Week 68...Transfer #12 & Last Report from the Ridgway Branch

September 22, 2014

Transfer #12 & Last Report from the Ridgway Branch

     Before I get to the questions, I decided to send a quick email with the scoop on transfers.  I was so excited about transfers that I thought this info would tide you over until I can answer your questions. 

     So…I am getting transferred and I am training.  Yes, that means I am doubling into an area.  “Doubling in” (or sometimes whitewashing) to an area means that both missionaries are new to the area.  So, neither myself or the new missionary is going to have a clue what is going on when we get to our area tomorrow.  I’m hoping there is another set of missionaries already in the ward that will know a little about what’s going on in our area.  But whatever, I’m excited and know that things will work out the way they are supposed to.  It will be a good learning experience in all aspects… training, new area and relying on the spirit to guide our efforts.  It will really push us to get out and meet the members and work with the ward.  It will be hard work, but I’m up for the challenge.  Transfer calls came on Saturday and I found out that I was leaving the Ridgway branch.  However, I kept having a feeling that wouldn’t be all that would be asked of me for this transfer.   All through church yesterday I still had an uneasy feeling and I kept replaying in my head what I would do if training really did come my way, sure enough later that day I got the call to train.  So I am in for an adventure for the next 3 months.   I will keep the new missionary for 2 transfers and train him.  That means I’ll stay put through at least through the middle of December.       

     Elder B will be training as well and we are both are excited.  Elder B will be staying in St. Marys (Ridgway branch) and will be the new district leader.   

 

     I know it’s going to be an adventure, but who said missions are not adventurous.  I am almost packed, I just need to get all my odds and ends stuff packed now. Hopefully I can get a letter out by Wednesday to let you know where I’ll be (that way you won’t have to wait until Monday to find out). 

 

      Pres. Johnson sent this in his weekly email.  Elder Oaks said this about callings…At this conference we have seen the release of some faithful brothers, and we have sustained the callings of others. In this rotation—so familiar in the Church—we do not “step down” when we are released, and we do not “step up” when we are called. There is no “up or down” in the service of the Lord. There is only “forward or backward,” and that difference depends on how we accept and act upon our releases and our callings.”

 

     So now you have the scoop on transfers.  Sounds like you had a fun anniversary and had quite an adventure.  Glad to hear that you like the My Family booklet from the church.   I think it is great little tool for family history.  I love that the church is making such a big push for it.  I can't wait to get some of the stories from you.  So here is the final report from the Ridgway branch/St. Marys area.  

1.  How was your week?  What were the highs/lows?  This week has been a pretty awesome week and very busy.  A high was going on exchanges with the zone leaders.  We didn’t really have any lessons but we made some good contacts with members, less actives and a few other people.  It was fun going on exchange with them and getting to know them.  Unfortunately, I won't get to go on exchanges with them again so I really don't know them that well.  The district meeting that I did on Wednesday was a high and I really enjoyed doing it.  I think everyone in the district liked it as well.  I taught the lesson from  PMG chapter 6 and talked about Christ like attributes and why they are important.  We talked a lot about how to develop attributes that will make us more powerful and effective missionaries of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  we need to be Christlike missionaries before we can teach our investigators about it.  We also talked about how the Christlike attributes are what allow us to be become perfect like Him.  The Savior has shown the way and set the perfect example.  The invitation to follow Chirst is an invitation to follow His example and become like Him.   We followed up with a discussion about  Ether 12:27  And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.  We are still are going to have weaknesses and we’re never going to become perfect in this life.  We just need to keep trying and recognize our weaknesses and be willing and anxious to improve.  It’s important to remember the example that the Savior set and learn that becoming like Christ is a lifelong pursuit.   Another high was Thursday we went up to the S family’s farm and split logs for him.  (Boy, I am going to be one buff missionary from lifting all of those logsJ  I think we should invest in a wood burning heater because it is quite a work out lifting and splitting all of those logs.  It gives you nice buff arms J  The cool thing about our visits is that Bro. S has a non member brother that has been living with them over the summer to help them take care of their garden.  It has been cool to talk with him and see his heart soften over the summer.  He is not taking the lessons or anything but seeds have definitely been planted and there may be opportunities down the road to be baptized.  The low has been been trying to pack and the anticipation of transfers and all that entails.  You know me, I don’t like the unknown.  I’ll be happy tomorrow to know where I’m going and who my new comp is.  Another low was Friday night.   We had a sit down with a less active lady that has a pretty rough & sad past.  She has been a member for about 10 years.  Unfortunately, she has a terrible alcohol addiction.  She has been drinking since about the age of 15.  To tell you how bad it is, she told us once when she got arrested she had a blood alcohol reading of a .37 (most people would die with a level that high).  However, since she has been drinking for so long and she drinks so much it does not really affect her.  She has built up a tolerance to alcohol.  To make a long story short, she just got out of jail and is trying really hard to stay sober, but it is really hard for her to see her purpose in life and she’s really struggling right now.  My heart aches for her and I wanted to cry when we were with her on Friday because of everything she has gone through.  She said something very profound which we all need to take heed to…"addictions destroy you".  That statement is very true and nothing good comes from addiction.  We can’t serve two masters and exact obedience is the only safeguard we have.  Elder L. Tom Perry said, “The discipline contained in daily obedience and clean living and wholesome lives builds an armor around you of protection and safety from the temptations that beset you as you proceed through mortality.”
2. What's the scoop with transfers?  Are you staying or going?  What about Elder B and the rest of your District?  You saw above what is happening with the two of us.  One of the sisters in Brookville is leaving to be a sister training leader (STL).  So there’s the scoop on transfers. 
3. If you're leaving, who's the new DL?  Elder B is the new district leader (DL).  He will be training and be the DL. 
4. Were you able to check out the St. Mary's Bavarian festival this past week?  How was it?  Yes, some members took us on Saturday after we were done doing some fall clean up and they bought us lunch.  Other than that we did not really hang out there.  It’s basically like Draper Days at the park with all of the booths etc. 
5. How were the exchanges with the ZL's this past week?  Exchanges were awesome.  We got a lot done and it was fun getting to know both of them and get their input on things and how to improve. 
6. How's the weather?  It has been decent, it was rainy yesterday but other than that it has been pretty nice. 
7. If leaving, were you able to say goodbye to members & get pictures?  I was able to say goodbye but I was not able to get any pictures. 
8. What are your feelings about transfers?  I am excited and ready for it to be over.  Transfers always shorten the week up, cut into our work time and take a while to adjust to.
9. What are 5 positive things from the week?  Exchanges and district meeting.
10. Any service opportunities?  We went to the S family’s farm,  but that is pretty much it. 
11. How are things with your investigators?
1.  Any new leads/finds?  Well, we found a few solid people this week.  We have been trying to meet with this former (investigator) forever, but he keeps saying he is busy.  However, the other night he finally let us in and we had an awesome lesson with him.  His name is D.  We also found some people that are potentials and they seem to have great potential.  I wish I could be here to see what happens with all of this but I know I’m going where I’m supposed to be and Elder B will do a great job taking care of the Ridgway branch.  
2. Any new info on S & N?   Not much, apparently they are moving out of where they are living now.  I’m not sure what is going to happen.  They are sort of at a standstill.  We have a lesson planned with them tonight. 
3. What about  J & P?  They have been kind of avoiding us.  I’m not sure what is really going on there.  Who knows what is going to happen with them.
4. Ice Cream lady?  We tried to have a lesson with her last week but she did not show up.  So nothing new is really going on with her. 
5. S & A?  Have not talked to them.  For right now they are on pause. 
12. If you're getting transferred do you have a preference of where you want/hope to go?  It would be fun to go down to the Pittsburgh area or go back out by Harrisburg, but I really don't care. 
13. Is there anything we can do for you?  No
14. Do you need anything?  No
15. Can we pray for anything?  Pray that all will go well with transfers and that over the next few weeks I can get things figured out with the new area and fulfill my assignment as trainer.  

Check out the new Pittsburgh Pennsylvania blog that Sis. Johnson is doing @ ppmemories.blogspot.com

Well you now have my last report from St. Mary's, over and out from St. Marys/Ridgway branch and onto another adventure.  Love you all!!

Elder Muir

Week 67...Zone Conference

September 15, 2014

Another crazy week is in the books.  I can't believe we are starting week 6 of transfers again.  By this time next week I may have my bags packed and ready to go onto a new adventure.  But right now I’m just enjoying Ridgway while I can since I could be on the final countdown.  I’ve been in St. Marys/Ridgway Branch for 4 transfers now (been here since April).   But we will have to wait and see what happens next week.  We get transfer calls on Saturday.  I got the SD card and watched the videos you sent and saw the pictures. Holy cow…you were a basket case doing the ice bucket challenge.  I’ll have to admit it was pretty darn funny. 

1. How was your week?  What were the highs/lows?  This week has been pretty hectic.  Between exchanges and having zone conference all day on Thursday it was pretty hectic.  One of the highlights was exchanges.  I went down to DuBois.  We exchanged Tuesday night and I stayed the night in DuBois.  We got up Wednesday morning and got to work.  It was kind of a boring for the first part of the day because the DuBois elders still hadn’t had their Pday so I basically had Pday with them.  However, later in the day we did some service at a bakery in DuBois.  You may have noticed it in your quest for birthday cakes when you were searching the internet.  The owner is a dude from Israel named U.  The elders help him all the time and I got to help this time.  I cleaned the dishes from all the cakes and everything that he used in preparation and baking.  It was quite the project and I was quite wet by the end of it.  After we ended up going to mutual with the youth and they went geocaching.  It was pretty fun.  Later we exchanged back and we all spent the night in DuBois and the next morning we got up and went to zone conference in State College.  Zone conference was awesome!!!  The low has probably been the change in the weather and unfortunately are teaching pool is starting to go down the drain and it is time to start from square one again.  
2. How was the zone conference?  It was awesome.  The main focus was family history.  The training by the zone leaders was all about family history.  We were all given the little booklets called "My Family".  I don't know if you have seen or heard of them but they are pretty cool.  Basically it’s a grandiose family pedigree and it goes back to your own great grandparents.  It asks for information about them and you’re able to record different stories that you can find or memories about them.  The church wants the stories entered into Family Search.   It is kind of like the TREK idea where you pick an ancestor then research their story and get to know them.  I think it is very cool because the emphasis in the church is not just to get the names to the temple but to really get to know who your ancestors are.  They want us to be able to put a name with a face and about their life.  So over the next month or so the entire mission has been invited to research our ancestors and fill out the book.  Each of us will be collecting stories about our parents, grandparents and great grandparents.  So I am wondering if you can help me by asking both grandparents to send me stories about them and their parents.  I hope you have seen these books, if not you can order some online and do them or you can do it on family search and click family booklet on the main page. You can also order them from the LDS store for $1.00.  If you can help me get some different info on people that would be great.  I will write both sets of grandparents too and hopefully I can get this accomplished and get to know our family line better.  Our goal is that hopefully it will help in our finding efforts because lately this is a big push that the church is going for.  We also talked about the rules that Pres. Johnson is putting into place.  He is pretty much just sticking with what the white handbook says.  So that adds a few changes from the rules that Pres. Topham had.  Well that is a snippet from the awesome zone conf.  Only 2 more ZC’s to go…I can't believe I just said that. 
3. What are your feelings about transfers?  I think I am out here.  However, I won’t be sure until Saturday.  But like I said, I have been here 6 months and so Ifeel like it is my time to go.  Also, I was talking with Pres. Johnson on the phone this morning and he said that I could get transferred.  He was not implying anything he was just saying it is a possibility.  I am kind of ready to go even though I will miss the Ridgway branch a lot.  They’ve been really good to me.  We’ll see what happens, I will know more next week. 
4. What are 5 positive things from the week?  1) Zone conference 2)  Exchanges 3) we had chili at the S family’s  house for dinner.
5. How are you and Elder B?  We are doing great.  We still haven’t killed each other so I think we are doing well J 
6. How's the weather?  Boy, the weather has turned quite chilly over the last few days.  It has only been in the high 50's and low 60's for the past few days.  There has been some rain which has made it even colder.
7. Any service opportunities this week?  We were up at the S family’s house all day Saturday helping him clean out his barn.  And like I said before, while I was on exchange in DuBois we did service at a bakery and I washed the dishes. 
8. How are things with the investigators?
1.  S & N ?  Are things still progressing towards baptism?  They are doing OK.  I don't think they really understand what our purpose is for being there and the importance of baptism and Heavenly Father’s plan for them.  I think that it is more of a social thing for them.  We will see how much longer it lasts but right now we are kind of at a stale mate with them.  It’s  kind of a bummer, but we are just trying to figure out what they really need to get them back on the right track. 
2. S &A?  Not much going on with them.  We got the address for A  but the person that answered just slammed the door in our face saying “we’re not interested”.  We still keep texting  S but right now we still can't teach her because of her mother.  
3. Ice cream lady?  We are going to see her tomorrow.  We need to see what President W  wants done with her since she has been exed.
4. Anyone else that you've been meeting with?  No, like I said we are kind of dead.  I am starting to run out of ideas but we are trying our hardest.  I’m not sure if that is a sign that it is my time to go or what but things have definitely slowed down. 
5. Any new leads/finds?  No, not really.  This week is going to be a lot of finding opportunities and back to basics for us.  
   
   
9. Any exciting meal news?  You said you had quite a few lined up...  No, pretty normal food lately.  We did have farm fresh picked corn at the S family’s  that I picked on Saturday.  It was really good. 
   
   
10. Any DL news or news on the district/zone?  No, not really.  We are going on exchange with the ZL's tomorrow.  We are just splitting up and staying up here in Ridgway because Altoona is too far away for it to work out to stay overnight. 
    
    
11. How are you doing on money?  Good, with birthday cash I got and gifts cards I have been doing pretty good. Meals are staying pretty steady to where we have about 3 a week. That helps on the wallet not having to always buy food.  Thank you to everyone for your support and love.
12. Are you happy?  Healthy (how's you cold or allergy)?  It is doing ok, my nose is still kind of stuffy.  I am not sure if it is allergies or what.  Hopefully, I am on the tail end of whatever it is. 
13. Do you need anything?  No, not right now. I am going to hold off on anything until I find out what is going on with transfers. 
14. Can we pray for anything?  Keep praying that all will go well with whatever happens in transfers and that we can start finding more people.
15. What about the shoes?  Do I need to send you something or can you wait until you’re transferred and maybe you'll be in a bigger city where you can get some.  LMK what you need :)  Let’s just hold off until I figure out what is going on with transfers. 

It’s has been a busy week with lots going on.  Take care and I hope you all enjoy reading about my missionary adventures.

Love you all,

Elder Muir

PS…Mom let me know if you have any questions about the family history stuff that I want you to send me.  Thanks!!!

 September 2014 State College zone conference
(Elder Muir is 2nd row left of center to the right of the sister in the orange sweater)

 Immaculate Conception Catholic church in Brookville, PA

(picture taken from Pres. W's drone)

Week 66...Pressing Forward with Faith

September 8, 2014

Hello, this week has been a pretty good week but things are starting to slow down a little. However, we still are making do with what we have and it gives us a chance to get back to the basics of finding people.  Overall, things have been pretty status quo yet we keep working hard.  I see that you have been pretty busy and I'm glad you are all enjoying yourselves.  I can't believe I am down to 9 months left at this point.   Did you get a text picture from Sis. Won Friday night? 

1. How was your week?  What were the highs/lows?  This week has been a pretty good week.  Yesterday a high was the lesson we had in priesthood.  We talked about the First Presidency message from September’s Ensign.  I thought it was very insightful in preparation for marriage (when it comes) and when I return home and start into real life again.  It’s important to make sure that I am not only prepared physically for a loss of a job or a natural disaster etc. but also prepared spiritually.  I thought the it was interesting when it asks the question “are you square with the Lord?”  I like that the message it stressed self-reliance is both a temporal and spiritual thing.  Another high was our lesson we had at a member’s home with N & S . They still seem excited to be ready for baptism on Oct. 18^th and they seem even more gung ho on getting married. However, that leads into a little bit of a low.  We went back for a lesson on Saturday and they told us that their parents now want to plan a big shindig for the wedding and get a bunch of people there.  So now, apparently they are not going to get married until June of next year.  I don't think they realize the importance of baptism since they are putting all the emphasis on the wedding.  So we are going to keep working with them and see what we can do.  They still want to get baptized; they have just pushed it out quite a ways now.  Another low was S  dropped us.  Her mom does not want us meeting with her anymore because all her mom knows is all of the anti Mormon stuff.   S has been trying to keep it going but her mom finally pulled the plug on us coming over.  So currently we are not teaching her, but we have been texting scriptures to her so we at least have some contact. The bottom line is we don't have anyone with a date anymore L. 
2. What are 5 positive things from the week?  1) This upcoming week we have a dinner appointment every day except Wednesday.  2) Last night we were out and about walking to a place and we had the choice of either getting home really late or not making it to our destination.  Luckily, while we were walking to the place some members of the branch picked us up and took us there and on the way back the librarian’s husband picked us up and took us home.
3. Did you get the "Rise & Roar" Cougar package?  Do I need to ask if you liked it?  Yes, I got it and I loved it!!!  Do I need to say more? J Yes, I have heard the results of the game.  It sounds like we are doing well from the score we had this past game.  Texas must not be very good this year.  Hope we can keep it up. 
4. I read in the St. Mary's news that there was a shooting hoax at the St. Mary's high school last Tuesday right around when you were emailing.  Do you see or hear anything?  I'm glad it was just a hoax and no one was injured.  Yes, I heard all about it.  I did not hear about it until later that night from some people.  But I'm glad all is well.  People are kind of crazy here and the police have always got something crazy going for them it seems. 
5. Do you get more miles now that you're a district leader?  Nope, we still get 1300 miles.
6. How did things go with the guy you met tracting that has the garage full of vintage items?  Did you help him clean the garage this week?  No, he cancelled on us last minute.  Hopefully we are going to see him on Wednesday.  We are not cleaning his garage, we are just going to try and have a lesson. 
7. Is your zone conference this week?  Yes Do you have to do anything for the conference?  No Is it in State College? Yes Take the camera and get pics of the crazy Penn State stuff :)  I will try.  Unfortunately as you drive through State College you don't really go through campus at all but I will see what I can do.  
8. How are things with the investigators? 
1. S & N ?  Like I said, they are doing great minus the fact that they have now postponed the wedding until June.  Hopefully we can get things straightened out and get things to where they understand why baptism is so important and hopefully move it earlier than next June. 
2. S & A?  That is on pause right now until her mom has change of heart and is willing to let her meet with us again.  The sad thing is she has great potential but her mom is just making it difficult on her. 
3. J, P & L ?  That is slowly starting to fade.  I’m not exactly sure what is going on.   J no longer has a baptism date because he is not officially divorced from his ex-wife until December.  So he can't marry  P until then.   So right now he is on hold and they have not really been coming to church either.  So they are slowly fading but we are trying to get it to stay afloat.   L has been super busy so hopefully we can get her set with a date in our lesson tonight.  We will see how it goes.  
4. Ice cream lady?  We can't really do much with her because she has been ex communicated. 
5. What about B?  We are done with her for now.  We just stop by every little while and see how she is doing.  She is pretty busy right now so we have not talked to her in a while.
9. How are things with the members?  Are you still connecting with them?  Any fun stories or memories about them?  They are doing great.  The relationship between the members and missionaries keeps getting better and better.  Unfortunately, I think my time is dwindling with them but I am pleased to say that I think the relationship is much better than when I first got here.  Did you get the picture Sis.  W sent on Friday. 
10. Is the weather decent?  Yeah, you can finally tell that fall is slowly in the air.  It was kind of humid again last week.  Saturday was rainy and cold but yesterday was awesome…sunny and low 70's. 
    
    
11. What are you teaching in district meetings?  How are things with the DL assignment...still good???  Things are going well.  Basically for my lessons I am just teaching parts of PMG.  I am still trying to get the hang of it and figure out what works and what doesn't work for lesson plans.  Assignments are going good, I’m just trying to get everything collected from the district for the month of August so I can report it to the ZL's for their monthly meeting with the stake president. 
    
    
12. Is there anything that you need or that we can help with?  Can you please send me the other SD card back so I can send you the one I have right now with pictures from Labor day. 
13. Are you happy & healthy?  Yes, I think I have a little cold or just fall allergies…but I can't tell which one. 

As you can see things have slowed down a bit, but we are making the best of it.

Love you,

Elder Muir