Year 2, Week 24: He Got Baptized!

Hello Family! 

This week has been fabulous! 

To start off with the best news, S got baptized! It was a wonderful experience! Everything went super well and according to plan. Hermano Jimenez, the member who accompanied us to all his lessons, baptized him into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! S. was super happy and it was amazing to see the light he has! The members were very welcoming to him. After his baptism, he asked Elder Fragoso and I where he could get one of the Elder plaques. We explained that he couldn't until he goes on a mission with his wife if he wants to. We mentioned how he could go out with the Missionaries in the Dominican Republic just like Hermano Jimenez did and he got super excited! He was given the Holy Ghost by our Branch Mission Leader the following Sunday and was interviewed for the Aaronic Priesthood after. He will be receiving the Priesthood next Sunday so he can go to the temple and bless the Sacrament before he goes back to the DR. I will miss him when he leaves but it's all good! We have Facebook! Several of the members got his number so they can call him when they go back to visit the Dominican Republic. It was awesome!! Fabulous experience! 

The English Elders in Worcester cover 2 wards and also had a baptism in each ward on Saturday. Elder Fragoso and I were able to do the Baptismal interviews because Elder Aure is the District Leader. Those were fun! They are both 9 year old boys who know so much about the church! It was awesome. 

I don't know if you remember J. from way back in September. We stopped by her house this week and followed up with her to see if she would be interested in learning again and coming to church. We came back the next day and had a lesson with them. It went well! We talked a lot about the blessings she saw in her life when she was coming to church and how she feels now. She said that she saw a lot of blessings and those blessing aren't there anymore. She didn't come to church this week so we will see where that ends up going. 

That's pretty much it that happened this week. Some other lessons with people but nothing too out of the ordinary. 

We have some awesome things coming up! Exchanges with the English Elders, exchanges with the Assistants, Zone Conference next week, and then transfer texts next week too. There is only 2 more weeks in the transfer! That's crazy haha! Time is going by quicker and quicker. 

I love you! 

Elder Bushman 

 

 

Year 2, Week 23: I Love Him

This week has been wonderful! We had some super great experiences which were awesome!! Let's start with S!

The lesson went really well and the spirit was present! It was so great. S began by telling us how church was for him 2 weeks ago, because of the time he had to attend the one in Natick by his work, he loved the sacrament, "body and blood of Christ", the music, he sang along with the chorus, and how many children there were. He said he had to wait in the foyer while the Sacrament happened so we knew he was there! Haha! 

We talked about how he would share the gospel with his wife in the DR. We then role-played. It went so great! He bore such great testimony. He knows this is the true church, he has felt the spirit in the lessons while we teach him about the commandments, heaven and God. He specifically knew that eternal marriage was true when we first taught it to him. O also shared his testimony on how he knew it was true. He kept saying he felt "joy".

After the role play, we discussed how him teaching his wife would go, we invited him to share a scripture with his wife to get it started! He said his wife needs a message of hope. Together we went to the topical guide and read 4 scriptures on hope.

He chose Ether 12:4 to send her, saying it teaches about anchoring our souls. We then practiced them writing down their testimonies. They both wrote amazing testimonies. We should help them learn the real name of the church though. O wrote his testimony in a Book of Mormon and committed to share it with his friend, D, from work! 

The spirit was very strong, they both love the gospel and how they feel. S said he would be at church and he still wants to get baptized! 

Starting Jan. 9-22 S will be at home from Thursday to Sunday taking care of his dad. So he will never have any commitments to attend to on Sundays! This all happened on Tuesday! We kept in touch with him and he came to church yesterday! Because he was there, he said he wanted to be baptized and we announced his baptism in Sacrament Meeting. So he will be getting baptized on the 12th! We are so excited for him!! We have it all planned so he can still go to the temple and get the Priesthood.

We had exchanges this week with the Spanish Elders in Framingham! I was able to go with an Elder named Elder Johnson! He knows a bunch about Spanish so I asked him some questions that I've been thinking about! We had a great exchange and worked to find some members who we could work with! Elder Fragoso has been companions with Elder Johnson so we talked a lot about what we've learned from him and things like that!

We went to interviews this week and were there from 9:30-5. We sat in all the District Councils to see how we could best help our DLs. After everything, we had our interviews at the end. President asked us if we had eaten and we said no. We were planning on going to get Brazilian food and President said he would join us! It was awesome!! I love him! And I finally got the picture that mom asked me for 3 months ago!

I and M said that they were coming to church with their mom. We talked with their mom and she said she wasn't going because of things she had to do. We got a ride for the kids, but morning of she took them to the doctors...  We aren't exactly sure what we are going to do to help them. To be continued...

Anyway! That was about the entire week! It was a good one. We are looking forward to this week! 

Love you all! 

Elder Bushman

 

 

Year 2, Week 21: Baptism is on for This Weekend

Wow! This week has been a little crazy! First, I'll give you an update on our people!

S, R & O! We had a lesson with them on Tuesday. We told them that they would be able to be baptized on December 29th if they were able to go to church and continue going after! O still is working, but S said that he would be able to come. We set the date for the 29th! 

Saturday night rolled around and S confirmed he would be at church. Sunday morning comes and we get a heart breaking text message. 

S - "I have a commitment with my Sister that I forgot about and will not be able to come to church." 

We reply by saying, "we know that sometimes in life, there are things that get in the way of God. We promise that if you put God first and come to church, you will be blessed in all aspects of life!"

S - "I will be there. What's the address again?" 

We were on top of the world. While waiting at church, he texted us and said he still needed to help his Sister and take his brother to work in another city. He asked for the directions to another Spanish group and went to a different branch closer to work! He wasn't here in Worcester but still went! His baptism is on for this weekend!!! R & O will be getting baptized later, sometime in January! 

I haven't mentioned this family yet but I will tell you now! :) I&M! They are kids of a member named S. We have been meeting with them lately and are trying to help I, 11, get baptized. M, 8, will be baptized at the same time, but as a member baptism, not a convert baptism.

They are slow to understand things so we repeat a lot. We made flash cards with them so they can remember their vocabulary words! We had them draw pictures for words such as: commandments, prophet, Joseph Smith, Sacrament, Baptism, etc. With that, they are retaining more information and learning quicker! Haha! They are adorable. 

Well they committed to coming to church, but their mom didn't answer Sunday morning. We went by to visit them and the door to their apartment complex was locked. We had no way to contact them. So they didn't go to church... But there is always next week. 

R&A still are with their dad on Sundays. Their mother texted us and told us that they are planning on holding off on church for a while. We aren't sure what that means exactly but... 

Because it was Christmas, several members brought some family who aren't members! So we had some other people at church. It was great! Lots more success this week then past weeks. Christmas time is always the best as a missionary! 

We had a bunch of appointments on Friday, so we decided to celebrate on Wednesday! We went to a Brazilian Buffet restaurant. I wanted to stick to my diet better so we went to get meat and veggies! Let me tell ya! Sooo good! :) I decided to cheat a little and eat some pineapple! We will definitely be going back there again. 

This week was wonderful! Great times! Thank you all for the birthday gifts and cards. They mean a lot to me! I love you all very much! 

Elder Bushman 

 

 

Year 2, Week 15: Awesome Conversion Story

This week was good. Lots of missed appointments which is sad but it still was a good week.

We tried something new this week. We were trying to help the members of our Branch recognize the blessings of the Restoration. We had 2 member appointments this week. The first one was super good! The member is named Ana Maria. She was baptized by Elder Porritt, one of my companions in Waterbury, but moved to Worcester from Lynn, MA. She has an awesome conversion story. She wasn't sure if she wanted to be baptized and had lots of doubts but then had a dream where she knew the church was true and 4 days later, was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She got so excited about it that we invited her to share the blessings of the Gospel with others. She has a friend at work who is struggling and she said that she would share her testimony with her. We role played her sharing her testimony to help her feel comfortable!

The second appointment didn't go so hot. We were visiting a family where the wife Is completely active, but the husband only comes to Sacrament Meeting.

They shared the stories of them finding the church. He shared about his mission experience and how he found the church at the age of 18. Hermana shared about the church she used to attend and how through a family she was living with, found the Church of Jesus Christ .

We invited them to think of a name that they could share the Gospel with. She told us about a friend she has at work who she has already tried to share the Gospel with but didn't accept her invitation. She said that she couldn't think of another person to share the gospel. We asked if we could role play with her to help her feel comfortable. Hermano did not like that.

He shared how members of the church stay within their inner circle of friends and don't branch out. He shared how the responsibility of missionary work is on the missionaries. He expressed how activities can help but missionaries should do it.

He shared how he hasn't read from the Book of Mormon since his mission and that he is considered active as long as he comes to Sacrament Meeting. He shared how he loves to pray and does it everyday. He shared how every missionary comes through and does the same routine of asking for referrals. We concluded with an invitation for him the read the Book of Mormon and he said he would not commit to doing it.

Hermana  shared how she reads, prays, attends the temple, holds a calling, watches conference, and does what she needs to do to gain Salvation. 

We offered service but he wouldn't accept because of past experiences with missionaries missing the service event. So we hurry and concluded with a prayer and left! So that was a sad experience. We'll keep trying though!

We had an appointment with a guy named A but when we went over he wasn't home. His brother, M, was however! We asked if A had a phone and aid, "who is A?? I have a brother named M? Guys, he was probably drunk when he told you his name!" haha well, M wasn't there!! We had a good lesson with M though! 

The Sisters had a baptism of a guy named F this week! They called him months ago and he said," call me on October 10th." so they did and he got baptized on Saturday! So exciting news for them!

We met a guy named Y and he told us to come by his house. We knocked on his door, but a guy named A answered the door and asked us to come in because it was super cold outside. S, his wife, was there and we asked them about their beliefs. They believe in Christ and God but have attend so many churches and are tired of criticism coming from them.

We explained how Joseph Smith also had this question. Which church is true? They asked questions about the name of the Church, who Mormon was, if we believe in Christ or God, if we can marry outside of the church etc.

They accepted Invitations to read and pray. They've seen many missionaries in Puerto Rico and asked if the Church was an American Church because all the missionaries there are Americans! Haha:) they don't work Sundays and have a car so we are looking forward to meeting again with them. At they end, we asked if they knew Y and they have never heard of him! Haha:) fun times!

Nobody came to church again so we will have to consider stopping the teaching of some people.

Not much else happened this week! 

Love you all 

Elder Bushman 

 

 

Year 2, Week 12: They Want the Blessing of Eternal Life

Hello Family! This week has gone by super fast! Lots of stuff happened but I don't even remember half of it. Let's see...

Monday night we spent trying to look for a less active family with unbaptized children. Their phone number didn't work so we were passing by their house. We knocked and a kid named A. answered. The family that we were looking for wasn't there but we went in and started sharing our message with some others. A., his mom, S, her boyfriend, J., their cousin J and L were all there. J. invited us in to share a message with S., they then asked the entire household to join in. They pulled J out of his room to listen. 

They listened intently and wanted to learn more about the church. They asked about where and when our church met and if there was transportation to get there or if someone could pick them up. They believe in God, and the Son as their Savior.

A. offered the closing prayer; it was really good. He gave lots of thanks... thanks for the trials in his life that make him strong. His mom said as we left that that was the first time she'd ever heard him pray out loud! It was a super sincere and cool prayer. 

Elder Fragoso and I forgot to order more supplies so we had zero Book of Mormons, so we didn't teach the Book of Mormon. We need to teach them that next time! When we came back later in the week we had more stuff. We were able to teach the Book of Mormon and share what it was. We invited them to pray and ask to know if it was true.

Last week I talked about J, J, S, M & M. We had a lesson with them this week and they told us that they are looking for God and don't believe he is in churches. They shared how they wouldn't go to church for 3 hours and that they know everything there is to know. It was pretty sad. Instead of being angry or annoyed, all we felt was love for them and knew that they just needed sometime. We committed them to read and pray and left.

We started teaching O, R & S about the Commandments. Since they started working on Sundays we first taught Sabbath day. They shared that commandments are just rules so we helped them understand it was also to show God we love him and to get blessings. They understood. They want the blessing of eternal life! 

Hno. Jimenez, one of our members, bore strong testimony. He works on Saturday nights from 8 to 5 in the morning and comes to church at 11. He has a super strong testimony that church attendance is key. They enjoyed that. 

When we brought up baptism, O & S smiled and said they were still excited to prepare for baptism. They knew what it meant and the blessings it would bring! 

The spirit was very strong, after 1 Nephi 3:7 and that O. agreed to talk to his new boss and get Sundays off.

C., the sister, shared she felt good and that she felt like what we were saying was true. S.  said that was joy she was feeling because they were gathered as a family. C. mentioned it was the Holy Ghost.

We stopped by a man who had been taught in the past this week! It was super cool. His name is A! He shared with us that he has been looking for a church but hasn't been able to find one. He has felt the Spirit but feels that he loses the Spirit and goes back to his old ways. He wants to get married so his daughter can grow up in a family. He has cancer and so it's hard for him to come to church! 

D., his wife, and R., his niece, joined in after. D was open to receive the message but A. is still hesitant even though he has read from the Book of Mormon, but feels the need to continue reading and searching.

R&D, didn't say much but they seem open to our testimonies and the blessings we promised. A. was open to our testimonies but not so much to logic. A. has some misconceptions about the time-line of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. He is a little confused from misunderstanding past missionaries. But we are trying to help him!!

We fasted this week with R, A and Hermana L so that she could have custody of the kids! They said that it was hard for them to do it but they resisted all the food and treats that were placed in front of them. R and A said that they didn't like doing it but did!

When we talked about following the Prophet, they told us some of the responsibilities of prophets and that they were willing to follow him. 

During our discussion of following the law, A. said that she didn't think that obeying the law was a commandment but once we said it was she quickly said that she changed and believes that is a commandment.

During the Word of Wisdom, R and A quoted back to us the 5 things we aren't supposed to put into our bodies. They said that the reason we shouldn't take those things is because we aren't smart and we can be addicted. The are such smart kids! Hermana L. said that R shouldn't be drinking Coke because it's against the Word Of Wisdom! Hahaha! We cleared that up! 

They accepted all commitments and said they would live everything!

We had some other appointments and such this week! It was a good one.

O, S and R's car broke so they didn't come to church:( they won't be able to be baptized this month.. :/

All is well here! 

Love you all! 

Elder Bushman 

 

 

Year 2, Week 10: We had 7 People Watch Conference

Hello Family!

This week has been pretty good! Lots of stuff going on and happening. Biggest news is that General Conference happened. We had 7 people watch conference. Some came to the church and others watched from their houses. It was a great day! I will be honest. I thought a lot more stuff was going to happen so when President Nelson got up for the last time, I was expecting a BOMB to drop. 12 new temples is awesome but I was expecting a little more.

Other than that, not a lot happened this week. We spent most of our time in some meetings and really trying to get people to come and watch conference. A, R, O, and S all watched it so they are still looking good to be baptized on the 27th of October.

We had several meetings this week as well. We met with President Mavromatis, Sister Mavromatis, the Stake President, the High Councilman over the Ward Mission Leaders. We talked all about what the plans for the Stake are and how we can help accomplish those goals! It went great. 

We had a Mission Leadership Council as well. We were there for hours and I skipped the lunch they had! We talked a lot about what things are happening in our mission that is causing lower results. Over the past 4 years, our mission has averaged 34 baptisms a month. The highest in the East! This last couple of months, it is has declined to 15 baptisms in the month of September. We talked about why this is happening and set in plans to achieve better results through higher obedience and more consecrated actions. Our goal is to have 26 baptisms in our mission this month. Our Zone is looking like we will be able to help 13 people get baptized! We are really trying to stretch ourselves and read that goal! Other than that, not much has happened!

Sorry for the short letter! Love you all!!

Elder Bushman

Year 1, Week 52: Juan Got Baptized!

First, I would like to send a thought I had while studying yesterday. I sent this out to our Zone but it can be applied directly to us. 

In October 2012 General Conference, Elder David A. Bednar said, "A testimony is spiritual knowledge of truth obtained by the power of the Holy Ghost. Continuing conversion is constant devotion to the revealed truth we have received—with a heart that is willing and for righteous reasons. Knowing that the gospel is true is the essence of a testimony. Consistently being true to the gospel is the essence of conversion. We should know the gospel is true and be true to the gospel."

Am I converted? The answer to this question is based upon action. Like faith without works is dead, testimony without works is dead. A testimony cannot withstand the" fiery darts of the adversary" (Helaman 5:12) if not nourished by living and acting upon the message of the Gospel.

Preach my Gospel says, "a great indicator of one's personal conversion is the desire to share the gospel with others" (pg 13).

Before our missions we should have received a witness of why we decided to serve. It might have been a testimony of prophets and we knew we needed to serve missions because we have a testimony of a living prophet. It could have been the Holy Ghost directing us to serve. Whatever the case may be, our testimony of why we are here is dead if we do not work and show our conversion.

If we dedicate two years to serve the Lord and not consecrate ourselves, are we going to dedicate ourselves when we return? If we serve with "lightness and frivolity in your hearts, looking for this and that, and to learn what is in the world,... You will go and return in vain" (Missionary Manual pg 7). 

Elders and Sisters, let us focus in on the work of the Lord and show our conversion to Him!

As I've tried to focus more on the reasons why we do things I have found a deeper desire to work harder. Anyway, but for the big news... 

Juan got baptized on Saturday. It was a great experience even though he got baptized twice. We filled the font as high as we could but it didn't even come up his waist. He is 6'4, a very big man. The Branch Presidency didn't show up though so we had to wait for 40 minutes before it started. On Sunday he was confirmed a member of the church and that was a super awesome experience. It's interesting to listen in Spanish. When we say receive the Holy Ghost, in Spanish you use the command form. So we as Priesthood, are commanding the Spirit to come to Juan... It's kinda awesome when you think about it!

Not much else happened this week. We had Zone Conference and Elder Warner and I gave trainings, we had exchanges with the English Elders, and that's about it. Super super busy with not much happening. I gave a training in District Meeting that went pretty well. I talked about how we need to convert ourselves and be a strong chain that others can lean on. It was pretty cool. I think it went well.

Anyway, love you all! 

Elder Bushman

Year 1, Week 50: A Car Literally Blew Up....but we got a Picture

This week has been super busy!

We had interviews with President Mavromatis. He said he wanted each interview to last 10 minutes and with 18 missionaries in our zone it should have only taken 3 hours... Well. President said he wanted everyone at the church at 8 in the morning to begin interviews. We arrived at 8 in the morning and left at 4 in the afternoon. This day was sooooooo long! I had a good interview. We talked about what his plans were and then he asked me if I had any questions or concerns that I wanted him to address. There wasn't any so it ended. Some members of the zone had 40+ minute interviews. After that, President Mavromatis came to our apartment and looked at it and asked questions about our zone and individual companionship's. It was a long day. That night, we started our exchange with the Spanish Elders working in Framingham, MA.

I was working with Elder Hoisington. It was a great exchange and we got a lot done. I helped him to understand that whenever you contact a person to start teaching and testifying, instead of asking if they want to learn about the Gospel. It was great. I was in their area and got to check our Framingham and their apartment. 

On Thursday we had weekly planning and some other activities. We were able to go out and work that day and try to find people, set appointments, etc. Not very exciting day because we were planning.

We had District Meeting on Friday. Then we were able to go back down to Waterbury to see the baptism of G. Remember the girl Elder Neeley and I started teaching? We were a little late because a car literally blew up and was in flames on the freeway so we weren't able to actually see her get baptized. It was kind of a bummer, but we got a picture with all the missionaries who taught her. It was pretty cool. I will send that picture in a separate email. That night we drove to Boston to go on exchanges with the Assistants.

I was working with AP Harris. He has been out for 23 months and has been an assistant for the last 8 months. He is such a good missionary and his teaching skills are incredible! I learned a lot about teaching very simply and asking good questions to guide our teaching! It was super cool. We helped with a baptism that day so part of it was doing service but then we were out teaching, finding, contacting, and praying the rest the day! He is super consecrated to his mission and only listens to Mormon Tabernacle Choir and sometimes EFY. He always tries to stay in a spiritual mood. I learned a lot from him! We had several awesome lessons with people and followed the spirit's direction. We met with some people that they hadn't been able to get in touch with for months. It was a great exchange. I was super tired by the end of the night though. That was all Saturday.

Sunday is church, studies, and calls. So we weren't able to be out contacting a lot. We gave a blessing to a recent convert and Juan came to church! He is set to get baptized the 28th of July.

Not much else went down!!

Love you

Elder Bushman

 

Year 1, Week 42: Finally Going to Massachusetts

Hello Family! This week has gone by ridiculously quickly!!

First off, transfer news. I am being transferred out of Waterbury and I'm finally going to go to Massachusetts. I'm serving in Waltham which is about an hour from Boston. My new companion is named Elder Perkes. I'm bummed to be leaving Elder Porritt but I'm excited for some change. It was fun serving in Waterbury with Elders Tirado, Neeley, and Porritt.  I've wanted to serve in Waltham my entire mission because that's the closest I can get to Boston until Spanish Elders are put back in. I'm still going to be the District Leader in Waltham but it is a District with me, my companion, Zone Leaders, and Sister Training Leaders. Elder Perkes came out with me but he went to the Mexico MTC. 

This week has been full of laughs with Elder Porritt and I. First off, Tuesday morning Elder Porritt walks over to me and says, "hey, just so you know, I stole some of your body cleanse powder and drank it." With a nervous look in my eye I asked, "how much did you take?" haha, he only took a scoop but it wrecked him pretty good! We were out knocking around 3:30 and he said he needed to go to the bathroom. We head to the church and then go back out to knock. When we get to the street we are planning on knocking, he says... "OK, we need to go home. You can do record inputs while I am in the bathroom." It reminded me of the good ole days of 1 scoop fiber, 1 scoop cleanse! 

We also made a crockpot roast! I made bróccoli while Elder Porritt had the potatoes and carrots that we cooked in the roast. It was mighty fine!! SOOO good! Best roast I've ever had!

We haven't had a whole lot of stuff happen this week. It's been a bummer. All our lessons have been getting canceled and people aren't there. 

We had Zone Conference which was awesome! President Miller gave a super cool talk on what we can do to be life long disciples. It was pretty great! I took a lot away from it!

Interviews were also super cool! President Miller is awesome! It'll be a bummer when he goes home. He is one of the wisest men I've ever met.

On exchanges with Elder Phillipsen on Saturday we had some cool things happen. We were trying to decide what we should do for dinner. All the sudden, I had this super random thought. BDUBS!!! So we went to Buffalo Wild Wings. While there, the waitress took our order and started asking all about us. We told her who we were and what we did as missionaries. She said she wanted to learn more about the church so we got her phone number. Idk if anything will come out of it, but it was still a cool experience. 

We also went to a lesson with an investigator named O. She was too busy to talk with us so we talked to her Brother. He asked us a ton of questions because he knew some about our church. He asked about polygamy, how to gain Salvation, hell and where God lives, the difference between the Bible and the Book of Mormon. We talked a lot about the Book of Mormon and how if he will read it, ponder it, pray about it, and come to church, we will feel happiness and peace. He committed to reading 3 Nephi 12 and compare it with Matthew 5. Elder Phillipsen doesn't speak any Spanish so I was talking the entire time. Because of that lesson, I feel a lot more confident with my Spanish.

D. got baptized yesterday. She was the one that Elder Porritt and I found and then passed to the English Elders. It was a great baptismal service. I had the opportunity to interview her for her baptism. She was SOOO ready. She was practically living everything before we found her except for drinking coffee. She stopped when they asked her to and hasn't had any for the last 3-4 weeks! Super cool and I'm so happy for the English Elders.

Elder Smith is being transferred to Newport, CT. 

Anyway, I can't think of anything else to write. Love you all!! 

Elder Bushman

Year 1, Week 25: We had 39 People!

Not much happened this week. The only SUPER exciting thing was Tania getting baptized! That was so awesome!

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday was full of preparing for her baptism. We got to the Chapel at 3:30 to start filling the font for the baptism at 7. We starting filling it and had the other Elders watch it while we went to Chesire, a 20 minute drive from our chapel to pick up the programs that a member printed for us. We got them, drove back, and checked on the font. It was almost done! 6/7 of the way, but the water was super hot! We decided to turn the cold water on for the last little bit to cool it down for the baptism. We turned the cold water on, then left for about 5 minutes to prep some of the other things. When we came back down, all the water was brown. We immediately shut the water off, started draining, and turned the water back on to hopefully add some clean water to lessen the disgusting brown color. We realized that the water coming out of the faucet was also brown so we immediately plugged the font and started making calls. Tania showed up and we showed her the font and apologized. We said that she could either get baptized next week, or get baptized in the gross water. She was like, "I'm down. I'll get baptized in the gross water!" The rest of the evening went well. Nice talks and testimonies, etc.. When she got baptized, by her husband who was ordained to the office of Priest 2 weeks ago, she was crying and just hugged her husband for like 20 seconds. So.. It was a good experience. I have been super tired this week because of all the planning and such. I definitely am not good at planning so even attempting to plan is exhausting.

Yesterday at church was one of the best experiences I've ever had! One, Tania received the gift of the Holy Ghost and  Elder Tirado and I stood in the circle. When we all said amen she was again crying! It was a great experience. Also, usually at church there is like 10 people. This week we had 39 people at church! If this happens for a multiple weeks and shows growth, we could become a branch pretty soon!

Ashley was at church this week. We haven't seen her in 2 weeks and haven't given her a lesson in 2 1/2. She has tons of member support though so we aren't worried. Also at church, a random guy pulled up in a Ford F350, Super Duty, with two HUGE Smoke stacks coming out the back! Like, biggest truck I have ever seen in my life other than Semi's. The guy gets out, jeans, cowboy boots, and a foot long beard!! When I talked to him he said that he promised his grandma he would attend church before she died. He had never been to church in his life and had no idea where to go. He asked his cousin, who is a Mormon, and he referred him to us. We talked with him, got him in priesthood meetings etc. Basically, this guy lives in CT but loves Country Music! His favorite is Hank Williams Jr. Anyway, the reason I share this is because I haven't been able to talk country music with someone who ACTUALLY appreciates it in like 4 months!

Other than that, not much else happened. Spanish is going well. Working hard.

Love you all,

Elder Bushman

Year 1, Week 24: My All Time Goal For Life

So this week has been very very interesting. Not really even sure what happened but...

So Tania did not get baptized. President Miller was contacted and came to interview her himself to skip over all the young missionaries interviewing her. He met with her, talked, and came to the conclusion that she was set for baptism. Basically, Tania will be getting baptized this Thursday! We have been planning her baptism for the last couple days now. I will make sure to get pictures and everything for you mom! We are super excited that she is finally getting baptized though:)

We aren't really sure about Ashley either. We want to go over this week and check up and figure everything out.

Other than that. Nothing SUPER awesome happened other than President Nelson becoming the Prophet. We were able to watch the broadcast at a members house which was fun.

Transfer news, I am staying in Waterbury another transfer with Elder Tirado. Elder Goodman is getting transferred to North Brookfield, MA. An Elder named Elder Smith will be replacing him so I will let you know how he is.

I have been really really studying Spanish this week. I read 20 minutes of Spanish out load, study, write, and memorize conjugations, and then go through flash cards to learn and study vocab. I will be studying grammar once I enlarge my vocab enough.

During my Personal study I have been blazing through the Book of Alma. Definitely the best book in the Book of Mormon. Reading about Lehi, Moroni, Teancum, Helaman, Alma, and Amulek really make me want to stand with them so when Satan looks at me, the very Jaws of hell quake!

That is now my all time goal for life!

Elder Tirado attempted the 'Blazin' challenge but only ate 6 wings before he threw up into the rest of the wings! I will send photos.

MLK Day...We didn't do anything special for it. We did go over to the Second Counselor in the Bishopric for games and such. Nope, I have not explored Waterbury, like flurry. That is how I pronounce it. It really depends on the person if it is berry vs burry (like furry). 

Elder Tirado has been here in Waterbury for his whole mission. At the end of this transfer will mark 6 months in Waterbury for him. Which most likely means I will be getting a new companion at the end of this transfer.

 

Love y'all. As Mr. Haymond says, "Remember who you aren't!"

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