Hi everyone!
It's been another rather slow week, but a good one nonetheless. We had a final lesson with Tiago, Grazi before they went back to Brazil and it was just as wonderful as the first one. They are probably the coolest investigators I've ever had. I wish they weren't moving so bad! At the end of our lesson I asked if I could offer a closing prayer. After the prayer Tiago felt the Spirit and explained how he felt and then explained how he really needed that prayer and the things that were said. It was awesome. I'm really going to miss them.
We ended up dropping all of our teaching pool this week except for Sharad. Though we weren't able to meet with him this week we are hoping he will get progressing pretty soon. The gospel is just what he needs in his life right now. The problem is his work schedule and he doesn't feel like he has time. He does call us though to talk. I still have high hopes for him.
Right now we're just trying to find more people to teach. We are able to find people alright, but they usually live outside of our area or would go to the YSA, which has its own set of Elders, but at least these people are being taught by someone, right?
That's all I really have to say this week. Attached below are some lovely pictures I took. While they might be a little artsy, they may also give you a better idea of the area here.
I love all of you so much! Good luck with everything and may God be with you.
-Elder Curtis
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Jan. 20, 2015
Hi guys!
Yesterday the library was closed, so we have a little bit of time to email today.
It was a better week with four new investigators and we set a date with one of them. His name is Sarad Sharma. He is from India, I think. He's in his 50's. When we taught him the restoration and he loved it and is very eager to learn more and find out for himself the truth of this. He is very focused on strengthening his spiritual strength through Jesus Christ and so our message for him was just what he wanted to hear. The date is for February 21. We're hoping all goes well with him.
The three other new investigators we found, Tiago, Grazi, and Rafeal, are from Brazil. We taught them the restoration as well and it was AMAZING!!! They are so golden! They were in awe at the first vision. We had Tiago read the account aloud and when he finished he looked at the picture in the pamphlet and whispered "Wow!" and then gave us a huge smile. The whole lesson we fantastic and they asked a lot of really wonderful questions and confidently accepted a baptismal invitation. The only problem is they are moving back to Brazil next week. Argh! But we will help them find the missionaries there. Tiago says that he saw Mormon missionaries in Brazil all the time in his home town and has always wanted to talk to them but never had the opportunity. I know they will join the church some day soon.
Virginia, Deosha, and Francisca are doing so well! They are solid recent converts and haven't missed a single week of church since their baptisms. Since Elder Lazaro is no longer here to speak Spanish for Francisca, she requested that we start teaching her and her husband English. So we started doing that last week and I have realized even more just how ridiculous the English language is. It's so hard to teach; there are so many rules and so many words that don't follow any of the rules! But it's been fun at the same time. I don't know how many of you remember the scene from the movie The Pink Panther where the inspector is trying to learn English and he is trying to say "I would like to buy a hamburger.", but just for fun we had them attempt saying the same thing. It was pretty much an exact reenactment of that scene except with Spanish accents instead of French and it was in person. It was so funny; we couldn't help but laugh hysterically.
Things are going well here. The weather was even more kind to us this week. We're looking forward to another good week. I love you all and I hope you all have a wonderful week!
-Elder Curtis
Yesterday the library was closed, so we have a little bit of time to email today.
It was a better week with four new investigators and we set a date with one of them. His name is Sarad Sharma. He is from India, I think. He's in his 50's. When we taught him the restoration and he loved it and is very eager to learn more and find out for himself the truth of this. He is very focused on strengthening his spiritual strength through Jesus Christ and so our message for him was just what he wanted to hear. The date is for February 21. We're hoping all goes well with him.
The three other new investigators we found, Tiago, Grazi, and Rafeal, are from Brazil. We taught them the restoration as well and it was AMAZING!!! They are so golden! They were in awe at the first vision. We had Tiago read the account aloud and when he finished he looked at the picture in the pamphlet and whispered "Wow!" and then gave us a huge smile. The whole lesson we fantastic and they asked a lot of really wonderful questions and confidently accepted a baptismal invitation. The only problem is they are moving back to Brazil next week. Argh! But we will help them find the missionaries there. Tiago says that he saw Mormon missionaries in Brazil all the time in his home town and has always wanted to talk to them but never had the opportunity. I know they will join the church some day soon.
Virginia, Deosha, and Francisca are doing so well! They are solid recent converts and haven't missed a single week of church since their baptisms. Since Elder Lazaro is no longer here to speak Spanish for Francisca, she requested that we start teaching her and her husband English. So we started doing that last week and I have realized even more just how ridiculous the English language is. It's so hard to teach; there are so many rules and so many words that don't follow any of the rules! But it's been fun at the same time. I don't know how many of you remember the scene from the movie The Pink Panther where the inspector is trying to learn English and he is trying to say "I would like to buy a hamburger.", but just for fun we had them attempt saying the same thing. It was pretty much an exact reenactment of that scene except with Spanish accents instead of French and it was in person. It was so funny; we couldn't help but laugh hysterically.
Things are going well here. The weather was even more kind to us this week. We're looking forward to another good week. I love you all and I hope you all have a wonderful week!
-Elder Curtis
Jan. 12, 2015
Hi everybody!
What a cold week it has been! I don't think I've felt my toes for a few days now. The worst part is definitely the wind. I hope you're having more enjoyable weather where you are.
The weather seems to be the only thing there is to talk about this week. It's been another slow one. Though we saw some interesting things while tracting though. I'm not sure I'll share it with you now though...
Elder Anderson was sick for half the week which is always a drag. However, I was able to get a head start on our missions goal of completing the Book of Mormon by the next conference (A goal that I might suggest to all of you as well as I am sure it will prepare you very well for the messages that are coming to us from our inspired leaders).
We finally have a some set appointments for the coming week so it shouldn't be as slow and we're planning on picking up a couple new investigators from at least one of the appointments who appear to be very promising. I'm really excited for that!
Another highlight: We got 17 gallons of gas for only $4.18. I suppose they must have entered the prices per gallon in the computer incorrectly so instead of being $2.41(as it was posted) it was only $.24. When I went inside to try and fix the obvious mistake they frantically fixed it but there wasn't anything they could about my transaction so the church was spared a few dollars.
There's a brand new missionary in our district, a greenie if you will, from Hawaii. It's fun to serve around him as he witness his first experiences with the snow. We were also present for his first interaction with a squirrel. The guy is a hoot.
I love you guys! I hope you have a wonderful week! Don't hesitate to send an email or a letter even if it's just to say hi. It's always good to hear from any of you.
Love, Elder Curtis
What a cold week it has been! I don't think I've felt my toes for a few days now. The worst part is definitely the wind. I hope you're having more enjoyable weather where you are.
The weather seems to be the only thing there is to talk about this week. It's been another slow one. Though we saw some interesting things while tracting though. I'm not sure I'll share it with you now though...
Elder Anderson was sick for half the week which is always a drag. However, I was able to get a head start on our missions goal of completing the Book of Mormon by the next conference (A goal that I might suggest to all of you as well as I am sure it will prepare you very well for the messages that are coming to us from our inspired leaders).
We finally have a some set appointments for the coming week so it shouldn't be as slow and we're planning on picking up a couple new investigators from at least one of the appointments who appear to be very promising. I'm really excited for that!
Another highlight: We got 17 gallons of gas for only $4.18. I suppose they must have entered the prices per gallon in the computer incorrectly so instead of being $2.41(as it was posted) it was only $.24. When I went inside to try and fix the obvious mistake they frantically fixed it but there wasn't anything they could about my transaction so the church was spared a few dollars.
There's a brand new missionary in our district, a greenie if you will, from Hawaii. It's fun to serve around him as he witness his first experiences with the snow. We were also present for his first interaction with a squirrel. The guy is a hoot.
I love you guys! I hope you have a wonderful week! Don't hesitate to send an email or a letter even if it's just to say hi. It's always good to hear from any of you.
Love, Elder Curtis
Jan. 5, 2015
Happy new year everyone!
Sorry this email is coming late. Usually on Mondays here we go to the Laundromat first thing and do our studies there, then go shopping, then email, then lunch. But today we had an opportunity to do some service for a lady that some elders in our district were talking to. At 7:30 we went to pick everyone up and then cleaned and painted this ladies house before she had an inspection later that day. We finished around noon and then went and got some lunch then did laundry, then shopping, and by that time we were almost late to a dinner appointment. So now we are finally able to email.
Right now it's snowing pretty hard; it started a couple of hours ago and there's already half a foot of snow. What's dumb is it's only sticking to the road. Hardly any of it is staying on the grass at all. I don't get it. I still don't like snow at all.
In more important and more exciting and positive news Deosha was confirmed yesterday at church!! She and Virginia is doing very well. Virginia is soaking up her new scriptures and other reading material and Deosha loves her new CTR ring the primary gave her. Virginia helps clean the church building every week so far and is even going to go out with the other elders to teach one of their investigators. We are very pleased with how well they are doing with this new change in their lives. It is such a great joy to see.
Francisca is also doing superbly. She was so sad to see Elder Lazaro go though which is so understandable as he was pretty much the only one that taught her and introduced her to this gospel that she loves so much now. All I did was sit there and smile. She and I try an communicate with each other though I often make a silly mistake in my meager Spanish and she laughs.
I got my new companion this week. Elder Anderson is from Layton, Utah. He has fiery red hair and an extremely low voice. He is very kind and easy to get along with so far. He's almost been out a year. He's had a lot of really hard companions in his mission so I want to give him a good time with lots of work, and since we have lots of work to do and I certainly love to have a good time it shouldn't be too difficult to accomplish. We've already been rather open with each other and we're off to a good start as far as getting to know each other. He seems rather down on himself a lot which, gathering from past experiences that he's already told me, is understandable. I really want to help him boost his self-confidence.
It is so wonderful not being a district leader anymore. Haha I have certainly felt a mantle of responsibility leave me over the course of a week and it's helped me be able to welcome Elder Anderson in and focus on our area alone. There are definitely things I will miss about it and there will evidently need to be some adjusting. Elder Anderson had to laugh at me on Sunday night as I had nothing to do and was therefore very antsy. Typically on a Sunday night I would be calling my district and discussing the week with them and then reporting to the zone leaders but now I just receive one call. It's weird, but a nice weird.
I am excited for this year but I want to it go as slow as possible. However I realize the probable unlikely-hood of that. This is probably the first time I've taken the new year seriously which has caused me to have a lot of serious introspection. I am excited for the goals I have made and to look back and see how well I have accomplished them and how much closer I will have come to my ultimate goals. I definitely better understand the importance of goals now. I wish everyone good luck and God's help in accomplishing your goals this year.
I wish you all a wonderful week. Be safe. Make someone happy. Put Christ first.
Love, Elder Curtis :)
Sorry this email is coming late. Usually on Mondays here we go to the Laundromat first thing and do our studies there, then go shopping, then email, then lunch. But today we had an opportunity to do some service for a lady that some elders in our district were talking to. At 7:30 we went to pick everyone up and then cleaned and painted this ladies house before she had an inspection later that day. We finished around noon and then went and got some lunch then did laundry, then shopping, and by that time we were almost late to a dinner appointment. So now we are finally able to email.
Right now it's snowing pretty hard; it started a couple of hours ago and there's already half a foot of snow. What's dumb is it's only sticking to the road. Hardly any of it is staying on the grass at all. I don't get it. I still don't like snow at all.
In more important and more exciting and positive news Deosha was confirmed yesterday at church!! She and Virginia is doing very well. Virginia is soaking up her new scriptures and other reading material and Deosha loves her new CTR ring the primary gave her. Virginia helps clean the church building every week so far and is even going to go out with the other elders to teach one of their investigators. We are very pleased with how well they are doing with this new change in their lives. It is such a great joy to see.
Francisca is also doing superbly. She was so sad to see Elder Lazaro go though which is so understandable as he was pretty much the only one that taught her and introduced her to this gospel that she loves so much now. All I did was sit there and smile. She and I try an communicate with each other though I often make a silly mistake in my meager Spanish and she laughs.
I got my new companion this week. Elder Anderson is from Layton, Utah. He has fiery red hair and an extremely low voice. He is very kind and easy to get along with so far. He's almost been out a year. He's had a lot of really hard companions in his mission so I want to give him a good time with lots of work, and since we have lots of work to do and I certainly love to have a good time it shouldn't be too difficult to accomplish. We've already been rather open with each other and we're off to a good start as far as getting to know each other. He seems rather down on himself a lot which, gathering from past experiences that he's already told me, is understandable. I really want to help him boost his self-confidence.
It is so wonderful not being a district leader anymore. Haha I have certainly felt a mantle of responsibility leave me over the course of a week and it's helped me be able to welcome Elder Anderson in and focus on our area alone. There are definitely things I will miss about it and there will evidently need to be some adjusting. Elder Anderson had to laugh at me on Sunday night as I had nothing to do and was therefore very antsy. Typically on a Sunday night I would be calling my district and discussing the week with them and then reporting to the zone leaders but now I just receive one call. It's weird, but a nice weird.
I am excited for this year but I want to it go as slow as possible. However I realize the probable unlikely-hood of that. This is probably the first time I've taken the new year seriously which has caused me to have a lot of serious introspection. I am excited for the goals I have made and to look back and see how well I have accomplished them and how much closer I will have come to my ultimate goals. I definitely better understand the importance of goals now. I wish everyone good luck and God's help in accomplishing your goals this year.
I wish you all a wonderful week. Be safe. Make someone happy. Put Christ first.
Love, Elder Curtis :)
Dec. 29, 2014
Hi guys!
It's been a very bitter-sweet weekend. The exciting and happy news is that Virginia and Deosha were baptized!!! It was a wonderful, simple ceremony and the Spirit was so strong! Baptisms are the best! However, the next day (Sunday) was supposed to be their confirmation but only Virginia showed up. We were afraid that would happen since Deosha doesn't like to cooperate very much in the mornings and Virginia doesn't like to force her to do things. But Virginia assures us that Deosha is coming next week. What will help with that is our time for church will be changing to 11am instead of9am. Some depressing news about transfer calls: Elder Lazaro is leaving Urbana to serve in the Spanish area. I will be staying and will serve with an Elder Andersen. I don't know a thing about him other than he has red hair. I'm sure we'll get along quite well though. I will severely miss Elder Lazaro. These two transfers have been the fastest, and most enjoyable so far.
On the other hand, this transfer is bringing me the relief I've been hoping for; I am no longer a district leader! They made another one of the Elders in my district the DL. Now I can just focus on what I'm doing and worry about me and my companion. It will be such a nice change.
I have some really cool info. that some of you might be interested in. There is a rumor lingering around the world that George Lucas investigated the church. Well Elder Lazaro has an older brother who is serving in the Santa Rosa California Mission, which happens to be where George Lucas lives and his brother just so happens to be serving in the area that he lives in. Elder Lazaro asked his brother if they have a teaching record for George Lucas, and he confirmed that they do. He investigated back in the 90's and the most recent reason he was dropped was because his butler who answers the door all the time is really mean to them and wont let them in.
I just thought that was pretty cool so I thought I'd share.
I've been learning so much lately. Or at least gaining a greater understanding of many things. The downside to being a missionary is I don't have as much time to study what I want. I've gained such a desire to learn and keep learning more and more about the gospel and seeking more, new knowledge. All I want to do is keep studying and keep discussing it. Elder Lazaro, the other Elders in my district and I love to have doctrinal discussions all the time. I'd love to continue sharing with you things I am learning but there simply is no time. Again, the worst thing about being a missionary: the lack of time. But I hope all of you are engaged in daily, if not constant study and seeking greater understanding of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. It is vitally important that you are. It is what we take with us after we die and it is what will help us be in a better position during and after this life.
I love the gospel and the knowledge that comes in it. I know it is true. There is no doubt in my mind of the things the gospel teaches for I know them from experience. They are true and they are of great importance and worth. It is of greatest worth to declare and share it with others that we all may gain a knowledge of Christ, that through Him we may gain eternal life. I can't wait for that. Let's all step up our game and try harder to learn and grow from our own efforts. No matter how much you think you know about the gospel you know next to nothing. There is still so much to learn personally. One of the great blessings of keeping the word of wisdom is we shall have treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures. But what's the point of keeping the word of wisdom if we're not going to use the blessings offered to us for obeying it? The blessing is the opportunity to gain knowledge and power from the absolute truths of God. But that's only available upon our seeking for it. So if you're not seeking it, get seeking now.
I love all of you very much! I hope you all have a very wonderful week and a happy new year!! I can't believe it's already 2015. Yikes!
-Elder Curtis
It's been a very bitter-sweet weekend. The exciting and happy news is that Virginia and Deosha were baptized!!! It was a wonderful, simple ceremony and the Spirit was so strong! Baptisms are the best! However, the next day (Sunday) was supposed to be their confirmation but only Virginia showed up. We were afraid that would happen since Deosha doesn't like to cooperate very much in the mornings and Virginia doesn't like to force her to do things. But Virginia assures us that Deosha is coming next week. What will help with that is our time for church will be changing to 11am instead of9am. Some depressing news about transfer calls: Elder Lazaro is leaving Urbana to serve in the Spanish area. I will be staying and will serve with an Elder Andersen. I don't know a thing about him other than he has red hair. I'm sure we'll get along quite well though. I will severely miss Elder Lazaro. These two transfers have been the fastest, and most enjoyable so far.
On the other hand, this transfer is bringing me the relief I've been hoping for; I am no longer a district leader! They made another one of the Elders in my district the DL. Now I can just focus on what I'm doing and worry about me and my companion. It will be such a nice change.
I have some really cool info. that some of you might be interested in. There is a rumor lingering around the world that George Lucas investigated the church. Well Elder Lazaro has an older brother who is serving in the Santa Rosa California Mission, which happens to be where George Lucas lives and his brother just so happens to be serving in the area that he lives in. Elder Lazaro asked his brother if they have a teaching record for George Lucas, and he confirmed that they do. He investigated back in the 90's and the most recent reason he was dropped was because his butler who answers the door all the time is really mean to them and wont let them in.
I just thought that was pretty cool so I thought I'd share.
I've been learning so much lately. Or at least gaining a greater understanding of many things. The downside to being a missionary is I don't have as much time to study what I want. I've gained such a desire to learn and keep learning more and more about the gospel and seeking more, new knowledge. All I want to do is keep studying and keep discussing it. Elder Lazaro, the other Elders in my district and I love to have doctrinal discussions all the time. I'd love to continue sharing with you things I am learning but there simply is no time. Again, the worst thing about being a missionary: the lack of time. But I hope all of you are engaged in daily, if not constant study and seeking greater understanding of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. It is vitally important that you are. It is what we take with us after we die and it is what will help us be in a better position during and after this life.
I love the gospel and the knowledge that comes in it. I know it is true. There is no doubt in my mind of the things the gospel teaches for I know them from experience. They are true and they are of great importance and worth. It is of greatest worth to declare and share it with others that we all may gain a knowledge of Christ, that through Him we may gain eternal life. I can't wait for that. Let's all step up our game and try harder to learn and grow from our own efforts. No matter how much you think you know about the gospel you know next to nothing. There is still so much to learn personally. One of the great blessings of keeping the word of wisdom is we shall have treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures. But what's the point of keeping the word of wisdom if we're not going to use the blessings offered to us for obeying it? The blessing is the opportunity to gain knowledge and power from the absolute truths of God. But that's only available upon our seeking for it. So if you're not seeking it, get seeking now.
I love all of you very much! I hope you all have a very wonderful week and a happy new year!! I can't believe it's already 2015. Yikes!
-Elder Curtis
Dec. 22, 2014
Transfer calls come this week so there is the slight possibility that I get sent away from Urbana, so as a precaution don't send me anything.
Merry Christmas everyone!!!! I can't believe it's already the week of Christmas. I also can't believe this is my second and last Christmas on my mission. Time is really starting to pick up speed over here. This whole transfer seems to me but a week long. I have a pretty strong assurance that Elder Lazaro will be leaving and I will stay here at least one more transfer. Elder Lazaro is ready to leave. He's been here his whole mission and he really wants to go to the Spanish area already. I will be sad to be separated from him. Every day has been so enjoyable and full of lots and lots of laughter.
I was on exchanges with one of my zone leaders this week and we talked about the possibility of me being released from district leader which to be completely honest would be really nice. I don't know if I stand in need of repentance for that or not. I'm beyond grateful for the time I've had to serve in this position, for I have learned so much and the growth I've experienced because of it is irreplaceable, but I've been in this position for about ten months now which wouldn't be too bad, but I've had some very challenging districts in the past. It will be nice to worry only about my area and my companion again. Here's to hoping.
Last Monday I sprained my ankle pretty bad playing some basketball. It swelled up a large amount almost instantly. The mission nurse said I had to stay in for two days keeping it iced, compressed and elevated. But instead I found some crutches and walked around with those. Now I'm kind of thinking I should have listened to the nurse because even though I can walk on it right now, it's still swollen and hurts. With the break we have on Christmas and half of Christmas Eve I will need to make sure I ice it and stay off of it.
We have some very surprising rules for Christmas. We can spend the day with members playing board games, watching sports, and watching any movie rated G or PG. Last year we could only watch Disney movies so this was quite alarming to us. The other Elders in my district want to watch Nacho Libre... I'm thinking Star Wars. Haha!
Some members of the ward will be having us over for Christmas. I talked to them and they said it will be alright if I use their Skype account around11am or so. I hope the works out and I can see all of you.
We are anxiously awaiting next weekend for the baptism of Virginia and Deosha! Ever since their commitment to be baptized they've undergone some seriously hard trials. The opposition just keeps building up on them. This is the scary part of helping someone prepare for baptism, but I know they can get through anything that comes their way. The best part is that they do too. Virginia has shown such incredible faith. I am so impressed with her. She is one valiant soul and she loves her Savior so much. The quality of her faith is so unshakably pure, I know she could move mountains with it if she had to. I am so excited for the two of them. We will hopefully be getting Tommie and Regina back on track for the same step their family members are about to take.
I think this is all for this week. I hope you all have a very merry Christmas! Please remember why we are celebrating!!! We've been given more than we can comprehend. I love the gospel and I love the Savior! This is the best time of the year; we celebrate the birth of the Greatest Thing that ever happened in the history of our existence. Remember, He is the Gift!
-Elder Curtis
Merry Christmas everyone!!!! I can't believe it's already the week of Christmas. I also can't believe this is my second and last Christmas on my mission. Time is really starting to pick up speed over here. This whole transfer seems to me but a week long. I have a pretty strong assurance that Elder Lazaro will be leaving and I will stay here at least one more transfer. Elder Lazaro is ready to leave. He's been here his whole mission and he really wants to go to the Spanish area already. I will be sad to be separated from him. Every day has been so enjoyable and full of lots and lots of laughter.
I was on exchanges with one of my zone leaders this week and we talked about the possibility of me being released from district leader which to be completely honest would be really nice. I don't know if I stand in need of repentance for that or not. I'm beyond grateful for the time I've had to serve in this position, for I have learned so much and the growth I've experienced because of it is irreplaceable, but I've been in this position for about ten months now which wouldn't be too bad, but I've had some very challenging districts in the past. It will be nice to worry only about my area and my companion again. Here's to hoping.
Last Monday I sprained my ankle pretty bad playing some basketball. It swelled up a large amount almost instantly. The mission nurse said I had to stay in for two days keeping it iced, compressed and elevated. But instead I found some crutches and walked around with those. Now I'm kind of thinking I should have listened to the nurse because even though I can walk on it right now, it's still swollen and hurts. With the break we have on Christmas and half of Christmas Eve I will need to make sure I ice it and stay off of it.
We have some very surprising rules for Christmas. We can spend the day with members playing board games, watching sports, and watching any movie rated G or PG. Last year we could only watch Disney movies so this was quite alarming to us. The other Elders in my district want to watch Nacho Libre... I'm thinking Star Wars. Haha!
Some members of the ward will be having us over for Christmas. I talked to them and they said it will be alright if I use their Skype account around11am or so. I hope the works out and I can see all of you.
We are anxiously awaiting next weekend for the baptism of Virginia and Deosha! Ever since their commitment to be baptized they've undergone some seriously hard trials. The opposition just keeps building up on them. This is the scary part of helping someone prepare for baptism, but I know they can get through anything that comes their way. The best part is that they do too. Virginia has shown such incredible faith. I am so impressed with her. She is one valiant soul and she loves her Savior so much. The quality of her faith is so unshakably pure, I know she could move mountains with it if she had to. I am so excited for the two of them. We will hopefully be getting Tommie and Regina back on track for the same step their family members are about to take.
I think this is all for this week. I hope you all have a very merry Christmas! Please remember why we are celebrating!!! We've been given more than we can comprehend. I love the gospel and I love the Savior! This is the best time of the year; we celebrate the birth of the Greatest Thing that ever happened in the history of our existence. Remember, He is the Gift!
-Elder Curtis
Dec. 8, 2014
Hello everyone!
Let's see, I haven't really predetermined what I was going to talk about today... There's not much to report. OH, other than setting two dates this week!! We have two investigators, Tommie and Virginia. They started coming to church because of another investigator Regina was invited to come, so she invited Tommie (her cousin) and Virginia (her aunt). We are planning on setting a date with Regina and her daughter this week, hopefully for the 20 of December because that's when Tommie and Virginia have their date. The only issue we have with Regina is she talks a LOT. I am so excited for them! I've been craving a baptism lately. That feeling of the Spirit when you witness someone enter the covenant waters of baptism and then receive the Holy Ghost is the best and it's contagious. We are also planning on setting a date with Regina's daughter. I can't remember her name though. She has a really hard black person name that's hard to remember. But she's nine and she has the biggest crush on me. No joke. No exaggeration. At church she goes out of her way to say hi and we often catch her staring at me from afar and then uncontrollably giggling when I wave at her. After our lesson with them... Okay, pause. Let me draw your attention this asterisk * ... continue. After our lesson with them on Tuesday we shook everyone's hands. After shaking the young girls hand she held it open and stared at it with a gaping grin on her face. All of us laughed and Virginia walked us to the door and told us her expectation that she is never going to wash her had again. Later at the ward Christmas party I was in the helping out in the kitchen when I turned and noticed her peeking at me from the other side of the serving counter. I gave her a cheerful wave and she girlishly shuffled away toward Regina and Virginia. The other elders in the ward, including my companion love to tease me about it but I think it's quite hilarious myself.
We are excited for them and we can't wait to see them make the needed steps to baptism.
The ward Christmas party, as previously mentioned, was this week. The Elders Quorum was in charge of providing the food, so the ward mission leader decided to take charge and volunteered to roast a pig for the event. It was so cool; I had never roasted a pig before. He asked for the help of us missionaries to get it started, but after we got the fire going a cop came up and asked us to move our van away from where we had parked, but also to check and see that we were doing everything legally. They took our ward mission leaders name and when they came back after running it through their system they had a warrant for his arrest. So they took him and left us to tending the fire. Our ward mission leader got arrested! We were so confused.
He later came back though and explained to whole thing. Just something about a failure to appear to court due to the court sending the summons to the wrong address a few years ago. Apparently this is not the first time this has happened to him. It was quite the day.
I can't remember if I had already told you this or not. A couple weeks ago we were at a friend of Francisca's (our recent convert) for lunch. Francisca's intentions were for us to start teaching her friends the discussions but they weren't interested. Everyone there was speaking Spanish so I was pretty much oblivious to what was going on. Francisca's husband came in and it was clear the they were offering him some of the food but he was refusing. In my efforts to participate in conversation I attempted to ask him if he wasn't hungry, but instead I mispronounced it and ended up asking him something along the translated lines of "Are you not a man?"
It was funny.
My time is running very short. I have to go. I love you all very much. Do your best to live the gospel to the fullest! Have a great week!
-Elder Curtis
*Here I am in the silent library writing this email when out of nowhere a lady on a different computer turns to the person next to her and very loudly in her slightly southern accent says "How do you spell chicken sandwich?" It was super loud. The entire floor could hear her; she was not being quiet at all. I don't even think she was trying to be quiet. I was doing such a good job keeping my composure but then I looked at my companion and I lost it. Unfortunately our combined, muffled fits of laughter forced others in the library into submission; you could hear the chuckles everywhere. I hope the lady isn't embarrassed. Too funny! I'm still dying.
Let's see, I haven't really predetermined what I was going to talk about today... There's not much to report. OH, other than setting two dates this week!! We have two investigators, Tommie and Virginia. They started coming to church because of another investigator Regina was invited to come, so she invited Tommie (her cousin) and Virginia (her aunt). We are planning on setting a date with Regina and her daughter this week, hopefully for the 20 of December because that's when Tommie and Virginia have their date. The only issue we have with Regina is she talks a LOT. I am so excited for them! I've been craving a baptism lately. That feeling of the Spirit when you witness someone enter the covenant waters of baptism and then receive the Holy Ghost is the best and it's contagious. We are also planning on setting a date with Regina's daughter. I can't remember her name though. She has a really hard black person name that's hard to remember. But she's nine and she has the biggest crush on me. No joke. No exaggeration. At church she goes out of her way to say hi and we often catch her staring at me from afar and then uncontrollably giggling when I wave at her. After our lesson with them... Okay, pause. Let me draw your attention this asterisk * ... continue. After our lesson with them on Tuesday we shook everyone's hands. After shaking the young girls hand she held it open and stared at it with a gaping grin on her face. All of us laughed and Virginia walked us to the door and told us her expectation that she is never going to wash her had again. Later at the ward Christmas party I was in the helping out in the kitchen when I turned and noticed her peeking at me from the other side of the serving counter. I gave her a cheerful wave and she girlishly shuffled away toward Regina and Virginia. The other elders in the ward, including my companion love to tease me about it but I think it's quite hilarious myself.
We are excited for them and we can't wait to see them make the needed steps to baptism.
The ward Christmas party, as previously mentioned, was this week. The Elders Quorum was in charge of providing the food, so the ward mission leader decided to take charge and volunteered to roast a pig for the event. It was so cool; I had never roasted a pig before. He asked for the help of us missionaries to get it started, but after we got the fire going a cop came up and asked us to move our van away from where we had parked, but also to check and see that we were doing everything legally. They took our ward mission leaders name and when they came back after running it through their system they had a warrant for his arrest. So they took him and left us to tending the fire. Our ward mission leader got arrested! We were so confused.
He later came back though and explained to whole thing. Just something about a failure to appear to court due to the court sending the summons to the wrong address a few years ago. Apparently this is not the first time this has happened to him. It was quite the day.
I can't remember if I had already told you this or not. A couple weeks ago we were at a friend of Francisca's (our recent convert) for lunch. Francisca's intentions were for us to start teaching her friends the discussions but they weren't interested. Everyone there was speaking Spanish so I was pretty much oblivious to what was going on. Francisca's husband came in and it was clear the they were offering him some of the food but he was refusing. In my efforts to participate in conversation I attempted to ask him if he wasn't hungry, but instead I mispronounced it and ended up asking him something along the translated lines of "Are you not a man?"
It was funny.
My time is running very short. I have to go. I love you all very much. Do your best to live the gospel to the fullest! Have a great week!
-Elder Curtis
*Here I am in the silent library writing this email when out of nowhere a lady on a different computer turns to the person next to her and very loudly in her slightly southern accent says "How do you spell chicken sandwich?" It was super loud. The entire floor could hear her; she was not being quiet at all. I don't even think she was trying to be quiet. I was doing such a good job keeping my composure but then I looked at my companion and I lost it. Unfortunately our combined, muffled fits of laughter forced others in the library into submission; you could hear the chuckles everywhere. I hope the lady isn't embarrassed. Too funny! I'm still dying.
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