September Update

Here is a summary of September emails from Shaun:

9/10

Hey Fam.

This week was pretty normal but also had its greatness. We had our interview with the President on Wednesday and went on splits with the assistants on Friday. The president is great... It was a little hard this week with finding new investigators, this week there was 1. and having lessons. I’m still looking for the key to getting the members exited to always have missionary work like the Pharisees had scriptures "on the front of their head. Anyway the greatness of this week was that the Amaro Family is like a sponge, to all the good. They blessed the Sacrament this week and it went great, they also came to the service project where we hauled all the logs and rake the dirt road around the chapel and take care of the dead dogs that people threw out ha-ha what an experience :) oh it’s great. There’s really nothing new so I’m going to have to leave it with that... Love you!

9/17  I’m a Cougar!

Hey so I’m a Cougar! (He’s officially enrolled at BYU) That’s sweet. Hey what religion class would be best? I think it would be fun to master the book of Mormon, but it would also be awesome to have a new or old testament class!

There’s really nothing new here in my Area. We are struggling a lot to find new investigators... We don’t have any baptismal dates at the moment, and it’s been a little difficult lately. I’ll ask that you also keep me in your prayers.

I found out a mission "secret" but I think you already know... they told me that they called all the parents (not us) and let them know. I hear they have plans to send us home the 14th of December (instead of the 19^th)... just wanted to make sure you knew... or had heard something about it.

9/24                       What a Mish

So the news this week is that we went to the offices cause my companion had an interview with the president before he goes home, and immediately after the assistant, being in the offices, gave us our changes. Well it turns out that they decided to change me as well, so we have the homework of leaving the area nice and clean. They are going to enjoy the ward, and sincerely love it... as I have enjoyed it and sincerely loved it. It’s been a super great opportunity to learn what not to do and to learn what to do in a ward and in a calling. There are wonderful people here and it’s going to be a hoot where I’m going. Sounds like it’s another tiny ward, and my companion is going to be Elder Robbins an American. It’s actually really close to where I am at right now. Like five minutes away, so it’s still here in the city...

I’m excited to continue serving others and finding ways to help them strengthen their relationship with our heavenly father. It’s amazing the experiences one has on the mission. It rained crazy hard this week and I got crazy wet. It’s starting rainy season and I’m excited to not have another summer in Monterrey ha-ha, it gets hot.

Elder Rhodes

Clean Sweep

Email from 9/2/12

The Amaro Family is progressing wonderfully. We had a family home evening last night and it went wonderfully. The father and the son received the Aaronic priesthood in the office of priest and then went to a priesthood conference on Sunday Night. Actually the dad received the Priesthood and then ordained his son. It was a special experience and its fun to see their excitement as they learn even more. Asking questions like "and you guys carry your oil with you?" cause that’s what they recommend that all priesthood holders do! And Asking "How soon can I give priesthood blessings to my sons?" Those are like magic candy words flowing out of a converts mouth :) 

My greatest experience of the week was that of re-living my at-home Friday afternoon naptime dejavu. You know... the program you put on TV just to have something in the background to fall asleep to. Anyway sometimes it was golf that I put on because they whisper which makes it just wonderful for someone who really doesn’t want to watch golf but wants to take a nap, but other times I put on the show "Clean Sweep" the show where they go into a nasty pack rats home and throws away all their worthless junk. The show where the overweight single mom is crying cause she already chose twenty items to put into her kitchen and has to part with her mickey mouse salt shaker that her great-grandmother gave her. Anyway... I relived this show because we went on exchanges with an area in our zone. I got to the house and on stepping inside... the smell of rotten grease water and wet curtains came over me. It really like took my breath away. I couldn’t believe that missionaries could live in this place. The companionship was having a few problems and I would think "well of course, who wouldn’t living in such a disgusting house?" anyway we got to the house after a good day of missionary work and I got to work on the kitchen. Didn’t get that cleaned up when it was already ten thirty... so I made plans with the elder to get up early and spend the morning cleaning. From 5:30 till 10:00 we worked to get everything organized and that which wasn’t used thrown away. I was scared of contracting some type of contagious swamp and cockroach disease but after all was finished I took mental before and after pictures. The garbage men passed by and were definitely exited to find little treasures like a grease covered ten year old hot wheels car out of the eight full large black garbage bags. I was extremely tired afterwards but felt very fulfilled. I love service...

Elder Rhodes

Fall is coming

Hi

The week has been a good one. We had District Meeting and talked about how to relax as a missionary. Even in myself, I have noticed that sometimes I get all worked up when things don’t work out or are slow, but the best way to overcome that is to take a few deep breaths, think of a good joke or something and relax. It’s a good skill to learn as a missionary and also in everyday life. Life is in the little moments, and we need to learn to enjoy them.

Turku is a sweet city and this week was "Turku day" which led to a whole bunch of sweet festivities throughout the whole week. They had some dudes skateboarding, some people were spray painting, some were juggling, there was even a band playing. We couldn’t exactly participate in everything, but it was still sweet to walk by and see what they had going on. Turku believes a lot in cultural diversity and so a lot of it was related to that. It was cool.

Vanhin Nilsson and I have been playing a lot of tennis. We wake up and 5:45 and go play. It has been a ton of fun because we are so even. It has been great having a companion who likes sports as much as I do. The only downer is that it is getting darker and colder.... Once again, winter is on its way.

Fall is coming. It is weird to me because it seems like summer had just started. Time seems to be flying faster than usual. But I really love the feeling of fall here in Finland. You can already see the differences in the trees and pretty soon here the ole winter coat will have to come back from retirement. It will be like reuniting with an old friend, an old friend that was always a slight pain but a friend nonetheless.  The Mission President just dropped the hammer on us wearing our suit coats all the time. I am currently wearing my suitcoat. He said that we have to wear them in winter and even the summer. It sounds wimpy to say that it gets hot in Finland when its 75, but when you get used to -25, 75 seems like straight fire.

We had a straight outta Bible belt Bible bash the other day. One of the guys was from Texas and a former Baptist and the other guy was an African 7th Day Adventist. I would be lying to you if I said that I enjoyed it very much. I would also be lying to you if I said that the discussion led any where useful on either side. But I wouldn’t be lying to you if I said that we probably won’t be going back there anytime soon...

It was a good week. I’m thankful for all of you and am happy that you all seem to be doing well. We have a lot of blessings.

Love you all.

Vanhin Merkley

Elders Galore!

Investigators in Oaxaca

This week was a good first week of the change. Elder Hales and I worked together and also I was with Elder Eldridge for a day. He was in my district in the mtc. It was great to spend time with him and talk about the changes we have made and enjoy the work together. He is really a great guy. As for breaking news this week, there isnt much. The work is going well, and there are people who are ready to hear the gospel. If all goes as planned, Patricia will be baptized this Saturday and Nayeli on the 22nd of September. I believe I already told you about them 2. They have both stopped drinking coffee and are really making an effort to prepare for their baptisms. Its really a beautiful thing to be a part of. This week I was again awakened to how young and undeveloped the church is here. There are many simple things that the church has in Utah that are missing here. However, the work continues to go forth, as prophesied. This coming week will be an exciting one. We have a big family home evening planned for tonight, on Wednesday we have a multi zone conference of missionaries, on Friday we have a Noche Mexicana for the whole stake(Mexican Night celebrating the 16th of September, Mexicos Independence Day. Traditional dances, food, etc.), and Saturday Pati will be baptized. Last night it rained a good amount and today we enjoyed the coolness while washing our clothes. I am loving Juchitan and the people here. Really not much to report. Next week Im sure there will be good pictures and stories to send from the busy week. Also this week I will return to Union Hidalgo, land of the beautiful women as they call it here haha. Know that I love you all. The gospel is true. Take care of yourselves.

Looking forward to General Conference

Getting excited for conference? This week was a good first week of the change. Elder Hales and I worked together and also I was with Elder Eldridge for a day. He was in my district in the mtc. It was great to spend time with him and talk about the changes we have made and enjoy the work together. He is really a great guy. As for breaking news this week, there isnt much. The work is going well, and there are people who are ready to hear the gospel. If all goes as planned, Patricia will be baptized this Saturday and Nayeli on the 22nd of September. I believe I already told you about them 2. They have both stopped drinking coffee and are really making an effort to prepare for their baptisms. Its really a beautiful thing to be a part of. This week I was again awakened to how young and undeveloped the church is here. There are many simple things that the church has in Utah that are missing here. However, the work continues to go forth, as prophesied. This coming week will be an exciting one. We have a big family home evening planned for tonight, on Wednesday we have a multi zone conference of missionaries, on Friday we have a Noche Mexicana for the whole stake(Mexican Night celebrating the 16th of September, Mexicos Independence Day. Traditional dances, food, etc.), and Saturday Pati will be baptized. Last night it rained a good amount and today we enjoyed the coolness while washing our clothes. I am loving Juchitan and the people here. Really not much to report. Next week Im sure there will be good pictures and stories to send from the busy week. Also this week I will return to Union Hidalgo, land of the beautiful women as they call it here haha. Know that I love you all. The gospel is true. Take care of yourselves. Love,Elder Millet

Taylor Eating Again...