September 23, 2013 - Letter Home

Dear Enclave of Missionary Letter Readers,

K*** V*** J**** J***. was successfully baptized. He is 23 and fully paralyzed. I, Elder Anderson and Branch President Soto got in the water, Soto performed it and we all lowered him. It was my job to cover his mouth and nose. He had a big grin on his face coming out of the water. It was a good experience that seems to have had very positive effects on a lot of people.

Elder Anderson was aghast a few days ago when FIVE POUNDS of Laffy Taffy landed on his lap courtesy of my Mother. 

After my greenie package to Bryen he told me that I needed to send more laffy taffy to

his companion.  I didn't get right on it and again the next week he asked me to send his companion some candy.  So I got on it and sent a package with laffy taffy, a big summer sausage, an SD card with a self addressed stamped envelope for him to send back his full SD card (hopefully this will work people, I really want pictures), and a copy of his Patriarchal Blessing.  

For all those who wish to know what a patriarchal blessing is.  Here is some info.

http://www.lds.org/new-era/2004/03/about-patriarchal-blessings?lang=eng

Zone Conference was a fine experience, I'd like to share something another missionary said on finding.

"When I go knock on a door, often times, the person who answers it isn't the one I'm there to talk to."

We learned about how we should always ask for referrals and look for people to teach beyond the ones right in front of us.

We always say in Utah there's a church on every corner. It holds true here, except all the churches are different. I may have already said that, but I bring it up because we found one with probably the funniest name.

Powerhouse Holiness Deliverance Temple

Brilliant is what that is. 

The weather is getting colder, so it's difficult weather to discern if my decrease in mosquito bites is due to treatments or just them all dying. I've been trying the garlic pills and they seem to be working, but like I said, hard to tell.

The next Transfer is fast approaching and it appears my time with Elder Anderson will soon be at an end. From what we can tell, I will be taking over the Area as he goes to be a Zone Leader. Pray for whatever missionary is sent to me.

-Elder North

Transfers are on October 9th a couple of days before his birthday.  So if you would like to send him something for his birthday it would probably be good to get it to him before October 9th.  It sounds like he thinks he is going to stay there but you never know.  If he moves then it will have to get forwarded on to him and it will take longer for him to get it.

He is really interested in more music.  He can listen to the music that is sold at Deseret Book.

http://deseretbook.com/LDS-Music/c/2#q=&page=1&sort=popularity&facets=category:2

Other than that gift cards are always good.  Walmart, Wendy's, Subway type things or just visa type gift cards he can use anyplace.

A simple card letting him know your thinking about him would be perfect all on its own.

Thanks for your love and support of our boy!

Elder Bryen North

Arkansas Little Rock Mission

606 Rainer #10

West Memphis, AR 72301

September 16, 2013 - Letter Home

Dear Utes (and other associated tribes),

A recent convert wants her son to be baptized. He's ready and willing, but is paralyzed. It will be tricky but we're looking forward to it! We had three people to church yesterday (along with four kids). The children got a tad moody but that was to be expected and we did our best to handle them. Two of them stayed for two hours, one of them, ****, left after hour 1. She's a fun character. We're hoping we can help her.

K*** wasn't about to come to church again, but our relationship with their family still seems very solid. I'm sure we'll get him baptized soon enough.

I'd like to thank Grandma Mary for her letters! She's sent quite a few and I think is in the lead.

This transfer is already halfway gone! Soon Elder Anderson or I will be sent away. I'll have to pack up again, that's the worst part. I'm comfortable! But I suppose that's the point. Not to let missionaries get comfortable, easy going or complacent. Always on our toes (or bikes).

We went fishing with Brother **** this morning and Elder Anderson almost stepped on a big snake. We chopped off it's head and Brother **** took it home with him.

Fun times.

Zone Conference is this week, I'll be seeing my fellows from my MTC group, two sisters and I think all three Elders. That will be a delightful romp I am certain. I look forward to hearing more about what the goings ons at home is and will be working till then!

-Elder North

Well he no longer will even talk to me about pictures.  I hope he is at least still taking them!  He hasn't said if any of the mosquito ideas have worked either.  O well, he sounds good and happy.  What more can a mom really want....

September 8, 2013 - Letter Home

Dear Letter-readers,

Apparently everyone went to Comic-Con without me!  But, I'm on my mission, so, I win.

Speaking of Mission, things are looking rather dry for September, but K**** still seems very solid.  He has type 2 diabetes and it was acting up, preventing him from coming to church because he had to go to the emergency room.  With that all of our Baptismal dates for this month had to push back some.

As for the baptism last month, Elder Anderson did not baptize anyone personally.  J**** was baptized by his father in law, M*** was Baptized by Brother H****, and A**** by a missionary.

Riding to an appointment with D**** we met a guy named L**** who was WAY chill and had the second deepest voice I've heard while out here.

Finally the bike week ended with some great news!  Car is back and we're now on a three on one off schedule thanks to our Zone Leaders, Elder Armstrong and Elder Spilker.  They are taking a bike week so that the car can be shared around.  It was a fine bike week though, especially since we didn't have six destroyed tires.

Remember, just because you don't have a name tag doesn't mean you cannot be spreading the gospel.  Go bless some lives!

- Elder North

Short letter this week, ok even shorter than normal.  HEHEHE  Sounds like he is well though and it is always good to hear some snippets of how he is doing even if it isn't very long.  Write him!

September 2, 2013 - Letter Home

Dear Horde of Relatives (And other associated parties),

There!  Now you can all say I've baptized someone!  (Even though Elder Anderson did all the work.)  Two other Baptism that day and the confirmations went through without a hitch.  Here's to hoping for a larger pool next month!  We're already working on it.

Grandma Mary I send you my best wishes of health.

Karoline, let Mosiah know that he can go when he's Eighteen!  That's not too far away, so he should start preparing now!

Also, got another jam-packed package!  It hasn't even been a month since the first and you send me another!?  Mother, you spoil me.  Thanks though, Ill be trying out these mosquito solutions during our now more frequent bike-weeks.  With the increase of missionaries in the mission (Hitting our cap of 200).  We will now bike one week on and then one week off and in the car.  Zone Leader said he's looking into a way to fix that.

I sent him a package with some things to try to help repel the mosquitoes since he mentioned he was being eaten alive but they don't seem to bother his companion.  I remember taking garlic pills when we lived in Texas and Grandma North said rubbing downy dryer sheets help at camp so I sent him a list of ideas and some things to try.

Last Zone Meeting we were introduced to a new Senior Couple, The Shaw's.  They're functioning in the Mission President's Office, I think.  They handle vehicle maintenance and the like.  I bring this up because at the meeting when they announced where they were from my companion couldn't help but let out a 'Yeah!' since they were from the same state as him.  He got pretty excited.

So jealous of you Mother!  Pretty much the worst rule I have to follow here in the mission is no holding babies!  The L**** family have a cute little baby and I'm not allowed to hold him.

Usually these types of rules come from previous problems, but I can see this would be a really hard rule for Bubba since he loves babies!  I have a beautiful new baby girl to hold and love as the people I nanny for were blessed with a healthy baby girl recently.  So I sent him a picture of cute little Hazel.

Missionary Work seems to be going well enough now.  We already have dates set for people in September.
The more promising one being C****, who really seems to want to turn her life around.  K**** and C**** came to church yesterday and we've been having solid lessons with a guy name D****.  For a long time we thought his name was D****, because he would say his full name slurred and quickly, 'D**** Y****'.  Another is a young boy of sixteen named K****, who seems to be getting pretty into the Book of Mormon.

We cleaned the Apartment some today.  Partly because it's Preparation Day, mostly because President Peterson will be coming by soon.  Our Apartment is comfortable, one of the nice ones from what I've seen of Missionary Apartments so far.  We have a washer and dryer so we can even do our laundry in our apartment.

We helped three people move this week.  Busy times, it's great!

All in all, things continue to be spectacular.
- Elder North