Year 1, Week 5: We Got our Travel Plans!!!!

How is it going mom? Once again, the Elders in our district woke up and 4:15 in the morning to do laundry. It's hard right at first but then feels great to be up and productive this early.

This week I have seen tons of new people. I have seen Sarah Curzon, Ben Mcmillian (However that is spelled), Shawn Young (Friend from TAMS), and Callie Rogers (I actually haven't talked to her, but I've seen her.) I continue to see and talk with Brooklyn Holmes, David Cowley, Ethan Peterson, Isaac Yamada, Harrison James, Taylor Anderson, and Brantley Johnson.

I haven't met any missionaries going to my mission, but I did receive my travel plans and I am the Travel Leader. Basically, I hold the hands of the other missionaries and make sure they aren't dumb. Entonces, there are several missionaries in my group that are traveling. There is one Elder named Jonah Peterson that I met on Instagram who is going to Boston English Speaking. I'm excited to meet him for the first time. I will send pictures of my travel plans so you know everything that I know. 

As stated up above, I have seen Sister Curzon. I haven't had a real opportunity to talk with her, but we did take pictures and chat for a couple minutes. I'm looking forward to a  time when we have dinner at the same time and can really talk.

Yes, I did get the package. Will you please send me all the family member emails? Uncle John, Aunt Karla, Stephen, etc.. I would love to write them a thank you note for their kind words.

Ethan Peterson is going on his mission to Houston South speaking English. He was supposed to fly out on Monday but has been delayed and still doesn't know when he'll go. The Elders and Sisters in my district who are going to Houston North haven't heard anything about being delayed. Especially because we got travel plans with flights. It is possible they could still get delayed, but from my knowledge they're good to go. I have heard and seen some pictures of the devastation in Houston. I heard about the temple flooding and water hitting roof tops. Not much else. If you so desire, I would love to get a news update because I can't check KSL like I used to;)

That is super exciting for Josh Newman. I'll keep him in my prayers. I'm sorry you aren't feeling well. Haha, when you said that Spencer is eating corn dogs I had a vision. Spencer is in his blue basketball shorts, with a white undershirt, having one foot up on the barstool or the kitchen table bench dipping his corndog in BBQ sauce:)

Sunday: 

First, Elder Bird was released from DL and Elder Broschart was called as new DL. During Sacrament meeting I was awake the whole time. The rest of church was good. Elder Gibby and I taught a lesson on the Book of Mormon. We basically just thought of questions to ask the group of missionaries and led a discussion on why the Book of Mormon is important. 

Funny and kinda taco story.... I walked into the Cafeteria for dinner and a guy at the cash register looks at me and says:

Guy: "you have a very soft face."

Me: "um... thanks..."

Guy: "I really like it."

Me: "um... thanks..."

Guy: "where did you get it?

Me: "um... my parents..."

Guy: "do you know anything about traits and genetics?"

Me: "um... no..."

Guy: "yeah, most people don't really know where they got there traits from, so I was wondering if you did."

Me: "ha...ha....um... no... I don't..."

Me: *run away*

After that awkward experience, we had Sunday night devotional. The Managing Director of the Missionary Department came and talked to us about our missions. To bring others to Christ. After the devotional we went to see Tad Callister's talk. He talked about becoming a consecrated missionary. It was a great experience and I really learned a lot.

Monday: 

Monday was an exciting day!! During exercise time a few of us Elders were playing basketball. Elder Bird, old DL, got the ball in the post, and jumped in the air to make his lay up. On his way into the air, Elder Birds elbow hit Elder Gibbys jaw and Elder Gibby bit completely through his lip. When we took him to the BYU health clinic across from the MTC , the doctor had him wash out his mouth, and water dropped out of the hole in his face. Kinda crazy. The only nice thing about this experience was... I got to ride in a car for the first time in 28 days!!!:) pretty exciting.

Tuesday:

Tuesday was great. Nothing crazy exciting. When we taught our investigator Constanza, who I personally think is a real investigator, the lesson was pretty good. We tried to teach the Plan of Salvation, but she just asked more questions on the Book of Mormon and then started asking questions about where our prophets come from... it was tough. 

Tuesday Night Devotional was great. Here are some of my notes.

• We are called to gather the elect. That is our purpose.
• It is important to have a testimony of our Savior. The testimonies of others can only take us so far.
• If I don't have a strong light and conversion about Jesus Christ. Get one.
• Teach Repentance and Baptize Converts.

Devotionals are the best. Before the mission though, I HATED Devotionals. Now, Devotionals are fantastic.

Wednesday:

Wednesday was Awesome!!! When we taught our investigator Constanza, we walked in and asked if she has read the Book of Mormon and prayed since last time we met. She started crying and said that she knows the Book of Mormon is true and she sees how it applies to her life. We then went on to teach the Plan of Salvation and how because Christ suffered for her, He knows her problems and she can rely on Him. One of the greatest things Christ did for us is being baptized. We then extended the baptism invitation to her and asked if she would be baptized on a specific date. She said she wants to know more. We explained that getting baptized is an act of faith and she will be blessed for following the example of Christ. We asked her again and she said she will pray about it. We will know more on Friday. That is our next discussion with her.

Thursday:

Thursday started out CRAZY!!! I was talking with Elder Bird and I learned that he grew up in Camarillo, California. I told him that is where dad grew up and asked if he knew Burl and Char Bushman. He said no, so I left it alone. Later in the day he was telling me about one of his best friends who is coming to the MTC. JP Arbon. When I heard the name, i paused for a second and then it hit me. I know the Arbon family. I asked if he had a sister named Beth. I don't know how I remember that but... i did. Anyway, Elder Bird knows all the Arbons, he knows some Beifuss's and he knows John Troxell. Crazy right? Elder Birds mom is super good friends with Paul Arbon. Elder Birds moms name is Michelle Barlow. Supposedly, there are tons of Barlows all over Camarillo and they are all the family of Elder Bird. Anyway, super small world.

After that whole thing happened, we headed to exercise where Elder Gibby, hurt himself once again. We were playing basketball and Elder Gibby ran into some bleachers and bruised his arm super bad. He popped a blood vessel in his arm. I'll send a pic.

In our halls of our residence, the Elders hang flags of there mission. Elder Broschart hung a Texas Flag. The whole MTC was notified that it is a fire hazard and all flags had to be taken down. When Elder Broschart brought it back in, Elder Byington said, "oh dang... there is a hole in the flag"

I started singing immediately the following:

"There's a hole in my bucket dear Liza, dear Liza, there's a hole in my bucket dear Liza a hole.

Then fix it dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry, then fix it dear Henry, dear Henry fix it.

with what shall I fix it dear Liza, dear Liza, with what shall I fix it dear Liza with what?

with a stick dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry, with a stick dear Henry, dear Henry a stick.

but the stick is too long dear Liza, dear Liza, but the stick is too long, dear Liza too long.

Then cut it dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry, then cut it dear Henry, dear Henry cut it.

With what shall I cut it dear Liza, dear Liza, with what shall I cut It, dear Liza with what?

With an ax dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry, with an ax dear Henry, dear Henry an ax.

But the ax is to dull, dear Liza, dear Liza, but the ax is to dull, dear Liza to dull.

Then sharpen it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry, then sharpen it dear Henry, dear Henry sharpen it.

With what shall I sharpen it, dear Liza, dear Liza, with what shall I sharpen it, dear Liza with what?

With a rock, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry, with a rock dear Henry, dear Henry a rock.

But the rock is to dry, dear Liza, dear Liza, but the rock is to dry, dear Liza to dry.

Then wet it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry, then wet it dear Henry, dear Henry wet it.

With what shall I wet it, dear Liza, dear Liza, with what shall I wet it, dear Liza with what?

With water dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry, with water dear Henry, dear Henry, WATER.

But I don't have any water, dear Liza, dear Liza, I don't have any water, dear liza, water...

Then fetch it dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry, then fetch it dear Henry, dear Henry fetch it.

With what shall I fetch it, dear Liza, dear Liza, with what shall I fetch it, dear Liza with what?

With a bucket dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry, with a bucket dear Henry, dear Henry, a bucket.

But there is a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza, there is a hole in my bucket, dear Liza a hole."

I thought mom would appreciate it:)

Friday:

Friday was a good day. When we taught Constanza, we again invited her to be baptized. She accepted our invitation to be baptized on September 30th. She also committed to go to church and work on repenting. I really believe that she is a real investigator. She has been great, but Friday was the last day we taught her. Also, on Friday we got our travel plans!!! Pictures of them will follow so you can have all the info.

Spanish is going well. The reason Spanish is hard is because there isn't a word for every English word. In English, if I was to say, "will you pray?" It would translate in Spanish to, "Orará." That's it. One word for three English words. Anyway, it's pretty fun to speak but hard.

 

During exercise time, Elder Gibby sat out because of his injuries but that didn't stop people from getting hurt. Elder Broschart was biking and then started running laps, he ran hard enough that he threw up, Elder Painter was playing four square and popped his arm out of its socket, Hermana Anderson was playing basketball and passed out because she is hyperglycemic. Elder Bybee has been sick since we got here, Elder Byington hurt his knee and ankle last week, Elder Bird has TBD(Ty Bird Disease). It basically is stomach pain that no doctor has been able to figure out. Anyway, our district is pretty beat up:)

Anyway, There is a small recap of the week. Hopefully not too long:)

Love, Elder Bushman

 

Meme, courtesy of Elder Painter

Fun Reunion with Sister Curzon!!

 

"I testify to you that our promised blessings are beyond measure. Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments. There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us."

—Thomas S. Monson, "Be of Good Cheer"