Hello!
It's been a long week!
Going a solid ten days without a preparation day was a little tougher than I thought! Still, we managed to get through it without starving, or needing to do laundry early. The weather has been going up and down, too - a lot. We got hot weather (we took off our suit jackets), then we got snow! What an interesting place.
We also got mentioned in the newspaper. Mr. Beilue was very quick (not very surprisingly, I suppose). After he stopped us on the street and got our information, he called and interviewed us on Wednesday evening, sent a photographer (funny, his name is Michael Schumacher) on Thursday morning, and published on Friday. Elder Engstrom and I were on the front page of the "Today" section of the Amarillo Globe-News. We were pretty pleased with it. (We also learned that he later did a completely separate column on someone that we happened to be teaching) he did add some of his own interpolations - in fact a lot of what was written that wasn't a direct quote was slightly off - but overall it was very good. Also, if it was completely false, I believe in the adage that, for the Church, "any publicity is good publicity". To our surprise, many people have read it, and commented to us about it. It's cool to be famous, I guess.
Speaking of articles, I've been asked by Elder Hansen (who does the TLM newsletter) to write my departing article (a new tradition for all departing missionaries that he started). It's kinda tough "summarizing" my entire mission in two or three paragraphs. I guess maybe it wasn't meant to be. Anyways, I did my best.
Our special zone activity for Monday's P-day was fun, albeit really miserable. We went out to the Cadillac Ranch to take pictures. It was fun, but it was raining, and very cold, and very muddy. My shoes more than doubled in weight with the mud that was stuck to them! I'm glad we did it though, for memories' sake.
Our zone Family Home Evening afterwards was great. It was at President Barton's home, and we played some games (namely, "District Feud") and had a testimony meeting.This P-day was also good. We got to go bowling and we just had a good time.
In other news, the other Elders came over to sleep the night at our apartment. They said that the Spirit warned them (all of them separately and independently) to leave that night, and so they did. We are still unsure as to why, but we're all thankful that the Lord does talk to us, and warns us of danger, if we are willing to heed to His voice.
Also, would you be able to schedule a temple trip after I get home ASAP?
Love you!
-Elder Brandon Wong
Friday, March 26, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010 - Men on a Mission
Elder Wong and his companion, Elder Engstrom, were stopped on the street and were interviewed by a newspaper reporter, Jon Mark Beilue, recently. Their interview was published on Friday in the Amarillo's local daily newspaper. Here is an excerpt of that article.
Web-posted Friday, March 19, 2010
Men on a mission
by Jon Mark Beilue
Mormons put mettle to pedal in Amarillo
Alex Engstrom, 20, has been doing this for nearly a year now. He admits that, at times, while riding his bike through an assigned neighborhood or doing without electronic necessities, that he misses a bit what he left behind.
"Sometimes it's hard not to feel part of the world," Engstrom said. "You hear about a good movie coming out in the theater and you think, 'Oh, man, I have to wait until I get home to see it.' But the more I understand what I'm doing, the less hard it gets. The more I keep myself busy, the less of a priority other things are."
He goes by Elder Engstrom, this native of Seattle. His current roommate is Elder Wong, 21. Brandon Wong actually. You don't know them, but yet you do. You know them by their unmistakable sight. Wearing a coat and tie, bike helmet and riding a 10-speed. There's no mistaking Mormon missionaries.
There are 12 of them in Amarillo, part of the Texas-Lubbock mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Every man of the faith must complete a two-year mission that's worldwide. Engstrom, in Amarillo less than three weeks, is halfway through his. Wong, in the city since mid-January, has just a month to go. One month before he heads to Montreal to enroll in McGill University.
"Study computer science, hopefully get a career and family started, and basically begin a normal life," he said.
They're met by curious glances on the street, and often, closed doors greet them well after they knock. I don't agree with their Mormon faith - many call the religion a cult - but it's difficult not to admire their dedication, discipline and courage even if questioning the lengths it sometimes goes.
How many could do what they do?
There's only a semiday off a week, a "preparation day" where they shop, do laundry, buy groceries or go to the library and e-mail their family. There's no TV, computer or even radio in their apartment. No need for them. They're permitted only two calls a year to family - Mother's Day and Christmas.
The two-year mission is from their own money that's doled out through the church. That's why most work for a couple of years to save up. And why many learn to live on ramen noodles while occasionally splurging on McDonald's.
Six days a week, it's wake up at 6:30 a.m., exercise, shower, clean up the apartment and eat breakfast. At 8 a.m., they study Scripture and plan for any lessons they might teach that day. At 9 a.m., they have companionship study, where they share what they've learned.
At 10 a.m., they get on their bikes for their assigned part of the city to proselytize. That may mean meeting with those for set appointments, but often, it's just knocking door to door. And that's when it can get interesting.
Have you had doors slammed in your face? "Oh, yeah, plenty of that," Wong said.
Anyone care to debate faith on the porch? There are times, but through the months they've discovered it's unproductive for both parties to do that.
Do doorbells go unanswered when they know there's a full house inside? "Some people are just as shy as we are," Wong said. "They can't find the courage to say, 'Thanks, but no thanks,' but that's part of life."
"It depends on where you're at," said Engstrom, "but in some places people will yell things from cars, holler out jokes every once in a while. I guess it can be kinda weird to see guys in suits on bikes. But overall, we both agree we've been treated well here."
Like it or not, agree with it or not, these are a big reason why the LDS church is among the fastest-growing in the world. Still, they said they're not trying to convert, just share, and for those who say they're not interested, Wong and Engstrom's feet are soon on the pedals.
Engstrom, before too long, will be on what he calls a transfer bus for an unknown destination in West Texas or Eastern New Mexico. Wong, who's been to five towns in the mission, is near the end of his singularly focused two years.
"If I could sum it up in one word, it's been 'rewarding,' " he said.
Good for him.
Jon Mark Beilue's column appears Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at jon.beilue@amarillo.com or 806-345-3318. His blog appears on amarillo.com
Web-posted Friday, March 19, 2010
Men on a mission
by Jon Mark Beilue
Mormons put mettle to pedal in Amarillo
Alex Engstrom, 20, has been doing this for nearly a year now. He admits that, at times, while riding his bike through an assigned neighborhood or doing without electronic necessities, that he misses a bit what he left behind.
"Sometimes it's hard not to feel part of the world," Engstrom said. "You hear about a good movie coming out in the theater and you think, 'Oh, man, I have to wait until I get home to see it.' But the more I understand what I'm doing, the less hard it gets. The more I keep myself busy, the less of a priority other things are."
He goes by Elder Engstrom, this native of Seattle. His current roommate is Elder Wong, 21. Brandon Wong actually. You don't know them, but yet you do. You know them by their unmistakable sight. Wearing a coat and tie, bike helmet and riding a 10-speed. There's no mistaking Mormon missionaries.
There are 12 of them in Amarillo, part of the Texas-Lubbock mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Every man of the faith must complete a two-year mission that's worldwide. Engstrom, in Amarillo less than three weeks, is halfway through his. Wong, in the city since mid-January, has just a month to go. One month before he heads to Montreal to enroll in McGill University.
"Study computer science, hopefully get a career and family started, and basically begin a normal life," he said.
They're met by curious glances on the street, and often, closed doors greet them well after they knock. I don't agree with their Mormon faith - many call the religion a cult - but it's difficult not to admire their dedication, discipline and courage even if questioning the lengths it sometimes goes.
How many could do what they do?
There's only a semiday off a week, a "preparation day" where they shop, do laundry, buy groceries or go to the library and e-mail their family. There's no TV, computer or even radio in their apartment. No need for them. They're permitted only two calls a year to family - Mother's Day and Christmas.
The two-year mission is from their own money that's doled out through the church. That's why most work for a couple of years to save up. And why many learn to live on ramen noodles while occasionally splurging on McDonald's.
Six days a week, it's wake up at 6:30 a.m., exercise, shower, clean up the apartment and eat breakfast. At 8 a.m., they study Scripture and plan for any lessons they might teach that day. At 9 a.m., they have companionship study, where they share what they've learned.
At 10 a.m., they get on their bikes for their assigned part of the city to proselytize. That may mean meeting with those for set appointments, but often, it's just knocking door to door. And that's when it can get interesting.
Have you had doors slammed in your face? "Oh, yeah, plenty of that," Wong said.
Anyone care to debate faith on the porch? There are times, but through the months they've discovered it's unproductive for both parties to do that.
Do doorbells go unanswered when they know there's a full house inside? "Some people are just as shy as we are," Wong said. "They can't find the courage to say, 'Thanks, but no thanks,' but that's part of life."
"It depends on where you're at," said Engstrom, "but in some places people will yell things from cars, holler out jokes every once in a while. I guess it can be kinda weird to see guys in suits on bikes. But overall, we both agree we've been treated well here."
Like it or not, agree with it or not, these are a big reason why the LDS church is among the fastest-growing in the world. Still, they said they're not trying to convert, just share, and for those who say they're not interested, Wong and Engstrom's feet are soon on the pedals.
Engstrom, before too long, will be on what he calls a transfer bus for an unknown destination in West Texas or Eastern New Mexico. Wong, who's been to five towns in the mission, is near the end of his singularly focused two years.
"If I could sum it up in one word, it's been 'rewarding,' " he said.
Good for him.
Jon Mark Beilue's column appears Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at jon.beilue@amarillo.com or 806-345-3318. His blog appears on amarillo.com
Monday, March 15, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010 - Three Day Week
Hey,
Long time no speak...
Not much has happened in the last four days.
I finally got to send some pictures home.
We helped a member of the ward put together his new cabinets.
All the missionaries in our ward (there's five of us (did I mention that Elder Decker came to the east side mid-transfer?)) sang "Lord, I Would Follow Thee" in sacrament meeting. I think we did a pretty good job. We got to practice twice; and two of us were sick, except for that morning.
Other than that, things have been going pretty well.
I hope everything's going great for y'all.
Have a good week!
Love,
-Elder Brandon Wong
Long time no speak...
Not much has happened in the last four days.
I finally got to send some pictures home.
We helped a member of the ward put together his new cabinets.
All the missionaries in our ward (there's five of us (did I mention that Elder Decker came to the east side mid-transfer?)) sang "Lord, I Would Follow Thee" in sacrament meeting. I think we did a pretty good job. We got to practice twice; and two of us were sick, except for that morning.
Other than that, things have been going pretty well.
I hope everything's going great for y'all.
Have a good week!
Love,
-Elder Brandon Wong
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010 - CTR
Hi, y'all!
Another week has passed in the TLM.
First of all, just so you know, next week's P-day will be on Monday instead of Thursday. The zone leaders want to do a zone activity before interviews on Tuesday. Our new goal is 60 baptisms a month, and so our short-term goal is 45. They want to do something to better unify us so we can achieve it. So on Monday, we're all going to go to the Cadillac Ranch, followed by a FHE at a member's home. It sounds exciting. (It also means we'll have 10 days without a P-day.)
Also, my temple recommend was going to expire at the end of the month. I told President Robison, and so he pulled me aside and interviewed me right there. He took my old one and said he'll mail my new one to me. It occurred to me then that that was my very first one. It was also weird being without one for the first time since getting it. It felt very weird. In fact, I borrowed a "For the Strength of Youth" mini-pamphlet from one of the youth and stuck it in my wallet where the recommend would be. A couple days later, my new one came in the mail. Holding a current temple recommend means something more to me now.
One day, we passed a lady that was quickly walking along the street. When we tried to speak to her, she asked if we could calm her ex-husband down who was threatening to kill himself. We went to the address she gave us, and sure enough, there was a man sitting on his porch, with a garden hose tied into a noose that was slung over the porch. We tried talking to him. He was in a bad situation (just out of jail, no money, no documentation, no nothing). He was also too mad to talk to. We ended up leaving and calling the police. We're sure we did the right thing. I just hope things turn out alright for him.
In other news, we have been challenged by the zone leaders to read the Book of Mormon before General Conference (in three weeks). That's about 25 pages per day. I am not a fan of speed reading scriptures, but it has still been pretty interesting to do. I've learned quite a bit in the three days I've been doing it.
Speaking of news, we were out on our bikes the other day, and a gentleman stopped his truck to talk to us. He said he was a columnist for the local paper and wanted to do a little article on us in a couple weeks. That should be pretty cool to do.
Great things happen everyday. I'm learning everyday, and experiencing things only a mission could afford. I'm glad I can be a missionary.
I know the Church is true.
Love,
-Elder Brandon Wong
Another week has passed in the TLM.
First of all, just so you know, next week's P-day will be on Monday instead of Thursday. The zone leaders want to do a zone activity before interviews on Tuesday. Our new goal is 60 baptisms a month, and so our short-term goal is 45. They want to do something to better unify us so we can achieve it. So on Monday, we're all going to go to the Cadillac Ranch, followed by a FHE at a member's home. It sounds exciting. (It also means we'll have 10 days without a P-day.)
Also, my temple recommend was going to expire at the end of the month. I told President Robison, and so he pulled me aside and interviewed me right there. He took my old one and said he'll mail my new one to me. It occurred to me then that that was my very first one. It was also weird being without one for the first time since getting it. It felt very weird. In fact, I borrowed a "For the Strength of Youth" mini-pamphlet from one of the youth and stuck it in my wallet where the recommend would be. A couple days later, my new one came in the mail. Holding a current temple recommend means something more to me now.
One day, we passed a lady that was quickly walking along the street. When we tried to speak to her, she asked if we could calm her ex-husband down who was threatening to kill himself. We went to the address she gave us, and sure enough, there was a man sitting on his porch, with a garden hose tied into a noose that was slung over the porch. We tried talking to him. He was in a bad situation (just out of jail, no money, no documentation, no nothing). He was also too mad to talk to. We ended up leaving and calling the police. We're sure we did the right thing. I just hope things turn out alright for him.
In other news, we have been challenged by the zone leaders to read the Book of Mormon before General Conference (in three weeks). That's about 25 pages per day. I am not a fan of speed reading scriptures, but it has still been pretty interesting to do. I've learned quite a bit in the three days I've been doing it.
Speaking of news, we were out on our bikes the other day, and a gentleman stopped his truck to talk to us. He said he was a columnist for the local paper and wanted to do a little article on us in a couple weeks. That should be pretty cool to do.
Great things happen everyday. I'm learning everyday, and experiencing things only a mission could afford. I'm glad I can be a missionary.
I know the Church is true.
Love,
-Elder Brandon Wong
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010 - Last Zone Conference
Hello!
How are things going?
It's been a pretty good week.
Today is Elder Engstrom's year mark. That means it's Elder Cherrington's also.
We just had zone conference on Tuesday. It was my last one, and it was on my 23rd-month mark. It was very good - probably the best yet. The zone leaders spoke about talking with everyone you pass, at least ten people per day. I was asked to bear my "final testimony", it being the last time in a zone conference before I go home.
This weekend, we also had our stake conference. (This transfer starts with stake conference and will end with General Conference. Isn't that cool? (That'll also be the fifth General Conference in my mission.)) The stake president is President Vest. He was just called six months ago, making this his first official stake conference as president. He is also very young (~35), energetic, and also very missionary-minded. He gave a powerful talk in the general session, where he declared the stake presidency's vision for the stake. He used the same scripture that President Jarvis used that says that where there is no vision, the people perish. As part of the vision, he included that the Amarillo Stake will be split within ten years.
Visiting the conference was Elder Gibbons of the Seventy. He testified of this and said it could be done in even less time. Elder Gibbons is a very good speaker. I enjoyed listening to his talks during the three sessions I attended.
President Robison told the missionaries that there are two other stakes who are also planning on splitting in the next few years. He wants it done before he goes home in 16 months! Sister Robison said that it seems that once we doubled baptisms, everyone else jumped on board, and saw what could be made of this region and what the people and members here are capable of accomplishing.
Anyways, I'm glad that I've been able to witness the changes that have gone on here and I'm excited to see what else we can do.
I have been getting all your emails (at least, I think it's all; I wouldn't know how to tell if I've missed any), and I'm still looking for a way to send pictures home. Keep on the lookout. It may be that I can only send a few at a time.
I am learning so much every day.
I love this work, and I know the Church is true.
Love,
-Elder Brandon Wong
How are things going?
It's been a pretty good week.
Today is Elder Engstrom's year mark. That means it's Elder Cherrington's also.
We just had zone conference on Tuesday. It was my last one, and it was on my 23rd-month mark. It was very good - probably the best yet. The zone leaders spoke about talking with everyone you pass, at least ten people per day. I was asked to bear my "final testimony", it being the last time in a zone conference before I go home.
This weekend, we also had our stake conference. (This transfer starts with stake conference and will end with General Conference. Isn't that cool? (That'll also be the fifth General Conference in my mission.)) The stake president is President Vest. He was just called six months ago, making this his first official stake conference as president. He is also very young (~35), energetic, and also very missionary-minded. He gave a powerful talk in the general session, where he declared the stake presidency's vision for the stake. He used the same scripture that President Jarvis used that says that where there is no vision, the people perish. As part of the vision, he included that the Amarillo Stake will be split within ten years.
Visiting the conference was Elder Gibbons of the Seventy. He testified of this and said it could be done in even less time. Elder Gibbons is a very good speaker. I enjoyed listening to his talks during the three sessions I attended.
President Robison told the missionaries that there are two other stakes who are also planning on splitting in the next few years. He wants it done before he goes home in 16 months! Sister Robison said that it seems that once we doubled baptisms, everyone else jumped on board, and saw what could be made of this region and what the people and members here are capable of accomplishing.
Anyways, I'm glad that I've been able to witness the changes that have gone on here and I'm excited to see what else we can do.
I have been getting all your emails (at least, I think it's all; I wouldn't know how to tell if I've missed any), and I'm still looking for a way to send pictures home. Keep on the lookout. It may be that I can only send a few at a time.
I am learning so much every day.
I love this work, and I know the Church is true.
Love,
-Elder Brandon Wong
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010 - Final transfer / final 6 weeks
Hello!
How's it going?
It's transfer week, and, unexpectedly, Elder Pearce got transferred. It means that he has had a new companion each transfer, and that I have to break in yet another companion. My new one is Elder Engstrom. He came out at the same time as Elder Cherrington, and so will be hitting his year mark this transfer. (Which reminds me, I'll be hitting my two-year-mark this transfer!) Elder Pearce is now off in Hobbs, NM, and Elder Engstrom arrived from Ruidoso, NM, making this the first Texas area of his mission.
Things have been going really well. The weather has been beautifully clear and warm. It did snow again the other week (all over the whole mission, in fact), but it's almost all gone now.
Elder Pearce and I had a great week, teaching almost 30 lessons. Our ward really likes us and we're getting some great support. If we plan right and plan ahead, then we will able to get a lot of work done.
I'm particularly excited about the ward's pre-missionaries. There are three of them and they're willing to go teach with us, and we're happy to ask. One of them is leaving close to the end of April. It's exciting to help prepare however we can.
There were a lot of changes this transfer. Many areas were whitewashed. Elder Christopherson also left (to train in Midland), and Elder Lowe came up from Abilene to serve with Elder Butterworth. It's good to see another familiar face. I am so relieved that everyone transferred here are people I already like.
A member of our ward came and fixed Elder Engstrom's bike when he arrived, and while he was at it, he adjusted / fixed mine.
There is a lot of exciting things going on in this part of the vineyard, and I'm so glad to be a part of it.
I know the Church is true.
Have a great week!
Love,
-Elder Brandon Wong
How's it going?
It's transfer week, and, unexpectedly, Elder Pearce got transferred. It means that he has had a new companion each transfer, and that I have to break in yet another companion. My new one is Elder Engstrom. He came out at the same time as Elder Cherrington, and so will be hitting his year mark this transfer. (Which reminds me, I'll be hitting my two-year-mark this transfer!) Elder Pearce is now off in Hobbs, NM, and Elder Engstrom arrived from Ruidoso, NM, making this the first Texas area of his mission.
Things have been going really well. The weather has been beautifully clear and warm. It did snow again the other week (all over the whole mission, in fact), but it's almost all gone now.
Elder Pearce and I had a great week, teaching almost 30 lessons. Our ward really likes us and we're getting some great support. If we plan right and plan ahead, then we will able to get a lot of work done.
I'm particularly excited about the ward's pre-missionaries. There are three of them and they're willing to go teach with us, and we're happy to ask. One of them is leaving close to the end of April. It's exciting to help prepare however we can.
There were a lot of changes this transfer. Many areas were whitewashed. Elder Christopherson also left (to train in Midland), and Elder Lowe came up from Abilene to serve with Elder Butterworth. It's good to see another familiar face. I am so relieved that everyone transferred here are people I already like.
A member of our ward came and fixed Elder Engstrom's bike when he arrived, and while he was at it, he adjusted / fixed mine.
There is a lot of exciting things going on in this part of the vineyard, and I'm so glad to be a part of it.
I know the Church is true.
Have a great week!
Love,
-Elder Brandon Wong
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Hey!
It's been another beautiful week here in the Texas Panhandle!
The weather's been clearing up, and it's been getting warmer.
The change in temperature has also brought its fair share of sickness, too. I got a little cold. Fortunately, it is *little*. It won't last near as long as the last one.
The work here has been really picking up. We're doing a lot better than when I arrived.
I'm learning new things everyday. What a wonderful blessing that is!
Some days are tough. Just the other day, it seemed everyone was mean at us. Usually that doesn't really mean much, but sometimes, it adds up. Still, though, some of the most exciting times in missionary work are when you're meeting new people.
I've (re-) learned that you have to look at things positively, and choose to be happy. That's a tough lesson for a cynic like me. I've also (re-) learned that you have to rely on the Spirit if you are to do anything of great worth, or accomplish something of value. If you do, you can do more than you could if you were the smartest or most able person on the planet. It also means that even if you are the lowliest of God's children, you can still do many great and important things here on earth.
The Church is true!
Love,
-Elder Brandon Wong
It's been another beautiful week here in the Texas Panhandle!
The weather's been clearing up, and it's been getting warmer.
The change in temperature has also brought its fair share of sickness, too. I got a little cold. Fortunately, it is *little*. It won't last near as long as the last one.
The work here has been really picking up. We're doing a lot better than when I arrived.
I'm learning new things everyday. What a wonderful blessing that is!
Some days are tough. Just the other day, it seemed everyone was mean at us. Usually that doesn't really mean much, but sometimes, it adds up. Still, though, some of the most exciting times in missionary work are when you're meeting new people.
I've (re-) learned that you have to look at things positively, and choose to be happy. That's a tough lesson for a cynic like me. I've also (re-) learned that you have to rely on the Spirit if you are to do anything of great worth, or accomplish something of value. If you do, you can do more than you could if you were the smartest or most able person on the planet. It also means that even if you are the lowliest of God's children, you can still do many great and important things here on earth.
The Church is true!
Love,
-Elder Brandon Wong
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