20 October 2010

Hello,

I am doing a lot better, but still physically drained. My staples were removed yesterday and after an evaluation I was cleared to do any and all athletic endeavors I desire. There is a condition however that if I get a headache above a 4 on a scale of 1 to 10, then I need to be seen immediately. I hope things continue to progress and it feels good to be able to be on the go a bit more again.

I'm glad you had a good time in FL. Things as you can imagine have been a bit slow. They gave us another branch in the mountains, but we cannot cover it without at least 150 extra miles so we are probably going to have to get rides because it seems the mission refuses to cooperate with the necessities. They would rather reimburse the Zone Leaders for a lot of their aimless driving that could be avoided than help the people who actually have a necessity.

So I called the mission office just now. Most of them are off in Grand Junction for Zone Conferences, and the correspondence with president never made it to our travel secretary. It proves to happen with the Stevenson family. You plan stuff in advance and you coordinate your needs and it all falls through the holes due to external forces. I am convinced that that is our curse. I really do not know why.

So it is exciting to see how quickly the trust is building back with the ward. We have dinner appointments every night. I honestly, no matter how much I hate to say this, think my last companion needs to go home. The ward he was moved to has already called the mission office and asked to have him leave immediately. We'll see what happens with that.

Well not much to say this week. I am improving and I hope y'all are doing well. I can't wait to see you in December. I love you all and we'll talk soon.

Love Tom

13 October 2010

Hey guys,

I saw the doc today. She told me that I basically have to relax and do nothing until the headaches go away completely. She told me I might not be getting the staples out on monday and we'll probably have a couple appointments next week. I cancelled our dinners for today and tomorrow so I can just relax and let myself heal.

I told dad about the new focus where we don't report tracting hours anymore. We report results instead of time spent. I ain't gonna be reporting much of either for a while tho. hahaha

Well it is good I have a sane companion. I could not tolerate being stuck inside chillin with the last guy. We had our first dusting of snow yesterday. By the way... Gary Mitchell's daughter was so cute when it happened. I was waiting to find where we were going with me and this cute little girl (see attached picture with Mitchells and my weird comp) came up and said, "Its going to be ok. Don't worry! You're still a great missionary even if you're crying." It was a sweet moment of peace that could only come from the simple heart of a child. She insisted on going to the hospital with me and was just so sweet, and then she threatened my comp and told him if anything else happens to me he's in big big trouble. hahaha

I am being careful and watching it. I thank everyone who is praying for me and keeping me in their thoughts. I love you all and I hope that everything is going ok with y'all. I will keep ya updated, but I g2g now... I'm done looking at the screen.

Love ya,
Tom

6 October 2010

How are ya?,
Hey, I'm staying in Evergreen for a 5th transfer and keeping the car for an 8th. hahahaha Transfers are tomorrow and I am so looking forward to getting a new companion. I have been losing my sanity the last few weeks. I am starting a mild diet before the holidays and coming home just to gear up, lose a bit now, and maintain through the holidays. I am also excited to get somewhat of a break from the "special assignments which have given me hell for a short while. hahaha

So how is Florida? I bet Colorado is prettier, well to me anyways! I love the mountains so much! I am going to miss this place so much when I have to leave. I'm actually looking forward to the snow too surprisingly hahaha. it really ain't that bad.

So we can pick up and do a lot more teaching now. There were people that told me we can't come back until my companion is gone, so life should be a bit easier. Hopefully some of those doors aren't shut now! Oh well though, it is a difficult situation to deal with, but It is seriously the reason why I have learned so much patience on my mission! I do, however, feel that my IQ has dropped the past couple transfers. I have learned that it is much easier to deal with things when you pray though.

I hope all is well. I hope you are having a great time, and I really look forward to seeing you in 80-something days. This is God's church. He loves us all and wants our happiness. we just need a Paradigm shift ourselves to realize it. Thats what the atonement's all about. Well do take care of yourselves and we'll talk soon!

Love ya,
Tom