October 20, 2008

Dear family and friends,
It's been three weeks in the big city and i've finally met my branch. Yesterday was a miracle of sundays. Just like any good story, we can include the weather, the traffic lights, and the blaring of alarm-clock morning symphony.

It was a beautiful atumn day. The sun shining, but the wind still reminding us that the cold is coming. Bulgarian fall is quite the sight... blankets of multi colored leaves blanketing the broken up streets, and crowds of gypsies raking it all up for possible winter insulation. Of course they still haven't given up the usual park-the-horse-and-dogs-by-the-dumpster-and-take-off-with-that-nights-dinner. Traffic lights were in our favor, and we actually made it to church on time. The sweet unimaginable smell of musaka filled the chapel as Baba Vikki was preparing an after worship tummy-fill. Martin, one of my good bulgar buddies brought with his person our new investigator! She's a nice young lady whose suprisingly impressed to come. It is amazing how ready she already is. I don't think this sunday could have been more perfect for her. The Bennetts (Mission President) were down for talks, which were spectacular. The President can sure just talk, its amazing the things he can say...His talk was about a two verse scripture. "Jesus wept" ...anyone can find it? Our investigator(whose name i wont dare to try and spell until i got martin with me), she too gave a good cry during sacrament meeting. The sunday school lesson led by Baba Gergina was pretty much the reading commitment from 3rd nephi 11 we give to all investigators, which also rocked!!Then after church, we took part in one of the coolest branch traditions i've ever seen... LUNCH!!! oh and it was soo good.This week has been the week of being fed. Everynight, Martin has made me bulgarski dinner here at our place... and on wednesday was our canadian thanksgiving by the president. Anyways I love you all, i gotta head...Elder Briggs

p.s. events: 23rd, 9 month mark
27th, B-day

October 13, 2008

Dear Family and Friends,Whao... its already the next week. Its rough here really in the big old city. The butchings have increased, mostly due to the percentage of people compared to the good ol' towns. But a "keep on keepin' on" attitude keeps us... well ultimately, keepin' on.I still have not directly met my branch, we've had general conference the past two sundays. It might already be transfers before i ever do. I have met the BP, he seems kind of crazy... he talks a million miles an hour and just looks like one of those guys in those mob movies who, the only necessary thing needed to fit the part is a phatty cigar or a glass of tonic water. "Lazeroff they call me, by blabberoff they know me!" he literally said that, no lie! :pNot a whole lot with the investigators. we thought we had one when we were stopped by a macedonian who had talked to missionaries the previous week...he said he'd never heard of the book of mormon and woduld really like us to answer his questions. We agreed and he took our number. We asked for his and he made it way obvious he gave us a fake one.. trying it only proved it bummer contact.Lyulin isnt so exciting.. its not even really sofia, its the total ghetto... and english is even more a downer. But they call it tracting heaven. and It is. We've got bloks galore, great stories high full of people just ready to be explored.Everyone keep it together while im still gone. I haven't started counting down with D&C or a bag of skittles yet... so just miss me lots and reminess all the memories you've shared with me as if im dead. "Hey remember that one time when Robby was here? He always smelled kinda funny, but i miss his goofy-lookin trash"With lots of lyubov and love,yours mostly true,Elder Robert David Briggs