Hello!
How are things?
Minus 18 degrees sounds fun, but not as cold as usual... what's up with that?
It's been crazy here as usual.
Elder Northey has been out of town for a couple days this week, travelling with President and the assistants to zone conferences. He's been instructing everyone on bike racks - what they are, how to install them, the need to use them, etc, etc. Meanwhile, I've been here in the office, catching up on work. Elder King, one of the new missionaries (not to be confused with the other Elder King, the half-Japanese, Spanish-speaking, much older (mission-wise) missionary - there are a lot of name-twins in the mission), has been hanging around the office so that I would still have a companion. Looking back, I should have given him something to do, since all he had was to put his bike together and study. The next day, he didn't need to come, since I went with Elders Johnson and Rasmussen out teaching. We taught one of our investigators, who accepted the commitment to be baptized! I am really excited about that. She understands everything we teach, and even though she's busy, she reads the Book of Mormon on her own.
Speaking of which, I recently heard from other missionaries that two people I was helping to teach down in Midland and in San Angelo have both been baptized in the last week of 2008! Two people that wanted to be baptized, but weren't planning to in the near future, very suddenly, choose to - in the same week of each other! And to think that I could've gone a long time without finding out - possibly my whole life. This also goes for any of our efforts - none of them are wasted. We're told that the average convert has about seven contacts with the church (through friends, coworkers, etc.) before joining. Be one of those seven.
Next week, since I won't have as much to do, I should be able to go with Elder Northey to the zone conferences down south. It should be fun.
The Church is true. I know it. You can know it too.
I love you!
-Elder Brandon Wong
Something I wish I knew before my mission: how to ride a bike more
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Hi!
How's it going?
Things are going great here. Temperature's going up and down, as usual.
On my nine-month mark, I got to go to the temple! It was a great way to start off the new year.
The outside [of the temple] is just like Montreal's, only reversed. The inside, though, is actually rather different. All the zone leaders, the APs, and President and Sister Robison were there. I loved every minute.
We also had transfers, too. We got to instruct and hang out with the greenies before they headed off to wherever they're serving. this transfer, they're having eight of the ten zone leaders train a new missionary in a group of three. I also got to say goodbye to all the departing missionaries all at once. I knew a lot of them, including Elders Maughan, Andersen, Wellington... it's kinda strange thinking that I might actually never see any of them again.
The work goes on. It's been a crazy week. We've been all over the place.
The Church is true.
I love you!
-Elder Brandon Wong
Something I wish I knew before my mission: good tie-trading skills.
How's it going?
Things are going great here. Temperature's going up and down, as usual.
On my nine-month mark, I got to go to the temple! It was a great way to start off the new year.
The outside [of the temple] is just like Montreal's, only reversed. The inside, though, is actually rather different. All the zone leaders, the APs, and President and Sister Robison were there. I loved every minute.
We also had transfers, too. We got to instruct and hang out with the greenies before they headed off to wherever they're serving. this transfer, they're having eight of the ten zone leaders train a new missionary in a group of three. I also got to say goodbye to all the departing missionaries all at once. I knew a lot of them, including Elders Maughan, Andersen, Wellington... it's kinda strange thinking that I might actually never see any of them again.
The work goes on. It's been a crazy week. We've been all over the place.
The Church is true.
I love you!
-Elder Brandon Wong
Something I wish I knew before my mission: good tie-trading skills.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008 - Greetings from Lubbock
Hey!
It was nice hearing your voices on Christmas! And I loved your package and cards, and everybody else's too.
Yeah, it's been a crazy week.
Not only was it Christmas week, but it's also the last week of the transfer, which means we've been getting things ready for the incoming and the departing missionaries.
I have packets to put together, agendas to go over, questions to ask President... yeah, it's been a crazy week.
I'm excited, though. Some of the new missionaries are going to be staying at our place for the night, before they head off to wherever they're serving. Also, we get to have lunch and supper with them and with President and Sister Robison, etc. It's going to be fun.
Also, there's going to be a lot of changes this transfer. It's plain to see that President Robison is really on his own, and not just going with what President Rose did. He's making a lot of changes. He's also very open with us. If he tried making a change and it didn't work out, he doesn't hide it, he just fixes it. I've learnt to trust him a lot.
Did I tell you that Elder Northey is going to be my new companion? He and Elder Johnson are switching places.
Hope you enjoy the rest of your vacation!
Love you!
-Elder Brandon Wong
P.S. Something I wish I knew before my mission: to learn to work mail merge.
It was nice hearing your voices on Christmas! And I loved your package and cards, and everybody else's too.
Yeah, it's been a crazy week.
Not only was it Christmas week, but it's also the last week of the transfer, which means we've been getting things ready for the incoming and the departing missionaries.
I have packets to put together, agendas to go over, questions to ask President... yeah, it's been a crazy week.
I'm excited, though. Some of the new missionaries are going to be staying at our place for the night, before they head off to wherever they're serving. Also, we get to have lunch and supper with them and with President and Sister Robison, etc. It's going to be fun.
Also, there's going to be a lot of changes this transfer. It's plain to see that President Robison is really on his own, and not just going with what President Rose did. He's making a lot of changes. He's also very open with us. If he tried making a change and it didn't work out, he doesn't hide it, he just fixes it. I've learnt to trust him a lot.
Did I tell you that Elder Northey is going to be my new companion? He and Elder Johnson are switching places.
Hope you enjoy the rest of your vacation!
Love you!
-Elder Brandon Wong
P.S. Something I wish I knew before my mission: to learn to work mail merge.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Hey!
How's it going?
I can't believe Christmas is in less than a week! That's so weird.
And I got your package! Thank you so much! It was way cool. I loved the letters from everybody.
Also, being in the office, we get to see a lot of mail and packages come through. Anything addressed to the office instead of the missionary's actual apartment gets forwarded to them, or delivered the next time we see them (whichever comes first). I discovered that since I'm too busy with other stuff, all the mail goes through Elder Johnson (who's in charge of referrals and supplies). I have, however, been getting a lot of calls from parents who want to double-check the addresses, or are concerned because some mail they've sent have come back to them. So I've been doing a lot of address look-ups for people.
I also got to go to the Christmas zone conference in Midland! Although the program was the same, it was very different because there were different people. Most notably, Elder Sosi convinced his district to put on a Polynesian-style show where they sang "Little Pearls" and "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas". Polynesians speak a lot with their hands, so their hand/arm movements are actually telling the story while they're singing. They were all dressed up, too. Elder Wheeler (the big tall one) said that he's REALLY showing a lot of love for Elder Sosi by agreeing to do this. We also watched "Joy to the World". It's actually one of the DVDs we give out at Christmastime. It's been a while since I've seen it, and I liked it a lot.
We had a lot of fun doing the zone conferences.
Anyways, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas break, and a Merry Christmas!
Remember the true meaning of Christmas. John 3:16-17 - What's the difference between perishing and having eternal life?
The Church is true.
I love you!
-Elder Brandon Wong
Something I wish I knew before my mission: how to work with the Lord to bring changes in me that I've always wanted and needed. That is the true spirit of Christmas.
How's it going?
I can't believe Christmas is in less than a week! That's so weird.
And I got your package! Thank you so much! It was way cool. I loved the letters from everybody.
Also, being in the office, we get to see a lot of mail and packages come through. Anything addressed to the office instead of the missionary's actual apartment gets forwarded to them, or delivered the next time we see them (whichever comes first). I discovered that since I'm too busy with other stuff, all the mail goes through Elder Johnson (who's in charge of referrals and supplies). I have, however, been getting a lot of calls from parents who want to double-check the addresses, or are concerned because some mail they've sent have come back to them. So I've been doing a lot of address look-ups for people.
I also got to go to the Christmas zone conference in Midland! Although the program was the same, it was very different because there were different people. Most notably, Elder Sosi convinced his district to put on a Polynesian-style show where they sang "Little Pearls" and "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas". Polynesians speak a lot with their hands, so their hand/arm movements are actually telling the story while they're singing. They were all dressed up, too. Elder Wheeler (the big tall one) said that he's REALLY showing a lot of love for Elder Sosi by agreeing to do this. We also watched "Joy to the World". It's actually one of the DVDs we give out at Christmastime. It's been a while since I've seen it, and I liked it a lot.
We had a lot of fun doing the zone conferences.
Anyways, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas break, and a Merry Christmas!
Remember the true meaning of Christmas. John 3:16-17 - What's the difference between perishing and having eternal life?
The Church is true.
I love you!
-Elder Brandon Wong
Something I wish I knew before my mission: how to work with the Lord to bring changes in me that I've always wanted and needed. That is the true spirit of Christmas.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
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).
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).
Saturday, December 6, 2008
December 6, 2008 - Secretary to the President
Hello!
How's it going?
Crazy stuff's been going on, and really crazy stuff just happened. Elder Hewitt, the secretary to the president, has been having some medical problems, and now has to go home prematurely. Guess who they called to take his place. You guessed it, sadly.
Elder Goodfellow and I were in the apartment, and I was packing to go on a one-day exchange with Elder Pyle, when President Robison called. He asked if I was willing to serve in the office, and said to expect the Assistants to arrive later on that night to pick me up. So I packed everything else I have, and they arrived around midnight. Elder Memmott, a new missionary, is taking my place (imagine being transferred early, within your first six weeks?) from Big Spring. Events like this are called emergency transfers, or ETs. They happen when missionaries are being bad, or, in this case, have medical issues, and other missionaries have to be moved around. Elder Goodfellow has to take over and finish training an almost brand new missionary; so it's pretty big for him, too. My new companion (for the last half of the transfer, at least) is Elder Johnson. He, along with Elder Hewitt, and Elder Blackmer (the vehicle coordinator) is also from Canada.
Anyways, now I have the three days or so before Elder Hewitt goes home to learn what would ordinarily be trained/instructed in about three weeks. It's pretty crazy. I just spent the last few hours learning how to process paperwork for incoming missionaries and departing missionaries. That is one benefit to be working in the office: I get to meet a lot of other missionaries, whether brand new, or going home. Also, I'm going to be spending a lot of time with Pres. Robison. Maybe I'm too much of a trouble-maker, and he needed me close by to keep an eye on me. :P
In terms of missionary work, we have an area that we cover (the Lubbock 4th ward), and President has been pushing to get the office elders more into the field, and less in the office. We're going to figure out a good schedule that gets the business of running the mission done with quicker, so we can work more.
By the way, now you don't have to worry about sending letters, since we use the mission office address as our mailing address.
Oh, and Elder Goodfellow got the card you sent, and was really happy about that.
Anyways, that's pretty much it, I guess. I'm kinda bummed about leaving Midland, especially in the middle of a transfer, but such is life. Something tells me it won't be bad here.
Hope things are going well.
I love you!
-Elder Brandon Wong
Something I wish I knew before my mission: to learn macros on Microsoft Word.
How's it going?
Crazy stuff's been going on, and really crazy stuff just happened. Elder Hewitt, the secretary to the president, has been having some medical problems, and now has to go home prematurely. Guess who they called to take his place. You guessed it, sadly.
Elder Goodfellow and I were in the apartment, and I was packing to go on a one-day exchange with Elder Pyle, when President Robison called. He asked if I was willing to serve in the office, and said to expect the Assistants to arrive later on that night to pick me up. So I packed everything else I have, and they arrived around midnight. Elder Memmott, a new missionary, is taking my place (imagine being transferred early, within your first six weeks?) from Big Spring. Events like this are called emergency transfers, or ETs. They happen when missionaries are being bad, or, in this case, have medical issues, and other missionaries have to be moved around. Elder Goodfellow has to take over and finish training an almost brand new missionary; so it's pretty big for him, too. My new companion (for the last half of the transfer, at least) is Elder Johnson. He, along with Elder Hewitt, and Elder Blackmer (the vehicle coordinator) is also from Canada.
Anyways, now I have the three days or so before Elder Hewitt goes home to learn what would ordinarily be trained/instructed in about three weeks. It's pretty crazy. I just spent the last few hours learning how to process paperwork for incoming missionaries and departing missionaries. That is one benefit to be working in the office: I get to meet a lot of other missionaries, whether brand new, or going home. Also, I'm going to be spending a lot of time with Pres. Robison. Maybe I'm too much of a trouble-maker, and he needed me close by to keep an eye on me. :P
In terms of missionary work, we have an area that we cover (the Lubbock 4th ward), and President has been pushing to get the office elders more into the field, and less in the office. We're going to figure out a good schedule that gets the business of running the mission done with quicker, so we can work more.
By the way, now you don't have to worry about sending letters, since we use the mission office address as our mailing address.
Oh, and Elder Goodfellow got the card you sent, and was really happy about that.
Anyways, that's pretty much it, I guess. I'm kinda bummed about leaving Midland, especially in the middle of a transfer, but such is life. Something tells me it won't be bad here.
Hope things are going well.
I love you!
-Elder Brandon Wong
Something I wish I knew before my mission: to learn macros on Microsoft Word.
Monday, December 1, 2008
December 1, 2008
Hi!
How are you doing?
Things are going good here. We had a great Thanksgiving.
In the morning, we played football with members for about three hours. We were all sore for the next couple days. We had Thanksgiving dinner at the Snows' home. The parents, four of their five kids, and their kids were all there. Sister Snow is a great cook, and we had a really fun time. It took a total of three hours for me to down the meal and the slices of three of the five different pies there. It was also the first time I tried pecan pie that day.
By the way, have gas prices dropped where you are, too? Over the last few weeks/months, it's gone from $4 to ~$1.80 or less! Midland is an oil town, by the way, so not only is it a sign that the economy is dying like the wicked witch in water, but it also means less jobs/prosperity for the locals,...so nobody's happy.
We have found a few new people to teach, so we're pretty excited about the work. We have a lot of good things going for us. 2 Kings 6:15-16 (that's one of my new favourites, by the way).
Oh, I forgot to mention that when the transfer started, we got the car back. Elders Pyle and Hardy were actually both happy, because they're eager to lose weight. No complaints here.
What happens when things are sent to the office is that the secretary there (Elder Hewitt - he's from Canada, too (all but one of the current secretaries are, actually)) crosses out the mission office address, puts a sticker with my current address on it, writes "please forward", and in another few days, I get it. I believe that's how it works in any mission.
Anyways, I love being here. An hour of computer time per week is surprisingly still hard to handle, but there has never been a more fulfilling and rewarding time in my life than right now. I highly recommend it for anyone. [read] James 5:19-20
Take care!
I love you!
-Elder Brandon Wong
P.S.: Something I wish I knew before my mission: to buy matching black socks.
How are you doing?
Things are going good here. We had a great Thanksgiving.
In the morning, we played football with members for about three hours. We were all sore for the next couple days. We had Thanksgiving dinner at the Snows' home. The parents, four of their five kids, and their kids were all there. Sister Snow is a great cook, and we had a really fun time. It took a total of three hours for me to down the meal and the slices of three of the five different pies there. It was also the first time I tried pecan pie that day.
By the way, have gas prices dropped where you are, too? Over the last few weeks/months, it's gone from $4 to ~$1.80 or less! Midland is an oil town, by the way, so not only is it a sign that the economy is dying like the wicked witch in water, but it also means less jobs/prosperity for the locals,...so nobody's happy.
We have found a few new people to teach, so we're pretty excited about the work. We have a lot of good things going for us. 2 Kings 6:15-16 (that's one of my new favourites, by the way).
Oh, I forgot to mention that when the transfer started, we got the car back. Elders Pyle and Hardy were actually both happy, because they're eager to lose weight. No complaints here.
What happens when things are sent to the office is that the secretary there (Elder Hewitt - he's from Canada, too (all but one of the current secretaries are, actually)) crosses out the mission office address, puts a sticker with my current address on it, writes "please forward", and in another few days, I get it. I believe that's how it works in any mission.
Anyways, I love being here. An hour of computer time per week is surprisingly still hard to handle, but there has never been a more fulfilling and rewarding time in my life than right now. I highly recommend it for anyone. [read] James 5:19-20
Take care!
I love you!
-Elder Brandon Wong
P.S.: Something I wish I knew before my mission: to buy matching black socks.
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