Greetings from Danville Ohio!
Yes, I am in
a new area and I am very honestly loving it. The geography is totally
different. There are large rolling hills and valleys, so I feel right at
home. Danville is a very, very small town (doesn't even have a grocery
store) and is about 15 miles away from Mt. Vernon, which is a larger town
where we have to go to get all our shopping done. But really I do love
just driving and looking at the scenery. It is totally different from
the perfectly flat areas I served in in the past. I have a new companion
that I am way excited about. Elder DuBose from Montana. He is actually
my "brother" in mission terms because we were both trained by Elder
Prettyman. We have what it takes to work miracles in our area, speaking
of which, we have lots and lots of Amish people here. I wake up in the
morning to the sound of wagon wheels. It is the first time I have ever
seen Amish before. I don't know if I mentioned it in the past but 2
years ago there was a great miracle here in the Ohio when 3 Amish
families, were taught and baptized. They have now been through the
temple and make up what we call the "Amish Group." Never before in my
life have I seen such powerful faith than in these 3 families. They have
been shunned by the Amish community, loosing much of their employment
and all of their friends, and all for this glorious gospel. They have a
strong desire to reach their friends and family and teach them the
gospel. They will do whatever it takes to move this work forward! The
best way I can describe them is a quote from the Book of Mormon and I
will paraphrase "And they were converted to the truth, and would not
depart from it." Our Ward meets in Mt. Vernon but because of the current
situation, the Amish Group meets separately here in Danville even
though we are still part of the Mt. Vernon ward under the stewardship of
the bishop. We meet in the wood shop of one of the Amish families and
there were about 45 people total there this last Sunday. It was amazing
and like nothing I have been a part of before, but the amazing part is
that no matter where or how small it is the same exact church, with that
same spirit. The Amish people come in all their traditional clothes and I
will have to send you some pictures this next week, since I have very
few since this new transfer started. I have no idea why the Lord has
called me to serve with the Amish people, but I guess I will learn in
time. Many of the pictures I am sending today are older.
So that is all the crazy stuff that has happened.
The zone I am in is huge, we are talking like 15 areas. It is composed
of 3 districts. Being a zone leader is very different. Mainly because we
have a lot of phone calls and things to do so we have less time to be
out proselyting, which just feels weird because I am so used to being
out the door at 10, and hitting the pavement all day. So it is different
but I am getting used to it. Luckily I have an awesome companion to
teach me the ins and outs of leadership. Elder DuBose has been on his
mission for about 19 months, which is 10 months longer than me. It is
going to be hard working in such a small area but I am really pumped
about it. In fact I am more relaxed (not lazy) now then I ever have been
before on my mission. I just love the scenery, the people, and the
gospel. I used to get stressed about filling my time, but for the first
time since my first 6 weeks I am with a companion who is training me.
So this transfer will be interesting to see what
happens. It seems to be a totally different kind of mission work,
outside of the big city, and in the country. By the way we live in a
house with a two car garage, all to ourselves. It is the nicest
missionary set up I will probably ever see in my life!
I love you all. Nice job in Basketball Cameron. Nice job joining baseball Corban. I will try and write 2 letters on p-day to
members of the immediate family during this entire transfer. Have a
stellar week!
P.S. Dad, I have not received the letter that was
sent to me yet, it probably got mixed up in transfers but I will get a
hold of it this week. Thanks for sending it I look forward to reading
it.
