Slip sliding away

Hey from Chelyabinsk,

You may already know this but the literal translation of “Chelyabinsk” is “Vladimir Putin is the Emperor of Russia” but it’s in an older dialect using some archaic words so most people don’t even think about it when they say it.
We thought winter was over about a month ago because it was only a bit below zero for several days and then even above for a while but now were back to the standard -10 C. Which is bad because with the melting and then freezing it makes for everything turning into ice. One day our sidewalk is a slushy mess and the next day all the slush is frozen as it was, foot prints and all so when you fall you’ve got a jagged, bumpy surprise every time. Speaking of which, I took a heck of dive the other day, enough of one that elder P told me to stay where I was so he could--through his laughing fit--take a picture showing how far I had thrown my bag when I lost my feet. He described it as a nice high arching parabolic arc as it flew straight up out of my hand at point of initial slip. We also both saw a funny one when a middle aged guy bit the ice and did so with enough force that one of his shoes came off and because of the flick of his feet to keep it on, it curved up and landed on him. It was a good one. But it’s ok to laugh because it happens all the time and it’s not embarrassing to them. It’s actually kinda weird even we as the strange Americans slip passersby barely acknowledge it, and then slip a few steps later.
Artyom is doing great, he’s coming to Institute even and in my opinion that’s the point of no return. All the youth are way impressed with him. They literally tell us “good job” when he’s not around because he’s such a cool investigator. It’s funny. His date is April 11th and he by himself is concerned with getting ready enough for it. He does smoke and he’s working on that but we know he’ll be able to quit with prayers and strength from the Lord. We’re more worried about all the branch Dev-Chunky moving in on him and freaking him out before baptism. Ladies Please, leave him alone and give us more referrals if you’re so desperate for young men in the church! Come on!
We’re still all jazzed from elder Gibbons visit and expect good things this transfer.

Love,

Elder Slushface