11/16/15

11/16/15

Dad-

First I would like to apologize for not being able to talk as much at the airport. I could hardly get any words out because I was just so happy to talk to you guys. I miss you and mom so much. Another thing is that if you guys are going to send any packages, it has to be "priority mail" otherwise, they hold it until we have transfers again. Idk if you guys have my address but it is, "South Carolina Columbia Miss. 110 Oak Park Dr. STE. B Irmo, SC 29063" I love you so much dad and thank you for your letters of encouragement. 

11-9-15

11-10-15

After a long night of no sleep at all, I am on the plane heading to Georgia and then SC! I'm nervous and don't really know what all to expect, but I have been praying for reassurance. Last night, an Elder in my zone (Elder Leota) from Hawaii was talking about how he was in the Army before he ,eft and got stationed to Africa. He worked as a Minesweeper and would also, disengage warheads. He told me a little bit about his time in Africa. He was hit was shrapnel because a mine went off about 15 ft. away from him. Someone stepped on it and that someone was his cousin. He said this there was basically, no remains of him... His brother was also there and he was a sniper. The civilians would walk out there in the minefield to try and tell them to leave because they thought the field was haunted. His brother would have to snipe them before they stepped on any mines. No on in his family even knows he's on his mission including his girlfriend who is on a mission too. They just think that he is gone for work. He didn't really say why he didn't tell them, but that would be so hard. He's 23 years old and doesn't have any support while he's on his mission. Elder Jones and I were talking to him and he just started tearing up. He told us what made him to decide to go and was a parable of the rich man who refused to give up his riches. He went on to say that he has noticed at the MTC that his story isn't any better or worse than anyone else's. Everybody has their own story that is most important to them. He's such a humble and inspiring guy. 

We had to leave the MTC at 3:30 this morning, so I just stayed up talking to the Elders in my zone. I loved the MTC because of how it was a brotherhood. We all come from different backgrounds, and different parts of the country, but we are all there for the same exact purpose. To invite others to come closer to Christ. 

We eventually, landed safely in SC and our mission Pres. was there to pick us up! Him and his wife are so kind. I love them already. We are staying at the mission home tonight. There was a little orientation and pictures. Then after that, we had an amazing home cooked meal! Tomorrow we are going to the church and getting assigned to our companions and areas. I am very nervous, but I have been praying to get a good trainer for my first companion. Pres. Turner challenged us all to start the BoM over, so I am going to read it front to back. 

11-11-15

Transfer Day! All of the missionaries gathered in the church in Irmo, SC. I have been assigned to "Hartsville" which is a fairly small town. We are just riding bikes and there are a lot of hills! My trainer is Elder Hyrum Siebers. He is such an awesome guy and definantly, an answer to my prayers. He is getting ready to finish up his mission in about March. He doesn't want to go home though. Haha! We are living in a little duplex. After transfers, a couple from the Hartsville ward took us out to eat at a southern restaurant. I can tell that I am going to be fed really well here! Good thing I'm on my bike so I don't fatten up! I really like my bike! It's light and has good tires. We went out tracting the first day and my butt is already sore from the bike! It's gonna take some getting used to. Haha

11-12-15

We woke up bright and early to go running. It was pretty exhausting! Then later, we rode our bikes to the whole other side of our area to teach this guy. We had a lesson planned and rode all the way out there, but he wasn't home... He doesn't have a phone so we couldn't get ahold of him. 

I was able to finally get a Mountain Dew! I hadn't had a one since I left for the MTC. They only had caffeine free pop, so I just settled with root beer there. It was the best Mountain Dew I've ever had! Haha

The weather here has been so nice during the day, but it gets really chilly at night when we are riding our bikes. We probably rode about 25 miles just today. We were tracting pretty much all day and my butt is killing me! I'm very hesitant to put that "deep blue" stuff on there because it's more towards the grown area...

11-13-15

Today has been one of those days where things just don't go the way you quite want them to. We had a member go out with us this morning, but all the people we planned to visit weren't home. It hurt our pride a little. Haha Oh! And people like to honk and flip us off. We just smile and wave! One thing I have noticed about Hartsville is that it's mainly old people and they have their minds set on religion already. It's a pretty tough area! *Challenge accepted* We were eating at a family owned diner and saw on the TV about the terrorist attacks in London. That is so sad... We have kept them in our prayers. I feel like I am so disconnected from the world! But that isn't always a bad thing. 

11-15-15

Today I got to go to sacrament meeting and meet all the awesome people in the ward! There are about 200 people in the ward. We taught a guy last night who was on something and completely out of it. It was interesting to say the least! He was a really nice guy and he opened up to us. He seemed pretty interested in the church. He really needs some direction in his life. His mom was murdered (shot in the head) when he was 13 and he found her. He doesn't know his real dad either. He's had a rough life and my heart goes out to him. There are some really nice neighborhoods and then a couple blocks down, it'll go straight to ghetto. Yesterday we met a couple guys who live in a couple tiny trailers. They were in the same area. We said prayers with both of them before we left. 

We went to a family's house from the ward and they made really good pasta! I shared 2 Nephi 31:19-20 with them before we left.