Monday, June 24, 2013

Getting Adjusted in Bellevue and Got to Go to the Temple

Hey Family!

There's a severe thunderstorm warning right now so the weather outside is bonkers right now. I'll be fine though. Haven't heard anything about tornadoes. This one night back when I was in Grand Island, there was like 8 funnel clouds and some touched down in a town called York that I've actually been to quite a bit. They were out in the country so no serious damage so that's good. 

But anyways things are going good here. Well it's always tough reopening an area but hopefully we can get some stuff done. We don't really have any solid investigators but this one former investigator talked to us for a bit and invited us back some this week so hopefully that works out. My companion is from BC, Canada and is 28 years old. And is super awkward. So needless to say I do most of the talking. And even though he's been out 21 months I do most of the coordinating as well. So yeah I wouldn't be surprised if President Weston has plans for me to train soon. 

President Weston is awesome by the way. He hates tracting haha. Hates it. Which I won't complain about at all. He a pretty funny guy as well. Someone was talking about maybe extending their mission and he said "Extending? I wouldn't want to extend even for 2 months." But yeah he's really in tune with the Spirit and pretty awesome and says funny stuff. 

I got to go to the temple this past week on Friday. It was good. The temple is super small it was weird. But it was a good experience. President Weston actually told me in Celestial room to "Hang in there" cause yeah I would be lying if I said that Mendel was my favorite companion. But don't worry I'm hanging in there. I hope things pick up here soon. I'm sure they will. We have a good ward and bishop. Too bad a lot of the area is military housing which we can't proselyte in. 

And with my reading I'm on chapter 18 I think of 3 Nephi so I'm getting there. 

Hopefully by next week we'll have some investigators to talk about. 

Well anyways I love you guys! I sent Austin a letter so I hope he got it. Well have a great week everybody! I could go for some couch rest right now and some T.V. Whatever it'll still be there in 1.5 years. 

Love you guys!

Love,

Elder Ballif

Monday, June 17, 2013

Pictures!

The last of the pictures from Grand Island, NE...
Elder Ballif's apartment. 
Elder Ballif vs. Predator
Grand Island 1st and 2nd ward missionaries
with Elder Daines
with Elder Jacobson (and Elder Durfee in the background)
The Mendez Family
The Smith Family
Last picture with Elder Chappell
Pictures from Bellevue, NE...
new apartment
new apartment
Bellevue Scenery
Bellevue Scenery

Transferred to Bellevue

Hey Family!
Well transfer week has been fun--not really. Kind of stressful but we're getting settled in. That address I gave is correct. They're like brand new apartments and if you look up Williamsburg Dr, it's right by it. I don't know why google maps doesn't pick it up. 

My new apartment is sweet. It has a washer and dryer and doesn't smell like weed. And yeah, Bellevue is a lot nicer than Grand Island. And the ward seems pretty awesome as well. I mean Grand Island has some nice areas but I don't think I've seen any projects in Bellevue. Oh and we don't even live in our area so I haven't seen much of it. We live about 2 miles from our boundary. And we have no car and no phone but I hear they're working on getting us both. 

The Bishop yesterday was wondering if we're allowed to drive other people's cars but unfortunately we're not. It's pretty awesome cause the ward seems like they're bending over backwards for us. They must be sick of the Sisters haha. There has been an investigator going to church for a month and a half and they haven't even seen her or even gotten her address. Which I got within being at the church for 2 minutes. But yeah we haven't been able to get like anything done, not having a phone or car. 

 My companion's name is Elder Mendel. He's from Canada and he's 28 years old. Yeah. He's a bit interesting. Pretty awkward so I do most of the talking now. Which is good for me cause it's making me a bit more talkative. Well I have to be now. He goes home in 3 months so lucky him. He predicts I'll kill him off and then become a District Leader and Trainer. That will be a joy. 

Chappell said that training is the most difficult thing. And he's a Zone Leader now. That's why I got transferred. But whatever Bellevue seems like a nice place. 

That's great about Mom and Jenn's weight loss! I have lost around 25 and missionaries that haven't seen me in a while all noticed I've lost weight so that makes me pretty happy. 

We have our work cut for us this next transfer. I'll probably tract a few times but It'll be a good experience. I'm gonna miss Elder Chappell but I'm sure I have stuff I need to learn from Elder Mendel. I've already learned from him not to serve a mission till you're 28. Man that would suck. 

Well anyways I love you guys! Have a great week!
Love,
Elder Ballif

Monday, June 10, 2013

A Couple of New Investigators

Hey Family!
 
My week went pretty well. We had 11 lessons. Oh and some kid just randomly came to church yesterday. He said his friend in Colorado told him to check it out and he did. He seemed pretty nice. We talked about video games. That's one good thing that came out of the games I played. I can relate to about 90% of and let them know that we're normal people. 

Oh and a member moved in to our ward that is less active and I'm pretty sure she has a brother that isn't a member that came here as well and he really want's to go to church. We haven't met him yet but we are going to tonight. His name is Leone I think. 

Oh and Taylor is getting baptized on the 2nd or 3rd of next month! I'm excited. She'll be a convert for sure not just a baptism. 

I hope I don't get transferred. Transfers are this week. I wouldn't mind staying 2 more transfers with Chappell actually. That would take us into September. That's pretty crazy. This transfer has flown by. 

And as far as the other investigators go (Duke and Ann) we haven't been able to make contact with them again. But we'll keep trying. But I'm excited about Leone and Taylor. 

And reading is going well. And yes Mom I do use the CD's ;) I'm in 3 Nephi now. That's good about the car. And that's alright about Austin. I know I didn't write him as much as I should have but I know I did more than 1 email. I am sorry though. I should've written more but hey the past is past. I would love to start getting stuff from him.  I'll write him a letter this week. I know I said I'd try last week but it's amazing how little time you actually have to do the things you want to on a mission. 

Oh and yes Mom I got the basketball pumped up. Me and Elder Chappell actually have been waking up earlier and play at the church. It has been fun. Well I need to get going. Love you guys!
 
P.S. I bought a sackpack for the summer cause they're lighter than backpacks. It was 10 bucks but I noticed I had 34 in there. I hope you don't mind. Thank you!
 
Love,

Elder Ballif

Monday, June 3, 2013

Two new Investigators

Hey Family!
 
My week has been pretty good. Not quite the amount of lessons as last week but still a decent amount. 10. Not too shabby for Grand Island I suppose. Before I forget I spent 30 bucks at Kohls in place of the 30 bucks for shoes. Just a heads up. I should be good spending money on the home card for the month, hopefully longer. 

Yeah it's frustrating as a missionary because you get your hopes up. But whatever, if we keep being diligent and obedient I'm sure we'll see the fruits of our labors. 

 That's great about the cabin. I feel like I want to take more advantage of that when I get back as in go a lot more with you guys. That's good that the job is working out for Austin. I still haven't heard a thing from him. Makes me pretty upset actually. But whatever. I'll try to get a letter out to him this coming week. 

Dang I hope you can figure out what's going wrong with the car. And yeah that was not a very good investment. I still like Audi's though. The previous owner did not take good care of it. I saw a brand new Honda Accord and it was really nice. I wouldn't mind driving that. 

I hope Ellie does well in her recital. Tell her good luck! 

As far as teaching efforts go, we potentially have 2 new investigators. One guys name was Duke and he was a "brotha". Served prison time no big deal. He was super nice and he was a former investigator and we talked to him out in his yard and he said we could come by and teach some lessons again. And the other one's name is Ann. She was taught a ton by some Sister missionaries around 5 years ago. She sounds like she believes but is content where she is at. I think that can change. And she said we could come by any time so that was good. She was really nice. 

And as far a my reading goes I am on Helaman Chapter 6. I really liked the war chapters of Alma. Captian Moroni was a boss. 

 Oh and crap yeah I ment to mention something about the package last week but forgot. I sure did get it. And it was awesome. The high chews are all gone haha. Oh and the beef jerky was gone in like a day and a half. I'm going to be using the TF-1000 later today as well. And I liked those ties too. The "patriotic" one is pretty ridiculous. I wore it on Memorial Day haha. 

And yes Dad the Church is true. I love you all! Stay safe and have a great week!
 
Love,

Elder Ballif