March 17, 2010

Hey Dad.

Great to get your email this morning. It’s been a wild past couple of days.  Things really got shaken up for me.

On Saturday we had the baptism of Sister Daisy! YES!!! Her and her two daughters were baptized. It was cool because they are the first people that Elder Arbado and I found, taught, committed and baptized together. My first full circle! It was awesome. Sister Daisy is EXTREMELY spiritual! I'm so excited for her future in the Church. She's going to talk to Bishop on Sunday with her daughters for Dedication Recommends for the temple. GREAT STUFF!!! I asked her how things have been going since her baptism and confirmation and she said it feels like my heart is always happy. That was great to hear because when we first met her she was REEEEALLY struggling emotionally because her husband left her and they're separated now. But now she's happy all the time. The Spirit can do that. You know, work miracles.

Then Sunday afternoon Elder Arbado got pulled out of our Ward Mission Coordination Meeting by the zone leaders. After about 10 minutes he came back. Emergency Transfer. Apparently something happened on Negros in Dumaguete Zone and they needed to split up two angry missionaries so they looked at who is the happiest and is having success. Elder Arbado and I.  Actually, we're not sure why they picked us but we're pretty sure that’s why. Quite a compliment.

So I found out my companion is Elder Nambio who "hates anything that isn't Filipnio. Especially Americans". I'm like, that’s great.  I know I don't look like it but I AM American. I heard horror story after horror story about this guy. So Sunday night I just asked Heavenly Father to help me to magnify my gift of kindness. I think I'm a pretty easy person to get along with and I don't like contention at all.  So the next morning Arbado and I went to the mission office and there was my new companion. I just forced myself to forget everything that everyone said about him and just be his companion as if I had no idea who he was. And so
far it’s seemed to work. We've laughed, had a good time together, taught some great lessons, and things seem to be going really well so far.

I had a feeling before I came out that because I get along with people easily that I was going to be receiving companions that have relationship issues or that are tough to get along with. So....here we go. It starts now
apparently.

Nice to hear about the Lord's basketball teams. The Jazz sound like they are doing great. I pray for them every night. Just kidding. But we really needto get some fit healthy guys on that roster that can avoid injury. And thenBYU losing in semifinals...dang. But Florida! That would be a great win. Actually, ANY win in the NCAA tournament would be a great win.

Alright dad. Just realized that I forgot to email President Hansen. I love you and hope that you have a great week.

Brandon