Daniel vs Special Trainings, The Apache County Fair, and more!

From: Eric Feller <eric.feller@myldsmail.net>
Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2010 17:02:07
Subject: Heey

This week was pretty crazy. First of all, I forgot to tell you about my trip to New Mexico: We went to Pie Town New Mexico, the pie shop was closed, and we came back. It was pretty terrible.

Next! This week we had trainings in Show Low. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday we drove down there every day to get special trainings from our Mission President. It was pretty cool. It was all about asking inspired questions to find the real needs and concerns of investigators, emphasizing a need for having the spirit always. I already knew everything because it was exactly what I learned in the MTC. But it was really good practice now that I'm met real investigators and taught real lessons. We also got to watch The District... 2! The first "The District" was a documentary about these missionaries in San Antonio Texas. One of them taught at a meeting I was at in the MTC. But it was cheesy and not that good I heard. They go though missionary days and what they do and stuff. I never saw it. But The District 2 was about these missionaries in San Diego California. (All the beach shots made me trunky!(Homesick in missionary terms)) But they were using the new program and it was awesome! I don't know who all reads this blog, but if you want to know what missionary work is about, walk up to the local Mormon Church, find Bishop Peterson, and demand a copy! Haha, tell him I sent you. I don't even know if people can get copies of it yet... But try! Its really good. It shows the best and worst parts about missionary work, and how the real goal is to make people happy as they come to the gospel. And if you guys do find a way to watch it, pay attention to the moment the spirit enters the room. Its awesome, you can really feel it, even from the movie. OH! and The District movies are real missionaries talking. No imputed lines or anything. All real. We were supposed to teach a few lessons every night of the trainings but we only got to teach one on the first night. One of the Assistants to the President came with us and we asked our investigator some inspired questions! It was mostly me.. to be honest. more on that later. But we found out that he hasn't read the Book of Mormon, wants to be baptized, but wants to make sure that its true first. We told him to do that he has to find the time to read and pray about the Book of Mormon, to know if it was true, and to come to church to learn more and receive that witness. He said he would, but didnt show up to church because of a family thing. Gahh. So frustrating. But he felt bad about it at least, which is good. We'll make sure he's there next week. Then! The reason we werent able to teach is because of the Apache County fair! Its held in this little town and people from all over come to it and its the hugest fair ever and the missionaries have to go because their booth is like the hangout spot and they get so many contacts and referrals and stuff. Thats what we were told. Then we sat in a booth for 2 days and talk to twenty something people. I tried talking to a lot of people, but they dont want to talk to you at the fair they just want to walk by and have fun. So it wasn't as effective as it could've been. Plus, I was doing all the work, my companion wasn't backing me up at all! Which makes talking to 100 people, like my goal was, very hard. And the fair wasnt that big. I was expecting California State Fair size the way our Ward Mission Leader was talking about it. But it was just a dinky little thing. But I guess huge for where we are... It was fun though, we went to the Rodeo friday night. My first Rodeo ever. It was kinda lame. They said it was professional, but they werent that good. Elder Gunter is a professional Team Roper (Two people rope a cow, the horns and the legs). In the Pro Circut he's a rank 8 out of 10. Which is really high. He was better than everyone there. Too bad he couldn't compete hahaha Oh well, it was still interesting. Then Sunday we taught 2 lessons! One was a sunday school class because we had 3 investigators who had not heard the first lesson. So Chad, our famous Ward Mission Leader, had us teach it too the class. I started, then my companion repeated what I said, then looked at me, and didn't say anything the rest of the lesson! Not because he was training me or anything. He just didn't. So I was only prepared to teach some principles, but I taught all of them. It was hard and I said "and um" a lot apparently, because later Chad told me I did, and that he wanted to work with me. The second lesson was a girl who already knew everything, and could finally be baptized because she turned 18. There was some mix up because she's in Gunter's area, but her fellowship is in ours. But we taught her the first lesson and they're going to teach her the next 3 on Sunday. Her parents wouldn't let her get baptized before. It went pretty good, but I realized that I need to know the lessons better than I do. I don't want to say too much bad stuff about my companion, until I get a new one next transfer, which I will because Elder Gunter talked to our Zone Leaders for me, but he's not qualified to train. And I feel like I've almost wasted a transfer just being with him and knowing nothing. I thought it was just lack of Teaching Opportunities, but no. He's a pretty bad teacher, and gets pissed at me for everything.. I just let it go, but its starting to bother me. I'm new! I don't know anything, that's why I'm asking. But next week I'll go into more detail. But when we were on exchanges, and I had Elder Russ with me, we talked to Chad and he told me what I had been thinking for a while. I dont think Chad likes him either, so I have a feeling he'll be gone at transfers. Chad has influence like that.. its scary. So now I'm excited for transfers. More on the story next week. Hopefully.

Thanks everybody for the fast! I hope I see the blessings of it! Here, or if I move to a different place next week. But I hope the blessings are felt here anyways! The area needs it. I dont want to say that its because of "the missionaries here" but it might be. Obedience and how hard the missionaries work has a lot to do with how well the area does. And its not me. don't worry... I've still got that greenie fire!  I saw this because me and Elder Russ did pretty good in the two days we were together in my area. I really shouldn't be talking bad about my companion and area, but its the truth and I want you to know that. But I really do appreciate everyone thinking of me. :D