Transfer 15, Week 1: Another Round Near Glacier

Hey Everyone, 

         How's the week been for the email family? Has the winter been rough, or has it been in the 40's this week like here in Columbia Falls. 

         As you can probably tell we got transfer news. Yep, I am given the opportunity to once more spend another 6 weeks in the Flathead Valley, specifically in Columbia Falls. I don't think that anyone from the zone was expecting this one to happen. But hey, weirder things have happened. I'm really grateful to be able to stay in Columbia Falls. But now, onto the week...

         To be honest, nothing really exciting happened this week. Inga came to church, but that was just about the only thing I can think of at this point. So, sorry for the boring week, and short email. Hopefully next week will bring improvements. I love you all. Have a great one. Stay Warm!

Love, 

Elder Sherwood

Photo:

Elder Painter and Elder Sherwood

Transfer 14, Week 6: Snow Brings Miracles, Too!

Hey Everyone, 

          How are we doing this week? This wintry week in Columbia Falls Montana has been pretty spectacular! Boy was it a blast, and flying by so fast. So, let me not delay your excitement any further. On with the show...

            This week has been different for many reasons. For one, it's the last full week of the transfer, so the rumors are high about what may happen at Transfer calls tonight/tomorrow.  You never know nowadays when we'll get the call. Hahaha. It'll be good. 

            Anyway, The first couple days of the week were nothing special other than an unexpected phone call from our investigator Inga, where she told us that she was praying about being baptized! If that doesn't start the week off great. I don't know what does! We're very excited for her. 

            Wednesday with the zone leaders out of town for MLC, the district leaders decided to combine districts for district council. And on top of that, the consensus was to also go to Eureka for District/Zone council. It was crazy, but worth it. We had a ton of fun. While we were up there, a few of the other missionaries wanted to go see the U.S./Canada Border. (we were only like 5 minutes from the border) Super cool. 

            So Story time.... We go to our dinner Thursday night, and the father talks about a basketball game at the stake center. So, me being all about playing church ball, ask when it is happening. Apparently the stake here has a lot of nonmembers involved in their stake elders quorum basketball tournament. Of course then we get permission from the zone leaders to go and ball it up with members and nonmembers alike. It was a ton of fun. Later the zone leaders ask for details for the next game/night they are playing. Hahaha. I think we've got them hooked too. 

            Friday night there were a few Miracles too. The first was a result of a faulty timer. We were given a frozen pizza for dinner. So we do our best to cook it. Well, it turned into a hockey puck. So, not being all that hungry, we went to Burger King to go talk to a member that works there, who just got off work. Just at that time, There was another member family, who ended up paying for us. God really does look out for his people. 

            The second was a planned activity. The ward missionary committee planned a "bring a friend" board game night. It was super fun, and we got to meet a few new people. And even with the short notice, we had a great turnout as well. The only bad thing that happened there was that as a result of that activity, I want to own a new board game. Hahaha!

            Saturday, we did a lot of snow shoveling. We arranged with Inga for us to come up and help her with her driveway. There was a lot of snow. Most of it was knee to waist deep. Holy cow!! But it was cool. Afterwards, we sat down for a minute, and chatted about what baptism meant and involved. Inga expressed a desire to be baptized, and set her date for February 22nd. We're both super excited for her. Hooray!

            Well, I think that wraps up this week for me. I hope yours was great as well, keep up the great work, and we'll announce transfer news next time. (unless it comes before 6pm today, but I doubt it.) See ya next week. 

Love, 

Elder Sherwood

Pictures:

Zone Picture

At the border with the Bigfork Elders.

The US/Canadian Border

Our new glasses fogging stopping technology. #skigoggles

With the Bigfork Elders at the USA Monument.

Transfer 14, Week 5: Winter Has Finally Decided to Stay

Hey Everyone, 

         What's new? This week officially started winter for Columbia Falls I do believe, so that's good. We're about 4 inches deep right now, and it's expected for another 9 until about Thursday I believe. So we'll see how many snow men we can build for people. Haha. 

            This week has flown by. It was such a fast week for me and others as well. I sometimes still have a hard time believing that it's already 2020, and I'm in the last leg. So many members here are starting to give me that "don't get trunky" line. It's super funny. Now let me see if I can give the highlights for this last week. 

            To start, in the beginning of the week we had exchanges with the Whitefish elders. Elder Mashburn came to Columbia Falls with me, and Elder Painter went to Whitefish. We had a good time doing service, and removing a bad smell from the apartment. Oh, update on Elder Painter too. He's not dying as quickly anymore, and seems to be back to normal after his weekend long cold. So that's good, too. 

            That actually helps me jump into a little miracle for the week. Because Elder Painter was sick. We both got really tired of spending any extra time at the apartment than we have to, so it helped us find things to do everyday. You never know how the Lord will bless you and do what is necessary to help you out. 

            For the most part, the beginning of the week was the usual, but the later half was where it got exciting. On Friday, we spent a large portion of our time asking questions about people in the area book, and making plans to try to contact them as well. It was super cool, and it provided for many new experiences this week. 

            Saturday, we had the best lesson ever with Inga. We reviewed the Plan of Salvation with her, and she said that it answered a lot of her questions about the afterlife, and her family. It was super cool. Inga is really progressing well, and rapidly. We are excited to see her progress, and I have a feeling that she will be a new convert in not too long.

            Saturday we also got to drive up to Eureka for a Baptism that the Sisters had. It was super cool to see the sisters get to participate in the ordinance as the witnesses.  

            Sunday was Ward Conference, and we learned a lot from the Stake Presidency about the Come Follow Me for 2020, and the youth program. It's answering a lot of ward questions about how and what to expect. Super cool!

            Overall, this week for me has been absolutely fantastic. I have loved it, and we are excited for this next full week of adventures and possibilities up here in our Winter Wonderland of Montana. I hope that y'all have a great week. And we'll sign off for now. Stay safe out there. 

            

Love, 

Elder Sherwood

Pictures ...

The drive to Eureka.

The snow up by Glacier National Park.  My guess is there is about 1.5 feet of snow in that picture.

I got a new pillow.  Pillow Pets Rock!!

Just me having an (apple) beer.  #21jokes

Transfer 14, Week 4: A New Year Ahead!

 Hey Everyone, 

            How are we doing today? And how's the New Year? Got any good New Year's resolutions, or fun activities planned for 2020? haha. This week has been very different for us here in Columbia Falls. And I'll get into that now... 

             So, this week started out really good, but not particularly exciting. Before New Years nothing really exciting happened. Which isn't bad so to say. We had our normal routine, and activities. But the fun and excitement didn't start until the latter end of the week. 

             Everything started Thursday morning. We woke up to the need to change a flat tire. After we spent basically all morning getting that fixed, and a whole new set of tires on our truck. We went to face the day. Which went pretty well I thought. We had a lesson with a lady named Inga. It was pretty great. We were able to teach her a bit about the Plan of Salvation, and she actually came to church last week too. So we were pretty shocked about that too. 

             After the activities on Thursday, we came back, and Elder Painter wasn't feeling too well. This ended our activities for the majority of the remainder of the week. As Elder Painter erupted into a massive cold that lasted even until now. But thankfully we are able to see light at the end of the tunnel I think. So that's good. 

             I hope all of you are enjoying the New Year so far, and have made plans to make it great. I know that with the Spirit's help we can do all things. Have a great week everyone, and we will too. See ya next week. 

Love, 

Elder Sherwood

Transfer 14, Week 3: O Christmas Tree

Hey Everyone, 

       How are we doing today? And how's the weather where you are? This week has been pretty slow actually because of Christmas. There wasn't much going on for us other than Christmas. And to top that all off, it's also kind of late in the day, and I once again don't have enough time. So I'll just wish you all a merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. 

Love, 

Elder Sherwood

Transfer 14, Week 2: Christmas is Coming!

Hey Everyone, 

       How are we all doing? I don't know about anywhere else, but up here in Kalispell, it's looking like no snow for Christmas. Yeah, for a brown christmas..... It's supposed to be 40 degrees, and no snow for this whole next week. 

       So, this week has been pretty great, but there isn't much to say about it either though.  We had a Christmas zone conference in Missoula, a pretty normal week of work in Columbia Falls, and also a baptismal interview up in Eureka. Overall there isn't much to say other than Merry Christmas this season. I love you all. Have a great week. 

Love, 

Elder Sherwood

Transfer 14, Week 1: Happy Birthday Elders

Hey Everyone, 

        How are we all doing today? Enjoying the snow, or is it dry where you are? I think the snow is finally here to stay in Columbia Falls. But of course, now that I say that, it will probably melt away. Haha!

        Anyway, this week has simply flown by at an alarming rate. It was transfers week, and also a crazy busy week as well, as we try to do our best to accomplish everything. It was awesome to see how busy we actually got. Haha. So, and now we're here. 

        The beginning of the week, other than transfers was pretty typical. Oh, I guess I should probably tell transfer news. Elder Suckow was shipped off to Lewistown, and replaced by Elder Painter, coming from Lewistown, MT. Haha what a coincidence. And I'm just staying here. Hooray I don't have to pack right before Christmas. 

        Like I was saying though, Monday through wednesday were normal for us, then Thursday hit. I got to spend the day with Elder Lunt waiting for our new companions. We actually ended up spending most of that time with the Big Fork Elders, having lunch and doing a bunch of service.  It was fun. Haha. We picked up our companions around 6pm, had the transfer dinner @ the stake president's house, and headed home. 

        Oh, I forgot to mention Tuesday. For our dinner on Tuesday, we drove down to Kalispell to be part of a birthday party for the Bodily family. And unexpectedly, they also secretly planned to celebrate both Elder Suckow's( Dec 12th) and My birthday(Dec 14th) as well. So, it was a big old birthday party. Super sweet. 

        Friday, we were super hectic. We went from a normal morning of studies to 4 lessons in the afternoon and evening, while somehow still find time to sit down and play Sorry with Verna. We had a less active lesson with the zone leaders, and 2 investigator lessons, Inga and Jerry. Inga by the way is now a new person, and Jerry is super awesome. Then of course dinner.  Haha. It was a super hectic day. 

        Saturday we had planned on doing our weekly planning,  and we did, but we mostly did service in getting the church ready for the big Christmas party later that day. And it was super fun. 

        Sunday actually was really the only nornal day after transfers. We had church, and later taught Malcolm, had dinner, and spent the evening with Jason. What fun. Haha. 

        Ok, so for a little bio on Elder Painter. He us barely older than me. He is from Kearns, Utah. Has 4 younger brothers, one of which is in the MTC. He loves to draw and is super sarcastic and funny. I love serving with him already. It's awesome. 

        Let's see, It's been a while since I've sent a spiritual thought. Has everyone seen the "Christ Child" video yet, or have been working on Light the World? They are both excellent opportunities to show our faith in Jesus Christ and spread His love this Christmas season. A quote that I love from President Monson goes something like this. To understand the true meaning of the spirit of Christmas, one only need remove the last sylable, and it becomes the spirit of Christ. That is so true, and I hope that we can all keep that in mind moving forward, approaching this sacred Holiday. 

        I hope all of you have a great day this week, and a happy Holiday season. Stay safe out there, and I will too. Haha. See ya next week!

Love, 

Elder Sherwood

Pictures: 

Happy Birthday Elder Suckow and Elder Sherwood.

Elder Sherwood and Elder Painter at the Stake President's house for dinner.