What makes an Oregonian?...

Is it just that you live here? No, it's that you live around all these crazy people...AND YOU STILL LIVE HERE!
How are all of you doing this week? Sounds like the boys are growing up. A little too fast if you ask me! I really enjoyed the pictures I got of them this week. What was the deal with only one of Hadyn? I don't know if it was just the picture or not, but he looks a lot older. He also looks like he's thinned out a bit. Haha, I guess I'll have to try and draw pictures for coley on mondays to send to him. Geeze, Erin. What are you trying to do, make me look bad? It sounds like you're really enjoying your primary calling. I'm glad that I can be of service to you. I hope that they can learn from my example.
Similarly, we taught all of the Young Men yesterday. We thought that we were just going to be there for part of it and share our testimonies about missions. Well, about five minutes before it starts, the young men's leader asks us if we're ready to teach. We just paused for a second. "Uh, yeah." So Elder Parkin and I pulled a 40 minute lesson out of thin air haha. We talked to them about the sacrifices for serving a mission. We had each person say something they would have to give up to serve a mission. Then we explained to them that all those things will be there when you get back. Then we had all the bishopric members and those that were there that have served missions say things that they learned while on their missions. We then explained how that list was eternal and those things are not there for you if you choose not to serve. It was a really good lesson actually. I just really hope that it helped some of them in there decide to look into a mission a little more deeply.

We went to a wedding this week of someone that we're teaching. It was a little awkward because we haven't taught the Word of Wisdom yet...yeah. It was an interesting event, but I couldn't be more happy for them. They are now one step closer to baptism. I'm really excited for the progress that they are making.

We did a LOT of teaching this week. It was insane. We had 18 lessons that members were at with us. Our ward here is so amazing. They are all so willing to do missionary work. I'm so blessed to be here in North Bend right now. I really hope that Elder Parkin stays here for another transfer just because we are doing so much work right now. However, I know I'll be okay if he does leave.

I got to have a trial run at taking over the area this week. We went on exchange with the District Leader, Elder Cluff. Elder Parkin went to Florence for a day and Elder Cluff came to North Bend. I was left to make all the plans for that day, the lessons we would teach to people and getting members of the ward lined up to come to the lessons with us. I was fairly stressed out. To be honest, I was making myself sick worrying about it for the two days before it happened. I know that I always had a Stewardship over North Bend and the people here, but it never felt more real than it did then. My worst fear was that a person would cancel a lesson and I'd have to come up with something on the spot to do instead. Well, we actually had two lessons cancel that day but I surprised myself and just did what needed to be done. The entire day ran smoothly and I really felt like we met the needs of the people we were teaching. I'm excited to see what happens. I'll know on saturday whether or not Elder Parkin leaves. All the missionaries here love to joke that I'm training this next transfer. A lot of them think that I'm ready to train another missionary, but I don't think so. I think the earliest anyone has trained is 4 1/2 months. To train at 3 months would be ridiculous.

Well, not much else in the way of news. I just wanted to brag and tell you that I got to go golfing at Bandon Dunes last monday. Yeah, it's a world class golf resort with 4 courses. We have a member of our ward, Ben Knighten, who works as a golf pro there. We got to take the golf carts out (on an all-walking course, mind you) and tour all of the courses. Then we went to the practice range and got to be taught by Ben. Oh, and we got to play on the 9-hole course. I was so excited! It was an incredible experience. Some of the holes go along the cliff with the ocean right down below. It was amazing. Anyway, I have to get going. I love you all. Stay safe and I'll talk to you next week!

Love, Elder Mullenax