Well hello Everyone! I hope you've been doing very well. I want to update you on what's been going on these last few weeks and how much fun life is when you're serving the Lord.
WEEK 1
So the first few days of the transfer we were so excited. Both Elder Hanosek and I were new to the area, we were in a new house, we were just ready to go. We went to MLC, a big old meeting with some of the leaders in the mission. We talked about how we would all help the missionaries, how to inspire and motivate them and to really get the best out of everyone. Which reminds me, President and Sister Johnson have named this tranfer "The Best Transfer”.
At the meeting we talked about numbers, we talked about how some missionaries focus on numbers and that's not good. Then there're other missionaries who don't care about numbers at all, and who hate them and don't want anything to do with them and that's not good either. We read some scriptures together; my favorite may have been 3 Nephi 18:31 "But if he repent not he shall not be numbered among my people, that he may not destroy my people, for behold I know my sheep, and they are numbered". Here we can see that the Lord numbers his people, he doesn't focus on the numbers though, he focuses on the people. So as missionaries we need to be aware of and welcoming towards the numbers but we shouldn't get carried away into it, and that's a balance that I am trying to find myself.
They gave us some really good lunch at this meeting too. I think it was like taco soup, or tortilla soup... whatever it was called it was delicious. We ate that, and talked some more with the other missionaries and the Leaders.
Then we planned for another meeting called ZLC which is where we meet with our Sister Training Leaders and our District Leaders. We held it at a local library in a conference room and it was very fancy and official feeling. We discussed similar things with our District Leaders as we did at MLC. We came up with some fun, fun ways to excite the Zone. Someone suggested "if we meet our goals in the zone then the Zone Leaders have to eat a Ghost Pepper" which did not excite Elder Hanosek or myself much, but we did think it was funny and a lot of people would probably be on board. We also came up with the fun idea of making necklaces, or big chains (like bling), to give to the winners of weekly challenges that we come up with. Fantastic Idea.
That night we went out and did some awesome missionary work. We met this one guy who sat us down and talked our ears off for like an hour and a half. We finally got out of there and had to hurry up and drive from Roy down to Layton because we were going to spend the night with the AP's and go on exchanges with Elder Arce because he's now one of the AP's but served in our area last transfer so he was going to show us around and help us get to know people in our area better. We happened to kind of get stuck in a snow storm however, the storm interfered with our GPS big time and it took us an hour and a half to make a 20ish minute drive (with a quick stop at McDonald's). We bought 20 McChickens and the three AP'S (Yes they are in a trio), their two roommates, and us two ate all 20 of them in like 10 minutes. We went to bed late because we got there late from the storm, and then woke up early the next day to get a good start on the day. We worked out, drove back up to Roy, got ready, and then we had a few meetings. One in the morning about drivers stuff, cause they're gonna be putting new fun technology in our cars woohoo. And then we had a few district councils to go to, but then out of nowhere a mandatory zoom meeting was called by our mission President and it was all about Covid Safety, there's been quite a few outbreaks and some spikes especially near us. We were told to be aware and ready for any quick changes. We got done with that, went to our district council and halfway through the other two AP's said they were on their way to pick up Elder Arce because they had to quarantine Then President texted us and said that MLC (which meant us and the STL's) all had to go quarantine too. So we left partway through the district council. We got home, chilled there, and then President called me and my companion personally. He said, tell your whole zone to go to their own homes, and to quarantine there until Monday (this took place on a Friday) and to text him once everyone was home.
So the whole mission was quarantined. The next day we had 4 or so meetings. And the AP's issued a challenge to see who could teach the most lessons that day over the phone or through zoom. That was a lot of fun. There were over 1300 lessons taught in the whole mission that day.
Also I was woken up in the middle of the night by a firework that went off. I could've sworn it was like 3 inches from our window it scared the Heaven out of me.
The next day was a Sunday, and my companion had the fun idea to challenge everyone in the zone to build a fort and see who's was the coolest. So we built a pretty wicked cool fort in our living room. We put our mattresses I it and even slept in it for 3 or 4 nights. It was fun and it was a cool way to keep everyone from going crazy and to enjoy quarantine a little bit.
WEEK 2
We finally got released from quarantine on Monday, except those who were sick and had symptoms. We went grocery shopping, and I might mention we live with 4 other Elders, so six of us in 1 house and no fridge space. Like literally my companion and I each had a mini fridge for all of our food. So we finally got a new regular sized fridge for him and I after a few days. But before that, I stored some stuff outside to stay cold and accidentally froze my milk a little bit.
We also went and bought some chain from Lowes; like real thick chain that is not used for jewelry but we thought it would be funny. Then we went to a craft store and got some stuff to make fake bling with like foam and gold spray paint. Then we made the chains over the span of a couple days. It's really cool not lying. I'll add some pictures. I also bought a hard hat cause I thought it was really funny. Sometimes I'll wear it in the car cause #safety.
We went to the Temple on Wednesday morning and we were running late and almost missed our session. Then when we got out we took a bunch of pictures but it was raining and it was getting us so wet hahah.
Also this week we had a couple of really great lessons with both members in our ward and non-members in our area. We've really been praying a lot recently and seeking guidance on who to talk to and where we are needed. So we've been feeling the spirit a lot. It's been great.
I also gave a haircut to my companion last night. He's looking pretty good. And my companion is gonna give me a haircut tonight if we have time. Plus we have zone conference tomorrow and my Mom said my hair’s looking bushy so I guess I need it hahah.
Well we have to go now but I miss you all and I hope you are doing well. I pray for you often and would love to hear from you. Remember that God loves you. Have a great week.
-Elder Golden
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