Day one:
We went through training at the mission center. It was really fun to see all the missionaries fresh out of the MTC. Some of them I really don't know why they are there. One was picking his ear and was completely distant. It was funny. He's going to have a reality check. Part of training I was able to have an interview with President Chambers. He asked me to describe my companion. (I hadn't been assigned a companion yet) So I told him I saw a hard worker, a very happy positive guy,someone who has a good sense of humor, someone who would take me under his wing, and someone who was really faithful. After that interview we had lunch, and that was when the trainers(missionaries that were to be assigned to us) came in. There was one guy that stood out to me. He was laughing, joking, totally having a great time. Right when I saw him I knew that I wanted him to be my companion. He was exactly who I described. I think President Chambers was thinking the same thing. Anyway, throughout the lunch, I started talking with another Elder. His name was Elder Flinders. He was kind of quiet, but seemed to be a really nice guy. After lunch we went into the chapel to be assigned. In my mind I was thinking, "Dang it! I shouldn't have described my companion to be a clown! I don't want to be assigned to that guy! I want to be assigned to Elder Flinders!" After the Sisters were assigned, President Chambers started with the Elders. He called Elder Flinders up. Normally with the Sisters, he called one up, and then called the other. He didn't do any thinking, he just read from the paper he had put assignments down. Right when he called Elder Flinders up, I started praying like crazy. Elder Flinders was not even close to the guy I described. I was praying so hard that I would be assigned to Elder Flinders. President Chambers stopped. He looked different. Like he was thinking. It looked like he was receiving revelation to change his assignments. And he did :) After a couple seconds of silence, he went for it. He assigned me to Elder Flinders. I was so relieved. After being assigned, we went straight to work. I dropped my stuff off, and we started proselyting. I can't quite remember what we did or where we went. But it was EXHAUSTING. The best way I can describe the feeling I had by the end of the night, is the feeling you have after having a long therapy session, or long talk with a family member. You just feel drained. We didn't do anything physical, but some how I was just sooo drained. I've gotten better since then, but it still is draining.
Day two:
Right now I am drawing a blank. But I write in my journal every night, and I forgot to bring it to use as a reference. So next week I'll be a little more organized.
You couldn't believe the perks we get as missionaries. It's awesome. For lunch one day, we went to a Chinese restaurant. Not even 2 minutes after we had sat down, a man came up and gave us 20 bucks. He told us lunch was on him. Crazy. But that's not the end of the story. Half way through our meal, an old lady came up and just was so friendly and excited to tell us how great we were, and how her grandson is serving a mission as well. As she left, she dropped another 20 dollar bill on the table. I ran after her and told her that we had already had our lunch paid for, but I was so grateful that she would do something like that. I told her it meant a lot to us. She told us that we mean a lot to her :) As we finished up dinner, the waitress came up to bring our check. Or so I thought. She came up and gave us our fortune cookies and told us that our lunch had already been paid for. It was awesome.
Apparently Elder Flinders knew this was going to happen. He calls restaurants like that "Hookups" If we go to certain restaurants, it is almost a given that we will get the meal for free. I feel kind of like a moocher. Whenever we get paid for, I really make sure to be extremely grateful. That's something I'm good at. I've learned that from Dale Carnegie. But seriously. We get so much free food.
People ask us where we are from all the time. Of course, since I'm a two term missionary I'm from Provo. People freak out when they hear where I'm from. "That sucks!" "I'm so sorry for you!" "You got jipped!" "You must of been so angry!" I've heard it all. The first two days it was SO ANNOYING. Because to be honest, I love this mission. I'm not mad at all that I'm here. I get to wear a missionary badge! I'm so happy! No matter where I go!
Now its actually pretty funny when I get to tell people where I'm from.
I think there is one thing that I do that Elder Flinders might be annoyed about. I am constantly looking at my badge and saying "This is so awesome!" "Its so cool to be a missionary!" "I'm living the life!"
Technically my name is on the baptism record, but I still feel like I didn't do anything to earn Jimmy's baptism. That was Elder Flinders, and his last companions work. But I was able to teach Jimmy his last lesson before he was baptized. Oh my goodness he is cute. He is an awesome little kid. The baptism was amazing. I felt the Spirit like crazy. There is no doubt in my mind that this is the true church.
There is a ton of mission lingo. I'm still learning a lot of it. But here are some of the things I've learned so far.
Elder Flinders is my "dad" (trainer). I am his "son" (trainee).
After this transfer, I will have a second trainer, and he will be my "step dad". I will be his "step son."
My third transfer, my companion will be my "greenie breaker"
If Elder Flinders trains another missionary, that missionary will be my "brother".
My grandfather is Elder Flinders "dad" (trainer).
That's how it works haha.
If you are in a bible bash, and you prove someone wrong by showing them a scripture that they can't argue with, you have "pantzed" them.
Occasionally we will come across people who have read a lot of anti literature (that darn stuff) and they will try to start a bible bash. If you get Elder Flinders going, he gets really into it. That's where I come in. We haven't gotten into any huge bible bashes, because I am the one who keeps things peaceful. Lot's of the missionaries have strong feelings against pastors, or Baptists, or people like that because they all they care about is proving us wrong. So a lot of the missionaries get into the mindset of proving the Baptists wrong. Which is exactly what they want. Funny thing is, I really don't feel any anger against these guys. Now normally I would get into a huge argument and "pantz" them (Just ask Brandon). But I have been blessed with love :) I am able to keep things nice and calm. There was one time that we had a debate with a guy, I kind of got into it, but I wasn't being mean at all. I was desperately trying to get him to commit to pray if it was true. I almost got down on my knees. He wouldn't commit. It just didn't make sense to me. I got way too into it, and when we got into the car I exclaimed, "Why can't he just pray?! Its so easy!" Elder Flinders then had to help me to learn that I got way too into it. It was a great relationship strengthening opportunity for us.
Okay, you guys will definitely get a hoot out of this. Elder Flinders is the driver (I haven't gotten set up for that yet) so that means I'm the passenger. One of the safety rules is that the passenger has to stand behind the car and wave to the driver and back him out. It is pretty awkward. Here's the stupid thing. Even if the parking lot is COMPLETELY empty, I still have to stand behind the car and wave him back. Haha its ridiculous. That brings up another lingo,
When we can have a pull through parking spot, it's called "Celestial Parking" because we don't have to back out.
I had the Sacrament three times yesterday.
We cover 7 wards. So we go to every sacrament meeting we can. Its not as bad as it sounds.
Its funny when we are out in public. Everyone either loves us, or hates us. Of course we wave to EVERYONE that we see. The other day I caught myself waving to a dog haha.
I'm sure I'm forgetting a lot of stuff, but next week I'll be better at telling everything that is going on. I carry a note card in my pocket and write down things that I want to email about, but I forgot that card at home.
Ask me questions! I'd love to answer anything that you want to know!
Read the scriptures. Do your best to read the scriptures as a family. We are blessed to have the gospel. Sometimes we don't take advantage of it. Seriously though. This week I want you to notice all of the happiness and blessings that come to you because you know the gospel.
Ta ta for now!
