Wow. Another week done already. I can't believe I'm now on my 3rd week in the field, and that means I'm half way through my first transfer. When they say that days feel like weeks and weeks feel like days, it is so true. My favourite days here are the busiest days, because my thoughts are solely focused on missionary work. So... What did happen this week?
The big accomplishment of the week is that I am now driving. I did my three hours with an instructor, and now we can use the car. I'm getting used to driving on the opposite side much faster than I thought I would. With only one day of real driving down, it is starting to feel really natural.
One of my favourite things to do when street contacting or tracting is to look for any house with a ham radio antenna on top, and this week I found three. While in Whitham on Thursday, I met Nick, M3IMR. We were on our way to a dinner appointment when I saw a beam and a VHF/UHF vertical on a tower on a house. I was so excited I ran across the street without thinking about it, and we found Nick working on his car in the driveway. We talked for about 20 minutes, and I found out that two of his antennas came from the states. We didn't really share much about the Gospel, but that can come later. Sometimes it is just good to be friends with people first. I left him with a card with my call sign and phone number on it. The next house I found had an HF vertical in the back yard, but the wife of the ham was the only one home. We did talk about the Church, but the antenna served as a great ice breaker. We also left her a card. The last house I found had some type of Ford in the driveway with two dual band verticals on it, and I could see wire antennas in the back yard. No one was home, so we left them a card on the door.
We also had the chance to do a service project at the Griffin home. We basically dug a giant footing for a shed for three hours, and I was dead afterwards. Though I was physically tired, I definitely felt spiritually rejuvenated after that. When you are in service to your fellow man, you are in service to God (Mosiah 2:17). Physical activity is also a great way to combat depression.
We also had the opportunity to teach our investigator Sam on Friday. We met her in a park with her daughter, who is almost two years old. Sam is really receptive and we love teaching her. We haven't had the chance to teach William yet but we are going to this week.
While we were with the Clarke family on Saturday night, their son (who is probably three years old with lots of energy) took off running in my shoes around the house. I instantly remembered a story my dad told me from his mission in Japan when the kids took his shoes because they were so big and I thought "wow. Everything just came full circle" I was left smiling that whole night.
This week is going to be a busy one. Tomorrow we are going to Ipswich for a zone conference and farewell for President and Sister Jordan. On Tuesday we will be going to Colchester so my companion and district leader, Elder Seely, can conduct a baptismal interview, and I will have the opportunity to go on an exchange. Wednesday is district meeting, and Thursday we get to go to Hyde Park Chapel for three week missionary meeting. It's going to be a busy week, but that's what I like to have.
Oh, and I just want to say happy Father's Day to my dad. If it wasn't for some missionaries that found him in Las Vegas one day, I might not be here at all. Missionaries leave their own family for a short time so others can be with theirs for eternity. I know that being out on a mission will also blessings to my family. My dad had always supported me in whatever decision I made toward a mission, and I really appreciate that. Love you dad!
I have really fallen in love with Alma 26:12 this week. Go read it when you have the chance.
Cheers!
-Elder Ammermon