Whew. This week was a long one. Tuesday we had District Meeting, then DD took us and the Malone Elders to dinner. Then we hurried to Potsdam to meet up with Elders Jarman and Bellon. The 6 of us were blessed enough to be able to use the ZL's truck, to drive 4 hours into Utica for Return & Report (the meeting all the trainers and trainees go to.) First of all, I would HIGHLY recommend the use of a small pickup to transport large numbers of people. Second, if you ever have the opportunity to sit in the front middle seat, seize that opportunity. I was able to touch my forehead to my knees, and let my shins control the AC and volume for the full 4 hours. It was blissful, and the seat had incredible cushion as well, such a memorable drive. When we arrived at the mission home at 9:15, we were lucky enough to not have to make the decision of which bed we wanted, as they were all already taken. Elder Davis, Jarman, and I slept on the living room floor. I think I got a full 3 hours! The actual meeting on Wednesday was very good. I was able to talk to my MTC district and see how their lives were, and we heard some good talks from President and his Wife, and the AP's. So it was actually worth the wonderful drive and the good night's sleep. On the way back to Potsdam, it was about 5:30 and we were all hungry, and weren't about to drive straight through, 3.5 hours to Potsdam. So we made a pit stop at Buffalo Wild Wings. Lemme tell ya, I never would've guessed I'd be eating at BDubs with 5 other missionaries. But Missionaries are indeed blessed, in many many ways.
The rest of the week was pretty slow.
Thursday was the usual. We washed dishes at the Methodist dinner, tracted, then had some regular visits. We went and saw Floyd, one of the most genuine guys I know. He was pretty bummed because he's being forced to move. He lived with his brother, but his brother let 2 alcoholic friends move in, and Floyd wasn't going to let himself live around people like that. His PO wouldn't like it either. So Floyd got himself outta there.
On Friday we went and met President Chapman at Floyd's mom's house. As she needed help moving too. She's 86, weighs maybe 70 lbs, and her house (sadly) reminded me of the TV show Hoarders. So
on Friday we gathered boxes, and did what we could. We all had to leave before we could make too much of a dent. We had our usual
FridayDinner and a lesson with DD. We went to some nasty diner DD apparently always vows to never go back to, but then forgets. He apologized to us and said he'd have to feed us again to make up for it. When we got back to his house for the lesson, he seemed upset. We asked why, and he said he'd forgot to leave a tip (DD always tips, and he tips very well) So, we got back in the car, and we talked about charity, the pure love of Christ, as we drove back so DD could give the waiter a tip. It was rather fitting.
On Saturday, President Chapman, Floyd, Elder Davis, Me, and Sisters DeVries, Miner, and Halversen, all showed up to Floyd's mom's house. She had to be completely moved out by that night, and she had virtually nothing packed. She's 86, in poor health, and her house was VERY full. She told us to just throw it all into bags. So, the Sisters bagged everything, while all the guys threw stuff into the Uhaul. 2 full trucks came out of that maybe 900 sq ft apartment. Wow. And we all smelled like cat pee, and wet dog. Because she's got a cat and a dog in that house, and they don't go outside often..... It was quite a day. After the first move, we got a call that we had to go help another person move. This lady, Sister O'Leary, is a less active member who moved to Massena from Malone. This went much smoother. Everything was in the same size box, labeled, and she had 3 pieces of furniture. The house she moved into was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and was meant to mimic Falling Water (google it, it's incredible.) So it was a very modern style house, that went over a ravine with a river in it. It was fully furnished when she bought it, so all we had to do was wheel boxes in. MUCH BETTER THAN THE FIRST MOVE. Honestly I think all we did
on Saturday was move people. So that was fun.
Sunday was.... Good? I sat next to Floyd, and he said he wanted to go bear his testimony, but was nervous. I said I'd go if he did. He went up and bore a genuine testimony about how much he loves God, is grateful for the Atonement, and knows that the brothers and sisters of this church are doing the right thing, and he'll always be a member. I don't even remember what I said when I got up, all I knew was Floyd is awesome. After Sacrament meeting, one of our senior missionaries, was talking to Carlena, who was having a bad day. And decided to check Carlena's arms for needles, and look at her pupils, then asked her "Carlena are you on drugs?" Now, I have no idea why she asked this, all I know is Carlena did not take it well. She started bawling and was yelling "I just barely got baptized and this lady is accusing me of being on drugs in the middle of church. Just because I'm the only person who isn't white here doesn't mean I'm bad", and then she tried to go outside and the Sister wouldn't let her. So the Branch President stepped in, took Carlena into his office, and talked to her to calm her down. Wow. The Massena Branch and the South Bench Ward are not very alike at all....
On Monday, with the permission from President Rogers, DD drove us down to Ogdensberg, and we went bowling with Elder Bellon and Jarman. They're the closest set of missionaries to us, and it was nice to finally see some other missionaries. I am terrible at bowling, but we had a great time. 'Twas nice.
So, it was an interesting week, full of meetings and moving people. But it was good. Slow. But good. This week we have a bunch of appointments lined up, and got a couple referrals from President Rogers after our interviews
on Sunday, so we should have a good week.
Thanks for all your support, love you all!
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