This week is transfers. It is weird to say because I feel like I just got to Madison last week. Well anyway, we got the transfer text today and the bad news is that Elder Carlson is leaving, but good news that I am not leaving. 5 weeks was very fast and not very long to be with such an awesome companion like Elder Carlson. My new companion is Elder Giddings who was in my MTC district so I am super, super pumped. I have wanted to serve with all the Elders in my MTC group and now I get to serve with another awesome companion, Elder Giddings. I only have one more MTC buddy left to look forward to. Let's just say this transfer is gonna be awesome!
This past week we went to a super nice sushi place called Red. It is in downtown Madison and it is super good. It is one of the nicest Sushi places in Madison. Our Zone Leaders took us out so that was awesome. Sushi is always awesome. Quick funny story - we were eating and Elder Carlson being his awesome self, boasted me up way too much. He was saying how I could eat anything spicy and that it doesn’t phase me at all. Being 4 Elders you can probably guess what we did next. The only spicy thing in a sushi place is Wasabi, so after being boasted up this much, I had to prove myself haha. I grabbed the whole thing of Wasabi which was about a nickel size amount and put it in my mouth and swallowed it. Man, that stuff is spicy. The nose burn was brutal, but the worst part is the taste. Worst thing I ever tasted in my life. Pretty funny though.
This week I was able to go on exchanges with Elder Lo. That was fun. I have never been on exchanges with another Hmong Elder so that was awesome. We worked really hard and met a lot of people. One family that seems really solid. Pretty exciting.
This week we went to the Vang pre-New Years party. Lots of Hmong people, but like most Hmong people, they were all super drunk. We talked to a few people including Elder Lo's cousins. We had a couple of funny encounters with a couple drunk people and it was pretty hilarious. I am glad that I have a knowledge of the Word of Wisdom because drugs and alcohol make you do weird things haha.
At church on Sunday, one of the older Hmong guys approached me and told me he wanted me to translate for him for priesthood. I don't think he asked me because he wanted my translating but just wanted to help me out. It was a fun 45 mins of translation. It was more of a conversation and discussion between him and me about the lesson which was fun. And of course, he corrected me a bunch which I appreciated. I still have a lot to improve, but I have also come a long way.
This past week has been a harder one for me. My brother, Ian, just recently entered the MTC so lots of my thoughts were turned to my family this week. I am excited for my brother and the great things that he will do, but I also miss my family a lot. It has been 14 1/2 months which is crazy. It is a long time and may seem hard in the moment, but in the broader picture, it isn't honestly that long and it isn't honestly that hard. Some days I may think it is a sacrifice for what I am doing, but it really is not. I have the opportunity to bring others eternal happiness and not only that but bless my family. I have never really taken the time to see the things Heavenly Father has blessed my family with since I have been away, but this past week I did. First off, I have seen my brother make the decision to serve a mission and not only that but give his all and serve faithfully. I have seen my sister Alli gain more of a desire to read her scriptures and by doing so come closer to her Father in Heaven. I have seen my sister Jill grow her faith by giving a talk in sacrament and also fast for 21 hours and afterward email me saying that she wants to do a full 24 hour fast next month. I mean what 12-year-old does that? It is so cool. I have seen my sister Sadie try more to choose the right. These may seem little, but to me, these are all testimony builders of the importance of what I am doing and that I need to do my best every day to share this gospel. I am grateful for this gospel. I am grateful for it changing me into a better person. I am grateful for being able to learn from my younger siblings examples and from their examples, I desire to be a greater missionary.
Love you all,
Elder Rich
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| It's starting to look like Fall |
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| This past week we had our Halloween party. It was really fun. It was Harry Potter themed. We had piñatas, truck or treating, and even had kids throw pies at the bishop. It was a fun party, but it was pretty cold. |
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| We wore mustaches |
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| Elder Carlson saying bye to Mai's family |
