November 21, 2016

Dear Family,

Our area seems to be steadily improving. Again, we didn't get a ton of lessons this week but we did get to meet with a few auxiliary leaders to coordinate our efforts a bit. It may take a little but we should be able to get a good teaching pool. 

I only have a couple interesting things to say this week really. The first is that there's apparently this one less-active who left the church because of some church history and is now getting a bunch of other people in the ward to leave too. Not a lot of people, but you know, a few. It's sad though.

The other interesting thing began as we were walking back to our apartment one night. Can you feel a story coming on? So, yeah, we're walking up the stairs to the apartment and we see keys left in one of the locks a floor below us. We decide we'll be nice and let the person know so we knock on the door and a dog bursts out of the apartment and runs down the stairs! The lady then lets out some cuss words and we all run to try catching the dog. It squeezes underneath the gate and starts running north on a major road. We lose sight of the dog so the owner goes to get her car while we keep following it. She apparently starts going south or something because we don't see her for like a half hour. Anyway, we go behind a dumpster to say a quick prayer and  just as we're finishing we hear a thump and some whimpering. The dog had been hit! Luckily it's still alive and there's some nice people walking by who stopped to help it. It all ended up fine and the owner eventually showed up but we were just like, "What? How did that happen?!"

I have to go but there's your story for the week. Take care!

Love,

Elder O'Brien (the younger)

November 14, 2016

Dear Family,

This last week looked pretty slow on paper but I think we're starting to get something significant going in the area. We're hoping to meet with a lot of the auxiliary leaders this week so we can really be coordinated with them. We're also trying to get know the members on a personal level so they can trust us to teach those they care about. Unfortunately, it's a little difficult in this area because the two wards meet in separate buildings at the same time.

I had an interesting experience yesterday though that at least helped one ward know me a little better. Originally we were going to do a double exchange so one of us could go to each ward (myself going to Heritage again) but things fell through so we both went to Timber Creek. The talks prepared for the meeting didn't quite fill the time so they said, "We'd like to have the new Elder introduce himself, bear his testimony, and maybe tell us why he came on a mission if that's alright." I was pretty red in the face according to Elder Raratoga but I went up there and shared from the heart. I guess that involved expressing some of my struggles, my testimony of God's plan, and how the Atonement has changed me recently. I can't remember exactly what I said. Anyway, I definitely made myself vulnerable before the ward. Afterwards, the relief society president mentioned that she has a son who's a priest and is hesitant about a mission because of some anxiety. He wasn't there but she said she wished he was. I think if nothing else in this area, I can help this priest understand the affect the Atonement has on missionaries and those they serve despite--even because of--their weaknesses. That's something I'm eager to share.

I used to think, "how can God possibly use us because of our weaknesses? Isn't there a better way for an all powerful being to accomplish his work?" I've realized that that work includes me and that as far as God is concerned, my mission is a tool for my personal growth and a gift to me in that it allows me, imperfect as I am, to make things happen with eternal consequence. For that I'm already so grateful. Kinda gives me hope for the rest of my mission. I kid around a lot about funny stuff that happens on my mission but in all honesty,  I'm changing so much. I almost feel bad that y'all aren't around to see it.

On another note, I started reading the Book of Mormon again this week. I've read it a few times already so this time I decided to imagine what someone reading it for the first time would think and feel just like was suggested in General Conference.  A lot of the time I've ended up thinking, "Wow, I wonder what Amy was thinking when she first read this verse," or "that must've been pretty profound for Joseph Smith to read." Right from the beginning you can see how important the family is to God's plan. That's something I didn't realize the first eight chapters of the Book of Mormon taught so well until this week. One thing's for sure, every time I read, my testimony of Jesus Christ and His Gospel is strengthened.

Your funny story for the week is quite simple. I was riding my bike in the rain and this guy in a big truck came up alongside me. The next thing I knew, there was large wave engulfing me rather forcefully. Yep.

Here's to drier days for all of us!

Love,
Elder O'Brien (the younger)

November 7, 2016

Dear Family,

It's been of week of mixed emotions. Leaving Denton was definitely tough for me. Everyone in the wards were super grateful for Elder Cockrell and I and what we were able to accomplish. It gave me peace to know that I was leaving Denton on good terms and that if people remember me it will be for good things. That's probably what made leaving so difficult, having a good relationship with everyone and coming to love them so much.

Heritage has been an adjustment for sure. The work is basically what I imagine it to be in Utah with lots of members and very few people who don't know who we are. The area is super small and had quite a few hardworking missionaries come through within the last year so literally every door has been knocked on, sometimes multiple times. My new companion, Elder Rarotoga, said that some people have come to expect us every 6 months. Basically, we won't really be teaching anybody unless members bring them to us. I think the Christmas initiative coming up will help us stay busy though. It'll give us something new to talk about with people, something they can relate to. We had a baptism this weekend though! His name is Cody and he was an overage child. I met him for the first time at the baptism so that was fun.

I think the best part of this transfer is that I'm with most of the missionaries that I'd consider my "mission family." Elder Simmons is still my Zone Leader, Elder Newey from the MTC is my other Zone Leader, Elder Brinkerhoff is the other district leader in my zone, and Elder Reich is in my district. Elder Rarotoga was in the Denton zone with me for a transfer so I sort of knew him before too. Anyway, it's been fun.

Luckily the biking hasn't been too bad. Actually, we've mostly been walking or getting rides. My bike had a few issues at first but we got them fixed and it didn't cost us anything. Overall my luck has been better since I left Denton so that's a plus.

Love ya'll! Have good week!

Love,
Elder O'Brien (the younger)

October 31, 2016

Dear Family,

I never know how to start these emails. I feel like it's always the same. But anyway, Amy's sons got baptized this week. That was awesome. I think it was a good experience for them, they acted a little differently than usual afterward. Lately they've been super hyper and crazy but suddenly they were all calm and stuff. It was a sweet experience to have for my final week in Denton. It's official. I'm going to be serving in the Heritage and Timbercreek wards. And it's a bike area... yay... At least I made it 14 months without having to bike. You can rest assured that I won't be getting anymore traffic tickets though! That's a plus.

Elder Cockrell is getting transferred too which is crazy. They're bringing sisters in. Remember back a few weeks ago when I talked about that streak of having sisters take over my old areas. Yeah, it's real. The Denton zone will officially be 60% sisters and the only Elders are the district and Zone Leaders. Weird stuff. Amy's poor boys just got dunked and dumped. Hopefully they get used to the sisters quickly enough.

It was a good run in Denton so it'll be hard to leave. We saw one of our relief society presidents at Wal-Mart this morning and her response to us leaving was, "That's crap." She said we're the best Elders they've had in a while. Way to make it easier on us... Feels good to leave on such good terms though. We'll at least we get to say good by to everyone in 5th ward at the trunk or treat tonight.

I'm excited honestly. Heritage should be fun. Keep on keepin on and have a wonderful week!

Love,
Elder O'Brien (the younger)