February 3, 2009

The change of pace from Marshall to here was pretty big and it has taken some time to adjust to. I think I'm up to speed and all right now. So now, let me tell you about the last week and a half. My new companion is Elder Murie. He is so awesome! He is from Laverkin, Utah (which is close to St. George). He has been out for 3 months and this is still his first area. I'm his 2nd companion. His trainer ended his mission (or how we say, died off) right when I got there. He doesn't seem like he's been out for 3 months. He acts like he's been out for 9 months. He knows the area very well, he has a great rep with the members, he's just an awesome guy and an awesome missionary. We get along very well. He also has a girl waiting for him. He has been dating her for about 3 years! Haha! 

So, let me tell you about my area. The members here are so awesome! I love it here. And guess what? Do you know how I said there is a Chiropractic College in the Kansas City area? Well, it's called Cleaveland Chiropractic College and the college is in my area! Yeah, it's in the Overland Park 1st Ward boundaries. One of the Professors that teaches there is a member and he's in my ward. There are also about 10-15 young families which the husband is going to Cleaveland. Most of them are all living in one apartment complex. It is called Mormon Village. Haha! There are some super awesome families there! There are also lots of non-member Cleaveland students there. Actually, one is an investigator, Monica.

I'm living in a member's home, Brother Shriner. He's an older man and a widower. We have the whole basement to ourselves and we share the kitchen with him. He's a nice guy. The day after I got to this area we had district meeting. I think it went really well! I talked about the power and authority of our calling and about being bold. I have a really good district with really good missionaries. It was weird for me when I started district meeting because I realized that besides the 2 Zone Leaders, I was the oldest missionary in my district-- oldest as in time in the mission field. The next oldest has been out 10 months. I'm an old fart in the mission now! Haha! Since we cover 2 wards, Sundays are long days at church again. 9 hours  if you include other meetings. It's ok though. I like church. 

Sunday, Jan 25th we went to the Independence visitor's center after church meetings were over. It was so awesome and spiritually powerful! We went with an investigator, Erick Lewis, and his girlfriend that he is living with that is a less-active member, Alyce. They are really awesome, though. We went through a presentation called God's Plan For Families, then we saw the Joseph Smith movie. It was amazing! I've seen it a few times there but it's always amazing! After the movie, Erick said he knows Joseph Smith is a prophet now! That was so cool to see him gain a testimony of Joseph Smith! 

We have a lot of really awesome investigators. There's Erick. Then we have a 9, almost 10 year old girl that we committed for baptism on Feb 28th. The rest of her family are members and they have recently started coming back to church. She is Ali Haught. She is very smart and really likes church! Next is Jesse and Joyce. Jesse is a member, Joyce is not. They are in their 50's. Joyce really wants to be baptized but they aren't married. Jesse is trying to get a divorce with his wife, but doesn't know where she is. they are really neat and they come to church every week. We watched The Testaments with them last week. Monica is another investigator that I kinda mentioned. She was referred by a member in Mormon Village and we started teaching her last week. Some other investigators of note are John and Katie. We started teaching them last night. They are way awesome! Elder Murie and his last companion found them from doing some random service raking leaves. They are very friendly and intelligent. I'm very excited to be in this area and this district. Every companionship in my district (4 companionships) has at least one investigator with a baptismal date! That is so awesome! 

Wednesday last week was Zone Conference. It was pretty good! I got to see my boy, Elder Perry, for the first time in a long while. He's been out for 9 1/2 months now! He's growing so fast! Haha! Guess who else is in my Zone... Elder Wuthrich and Elder McEntire! Haha! It's good seeing old companions again and seeing how they are doing! 

Elder Wuthrich, Me, Elder McEntire,

 and Elder Corzo at Zone Conference

After Zone Conference I went on exchanges with Elder Clayson in Overland Park 2nd Ward (OP2). He's also been out for 3 months and is an awesome missionary. We had a good time and got a lot done. After the exchange, the 4 of us went out to lunch! You'll never guess where we went.... FUDDRUCKERS! Woohoo! There is a Fuddruckers in my area! It was so good! I haven't had it for a year and half! It was oh so satisfying! Haha! On Saturday night one of our wards had a "souper" bowl Saturday. Every one brought different soups to share and eat. It was pretty good! There were quite a few non-members there. Well, I'd better wrap this letter up. I'm pretty excited to see my sister this weekend! I'll tell you how it goes. 

Think: "Missionary"

This poster is in the OP2 Elder's apartment. I love it!