Hey Everyone! Lots of fun news this week! haha I'll get typing!
first of all, I forgot to include the police story last week... It wasn't
anything too exciting. We were just trying to drop off a BofM to a family that
requested one at the D.C. Temple visitor’s center, and they called the cops on
us. We assumed they weren't home and started riding away, and the cops tracked
us down and pulled us over! they asked what we were in the area for and we told
them, and they're like: "Oh! Well, they're home they just got scared.
They're definitely there though if you want to go back." So we did! haha
and delivered it successfully.
My last week with Elder Ray was an
adventure! we had Zone sports last P-day, and I played and my leg didn't kill
me the day after!!! I was so excited!!
Last Tuesday was I think my favorite
district meeting so far. We talked a lot about resolving concerns and
how people's concerns are like icebergs. We can only see a little bit of them.
Then we practice taught the rest of the time! I had written all these little
slips of paper with concerns on them and the "investigators" would
draw them from a hat, and they would use the Spirit to resolve that concern. It
was way cool!
Then came transfer calls... And I
was asked to train again!!! Which is awesome, because i LOVE training!!!
Wednesday night, the power went out, so I gave myself a haircut in the dark 5
minutes before the lights came back on... haha
Then Thursday was transfers!! We
showed up ready to go, and sure enough they had LOTS of new missionaries!!! It
was awesome!!! We started with the trainers meeting, which was great, and
something else totally blew my mind! There was this sister there who was
training who just got here last transfer!!! She's been out here FIVE WEEKS and
she's training!!! She's not even done getting trained yet herself!!! It blew my
socks off, I was amazed.
Some funny anecdotes from
transfers... There's one Elder, named Elder Boucher. President was having
trouble pronouncing his name, and some missionaries in the crowd were coaching
him: "It's [boo-share] in spanish and [boo-shay] in french, etc." I
couldn't resist: "Or, there's [bow-chur] in american..." President
Riggs has since called him Elder [Bow-chur].... haha
Another good one.... President was
laying down the rules for Elder/Sister relationships more clearly for all of
us... He began by stating the rules. Then he continued... "Now, this time
is a perfect time to make LOTs of friends, and when you're home from your
missions? Heck, I don't care, go for it! I'd LOVE to have mission
babies!!!..... AFTER your missions are over!...." haha I don't think I've
ever seen Sister Riggs so embarrassed....
More news as far as the mission
split, and the long and short of the new news is: there is no new news.
President Riggs explained to us his communications with Salt Lake, and the
expectations they've given him for his mission. the expectations are as
following: 1) Each ward in the mission will have 2 sets of missionaries 2)
there will be 250 missionaries in the mission. As the mission is now with 8
stakes, 2 sets of missionaries in each ward would accommodate 360 some odd
missionaries. So, there was definitely some writing on the wall there. What we
know is that with the 6 remaining stakes after the split on July 1st, we will
still have the capacity to fill our mission with 250 missionaries. We have 200
right now. President hasn't received any news as to whether he will be able to
pull back his missionaries in those zones, or if they're going to drop our
mission to about 150 and start slowly rebuilding it again.... They said 250 by
summer, and with the split and inflow of missionaries we know we have over the
next two transfers, 250 in the D.C. South mission would only be accomplishable
by summer if we could keep all our missionaries. So, according to what we know,
it looks hopeful, but still no concrete news....
The work here in Annandale has been
crazy! We had few lessons this week, but got 4 referrals! Which is more than I
think I've ever gotten in a full transfer!!! Another funny story... We have a Family
History missionary in our ward.... We also have a korean clothing store called
"TRY" in the area. He though he'd go shopping there the other day
only to find out it's Korean lengerie... imagine a lone missionary walking into
a shop like that... must have looked funny!
So, like I said earlier, I'm
training again! My new companion is Elder P . He's great! A little quiet at
first, but a natural teacher and friend. One great story from yesterday. His
bike hasn't shown up yet.... so, he's on mine right now and I have another...
yes, after 10 months together, my bike and I have separated... She's with
another man now... :'( haha but anyways, he blew a tire yesterday... so, we
started carrying the bikes back towards home to replace the tube and someone
pulled up in front of us. I thought it was a member offering a ride at first,
but she was the only one in the car, and didn’t look like she could fit
bikes... so, we'd still be walking. Then, she pulls up: "Hey, are you
Mormons or Jehovah Witnesses?" We responded with the correct answer :) She
then told us of a friend who was in the hospital who really needs God right
now, and gave us her info, then drove off. Elder Porter just nodded his head
and said: "yeah, that's why the tire popped." haha the Lord works in
mysterious ways... He needed SOME way for us to be there right then... We'll be
visiting this man, . Please keep him in your prayers.
Another funny thing... I have sister
missionaries in my district now! It's weird having phone contact with
sisters... I'm always stressing myself out: "Where's the line? How much is
friendly, supportive district leader, and how much comes across as something
else? I think we are all good, but just
weird at first. They're a great addition
to the group.
So, yeah, things are busy as ever!
Between service, work, bike riding, and daylight savings, we're pretty wiped...
But all is well! Ward Conference yesterday was great and we're getting REALLY
excited for General Conference in a few weeks!!!
btw, two GREAT new mormon messages
came out recently :) go check 'em out!!!
Love you all! See you next week!
-Elder Hodgson
No comments:
Post a Comment