2/26/2018 Week 17: This Post Reminds Me Of Genesis 7

Yep Genesis 7 is the one about the flood. We have had rain storms for about 2 weeks straight today being the first day with clear skies in a while. It was pretty bad. Just a little to go with it my water proof jacket isn't 100% water proof and it took 2 days to dry off. That a lot of rain the River has gone up over 10-15 feet. It's pretty cool I took a picture of when it was partially flooded and it is still a good amount. It wasn't raining that day but then it started to pore. It's funny how they made a life size Noah's ark here in the exact measurement, I was joking around that they might need to use it. Anyways enough about that. I learned that there are a ton of geese in the Kentucky/Indiana area and it disappoints me a little because those guys are mean. Speaking of which we found a duck the other week that was really territorial and tried to chase and bite us. I named him Howard. 👍🏻. He chased my companion a couple houses down. We have another new investigator. The last guy kept canceling but this new guy is pretty cool. He believes that it is completely possible for Joseph Smith to be called of God which is great because for some reason people can't comprehend the fact that God is and not was, (aka. He still helps and communicates and calls prophets). But this guy we met interestingly enough his name is Cody as well. I didn't tell him that is my name 1.) because that would have been awkward; and 2.) for a good few minutes I actually forgot that is my name as well. I was sitting there figuring out why that name was familiar and then it dawned on me. Still learning Swedish. I don't prioritize it, it's more of a I am sitting at the bus stop for a late bus and I don't want to read the Book of Mormon all at once so I use Swedish as a way to refresh my mind and concentrate better. I enjoy it though. I am able to recognize words and subconsciously answer the questions. I am disappointed though a little because the mission just started a cleaning your apartment thing which I would be fine with except that they want us to get rid of a whole bunch of furniture and stuff. I understand getting rid of the couches sort of because missionaries would fall asleep an them but you get of that and they will just sleep in there beds. I don't mind the couches because they are gross. What annoys me is right after I developed a workout routine that works for me and wakes me up and everything they tell us to get ride of all weights. They expect us to work out in the morning but I am not running in the cold and I personally think that push ups and stuff are flawed way of exercise because sure you are exercising but you are also laying on the floor exhausted having woke up 2 minutes ago. I realize that I am complaining but I just don't agree with it. Whatever, also to put this back to a good note. Some other Elders in my district had a trench coat in there apartment that they didn't want so they have it to me and that has really come in handy while my jacket was drying. I am have fun though an sadly this is week 6 of the transfer so there is a possibility that I will leave after this transfer to a different area, or I will stay with my companion. Or I will train. That's freaky. If I leave here my hopes are Indiana because the summers would be 10-20 degrees cooler depending on the area, and it won't rain as much. But I do like Kentucky and I wouldn't mind coming back. By the way after this email do not send me packages because I may not get them. If they are already sent than so be it. Have a great week, talk to yall in a week! See ya. 

2/19/2018 Week 16: I'm Going To Learn Swedish

Thats right my fellow man and kvinna, (man and woman) this will be fun. Jar ar en man. Anyways this week was pretty great. I will send my pictures again in a separate email. So amazing things are happening. We have a new investigator who requested a visit and a Book of Mormon and we went over last monday and we have another appointment on Thursday and he is making us steaks. We were texting him a bunch yesterday and in his text he expressed that he liked having us over and liked the feeling he got when we where there and we where able to text our testimonies to him that that was the Holy Ghost confirming to him that the things which we teach and read and share are in fact true and are a record of Gods teachings. I am so excited for Thursday. Also yesterday we saw some people who need help moving a couch and we went and helped it took over an hour and we couldn't get it in because it was huge, they offered us dinner a second time to us and we were able to share Helaman 5:12. We offered to continue teaching but they said that we could if we had nobody else to teach. Little do they know we actually run out of ideas on who to teach all the time.😂. Also I had exchanges on Saturday with Elder Heaton, one of he other missionaries in my district. That was fun, great guy and great missionary, he taught me how to better schedule my morning routines. I admit now to my flaw that every morning I just fell back to sleep for another hour or two (which is not allow). But I have been able to stay awake as long as I get up stretch and lift waits. I do 9 sets total, 3 sets of 15Ib, 35Ib, and 50Ib. My arms hurt in a good way. I am learning how to use the phones. Slowly but surely. I have the sim card in my phone now so I get to make all the calls and stuff. I like it, I feel more responsible. Also I got some of the Ice cream I was talking about, I got a limited time flavor called chunky chunky hippo which was made for the baby hippo the Cincinnati Zoo had this year. I haven't seen it yet but I am starting to like hippo's. Also I kinda want to go but I probably won't because I don't have time to go there. I am running out of things to type so this probably wont be too much longer. I found a Canadian Quarter on the side walk the other day. That was interesting I guess. I'm kinda far from Canada but I guess it is just a tender mercy of the Lord. I have been getting a good nights rest lately but it is still not the best bed or anything. I just have to deal with it I guess. I think that is all. I want to be sure because after this email I might have to wait till next monday. Talk to yall later, bye.

Dinner with the Shuley family

2/12/2018 Week 15: Everything Froze

Hello everyone,

 How are you, GREAT! I had a good week I guess. The phones take up most of it. My job since getting the phones is to put extremely old records in the phones by typing out the information from them onto the missionary app. But I found out that if anyone has a lesson with a non member in there home then I can ask to Skype in and be a part of the lesson. That's cool. and Next month I can get a Facebook account to post things and talk to people and stuff and I can reply to comments to my posts. I took pictures on my phone so I will send out a separate email for those. I can't call people on my phone because I don't have the sim card for my area in the phone which I personally find stupid because so much more stuff could get done. But that's not all my phone is apparently not compatible with the music app I should be able to install so I can't listen to music, never mind the fact that you are not allow to play music a lot. I don't care though so no big deal. We got a gift card to an Ice cream place here call Graeters and it bothers me because it is still winter, but they are only located in Ohio and parts of Kentucky. Everyone here freaks out about how good it is but I personally don't really see the difference between it and cold stone. Maybe they freak out because there are no cold stones or other ice cream shops around here for anyone to tell the difference. Maybe I will find out. Its also super expensive, like $5 a scoop so I don't understand why some people choose to even buy it. I also think that United Dairy Farmers is better not only because its cheaper.. That's actually the only reason, things taste better when you still have money in your pockets. I have gotten really stingy I feel in the last few months to the point where if things are over $3 at a grocery store or something I feel sick because of it. I got very far off track. I need to shine my shoes again because it has been really muddy and rainy this week so they look bad. I got a little sick last night, I basically sat by the toilet for at least 30 minute almost throwing up. I think I may have over heated a bit. After I grabbed an ice pack and a towel and went back to bed. That sucked. Also I am really bad at cooking really basic things. I am bad at cooking in general. Its pretty funny. One of the youth in our ward got his mission call recently to Salt Lake City and he gave his farewell talk yesterday. I know, Salt Lake, I felt bad at first too but then I realize that only 40% of the population in his mission is Mormon. Also there are people there waiting for him and also he is going to be fed a lot and also he is a kid with one of the strongest testimonies I every have heard and have no doubt that he won't do great. He is ready to serve. Also its gonna be a big culture shock going from a ward with 100 active to a ward with 700 active. He covers multiple stakes as well in one area. We are planning to go down to the more southern part of my ward which is technically the sisters area, but the activity is super low down there because 1.) the sisters can't go there without using to many miles on there car. 2.) The church building is too far away for these people, some of them don't even have cars, its about a hour drive away. 3.) We are trying to establish a branch for easier access. If we can get 30 people to attend regularly then it will become a branch. Our job as the Elders are to visit people the sisters are not able to see for what ever reason and teach them. As well as street contact and talk to strangers. I am honestly excited to go, It will be good to walk around an spread out town rather then an over crowded stinky city full of crazy hobos. 😂.  But yeah that's my month really I will keep updating what sticks out every week.

2/5/2018 Week 14: My Bed Stinks

As the topic stated I have been having trouble sleeping. I dont know why I just am. It might be that my bed is lumpy and as hard as a rock. The floor is more comfortable. Thankfully we have some supper soft couches and I just move to those, The problem is we are supposed to sleep in the same room but you know it also says we need a full nights rest so I guess it is matching priorities. I would rather sleep so I can do my work productively without possible falling asleep during a lessons, Elders have done that in my area. They probably had the same mattress.😂.  Oh yeah by the way I have emojis now. That's pretty sick, my companion doesn't like when I use them but you know I need to feel some joy.😇👍. 😈🔫. 🐢󾓦󾓦󾓦󾓦🛐. Word. Fun times. We didn't have many dinner appointments last week but we will this week. I didn't take any pictures week, I failed. I am just too obedient to the white handbook. Phones are nice because we are able to find people who have had lessons that otherwise we would have never realized that they exist. We are slowly on the way to checkmate on the adversary. I am so tired, I am going to take a nap today. I don't like how early a lot of our appointments are. Literally for church we wake up at 6:30 and have to be out the door by 7:45. Thankfully Brother Miller, the best ward mission leader, gives us a ride there and back. 2nd week with a new companion and he is pretty great despite whatever I may say because he actually cares about the work. It is just hard to see if really cares about the people. He has a very monotone voice so its hard to tell if he is cracking a joke sometimes. WE HAVE A DONUT AND ICECREAM BAR IN TOWN AND I AM REALLY EXCITED. That was all hope you all have a great week.