9-22-14 Boston

Wow, sounds like fun in Boston. I think from Dad's job, us kids have gotten the wrong impression of what a 'business trip' actually is...because from our perspective now, you guys just get a bunch of mini vacations with travel paid for by Dad's work. Ryan and Daniel never knew about the days back in Colorado where business trips didn't mean vacation. Haha but I am glad you kids are having fun on your excursions! [Steve had a business trip in Boston, and Laura tagged along at our own expense.  Work only paid Steve's flight and hotel for two of the nights.]

See, one of us is working!

Half Mission Conference

[Michael had a half mission conference on Monday, so his Pday was pushed to Wednesday.] We have only had one 'full mission conference' since I have been here, and that was back in March 2013 when Elder Anderson of the 12 came to visit. I guess I should be more specific, this was a 'half mission conference', so the northern half met on Monday, and the southern half met on Tuesday. Then, on Tuesday evening after the second conference, there was a special leadership meeting held for all of the ZL's in the mission as well as the STL's. . It was a good conference, but I had to wear a suit 3 days in a row, so that was different. The seventy asked each of the ZLs to sit on the stand for the first portion of the conference, which was really weird for me....as if the other missionaries don’t hate us enough already, I don't think that helped. It was cool though because he talked about looking out at the missionaries and paying attention to promptings of the spirit as to what their needs are. He said it was practice for future callings, and that the mission is the MTC for your life.

Typical Sunday

Things in Oroville are good, slow but good. We are just trying to rebuild the teaching pool after having a few baptisms. It is tough, but that is how most of my mission has gone so I think I am supposed to learn something from it, haha. It is good though, and I am enjoying getting to know the people and the area better. The hard part about being a zone leader here as opposed to Olivehurst is just that I have no idea what is going on yet...that and most of the mission wide meetings are held in Gridley because it is the central point in the mission, so we have to set up and take down a lot of stuff. 

Here is our Sunday schedule:

9:30- missionary coordination meeting

10:30- ward council

11:30- 12:35 Family Ward Sacrament meeting

1:30-4:30 YSA church

4:45-5:45 YSA Branch Council

Plus I between 12:35 and 1:30 we have to drive 30 minutes from Oroville to Gridley, and then back after branch council. It's a long day. Yesterday we somehow were able to teach 5 lessons in only 3 hours. It was an awesome day.

9-1-14 Describing Elder Page

It is fine having pday on a holiday. Holiday's really don't exist out here, at least for me.

That is cool that Elder Page's mom emailed you.  Today we talked about writing home and he told me that he is just tired and doesn't feel like there is anything to write home about. I guess it is a feeling we all have, so I am sorry if my letters ever feel boring.  Two words to describe Elder Page are Friendly and Confident, which I think are some attributes I need to work on. I am glad to be with him so I can continue to learn from him.

First Thoughts of Oroville

[Sunday morning we woke up to news of a 6.0 earthquake in Napa Valley which is about 100 miles to Michael.  The Mission President in the neighboring mission sent an email out to parents immediately saying all missionaries were safe and counted for.  Curious if Michael felt anything, we were quickly comforted.]  No I didn't. I feel like I keep getting ripped off with potentially cool earthquake stories...oh well.

Transfer to Oroville

I am getting transferred up north to Oroville to be one of the Gridley ZL's. I am so excited because my new companion is Elder Page. We came out to the field together. If I could pick anyone to be my companion I would pick Elder Harris, but I have been saying for a long time that number 2 would be Elder Page, because he is awesome and we get along really well, so I am excited! And if that isn't enough, both Elder Geisler and Elder Benedict are going to be in my zone, and on top of that, Elder Geisler's companion is the DL and Elder Benedict is my DL, so I get to go on exchanges with both of them!!!!!!! Hahaha it is going to be a party these last few transfers! [Michael trained both Elder Geisler and Elder Benedict.]

Priesthood Power and Faith

My companion is feeling much better since he just had a cold. I am not sure exactly how bad it actually was, but it did cause us to spend a lot of time at home. Haha I don't think I am any stronger than other people. I think more of it is just in your head...I guess that is what I learned from your inspired parenting style of making us go to school and at least "try" to stay, and then call home if we couldn't. I think almost every time I was able to stay once I got out of the house...aside from that one time where I almost passed out in class, but besides that, I attribute it to you guys.