Saturday, December 13, 2008

Hello!
How's it going?

I've been very busy this week.
First of all, preparation day for the office elders is on Saturday, not Monday.

It all started on Friday night around midnight, when a dark truck pulled in, two men in black suits came up, grabbed all my stuff, threw me into the truck, and drove off... to Lubbock. I actually got here around 2:30 AM. I stayed with the APs for the rest of the night before going to meet up with Elder Hewitt and Elder Johnson.

Elder Hewitt was here in part because of a medical condition that doesn't let him walk for as long periods of time. So he was here for almost ten and a half months. If he didn't go home, he may very well have stayed here the rest of his mission, according to him. I don't have anything like that, but the secretary is usually in for a long period of time - possibly as much as six months. Incidentally, the secretary before him (who was here before my mission) also had a medical problem that only let him work for a certain period of time.

I'm not sure how much of an "honour" it is to work here, especially since it means I do less actual missionary work, but I'm sure going to enjoy it while I'm here. This mission also used to have senior couples working in the office, and President Robison wants that to happen again, but apparently there has lately been a worldwide shortage of couples that sign up for missions.

Working here is really cool, though. The APs dropped me off at the apartment, and I asked where the office was. Elder Hewitt pointed out the window. It's pretty much in walking distance. but, since we have a "special" office car, we drive there everyday anyway. Also, any mail or package people want to send to us, they can just send it to the office, and we'll get it here. Also, if anyone wants to go to the temple, I'm the one that calls to reserve the spot.

In the past, President Rose's policy was that missionaries serve the living, not the dead. so we could only go once every six months, and only if you live within two hours of Lubbock. Also, when you go, that day becomes your P-day. The exception is when a newly baptised member is going, and wants their missionaries to go with them. then you can go anytime, as often as it happens. President Robison probably has it the same, but I'm going to ask.

In the meantime, I have a hole to get out of. The last few weeks were pretty hectic, and Elder Hewitt said he's been a little behind. Not only that, he's pretty messy. He was also so good at his job, that he could leave a mess, and still get everything done on time. I'm not quite like that, especially if it's not my mess. Once I get caught up, though, I don't think I'll have that much of a problem.

Other than that, it's been pretty nice here. Lubbock 4th ward is very nice, and we've been fed everyday so far, just like in Midland. I'm really being spoiled so far on my mission. I also got to see the First Presidency's Christmas broadcast. And, on Thursday, we had a Christmas super zone conference here in Lubbock. The Lubbock, Amarillo, and Roswell zones were there. We had a great time. And, next week, I get to travel with the gang down to the other Christmas zone conference with Abilene and Odessa! I really get to meet a lot of missionaries (pretty much everyone in the mission, including all the new ones coming in), and learn how the mission works behind the scenes.

About the MP3 players, I think it's a new rule the world over that they're not allowed, so that's including here. CD players are allowed, though. Also, the rule about getting money is only about getting a regular (monthly) income of money. Just like most adults don't get a regular income other than their job, missionaries shouldn't either. But gifts, especially on special occasions, are fine.

Anyways, I hope things are going well. I have a lot of things I need to do. I should be sending over some more pictures.

Take care

I love you

-Elder Brandon Wong

Something I wish I knew before my mission: how to manage time well (try Preach My Gospel chap. 8).