Year 1, Week 21: 10 N.I. in a Day!

Hey Fam...

First, thanks all for the Birthday wishes on the 21st! It was a great day. Taught a lesson on keeping the Sabbath day holy, obeying the law of the land, and then Chastity. Everybody makes it seem that Chastity lessons are so awkward but in reality.. They're not that awkward. Just say what needs to be said and that is that! We have started planning Tania's baptism. Her husband Alberto is planning on talking with the Bishop to see if he can become a priest so he can baptize his wife into the church. She should be all ready to go by the 11th of January.

Other than that, on my birthday we went to a soup kitchen to do some service, did studies, and then went to the Vogels. She made Salad and Alfredo with zucchini noodles. She had a big, thick, rib eye steak for me to grill. I grilled it to a beautiful medium rare and dipped it in Avocado Ranch!!! Pretty Legit! We spent the rest of the night there with the other 2 Elders.

The day before was our Christmas Zone Conference in Belmont, MA. That is where the temple is. We had breakfast and lunch and then went to the temple. I did an endowment session, sealings, and initiatories?? However that's spelled. Mom you can correct it! That morning I woke up at 3:30 and drove the 2 1/2 hours to Belmont, did the Conference and temple and got back at 10:42!! Long day!! Then woke up at 6:30 the next day!! Haha!

I was a little nervous that I was going to be homesick after talking on Christmas, but I wasn't. 40 min. is definitely not long enough.. But I understand that they don't want you spending to much time. Sister Vogel got to talk to her son in Cambodia for 2 hours.Christmas eve was full of Finding! We had a challenge and goal to find 21 N.I. as a district. When the 24th came around we had 10/21. With hard work and miracles from the Lord we picked up 10 N.I. in a day!! That is how we spent Christmas Eve! Last night we finished at the Crooks and went home. Nothing else happened. When I called you guys it was almost 6 so when the other elders finished it was about 8. So the drive home / cleaning up our gifts and such at the other Elders, that finished the night. Members we went to: breakfast with the Masons, lunch with the Haltermans (second counselor in the bishopric, and then to Crooks for dinner.) We opened gifts with the English Elders, Elder Davis and Elder Goodman. We took turns (photo below is all our gifts combined)

Spending Christmas in the mission was pretty great! It wasn't bad at all! Being a missionary... In Hartford I LOVED it! I had gotten used to the schedule, the members, and everything about it. Coming to Waterbury really shook it up especially with a new companion, new area, and not having the other 2 Spanish elders living with us. I am starting to get used to it again though so that's good

All of the Libraries will be closed next Monday so we will email on Tuesday!

Love ya,

Elder Bushman

Christmas Zoom

We got a precious 40 minutes to talk with our Elder for Christmas. He talked for a few short minutes to every family member and loved seeing the sweet babies. He bore his testimony in Spanish. And his witty, fun personality made us laugh and smile as always. Merry Christmas, Elder Bushman. Each second was a treasure! 

Happy Birthday, Elder

Sister Vogel made him steak for his birthday cake. What a thoughtful lady! And she posted some photos of the Elders at her home on Elder Bushman's birthday. 

Happy Birthday, Elder. You're doing a great work....Good for Nels!

Year 1, Week 20: I Didn't Partake

Hey Fam!!

First of all, I will be calling on Zoom around 2 o'clock your time! 4 o'clock here in New England! I am going to a family named the Crooks! They are a young family with 2 little kids! Very nice people!

Lots happened this week. I don't even know where to start.

Tuesday was full of picking up some things at the store that I forgot on Monday and trying to visit old investigators and referrals. Also that night I met this super awesome member named Sister Vogel. She has 3 kids. Her oldest son didn't serve a mission, her daughter served, and her son, Patrick, is in Cambodia on his mission. She is such a great lady. I told her I was prone diabetic and she said it was completely fine and has been asking me questions and things so she can help me with it! She is great. She has a lot of "adopted" kids which basically means she kinda took them in and acted as there mother even though they lived with there actual parents. One of those kids is named Miguel. He is 21 and working on his mission papers. I told him about Keto and he asked how he can do it. I gave him a list of foods to eat so we'll see if he gets going on that. That would be pretty cool!

Wednesday was pretty great. We taught Waddy, one of our baptism dates, the Plan of Salvation. His mom really understands the gospel and she was taught and baptized about a year and a half ago. He didn't have any questions or concerns, he is 10 with a member as his mom so he shouldn't have any. After that we went to the 1st counselor in the Bishoprics house to practice our musical numbers for the Christmas party. We sang Blue Christmas, Mary did you know, and I'll be home for Christmas. Basically, we sounded TERRIBLE!! But we performed it anyway and so yeah. I didn't record it though. Again, Terrible.

We taught Tania again on Thursday. We taught the The law of Tithing and the Law of the Fast. She accepted them both really well and said she would live them when she got baptized. Now all we have to teach her is Chastity and obeying the law of the land. Her date is for Jan. the 11th.

Other than the Christmas party on Saturday not much happened. There was mashed potatoes, ham, rolls, all the normal American Dishes. Then... The spanish group shows up with rice, empanadas, sopas, etc.. I have stuck to Keto for the last week so, I didn't partake of the food:) That was good:)

Sunday was great!! We got to church at 7 in the morning for meetings and things. We had church, went to visit some people, went to the bishops house for dinner and then caroling with his family. It was great.

Love all of you!!

Elder Bushman

Year 1, Week 19: 2 Baptisms

Hey Fam!

This week has been pretty intense... Monday and Tuesday were full of Goodbyes and last minute visits to investigators telling them that two other Elders will be teaching them from now until forever. It was kinda hard saying goodbye to my first area and companion. I will miss Elder Curzon. I have been chatting him for the last hour and a half so that is sick!! Wednesday was the worst day of the mission so far!!

At 11:00 o'clock we left to take Elder Curzon to Worcester. That drive was 2 hours. After we said goodbyes and such we left for the 2 hour drive back to Hartford. When we got back, I immediately go in the car with Elder Felt (Elder Tirado's trainer) and Elder Tirado to take Elder Felt to the mission home. (He is now home). That drive was 2 hours. Then Elder Tirado and I left to come home from the mission home to Waterbury, stopping in Hartford to get my luggage. That was a 2 and a half hour drive. So, on Wednesday, I drove for 8 1/2 hours of the day!! WHOOO!! When we got into Waterbury it was already 9:30 so we basically put my luggage inside the house and went to bed.

Thursday was full of unpacking and cleaning the apartment. I didn't take any pics until after I cleaned because mom probably would have died. If mom was there to deep clean like she did Nicole's apartment, she would have demanded a payment of at least 10 grand! DIRTY!! My first appointment in Waterbury was a lady named Tania. Her husband is a member and she has been investigating for a while. She comes to church very regularly and basically is already a member. We taught her the 10 commandments and extended a Baptism date. She agreed to Jan.11. WHOO!! Basically, Part Members who except a baptism date very rarely don't get baptized. We are very excited for that. We weekly planned a bit and that basically wrapped up Thursday. That night we also had a dinner with a member named Edith. She made awesome tacos!!! She is from Mexico. Super nice lady.

Friday was district meeting. We had a great training by some of the Waterbury English Elders. Elder Davis is the District leader and his comp. Is Elder Goodman. They are awesome! Elder Davis served in Lynnfield, MASS When Elder Curzon was up in Lynn, Mass so its been good to swap stories of Elder Curzon. On Friday we also went to a Dominican Families house. We taught a boy named Waddy. His mom, Denny, was Baptized a couple years ago. Her son, Waddy, is 10. He has been taught everything and we set a Baptism date for him on Jan. 6. So we should have 2 baptisms coming up very soon!

Not much else happened. Church was great.

In answer to Moms questions::

1. What is Waterbury like compared to Hartford?

Waterbury is a lot like Hartford except for TONS of hills. Lots of the same type of people.

2. What has your experience been coming into an established area vs. opening up one yourself?

Its been pretty nice having investigators and such already. It makes it hard knowing exactly what the investigators have been taught. Some Elders are not very good at updating there teaching records.

3. What is the difference in the ward/branch? in Waterbury compared to Hartford?

In Waterbury we have a Group, which is smaller than a branch. About 20 members come every week. We had about 2 feet of snow on Saturday so when it came time for church, not 1 spanish member showed up. Lots of them walk / take the bus. So I got to hear the Sacrament Prayers in English. In priest quorum in the AF 24th ward, we focused a lot on the Sacrament prayers so I love hearing them in English. Members showed up later and we went to the Spanish Sunday school.

4. What is your apartment like? And the area that it's in?

I sent pics of the Apartment. The area is pretty nice. Kinda far from the real ghetto areas.

5. How is it having a car? Must be nice as winter is setting in not to be out in the snow/cold!

The car is great!! Super nice!! I do miss walking though. A lot more people on the streets.

Love ya!!

Elder Bushman

Year 1, Week 18: Waterbury

Hey Mom and Family,

Not much has happened this week. Elder Curzon and I have both been transferred out of Hartford so we have been meeting with members, filling out our area book, telling our investigators that two other Elders will be taking over for us, and packing things up. I'm being transferred to Waterbury, CT. 

The Address is:

440 Meriden RD. Apartment #322

Waterbury, Connecticut

06705

 

My new companion is named Elder Tirado. He is from Orem, Utah and speaks both English and Spanish fluently. He came into the mission at the same time as I did but went to the Mexico MTC. I think he was only there for 3 weeks though. Elder Tirado doesn't drive so I am the designated driver. I will be driving a 2017 Chevy Malibu.  

Elder Curzon is being transferred to Worcester, MA. He has been called as a Zone Leader so he will be doing that. 

Since it was fast Sunday this week we both bore our testimonies and announced we were leaving. We have been meeting with members and taking pictures. (I left my battery so I can't send any this week). Other than that not much has happened. We went to the Villagra's house yesterday to watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. It was awesome! Pretty funny with some great messages behind the stories. 

Other than that not much has happened. Sorry for such a boring week. It will be better next week when I can send the pics and everything!

Love you all:)

Elder Bushman

 

PS: 

Probably 20% of the people I deal with only know spanish.

80% know both.

80% in English. 

Elder Curzon understands everything and can say everything he wants to relating to Gospel and most normal conversational stuff. 

We teach in English a lot of the time.

If the person in more comfortable in Spanish we will teach in Spanish. Most of the young people speak super good of both languages so it's whichever they prefer.

I understand probably 25% of what people say. And I hear more Spanish on the streets.

Year 1, Week 17: Thanksgiving!

Not much happened this week. Our Investigators still have not come to church even though we find rides and call in the mornings to remind them. We are starting to consider to drop them. Kind of a bummer, but maybe that will kick them into shape. 

The highlight of the week was Thanksgiving. We went to a part members house. They are from Argentina and their name is Villagra. The mom is a member and the Dad is investigating the Church. They have 2 daughters who are 14 named Gabby and Tori. Twins. They are super nice and had good food. Mashed Potatoes, Candied Yams, Causa (A  Peruvian Dish), Puerto Rican Rice, Turkey, Asparagus, Bell Peppers, and Salad. I ate everything:) Even the Bell peppers! They had other family there who aren't members so we talked with them quite a bit. After that we went to another member's house. They are called the Camachos. They are from Peru. We had Chicken, Turkey, Beet Salad, and Rice!! Super American;) 

Other things that happened this week...Elder Curzon and I went on exchanges with the Zone Leaders. Elder Curzon dropped a chair on his foot last week and basically wrecked himself. He had to go with Elder Eaton on exchanges to the Urgent Care to get an X-Ray. He is now taking prescription pain killers so that is exciting. Anyway! Not much else happened. We have interviews and transfer texts this week. I'll let you know how those go! Love you!

Elder Bushman

Randomness on the street

Grateful Tree

"May we be found among those who give our thanks to our Heavenly Father. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues."

—Thomas S. Monson, "Finding Joy in the Journey"

Year 1, Week 16: The Weirdest Experience in My Entire Life

So.. This week has been awesome and SUPER weird and awkward all wrapped up in one.

It started on Tuesday. Because *** didn't show up at church, Elder Curzon and I went over to her house and explained in further detail why church is important. We told her about the Sacrament and how it relates to Baptism. We committed her to coming again to church. After that she said, "So I have been talking to my mom about your church and she says that it is against the rules for women to shave or wear makeup." We quickly explained that these things were false and that it was completely ok to shave and wear makeup. She looked a little confused still so we asked if she had concerns with anything else. (I honestly expected an answer like, "Yes. I'm not sure about Joseph Smith or the Book of Mormon.) She looked at us, kinda chuckled and said, "I'm sorry. I don't mean to be weird or anything but I am super curious. Are y'all Virgins?" I looked at Elder Curzon with a 

(what is happening) look. I looked back at *** and explained that God has asked us to keep Sexual Relations in Marriage and to only do that sort of thing after you get married. She said,"Ok. That makes sense. I guess the only thing is... If I go on a date with a guy, what am I supposed to say? If ya wanna turn something on, turn on the Oven, don't touch me!?" Elder Curzon and I had to stifle our laughs. We said that she should pray about it and then concluded our lesson. That was the WEIRDEST lesson I have ever been in. 

Anyway, so after that happened the week went pretty normal up until Zone Conference. We talked a lot about Pleading with the Lord every morning in prayer and asking for our mouths to be opened. We also talked a lot about Christ and how we can follow in His way more fully. It was very interesting and a super good experience. President Miller also said that a good way to apply the scriptures in your life is by asking why it was put in the Book of Mormon in the first place. One Question that he asked us to think about is, "Why should we seek the power of His Word?" In Break out Sessions with the AP's and President and Sister Miller, we discussed what things we have because of Joseph Smith. These things include, The Book of Mormon, an Understanding of the God head, the Priesthood, the process of repentance, etc. Zone Conferences are always so inspiring. 

Because none of our investigators have come to Church we have now dropped all of our investigators baptismal dates. We aren't teaching anything new until the keep the commitments that go alone with the Message of the Restoration. So that's a bummer.

Saturday was our branch Thanksgiving Party. Elder Curzon, Elder Eaton, and I all sang Lead Kindly Light with Elder Porter playing the Piano. There was tons of Salad, Meats, and Rice to go around! It was a great opportunity to spend more time with members and get to know some less actives.

Yesterday was a very, very, interesting and awkward experience. Church was great and everything was going well. All the Missionaries were invited to attend the YSA Face to Face with Elder Oaks and Elder Ballard. Before that Elder Curzon and I were going to visit a referral.  We stopped by the house but nobody answered the door. On our way back Elder Curzon got on the phone with the Sisters in our district to collect their numbers. While walking back to the apartment anybody we would pass I would offer them a picture of Christ and start introducing ourselves. Everybody took the Pictures but nobody would take the time to listen. We were about a mile from home when we passed a woman. When I extended a picture of Christ this woman looked at me and said, "How did you know?" I looked at her and said, "How do I know what?" She started crying and said that she had been an alcoholic for years and wanted to be a good person but in this world it's super hard. I pulled out a Book of Mormon and bore testimony of how the Book could help her in her life. I pulled out my planner and took her name, address, and her phone number to pass her off to the English Sisters. When I put my pen and planner back in my pocket she just randomly hugged me. She grabbed my jacket super tight while hugging me so to get her off I would have had to be aggressive and break her grip, then push her away so I just stood there with my hands in my pockets. I looked at Elder Curzon who was now off the phone and whispered, "What do I do?" He just starred at me with a blank look and whispered back, "I don't know..." While this 40 year old black woman was hugging me she started crying again. When she finally let go I stepped away and told her that we would get her information to the English sisters and they would contact her as soon as they could. She said, "Yes, that would be great. I believe women should minister to women and men should minister to men. If I do take lessons from you men I am sure I would fall in love with you. 

At this point I realized she was drunk and looked at Elder Curzon with another, "What do I do face?" She looked at me and said, "Can I marry you?" My eyes widened and I almost started laughing uncontrollably. I responded, "No. As missionaries we aren't allowed to do that. I'm sorry." I then said, " Well, It was nice meeting you but we have to go. I started walking away and she stepped in front of me, hugged me again and said, "But I am in love with you." This time, I just broke her grip and stepped back. She then looked at my name tag and said, "Elder Bushman. If we get married, you can be Bushman and I will be Bushwoman. 

Anyway... She said some more weird things, tried to kiss my hand, and then Elder Curzon and I finally just walked away and never turned back. This is the WEIRDEST experience I have ever had in my entire life. 

Well I hope all is well at home! Love you all :)

Elder Bushman

 

My first Monster in almost 4 months

A very thoughtful package from the Cub Scouts of the 24th

 

"Obedience makes us progressively stronger, capable of faithfully enduring tests and trials in the future. Obedience in Gethsemane prepared the Savior to obey and endure to the end on Golgotha."

—Robert D. Hales, "If Ye Love Me, Keep My Commandments"

Year 1, Week 15: What a Kind Lady

This week has been super good! It's crazy how fast the week has gone by. I can't believe we are already half way through November.

On Tuesday Elder Curzon and I met with Anna again and set a baptismal date. She agreed to be baptized without hesitation! We set her date for November 25th with the hopes that she would keep all her commitments. She didn't make it to church even though we had a ride for her and everything. We are meeting again on Tuesday so we will see what happened with that. 

On Wednesday Elder Curzon and I finished knocking some streets and we met two guys named Rafael and Lois. They are both 16 and said they had just moved from Maine to be with there Grandma. They said they had been looking for a church and we came knocking. We invited him to read the Book of Mormon and he agreed. When we came back the following Friday he had read in 3 Nephi 11 and we set a Baptismal date with him as well. It is awesome seeing the Light of Christ fill people's lives.

On Friday we went to lunch while we were doing weekly planning. A lady saw us and said she would pay for all of our food. She paid $30 so 4 Elders could eat. What a Kind lady!! 

Maria hasn't come to church even though we have gotten rides for her as well. We will have to push her Baptism Date back into December. Other than that not much else has happened.

Love all of you and I hope everything is going well!!

Love,

Elder Bushman 

 

 

Year 1, Week 14: Call-Out Challenge

Hey Fam,

This week was super good! Halloween we got back to our apartment at 6. We couldn't be out any later than 6:30. We spent the night playing card games and listening to music. Nothing too intense. Earlier that day we went for a lunch appointment to a member's house. We carved some pumpkins and had a good time. 

On Thursday the Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders gave a training to the District Leaders on how we can change to promote more motivation and to work harder. Elder Pulu, a district leader in our zone, said that a call out challenge might be fun. For example: Elder Pulu calls out another companionship and says, " We believe we can find 3 New investigators before you." It is then a small competition to motivate missionaries to talk to everyone. On Saturday, Elder Curzon and I did just that. We texted 3 set of missionaries and said  that we believe we could find 3 new investigators before any of the other companionships. The day started off very slow. We didn't find anyone. Elder Curzon and I literally talked to EVERY single person we passed. Finally, while knocking doors, we found a lady named Anna. She is in her 20's, has a couple kids, and lives with her mom. When she opened the door she just stepped out onto her porch and listened to us teach the Restoration. She asked us to come back tomorrow, Sunday, and said she would read 3rd Nephi 11. After Anna, we met a man named Jose and also taught the Restoration with an invitation to read the Book of Mormon and pray. 10 Minutes after Jose, we met another man named Jose. We taught him the Restoration, asked him to read and pray, and he said he would. It is amazing how the Lord always prepares a way when you set high goals!! Because of that challenge 4 companionships achieved 8 New investigators in a day! It was awesome:)

After church we went to Anna's house but she said she was super busy and asked if we could come back on Tuesday. She said she would read 3 Nephi before we came back so we'll see. We have appointments set up with her and with both of the Jose's:)

After Anna's house, we stopped by a less active member's house. The father was there and we talked with him for a while. He basically just opened up and explained that his wife got offended, didn't want to go back to church, and if he goes, then she gets upset with him. He explained that he loves church and the Gospel but also loves his wife and his hands are tied. He explained he doesn't know what to do and that he is working on his own testimony with the hopes that it can one day help his wife again. It was super sad to see such a strong member of the church in such a hard position. 

Other than that, Maria hasn't come to church yet so we will have to move her baptism date back. Mine and Elder Curzon's monthly goals are 1 Baptism, 3 Baptism Dates, and 25 New Investigators. Maria was our Baptism but because she hasn't attended church that might not happen. Keep her in your prayers! We are hoping to set a Baptism date with Anna and both of the Jose's! Other than that not much happened. 

Once again, Happy Birthday to Olivia! I hope her birthday was a good one:) Love all of you!

Elder Bushman

 

"Day after day, on your path toward your eternal destiny, increase your faith. Proclaim your faith! Let your faith show!"

—Russell M. Nelson, "Let Your Faith Show"

 

Year 1, Week 13: A Record Breaking 70 Members

Dear Fam,

This week has been great. Our branch mission leader, Luis Gonzalez, is moving to Mexico so he has been released. A man named Romulo Panduro has been called as the new branch mission leader. He is a great guy who is very excited to be working with us. He loves coming to lessons with us, but he can't drive and Elder Curzon and I don't have a car... So if he wants to come to a lesson with us we have to work with the other Elders. Its kinda tough not having a car to pick up members. Other changes include the young men president, the relief society president, and some youth Sunday School teachers. On Sunday, we had a record breaking 70 members show up to Sacrament Meeting!! This is the most it has been the whole time I have been in Hartford. I really think that the Lord is using us as his tools in bringing people back to him. Yesterday, we visited some less actives who have been coming the last couple of weeks and told them that we wanted to help them get to the temple. They are in their 70's and have been married for a long time and it's always been their goal but they have never really worked towards it. It's great that we are now helping them do that. 

Elder Porter is the Elder who was just transferred into our area. He is our Zone Leader and a great missionary. His Spanish is fantastic and he teaches super well. He is a great addition to our area. For dinner last night we went to a Honduran Family's house named the Zaldivars! Hermano Zaldivar is the First Counselor in the Branch Presidency. He is a great guy! We had a Honduran dish that was homemade tortilla's, egg, beans, and hispanic sour cream!! Super Bien:) I really enjoy all of the different flavors and meals different countries have. Because of all the diversity I am learning how different cultures speak Spanish and words they use! For example, most Dominicans drop their S's while speaking Spanish. If you don't practice understanding them, fluent Spanish speakers have a hard time understanding their Spanish. I'm excited to continue learning Spanish and using it.

Maria is doing well. She still babysits on Sunday so she hasn't been able to come to church.

Love you all. Remember who you're not!!

Elder Bushman

 

Photos: 

1: Dead Rat in the street

2:Crazy crash right outside our apartment

3: Keto Pizza

4: Our kitchen is so small we store all of our pots in the oven. So baking the pizza we had to pull all the pans out

 

 

 

 

"If you feel too spiritually maimed to come to the feast, please realize that the Church is not a monastery for perfect people, though all of us ought to be striving on the road to godliness. No, at least one aspect of the Church is more like a hospital or an aid station, provided for those who are ill and want to get well."

—Jeffrey R. Holland, "He Hath Filled the Hungry with Good Things"