May 28th 2012

Hey Mom and Dad,

My trip to Sofia was nice! Short but nice. I was able to eat dinner with a family in Sofia that my companion knew. They are so nice. The father went on a mission to Sacramento, CA and knows English very well. Also his daughter speaks English very well and hopes to go to BYU someday. They are so nice and their testimonies are so strong. We stayed at an apartment next to the mission home that night. That night sure was crazy! We went to bed and then around 3 in the morning I heard this really loud rumbling and the next thing I knew the apartment was shaking! The bed I was on was moving back and forth a lot! My companion screamed, "Jodi!! What is going on?!?" I told her I thought it was an earthquake. She had never felt an earthquake before and this was the strongest one I have ever felt. We tried to go back asleep but we felt the after shocks and everyone's car alarms going off. later we found out that the epicenter was only 7 kilometers away from Sofia and it was a 5.6. I guess it made it on the news in America and Salt Lake City called President Roth to make sure everyone was alright! It was pretty intense. On our way to the Police station the next morning we saw buildings that had chunks fallen out of them and cars smashed in from the falling chunks. But everyone is fine :) I got my I.D card and I look very scary!

We made it back to Sliven and had a nice F.H.E with the branch here. I love them all so much. I am getting really close to all of them. I never thought you could get so close to people when you can't communicate to them perfectly...but you can. I admire the people so much here because they have had to leave so much for the gospel and there are very few members. Especially Annie, she is the only Young Women in the branch but we started having Young Women's with her for an hour on Saturday's. She is so cute and tells me all the time that she doesn't want me to leave...but I know that in a couple weeks there is a very high possibility that I will leave. ON saturday after Young Women's we had Annie come out contacting with us for an hour. She told me, "Don't worry, if anyone says anything mean to you I will tell them that I am Bulgarian and understand everything and I will tell them to listen to you." It was so nice having her with us and seeing her get up the courage to stop people on the streets. She is only 12 and yet came out with us to contact...I don't know if I would have done that when I was that age. I am blessed to be surrounded by these people and their great faith.

This week we had quite a few lessons but many of them I think will only be a one time thing. Many people only want the free Book of Mormon we give out. But we have been meeting with a couple people who actually seem interested in learning more. So we are just hoping and praying a lot everyday that they can feel and know that what we say is true and is a message from our Heavenly Father.

Other than that I can't really think of much else. Just doing missionary work everyday and talking to people on the streets. Everyday I just realize how blessed I am and how amazing it is that I can be here right now sharing the gospel to people in Bulgaria. Even though we don't have many members or baptisms all the time, I know we are making a difference here.

Thank you for everything you have taught me. It sure has made a difference in my life.

I hope you have a great week! I love you so much.

Love, Jodi