Yes, I have a new companion! His name is Elder Wagner, from Heber, Utah. It's kinda funny how it all worked out. In our ward, we had Centreville 1A (Elders Hansen and Karbach) and Centreville1B (Elders Laing and Wagner). Elder Wagner and I were in Alexandria together (same district) for 3 transfers, then he followed me here, to Centreville. President Riggs put Elder Wagner and I together and kicked out Elders Karbach and Laing. I thought it was a very wise move. We both are aware of those who both companions were working with, and we've both been in the same area for the same amount of time. It's been a smooth, fruitful, productive transition. Heck, we've already got 2 baptisms!!!!! :D
Jamie Zhang and Yang Li were baptized! It was awesome! They requested that Brother Palmer (1st counsellor in the Bishopric), and Elder Day (Assistant to the President) baptize them. Elder Wagner and I witnessed the baptism. It was such a special, rewarding experience. We had the opportunity to teach a portion of the Restoration after the ordinance. The special spirit that entered the room was magnified as we bore testimony of the restoration of the gospel through the prophet Joseph Smith. After we spoke, Elder Ni (the other Assistant to the President) bore his testimony in Mandrin Chinese.
Jamie's parents flew in from Taijin, China to support their child and child-in-law (Is child-in-law a thing?).
After the baptism, we got so many compliment, and our trust with the members skyrocketed. They're on a spiritual high, and they're pumped to do some member missionary work. Now it's our responsibility to take the lead in coordinating with members to further God's purposes here in the Centreville 1st ward.
Man, life is good as a missionary :).
Do I enjoy being the District Leader?
... Tough question. Um, maybe I'll send you a letter about it in greater detail. Short answer, yes, I ENJOY it. I don't love it. I hope I get to loving it, though.
Do I eat at the member's homes a lot?
Yes! Moreso than I have in any other ward that I've served in :). One time, I forgot to tell members that I'm allergic to crawfish (I don't really know if I'm allergic, but I'm still cautious. Remember that time at Stawberry Resevoir when I got hives?) and they fed us Chinese food. I was chowing down on a spring roll when their 6-year-old (Whose name is Dustin :) asked, "Where's the surprise shrimp in my spring roll?"
I didn't finish my spring roll.
Apparently, that Chinese restarant puts a "surprise shrimp" in each of their spring rolls. Surprise! Hives!
Do I love you? Do I even have to answer?
Yes, I do!
Oh, I figgered out Skype! An awesome family invited us over for dinner on Mother's day, and they said they'd have the computers out ready to Skype for as long as we need to. Whoop! They're probably having dinner at 5 o'clock. so...3 o'clock in your time? I'll call and ask them, then I'll confirm with you. I'll see you Sunday!
I'm sorry life is full of the crazies. I'm going to flip out about Rhode Island now...
Ah.
I'm kidding! I'm actually not as nervous/worried as I thought I would be. To be perfectly honest, I'm kind of excited! I guess I've gotten used to moving around so much (every 4-5 months or so) that the prospect of seeing somewhere else other than boring ol' Virginia is exciting!
I know that God will always take care of us. My mind is brought to remembrance of a family in the Book of Mormon who had to move.. That's right, Lehi! They had to wander in the wilderness for 8 years before they landed in Rhode Island!
Lehi and his family had a compass - the Liahona. But it only worked according to their faith. The pointers were frustrated when there were murmurings, complaints, and disobedience. Oh, and plots to murder Nephi.
You have your own compass - the Holy Ghost. He's a timid feller, so raised voices, temper tantrums, "corrupt communication" (Ephesians 4:29), light-mindedness and loud laughter will prevent him from directing you. God will lead you when you allow Him to.
I'll pray for you even harder than usual this week.
Love you so much!
Elder Hansen.
Jamie Zhang and Yang Li were baptized! It was awesome! They requested that Brother Palmer (1st counsellor in the Bishopric), and Elder Day (Assistant to the President) baptize them. Elder Wagner and I witnessed the baptism. It was such a special, rewarding experience. We had the opportunity to teach a portion of the Restoration after the ordinance. The special spirit that entered the room was magnified as we bore testimony of the restoration of the gospel through the prophet Joseph Smith. After we spoke, Elder Ni (the other Assistant to the President) bore his testimony in Mandrin Chinese.
Jamie's parents flew in from Taijin, China to support their child and child-in-law (Is child-in-law a thing?).
After the baptism, we got so many compliment, and our trust with the members skyrocketed. They're on a spiritual high, and they're pumped to do some member missionary work. Now it's our responsibility to take the lead in coordinating with members to further God's purposes here in the Centreville 1st ward.
Man, life is good as a missionary :).
Do I enjoy being the District Leader?
... Tough question. Um, maybe I'll send you a letter about it in greater detail. Short answer, yes, I ENJOY it. I don't love it. I hope I get to loving it, though.
Do I eat at the member's homes a lot?
Yes! Moreso than I have in any other ward that I've served in :). One time, I forgot to tell members that I'm allergic to crawfish (I don't really know if I'm allergic, but I'm still cautious. Remember that time at Stawberry Resevoir when I got hives?) and they fed us Chinese food. I was chowing down on a spring roll when their 6-year-old (Whose name is Dustin :) asked, "Where's the surprise shrimp in my spring roll?"
I didn't finish my spring roll.
Apparently, that Chinese restarant puts a "surprise shrimp" in each of their spring rolls. Surprise! Hives!
Do I love you? Do I even have to answer?
Yes, I do!
Oh, I figgered out Skype! An awesome family invited us over for dinner on Mother's day, and they said they'd have the computers out ready to Skype for as long as we need to. Whoop! They're probably having dinner at 5 o'clock. so...3 o'clock in your time? I'll call and ask them, then I'll confirm with you. I'll see you Sunday!
I'm sorry life is full of the crazies. I'm going to flip out about Rhode Island now...
Ah.
I'm kidding! I'm actually not as nervous/worried as I thought I would be. To be perfectly honest, I'm kind of excited! I guess I've gotten used to moving around so much (every 4-5 months or so) that the prospect of seeing somewhere else other than boring ol' Virginia is exciting!
I know that God will always take care of us. My mind is brought to remembrance of a family in the Book of Mormon who had to move.. That's right, Lehi! They had to wander in the wilderness for 8 years before they landed in Rhode Island!
Lehi and his family had a compass - the Liahona. But it only worked according to their faith. The pointers were frustrated when there were murmurings, complaints, and disobedience. Oh, and plots to murder Nephi.
You have your own compass - the Holy Ghost. He's a timid feller, so raised voices, temper tantrums, "corrupt communication" (Ephesians 4:29), light-mindedness and loud laughter will prevent him from directing you. God will lead you when you allow Him to.
I'll pray for you even harder than usual this week.
Love you so much!
Elder Hansen.