Elder Wong's first week in Texas

Hey everyone,

It's my first p-day (they're on Mondays), and I'm sitting in the Brownwood public library
(Editor's Note: P-Day is short for Preparation Day when they have time to do personal things like shopping for food and things, do the apartment cleaning chores, write letters, etc.)

Last week, we got up at 4:15 in the morning to get ready and we flew out at around 8 or 9 in the morning. We (the six in our district) travelled with six other missionaries going to the same place and mission - three in English, three in Spanish. There were two flights totalling about 4-5 hours in the air. it wasn't too bad, but I still felt awful the whole time

We were greeted at the airport by President and Sister Rose. We went to their home and were interviewed and took pictures, etc. He and the other office elders gave us orientation and other information and rules. We also went to get a bike. All the second-hand ones were taken, so I got a new one

I've been assigned to the Brownwood area. It's a tiny town (pop. 20 000) about three hours from Lubbock deep in the heart of Texas. The area also covers two other small towns.

The transfer bus goes up and down Texas bringing missionaries back and forth, and with all the stops it took around 6-8 hours to get here.

My first companion is Elder Jenkins. He's from St-George, Utah, and he's been out here for nearly 20 months.

We have an apartment in Brownwood (and it's across the street from another church) the address is:

Elder Wong
1300 - 13th Street, #221
Southmore Terrace
Brownwood TX 76801

My very first lesson was taught to a man named Daniel, who turned out to be the Preacher for the 4th street Church of Christ. He quoted the New Testament left and right off the top of his head, and didn't quite believe in receiving answers to prayers, but has agreed to read from the Book of Mormon.

We get a limited number of miles on our car, but we're nowhere near that, so far we haven't gone on the bikes. Next month, though, we have zone conference in another city, so we'll have to use miles for that.

Our studies are almost completely focused on the Book of Mormon and the New Testament (in order to suit the needs of the people here) - there's pretty much a church on every city block.

This past Sunday, we went to the Comanche branch for church. we live in the Brownwood branch, but we cover three units, and try to go to the others when we can. including us two, there were nine people in the building (a converted dentist's office). It was raining, so that might have kept some from coming (there's usually 10-15). We gave the talks in sacrament meeting - I actually managed to fill the last 35 minutes with very little preparation!

Even without having gone to the Brownwood branch yet, I was still able to see a lot of the 30+ members. Especially Alma, the "missionary mother", she's very friendly and even does our laundry for us!

The Church is true!

I love you all!

-Elder Brandon Wong