Its supposed to hit 50s today, and its been in the 40s monday and tuesday.
So much better than sunday, but we have another storm coming in on Friday!
Bleh... I absolutely detest snow!
I got a mail letter from Eliza yesterday, sounds like she's having a good
time. Hey did I totally miss the st patricks day thing. I don't think anyone
celebrates it here.
So the baptism was amazing! I will have to get pictures printed sometime
this week. We had stake conference on Sunday and no one ended up going from
our branch. So bc of stake conference the Branch President insisted on a
waterside confirmation. i didn't want to get into a church policy battle, it
didn't seem the time or place, so I did it. I got chewed out by mission
leadership, but that's their job, and when they call, unless you want
something you make sure your doing something to distract you and don't hold
the phone up to your ear and just uh-huh, ok, sorry periodically. hahaha
Then it doesn't get to you. But it was an awesome experience. He loved it.
I did make a phone call to the mission president and told him our situation
bc we haven't had many dinner appointments, this week we only have two and no
one has yet signed up for next week. We are getting super low on money, so
he is giving us each an extra 30 dollars for this month. We can manage off
that.
I'm not sure what else you need to know. We are out and about working, but
either ppl are couped up in their houses or have a place to be and don't
tend to talk much. Besides I think they see me and realize we've already
talked... at least twice. haha
I don't know, its a good idea to invite people to conference, but we've had
investigators that have come drop off the radar, so I don't know how true
what that Elder told you is. Are the missionaries there for real people, or
are they the holier than thou nose in air type. A mission is a great thing,
just some missionaries bother me. Oh well tho.
I haven't had corned beef or cabbage since I left home. I guess I probably
won't until a year from now. Oh well though. I think that game meat has that
beat any day if its cooked right and fed off of alfalfa. That's the good
stuff right there. If you hunt antelope off of an area with that type of
feed and cook it right that right there is good eatin'.
Other than that just trying to keep sane. I love it up here, but I do need
to get to the city again. Where there are people all over and things to do
on your day off. I just want to go back down into an area with bikes and
keep fit and happy. I wish there weren't so much snow on the mountains too,
that would be fun.
One thing I started doing was setting up a wall of pictures of friends that
still keep in touch, family, a picture of Jesus and of the Redlands Temple.
It has helped me so much. When I come in at night and feel like I can't do
this again, I look up at all the faces of those people who love and support
me and I am calmed. I look at the temple, I haven't been able to go in a
temple since November, and that is an ultimate goal. I want to be in the
temple at least twice a month when I come home, and I want to be worthy of
that. So looking up at all that makes me smile even when things get rough
and it helps me move on and keep going and just grit my teeth instead of
saying whats on my mind, which in most of these cases would be a bad idea.
i think a mission is really for teaching people to cope with adversity and
not as much on spreading the word, because if the members were talking to
friends on a simple matter of fact level about the gospel they could study
the material in Preach My Gospel and learn basics, and if they heeded the
warnings of what not to talk about in there and followed the K.I.S.S.
principle (keep it simple stupid) then it wouldn't be as necessary. But that's
an ideal world, and probably will never happen. So the missionary program
causes people to learn to be men and deal with stress and cope with people
(because dealing with people isn't always a good idea). But those are just
my random thoughts, take them as a grain of salt.
I also love living with the family we live with. They are there for us every
step of the way, and not involved so much in the cliques in the branch. It
feels like home every time we enter that house. It is a great place to be.
I want to let you know that I have found out that Christ lives more so at
this time in my life than ever. He walks with me, he knows the desires of my
heart and helps me everyday. I know where I stand, and I'm trying harder
everyday. I love the book of mormon, and I have especially loved the
writings of Paul lately. He is a great guy, because he just speaks the truth
and doesn't leave too many questions in my head anyway. I love you guys and I
realize that I was a very lucky kid to be raised in a loving home, and in a
more hardened area. It was a blessing to be able to see the people who have
less than I do and see how different of my friends followed different paths.
It was good, because it made me see what I didn't want to do. I really am
excited to come back at the end of this year and see where life takes me.
But until then I just gotta keep working, because that makes the days go by
quick and sometimes gives you things to laugh at.
I hope all is well there and I miss you all. Take care and thanks for all
the love and support.
Love,
Tom
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
10 March 2010
So this is going to be a short letter. Thomas' baptism is at noon, and we decided to come email real quick in case we don't get a chance later, and while the water heaters heat again.
I am staying in Buena Vista for a third transfer. Proof that God does love us. hahaha Its been a rough day though. We're way behind schedule because we got a foot and a half of snow last night and we live in the middle of nowhere so it took a while for the plows to get there. and once they did we had to dig a bit to make sure we could make it out around our car. They were plowing the church parking lot as we left
I'm liking this diet thing. I was 211 in January and i weighed myself yesterday at our lunch appointment and I'm down to 197. So that's some good news. Idk if that's too healthy, but I feel so much better, and a little bit of energy is going a lot farther.
We are hoping we can find some success here this transfer. I'm so happy to be able to be in such a beautiful place.
We have stake conference on Sunday. We either have 70 miles to a broadcast or 120 to the real thing, so I'm going to try and find us a ride, otherwise we might just not go to church this week. It'll be fun though!
I'm way ready for summer. You don't even know. when you convince yourself that 40 degrees is warm, there's something totally wrong with you. It makes me appreciate CA so much seeing CO winters. But if you even skied or snowboarded the resorts out here would be an absolute paradise.
We moved Thomas in with the people he works with that are his main fellowshippers last week. That should be a great thing. They all need the support of other members, hopefully this is the next best thing, right?
I'm talking about the Holy Ghost at the baptism since he doesn't know too many people in the branch.
Well, I gotta go now, finish filling the font! Hopefully we can come back later but if not, just know, I'm alright, and I get to stay in one of the most beautiful places in the country (even if it is real cold, its still beautiful).
Love,
Tom
I am staying in Buena Vista for a third transfer. Proof that God does love us. hahaha Its been a rough day though. We're way behind schedule because we got a foot and a half of snow last night and we live in the middle of nowhere so it took a while for the plows to get there. and once they did we had to dig a bit to make sure we could make it out around our car. They were plowing the church parking lot as we left
I'm liking this diet thing. I was 211 in January and i weighed myself yesterday at our lunch appointment and I'm down to 197. So that's some good news. Idk if that's too healthy, but I feel so much better, and a little bit of energy is going a lot farther.
We are hoping we can find some success here this transfer. I'm so happy to be able to be in such a beautiful place.
We have stake conference on Sunday. We either have 70 miles to a broadcast or 120 to the real thing, so I'm going to try and find us a ride, otherwise we might just not go to church this week. It'll be fun though!
I'm way ready for summer. You don't even know. when you convince yourself that 40 degrees is warm, there's something totally wrong with you. It makes me appreciate CA so much seeing CO winters. But if you even skied or snowboarded the resorts out here would be an absolute paradise.
We moved Thomas in with the people he works with that are his main fellowshippers last week. That should be a great thing. They all need the support of other members, hopefully this is the next best thing, right?
I'm talking about the Holy Ghost at the baptism since he doesn't know too many people in the branch.
Well, I gotta go now, finish filling the font! Hopefully we can come back later but if not, just know, I'm alright, and I get to stay in one of the most beautiful places in the country (even if it is real cold, its still beautiful).
Love,
Tom
Friday, March 5, 2010
3 March 2010
I am driving a 2010 Pontiac Vibe AWD, which is the same car as a toyota matrix, so yes it was made by toyota, it just has all the GM bells and whistles too.
Wow, the whole missionaries not having dinners, they need to stop whining, lately we've been getting about 3 nights a week with meals. It has been a bit more expensive, and yes I've had to tap into personal funds a bit, but its better than bringing it up at church and offending members. Not a good idea.
Our week has not been as eventful as the last one. We have done some tracting, and as to be expected out here, we've had a few people answer the door with a pistol in hand. People out here are kind of funny, it always makes me laugh. A lady showed us her rifle she keeps behind the door, and made us handle it. Being responsible I went to throw the bolt open and make sure the chamber was empty, and as I was doing this I asked if it was loaded. The answer was, "of course its loaded. Do I look like an idiot son? Let me ask you a question. When you aren't driving your car do you empty the gas tank? That would be stupid, so why would I have an unloaded gun."
Other than that we have been asked to visit some less-actives. One of which I've been the only missionary able to get in, because they want nothing to do with the church, but I found out they're from Redlands, CA, so I am able to go over there and small talk and then edge a gospel message in sideways and invite them to go to church. We'll see what we can do. Transfers are next Thursday, next Wednesday we are baptizing Thomas. We have another investigator on date for the 28th, so I'm hoping I get another six weeks here. It is the place to be. I don't want to leave. The people here are so nice, and usually very respectful. This is the only place on my mission where I have ran into so many nice preachers. There is an interesting thing about here though. Very religious people as a whole. This town of 2000 has 18 churches. Unbelievable ain't it.
Well we got a great day planned out. We are having lunch with a member, then playing some basketball. yeah! Its been in the 50s the past couple days too. Colorado really is a gorgeous place when the weather is tolerable. If I were up here in the summer tho, I wouldn't want to work at all. I'd want to be hiking all day every day. it is so beautiful out here we are totally surrounded by mountains.
Tomorrow we take our car to a dealership in Silverthorne and get the accelerator changed out. But we have a district meeting 10 miles away, so we arranged where we drop off the car right before the meeting, and then our district leader drives us over to the meeting. Then since hes closer to Silverthorne, right after the meeting he'll drop off his car, and we'll take off whenever we can. Which is kind of nice, because that makes going to district meeting reimbursable.
Well, I really don't know what else to tell you. y'all take care, and we'll talk to you next week, and let you know whats going on with transfers.
Love ya,
Tom
PS I was bummed, we were visiting someone who was watching the USA CANADA hockey match, and we got there right when we scored to take it into an OT period, so I caught some glimpses out of the corner of my eye, and really wanted USA to pull it off
Wow, the whole missionaries not having dinners, they need to stop whining, lately we've been getting about 3 nights a week with meals. It has been a bit more expensive, and yes I've had to tap into personal funds a bit, but its better than bringing it up at church and offending members. Not a good idea.
Our week has not been as eventful as the last one. We have done some tracting, and as to be expected out here, we've had a few people answer the door with a pistol in hand. People out here are kind of funny, it always makes me laugh. A lady showed us her rifle she keeps behind the door, and made us handle it. Being responsible I went to throw the bolt open and make sure the chamber was empty, and as I was doing this I asked if it was loaded. The answer was, "of course its loaded. Do I look like an idiot son? Let me ask you a question. When you aren't driving your car do you empty the gas tank? That would be stupid, so why would I have an unloaded gun."
Other than that we have been asked to visit some less-actives. One of which I've been the only missionary able to get in, because they want nothing to do with the church, but I found out they're from Redlands, CA, so I am able to go over there and small talk and then edge a gospel message in sideways and invite them to go to church. We'll see what we can do. Transfers are next Thursday, next Wednesday we are baptizing Thomas. We have another investigator on date for the 28th, so I'm hoping I get another six weeks here. It is the place to be. I don't want to leave. The people here are so nice, and usually very respectful. This is the only place on my mission where I have ran into so many nice preachers. There is an interesting thing about here though. Very religious people as a whole. This town of 2000 has 18 churches. Unbelievable ain't it.
Well we got a great day planned out. We are having lunch with a member, then playing some basketball. yeah! Its been in the 50s the past couple days too. Colorado really is a gorgeous place when the weather is tolerable. If I were up here in the summer tho, I wouldn't want to work at all. I'd want to be hiking all day every day. it is so beautiful out here we are totally surrounded by mountains.
Tomorrow we take our car to a dealership in Silverthorne and get the accelerator changed out. But we have a district meeting 10 miles away, so we arranged where we drop off the car right before the meeting, and then our district leader drives us over to the meeting. Then since hes closer to Silverthorne, right after the meeting he'll drop off his car, and we'll take off whenever we can. Which is kind of nice, because that makes going to district meeting reimbursable.
Well, I really don't know what else to tell you. y'all take care, and we'll talk to you next week, and let you know whats going on with transfers.
Love ya,
Tom
PS I was bummed, we were visiting someone who was watching the USA CANADA hockey match, and we got there right when we scored to take it into an OT period, so I caught some glimpses out of the corner of my eye, and really wanted USA to pull it off
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
24 February 2010
I did get to go see Elder Perry. When I called the assistants they talked to president and the Zone Leaders lied, but President Christison reimbursed 100% of the miles. So we had to drive to pick up the Frisco Elders and down to Golden in blizzard conditions. it took us from about 5-10, but there were other things that played into it. Before we left i felt like we shouldn't go, we said a prayer and left anyways. We got up to Silverthorne to pick up the Frisco Elders just fine, although a trucker made it so I couldn't see a thing for a quarter mile going like 70mph in a 55 in a blizzard when I was going about 45. We picked up the other elders and the street curves at the end, and is on a slight downhill. I found out about 300ft b4 the turn that I was driving on solid ice. I slowed down to about five by shifting down, and tried to turn, it wasn't working, so I tried to gas it and turn harder, and it started to work, but then traction control cut my power, so I went back into the slide. We hit a bank and a small tree at 7mph and were stuck. The member the other missionaries live with brought his truck with snow tires and pulled us out. We assessed the damage, and it cracked the license plate frame, and left a very small bend in the bumper, I felt sick, but drove off and got us to our destinations. I talked to the mission president, and he said to talk to the car coordinator and fill out an accident report the next day. Needless to say I didn't sleep too well that night.
We went and had the meeting with Elder Perry and Elder Halstrom of the Presidency of the Seventy. It was amazing, we also got to shake both there hands, and Elder Perry asked us all a bit about where we're from. He was such a great speaker too, he speaks with such enthusiasm and gave us some great direction. only 121 out of 197 missionaries in the mission were able to attend.
I showed the car to the car coordinator and he couldn't even see the dent, and barely felt it. He told me not to worry about it. So no accident report or anything, its as if it didn't happen. We drove home and made it back around 3 we got to take us-285 straight out and the roads were clear with "heavy fog" in areas, but nothing compared to what we get back home.
It has been an interesting week, Thomas got to church and loved it, but I got a little sick the night b4 so we only went to Sacrament meeting since he had to work anyway. Monday was a fairly normal day, but all our appointments bailed on us, and we have been getting wind which coming off the snow the lakes, the creeks and rivers we have here, we have nasty conditions for tracting.
The wind also causes other problems. We are getting nasty snow drifts out at the house. We have a mile long county road to our house and then a 75 yard driveway off of that. We got some deep drifts yesterday and spent 5 hours digging out the driveway, jacking up the car and putting bark under the tires, etc. We finally got out and resolved to park out on the county road and walk the distance of a football field to our house and back. Which was a good decision, since it was drifted in even deeper today, and the fruits of our labor are not evident at all. Also they are plowing out the county road everyday, and last night I had to keep it at about 30mph and steer through it. but we made it home. Today they had to caterpillars out making a snow wall so hopefully it won't drift in as bad. We got out no problem though.
On top of all this I just got a call from the mission office telling me there's a recall on the car I've been driving for the gas pedal getting stuck. hahaha So I gotta have that taken care of, but the nice thing is that we have a district meeting up by the dealership next week, and were just going to have to eat the miles for district meeting, but now president will reimburse us all of the miles again. We have a 9am district meeting, so I set a 9am appointment at the dealership, and we're going to drop off our car to get worked on, and the district leader is going to pick us up and take us to district meeting. So that should hopefully work out. This week has been a whole lot of drama though, hopefully this upcoming week should be better.
I want to thank you guys for all the support. You're amazing! I hope that all is well back home, it seems so weird to hear all the great things you guys are doing, and sometimes I feel like I'm not doing anything good. But that's when I need to pray harder. Love you guys, I'm going nuts, so I'm gonna stop writing, because I can't think, because people here don't know library etiquette. They are having full blown conversations around me, and I cant think of what else to say.
Have a good week.
Love ya,
Tom
We went and had the meeting with Elder Perry and Elder Halstrom of the Presidency of the Seventy. It was amazing, we also got to shake both there hands, and Elder Perry asked us all a bit about where we're from. He was such a great speaker too, he speaks with such enthusiasm and gave us some great direction. only 121 out of 197 missionaries in the mission were able to attend.
I showed the car to the car coordinator and he couldn't even see the dent, and barely felt it. He told me not to worry about it. So no accident report or anything, its as if it didn't happen. We drove home and made it back around 3 we got to take us-285 straight out and the roads were clear with "heavy fog" in areas, but nothing compared to what we get back home.
It has been an interesting week, Thomas got to church and loved it, but I got a little sick the night b4 so we only went to Sacrament meeting since he had to work anyway. Monday was a fairly normal day, but all our appointments bailed on us, and we have been getting wind which coming off the snow the lakes, the creeks and rivers we have here, we have nasty conditions for tracting.
The wind also causes other problems. We are getting nasty snow drifts out at the house. We have a mile long county road to our house and then a 75 yard driveway off of that. We got some deep drifts yesterday and spent 5 hours digging out the driveway, jacking up the car and putting bark under the tires, etc. We finally got out and resolved to park out on the county road and walk the distance of a football field to our house and back. Which was a good decision, since it was drifted in even deeper today, and the fruits of our labor are not evident at all. Also they are plowing out the county road everyday, and last night I had to keep it at about 30mph and steer through it. but we made it home. Today they had to caterpillars out making a snow wall so hopefully it won't drift in as bad. We got out no problem though.
On top of all this I just got a call from the mission office telling me there's a recall on the car I've been driving for the gas pedal getting stuck. hahaha So I gotta have that taken care of, but the nice thing is that we have a district meeting up by the dealership next week, and were just going to have to eat the miles for district meeting, but now president will reimburse us all of the miles again. We have a 9am district meeting, so I set a 9am appointment at the dealership, and we're going to drop off our car to get worked on, and the district leader is going to pick us up and take us to district meeting. So that should hopefully work out. This week has been a whole lot of drama though, hopefully this upcoming week should be better.
I want to thank you guys for all the support. You're amazing! I hope that all is well back home, it seems so weird to hear all the great things you guys are doing, and sometimes I feel like I'm not doing anything good. But that's when I need to pray harder. Love you guys, I'm going nuts, so I'm gonna stop writing, because I can't think, because people here don't know library etiquette. They are having full blown conversations around me, and I cant think of what else to say.
Have a good week.
Love ya,
Tom
17 February 2010
Zone Leaders are a pain in the butt. Elder Perry is coming to our mission on
Saturday. We would be able to go, BUT we have no way to get reimbursed for
miles. We were also asked to drive another set of elders which would make
our trip 330 miles instead of 250 and told we had a 305 allotment for the
week, but we cant get reimbursed for miles. So I called the assistants and
worked out where missionaries who have the other elders on their way can
pick them up, and asked about reimbursements. Turns out our zone leaders
have been reimbursing themselves too much, so because of that we had to make
a decision to not go and to not get to meet Elder Perry. Oh well though. He
is coming out to train the stake and ward leaders on HIS 20 lesson ward
council program. There has been a problem out here where the leaders accuse
the missionaries of making it up and refuse to work with us. I have never
seen it happen on my mission because of this. He is going to inform them
that this program is a prayerful idea of the brethren and is not an option,
but a requirement. He also wanted to talk to the missionaries in the morning
that day, but I wont be able to go now.
So I have put myself on a little diet and been doing a lot of ab,
resistance, and cardio workouts I learned at the University. I want to get
back under 200 lbs. I am progressing towards that goal, and feeling better
about myself everyday.
Thomas, our investigator wants to be baptized so bad. He has given up
drinking. He has now started the task of reading the Book of Mormon for a
third time, and is loving it. He is praying hard and is more ready than
ever. His work schedule has not allowed for him to attend church, but the
member he works with was baptized a little over a year ago, and the owner of
the restaurant will be giving him that subway next month, so he will be
making the schedules then. So if we can get him out before then, he's
guaranteed to get out after then. He also wants to cook us up some steaks!
yum, yum
So have you guys ever tried those stouffer's lean cuisine meals? They taste
way good, fill you up, and are about 300 calories each. Those are amazing
for a diet, because I don't even feel like I'm dieting after I eat one, but
I am still seeing the results. hopefully I can gain some muscle mass back
too... Ive lost a lot of that in the last 5 months or so since I stopped
lifting weights.
Last night we went to the girls high school basketball game for a UBC
(unbaptized child) of a PMF (Part Member Family) and we've been working with
her a bit. It was such a good game, it was way fun to watch. We will be
going over to have dinner with them and teach a lesson tomorrow. It should
be pretty awesome.
Other than that there has been a lot of door knocking, and that's always
fun. One of our Zone Leaders came up with us for the day last Thursday, and
he tracted with us and kind of made one of our investigators mad. I don't
like that. But we have lunch with the member who owns the body shop that she
works at today, so she should be there and we should be able to talk a bit.
Some people are just socially inept. I don't know that they should be
missionaries, because they're the ones that make people not like us.
Well I'm excited for all you guys are doing. I wish I could tell you a bit
more about whats going on here. We have potential to have 3 on a date, and a
couple of those for next transfer, so the "3 months on, 3 months off" area
may be open for 6 months straight. Daaaaaang!!!!! That would be pretty
sweet!
Well life is good. We're keeping busy, having fun, and teaching some people,
so its a great time right now. My companion is another kid that grew up on a
cattle ranch. He is from Hiko, NV and has been out one less transfer than
me, which is great, because I'm still designated driver. :P
Well y'all take care now. Wednesdays seem to come and go so fast, it feels
like I just wrote you guys yesterday. Love you guys.
Elder TOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday. We would be able to go, BUT we have no way to get reimbursed for
miles. We were also asked to drive another set of elders which would make
our trip 330 miles instead of 250 and told we had a 305 allotment for the
week, but we cant get reimbursed for miles. So I called the assistants and
worked out where missionaries who have the other elders on their way can
pick them up, and asked about reimbursements. Turns out our zone leaders
have been reimbursing themselves too much, so because of that we had to make
a decision to not go and to not get to meet Elder Perry. Oh well though. He
is coming out to train the stake and ward leaders on HIS 20 lesson ward
council program. There has been a problem out here where the leaders accuse
the missionaries of making it up and refuse to work with us. I have never
seen it happen on my mission because of this. He is going to inform them
that this program is a prayerful idea of the brethren and is not an option,
but a requirement. He also wanted to talk to the missionaries in the morning
that day, but I wont be able to go now.
So I have put myself on a little diet and been doing a lot of ab,
resistance, and cardio workouts I learned at the University. I want to get
back under 200 lbs. I am progressing towards that goal, and feeling better
about myself everyday.
Thomas, our investigator wants to be baptized so bad. He has given up
drinking. He has now started the task of reading the Book of Mormon for a
third time, and is loving it. He is praying hard and is more ready than
ever. His work schedule has not allowed for him to attend church, but the
member he works with was baptized a little over a year ago, and the owner of
the restaurant will be giving him that subway next month, so he will be
making the schedules then. So if we can get him out before then, he's
guaranteed to get out after then. He also wants to cook us up some steaks!
yum, yum
So have you guys ever tried those stouffer's lean cuisine meals? They taste
way good, fill you up, and are about 300 calories each. Those are amazing
for a diet, because I don't even feel like I'm dieting after I eat one, but
I am still seeing the results. hopefully I can gain some muscle mass back
too... Ive lost a lot of that in the last 5 months or so since I stopped
lifting weights.
Last night we went to the girls high school basketball game for a UBC
(unbaptized child) of a PMF (Part Member Family) and we've been working with
her a bit. It was such a good game, it was way fun to watch. We will be
going over to have dinner with them and teach a lesson tomorrow. It should
be pretty awesome.
Other than that there has been a lot of door knocking, and that's always
fun. One of our Zone Leaders came up with us for the day last Thursday, and
he tracted with us and kind of made one of our investigators mad. I don't
like that. But we have lunch with the member who owns the body shop that she
works at today, so she should be there and we should be able to talk a bit.
Some people are just socially inept. I don't know that they should be
missionaries, because they're the ones that make people not like us.
Well I'm excited for all you guys are doing. I wish I could tell you a bit
more about whats going on here. We have potential to have 3 on a date, and a
couple of those for next transfer, so the "3 months on, 3 months off" area
may be open for 6 months straight. Daaaaaang!!!!! That would be pretty
sweet!
Well life is good. We're keeping busy, having fun, and teaching some people,
so its a great time right now. My companion is another kid that grew up on a
cattle ranch. He is from Hiko, NV and has been out one less transfer than
me, which is great, because I'm still designated driver. :P
Well y'all take care now. Wednesdays seem to come and go so fast, it feels
like I just wrote you guys yesterday. Love you guys.
Elder TOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
10 February 2010
So... those missionaries that came by are ridiculous. First of all we have been instructed out here by a member of the first quorum of the seventy and our mission president to introduce ourselves as ministers of Christ's church. Missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is way too long, and you've already lost their attention and interest by the time you've spit that out. Most Christian people have ministers, and they respect them, so with that introduction and a piece of a gospel truth you are far more likely to get into a house than with a long intro and long drawn out conversation on the porch. I also think its ridiculous to say... "you're less active right" unless that was like a joke specifically for you from Bishop Lomenick, which would be inappropriate also. It is so simple with LA, PM or even active families to get a lesson. Drop a phonecall and tell them you're new in the ward and are just trying to meet some people in the ward... Ask if you can come over for dinner or to share a lesson, and if they don't answer ALWAYS leave a message with your phone number. Its worked out pretty well for me. Besides, the church has been instructed to never use the word inactive, its less-active. No wonder people have a bad impression of missionaries.
This week has been crazy! Yesterday I drove 300 miles. We had a zone conference and we got stuck bringing the Elders in Frisco home. I had to drive a bit quicker than I wanted to to make it to our dinner appointment, but we made it. Going to Frisco adds an extra 50 miles or so to the trip. But we're sitting pretty still, bc we get half of that reimbursed, so I still got 208 miles for the week. Yesterday we finally got planners too, Ive been living off index cards for a couple weeks, because no one brought them to us in the mountains. I also got a brand new preach my gospel from the mission office, because mine is totally falling apart. Yesterday I also got a really sweet package from a girl I met in Nauvoo that lives in Hurricane, UT that Ive been talking to, with a long letter, some candy, and a camel (because "I made it over the hump, but I still have to endure to the end") haha. It was kind of cute/funny.
We're still shooting for a baptismal date of the 21st with Thomas. I just hope he doesn't start drinking again, because yesterday he found out his fiancee who is in the ARMY is going to marry another soldier instead. ouch! So keep him in your prayers... hes such a good guy.
We are back to 2 in our teaching pool. One that came to sacrament was so weirded out, and didn't stay for the last classes or anything, and doesn't want to learn more right now, so hopefully they'll be found again in the future. Shes an excommunicated member who wants to come back, but her husbands holding her back, and when we had knock on their door, we were told that we were the first missionaries to come by in the four years they lived there. That ones a bit crazy!
Tonight into tomorrow we have a Zone Leader Team-up. Our zone leaders down in Golden are training a kid, so one of them and their kid are staying, and the other one is getting a ride up with a member of his ward to our area. We were asked to find him a ride to AVON to go with the VAIL Elders at around 7. hahahah We lucked out though, bc the only ride we could find with a member was at 3pm. So he gets to go from dinner tomorrow to the end of the night with the VAIL elders, and we only get him from 9pm-3pm.
Well I don't know what else to tell you all! I hope life is treating you well, and you all have a great day
Love,
Tom
This week has been crazy! Yesterday I drove 300 miles. We had a zone conference and we got stuck bringing the Elders in Frisco home. I had to drive a bit quicker than I wanted to to make it to our dinner appointment, but we made it. Going to Frisco adds an extra 50 miles or so to the trip. But we're sitting pretty still, bc we get half of that reimbursed, so I still got 208 miles for the week. Yesterday we finally got planners too, Ive been living off index cards for a couple weeks, because no one brought them to us in the mountains. I also got a brand new preach my gospel from the mission office, because mine is totally falling apart. Yesterday I also got a really sweet package from a girl I met in Nauvoo that lives in Hurricane, UT that Ive been talking to, with a long letter, some candy, and a camel (because "I made it over the hump, but I still have to endure to the end") haha. It was kind of cute/funny.
We're still shooting for a baptismal date of the 21st with Thomas. I just hope he doesn't start drinking again, because yesterday he found out his fiancee who is in the ARMY is going to marry another soldier instead. ouch! So keep him in your prayers... hes such a good guy.
We are back to 2 in our teaching pool. One that came to sacrament was so weirded out, and didn't stay for the last classes or anything, and doesn't want to learn more right now, so hopefully they'll be found again in the future. Shes an excommunicated member who wants to come back, but her husbands holding her back, and when we had knock on their door, we were told that we were the first missionaries to come by in the four years they lived there. That ones a bit crazy!
Tonight into tomorrow we have a Zone Leader Team-up. Our zone leaders down in Golden are training a kid, so one of them and their kid are staying, and the other one is getting a ride up with a member of his ward to our area. We were asked to find him a ride to AVON to go with the VAIL Elders at around 7. hahahah We lucked out though, bc the only ride we could find with a member was at 3pm. So he gets to go from dinner tomorrow to the end of the night with the VAIL elders, and we only get him from 9pm-3pm.
Well I don't know what else to tell you all! I hope life is treating you well, and you all have a great day
Love,
Tom
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
3 February 2010
Hey guys,
Life is good out here... I forgot to bring my new PO box address, so I guess things will just have to go to the mission office for now. I'll try and shoot you a quick email during the week though.
So here's a cool story. Thomas, that we have been teaching... i couldn't get a hold of him to set up an appointment. But last night I called and set one up for today. I talked to him and as of last night since last Wednesday he's in 3 Nephi 26 in the Book of Mormon! Ain't that crazy?? He said he's been praying and he likes the book of mormon, he feels like God is leading him by the hand to where he needs to be. Last Wednesday we had the first lesson, and the spirit was so strong that he started to cry pretty good. It was probably one of the most powerful lessons I've been a part of. We will be baptizing him this month, and hopefully we can get some more. In our branch of 30 we had 4 investigators at sacrament last week. Things are really picking up!
Other than that much isn't going on here. We tract, we eat, we sleep! Such is the life of a missionary. Today is going to be a busy day too. We email now, have lunch with a member at 11, after that we are going to the church for the blood drive to answer questions if anyone has them (too bad the white handbook forbids us from donating). Then we have an appointment at 4 and one at 7:30. So we don't get much of a Pday. But we're probably gonna go on a little day hike one of these days, so its all good. I've been wanting to go on a hike the whole time I've been here. haha
What the heck is with you guys and Disneyland. It seems like you've gone more times in this year than I have in my whole life! Do I get a pass next year too? lol
Anyways, the new place is great! We have so much more space and are able to pretty much do our own thing. I'm so tired though... This last week was crazy. Had to leave early up to Silverthorne to switch companions because it was dumping down snow. There was about a foot on the ground by the house just from overnight and it kept coming. Then I met my new comp and we drove back in snow. It was an ok drive aside from the morons who think they need to brake on ice, so you get to shift down and watch them fall in a ditch. AWD helps too tho. And it stunk when I got stuck behind a snowplow for like 10 miles. Other than that it was a fine ride. Snow driving is easy... go slow, and correct without braking, but don't overcorrect... that's most peoples problems. It ain't a big deal though.
Then we took his stuff to the new house, went back finished packing and packed the car again and got moved in. It is so fun to be able to settle in and hit the sack a bit early that night.
Other than that I dunno what to tell ya. I don't have much else new or interesting in my life. But I love the new email client! It's awesome.
Love ya,
Tom
Life is good out here... I forgot to bring my new PO box address, so I guess things will just have to go to the mission office for now. I'll try and shoot you a quick email during the week though.
So here's a cool story. Thomas, that we have been teaching... i couldn't get a hold of him to set up an appointment. But last night I called and set one up for today. I talked to him and as of last night since last Wednesday he's in 3 Nephi 26 in the Book of Mormon! Ain't that crazy?? He said he's been praying and he likes the book of mormon, he feels like God is leading him by the hand to where he needs to be. Last Wednesday we had the first lesson, and the spirit was so strong that he started to cry pretty good. It was probably one of the most powerful lessons I've been a part of. We will be baptizing him this month, and hopefully we can get some more. In our branch of 30 we had 4 investigators at sacrament last week. Things are really picking up!
Other than that much isn't going on here. We tract, we eat, we sleep! Such is the life of a missionary. Today is going to be a busy day too. We email now, have lunch with a member at 11, after that we are going to the church for the blood drive to answer questions if anyone has them (too bad the white handbook forbids us from donating). Then we have an appointment at 4 and one at 7:30. So we don't get much of a Pday. But we're probably gonna go on a little day hike one of these days, so its all good. I've been wanting to go on a hike the whole time I've been here. haha
What the heck is with you guys and Disneyland. It seems like you've gone more times in this year than I have in my whole life! Do I get a pass next year too? lol
Anyways, the new place is great! We have so much more space and are able to pretty much do our own thing. I'm so tired though... This last week was crazy. Had to leave early up to Silverthorne to switch companions because it was dumping down snow. There was about a foot on the ground by the house just from overnight and it kept coming. Then I met my new comp and we drove back in snow. It was an ok drive aside from the morons who think they need to brake on ice, so you get to shift down and watch them fall in a ditch. AWD helps too tho. And it stunk when I got stuck behind a snowplow for like 10 miles. Other than that it was a fine ride. Snow driving is easy... go slow, and correct without braking, but don't overcorrect... that's most peoples problems. It ain't a big deal though.
Then we took his stuff to the new house, went back finished packing and packed the car again and got moved in. It is so fun to be able to settle in and hit the sack a bit early that night.
Other than that I dunno what to tell ya. I don't have much else new or interesting in my life. But I love the new email client! It's awesome.
Love ya,
Tom
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