March 6th, 2017:
Today was rushed. Lots to do. For P-day, I bought a
few things: a wok (for less than five dollars!), a few ties, and a very basic
nerf gun. Our P-day activity was a nerf war. It was pretty fun, although
I'll probably return the gun. And one of the ties. Not the wok,
though. :)
After P-day, we spent about an extra hour at home instead of
getting out the door to work. That's absolutely not okay. I know we'll do
better in the future, but right now I'm hoping to change soon.
March 7th, 2017:
We did service for all afternoon today! While it took
lots of time, it felt nice to look back and see all the work we had done.
It was helping a woman pack away her many china sets. On the one hand,
she was very particular about it, but on the other hand we could see she cared
a lot for them. Also, her health problems were such that near the end she
started wilting. That's the only way to describe it; she wilted akin to a
flower. It caused me to reflect on many things.
I've realized I really shouldn't have a nerf gun.
Elder Gudmundsen and I were talking about modifying the gun to shoot more
powerfully when I very clearly pictured Elder Leterneau when he said "What
are you doing?! We are representatives of Jesus Christ!" I'm
hoping I can return the nerf gun; I kept the original packaging for the sake of
what I guess was the Spirit telling me not get it.
A few side notes:
- We went on a run for morning exercise. It was a nice
change of pace from my normal morning workouts.
- Brother Wheeler has a seemingly endless supply of cookies
for us to give out to people, which helps motivate the inactive people that we
are trying to contact to not be too mad at us.
March 8th, 2017:
We worked a lot today! It felt great. We've been
going through a list of prospective elders for a while, aided by Brother
Wheeler's cookies. We've found a person who may come back to
church. However, tonight the only thing of note was one house where a man
started yelling. It wasn't loud, but it was very intense, almost like he
was about to come charging through the door at us. We left quickly.
While on my mission, I haven't had many unusual foods so
far. I've had a few dishes of note: taco soup, all sorts of non-lettuce salads,
hot pot, a giant pot of various meats, onions, and peppers (it’s a Hispanic
dish I can't remember the name of, beyond that it starts with "m"),
and sushi. Before my mission I didn't ever really think of what foods
that other cultures have that makes them different from how I was raised.
One big thing I've noticed is how Elder Gudmundsen and I
"click." We're not perfect, but I think I grew a lot from
working with Elder Bach and Elder Leterneau so I can work better with most
anyone. Part of it might be because we're both senior companions; I think
I've started trusting my companions more (not needed them to explain every
action to me). We can both just work and get it done.
We drove into Emigration Canyon for Elder Gudmundsen's first
time on his mission. He had fished there with his parents before he went
into the MTC. Up there, we met a man who had lived in Fairfax Virginia
(my home county), and Midvale, Michigan (Elder Gudmundsen's home town).
Small world.
March 9th, 2017:
We talked about obedience today. We reached a greater
mutual understanding through our discussion, mostly just talking and listening.
We got our car's oil changed today. The mechanics that
the mission works with run the car through a regular checkup any time we go, so
it took about an hour--8:30-9:30.
We had to push our studies back for that, so with weekly
planning taking the lion's share of the day we didn't get to anyone. But
we finished it, and we'll get faster by the end of the transfer.
Elder Gudmundsen and I are getting along well, so it looks
like this transfer will be smooth. Yay~
March 10th, 2017:
I had a really good study session today. The essence
of it was really understanding the priesthood as the sacred mantle it is.
A side note from it was opening my mouth and being bold.
We had a zone meeting today. For lunch beforehand, I
prepared a sushi roll and chocolate mango shake. They were pretty
good. The zone meeting was on goals and how to achieve better. It's
a hard skill to master--pushing your limits is always hard--but it's more than
worth it.
I got a care package from my dad! Among other things,
it had a package of Kodiak Power Cakes and walnuts. It was amazing--we
were going to get that on p-day but he beat us to it! Thank you, dad!
Soon after, we had a lesson with Rick and Dauri. We
had planned to be very direct with them, but we ended up being inviting.
It echoed our original plan in some ways, such as assuring Rick we wanted
baptism to be his choice, but it was a very different yet fitting mood.
Tonight, we visited a few more people in the Wasatch Hills
ward. One was probably anti-Mormon, but we u-turned
conversationally. Or, we just didn't get into it. But on his porch
were the LARGEST SET OF WIND CHIMES I have ever seen! He let me move it;
they sounded somewhat like a vibraphone's pentomic scale (try playing the black
notes on a piano). It was wonderful because I love large wind chimes and
we ended the conversation on a good note.
March 11th, 2017:
Someone went through our car again. The door was open;
many things were thrown on the floor. This time my sunglasses were stolen,
along with a few of the snacks in the side door. Last time, the
waterproof case to my umbrella was stolen. Just the case, not even the
umbrella. Fortuitously, I had my wallet inside and Elder Gudmundsen had
his Leatherman and flashlight inside. Nothing stolen was valuable, but it
was annoying. I'm particular to polarized, wrap-around, well-fitting
sunglasses. While the pair I had was cheap, I liked them. It's okay
though, I've found I don't really need sunglasses anyway--less things for me to
carry.
I'm happy--the weather is nice, the work is great--so that's
good!
I've met the most interesting people on my mission.
Or, I meet people in the most interesting fashion on a mission. We have a
unique relationship, especially in Utah; we go around seeking to help people as
spiritual ministers (or whatever way they may need help). We'll glean
knowledge of an area better in two weeks than most other people gain in two
years of residence.
~Later~
We were late getting in--we are required to get in by 9:30
if we're teaching a lesson, but we got in at 9:45--and we ended up debating an
interesting question: if we, due to our lack of skill (planning), have to
choose between two commandments (testifying of Christ or getting in on
time--because the lesson wasn't compact enough and we started late, we would
have cut the lesson abruptly to get in on time), is it still a sin? A
transgression? Obviously, we hope to do better in the future, but if it's
our best, is it wrong? As I pondered this, I remembered God gives us no
commandment save we have a way to fulfill it. This time, I had felt that
we should review our plan a few minutes before the lesson, but I decided to
keep practicing piano instead.
March 12th, 2017:
Daylight savings time was last night. Whew! That
was hard. Honestly, we ended up sleeping in. I don't think I’ve
ever slept through my alarm before. Same with Elder Gudmundsen. I accidentally
took two Concerta pills instead of one this morning. I had small panic
episode, called the mission nurse, and she assured me that there wouldn't be
any horrible side effects from it. Any side effects would be resolved by the
next day. I think that's the first time I ever took a double dose in my
life. I guess I wasn’t awake yet.
One lesson we went to at one of our multiple Sunday meetings
was on repentance. The teacher asked a very good question: "Who here
wants to feel better about anything? That's what the Atonement is for."
That helped me see how wide the Atonement covers. That's one thing I've
noticed on my mission; I've learned repentance is not a bad thing! It's
like a doctor for a sick person. This question was a great summary of
that principle.
We gave talks in the Palmer Court Ward today. I gave
mine on hope and, as I usually do, spoke from the heart, not a page. I
think it went well enough. I don't know why, but I speak the best when
giving a talk or training (or, on rare occasions, when I'm bearing testimony).
March 13th, 2017:
The no-p-day-Monday! We are going to the temple this
Thursday, so our p-day has been moved to Thursday. We had a normal day's
schedule, but after studies we had a weird hour where we didn't get much
done. We prepped for lunch by making food, used the bathroom, and... I
couldn't really tell you. However, it reinforced to me the importance of
taking initiative. I suspect we were both waiting for the other person to
do something.
We had our weekly meeting with the Paul’s, Brother Wheeler,
and the sisters today, as zone conference is tomorrow. However, Sister
Paul was not there. The sisters cited that for a reason to not come, but
Sister Cushman told us that the real reason was that, in their opinion, the
past two meetings had been such an ineffective use of their time that they didn't
want to come to this one. They said that they had nothing to report for
"the cookie list," which had dominated the past two meetings, so why
come? Well, as bound to happen, things didn't end well. Not fun,
but I recognized that it wasn't up to me to try mediating. Hopefully it
resolves soon.
Elder Gudmundsen and I talked--a LOT--but the most important
thing we sorted out was this: I probably don't get along with my companions
because I assume a black-and-white answer to every problem. Not every answer
is spelled out in the missionary handbook, so we have to sort it out as
companions. I thought there was a very well-set "right and
wrong" line that God wants us to find as companions, but Elder Gudmundsen
asserts that some issues let us choose where to draw our own personal lines and
still be in God's standards. Elder Gudmundsen believes that in those areas
where there is not a black and white written rule, we should consider what is
the right thing to do individually. There's no "correct" place to
draw the line between right and wrong. I'm thinking this over in my mind;
while I'm okay with compromising, I don't want to compromise my standards. To
me, it's all very complex.
Elder Paul took us out for lunch. It was a good time,
but we had to end abruptly because we had stayed out for over an hour, and we
were supposed to have used only 30 minutes. We stayed longer than we
should have to avoid any bad feelings with Elder Paul. It wasn't a great
situation. Doing the right can be hard.
For dinner, a family was planning to have us over on
Thursday--our unusual p-day. We forgot to get that information to the
ward's mission leader before everyone signed up, but the family had us pick up
food tonight instead. It was very nice of them; they both work difficult
schedules, but they still helped us out. I love the members.
They're so generous and kind in their aid.
By the way, small guilt trip/reminder to those reading back
home--have you done your home or visiting teaching this month yet? We try
to ask that at every dinner appointment we go to.
Elder Gudmundsen's knee was not its best tonight, despite
not proselyting in the afternoon, so we ended up staying in.
March 14th, 2017:
Happy pi-day! I forgot about it until someone wished
me a happy pi-day.
Zone conference was today. It was on the Atonement and
how we constantly improve using it. It really wasn't
something I grasped before my mission. The conference took us almost all
the way to dinner. After that, we visited a few people before heading over to
English class. We then finished off the night by helping a family move a
desk. We didn't get to too many people, but we still worked. We
have to start finding more people (we covered it in zone conference) so tomorrow
will be busy and hopefully fruitful.
Also, I got a package from Kirsten and Jason! I think
it was for my birthday. Regardless, thank you, Kirsten and Jason, for the
jaw breakers. Especially the one that may last until I get home.
March 15th, 2017:
I had a ton of energy this morning. No idea why.
Actually, I think it's because sometimes I get really motivated to go and talk
to people. I did about five short roleplays on contacting people in the
street because of it.
~Later~
We were doing weekly planning and things weren't going very
well. I was frustrated, sad, tired, etc. As I reflected about why I was
having these problems, I thought on my Aspberger's Syndrome. The phrase
came to me very strongly that "I wouldn't trade who I am for
anything." That is a powerful thought.
~Later~
We didn't get to many people today at all, as Elder
Gudmundsen's knees were out again. We ended up doing service with some of
the young men later in the day, though, but that wiped him out for the day.
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