It Is A Boy!

email 2/09/09
In the mission it is a very common joke that a missionary trainer is a father and his trainee is his kid. Well my kid is named Elder Bryce Ericson from Kuna, Idaho. He is a well-mannered boy. His dad is a high school Spanish and geography teacher and his mom is from Spain. He understands Spanish really well for a greenie. Definitely the best of his group. He isn’t shy but he is quiet. He is a lot like me I think, or like I was when I started. To be honest, he reminds me a lot of Luke. The thing that I find weirdest is that he graduated in 2008!! That is 2 years after me!! I cant believe I graduated high school 3 years ago. He makes me feel old.

We came to Paysandu and found that the previous Elders didn’t leave much in the area book. They didn’t leave anything. Not even a map!! Ward list? I wish! Investigators...not a one. So we started from zero and found 8 investigators and had 2 in church. I normally don’t like talking about numbers but I am proud of how well we did from nothing.

Our apartment is really nice!! It is the nicest and most expensive apartment in the whole mission. We live on the seventh floor of an apartment-office building. We have balconies, bay windows in the kitchen, wood floor, and a big room. We live with the Zone Leaders so there are 4 Elders but I think we could fit 4 more in here comfortably. It is an amazing apartment. My poor kid. I had to tell him that it only goes downhill from here. I cant believe that a year ago I lived in a cement box with cockroaches everywhere and now I live in downtown Paysandu on the seventh floor with a view. The mission is just never predictable.

Yesterday a man informed us that Osama Bin Laden is working with the US government from within the Pentagon. He also warned us that the Statue of Liberty is the next target. He didn’t seem drunk or on drugs. I think he really believed his information. So I am doing my part and passing that information on. Keep an eye open.

The people here love Obama. We are instantly popular now. Everyone wants to tell us about our black president. Some people are a little crazy. One man in the street told us that Obama was gonna get revenge and turn it all back around and that the white people are going to be slaves. One of the hardest things for me is not saying anything when I hear such political ignorance. Some of the Elders say some things that ought not to be said also. I have found that sometimes standing up for what is right means reverent dignity. You gotta pick your battles.

The ward here seems pretty okay. It isn’t as strong as Tacuarembo or Cerro, but it isn’t as difficult as was Artigas. We are going to have some success here. The one thing I like about a small ward is that it is easier to get to know all the active members and get them involved in your activities. Elder Ericson loves the idea of inviting youth to play soccer at the chapel, and having activities, and trying to work with the ward a lot. I see a lot of how I was when I first started in him. He is ready to try all the creative stuff as I have been so accustomed to working the way I have been for a while. It should be good for me to re-analyze the way I do things.

Anyway, I hope that everyone is doing well. I am happy and healthy. I am working hard and being obedient. I know that God lives and that He loves us all on a personal level. We all need to seek to improve that personal relationship that we have with Him. Take care. I love you all!!

Andy