there's no key indicator for love. if there was, we'd lead the mission

fam bamily,

first and most importantly, a giant CONGRATULATIONS to HANNAH!! sacramento will be so lucky to have you. just think of all the adventures in store. i'm ecstatic for you. :) hales pride across the world. :)

a few little things, i guess. since i never know what to say anymore.
i've been on a mission for almost six and a half months now, and this coming weekend i will have been in ukraine for four months. it's a humbling realization, i must say. i wish i could look back and say that i feel like i could see how much has happened in that time. in some ways i feel like i still just barely arrived and began this experience, and in others it seems as though i've never had another life. since i knew hannah would be getting her call this week, i also realized that sean could leave on his mission soon after i get home. meaning, with mike and me, there's a chain of the hales grandchildren that has begun and likely won't end until robby returns home. there will always be a hales somewhere. there's something humbling and inspiring about that fact and it completely put into perspective the miracle of a mission. sometimes i think i forget about how huge this experience is. how all these little moments and experiences (and the big ones) are ones that i'll be looking back on for the rest of my life, for the rest of eternity really. and that little thought is a humbling one. 18 short months are everything in the span of eternity. nothing and everything all at the same time. not to discredit anything else i've ever experienced. a mission, however magnifies everything i've ever learned, thought, or felt. placing everything out on a surgical table before me in complete vulnerability. and the only way to survive is with a retained trust and faith that the surgeon's hands are masters hands that will never do anything to harm in that vulnerability. faith and trust.

fun cultural fact of the day about ukrainian winters. first of all, it's freezing. sometimes i forget how cold it is, then i remember. i've never been so cold in my life. but i mean, it's fine. not a big deal. maybe someday i'll feel my toes again. that said, the ice everywhere means there are little pathways on the hills that people sled down that are purely slick ice. if i weren't a missionary, i think i'd try it. that said, the flat ones that are skateable down, are also very dangerous. opa. but just a fun little family activity. slide down the hill a thousand times while the awkward missionaries watch out the window while they eat lunch. :)

have i ever mentioned how much people here love their tea? all kinds. my current favorite is lemon and honey. though the raspberry is quite delicious. i adore raspberry everything. i'm going to die in summertime when all the fruits and things are in season, because they're incredible even in winter. i'll die of happiness.

i met a couple that speaks romanian this week! they were cute. they were very anti-ukrainian nationalism. ha. and they themselves are from the region of romania, bulgaria, etc? we weren't fully sure. but they've been to iasi before! we bonded. the old man loved throwing random romanian words at me like la revedere or mare familie. and in case you were wondering, i've forgotten almost all of my romanian. ouch.

dear family members that have served missions--especially siblings and siblings in law, am i allowed to make a request for you to send me mission stories? now that i'm on a mission they obviously would mean so much more. and i'm so intrigued.

i don't think i mention this enough, but i adore c.bull. she's just a miracle, to put it simply. so kind and wise. and hilarious. we have so many similarities that the quote of the day for yesterday (yes, we have quotes of the day because we're so funny) was: 'if you listen to cat stevens we might have to get married.' all these obscure little things that we both love. and we bond over how much we love mumford and sons. and she's just a light to these people. light and hope. to them and me. and another fun quote that can mean whatever you want it to mean: "i mean, do they not sell fish on the streets in america? because i don't remember." (the raw meat that's just out everywhere and on the rinoks just about kills me.)

fun fact, i think my new favorite hymn is 'abide with me 'tis even tide.' na-russkom the meanings are so much richer.

okay, so i just spent quite a few minutes talking to c.armknecht since she's here at internet which leaves little time to say much else. but just know that i love you all, i love these people, and i am so excited for hannah!

much love,
cectpa em.