Hello,
This may be a shorter email due to my new addition. So
this week I was playing soccer Tuesday morning with some missionaries.
On one of the plays I tried kicking the ball from the man in front of
me. Her cleared it with a kick and a rotation of his body.
Unfortunately that threw me into the air (literally air-borne). As I
came down I fell on my right arm which caused my elbow to lock and a
nasty hit to my wrist. I got up and went straight to the stage to rub
it out in case it was sprained. On the way home I drove with one hand
and had Elder Robinson compress the other. Then on Friday I went into
the orthopedic surgeon who told me that I broke the scaphoid bone in my
wrist. On the X-ray it was actually in two pieces. Now I have a full
arm cast for the next 3 weeks. Then after that I'll have another
shorter cast for at least three weeks. As for what it feels like to
break a bone, it is pretty much like a sprain. There was no bruising or
swelling until 40 hours after the accident. After that I couldn't lift
my hand, so I knew something was up.
In other news on Saturday I was probably the first and only
missionary to shake Elder Bednar's hand with my left hand while wearing a
pink cast. On Saturday morning we had the opportunity to receive
instruction from a member of the quorum of the twelve. I did learn an
important insight on how to take notes. We were asked to not take notes
of exactly what was said. We needed to prepare small plates instead of
large plates referring to the Book of Mormon. Of course this advice
was easy, because I caN'T WRITE wITH the cast I have on (ie. capitol
letters). I was able to scribble a few notes down. He had a very
unique way of helping us receive instruction. Any of us could raise our
hands and answer his questions and ask questions. It was amazing as he
directed more than taught. There was no lengthy sermon, and it was
very well done. On a funny note, just after the opening prayer Elder
Rydalch was about to read the bio of Elder Bednar, when Elder Bednar
said frankly "Elder we don't need that.", from there we had a most
inspirational experience.
Well my hand is getting tired. I'm really happy and this past week we had a wonderful family start learning about the gospel.
Love you all,
Elder Davidson
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
letter grades
If my last email and this email were to receive a letter grade I'm sure that they would receive an E for effort.
I can say that this has been some of the most rewarding and satisfactory days of my mission. The best way to explain why would be highlighting what goes on during the week, and during the day.
The most personally satisfying part of my week, and the start of a good attitude is my personal study time. Every morning I study the scriptures and the missionary manual. Some times I get sidetracked by little scripture scavenger hunts, but for the most part I have lots of good insights. I'm reading the New Testament focusing on the parables that Christ used to teach. In addition I've started reading the Book of Mormon again using a red pen to underline all the times Christ is addressed or mentioned. It has been really fun. Last week I finished reading the Book of Mormon underlining any reference to the Holy Ghost (not the easiest). The cool part is I happened to be on the last chapter when we went to the Temple, so I read it in the Celestial Room.
Another highlight of my week is Sundays. This Sunday was especially special because there was a family that hasn't sat in the chapel for years, and they agreed to sit with us. Elder Robinson and I also got to sing a duet "Savior redeemer of my soul" not my favorite song. That said the actual performance was incredible. It was funny at first to see everyone's face. "Wow these elders can sing, didn't see that coming". We actually sounded very good, and I felt more unified singing with Elder Robinson than I have with anyone else. I attribute that feeling to the fact we had the same goal in mind, to help others feel the Holy Ghost.
So a physically challenging part of missionary work is always service. This past Thursday night we got on the roof of a little double-wide trailer. Due to heavy rain the roof has just about reached sponge status. Luckily before another storm rolled in Bro.Sargent and I were able to put a 60 by 40 foot tarp over the whole roof. It was a little scary to be looking out over the desert and literally see lightning hit the ground miles away. We were blessed, because the storm blew west, right beneath where the house was. Not to mention we were afraid the tarp wouldn't stay down.
The final fun thing I've enjoyed has been the great abundance of hostess cakes from a member (several dozen boxes). Elder Robinson was going to take a lot before I calculated how many calories are from one box. Last night I also got to see my very first owl in person. What a magnificent bird! I walked to the tree were it was perched and it watched me the whole time. It's eyes were just piercing. Then it flew over me. That was about the coolest thing all week. It lives just east of us near the mountain, so I should get some more pictures of it.
I'm am doing very well in this area
Oh and the best part. Last night we had a wonderful lesson with the family of three that we found when they walked into the church on Saturday. They all committed to find out for themselves if the Book of Mormon is true. It was a sweet moment to see them take control of their lives and ask God what he wants them to do. I don't know what will come of it, but I know that they will benefit greatly.
I love you all,
Elder Davidson
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Never underestimate the power of a good vacuum
Dear Mom,
I'm happy all is well. This week was about as interesting as yours.
We had some incredible rain storms out here. In fact it was thundering right out side the door to our apartment on Friday morning, and I went out to listen to the huge sounds. I loved it. Our apartment also got a new bag-less vacuum that I promptly took apart and reassembled. It is a hoover, and very good. I tested it with some salt spilled on the floor, and it picked up so much dust the floor is a different color. Then again that may be due in part to the fact missionaries have lived here for so long.
In other news we had a great lesson this morning with lady who had several questions about the church. It went really well. She has done a lot of research, so some of the stuff she has learned is false, while other things are just plain weird. Lots of her questions were really good. I don't remember any of them right now, but I just remember that she was really relieved.
Anyway, this past Sunday Elder Robinson and I were asked to speak in two of the wards that we cover. It went really well in both wards, and Elder Robinson is a great speaker. After the meeting there were lots of members that were grateful for everything that we said. The subject we were given was on how the commandments lead us to love others. My focus was on the scripture in Luke 22:31-32.
Well, we are teaching a really cool family in our apartments. We haven't done a lot of teaching besides introducing them to the Book of Mormon and the Gospel. It is just amazing to see that they have all made personal choices that have brought them closer together. The Mom is more patient, the daughter spent time cleaning her room, and the father has taken a more direct role in the life of his daughter (which has really helped her).
So I'm sitting here in the library and looking at the bookshelves. The section is Religion. My guess is very little of it is actually about Jesus Christ, and even less about the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints. I guess that is why I"m a missionary is to help people learn.
That is all there is this week. Next Sunday Elder Robinson and I are going to be singing in the Goldfield ward. It should be really fun. Hope the week is good for everyone.
Love
-Elder Will Davidson
I'm happy all is well. This week was about as interesting as yours.
We had some incredible rain storms out here. In fact it was thundering right out side the door to our apartment on Friday morning, and I went out to listen to the huge sounds. I loved it. Our apartment also got a new bag-less vacuum that I promptly took apart and reassembled. It is a hoover, and very good. I tested it with some salt spilled on the floor, and it picked up so much dust the floor is a different color. Then again that may be due in part to the fact missionaries have lived here for so long.
In other news we had a great lesson this morning with lady who had several questions about the church. It went really well. She has done a lot of research, so some of the stuff she has learned is false, while other things are just plain weird. Lots of her questions were really good. I don't remember any of them right now, but I just remember that she was really relieved.
Anyway, this past Sunday Elder Robinson and I were asked to speak in two of the wards that we cover. It went really well in both wards, and Elder Robinson is a great speaker. After the meeting there were lots of members that were grateful for everything that we said. The subject we were given was on how the commandments lead us to love others. My focus was on the scripture in Luke 22:31-32.
Well, we are teaching a really cool family in our apartments. We haven't done a lot of teaching besides introducing them to the Book of Mormon and the Gospel. It is just amazing to see that they have all made personal choices that have brought them closer together. The Mom is more patient, the daughter spent time cleaning her room, and the father has taken a more direct role in the life of his daughter (which has really helped her).
So I'm sitting here in the library and looking at the bookshelves. The section is Religion. My guess is very little of it is actually about Jesus Christ, and even less about the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints. I guess that is why I"m a missionary is to help people learn.
That is all there is this week. Next Sunday Elder Robinson and I are going to be singing in the Goldfield ward. It should be really fun. Hope the week is good for everyone.
Love
-Elder Will Davidson
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
A truck!
Hello my family,
Can you believe it there have been two baptisms in this area since I got here, and already we've found a lot of people who are really interested in learning more. On Saturday there was a couple who actually came into the church just looking for someone to talk to. We spent some time getting to know them, and went by that evening to their house. They were really interested in what we did. The woman couldn't believe that the young men in white shirts and ties spend two years going and helping people. In fact when she made the connection she said two or three times, "so this is what you do". I don't think she imagined that anyone would be doing what we are doing for her. It was humbling when we went by her house, and she treated us as if we were royalty. She and her husband are really awesome.
In other news the three wards I cover (a big leap from Camelview ward) are wonderful. I've never felt more comfortable as a missionary in my life. I think lots of it has to do with my experience and a little more confidence in myself. On Sunday night we met with the bishop's family, and they were all so cool. The 16 year old son and I have set a goal to read the New Testament. We are going to read 7 chapters a week, which means we'll finish around May 12th. It will be I'll have to write back and forth to stay up to date. There are other members of the ward that are just amazing. They are ready and willing to serve anyway they can. One sister who was baptized just a few weeks ago asked if anyone in the area needed food, when her family barely has enough food to meet their needs.
So the truck we are driving is a white Chevy Colorado with four wheel drive! It has been the best vehicle I've driven on my mission. Our family's old Ford was more fun to drive (and a bigger engine), but we get by really well. So the reason we get a truck is because most streets are unpaved. For example going out to the bishops house you turn off a small two lane highway and follow the road until you see a triangle hazard sign, at the sign take a right and then it's the third house on your left. The address system is very different from Phoenix or Mesa where everything is laid out on a grid. Most of the terrain is brush and cactus on light colored dirt. The best part is there is tons of wild life. We see rabbits, and lizards all the time. As of yet I haven't seen any snakes, except for one that we ran over while driving. Coyotes are all over the place too.
So my companion is Elder R. He has a larger family and right now my brain blanked on their names. He has three younger sisters, and a younger brother who is on a mission as well. Then he has an older sister who is married (or it might be an older brother). His dad works selling prescription drugs. He is a really good singer, so we have some fun singing together in the car. In fact he volunteered us to sing in a couple Sundays. Speaking of which this weekend we were asked to speak in sacrament meeting for 15 minutes. I hope everyone doesn't fall asleep. The topic is on The 10 Commandments, and how they help us love one another. Not the easiest, but a story here and a story there, and it should be ok.
Right now my new home is right across from ... desert. So every time we pull out of the apartment parking lot I get to see brush and desert. However just behind that desert is an amazing view of the Superstition mountains. Our apartment is just north of Superstition and Idaho road, so if you Google street view, and then head north on Idaho and turn east you should see that view.
Well that is about all I have to say. The weather has been very kind only 98 has been the highest. I think I'm the only missionary in our district of 8 that likes being cold. At almost every meeting I'm sitting there burning up, while everyone else seems to think that it is way too cold. I guess that isn't too surprising. Last winter I would always wear gloves, but even then when shaking peoples hands it would feel like ice. That makes me the cold heart-ed missionary.
I love you all, and don't be afraid to send little messages by ye good olde snail maile. I will always respond.
Love,
Elder Davidson
Right an update on Elder R's leg.
It isn't broken! The bad news is that he has torn three of his anterior ligaments in his ankle. The doctor wants him in this huge boot for a while, and it needs to be iced every so often. I figured out a way to make an effective ice bucket for his foot. Basically I froze a bunch of ice in a frying pan so his foot can rest on a solid piece, then I made tons of ice to put around the leg while it is in the cooler. Due to how uncomfortable the toes get I took some gauze and a couple sponges to wrap his toes in. All was very successful. He should be off crutches in 12 days.
Can you believe it there have been two baptisms in this area since I got here, and already we've found a lot of people who are really interested in learning more. On Saturday there was a couple who actually came into the church just looking for someone to talk to. We spent some time getting to know them, and went by that evening to their house. They were really interested in what we did. The woman couldn't believe that the young men in white shirts and ties spend two years going and helping people. In fact when she made the connection she said two or three times, "so this is what you do". I don't think she imagined that anyone would be doing what we are doing for her. It was humbling when we went by her house, and she treated us as if we were royalty. She and her husband are really awesome.
In other news the three wards I cover (a big leap from Camelview ward) are wonderful. I've never felt more comfortable as a missionary in my life. I think lots of it has to do with my experience and a little more confidence in myself. On Sunday night we met with the bishop's family, and they were all so cool. The 16 year old son and I have set a goal to read the New Testament. We are going to read 7 chapters a week, which means we'll finish around May 12th. It will be I'll have to write back and forth to stay up to date. There are other members of the ward that are just amazing. They are ready and willing to serve anyway they can. One sister who was baptized just a few weeks ago asked if anyone in the area needed food, when her family barely has enough food to meet their needs.
So the truck we are driving is a white Chevy Colorado with four wheel drive! It has been the best vehicle I've driven on my mission. Our family's old Ford was more fun to drive (and a bigger engine), but we get by really well. So the reason we get a truck is because most streets are unpaved. For example going out to the bishops house you turn off a small two lane highway and follow the road until you see a triangle hazard sign, at the sign take a right and then it's the third house on your left. The address system is very different from Phoenix or Mesa where everything is laid out on a grid. Most of the terrain is brush and cactus on light colored dirt. The best part is there is tons of wild life. We see rabbits, and lizards all the time. As of yet I haven't seen any snakes, except for one that we ran over while driving. Coyotes are all over the place too.
So my companion is Elder R. He has a larger family and right now my brain blanked on their names. He has three younger sisters, and a younger brother who is on a mission as well. Then he has an older sister who is married (or it might be an older brother). His dad works selling prescription drugs. He is a really good singer, so we have some fun singing together in the car. In fact he volunteered us to sing in a couple Sundays. Speaking of which this weekend we were asked to speak in sacrament meeting for 15 minutes. I hope everyone doesn't fall asleep. The topic is on The 10 Commandments, and how they help us love one another. Not the easiest, but a story here and a story there, and it should be ok.
Right now my new home is right across from ... desert. So every time we pull out of the apartment parking lot I get to see brush and desert. However just behind that desert is an amazing view of the Superstition mountains. Our apartment is just north of Superstition and Idaho road, so if you Google street view, and then head north on Idaho and turn east you should see that view.
Well that is about all I have to say. The weather has been very kind only 98 has been the highest. I think I'm the only missionary in our district of 8 that likes being cold. At almost every meeting I'm sitting there burning up, while everyone else seems to think that it is way too cold. I guess that isn't too surprising. Last winter I would always wear gloves, but even then when shaking peoples hands it would feel like ice. That makes me the cold heart-ed missionary.
I love you all, and don't be afraid to send little messages by ye good olde snail maile. I will always respond.
Love,
Elder Davidson
Right an update on Elder R's leg.
It isn't broken! The bad news is that he has torn three of his anterior ligaments in his ankle. The doctor wants him in this huge boot for a while, and it needs to be iced every so often. I figured out a way to make an effective ice bucket for his foot. Basically I froze a bunch of ice in a frying pan so his foot can rest on a solid piece, then I made tons of ice to put around the leg while it is in the cooler. Due to how uncomfortable the toes get I took some gauze and a couple sponges to wrap his toes in. All was very successful. He should be off crutches in 12 days.
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