opposition is so fetching real (or circumstances arose, were pondered, and are being overcome)

hey all,

  so just an explanation of the title, things have been postponed with brother Ross due to circumstances that are not important.  the important thing is that even though the baptism had to be postponed we are still on good terms and have not given up.  

  other than that we have had a good week and picked up a few new investigators that are, if not super enthusiastic, listening to the discussions an not slamming the door on us.  we have done a lot of walking and have seen a lot of blessings for it.  we had a couple of former investigators drive up to us on the street and the husband started to mess with elder Davis and it was fun to watch.  After a few minutes of watching I told him that they were just messing with him and they invited us to dinner.  the only problem with that was that we had just eaten not five minutes ago... I really wanted to ride in that mustang....  Oh well maybe next time.  

  our spanish teaching has slowed down since we have lost the one among us who actually spoke a little bit of spanish, but, again, we have not given up 

see y'all next week 

  Elder strunk

the baptism bells are ringing in my ears... no, wait, that's just the alarm

GOOOOOOD MORNING VIETNAM!

 (I wanted to try something something different this week, tell me what you think.)

  this week has been great.  we had a lot of really spiritually powerful lessons and I am really excited to see what comes of it.  so the first thing that was awesome is we had a lesson wit the parents of a (not by choice) Less-active and they have been investigating for a long time and most of their family is mormon (all except their son who is a born-in-die-in Dutch Reformed, but what can you do?).  We talked and after a little while I asked her if she and her husband had been praying about baptism, and she was silent for a little while before tearing up and saying "yes, and it is working.  I feel that it will be soon," It took all I had not to jump out of the glider and shout for joy and give this sweet old lady a big hug. 

  the other Highlight came in the form of brother ross, who has now passed his baptismal interview and is getting baptized this sunday and confirmed in the next. so there is that. 

  and finally there was the call home (luv ya) in which I got to see that chaos as usual is going on at home.  

see y'all next week

Elder strunk

P.S. sorry about no pics this week.... I left my camera chord back at the apartment

of fluffy jelly beans and freak rain storms

This is actually from last week (April 26th).

hey all,

  this is going to be a crazy week because all in all we are getting a new companion (meaning I need to not only learn Spanish, but I also have to be mister-in-charge x/ ).  I am staying in Galax another transfer and more than likely will hit my year mark here.

  I don't know who else has had an experience like this but here we go: we were teaching brother Ross and his family and were talking about eternal families and the temple.  as we are wrapping up the lesson, brother Wisman (the ward mission leader) starts to bare his testimony when their pregnant cat comes in and lays down on the rug.  now this in and of it self wouldn't disrupt the lesson but then came the kittens.........   so brother Wisman wrapped it up and we left them to take care of the fluffy jellybeans.

  the Hispanic families are doing great we have been teaching the restoration and the plan of salvation although sister Rodriguez will not be having another lesson with us until after her daughter's quinceanera which is at the end of May.  the Ramos are doing really well and we will be seeing them in a few days.  

  other than that we had a freak rainstorm on Friday and ended up tracting in it... not fun and not something I would recommend.

see y'all next week (te veo la proxima semana)

  Elder strunk

greenie breaking to grim reaper

hey all,

  this week has gone by like a ride on the strange cross-breed of colossus and wild mouse, which is to say that it went by fast and crazy.  we have a few updates and all of the excitement.  we have had a fair few numbers of visits and Elder Davis is an awesome dude.  

first about elder Davis: he is  very relaxed and loves to work.  he is a embroidery addict and feels comfortable in craft stores.  we have a lot in common and he is going home in 2 transfers (hence the title). 

  We have had to push Brother Ross' baptism date back so that out ward mission leader's wife won't kill him.  when we scheduled it we didn't realize that the next day was mothers' day... so both Brother Wisman and brother Ross' wives have been a little short the past few days but that is past.  we have been teaching a few other people, but nothing too exciting.  we are loving the weather out here.

see y'all next week

  Elder Strunk

I made a bread-ish type thing

if you use this milk after the expiration date may the fourth be with you!

eagles may soar in the clouds, but weasels never get sucked into Jet engines

hey all

  so this week has been pretty much the same ol' same ol' it will be picking up this week though as it accelerates quickly towards Brother Ross' Baptismal date on the 7th of may ... (is it really two transfers to my year mark?) and we have been talking with and preparing him for the great blessings that will come from his faithfulness.  we have been teaching a Methodist with named Rusty that is very talkative and interested-but-not-at-the-same-time and he has been quite a hard person to catch (owing to the fact that he is the taxi service for all of his grandchildren).  

  the rest of the week was mostly just walking and talking and less actives.  

see y'all next week

Elder Strunk

these were in the phone-book and I couldn't help but snap a few pics of my favs

R2, Light speed to Endor!

Hey all,

  this week has flown by (if you couldn't tell by the title of the message:}) we have been teaching testifying and going through the all around craziness of being missionaries.  we have seen Brother Ross pick a date (may 7th) and have been teaching him a lot.  he is still going strong on the WOW (word of wisdom) and has come to church with his wife and his grandson Chevy.  

we have also started to teach a man by the name of John Moody.  he is a recovering alcoholic and is currently on parole.  he has an honest desire to know and listened intently when we taught him the restoration yesterday.  

other than that we have a lot of spanish investigators.  I can understand only about every 10th or eleventh word during these lessons, but the spirit is so strong that we all can understand the gist of what is being said.  

Hope y'all have a great week,

Elder Strunk

P.S. don't mind the change in font type I got bored of the other one 😸

is it weird that I feel old right now?

hey all,

  this week has been a spiritual mountain top racing in the indie 500 with the Jazz winning the play offs with front row tickets to my favorite band with a matinee premier ticket to star wars kind of week.  everything has been so cool and crazy at the same time.  

  but first, questions.(and I got a lotta them) comments on scenery I love it out here It is so beautiful and open and the hills are pretty cool too.  Elder Larson is the name of my current companion.  people tend to lean toward indifferent when we knock or talk to them on the street.  we drive a car and walk and walk and walk and walk.  p-days are usually playing games or just lounging around the apartment (aside from the cleaning and grocery shopping).  we each have separate beds.  the temperature depends on the season, summer is generally mid 80s to upper 90s and in the winter the weather tends to get Bi-polar.  *gasps while trying to catch breath*  I think that that answers the main body of questions, so onto the update (and an explanation of the title).

  So, first off, this week I was going through the April 2009 ensign (great article on the symbolism of the atonement by the way ( here )) I saw a church news article on the oquirrh mountain temple and how it will be opening in August of that year.... Has it really been that long?  conference weekend was really good.  we got to watch three of the sessions with a member and a few investigators at the member's home and the priesthood session was at the church and was preluded by an Ice cream and bratwurst social.  the Sunday evening session was watched with brother Ross at his house and a lesson was given afterwards.  we are teaching a number of spanish speaking families which requires a lot of member help because of the fact that I speak german and Elder Larson only speaks a little spanish.  but with the help of the members they are doing well.  

that is all for now ... I think.  if I think of anything else I will let you know.

see y'all next week

  Elder Strunk