Hello Everyone,
President and Sister Jensen arrive at 5 pm today, President and Sister Summerhays leave Tuesday morning, we have a "Meet President and Sister Jensen" Zone Conference on Wednesday and Kristen's Birthday on Thursday. ;) Its going to be a busy week. Last night we had a Mission Wide Conference call as we all finished the Book of Mormon with President and Sister Summerhays. Some missionaries were asked to share their testimony, then another Missionary was invited to pray for us as we committed to read the Book of Mormon, not for our mission, but for the rest of our lives. It was really cool. I finished the Book of Mormon on Thursday, knelt down and prayed, and felt an overwhelming feeling of comfort. I love the Book of Mormon. This next time as I read I'm going to mark the Book of Mormon when Fathers and Sons speak to or about each other. The First three chapters are filled with Lehi and Nephi talking to and about each other. Lehi also talks to his sons Lamen and Lemuel. Lehi is a great Father example. I'm going to learn a lot about and from you Dad over the next couple of months. Our ward here in Tallahassee is changing. Lots of people are moving. Tallahassee is known for two things, State Capital and College. Most of the members in our ward are Graduate students. So when they finish, they move. There are a lot of families moving, some have already moved. Our Bishopric has been changed already. There are also new families moving in. Two from Idaho are already here. Tallahassee is crazy, so many changed happen each semester. The town grows and shrinks every season. Fall, Spring and Summer. They don't have a winter. So here we go again, another summer in Tallahassee.
This last Saturday was pretty cool, except I rolled my ankle. We were at the park again playing basketball with the guys who are there. Elder Tew, Elder Shumway and Elder Marshall were with me. We got there and there were only a few others there, but enough to make two teams. We shot for captains. A guy named Jack made it and Elder Marshall made it. Well they picked their teams, by the time they were done, it was 5 white guys verse 5 black guys. The four Elders and Jenkins. He's a really tall white guy. Anyway, we played three different games. It was so hot. About 97 degrees, plus 15 degrees in direct sunlight, plus the humidity factor, plus playing on a blacktop court. All of that equals really hot. We were soaked and I was wearing the BYU shirt Kristen gave me. After two games we had won both of them. Yes, the 4 white boys from out west and one from the east were beating the 5 black guys from 'the Hood'. Or at least they claimed it. ;) The last game was the coolest. That's where I rolled my ankle. It hurt, but I walked it off, didn't keep playing (just for you mom), and have been watching it closely (Its wrapped right now). So I was out, Luckily there was a sub to take my spot. Still 5 white vs 5 black. My team went on a run and came from behind to win. Elder Tew sealed the deal with his little jump shot from the corner. It was great, really it was just another backyard game, but it led to some great conversations. Because they lost they started talking and it started to get focused on us, the young white guys. They told us how they admired our determination to do that which was right. How we stay clean, but still are able to come down to their level to be with them. We are not to good for them. That's what I like and what I love. Being there for somebody, yet I can still keep my standards and covenants. Hate the sin love the sinner. They're not the best men, the most clean or gentlemen-like. They drink, they smoke, they chase after unrighteous things, but they are still men. Deserving our attention and love. I love them and I love basketball.
I'm learning so many things. The biggest is how to love people. Its great!! Talking to everyone because they deserve it just as much as the next person. Loving everyone and showing it because they're children of God too. Learning not to tolerate sin or temptation, but loving and seeing the best in everyone. I'm not at all good at it yet, but playing basketball as given me a start. I'm learning how to develop people. Its the best thing in the world to learn.
I love you all. Especially Kristen. Mostly because you're turning 19!! You're old. I'm Older, but younger in Maturity, so, you're Older.
Love Elder Call.
Elder Call
Off to the MTC
Monday, June 28, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Happy Father's Day!
Happy Fathers Day!!!
Yesterday was such a classic day. We went to church and didn't hear a thing about Fathers day. NOT ONCE. I almost forgot. I was so confused on which day is actually Fathers day, but I figured it out. ;) Anyway, yesterday was great. After church we went to a members home for lunch. It was super awkward. One of those meals where you just stare at each other and don't know what to say. Elder Tew and I would try to start conversations, but it was very short lived. One or two word answers were all we could get. We did however enjoy a nice conversation about pears. They have two pear trees that are overwhelmed with pears. A few branches have even fallen off. They told us about how they take care of them, harvest them and what they do with them. We even got some dried pears, yum. However, other than pears, it was a slow afternoon. I had to give the thought. It was terrible. Again, one or two word answers don't give you much room to testify. After lunch we went to visit a few people on our list. Members, referrals, investigators. No one was home, so we went to the last person on our list, the Hoods. Now remember, I barely remembered that it was Fathers day. We drove up to their home and saw the cars parked in the driveway. They were home. We went to the door and knocked. Brother Hood came to the door, looking very cheerfully and invited us in. "Want to stay for dinner? I just got done cooking." We didn't want to impose on them, but we did want to stay. So we asked if we could work for it. "No," was Sister Hoods reply. "We have everyone bringing things, so everything is done." Everyone? She then went down the list of everyone who was coming to their home. 4 of their children and significant other (not all were married) were coming. Then Elder Tew and I realized what today was. Fathers Day. We had just walked in on their Fathers day dinner. At first we felt really bad and were about to turn away, but they insisted and so we tried to work for it somehow. They wouldn't give us anything to do, so I just made myself comfortable and started to talk to people. It was a really nice night and Brother Hood said that he would be our Father for the day. Just a 'Proxy' dad, don't worry. ;) Brother Hood did get a really nice looking smoker for his birthday with some flavored wood chips to go with it. I really really want a smoker when I go home. I'm going to ask Brother Hood to teach me and I'm going to take notes.
We met a really cool woman this week. Her name is Angel. We went over to Sis Simmons to teach her on Thursday. If you don't remember, Sis Simmions is the crazy member of the ward. Anywho, we went over to her home and Angel was there too. She was Sis Simmons cousin and had had some hard times lately. She was looking for a church and Sis Simmons brought her in. We started to teach about the Book of Mormon and the blessings that comes from it. Angel was doing great and Sis Simmons was herself, unpredictable. The conversation started to turn towards finding truth, having the Holy Ghost and becoming part of the church. Sounds like a great time for a baptism scripture, right. I thought so. I read Mosiah 18 and asked for thoughts and feelings. Sis Simmons said something, I don't remember, and Angel said something on prayer. Not exactly baptism, but we went with it and promised her that if she read from the Book of Mormon she would find peace and power. We left Sis Simmons home with a time to come back next Tuesday to meet with her and Angel again. Well on Friday we got a call from Sis Simmons. She talked with us and explained to us that Angel wanted to get baptized!! Crazy. I didn't think she had a thought about baptism at all, but I was wrong. I love being wrong. Angel came from an unknown source and especially crazy coming from Sis Simmons. However, the Lord knows his Sheep and who he has prepared. If Angel is prepared, I need to be prepared to teach her. The Lord works in Mysterious ways. This week has been awesome.
We got President Summerhays' last e-mail today. Next week we will be sending our e-mail to President Jensen. The Transition is Here!!
Happy Fathers Day to All!! I love you Dad.
Love Elder Call
Yesterday was such a classic day. We went to church and didn't hear a thing about Fathers day. NOT ONCE. I almost forgot. I was so confused on which day is actually Fathers day, but I figured it out. ;) Anyway, yesterday was great. After church we went to a members home for lunch. It was super awkward. One of those meals where you just stare at each other and don't know what to say. Elder Tew and I would try to start conversations, but it was very short lived. One or two word answers were all we could get. We did however enjoy a nice conversation about pears. They have two pear trees that are overwhelmed with pears. A few branches have even fallen off. They told us about how they take care of them, harvest them and what they do with them. We even got some dried pears, yum. However, other than pears, it was a slow afternoon. I had to give the thought. It was terrible. Again, one or two word answers don't give you much room to testify. After lunch we went to visit a few people on our list. Members, referrals, investigators. No one was home, so we went to the last person on our list, the Hoods. Now remember, I barely remembered that it was Fathers day. We drove up to their home and saw the cars parked in the driveway. They were home. We went to the door and knocked. Brother Hood came to the door, looking very cheerfully and invited us in. "Want to stay for dinner? I just got done cooking." We didn't want to impose on them, but we did want to stay. So we asked if we could work for it. "No," was Sister Hoods reply. "We have everyone bringing things, so everything is done." Everyone? She then went down the list of everyone who was coming to their home. 4 of their children and significant other (not all were married) were coming. Then Elder Tew and I realized what today was. Fathers Day. We had just walked in on their Fathers day dinner. At first we felt really bad and were about to turn away, but they insisted and so we tried to work for it somehow. They wouldn't give us anything to do, so I just made myself comfortable and started to talk to people. It was a really nice night and Brother Hood said that he would be our Father for the day. Just a 'Proxy' dad, don't worry. ;) Brother Hood did get a really nice looking smoker for his birthday with some flavored wood chips to go with it. I really really want a smoker when I go home. I'm going to ask Brother Hood to teach me and I'm going to take notes.
We met a really cool woman this week. Her name is Angel. We went over to Sis Simmons to teach her on Thursday. If you don't remember, Sis Simmions is the crazy member of the ward. Anywho, we went over to her home and Angel was there too. She was Sis Simmons cousin and had had some hard times lately. She was looking for a church and Sis Simmons brought her in. We started to teach about the Book of Mormon and the blessings that comes from it. Angel was doing great and Sis Simmons was herself, unpredictable. The conversation started to turn towards finding truth, having the Holy Ghost and becoming part of the church. Sounds like a great time for a baptism scripture, right. I thought so. I read Mosiah 18 and asked for thoughts and feelings. Sis Simmons said something, I don't remember, and Angel said something on prayer. Not exactly baptism, but we went with it and promised her that if she read from the Book of Mormon she would find peace and power. We left Sis Simmons home with a time to come back next Tuesday to meet with her and Angel again. Well on Friday we got a call from Sis Simmons. She talked with us and explained to us that Angel wanted to get baptized!! Crazy. I didn't think she had a thought about baptism at all, but I was wrong. I love being wrong. Angel came from an unknown source and especially crazy coming from Sis Simmons. However, the Lord knows his Sheep and who he has prepared. If Angel is prepared, I need to be prepared to teach her. The Lord works in Mysterious ways. This week has been awesome.
We got President Summerhays' last e-mail today. Next week we will be sending our e-mail to President Jensen. The Transition is Here!!
Happy Fathers Day to All!! I love you Dad.
Love Elder Call
Monday, June 14, 2010
Happy Birthday Dad!!
Hey Everyone,
Happy Birthday Dad!!
If the girls are calling me old, you must be ancient. ;) I'll be home for your next birthday. We'll have to throw down a big party. I'll be grillin'.
That's too bad that it is still snowing in June. Its blistering hot in Florida. We've hit 90 degrees everyday this week. And we have been as high as 98. It doesn't sound too bad, but if you add the humidity and 15 for direct sunlight. We were tracting in what felt like 120 degree weather. Very different from you guys. In fact, I feel sticky just sitting here typing to you guys.
This week was crazy. Our van has had some break issues, the 1st Ward Sisters totaled their car and the TCC Elders need a lot of rides because they're both on crutches. There was a lot to do.
Tuesday was our busiest day. We had District Meeting, then we went to go get some things out of the sisters car. We drove over to the Junk Yard where it had been towed and went through the car looking for a few personal and mission related items (like the gas card). Their poor little car rear ended a truck going 35 miles per hour. The car didn't make it. Stuff was every where in the car, including what looked like their lunch. It was bad. We got the few items we needed and took off to go fix our van. We went to the Dodge Dealership to see if they could fix it. They could, but they included all these ridiculous things we didn't need and they were going to charge us about $800!! We told Sis Harber, who is in charge of the cars, and she freaked out. With good reason too. She made a few phone calls and told us to go back to get the van and bring it up to a shop near the mission office. They could fix it too, and it only cost $200 dollars. Note to self, never go to a dealership. They're blood sucking.
Well we got our van back, but while it was in the shop we had to go to a members house for dinner. So we pulled out the bikes. Its been a while since I've ridden, but it felt good to feel the air on my face again. The problem was when we got to the members house. As soon as we stopped biking the breeze quit as well. So we started to sweat, a lot. It was terrible. My body just kept pumping it out trying to cool me down, but because of the humidity, sweat doesn't work, so my body pumps even more to compensate. It was awful. I feel so bad for the campus missionaries. How did I survive last summer? I have no idea.
Tomorrow is President Summerhays' last Zone Conference. I've been preparing for two weeks. He has given us some things to study, ponder and prepare. That's all I have been doing these last two weeks. He has us preparing by having us read some quotes by Elder Bednar during a Leadership conference with a lot of the Churches Managers. I've been listening it on my I-pod every chance I get. In the van, at home, during lunch, whenever. It's so great to have technology that can let me learn so much. Thank you mom for sending the i-pod. I've put some new media on it, so now the i-pod is pretty tricked out. With Gospel stuff of course. I'm really excited for this week. Its going to be a great one.
Love you all. Happy Birthday Dad!!!
Elder Call
Happy Birthday Dad!!
If the girls are calling me old, you must be ancient. ;) I'll be home for your next birthday. We'll have to throw down a big party. I'll be grillin'.
That's too bad that it is still snowing in June. Its blistering hot in Florida. We've hit 90 degrees everyday this week. And we have been as high as 98. It doesn't sound too bad, but if you add the humidity and 15 for direct sunlight. We were tracting in what felt like 120 degree weather. Very different from you guys. In fact, I feel sticky just sitting here typing to you guys.
This week was crazy. Our van has had some break issues, the 1st Ward Sisters totaled their car and the TCC Elders need a lot of rides because they're both on crutches. There was a lot to do.
Tuesday was our busiest day. We had District Meeting, then we went to go get some things out of the sisters car. We drove over to the Junk Yard where it had been towed and went through the car looking for a few personal and mission related items (like the gas card). Their poor little car rear ended a truck going 35 miles per hour. The car didn't make it. Stuff was every where in the car, including what looked like their lunch. It was bad. We got the few items we needed and took off to go fix our van. We went to the Dodge Dealership to see if they could fix it. They could, but they included all these ridiculous things we didn't need and they were going to charge us about $800!! We told Sis Harber, who is in charge of the cars, and she freaked out. With good reason too. She made a few phone calls and told us to go back to get the van and bring it up to a shop near the mission office. They could fix it too, and it only cost $200 dollars. Note to self, never go to a dealership. They're blood sucking.
Well we got our van back, but while it was in the shop we had to go to a members house for dinner. So we pulled out the bikes. Its been a while since I've ridden, but it felt good to feel the air on my face again. The problem was when we got to the members house. As soon as we stopped biking the breeze quit as well. So we started to sweat, a lot. It was terrible. My body just kept pumping it out trying to cool me down, but because of the humidity, sweat doesn't work, so my body pumps even more to compensate. It was awful. I feel so bad for the campus missionaries. How did I survive last summer? I have no idea.
Tomorrow is President Summerhays' last Zone Conference. I've been preparing for two weeks. He has given us some things to study, ponder and prepare. That's all I have been doing these last two weeks. He has us preparing by having us read some quotes by Elder Bednar during a Leadership conference with a lot of the Churches Managers. I've been listening it on my I-pod every chance I get. In the van, at home, during lunch, whenever. It's so great to have technology that can let me learn so much. Thank you mom for sending the i-pod. I've put some new media on it, so now the i-pod is pretty tricked out. With Gospel stuff of course. I'm really excited for this week. Its going to be a great one.
Love you all. Happy Birthday Dad!!!
Elder Call
Monday, June 7, 2010
Year Mark!!!
Hey Y'all,
This week has been full of so many things. New investigators, powerful lessons, zone leader council, my year mark and a massive amount of rain, lightning and thunder.
The weather here has gone crazy. Just like last summer, it rains everyday at about two or three. Well Saturday was different. There was six different storms all filled with lightning and thunder. The first was at 11:30 while we were playing basketball. The second was at 12:30 while we were helping Brother Ohlen move some stuff into a storage bin. A third one at lunch. The next while we were teaching Sis Simmons. The fifth while we were at Wesley's apartment. The final one came at about 8:00. It was by far the biggest one of them all. For 20 minutes strait it rained and thundered and rained and we saw some lightning with more rain. The parking lot at our apartment was completely filled with water. The trees were shaking and getting thrashed around (nothing like a hurricane though). The sky was filled with a show of lightning bolts. It was the first big one of the year. Florida is crazy. Usually it rains at about 2:30 every day. Well its been so hot lately that the storms start before noon. We have had a storm with lightning and thunder everyday for the past 2 weeks! I'm really glad that I'm not on a bicycle like the campus missionaries.
My year mark was this last week!! I am officially over the hump and on the down slide. Every week seems to be going by faster and faster. Zone Leader Council fell on the same day as my Year Mark. I got to celebrate with some of the coolest missionaries in the mission and President and Sister Summerhays. There were 3 other Zone Leaders who hit there year mark with me. They were just called to be Zone Leader last transfer. It is so crazy to think that a year ago I was in the MTC freaking out like Matt probably is. Hopefully he won't get sick. I took one of my MTC shirts, decorated it and started to have all the missionaries sign it. Its easy to get it signed when you see 20+ missionaries twice a week. Thanks to the 8 on campus and the 8 in our ward.
President Summerhays is going home soon. This will be our last Zone Conference with him. President Jensen arrives on the 29th of June, President Summerhays leaves on the 30th of June. There is going to be a lot of changes with a new mission president. There always is. We're preparing for him as a mission, taking down all the 'remember this' banners so President Jensen can use his own judgement and revelation to run the mission. President Summerhays is so smart. Think of if the President of the United States would prepare for the new guy coming in. Transitions would be so much smoother. I'm excited to meet and get to know President Jensen. To take everything I have learned from President Summerhays and lay it as the foundation for President Jensen to build on top of. Its going to be awesome, but scary at the same time.
This week Elder Tew and I met a really cool family. Scott and Stephanie. They are siblings from Perry, FL and are living in Tallahassee because their parents were no good. They moved out and are living together helping each other out. They are looking for a church when they met the Spanish Elders. They got referred over to us and we went by on Monday. It was a good lesson. Neither of them know a lot about religion in general. Stephanie is pregnant, but not married. She feels terrible about the sin and feels like she needs to find something to hold on to. Church is all she could come up with, so Scott and her are looking. We shared with them the Book of Mormon and invited them to read just a little bit. They agreed and we set up a time to come back on Thursday. We came right after Zone Leader Council, perfect because of the spiritual high we were on. We began asking questions about the chapter we gave them to read. They didn't read much, but they had a lot of questions. So many questions that we couldn't keep up and answer them as fast as they were coming out. We slowed it down and shared another scripture with them. Showing that if they had a sincere heart, they could know of all things. Maybe not lottery numbers, but they could know who God is and what they should do. This led to prayer. Stephanie felt that she needed to pray. That if she wanted to know, she should ask God. Perfect, right!
Stephanie asked us how we pray. We taught her about addressing Heavenly Father, expressing the feelings of her heart, and closing in the name of Jesus Christ. Sounds simple right? She couldn't do it. Stephanie knew that she needed to pray, she knew that if she prayed she would receive an answer, she knew that God would listen to her prayer, yet, she could not bring herself to do it. Elder Tew prayed first out loud, asking that God would give her the strength to pray. We waited patiently as Stephanie built up the courage. Going back and forth, deciding to pray, then backing out. "I can't do this," was all she could say. We waited patiently some more, giving her bits of encouragement, pleading with her to pray, explaining that God hears all prayers and loves the humble heart. Stephanie finally prayed. It took her three times until she felt comfortable with what she said, but it was simple and beautiful. Kind of like the King of the Lamanites who prayed after Aaron taught him. Simple, humble, sincere, with real intent and a desire to know. It felt so good to listen to her pray. She felt a lot better after. Trusting God isn't always easy, even when it seems like a simple thing to do. This I learned from Stephanie.
I love you all and can't believe I only have a year left. Time flies when you're having fun.
Love Elder Call
This week has been full of so many things. New investigators, powerful lessons, zone leader council, my year mark and a massive amount of rain, lightning and thunder.
The weather here has gone crazy. Just like last summer, it rains everyday at about two or three. Well Saturday was different. There was six different storms all filled with lightning and thunder. The first was at 11:30 while we were playing basketball. The second was at 12:30 while we were helping Brother Ohlen move some stuff into a storage bin. A third one at lunch. The next while we were teaching Sis Simmons. The fifth while we were at Wesley's apartment. The final one came at about 8:00. It was by far the biggest one of them all. For 20 minutes strait it rained and thundered and rained and we saw some lightning with more rain. The parking lot at our apartment was completely filled with water. The trees were shaking and getting thrashed around (nothing like a hurricane though). The sky was filled with a show of lightning bolts. It was the first big one of the year. Florida is crazy. Usually it rains at about 2:30 every day. Well its been so hot lately that the storms start before noon. We have had a storm with lightning and thunder everyday for the past 2 weeks! I'm really glad that I'm not on a bicycle like the campus missionaries.
My year mark was this last week!! I am officially over the hump and on the down slide. Every week seems to be going by faster and faster. Zone Leader Council fell on the same day as my Year Mark. I got to celebrate with some of the coolest missionaries in the mission and President and Sister Summerhays. There were 3 other Zone Leaders who hit there year mark with me. They were just called to be Zone Leader last transfer. It is so crazy to think that a year ago I was in the MTC freaking out like Matt probably is. Hopefully he won't get sick. I took one of my MTC shirts, decorated it and started to have all the missionaries sign it. Its easy to get it signed when you see 20+ missionaries twice a week. Thanks to the 8 on campus and the 8 in our ward.
President Summerhays is going home soon. This will be our last Zone Conference with him. President Jensen arrives on the 29th of June, President Summerhays leaves on the 30th of June. There is going to be a lot of changes with a new mission president. There always is. We're preparing for him as a mission, taking down all the 'remember this' banners so President Jensen can use his own judgement and revelation to run the mission. President Summerhays is so smart. Think of if the President of the United States would prepare for the new guy coming in. Transitions would be so much smoother. I'm excited to meet and get to know President Jensen. To take everything I have learned from President Summerhays and lay it as the foundation for President Jensen to build on top of. Its going to be awesome, but scary at the same time.
This week Elder Tew and I met a really cool family. Scott and Stephanie. They are siblings from Perry, FL and are living in Tallahassee because their parents were no good. They moved out and are living together helping each other out. They are looking for a church when they met the Spanish Elders. They got referred over to us and we went by on Monday. It was a good lesson. Neither of them know a lot about religion in general. Stephanie is pregnant, but not married. She feels terrible about the sin and feels like she needs to find something to hold on to. Church is all she could come up with, so Scott and her are looking. We shared with them the Book of Mormon and invited them to read just a little bit. They agreed and we set up a time to come back on Thursday. We came right after Zone Leader Council, perfect because of the spiritual high we were on. We began asking questions about the chapter we gave them to read. They didn't read much, but they had a lot of questions. So many questions that we couldn't keep up and answer them as fast as they were coming out. We slowed it down and shared another scripture with them. Showing that if they had a sincere heart, they could know of all things. Maybe not lottery numbers, but they could know who God is and what they should do. This led to prayer. Stephanie felt that she needed to pray. That if she wanted to know, she should ask God. Perfect, right!
Stephanie asked us how we pray. We taught her about addressing Heavenly Father, expressing the feelings of her heart, and closing in the name of Jesus Christ. Sounds simple right? She couldn't do it. Stephanie knew that she needed to pray, she knew that if she prayed she would receive an answer, she knew that God would listen to her prayer, yet, she could not bring herself to do it. Elder Tew prayed first out loud, asking that God would give her the strength to pray. We waited patiently as Stephanie built up the courage. Going back and forth, deciding to pray, then backing out. "I can't do this," was all she could say. We waited patiently some more, giving her bits of encouragement, pleading with her to pray, explaining that God hears all prayers and loves the humble heart. Stephanie finally prayed. It took her three times until she felt comfortable with what she said, but it was simple and beautiful. Kind of like the King of the Lamanites who prayed after Aaron taught him. Simple, humble, sincere, with real intent and a desire to know. It felt so good to listen to her pray. She felt a lot better after. Trusting God isn't always easy, even when it seems like a simple thing to do. This I learned from Stephanie.
I love you all and can't believe I only have a year left. Time flies when you're having fun.
Love Elder Call
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Year Mark!!
Hello Everyone,
Another week has flown by and I'm looking at my year mark right in the face. It's on Thursday. Then the downhill slide is next. I've already learned everything I need to know. How to study, how to teach, how to learn, how to ask the right questions, etc. I know how to find the answers I need for my investigators, my companion, and myself. The hard part is just sticking with it and doing what I learn. Walking the walk.
This week was as crazy as I thought it would be. Tuesday was our last District meeting of the transfer, but instead of going, we went to help a member with service. Their school is coming to a close and they were having a field day. Sis Martin was the PE coach and wanted some help, so we agreed. We got there, helped set up a couple of relay's and waited for all of the 6th and 7th graders to come. They fit both grades on 2 buses!! Not a very big school.
Elder Tew, Elder Rosenlund, Elder Chidester and I all did our best to run the relays and make it fun. It was hard. Some of those kids didn't want to do anything, and the teachers didn't care if they did anything. So they would sit on the swings, chairs or ground and do nothing. Sometimes it didn't matter, but when playing dodge ball, tug-of-war, or crab soccer they needed more than 5 people playing. There was also a lot of drama. I didn't know that there could be so much drama at that age. Boys were mad at boys, girls were mad at girls, girls were mad at boys and boys were mad at the teachers. It was terrible. Then to top it off, a random truck showed up at 10:00 and a middle aged fat guy came out and started to set up a stage. I had no idea what was going on, but apparently it was supposed to be a karaoke stage. He was the most obnoxious man I've ever heard. All the kids loved him though, or at least they loved to get up and singing. All of the other activities were pretty much done once he came. It was a terribly planned event, but we did our best to help out the Martin's. She was grateful we were there to help out.
Wednesday was transfer day. The night before we went to pick up everyone's stuff to take it to the mission home. Elder Brian, Elder Bond and Elder Buticofer all got transferred. In the morning we woke up at 6:00 and left at 6:30 to pick them all up, take them to TCC, and then to take those being transferred to the mission home. We picked up Elder Tidwell and Elder Chidester at the mission home and drove back to TCC, picked up Elder Marshall and took off for FAMU. We then took Elder Chidester, Elder Tidwell and Elder Marshall to a lesson appointment that Elder Chidester had at 10:00. Dropped them off there and left to go to the Ronald McDonald House to do service. Crafordville Elders came up and picked up the three-some and dropped FAMU off at home, then brought Elder Chidester to us to finish service at the Ronald McDonald House. We took lunch and our studies, then quickly drove back to TCC to help Elder Hansen and Elder Capel switch apartments. Elder Capel and his new companion are having surgery tomorrow, so they need an appartment where they won't have to walk up and down stairs. So we helped make the switch. We had to be back at the mission home by 4:45 to pick up Elder Prince and Elder Hamblin. We shoved all of their stuff into our Dodge Caravan and once again drove to TCC. Dropped off Elder Hamblin at TCC, took Elder Hansen to FSU with his new companion Elder Prince. Got everything settled there, then had to hurry across town to a dinner appointment that we thought was at 6:30, but it was really at 6:00. To top the night off, we went to the Tallahassee Memorial Hospital to give a prayer and a blessing to a sick non-member woman. It was the craziest day, by far, on my mission. When its my turn to play parent, I will know exactly what to do.
Our apartment is so different now that Elder Rosenlund is gone and Elder Shumway is here. They are very different missionaries and the mood has changed, in a very good way. Elder Rosenlund was more on the rebellious side. Elder Shumway just wants to work hard and he is so nice to everyone. Elder Chidester is getting used to being the one in charge, calling the shots and introducing all of the people. He has been very scared and spotty the last couple of days, but he will do well. Elder Tew, my companion, is ready to go home. This is his last transfer and he is very 'trunkie'.
So this letter is kind of fast and scattered, sorry. I'm sending the camera home today and the card is with it. I will also be getting a new camera soon. I love you all and pray for you too.
Good luck at youth conference!!
Elder Call
Another week has flown by and I'm looking at my year mark right in the face. It's on Thursday. Then the downhill slide is next. I've already learned everything I need to know. How to study, how to teach, how to learn, how to ask the right questions, etc. I know how to find the answers I need for my investigators, my companion, and myself. The hard part is just sticking with it and doing what I learn. Walking the walk.
This week was as crazy as I thought it would be. Tuesday was our last District meeting of the transfer, but instead of going, we went to help a member with service. Their school is coming to a close and they were having a field day. Sis Martin was the PE coach and wanted some help, so we agreed. We got there, helped set up a couple of relay's and waited for all of the 6th and 7th graders to come. They fit both grades on 2 buses!! Not a very big school.
Elder Tew, Elder Rosenlund, Elder Chidester and I all did our best to run the relays and make it fun. It was hard. Some of those kids didn't want to do anything, and the teachers didn't care if they did anything. So they would sit on the swings, chairs or ground and do nothing. Sometimes it didn't matter, but when playing dodge ball, tug-of-war, or crab soccer they needed more than 5 people playing. There was also a lot of drama. I didn't know that there could be so much drama at that age. Boys were mad at boys, girls were mad at girls, girls were mad at boys and boys were mad at the teachers. It was terrible. Then to top it off, a random truck showed up at 10:00 and a middle aged fat guy came out and started to set up a stage. I had no idea what was going on, but apparently it was supposed to be a karaoke stage. He was the most obnoxious man I've ever heard. All the kids loved him though, or at least they loved to get up and singing. All of the other activities were pretty much done once he came. It was a terribly planned event, but we did our best to help out the Martin's. She was grateful we were there to help out.
Wednesday was transfer day. The night before we went to pick up everyone's stuff to take it to the mission home. Elder Brian, Elder Bond and Elder Buticofer all got transferred. In the morning we woke up at 6:00 and left at 6:30 to pick them all up, take them to TCC, and then to take those being transferred to the mission home. We picked up Elder Tidwell and Elder Chidester at the mission home and drove back to TCC, picked up Elder Marshall and took off for FAMU. We then took Elder Chidester, Elder Tidwell and Elder Marshall to a lesson appointment that Elder Chidester had at 10:00. Dropped them off there and left to go to the Ronald McDonald House to do service. Crafordville Elders came up and picked up the three-some and dropped FAMU off at home, then brought Elder Chidester to us to finish service at the Ronald McDonald House. We took lunch and our studies, then quickly drove back to TCC to help Elder Hansen and Elder Capel switch apartments. Elder Capel and his new companion are having surgery tomorrow, so they need an appartment where they won't have to walk up and down stairs. So we helped make the switch. We had to be back at the mission home by 4:45 to pick up Elder Prince and Elder Hamblin. We shoved all of their stuff into our Dodge Caravan and once again drove to TCC. Dropped off Elder Hamblin at TCC, took Elder Hansen to FSU with his new companion Elder Prince. Got everything settled there, then had to hurry across town to a dinner appointment that we thought was at 6:30, but it was really at 6:00. To top the night off, we went to the Tallahassee Memorial Hospital to give a prayer and a blessing to a sick non-member woman. It was the craziest day, by far, on my mission. When its my turn to play parent, I will know exactly what to do.
Our apartment is so different now that Elder Rosenlund is gone and Elder Shumway is here. They are very different missionaries and the mood has changed, in a very good way. Elder Rosenlund was more on the rebellious side. Elder Shumway just wants to work hard and he is so nice to everyone. Elder Chidester is getting used to being the one in charge, calling the shots and introducing all of the people. He has been very scared and spotty the last couple of days, but he will do well. Elder Tew, my companion, is ready to go home. This is his last transfer and he is very 'trunkie'.
So this letter is kind of fast and scattered, sorry. I'm sending the camera home today and the card is with it. I will also be getting a new camera soon. I love you all and pray for you too.
Good luck at youth conference!!
Elder Call
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