Second transfer, still in Sac-east!
April 7th, 2009
Greetings and salutations to my many friends and family who are following my mission’s progress. Another week has gone by, and as ever I must somehow attempt to summarize and highlight the best bits!
First of all, General Confernence was AMAZING. It’s the first one I’ve had on my mission, but it’s a tender mercy while you’re a missionary. I loved every moment of it. One talk that stood out was Jeffrey R. Holland’s, the one on Christ’s atonement and ultimate loneliness. It was really profound. We also had an investigator come to conference on Sunday and she watched both sessions! She really liked it, and we’re seeing her again this week.
The weather here has been getting HOT. Some days the sun just bears down like it’s nobody’s business and you think you’re going to melt on the spot. The best part is, it’s not even “Summer” yet! And of course being on bikes means we’re pretty exposed. Speaking of which, I’ve done over 200 miles since I got here. It’s definitely good exercise.
We’re working with some great people right now. So I hope this next transfer period brings at least one baptism for us. A transfer, for those who don’t know, is a 6 week period of time. After a transfer some missionaries move, as the name suggests, while others stay in the area. Transfer calls were last night, and both me and Elder Groshong are rocking this area for another 6 weeks! I’m happy, he’s a great companion and trainer.
By the way, big thanks to my Mom for the Canadian candy, my companion liked it a lot. Also William and Olivia, your letters were great to read. I hope you send more. Olivia’s “Japan” picture is proudly on my wall right now. Big thanks to everyone else who has written me, email or otherwise. I LOVE hearing from any of you, it really means a lot, so keep it up! ;)
Despite all that great weather I mentioned, it’s actually raining right now… pretty heavily too. We got someone to give us a ride to the Library, but I’m hoping we can either get a ride back home, or it’ll stop before we’re done. I really haven’t had the biking in rain experience yet, and I’m NOT looking forward to it.
Before I let y’all go back to your lifes I should mention a neat person in our ward here. Her name is Jane Schmit. She’s a really sweet senior member staying in a rest home not far from us. The really cool part is her son, you see his name is “Timothy Schmit”, and it just so happens that he is the basist for The Eagles. Yes THE EAGLES. Like “Hotel California” / hugest band ever Eagles. How cool is that!? He’s actually a member too, though not active as I hear, and I think he’s living in LA now. Sister Schmit’s birthday is coming soon, so we think he might be coming up to visit… maybe we’ll get lucky! :P
Last of all, in this past week we had one of the most wonderful lessons I’ve ever had. A nice family in our ward, the Bentleys, invited their friend to hear our message. As we taught him in their home the spirit was felt SO strongly and he was really excited and accepting of what we taught. I just want to tell ALL of you that member missionary work (as we heard in conference) is SO important. I can really testify of that now. I hope all of you will prayerfully consider those whom you could have the missionaries teach in your home. It’s really the best way.
Well, my time is nearly up, looking out this window, I don’t think the rain has relented much, but I guess that’s what it means to be a missionary. We work rain or shine. Well, take care, all of you. You’re in my prayers.
And remember what President Monson said at the conclusion of conference. “Your future is as bright as your faith.”
Love,
Elder Macpherson
PS. This week’s Book of Mormon chapter is 2 Nephi 2. Let me know what you get out of it. ;)