This one's going to be a little short, because I'm getting transfered tomorrow! At this point, it's just another bend in the road, and the 'finish line' is in sight anyway, so I say bring it on. It'll be good. This is the first one-and-done I've had in an area. I'll end my mission with six areas, and 18 companions- 19 if I get put in a trio. This last transfer was more than a little discouraging, but there have been some great moments, as well.
For one, Elizabeth came to church yesterday!!! She could only stay for the first two hours, but she loved it, and next Sunday she's going to come for all three hours of church. The members were really good about fellowshipping her and becoming her friends. It was awesome. Her eight-year-old son, Blake, has really taken a liking to us. He felt super shy, and didnt want to go to primary, but wanted us to go home with him to play. Actually, last Wednesday was really awesome. We started the evening out with a lesson with the friend of Elder Nielson's recent convert- a gay guy named Mustafa. He's a really nice guy- genuinely interested in the church. It was a good lesson. The cool thing was, after that we brought them and a member family (the Relief Society President and Bishopric Second Counselor) to visit Elizabeth. I think that was a huge part in her coming Sunday, and now that she has friends I don't feel too bad about passing her off to another companionship. Oh yeah- we're being blinded out, too (aka whitewashed back there in the west).
Yesterday evening was an exercise in optimism. We started walking to the Diaz family, and we got caught in what has to be one of the worst rainstorms of my mission- certainly the worst I've been in outside of a car. It was super sporadic, but within, like, ten seconds I was soaked to the bone (I forgot my umbrella at a member's house). Thank goodness I forsaw the rain, and asked Elder Nielson to put my iPad in his bag, or it would be toast! It continued pouring for the rest of the night. Determined to not let my spirits be dampered, I kept telling myself that I was already so wet, what's a little more water? We actually got a good lesson out of it, with a return appointment we now will not be able to fill, but, hey, no effort is wasted. Gave him a BOM and everything.
It's really weird that I'm going home soon. I think my subconscious has finally accepted the fact, because I've had a lot of homecoming dreams lately. One of them was a couch dream, too. That was a really weird one. Couch dreams are always weird. I'm especially excited to see my parents and siblings again, to get to spend a little more time with you guys. Spencer and Madi had better get their Super Smash game on point, 'cause I plan on wrecking house and taking out the trash when I get home ;) They should also put together a list of some things they want to do with me, becasue we'll only have so much time, and I want to spend some time with them doing the things they want to do. I've really missed all you guys. It'll be awesome to see you all again.
Some answers to your questions:
- Yes, we do get to stay inside tonight. Better for us, becasue we have to pack and get the apartment clean.
- Our branch did a little trick-or-treat activity inside the church, with all the different classrooms. It's kinda sad- NY isn't the safest, especially on Halloween (gang initiation night), so that's pretty much all the trick-or-treat the kids get, unless they have a school activity. It was pretty well done, though.
Weeeeell... I think that's it. Love you guys. Only 44 days left!
Elder R Brandt Hull
For one, Elizabeth came to church yesterday!!! She could only stay for the first two hours, but she loved it, and next Sunday she's going to come for all three hours of church. The members were really good about fellowshipping her and becoming her friends. It was awesome. Her eight-year-old son, Blake, has really taken a liking to us. He felt super shy, and didnt want to go to primary, but wanted us to go home with him to play. Actually, last Wednesday was really awesome. We started the evening out with a lesson with the friend of Elder Nielson's recent convert- a gay guy named Mustafa. He's a really nice guy- genuinely interested in the church. It was a good lesson. The cool thing was, after that we brought them and a member family (the Relief Society President and Bishopric Second Counselor) to visit Elizabeth. I think that was a huge part in her coming Sunday, and now that she has friends I don't feel too bad about passing her off to another companionship. Oh yeah- we're being blinded out, too (aka whitewashed back there in the west).
Yesterday evening was an exercise in optimism. We started walking to the Diaz family, and we got caught in what has to be one of the worst rainstorms of my mission- certainly the worst I've been in outside of a car. It was super sporadic, but within, like, ten seconds I was soaked to the bone (I forgot my umbrella at a member's house). Thank goodness I forsaw the rain, and asked Elder Nielson to put my iPad in his bag, or it would be toast! It continued pouring for the rest of the night. Determined to not let my spirits be dampered, I kept telling myself that I was already so wet, what's a little more water? We actually got a good lesson out of it, with a return appointment we now will not be able to fill, but, hey, no effort is wasted. Gave him a BOM and everything.
It's really weird that I'm going home soon. I think my subconscious has finally accepted the fact, because I've had a lot of homecoming dreams lately. One of them was a couch dream, too. That was a really weird one. Couch dreams are always weird. I'm especially excited to see my parents and siblings again, to get to spend a little more time with you guys. Spencer and Madi had better get their Super Smash game on point, 'cause I plan on wrecking house and taking out the trash when I get home ;) They should also put together a list of some things they want to do with me, becasue we'll only have so much time, and I want to spend some time with them doing the things they want to do. I've really missed all you guys. It'll be awesome to see you all again.
Some answers to your questions:
- Yes, we do get to stay inside tonight. Better for us, becasue we have to pack and get the apartment clean.
- Our branch did a little trick-or-treat activity inside the church, with all the different classrooms. It's kinda sad- NY isn't the safest, especially on Halloween (gang initiation night), so that's pretty much all the trick-or-treat the kids get, unless they have a school activity. It was pretty well done, though.
Weeeeell... I think that's it. Love you guys. Only 44 days left!
Elder R Brandt Hull