Transfers, New Companion, Valentine's Party: received February 11, 2013

Hey Everyone,

Elder McClure speaking. This week was one of great change and hardship. Elder Mathias’ time in Lawrenceville, after his 10 ½ month stay, has come to a close. He was pretty excited still. Monday he went all out to buy more magic cards and I bought a certain Sister missionary, Sister Miller, a funny Valentine’s card with a pinwheel that actually spins. We went to say goodbye to all the people in South Hill and Emporia. Elder Mathias was pretty glad to say goodbye and everyone was glad they won’t have to make gluten free food anymore for the missionaries.

We had a fun last few days. On Wednesday night we had a sleepover with the Hopewell missionaries – it was really just to get a ride with them to transfers. They had the craziest companionship - Elder Starks and Elder Bedford - just arguing and fighting, even while driving!   We got to go up and had transfers. There were 23 new missionaries there and a lot of people training. Some of them were my good friends from a while back. It was nice to see them again. I had to wait for Elder Low so that we could catch a ride on the transfer van back to Lawrenceville.  I stayed with Elder Starks and Elder Roberts until the van was ready to go, which was really late. I could not believe how late it was - we were almost stranded there except President Evan was up there doing work so we got a ride down with him, but we were out way past our curfew.

Elder Low is a very quiet, Utah missionary and doesn’t show too much emotion and not into talking with members. I know he has a talent for playing the piano. Well, I’m the senior companion, but Elder Low has 3 more months left in the mission. His next transfer is his last. Crazy, right?  In his last area he was there for 11 months before coming over and the areas are side by side. On the first morning in the apartment, he threw away some medical supplies, food, and other things he deemed as junk even though they still could be useful..

All of our appointments have been cancelling since he’s been here and we are just trying to be effective.  But it’s hard to be effective in this area unless you tract for large amounts of time, so that’s what we did. The rest of the week we helped an investigator with painting boards.  This was after a difficult lesson where he stated he was born again.

We had a Valentine’s party organized by a member so we just had snacks and played games. I made a Jello pudding cake just to see how it would taste. It was pretty good. I put two candy canes on the top so it made a heart. It has been very silent in the apartment due to Elder Low constantly studying in his free time.  Unless I turn on the CD player it’s like death in the apartment.  However, it’s cool that he is serious and really studies the gospel as we’re told to do. 

Anyway, I’m dying for some letters!  Love you guys,

Elder McClure