October 24, 2011

October 24, 2011 - Week 2 of Transfer 15

We have almost wrapped up all the loose ends of transfer week, almost that is. This morning we actually were able to go for a nice jog and get a brief study in. It has been a good pday, President Miller took Elder Speigner and I golfing for 9 holes. I played OK for my level but I really got to do some work on my short game. I had the opportunity for two birdies and even one eagle! But I blew them and had to take some pars, but on the other holes usually was a bogey or double bogey every time. That eagle possibility was sweet though! I hit the green on a par 4, even from the blue teas! It was a 260yrd hole. I think I'll pick up the old mans sport when my body can't handle the adrenalin rushes.

My birthday was a splendid day! I woke up at 5:30am got ready and arrived at the mission office at 6:30am. Ten new missionaries arrived shortly after we arrived. After President and Sister Miler introduced themselves and welcomed them President then began to interview them one by one for about 15 minutes each. While they are getting interviewed Elder Speigner and I split them up and one group at a time we drive them to the Draper Temple to check out the entire mission, talk about baptism and help them set some goals for their mission. While I was training the new missionaries Sister Miller had Sister Miller 2 come into the room with a bunch of balloons and a lovely card, then they all sang happy birthday. It was embarrassing for sure. Once President Miller finished we had the trainers come join, transfer calls were given and another training was given just before they headed off to proselyte for their first time ever!

Once things were done at the office we left to the Millers home to be with the departing missionaries for the night. The assistants always stay the night with the departing missionaries then wake up early to drive them to the airport. That day is getting closer and closer to me... scary. Wednesday night was great the greatest birthday present in the world! We were able to be with many of our close mission friends on their last night here, including Elder Lundwall. I even met his parents, I loved that. We played some driveway basketball, shared hilarious stories from our mission and had a testimony meeting, then stayed up real late discussing the mission. Sister Miller even got me a little surprise birthday cake and once again they all sang to me. I never thought I would have a birthday like this on my mission, last year I didn't even remember it was my birthday. The Miller's are too kind. Thank you mom and dad for the birthday gifts! I received so many cards of love and little gifts from friends and family at home, I wish I could name them all one by one just so many. Breanne your card is way cool and it sits on my dresser each day. Others sent money to help out and to all of you I thank you, I really am grateful. I love all of you (special thanks to Grandma, excited to see you).

We just gave one of the missionaries I came out with, a brand new 2012 car four hours ago, a brand new car! It his first car he has ever had on the mission too! Well... breaking news! We just got a phone call he has crashed it, not only crashed it but crashed it into a police car and it's his fault. From what he said it sounds like 3000 to 4000 dollars of damage. Looks like his driving privileges are gone, so sad. On another note President and Sister Miller are identical to Brother and Sister Pizzey! They are mirror images of the both of you, I love it. I read Sister Miller some of dads email and she cried out and said, "YUP! That is President alright".

The week has been mainly packed with mission stuff and we are just getting back into our area which is real nice. I just really want to baptize and it's hard to do it when you can't work your area. To be honest I hope I get released this transfer to go train! Yesterday we were calendaring (all the way up until next August... I told them I will be married haha) and when it came to November 30th President said he isn't to sure about letting me go. Six transfers as an assistant is a really long time, its hard work. I would love to be able to train a new missionary, just work him to death!

This weekend should be a packed one for us. We are having at least 5 baptisms and one of our investigators are getting married. One of Daniel England's converts (a family of 9 from Nepal) are being sealed in this weekend and Elder Bertolino is coming back for it, President has given us permission to attend. I can't wait to see Toni Bertolino! I miss him. This past week there was a multi stake conference (94 stakes) for the southern part of the salt lake valley (mainly our mission) which was broadcasted from the conference center to each stake center. Elder Bednar presided and President and Sister Miller were asked to sit on the stand. Well this conference was just as good as general conference if not better. President Beck (GYMP), Sister Dalton (GYWP), Elder Christenson and David A. Bednar spoke! They killed it. David A. Bednar gave my all time favorite talk, no lie. I have never heard such a talk and it drilled home the one thing I've learned over and over in my mission. I loved it. I know someone over the translation department in the church and he records all the talks given by the GA's he told me he could get a copy but Elder Bednar decided not to release it! I was so upset but I took good notes.

That is basically my week in a nut shell! I can't wait to get caught up on sleep, back to exercising, normal studies and 24/7 proselyting! No more business man style, I just want to be a normal missionary. This was the first pday in 3 weeks we had though! I need to buy some new white shirts though, mine are all stayed brown around the neck and worn hard on the cuffs. Good thing I got some birthday money! Thank you and Love you all!
Elder Pizzey