Another Week in Anchorage

Hello everybody!

 

Well we had some interesting events happen this week. Our number one investigator went back to prison...I could not believe how devestated I was over that! I loved him so much. It was hard to see his mom in sorrow as well. It was sudden, but it was due to old habits is why he went back. Our second top investigator is not interested in any lessons at all right now either, sheesh! It is just a bump in the road right now tho, I am actually surprised at how well I am handling all of it. The best part about myself (bye humble card) is that I cannot stay mad or stressed, I just can't, it is so great :) hahaha, anyways.

 

It has been interesting adjusting to that while still training 2 trainees at the same time, a lot of curveballs have been thrown, but it has all been worth it nonetheless. Elder Holtz is going to be the Senior companion this week, as part of the training program, so he will spearhead everything. He will do awesome, I know he will, he is a solid missionary. He has been trained well ;)

 

I am losing weight right now! Just a side note! I am working out pretty consistently every morning and am actually eating really healthy! I have not told you about what I eat or the new foods I like or anything. I think all of ya'll will be surprised. I make myself a shake every morning which consists of: milk, a banana, protein, mixed fruit, spinach, and oats. It is soooo good, I will have to introduce everyone to that, it is delectible! Then for lunch I eat steamed vegetables, they are way good I love them! I pretty much eat everything right now, I love food. One of my favorite scrips right now is 2 Ne. 9:51, at the very end of it it says to 'delight in fatness'! I love it, great scripture!

 

I am running short on time, I love library computers and I still have to write my weekly to Pres. Hope you like the pics I sent, the first one is Holtz and I during weekly planning, and the second one is the traditional Alaskan swing set :) I will do my very best to include more detials in the next letter. Be patient, ya'll know how I am with details ;)

 

Love you all!

 

Love,

Elder Hartman1

 

Questions from Mom:

1.  WHAT WAS THE BEST THING THAT HAPPENED TO YOU THIS WEEK?

 

You know how I feel about this question, it is so hard for me to answer!....I have no idea, doing missionary work! :)

2.  YOU HAVEN'T SENT ANY PICTURES LATELY - IS THERE A REASON?  WE WOULD LIKE TO POST SOME ON YOUR BLOG.

 

I am sending some today.

3.  HOW IS THE TRAINING GOING?  GIVE SOME EXAMPLES TO BACK UP WHAT YOU SAY.

 

It is going pretty good. I do not really know how to give examples to back up what I say, but it is really rewarding nonetheless. I just have to try and keep my cool and not get too stressed.

4.  WHAT DID YOU DO FUN THIS WEEK?  DESCRIBE IN DETAIL.

 

Every Wednesday we have sports night for the YSA ward that we cover. I played a Samoan - who weighs 240+ - in some one on one basketball, that was really interesting...

5.  WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING FOR SERVICE PROJECTS LATELY?

 

Stuff for the Iditarod, mainly putting hay into bags - what I did last year, I sent pictures of it last year. We also organized food.

6.  TELL US ABOUT YOUR DISTRICT - WHO YOU LIKE AND WHY - WHAT YOU DO WITH THEM - HAVE YOU HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THEM - WHAT THINGS HAVE YOU LEARNED BEING THEIR LEADER?

 

That is not one question, but anyways ;) we have district meeting every tuesday at 10:30. We get along great, I love this district. The thing I have learned would probably be....boldness probably, there has been some times when the district meeting has gotten a little out of hand.

I have a tad bit more time to send a small letter.

 

Thank you everyone for the packages!!! They were awesome, I loved them!!

 

To answer some of Kennedy's questions; the first place I want to go to when I get home is Panda Express, there is no Panda up here and it is suffocating me!!!

My favorite companion.....I try not to have favorites in all honesty, everyone of them I would serve with again tho, they were all awesome!

I cannot remember the last question, I forgot to write it down sorry! Any other questions you have I would love to answer tho :)

 

Transfers are in 2 weeks, that is really exciting, the anticipation is the best part in my opinion. There will be a lot of changes around here, no doubt. A lot of missionaries I know are going home. It is always weird to see missionaries you have served around for a period of time suddenly leave, it goes by so much faster then we all anticipate!

 

The weather here has been really nice, consistently around 25-30+ degrees. It is during the break up part of the year, so our shoes and cars look great!

 

That is some of the minor details I missed, I love you all thank you again!

 

Love,

Elder Hartman1

 

Note from the Editor: The pictures he mentioned were never received. I'll post them if they come through later.