Sad Week- 6/30/08

This week has been very sad and not that good. We lost the new Russian family. They got anti-ed which basically means that some person told them bad things about our church, or should I say rumors about our church because there is nothing bad about our church. Anyway this person who told them rumors was their uncle, he told them that they need to go to a Russian church. And the uncle thinks that the Russian church is the seventh day Adventist church. We even got a message from them saying they don’t want us to come back- So I called them and asked them if we could still be there friends and they don’t even want that. I had so many thoughts going through my mind. Anger, so sad, confusion-Every thing! I don’t know what to do. Not even Elder Anderson has had this happen to him before. So all we can really do is pray for then and love them. Otherwise the week was great we went to this family’s house to do tie-die and I did tie-die shorts, it is going to look sweet. They will be great p-day shorts (or service shorts).
(Quote from Melissa Deitzel, “My favorite part was when Elder Stones, who is completely color blind and only sees in black, white, and gray, wanted to put blue on his shirt and Amber said "The darker blue will look cool with the yellow..." and he said "I put YELLOW on it???" He was quite distraught. Haha. Best. Ever.”)
Question for ya’ll, I have decided I don’t want to get old. How would some one achieve this goal? The reason for this question is we had dinner with this old couple and it just seemed like the worst thing ever. You can’t move super fast, do 100 sit ups, fly, swim and enjoy it, eat a lot of food it sounds SO SCARY… Ahhhh!!! Well what are your thoughts? Love you and will talk to you later!

Great Week- 6/23/2008

Hey family,
Again I have had a wonderful week, full of positive attitudes and great experiences- and absolutely full of culture. What I mean by that is that we got 8 new investigators and they are all from other places. We are teaching a family from Iran and Iraq. It’s way sweet and they are way exited themselves. We are also teaching a Tai lady from Taiwan. We are also teaching a Hispanic family. But the most amazing thing ever- we were given a referral from other Spanish missionaries and there is this Russian family with 2 girls, a sweet 18 year old boy and a mom and dad. They are honestly the happiest family I have ever met, and love the church so much and the missionaries- and they have only meet us once and been to church once. Well I could go on and on about this family and how wonderful they are but just remember them for when I talk to you on Christmas. And the most important and cool thing about all of this is that they are all REFERRALS. I have a testimony in member referrals- that they are one of the strongest tools to build up God’s kingdom. Remember your testimonies are stronger than you think, I have seen how strong they are.
Well family, I want you to know it is going to be the hottest here it has ever been in the history of Redlands because the other day it got up to 110 and its only June. I am ready for it. Also I want you to know I love you and will talk to you next week.

GREAT- 6/16/2008

Hey Family,
How are things going in Colorado? Well, all I can say is that I have really learned a lot in the last week. One of the cool things is that I love the people of Redlands; most of them are nice and not as rude. I don’t know maybe it’s because I am in car. Ahhh, I really don’t like the car, just because I don’t get to talk to any one and I just love to be outside (hot or not). So for now my bike is in storage on our porch. Well, I have learned a lot from Elder Anderson. I honestly think that our companionships are inspired by God. We help each other; it is great. This will be a eternal friendship.
One of the cool things about Redlands is that on Thursday nights there is a place you go to, it is called market night. It is kind of like Pearl Street but way cooler and they have tons of people there- so we get to talk to a lot of people that night.
Well family, if there is any thing YOU need from me let me know because I am doing great and my desire to work is off the roof. I love you all and will talk to you next Monday.

5 Months Out

Well Family,
I am now in Redlands with my new companeo Elder Anderson ‘The Second’ and I absolutely love him. He has been out about a year and a half and is so smart. Elder Anderson- the reason I love this kid is because he is 1, a great missionary and holds the spirit strong. He is super smart and about the nerdist geekiest guy ever and I love it. It has only been one week and I have already learnt so much from him. He is also one of the best belchers in the world- no joke. It makes me laugh so much.
Oh yeah, I am covering 2 wards and that means I am in a car- which I don’t really like at all but oh well. I guess I have to experience it at least once. Well, the area is really dead so we are going to have to work really hard on everything.
Well family, how are all you doing? I want to here all about what is going on in your lives. Well, I have to go because the computers I am on have a time limit on them but I want you to know I love you very much and will talk to you later......5 months out!

First Transfer- June 2, 2008

Hey Family,
I don’t have a lot of time to write because I have been transferred to Redlands and my comp is Elder Anderson. There are two Elder Anderson’s in the mission and I got them both. I have to go pack now but maybe I will be able to write later- if not you will hear a lot from me next Monday.
Love you