Week 1, Transfer 17

Well, the first week of my last transfer...It was actually kinda lame as far as a normal week in Alliance goes.

We did a lot of things, but ended up with only 12 lessons, and 9 of those were to members, and weren't really the best. That is the real bummer, that of the 12, I really only felt like maybe half of them were actual lessons. Oh well, can't change the past, but the future can be better.

So, Sunday we had an awesome lesson with the Clark family. This is the second time they've been taught, but the first time since I've been here (so about 6 weeks between visits). We were able to have the Weavers with us, too. They know each other from work, sort of. Anyway, we watched the Restoration DVD with them and have another appointment set up for this coming Sunday to discuss the Plan of Salvation. So that was the missionary work highlight of the week.

Monday we had P-day and did laundry at a member's house. My clothes would NOT dry, so we ended up there until dinner time and just ate with them. Well, then the weather turned NASTY. There was a severe thunderstorm warning all that night, and even at 7:00 it was pitch black outside! We made it home safely around 9:00, when the sky cleared enough that we felt we would be okay to drive the 10 minutes to our apartment.

Tuesday was a good missionary day, too. We saw four families, all less-active. We visited with them, and just tried to be a positive influence in their lives.
Wednesday was a FUN day. We went branding that morning. We left about 4:45 and got back about 4:40. That is from A.M. to P.M. Elder Pape and I wrestled calves. There were about 6 sets of wrestlers, 6 ropers, 4 branders, 1 de-horner, and 2 steer-makers. (If you don't know what I mean by that last one, ask Isaac.) At the very end I was tired of wrestling, and asked if I could help with the steer-making, since that was the only other thing that we'd be allowed to do as missionaries. I did about 7 and then we were all finished. In total 836 calves were branded! After we got home, we sorta collapsed from being tired and napped for an hour or so. Then we went over and visited the Lewis's, another less-active family.

Thursday was pretty standard, made plans for next week (Thursday is the weekly planning day) and figured out when we wanted to go to places like Chadron and Gordon, since we need to now. Then we tried a bunch of people, but no one was home. That night we went out to the Weaver's for dinner, and yet ANOTHER severe thunderstorm warning was announced. The sky was yet again threatening a tornado, but thankfully didn't deliver on that promise.

Friday we had lunch with the Smith's. He is the pilot of the plane that I sent photos of. The one that needs a battery charger in order to start. :) Then we practiced for a musical number for Sunday, we changed the song during the practice, too, so that took a little longer to work out. (We ended up having a bunch of little girls singing the first part of A Child's Prayer with two moms singing the second part.) Then we were invited to a birthday party, but only two 8 year olds were there, so we left after a little while. And finally we went over to the Favela's for a BBQ. These are our top investigators right now. We just need to get them to church! Anyway, we played Uno and Spoons and Kaboodl and talked about the W.o.W. and commandments in general. It was cool, because two of their good friends were there also and participated in the discussion. They all agreed that the commandments made sense, but didn't quite commit to living them.

Saturday we helped a lady move apartments. That was okay, but I have a pet-peeve with people who don't pack BEFORE the moving crew arrives. We were all done by about 12, starting at 9. Then one of the other members who helped took us to a Chinese Buffet for lunch. It was good, but didn't agree with me at all. We tried some more people and again couldn't get in with anyone. Then we travelled out to one of the church ranches for dinner. It was a 40-45 mile trip out, but took 60-75 minutes to get there along the "pot-hole-iest" road I've ever seen. It was only one lane, too. Thankfully there are only maybe five people that travel that road, and only once a week, at most! (For church!) Anyway, we made it to the families house and had a great evening. All three ranch families were there and we played that Command game with them. They LOVED it and wanted to get a copy. Thankfully I had my memory card with me and was able to copy it to their computer pretty quick.

Sunday was branch conference and I played the piano for that musical number. It was chosen as the closing hymn, and we had an intermediate hymn as well. Okay, so funny thing: We started by singing Star-Spangled Banner, but NOONE stood for it. Then we had a sacrament hymn, and then an intermediate hymn, 243, and the conductor STOOD EVERYONE UP!!! and finally we did a musical number for the closing hymn. Now, isn't that the most backward music leader ever? After church we had potluck, since all the Stake Leaders were there, and that was great. Everyone brought enough food to feed two or three families, so there was a lot to choose from! We taught a lesson at an investigator's house, too. About temples and eternal marriage, trying to give him an incentive for investigating the church. It could have gone a lot better, but was okay. After that we went over to the Lewis's again and talked to them about church and things like that.

And now I'm emailing!

Love,
Elder Callor