Surprise Email!

Hey!  We just got a surprise email from Andrew.  After the email we received from Sister W. earlier today we weren't expecting anything from Andrew this week, so even though it's short, it's WAY better than nothing!

I wish I had good news for you about how much time I have to write this letter, but unfortunately, I don't. There's actually quite a lot to talk about, but I've kept good notes on what to write you about next P-day :)

The story goes like this: Russian New Years is the hugest holiday ever in the universe. Most businesses and government buildings shut down from the first to the 10th, because Russian Christmas is the 7th. So tons of missionaries couldn't write home since we usually write in post offices. Elder Langston and I  actually couldn't write home because we were insanely busy all day long on P-day and never found an hour to write between shopping for food, Zone Planning, and meetings with investigators.

But we just got out of Zone Leader Council for January and got special permission to just run down to the office and write there for a few minutes between interviews with President.

Expect a big, juicy email next week; there have been TONS of awesome things going on.

I hope you all had a super happy New Years! And Happy Birthday tomorrow, Dad! I love you! You'll probably get this shortly after I send this, so just picture me sitting in the mission office with the Assistants talking about potential for leadership in our Zone, because that's what I'll be doing right after I send this.

Love,
Elder Broekhuijsen

Happy New Year???

Hello everyone out there in blogland!  We were not surprised that we didn't receive an email from Andrew on Monday (due to the New Year holiday) but were a little surprised not to receive anything from him yesterday.  This morning, however, we received the following email from one of the Senior Missionaries who works in the mission office:

Dear Russia Samara Families,
 We understand that there is some concern because many of you haven’t heard from your missionaries this week! New Year is a HUGE Russian holiday and therefore MANY, MOST EVERYTHING was closed on Monday! The internet shops, the libraries, the post offices, all are closed for the holidays. Some are closed until 10 January. However, we believe that most of you will hear from your missionary on their next P-day, Monday 9 January. If you do NOT hear, please do not be concerned for their welfare! We are not certain when some areas will have the internet shops available again! Everyone here is doing very well!
 You should receive weekly emails from your missionary. Please be aware that if there is a Monday holiday here, the email will be delayed for a week. Do not worry, IF there was an emergency with your son or daughter, you will be contacted directly by President and/or Sister Sartori! We love your missionaries! We are doing our best to take good care of each one of them!
 Happy New Year!

So there you have it!  I guess we will try to be patient until next Monday!