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.
