It seems like forever since we first decided to serve and received our call two months later. On the one hand, there has scarcely been enough time to cut the red tape connected with passports, visas, filling forms, and planning a departure. Marsha has been masterful and patient at doing this, which is her forte.
On the other, it is hard to remember all of those things happening, because our report date came so far after the call--six and a half months. We feel like we have been preparing and making lists forever. In the final analysis, the timing is probably just about right, but we are ready to get going.
We decided to learn Russian on the advice of our Mission President. This began with acquiring a boatload of self-study materials: books...
...web URLs...
...audio CDs...
...and even Russian radio station URLs. (They talk really fast.)
The MTC has also provided tutoring opportunities with some of the greatest and most helpful young people. We spend a few hours each week practicing our Russian on them. They have the patience of Job, all of them. How many times can rookies like us mispronounce "хорошо" and still draw a smile from the face on the other side of the Skype screen? It turns out, seventy times seven.
We have read reports from couples already in the field, exchanged emails, and had phone calls across several time zones. We are excited to meet the kind and helpful people we have met over the distance. But in the meantime, we will concentrate on learning how to pronounce "свидетедьствовать" and "Перевоначальное общество".
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