day. Man...the mission is no joke. I love you all!
Ct. Rooney

I'm Here!!!

K, so I don’t have much time but I’m supposed to let you know that I’m here! Everything went perfectly. So i woke up at 4:15 am then left for my flights, it’s now 6:22 pm the next day and I still haven't slept yet.....crazy! I’m waaaaay beat but I’m doing great. This is CRAZYYYYY!! This place is absolutely nuts. I love it though, dirt slash broken sidewalks, way nice cars everywhere but the buildings and sceneries are rundown but it’s beautiful. And there is green everywhere!! I’m so stoked to be here! I got to talk to dad when I was in SLC but when i tried to call the house in NY, my card said I had insufficient to make any calls and I tried a bunch to call! BUT because of that, I had the opportunity to place a book of Mormon with a man name Muhammad...I got to teach the whole first lesson and then talk about modern day prophets...he was way interested! So I’m sorry I couldn’t call but God had greater things in store! It was an amazing experience and its gunna be even more amazing in Russian! Anyways my P day is Monday from now on. I met my president and he's rad, but I get a new president next week so I won’t really get to know him. Anywaaays, I have to leave now but I LOVE YOU ALL!

-Ct. Rooney

Last week in the MTC!!

FAMILY!!! AHHHH IM ALMOST OUT OF THIS PLACE!! Cami, I feel for ya having to be here for this long. I mean, don’t get me wrong, its way dope here but its time haha. Dad, I took care of everything with my account, and I sent it off yesterday so hopefully things will work out! Also, thanks for your letter that sounded like so much fun on Sunday! I’m 20 now....crazy. So, I’ve been pretty sick lately and even on my birthday :(. There's this virus thing going around BYU and soon to the MTC I guess, so no one is allowed to make any physical contact ie shaking hands or anything. I don’t have that I just itch all over my body, can’t sleep, cough up storm, have the chills/sweats, and I’m almost always beat tired....but I’m getting better! It started about 4/5 days ago. I’ll be fine before I leave though. The carnival sounded like a blast dad way to go! K so thanks for the bear and the amazing card! Mom and dad I love you both so much. Kimi sent me a card and told me about her experience about when I was born...it was SO COOOL! Thanks Kim! Honestly, I get home sick every now and then. Not enough to want to come home, but just continuing to realize how great and fun my family is makes me think about home every once in a while. BUT I know that this is the place for me. It seems like things are going GREAT at home and I continue to see the blessings of being a missionary here and from home. K on to the good stuff. I GOT MY TRAVEL PLANS!!! I fly out from salt lake at 8:30 am on Tuesday morning. I fly to JFK (NY) and land at 3:12 pm. 5:40 I fly to Vienna, Austria and land at 8:25AM! Longest flight ever...then from there I fly (10:20 am) to Donetsk and land at 1:50 pm. I’m allowed to call in the airport so be ready for a weird number and ANSWER IT! But I’m only going to call in the morning from salt lake or from JFK but I wont have very long to talk...oh can you PLEASE send pictures!!!!! I leave Tuesday morning so send out quickly! Armdizzle sent me some and I love them! Pictures are super important for sharing with investigators in Ukraine I guess. So pictures of family, hobbies...etc. all of our TRC's went way better when we had pics of family and especially when the person we were teaching was a native. Oh and for the trip from JFK to Vienna, I’m only allowed to have two 50 lbs bags and one 17 lbs carry on....good thing I didn’t bring that third bag! But I’m over weight so should I send things home? or leave in free boxes in the MTC? let me know! Guys, I’m SO STOKED TO GET OUT OF HERE! Its gunna be absolutely nuts. Oh and where I’m at uses the pouch system for mail. The address you send letters to is the mission home address. Oh and I guess I need a bunch of stamps? I think it'll just be easier to email when I’m in the field but let me know what you think! K last thing real quick, Ricky Holland is stuck in Georgia for 4 days! I guess there was a volcano some where in the world and he can’t fly in to South America...crazy. Oh! and we got to hear from the general primary president last night for the devotional...it was actually pretty rad. It helped me realize that primary is so important cuz it helps build our foundation in the gospel. K I got to go! But it sounds like everyone had a great week!! Oh and will told me Kyle got a vespa? that’s SO SICK! (If that’s true). Tell garret I love him. I love you all!!!!!

Ct. Rooney

Week 9

FAMILY!!
Dad, I got your email about my account, I’ll see what i can do when I get the info. Also, thanks for writing me I love hearing about what’s going on. Thanks also to Cami for writing! I’ll try and write you today if I have anytime. That’s great to hear about youth conference that went down this past weekend, sounds like it was a blast. Today as we were walking to the temple I saw a whole deacon’s quorum walk in to do baptisms...it was such a cool thing to see younger people than me participating in the progress of God's plan. I hope that we never take that opportunity for granted. Kyle! I’m bummed you missed out on youth conference. But I’m glad that you and Dad are doing the "triple crown" together. Cherish your time with dad (and mom), cuz when you leave for school or mission, that’s all you think about. We have the best family ever. I’m so grateful for all of you. This Plan really is perfect and I can’t wait to share with others in 13 DAYSSS!!!! Last night we got to hear from Yoshihko Kikuchi....AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was an incredible talk and that man is so in tune with the spirit. He spoke about having your own "sacred grove", place where every morning you can go to where you can "subdue yourself" to God. He gave us these steps 1. Arise early, 2. Wash body, 3. New linen (get ready for the day), 4. Subdue yourself to the Lord, and 5. Wait for inspiration. He challenged us to do this and now I challenge you. He shared and incredible story about this and then promised in the name of Jesus Christ that if we do this sincerely....it will change our lives. Also, some not new counsel for our parents but very important counsel...m&m pray together EVERy DAY...go to the temple as often as possible...have FHE every week...and family prayer every day. I know that when we do the small and simple things that we will see more blessings in our lives than ever before. Satan may make this seem hard to do, BUT it’s not. Commit yourselves to doing these things no matter what, and you will see a change in your lives’. I so love being here on a mission. My family has prepared me well for this experience and I’m grateful for that. The Gospel is so important and it makes me sad that I never took advantage of the wonderful gift that we have as much as i should have...THERE IS ALWAYS time for the gospel. Make it a Priority in your life, and NEVER be afraid to share it with others. Families are forever and the more that I think about this concept the more real it gets. I did sealings again today and there are so many blessings that come from just being a part of this gospel is unreal. I challenge you all to take advantage of this gospel in your lives more and more. Kyle, go to the temple with your buds as much as possible. Those memories will create lasting impressions in your life. Mom, dad and Cami, the temple is where we need to be. Keep it up! Read and pray constantly. My heart is full right now and it goes out to all those that don’t have this amazing gift in their lives. Oh and help the missionaries some time cuz well...you have 2 out right now! Anyway, i love you all so much and i love getting letters from you! Have a wonderful week!!

Ct. Rooney

Week 8

FAMMMMMMIIIIILLLYYYY!!!
This week was a rush....I’ll start with a funny story. K, so every Sunday we have a devotional. You knew that, so this past Sunday my district was asked to give 2 people to give the prayer. So i volunteered cuz i thought it would be a fun experience. I BOTCHED IT!!! WHO does that?! I thought i was gunna be cake cuz it was in my NATIVE language...ENGLISH. Turns out i can’t speak that one either!! Right before i went to say the prayer (opening) this big bald dude who’s 6'8 comes and asks us "you ever prayed in front of 2000 people before?" I said no (at the time thinking it was gunna be easy) he said “just close your eyes it’s easy" then laughed like dad would've have laughed after asking us if we have holes in our chins cuz we spilled food everywhere. anywaaaaays...i get up there and close my eyes....i went blank....ALL of my verbal prayers are in Russian! i didn’t know what to say and the thought of freezing in front of 2000 people while getting filmed made it a whole lot worse! So i started feeling super uncomfortable speaking English then after i ask God to please bless HIMSELF...i just wanted to end the prayer as fast as possible hahaha. I felt so cool...not. So i sat down hoping that people would disregard my prayer...nope, not one bit. ALL the Italians in Jaroms class came up to me...and said" nice prayer elder" as they were giggling. Not to mention all of the other 150 Russians here that all gave me crap for it. Overall, it was super funny and still today I’m getting made fun of for it. Oh well. Thanks for your letters! I LOVE reading them (when i get any). I had a tough week this week to be honest. Not home sick or anything just internal battles with myself (companions, Russian 100%, etc.). I absolutely love the atonement. It is SO real. God can do EVRYthing and ANYthing for you if you trust in him and live worthily. I’m so grateful to be here. I LOVE the MTC, but i can’t wait to get out now haha. The spirit CAN be with us every second of the day if we live worthily of it. It’s all up to us. Mom and Dad, thank you for teaching me how to work. I see missionaries struggle every day because of their lack of work ethic. I’m grateful that we worked as a family the most. NEVER stop praying together and as a family. Make EVERY second with each other count. WE are so that we might have JOY. God loves you, i love you. Thanks for your examples. KYLE!!!!! Keep up the good work my man! i love you THISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS much! I’m sending you something soon i think you'll like :) Cami, why are you such a baller? Keep writing me dude i love your counsel. And Kimi, this is the time. The time to ABSOLUTELY KILL IT MORE THAN EVER BEFORE! You’ve done an amazing job.
I love you all so much! I wish we could all be on a mission together. That would be the best thing EVER!
Have a great week!!
ct. rooney