Monday 5/20/2013 – Sunday 5/26/2013

Monday was a weird day. We went all over the place. Ate at Chow Tyme, which was pretty good. It is a Chinese buffet. I ate so much and didn't have to eat the rest of the day. Then I bought a watch and it didn't even work. Went to Academy Sports to return my broken pump and played a bit on a simulation golf thing. Had a weird event at Walmart when Elder Simmons was messing with Elder Helmandollar and Elder Helmandollar got out of the car and opened Elder Simmons door and started beating on him. It was such a weird thing to watch. I was awestruck. I got my running shoes in the mail and they are freaking sweet! 

Tuesday we started the day off with District Meeting. It went really well and we had a lot of participation. Then went to Perdido with Elder Miller and Elder Heywood was in my area. We saw Brent Peterson and he was kind of rude, but we kinda taught his grandson a bit. Had some good food at the Slayzac's. Then I did the baptismal interview for Richard and he is going to be baptized on Saturday. Perdido taught him well. Then went and shared a little message with Brother Chapman. Pretty good day. Elder Miller is a boss! Also found out Fox Run is getting a new car.

Wednesday was chaos. Traded back at 10:30 in the morning and we got our brand new 2013 Toyota Corolla that has a Bluetooth car phone. It is sweet! Headed home and I forgot some stuff and so did Elder Heywood so we had to go down to Perdido so I could get my stuff and so we could give him his. Then Brother Cline gave us some food and bike repair stuff. We tried to see TJ and that didn't work out, but we were able to see Sister Abbott and Marcus. Then had dinner with the Kimmon’s and it was way good! Elder Smith farted during dinner and him and I could not stop laughing. Good thing they didn't hear. Had coordination, Brother McLeod also gave us 2 back up bikes and we gave one back. Then our appointment fell through so we came back home and I fixed my bike because the chain was rubbing the shifter thing. Elder Smith also studied because he never got to. He had to get up at 7:30 and get the car and never got to study while I was in Perdido.

Thursday was weekly planning, so that took up a lot of time. Then tried to see some gators, but they weren't home. We then had a really good dinner at the Seale's. Way good twice baked potatoes. I finally met Brian, our gator, and we taught him. Plan to see him tomorrow. Then had basketball, 21 guys were there! Nate, one of the guys that comes, asked a question this time. He is so cool!

Friday we drove and biked to a bunch of potentials. One of them named Castella became a new investigator. We also got a couple new potentials. After lunch we taught Brian a Restoration refresher. Talked to Trish and her 5 or 6 year old grandson. Found out a lady named Sister Lee that we just got her records moved so she doesn't live there. Then Sister Jordan gave us a ton of food for dinner. So we went to our apartment, ate, tried to contact a few people and then continued re-doing the potential forms.

Saturday we did service for the Brooke's. Laid sod for them. They had a lot!! Went home and cleaned up to go to TJ's. Ended up going to the hospital with his Mom to see her Dad. Said a prayer and then tried to see some people. Nothing worked out. Ate at the Schiewe's and that was good. Saw Brother Chen and taught a bit. He was a referral from Pensacola. After trying a few other people, we headed home and started fixin' up the Area book.

Sunday was great! I spoke in sacrament and felt like it went well. Had a few appointments fall through. Did have a good lesson with Marcus and a great dinner with the Curry's. They are awesome! Then went to a less active’s house, the Chasen's, and taught them a lesson. They are way cool! Good day. Then I waited on Pine Forest to get me their numbers.

Monday 5/13/2013 – Sunday 5/19/2013

Monday we hurried all the usual stuff so we could go to the beach. We were picked up way late to go to the beach and then we ended up going to the bank, Village Inn, a gas station where a random lady gave us money, then headed to the hospital to "drop off some paperwork". So we ended up just having to get taken home by one of the members we were with. Ate at Sister Cranford's with Sister Anderson and Sister Harper as well. We also brought Brother Cline so it would be legal. Then headed home to create different zones on our area map so that we can work effectively.

Tuesday was the last District Meeting of the transfer and we went bowling for our District Activity. Now I have to be District Leader again. Had a lesson with Sharon that Brother Jennings came to. Great lesson and after that we had dinner with the Fowler's. Then we had basketball because we can't do it on Thursday this week. Had about 12 non-members there. Brother Hardman gave a good little lesson afterward.

Wednesday was a hard day. We drove around all day trying to see people and no one was home or just didn't answer. We did talk to Sister Abbott about some things and she seems to be doing well. We still can't get a hold of Sister Howell. She is a recent convert that just kinda disappeared. Set up a time to eat with the Ryder's (less actives). Their kids are not members. Had dinner with the Eubanks'. Brother Eubanks is so funny and cracks me up. Then Brother Booren took us to coordination which was a weird meeting. Then we took the car to Pine Forest because Elder Helmandoller didn't lock up his bike and it was stolen. Happy Birthday Mom!

Thursday we had weekly planning. That went well and we made some good goals and plans. We also got a call from Marcy and her husband said that she can't get baptized so we are going to have to wait on that and see what happens. She was very sad about that. Everything that we had planned to do fell through so we salvaged the day. Saw Lulu and her husband, Adam. Adam is not a member and Lulu is. We had dinner with Brother Cline and it was soooo good! We also moved some shelves at the Schoonover's because they are getting some new flooring.

Friday our service fell through so we will do it tomorrow. Ended up teaching TJ about Baptism and moved his date to 6/1. Brother Eubanks came with us to help us teach. Taught Marcy as well with Brother Fowler and Sister Jernagan from the Pine Forest Ward as well. Sister Jernagan had the same type of experience as Marcy so we thought it could comfort her. Very positive meeting and it seems that Marcy will eventually be baptized. Got yelled at by a really interesting guy so we went to see Sister Chasen and set up a dinner with her.

Saturday we went to some potentials houses and set up some appointments. Talked to a really nice lady and she took a Book of Mormon. Her husband was mean and kept telling us to get out of his yard which was sad. Saw Brother Backman and we got to know him a lot better. He didn't have any referrals for us yet. Saw a Dodge Viper as well. Had an appointment fall through. Taught Glen a great lesson outside his house about the restoration. Sister Platt gave us a bunch of food. Elder Smith got a flat tire and fixed it. Then randomly Brother McGuire showed up and gave us half of a pizza at 9:45. So we ate it!

Sunday we had church and the speakers were very quiet so it was hard to listen. I found out that they want me to speak next Sunday. Taught some Marcus' grandkids about the gospel in the yard a bit because he was asleep. Had some freakin' delicious burgers at the Sims house! Tyler fell through. Met, taught and set up a time to teach a lady named Shaletha. Talked to a lady named Toni and she bombarded us with questions so we could barely answer any of them. She did take a Book of Mormon though so that is a good sign.

Monday 5/6/2013 – Sunday 5/12/2013

Monday we shopped, emailed and I got a haircut. Cleaned my bathroom and did laundry. I also bought some running shoes on the internet. They are way cool looking! I am excited to get them. Then we had dinner with the Long's and it was tasty. Then we rode to Marcy's on bike and then remembered that she had moved, so we went and saw TJ. He was in Daytona and went to church all 3 weeks that he was there and also went to the temple and he felt the Spirit strong in the visitors center.

Tuesday we had our second day of good workouts and I hope they keep getting better. We will get ripped!! Today was also District Meeting and it was awesome. Elder Smith gave us a great lesson. Our appointment with Becky fell through so we dropped her…sadly...Denisha, Charles and Jessica fell through and we dropped them too. Dinner fell through so we ended up doing some service for the Mullican's in the ward. They need help cleaning up their yard. Fun day!

Wednesday we made some calls to get some lessons set up. Did some service for Brother Gunn and talked to Sharon about getting some lessons going more consistently. Then we went to talk to Marcus and see how he has been. He has been busy so we are going to have to give him a call in a couple weeks. Dropped off a DVD to Trish and then headed to Brother Cline's to get an inventory of his stuff that he is donating to the mission. Had some dinner at Waffle House. That place is good! Then we had coordination which I think went well. We discussed a lot of things that I think we needed to discuss.

Thursday we had weekly planning which helped a lot. Best thing today was teaching Marcy and TJ. We taught TJ and he wants to be baptized the same day as Marcy so we have two BCD's on May 18th! It is exciting! Then we had dinner with the Booren's and then headed to the church to play basketball. We had 16 guys this time and Brother Booren did the lesson so that was awesome! He got them pretty involved in the lesson too!

Friday TJ fell through but we taught Marcy with Brother Jennings and Sister Judkin's. We had 7 total lessons. Taught Sister Hall (less active), Sister Long (member), 2 new gators, McArthur's (member) and Brother McGuire (less active). Had a lot of fun!

Saturday the highlights of the day were first teaching Marcy again. This time the McArthur's came and drove us over. Then went to a baptism with Sharon and Mike and I really think Sharon is getting excited and wants to be baptized. Then we taught her a lesson with the Watsons, a senior couple there. Taught Sister Simmon's (less active). Then ate at the Jordan's house. I am trying a new one plate for dinner diet so I don't gain weight. Don't wanna get fat. I also ran over a beer bottle on my bike. Thank goodness for the self sealing tube.

Sunday was Mother's Day!!! Got to call home, but first was church. Marcy and Sharon both came! The meetings were great and I felt the Spirit so strong in sacrament meeting. Brother Booren taught a really good lesson in gospel principles, then we spent all day at the Schoonover's calling our families. It was so awesome. I have grown to love them so much while on my mission. I really miss them and am excited to be able to see them again when I get home. I called my Dad and then I Skyped Mom, Sean, Zachary, Natalie and Todd. It was awesome! Then I busted up with the Schoonover's for a long time while Elder Smith called his family. Dinner was great over there as well!

Found out today on Monday the 13th that I will be staying in Fox Run this transfer and I am now the District Leader. It was fun not being District Leader last Transfer.

Monday 4/29/2013 – Sunday 5/5/2013

Monday we just did the usual things. Also saw a girl long boarding and was impressed. Ended up kinda messing up the map of our area that we have been making. During planning I fell backwards on my ball while trying to show Elder Smith how to toot like the guy on Dumb and Dumber. It was so funny and we were laughing so hard.

Tuesday we had our District Meeting, went on a trade off with the other Elder Smith, helped Brother Gunn, Brother Booren took us out to see Kyler which fell through so we tried to see TJ, a potential, and ended up teaching the Mcguire's. Biked to the Jordan's for dinner and then went to Sister Milanak's for a lesson. Brother Cline came with us which was great. She told us her conversion story of how her friend was reading the testimonies of The 3 Witnesses and she told her friend that what was happening had happened before. Then she saw a snap shot of the same thing happening in the pre-existence. She said that while this was all happening that the room looked foggy except for her friend that was reading to her. Her friend looked as clear as day.

Wednesday we had interviews with President and Sister Jensen. It was very uplifting, I really love talking to them and being around them. They always uplift and make everything even better than it already is. Sister Jensen told me that iPads will probably be in the mission a bit after I go home and they will be used for everything. Area Book, Scriptures, etc. Then we went and did college stuff. I figured out that I will probably go to SLCC and I also looked into LDS Business College. They are both pretty inexpensive from what it looked like. Then we went and got an oil change and ate Wendy's. Then we talked at Pep Boys with a couple and they took a BOM and a Family Proclamation. Talked with Richard (gator) for a while. He was out busy in his garden though. Talked with a member, Sister White, for a bit and then went to Brother Allen's. Talked with him and taught about the Atonement.

Thursday was weekly planning. We also saw Sister Ainsley and then later we talked to the Howell kids. We were trying to get in touch with Sister Howell. Got stuck talking to a guy that wanted to bash, so I ended up leaving and that was a pretty good strategy because it made it so Elder Smith had to leave to. I just told the guy to keep following Christ and how it is great that he does and then left. Then we had basketball and we had like 20 guys there so it was sweet!!

Friday we ended up helping Elder and Sister Knudtson with the apartment and shopping for the soon to be Fox Run Sisters apartment. It is a crazy cool time to be a missionary with all these new Elders and Sisters coming in. Highlights of today were eating with the Iosefa's and then going to see a man by the name of Bruce at the hospital. That is about all we were able to do. Been a weird week.

Saturday I ate so much today so I ran for the last 15 minutes of the night. Did some sit-ups and push-ups too. We met a lot of people, got 2 new gators and a lot of potentials. Ate at the Schiewe's and they are awesome! Time to pray and go to bed. May the 4th be with you! Star Wars day baby!!

Sunday we had fantastic meetings! The spirit was so strong. I credit it mostly to the 3 little kids that bore their testimonies! We taught Trish and Brother McArther came with. She accepted a June 8th baptismal date! Had a great dinner with the Eilertson's. Brother Eilertson is in the Bishopric. Then Brother Schiewe came out. That appointment fell through so we went to the Porter's to see Kiani and Cody who were recently married. Cody is a non-member. Then Brother Schiewe took us home. We then studied because we never got to.