Don Sherwood Family Blog: Transfer 3, Week 1: Some Major Deja Vu, a lot of Driving, and An Apostle

Hey everyone,

So, this week was pretty exciting. Between transfers and a lot of other stuff we had a lot of fun. So let's jump into it.

So of course first things first, on Monday we got to see some dead people. One of the members of our Ward owns a mortuary in Great Falls called "Croxford Mortuary and Funeral Home". It was kind of cool we got to see some caskets and how they do viewings, as well as where they burn the people to cremate them. We got to see some a pretty sweet and really old hearse, and learned a lot about embalming. It was quite an exciting tour.

Tuesday began the fun with transfers. Because Elder Manning was being sent to Kalispell, he spent the day packing. It was kind of boring. I ended up spending most of the day cleaning the car, apartment, and many other things. But it was worth it so that my new companion could come in and have a nice clean apartment. We got to go see Andy Watson before we left to Great Falls. Because because both Elder Manning and I have a connection with him, Elder Manning through Cove Fort, and me through Diane Smith, sister to sister Watson, Br. Watson gave us both one of his lamps. He is a potter and so he gave us both a clay lamp since we have a connection with his family. It was a rare treat.

Wednesday and Thursday kind of seemed to blend together. We had to be in Great Falls by about 9 a.m. for transfers. Elder Wilcox and I got to hang out with River's Edge for a couple hours. Then the Zone Leaders came back, and I went in a trio with them for the rest of the day. It was good we got to go and visit some people and had a good dinner so...It was kind of weird. I felt like I was third wheeling it, which kind of made it uncomfortable but what can I do?

On Thursday the Zone Leaders left to go get the new Elders. Yep, you guessed it, I am training. Fresh out of the MTC. His name is Elder Lunt. He is from American Fork, Utah, and has three siblings. He is a pretty cool guy, full of knowledge and is ready and willing to work. This transfer is going to be a lot of fun. But we had to wait to go back to the area, until the car finished in the shop. We had to get a tire rotation and an oil change done.

On Friday we have the trainer call, which is basically a big conference call, where all leadership have a discussion about the importance of training and what all of our rules are and helping new missionaries learn and grow. It was a pretty great call. Last time it went for about 2 hours, but this one only went for one. I was having a hard time hearing it, because the in-coming call volume on the phone sucks, and Bluetooth speakers don't help in-coming call volumes. So we engineered a way that I could view it, and then hold the phone to my ear for a full hour. What an adventure.

After that call, on the same day, we went and met brother Phinney, and played chess, it was pretty good. We also had a correlation meeting while we were doing it, so I guess win win? Then after dinner, we went and helped the Contway's rope cattle again. I love doing it. It's so much fun.

Saturday was the big day. We got to drive from Great Falls all the way down to Billings with the Zone Leaders, to go and see an apostle, Elder Neil L Andersen. It was pretty sweet, the drive was long but it was well worth it to meet Elder Anderson and shake his hand. We definitely learned a lot, and are excited to make the changes necessary to follow his counsel.

Overall, this week has been pretty good. I am excited to train Elder Lunt. And I'm sure he is excited to be out of here as well. This week was crazy, and now hopefully we'll have a normal week next week. Oh wait, we have Zone Conference next week, yay.

Well, I'm running a little behind, so the spiritual thought today is going to be a little short. I've been thinking a fair bit about Book of Mormon again, about how important it is in our lives, and if we utilize it we can have the power we need to overcome anything. It is a great gift that we are given from God, to have his word in our day. We need to treasure the Book of Mormon and read it every day. That way we can have the power available when we need it.

This week has been pretty great. I expect this next transfer will be very exciting I can't wait to find out what will happen next.

Love,

Elder Sherwood

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