Surprise!! - August 11, 2013

Now get this... I woke up transfer morning and took a shower. When I came out, my comp told me Elder Blanchard called and said that since Destin hadn't been open yet, that I'm going to Pine Forest for about a month! For a while I thought it was a big joke, seeing that he was going home the middle of this transfer, but we got to the meeting spot and he told me that they didn't have an apartment for us yet, and that they were going to do that, but in the mean time we are working in Pensacola! So now here we are, in the soon-to-be sister's new apartment opening a second companionship in Pine Forest! We see it as kind of a boot camp before we go to the beach! And I'm glad we did come here, because I have never opened before so I'm learning a lot from this practice session! Elder Lane, my old com padre, and Elder Simmons are the other two, and Elder Miller, from utah/texas is my trainee. He's 24, an old fart! :) He's a great guy, real nice!

 So far we mainly organized the apartment, and cleaned. We had one lesson! It was good, can't wait to get more people to teach! There are no progressing investigators that are being worked with, and the members aren't too gung ho about the work, so we are brain-storming ways to improve the area. But thank goodness next week the bish is getting back, and the ward mission plan is being put into effect. I wish it was this week though...

 This area is the total opposite of the beach. Many old people, lots of trees, but there are many more businesses than Callaway. I find that opening an area is a lot like being a entrepreneur, we make our own schedules, and have to work hard to be successful! The members aren't used to hard working obedient missionaries, so it will be hard. But with hard work and time will come fruits of our labor, so we'll see how this all will go! :)

August 5, 2013 -Reports are in!

So there are going to be some big changes over here! Nothing like Ipads yet, but they are still coming! :) But looks like I'm moving! So I'm going to be training...and I'm opening a new area i think... I'm going to destin! Awesome right? It's a branch, so I know I'm going to love working there, I like starting small. I'm not sure if I will be working with sisters again, but It's going to be crazy starting brand new, and training fully! I am way excited, but also nervous, as always, and I'm pretty sure there are many more things to take pictures of there! I'm definitely going to miss the people here, we have a baptism this saturday that I will miss... :, ( but he is prepared and I'm still counting it! :) it's the last of the investigator family, the dad's brother. He finally is ready!

 Once again it's going to feel strange moving, I hope I will get a companion that likes basketball! haha. This will be a stressful, yet exciting transfer! And just as our ward is on the up and up with missionary work, and a awesome new bishop, I get transferred! Lame right?

 Want to hear the story of the week? So we bike all the way across our area to contact a referral, it took us an hour of hard bike riding, we look for his apartment, and can't find it... we get a nearby member to help, still can't.... then the guy calls and says he wasn't even home, and he isn't interested... :( haha, lame.... but we got pizza from the member, so all was well!

 Actually I have a better one, Josh, the one who is getting baptised, had an appointment scheduled for saturday night. We got there and then he texted us, saying he was at work.... so we taught the guilford family. He came in about halfway during the lesson covered with black paint, looking dead tired. He told us he started work at 530 in the morning, and it was 8 o'clock then. Long time! He said that he could've finished tomorrow, but wanted to go to church, so he worked 8 more hours to get it done! That was awesome to hear! We had a short lesson, and he about fell asleep. The next day he couldn't make it because he got paint in his eyes, and they swelled the next morning...:( but it's all good! haha

 So that's a little of what happened! Many great things! But not as great as y'all! :D

July 29, 2013

Haha, I can just see you sitting in sacrament with the Ipad...:) I am SO looking forward to Bear Lake! But it will have to wait.. transfers is next week, so we'll see where I will be moving next, maybe not at all, who knows but God? :)

This week seemed to go by a lot faster. There were lot's of good things, not many investigator lessons, but work with Returning members is going great. We had one call us last night wanting to tell us how happy and excited he was about being back, and also about helping us do missionary work! We have him come to lessons with us, and he is a great fellowshipper! We are now teaching a wednesday night class for members, and it's going good so far. We take turns with the Sisters, and the Senior couple. Our week is this week, and we are talking about Christ's ministry, Broad right? It's going to be fun!

There are many differences to Pres Jensen, and Pres Smith, one similarity is they are both bald! :) But I really admire Pres Smith, even though he has changed many things now. But they are never bad changes! One big change is he is going to a lesson with each companionship, that will be interesting! :) He doesn't communicate with us like Pres Jensen did, so he seems more separated from us. As things move on, I know we will get to know much more about him. He does have good visions for the work here!

I am still loving my mission, and enjoying sweating everyday...that was a little sarcasm on latter.... But God is supporting us, and life is good! :) Love Y'all!