Well
it was transfers week last week. I got sent up to lake Erie to a
little town called North East. It's about 2 hours north of my old area.
Sister Holmstead and I are serving in the same area again. She served
with me in Pitt 3rd and got transferred up here 3 months ago. Now I'm
here. Small world. My companion is super funny as well. Works hard
which is great! My new address is
47 1/2 South Mill St.
North East, PA. 16428
The
beginning of the week wasn't even real life as a missionary. On Monday
we were running like mad. I had to go to a billion stores to make sure
i had everything i needed. After we went to the Zebraski's house for
dinner. We had hamburgers, hot dogs, and lasagna. It was yummy:) Then
we went and visited with the McDowell's. Tuesday, in my typical
fashion, i was frantically trying to get packed in time. I had all of
my stuff on the floor trying to figure out how to pack my life into 3
suit cases. Luckily i didn't have as many boxes as i did when i came out.
The Sister's picked us up, and we packed 6 suit cases into their tiny
Corolla. It was not a pleasant trip. We got to the meeting, and
President read off where we were going and who our companion was. Since
my area is so far away, my new companion didn't come. So i had to ride
with some other Elder to my new area. We got home pretty late so
didn't have much time to do anything.
We
didn't have district meeting on Wednesday because Elder Holland came on
Thursday! We went and visited Some investigators
they were teaching. After we walked around and tried some potential
investigators. We have a car, but our area is so big that we walk a
ton! My legs were dying. We hardly walked at all in my last area
#norestfortheweary.
Elder
Holland came, and it was AWESOME!!!!!! It was down at the Cranberry
chapel (which is 30 minutes out of Pittsburgh, and 2 hours for me). He
came at 2. The whole mission was there, and we were quietly waiting for
him, reading scriptures, praying, thinking, etc. Typical missionary
stuff. I couldn't concentrate though. I was too excited! When he got
to the chapel, he wanted to talk to shake all of our hands at the
beginning. After Elder Hallstrum spoke it was Elder Hollands turn.
Pretty much the first thing he said was: "When we shook your hand we
interviewed you." My heart pretty much died when he said that. Then he
went on to say that we all looked good! No one was sent home. That
would have been awkward for that missionary. It was such an awesome
experience though. He talked a lot about change, and becoming. We as
missionaries need to "burst". We need to reach the 212 degrees of
boiling point. We need to burst as missionaries, and not go home with
the song still in us. He also said that the Lord expects one convert
from our mission--us. It was awesome! What i learned from it took
place after the meeting. My companion and I were walking out side after
the meeting, and Elder Holland rolled down the car window and asked how
we were doing. Before he left he said "Work Hard". That simple phrase
summed up the meeting with him. I had all the info behind that phrase.
I just need to do it! Every time I get tired or discouraged, or fell
like not doing something, his voice and face come to my mind, "Work
Hard". This work is hard; It requires hard work. We know in Jacob 5
how the Lord said he did everything he could for His vineyard. He
didn't do here a little and there a little. Nor prune and pluck a
couple of trees, he did everything He could! He gave His all and asks
us to do the same. However we have his help every step of the way if we
are willing to have faith and "put our shoulder to the wheel". He also
said that we need to do what we expect from our investigators: prayer
more fervently, read with power, etc. We all are still God's
investigators. I love Elder Holland so much.
Towards
the end of our week it was a little slow. This area seems to be a bit
harder than my last area--everything is hard in the east though. We
tried a lot of potential investigators, and did a whole lot of walking. I
have been so tired! It's been great though. I'm trying to get the
area down, learn the faces, and follow the Spirit.
Monday
was memorial day. Consequently the libraries were closed. So, we went
to the Erie Zoo with the Sister's and the Zone Leaders. It was a tiny
little thing, but it was cool! We all wanted to ride the train, so we
were going to save it for last. When we went to get our tickets there
was a sign that said it was closed from 12-1. The time we had planned
to ride it. So that didn't work out. After, the Sister's and Elder
Linford and I went to the BBQ at a members. He lives on a
farm/vineyard. There are a billion grape vineyards here. He took us on
a hay ride of it. That night, Elder Rasmussen, the missionary who I
replaced came back to visit with his family. We went to Applebee's with
them. It was fun. They're a great family!
That
was my week. It's fun, but different. I'm still trying to get
situated. Hopefully I'll get the hang of it this week. Love ya. Have a
great week:)
Elder Birrell
 |
| Austin and his companion Elder Lindford |
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