Tim Tebow, General Conference, Return and Report, TBell 4/2/2018

    Well, the subject line pretty much tells you what we focused on this week. In no particular order, but all were very good. I guess General Conference will come first, because as a missionary, General Conference weekend is kind of our only "weekend off." Don't take that the wrong way, we still try to get people there and set stuff up and stay focused, but it is a rather relaxing few days. We watched the Saturday Morning session at the Church, which is nice because you can really focus. After the morning session, we ran home to check the mail, and I had a wonderful package from (soon to be) Sister Nielsen, and one from my Grandparents. Both contained candy, which was perfect because the home where we would be watching the afternoon session has 3 of the coolest kids in the Ward. We went to the Leiter's house, and they've got 3 kids, Hannah (2), Trevor (4), and Kieran (6). The kids are awesome, however this did mean that I was unable to hear most of the session. As Hannah sat on my lap and colored (this was not against the rules as I did not actually hold her, simply was an extension of the sofa. All the Leiter children seem to think I am a chair. I had Kieran sitting on me for the entirety of a half hour meeting that he decided to join us for 😂), Kieran was sneakin my candy, and Trevor somehow decided that he should tickle my feet haha. The kids probably like me just because I bring them treats every week. I got a box of like 70 Costco granola bars back in like September, and they're still being used to make the Beirdneu, Schmidt, Leiter, VanAusdall, and various other children love the missionaries. Anyways, one of the few things I was actually able to hear was the announcement that Elder Kyle S McKay is now a General Authority 70. It's awesome to hear a Wardie's name, especially Elder McKay. In junior high I spent a considerable amount of time "babysitting" two of the McKay boys, and got a chance to see what having brothers was like. Elder McKay was also our Stake President, and we were all sure that he would one day be a General Authority. And lo and behold, I heard a familiar name this Saturday Afternoon. This General Conference probably had the most significant changes of any I've ever been alive for, and seeing the Ward I'm in now, and having seen many of the other ones in NY, these changes will be incredibly beneficial, in this area, and I'm sure everywhere. My favorite mental image from any of the talks is that of a young Russell M Nelson just smashing bottle after bottle of his parents' booze. We need more youth like that today. Another highlight of the Conference was in the Priesthood Session, when Quorum by Quorum, President Nelson had every Priesthood holder stand, and we remained standing for the closing song. It was so cool, the Spirit was so strong, and I guarantee everyone who participated felt like they were a part of something MUCH bigger than themselves. For the Sunday sessions, we spent the day with the VanAusdall's. They are incredibly lit, and much to our devastation, within the next 2 weeks, they will be moving to the Promised Land (Utah). This will lower the number of families who are awesome to the missionaries from 1.5, to .5. So we're trying to savor the moments, because rn it's like we're pulling off the Bandaid slowly. 
     The other huge news this week is the fact that I have clearance from President Rogers to go to a Binghamton Rumble Ponies game. The Rumble Ponies are a AA Baseball team, similar to the Salt Lake Bees. Normally, the only scenario in which I would want to attend a game like this is with a date, however, PRogy did not give us permission to do that. But this game will be worth attending, due to the special guest who will be playing for the Rumble Ponies. In Binghamton, a small, dirty, poor city in Upstate NY, TIM TEBOW WILL BE JOINING THE BASEBALL SQUAD. This next Saturday, 4 missionaries will be sitting front row, and we will not leave that stadium until we get a picture with Tebow. Tebow is probably the best known Christian Athlete in the entire world, so surely he will be pumped to see 4 representatives of Christ sitting front row, cheering for him as we try to pick up some investigators. ANYONE WHO READS THIS EMAIL, TWEET/FACEBOOK/INSTAGRAM Tim Tebow and tell him 4 missionaries are coming, and we'll even take him to dinner if he so wishes. It would be incredibly powerful to have a picture of a Missionary, with a fellow "missionary" of sort. His eyeblack that read "John 3:16" had a wider impact than you could imagine. 
     Alright, enough about Tebow. This week Elder Chan and I got to go to Return and Report. This is the meeting where all the trainers and trainees get to go and basically give an update on how they're doing. This was nice, because I was able to "vent" a little to President. Training is never an easy task, however I feel as though I've been given a double portion of this "treat." Before I can effectively train Elder Chan and teach him how to be a missionary, I have to overcome the obstacle of trying to teach him English, and teach him how to function while living on his own, speaking English, using a card to purchase things, helping him spell and write, and various other every day things that I figured would be common knowledge as an 18-20 year old. However, this is my 2nd companion who has struggled with various things that I figured were commonplace in any human who lived in a 1st World Country. I love Elder Chan, and he is very sincere, and wants to learn. However, no amount of teaching I do is gonna make a difference if he doesn't understand what I'm saying... Soooooo it's a little rough. But it's a great learning experience. And as President Rogers always says, there is no growing in a comfort zone, and there is no comfort in a growth zone. 
     Missionary work wise, this area appears to have collectively decided that nobody should talk to the Mormons. This has proved to be a severe limiting factor, especially for us, as we are Mormon Missionaries. Luckily, we have 1 RC, 2 LA's, and 2 investigators we are able to focus a great majority of our time planning for, contacting, and meeting with. However, we would very much appreciate 1, or possibly like 40 new investigators. So if anyone wants to move out here and let us teach them, let me know. On the bright side, next week we will be getting our smartphones, so we will be able to see people cancel their appointments without even having to go to the church, this advancement means we never have to leave our apartment!!! (this is a joke. do not fear.)


LOVE YOU ALL. THE CHURCH IS TRUE. RUSSELL M NELSON IS OUR PROPHET. AND LIFE IS GREAT. TALK TO YA NEXT WEEK FOLKS.

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