The investigators we have now are Manuel and his daughter Vididiana, and another man named Ruben. Manuel wants to get baptized, so in the next couple weeks he will be. His daughter is still unsure about everything so we're still not sure if she wants to be baptized or if he'll just go ahead and get baptized.
Ruben hasn't been able to come to church because of his granddaughters soccer games but they just played their last one this Sunday, so he should be at church this week. A lot of people we have taught have came from members. Those are the best investigators. We also tract and if there are a lot of trucks, and an odd colored house they are probably Spanish.
Thanks, enjoy the season.
The Elder James Meiners
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
Familia,
This past Sunday we had Mario's baptism. Mario was married last week to BettyAnn. The two of them and their youngest son were baptized this Sunday the 30th.
They are going to move this week to Bakersfield, so they wanted to get baptized this past week, at least so they would have records to transfer. I'm not worried about them finding the church there or going inactive. They've been working towards marriage and baptism forever. The week before there were three kids that were baptized that we had taught because 2 of them were 9. So we've had 3 Spanish convert baptism in the last two weeks. I'll send pictures.
The father/uncle of the three kids, baptized them. Elder Olsen baptized Mario and BettyAnn. It took him three times to baptize Mario, and three times to baptize BettyAnn. Hes only 135 pounds and had trouble getting them under. When Gabriel was baptized it took Elder Olsen 2 tries. If he ate all his beans that wouldn't have happened. Luckily I didn't have to give any talks, just say a prayer and be a witness.
For Thanksgiving we basically did get the day off. We did our weekly planning, played in a turkey bowl, then played games at night. We could visit people, but we couldn't proselite. We ate turkey and ham, and mashed potatoes, so pretty regular. I think they made it because we were coming over, though. Christmas is huge among Mexicans. Any time they can party, they do.
I think the other email l wrote deleted itself so I'll write again what happened to elder Olsen last week. He was backing me up and I was idling in reverse, he was walking backwards and motioning me to come towards him. Then he tripped and fell on the curb. All I saw was one second I could see him and the next he had disappeared. He hit his wrist on the curb, and apparently he needed a brace, because he asked me to go to Walgreens to get him one. Whenever someone would ask he would tell everyone that I nearly ran him over. Then a few days later after a meeting he was backing me up again. He was talking to the Sister Missionaries and apparently they were very distracting for him because as he was backing me up, he stumbled on the curb and nearly fell over again. I think I should be the one backing him up.
I have everything I need, just send me more stuff anyway.
THE ELDER JAMES MEINERS
This past Sunday we had Mario's baptism. Mario was married last week to BettyAnn. The two of them and their youngest son were baptized this Sunday the 30th.
They are going to move this week to Bakersfield, so they wanted to get baptized this past week, at least so they would have records to transfer. I'm not worried about them finding the church there or going inactive. They've been working towards marriage and baptism forever. The week before there were three kids that were baptized that we had taught because 2 of them were 9. So we've had 3 Spanish convert baptism in the last two weeks. I'll send pictures.
The father/uncle of the three kids, baptized them. Elder Olsen baptized Mario and BettyAnn. It took him three times to baptize Mario, and three times to baptize BettyAnn. Hes only 135 pounds and had trouble getting them under. When Gabriel was baptized it took Elder Olsen 2 tries. If he ate all his beans that wouldn't have happened. Luckily I didn't have to give any talks, just say a prayer and be a witness.
For Thanksgiving we basically did get the day off. We did our weekly planning, played in a turkey bowl, then played games at night. We could visit people, but we couldn't proselite. We ate turkey and ham, and mashed potatoes, so pretty regular. I think they made it because we were coming over, though. Christmas is huge among Mexicans. Any time they can party, they do.
I think the other email l wrote deleted itself so I'll write again what happened to elder Olsen last week. He was backing me up and I was idling in reverse, he was walking backwards and motioning me to come towards him. Then he tripped and fell on the curb. All I saw was one second I could see him and the next he had disappeared. He hit his wrist on the curb, and apparently he needed a brace, because he asked me to go to Walgreens to get him one. Whenever someone would ask he would tell everyone that I nearly ran him over. Then a few days later after a meeting he was backing me up again. He was talking to the Sister Missionaries and apparently they were very distracting for him because as he was backing me up, he stumbled on the curb and nearly fell over again. I think I should be the one backing him up.
I have everything I need, just send me more stuff anyway.
THE ELDER JAMES MEINERS
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Rededication of Mexico City Temple Nov 17, 08
Almost our entire branch went to the Mexico temple Rededication. That's the first dedication I've ever been to. Those translators were really good.
They had to think fast. As a game I would try to think of the translation in my head before they said it. I think I only did once. In Spanish, some people, like the translators, I could understand perfectly. But other people like one of our investigator Mario, is really quiet and hard to understand.
Next week two kids of a less-active family will get baptized. Mario is going to move, and I think he'll want to get baptized before he moves, so he'll have records. Then there is a man Manuel, and his daughter Vididiana. He said he came to America to find God. They've came the past 3 weeks and have really liked it. So we have good hopes for them. I think there is also another Rodriguez brother that we are going to start teaching. This is the first day of the transfer, we have pretty high hopes for it.
I don't know where I'll be for Thanksgiving, I think there's a ward activity. I haven't spent Thanksgiving in Maryland since I was 16.
We were delivering a movie to this lady that had ordered it. We went over there and she was a Seventh-day Adventist. After I told her our sabbath was Sunday, she told me to keep the commandments. She told me to not be like Cain who offered vegtables as a sacrifice, and to just do what God said. Then she pointed at the bible and told me to keep the commandments. And that unless I wanted to worship the Sun God on Sunday, like the Aztecs, the sabbath was Saturday. She was very nice about it. Wrong, but nice.
Looks like everything will be the same for another transfer.
The Elder James Meiners
They had to think fast. As a game I would try to think of the translation in my head before they said it. I think I only did once. In Spanish, some people, like the translators, I could understand perfectly. But other people like one of our investigator Mario, is really quiet and hard to understand.
Next week two kids of a less-active family will get baptized. Mario is going to move, and I think he'll want to get baptized before he moves, so he'll have records. Then there is a man Manuel, and his daughter Vididiana. He said he came to America to find God. They've came the past 3 weeks and have really liked it. So we have good hopes for them. I think there is also another Rodriguez brother that we are going to start teaching. This is the first day of the transfer, we have pretty high hopes for it.
I don't know where I'll be for Thanksgiving, I think there's a ward activity. I haven't spent Thanksgiving in Maryland since I was 16.
We were delivering a movie to this lady that had ordered it. We went over there and she was a Seventh-day Adventist. After I told her our sabbath was Sunday, she told me to keep the commandments. She told me to not be like Cain who offered vegtables as a sacrifice, and to just do what God said. Then she pointed at the bible and told me to keep the commandments. And that unless I wanted to worship the Sun God on Sunday, like the Aztecs, the sabbath was Saturday. She was very nice about it. Wrong, but nice.
Looks like everything will be the same for another transfer.
The Elder James Meiners
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Family,
We had a pretty cool week. Lots of meetings so we didn't have too much time to work. We had interviews with the mission president. They were good, but took forever. We also had the chance to do a companionship study with President and Sister Reeves. That was pretty cool, Sister Reeves commented, that she liked the way I was teaching. I guess she understood my Spanish. We were practicing teaching the ten commandments. When I was teaching 'Keep the Sabbath day Holy', I said we only rest from temporal labors on Sunday. Sunday is our day to work spiritually. She thought that was clever. I realized that when I was thinking to myself, "Hey, when's my day of rest?" That's when I realized I didn't have any. I have to work everyday. [12-hour days] It's a good thing that as Dad says "Work is good for you".
This week we were driving to visit a lady we had been teaching. We didn't have an appointment. I wasn't paying attention and I missed the turn, so we decided to just check on some other potential investigators that were straight ahead instead. When checking on them, some man asked us if we had any literature. We talked for a while about the Restoration, Joseph Smith, and the Book of Mormon. He said he was interested and would read from the Book of Mormon we gave him. Then as we were heading back, the lady we were originally going to see called us and said she had a little bit of time, and wanted us to come over. We were ten feet outside her house, so we went in and taught a lesson.
I thought the Spirit worked by bringing things to your remembrance, but this time it worked by bringing things to my forgetance (if that's a word). I can see a lot of the hands of the Lord in our work. And usually he uses things we do wrong to his own advantage. He's a lot smarter than us, that's for sure.
Hasta Luego,
Elder Minero El Misionero
We had a pretty cool week. Lots of meetings so we didn't have too much time to work. We had interviews with the mission president. They were good, but took forever. We also had the chance to do a companionship study with President and Sister Reeves. That was pretty cool, Sister Reeves commented, that she liked the way I was teaching. I guess she understood my Spanish. We were practicing teaching the ten commandments. When I was teaching 'Keep the Sabbath day Holy', I said we only rest from temporal labors on Sunday. Sunday is our day to work spiritually. She thought that was clever. I realized that when I was thinking to myself, "Hey, when's my day of rest?" That's when I realized I didn't have any. I have to work everyday. [12-hour days] It's a good thing that as Dad says "Work is good for you".
This week we were driving to visit a lady we had been teaching. We didn't have an appointment. I wasn't paying attention and I missed the turn, so we decided to just check on some other potential investigators that were straight ahead instead. When checking on them, some man asked us if we had any literature. We talked for a while about the Restoration, Joseph Smith, and the Book of Mormon. He said he was interested and would read from the Book of Mormon we gave him. Then as we were heading back, the lady we were originally going to see called us and said she had a little bit of time, and wanted us to come over. We were ten feet outside her house, so we went in and taught a lesson.
I thought the Spirit worked by bringing things to your remembrance, but this time it worked by bringing things to my forgetance (if that's a word). I can see a lot of the hands of the Lord in our work. And usually he uses things we do wrong to his own advantage. He's a lot smarter than us, that's for sure.
Hasta Luego,
Elder Minero El Misionero
Sunday, November 9, 2008
letter to Daniel received November 9, 2008
Gabriel (just baptized) Me Paul (brother of Gabriel)
Very hungry.
We taught a lesson yesterday and the member said the coolest thing. He was talking about the church and made a reference to spider-man saying, "Con gran poder, viene gran responsibilidad". (With great power comes great responsibility.)
The other day I invited a lady to a baptism and she couldn't come because she had work, and I didn't give her enough notice. She said that she wasn't quite ready, but almost came. She thought I was asking her to be baptized.
Yesterday we were reading scriptures with a member. We were reading two verses each. There were three of us. My companion took so long to read his verses I fell asleep. He had to wake me up when he was done. So missionary life is tiring. But I'm doing good; that's the first time in a month I've fallen asleep.
Hasta luego.
James
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
November 2, 2008
Yesterday at church two people showed up for church that had been talking to the English Elders. They liked it . We're going over there this week. I think they'll be good investigators.
We also found a lady Sharline about 2 weeks ago. She speaks English. We talked to her outside of her house 2 weeks ago. She said she works in a bar and feels really bad about it. We gave her over to the English Sisters (because she speaks English), and she came to church on Sunday. She said she got a new job and now works for an insurance company. We gave her a book of Mormon and told her to read and pray. She said shes been reading and made it to the second chapter. Then she showed us where she was and she was in Jacob 2--second book apparently. So we work together to find good investigators for other missionaries to teach.
Halloween was good. I bought caramel and cut apples. We also bought a pumpkin pie. We played a tile game called 'chicken foot' with the members we live with. I also got to hand out candy when the kids came.
I got the package Saturday, the day after Halloween, so I was impressed.
I think I've written enough. Hasta luego.
The Elder James Meiners
We also found a lady Sharline about 2 weeks ago. She speaks English. We talked to her outside of her house 2 weeks ago. She said she works in a bar and feels really bad about it. We gave her over to the English Sisters (because she speaks English), and she came to church on Sunday. She said she got a new job and now works for an insurance company. We gave her a book of Mormon and told her to read and pray. She said shes been reading and made it to the second chapter. Then she showed us where she was and she was in Jacob 2--second book apparently. So we work together to find good investigators for other missionaries to teach.
Halloween was good. I bought caramel and cut apples. We also bought a pumpkin pie. We played a tile game called 'chicken foot' with the members we live with. I also got to hand out candy when the kids came.
I got the package Saturday, the day after Halloween, so I was impressed.
I think I've written enough. Hasta luego.
The Elder James Meiners
Monday, October 27, 2008
letter arrived Oct 27, 2008
Family,
The other day I got a parking ticket. There was a sign that said, "Thursday all streets closed 11:30-3:30. No Parking." I parked right next to the sign at about 12:30. Exactly when I wasn't supposed to. The officer had a big smile as he passed us. It was only $25 so it was easy to pay. At least I didn't get a ticket for crossing the street on a bike, or get hit by a car like some other Elders in the zone.
Halloween is coming up. We can't go outside past 6:00pm. I guess they'll think we're trick-or-treaters. So Halloween we get the night off. That will be a nice little break.
I didn't have much time to write or email, so I figured I'd say a little more.
Elder James Meiners
The other day I got a parking ticket. There was a sign that said, "Thursday all streets closed 11:30-3:30. No Parking." I parked right next to the sign at about 12:30. Exactly when I wasn't supposed to. The officer had a big smile as he passed us. It was only $25 so it was easy to pay. At least I didn't get a ticket for crossing the street on a bike, or get hit by a car like some other Elders in the zone.
Halloween is coming up. We can't go outside past 6:00pm. I guess they'll think we're trick-or-treaters. So Halloween we get the night off. That will be a nice little break.
I didn't have much time to write or email, so I figured I'd say a little more.
Elder James Meiners
Happy Halloween- Oct 27, 3008
Happy Halloween. Things are going good. Gabriel just got baptized this Sunday.
We had Stake Conference this Sunday and the Stake President asked us to be there for all the sessions. Which was 4-6pm and 7-9pm on Saturday; then 10am-12 on Sunday. About four of those hours they talked about marriage. Don't they know that missionaries aren't allowed to get married? But I got the gist-- marriage, important, good, or something like that.
At the baptism Elder Olsen baptised him. Gabriel is the brother of Raul Rodriguez who Elder Harding baptised two years ago. He'll be a really strong member. The first three days of quitting coffee he didn't look too good. But he's stopped and now he's doing fine. After the baptism we had a taco party at the Rodriguez house. A typical Mexican party.
I gave a talk at the baptism about baptism, in Spanish. I thought it went pretty well. Our mission president and his wife came for the stake conference and stayed for the baptism. She said she liked my talk, but I'm pretty sure she doesn't know Spanish. Oh well, I'll take it anyway.
Mario has stopped smoking for a week-- now we just need to get him married. There are also some kids of active members that for some reason didn't get baptised when they were 8. Their baptism will be in about a month.
I'm pleased to hear I'll get a package. That's about 2 months before I expected one to come. I figured to save postage you'd just sent me one package in between Christmas and my birthday.
Talk to you later.
The Elder James Meiners
We had Stake Conference this Sunday and the Stake President asked us to be there for all the sessions. Which was 4-6pm and 7-9pm on Saturday; then 10am-12 on Sunday. About four of those hours they talked about marriage. Don't they know that missionaries aren't allowed to get married? But I got the gist-- marriage, important, good, or something like that.
At the baptism Elder Olsen baptised him. Gabriel is the brother of Raul Rodriguez who Elder Harding baptised two years ago. He'll be a really strong member. The first three days of quitting coffee he didn't look too good. But he's stopped and now he's doing fine. After the baptism we had a taco party at the Rodriguez house. A typical Mexican party.
I gave a talk at the baptism about baptism, in Spanish. I thought it went pretty well. Our mission president and his wife came for the stake conference and stayed for the baptism. She said she liked my talk, but I'm pretty sure she doesn't know Spanish. Oh well, I'll take it anyway.
Mario has stopped smoking for a week-- now we just need to get him married. There are also some kids of active members that for some reason didn't get baptised when they were 8. Their baptism will be in about a month.
I'm pleased to hear I'll get a package. That's about 2 months before I expected one to come. I figured to save postage you'd just sent me one package in between Christmas and my birthday.
Talk to you later.
The Elder James Meiners
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
October 20, 2008
That's good about your missionary experience. Keep it up. This week I went on exchange with an English elder, Elder Webster. I taught him the words for coffee, tea, alcohol, drugs, tobacco in Spanish and he helped to teach the lesson. He also read a scripture in Spanish. We practiced all morning and during lunch, and we taught two investigators the Word of Wisdom.
Gabriel, who says he's been drinking coffee every day for ten years and he knows he's going to have a big head ache this week because he's quitting. Another investigator Mario is going to stop smoking. We had testimony meeting because it had been delayed, and he really felt the spirit.
I'm giving a training tomorrow on charity, so I'll be working on that.
Today I learned how to do a really cool spinning basketball trick. How to make a shot right under the net, by bouncing and spinning it. I used to think it didn't matter if I was good at basketball. I figure since every other missionary is good at it, I might as well be too.
Have a good week.
The Elder James Meiners
Gabriel, who says he's been drinking coffee every day for ten years and he knows he's going to have a big head ache this week because he's quitting. Another investigator Mario is going to stop smoking. We had testimony meeting because it had been delayed, and he really felt the spirit.
I'm giving a training tomorrow on charity, so I'll be working on that.
Today I learned how to do a really cool spinning basketball trick. How to make a shot right under the net, by bouncing and spinning it. I used to think it didn't matter if I was good at basketball. I figure since every other missionary is good at it, I might as well be too.
Have a good week.
The Elder James Meiners
Monday, October 13, 2008
Tuesday, October 13, 2008
Things are definitely different, and they're going pretty well. Elder
Olsen's pretty young so it will be cool to watch him learn. I'm only four
days older than him, but I feel a lot older.
This area is just west of Riverside, so a lot of places I already recognize. Our branch is pretty strong. There are a lot of strong members. The strongest member in the ward is Raul Rodriguez who is a person Elder Harding baptized about 2
years ago. It's pretty exciting-- we are teaching his brother Gabriel.
Before we taught him his brother taught him everything about the church.
We hardly have to do anything, He'll get baptized in 2 weeks on the
26th. It's cool to see that other missionaries' work has carried over to
help us. I guess for this one I get to be a reaper.
Trasfers were busy. Thats' why I didn't get Julia's letter off. This week for
sure.
The area has a lot of Spanish people which is great. Other than Gabriel
we don't have too many people to teach. But luckily there are a lot of
Spanish people and some of them will accept the gospel.
That's funny that Ryan was having a hard time speaking English, I can't
believe he's already back.
Hope everyone's having a fun time with band.
THe Elder Meiners
Olsen's pretty young so it will be cool to watch him learn. I'm only four
days older than him, but I feel a lot older.
This area is just west of Riverside, so a lot of places I already recognize. Our branch is pretty strong. There are a lot of strong members. The strongest member in the ward is Raul Rodriguez who is a person Elder Harding baptized about 2
years ago. It's pretty exciting-- we are teaching his brother Gabriel.
Before we taught him his brother taught him everything about the church.
We hardly have to do anything, He'll get baptized in 2 weeks on the
26th. It's cool to see that other missionaries' work has carried over to
help us. I guess for this one I get to be a reaper.
Trasfers were busy. Thats' why I didn't get Julia's letter off. This week for
sure.
The area has a lot of Spanish people which is great. Other than Gabriel
we don't have too many people to teach. But luckily there are a lot of
Spanish people and some of them will accept the gospel.
That's funny that Ryan was having a hard time speaking English, I can't
believe he's already back.
Hope everyone's having a fun time with band.
THe Elder Meiners
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
General Conference Reflections Oct 6, 08
Family,
Conference was really good. I really liked Uckdorfs talk too. I thought this would be the first conference for me to stay awake the whole time.
Guess not, I must have been inspired to fall asleep during the whole talk about strengthening marriages. I wont have to worry about that for a while.
I'm getting transferred to Jarupa. Which is right next to Riverside.
Jarupa always shares its p-day with Riverside. I know a few of the members. One of the members of the bishopric is a person Elder Harding baptized a few years ago. Its a pretty Spanish area, I'm really excited.
My new companion starting this afternoon will be Elder Olson. He's from Utah, this will be his 3rd transfer in the field. Hes been out about 5 months. Since I'm older (in the mission) I'll be the senior companion. That will be exciting. Time to 'lift where I stand'.
Oh, tell Julia that she'll get her card or whatever I decide about Saturday or whatever day of the week you normally get my letters. But it will be a few days late. Feliz Cumplianos.
Hasta Luego,
The Elder James Meiners
Conference was really good. I really liked Uckdorfs talk too. I thought this would be the first conference for me to stay awake the whole time.
Guess not, I must have been inspired to fall asleep during the whole talk about strengthening marriages. I wont have to worry about that for a while.
I'm getting transferred to Jarupa. Which is right next to Riverside.
Jarupa always shares its p-day with Riverside. I know a few of the members. One of the members of the bishopric is a person Elder Harding baptized a few years ago. Its a pretty Spanish area, I'm really excited.
My new companion starting this afternoon will be Elder Olson. He's from Utah, this will be his 3rd transfer in the field. Hes been out about 5 months. Since I'm older (in the mission) I'll be the senior companion. That will be exciting. Time to 'lift where I stand'.
Oh, tell Julia that she'll get her card or whatever I decide about Saturday or whatever day of the week you normally get my letters. But it will be a few days late. Feliz Cumplianos.
Hasta Luego,
The Elder James Meiners
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
'Atlas only has to hold the world'.
'This is the little dungeon I live in.'
Familia,
In a week we'll have our transfers, (when the missionaries change)amd I'm pretty excited. I've been here 2 transfers with Elder Crump, and one here with two: Farrington and Wilkinson.
So far this area has had 6 people who had a baptismal date or interview and for some reason didn't pass or get baptized. So I think I've done what I could for this area, and this Monday I'll probably get transferred. I'll be transferred to fix the three-some. There won't be on odd number anymore. This is one of the more English-speaking areas too, so when I leave the work in my new area will definitely be better too. So, I'm glad to say that from here things can only go up.
Glad to hear everything's going well.
Elder James Meiners
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
September 22, 2008
Family,
Well I still am in the threesome, so far i haven't gone crazy. It's good because we can split up and do more work, but its indefinitely a little noisier. The other day I went with the English Elders on exchanges. I had a fortune cookie that said that Music will play a part of my future. Then since that week they have started making me conduct (lead the singing) in Elders Quorum. I think I'll do what Luke did and conduct with my tie(with a coathanger) my last Sunday.
One of our investigators (Reina) has a baptismal date for Oct 19, which will probably be after I leave. We have transfers on Oct 6. We found a really cool lady Saturday too, so things are moving along slowly but surely.
Hasta la vista, bebe.
Elder James Meiners
Well I still am in the threesome, so far i haven't gone crazy. It's good because we can split up and do more work, but its indefinitely a little noisier. The other day I went with the English Elders on exchanges. I had a fortune cookie that said that Music will play a part of my future. Then since that week they have started making me conduct (lead the singing) in Elders Quorum. I think I'll do what Luke did and conduct with my tie(with a coathanger) my last Sunday.
One of our investigators (Reina) has a baptismal date for Oct 19, which will probably be after I leave. We have transfers on Oct 6. We found a really cool lady Saturday too, so things are moving along slowly but surely.
Hasta la vista, bebe.
Elder James Meiners
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Sept 15,2008 Response to Andrea
Very good memorizing Baby Cakes,
If you count the pictures I've sent the family, with Elder Harding 8 were baptized and in this place 1, and I personally did 6 of them.
The hacky sacks were 1 dollar so sell them for 2 if you can, just make sure you sell them for at least 1 dollar or more. If you want to make money, that is. I'll see what I can do for your birthday.
>
> The Handsome Elder James Meiners
If you count the pictures I've sent the family, with Elder Harding 8 were baptized and in this place 1, and I personally did 6 of them.
The hacky sacks were 1 dollar so sell them for 2 if you can, just make sure you sell them for at least 1 dollar or more. If you want to make money, that is. I'll see what I can do for your birthday.
>
> The Handsome Elder James Meiners
Re: How's Yucaipa? Sept 15, 2008
Family,
I had the chance to be companions with the President for the evening one day this week. President and his wife picked a companionship to go out with from every zone. Since we had three they picked us two to go with Sister Reeves, and me to go with President.
Luckily none of our appointments fell through that day and President got to meet all our investigators. It was really lucky. I wanted to look good in front of president. I had the whole night planned out in my head so everything went smooth, even though i forgot my planner. I don't know how he didn't notice, oh well.
He was talking about how a lot of new spanish missionaries are coming in, in the next couple months so I'll probably have to train. That would be pretty crazy.
When's Julia's birthday again, I forgot. Ha ha just kidding Oct 8, 1792.
See ya later Alligators,
THE elder James Meiners
I had the chance to be companions with the President for the evening one day this week. President and his wife picked a companionship to go out with from every zone. Since we had three they picked us two to go with Sister Reeves, and me to go with President.
Luckily none of our appointments fell through that day and President got to meet all our investigators. It was really lucky. I wanted to look good in front of president. I had the whole night planned out in my head so everything went smooth, even though i forgot my planner. I don't know how he didn't notice, oh well.
He was talking about how a lot of new spanish missionaries are coming in, in the next couple months so I'll probably have to train. That would be pretty crazy.
When's Julia's birthday again, I forgot. Ha ha just kidding Oct 8, 1792.
See ya later Alligators,
THE elder James Meiners
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
Family,
This week while we were at the Doctor for Elder Farrington, we were in the waiting room and met someone who reminded me of Chan Cho. He was a little boy there with his Mom. He said "Why is he here, and him, and him?". Pointing to us missionaries. Then the Mom said "Why don't ask him?". "No, they're scary, except for him", and then he pointed at me. So obviously I'm not a scary missionary, according to Chan Cho at least.
Oh, Erika wrote, so I'll need her address so I can write her at school.
Everything's about normal with the work.
The Elder James Meiners
This week while we were at the Doctor for Elder Farrington, we were in the waiting room and met someone who reminded me of Chan Cho. He was a little boy there with his Mom. He said "Why is he here, and him, and him?". Pointing to us missionaries. Then the Mom said "Why don't ask him?". "No, they're scary, except for him", and then he pointed at me. So obviously I'm not a scary missionary, according to Chan Cho at least.
Oh, Erika wrote, so I'll need her address so I can write her at school.
Everything's about normal with the work.
The Elder James Meiners
Letter with Pictures/cards Sept 1, 2008
Me about to baptize Marible 8/31/-08
Me, Farrington, Wilkinson After getting caught in the rain. 8/30/08Familia,
Last week was transfer week. So I didn't have time to make Dad a card or anything. So that's why you get it now. And Danny gets a card too.
Well, I'm with two companions again. Elder Farrington and Elder Wilkinson. Elder Farrington will spot people 100 yards away and go chase them down. Elder Wilkinson is one of the only people I know who color coordinates his planner. That means he's really smart. Get this. He's color blind, though.
Well, after a long time Maribel finally got baptized. She's been investigating for over ten years. And I got to baptize her.
Hopefully now with some new blood in here things will start to go better. We have three. Hopefully we can use it to our advantage.
That's a pretty short letter but my mind is fried from making Danny's rediculously cool card. So, here are some pictures, too.
The (photo of James' head)
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Re: Back to School
Family,
Wow, everybodys so old. Andreas in middle school. Julia will have her driver's lisence in 5 years, right after she passes the test. Dannys going to be 18. And Dad was born 54 years ago, in 1954. Double 54's.
Thats like 108.
Well, Elder Crump is leaving to go the the desert. In a place called Indio, just as I had predicted. And Elder Wilkinson will now be my companion, just as he predicted. But there's one thing he didn't predict. I'm going to be in a three-some again. I'm also going to be with Elder Farrington. He is 6 weeks younger than me, and Elder Wilkinson is 3 months older, so we'll all share being senior companion.
I wanted to buy an ab roller to get my abs in shape. But I couldn't find one anywhere. So instead I just bought a rod and a wheel at a hardware store and put them together. Much cheaper, much better. So that should take care of business.
The one lady Hermana Sierra is actually getting baptized this sunday, she was waiting for her friend to get back. So developments are coming slowly but surely. That's cool about that lady that got baptized back there.
Adios,
Elder James Meiners
Wow, everybodys so old. Andreas in middle school. Julia will have her driver's lisence in 5 years, right after she passes the test. Dannys going to be 18. And Dad was born 54 years ago, in 1954. Double 54's.
Thats like 108.
Well, Elder Crump is leaving to go the the desert. In a place called Indio, just as I had predicted. And Elder Wilkinson will now be my companion, just as he predicted. But there's one thing he didn't predict. I'm going to be in a three-some again. I'm also going to be with Elder Farrington. He is 6 weeks younger than me, and Elder Wilkinson is 3 months older, so we'll all share being senior companion.
I wanted to buy an ab roller to get my abs in shape. But I couldn't find one anywhere. So instead I just bought a rod and a wheel at a hardware store and put them together. Much cheaper, much better. So that should take care of business.
The one lady Hermana Sierra is actually getting baptized this sunday, she was waiting for her friend to get back. So developments are coming slowly but surely. That's cool about that lady that got baptized back there.
Adios,
Elder James Meiners
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Monday, August 19, 2008
Well,things are still about the same. On Saturday we helped some of the members to set up a Quinsenera party. Here when Spanish girls turn 15 they have a big Quinsenera party. It pretty much looks like a wedding, and costs about as much too. We helped set up chairs and stayed for part of it. The 15 year old girl dances in the middle first with her dad then later with anyone else who wants to. Elder Crump said that he really wanted to dance. But I thought the spanish music didn't really make me want to dance. Spanish songs make no sense at all. One is "la vaca, la vaca, la misma vaca". Which means "The cow, the cow, the same cow".
Another is "La mesa, la mesa". "The table, the table".
So I like English music more.
In our stake there is a big push from the First Presidency to stop Proposition 8. Its a proposition that says "Deny the Gays their rights", and in it is says it's not fair they can't get married. They've asked the members to go out and educate people on it and vote to protect marriage. It's starting in California but could affect a lot of other states too. So we have been reading Proclamation to the Family with a lot of members, to get them excited about helping out. So that's what's been going on in the ward.
Gotta Go,
The Elder James Meiners
Another is "La mesa, la mesa". "The table, the table".
So I like English music more.
In our stake there is a big push from the First Presidency to stop Proposition 8. Its a proposition that says "Deny the Gays their rights", and in it is says it's not fair they can't get married. They've asked the members to go out and educate people on it and vote to protect marriage. It's starting in California but could affect a lot of other states too. So we have been reading Proclamation to the Family with a lot of members, to get them excited about helping out. So that's what's been going on in the ward.
Gotta Go,
The Elder James Meiners
Monday, August 4, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
Family,
It does get pretty hot here so about all we use is white shirts rather than long sleeve, but we get enough money and it's the beginning of the month, so I think Ill just pick some up at the store today. The most expensive thing I buy is cheese. I have oatmeal every day and then a tortilla with cheese for lunch. So I have a little extra to buy some white shirts. Dinner always feeds us well. So I don't have to spend too much on food.
I came out with 12 pairs of contacts so I'll be fine, and I think it's about time to change them anyway so I think I'll do that. Luckily I'm still young and all these problems won't come for at least another 10 years. Plus the other day I used crest white strips so I'm taking care of myself. I've seen a lot of other elders get out of shape and have problems so I'll take care of myself.
Nothing really big has happened recently but if anything happens I'll let you know.
The Elder Meiners
It does get pretty hot here so about all we use is white shirts rather than long sleeve, but we get enough money and it's the beginning of the month, so I think Ill just pick some up at the store today. The most expensive thing I buy is cheese. I have oatmeal every day and then a tortilla with cheese for lunch. So I have a little extra to buy some white shirts. Dinner always feeds us well. So I don't have to spend too much on food.
I came out with 12 pairs of contacts so I'll be fine, and I think it's about time to change them anyway so I think I'll do that. Luckily I'm still young and all these problems won't come for at least another 10 years. Plus the other day I used crest white strips so I'm taking care of myself. I've seen a lot of other elders get out of shape and have problems so I'll take care of myself.
Nothing really big has happened recently but if anything happens I'll let you know.
The Elder Meiners
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Pictures. July 31, 2008
My zone. Zone development meeting.
Dance Festival Redlands Parking Crew. I parked hundreds of cars!
Our new mission president.Monday, July 28, 2008
July 27, 2008
Family,
Wow that was a lot of blog on Philmont. Looks like everything is going well over there.
This week definitely wasn't as quiet. On Friday and Saturday there was a huge dance festival. All the missionaries were asked to help. I helped park cars, and got to keep the parking sign and the parking tag they gave me. There were 12 stakes at the Dance Festival. It was held at the University of Redlands. Redlands is the zone right next to ours. I saw some people from Riverside there, and lots of the youth were in the show. There were even missionaries from some of the neighboring missions like San Bernadino. That was big, and definitely not quiet.
Efrian had his baptismal interview and there are a few things still holding him back. Occasionally he drinks and he said he would stop but hasn't yet. Also even though he says he knows the Book of Mormon is true he says he doesn't have a testimony of Joseph Smith. So we are still working with him.
Marcos and Susanna were moving down the street on Sunday so they didn't come to church. Last week when we came over for our appointment we were a little late and Susanna was reading the Book of Mormon. Shes in second Nephi. Marcos is the one we need to work with more now. They're close to- just not quite there yet.
Although the Pachecos came to church. Gracelia the Mom wants to be baptised, and hopefully the rest of the family will follow suit.
The other day while tracting my eyes were hurting earlier that day so I had taken out my contacts. I knocked on the door and someone walked forward but was still behind a screen door. In the light it looked like the person had some kind of beard. So I said "Hello, how it going today, sir". Then she answered "good", but with an angry look on her face.
Then I just sort of muttered "oh sorry". That threw me off so much I just had Elder Crump finish talking to her. That's the last time I'll tract without contacts.
And later there was a guy who had a No Soliciting sign. We knocked on his door and he said "Can't you read the sign". I said "We're not solicitors". Then he said he felt bad for us because we couldn't read. I thought it was pretty funny that a man would say something ridiculous like that to us.
So things are still hopping.
The Elder James Meiners
Wow that was a lot of blog on Philmont. Looks like everything is going well over there.
This week definitely wasn't as quiet. On Friday and Saturday there was a huge dance festival. All the missionaries were asked to help. I helped park cars, and got to keep the parking sign and the parking tag they gave me. There were 12 stakes at the Dance Festival. It was held at the University of Redlands. Redlands is the zone right next to ours. I saw some people from Riverside there, and lots of the youth were in the show. There were even missionaries from some of the neighboring missions like San Bernadino. That was big, and definitely not quiet.
Efrian had his baptismal interview and there are a few things still holding him back. Occasionally he drinks and he said he would stop but hasn't yet. Also even though he says he knows the Book of Mormon is true he says he doesn't have a testimony of Joseph Smith. So we are still working with him.
Marcos and Susanna were moving down the street on Sunday so they didn't come to church. Last week when we came over for our appointment we were a little late and Susanna was reading the Book of Mormon. Shes in second Nephi. Marcos is the one we need to work with more now. They're close to- just not quite there yet.
Although the Pachecos came to church. Gracelia the Mom wants to be baptised, and hopefully the rest of the family will follow suit.
The other day while tracting my eyes were hurting earlier that day so I had taken out my contacts. I knocked on the door and someone walked forward but was still behind a screen door. In the light it looked like the person had some kind of beard. So I said "Hello, how it going today, sir". Then she answered "good", but with an angry look on her face.
Then I just sort of muttered "oh sorry". That threw me off so much I just had Elder Crump finish talking to her. That's the last time I'll tract without contacts.
And later there was a guy who had a No Soliciting sign. We knocked on his door and he said "Can't you read the sign". I said "We're not solicitors". Then he said he felt bad for us because we couldn't read. I thought it was pretty funny that a man would say something ridiculous like that to us.
So things are still hopping.
The Elder James Meiners
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Pictures Received July 17, 2008
What funny looking guys! That is our apartment. Elder Crump always looks like that, although sometime I do have my eyes opened.
Right before fireworks where we saw them 7-4-08. Yucaiga, Riverside, California
I guess you could say I've gotten pretty good. (Written on notebook paper--his picture cut and pasted.)July 14, 2008
Today is the first day of the transfer. Elder Crump and I are still together, but everybody else in the Zone changed companions. We have 4 people in our apartment. Elder Hall is leaving and Elder Fogle is coming in.
Marcos and Susanna still aren't married so we'll propably push back their baptism a little. It was scheduled for the 20th but we'll probably have to push it back on account of them not being married. They are still a little cautious. She says she's a little too young to get married. As counsel we said "You should get married". (They have a kid and are going to have another, and they like each other) So we thought that was what we were supposed to tell them.
One of our investigators Efrain wants to get baptised next Sunday. Slowly but surely he has been making all the changes necessary. He has been taught for about 8 months so hes' ready. Our other investigators are coming slowly but surely. We had 8 at church so we're happy.
Hope You all had fun on your trip.
The Elder James Meiners
Marcos and Susanna still aren't married so we'll propably push back their baptism a little. It was scheduled for the 20th but we'll probably have to push it back on account of them not being married. They are still a little cautious. She says she's a little too young to get married. As counsel we said "You should get married". (They have a kid and are going to have another, and they like each other) So we thought that was what we were supposed to tell them.
One of our investigators Efrain wants to get baptised next Sunday. Slowly but surely he has been making all the changes necessary. He has been taught for about 8 months so hes' ready. Our other investigators are coming slowly but surely. We had 8 at church so we're happy.
Hope You all had fun on your trip.
The Elder James Meiners
Monday, July 7, 2008
July 7, 2008
Family,
Did you know that in two days I will have been out for six months? Not too much out of the ordinary. We set our record for most tracting contacts last week. A tracting contact is when you talk to someone at the door. Last week we had 123.
Its still warm. I don't mind it. I figure it's that much energy less that I have to produce. I figure I should conserve my energy for all the walking and talking.
We watched the fire works for the fourth of July. We got to go with a member and we sat on top of their car.
I also officially met the president and his family this week. They have 12 kids and 4 are with them. They have a returned missionary a son about to go on a mission and twins. (girls fraternal) Even though they're not identical they seem the same to me. As they were leaving the one gave me a dangly handshake, so when I shook the hand I cracked her wrist. I thought to myself 'oops, oh well'. And then the same thing happened with the other twin too. I almost did a double take to see if it was the same girl, but it was her twin sister. Once again 'oops, oh well.'
We don't happen to have a somewhat recent family picture, do we? I might want a small wallet one just in case anyone asks me about my family.
Hope you had fun in Mexico, or New Mexico.
The ELDER JAMES MEINERS
Did you know that in two days I will have been out for six months? Not too much out of the ordinary. We set our record for most tracting contacts last week. A tracting contact is when you talk to someone at the door. Last week we had 123.
Its still warm. I don't mind it. I figure it's that much energy less that I have to produce. I figure I should conserve my energy for all the walking and talking.
We watched the fire works for the fourth of July. We got to go with a member and we sat on top of their car.
I also officially met the president and his family this week. They have 12 kids and 4 are with them. They have a returned missionary a son about to go on a mission and twins. (girls fraternal) Even though they're not identical they seem the same to me. As they were leaving the one gave me a dangly handshake, so when I shook the hand I cracked her wrist. I thought to myself 'oops, oh well'. And then the same thing happened with the other twin too. I almost did a double take to see if it was the same girl, but it was her twin sister. Once again 'oops, oh well.'
We don't happen to have a somewhat recent family picture, do we? I might want a small wallet one just in case anyone asks me about my family.
Hope you had fun in Mexico, or New Mexico.
The ELDER JAMES MEINERS
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Pictures from Riverside 6/23/08
James sent some pictures from the area in Riverside that he recently left.
The mission ward. I am in the picture. Try to find me.
Our home in Riverside. The second house on the right.
The Martinez family. The kids: Elizabeth, 15; Gabriel, 9; Chris, 12; Danny, 7. Danny wanted to be baptized, and will when he is 8.
All of us before the baptism. Elder Harding baptised Arturo and Chris. I baptised Gabriel and Elizabeth.
This is the building that we met in, The Riverside Mission Ward.
The mission ward. I am in the picture. Try to find me.
Our home in Riverside. The second house on the right.
The Martinez family. The kids: Elizabeth, 15; Gabriel, 9; Chris, 12; Danny, 7. Danny wanted to be baptized, and will when he is 8.
All of us before the baptism. Elder Harding baptised Arturo and Chris. I baptised Gabriel and Elizabeth.
This is the building that we met in, The Riverside Mission Ward.
Monday, June 23, 2008
June 23. 2008
In the past week we havn't been able to get a hold of the Pacheco family
but I'm pretty sure they're still doing good. We found out Marcos and
Susanna aren't married, but I think they want to change. They really
listen to everthing we say. Its applying it which is the hard thing.
Things are going a little slow right now but we are working really hard
to get things going.
Have fun, take advantage of summer.
The Elder James Meiners
but I'm pretty sure they're still doing good. We found out Marcos and
Susanna aren't married, but I think they want to change. They really
listen to everthing we say. Its applying it which is the hard thing.
Things are going a little slow right now but we are working really hard
to get things going.
Have fun, take advantage of summer.
The Elder James Meiners
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
Happy Fathers Day.
Things are going good here. My new companion is Elder Crump from West Jordan. He knows a lot. There aren't as many Spanish people here as Riverside, but a lot of things seem really good. We have a good ward, some really promising investigators Marcos and Susanna, and the Pacheco family. We had another investigator Ramiro who was going to get baptised, but we were informed on Friday the 13 he’s moving to Texas to find work.
So all and all it’s going good, I don't have a bed frame but I never go hungry. I eat every day. We have cars/bikes so everything is going well. Elder Harding and I were doubled in so it took a while to get the work going. Elder Crump and I are doing the same now working hard now so things will pay off later.
That’s good that Daniel is helping the missionaries, learn their ways.
Well, have a fun summer. I’ll send you the pictures as soon as possible.
- The Elder James Meiners
Things are going good here. My new companion is Elder Crump from West Jordan. He knows a lot. There aren't as many Spanish people here as Riverside, but a lot of things seem really good. We have a good ward, some really promising investigators Marcos and Susanna, and the Pacheco family. We had another investigator Ramiro who was going to get baptised, but we were informed on Friday the 13 he’s moving to Texas to find work.
So all and all it’s going good, I don't have a bed frame but I never go hungry. I eat every day. We have cars/bikes so everything is going well. Elder Harding and I were doubled in so it took a while to get the work going. Elder Crump and I are doing the same now working hard now so things will pay off later.
That’s good that Daniel is helping the missionaries, learn their ways.
Well, have a fun summer. I’ll send you the pictures as soon as possible.
- The Elder James Meiners
Saturday, June 14, 2008
New Area. Received 6/14/08
Dear Family,
I would have written last week but I was busy packing my things. I got transferred from Riverside to Yucaipa. So, on Monday Elder Harding and I were packing our bags and moving out. When Elder Rogers and I entered the field there was one more set of Spanish elders so they opened up the area that Elder Harding and I were in. Then when Elder Harding and a bunch of other Spanish Elders left they had to close an area, so now in the ward I was in there are 2 Elders instead of 4. "Elder Harding got "doubled in" and doubled out". Either one is uncommon, but together the combination is super unusual.
Elder Harding and I finished up good. Our last Sunday there the Martinez kids got baptized. (Elizabeth, Gabriel and Chris.) When we were making our goals for the week we set the goal for 3 baptisms, but then as we were about to finish Elder Harding said, "No, wait, 4". I asked who. He said he didn't know. So as we were going through the week we were thinking it might be Lydia or Zaidy, and we had this one other guy in the back of mind too. He had some papers trouble, Moyses, and we were thinking maybe somehow we could clear it up . So we made an appointment with Zaidy and watched special Testaments of Christ. She seemed to be in a better mood or something, so we made another appointment with her for Saturday. The baptism would be on Sunday and we were hoping we could commit her or something. She had already been taught everything. Elder Harding and I planned to read with her about the tree of life, and talk about the iron rod.
We went over on Saturday to Hermana Estrada's house where we planned to meet Zaidy. But Zaidy was leaving. She left and it was just us and Arturo. Arturo lives at Hermana Estrada's house. Hermana Estrada was Arturo's soccer coach. Arturo didn't have a very supportive family so he lives with the Estradas. Arturo had been coming every week for 2-3 months. And had been taught all the lessons.
Elder Harding and I decided to teach Arturo the tree of life, just like we had planned for Zaidy. We read with him and drew him a picture. He told us how his friends were trying to get him not to go to church. So we explained to Arturo that those friends of his are like the people from the great and spacious building. He said he was thinking about not going to church, but after we read he said he'd definitely go. Then he started talking about how he wanted to go on a mission, so as we talked to him he realized he needed to be baptized. The spirit was really strong and he was baptized the next day.
There are some pictures of the baptism. I baptized Gabriel and Elizabeth, while Elder Harding baptized Arturo and Chris.
I am in the San Gorgonio Ward in Yucaipa now. My companion is Elder Crump from West Jordan, Utah. I also live with two other Elders who are English and from Utah.
I was tracting yesterday and Elder Crump and I were talking to this lady in her late 20s who might have been interested. This this other girl came out and started talking to us too. She was giving us her number. Elder Crump wrote it down, but then she told me to write it down too. After she asked again I just gave it to her so she could write it down. If anything we would just give her as a referral to the English Elders. Then she said to me, "Hey, can we walk for a second." I flashed Elder Crump a glance to come with me.
Earlier when we were talking to the other lady, she said she might need help moving on Wednesday. When we were talking and walking with that other girl, she started asking how old I was, and if missionaries were allowed to have girlfriends. Then she invited me to go on a date with her and to call her. I told her I wouldn't call her for at least a year and a half. She said that we could 'hangout as long as we didn't talk about religion'. I told her that that's all missionaries talk about. She said that helping her move would be like a date. That just freaked me out. We left, and I insisted to Elder Crump that we were not going to go over there for service.
In this area there is the Pancheco family we just started teaching. There were a referral by a member. They are our best investigators.
I'm doing OK with the new roommates.
JM
I would have written last week but I was busy packing my things. I got transferred from Riverside to Yucaipa. So, on Monday Elder Harding and I were packing our bags and moving out. When Elder Rogers and I entered the field there was one more set of Spanish elders so they opened up the area that Elder Harding and I were in. Then when Elder Harding and a bunch of other Spanish Elders left they had to close an area, so now in the ward I was in there are 2 Elders instead of 4. "Elder Harding got "doubled in" and doubled out". Either one is uncommon, but together the combination is super unusual.
Elder Harding and I finished up good. Our last Sunday there the Martinez kids got baptized. (Elizabeth, Gabriel and Chris.) When we were making our goals for the week we set the goal for 3 baptisms, but then as we were about to finish Elder Harding said, "No, wait, 4". I asked who. He said he didn't know. So as we were going through the week we were thinking it might be Lydia or Zaidy, and we had this one other guy in the back of mind too. He had some papers trouble, Moyses, and we were thinking maybe somehow we could clear it up . So we made an appointment with Zaidy and watched special Testaments of Christ. She seemed to be in a better mood or something, so we made another appointment with her for Saturday. The baptism would be on Sunday and we were hoping we could commit her or something. She had already been taught everything. Elder Harding and I planned to read with her about the tree of life, and talk about the iron rod.
We went over on Saturday to Hermana Estrada's house where we planned to meet Zaidy. But Zaidy was leaving. She left and it was just us and Arturo. Arturo lives at Hermana Estrada's house. Hermana Estrada was Arturo's soccer coach. Arturo didn't have a very supportive family so he lives with the Estradas. Arturo had been coming every week for 2-3 months. And had been taught all the lessons.
Elder Harding and I decided to teach Arturo the tree of life, just like we had planned for Zaidy. We read with him and drew him a picture. He told us how his friends were trying to get him not to go to church. So we explained to Arturo that those friends of his are like the people from the great and spacious building. He said he was thinking about not going to church, but after we read he said he'd definitely go. Then he started talking about how he wanted to go on a mission, so as we talked to him he realized he needed to be baptized. The spirit was really strong and he was baptized the next day.
There are some pictures of the baptism. I baptized Gabriel and Elizabeth, while Elder Harding baptized Arturo and Chris.
I am in the San Gorgonio Ward in Yucaipa now. My companion is Elder Crump from West Jordan, Utah. I also live with two other Elders who are English and from Utah.
I was tracting yesterday and Elder Crump and I were talking to this lady in her late 20s who might have been interested. This this other girl came out and started talking to us too. She was giving us her number. Elder Crump wrote it down, but then she told me to write it down too. After she asked again I just gave it to her so she could write it down. If anything we would just give her as a referral to the English Elders. Then she said to me, "Hey, can we walk for a second." I flashed Elder Crump a glance to come with me.
Earlier when we were talking to the other lady, she said she might need help moving on Wednesday. When we were talking and walking with that other girl, she started asking how old I was, and if missionaries were allowed to have girlfriends. Then she invited me to go on a date with her and to call her. I told her I wouldn't call her for at least a year and a half. She said that we could 'hangout as long as we didn't talk about religion'. I told her that that's all missionaries talk about. She said that helping her move would be like a date. That just freaked me out. We left, and I insisted to Elder Crump that we were not going to go over there for service.
In this area there is the Pancheco family we just started teaching. There were a referral by a member. They are our best investigators.
I'm doing OK with the new roommates.
JM
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
My Letter Tuesday, May 27
From: James Meiners [mailto:jmeiners@myldsmail.net]
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 5:04 PM
To: David Meiners
Subject: My letter
Today is Tuesday because we couldnt e-mail on Monday because of Memorial
day. Things are going well over here. There is a part member family, and
three of the kids will be baptized this Sunday. The Martinez family. And
there are some people who are really close who we have invited to be
baptised on Sunday too. Zaidy(the mom of Wilson) and Lydia(the mom of
Kimberly) (Both Kimberly and WIlson are baptised now) are really close.
They both have been taught everything and have had strong spiritual
experiences at their kids baptisms. They're just a little stuck now.
Elder Harding and I taught a first lesson to these people we found who had
been taught by missionaries before. There was a husband and a wife and
the wife had already recieved an answer so we'll see where that goes.
We had a cool streak but things will be getting warmer again soon.
I got the pictures and Erika looked about how i thought she would with
her new wall. Julia looked like she was getting tall, taller than i
remember. Try to stay looking the same.
The Elder
James Meiners
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 5:04 PM
To: David Meiners
Subject: My letter
Today is Tuesday because we couldnt e-mail on Monday because of Memorial
day. Things are going well over here. There is a part member family, and
three of the kids will be baptized this Sunday. The Martinez family. And
there are some people who are really close who we have invited to be
baptised on Sunday too. Zaidy(the mom of Wilson) and Lydia(the mom of
Kimberly) (Both Kimberly and WIlson are baptised now) are really close.
They both have been taught everything and have had strong spiritual
experiences at their kids baptisms. They're just a little stuck now.
Elder Harding and I taught a first lesson to these people we found who had
been taught by missionaries before. There was a husband and a wife and
the wife had already recieved an answer so we'll see where that goes.
We had a cool streak but things will be getting warmer again soon.
I got the pictures and Erika looked about how i thought she would with
her new wall. Julia looked like she was getting tall, taller than i
remember. Try to stay looking the same.
The Elder
James Meiners
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
You're not that old, Dad. I remember the last time I hiked 15 miles with a pack. You can ask Bishop Conner --I barely did it. Its funny now Elder harding is super old acording to missionary time because he goes home in two weeks. Im still impressed.
Elder Harding uses some of your phases now. Since he's the trainer he makes me do a lot of things and whenever i try to get out of it he'll say "Wicked little missionary" or he'll say "Don't be a bucket".
Its usually over 100 degrees here but Elder Harding says thats nothing compared to the desert.
In the past week I gave 7 blessings-- one a day. So I've been working, don't worry. I'm not really a bucket. Or am I?
Talk to you next week,
Elder James Meiners
Elder Harding uses some of your phases now. Since he's the trainer he makes me do a lot of things and whenever i try to get out of it he'll say "Wicked little missionary" or he'll say "Don't be a bucket".
Its usually over 100 degrees here but Elder Harding says thats nothing compared to the desert.
In the past week I gave 7 blessings-- one a day. So I've been working, don't worry. I'm not really a bucket. Or am I?
Talk to you next week,
Elder James Meiners
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Me again--Monday, May 12, 2008
Family,
Over the past week we had Cinco de Mayo, that was pretty fun. Some of the kids in the Estrada family were in a parade. One of the English elders from my district Elder Perry said he asked a Spanish person what day was cinco de Mayo on, they just laughed at him.
It was fun to get to call yesterday, too bad I missed kara. (and erika). [We were able to talk to him for 45 minutes on Mother's Day. We had the speakerphone and all talked together.]
On sunday we had 9 investigators at church, and elder Harding and I both confirmed two people. After church one of the girls from the less active family the Martinezs (they came to church) said that she had felt the spirit stronger than she had in years.
We went over to do our sunday night follow up 'why didn't you come to church' game. The Orsonio family had a really good excuse. When we went over there they were all in their dress clothes. They tried to come to church but one of the older married girls was pregnant and really sick. And the aunt has to work either on saturday or sunday to make enough money. And she tried to go on saturday but there was a problem at the house. So then she tried to go early but they still couldnt make it. And she was the ride. I gave the pregnant girl a priesthood blessing, and today we checked up on her and the aunt said her pains had gone away.
Elder Meiners
Over the past week we had Cinco de Mayo, that was pretty fun. Some of the kids in the Estrada family were in a parade. One of the English elders from my district Elder Perry said he asked a Spanish person what day was cinco de Mayo on, they just laughed at him.
It was fun to get to call yesterday, too bad I missed kara. (and erika). [We were able to talk to him for 45 minutes on Mother's Day. We had the speakerphone and all talked together.]
On sunday we had 9 investigators at church, and elder Harding and I both confirmed two people. After church one of the girls from the less active family the Martinezs (they came to church) said that she had felt the spirit stronger than she had in years.
We went over to do our sunday night follow up 'why didn't you come to church' game. The Orsonio family had a really good excuse. When we went over there they were all in their dress clothes. They tried to come to church but one of the older married girls was pregnant and really sick. And the aunt has to work either on saturday or sunday to make enough money. And she tried to go on saturday but there was a problem at the house. So then she tried to go early but they still couldnt make it. And she was the ride. I gave the pregnant girl a priesthood blessing, and today we checked up on her and the aunt said her pains had gone away.
Elder Meiners
Saturday, May 10, 2008
April 28, 2008
Elder Harding (left) and Elder Meiners
Elder Harding and Meiners with Grandma, Kimberly, Wilson and Angel who they baptised
Elder Meiners with Wilson
Elder Meiners with Angel
Elder Meiners with Kimberly
Family,
Things have been going good over here. The one lady, Hermana Estrada is still doing as much missionary work as we are. We gave her the dinner calendar for May and all the spots that were empty are now full. She'll be cooking for at least 10 times--nearly half the month.
There are about four who will be baptised on May 7th. Angel, Wilson, Kimberly and the grandma. They are all kids but the grandma. I'm just barely figuring out how thye are all related. But Wilson and Angel are going to be baptised by me.
James Meiners
Oops. Wrote this last week but forgot to send it.
Monday, May 5, 2008
First Baptisms
Family,
Felicidades on the LEED award, and on the kids 1st place.
[Note: Dave's employer, a commercial developer, was named Maryland's Greenest Company. Daniel and Julia got all 1s on their band trip performance.]
Over here I just baptised for the first time yesterday. And since today is Cinco de Mayo, its celebration day. Elder Harding and I havent been eating junk food, but today we ate candy until we were nearly sick. No regrets.
I'm going to send some pictures in the mail today.
Things are going really well over here. In the last two weeks we had 3 less actives return to church and an investigator family. The Agramon's haven't been in ten years, Hermana Agramon and her daughter came. Another guy Hermano Tavarez. And then the Orsonia family came. They had about ten of them, mostly teenagers. Spanish families are way to hard to follow.
They went to the English ward, and the English Elders were super surprised that a herd of Mexican looking people came in. Then Carlos and his wife and 4 kids came. Church was a little long for him. But his wife liked it and wanted to talk with the bishop afterward. Oh yeah, and we found out about him because of the Less Active family Maroquin, so she came to church too. That was in the past two sundays.
After church was the baptisms of Julia(the Grandma), Kimberly, Angel, and Wilson. Elder Harding baptised the Grandma and I baptised the other three. After the Grandma was baptised she said "Que ricco" or in English "thats cool".
Elder Harding and I were thinking that we're really not too smart, or good enough of missionaries to be getting all this success on our own. We know that the lord and your prayers have been going a good portion of the work. Thanks for praying and supporting us. Keep it up for us.
Hasta la vista,
Elder James Meiners
Felicidades on the LEED award, and on the kids 1st place.
[Note: Dave's employer, a commercial developer, was named Maryland's Greenest Company. Daniel and Julia got all 1s on their band trip performance.]
Over here I just baptised for the first time yesterday. And since today is Cinco de Mayo, its celebration day. Elder Harding and I havent been eating junk food, but today we ate candy until we were nearly sick. No regrets.
I'm going to send some pictures in the mail today.
Things are going really well over here. In the last two weeks we had 3 less actives return to church and an investigator family. The Agramon's haven't been in ten years, Hermana Agramon and her daughter came. Another guy Hermano Tavarez. And then the Orsonia family came. They had about ten of them, mostly teenagers. Spanish families are way to hard to follow.
They went to the English ward, and the English Elders were super surprised that a herd of Mexican looking people came in. Then Carlos and his wife and 4 kids came. Church was a little long for him. But his wife liked it and wanted to talk with the bishop afterward. Oh yeah, and we found out about him because of the Less Active family Maroquin, so she came to church too. That was in the past two sundays.
After church was the baptisms of Julia(the Grandma), Kimberly, Angel, and Wilson. Elder Harding baptised the Grandma and I baptised the other three. After the Grandma was baptised she said "Que ricco" or in English "thats cool".
Elder Harding and I were thinking that we're really not too smart, or good enough of missionaries to be getting all this success on our own. We know that the lord and your prayers have been going a good portion of the work. Thanks for praying and supporting us. Keep it up for us.
Hasta la vista,
Elder James Meiners
Monday, April 28, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Elder Harding and I did have a pretty sweet lesson a couple of days ago. We taught a bunch of people at the lesson. The grandma said she was going to Arizona in 15 days but she told her friend she wasn't going to go until after she got baptised. So that was cool. Then her 11 year old granddaughter who we just found out wasn't a member wants to be baptised. She likes going to the weekly youth activities and has been going for a while, so she'll be active. The lesson was on the gospel of Jesus Christ. And the spirit was really strong. One of the people had a doubt about something but after Elder Harding talked with her a bit, she understood. We sang the Spirit of God at the end of the lesson. One of the girls also said after the lesson "Wow, your spanish was good. It's like you learned how to speak in one day." And they said that our song was good. Which means the spirit must have been strong because I can't sing or speak Spanish.
The heat is coming over here. It is 98 today. At least im not in the desert, which in the summer Elder Harding says is like "the refiners fire". I'm starting to brown a bit. Mayble I'll look like a Mexican in the summer. All the members say that if I want to learn spanish better I need to eat peppers so my mouth will be really hot and I'll be able to speak spanish quickly. So at a dinner I ate two halepaneos at the same time. Wow! that was hot. But myth busted, my Spanish was about the same.
Hey, I don't know if I have my line of authority paper, so can you tell me what it is.
Until next Monday,
Elder Meiners
The heat is coming over here. It is 98 today. At least im not in the desert, which in the summer Elder Harding says is like "the refiners fire". I'm starting to brown a bit. Mayble I'll look like a Mexican in the summer. All the members say that if I want to learn spanish better I need to eat peppers so my mouth will be really hot and I'll be able to speak spanish quickly. So at a dinner I ate two halepaneos at the same time. Wow! that was hot. But myth busted, my Spanish was about the same.
Hey, I don't know if I have my line of authority paper, so can you tell me what it is.
Until next Monday,
Elder Meiners
Monday, April 21, 2008
April 21, 2008
Family,
This is the end of our first transfer. Elder Harding and I are still together for the next transfer, it looks like i'll be the one to finish him off. This was Elder Hardings first area, he was here for 7 1/2 months at the beggining and now he'll spend the last three here. Some times we'll run into people who will remember him back from when he didn't speak any spanish. I think he will have some things he wont take home at the end of this next transfer that i'll inherit, like a passdown tie or something like that. Ha Ha He He He.
Church is getting easier to understand. The ward we are in is pretty new and there is a recent convert (7 months) that teaches one of the classes. The one that the missionaries and the investigatores go to. When he teaches he uses the missionaries a lot to explain things because he is pretty new. We were talking about the priesthood and he asked me a question. I thought he asked me how long ive had the priesthood, but i guess he asked me something else, so when i answered "doce" (12) it didnt really make much sense. But I am getting better. One of the members at church makes me practice talking to him in spanish that was fun, most of the them like trying to talk with me. I think they think its like a game or something. But all the children speak english so its fun talking to them.
We didn't have as many people at church (8), but things are still going well, some of them want to be baptised so things are still going forward. I was the senior companion and it was hard to keep track of everything and remind everyone to come to church, so if I had done that better more might have come.
Riverside has more english speaking than spanish, but in certain areas like Casa Blanca there are a lot of spanish. We get a lot of food like avacados and fruit from members, thats where California comes in handy.
Its good the be the junior companion again, just along for the ride. (Except for giving dinner thoughts, teaching lessons, contacting people,..etc)
Elder Meiners
This is the end of our first transfer. Elder Harding and I are still together for the next transfer, it looks like i'll be the one to finish him off. This was Elder Hardings first area, he was here for 7 1/2 months at the beggining and now he'll spend the last three here. Some times we'll run into people who will remember him back from when he didn't speak any spanish. I think he will have some things he wont take home at the end of this next transfer that i'll inherit, like a passdown tie or something like that. Ha Ha He He He.
Church is getting easier to understand. The ward we are in is pretty new and there is a recent convert (7 months) that teaches one of the classes. The one that the missionaries and the investigatores go to. When he teaches he uses the missionaries a lot to explain things because he is pretty new. We were talking about the priesthood and he asked me a question. I thought he asked me how long ive had the priesthood, but i guess he asked me something else, so when i answered "doce" (12) it didnt really make much sense. But I am getting better. One of the members at church makes me practice talking to him in spanish that was fun, most of the them like trying to talk with me. I think they think its like a game or something. But all the children speak english so its fun talking to them.
We didn't have as many people at church (8), but things are still going well, some of them want to be baptised so things are still going forward. I was the senior companion and it was hard to keep track of everything and remind everyone to come to church, so if I had done that better more might have come.
Riverside has more english speaking than spanish, but in certain areas like Casa Blanca there are a lot of spanish. We get a lot of food like avacados and fruit from members, thats where California comes in handy.
Its good the be the junior companion again, just along for the ride. (Except for giving dinner thoughts, teaching lessons, contacting people,..etc)
Elder Meiners
Saturday, April 19, 2008
From a friend in California
Hello Brother & Sister Meiner:
Hello from Riverside, California where your son is currently serving. I had the pleasure
of meeting him before the General Priesthood Session of Conference began. I have know his companion, Elder Harding all of the time he has served his mission and have been very blessed to have kept in contact with him. Your son is with an excellent Trainer. Elder Harding thinks very highly of your son and admires his obedience to the Gospel and his diligence to his mission.
Today, I took our own missionaries from my Ward along with Elder Harding and Elder Meiner to lunch at a favorite and fun restaurant in Riverside. We did have an enjoyable lunch and I already have a lot of respect for your son. He is a very polite young man with a terrific sense of humor. He looks healthy, fit as a fiddle and eager to learn all that he can. We talked a great deal about the Washington DC Temple and his experiences there. I am envious because I would love to do a session in this temple.
He spoke with love about his family, about your own missions to Italy and Oakland. He loves you and I know he will make you very proud. He's a good boy and I know the Lord is ever mindful of him and wants him to succeed on his mission. He will.
Proud to be a new friend of Elder Meiner,
(A member of
Riverside Arlington Ward)
Hello from Riverside, California where your son is currently serving. I had the pleasure
of meeting him before the General Priesthood Session of Conference began. I have know his companion, Elder Harding all of the time he has served his mission and have been very blessed to have kept in contact with him. Your son is with an excellent Trainer. Elder Harding thinks very highly of your son and admires his obedience to the Gospel and his diligence to his mission.
Today, I took our own missionaries from my Ward along with Elder Harding and Elder Meiner to lunch at a favorite and fun restaurant in Riverside. We did have an enjoyable lunch and I already have a lot of respect for your son. He is a very polite young man with a terrific sense of humor. He looks healthy, fit as a fiddle and eager to learn all that he can. We talked a great deal about the Washington DC Temple and his experiences there. I am envious because I would love to do a session in this temple.
He spoke with love about his family, about your own missions to Italy and Oakland. He loves you and I know he will make you very proud. He's a good boy and I know the Lord is ever mindful of him and wants him to succeed on his mission. He will.
Proud to be a new friend of Elder Meiner,
(A member of
Riverside Arlington Ward)
Monday, April 14, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
This is the sixth week of the transfer. One week out of the six the junior companion gets to be the senior companion for the week. That started today. I drove and at the first stop sign when nobody was there I just rolled through it. Elder Harding said I was on my way to becoming a "California Driver".
I have two name tags, one for my shirt and one for my suit that pins on. About two weeks ago I lost the one for my shirt, and about one week ago I ordered another one. Ive been using the pin for everything and i called the office today to see if my tag was there. But they said that they missprinted it and their going to have to try again. If only I was Elder MELNERS then I'd be able to wear it.
I one of our investigators commited to be baptised this week, and at church we had 12investigators. As good as that is we are actually expecting more than that next week. All thanks to this one amazing member who always brings more people: Hermana Estrada.
The heat is starting to crank up over here. Its giving people new excuses at the doors, "I cant talk right now, it's too hot". Pretty soon I hear we'll be dripping wet.
I'll tell you next week how my reign as senior companion was.
Elder Meiners
I have two name tags, one for my shirt and one for my suit that pins on. About two weeks ago I lost the one for my shirt, and about one week ago I ordered another one. Ive been using the pin for everything and i called the office today to see if my tag was there. But they said that they missprinted it and their going to have to try again. If only I was Elder MELNERS then I'd be able to wear it.
I one of our investigators commited to be baptised this week, and at church we had 12investigators. As good as that is we are actually expecting more than that next week. All thanks to this one amazing member who always brings more people: Hermana Estrada.
The heat is starting to crank up over here. Its giving people new excuses at the doors, "I cant talk right now, it's too hot". Pretty soon I hear we'll be dripping wet.
I'll tell you next week how my reign as senior companion was.
Elder Meiners
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
April 7, 2008
Dear Family,
I eat with the members every night. There are four spanish elders in the ward so there are the four of us every night together. I eat the same thing every day, I feel weird if I eat something different. I eat oatmeal in the morning, then a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch, and beans and rice for dinner(usually with some kind of meat).
Well our investigators are doing pretty good. I went on exchanges with the zone leaders(english elders). I went to some rich neighborhood and tracked for the day, which wasn't bad. But, when I came back that was the day we visited three of our investigators, and one read a lot, the other got an answer the her prayer and wants to be baptized, and the last appointment also went unusually good. Elder harding said his voice was tired becuase he was the only one talking for hours and hours. The funny thing was the zone leader he went with didn't know what had happened in any of the lessons, until he got the summary afterward. So one way or another our investigators are doing well, so I'll take it. The area's finally starting to come alive.
General Conference was really cool, Im glad I got to watch it in English. I really liked Hollands talk, and the solemn assembly was pretty cool. Worthlins was my other favorite.
Hope things are still going well over there.
Elder Meiners
I eat with the members every night. There are four spanish elders in the ward so there are the four of us every night together. I eat the same thing every day, I feel weird if I eat something different. I eat oatmeal in the morning, then a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch, and beans and rice for dinner(usually with some kind of meat).
Well our investigators are doing pretty good. I went on exchanges with the zone leaders(english elders). I went to some rich neighborhood and tracked for the day, which wasn't bad. But, when I came back that was the day we visited three of our investigators, and one read a lot, the other got an answer the her prayer and wants to be baptized, and the last appointment also went unusually good. Elder harding said his voice was tired becuase he was the only one talking for hours and hours. The funny thing was the zone leader he went with didn't know what had happened in any of the lessons, until he got the summary afterward. So one way or another our investigators are doing well, so I'll take it. The area's finally starting to come alive.
General Conference was really cool, Im glad I got to watch it in English. I really liked Hollands talk, and the solemn assembly was pretty cool. Worthlins was my other favorite.
Hope things are still going well over there.
Elder Meiners
Monday, March 31, 2008
March 30, 2008
Hey Family,
Its hard to write in English because im so good at spanish. Just kidding. We play basketball every p-day at the church, im one of the worst players so when i take shots they usually dont even bother trying to block me, but its really fun to relax a bit on p-day. Another Elder, Elder Ealy and i were going some gymnastic stuff on the field. We got it so i was standing on his shoulders and we both had are hands out, then Elder Lopez the one from spain was going back hand spring. He joked saying "Hey dad, look what i learned on my mission" (his dad used to be the mission president in spain).
Elder Harding and I are getting along really well. We are alot the same, we both talk in our sleep, we both lose are planners at night, (one night the district leader called asking for our numbers but we told him we would have to call him back because we didnt know where our planners were. Mine was in my dresser, and i had put a tortilla over his.)And we both are hard workers. His birthday is my 1/2 birthday (June 28) So in that we are opposites.
Thats cools how erika and I are having parallel experiences.
I actually had chinese food the other day. Every once in a while its fun to change things up from beans and rice.
We run into a lot of crazy people out here, but its a lot of fun.
Hope everyones doing ok.
Elders Meiners
Its hard to write in English because im so good at spanish. Just kidding. We play basketball every p-day at the church, im one of the worst players so when i take shots they usually dont even bother trying to block me, but its really fun to relax a bit on p-day. Another Elder, Elder Ealy and i were going some gymnastic stuff on the field. We got it so i was standing on his shoulders and we both had are hands out, then Elder Lopez the one from spain was going back hand spring. He joked saying "Hey dad, look what i learned on my mission" (his dad used to be the mission president in spain).
Elder Harding and I are getting along really well. We are alot the same, we both talk in our sleep, we both lose are planners at night, (one night the district leader called asking for our numbers but we told him we would have to call him back because we didnt know where our planners were. Mine was in my dresser, and i had put a tortilla over his.)And we both are hard workers. His birthday is my 1/2 birthday (June 28) So in that we are opposites.
Thats cools how erika and I are having parallel experiences.
I actually had chinese food the other day. Every once in a while its fun to change things up from beans and rice.
We run into a lot of crazy people out here, but its a lot of fun.
Hope everyones doing ok.
Elders Meiners
Monday, March 24, 2008
First Area, Riverside, CA
Dear Family.
I am writing from the public library of Riverside California. Riverside is my first area, there are 12 areas but im in riverside. It sounds like its the most alive area next to Corona. It is monday the 24th, it is my second P day, P days are on Monday. I wrote a letter last week but didnt get around to sending it ill send two today. Some of this is in my other letter but ill say it here again. Elder Harding is my trainer. He is one of the best missonaries out here. He was a zone leader right before he started training me. He only has this transfer and one more left, so about 2 and a 1/2 more months. He is from Virginia Beach, Virginia. He likes to surf.
We live in a small house. There are 6 Elders in there. It has two bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, and a main room. Elder Lopez(spain) and Elder Russel(Virgina) sleep in one, while Elder Ealy(Pennsylavia) and Elder Lund(Texas) sleep in the other. Elder Harding(Virgina) and I sleep on the floor in the main room, it will probably be like that at least for the next month.
There were some investigators that the other Elders gave to us when we came in. They are Arturo and Max. And then Zaidi and her son Wilson. We commited them all to baptism on the 15th, which was my fourth day out. (Max wasnt there so we actually commited him a little later) They are all really cool. They had already came to church 5 times before we got there. The first three times they just came on their own and the missionaries thought they were members.
Elder Harding and I have taught a lot already, thats the best part.
I can understand pretty well what is going on, but most people think im oblivious. There a joke that whenever you dont know whats going on just nod and say "si". A member will ask me something and whenever i nod and say si they laugh because they think i dont know what they said.
Elder Harding and I go to the Spanish branch along with two other Elders, Elder Price and Blackburn. Church can be very hard to stay awake for because we are really tired, and trying to understand takes a lot of energy.
I got my bike one of the office Elders put together my bike so and first it was not working so well, but then a Mexican saw it and fixed it for me. Now it works really well its got big smooth tires and is really fast. When we go down hills I hunch over and get aerodynmic while Elder Harding is peddaling and I pass him, its really fun riding a bike. We just got a car on Saturday, for when dinners are far away and things like that. But bikes are really fun, you can talk to a lot of people, and they keep you in shape. All the other Elders are telling me im going to gain a lot of weight but i dont think I will.
Well I hope things are going well over there.
Elder James Meiners
I am writing from the public library of Riverside California. Riverside is my first area, there are 12 areas but im in riverside. It sounds like its the most alive area next to Corona. It is monday the 24th, it is my second P day, P days are on Monday. I wrote a letter last week but didnt get around to sending it ill send two today. Some of this is in my other letter but ill say it here again. Elder Harding is my trainer. He is one of the best missonaries out here. He was a zone leader right before he started training me. He only has this transfer and one more left, so about 2 and a 1/2 more months. He is from Virginia Beach, Virginia. He likes to surf.
We live in a small house. There are 6 Elders in there. It has two bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, and a main room. Elder Lopez(spain) and Elder Russel(Virgina) sleep in one, while Elder Ealy(Pennsylavia) and Elder Lund(Texas) sleep in the other. Elder Harding(Virgina) and I sleep on the floor in the main room, it will probably be like that at least for the next month.
There were some investigators that the other Elders gave to us when we came in. They are Arturo and Max. And then Zaidi and her son Wilson. We commited them all to baptism on the 15th, which was my fourth day out. (Max wasnt there so we actually commited him a little later) They are all really cool. They had already came to church 5 times before we got there. The first three times they just came on their own and the missionaries thought they were members.
Elder Harding and I have taught a lot already, thats the best part.
I can understand pretty well what is going on, but most people think im oblivious. There a joke that whenever you dont know whats going on just nod and say "si". A member will ask me something and whenever i nod and say si they laugh because they think i dont know what they said.
Elder Harding and I go to the Spanish branch along with two other Elders, Elder Price and Blackburn. Church can be very hard to stay awake for because we are really tired, and trying to understand takes a lot of energy.
I got my bike one of the office Elders put together my bike so and first it was not working so well, but then a Mexican saw it and fixed it for me. Now it works really well its got big smooth tires and is really fast. When we go down hills I hunch over and get aerodynmic while Elder Harding is peddaling and I pass him, its really fun riding a bike. We just got a car on Saturday, for when dinners are far away and things like that. But bikes are really fun, you can talk to a lot of people, and they keep you in shape. All the other Elders are telling me im going to gain a lot of weight but i dont think I will.
Well I hope things are going well over there.
Elder James Meiners
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
The Mission Home, Riverside CA
Last week we received a letter from James' Mission President and wife, the Ewers. They reported that he arrived safely on March 11, and is now working in his area. We can't wait to hear more and find out where he is.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Flight to California
James was allowed to call home yesterday, March 11,from the Salt Lake City airport as he and his companion, Elder Rogers, flew to sunny California at 11:20 AM. James enjoyed the MTC, but was anxious to begin the "awesome part" of his mission in California.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Friday, March 7, 2008
vini, vidi, vici
Familia,
I came, I saw, I conquered. The MTC is behind me. At least it will be by the time you get this letter. As I wrote before I'll be in the airport the 11th. And my plane leaves at 11:30, or 1:20 your time. I think I get to make a call to you at the airport.
At the reference center I did a call in Spanish. We could actually understand each other. I got a hold of some lady and asked if so and so Garcia was there. She said in Spanish something about how he didn't live there. And then I said thanks and bye. Obviously this means I can speak Spanish and don't have anything to worry about.
Our teacher Hermana Thomas is having us write to people who she taught on her mission. I picked the Hermoso family. Hermoso means handsome or pretty, so that means that I picked the good-looking family. The letter will be in all Spanish, but I bet something good will come out of it.
I went to the health clinic to get my unusual rash checked out. He said it was pyteralysis rosa. Whatever that is. I can't feel it at all, It doesn't hurt, or itch, or burn, but he gave me some hydrocortisone lotion. I haven't used the lotion yet, but I might. It was only $5. When I asked what "pyteralysis" meant, he said that it was leprosy, then he said "just kidding". At least it's not leprosy.
For our devotional we had an apostle. It was one of the more loud-spoken and energetic apostles. It was...Jeffery R. Holland. He was really good. He got us all pumped to go. He said that missionaries were pretty much superheroes without capes. And other things about not having regrets.
I can't wait to see how I fare in the field with my limited Spanish. It will be interesting the first while.
Hope things are doing well at home.
--Elder James Meiners
Monday, March 3, 2008
Friday, February 29, 2008
Elder Rogers and I at the Temple [Elder Meiners is on the left.]
The mountains
[From Left to right starting at the top,] Gardner, Rogers, Cox, Narcross, Martin, Meiners, Riley, Cope
Familia,
We get our flight plans today which will tell us exactly when we leave. Oh, we got then. I'm the travel leader. My travel group is Elder Rogers and I. I'm leaving for a 11:20am March 11, '08 flight.
There is another Elder in my zone who is really into chess and we've played and we are 2 and 2.
The weather is starting to warm up.
I've gotten really good at reading Spanish, but my talking is still pretty shabby. Things are coming along pretty well. We've been counting down the days until our flight plans.
I got a haircut today. It was almost a straight buzz.
One more week until I conquer the MTC.
--Elder James Meiners
Feb 22, 2008
This letter arrived with the next letter.
Dear Family,
It doesn't seem long now until I leave the MTC. By the time you get this it will only be two weeks left. I've made a goal to have those thirteen scriptures about the first lesson memorized in Spanish. And our Branch President wants us to have all the ordinances memorized in Spanish, too, which is about ten flashcards front and back with things to memorize. That way when I don't know any Spanish and I'm talking to a native when I draw a blank I'll just quote a scripture and walk away.
I passed Jay (Miller) on the way over here and he was speaking much better Spanish than me. He's in the intermediate group.
Here we have a game every week called Family Home Verbos. We put motions to the Spanish verbs we need to know then we see how may we can get in the time period. Our district has won three weeks in a row. We also play a game where every day one person is the native and they have to speak Spanish all day. Elder Rogers and I are the only ones that haven't been the native yet.
The other Sunday me and another person named Elder Villsenor traded ties. Then at Devotional that night Elder Villsenor said something at the devitional, and you could see him wearing my tie. It was the green striped one you got me for Christmas, it's famous now.
Now that I'm in the oldest district there are a lot of other Elders that look up to us. It feels cool to walk down the hall and hear from the younger districts, "Elder Meiners, how's it going?" Our whole district are all good friends with each other by now.
Believe it or not it's snowing right now.
Here are some pictures. I haven't sent any yet. (Sorry they're on the floor somewhere and I can't find them).
Elder James Meiners
Dear Family,
It doesn't seem long now until I leave the MTC. By the time you get this it will only be two weeks left. I've made a goal to have those thirteen scriptures about the first lesson memorized in Spanish. And our Branch President wants us to have all the ordinances memorized in Spanish, too, which is about ten flashcards front and back with things to memorize. That way when I don't know any Spanish and I'm talking to a native when I draw a blank I'll just quote a scripture and walk away.
I passed Jay (Miller) on the way over here and he was speaking much better Spanish than me. He's in the intermediate group.
Here we have a game every week called Family Home Verbos. We put motions to the Spanish verbs we need to know then we see how may we can get in the time period. Our district has won three weeks in a row. We also play a game where every day one person is the native and they have to speak Spanish all day. Elder Rogers and I are the only ones that haven't been the native yet.
The other Sunday me and another person named Elder Villsenor traded ties. Then at Devotional that night Elder Villsenor said something at the devitional, and you could see him wearing my tie. It was the green striped one you got me for Christmas, it's famous now.
Now that I'm in the oldest district there are a lot of other Elders that look up to us. It feels cool to walk down the hall and hear from the younger districts, "Elder Meiners, how's it going?" Our whole district are all good friends with each other by now.
Believe it or not it's snowing right now.
Here are some pictures. I haven't sent any yet. (Sorry they're on the floor somewhere and I can't find them).
Elder James Meiners
Monday, February 25, 2008
February 15, 2008
Elder Meiners' letter this week is a detailed sketch of the MTC and surrounding grounds. The Provo temple is in the upper left corner and little stick figures are walking around two x two--some slipping on ice, some unloading luggage, etc.
I guess that pretty much sums up the serene mission life of the MTC.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Friday, February 8, 2008
Dear Family,
Not too much to report. This week 10 new elders came in, and the oldest district left. There are only four elders older/senior to us, which is the district above us. Which makes zone teaching really easy. Zone teach is where the companionships within a district go and teach other companionships in the zone. It's easy because everybody we teach that is newer/younger than us, thinks we are amazing, even though we're really not.
Teaching is Spanish can be pretty amusing. Always confused looks on my companions faces. I know all the words, but I don't know how to conjugate and form sentences correctly. So, I just speak Spanish confidently as if what I'm saying makes sense when really I'm making lots of mistakes. "Fake it until you make it." Preach my Gospel says to not be afraid to make errors when speaking another language. Although, for me, I should probably be a little more afraid.
I'm at the halfway mark of the MTC. I've pretty much got the week's schedule memorized by now. On Wednesday when the new district came in, our district had a 'part your hair down the middle' day. Every so often we have themes like that to liven things up-- like Red Tie Tuesday, and Ugly Tie Friday.
On Thursday I was at the Reference Center making calls and getting some in. That was pretty fun.
Did you watch Groundhog Day last week? I thought about it. I don't think I need to be reminded what it feels like to do the the same things every day. But, that was a pretty great movie.
Well, I got to go do somethng.
See ya,
Elder James Meiners
Not too much to report. This week 10 new elders came in, and the oldest district left. There are only four elders older/senior to us, which is the district above us. Which makes zone teaching really easy. Zone teach is where the companionships within a district go and teach other companionships in the zone. It's easy because everybody we teach that is newer/younger than us, thinks we are amazing, even though we're really not.
Teaching is Spanish can be pretty amusing. Always confused looks on my companions faces. I know all the words, but I don't know how to conjugate and form sentences correctly. So, I just speak Spanish confidently as if what I'm saying makes sense when really I'm making lots of mistakes. "Fake it until you make it." Preach my Gospel says to not be afraid to make errors when speaking another language. Although, for me, I should probably be a little more afraid.
I'm at the halfway mark of the MTC. I've pretty much got the week's schedule memorized by now. On Wednesday when the new district came in, our district had a 'part your hair down the middle' day. Every so often we have themes like that to liven things up-- like Red Tie Tuesday, and Ugly Tie Friday.
On Thursday I was at the Reference Center making calls and getting some in. That was pretty fun.
Did you watch Groundhog Day last week? I thought about it. I don't think I need to be reminded what it feels like to do the the same things every day. But, that was a pretty great movie.
Well, I got to go do somethng.
See ya,
Elder James Meiners
Monday, February 4, 2008
Friday, Feb 1, 2008
Dear family,
I just got back from the temple and had breakfast there. It was 'muy bien'. When we left it was snowing, it's been snowing a lot recently, it looks nice when it snows. The snow was so thick and foggy that you can only see the huge mountains by the MTC if you squint.
The ground was really slick, as we were walking some guy said that missionaries weren't allowed to ice skate. I thought it was prety funny.
Elder Gardner and Elder Cox aren't in my room anymore. The district president left so there were only 7 people instead of 8 in the district. So now I'm in a threesome with Elder Riley, Elder Rogers and myself. It makes teaching harder, along with getting them both together to go places. But, I hear there are threesomes in the mission field so I'll have to learn to get used to it.
My Spanish is coming along well. They teach us church words like baptism, faith, and Holy Ghost. So when I read 'Preach my Gospel' or the Book of Mormon in Spanish I can understand almost everything. I can understand alot but I have trouble speaking. In class I was giving the prayer in Spanish (we pray and sing in Spanish)and I meant to say "Bless us to be better missionaries", but the word for better is 'mejor', and the word for woman or wife is 'mujer', so I said, "Bless us to be women missionaries". My teacher Hermana Thomas just made a face at me after the prayer.
We're already one of the older districts in our zone. Thre's a district that's leaving on Tuesday, (the 5th). Then there will be one district older than us, and two newer than us.
Every week on Thursday we have an English fast, where we are not supposed to speak English. We had one yesterday and we're getting better at it. I'm sure with a few more weeks of practice we'll have it down.
For the first time I went to the Reference Center where we get and make calls to real people and confirm if they received their free whatever, or if they want to get something free like a Book of Mormon or Lamb of God video. Sometimes I would get the "Sure, you can have the representatives (missionaries) come by".
I'm debating whether I should take a nap through personal study, or actually study. Just kidding, of course I'll study. I just say that because yesterday as I was reading 'Jesus the Christ' I was sitting in a chair with my head on my tie looking down reading. And I started to read slower and slower, than my eyes closed, but in my mind I thought I was still reading. Then I woke up again in fifteen minutes. I didn't even know I had fallen asleep. Everyone in the district commended me on my new talent of being able to fall asleep sitting up. I can tell the Lord is blessing me with many new talents. I'm working hard and doing well, because "work is good for you".
ELDER James Meiners
I just got back from the temple and had breakfast there. It was 'muy bien'. When we left it was snowing, it's been snowing a lot recently, it looks nice when it snows. The snow was so thick and foggy that you can only see the huge mountains by the MTC if you squint.
The ground was really slick, as we were walking some guy said that missionaries weren't allowed to ice skate. I thought it was prety funny.
Elder Gardner and Elder Cox aren't in my room anymore. The district president left so there were only 7 people instead of 8 in the district. So now I'm in a threesome with Elder Riley, Elder Rogers and myself. It makes teaching harder, along with getting them both together to go places. But, I hear there are threesomes in the mission field so I'll have to learn to get used to it.
My Spanish is coming along well. They teach us church words like baptism, faith, and Holy Ghost. So when I read 'Preach my Gospel' or the Book of Mormon in Spanish I can understand almost everything. I can understand alot but I have trouble speaking. In class I was giving the prayer in Spanish (we pray and sing in Spanish)and I meant to say "Bless us to be better missionaries", but the word for better is 'mejor', and the word for woman or wife is 'mujer', so I said, "Bless us to be women missionaries". My teacher Hermana Thomas just made a face at me after the prayer.
We're already one of the older districts in our zone. Thre's a district that's leaving on Tuesday, (the 5th). Then there will be one district older than us, and two newer than us.
Every week on Thursday we have an English fast, where we are not supposed to speak English. We had one yesterday and we're getting better at it. I'm sure with a few more weeks of practice we'll have it down.
For the first time I went to the Reference Center where we get and make calls to real people and confirm if they received their free whatever, or if they want to get something free like a Book of Mormon or Lamb of God video. Sometimes I would get the "Sure, you can have the representatives (missionaries) come by".
I'm debating whether I should take a nap through personal study, or actually study. Just kidding, of course I'll study. I just say that because yesterday as I was reading 'Jesus the Christ' I was sitting in a chair with my head on my tie looking down reading. And I started to read slower and slower, than my eyes closed, but in my mind I thought I was still reading. Then I woke up again in fifteen minutes. I didn't even know I had fallen asleep. Everyone in the district commended me on my new talent of being able to fall asleep sitting up. I can tell the Lord is blessing me with many new talents. I'm working hard and doing well, because "work is good for you".
ELDER James Meiners
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
2 Letters and a Survey
1-25-08
Dear Family,
..On Sunday we get to watch church movies like Legacy or Testament. Everyone has all the lines memorized, and says them along with the characters. That is our greatest source of entertainment.
I finished the Book of Mormon. That was good. I think I'll try to read Jesus the Christ, too.
Here at the MTC nobody knows if they're eating dinner or lunch, if it's Monday or if it's Thursday. Everything's just a blur.
Spanish is coming along OK. I can't wait until we're good enough to speak it.
The MTC is fun. You just have to be self-motivated. I do pretty well at that, but it's hard when it seems like you never get a break. Only 7 more weeks until I leave this place.
When you write back remind me what grass looks like, or what it feels like to be warm--I can't remember.
ELDER James Meiners
Fri 1-25-08
Family,
I sent a letter to you but then got your survey about 10 minutes later. Today is my P-day (Preparation Day) so I figured I'd write back. I have p-days on Friday. This is my 3rd one. We go to the temple on P-days so we've gone twice. We didn't get to go the first week.
I'm trying to think of a noteworthy experience that has happened. The way I tell the days apart are whether I taught or not that day. I have had a lot of good lessons. So far we've only taught the first one, and we're teaching the second one tonight. Every time we give the lesson the Spirit is really strong. I usually do the First Vision part and then talk about the Book of Mormon. My testimony is pretty strong, and other people can feel it when I'm teaching. Lessons are my experiences.
One time we were having companion prayer and everyone was there except Elder Rogers who was at his desk. Then I said, "Elder Rogers, Elder Rogers it's time for prayer". Exactly the way it happened in 'Best Two Years'. I thought it was funny. I don't think the others got it.
Some Elders in my zone were jumping and screaming how their flight plans came and they get to leave a day earlier than they thought.
All in all I'm doing really good. Despite what I may say about the MTC--it's work, but it's good for you.
This letter has the attached survey.
--MISSIONARY James
--------------------Survey sent to James by Mom----------------------
THIS SURVEY IS DUE NEXT WEEK IN YOUR LETTER TO THE FAMILIA
1. Where is Elder Rogers from? From Washington State. Used to be a skater.
2. What day is your P-day?What do you do on P-day besides survey forms from the familia? P-day is temple, write letters, take naps, laundry, study optional. No chess, unfortunately.
3. Have you done any laundry yet? Yes, I do it on P-day. It's easy with a designated time.
4. Is it still snowing? Not as much, I think it's getting warmer, but I can't tell. Always snow on the ground.
5. How many Elders are in your room? your district? Where are they going?
My room
Missionary James -CA Riv
Elder Rogers -CA Rive
Elder Cox Seattle, WA
Elder Gardner Detroit, MI
My District
US four
Elder Marlin Veracrux, Mexico
Elder Narcross "
Elder Cope (District Leader) Bolivia Reports to another MTC on the 30th
Elder Riley Mexico
6. When do you go to PE? Everyday but P-day and Sunday, for 50 minutes. Different time every day, always after a meal. I run inside the building on the "track". I also play four-square which everybody is crazy about and loves.
7. What have you learned about in classes? Do you learn a particular lesson, or vocabulary? Have a lot of time to study whatever we want. Also have to learn specific things in Spanish and about lessons. I can do an introduction, get to know you, return appointment, pray, and testify in Spanish. Every week we have a verb game with 50 verbs.
8. Have you had any meetings/devotionals with a General Authority? Who was it? L. Tom Perry came. Talked about the Book of Mormon and Martin Harris. We have devotionals on Sunday and Tuesday. Richard Hinckley came and was referring to his dad.
9. How do you like the food? What is your favorite thing there?
It's good, but it's all the same. My favorite is getting breakfast in the temple cafeteria with real bacon.
10. Have you gone to the temple yet? Twice. I have to wake up and be in my suit at 6:30 on temple day (P-day.)
Dear Family,
..On Sunday we get to watch church movies like Legacy or Testament. Everyone has all the lines memorized, and says them along with the characters. That is our greatest source of entertainment.
I finished the Book of Mormon. That was good. I think I'll try to read Jesus the Christ, too.
Here at the MTC nobody knows if they're eating dinner or lunch, if it's Monday or if it's Thursday. Everything's just a blur.
Spanish is coming along OK. I can't wait until we're good enough to speak it.
The MTC is fun. You just have to be self-motivated. I do pretty well at that, but it's hard when it seems like you never get a break. Only 7 more weeks until I leave this place.
When you write back remind me what grass looks like, or what it feels like to be warm--I can't remember.
ELDER James Meiners
Fri 1-25-08
Family,
I sent a letter to you but then got your survey about 10 minutes later. Today is my P-day (Preparation Day) so I figured I'd write back. I have p-days on Friday. This is my 3rd one. We go to the temple on P-days so we've gone twice. We didn't get to go the first week.
I'm trying to think of a noteworthy experience that has happened. The way I tell the days apart are whether I taught or not that day. I have had a lot of good lessons. So far we've only taught the first one, and we're teaching the second one tonight. Every time we give the lesson the Spirit is really strong. I usually do the First Vision part and then talk about the Book of Mormon. My testimony is pretty strong, and other people can feel it when I'm teaching. Lessons are my experiences.
One time we were having companion prayer and everyone was there except Elder Rogers who was at his desk. Then I said, "Elder Rogers, Elder Rogers it's time for prayer". Exactly the way it happened in 'Best Two Years'. I thought it was funny. I don't think the others got it.
Some Elders in my zone were jumping and screaming how their flight plans came and they get to leave a day earlier than they thought.
All in all I'm doing really good. Despite what I may say about the MTC--it's work, but it's good for you.
This letter has the attached survey.
--MISSIONARY James
--------------------Survey sent to James by Mom----------------------
THIS SURVEY IS DUE NEXT WEEK IN YOUR LETTER TO THE FAMILIA
1. Where is Elder Rogers from? From Washington State. Used to be a skater.
2. What day is your P-day?What do you do on P-day besides survey forms from the familia? P-day is temple, write letters, take naps, laundry, study optional. No chess, unfortunately.
3. Have you done any laundry yet? Yes, I do it on P-day. It's easy with a designated time.
4. Is it still snowing? Not as much, I think it's getting warmer, but I can't tell. Always snow on the ground.
5. How many Elders are in your room? your district? Where are they going?
My room
Missionary James -CA Riv
Elder Rogers -CA Rive
Elder Cox Seattle, WA
Elder Gardner Detroit, MI
My District
US four
Elder Marlin Veracrux, Mexico
Elder Narcross "
Elder Cope (District Leader) Bolivia Reports to another MTC on the 30th
Elder Riley Mexico
6. When do you go to PE? Everyday but P-day and Sunday, for 50 minutes. Different time every day, always after a meal. I run inside the building on the "track". I also play four-square which everybody is crazy about and loves.
7. What have you learned about in classes? Do you learn a particular lesson, or vocabulary? Have a lot of time to study whatever we want. Also have to learn specific things in Spanish and about lessons. I can do an introduction, get to know you, return appointment, pray, and testify in Spanish. Every week we have a verb game with 50 verbs.
8. Have you had any meetings/devotionals with a General Authority? Who was it? L. Tom Perry came. Talked about the Book of Mormon and Martin Harris. We have devotionals on Sunday and Tuesday. Richard Hinckley came and was referring to his dad.
9. How do you like the food? What is your favorite thing there?
It's good, but it's all the same. My favorite is getting breakfast in the temple cafeteria with real bacon.
10. Have you gone to the temple yet? Twice. I have to wake up and be in my suit at 6:30 on temple day (P-day.)
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
First Letter
This is our third letter from James, but the first with news...
"Meiners family,
Yo soy bien, y me gusto el MTC. Translating...
I've been at the MTC a little more than a week. Me and my companion have already taught the first lesson about five times. We're pretty good at it. I always do the Joseph Smith story.
I wake up the earliest in our room consisting of Elder me, Rogers, Cox and Gardner. Usually at 6 so I can read a little extra, which is still sleeping in compared to Daniel and Julia.
My health is good. Both my knees and my arm is scabbed from wrestling my 220 Pound room-companion Elder Gardner on the carpet. And I feel tired all the time, and usually have a runny nose, but other than that I'm fine.
The weather is cold, and there is always snow on the ground. It's snowing right now. (10:37:20 am)
I got Dad's letter the 17th. He said Kara came. That sounded cool. I'm too tired to care about exercise, but I eat healthy and exercise anyway. The food is the same, their trying to fatten us up. I always request less food.
Went to the temple this morning. That was fun. Then ate a real breakfast there with bacon.
We played battleship at Spanish class, and it was so cool. I had no chance of getting this one guy out but I did anyway, and I got in his head and made him think I was smarter than I was so he'd pick the wrong coordinates.
By the time you get this letter I'll probably be done reading the Book of Mormon, starting from when I got here. Let's see if I'll be done the 22nd.
Hope the family is doing well,
ELDER James Meiners"
"Meiners family,
Yo soy bien, y me gusto el MTC. Translating...
I've been at the MTC a little more than a week. Me and my companion have already taught the first lesson about five times. We're pretty good at it. I always do the Joseph Smith story.
I wake up the earliest in our room consisting of Elder me, Rogers, Cox and Gardner. Usually at 6 so I can read a little extra, which is still sleeping in compared to Daniel and Julia.
My health is good. Both my knees and my arm is scabbed from wrestling my 220 Pound room-companion Elder Gardner on the carpet. And I feel tired all the time, and usually have a runny nose, but other than that I'm fine.
The weather is cold, and there is always snow on the ground. It's snowing right now. (10:37:20 am)
I got Dad's letter the 17th. He said Kara came. That sounded cool. I'm too tired to care about exercise, but I eat healthy and exercise anyway. The food is the same, their trying to fatten us up. I always request less food.
Went to the temple this morning. That was fun. Then ate a real breakfast there with bacon.
We played battleship at Spanish class, and it was so cool. I had no chance of getting this one guy out but I did anyway, and I got in his head and made him think I was smarter than I was so he'd pick the wrong coordinates.
By the time you get this letter I'll probably be done reading the Book of Mormon, starting from when I got here. Let's see if I'll be done the 22nd.
Hope the family is doing well,
ELDER James Meiners"
Monday, January 21, 2008
Entering the MTC
James arrived at the airport in SLC on January 8, 2008. He and his dad toured the Temple Square in Salt Lake City.
Jan 9th, the day James officially begins his mission. James is getting used to dressing in a suit and tie every day.
A little break in his study.
James shows that he has started his letter writing--not that we didn't think he would.
James sees the Provo Temple, across the street from the MTC before entering at 12:30.
In front of the MTC building.
Signing in
Dave remembers his time here at the MTC 28 years ago, and passes the torch to the second generation Elder Meiners
.
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