Well, take it all down, Christmas is over. As much as I love the holidays, they suck on a mission. People are with their families and loved ones. We're not. But, we actually had a lot better Christmas than I was expecting. I went to a member's home. They gave me a scarf because I told them I had never worn one before. We'll see how that goes when the winter really hits.
This week was pretty interesting. I had a really hard week, then I had a really good week. My mission president is an amazing man. I seriously want to be him in every possible way. Since I've been struggling with some things, he really has been a huge help and he claims I haven't been a pain but I think he's lying. Anyways, we had our quarterly interviews. We had a talk about some of my ups and downs, and he was helping me out. We had a big talk about my relationship with God and how I stand with him now, and stuff like that. But, he really helped me realize some things. His spirit is so strong, that it made me come to love the Atonement even more.
I can honestly say that I can never deny this church. Every fiber of my being knows the doctrine is correct and it's claims are true. Which leads me to my next topic of debate... If there are any non-members reading this, why haven't you joined the church? Seriously, there is no excuse. Missionaries have a gift: they can weasel around any excuse, doubt, or problem you have. But, I guess it's an individual choice, but that change is for the better.
Anyways, I've been eating a lot of pizza. I miss Time Out Pizza so much. When I get home, I'm eating it so quickly, furiously, and intimately as possible. Weird, I know.
With the sincerity,
Elder Damon Chlarson.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Letter #11 - December 12th, 2011
Well, I'm staying in Coldwater for another transfer. Pretty excited about it though, we have a lot of really cool stuff going on. Should have a couple more baptisms. We have one scheduled for New Year's Eve and he's solid as a rock, hasn't missed a day in four months. It's going to be a good transfer, even if my new companion Elder Rawlins is supposed to be a little nerdy.
I'm done training. It's weird. This has been the slowest, quickest three months of my life. December is almost half over. Then it'll be 2012. I remember last December like it was yesterday. In another year, I'll be out for almost 16 months. I'm getting ahead of myself though. So let's review the last three months....
I ....got dropped off at the MTC by my Seth and Nolan. It was pretty fun couple days before I went in. Then, met my new companion an a couple good friends. Learned that I actually have a lot stronger testimony than I thought I did. I've read the Book of Mormon twice now. Left the MTC, went to Michigan, the poorest, trashiest state ever. Almost came home (twice), saw a psychiatrist, got medicated and went my way. I threw up on a front lawn. I almost got in a fight on the basketball court with our first counselor of the bishopric. I chased around a goat a bunch. Saw a redneck kid play the banjo. Learned how to play the banjo (sort of). Knocked on a lot of doors. Went to Indiana and Ohio (oops). I met one of the coolest families ever. Helped a kid get to baptism. Have had many sleepwalking adventures. (I wake up every night at around 12:30 to 1 am and think it's morning and that we slept in) I've been sworn at a lot. Overall, I think I've grown up just a little bit... inwardly, on the surface I'm still me.
One huge thing I've learned in the last 3.5 months is that we choose whether or not we want to be successful or be happy, to a certain extent. Once we have all the tools to be happy or successful, it's all dependent upon our attitude. I could have used my mental health issues as a crutch and been lazy. I could have used them to go home. I almost did. But, for reasons unknown, I always stayed. Now, it's really fun. I love it. Sure, I miss home and doing stuff I did back then, but it's more exciting to be doing this, even if people aren't always stoked to open their doors or hear what we have to say. It's a lot more important than hanging out at the lake everyday or staying up super late. Even if those are my two favorite activities.
I thank God everyday I'm not stuck in the same situation I was stuck in two or three years ago. I really do miss a few big things though. My family being home, having the holidays without me is a sucky thought. I try to push it out of my mind. I really miss Washington state. Michigan isn't even close to as good. I really miss looking out and seeing sagebrush and desert. Why? I'm not sure. There's just something cool about it. I hate seeing dead trees. It's so depressing. But, it's pretty when it snows. But, I don't miss school at all. I do miss my friends. But, the majority of my friends are on missions too, so we're in the same boat.
But, we'll see what the next 20 months have in store for me.
Till next time,
Damon.
I'm done training. It's weird. This has been the slowest, quickest three months of my life. December is almost half over. Then it'll be 2012. I remember last December like it was yesterday. In another year, I'll be out for almost 16 months. I'm getting ahead of myself though. So let's review the last three months....
I ....got dropped off at the MTC by my Seth and Nolan. It was pretty fun couple days before I went in. Then, met my new companion an a couple good friends. Learned that I actually have a lot stronger testimony than I thought I did. I've read the Book of Mormon twice now. Left the MTC, went to Michigan, the poorest, trashiest state ever. Almost came home (twice), saw a psychiatrist, got medicated and went my way. I threw up on a front lawn. I almost got in a fight on the basketball court with our first counselor of the bishopric. I chased around a goat a bunch. Saw a redneck kid play the banjo. Learned how to play the banjo (sort of). Knocked on a lot of doors. Went to Indiana and Ohio (oops). I met one of the coolest families ever. Helped a kid get to baptism. Have had many sleepwalking adventures. (I wake up every night at around 12:30 to 1 am and think it's morning and that we slept in) I've been sworn at a lot. Overall, I think I've grown up just a little bit... inwardly, on the surface I'm still me.
One huge thing I've learned in the last 3.5 months is that we choose whether or not we want to be successful or be happy, to a certain extent. Once we have all the tools to be happy or successful, it's all dependent upon our attitude. I could have used my mental health issues as a crutch and been lazy. I could have used them to go home. I almost did. But, for reasons unknown, I always stayed. Now, it's really fun. I love it. Sure, I miss home and doing stuff I did back then, but it's more exciting to be doing this, even if people aren't always stoked to open their doors or hear what we have to say. It's a lot more important than hanging out at the lake everyday or staying up super late. Even if those are my two favorite activities.
I thank God everyday I'm not stuck in the same situation I was stuck in two or three years ago. I really do miss a few big things though. My family being home, having the holidays without me is a sucky thought. I try to push it out of my mind. I really miss Washington state. Michigan isn't even close to as good. I really miss looking out and seeing sagebrush and desert. Why? I'm not sure. There's just something cool about it. I hate seeing dead trees. It's so depressing. But, it's pretty when it snows. But, I don't miss school at all. I do miss my friends. But, the majority of my friends are on missions too, so we're in the same boat.
But, we'll see what the next 20 months have in store for me.
Till next time,
Damon.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Letter #10 - December 5th, 2011
Dear Diary,
Alright team, it was a good week. Well, I went on a depressing trade-off to Sturgis. That place is a real crap-hole. The missionary I went with is very very very trunky and thinks about home constantly, so it totally bummed me out bad.
BUT, after that it was good. It snowed about 6 inches. I had on my stompin' boots so it was all good. I was bundled up nice and tight. But, we went out doorknocking this week and found probably two of the most prepared people, both families. So, we're seeing them this week. I'm pretty excited about it all. I also got my first baptism this week. It was really cool to watch. I'm so glad I was able to find, teach, and bring a person to baptism. It's pretty amazing. Not a lot in life can be better than that. Hopefully he stays on the path. If he doesn't... I'll have to throw down.
Well, story time. I got a letter from a good friend of mine. In my last letter to him, I told him about some of the struggles. He sent me back a letter that was more condescending that I'd ever heard before. I was so mad about it. I'm doing just fine on my mission now, but I wasn't then. So, he starts telling me how he lives a "higher law" and stuff like that. That's what the Pharisee's did. They made up rules. The mission rules are the higher law. We don't have to make up rules. So I was mad. Then, he said he wasn't having as much success as usual. Then, I was double mad. I felt like his mission was easier than mine, since I have to knock on doors a lot, people here hate Mormons, and it's the lowest baptizing mission in North America. But, then I started ranting, and I said out loud for the very first time... I love my mission! I'm proud of Michigan!" I never thought I'd say that.
So, needless to say things are going pretty well. I'm having a good time. Transfers are this week so I'll probably most likely be getting a new companion. It's supposed to snow this week, hurray?
Much love,
Damon.
Alright team, it was a good week. Well, I went on a depressing trade-off to Sturgis. That place is a real crap-hole. The missionary I went with is very very very trunky and thinks about home constantly, so it totally bummed me out bad.
BUT, after that it was good. It snowed about 6 inches. I had on my stompin' boots so it was all good. I was bundled up nice and tight. But, we went out doorknocking this week and found probably two of the most prepared people, both families. So, we're seeing them this week. I'm pretty excited about it all. I also got my first baptism this week. It was really cool to watch. I'm so glad I was able to find, teach, and bring a person to baptism. It's pretty amazing. Not a lot in life can be better than that. Hopefully he stays on the path. If he doesn't... I'll have to throw down.
Well, story time. I got a letter from a good friend of mine. In my last letter to him, I told him about some of the struggles. He sent me back a letter that was more condescending that I'd ever heard before. I was so mad about it. I'm doing just fine on my mission now, but I wasn't then. So, he starts telling me how he lives a "higher law" and stuff like that. That's what the Pharisee's did. They made up rules. The mission rules are the higher law. We don't have to make up rules. So I was mad. Then, he said he wasn't having as much success as usual. Then, I was double mad. I felt like his mission was easier than mine, since I have to knock on doors a lot, people here hate Mormons, and it's the lowest baptizing mission in North America. But, then I started ranting, and I said out loud for the very first time... I love my mission! I'm proud of Michigan!" I never thought I'd say that.
So, needless to say things are going pretty well. I'm having a good time. Transfers are this week so I'll probably most likely be getting a new companion. It's supposed to snow this week, hurray?
Much love,
Damon.
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