12-14-09

Hello there family.

I think that if you are all not sitting down, you should be. I know I wish I would have been sitting down when President Macdonald called me. So here is the story. We were at Jim's baptism on Saturday morning, and I left the phone in my suit pants(I was wearing my whites to baptize) but a few minutes before 10:00, I decided to check the phone to see if the other missionaries had called. Well, we missed a call, but it wasn't from the other missionaries. It was from President Macdonald and there was a voicemail. So I start listening to it and it says, "Hello, this is President Macdonald. Elder Mullenax, I'm going to need you to call me back." I was a little scared, but I made the call and it went to his voicemail so I left a message saying that I was at a baptism and that I wouldn't be able to get back with him until after 11:00. Well, the baptism went by and President called back promptly thereafter. I answer the phone and our conversation went like this:

"Elder Mullenax, how was the baptism?"

"Oh, it was great, President."

"Good, good. You having a good time out there in North Bend?"

"Definitely. I love it out here."

"I'm glad to hear it. Well, I'm sorry to tell you that you'll have to leave because the Lord has called you somewhere else."

"Okay, President." "The Lord also needs your talents and skills. Elder Mullenax, you'll be follow-up training a new missionary. He's been out six weeks. We're very confident that you'll be able to do it. You're a great missionary and the Lord will bless you. So, will you do it?"

"Uh, thank-you, President. Yeah, yeah I can do that."

"Great, well the Lord loves you. You have a great day."

"President, can you tell me where I'll be follow-up training at?"

"Well, you'll be up here in my neighborhood. We'll be seeing a lot more of each other!"

Then we said goodbye and I just stood there with the phone still up to my ear in shock. Then Brother Olsen walks by and glances and does a double-take. He asks, "Elder Mullenax, are you okay?" I respond after a second, "Uh, I'm training." Well, he was really excited for me and so was Elder Rupp, but I was shocked and scared and I'm not sure it's worn off yet. I could have handled just moving, but moving and training I think may be a bit more than I can handle. I just hope I don't scar the poor kid. His name is Elder Wright(not sure on the spelling, I've only heard the name) and we will be serving in Springfield, which is basically Eugene. There's really no separation between the two, other than a line on the map. The good news is that I'll be serving right next to Elder Parkin and another missionary I love, Elder Lenz.

I'm glad you got my Christmas Card and that you liked it. The family is the Morales family. They are so awesome. I'll tell you more about them another time. I'll probably write a letter for that. I have not put on any weight. Unfortunately, I've lost 10 pounds. With being sick and everything, I dropped. I don't seem to be bouncing back from it either. I hope that I gain it all back and put on a bit more. My pants are all a bit loose now. My companion is about an inch taller than me.

Wow, I didn't know that Daniel was even back from his mission. That's pretty cool. I think we'll do Christmas day, and I think we'll shoot for the evening. I'm not sure though. I still have to find out who I'm spending Christmas with. I decided to stick with the counsel of the First Presidency and not talk to Kristin. I've learned that following the rules, even if you don't understand all the "whys" is always the best choice.

I did get the Jerky and the package from Erin. I loved the pictures of the boys. Elder Parkin did not tell me you sent him a christmas card. I'll have to get angry at him for that. I found out that Parkin is a District Leader now! He is definitely the man for the job. I just wish I was in his district haha.

Well, I don't really have much more to say. Oh, I did have to open all my christmas gifts since I'm being transferred. I love everything. I'm actually wearing one of the ties you sent right now. I really like the gloves, but they are very much too small. The beanie fits very well though. Tell Erin and James I said thanks for the CDs and all the candy. Maybe that will help me gain my weight back. I haven't opened the book that Mark and Lindsey sent yet because it was small enough I could pack it wrapped. My black shoes are toast. The soles are pretty much gone and they are cracking. I tried to find some new ones here in North Bend but the selection was slim and I couldn't find anything. If you have a chance, look into a brand of shoes for me. They are "Ecco". The soles are very hard and durable and the leather on top does not crack. Quite a large number of missionaries make it their entire mission with one pair. My guess would be to look online or at Dillards. I also don't know how much they are. I just asked Elder Rupp and he thinks that they run $80-90. I will also be looking around up in Eugene when I get there. I love you all. Have a great day and I hope that you have a good week. Keep me in your prayers, as well as my new companion. He'll probably need them more than I do.

Love, Elder Mullenax