Dear viewers,
I will start this letter off by talking about my new district. When I left my last district it was ridiculously old; I was the youngest missionary in the zone and I had been out 14 months. In this new district I went from being youngest to third oldest missionary. It feels weird being on this end of the time-served scale and having that many people younger then me. It also feels weird because from the beginning of my mission on, there was always someone in the district that I knew. However, In this district for the first time I really don't know anyone. But I have 6 weeks to get to know them, and they seem like good people so I don't really have anything to worry about. (Editors Note: Unless they are serial killers in disguise)
I also learned some slightly disturbing news this week: Half of the members in this ward think of us as nothing more than dinner guests. We come, we eat, we leave, and that's it until next time or when we see each other in church. That's going to have to change. We need to get them to realize that member work is the most effective way of mission work, and we need their help to be more effective because missionary work alone just isn't enough most of the time.
Another bit of news that's good or bad, depending on your spin, is that I've learned from the Spanish missionaries who cover our area that they teach everyone they tract, whether they are English or Spanish speaking. No wonder the Spanish program is so much more successful than the English program, they steal our baptisms and work! When we find a Spanish speaking person to teach, we give them that referral. Their job is the Spanish program, shouldn't they be returning our favor by giving us their English referral. It just makes sense doesn't it? But then again, it really shouldn't matter so long as the person getting taught gets baptized. And maybe, just maybe, that set of missionaries could do a better job at teaching and bringing that person closer to Christ than we could.
Now the last bit of news before the events of the week; I found out that in the suburbs, not only do we have to call in to our zone leaders every night but we also have to call in to our ward mission leader. That doesn't make any sense at all! We didn't have to do that in the city and we report everything that's happened with the work to him on Sunday anyway during MCM. Why do we have to call him nightly when we already do that with our zone leaders? Calling in once a night was fine, but twice? Is that really necessary? Well now that I'm done venting, on with the events of the previous week.
Last Wednesday and Thursday we spent six hours of each day helping to set up for and clean up for the Napperville Mayor's Holiday Prayer Breakfast meeting. Our district is literally right outside of the Napperville zone, if the stake boundaries were slightly different we would be in that zone rather than the Joliet Zone. That's why they decided to have us help. Basically that whole meeting was a big advertisement for the YMCA, who hosted the event. It was a "this wasn't intended to be a fundraiser, but give us your money anyway" type thing. President R. was at the event, so afterward we had our president's interviews. It was full of praises for good work but also warning and suggesting that there were still areas I can improve on. There were three other churches involved in the event, but they basically showed up for the event. We were the ones that did all the work, including bringing and taking back the supplies, like tables, chairs, and other stuff used for the event, taking them to and from the churches that loaned them for the event. Surprisingly our supplies were the hardest to move, the other churches all had a really good system for moving their stuff that made it a load easier for us. After everything was done, we were exhausted so we went home and took a very long well deserved nap.
This Sunday was my first fast Sunday outside the city and I looked forward to seeing what that was like. In the city there were some people who know how to bear a testimony, then again, there are others who completely don't get what a testimony is supposed to be and are classic examples of what your not supposed to say. Ex., a lump on your breast, your awesome school week, subjects having nothing to do with the gospel, etc... this last week there was none of that, it was actually a normal testimony meeting, no crazy people or anything.
This monday we got a new investigator, a guy who wants to marry his girlfriend but she told him he would have to take the lessons first. We weren't sure if he was the real deal or whether he was just doing it for her. But after meeting with him we could see he was golden, he had questions for us and even started to read the Book of Mormon without being asked to. We know for sure he's golden (Editors Note: Golden in missionary terms means someone absolutely ready to be baptized as soon as possible.) because when we committed him to be baptized, he neither jumped into it nor declined. He wants to be baptized when he's ready. Our goal is to get him baptized by the first week of January, before the girl goes back to school and he goes back into the military.
stay tuned for next week
love, Elder Fields.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
The Passing of a Roommate
It occurred about 9:30 pm tonight. The sheets ripped off the mattress. The dresser drawers emptied swiftly. A presence now gone. A feeling of emptiness, a vacant spot in the room.
Empty, quiet. No longer shall there be someone up at the crack of dawn, no longer shall the glare of the computer screen be dimmed. Only emptiness and quiet, where a great man once lay.
Gone he is to a comfier mattress, to another room adjacent to mine. Gone he is from a creaky bed to one slightly more stable. Gone are his clothes, his books, his very presence, to another abode.
Gone is he to a roommate with a similar sleeping schedule, gone is he to greener pastures. Such are times, and tragic can they be.
John, you are a roommate I have lost, but haven't. And with thy departure, you have bestowed upon me my own room, for a time.
But... you shall be missed. Greatly. God speed, my dear brother.
Till we meet again. Most likely in the morning.
Empty, quiet. No longer shall there be someone up at the crack of dawn, no longer shall the glare of the computer screen be dimmed. Only emptiness and quiet, where a great man once lay.
Gone he is to a comfier mattress, to another room adjacent to mine. Gone he is from a creaky bed to one slightly more stable. Gone are his clothes, his books, his very presence, to another abode.
Gone is he to a roommate with a similar sleeping schedule, gone is he to greener pastures. Such are times, and tragic can they be.
John, you are a roommate I have lost, but haven't. And with thy departure, you have bestowed upon me my own room, for a time.
But... you shall be missed. Greatly. God speed, my dear brother.
Till we meet again. Most likely in the morning.
I'm innocent, you see, innocent!
It was a long weekend, I apologize for not updating. I have to report that I won't be the 12 Days of Christmas like I did last year. I'm too tight for money at the moment.
But... to sort of make up for it, in which nothing can be proved. I'm totally innocent. But there's this girl in the ward who is cool. She's shy, like me, but goes to all the social things, and tries to be social. Anywho, she apparently is suffering from a lack of food. Something I read on her facebook status (it was on my main page. That and I like to read statuses so I can humorously reply) and through talking to her, I, and some others, learned she was low on food.
So by hiring a stealth ninja to deliver the goods in the middle of the day, in which my involvement in said process with others is unconfirmed, the ninja delivered some non-perishables collected by those who hired the ninja.
I just thought this would be something nice to share as it is the Christmas season and all. Not that I had anything to do with it of course. There's word that it may have been a group effort and the ninja was imported from Japan. Or maybe not. Rumors are weird that way.
So... nothing to see here, please mosey on away. Thank you very much.
But... to sort of make up for it, in which nothing can be proved. I'm totally innocent. But there's this girl in the ward who is cool. She's shy, like me, but goes to all the social things, and tries to be social. Anywho, she apparently is suffering from a lack of food. Something I read on her facebook status (it was on my main page. That and I like to read statuses so I can humorously reply) and through talking to her, I, and some others, learned she was low on food.
So by hiring a stealth ninja to deliver the goods in the middle of the day, in which my involvement in said process with others is unconfirmed, the ninja delivered some non-perishables collected by those who hired the ninja.
I just thought this would be something nice to share as it is the Christmas season and all. Not that I had anything to do with it of course. There's word that it may have been a group effort and the ninja was imported from Japan. Or maybe not. Rumors are weird that way.
So... nothing to see here, please mosey on away. Thank you very much.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Facebook Meme Time
As I'm getting sick and have nothing of interest to try and make humorous, I thought I would do this meme thing that my brother tagged me on in Facebook. Something about 50 questions... Ask more if you so desire. So, to put a spin on it, I'll give two answers. One is the serious answer, one is the silly answer. It's up to you to determine which is which. Or I may just give one answer, depending on the question.
1. Were you named after anyone? A) Some LDS apostle who once was president of some college. B)Named after Joseph Stalin, which fuels my desire to take over the world.
2. When was the last time you cried? A) The last time I laughed super hard. Probably yesterday. B)Whenever I realize Stalin is dead.
3. Do you like your handwriting? A) Cursive: No, Normal: Meh. B) What handwriting?
4. What is your favorite (lunch) meat? A)Monkey. B)Chorizo.
5. Do you have kids? A) Only in my mind. B) Do clones and doppelgangers count? C)What about uploaded personalities on the internet?
6. If you were another person would you be friends with yourself? No. I'd challenge the me who is not me to a duel to save the world from him. That, or I'd be friends with him to be his second in command and then off him at a critical moment in time.
,
7. Do you use sarcamsm? No, I let my sword do the talking.
8. Do you still have your tonsils? Yes, but they're the ones you gave up a while ago.
9. Would you bungee jump? Yes, but only when the planets and stars align. It's part of some crazy pagan ritual designed to give me ultimate power
10. What is your favorite cereal? Captain Crunch, Bloody O's and this cereal. Cause I pity da fool.
11. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? No, I slip them off to throw at my image of President Bush II, hoping he feels it in his gut.
12. First alcoholic beverage? What if I don't know, cause I mixed a bunch of stuff together in which all the alcohol canceled itself out?
13. What is your favorite ice cream? The fruity kind. The fruity kind that are in fruit to be precise.
14. What do you first notice about people? If the person is a cute girl, a guy, or a robot who wants to violate me because I mysteriously have its entire history and culture implanted in my head
15. Red or pink? Red, except during BYU/U of U rivalry week (don't want to lynched) and pink, but only on ties. Cause pink ties are super awesome and manly.
16. What is your least favorite thing about yourself? Shy, quiet, still haven't taken over the world, that you don't love me, that you won't be my lover, that I'm writing this still wondering what other random thing I will write down. Like pie!
17. Who do you miss the most? Certain Mexican hotties that I haven't seen in a while. You. What, you say we haven't met? Of course we have. I've just been busy oiling your bedroom window to better meet you.
18. Do you want everyone who reads this to answer these questions? Only if they do not read the fine print where doing so implies that you are ok with me taking over the world and nuking mars.
19. What color of pants and shoes are you wearing? You know, if I were color blind, this would be a hard question. Thankfully I am not.
21. What are you currently listening to? Currently playing is Phantom of the Opera: The point of no return. Oh, and all the voices in my head singing along with it, in every octave imaginable.
22. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Awesome
23. Favorite Smell? The smell of global dominion. Or just good home-cooked food.
24. Who was the last person you talked to? My roommate, in a five way conversation with myself.
25. Do you like the person you got this from? Yes, he makes an excellent servant and lackey.
26. Favorite sports to watch? Football, Basketball, and Quiditch
27. Hair Color? Sources say blond. Others say dirty blond. Others were unable to give their full answer before they came to an untimely death.
28. Eye Color? Thanks to contacts; all of them. But mostly blue, best for staring into the eyes of the ladies.
29. Do you wear contacts? Occasionally.
30. Favorite food? Mexican, plus some excellent recipe from the Willie Handcart Company. Tastes a bit funny though
31. Scary movies or happy endings? Proper grammar in asking questions, and wondering why scary movies can have happy endings, or why there isn't room for scary happy endings.
32. Last movie you watched? I think Rocky 2. I'm not sure about that. It might have been some secret memoirs of world dictators. But that's supposed to be a secret.
33. What color of shirt are you wearing? Reddish. Not answering why though.
34. Summer or Winter? Winter.
35. Hugs or kisses? I refuse to answer a question so blatantly biased to Hershey's.
36. Favorite desert? Marzipan; that which is truly mana to my soul!
37. Most likely to respond? A super cute girl who I have seduced into joining my world order. Hopefully.
38. Least likely to respond? Said cute girl who doesn't want to admit that she is now seduced.
39. What are you currently reading? The Silmarillion, and How to be a Gentleman.
40. What is on your mouse pad? It's actually made of mice fur...
41. What did you watch on TV last night? Fox News, if you play Glenn Beck's program backwards, he gives tips on how to conquer the world, how to get Obama's soul, and that careful use of the Tellitubbies will make people do what you want them too; cause no one wants to be inflicted by such horrors as the Tellitubbies for very long.
42. Favorite sound(s)? Girls. Yes, girls are and can be a sound.
43. Rolling Stones or the Beatles? Both. At the same time. Playing in such a pattern to reveal the mysteries of life.
44. What is the furthest from home you have been? Mexico, and in other dimensions, Mars.
45. Do you have any special talents? I can whistle with my hands, can count things down with extreme accuracy, and looking extremely dashing and debonair in a top hat.
46. Where were you born? I wasn't born. I was cut out violently in attempts to end my horrific existence. They failed.
47. Whose answers are you looking forward to read? Yours.
48. How did you meet your spouse/significant other? I am still tracking her movements and learning her schedule to bump into each other at the perfect time.
49. Is the cup half empty or half full? I refuse to acknowledge the existence of said "cup". What is this cup you speak of?
50. If you could sit down at dinner with five people, who would they be? Either Obama and other world leaders, Hillary Duff, the Olsen Twins, Felicia Day, Taylor Swift, or just with some friends. Actually, as the question never stipulates the number of dinners, then I'll eat with all them, five at a time, which includes you who are reading this.
So yeah. Feel free to ask more I suppose.
1. Were you named after anyone? A) Some LDS apostle who once was president of some college. B)Named after Joseph Stalin, which fuels my desire to take over the world.
2. When was the last time you cried? A) The last time I laughed super hard. Probably yesterday. B)Whenever I realize Stalin is dead.
3. Do you like your handwriting? A) Cursive: No, Normal: Meh. B) What handwriting?
4. What is your favorite (lunch) meat? A)Monkey. B)Chorizo.
5. Do you have kids? A) Only in my mind. B) Do clones and doppelgangers count? C)What about uploaded personalities on the internet?
6. If you were another person would you be friends with yourself? No. I'd challenge the me who is not me to a duel to save the world from him. That, or I'd be friends with him to be his second in command and then off him at a critical moment in time.
,
7. Do you use sarcamsm? No, I let my sword do the talking.
8. Do you still have your tonsils? Yes, but they're the ones you gave up a while ago.
9. Would you bungee jump? Yes, but only when the planets and stars align. It's part of some crazy pagan ritual designed to give me ultimate power
10. What is your favorite cereal? Captain Crunch, Bloody O's and this cereal. Cause I pity da fool.
11. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? No, I slip them off to throw at my image of President Bush II, hoping he feels it in his gut.
12. First alcoholic beverage? What if I don't know, cause I mixed a bunch of stuff together in which all the alcohol canceled itself out?
13. What is your favorite ice cream? The fruity kind. The fruity kind that are in fruit to be precise.
14. What do you first notice about people? If the person is a cute girl, a guy, or a robot who wants to violate me because I mysteriously have its entire history and culture implanted in my head
15. Red or pink? Red, except during BYU/U of U rivalry week (don't want to lynched) and pink, but only on ties. Cause pink ties are super awesome and manly.
16. What is your least favorite thing about yourself? Shy, quiet, still haven't taken over the world, that you don't love me, that you won't be my lover, that I'm writing this still wondering what other random thing I will write down. Like pie!
17. Who do you miss the most? Certain Mexican hotties that I haven't seen in a while. You. What, you say we haven't met? Of course we have. I've just been busy oiling your bedroom window to better meet you.
18. Do you want everyone who reads this to answer these questions? Only if they do not read the fine print where doing so implies that you are ok with me taking over the world and nuking mars.
19. What color of pants and shoes are you wearing? You know, if I were color blind, this would be a hard question. Thankfully I am not.
21. What are you currently listening to? Currently playing is Phantom of the Opera: The point of no return. Oh, and all the voices in my head singing along with it, in every octave imaginable.
22. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Awesome
23. Favorite Smell? The smell of global dominion. Or just good home-cooked food.
24. Who was the last person you talked to? My roommate, in a five way conversation with myself.
25. Do you like the person you got this from? Yes, he makes an excellent servant and lackey.
26. Favorite sports to watch? Football, Basketball, and Quiditch
27. Hair Color? Sources say blond. Others say dirty blond. Others were unable to give their full answer before they came to an untimely death.
28. Eye Color? Thanks to contacts; all of them. But mostly blue, best for staring into the eyes of the ladies.
29. Do you wear contacts? Occasionally.
30. Favorite food? Mexican, plus some excellent recipe from the Willie Handcart Company. Tastes a bit funny though
31. Scary movies or happy endings? Proper grammar in asking questions, and wondering why scary movies can have happy endings, or why there isn't room for scary happy endings.
32. Last movie you watched? I think Rocky 2. I'm not sure about that. It might have been some secret memoirs of world dictators. But that's supposed to be a secret.
33. What color of shirt are you wearing? Reddish. Not answering why though.
34. Summer or Winter? Winter.
35. Hugs or kisses? I refuse to answer a question so blatantly biased to Hershey's.
36. Favorite desert? Marzipan; that which is truly mana to my soul!
37. Most likely to respond? A super cute girl who I have seduced into joining my world order. Hopefully.
38. Least likely to respond? Said cute girl who doesn't want to admit that she is now seduced.
39. What are you currently reading? The Silmarillion, and How to be a Gentleman.
40. What is on your mouse pad? It's actually made of mice fur...
41. What did you watch on TV last night? Fox News, if you play Glenn Beck's program backwards, he gives tips on how to conquer the world, how to get Obama's soul, and that careful use of the Tellitubbies will make people do what you want them too; cause no one wants to be inflicted by such horrors as the Tellitubbies for very long.
42. Favorite sound(s)? Girls. Yes, girls are and can be a sound.
43. Rolling Stones or the Beatles? Both. At the same time. Playing in such a pattern to reveal the mysteries of life.
44. What is the furthest from home you have been? Mexico, and in other dimensions, Mars.
45. Do you have any special talents? I can whistle with my hands, can count things down with extreme accuracy, and looking extremely dashing and debonair in a top hat.
46. Where were you born? I wasn't born. I was cut out violently in attempts to end my horrific existence. They failed.
47. Whose answers are you looking forward to read? Yours.
48. How did you meet your spouse/significant other? I am still tracking her movements and learning her schedule to bump into each other at the perfect time.
49. Is the cup half empty or half full? I refuse to acknowledge the existence of said "cup". What is this cup you speak of?
50. If you could sit down at dinner with five people, who would they be? Either Obama and other world leaders, Hillary Duff, the Olsen Twins, Felicia Day, Taylor Swift, or just with some friends. Actually, as the question never stipulates the number of dinners, then I'll eat with all them, five at a time, which includes you who are reading this.
So yeah. Feel free to ask more I suppose.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
I call 'Uncle'
Maybe it's just because I am a poor Utah boy with limited cultural understanding of my own nation. Maybe I'm just crazy. Maybe I'm from the future trying to save the past from itself. Ok, only the first two are likely, I wish I was a time traveler though.
Anywho, what is the correct use of the word 'holla'? Is it like saying or shouting 'hurray' or 'Huzzah'? Is it synonymous with 'cool' and 'awesome'? Does it give me images of baby birds hollering at their mother for more worm chow? All of the above?
Also, what are its' origins? Did it originate in California? Is it secret Leet speak? A robotic rallying cry for when robots eventually usurp their fleshy masters?
So yeah. I just don't know. I thought it would be best to ask here.
And yes, I am aware that just by asking and not knowing earns me all sort of lame points. I'm hoping to redeem those someday though.
Anywho, what is the correct use of the word 'holla'? Is it like saying or shouting 'hurray' or 'Huzzah'? Is it synonymous with 'cool' and 'awesome'? Does it give me images of baby birds hollering at their mother for more worm chow? All of the above?
Also, what are its' origins? Did it originate in California? Is it secret Leet speak? A robotic rallying cry for when robots eventually usurp their fleshy masters?
So yeah. I just don't know. I thought it would be best to ask here.
And yes, I am aware that just by asking and not knowing earns me all sort of lame points. I'm hoping to redeem those someday though.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
A Little of Obama's Speech Tonight
Yeah, I'm delving a little into Obama's speech here. Just a little of my thoughts on it. I'm not going to go into a full analytical discussion to persuade you to believe one thing or another. I'm not that into politics, I don't hope to ever be that into politics and will run from it. I like to be informed and get involved locally. That's it.
If you didn't watch Obama's speech, I suggest you read his speech so you know first hand of what was said and generate your own opinion before reading or listening to other sources. Find out what was said then listen to the analytical discussions of it.
I think it was a well written speech. He gave a time line of our occupation of Afghanistan, with an emphasis that because the Taliban would not hand over Bin Laden, because they refused to cooperate, we invaded and were unified. It was not like Iraq where we had false information of Nukes and went in. We were all for it. I think on some level or another, that is important to remember. That we, as a nation, were unified in wanting to kick Al-Qaeda's butt.
So given that and the 8 years of occupying Afghanistan, we are sending 30,000 more soldiers to help with nation building. There are clear time lines and objectives. Whether or not they are feasible is not something I can reasonably analyze. But we're trying at least.
As for what is not said, or can be read between the lines, I think is this: President Obama has studied this issue long and hard, despite Cheney and others saying he was dithering, he studied the issue out, he took his time to read into it. And he has so much more information that he cannot share because of their classified nature. We cannot leave now because we have a responsibility to at least try and help the Afghan government to grow. We haven't done that. But Obama also let know those in Afghanistan that they are to take up responsibility, that we will be leaving.
I think it is a good time line. I think, politically, it is good for Obama too. If it does succeed, then it means we would have drastically ended an 8 year conflict, right around the campaign season too. So if it goes well, it benefits him. It benefits us as a nation because we don't lose face. We give it one more try, and if it fails and we pull out, we pull out because we gave it our all. And if it succeeds, it means Al-Qeada is scattered more, the government secured, the people safer.
Anyways, that is all I am going to say. There are tactics and all sorts of information that hasn't been told to us, nor do I think it will be told any time soon, but I think because of how we have handled Afghanistan, and our responsibilities, we cannot just withdraw. We also cannot stay forever.
So yeah, read his speech. Educate yourselves. Do it!
If you didn't watch Obama's speech, I suggest you read his speech so you know first hand of what was said and generate your own opinion before reading or listening to other sources. Find out what was said then listen to the analytical discussions of it.
I think it was a well written speech. He gave a time line of our occupation of Afghanistan, with an emphasis that because the Taliban would not hand over Bin Laden, because they refused to cooperate, we invaded and were unified. It was not like Iraq where we had false information of Nukes and went in. We were all for it. I think on some level or another, that is important to remember. That we, as a nation, were unified in wanting to kick Al-Qaeda's butt.
So given that and the 8 years of occupying Afghanistan, we are sending 30,000 more soldiers to help with nation building. There are clear time lines and objectives. Whether or not they are feasible is not something I can reasonably analyze. But we're trying at least.
As for what is not said, or can be read between the lines, I think is this: President Obama has studied this issue long and hard, despite Cheney and others saying he was dithering, he studied the issue out, he took his time to read into it. And he has so much more information that he cannot share because of their classified nature. We cannot leave now because we have a responsibility to at least try and help the Afghan government to grow. We haven't done that. But Obama also let know those in Afghanistan that they are to take up responsibility, that we will be leaving.
I think it is a good time line. I think, politically, it is good for Obama too. If it does succeed, then it means we would have drastically ended an 8 year conflict, right around the campaign season too. So if it goes well, it benefits him. It benefits us as a nation because we don't lose face. We give it one more try, and if it fails and we pull out, we pull out because we gave it our all. And if it succeeds, it means Al-Qeada is scattered more, the government secured, the people safer.
Anyways, that is all I am going to say. There are tactics and all sorts of information that hasn't been told to us, nor do I think it will be told any time soon, but I think because of how we have handled Afghanistan, and our responsibilities, we cannot just withdraw. We also cannot stay forever.
So yeah, read his speech. Educate yourselves. Do it!
Missionary Tuesday?!
The latest from my brother, Elder Fields, in Chicago.
Once again, hello to you all,
This week has been full of surprises. I've seen things in this last week in the suburbs of Woodridge that after 14 months in the city I forgot ever existed: Wide open spaces, single family homes, proportionate driveways, garages in the front, mail boxes, and on one clear night I actually saw the stars! There are also hills! Our apartment has a big hill behind it that would be great for sledding when the snow comes. With the homes and the hills around here, there are parts of my area that feel like I've stepped through the twilight zone back into Utah, except hills are no substitute for mountains and the members around here live miles apart. I've also gotten lost quite a bit; there are no mountains, no big city skyline, or a lake to tell me where I am. It's a good thing I'm not the designated driver, otherwise we would never get where were going. The suburb areas are so much bigger than the areas in the city and unlike the city, looking at street signs doesn't really help much here. Unless you've lived here for a while and know your way around, you're going to be absolutely lost. I feel all turned around and backwards here and I can't tell which way is north and east. I suppose if I stay here long enough I'll eventually get the hang of things.
The first half of this week was very depressing, I felt ripped off of from my time in Cicero and missed it terribly. It didn't help that it was overcast and rainy most of the week either. Add that to the bad news i had heard about other missionaries in the mission and what they're going through, it was hard not to get depressed; especially when you spend Thanksgiving with total strangers. It really didn't feel like Thanksgiving to me. But after Thanksgiving the weather cleared up, I heard good news and things just started to get better. I still miss Cicero, but Woodridge is my area now and my work is here.
Well, about my new companion Elder S., he was actually born in California, has lived in 6 other countries but his last home was Utah. His family will be living in Germany for his homecoming, so when he gives his homecoming talk it will be to people he doesn't know in a place he's never lived in a language he doesn't speak! Crazy, isn't it?! When I got here, Elder S. informed me about our current investigators, we may as well have none. Two of them can and will never come to church and the third is permanently moving. The area is really struggling right now, so much like how my last two areas were really starting from scratch. I feel like I'm a damage control missionary. They put me in struggling areas, I work my butt off to help it get better, then I don't get to see the results of my efforts. Beverly and Cicero all had wonderful investigators but they progressed slowly and we got moved before I really could see all the good I had done.
The suburbs are also different because the city gets a lot of media referrals and work from that, out here we get far less media and most of our work we have out here comes from members; if they don't help us then nothing can get done. Lucky for us, we get fed almost every night, so we can earn the trust of all the members and actually get their help.
Sunday was church and I was in for even more surprises: Unlike in the city, each suburb ward has only one set of missionaries, unlike my last two areas, the church we go to isn't in our area, oddly enough its not even in our zone! Another shock was that they had sacrament meeting first!! That's another thing I forgot ever existed. I can't even remember the last time I had that. It was such a long time ago, none of the the wards in Utah don't schedule sacrament first anymore, at least none of the ones I have been to within the last few years before my mission. I cant even remember how old I was the last time I did that.
Well, that's about it for the shocks and surprises of this week. I will probably have more of those next week
With regards,
Elder Fields.
Elder Fields.
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