3-31-14 Bike Fun

We had a great week. I am glad to hear you got that letter. The ZL's only interview people taught by the DL's, and the DL's interview everyone else...so I won't be interviewing many people, but I did get to a lot as a DL though! It's always cool.

3-24-14

This week was good. I really was faced with some of the new responsibilities as we had some problems to deal with. Normally we see the mission president twice a month for meetings, but this week we either saw him or talked to him on the phone almost every day. I didn't realize how lucky I was to have Elder Coburn as a trainer...missionaries like him aren't super common, and I was blessed. As ZL's, we technically are over the Sisters in our zone, but there is a sister leadership position called a Sister Training Leader (STL) now. We have one in our zone. And that is a Sister missionary who is assigned to sort of take care of the needs of the sisters in the zone, and to go on exchanges with them and what not. So we are friends with the sisters, and get along with them and associate with them, and they still call us for permission to do certain things, but they turn to their STL for most personal needs. Interestingly enough, the STL in our zone was called to a mission in Brazil, but has been here in our mission waiting for a visa...for over a year! Well this week her visa came in, so she will be going down to Brazil next month for the last 5 months of her mission...it is kind of funny...but she is worried that she isn't going to remember all of her Portuguese! I am just so happy that stuff didn't happen to me. 

3-17-14 Crazy Week for All

That is a crazy week. Is everything okay?? What can I do for you guys? [Last Wednesday, Laura went in for a routine colonoscopy, which turned into a mess that ended her up in the hospital on Friday with a blood clot in the upper leg.  Luckily, the clot was found the day before Steve and Laura were to get on a plane to New York City.]

3/10/14 Speed Learning

I am learning a lot really fast. I can't imagine what it was like for Dad going straight to AP without being a ZL. I am sure Dad learned a lot, but I guess that is a testament to how great of a missionary he was/is. 

Heading to Olivehurst

I can never sleep after transfer calls. I will be going to Olivehurst, CA to be one of the Yuba City zone leaders. I will still be in a car down there. The mission owns or rents the house, so I probably do get to mow the lawn.  Oh, and there are 11 zones in the mission, so 22 ZL's.  Coburn said the members take you to the Air Force base sometimes...and that is where the SR-71 blackbird used to be based out of.  It has been nice knowing that I was going to get transferred because I have been able to pack little by little for the last week or so. What was weird was to have Elder Geisler packing too....kind of a strange situation. Not only are the Elders moving to Redding, but the area north of us (Fall River) is being joined to Palo Cedro, as far as missionaries go. So now Elder Geisler and his new companion will be in charge of 2 of the biggest areas in the mission...so that will be an adjustment...I am a little jealous. It is kind of nice to be getting out right now so I don't have to worry about that. Well we can say we were the last elders to live in the Palo Palace! [Sister missionaries are also coming to Palo Cedro, and will be moving into Michael's apartment there.]

Poison Oak

All the seasons have seemed really short, but yea, this winter was very short. Hopefully we will get some more rain, because it looks like there are some fires starting up in the mountains west of Redding. (Today we are in Redding getting the oil changed right now.)

Valentine's

Thanks for the GPS. We got it this week and Elder Geisler is really excited. Thank you so much for all of your help. I am glad you got the stuff I sent home. Thank you so much for your help.