August 31, 2015

Hey y'all

  This week was kind of slow due to a lack of miles (and a bit of poor planning on our part).  But we made it and tomorrow we will be starting over and have a new batch of 1200 miles to drive.  This week was stake conference and the topic for the adult session was family council.  The main session was planning and preparing to be better saints. 

I hope this finds you all well

Elder Grayson  Strunk

First Full Week In Virginia

hey all,

things are going great this week, though Friday and Saturday were really stressful.  But first, questions!  This week we got our bikes back from Rocky Mount, we did visited some investigators and helped out some members.  The apartment is small, but honestly it is a great place, and I have no complaints.  The branch is amazing.  They have only a few priesthood age youth so we end up helping with sacrament.  the branch president is a nice guy and can cook some mean pork.  we have a lot of investigators though I've only met a few.  Sister Edwards is a very nice woman she is a smoker, but that is the only thing that is keeping her from baptism.  The Alleys are a part member family and really cool,  they like to talk and are the most humble people I have ever met.  Sister Alley has cancer and is going through a rough time  but she is doing better.  Our finding is mostly done through the area book or referrals from the Branch and family members of the branch. 

This week we did an exchange with Rocky Mount.  That is why Friday and Saturday were stressful.  Friday night I had a trial of fire put on my a member of the Rocky Mount branch (I didn't know he was a member at the time)  I did pretty well up until the end when he asked me something I didn't know, then I froze.  Afterwards he told me he was a member and gave me a few pointers on what to do when something like that happens.  Then came Saturday,  we were supposed to end the exchange and 10:30, then 11:00, then noon, then finally we ended at 5:30.  So that was not fun.  other than that though it was an awesome week.  Hopefully I got all of your questions this time.  If I didn't just shoot me an email and I'll  answer them.

see you next week

Elder Grayson Strunk

Elder Holbrook- The Trainer

This was a birthday party for Elder Holbrook- It was Ninja Turtles themed

Still at the party, but looking more like Missionaries.(Elder Holbrook is in the chair)

Finally Settled in Martinsville, VA.

Hey all,

  so, first few days out on the mission field and it has been crazy.  First thing's first, I'm going to get questions out of the way.  everything is going great,  it has been easier here than in the MTC where you all were so close.  OK area,  right now I am in a little town in Virginia called Martinsville*.  The area is called the Island, but it has been pretty fun.  I sent a few pics so those should be uploaded soon.  My companion/trainer's name is Elder Holbrook (nice detective work mom) he is from West Point, Utah and is a little on the crazy side, but he's been in this area for six months so.  the trip out was nice, if a bit long.  we landed at Yeager airport at 4:30 and got to the mission home about five.  from there it was a ten minute drive to the zone leader's apartment (where we stayed those two days). 

  now that I have finished with that, let's get down to the nitty gritty.  When we got back to the apartment from Charleston, it was seven thirty, so we couldn't really do any prosc. and we ended up doing a GTKY pow-wow.  the next day we went and visited a rehab center not far from our apartment and had a great time talking with the aides and eating Ice cream (censor that when you read this to Maclane).  We have a few investigators that we've talked to and they're all very nice.  other than that it has been pretty quiet here. 

see ya next week

  Elder Strunk

*for those wondering, Matinsville, VA is in the southern part of VA almost to the South Carolina boarder- almost due south of Roanoak, VA.

Elder Strunk with an unnamed Elder

The Provo Temple

Elder Strunk next to the statue of the Prophet Joseph Smith

Mom thinks this is either a bus/trax or airplane selfie.

Touchdown in West Virginia!

hey all, just a quick check in to let you know I made it safe and sound 

more to come in the weekly update

grayson

Checking in

Hey all,

First off I'd like to say that things have been crazy here as well, to two (-ish) weeks have flown by.  Tuesday was pretty cool, it started off with a great class and ended with a devotional by president Nelson of the quorum of the twelve.  Other then that we had a Skype lesson w/ a member in Las Vegas so that was pretty cool.  Then on Wednesday my companion caught the cold that has been going around so I haven't really been doing much the past few days.  I have been reading in third Nephi and the account of Christ's ministry to the Nephites.  It has been a pretty calm for the most part.  tell Maclane I said hi.  Tell rock he'll love all of the teachers and to have a great time at AFY

Until next time

 Grayson

Pics with his some of the Elders and Sisters in his district.

The first letter home!

hey all,

  it's been a crazy couple of days.  After I got here my host took me to the store and I got the name tags and room key and other things that were needed to get me settled in.  As I walked into the store you'll never guess who was walking out.  Elder Neff!  I said hi, but I don't think he recognized me.  After getting all my stuff into the residence I had a new arrival meeting to attend.  Which I promptly left ten seconds later due to a bloody nose.  that is really all that happened the first day.  the second day I woke up and my companion, Elder Capener, went to breakfast and then to our classroom.  We had zone teaching, and started to get in to the curriculum and talk about what the expectations were for the class.  (I feel blessed not to have to learn a language.)  The campus isn't all that hard to navigate, but it is more of a challenge when it is raining.  There haven't been any more incidents, nasal or otherwise.  The food here is amazing,  but I've had to set a limit to how much I can eat, otherwise I'll gain fifty pounds before I get into the field.  I get along well with all of my roommates and it has been a blessing as it has made me less homesick.  Yesterday as I was studying outside I ran into Elder Neff again though this time he was the one that called out to me.  I will be uploading pictures after lunch.  We have our first TRC (I'd tell you what that stands for, but I really can't remember) Investigator on Tuesday,  I am nervous and excited all at the same time.  the first couple of days felt pretty long, but after that it became easier.  There is a talk that was shown on Sunday that I recommend you look into.  It is The Character of Christ by Elder Bednar.  I can't wait to serve out in the field. 

Thank you for all the support,

Elder Grayson Burbidge Strunk

P.S. my room is full of Idahoans, I'm the only Utahan there.  I feel outnumbered