Monday
After my message to all Y'all (haha--don't worry I haven't said y'all) Elder Fowers and I went to FHE which was fun. We got to decorate ball things to hang on a non-existent Christmas tree.
Tuesday
Went to District meeting which is fun. I get to see all of the district and learn some stuff from everyone. It's great. Then I went on exchanges with Elder Rees. He is a funny guy. We rode on our bikes most of our exchange. It takes forever to bike where we want to go. We have an hour to track and then we are biking home hoping we get home before it gets dark. It's so weird because it seems like it gets darker in Georgia than in Utah. We can't see 10 feet in front of you and there isn't a lamp post near by. It's crazy. Then we went faith walking in the cold which is not fun. There is no one out because it's cold and they are all in cars.
Wednesday
I got back from exchanges and went to the ice cream service for the old folks home. "Elvis" was there. He was really bad-but some of the old people liked him. We tracked some more after that and met some Hindus. They told us we could come back and teach them a lesson so that was awesome. That night we got to go out with the President of our branch-President Collins-to eat dinner. We went to Longhorn Steak house. It was the best steak I have ever had in my life!
Thursday
I got a call from the mission President--but it was good. He wanted me to be his audio visual guy for the Christmas party. I thought I did a good job. I got a mission pen and some Frankincense Oil from Doterra-Cool. President Wolfert is one of the partners for Doterra. Sweet. It's funny--the place where I worked this summer-Young Living is his only competition in Utah. The Christmas Party was really good. Nice way to unwind and relax and get in the Christmas Spirit.
Friday
I had a real experience with "wings" today. For lunch, Elder Fowers and me and the south elders got taken out by a member of their (the south Elders) ward-Brother Giggy. He bought 100 wings for us and we ate them all! Not even funny how many wings that was. We got a new investigator-Demonte. His friend is a member and he is just taking in all the information--it's awesome. He is so ready!
Saturday
Was a weird day for us. Not one wanted anything to do with us and all our appointments fell through. It was weird. We went to a Mexican Party thing. The food was different--pig skin stuff. I didn't think it was very good.
Sunday.
It rained all day on Sunday--non stop. My umbrella was starting to leak while we were out tracking.
I am doing great. I'll be calling around 11:00 your time on Christmas! Love you guys!
After my message to all Y'all (haha--don't worry I haven't said y'all) Elder Fowers and I went to FHE which was fun. We got to decorate ball things to hang on a non-existent Christmas tree.
Tuesday
Went to District meeting which is fun. I get to see all of the district and learn some stuff from everyone. It's great. Then I went on exchanges with Elder Rees. He is a funny guy. We rode on our bikes most of our exchange. It takes forever to bike where we want to go. We have an hour to track and then we are biking home hoping we get home before it gets dark. It's so weird because it seems like it gets darker in Georgia than in Utah. We can't see 10 feet in front of you and there isn't a lamp post near by. It's crazy. Then we went faith walking in the cold which is not fun. There is no one out because it's cold and they are all in cars.
Wednesday
I got back from exchanges and went to the ice cream service for the old folks home. "Elvis" was there. He was really bad-but some of the old people liked him. We tracked some more after that and met some Hindus. They told us we could come back and teach them a lesson so that was awesome. That night we got to go out with the President of our branch-President Collins-to eat dinner. We went to Longhorn Steak house. It was the best steak I have ever had in my life!
Thursday
I got a call from the mission President--but it was good. He wanted me to be his audio visual guy for the Christmas party. I thought I did a good job. I got a mission pen and some Frankincense Oil from Doterra-Cool. President Wolfert is one of the partners for Doterra. Sweet. It's funny--the place where I worked this summer-Young Living is his only competition in Utah. The Christmas Party was really good. Nice way to unwind and relax and get in the Christmas Spirit.
Friday
I had a real experience with "wings" today. For lunch, Elder Fowers and me and the south elders got taken out by a member of their (the south Elders) ward-Brother Giggy. He bought 100 wings for us and we ate them all! Not even funny how many wings that was. We got a new investigator-Demonte. His friend is a member and he is just taking in all the information--it's awesome. He is so ready!
Saturday
Was a weird day for us. Not one wanted anything to do with us and all our appointments fell through. It was weird. We went to a Mexican Party thing. The food was different--pig skin stuff. I didn't think it was very good.
Sunday.
It rained all day on Sunday--non stop. My umbrella was starting to leak while we were out tracking.
I am doing great. I'll be calling around 11:00 your time on Christmas! Love you guys!
December 30
Getting to call you all on Skype was super amazing and I had a great time seeing all of you again. I don't know if I want to just call of Skype again (on Mother's day) whatever you would like.
On Christmas we were totally booked for food appointments--it was crazy. I don't think I have ever eaten so much food in my life.
I met a couple of guys who live in our apartment building. They are super awesome and chill. Their names are K and Yoshi and they have a German Shepherd named Cocoa. It was super cool talking to them. They call us Boss.
For Church this week, the Elders gave talks and we also taught the 3rd hour. So most of church was the branch having to listen to us for 2 hours. My talk was on the gift of the Holy Ghost and Elder Fower's was on Service. I thought it went well--we only had about two hours notice to give our talks and prepare to teach the 3rd hour. We just need to get the members more engaged in Missionary work. We have just two guys who go out with us every week. I think we are going to burn them out.
I'm going to hike Stone Mountain today. But I have heard that it is more like a big hill and nothing what a mountain really is. I'll take pictures and send them to you guys.
The mission has been super awesome and I'm doing a lot better at being a missionary. It's hard--but I'm getting the hang of it. Elder Fowers says if I keep learning and growing as fast as I am now--in 6 months I'll be a better missionary than he is right now. I think he is just saying that to keep me working like crazy. I have learned so much about the gospel and I learn something new every day. I have been reading Jesus the Christ about the atonement and I am gaining more and more knowledge about his love for me so I can go out and love every one I contact with love and the knowledge that Jesus Christ love them.
I am loving everyone out here and the closer I get to the gospel the more I love the people around me.
Love, your Elder-Elder Bartholomew
Getting to call you all on Skype was super amazing and I had a great time seeing all of you again. I don't know if I want to just call of Skype again (on Mother's day) whatever you would like.
On Christmas we were totally booked for food appointments--it was crazy. I don't think I have ever eaten so much food in my life.
I met a couple of guys who live in our apartment building. They are super awesome and chill. Their names are K and Yoshi and they have a German Shepherd named Cocoa. It was super cool talking to them. They call us Boss.
For Church this week, the Elders gave talks and we also taught the 3rd hour. So most of church was the branch having to listen to us for 2 hours. My talk was on the gift of the Holy Ghost and Elder Fower's was on Service. I thought it went well--we only had about two hours notice to give our talks and prepare to teach the 3rd hour. We just need to get the members more engaged in Missionary work. We have just two guys who go out with us every week. I think we are going to burn them out.
I'm going to hike Stone Mountain today. But I have heard that it is more like a big hill and nothing what a mountain really is. I'll take pictures and send them to you guys.
The mission has been super awesome and I'm doing a lot better at being a missionary. It's hard--but I'm getting the hang of it. Elder Fowers says if I keep learning and growing as fast as I am now--in 6 months I'll be a better missionary than he is right now. I think he is just saying that to keep me working like crazy. I have learned so much about the gospel and I learn something new every day. I have been reading Jesus the Christ about the atonement and I am gaining more and more knowledge about his love for me so I can go out and love every one I contact with love and the knowledge that Jesus Christ love them.
I am loving everyone out here and the closer I get to the gospel the more I love the people around me.
Love, your Elder-Elder Bartholomew