Elder Muir & Elder D being goofy together before the transfer
Monday, December 2, 2013 email...
1. So I want to hear all about your
Thanksgiving Day. Thanksgiving was awesome!!!
We had a Turkey bowl that started at 8:30 am. We went to the bowl
and it was freezing cold and windy so unfortunately not a lot of people showed
up. The Turkey bowl went until
about 10ish and then we went home and got ready to go to the D family’s home for our big Thanksgiving
feast at 12:00. It was super good, the I family (haircut lady family) was there as
well. So we had our big feast and afterward all the kids went and
played and we sat and talked with the adults. Apparently we were going to
play some games but the sisters had an appointment at 3:00 so they left and we
stayed for about another half hour then left and went home and pretty much
relaxed and did studies. So Thanksgiving was just a nice laid back
day.
2. What were the highs/lows for this
week? Well this week was filled with
lots of highs. The less active lady, T. P. (lady that fell in poop last week) was at
church and she brought her less active son as well. Also I had 2
investigators at church this week, the daughter and future SIL of T.P. Their names are Mandy & Lee (names changed). Unfortunately, they could only stay for sacrament mtg. because Mandy
had to work. That is the 2nd time that has
ever happened for me, August was the last time. They were very emotional
during sacrament so I know they definitely felt the Spirit. A low was
when we were teaching the Lee & Mandy on Friday. We were going over the baptismal interview
questions and we found out that he is on probation until 2045 and that’s a
problem if you want to be baptized. So that was a bit disheartening to
Mandy, but we told them we would call President and see what options were
available. Basically he has to be living the gospel for several months
and then be interviewed by President and after a letter has to be sent in to the
First Presidency. So we are still going to teach them, but unfortunately
I don't think I will baptize them. I am just planting the seed which is OK.
Another low was I had exchanges with the zone leaders on Tuesday in
my area. It was sort of frustrating and stressful because it showed
me that I don't know our area super well. I would have been OK but a
couple of our appointments cancelled so I had to come up with things
to do on the spot. So I got stressed over that but it’s
all better now. Also, on Friday during weekly planning I was really
having a hard time because Elder D was intentionally not doing much so I could
learn the area better and improve myself as a missionary. I've kind of
been letting him do all the work and just going with what he says,
but obviously that is not helping me grow to my potential as a missionary.
So that was kind of stressful as well, but it was much needed for me
and my personal growth. In a nutshell, that is how the week went.
3. What happened with transfers? Are
you and Elder D both staying? Unfortunately, Elder D is getting transferred and he’s going to be a zone
leader. I'm not the new district leader so it will most likely be my new
companion. So I stayed high and dry from being DL. Also, I just found out that
Elder J (my trainer and 1st comp) is the new AP.
5. How did you fare with the Thanksgiving Day
storm the news was talking about? Did you get any snow? Thanksgiving was sunny but we got snow on Wednesday and it rained all day Tuesday.
6. Did you get the box that I sent for
Christmas? Yes.
That's supposed to be your version of the 25 days cards that we do
here, hope you like it :) I opened
the Christmas ties this morning. I am assuming you bought 2 of them so I can give
one to my companion. Yes, I love the idea.
7. How did your appointment go on Friday
with the new investigator guy that you were finally able to meet with?
(What's his name) He is not really a new
investigator. He had been taught before
I got here, we just could never get in contact with him until a week or so
ago. It went well, he has a lot of work to do. His name is D. Would you please put his name on the
prayer roll at the temple.
8. How's it going with the future son in
law to the less active tattoo lady? What are their names? Are you
making progress with her and the engaged couple. As you saw in the highs things went well, but there is some major work to
do with the Mandy & Lee. Please put them on the prayer roll too, they
really could use it.
10. What are 5 positive things that
happened this week? I had 2 investigators at
church. I stayed clear of DL and I did not have to walk in the
snow.
11. How was helping put up the town
Christmas tree? Are Lititz and Manheim starting to look like
Christmas? It was fun, but it was really
cold. Yes, it beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
12. Is there snow on the ground right now? No
13. How often do you go to Lancaster
besides on Sunday? I don't really go to the city a
lot. Actually I’ve never been in Lancaster proper, just the
outskirts. Pennsylvania is weird because some of our area has a Lancaster
address, even though we aren’t technically in Lancaster. So I go a few
times a week, but it’s not downtown, that is another area.
15. Anything else you want to share?
I am learning that prayer is a powerful tool.
I prayed so hard that all of our investigators and less actives would come to
church and it worked. Heavenly Father hears our prayers. Also, I got to stand in on a confirmation
yesterday. The girl was baptized about 6 months ago, but she never came
to church to get confirmed. She lives with her less active Gma. She
was there yesterday and she wanted us to stand in the circle.
16. Any info on how the Christmas day
phone call will work? Well I know I can Skype,
but I don't know exact details. I will let you know when I find
out. I may even get to text you with details because I have heard a
few missionaries do that with President’s permission. I will keep you posted.
17. Did your district change much with
transfers? Well Elder D is
leaving. The sisters in the other ward are staying the
same. One of our sisters is leaving. We are getting
a new Elder that is a ZL. Also one of the sisters staying in our ward is
now a sister training leader (STL) and whoever her incoming new comp is also an
STL.
I hope you had a great Thanksgiving.
Glad to hear that things are going well.
I’m thankful for the opportunity to be here on my mission. I know this is where I’m supposed to be. I love the BOM and know that Joseph Smith
translated it by the power of God. I’m
thankful for all of you and your influence on me. I’m thankful for the gospel and the peace
that it brings when we live the principles that it teaches. I’m so grateful for my Savior and His
atonement. I love you and miss you all.
Love,
Elder Muir
