(He begins with a lot of advice to his brother, C., about what he needs as he prepares for his mission.)
I would love a big duffel. Actually 2 large ones would be nice; one nice one, and one not as nice. The handles on the outside of my bags have been having a hard time, so they aren't working out quite as well as I had hoped. They aren’t very sturdy and they are pretty heavy. C. should just think about getting a garment bag, a duffel bag and a nice, large suitcase. He can pack his desk stuff in his back pack, use one of those roller carry-on garment cases - they carry like 2 suits and a few pair of shoes, and then pack all his clothes in one duffel and all the heavy or odd shaped odds and ends that he wants to take care of in his large bag. So he would have his Backpack, roller-garment bag (carry on), a large duffel bag, and a large suitcase. Plus, all those things should be able to fit inside the big suitcase. As for the brand of the suitcase my only complaint with the ones I currently have is that the strap-handles on the top and sides rip through way easy and there isn't a good fix for them, short of boring through them and anchoring them with a large nut/bolt/washer thingy. I’ve seen some mighty fancy duffels too, I just want one that is made of heavy duty material, and has a beefy zipper. Backpack straps would be nice on it too, but who knows. I seem to be ok with what I have right now, we will see what will happen because I may be getting transferred this up coming week.
I love the pants from CTR Clothing, and the suit. They are freaking amazing. Plus the stretch waistband has saved me bookoo bucks! Haha. I don’t care for the shirts from there though. Don’t get conned into buying one; their pockets are too small and the shirts have a weird cut. Not flattering. I don’t know how well they hold up though because I don’t use them.
Didn’t post the video of dancing. We checked it out and it was lame quality, SO we asked around and a member has a really good quality one so they are making me a copy! Whoot! C's video didn't open up, no worries though.
I got my Backpack back from the guy who found it. Basically only the backpack and my scripture case were salvageable. The scriptures were way-more soaked then last time, and they smelled like swamp. I ended up paper-clipping them up in the groups of pages that they were bound in, after cutting all the strings that bind them all together. Then I hung them up and they all dried out. I will be sending them home as soon as I am done getting all the Bible pages back in order. I tossed the Index from the Book of Mormon and tossed the Topical Guide and Bible Dictionary from the Bible, since I didn’t do a lot of marking in there.
No volunteer work! Most of it is taken by other palagi ward missionaries! Haha.
“Remember This” is the list of things on the inside of the back-cover of Preach my Gospel. It is a list of things that, when memorized, can help you to remember ways to be a more effective missionary, and when taken to heart, they can really change your mission. I can’t tell you how many times the spirit has spoke to me using the words from there, prompting me to do something that ends up blessing others and myself! It’s terrific!
Well I'm not quite done with Physical Therapy. I still have a few more weeks left, but I have an evaluation with Dr. H this Tuesday. We will see how that all goes. I hope I can finally be free from this and just move on in my mission.
I've been feeling like I'm going to be transferred. Things are just too good here. I feel like I've done a lot of growing and if I do leave this ward, I will always know that I left it stronger, larger, and helped repair the relationship between it and the missionaries. There is a great deal of satisfaction that comes when we are able to see the fruits of our labors, especially here in the mission field; whether it is the new testimony of an investigator, the rediscovery, or establishment of a testimony in the heart of a less-active member, or even just an understanding of how your own testimony has grown through your service. I love the work of the Lord and I am grateful to be part of it.
I got my backpack back but I don’t have enough time to type the story. Six minutes left on the computer.
I am trying hard to be obedient.
I love this ward. I would hate to leave, but I'm always up for a new adventure. That’s all a mission really is - one wonderful adventure after another. Then at the end you get to look back and see how far you've come.
I’m half-way through. I love you all!!!
Elder Winterrose
Monday, May 16, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
It's weird writing now because I just spoke to my family yesterday, so that was nice. It always feels too short, like I need hours to just get caught up. Weirdly enough, the phone call didn't make me bummed this time. Well, not directly. I am bummed that I won't be there for this awesome period of C.'s life, the excitement of getting hearing the farewell talk, and all the hoopla surrounding his entry into the mission field. I also wish I could just sit there and share all the wisdom that I can think of that might help him in the field. OH YEAH, (in case you hadn't heard) HE GOT HIS CALL TO THE CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES MISSION, Spanish Speaking.
I couldn't stand waiting so I called my mission president and asked him to call and ask for me on Thursday. He called me back and delivered the news and I just couldn't stop crying. I am so happy for C.
I guess this is my wisdom.
Be Bold - Loving but forward, trusting in Christ.
Invite all people to repent.
Missionary Work is about timing, if you don't have the spirit with you, or if you don't plan with the spirit, your timing is going to be off and you will not be successful because the people will not be prepared.
HEAVENLY FATHER is working hard to prepare people for you to help as we speak. Don't let them down. Do your best to prepare yourself for them!
Focus on loving the people. If you really love them then you will want them to have all the blessings the gospel has to offer. That is when you will be able to preach repentance unto everyone.
Give people hope. Get people pumped. Be a movement for good.
Trust in Heavenly Father. He won't let you down.
Question your doubts, not your faith.
Timing, Love, Obedience. Faith. Strength. Joy. - Do always as Christ would do.
Faith casts out fear.
Memorize "Remember This" and apply it.
Write Questions as you study the Skill Development chapters after chapter 3 that you can use to check how well you are applying.
If your trainer is doing something that is not right, tell him. And if he is too proud or rebellious to change, talk to your mission president.
Always remember that the Church is true. And everyone needs the atonement.
Read the white handbook. Know the Rules. Keep the Rules. People - members, missionaries, companions, and non members - will test you to see how obedient you are. Be bold, and loving in keeping the rules. Make it clear that no crap will fly around you from the get-go, and people will respect you and support you eventually.
Make sure that you always remember that you are being obedient to help bless your companionship, and all those around you. You are obedient because you love them, and you Love Christ.
Don't be weak. Be bold! Don't back down when you feel the need to invite someone!
I love you Chan! Your gonna make a wonderful missionary!
Oh and one more thing. You decide what becomes of you on your mission. Not your trainer.
Tell people that you won't stop inviting because you know it's true and you love them.
Well, I'm out of time.
I love you all. Have a great week!
Love,
Elder Britton Winterrose
I couldn't stand waiting so I called my mission president and asked him to call and ask for me on Thursday. He called me back and delivered the news and I just couldn't stop crying. I am so happy for C.
I guess this is my wisdom.
Be Bold - Loving but forward, trusting in Christ.
Invite all people to repent.
Missionary Work is about timing, if you don't have the spirit with you, or if you don't plan with the spirit, your timing is going to be off and you will not be successful because the people will not be prepared.
HEAVENLY FATHER is working hard to prepare people for you to help as we speak. Don't let them down. Do your best to prepare yourself for them!
Focus on loving the people. If you really love them then you will want them to have all the blessings the gospel has to offer. That is when you will be able to preach repentance unto everyone.
Give people hope. Get people pumped. Be a movement for good.
Trust in Heavenly Father. He won't let you down.
Question your doubts, not your faith.
Timing, Love, Obedience. Faith. Strength. Joy. - Do always as Christ would do.
Faith casts out fear.
Memorize "Remember This" and apply it.
Write Questions as you study the Skill Development chapters after chapter 3 that you can use to check how well you are applying.
If your trainer is doing something that is not right, tell him. And if he is too proud or rebellious to change, talk to your mission president.
Always remember that the Church is true. And everyone needs the atonement.
Read the white handbook. Know the Rules. Keep the Rules. People - members, missionaries, companions, and non members - will test you to see how obedient you are. Be bold, and loving in keeping the rules. Make it clear that no crap will fly around you from the get-go, and people will respect you and support you eventually.
Make sure that you always remember that you are being obedient to help bless your companionship, and all those around you. You are obedient because you love them, and you Love Christ.
Don't be weak. Be bold! Don't back down when you feel the need to invite someone!
I love you Chan! Your gonna make a wonderful missionary!
Oh and one more thing. You decide what becomes of you on your mission. Not your trainer.
Tell people that you won't stop inviting because you know it's true and you love them.
Well, I'm out of time.
I love you all. Have a great week!
Love,
Elder Britton Winterrose
Monday, May 2, 2011
Well it sounds like Womens Conference was wonderful! I am so happy that you got to share that opportunity for spiritual nourishment with your sisters. It really lets you three see how far you've come in some areas, and others that you need to keep focusing on.
Well I guess I will begin with the biggest news of the week...
Over the last few weeks we have been going to the library once a week to spend a hour on mormon.org so we can be familiar enough with it to use it as a resource when we are teaching, or when we are visiting members. So we were in the library last Thursday, and we had borrowed a loaner car from the office to use while we were getting our winter tires swapped off. We had picked up the car and drove to meet our district at the public library and while we were walking in I had the thought to lock the car again, making sure I armed the alarm. Well, we went inside and we did our mormon.org thing and then bounced.
As we were approaching the part of the lot where our car was parked we saw a police car with its lights on and an Officer looking at our car. Initially I was hesitant to approach.... I didn't think I did anything illegal.... so I kept walking towards the car and that's when I saw the glass on the ground. Apparently someone smashed the little window on the back-left door, and then they unlocked the car - triggering the alarm, then they grabbed something "black" from the back seat and took off in a car.
There was an eye witness who gave a description of the thief and the plate number from the getaway car so that's good. The officer proceeded to take prints from around the window and asked me if anything was missing. I initially thought that they had stolen my CD case, which had been in plain sight on the back seat, but I looked in and noticed that it was still there, so I kept thinking and finally realized that they had stolen my backpack. My nice backpack, filled with my scriptures in their case, my gospel art book, my epi-pens, my silly $45 fire-piston fire starter, the Plan of Salvation jigsaw that C. gave me, my Samoan & English hymnbooks, and my notes from General Conference! Hundreds of Hours of spiritual insights lost to one selfish heathen.
I spoke with the vehicle coordinator, Elder L., and he called the car insurance for me and found out that they don't cover the cost of goods taken from the vehicle, only the cost of getting the car repaired. He said that our homeowners insurance may cover it though...
The thief must be hating himself right now though because he ended up stealing over $500 in stuff he can't use or sell. That was a very dumb decision. The biggest hindrance is to my missionary work. I feel like a warrior without a sword. I've got a pair of loaner scriptures but it's not the same as having the sword that I have been wielding for months, honing my skills. Sounds dorky. But it's true.
Even if they get the stuff back they may have to hold it as evidence until the conclusion of any trial, which could extend far beyond my stay in Anchorage. I hope they get it all back, but I need to buy new scriptures. It's just hard to study without having the ability to mark or take notes, and quite frankly it's hard to teach (using the scriptures) without MY scriptures. Anyways... That was stressful.
I forgive him for what he did. It's still stupid though. Stealing a minister's book bag.
The rest of the week was pretty good. I am excited to talk on Sunday. I will call in the evening because it sounds like that will be the best time to call. I think I will call at 5:30 your time. That way grandma and grandpa can be there too if they want. I'M SO EXCITED FOR C.'S CALL TO GET THERE!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SO EXCITED!!
Well, I guess that is all for this week because I am basically out of time, and I will be talking to you on Sunday.
Love you All!
Elder Winterrose
P.S. I think C. should open his call with me on the phone! Just sayin!!
*********
(This came in a few minutes later, in response to my email asking what he planned to do.)
Everything basically needs to be replaced, but most important are the scriptures and other teaching tools. I'm not as worried about the fire-starter. I would like to get the backpack... but it's expensive too. It's looking like it will cost a lot to get re-outfitted.
I KNOW 3 FREAKING SETS!!! BAHHH!!!!!! That's what I said when I realized what had happened.
(The set of scriptures Elder Winterrose used in the MTC were also lost to water damage. This will be his third set.)
OH And guess what! Today I am wearing a Formal Lava-lava or i fai toga (ee f-ah-aye tonga) around with flip flops. Neither of the sets of Zone Leaders have told me to change yet! SO I'M NOT GOING TO!! Plus its comfortable! They are the same as that skirt I wore to church at BYUH.
Well I guess I will begin with the biggest news of the week...
Over the last few weeks we have been going to the library once a week to spend a hour on mormon.org so we can be familiar enough with it to use it as a resource when we are teaching, or when we are visiting members. So we were in the library last Thursday, and we had borrowed a loaner car from the office to use while we were getting our winter tires swapped off. We had picked up the car and drove to meet our district at the public library and while we were walking in I had the thought to lock the car again, making sure I armed the alarm. Well, we went inside and we did our mormon.org thing and then bounced.
As we were approaching the part of the lot where our car was parked we saw a police car with its lights on and an Officer looking at our car. Initially I was hesitant to approach.... I didn't think I did anything illegal.... so I kept walking towards the car and that's when I saw the glass on the ground. Apparently someone smashed the little window on the back-left door, and then they unlocked the car - triggering the alarm, then they grabbed something "black" from the back seat and took off in a car.
There was an eye witness who gave a description of the thief and the plate number from the getaway car so that's good. The officer proceeded to take prints from around the window and asked me if anything was missing. I initially thought that they had stolen my CD case, which had been in plain sight on the back seat, but I looked in and noticed that it was still there, so I kept thinking and finally realized that they had stolen my backpack. My nice backpack, filled with my scriptures in their case, my gospel art book, my epi-pens, my silly $45 fire-piston fire starter, the Plan of Salvation jigsaw that C. gave me, my Samoan & English hymnbooks, and my notes from General Conference! Hundreds of Hours of spiritual insights lost to one selfish heathen.
I spoke with the vehicle coordinator, Elder L., and he called the car insurance for me and found out that they don't cover the cost of goods taken from the vehicle, only the cost of getting the car repaired. He said that our homeowners insurance may cover it though...
The thief must be hating himself right now though because he ended up stealing over $500 in stuff he can't use or sell. That was a very dumb decision. The biggest hindrance is to my missionary work. I feel like a warrior without a sword. I've got a pair of loaner scriptures but it's not the same as having the sword that I have been wielding for months, honing my skills. Sounds dorky. But it's true.
Even if they get the stuff back they may have to hold it as evidence until the conclusion of any trial, which could extend far beyond my stay in Anchorage. I hope they get it all back, but I need to buy new scriptures. It's just hard to study without having the ability to mark or take notes, and quite frankly it's hard to teach (using the scriptures) without MY scriptures. Anyways... That was stressful.
I forgive him for what he did. It's still stupid though. Stealing a minister's book bag.
The rest of the week was pretty good. I am excited to talk on Sunday. I will call in the evening because it sounds like that will be the best time to call. I think I will call at 5:30 your time. That way grandma and grandpa can be there too if they want. I'M SO EXCITED FOR C.'S CALL TO GET THERE!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SO EXCITED!!
Well, I guess that is all for this week because I am basically out of time, and I will be talking to you on Sunday.
Love you All!
Elder Winterrose
P.S. I think C. should open his call with me on the phone! Just sayin!!
*********
(This came in a few minutes later, in response to my email asking what he planned to do.)
Everything basically needs to be replaced, but most important are the scriptures and other teaching tools. I'm not as worried about the fire-starter. I would like to get the backpack... but it's expensive too. It's looking like it will cost a lot to get re-outfitted.
I KNOW 3 FREAKING SETS!!! BAHHH!!!!!! That's what I said when I realized what had happened.
(The set of scriptures Elder Winterrose used in the MTC were also lost to water damage. This will be his third set.)
OH And guess what! Today I am wearing a Formal Lava-lava or i fai toga (ee f-ah-aye tonga) around with flip flops. Neither of the sets of Zone Leaders have told me to change yet! SO I'M NOT GOING TO!! Plus its comfortable! They are the same as that skirt I wore to church at BYUH.
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