26 dec 2007

I just realized that I'm going to have to get used to writing 2008 soon. I remember when I was with my third companion over a year ago and he would remind me how far away 2008 was. Now it's practically here. It sure was a pleasure to talk to many of you yesterday. I only have one more phone call left on my mission... that's weird.

I'm sorry there was no email from me last week. It was transfers but I didn't get moved. We did however get a new companion, so there are three of us now. That's a little weird getting used to. Our new comp is Elder Blasko from Maryland. He's been out for almost 4 months. He's been out as long as my other companion, Elder Hilton, has left on his mission.

We've really been taken care of by the members of the church here. We have so much food and goodies in our apartment that we don't know what to do with it. We've expressed to eachother that we like all the stuff that people have been giving us, but we kind of wish it was a little more spaced out. We'll probably end up trashing some of the stuff because it will go bad before we get to it, but it made grocery shopping really easy today.

Members here always want to help us out. I'm afraid that many of them don't even realize how they could be the most help to us. The best Christmas present that we could receive this season would be a phone call from a member telling us they've invited a neighbor family over to hear the missinary lessons. It's hard here (for missionaries) to find people to teach. Most people have talked to missionaries countless times and they already know what they're going to say when we talk to them. But you can catch them off guard. It's different when their friends say to them "This is something that really helps me out in my life. It brings great peace and joy to my life. I feel it could help you too." Then invite them to meet the missionaries.

That's the message that I have for the Chardon Branch, and for all others.

I love you.

-Elder John Henrichsen