Howdy, y'all!
What's up?
The big news of the week is that I'm getting released from the office. At the end of the transfer, I'll be going back into the field. I have some mixed feelings about that, but I've come to realize that whenever the Lord asks me to do something, it never turns out as bad as it seems. So I've been turning to getting excited to be truly back out there. It's like getting a mission call all over again.
My replacement is Elder Sosi. I met him on the second day of my mission and he's been serving in Abilene for many months. He has been in the Abilene zone for over a year! I would hate to get "stuck" in one place for so long, but he didn't seem to mind that much. He's already been in Lubbock for a few days and the training is underway.
To welcome him to the office, the Robisons took all of us to Smoothie King and got each of us a smoothie. That place is pretty good. We also drove around at the Texas Tech campus. His companion, Elder Tuttle, came with him to Lubbock and he's just going to serve with Elders Craven and Pitts until the end of the transfer. Their old area is temporarily split between the other Abilene missionaries. (There's only four in the whole city now!)
On Monday, I got to meet my Missionary Granddad! There were a couple of RMs touring the mission and visiting people. One of them was Elder Webb, who trained Elder Jenkins, my trainer! He told us of some things that happened on his mission and afterwards, too. The other was Elder Grider, who was actually one of Elder Northey's old companions, so it was a cool day for all of us. Elder Webb's a big guy, Elder Jenkins was a little smaller than him and I'm smaller than both of them - I highly doubt this trend will continue, though (if there's anything to continue). We also went to the Lubbock 4th ward's Memorial Day picnic. There was a great turn out and the weather was perfect. ... and we had burgers.
Oh, and this Sunday, I'm giving another talk. At the picnic, Bishop McCauley and Brother Sybrowsky came up to ask if I could speak. During the 5th Sunday third-hour lesson, the assistants are coming over to introduce to the ward the "Family Mission Plan", which is actually very exciting - it has great potential to accomplish a lot. So they want the speakers during sacrament meeting to set it up and get everyone excited about doing missionary work. With about 300 active members, I would have thought that I would not get the chance again to speak, but here I go - and just before I leave, too. (Incidentally, both the bishop and Brother Sybrowsky were absent when I spoke the first time around. And, sadly (or "fortunately"), President and Sister Robison will be out of town in another ward.)
On Tuesday, we took Elders Blackmer and Olsen to the airport. Elder Blackmer is from Alberta and his visa was going to expire about a week early; so he just decided to go home rather than go through all the trouble to even find the possibility of getting a week's extention. Elder Olsen had a job opportunity back home that would not be available if he waited, so they both went home (only about four weeks before they were supposed to). It was tough to see them go; it seems like this is every time. I can only imagine what it's like for the Robisons.
On Wednesday, Elder Newman's back was really hurting. So we went over to their place and Elder Sosi gave him a deep tissue massage. He used oil and everything. He's pretty talented.
On Thursday, we went to the mission home and I re-imaged the computer (backed up files, wiped everything and reinstalled the programs) there. We also went to the old apartment, cleaned the place up and did the final inspection. I'm going to miss that place.
On Friday, we had interviews. In mine, President Robison and I mostly talked about getting back into the field. We also helped the Petersons move. They got a big U-Haul and we loaded it up. Then they gave us pizza.
Maybe that's one thing I'm going to miss about the office. I don't remember this many different and crazy things happening in just one week before coming to Lubbock. I don't know.
Anyways, I'm sending some pictures; let me know if you didn't get them.
There's something I get to do often, but I still don't do often enough, and that's bear my testimony. I know that the Church is true. Only here do we have God's official messenger and Christ's true and complete gospel.If it's not here, it's not anywhere. That gospel is not just a message, it's the power of God unto salvation. Isn't that amazing? Power - the difference between night and day; between ignorance and joy; between eternal stagnation and chaos and exaltation. The power to change yourself and get rid of anything unwanted about yourself is in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I love you! Have a good week!
-Elder Brandon Wong
Something I wish I knew before my mission: that no matter what the outlook, things never turn out so bad.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009 - The Rich Life
Hello!
How are things going?
It's been a good week here. Elder Northey baked for the first time in his life and made a cake. Elder Newman made it for Sister Robison on Mothers' day and we got to try some, so we had him show us how it was made. We gave some to investigators, some to the Sisters (because Sister Bingham was going home and Sister Jarrett is always making snacks for us), some to the Hansens, some to Elders Newman and Tripp, and still had enough to eat more than we should have and the rest to go bad in the fridge.
Also, we got to meet all five of the Robison kids. They were here for the weekend and we got to see them at church. President and Sister Robison called it a "day off", but they've never had so little sleep their whole mission. They were running around doing everything.
We also met a really crazy lady at a nursing home. We've been visiting a member there who's been sick for a while. His roommate has a girlfriend that was paranoid to death of demons and being possessed, etc. I guess it didn't help that she was wearing a shirt with a demonic pattern on it, or that she had black piercings up and down. So we taught her about prayer and how we have more power than Satan, and so on. It was more for fun and to satisfy her than anything else. I thought it was funny.
In other news, I've really begun to appreciate soups sold in microwaveable bowls. Several companies, including Chunky, have these bowls that you just pull off the metal top and it goes right into the microwave. It's really cool.
On Tuesday, we were at the Sybrowskys' having a delicious homemade spaghetti meal and Brother Sybrowsky asked if we could help move a family after dinner. So we went with him and the other Elders to the new house to unload. It is a big house. Absolutely gi-normous. There's a built-in aquarium in the front lobby, a library, a crafts room, a secret food storage, a sun room attached to the master bedroom, and (get this) a full-sized regulation racquetball court connected in the back. (Didn't I say I wanted one in my dream house? I've never actually seen it done.)
They had P.O.D.S. (Portable On-Demand Storage units that you rent) out in the front and, needless to say, it took a while to unload all their boxes and furniture.
The other day, as we were at the mission home fixing their computer, the zone leaders were bringing someone who's getting baptized over for dinner, and so the Robisons invited us to stay too. They made steak on the grill. It was good.
On the way to the bank to make a deposit, I had over $1000 in my hands. That's a weird feeling. Big houses, steak, large deposits... I guess that's a theme for this week - just... lots of money.
Anyways, I'm off. That's my life this week.
I love you!
-Elder Brandon Wong
Something I wish I knew before my mission: how to better expect the unexpected.
How are things going?
It's been a good week here. Elder Northey baked for the first time in his life and made a cake. Elder Newman made it for Sister Robison on Mothers' day and we got to try some, so we had him show us how it was made. We gave some to investigators, some to the Sisters (because Sister Bingham was going home and Sister Jarrett is always making snacks for us), some to the Hansens, some to Elders Newman and Tripp, and still had enough to eat more than we should have and the rest to go bad in the fridge.
Also, we got to meet all five of the Robison kids. They were here for the weekend and we got to see them at church. President and Sister Robison called it a "day off", but they've never had so little sleep their whole mission. They were running around doing everything.
We also met a really crazy lady at a nursing home. We've been visiting a member there who's been sick for a while. His roommate has a girlfriend that was paranoid to death of demons and being possessed, etc. I guess it didn't help that she was wearing a shirt with a demonic pattern on it, or that she had black piercings up and down. So we taught her about prayer and how we have more power than Satan, and so on. It was more for fun and to satisfy her than anything else. I thought it was funny.
In other news, I've really begun to appreciate soups sold in microwaveable bowls. Several companies, including Chunky, have these bowls that you just pull off the metal top and it goes right into the microwave. It's really cool.
On Tuesday, we were at the Sybrowskys' having a delicious homemade spaghetti meal and Brother Sybrowsky asked if we could help move a family after dinner. So we went with him and the other Elders to the new house to unload. It is a big house. Absolutely gi-normous. There's a built-in aquarium in the front lobby, a library, a crafts room, a secret food storage, a sun room attached to the master bedroom, and (get this) a full-sized regulation racquetball court connected in the back. (Didn't I say I wanted one in my dream house? I've never actually seen it done.)
They had P.O.D.S. (Portable On-Demand Storage units that you rent) out in the front and, needless to say, it took a while to unload all their boxes and furniture.
The other day, as we were at the mission home fixing their computer, the zone leaders were bringing someone who's getting baptized over for dinner, and so the Robisons invited us to stay too. They made steak on the grill. It was good.
On the way to the bank to make a deposit, I had over $1000 in my hands. That's a weird feeling. Big houses, steak, large deposits... I guess that's a theme for this week - just... lots of money.
Anyways, I'm off. That's my life this week.
I love you!
-Elder Brandon Wong
Something I wish I knew before my mission: how to better expect the unexpected.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009 - The Usual Unusual
Hey,
It was great to hear from you on Sunday! Even if it was only an hour. I got the pictures you sent, and I saw that you pulled out that stupid Harry Potter toy again...
But I also didn't have time to write last time, so now I'm a week behind.
Which reminds me, I've lost my journal-writing habit. The last day in my journal I think is January 4th. I've still been writing down what happens every day, including what I ate and how many steps I took, but it's all in my planner, or on different bits of paper, which is kinda sad. Hopefully, I'll be able to catch up one day.
But anyways, we had transfers. It was fun as usual. This time though, we had an incoming group of nine - my largest one yet. When Elder Hewitt was first made the mission secretary, his first group was twelve - my group. I'm not quite there yet and I'm not sure I ever will be, but we are getting more big groups. The next one is supposed to be eight, and after that, ten. Also, President commented that that group (the one coming in July) will be the first group where the missionaries will go home after they (the Robisons) will go home. That's a weird thought. It also means that President and Sister Robison have almost been out a year.
Speaking of the Robisons, right now, and for the rest of the weekend, the whole family is here! All five kids (no grandkids, though) are in Lubbock. One of the sons is living in Africa, helping kids with AIDS, came to visit. So he called the rest of the family and told them to come too. So they're all in town. They went to stock up on diapers and other American commodities, they went golfing, out to eat, more golfing... It's funny; even when they "take a day off", they're still super-busy. I told President not to wait another year before having another P-day.
On Wednesday, Elder Northey and I were really hungry because we (as usual) were late in having lunch. So we stopped at a fast food place called Taco Villa. As we were walking in, someone who was walking out saw us and said "hey Elders". Turns out he was a member from a different ward. We spoke for a moment (and he was surprised that missionaries had a pick-up truck), then walked inside. While we were looking at the menu, a lady walks up to us and gives us each a five. Turns out she was a member too (ironically, of the same ward as that other guy). Not only did she pay for our lunch, she gave us each a chocolate bar before walking off. We were really touched by that. We thought something like that only happens in Utah.
Also, the other day we were speaking with Brother Peterson, who is the one who runs all the Quick Quack car washes in West Texas. He told us of his mission and about the technical details about car washes. It's a lot more complex than meets the eye. But he also told us of his love for pure cane sugar Coca-Cola. So Elder Northey decided we should get him some to thank him for the car wash passes, etc. (They're only sold as imported from the Mexican supermarket.) He really loved it.
On Saturday, the Sisters in Snyder put on a mini-EFY for the youth in their branch. They asked us and the assistants to help out. So we went out there to present a workshop. Ours was "the whole armour of God". Elder Northey made one out of cardboard and aluminum foil. There was a good turnout, too. For a tiny branch as Snyder is, there were quite a few people. They really put a lot of work into it and did a good job.
At Chief's house, Elder Northey and I had the whole place to ourselves for a while since Elders Rasmussen and Philpot moved out. After a week, though, we now have Elder Craven and his greenie, Elder Pitts. Elder Pitts is from Nevada and very big. He also doesn't act as "green" as most new missionaries. In any case, things are back to normal in the basement. Well, as normal as normal is. (Which reminds me, did I tell you that the rat problem in the ceiling is pretty much gone now?)
On Sunday, we got to deliver the Mothers' Day scrapbook to Sister Robison. Elder Sosi (in Abilene) had the idea of getting everyone to make a special scrapbook page with their own picture(s), their testimony and a short message thanking her for being their missionary mother. A lot of missionaries made one and mailed it in. I was surprised at how many submitted something. Sister Hansen put it all together in page protectors in a binder. On Sunday afternoon, we went over to the Hansens' and Sister Hansen was just finishing her own page off, we wrapped it up and went to the mission home. Sister Robison loved it so much, she cried. She read every page by the next day. Anyone who was late but still wanted to give something are planning to bring it to zone conference (or already did).
The weather has been its usual unusual. It's been really hot most of the week; now it's humid and getting ready to rain.
I would also like to take this opportunity to once again express my love for vanilla soft serve ice cream. There's nothing better (ice cream wise).
Also, we got new cars! Actually, we got two and neither are cars. The first was the new Colorado. We went to the dealership to get the new license plates for the new Silverado. The rep said that our new Colorado was ready that afternoon, so we went and drove home with it. ...and, it's maroon. We were both weirded out by that. I never expected to see a maroon mission vehicle.
About an hour later, we went to pick up the new passenger van at the Ford dealership. We got about six miles away from it before it overheated. They sent a mechanic to look at it and the tank of coolant was empty. He topped it off and we got another mile before it was gone again. So we had it towed back to the dealership. The next day they found that it was a faulty temperature sensor, causing it to use up all the coolant. It's fine now. We had to walk home, but we needed the exercise (and it wasn't far).
Speaking of vehicles, Elder Northey just got a new DVD in the mail from the Church. It's the new vehicle safety training video. We just watched a bit of it and they're really modernized. They're still kinda cheesy (I don't think any training video can't be), but nowhere near that of ten years ago. The AV department went all out on these. There's live action scenes, demonstrations, even jokes. It'll keep missionaries paying attention and from falling asleep, that's for sure.
Lastly, I finished memorizing 2 Nephi 2. The whole while, I've learnt a lot. That chapter is a treasure trove of knowledge about the Plan of Salvation. Now I'm looking for the next thing to work on.
Anyways, hope y'all will have a great week!
I love you!
-Elder Brandon Wong
Something I wish I knew before my mission: that memorizing scriptures is actually fun! Who invented TV, anyway?
It was great to hear from you on Sunday! Even if it was only an hour. I got the pictures you sent, and I saw that you pulled out that stupid Harry Potter toy again...
But I also didn't have time to write last time, so now I'm a week behind.
Which reminds me, I've lost my journal-writing habit. The last day in my journal I think is January 4th. I've still been writing down what happens every day, including what I ate and how many steps I took, but it's all in my planner, or on different bits of paper, which is kinda sad. Hopefully, I'll be able to catch up one day.
But anyways, we had transfers. It was fun as usual. This time though, we had an incoming group of nine - my largest one yet. When Elder Hewitt was first made the mission secretary, his first group was twelve - my group. I'm not quite there yet and I'm not sure I ever will be, but we are getting more big groups. The next one is supposed to be eight, and after that, ten. Also, President commented that that group (the one coming in July) will be the first group where the missionaries will go home after they (the Robisons) will go home. That's a weird thought. It also means that President and Sister Robison have almost been out a year.
Speaking of the Robisons, right now, and for the rest of the weekend, the whole family is here! All five kids (no grandkids, though) are in Lubbock. One of the sons is living in Africa, helping kids with AIDS, came to visit. So he called the rest of the family and told them to come too. So they're all in town. They went to stock up on diapers and other American commodities, they went golfing, out to eat, more golfing... It's funny; even when they "take a day off", they're still super-busy. I told President not to wait another year before having another P-day.
On Wednesday, Elder Northey and I were really hungry because we (as usual) were late in having lunch. So we stopped at a fast food place called Taco Villa. As we were walking in, someone who was walking out saw us and said "hey Elders". Turns out he was a member from a different ward. We spoke for a moment (and he was surprised that missionaries had a pick-up truck), then walked inside. While we were looking at the menu, a lady walks up to us and gives us each a five. Turns out she was a member too (ironically, of the same ward as that other guy). Not only did she pay for our lunch, she gave us each a chocolate bar before walking off. We were really touched by that. We thought something like that only happens in Utah.
Also, the other day we were speaking with Brother Peterson, who is the one who runs all the Quick Quack car washes in West Texas. He told us of his mission and about the technical details about car washes. It's a lot more complex than meets the eye. But he also told us of his love for pure cane sugar Coca-Cola. So Elder Northey decided we should get him some to thank him for the car wash passes, etc. (They're only sold as imported from the Mexican supermarket.) He really loved it.
On Saturday, the Sisters in Snyder put on a mini-EFY for the youth in their branch. They asked us and the assistants to help out. So we went out there to present a workshop. Ours was "the whole armour of God". Elder Northey made one out of cardboard and aluminum foil. There was a good turnout, too. For a tiny branch as Snyder is, there were quite a few people. They really put a lot of work into it and did a good job.
At Chief's house, Elder Northey and I had the whole place to ourselves for a while since Elders Rasmussen and Philpot moved out. After a week, though, we now have Elder Craven and his greenie, Elder Pitts. Elder Pitts is from Nevada and very big. He also doesn't act as "green" as most new missionaries. In any case, things are back to normal in the basement. Well, as normal as normal is. (Which reminds me, did I tell you that the rat problem in the ceiling is pretty much gone now?)
On Sunday, we got to deliver the Mothers' Day scrapbook to Sister Robison. Elder Sosi (in Abilene) had the idea of getting everyone to make a special scrapbook page with their own picture(s), their testimony and a short message thanking her for being their missionary mother. A lot of missionaries made one and mailed it in. I was surprised at how many submitted something. Sister Hansen put it all together in page protectors in a binder. On Sunday afternoon, we went over to the Hansens' and Sister Hansen was just finishing her own page off, we wrapped it up and went to the mission home. Sister Robison loved it so much, she cried. She read every page by the next day. Anyone who was late but still wanted to give something are planning to bring it to zone conference (or already did).
The weather has been its usual unusual. It's been really hot most of the week; now it's humid and getting ready to rain.
I would also like to take this opportunity to once again express my love for vanilla soft serve ice cream. There's nothing better (ice cream wise).
Also, we got new cars! Actually, we got two and neither are cars. The first was the new Colorado. We went to the dealership to get the new license plates for the new Silverado. The rep said that our new Colorado was ready that afternoon, so we went and drove home with it. ...and, it's maroon. We were both weirded out by that. I never expected to see a maroon mission vehicle.
About an hour later, we went to pick up the new passenger van at the Ford dealership. We got about six miles away from it before it overheated. They sent a mechanic to look at it and the tank of coolant was empty. He topped it off and we got another mile before it was gone again. So we had it towed back to the dealership. The next day they found that it was a faulty temperature sensor, causing it to use up all the coolant. It's fine now. We had to walk home, but we needed the exercise (and it wasn't far).
Speaking of vehicles, Elder Northey just got a new DVD in the mail from the Church. It's the new vehicle safety training video. We just watched a bit of it and they're really modernized. They're still kinda cheesy (I don't think any training video can't be), but nowhere near that of ten years ago. The AV department went all out on these. There's live action scenes, demonstrations, even jokes. It'll keep missionaries paying attention and from falling asleep, that's for sure.
Lastly, I finished memorizing 2 Nephi 2. The whole while, I've learnt a lot. That chapter is a treasure trove of knowledge about the Plan of Salvation. Now I'm looking for the next thing to work on.
Anyways, hope y'all will have a great week!
I love you!
-Elder Brandon Wong
Something I wish I knew before my mission: that memorizing scriptures is actually fun! Who invented TV, anyway?
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Saturday, May 2, 2009 - It only has 11 miles on it!
Hello!
How has your week been? Is the school year almost over? Is it hot?
It's been typical Texas - up and down. The other day, it was really hot - almost 100 degrees. That same evening, it got pretty chilly and the next day, it looked like it was going to rain. It looks like that again today.
Too bad it wasn't like that on Wednesday and Thursday. We closed our final apartment for the transfer. Not a moment too soon, right? Just in time for the next. (Fortunately, I don't think there will be that many this transfer.) Anyways, we went there (it was here in Lubbock) on Wednesday afternoon and didn't leave until late at night. The next day, we went early and didn't finish until the apartment inspection at 2:00. And the whole time, the air conditioning didn't work. That place was nasty. When I tried to pull out the vegetable crisper tray in the fridge, it was stuck because of some gooey stuff spilt in the back. There were shoe scuff marks on the wall five feet above the floor. Elder Northey wouldn't have used that bathtub if it meant his salvation. All in all, we've had that apartment a long time, no one does the regular cleaning that they should and it all builds up. Life lesson, check.
And a bit of good news: there's a family that we've been visiting that hasn't been going to church for a while, but now they just got their temple recommends! For one reason or another, they stopped coming regularly and even when invited all week and Sunday morning, they still don't come. Then, Bishop McCauley invited them at a Wednesday mutual activity and they've been coming every week since. What the difference is, I don't know, but that was several months ago (not long after I got to Lubbock) and they haven't missed a week. Now they're preparing to return to the temple. Hopefully, we'll be able to go with them. Right now, they're just worried their white clothes don't fit anymore.
Several months ago, I got my hands on a collection of over 3000 pictures of temples around the world. After looking through them, I've had an unmatched interest and enthusiasm about temples. I'm really glad that I'm in Lubbock, so that I'm able to go. The temple is literally the university of God, the airlock into heaven, the gate of the celestial kingdom. If you can go, you need to go. Learn everything you can from it.
It seems like there's always a little kid upstairs in the Mortensens' home, but one of their kids has just moved in this week and so now, there really is a grandchild or two around the place. We helped unload their cow trailer (which they used for the move) and bring in all of the kids' toys (only one of them is old enough to have toys at this point). All I can say is, *I* never had that many toys. With everything Nathan and I had over 20 years, it still wouldn't add up to all the stuff that filled the playroom. I'm actually glad about that. All I need now is just a computer. ;)
We also visited Brother Peterson, in our ward. he and his father-in-law run the Quick Quack car washes in Lubbock and Amarillo. He hooked all the missionaries in those cities with unlimited passes, which let you go as many times as you want. He is always so busy. The evening that we visited, he was on a laptop and was checking emails the whole time we were chatting. Recently, one of the locations' managers quit or something, so he now has two jobs.
Speaking of really busy people, President Robison did transfers this week. On Wednesday, he and the assistants went to the temple. It doesn't seem to be as crazy as last transfer, but there's a few changes. We also have nine new missionaries coming out. A slight increase from the four of the last group. I took a picture of the updated transfer board so I can update the computer. Transfer time is always exciting.
My shopping list for today is longer than ever before; I hope I'll have enough food for the week. It seems like we never get the chance to properly do shopping. I haven't had water in several weeks - I've been siphoning off other sources.
President gave me a letter from the Church headquarters on preventing the spread of the swine flu, which he asked me to send to all the missionaries. They're taking it seriously. The letter is mostly about proper hygiene and not panicking about global pandemic. It's sad how terrible diseases can spread so far and so fast, and mostly because people don't wash their hands or stay home from work.
We're also getting new vehicles in the mission. It's been promised to us since before Christmas, but this time is seems to be real. We've been asked to pick up the first one (a truck) today. Soon, we *should* be getting more cars and a van, too. Too bad I can't drive and help Elder Northey pick them up from the dealership. Also, for each car we get, we have to retire an old one.
-----
Okay, speaking of which, just as I wrote that last paragraph, President pulled up and we left to go get that truck. We now have a brand new Chevy Silverado. It's a silver one and it's going to replace our old green one (our mission only gets one). Pretty soon, we're going to get seven more (I think) cars.
Anyways, there's never a dull moment in the TLM. Especially in the office.
The Church is true! Especially in the temple.
...
...and especially in a new pick-up truck.
I love you!
-Elder Brandon Wong
Something I wish I knew before my mission: how to buy enough food to last a week.
How has your week been? Is the school year almost over? Is it hot?
It's been typical Texas - up and down. The other day, it was really hot - almost 100 degrees. That same evening, it got pretty chilly and the next day, it looked like it was going to rain. It looks like that again today.
Too bad it wasn't like that on Wednesday and Thursday. We closed our final apartment for the transfer. Not a moment too soon, right? Just in time for the next. (Fortunately, I don't think there will be that many this transfer.) Anyways, we went there (it was here in Lubbock) on Wednesday afternoon and didn't leave until late at night. The next day, we went early and didn't finish until the apartment inspection at 2:00. And the whole time, the air conditioning didn't work. That place was nasty. When I tried to pull out the vegetable crisper tray in the fridge, it was stuck because of some gooey stuff spilt in the back. There were shoe scuff marks on the wall five feet above the floor. Elder Northey wouldn't have used that bathtub if it meant his salvation. All in all, we've had that apartment a long time, no one does the regular cleaning that they should and it all builds up. Life lesson, check.
And a bit of good news: there's a family that we've been visiting that hasn't been going to church for a while, but now they just got their temple recommends! For one reason or another, they stopped coming regularly and even when invited all week and Sunday morning, they still don't come. Then, Bishop McCauley invited them at a Wednesday mutual activity and they've been coming every week since. What the difference is, I don't know, but that was several months ago (not long after I got to Lubbock) and they haven't missed a week. Now they're preparing to return to the temple. Hopefully, we'll be able to go with them. Right now, they're just worried their white clothes don't fit anymore.
Several months ago, I got my hands on a collection of over 3000 pictures of temples around the world. After looking through them, I've had an unmatched interest and enthusiasm about temples. I'm really glad that I'm in Lubbock, so that I'm able to go. The temple is literally the university of God, the airlock into heaven, the gate of the celestial kingdom. If you can go, you need to go. Learn everything you can from it.
It seems like there's always a little kid upstairs in the Mortensens' home, but one of their kids has just moved in this week and so now, there really is a grandchild or two around the place. We helped unload their cow trailer (which they used for the move) and bring in all of the kids' toys (only one of them is old enough to have toys at this point). All I can say is, *I* never had that many toys. With everything Nathan and I had over 20 years, it still wouldn't add up to all the stuff that filled the playroom. I'm actually glad about that. All I need now is just a computer. ;)
We also visited Brother Peterson, in our ward. he and his father-in-law run the Quick Quack car washes in Lubbock and Amarillo. He hooked all the missionaries in those cities with unlimited passes, which let you go as many times as you want. He is always so busy. The evening that we visited, he was on a laptop and was checking emails the whole time we were chatting. Recently, one of the locations' managers quit or something, so he now has two jobs.
Speaking of really busy people, President Robison did transfers this week. On Wednesday, he and the assistants went to the temple. It doesn't seem to be as crazy as last transfer, but there's a few changes. We also have nine new missionaries coming out. A slight increase from the four of the last group. I took a picture of the updated transfer board so I can update the computer. Transfer time is always exciting.
My shopping list for today is longer than ever before; I hope I'll have enough food for the week. It seems like we never get the chance to properly do shopping. I haven't had water in several weeks - I've been siphoning off other sources.
President gave me a letter from the Church headquarters on preventing the spread of the swine flu, which he asked me to send to all the missionaries. They're taking it seriously. The letter is mostly about proper hygiene and not panicking about global pandemic. It's sad how terrible diseases can spread so far and so fast, and mostly because people don't wash their hands or stay home from work.
We're also getting new vehicles in the mission. It's been promised to us since before Christmas, but this time is seems to be real. We've been asked to pick up the first one (a truck) today. Soon, we *should* be getting more cars and a van, too. Too bad I can't drive and help Elder Northey pick them up from the dealership. Also, for each car we get, we have to retire an old one.
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Okay, speaking of which, just as I wrote that last paragraph, President pulled up and we left to go get that truck. We now have a brand new Chevy Silverado. It's a silver one and it's going to replace our old green one (our mission only gets one). Pretty soon, we're going to get seven more (I think) cars.
Anyways, there's never a dull moment in the TLM. Especially in the office.
The Church is true! Especially in the temple.
...
...and especially in a new pick-up truck.
I love you!
-Elder Brandon Wong
Something I wish I knew before my mission: how to buy enough food to last a week.
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