Muddy Waters, Fatty Pink, Red Light, Oh! No!

Lisa Lim on Google+

March 10, 2014

Dear Parents, Mom and Dad/Dad and Mom,

This has been a slow week. Not much happened at all. We found two new investigators and are hoping all goes well there. Other than that, not much. Week summarized. Well, sort of. Other things of note, besides the meeting we had to attend, was the ordeal Saturday and the Sunday meal. 

So, Saturday. Yeah, it is warming up and everything is melting again. When things melt, it creates water, which creates mud and bogs. Saturday, we went up and down this one road filled with all of the water and mud. White shirt plus mud equals a dirty missionary. Luckily, not much happened that day. Also, on Saturday was the ward talent show. It was nice, lots of piano pieces.

The Sunday meal, I had corned beef, which I guess comes from brisket, whatever the brisket is. But, the meat was pink and tasted like ham. Which triggered two things in my head. One, I rediscovered why I do not like ham. It is the taste that sets in. It is horrid. But, I do bite my tongue on what is given. Two, the pink meat. Now, I remember a general conference long ago. It was not so much what the speakers said, but what we had for dinner. It was some pink meat stuff that I thought was not cooked and was full of fat. I remember there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth over eating this "uncooked" meat. Needless to say, we never had that meat ever again. Eating this corned beef, it being pink and fatty, reminded me of such event. Still do not like it at all. 

It was a long meeting; sometimes, I could not seem to focus. There are things that I got out of it that I feel like I can apply with the people here. Other than that, I was not having too much fun. I realized how much mental stimulation it takes to keep me focused. Other than that, it was not a bad meeting. And yes, we were pushed to read the material. I did so anyways before hand and now, I need results to figure out what works and does not. Slowly, it will be worked out and I

Lisa Lim on Google+

will be able to use the material in it. 

My speech this week is fine, thankfully. I have not had much problems other than some people not understanding me. That is life as usual. It will get better in this life or the resurrection. The resurrection is a guarantee.

I plan on mailing you two a letter soon. I will write a little sticky note about why I basically wrote this out. So, expect a letter some time. I guess it correlates with your quote. Maybe.

I am definitely trying to be safe out here. The night before the zone conference, there was an accident with the transfer van. In the van, was a district leader, Elder Medsker (the housing coordinator), and one of the zone leaders. They were exchanging back and Elder Medsker came up for the meeting. Well, the district leader's apartment was across the street from the zone leader's apartment. There is also a hill where the intersection is. Well, somebody was going up the hill and the light turned red on them. The van goes forward for the green light and it gets T-boned by the car that ran the red light. Luckily, everyone is okay, if not bruised or in major pain. The district leader did not have his seatbelt, only because he could not find it and he got thrashed a bit. The zone leader only hit his ribs, but he seems to be okay. Elder Medsker is in a lot of pain, did go to the hospital, but as far as I know, he is just in a lot of pain. Accidents happen. 

All is well.

Love,

Elder S. Todd

Befuddled Brain: A Missionary's Dilemma

I am on the far left. Looks like food did the trick of putting a smile on my face. The elder in the center may have blinked or with that apple in his hand he is looking down just wanting to sit in his chair and finish.

We know that light is faster than sound, but what happens when thought is faster than speech?  Let's see:

Slow speech plus + fast thought = embarrassment.

Monday,  March 3, 2014

Dear Parents, Mom and Dad/Dad and Mom,

Well, it is good to know that I am about to lose one hour of sleep. My clothes are holding up. I was reading through the email, but I feel as though I was missing something. I know Mom goes to chiropractor, but she takes Chloe with her? (Chloe is a 10 year old Boxer dog and is receiving treatment from the chiropractor.) That is awesome, seeing as Chloe is the only one of the three dogs who could settle herself. 

It sounds like you are having fun with the missionaries and that the work is going along. Also, happy to hear you had Chinese food. Why? I had some too.

It has been one of those weeks. I have been a bit stressed, because this week has slightly been nightmarish. After nearly 8 months of no noticeable problems, my speech problems are back in full force. As you may remember, it was hard for others to understand me, plus towards the end of senior year, I noticed that I started to stutter a bit. In the Missionary Training Center, I had trouble with words as well until I discovered that I knew the material. I knew I what I was saying; I had a testimony. Well, now it is back and it is a bit of a trial. Slowly this past month, I noticed that people did not understand me as much and that I had to repeat myself. Then, this week comes along and I am tripping over my words. Even worse, my brain cannot seem to connect the words that I am about to say, so I cannot speak. It was bad to have during a lesson one of those moments where you know the material, you know what to say, but you cannot speak. Or even worse, when you are about to talk to someone to please pass this item of food to me and you are about to ask by gesturing, and you freeze, because your brain cannot seem to form the words. It has been one of those weeks. Plus, it brings up all those feelings that I am socially awkward and how dense I am at social rules. (What he doesn't know his dad had times of stuttering or stammering as well as his brother. Sometimes the brain works faster than our mouths. Seth had more teeth than mouth. He had teeth pulled and wore braces. He still needs to enunciate words where his lips need to completely close.)

Interestingly enough, this is a week where I was reading about grace. After all that I can do, then grace can help. My favorite scripture in Doctrine and Covenants, even starts with, "Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you...." Despite all of these nightmare problems, I am doing all that I can to teach and to speak. I can pray for help. I can practice my speech. I am doing everything that I can. (And I hope no more embarrassing moments happen again.) So, yes, it is back, but daily I will do my best. Trials and tribulations happen for only a moment.

On top of that, I felt that sense of pressure that there is not a lot of time for things. President Wilson is giving us material that he encourages us to read, but, of course and thankfully, it is not too mandatory as far as I reconcile and understand. But, still, it is heavily encouraged. One of these things were case studies about how to teach investigators and how to keep a commitment. This is in preparation for a zone conference that was moved from today to Friday. I just did not feel I had time for all of this, but, after some encouragement and resolve, I studied the material.

This week was filled with a lot of tracting. We had to drop some more investigators or at least give some investigators time (Some people have a lot of questions and want to study things out more which is okay.). It is coming more apparent that we may soon have to go south of our area to the Faraway regions. We are literally tracting a lot every day and the only places that will soon be left is the region far, far away.

I went on companion exchanges this week to the other area. I met a minister who was thrilled to meet us. He had not seen missionaries in three years. I am a slow thinker and when people talk incredibly fast and include sound effects, it becomes a bit difficult to follow. I did my best to address his points. Not sure he was listening. He was very excited to talk. That evolved into an interesting day for Thursday. 

Friday, we had a zone conference wherein we got the case study material. It went a bit long. 

I'd rather be knocking on doors. I can't feel my bottom anymore. I am on the far right.

We had a lesson with two of our investigators (husband and wife) who understand it quite well and was wondering about our standards. We told him to read the Book of Mormon. Then, I read the case study material for preparation for zone conference. In it, some missionaries gave their investigator a homework assignment to address his questions and how that was applied with other commitments and types of investigators. With that idea, we thought that it would not apply to these investigators who are busy, do not have much time, and go to bed early. But, we tried it with the investigators that we saw on Friday. We stopped by Sunday, because they went away for a day. We asked about how his reading was and he admitted that he tried, but could not get into it. Gave him a homework assignment. Hopefully, it will work for them. I am excited, because I believe it will work.

And yesterday, it snowed. Most of the day until 3. Then, we went out and helped people shovel. Not as deep as last time. And not as much to do. We were able to help out a few people and talk to them. 

Thanks for the picture of the back stretches. (he's complained of backaches which are probably due to riding a bike. Hopefully, they will work out. 

All is well.

Love,

Elder S. Todd

Look Out Below, Here Comes a Couch!

Monday, February 24, 2014

Dear Parents, Mom and Dad/Dad and Mom,

Yes, I went back to that place without gloves and without a mask (see previous posts). Luckily, that house is definitely closed and it is in the hands of the bank as far as I know and care. 

I have yet to receive any letters (snail mail), so I guess I can expect some letters some time soon. That really does sound great. It sounds like missionary work is going well back in Lemoore. I am glad to hear that the missionaries are having fun with Dad. I am sure that brings up a lot of the old days back with Scouting. And oh yeah, there is a Facebook page for the Virginia Richmond Mission. I got an email about that a while back on a Friday and it totally spaced my mind. Elder Medsker is the housing coordinator here. He does an excellent job and is hilarious.

So, the way things went last week is that I emailed on Tuesday. Not much happened on Tuesday that is of note. We tracted some more and found a 14 year old kid. He had a great understanding and had an excellent prayer. We stopped by later on in the week and his family is moving. His family is okay with him meeting the missionaries as well. They are open. My companion was not too happy about the news of them moving, but we are so happy for those missionaries who will get to teach him.

On Wednesday, more tracting in the early morning, but then we helped somebody move. I did not to get to know the member that well for the six weeks I have been here. He is a really nice person. We had trouble with a couch, because of how they built the townhouse that he lived in. So, what ended up happening is that we got the couch outside onto the balcony, hung the couch over the balcony, and had the other two missionaries catch the couch to set it down. Miraculously, it worked. Also, that night, we ended up going early to an investigator's house, the chemo investigator. Good thing, because he likes to talk. He tries to apply it to himself and make it understandable. I followed what he was saying and it was good to see how much he does understand. But, it took us an hour and a half to discuss the Holy Ghost. Next step, prayer. Then, after him, we saw another investigator who we found through snow shoveling. It was great, mostly, because we quickly went over the Restoration. The bad part was that we could not discuss the Book of Mormon, prayer, and the Holy Ghost. Plus, due to a lack of time, we could not invite. We had a return missionary, who we are glad that came out with us, but we could not control. Luckily, we have another appointment to help straighten it all out and the people seemed interested in it all.

Thursday, we did some more tracting. We saw a less active who has been returning to church on his own. He has made several goals to return to church and go to the temple. Well, he has been returning to church and he went to the temple for baptisms. He plans on going for his endowment hopefully in March, but he has to take the temple preparation course. There is some help for him and we are helping him along the way. We saw another less active that day, but I do not remember much about it. Friday, we planned and had our correlation meeting. 

Saturday, we dropped by some less active members, especially one that we had been hoping to be working with some more. That one, she has been extremely busy and extremely tired. So we did more tracting and found another investigator. He seemed somewhat interested and we again briefly went over the Restoration (the last three main parts). And we invited. My companion made sure of it. Then, we had another investigator to go see. Well, I failed to mention last week that we technically got a new investigator, because we met with him twice before and then finally he set a return appointment. This time it did not work out, because he did not answer the door. His wife, who is a bit slower in mental capacity, asked us to come back next Saturday, so she could go to Wal-Mart. Rather than push the issue, I felt we should go try a less active. We did, we got food out of it, plus she said that she was coming back to church tomorrow. I was so happy, because we had no idea what to do for her. However, she did not attend yesterday. Back to square one. Later on that night, my companion popped his tire and we were far from home. Luckily, the Russian family took us home and we came home to realize that his tube had two big holes and lots of tiny holes. I am glad that it was not my bike since he hates to have to walk when my bike has had to be repaired.

Speaking of bikes, my bike is doing okay. It works and I am fine. Although, we tried to see some potentials and I missed my turn. So, I decided to do a U-Turn as I had done many times, even on sand and even on downward sloping hills. Not that day. Nope. Bike was not having it at all. It slipped right from under me and I think I slid, maybe a centimeter. Knee was a bit scraped. Nothing new. You think pants would survive such a careless slip. No. I have a small hole that is beyond my expertise to fix. I saw that.  I was like, "Oh no, it would have a hole!" And speaking of clothes, the new shirt fits. That is fine. I figure I should mention it so that you do not have to worry about whether it was the right size.

Sunday, not much happened besides church and eating and oh, meetings. While I and one of the other elders were in the meeting for ward council, the other biked in our area and tracted. My companion used one of their bikes and managed to get a flat tire. Luckily, that elder had a spare tube. We tracted from 7:45 at night to 8:45. Not too many people were happy with us, and his dad will suggest some other things to do instead) but at least we stayed productive. We really did not have anything else to do.

Doing some more work in other areas of life. Hate to be a bother, but I was wondering if it be possible if you could please find some back stretches for me. My back muscles have been tight, which murders my back. Other than that, I am totally healthy and happy and need not worry. I just need to stretch it out and it will be fine. I am really not in much pain. Happy and healthy. Not just saying cause 10 to 1, you will call the mission office, but it is true. 

Well, I am doing well. Sounds like life is good.

All is well.

Love,

Elder S. Todd

Bend the Slurry, Woman!

Do A Good Turn Daily: Chocolate and Snow

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Dear Parents, Mom and Dad/Dad and Mom,

I am not struggling at all. In fact, I am the happiest I have ever been. I am feeling more confident, I am starting to care about my appearance. I am feeling good. I feel as though I am expected to make changes to my interests and likes. I honestly have yet to see that. Rather, I feel as though I am making a change in personality. Like I said, I am feeling more confident and more happy. My interests have actually expanded. I am far more interested in doing my duties (family history, etc.) now. Yet at the same time, I still have my interests in criminals, history, writing, and other things. The point of it all, I am changing my personality and I have been hoping it is realized.

Well, I forgot my other planner, because this now past transfer has officially ended. Back to the highlights of what I can remember. So, last Monday (2/10), we worked very hard to get a ride to the library. Sometimes, member rides do not work out as well as we hope. We also found out, that the second set of elders were both set for a transfer. Tuesday and Wednesday were a blur; so I do not remember much. 

Thursday, it snowed during the night. We were expecting a dusting, but it dumped. We got up in the morning at 6 to go shovel some people's driveways. At first, we started with the snow shovel we did have (we only have one) and a broom. The broom was originally to sweep off the dusting, but it turned out  to be used to excavate cars. There was a foot of snow (or less) and it was not that hard to get it shoveled. Though for a time, with one shovel, I felt pretty useless. But, I could help to tell my companion, who knows exactly where this comes from, "Bend the slurry, woman!" (The Last Airbender) We worked from 6 to 10 in the morning, found two potential people, able to borrow a snow shovel, and get paid in hot chocolate. 

It took a while before the giant snow plows came to individual streets. I made my first snowman and snowwoman. (Today, they are currently headless and slowly melting.) One of the elders slipped and fell on the stairs. Apparently due to the accident, he actually cut his bum. 

Friday, it snowed a bit, not much. It stayed warm. My bike is currently in repairs, but luckily a member was getting rid of a bike, so I have some form of travel. (My companion hates to walk.) There were some trails in the woods we were using for a time, which was a lot of fun. 

Saturday turned to be the day of transfers, because of the snow. We got the two new people, which are Elder Malone and Elder Hathcock. I worked with Elder Malone; he was in my district back in Fredericksburg. I got to hear a transfer's worth of updates about what is going on in Fredericksburg. Yesterday, we relaxed, because somebody volunteered themselves to go take us around (for shopping, etc.). If we ever want to go anywhere, (a) a member has to take us and (b) we have to ask for permission. I am stuck in the house. And, I was so happy on Monday. Why? I saw a train... of deer in our backyard. It was amazing. So many pictures of deer. 

Monday night, was interesting. So, you know the house of hoarders? Well, we went back. We thought we were done and the house was locked up with the people gone. No, they still had more stuff they wanted and, due to our failure to warn the elders (due to the false celebration), we ended up helping them. This time without masks, because, well, it was put on us. We could have chosen not to help, but, hey, we are good people. That house has so many cobwebs, so much stuff. I mean, last time, it actually looked cleaner, but more stuff seemed to come. We took off our jackets, bags, watches and left outside. I know, stupid, but I would not want to have anything lost in the house and I would not want to have anything that has been in that house. We helped their son who is pagan. It was a good lesson of loving everyone and getting out of your comfort zone. (I still had to take shower, apply soap twice, and wash my clothes.)

Not much in the way of investigators. More tracting. Some new potentials to teach. 

All is well.

Love,
Elder S. Todd

P.S. I totally forgot. Thank you for the Valentines Day stuff. I hope you had a good St. Valentines Day. Still think about Al Capone when I hear St. Valentines Day. I am glad to have loving parents of whom I am so well blessed. Also, good CD choice, I heard it many times by my previous companion. I now have that, plus the two Mormon Tabernacle Choir CDs and the Essential Missionary Collection (Elder Longman gave it to me on Christmas). Also, when was the Roman Emperor Caesar assassinated? I was filling in my new planner and I could not remember if it was the 14th or 15th that he got assassinated. (March 14th) Because, I totally want to say to people, "Beware the Ides of March."

Further note on my bike. So, the person who is fixing it said that the wheel was loose, thus the gears were not engaging. I cannot take it off road, so no more trails. Hopefully, it is fixed. And the person who fixed it is a member who loves bikes, knows what to do, and it is free. He also put oil in it. So, we will see what else will go on.