Trying to mix things up

I haven’t heard the name Colin since I have been here but maybe I’ll see a bunch randomly.  This week was a good growing week.  So every time you get a new companion, things change a little because this week it’s almost like a new area. Sadly our success has dropped, but the things we do are a little different. Since the beginning of the transfer we go by less actives and chap doors on each side of them.  We try to mix things up but just because where we are and there really isn’t much in Airdrea to mix things up we pretty much chap.  We haven’t gotten invited in for a long time. I’ve only been invited in like 2 or 3 times on my mission so far. This part is about as bad as Ireland.  Elder Patterson said as far as people on benefits, almost everyone we see doesn’t have a job because they can almost make more money on benefits than they would with some jobs. I’m not saying there aren’t people that don’t work or need benefits because they actually need them.  But, the people we work with literally watch TV all day and the high point of their day is to go to the store for food. You would think then they would have plenty of time to want to talk to us but I can’t think of how many times people tell me they are busy but they have like one thing to do that entire day that lasts an hour.  So, it gets frustrating.  We went by Bill, hoping some improvement happened but nothing has happened since last time.

Now for a good thing of this week. We taught a lesson to a woman named Mary.  she knocked on the door and when he opened the door she was shouting words to him behind the door and it was way obvious to us but she walked in and just said, “Hey boys.”  I just said, I’m guessing you know who we are. She said, “Yes, I know about your book and John Smith.”  It’s funny how people all around the world always say John Smith.  She said, “I don’t want to hurt your feelings, so I won’t talk.”  Like she was about to break this big news to us.   We just looked at her and said, “No matter what you say, we have heard worse, c'mon tell us.”  She said, “I think John Smith is a con man.”  I said, “Well, how do you know that if you haven’t read the book or studied anything about him?”  She just said, “No.”  and we just said, “Well then how can you say that if you know nothing about it?  I don’t say apples will kill you if I’ve never had one!” The problem with a lot of people, is they are brought up with thoughts that are not their own.  She said to us later after accepting a Book of Mormon, “Well, I’m Catholic and Bill and I know it’s something you can’t leave.”  Even though they haven’t been to mass for 30 or more years. We later just said, “Well, what do you believe, because honestly I want to know how people gain joy. She said, “Well, I believe in the big bang theory and I don’t believe in Christ.”  (So how are you Catholic?)  At the end, we gave her our information and a Book of Mormon and she said she would read it to know more, but she wouldn’t give us her information.  But I know that because that book is the most powerful book on the earth, so powerful that if anyone were to read it with good intent, and hope in their heart, then they will get closer to God.  And, how do you get closer than contacting back the missionaries. I know this church is true. I also know that I am serving the best mission ever!

Sorry if this email is not understandable. I love you mom and I hope I see Colin soon.

Letter home arrived Tuesday, April 1, 2014                                  Airdrie Scotland

Dearest Family,
March 10, 2014
For P-Day we went into a kilt shop and found out the cheapest kilt they had was 300 quid so we turned around.  Then we went to the church and watched Mormon Channel videos and the new version of "Prophet of the Restoration".

March 11, 2014
Today was actually just a really good day.  We talked to a man on a bench that said he was the scariest man in Coatbridge. We gave him a Book of Mormon.  That's promising and the weather was amazing!

March 12, 2014
Today we had a lesson with David Orick that was pretty weird because he just called us and wanted to see us randomly, but it was good because I could tell we made some ground.  Hopefully he will just go to church!!

March 13, 2014
Today we just had a pretty intense weekly planning with just talk about what we can do for ideas of finding and just being better.  Things are going to be a lot better now that we know how each of us work and all that.

March 14, 2014
Today was super bad and just stressful.  Every single appointment cancelled within 10 minutes, even our back ups and plans for tomorrow.

March 15, 2014
Today the Blacks just tore into American clothing, mainly just baggy clothes and when people wear shorts and t shirts all the time, AKA me back home.  Because here people care a lot about their looks, except their teeth, which is ironic.  Then you will also see what we call NEDS (Non educated delinquents) and you can always spot them because they are always wearing matching sweat pants and sweat shirts.

March 16, 2014
So David Orick baled on church again but later that night we had an amazing missionary fireside.  We had everyone split into groups and go into rooms with RMs from the ward to share their experiences from their mission and answer questions.  It was just really good and everything worked out amazing.

Keep Plugging Along

It was harder than I thought it would be to say good bye to Elder Edwards, but it was his time. Elder Patterson is pretty good.   He’s great, and very obedient.  We goof off a little here and there but we have been working super hard! Oh man, I’ve never been this tired. He’s from good old Idaho Falls.  He’s been out one transfer less than me, so 7 months.  He was in Aberdeen before coming here.  He was trained in Bangor, Ireland.

We were going to teach the man that came to church with his fiancé last week but unfortunately, right before our appointment his dad had a stroke and after that he went on holiday.

We met with David Orick on Saturday but he said he was "sick" on Sunday so he couldn’t go. We haven’t been able to get in contact with Willie lately either.  We pretty much started with nothing again and we pretty much chap all day every day. But, I just thought, 'This was enough, we need to be doing something better with our time.’ The ward mission leader that I love to bits, told me that "You know what, don’t worry about numbers this week, just have fun with it."  So I’m taking that to heart, I’ve been told that many times on my mission and it’s not what you do, it’s how you do it. as long as you’re doing something good, the Lord will bless you.

Being with Elder Patterson, I have realized my personality and how we are kind of the opposite but its good. Sometimes he’ll be so let down because our numbers are bad and he’ll be pretty hard on himself when things fall through, but I just feel that there are things out of our control and there is nothing we can do about it, as long as we are doing our best. This week was pretty hard but I hope that next week is a lot better.

Love you!

Letter home arrived 3/20/2014                                                                Aberdeen Scotland

March 3, 2014
Another moves week.  So we shopped and emailed but now Elder Edwards mission has come to an end. So he packed and Elder Utley is also leaving so I'll be losing two great friends.  I will be able to have another adventure and journey with Elder Patterson from Aberdeen.

March 4, 2014
Elder Edwards is off.  I went with the other two missionaries and we were a trio for the day so we just got Elder Utley ready to go and went by a few people.  It was good.

March 5, 2014
Today I met Elder Patterson.  He's really cool and we get along really well.  He is good because we really push each other.  He's from Idaho Falls and he went to Utah State.  He's the oldest of three brothers.

March 6, 2014
Today was good.  We worked really hard!  I'm tired but excited about the great work we are going to do.  He has been out six weeks less than me so we are at the same level and we had ward missionary correlation and a lot of big things are coming.

March 7, 2014
Today was good.  Unfortunately Damien cancelled because his father had a stroke.  So we had to chap the rest of the night instead.  We have done a lot of chapping lately and I'm so sick of it.  It's also worse because I wish I liked it more.  I try and I just don't.  It makes days feel longer and it makes me feel miserable.  We taught not a single lesson today.

March 8, 2014
So today we walked forever and it felt like all the morning was an entire week.  I'm getting pretty down just because I wish I was better and I wish I just liked and had fun with everything.  But, at the end of the day I was just tired and felt unaccomplished.  These are going to be a long six weeks.

March 9, 2014
So this morning I woke up thinking, "Oh no, all we have is chapping after church."  During church I got some revelation through the lessons that I know was from Heavenly Father because I asked him how I am just so unhappy with doing the Lord's work and what things I will change.  Things I will change is, my praying will be more frequent and in depth, another is that Jordan Wark challenged me to just have a fun week and not worry about numbers but be creative in the work.  It's interesting because he was giving me the answer I needed from God.

Sunday Church Visitors

Transfers are on Wednesday.  I will be getting my new companion, Elder Patterson!   I don’t know too much about him but he went into Aberdeen right after me and took my place.  This will be 6 months in Airdrie and it feels like I just got here. Today or tomorrow I’ll be saying goodbye to Elder Edwards and he will go home after touring around Scotland/ Ireland for a week.  I’m going to miss him, he was a great friend.

Yesterday was an interesting Sunday. Do you remember that guy that I wrote about that stopped his car and had us pray for his mom?  Well he went to church yesterday and had his non-member fiancé there and it was great!  They are both really great, I can tell. We will try to set up a time to meet with them this week. He is a mechanic and so it was cool talking about cars and fixing them.  She is a phone person that works for Scottish gas and I can tell she’s really nice and talks really fast. We also had David Orick come to church and it was kind of amazing. Half way through testimony meeting I was afraid because he walked out, but later I found out it was because he was starting to cry from hearing all the testimonies. Willie was busy all this week but we will try to see him again soon.

Things are going well, I’m really liking it here.  I have a lot to do, but I know I’ll get there.

Love you!  Elder Hanson

Quite a  "Lord of the Rings" collection!

Posing

I needed that!

Letter home, arrived March 20, 2014                                                          Aberdeen Scotland

February 25, 2014

Today we had district meeting and it was good.  We talked about finding and when we meet with members for it to be commitment focused for their progression with anything.  We went home teaching with Gordon Bathgate and we walked with him back to his home and it took forever because I'm not used to walking that slow anymore.

February 26, 2014

Today we are pretty full because Elder Edwards is going home and we are seeing a bunch of members this week.  We had lunch with Brian Johnston at an Indian place.  Then we went to an old folks home and got told by an old lady to get out of her house because she didn't know us.  We were just like, "We are here to see Davie."  But she thought this was place was her house...so that was an ordeal.  Later that night we did some finding ad went home teaching with Brother Easton.

February 27, 2014

Today was another funeral for a person I didn't know.  I have heard so many times in Aberdeen and in Airdrie about how many people come out to church and were active but we are lucky if a fourth of them show up and the only thing that brings some members to even step in the building again is a baby blessing or a funeral.  I don't get it.  It's so discouraging on how hard hearted the people are here.  The main religion is football.  I know more about other people's religion than they do.  Pretty much my whole mission has been like walking up a downwards escalator.

February 28, 2014

This morning we looked around the city center for medicine because I have the worse cough ever and last night I could hardly breathe, it was pretty scary.  It's hard to get some medicine because everything is named differently so we just got some crazy powerful cough drops.  Later that night all the Elders went to Brother Warks because his wife was working.  We had a good night and had chips and curry.

March 1, 2014

Today we helped the Black family clean the church building and played some basketball with Brother Smith and his children.  Afterwards we went to the Cummings and Elder Edwards wanted to see Brother Cummings' Lord of the Rings collection so we helped him dust all of it.  It was crazy.  (See picture above).

March 2, 2014

My Sunday was amazing.  We got David Orick to go to Church and we saw him tearing up after the meeting.  It was very spiritual and very good.  Later through church a man with long black hair sat next to me.  It was the man I prayed with months ago about his mother being sick.  He showed up and brought his fiance.  So we will be teaching them.  

                         

Transportation, a funeral, singing A Cappella

I don't think taxis are as expensive as back home, it's probably like 7 pounds from one side of our area to the other.  We only take them when members give us money for them because so few of them have cars, that's how they give us a ride home.  Trains are not too bad because everyone around here uses them.  It's a lot harder and expensive to get a driver's license here so everyone takes buses, that being said, buses are a lot more expensive There are pretty much only two buses that we use and we just get a bus pass for about 38£ a month but the mission will reimburse us. It's a little harder to pay for things here because the pounds add up to be a lot more than what we have. 

Not too much has happened this week but today we had to go to a funeral and speak at someone's that was less active.  The problem was 1. I was giving a talk,  and 2.  I didn't know him, and 90% of the people there were non-members, so I was pretty scared and to add on to that, if you had told me before my mission that I would sing A Cappella at a funeral with three other missionaries, "I Am a Child of God", I wouldn't have ever believed you. We did it at a crematorium that had a Catholicy feel. But I made it, and I'm still here. Today we are in Glasgow to get souvenirs for Elder Edward's family. I love you Mom!              

Letter home that arrived March 7.                                                                       Airdrie, Scotland 

Feb 17

For p-day we pretty much just shopped so Elder Edwards can get some more souvenirs because it is his second to last p-day.  It was pretty good.  I like some of the  European clothing and style and I will probably wear more stuff like that when I get back.  I think they call these pants chinos, or maybe it's the brand, but it's pretty much slim fit khaki pants and stuff like that.  American clothes are super baggy and I'm starting to like the more slim fit.  Elder Edwards got a football Rangers top and so did Elder Edwards.  Elder Utley got some Celtic shorts and they look really Irish and European shorts go up a lot higher than American ones so he looked like a leprechaun. 

Feb 18

Today was a pretty open day.  We tried by some people that weren't home, we went by some really old guy with only 4 toes on both feet.  Since he is old, he is pretty set in his ways.  He is still nice.  It just didn't go anywhere. We then went to Brother Mooney's house for dinner and he just got a bunch of Indian food take-out. I'm still blown away by how much Indian food everyone eats.

Feb 19  

Today we helped Sister Nielson shop and carried all her things.  It was good to help her.  I was so tired today I can't believe it.  I was pretty much just trying to make it through today.

Feb 20

Today's weekly planning was good.  Elder Edwards was like, "Yeah, forgive me if I'm not much help with weekly planning for next week."  Because he will be home.  I'm going to miss him, he has taught me SO much.

Feb 21

Today I went on exchange with Elder Utley and we went by some widows with Jamie and things went really well. They are always happy to see us and we are more than okay with helping them in any way.  At the end of the day we got back to the flat.  I was reading and I felt a prompting to check on one of the other Elders. I talked with him about how he is doing because I could tell something was wrong and I gave him some advice.  The atonement is an amazing thing.

Feb 22

So today we played sports with the Mooney's.  Unfortunately no one else showed up but Ian Smith's daughter was having her baptism because she had reached eight and it was great to see the less actives go to that.  We didn't have any investigators show because we don't have any at that point yet, but we will.

Feb 23

Today's sacrament was good.  We went to the Wark's for dinner and we played with their daughter while they made food and it was really good BBQ.

Feb 24

Today's p-day was an interesting one. We had to go to a funeral and that took up a large portion of the day. Good thing it was very eventful.  So we went to the funeral of Bill Salmon, a less-active that I've never seen or met in my life.  The Bishop was in charge of it because the man is still a member of our ward.  Bishop told us that the family couldn't decide on who to speak, so Bishop said he would handle it (meaning he'd call on us) and we also were going to sing "Families can be Together Forever" and "I am a Child of God".  But since 90% of the people were not members, and the other 10% weren't active, we all four Airdrie missionaries sang it in front of everyone. We were also in a crematorium which is a really creepy place.  But my talk involved parts of the scriptures, Jer 1:5, Alma 12:24, Moses 1:39, and D&C 42:46.  But I think it was all right.  I got nervous doing this in front of 70 people that had no idea who I was.  We later shopped in Glasgow and called it a day when we were done with FHE.  So, a pretty good day. 

Ups and Downs

Willie is doing really well.  We had a lesson with him last night that went really well.  He always loves having us around and talking with him.  Ingrid has just dropped off the face of the earth, she hasn't answered any of the calls that we give her.  It was devastating after having such an amazing lesson and it just shows that if people want an answer, it's not going to be at their own leisure and whenever they have time they will work on it. I just don't get how people can try once or twice and maybe pray here and there then not receive an answer and be put off.  It's so weird how we talk to people three times our age that still act like kids but as you know, Mom, you need to be patient with kids and still help them.  Man, I'm going to be a good dad! haha
  How has your week been? This week was good we are just kinda doing some of the same things. We are doing sports with the ward and I'm just loving it. I have no hand-eye coordination, but that's okay and we got to see a lot of members this week and we had stake conference 
We've had some good lessons here and there.  But no matter how lame they can sometimes be, they are all rewarding.
Transfers are in about three weeks. 
I'm pretty sure it has rained almost all day everyday since I've been in Airdrie.
Love You!

Elder Edwards Birthday

Hanson Plant

Snow we were out 'finding' in

Letter home, arrived Tuesday, February 25, 2014                                      Airdrie Scotland

Hey Family,

Feb 10, 2014

Finally, a good P-day.  But I'm just knackered (sore).  We played chair football and then played basketball with Scott and his friend.  We went over to the Black's home (Scott's home) and played board games.  It was really fun and I haven't played basketball in forever.  I have lost all hand-eye-coordination.

Feb 11

Today we had district meeting and it was about giving up things for the Lord and how much we give up to be here.  It's a lot and we also listened to the talk, "Feed my Sheep" By Elder Holland.  It really put things in perspective.  Then later it snowed like crazy and we had dinner at Bishop's.  We had a lesson with Willy that went pretty well.

Feb 12

Today was kind of slow.  We didn't have too much planned but it went okay.  We went by a lot of people and taught some good lessons.

Feb 13

Today was Elder Edward's birthday, it was pretty good!  I made him breakfast and the other Elders got him a bubble blower, a mini basketball and an exfoliating mask, one of those green slime things, and we had dinner at the Crain's and had steak and it was a good night!

Feb 14

Today we had dinner at Sister McGowin's and she is doing great.  She is a perfect example of how to deal with the loss of loved ones.  I can tell she still misses Brother McGowin though.  We later went to a less-active's house and it was an old guy with no teeth that invited us in, and just a wall of smell and stink punched me in the face.  It reeked like pee and I was just wondering in my head "how on earth does this place smell this bad?!" and just then, I see his dog that's crazy old, pee on the floor...and he didn't do much about it.  He's a nice old man, but I couldn't wait to get out and breath.

Feb 15

Today's session of stake conference was amazing.  it was all centered on missionary work and it was just powerful.  Earlier we did some football with some members and less actives and it was good.

Feb 16

So today was the Sunday session of conference and we were two minutes late to our train to Glasgow and the next train wasn't for another 65 minutes so we would be late, but we noticed there was a train only in Airdrie station that was leaving in ten minutes.  So we had to run from Drumgelloch to Airdrie in ten minutes.  So we just started running and took a bus that was just perfectly on time and we made it to the station on time and to conference on time and it was really great!

Happy Valentine's Day

Church went pretty well.  None of our investigators went today and Ingrid is on holiday in Ireland, so she didn’t go.  We haven’t seen her since that first lesson just because she has let life and just things get in the way but that doesn’t mean she wants to stop.  We hope she’ll come next week!

We aren’t really teaching Bill anymore because he didn’t progress and teaching someone that is drunk a lot is pretty much pointless, but we still stop by to see him every once in a while 

Let me tell you about Willy,  Elder Edwards and Elder Utley went on exchange and found Willy and the next day we got an appointment and Elder Edwards said, “Oh you’ll like him.”  So I thought, “Ok, we will see what happens.”  And right when he opened the door I was like, “Wow, you’re right!”  He’s super funny and talks super fast! When we taught him he pretty much knew all he needed to do and we just pointed him in the right direction. We asked him if he could believe in a prophet today and he was the first person that I have met that has honestly said, Yeah, I think that’s just what this world needs.”  We gave him a Book of Mormon and he even said, “God will show me and tell me all I need to do so if this is right I’ll know that it’s God telling me keep going.”   He is very Glassgoweegin in just the way he acted and talked and I just love him, he is a great guy. The members are doing their best, One thing you can do when you have missionaries over is just ask, “How do I do member missionary work?”   Because that’s pretty much what our job is’ to just teach the members how to help and they are also called to where we live because they are meant to help the members specifically.

I can’t believe that happened to Heather, she is by far one of the strongest people I know and I will pray for her as much as I can.

My companion and I were actually just talking about the plan of salvation last night on how amazing it is and how great it is to just learn and become better.  We even will talk to members who think that they would have had second thoughts if they knew what their life would be like now.  But they did know and they even accepted it, jumping for joy. It still blows me away on how great God’s plan is and even when I teach it every day, I'm constantly learning more about it.

Things are going well here.  I have gotten the hang of pretty much everything now and I know I have a lot to improve on but I believe I’ll get there. I am loving my mission and it’s been more than great to me. I love you Dad!

Haggis in a can!  They better have this in the States!
[Haggis is a Scottish dish made of the heart, liver and lungs of a sheep or lamb, combined with oats, suet and other herbs and spices, and then cooked in a casing traditionally made of the animal's stomach. Thus, haggis is essentially a form of sausage.]

Rabbit!

Love, Rick

Monday February 3, 2014 e-mail

.
Ingrid is just doing amazing, a couple of snags here and there but I know that if she works for it she will get an answer.  That’s mainly what we are working on now. We will also call her today to set up another appointment. Teaching lessons to people is going a lot better.  The ward is using us for a lot more things and we are more than happy to work for them.  We have talked to some pretty interesting people on the street and are just hoping a little more will come out of it.  Next month the ward is going to do a ward fast for us to find that family that is being prepared.   Unfortunately no investigators came to church Sunday.  Some of them had some things that had come up and a large problem is just getting people to understand the importance of all that we have to offer them. 

This week we went with a lot of members to help with the home teaching and we also had a lesson with Ingrid that was nothing short of a miracle.  Let’s just say at the end of it, everyone in the room had tears falling down their face.  We brought Brother Ryan Wark with us and he’s just one of the best people to bring. At the end of a lesson she said, “Okay, I’ll try to pray and read.”  He pulls out a pen and says, “Here try to take this pen out of my hand.” and she gets ready and tries to grab it before he closes his hand but he doesn’t move his hand he just keeps it open and she takes it.  He says. “Here do it again.”  The same thing happened. He then said, “You didn’t try to get that pen.  You either got it or you didn’t. You either read and pray or you don’t.”  I learned and studied a lot this week about why bad things happen to good people because that is the one things that people we talk to can’t understand. With clarity it shows that God is a just, but merciful God. If the wicked didn’t do anything bad to the good then there would be nothing to judge and if there was nothing to judge then why would we go on this earth to learn.  It’s all about agency. The scriptures are full of this answer and many others and it should scare me with how much I know I have to learn but I'll just invite it.  Bring it on. 

-Elder Hanson

Elder Davis has lost a little weight also.

We were in the UK Ensign from when we helped Br. B. in his wheelchair up the mountain.

Beautiful rainbow

Just passing a little message along.

Rival Game Ties!

Elder Utley (from Colorado) and I in our Super Bowl Ties.
He can burn his now.  YEAHHHH HAWKS!!!!

Letter written home received February 19, 2014          Airdrie Scotland

Jan 27, 2014  On P-day it was a good day.  It wasn't a usual one.  We did a lot of things with the members.  After emailing we picked up Sister Neilson's glasses and finished p-day early to have dinner at the Cummings and then finished the night with FHE.  Traci came and it was great, I gave the spiritual thought.

Jan 28, 2014  Today we had a lesson with Ingrid!  well, we made her cry but it was in a good way.  We had Ryan Wark as a joint teach and we all bore our testimonies and she has a true desire for an answer.  I can see iit in her eyes.  She feels alone and forsaken.  We took a big bold step and gave her a blessing and she was more than okay with it.  Ii could see almost a physical change with her when I saw her open her eyes.  But, she is still a little hesitant that she will receive an answer but I know with all my heart she will.

Jan 29, 2014    Today was a B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L day of service.  We saw an amazing rainbow out of our window this morning and we did a lot of service.  We helped paint and helped move furniture, then helped with the ward clean-up.  We are a part of the ward, just like members are a part of missionary work.

Jan 30, 2014    We did mainly weekly planning today and unfortunately both Elder Edwards and Elder Davis got food poisoning from something but Elder Bentley and I were feeling good enough to still go out, then we went home teaching with Thomas and it was pretty good.

January 31, 2014    today we taught Traci and we are just helping her know the right path and I can tell she just needs a lot of help and today was just a good old day of finding.

February 1, 2014   Today kind of just dragged on and I was pretty much just looking forward to a lesson with Ingrid but unfortunately she cancelled, so we had a pretty long night.

Feb 2, 2014    Today's fast Sunday was pretty crazy.  We found out that Br. McGowin passed away this morning and that was heart breaking.  I loved that man.  We had a very touching testimony meeting and after that, we had dinner after church with the Blyes because they noticed our dinner sheet was a little empty (we only have one dinner appointment this week), but that's okay.

Feb 3, 2014    Today's P-day was really boring.  We just emailed and that's about the only good part. We just didn't do anything because there is nothing around here.  Hopefully we have a better one next week.  I feel that whenever I have a good P-day my week always goes better.

Feb 4, 2014    Today we had a West Scotland conference with all the missionaries from Glasgow and Paisley all together and it was by far one of the best meetings I have attended.  It was pretty much about how it's not what you do, it's how you do it because if we do it without love, it benefits in no way.  Also, that Heavenly Father owns everything but our hearts, so the greatest gift we can give him is just that.  it opened my eyes.  I want nothing more than to be an exactly obedient missionary and to be always diligent but I know I have a lot to work on and I will get there.

Feb 5, 2014    Today we had dinner at the Davidson's and they are temple workers so we just talked about people all over Scotland temples.  It was really good.  Sister Davis made some cut cabbage, almost like mashed.  I thought not too much of it but Elder Edwards told me how he had to force it down.  I haven't had too bad of a problem with food on my mission so far.  I'm pretty much fine with anything.

Feb 6, 2014    So today was pretty weird.  We had almost everything planned with lessons, a dinner appointment, and meetings, but everything cancelled.  So we thought, "Oh no, what do we do?"  Because I was looking forward to everything.  We were half way though making dinner close to the end of the night thinking of what to do with our little time left and Sister Black called telling us that dinner was back on so we threw everything in the fridge and went to their house and it's always a good time over there. 

Feb 7, 2014    Today we went to Br. McGowin's funeral, so it was a  pretty sad day but Sis. McGowin is always good at staying happy and not letting too much bring her down.  later I went on exchange with Elder Davis and the taxis were terrible today when we went with Jamie to see widows.  We had to wait two hours for one, it was crazy.  Later, we went to see Chelsea, an investigator  the other Elders have.  She is really solid and we gave her Karo, fake coffee to help her with the Word of Wisdom.  it was good getting to know her and after, I played with her chiwawa by putting the light reflection off my water on the wall and had him chase the little white dot.

Feb 8, 2014      Today we did service at the charity shop and we got together some less actives and played basketball.  It was great!  

Feb 9, 2014    Today was a good Sunday.  We taught Gospel Principles and we had a lesson with Willy and the second we walked into his house, I said to Elder Edwards, "I like this guy!"  He was perfect, we didn't really need to say much because we just lead and moved the discussion.  We gave him a Book of Mormon and asked him to pray about it.  We will see him again on Tuesday.