New Companion!!

Hi Everyone, 

So this last week has been very interesting. Since last Monday as you know a lot of things have been going on. Tuesday night we got the call for transfers to know who was leaving. Sadly there was two of us out of ashburn, but we were both ready for a change. Wednesday we spent a lot of the day packing and making other final preparations for Thursday. Also on Wednesday we were able to meet with Roy and Brenna for the last time. Kinda sad to leave them because they are so awesome. But when we were there she gave me a copy of the book that she had just finished writing so that was kind of cool. The book was more of a religious book. I think, I haven't really had time to go through it. Not approved either, but that's ok :)

So Thursday was the big transfer day. I got my new companion Elder Greenwood. So far he has been a really great companion. We are getting along pretty well. I cant remember if I told you or not, but my companion from the MTC Elder Allen went home. Kinda sad but what do you do. We also got to watch the Saratov Approach. I was pretty shocked that we could actually watch a movie. It was so awesome, about 90% of the mission was in tears. Such an awesome movie.

Friday we spent a lot of the day going over some of our investigators since it was weekly planning. I figured out that this area is going to be much slower than ashburn. We currently have 0 progressing investigators which really sucks. I guess we will focus a ton on finding. Whoo tracting, my favorite. :(

On Saturday we decided to try to find a quicker way into our area through a river since we don't actually live inside of it. We were walking by it and we needed to cross it since the branches were to thick. I stepped out onto half of a log to get onto a big thick one to cross on in, and as soon as I took the first step onto it, it broke in half and I fell about 7 feet straight down and landed on my feet miraculously. I didn't slip and fall, but it was into about 6 inches of water. So my feet were soaked, but that ok. I had my camera and my scriptures and everything so no harm done.

We were at church for 7 hours on sunday. Our church is only from 11-2, but we had meetings before and after which were really long. But the good news is is that I think I am going to like this ward more. Sunday night we went with our ward mission leader over to a Muslim neighbor of theirs where a guess a church leader would be. So we went over and had a very good religious discussion. Had some Afghanistan style food. Delicious by the way.

So that has been my crazy week. Hopefully everything here will turn out to be better soon. Its just going to take a lot of hard work and dedication.

Oh and I also got my package yesterday, I really liked it. Cookies are delicious, and I love the hand soap. I was really happy when I opened those little hearts. That was a very pleasant surprise. I will try not to eat all the candy at once. I am starting to try to eat healthier, I think in my last area I gained a few pounds so I am trying to lay off the candy and other unhealthy stuff. But I still will enjoy myself :)

Anyways I love you all, hope you have a great week.

Love Elder Laing :)

So much rain and still raining!

Good morning,

So first question, did you watch the super bowl at all. We went over to a members home where there were members, non-members, less actives, and inactives, so we can call it missionary work, and the game just happened to be on, what a coincidence. A flippin' safety in the first 12 seconds!!!  Oh gosh broncos got spanked. Anyways enough with telling you all of my flaws. So this week has been interesting. It rained all day and all nights yesterday and it is still raining. 

We were going to go ice skating today for our last preparation day today, but that didn't turn out because it ends at 11:30 and it is already 10:30. Saturday we left the apartment at 10:45 and we decided that we were going to explore our area more and so we walked around till about 4:30. We went and walked around a lake on the path and got to talk to a few people. We went down the the southern most part of our area and sat on a bench and watched ducks for about 30 minutes. After about 4 hours of walking we needed a break. So just had fun checking on potential investigators as well as former.

I hope you guys get my package today. When i bought the postage it said that the estimated delivery time was today so let me know!!! We had no lessons this week. Our meeting with the Arce family got canceled. He called that day and said that no one was going to be there. But we are going to give them to the Hermanas (Spanish Sisters) for them to take over and start teaching instead. We tried to meet with Roy and Brenna yesterday but it really wasn't a good day so we have plans on Wednesday. 

Other than that nothing really super exciting. We are having dinner with our favorite family tomorrow so that will be fun. Im not really excited for transfers, i really like this area and am going to miss it, but i definitely need a change. So its kind of a bitter sweet deal. 

I hope everything stays well at home, i know it will out here. Im glad you had fun this weekend and hope that the kids can cherish those small trips with that family. That is what i miss the most is just being with you guys. Never knew it till i came out here. I love you all!!!

Love Elder Laing