When You Hear Large Dogs Barking or the Silence of the Criminally Insane

Monday, August 18, 2014

Dear Parents, Mom and Dad/Dad and Mom,

I often wondered if there was ever going to any changes in Lemoore (changes in school, town and the Bishop/ LDS Pastor). I mean, sure, there has some until recently, but none as big as what is going on in Lemoore and here in Appomattox. I thought the only big change was going to be an In-and-Out in Hanford. It is good to hear about these changes and know what is going on. I am glad to hear about my dog. I am glad she is getting fed and she is alive.

My back is doing a lot better. I only have slight pains or no pains. I am off of the ibuprofen, which I am so glad. I felt like it was messing with my head and it made tired. Driving was not fun during duration of that week . Even being off it, I am tired, despite sleeping throughout the night. I called the medical officer to give her an update on my back. She is supposed to email me some back exercises to help strengthen it and to prevent further damage, pain, or a ruptured disk, I am forbidden to do any home moves for six months. I heard that news and I was dismayed. Once those six months are up, I have to make sure not to move anything "heavy."

Thank you for reminding me about the birthdays. I have stamps to last for a good while. Laundry, which I seem to get a heavy hint from you, is going fine.

Before I talk about this week, I must mention my companion. So, I talked to him. I have been stressed, because I am trying to build this area and I have been trying to do it by myself. I made a couple minor mistakes, but it has been worked out. When he came along, I was hoping for help. He is willing to help and is helpful. He just tried to take over and has been slightly overdoing it. From the very beginning, I felt pushed to the side with him over-talking. I explained all of this to him. Yes, I am stressed and he has given some help. Other times, he gets on some of my nerves and I get slightly annoyed. I am trying to be happy, but I know I am at the verge where things could easily sour my mood. I am managing and things are going a little bit better. I am trying to do what is right. I honestly do believe by the 9th, I will be transferred. It fits my pattern that I have been stuck doing; but, who knows.

Monday, we went to Richmond for one of his doctor appointments. It did not take too long. Richmond is pretty nice, some scary places. I felt a bit safe where we parked. We parked at one of the chapels, which is next door to the police parking garage. When I get to go again to Richmond, I would not mind taking a few pictures. The rest of that Monday, besides having a bit of a day off, we tried to find people. 

Tuesday, we tried to rearrange our appointment with the less active that we were supposed to see on Wednesday (but district meeting interfered). It did not work out, so we are in the process of rescheduling. We went to another doctor that day. From there, we tried to see some people. After dinner, I took time to talk to him and readjust my goals so that I can possibly work with him. It worked out for the most part. 

Wednesday, we had district meeting. Our ward mission leader took us down to Lawrenceville. He eagerly participated in district meeting, interjecting a few comments. He took the entire district (which is just us and another set) out to lunch to Subway, where he talked about more gospel related things. On the way back, my companion and the ward mission leader had correlation. I was in the back and the ward mission leader had his window rolled down. Well, all I could hear was wind, which made me partially deaf for a while. From there, we did some house cleaning. Then, we had dinner with the assistant ward mission leader.

Thursday, we did some planning. Then, we received a text from the second councilor of the elders quorum. A couple days prior, we received a text from him (that he sent to a group of people) that he fell off his bicycle and hurt his ribs. On Thursday, he sent another mass text, saying he needed to go to VCU for some medicine and possibly get checked out. We offered to give him a blessing. We arrive and ended up never giving that blessing. Instead, he comes out with us to visit a few people. That day, we also received a referral for a person in Central State Hospital.

Central State Hospital now serves people of all races but from the sign above it is a historical site. It now serves the criminally insane. Haiyang Zhu, the 25-year-old doctoral student from Virginia Tech that decapitated a young woman, was admitted to Central State. It has also been the home to Lorena Bobbitt.

We decided to try that person with the second councilor. After all, it was a hospital. We get there, thinking that we would be able to see this "hospital patient," and were surprised with the buildings. They were made out of brick and some had fences surrounding the building. We arrived at one of the main buildings looking for this person. As it turns out, this place is a mental illness facility, where some of their patients are criminals. We enter, finding out this information, and talk to an officer that was there and one of the nurses. While we were waiting for information, my companion had to deposit his pocket knives (why he carries them, I do not know). I wondered, thinking why he had knives and I am glad I do not have any form of weapon. Well, the Lord truly humbles us. All of a sudden, I remembered that I had my wrench from the days that I biked in Woodbridge. When he returned, I left to go deposit my wrench. Then, we found out more information about this person and received numbers to call. We have to wait before we can make a visit.

Friday, we saw people; not much else happened. 

Saturday, we talked to a person that I had not seen for awhile. He was the one who quizzed me on things like, "Who baptized John the Baptist" and "What is the meaning of the seven stars and seven golden candlesticks." When I was with Elder Avison, he broke his leg and called us for some help. Elder Avison never really did want to go over and I never got around calling him back, though I honestly intended to. We saw him and he was happy that we were there. He thought we had forgotten about him and I just explained that I personally was sorry. Then, he proceeded to quiz Elder Young. The rest of the time until 2, we tried to see people.

There was one particular house that we are never going back to see. We get there and it is a nice looking house, despite the no trespassing signs and beware of dog. (In Virginia, you see a lot of those signs and sometimes, you feel that you should not go and other times, you disregard it.) We approached the door and knocked. (Elder Young was nearer to the door than I was.) There were some heavy barks from large dogs. Nobody answered. He knocked again and the door opened. The man is trying to hold back his dogs, but waves us off. I was about to go, though the thought came to my mind to ask for his name. Never got the chance to do it. One dog came out and tried to bite my companion. The dog manage to make a minor puncture and rip the back of his pants. Then, the wife, caring less for my companion's safety, comes out yelling and screaming, telling us we should not have trespassed and all sorts of stuff. We left and went home to have him change his pants. Also, that day, we had a move. I sat there, bored, while people were moving stuff. I am not looking forward to these coming months. The person in charge of the move took us out to eat and showed us some historical sites on the way home.

Sunday, we had a good time at church. The first councilor of the bishopric was released and the second councilor became the first councilor. A new second councilor was called. After church, our recent convert talked to us. She told us that she is inviting her grandmother, who is a less active member, to a dinner at a public restaurant and she wanted us to come. We tried to see some more people from there and succeeded in some ways.

Interesting, somewhat of a week as it wasn't the first time a companion of mine got attacked by a dog. In Woodbridge, when I was with Elder Frank and we had Elder Hathcock with us for a day; a dog nipped at one of them. 

Thank you also for the information on the religious freedom. I am trying to collect information to study. I have looked at some of the speeches Elder Dallin H. Oaks did about religious freedom. I am trying to obtain the best information to study.

All is well and turning better.

Love,

Elder S. Todd

It Ain't Easy!

As missionaries of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints we do not usually get to pick where we go or who we are assigned to as a companion (unless, of course, your married then you remain with your spouse). Therefore, chances are you may struggle with getting along with someone you don't know. Now to some it may seem easy. You both believe you are serving God and that God is love. However, the reality is your personality or your way of doing things doesn't always match up. Some may take different approaches to sharing the gospel. Some have habits that are annoying. As Seth's father I can attest to having a companionship where neither one of us liked the other. Later on, under new mission leadership we were reassigned as companions, again. This time, this guy I couldn't stand, changed my life because I thought I wasn't good enough for college. He said I was and he was right as I later graduated with honors.

Monday, August 11, 2014

Dear Parents, Mom and Dad/Dad and Mom,

My moods have fluctuated this past week and I am just managing with my companion. In some ways, we are in a standstill and other ways we can function. I was able to talk during a recent lesson that we had, so some progress. In other ways, I noticed that I get extremely sad and quiet when in big crowds. Well, as I figure, I was happy, trying to talk and learning to talk. Now, I honestly feel that opportunity has passed. I am trying to figure out what to say to my companion. We have some differing opinions. Like recently, should we push an appointment back for a meeting or not? We already said no to the meeting, so the district leader put it on another day during a time when we had an appointment scheduled with a less active. I am opting to go to the appointment while my companion on the other hand wants to keep the meeting and push the appointment back. I figure people are more appointment than some meeting. I am just going to have to bite my tongue and let that happen.

I honestly hate to complain. I had plans not to, but when that upset me, I just need to vent a bit. I hate it though.

Yes, I got my medicine. I am pretty sure that the Allertec will last more than three months as it should cover 365 days, plus or minus a few pills. 

I called the mission medical officer, because that is what I figured I should do (after injuring my back). Well, I have to take ibuprofen three times a day and ice my back at the same time. Then, Wednesday, I have to call her again and then I will have to do exercises to strengthen my back.

My days are up and down. Like I said, my moods fluctuate during the day, just depending on what happens. Monday, he had a doctor's appointment, so I got to drive past Richmond. Well, we got lost on the way. He could not use the maps to well, so he opted to call this service that tells us lots of information, such as weather and directions. It ended up that he got upset over it. I mean we were in Henrico, VA, which he was telling the service and it asked, "Do you mean Henrico, North Carolina?" I just looked at the maps and was able to go where we needed to. Well, I planned on reading a few Ensigns and just focus on that. Got into the waiting room and an old episode of Bones was on the television. Well, that made focusing a lot more hard. Later that night, we tried to find certain people and had some success.

Before I explain Tuesday, I must explain this one thing. We have 950 miles to use- it is what we are allotted- and I have been a little adventurous with our miles. I have been driving into the country, which is beautiful, but risky on miles. Tuesday, we went into Petersburg and then, got lost in Dinwiddie. Same thing as Monday happened with the maps and trying to find our way. As a result, on Wednesday, while I was working on the progress record, he bought a GPS. Again that day, we tried to find certain people, but in Chesterfield County. Then, we had correlation. We have an assistant ward mission leader now, which is great. We had an actual correlation with our ward mission leader. It was good.

Thursday, we again tried to find and see people. His GPS arrived and he fiddled with it, inputting the ward roster into it by hand. That took a while. Friday, same tactic with GPS. We talked to one of our potential investigators who still wants to talk to us. He wants to buy us dinner some time and likes us. Hopefully soon, we will be able to teach him. Saturday and Sunday, we did the same thing.

Now, I know that you are probably wondering why we are not finding. Well, he does not like to tract and I am not sure he is able to with some issues with his knees. (Plus, as he and the ward mission leader agree, it is ineffective.) As of right now, it is a painful process. He wants to organize, which is a bit hard for me. I feel like I have organized. He wants to make the work I did with the ward roster "cleaner."

I wrote a letter to you recently on one of my better moods. I plan on sending also a follow up letter, after more thought. It is about something that is honestly keeping me attached and sane. And my great news that I have is that I finished Doctrine and Covenants. I am so happy, because now I am able to study the Old Testament. That made me happy.

All is well and will be well.

Love,

Elder S. Todd 

(Okay now, if you read his letter you can see how troublesome life can be for a missionary.  a lot of energy is spent learning to deal or not to deal with the person assigned to you. And even though names have been mentioned in this blog no one should take it personal. This is how life sometimes, or even more often, can be as a missionary in any part of the world. And don't be fooled by the Broadway musical the Book of Mormon because you won't see these two dancing through Colonial Heights anytime soon.) 

Where Am I? How Did I Get Here? Where Am I Going?

Monday, July 7, 2014

Dear Parents, Mom and Dad/Dad and Mom,

That is quite a bit of updates of what is going on. Well, it sounds like everything is extremely busy in some shape or form. I am happy to hear that the missionary work is moving forward in Lemoore. It has been a crazy week for us in different ways. I am happy to hear how Mom is doing. Glad things are going well for her. Keep it up! I feel bad for my poor dog. The Fourth of July always is a killer for her. Thank you for taking care of her thus far, especially to you Mom. I am glad that she is still alive.

Like I said, it has been a crazy week. We are moving forward in the work; well, at least, we are trying to get it to go forward. Monday, we stayed home and cleaned our apartment during P-Day. We had the funds to buy cleaner and we cleaned the bathroom and other places. I cleaned our vents that looked horrible. We learned that we need to get a filter for our air conditioner. And more recent, I have been putting pictures on the walls. I had another special nightmare on Sunday (refer back to White Oak). 

Tuesday, we knew that we were going to have problems getting around. We no longer have a GPS and we have maps at the apartment. The problem with our maps is that we cannot take them with us and they are hard to use for they have been plastered with maps. We decided to take some time to go to a gas station to get a map. After all, that is where maps of an area would be, right? NO. Not at all. We went to different gas stations and to CVS. Nobody had maps. We went to a bookstore; it had maps of everywhere, but Petersburg and Colonial Heights. We decided to go to the government for help. Well, we had no idea where city hall was, so we went to the courthouse. The courthouse led to city hall where we finally got a map for Colonial Heights. All in time for lunch. Well, seeing as we had one-fourth of our area, we ventured into Petersburg to obtain a map. We went to the library, then to city hall. Petersburg's City Hall did not have a map. They told us to go to the visitor center for a map. We parked near it, not realizing we were near it, and wandered around for a while, trying to find visitor's center. Finally, we went up to someone and asked. We went to it, where we were able to obtain a map. The people were highly excited to see us; they, unfortunately, do not get many people, it seems. We tried seeing a few people afterwards, but nobody was home. We headed to the Petersburg Apartment to pick up something for somebody. I decided to rummage around, seeing what was in the apartment. And, lo, I found maps. And they cover all of our area. It was a bit of a frustrating find, albeit good.

Wednesday, we had district meeting. Our district consists of us and another set of missionaries. We tried a few people in Petersburg, but realized we needed something in Colonial Heights. We got that and worked in Colonial Heights for the time until dinner. We went to the church in hopes of a missionary coordination meeting, but there was not coordination meeting. Instead, we were enlisted to help with somebody's Eagle Court of Honor. 

Thursday, we had interviews. It was a bit funny. I had a nightmare where I had interviews with President and I got sent home for no reason. And I woke up that morning, it was my year mark and I realized I had interviews. So, it was an interesting nightmare to wake up from. I received my package that day. Thank you. It was fun and interesting. I loved the tie. Thank you. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a fun interview. And we had fun at a member's house. These are the members that love to feed us. I am grateful for that. I got to know them a bit. The husband also likes the show Sherlock. He told me the third season was awesome. He also likes Avatar as well. My companion has seen some episodes of Avatar, which I was thoroughly sad about, but also glad that he too knows and likes it. 

 This is my friend Denice from Lemoore. She is receiving training at the Mexico City Missionary Training Center. She will come back to the states to serve in the New Mexico Albuquerque Mission.  She is a convert herself. She knew me from High School. Her mother is also a recent convert. So why give up 18 months of your life to do this. We do it because of the pure love of Christ and His saving grace. We also know that this church is true because of our testimonies through the Holy Spirit.

Friday, we were not invited anywhere. So, we worked. We worked during the day, trying to find less actives. Partially successful. We ate dinner at home and worked on the ward roster, also known as Project 2. I am trying to sort out the people in our area to different quadrants to make it easier to know where people are when we are in that area, instead of guessing. When it came to night, we turned off the lights and we used the glowsticks. Sad enough, there were hardly any fireworks at all that night. Nor the next. Nor any time before and after.  The glowsticks are and were great. The blue one was a light to itself. In fact, it woke me up at midnight seeing as it was so bright. I chucked it out of our room and did not fall asleep until two.

Saturday, we did more work, trying to contact people. Then, we had to clean the church. We were assigned that day. After cleaning, we headed over to the Petersburg apartment to get a drink. We were both exhausted. Sunday, we had church. We tried seeing some people and then headed home to work on the roster. I, feeling a bit tired, took a nap, hence I had one of those nightmares that I had once in White Oak. After waking up from that, I began decorating the house with pictures from the Ensign. Then, we had dinner with the members that often feed us and our investigator who is being baptized (now on 25th). We had a great time. We taught lesson 5, which was a first for me and first time teaching a lesson with my current companion. With the help of the members, it went smoothly. We went over the baptismal interview questions.

It has been one crazy week. I am happy that we are going forward, trying to be organized in our actions. I am happy that we are involved with the ward. I am happy that we are making efforts. I know that the Lord is aware of our actions.

All is well! We will go forward and onward!

Love,

Elder S. Todd

Believe You Can Bring Change

June 23, 2014

Dear Parents, Mom and Dad/Dad and Mom,

I definitely expected the call from the former bishop (my parents received a call). I could not recall whether or not the current bishop of Powhatan was going to do something. But, I am glad that they did something and that you asked to be informed about our special investigator. 

 I am in the Appomattox Ward, which does indeed cover Petersburg, Colonial Heights, and other surrounding areas. The unfortunate thing is that we are confined to the two city limits, while the rest of the ward expands beyond that, due to the mileage limitations of 950. Yes, there are the poorer neighborhoods here. (I will not use the slang term, "ghettos," for Mrs. Salgado and for an avoidance of slang.) I know about my bike and other safety tips. Luckily, I am in a car. Speaking of safety tips, I am so excited. I get to train in the next district meeting about the section in the Missionary Handbook called "Physical and Temporal Well-Being." That includes my favorite subject of health and safety. I have plans on doing what I did for my Ted Bundy presentation and fake an injury.

My new address is (address withheld), Colonial Heights, VA 23834-1688. (There are two apartments and this is our mainstay.)  I got it off a box that was left in the apartment and it correlates with the apartment. I would not call this place a safe place to drop off packages. I have been wondering what to do for packages. I could (one) talk to the bishop or (two) have the UPS require a signature. The second option is what occurred in Powhatan. Whenever I had a package, they asked for a signature. But, that option can be rather difficult due to life as a missionary on the go.

I am now in this new area. Monday was filled with good byes. It is sad to leave an area and I actually felt like I was starting to get attached. A lot of things were happening and it felt like things were starting to build up. This is a cause of reflection for me. White Oak, I spent in six months. Prince William, three months, which is the same for Powhatan. I really do feel that I have helped build those areas. I put in my area a lot of effort and new ideas. I feel the Spirit confirms to me that is true. Things are now progressing in those areas. I heard in Prince William that one of our investigators actually came to church. Things were starting to happen when they otherwise seemed they would not. It is amazing to me that there is so much that has been going on since I left. I cannot imagine what will happen next.

Tuesday, we had breakfast with the bishop. It was the second to last goodbye (the last belonging to the driver). We get to transfers and I learn that I am going to Appomattox with Elder Avison and Elder Brown. Yes, to my own surprise, I am in a trio. Elder Brown is going home in a week from today (his schedule is off for he once was a Washington D.C. South missionary). It is hard being in trio. As much as I love my companions, one seems to dominate in taking charge and other tasks while the other follows and relies. Pretty much, I feel that I have to wait a week before putting in energy. Why? Well, this week was not the best, because not much happened. I have not a clue what is going on. Elder Brown is going home, so he is taking care a lot of things to prepare for his upcoming future. With that, we are pretty much stuck in helping him and also doing work. We cannot split up; we have to be in sight and sound of each other. Mind you, I am not complaining. There is a blessing in what may seem utter frustration. I am observing what is going on and coming up with ideas that can help this area. Not much is happening and the one that relies on others just goes and hopes that things work out. 

Elder Avison is a very dry humor person, who is very blunt. He puts it out there. My task for the transfers ahead with him are to smile. He does not smile and people often wonder what is wrong. Elder Brown is a humorous person as well. I cannot say much else, but he is planning to go into the Navy. 

Tuesday and Wednesday, Elder Brown went to the mission home to go to the temple. Meanwhile, I was Elder Avison and he introduced me to the area and some people. I got to see how he works. I find it important to find his strengths and utilize them. (The more I think about this, I feel like I am scheming, which makes me feel awful. But, I feel tested by the Lord and I am not trying to be full of pride. I am trying to figure out how to make this companionship go forward to help benefit the area.) Tuesday, I met a couple of members and a recent convert. Wednesday, I went to a less active and ended up meeting somebody else along with the person we were trying to see. That person, too, is a member. That member turned our visit into a game show, or so it felt. He asked me these different questions, such as "Who baptized John the Baptist," "What is the meaning of the seven stars and the seven golden candlesticks as spoken in Revelation," "What is the name of the woman at the well," etc. By attempting to answer his questions (I got the second question correct and I was the first of many to get it correct), it showed to the less active and this member that I love to learn. The member was happy that I smiled. We tried to see more people after that visit, had lunch, and saw another less active. It was quite fun to meet that less active, who is sick and cannot come due to illness. Racoons were chattering in his chimney. Dinner forgot about us and, because there was no food in the vacant (yet rented) apartment, all we ate was a spoonful of peanut butter. (Returning to the main apartment later, we ate dinner and, even later, realized there is actual food in the mainstay apartment.) We were going to have correlation, but the ward mission leader did not show up. He has not been showing up for quite a while, apparently. I have been warned about him, too. If he asks me where I am from, the correct answer would be God. If he asks me where I was born, the correct answer would be from my mother.

Thursday, I attended my first funeral on the mission. A member who had been sick had died before I arrived. We had other tasks that we needed to take care of afterward. 

Friday and Saturday, we took care of certain tasks that needed to be done. We tried to visit some people. One person, as we found out, was in the hospital and took an adventure to the hospital. We checked up on that person and made sure he was good. We gave him a blessing. 

Sunday, I was amazed. Imagine this: a sacrament meeting that is actually quiet. Usually, you have the occasional cries from kids. Not this time. It was quiet, though one kid ended up crying. You could actually hear the quiet and the person speaking. I paid no attention to it and then, the thought occurred, It is quiet here. It was perhaps the strangest thing. We again checked up on the person in the hospital. We checked up on a lady who is in a very bad situation. I hate doing nothing, but there is nothing that we can do. She recognizes that. Bless her heart.

Here I am, Monday. Energized, but tired. I am excited for the upcoming future. I have ideas, but I still have observations to make. I do plead for a letter soon. We are in a library- while, yes, nice- that does not like missionaries too much. There is a new library in Petersburg that requires a letter as proof of residence in this area. I sent a letter to Sean, because (one) I had to wish Sawyer a happy birthday for I was unable to get a card in time, (two) thank them for the picture of Reagan, (three) respond to their question, and (four) ask for a letter. I am going to have loads of fun in Appomattox.

All is well!

Love,

Elder S. Todd