Directions -- U.P. Style

This was a week to remember in the worst of ways. In the thick of it all it seemed as though the weight of Satan was going to squash Elder Norton and I. So much opposition, so much going against us it was ridiculous. By Sunday, so much had happened and we were clearly on the downward slope that all we could do was laugh and joke about it. It was a good week, a testimony week and one that I won’t forget for a very long time.

On Monday as you are aware of, we didn't really have a P-Day. Of the normal 8 hours that are given to us for emailing and shopping and sports, and all the other fun stuff. Instead we only had two hours to do all that. Monday morning got occupied with a service project that went twice as long as it was supposed to. Then we had a lunch appointment with the Sister missionaries and the Elders as well as a member. Then we had a lesson with one of our investigators. We only had one hour for emailing, followed by dinner and then 10 more minutes of emailing and then an appointment with another member. It was crazy and stressful.

Tuesday started out on the wrong foot. We got a call during studies from the vehicle coordinator for our mission. He was informing us that the mission was taking away our car (not because of the accident) but because the car was need elsewhere and we would now be full time walking, busing, and biking Elders. Our area is small enough where it is kind of manageable without a car, but this was the worst week in the world to get a call saying "you’re losing your car". We had three, four, or even five appointments back to back every day this week. Those appointments are all over town, some of them are 15 minute car rides, it would be impossible to try and bike that same distance in a time frame that would also allow you to have a solid lesson. We racked up the miles on Tuesday and drove to all the people that we knew would be hardest to visit once the car was gone.

Wednesday, the car went bye-bye. We had to turn it in to the body shop. When the car is finished I will need to sign the check on behalf of the church and then the car goes to the Kenosha Spanish Elders for good. From then on we walked. The senior couple did help us out though; they drove us to several appointment on Wednesday and Thursday. We didn't make all of our appointments however but it was a whole lot better than walking to them all. I am very grateful for the senior couple. Thursday was the best day of the week.

Friday, was supposed to be even better. But somebody decided to steal Elder Norton's bike. This left us with only walking. I didn't have the money yet to buy the bus passes so we walked all day Friday, missed a few appointments and just kind of was in a daze at how this week was falling apart. It was unreal!

Saturday, I finally got the money to buy a bus pass, we prepared for the day, hopeful as can be that this day was going to be the turnaround. And then... the bus station was closed. We can't buy bus passes, we can't ride the bus, and our entire day’s plans went down the drain. We just kept on walking, mile after mile. Eventually we did figure out a way to buy bus passes on Saturday but it still messed up the schedule a whole lot.

Sunday, nothing bad happened. A member has agreed to give us his bike; we got to Skype our family and see their smiling faces. We had a great dinner with a member family. Sunday was great. This new week should be a lot better. Hopefully less opposition, less drama with the car and bikes being stolen and bus stations being closed. It should be a good week. We hope!

Wall of Inspiration - Jesus Christ, Coach Green (aka You a Pony),
Adrienne (post wisdom teeth still on drugs).

Happy Mother’s Day, love you all,

Elder Luymes