Querida Familia,
Last week I forgot to mention something really interesting. I met the Slaugh family here and they have nine kids whose names all start with "M." We were getting to know them and they starting telling me about their bird. I also told them about my bird long ago. I told them how crazy and loud and mean he always was. The first thing they said after that was, "did you feed him sunflower seeds?" I told them of course, it was almost the only thing he ate. They then explained to me that sunflower sees are the equivalent to heroine/cocaine for birds and it will make them do all those things. They also said not clipping his wings will do the same thing because he does not have to be so dependent on people. Well, I thought that was interesting and really good to find out after Mango had flown away.
This last week was pretty cool too. I met Joe Austin. You might not remember him, but he is the missionary that helped the Clark family (Sean, Patrick, Mary) come into the church. He may have called you guys already to get some info from you about the Clarks. If he hasn't called you then you can call him at 509-521-3434.
We also were able to get ten referrals from members here last week. One guy we know said that he received only 1/3 that many on his mission in Portugal. That must have been pretty hard.
Speaking of Portugal, how is Daniel Brenton doing? Has he come back from his mission yet?
Also, this week I gave a talk in church on Fathers' day. I think it was good. I'm going to e-mail Dad a copy next week.
One day when we were tracting some drunks at a motel waved us down and has us come and talk with them. I think every other word they said was a curse word. It's surprising how fast you just get used to it. One guy kept saying that Jesus didn't die the way the Bible says because the History Channel says differently, and he kept talking about how they had found the spear that pierced him on the cross. I strait up told them, "who cares about a spear?" They then got to asking about polygamy and saying we're saved by grace and all that. We probably wasted our time talking to them, but they said they had learned something and we left with good feelings.
Missionary work really is great. You'll never really know what it is like unless you do it. It sure is demanding, but it sure is great.
Love,
Elder Paul
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Explanation
I served a mission for two years in the Spokane, Washington area. I had a wonderful time full of many spiritual experiences, lessons learned, and also hard times. Although it has been some time from when I finished my missionary service I realized that a lot of people in my family and extended family did not ever get the chance to hear anything about my mission. Also, my wife never got these letters either. In order for all these people to know what my mission was like, I have decided to make this blog so they can have a chance to read about my few adventures. The internet is a great tool. Also, any friends are welcome to read this. Just keep in mind that some of the letters may have been written in a really excited and zealous mood and others were written in times of great stress and despair. It has been almost two years since the last letter I wrote, so even I don't remember exactly what happened to influence me to write such things.
I will try not to change what I originally wrote except to add some clarity in sections where I may have not written well due to the time or used poor grammar. I should also apologize for many of the thoughts and things I wrote in these letters. Never once did I mean to offend anyone, but looking back, I can see how some things I wrote may sound or either were just plain wrong to have written. I don't change what I wrote simply because this is a record of what I was thinking and going through at the time. I also apologize for the length of some of the letters.
Also, I hope that whoever reads this will realize that I have a testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ and I love him. I know that He has saved us all from spiritual and temporal death through His Atoning Sacrifice. The time I spent as a missionary was dedicated to Him, to help His work to go forward so that every ear can hear the good news. Enjoy!
I will try not to change what I originally wrote except to add some clarity in sections where I may have not written well due to the time or used poor grammar. I should also apologize for many of the thoughts and things I wrote in these letters. Never once did I mean to offend anyone, but looking back, I can see how some things I wrote may sound or either were just plain wrong to have written. I don't change what I wrote simply because this is a record of what I was thinking and going through at the time. I also apologize for the length of some of the letters.
Also, I hope that whoever reads this will realize that I have a testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ and I love him. I know that He has saved us all from spiritual and temporal death through His Atoning Sacrifice. The time I spent as a missionary was dedicated to Him, to help His work to go forward so that every ear can hear the good news. Enjoy!
Monday, June 13, 2005
Querida Familia,
A lot has been going on this week. I was able to get a ride with the Flynn family to Moses Lake for transfers. Bro Flynn is White/American but Sister Flynn is from Ecuador. She has only been in the country for 7 year. They are a cool family and very nice to the missionaries. I got picked up in Moses Lake by a man named Bro Scorup. At first he seemed like a grouch but then he started talking about his family and he melted into his natural grandpa-teddy-bear state. Othello is a lot flatter than Wenatchee. In fact there is only one "hill." It has a pretty good few of all the alfalfa crops.
Othello has a population of about 6,000. It is as backwoods as it sounds, but it is nice. They have one theatre with 3 screens and the bowling alley is closed Mondays (which just happens to be P-day). I guess they don't want missionaries there.
The people are great. About half of the people we know have false teeth, and that doesn't mean they are old. There are a couple of ladies in their 20s! we cover 3 English wards out here. Yep, that's it. All I do is English work. My companion is also bilingual. His name is Elder Cavasos. He is from Edinburg, Texas. It is a little town just outside of McAllen. So I finally have a normal companion! He is Mexican as well, so I get to speak and learn a lot of Spanish from him. He is a quiet guy, but once you get him going he is fun to talk with.
Elder Cavasos knew some people that were driving around the northwest of the country. They decided to bring a package from home to him, and then they told him they would take anything he needed back home. Then they also told me they would take stuff back home to my home. I gave them a few CDs I never listened to and a notebook full of letters that people have written me. I really hope that family doesn't lose those letters. When it gets there please don't read the letters. Some of those letter are very personal and from people you all know. If you didn't know the people I wouldn't care, but that is just how it is.
Anyway, things are pretty good here. We taught a lot of people with members, probably the most I've ever taught. A lot of these people are so driven for missionary work. It is a huge surprise and change form my last area. Also, because I was at church introducing myself to the members very excitedly I had someone ask me if I was new to the mission. I guess members don't expect old missionaries to be excited about the work. Oh well. I try.
My companion is also our district leader, so we get to go on exchanges with the other missionaries an couple times. Exchanges are pretty fun. Just getting to work with someone new every now and then is pretty cool. I think I'm mentioning this because I didn't even know what a District Leader, Zone Leader, or an Assistant to the President was until I got on my mission. So maybe this will help Joel and Jared not be so ignorant as I was. These leaders are guys that record how many lessons you had in a week or whatever. It is like the guy on The Best Two Years that is always on the phone. You can learn a lot about missionary work by watching that movie.
Elder Cavasos will be hitting his one year mark this week. I want to do something cool for him, but I have no good ideas. Also I just passed my 9 month mark last week. time has really been flying out here. I don't know why I even wear a watch anymore because I'll look at it and "five minutes" later it is an hour later. Life is too fast.
So, Jeremy has graduated, Joel has graduated, Julianne has graduated from middle school... what else have I missed? mom, I'm sure this letter of yours that you are writing is long enough to where you could send me 5 pages or so and still keep the other half to finish :) I would ask more questions, but I'll forget them before I get the response. Actually I do have one. How did it go with my tax thing? if you want, just stick my tax return in my bank account right when it gets there.
Oh ya, almost better than letters are pictures. I don't know why, but I love pictures. I would love some of my nieces and nephew as well. I keep meeting little kids that are their age and I get really trunky to go play with them.
Ok, I've been writing a lot, and I have some people to write back. The whole Wheeler family wrote me for Memorial Day. most of them were drawings of what I think is me knocking on a door. They're great. Talk to you later!
Love,
Elder Paul
A lot has been going on this week. I was able to get a ride with the Flynn family to Moses Lake for transfers. Bro Flynn is White/American but Sister Flynn is from Ecuador. She has only been in the country for 7 year. They are a cool family and very nice to the missionaries. I got picked up in Moses Lake by a man named Bro Scorup. At first he seemed like a grouch but then he started talking about his family and he melted into his natural grandpa-teddy-bear state. Othello is a lot flatter than Wenatchee. In fact there is only one "hill." It has a pretty good few of all the alfalfa crops.
Othello has a population of about 6,000. It is as backwoods as it sounds, but it is nice. They have one theatre with 3 screens and the bowling alley is closed Mondays (which just happens to be P-day). I guess they don't want missionaries there.
The people are great. About half of the people we know have false teeth, and that doesn't mean they are old. There are a couple of ladies in their 20s! we cover 3 English wards out here. Yep, that's it. All I do is English work. My companion is also bilingual. His name is Elder Cavasos. He is from Edinburg, Texas. It is a little town just outside of McAllen. So I finally have a normal companion! He is Mexican as well, so I get to speak and learn a lot of Spanish from him. He is a quiet guy, but once you get him going he is fun to talk with.
Elder Cavasos knew some people that were driving around the northwest of the country. They decided to bring a package from home to him, and then they told him they would take anything he needed back home. Then they also told me they would take stuff back home to my home. I gave them a few CDs I never listened to and a notebook full of letters that people have written me. I really hope that family doesn't lose those letters. When it gets there please don't read the letters. Some of those letter are very personal and from people you all know. If you didn't know the people I wouldn't care, but that is just how it is.
Anyway, things are pretty good here. We taught a lot of people with members, probably the most I've ever taught. A lot of these people are so driven for missionary work. It is a huge surprise and change form my last area. Also, because I was at church introducing myself to the members very excitedly I had someone ask me if I was new to the mission. I guess members don't expect old missionaries to be excited about the work. Oh well. I try.
My companion is also our district leader, so we get to go on exchanges with the other missionaries an couple times. Exchanges are pretty fun. Just getting to work with someone new every now and then is pretty cool. I think I'm mentioning this because I didn't even know what a District Leader, Zone Leader, or an Assistant to the President was until I got on my mission. So maybe this will help Joel and Jared not be so ignorant as I was. These leaders are guys that record how many lessons you had in a week or whatever. It is like the guy on The Best Two Years that is always on the phone. You can learn a lot about missionary work by watching that movie.
Elder Cavasos will be hitting his one year mark this week. I want to do something cool for him, but I have no good ideas. Also I just passed my 9 month mark last week. time has really been flying out here. I don't know why I even wear a watch anymore because I'll look at it and "five minutes" later it is an hour later. Life is too fast.
So, Jeremy has graduated, Joel has graduated, Julianne has graduated from middle school... what else have I missed? mom, I'm sure this letter of yours that you are writing is long enough to where you could send me 5 pages or so and still keep the other half to finish :) I would ask more questions, but I'll forget them before I get the response. Actually I do have one. How did it go with my tax thing? if you want, just stick my tax return in my bank account right when it gets there.
Oh ya, almost better than letters are pictures. I don't know why, but I love pictures. I would love some of my nieces and nephew as well. I keep meeting little kids that are their age and I get really trunky to go play with them.
Ok, I've been writing a lot, and I have some people to write back. The whole Wheeler family wrote me for Memorial Day. most of them were drawings of what I think is me knocking on a door. They're great. Talk to you later!
Love,
Elder Paul
Monday, May 30, 2005
Querida Famlia,
Sorry about not writing last week. I don't have a good excuse except that I wrote someone else a long letter all in Spanish. Also, I don't think I had a lot to write about. Things have been pretty slow around here, and because cherry season starts this week things will get even slower.I have one story. On Thursday Elder Smith and I were walking down a street and met a man named Victor doing his yard work. We of course offered to help, but he declined but said something that let us know he had talked with missionaries before. We got o talking and it became obvious he had not just talked with missionaries but had probably tried to destroy their testimonies. He told us about some bishop in the Dominican Republic that lived behind him that was a polygamist, told us we believed Adam is the father of Christ, and that garments were a lucky charm we have. My companion starting getting pretty mad by the end of our conversation, but I tried to be humble and see if there was something I could learn from him. I did finally say "Well, we won't change your mind, so we should go." He then said, "That is what all you missionaries do. You don't know anything so when you can't say anything you leave."
I said, "Do you really want to listen to what we teach?"
"Sure," came the reply.
"OK, We'll come over tomorrow when we have more time." So we left and came back the next day. Victor was still working in his garden. He asked us what we brought to teach him. We told him there was a prophet today. He then showed us all these scriptures in the Bible that Mormons had used on him before but he said they didn't interpret the meaning right. We then asked him who had the right interpretation. He said that was the big question. He also said you can't really know what the truth is. I told him that I knew, but he tried to tell me I was wrong.
He then started to say all we have to do it claim Jesus as our Savior. Then Elder Smith quoted Matthew 7:21 which says you can't only do that. Right then Victor changed where he was going and agreed with my companion. He then decided to ask me if I was on a mission because I wanted to be or because It was the will of God. He said he wanted a yes or no answer to this question: "Are you on a mission because you want to be?"
I told him I wouldn't answer because if I said yes he would say, "So you aren't doing it because it is the will of God?" and if I said no, he would say "So you are a missionary for the wrong reasons." He assured me he would not do that so I answered, "Yes, I want to be a missionary."
He then did exactly what I said he would do by saying, "See! You don't really want to know the truth." I got so mad at this. I kept my cool, but I told him he was putting words in my mouth.
After another while we got pretty tired of his rantings and just said, "So you have the whole truth?" And then he told us he did! The man that said you can't know the full truth. i don't remember how we finally got out of there, but we did and we were pretty grateful to leave.
Another thing that stunk about this was the whole conversation was in Spanish. The guy kept saying things that didn't make sense in any language and would then make fun of us and say we needed to study more. The whole conversation with this guy was pretty frustrating and he confused us so much. God is not a God of confusion or inconsistent. This man was both, so we knew from this that he was a man like Korihor. I seem to be meeting a lot of people like that. At least he wasn't Catholic.
It's funny, most people that speak Spanish are Catholic. If they are bi-lingual and speak Spanish in the house they are Catholic. But if they are bilingual and speak English in the house then they are usually members of a different church.
Transfers are coming up this week, so we'll see if I stay in the dead place. We might be getting an English ward to work in. I think I'll be staying, but you never know.
Love,
Elder Paul
P.S. I'll try to get a better picture of an orchard.
Sorry about not writing last week. I don't have a good excuse except that I wrote someone else a long letter all in Spanish. Also, I don't think I had a lot to write about. Things have been pretty slow around here, and because cherry season starts this week things will get even slower.I have one story. On Thursday Elder Smith and I were walking down a street and met a man named Victor doing his yard work. We of course offered to help, but he declined but said something that let us know he had talked with missionaries before. We got o talking and it became obvious he had not just talked with missionaries but had probably tried to destroy their testimonies. He told us about some bishop in the Dominican Republic that lived behind him that was a polygamist, told us we believed Adam is the father of Christ, and that garments were a lucky charm we have. My companion starting getting pretty mad by the end of our conversation, but I tried to be humble and see if there was something I could learn from him. I did finally say "Well, we won't change your mind, so we should go." He then said, "That is what all you missionaries do. You don't know anything so when you can't say anything you leave."
I said, "Do you really want to listen to what we teach?"
"Sure," came the reply.
"OK, We'll come over tomorrow when we have more time." So we left and came back the next day. Victor was still working in his garden. He asked us what we brought to teach him. We told him there was a prophet today. He then showed us all these scriptures in the Bible that Mormons had used on him before but he said they didn't interpret the meaning right. We then asked him who had the right interpretation. He said that was the big question. He also said you can't really know what the truth is. I told him that I knew, but he tried to tell me I was wrong.
He then started to say all we have to do it claim Jesus as our Savior. Then Elder Smith quoted Matthew 7:21 which says you can't only do that. Right then Victor changed where he was going and agreed with my companion. He then decided to ask me if I was on a mission because I wanted to be or because It was the will of God. He said he wanted a yes or no answer to this question: "Are you on a mission because you want to be?"
I told him I wouldn't answer because if I said yes he would say, "So you aren't doing it because it is the will of God?" and if I said no, he would say "So you are a missionary for the wrong reasons." He assured me he would not do that so I answered, "Yes, I want to be a missionary."
He then did exactly what I said he would do by saying, "See! You don't really want to know the truth." I got so mad at this. I kept my cool, but I told him he was putting words in my mouth.
After another while we got pretty tired of his rantings and just said, "So you have the whole truth?" And then he told us he did! The man that said you can't know the full truth. i don't remember how we finally got out of there, but we did and we were pretty grateful to leave.
Another thing that stunk about this was the whole conversation was in Spanish. The guy kept saying things that didn't make sense in any language and would then make fun of us and say we needed to study more. The whole conversation with this guy was pretty frustrating and he confused us so much. God is not a God of confusion or inconsistent. This man was both, so we knew from this that he was a man like Korihor. I seem to be meeting a lot of people like that. At least he wasn't Catholic.
It's funny, most people that speak Spanish are Catholic. If they are bi-lingual and speak Spanish in the house they are Catholic. But if they are bilingual and speak English in the house then they are usually members of a different church.
Transfers are coming up this week, so we'll see if I stay in the dead place. We might be getting an English ward to work in. I think I'll be staying, but you never know.
Love,
Elder Paul
P.S. I'll try to get a better picture of an orchard.
Monday, May 16, 2005
Querida Familia,
last week was my worst week of missionary work ever. We actually started this new tracting technique where we don't really offer to teach people, just get to know them, find out if there is a service or an activity the church does, then invite them to the Church for a tour to kind of check our where those activities are, and then as we do that teach the Restoration. The plus side of this is we aren't trying to cram anything down peoples' throats. The down side is people seem to see right through us. We don't even bring scriptures with us. We just tell them we are new in the area and trying to get to know the people. The best thing is you get to act more like yourself and when people don't need any help with anything they are nicer when they reject you. But me and my companion have only had two lessons with people this whole week.
By the way, the first day we tried this, we knocked on our fifth door in an apartment complex. Some teenage girl answered and said "we already have a religion." We told her we just came to meet her and her family. She instantly warmed up and her and Elder Smith started talking. Elder Smith was on the left side of the entry way and the girl clocked his view of the inside. I was a little curious and looked in. As soon as I did, the girl's 5' 5" 200 pound mother walked out of the living room towards the door only in her underwear. I froze and didn't know what to do. Then the woman finally looked up and saw us, gasped, and ducked back into the family room. Elder Smith and the teenage girl at the door didn't notice anything and kept talking. I started laughing uncontrollably. Elder Smith and the girl just looked and me weird. Then a girl about 9 years old comes out and she has seen everything from the living room. I was so embarrassed I wanted to just leave. Finally the teenager decides to end the conversation, we say goodbye, and go around to the other side of the building where I collapse and finish laughing. The rest of the time tracting was so hard not to laugh.
The rest of the weeks hasn't been so filled with funny stories. Let's just say I was glad to have this week end. Next week will be better. We also have zone conference with one of the 70 authorities. H. Bruce Stuki. I hope it is good. What am I talking about, zone conference is always fun.
Oh, I finally got a chance to listen to some of those tapes Jonathan gave me, and we have been making fun of one of them non stop for the last couple days. It is so corny you would not believe. Also, I don't think most of those tapes are approved, so do you want me to mail them home or just toss them? I also have a jazz cd I bought in a moment of weakness that I should mail home. I'm trying to do it all in one little box. I also bought a yo-yo in order to relieve some of my stress. I'm getting kind of good. :)
Well that's it for this week. I hope to hear from you guys soon even though we just talked! Joel, tell how project graduation goes. And is Jonathan in Idaho now? He only lives about 12 hours away if he is...
Love,
Elder Paul
last week was my worst week of missionary work ever. We actually started this new tracting technique where we don't really offer to teach people, just get to know them, find out if there is a service or an activity the church does, then invite them to the Church for a tour to kind of check our where those activities are, and then as we do that teach the Restoration. The plus side of this is we aren't trying to cram anything down peoples' throats. The down side is people seem to see right through us. We don't even bring scriptures with us. We just tell them we are new in the area and trying to get to know the people. The best thing is you get to act more like yourself and when people don't need any help with anything they are nicer when they reject you. But me and my companion have only had two lessons with people this whole week.
By the way, the first day we tried this, we knocked on our fifth door in an apartment complex. Some teenage girl answered and said "we already have a religion." We told her we just came to meet her and her family. She instantly warmed up and her and Elder Smith started talking. Elder Smith was on the left side of the entry way and the girl clocked his view of the inside. I was a little curious and looked in. As soon as I did, the girl's 5' 5" 200 pound mother walked out of the living room towards the door only in her underwear. I froze and didn't know what to do. Then the woman finally looked up and saw us, gasped, and ducked back into the family room. Elder Smith and the teenage girl at the door didn't notice anything and kept talking. I started laughing uncontrollably. Elder Smith and the girl just looked and me weird. Then a girl about 9 years old comes out and she has seen everything from the living room. I was so embarrassed I wanted to just leave. Finally the teenager decides to end the conversation, we say goodbye, and go around to the other side of the building where I collapse and finish laughing. The rest of the time tracting was so hard not to laugh.
The rest of the weeks hasn't been so filled with funny stories. Let's just say I was glad to have this week end. Next week will be better. We also have zone conference with one of the 70 authorities. H. Bruce Stuki. I hope it is good. What am I talking about, zone conference is always fun.
Oh, I finally got a chance to listen to some of those tapes Jonathan gave me, and we have been making fun of one of them non stop for the last couple days. It is so corny you would not believe. Also, I don't think most of those tapes are approved, so do you want me to mail them home or just toss them? I also have a jazz cd I bought in a moment of weakness that I should mail home. I'm trying to do it all in one little box. I also bought a yo-yo in order to relieve some of my stress. I'm getting kind of good. :)
Well that's it for this week. I hope to hear from you guys soon even though we just talked! Joel, tell how project graduation goes. And is Jonathan in Idaho now? He only lives about 12 hours away if he is...
Love,
Elder Paul
Monday, May 9, 2005
Querida Familia,
Wow, it was so great to talk to all of you guys! It sounds like all of you are having fun and life is treating you well, except Jamie and high school ;) (wink)
I wish I had a lot more to tell you guys about, but honestly there isn't much to say. The coolest thing I haven't told you about is there are 3/5 members of my MTC district here in the Wenatchee area. We all get to see each other every P-day, district meeting, and Sunday because every missionary companionship except the English missionaries that live across the hall cover the same same Spanish Branch. So we have fun remembering the good old gallon challenges in the MTC and my crazy sleep talking.
I bought Skip-Bo today. We had been borrowing the game from some members, but we decided to get our own instead of messing up their game. We probably play too much.
We have taught five people about Joseph Smith, but like usual, we haven't gotten back to them, and only one has a return appointment. It was actually Sunday night before I called you guys back that we taught them. At first, Juana, the wife, was telling us how they were Catholic and we could just come back whenever we felt like it. But as we talked more, her countenance changed and said we could come back next Sunday for sure. That was pretty cool. We also met a guy that is out on parole from California, so we'll see how that goes.
Oh yea. I don't get spit on everyday like I accidentally said, but it is everyday where some jerk yells at us from his car. I just thought I could clear that up. Take care!
Love,
Elder Paul
Wow, it was so great to talk to all of you guys! It sounds like all of you are having fun and life is treating you well, except Jamie and high school ;) (wink)
I wish I had a lot more to tell you guys about, but honestly there isn't much to say. The coolest thing I haven't told you about is there are 3/5 members of my MTC district here in the Wenatchee area. We all get to see each other every P-day, district meeting, and Sunday because every missionary companionship except the English missionaries that live across the hall cover the same same Spanish Branch. So we have fun remembering the good old gallon challenges in the MTC and my crazy sleep talking.
I bought Skip-Bo today. We had been borrowing the game from some members, but we decided to get our own instead of messing up their game. We probably play too much.
We have taught five people about Joseph Smith, but like usual, we haven't gotten back to them, and only one has a return appointment. It was actually Sunday night before I called you guys back that we taught them. At first, Juana, the wife, was telling us how they were Catholic and we could just come back whenever we felt like it. But as we talked more, her countenance changed and said we could come back next Sunday for sure. That was pretty cool. We also met a guy that is out on parole from California, so we'll see how that goes.
Oh yea. I don't get spit on everyday like I accidentally said, but it is everyday where some jerk yells at us from his car. I just thought I could clear that up. Take care!
Love,
Elder Paul
Friday, May 6, 2005
Querida Familia,
This last week was pretty good. On Monday we went to a follow-up of an English guy named Jim. He is recovering from brain surgery and we found him while he was walking to get a cup of coffee at McDonalds. This is weird because he lived 4 or 5 miles from the nearest McDonalds. Anyway, when we went back we taught him about faith. Later (and I don't know how we got talking about it) we talked about the Pre-mortal life. The cool thing is Jim told us about it and he talked about the warn in heaven! My companion was dumb struck. I can't remember if he even said anything during the lesson. It was pretty cool.
The neatest thing is because of transfers, this area will be getting the ward where Jim lives, so Elder Smith can still teach him. The sad thing is I'm getting transferred to Othello. It is a small town in the Basin, south of Moses Lake. It is the dust bowl of the mission. There are no mountains and hardly any trees. Wenatchee is a lot prettier.
Speaking of Wenatchee, it is orchard season. Cherry season is right now. Cherry trees have the thickest leaves, therefore providing the most shade. And are they good to eat! Pear season is coming soon. We actually went to the church pear orchard to help thin the pears. What you do is pick and throw away a lot of the pears that are growing while they are still small. There are about five pears per cluster, so you leave one pear per cluster on the tree. That way the one left over gets really big, fat, and juicy. That is the one you buy at the store. This is also what they do with apples.
Well, we've been doing a new tracting approach for the last four weeks where we don't teach on the tract. Instead we do all we can to invite them to the church building, give them a tour, and teach them there. The goal is they will feel the Spirit a lot more and then we invite them right there to be baptized. We just had our first tour on Saturday with this new approach and the guy was saying yes to everything, and we weren't sure about anything we didn't ask him to be baptized. We did ask him to come to church, but he didn't show up. At least I can say I've had a tour this transfer.
Well, that's it for this week. The next letter you get from me will be from Othello!
Love,
Elder Paul
This last week was pretty good. On Monday we went to a follow-up of an English guy named Jim. He is recovering from brain surgery and we found him while he was walking to get a cup of coffee at McDonalds. This is weird because he lived 4 or 5 miles from the nearest McDonalds. Anyway, when we went back we taught him about faith. Later (and I don't know how we got talking about it) we talked about the Pre-mortal life. The cool thing is Jim told us about it and he talked about the warn in heaven! My companion was dumb struck. I can't remember if he even said anything during the lesson. It was pretty cool.
The neatest thing is because of transfers, this area will be getting the ward where Jim lives, so Elder Smith can still teach him. The sad thing is I'm getting transferred to Othello. It is a small town in the Basin, south of Moses Lake. It is the dust bowl of the mission. There are no mountains and hardly any trees. Wenatchee is a lot prettier.
Speaking of Wenatchee, it is orchard season. Cherry season is right now. Cherry trees have the thickest leaves, therefore providing the most shade. And are they good to eat! Pear season is coming soon. We actually went to the church pear orchard to help thin the pears. What you do is pick and throw away a lot of the pears that are growing while they are still small. There are about five pears per cluster, so you leave one pear per cluster on the tree. That way the one left over gets really big, fat, and juicy. That is the one you buy at the store. This is also what they do with apples.
Well, we've been doing a new tracting approach for the last four weeks where we don't teach on the tract. Instead we do all we can to invite them to the church building, give them a tour, and teach them there. The goal is they will feel the Spirit a lot more and then we invite them right there to be baptized. We just had our first tour on Saturday with this new approach and the guy was saying yes to everything, and we weren't sure about anything we didn't ask him to be baptized. We did ask him to come to church, but he didn't show up. At least I can say I've had a tour this transfer.
Well, that's it for this week. The next letter you get from me will be from Othello!
Love,
Elder Paul
Monday, May 2, 2005
Querida Familia,
So we had transfers last week, and my new companion's name is Elder Smith. He is a bug guy, but wouldn't hurt a fly. He is also a huge fan of Napoleon Dynamite. He does the brother's voice really well. We have a lot in common, so we both get along with each other well.
This week is the Apple Blossom Festival. It is basically the same as Fiesta back home, except no one knows what a cascaroni is. I made one so everyone would know what I'm talking about. We also went to one of the parades for kids. It was pretty neat. I had a lot of flashbacks as all the marching bands passes by. That is a lot of good memories.
Last Saturday I got 6 letters in the mail from friends. The record in the mail from friends. The record in the mission is 7 for one day. That was pretty cool. Now I hope me telling ya'll this doesn't make you think "he gets enough letters. He doesn't need no more." On the contrary. Those are only letters from friends.It's the ones from ya'll that I like the most. I like e-mails a lot too :)
Well this week we met a woman while tracting that had been an investigator of the church once. We actually said hi to her as we were knocking on a follow-up and while she was going into her house. When our follow-up didn't answer we started walking to the car, but then I just had the most curiosity in the world and felt that we should go talk to that lady. So that is how we met Elvia. We have an appointment for Tuesday. I hope she keeps it.
We also met a cool guy names Israel that we taught but he said he wasn't interested but that we could come back and that we were his friends. He really did want us to come back, so we'll see if we can change his mind.
I also met a missionary that was trained by Elder Fox, named Elder Hughes. He had served in Boerne and Leon Valley. Small world. I'll call Saturday to tell you what time Sunday that I'll call.
Love,
Elder Paul
So we had transfers last week, and my new companion's name is Elder Smith. He is a bug guy, but wouldn't hurt a fly. He is also a huge fan of Napoleon Dynamite. He does the brother's voice really well. We have a lot in common, so we both get along with each other well.
This week is the Apple Blossom Festival. It is basically the same as Fiesta back home, except no one knows what a cascaroni is. I made one so everyone would know what I'm talking about. We also went to one of the parades for kids. It was pretty neat. I had a lot of flashbacks as all the marching bands passes by. That is a lot of good memories.
Last Saturday I got 6 letters in the mail from friends. The record in the mail from friends. The record in the mission is 7 for one day. That was pretty cool. Now I hope me telling ya'll this doesn't make you think "he gets enough letters. He doesn't need no more." On the contrary. Those are only letters from friends.It's the ones from ya'll that I like the most. I like e-mails a lot too :)
Well this week we met a woman while tracting that had been an investigator of the church once. We actually said hi to her as we were knocking on a follow-up and while she was going into her house. When our follow-up didn't answer we started walking to the car, but then I just had the most curiosity in the world and felt that we should go talk to that lady. So that is how we met Elvia. We have an appointment for Tuesday. I hope she keeps it.
We also met a cool guy names Israel that we taught but he said he wasn't interested but that we could come back and that we were his friends. He really did want us to come back, so we'll see if we can change his mind.
I also met a missionary that was trained by Elder Fox, named Elder Hughes. He had served in Boerne and Leon Valley. Small world. I'll call Saturday to tell you what time Sunday that I'll call.
Love,
Elder Paul
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