Monday 8/19/2013 – Sunday 8/25/2013

Monday we played some "Goalie" again. Elder Winter and I each won 2 games. Pretty fun if I do say so myself. Had dinner with the Thomas'. Sister Thomas is a member and we are teaching Brother Thomas. Very yummy food! The senior couple, the Bailey's, were there. Also had a good lesson after. Taught Devin a lesson about the Word of Wisdom, prayer and being modest. Devin is so smart! Then at the end of the day we went through zone training.

Tuesday we had zone training and I felt like it went really well and that it was really fun. Elder Winter and I were able to teach well. We did go over time a bit, but oh well. Had some interesting role plays, but it made it fun, then had a trade off. I went to Niceville with Elder Egbert. Elder Hawker went to our area. Way good missionary! Taught a good lesson to a guy named Ron. He was very receptive to our message. His wife Wanda wanted us to get her before we prayed. She didn't listen in during the lesson because she wasn't feeling well but wanted to be there for the prayer. They can be so solid! Then ate with the Bassett's and they are really cool. Brother Bassett is from Delta and President Jensen was his stake president. We also met some people named Casey, Cody, Chase and Ashley. They had "spirits" in their homes so we left a blessing upon it and they said that we could come back.

Wednesday we continued our trade off and went and saw Brother Howell. He can tell some stories! Traded back and had lunch with the Bailey's and talked about the lesson we were going to teach with them. Taught Billy Ray, He went off with tons of randomness. Good guy though. Taught Marisol who is another one of our many gators. Highlight of the day was teaching the Howard family. They are way solid. Taught them with the Bailey's. The Mom is from England. Her husband is in the Army. They are a great family and would be perfect for the church.

Thursday was my "hump day". I have been out for so long! I am so old! So we weekly planned today and also planned a baptism for Sister Davis. She was taught by the 2nd Ward Sisters which was frustrating because she is in our ward and they did it without permission. Also gave a member a blessing. His name is Brother Brant, He is 102 years old! Looks way healthy for his age too. Ate at the Lawrence's. They are really cool. I love going there. Had a lesson with Andy and he seems like he is doing really well. He is going to definitely be baptized. His date did get moved to the 14th of September when I was in Niceville. They are going to Washington and will be gone for a bit. Their baby, Josie, is getting blessed up there. Stopped by and talked to Jamie for a quick minute and then got ready for our exchange with the Crestview 2nd Elders. I will be with Elder Chappell in their area and Elder Elmer is going to ours.

Friday while on the exchange we went and saw Dexter Marchman. On the way there, we met a Romanian Orthodox named Flourina. In the south! Taught Dexter. He was very closed off. Saw the Monty's who are members. Older couple and we taught Brother Monty about the Priesthood because he is scared to receive it for some reason. Saw Brother Lewis who is a less active who talks a ton! We didn't even get to talk. I almost fell asleep! I was so tired and his house had perfect conditions for sleep. Then we saw the Jackson's and that wasn't very effective at all. Just talked to them for a long time. Ate at the Newell's who took forever! Way long dinner appointment but they were really cool! Then we traded back.

Saturday we taught the Howard's again. We did feel that it could have gone better. Prepped for Sister Davis' baptism. The baptism went way good. Had a ton of members there. Ate at the Kirby's which went well. Good members. Had a great lesson with Johnny. The Kirby's son came with us. Then we found out some drama with the Sisters about the baptism. But I will leave it at that.

Sunday we had a good day at church but somewhat disappointing because no one came to church. The Howard's dropped us and "went back to their old church". Johnny was going to come at 1 to the other ward but he got held up. We went and taught a guy named Josh, him and his wife Amber are investigating. It was crazy because we saw Johnny when we were heading to see Josh and Amber. We also taught Sister Parson and she is really nice. We also found out that December is national "constipation awareness month". Her daughter discovered that while we were there and we had a good laugh at that. Ate at the Thatcher's and they made delicious enchiladas. Then we taught Ben about the Priesthood. Jamie didn't sit in unfortunately.

Monday, 8/12/13 - Sunday, 8/18/13

Monday was a pretty awesome P-day. We played a ton of games with the Crestview 2nd Ward Elders. That was sweet! Played one game where you could only take 2 steps and then you had to either shoot or pass. We played on a basketball court and you scored by making it into the basketball hoop. Played another game that was like goal ball but 1 on 1. Couldn't cross 1/2 court. Also just did the normal stuff that we do on P day. Then we ate dinner at the Peterson's house. They are awesome and have a ton of kids. While we were talking to them I went to tell them about my uncle Tracey and couldn't remember his name for the life of me! Then we went the Stake FHE. 3 guys were there so we really need some more people there or it will die off pretty quick.

Tuesday we went to the Niceville District Meeting. Went pretty well. They are a good district. We taught about inviting gators to pray. After the meeting we headed to Fort Walton to get their car and give it to the Crestview 2nd Sisters. Biked a lot as well. Elder Winters’ handlebar grip came off and he crashed on his bike and I was on the phone and had the phone in my right hand. I saw him crashing and tried to slow down so I didn't crash into him. I had my left hand on the handlebar which is the front brake and when I braked I ended up flipping over my handlebars and we crashed back to back. It was so funny! All we could do was laugh. Taught Jamie as well and she vented to us which is probably what she needed.

Wednesday I got to go to my first Missionary Leadership Council. It was pretty sweet. Fun to see all the leaders. It was cool to get to listen to President Smith, Sister Smith and the Assistants. I also got to see Elder Olsen and a lot of missionaries that I knew from Tally. Then we got poured on for the billionth day in a row. It rains so much here. Taught Andy and that went well. We tried to discern a lot of needs for him. Then taught Ben (RC) who is Jamie's husband. Went and saw Johnny as well and he is awesome. He said that I am turning out to be a good dude. So that was cool.

Thursday we had a way long weekly planning session. Did a lot though. Had dinner with the Hansen's and that was really good. Had boiled peanuts and they still aren't good. I am not a fan at all. Then we taught Johnny and he committed to live the Word of Wisdom and to get work off on Sundays. Also went to Ben and Jamie's again and Jamie didn't sit in again. Brother Wyatt came to both of those lessons with us and did a great job helping us.

Friday we planned for zone training a bit and then did service for Miss April. We dug a ditch for a stream and that was pretty sweet. Got way muddy! Then we ate and changed our clothes. Then headed off and taught Andy a short lesson after teaching Devin. Devin is 10 and his Dad was recently baptized. Great kid! Andy is married to a member. Great guy! Then we went to volleyball at the church. There were a ton of ladies from the Relief Society which made it kinda weird. Then we had to call everyone in the zone and get the names of the people they taught for the Stake President, President Miller. I also got a "hump day" package from my Mom and it was a sweet package. No I didn't wait to open it!

Saturday we had breakfast with President Miller. Updated him on how the missionaries in the Zone are doing. Planned a lot for zone training as well because it was raining so much. Got a lot done. Ate great food at the Lawrence's. They are awesome and then Brother Lawrence also went out with us to teach Jamie a really good lesson. We also met a guy named Billy Ray. Said we could come back and teach him. He had some really crazy stories!

Sunday we had church and it was good. Did a bunch of Zone Conference prep. Went well! Had dinner with the Wirt's. Good lasagna! Then we taught Johnny and gave him a blessing for the word of wisdom. He is already doing way better. This area is sweet! I am loving it! It has been really fun.

Monday 8/5/2013 – Sunday 8/11/2013

Monday was P-day and I found out that I will be going to Crestview 1st Ward. I also will be a Zone Leader. I was so surprised to learn that when I read the transfer board. I thought that I would be here for at least one more transfer. We went bowling for our P-day activity and that was way fun. Got my hair cut by Sister Eubanks. Ate with the Long's who I really love. They are a really cool family. I will miss this ward a lot and they will be remembered forever. Sister Curry called me at the end of the night asking me to come see her tomorrow. She had been talking to my Mom about me and being transferred.

Tuesday we had a good District Meeting and then helped Pine Forest set up the Pine Forest Sisters apartment. Then we had our District activity and went biking on a trail. I would call it mountain biking, but there was no mountain. Tried to see a few people. Stopped by the McGuire's and said bye to a few of them. Played volleyball because the Sisters wanted to get that going to get some non-members out and share a message. Only TJ came and it was good to see him before I left. Then we stopped by the Porter's and they gave me a tie which was awesome. Well Alec did. He has a lot of really good ties. Then went home and planned a bit then packed.

Wednesday we ate with Brother Eubanks. Good brats. Then he took us to transfers where I got on to head to Crestview. Had a frosty, Elder Winter found me, I met some of the missionaries in our Zone and then went home to unpack. We also met the Taylor's at transfers. They are a really cool family and really easy to get along with. We also went and taught Devin and Johnny. They both have baptism dates. This area has 5 baptismal dates. I am excited to be here. Elder Winter is really awesome too.

Thursday we had weekly planning. It went well. There was a little more to plan for then normal ones I have had. We have to plan for trade-offs and miles for the other missionaries. Had dinner with the Cochrin's and they are nice. Brother Cochrin kept giving us more and more pizza. Then we got to teach Andy. He is a really cool guy and will definitely be baptized. He has a date.

Friday was a really slow day. Started with talking to the Bailey's, a senior couple, and telling them about the ward. Then we biked a bunch and met a guy named Gentry. He is cool and has hope. Ate din-din at home. Brother Ratcliff brought us food. He got us a pizza and that was good. Taught a recent convert named Ben Barbecho. Really cool guy. His wife is a gator and is really cool as well. Then we went and saw Johnny and talked to him about how he pulled his own wisdom teeth. Pretty crazy! Then we had to call everyone in the Zone.

Saturday we taught the Barbecho's and set a baptism date of 9/7 with Sister Barbecho. Taught Johnny, Chuck, and did service and taught a little lesson to the Fluher's.

Sunday we had to speak in sacrament. Just short little 3 minute talks. Good ward thus far. Went home teaching with Brother Taylor. Went to see Sister Thomas. Ate at the Wyatt's with the Boyette's there as well. Taught Devin a lesson and also taught Andy a lesson. We have been teaching a ton and having a lot of lessons and a lot of success.

Monday 7/29/2013 – Sunday 8/4/2013

Monday was crazy! The Sisters rushed us because they had plans to go to the beach. I was able to get a bunch of music from Brother Hardman. It sucked though cause my mp3 wouldn't play the files. Best thing today was after we saw Jimmy McArthur we met Nate's mom. She works at the rest home that Jimmy lives at and she talked to us for a minute. That was really cool! Nate is the young guy that we met at basketball. Really cool night!

Tuesday started off the day with District Meeting, which I felt went really well! Had our trade-off with Navarre and I got to go to Navarre with Elder Judy. He is so kind and loving and I really learned a ton from him. We went all over and talked to a ton of people. Got a new gator for them named Glen. Overall a great day. I really needed something like that which will hopefully take me out of my slump. I have been feeling better lately.

Wednesday was interesting but ended awesome! Traded back in the morning. Went out and saw a bunch of less actives/returning members. Then tried to see a bunch of potentials. The past Elders did a bad job following up on people. There are also a ton of incorrect addresses in our potentials. Ate with the Jaurez's and it is always really good food over there. Went to do some service with the young men, but by the time we got there they were done. So we went to Dairy Queen. That was pretty funny listening to Bishop Smith. Also went to teach Gina and her friend "Sugar" was there. Sugar had no pants or underwear on.... Luckily she had a blanket covering most of her. They were both drunk, so we left. In the evening, we met a lady named Melody Lovelady who just happens to know Dan Cosson. He was my landlord from Tallahassee. She told us that God told her that the BoM is true and it is what she has been searching for! Coolest way to finish the night!

Thursday was weekly planning day. Went well! Ended up seeing Cindy but couldn't teach her. Then we gave 2 blessings and also saw Sister Jordan who gave us money for dinner. Way nice of her! Then had basketball and had the most participation yet. It was fun but I played awful!

Friday we ended up having to change all of our plans, but it ended up being a good day. We got a new investigator named Ronny and also taught Kelly Nine (returning member). She really opened up to us and committed to come to church. We worked really hard today and it was really fun because of it. Also had dinner with the Wheeler’s. They are really awesome. They just got married about 4 weeks ago. Great family!

Saturday we had a really good day! Worked hard and biked a lot. Taught the McGuire's a little lesson. Had lunch with the Brooks and that was good! They are cool. We OYM'd a lot of people on the way to see Nathan Edwards way down near the bottom of our area. Taught Brother Edwards the Restoration lesson. Then met Ronny and taught the Restoration to him. Really cool guy. Saw Danny and he said he'd come to church. He is a potential investigator.

Sunday we had an awesome day! Church = Great! Then we taught Ronnie and set a BCD of September 7th. We are so excited. Brother Hardman came with us and we spent the whole day with him. Had companion study at his house. Then he ate with us at Sister Jordan's. Great food!! Fried chicken Louisiana style!! So good!! Haven't been able to get a hold of Eileen for a long time. Hopefully we will be able to.

Today (August 5^th) we found out about transfers... I am being transferred to Crestview 1st Ward and I will be a Zone Leader... Crazy!! I love Fox Run!