Week 10 A New Companion / 26 Apr

Dear Family-

I think I will start by telling you a little about my companion. His name is Elder Heumos and he from Germany, believe it or not! He's not a Spanish Elder at all, like I thought he might be, from the name. He is certainly a very powerful missionary, and always obedient. All the English he learned was on his mission or in the England MTC, and yet he speaks amazingly good English. It is truly the gift of tongues at work. He's only been out for 7 1/2 months, and if you could hear him now you would think he has been speaking English for years. I am really enjoying our companionship, and we're already seeing some amazing miracles.

We prayed about a street to go knocking the very first day we were out in the mission field. At the 2nd door we knocked we met 2 people named Pete and Jason, who were ready to hear the gospel message. Pete is very quiet but he is accepting the gospel without question, like he already knew it was true. Jason, however, has lots of questions for us, and they're good questions but sometimes very challenging ones. Anyway, after talking to them on Thursday we invited them to church, and they both came! This is the first time on my mission I've had people come to church. We had amazing lessons and I was so happy to see them really participating and enjoying their experience at church. And besides them, we already have 3 people confirmed to come to church this next Sunday. Things are really starting to kick off, I can't believe the blessings that are coming so fast.

To be honest this week has gone by so fast I have no idea what else to say! It's all been a blur as we've been finding and talking to everyone on the streets, there's just never a moment when nothing is going on. I guess I'll mention that this transfer, unfortunately, is only a 5-week transfer, so it will go until the very end of May I believe. I'm not sure why they made this transfer only a 5 week one, but it helps out the year schedule somehow. I doubt that either of us will get moved, though, so if the work continues like it is right now I'll probably be staying with Elder Heumos for at least a few months.

On a side note, there's something I needed to mention but have forgotten to until now. My personal finance card (the First Tech card) doesn't work overseas. From what I can figure out from other missionaries, the account needs to have something special done to it so that it can be accessed overseas. If you could maybe ask the First Tech people what needs to be done so I can access personal finances, that would be great. It's not urgent that I need them but it's always nice to be prepared. Hopefully you're able to help with that.

Hopefully Brandon is feeling much better the next time I hear from you. Maybe some sunshine would help. Is it getting a little more cheerful over there? It's finally starting to warm up a little over here so that I don't have to wear my coat all the time. I'll try to take more pictures so I can have some more to send to you. My companion insists that I need to take pictures of everything, but I've never been much of a picture-taker. I'm sure you'll appreciate his influence on me.

I'll write next week and let you know how the church-gathering went. Take care until then, and let everyone know I'm happy to be here doing the Lord's work. Time is going way too fast.

Love,

Elder Alsop