Talk about it or do something about it?

This past week has been a really great learning experience.  On Friday we had a transfer, and a new missionary has come to the area.  His name is Elder Brantley from Georgia.  He has been in the mission field for just three weeks, and I've been put in the position of being his trainer.  This is really exciting, because I'm not quite sure how to keep track of all the new things going on.  That said we have amazing ward leadership.  In fact after eating with one bishop he expressed his confidence in us during one of the ward leadership meetings.  I was feeling pretty humbled by the amount of responsibility, and that confidence helped both Elder Brantley and I.  We have met so many wonderful people.

During one of the trainings we were given by a stake leader I learned how important it is to build from centers of strength.  It made sense to build from our strongest points out especially when we consider the principles of "gathering" and "strengthening" Zion.  It just makes more sense that missionary work should originate from the ward and its members.

So with a new companion we are learning lots together.  Every day has been an adventure, almost like being a new missionary again.   Elder Brantley is humble, bold, and has a sweet accent which helps us get sympathy from other people.  He loves riding motorcycles!  and he loves playing my favorite video game.  Most of all he is a great teacher.  I've learned so much from his example.  In fact it took me a while to realize that I needed to slow down, and explain things, because he has never even been to a ward council meeting before.

My head is full of all the things that have happened this week.  We are planing a good Zone activity this Monday, and we'll be dressing up in different costumes.  If I wasn't a missionary I would totally dress up as hiccup from "How to train your dragon".  As it is however I'll be Astro Boy on his mission.

That really sums up the major things.

We are teaching an 80 year-old sister who has been learning about the church for over 30 years.  When we invited her to be baptized she said "are we going to talk about it or do something about it".  I was laughing at how prepared and ready to join the church she was.  When she came to church she said that it is too short.  Even after 3 hours she wanted to spend more time in the building feeling the spirit.  I take that as a lesson from a veteran on how best to use our time.

I hope everyone has a great week.

Love,
Elder Davidson

Top two reasons to have a cast

Right the Bulk email,

So much has happened this week.  On the medical side of things I have a new shorter cast.  On Thursday I went into the doctor's office with new x-ray's.  The spacing around the broken bone is looking good, unfortunately until I get x-ray's with the cast off we will not know how well the actual break is healing.  The new cast is a short red cast which is also well padded compared to the other one.  I've been in the office enough times, that the nurse who gave me the cast would actually tell me what she was doing.  Now with movement of my elbow I can do pretty much everything with the exception of writing with a pen/pencil.  The Doc. wants this cast on for another 4 weeks.  I think it is so long, so there is a better chance of not having to get another cast after that.  Honestly the only really annoying thing is having to explain to every living person "what happened to [my] arm".  The most common guess is first "did you crash on your bike", and second "did you knock doors too hard". 

This past Sunday I got to meet all three wards that we cover.  One ward is very small, and has a broad array of personalities.  The Bishop is a 75 year old gentleman, and easily wins the reward for oldest bishop.  Another ward is full of young couples and strong families.  There are three older women who have found the church together.  It is very cool, because 2 of them are yet to be baptized, but they all have Family Home Evening together, and read the Book of Mormon together.  The weirdest and most awkward ward that we cover is without a doubt...the singles ward.  Everything is different in that ward.  For example, during sacrament meeting it is sub sonically quiet.  It was so weird to not hear children screaming, or pages rustling, that I almost started laughing, just because it felt like one long awkward silence.  Another thing is the almost tangible feeling of uncertainty.  Everyone in the singles ward is confident, and spiritually strong, and yet there is a very child like wonder in everyone's eyes.  I don't know how exactly to describe it.  Part of it might be the returned missionaries, who no longer have members to meet, or investigators to help feel comfortable.  Part of it might be the few islands of paired of couples that seem out of place in the sea of singles.  It may even be the groups of singles that walk confidently into the chapel, but only if they are in a squadron of other friends.  All in all it was a very fun experience.  There even was one fellow who knew exactly who I was (rather surprising).  It turns out former Elder Mortenson was serving in my home ward just prior to when I left.  He explained that while I was still at school my parents had fed him dinner, and Mom (much to my embarrassment ;) had shown off my call packet.  He of course was excited to meet me.

The best thing about the whole Sunday was a young fellow from St.Louis.  We had planned on meeting him Saturday at the visitors center at 6.  Due to some missed communication he was actually there an hour early, and watching movies, when we thought he was still at work.  He stayed for 3 hours learning about the gospel, and feeling the power of the truth.  After the service on Sunday, he was so happy and comfortable with his new friends.  One of those precious moments you can see some one seeking spiritual strength. 

Beyond this I don't know quite what to share.

Elder Fuiava and I are doing very well, and getting used to each others quirks.  I imagine that we will enjoy lots of opportunities to teach people who are prepared to learn. 

God bless everyone this week.
Love
Elder Will Davidson

Another new spot

Dear Everyone,

Here I am on another Monday in yet another new area.  Now I face the overwhelming task of trying to explain the area that I now serve in.  Before that however some questions that my Mom wanted me to answer:

Conference was very amazing.  I enjoyed Elder Oaks' talk on Saturday evening the most.  It seemed to hit close to home for me because of my involvement in Model United Nations.  His address was focused on rescuing children, and strengthening them.  There were a few other talks that hit home.  What was most profound was the number of talks that I have heard before. Some of them for example Elder Holland's was very similar to an address he gave in the MTC not long ago.  While others I know I haven't heard, just sounded like I had heard them before.

That aside my heart was overwhelmed most when President Monson announced that the age for serving a mission has been dropped.  There are no words to describe the excitement that I felt. There also was a small sense of sadness that I will not personally be affected by this announcement.  So far from what I have discussed with others I feel that in the next 6 months the greatest increase in missionaries will come from the Sisters between the age of 19-20.  What an opportunity for more individuals to serve.  My other guess from asking around is that of the 60 some odd units in our mission there will be some 200 missionaries serve in the next 6 months.  Especially as the school year comes to a close here in the valley.

Now to answer some of the questions.  I am serving in the Pioneer Zone which covers the area between Southern and Main and Country Club to Lindsey.  We cover the singles ward, and two family wards.  Due to conference I haven't had a chance to meet everyone yet. 

My companion now is Elder Fuiava from Western Samoa.  He is a bigger fellow, but very happy all the time.  In keeping with the Lords plan for me he has already suffered from a pretty bad stomachache.  It seems no matter where I go or who I'm with there are opportunities to learn and serve.  Another interesting experience.  On Friday night we visited with a young 18 year old who had just been in an accident.  Really it wasn't an an accident, a younger fellow had stabbed the young man three times.  When we saw him he was doing well and resting.  We had the opportunity to give him a blessing of comfort.  I was amazed that he had such patience with the boy who attacked him.  If you're interested he had three wounds, one on his right hand, one on the bicep of his right arm and one in lower back.  All were stitched up and healing nicely.

As for the district we are in it is a very small district.  In fact there is only one other companionship.  Sister Parker and Sister Djaved are in the district, and then it is our companionship.  They are all a happy bunch and work hard.

We have a car in a pretty big area.  It is pretty nice, the only problem is we don't have a lot of miles, so we may be doing some biking.

Oh so an update on my wrist I didn't say, but I broke it playing Zone sports before the start of the day.  I'm getting a new cast this Thursday, which should help a ton.  I have pictures to send home, but i can't find the cable in my bags of stuff.

As the only companionship in the district I realized that Elder Fuiava and I are the the most direct priesthood support the Sisters have, considering they don't have any brothers or fathers here in the mission field.  It was this mind set that caused Elder Fuiava and I to check on them when our phone calls were not being returned.  Needless to say they were fine and a little confused when we knocked on the door.  At least they know that they aren't alone.

Love you all,
Elder Will Davidson

PS.
I loved conference.

Duck eggs in the desert

This week has brought a whirlwind of changes.  I was informed on Saturday evening that I will be moving to a new area.  In addition it will be in a district almost entirely made up of sister missionaries.

As a farewell one of the members of the ward made us some balut.  It is a 10 day old duck egg.  At first I thought it would be really nasty.  As it turns out it is pretty normal tasting. The juice around the yoke tastes a lot like an oyster, the yoke tastes like an egg, and then the actual duck really just tastes like chicken liver.  It isn't something I would go out and buy every day, but it was pretty tasty.  The texture was the hardest thing to deal with, because occasionally you would get a little bone, much like you would in salmon.

I am rather sad that I will not be staying in this area any longer.  Because of Elder Robinson's injury at the beginning of the transfer I was really only here for 5 weeks.  It felt way too fast, but at the same time I'm amazed at how many people I got to meet and work with.

Elder Robinson will be training a new missionary in my place.  It is pretty funny because he will learn even more patience than he did dealing with the sprains.  Luckily for him he is out of a boot and now can get around without it.

A short email again due to time and the ability to write.  If a lengthier letter is wanted I would suggest a multiple choice questionnaire.

I hope everyone's week is wonderful,
Elder Will Davidson