December 2, 2013

Wow, what a Thanksgiving week this was... there is so much to share, let’s get started...

I spent more time outside of Manistique this week than I did in Manistique. On Tuesday we had District meeting in Marquette, then after the district meeting I went on exchanges with Elder Lino. Exchanges are a 24 hour companion switch where one companion goes with another missionary to a different area. The purpose of exchanges is to learn new techniques from another companion, they also allow me, the District Leader to help missionaries who may be going through a tough time or are having companion issues. From Marquette to Houghton is a two hour drive through the forest that was breathtaking and snowcapped. It was stunning to see Houghton at this time of year. Elder Lino and I had a wonderful exchange, we taught a couple of really good lessons and we had a really good lunch on Wednesday that had a view of the bridge and the river. Exchanges with the Houghton Elders took a full 24 hours and a little more because of how much driving we had to do. Elder Baird and I got back home Wednesday night at 9:30pm, we quickly planned our thanksgiving day and we crashed in bed. Thanksgiving Day was wonderful; I'll go into more detail in the next paragraph. On Friday morning we woke up and I had to quickly pack because we were going on Exchanges with the GB zone leaders. We drove to Escanaba and did a very brief black Friday shopping. From Escanaba to Manitowoc is a three hour drive, so Elder Palmer and I had a good long time to talk and rest from our thanksgiving feasts. In Manitowoc Elder Palmer and I tracted and also played volleyball with the ward. I had three very impressive spikes over my 5ft 7in Zone Leader who took it like a man. It was a really fun night that also included an excellent dinner with a member family. On Saturday we did our studies and then drove back up to Escanaba. Saturday night, Elder Baird and I rushed to go have three lessons with some members and then we had dinner with our group leader. On Sunday we had eight people at church and decided that for Sunday school we would just go through our group directory and talk about the less active members that Elder Baird and I had no idea about. Needless to say, our week was extremely packed and we did something like 660 miles.

660 Miles in one day between Manistique and Houghton and back!

Driving in the snow to Houghton - don't tell
my mom and dad the roads look like this!

Snow tires anyone?

 

Thanksgiving: I was more impressed with how empty the town was than with the snow. We saw five people all day and hardly saw a single car being driven. Our one lesson planned for that day got dropped, so Elder Baird and I did "service" for ourselves and shoveled snow in the empty parking lot for 1 1/2 hours. We went to our dinner appointment with the only members in town. (All the other members that actually live in town were all gone.) We had a five star dinner with this member family and we enjoyed a spiritual thought accompanied by Mo Tab. They gave us a lot of leftovers. Elder Baird and I for most part spent Thanksgiving together, just the two of us, talking, having fun walking around town in the snow. The GB Packers and the Detroit Lions played their big rivalry game and it snowed about 4 inches all day.

Our jam packed week is to be followed by another. This coming week I have one more exchange with the Marquette Elders and then our Thursday, Friday, and Saturday are all booked up. I love weeks like these, but I'm behind in my sleep. All these exchanges are exhausting.

The scripture for the week is: 2 Nephi 9:18

18 But, behold, the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel, they who have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame of it, they shall inherit the kingdom of God, which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world, and their joy shall be full forever.

Thank you all for your love and support, Please note: TRANSFERS ARE DECEMBER 18TH!!! I might be transferred on this day which is one week before Christmas. Please do now send any Christmas packages or letters until I know if I am being transferred or not.

Elder Luymes