It's cold! On our way to the library today, the car said it was 35º.
In an entry I have in my journal, dated the 17th of December (2006),
I have written something like: It's freaking hot! A week 'till
Christmas and it's in the 70s! I've been sweating the past three
nights! Quite a difference....
Well, apparently December is a bit of a tornado season, and one of
the most dangerous, from the cold air coming down. If some of that
warm tropical air comes up and they clash, it's a big tornado. But, I
haven't seen any green skies yet (dang). I'll send pictures when I
get them. I do have a couple videos of some examples of the
torrential rain they get here. I've noticed that a lot of times the
clouds are pretty mixed, but once they all merge and go a single
color, it pours. Hard. Normally I would just stay out and work, but I
doubt anyone is going to let you in and sit down on their couch while
you're soaking wet.
This week was a pretty good week. Houston is still struggling, but
we're still working on it. Winona is doing really well. We were able
to set a baptismal date with Jennifer Rackley, and taught a really
cool older lady, and a relatively young family that was really
interested in the Book of Mormon after we watched The Restoration.
Scott was raised Jehovah's Witness, and his wife Karen was raised
Pentacostal. She doesn't believe that the "gift of tounges" is
rolling around on the floor muttering gibberish, because she said it
was always the same woman doing it every week. They haven't really
found any churches that
they like, so they really liked that The Restoration was all about
following what God wants rather than what anyone else says you should
do, or what is "kosher" in the community.
Elder Gregory is getting a sore throat. Amazingly, I've been pretty
good so far in the way of getting sick. We're having a pretty good
time, talking about stupid people we meet and such. We noticed that
sometimes, when we knock on a door and introduce ourselves as
missionaries, people will say something like: "My brother is a
pastor." Elder Gregory pointed it out later on, and said that he
didn't much care, so it was a pretty stupid comment. I decided that I
would respond with another stupid comment, just to show people that
it's a stupid comment: "Oh, really? My brother is a UPS guy." So your
brother is a pastor. What am I supposed to say to that? My brother
drives the UPS truck. What do you say to that? Ha ha!
Dad, regarding your questions: For the blessings I've received from
going on a mission, I'll write a separate letter today, so that I can
have enough time to give it some proper thought. Do ex-bishops retain
their title around here? Honestly, I don't know, but I can find out. I
think it's both yes and no, but I'm not certain. I'll let you know.
In Springdale they had a ward website, which was at least somewhat
used. I remember in a PEC that they were saying that it was kinda out
of date. But they did use the calendar, I believe. I think I have a
calling card with 28 minutes on it. Go ahead and send me the calling
card info. And now Mom, regarding your question: Send my Christmas
package to my Huston address. That way, I'll be sure to get it before
Christmas than after. Oh, and I got your package. Thanks for the
pants, the candy (I've already finished of the Creepy Peepers), and
the blade replacements, and everything else that was in there.
It is hard to believe that I've been out for nearly 14 months, and
that as of Christmas, I'll have 10 to go. The way last transfer was
(and they way this one is going), I'll be back home in no time,
playing Beatles and Jimmy Eat World on my Gibson J-45, which I won't
have to tune! Winona is putting on a branch talent show on the 15th of
December, so Elder Gregory and I decided to head down there that
weekend. I decided I'm going to play the children's hymn Baptism on
the guitar, and sing it in Marshallese. I'll see if I can get a
recording.
Anyway, I can't really think of what more to write about. So I'll
guess I'll be going. See you next week!
