Hi mom,
JASON IS HOME IN A DAY AND A LITLE OVER SIX HOURS!!! THAT MEANS THA I'M OVER A 1/4 OF THE WAY DONE WITH MY MISSION!!!! THAT'S NOT COOL!!
I DO THIS WHOLE E-MAIL IN CAPS BUT IT'S A LOT OF WORK AND FRANKLY, I'M JUST TO LAzy.
I just want to start by saying that I'm doing just fine. My health is perfect, I haven't had any problems with health in any way. Now that I've established that I'm fine, no sickness, no hospital trip, no pain; and that the nurses here in the mission know what they're doing (the whole mission had meetings with them before interviews this week), you should probably take a break, do some deep breathing, read Doctrine and Covenants 84:88 (just some ideas) before you continue reading.
Ok, your completely relaxed. no aches, no pains, you want nothing more then to lie down and take a nap. Do so if you want, but when you wake up, go straight back to reading, and bring some tranquilizers.
Mom, I'm sitting you down in a chair, on the sofa, in your bed. I'm making you promise not to over react, because I wanted to break this news to you in a much, much, MUCH, meaner way. I got hit by a car last Monday (that's eight days ago). I'm totally fine, don't worry. The worst damage that came from the hit was to my bike, which was completely destroyed, NOT. It only had the chain/gears messed up, super easy fix. Maybe my camera was worse. The lines cap broke, so I have to take it to get it replaced when I can, but the camera still works so don't send me a new one.
I wanted to tell you that so differently. I really wanted to steal someone else's e-mail (like my companion's) and write, "Dear Sister Blanding, We regret to inform you that your son got hit by a car," or something like that, but Elder Gonzalez (my companion) was against it and I figured it was a little mean to do that to you. I told the mission nurse my idea and she thought it was cruel, but funny.
With a car crash as the starting point, the rest of the week was kind of... dull. We got the bike fixed on Tuesday, cost all of $45 with changing to a set of better peddles. We had interviews on Wednesday, (I keep thinking in terms of Spanish when I think of days of the week!!). I asked President Hall about how I can eat better, he had two suggestions that I thought were both strange and inspired. They were sayings. "Eat around the edges" (as in around the edges of a grocery store) and "eat out side the box" (as in pre-prepared food). Such and inspired man. Thursday we planned. Friday we had service and ate dinner with Hermano J, he's a member of the Obispado (Bishopric) and lives in the extinction of our area, so we have dinner with him every Friday. (Finally I get member dinners and I probably will leave this transfer). Saturday we went finding and taught a few lessons. Sunday was church and that was about it.
We got to meet the mom of S*. She's so cool, and a whole lot like S*. We taught her lesson one and read a little with her from the Book of Mormon. We had her say the prayer twice, and I don't think she gets the idea of saying a prayer out loud. We just sat there, heads bowed, arms closed, waiting for "Amen." The last time she did it, we sat there for a good six minutes and I was worried that she wasn't praying so we were all waiting for someone to say amen. Especially because we had a lesson at the church (a good 10-15 minute ride from S*'s) in 5-10 minutes. That was yesterday, so the church was being opened especially for us to teach. Good news, They both went to church on Sunday. Better news, S* could be ready. She often refers to listening to us (The missionaries) as "Studding with us" (including herself) or saying that what WE (again including herself) have to offer is very good. We plan on trying to set her fecha (date) for the Sunday before transfers.
It's L* and B*. They're doing great. They've been having problems getting to church, but we're working on it. She's also still working on her divorce, but it's happening.
We have one new investigator who looks really [promising]. Her name is L*. She's super solid. Not quite ready for a fecha, but willing for baptism. She also likes to meet in the church (she's the one who had the lesson on Monday) and asked us for a blessing the very first time I met her (Elder Gonzalez talked to her on exchanges with Elder Gutierrez (Sorry, I know that's another G*) and taught her on splits with Elder Rangel).
The only other investigators with any promise are E* and V* (the mom and brother of A* (the kid who got baptized). We had to drop B* (V*'s boyfriend) because he really wasn't interested. We think he only listened to us because V* was listening, and now that it looks like he's on his way out, he's not even participating any more. We did find out some fun news this week, V*'s real name is Jesus (pronounced He-sus) FUN. We've always thought it was V*.
As for a bad barber, yes, I did have a bad barber, myself. I tried to cut my hair a few weeks back and, well you see the results (add picture here if desired). It was fun. Good thing I got used to this hairstyle a long time ago. I am saving a lot on shampoo and gel.
Yes, that does mean membership card. There is a Costco in every Zone in the mission, which means that I could possibly live my mission off going to Costco, all I need is a membership. Instructions on how to get my own would be acceptable as well.
RE-TURN AND REPORT
weight: (as of Monday) 176!!! this was a huge success, last week I gained way more and I was so mad at myself.
Spanish: 5/7 still working for a full week, but Spanish is way easer now.
That's about it. Again I'm fine, really. Just a few scrapes and bruises. I love you mom.
Forward, Pressing Forward... Singing
Elder Michael Blanding... soon to only the only Elder Blanding. (Probably just keep signing off as Elder Michael Blanding though.)