4-26-10

Hi family! How are you all?

I wish I could have been there for Coleman's music program. I'm sure it was a lot of fun to see that little boy ham it up! I can't believe the kid is turning 6 this year. He is getting so old!

I can't wait to see more pictures of Lyric. She looks adorable!

So I had a very interesting experience today. I attended the funeral of a 9-day-old baby girl named Gracie Lynn Fine. It was a very different funeral. There weren't a lot of memories to be shared so it focused on the future. It was powerfully spiritual and full of doctrine of the plan of salvation. The father, John Fine, is cousins with the Candelarias in Bloomfield. Remember Lindsay that I took to homecoming? Her mom is his aunt. Talk about a small world. They are members of the 3rd ward here and a family that we have really become friends with. It was very sad to hear about their loss, but their response to the loss was inspiring. The day following her death they decided to go to the temple. How's that for eternal perspective? I was definitely touched by it.

Things are going well here. We are definitely staying busy. We had 4 investigators at church yesterday! And we have a couple other families that weren't there lined up to teach soon. We are definitely dealing with a full plate. It's not extremely unusual to only have 2 areas so far, but it is less common. I'm about average on the number of companions. President doesn't really give a lot of hints. Transfer calls come and he basically tells you right then whether you go or stay. If you go, you've got 3 days to pack and say goodbye! Sometimes in interviews he makes comments about what he thinks might happen, but a lot changes in those 3 weeks betweem interviews and zone conference.

Everything else is going well. I've turned a lot of the responsibilities over to Elder Fowles, and he's made some mistakes. But I've been so proud of him because he always learns from his mistakes and doesn't repeat them. But, the fact that he made mistakes scares him a little and makes it to where he's sometimes afraid to make a decision without asking me first. He's a funny kid. I'm so glad to be with him for another 6 weeks. I don't want to leave Springfield! But, I know that Elder Fowles needs to be able to spread his wings, no pun intended. I love you all and I miss you. Tell my sisters not to be strangers!

Love,

Elder Mullenax

Weekly Letter 4-12-10

Hello Family!

I got the wonderful pictures of Lyric. She is pretty cute! It was sure nice to see pictures of her and Hadyn. To answer your questions, I don't remember how many baptisms I've been a part of. I think 7, but I can let you know next week. Generally we try to let members baptize them, but if the ask one of us to do it, then we do. I really don't like getting wet so I always push for the member to baptize. We do quite a bit of service. We mowed a pretty nasty lawn the other day. It was a half-acre lot that had thigh-deep grass. I stopped my pushups because I don't seem to have time anymore. I rarely get to work on the piano, but I'm still doing well.

This week has been amazing for referrals. We've had so many people tell us they have people they want us to teach. Today is really cool because we are emailing in the office and President Macdonald is here. I just love to be around him. He's funny though because he is so loud! I can hear him coming a mile away. We are really staying busy here. Zone Conference is this Thursday and then on Friday and Saturday we found out about transfers. I really hope I stay for at least another 6 weeks. I think our District leader is being transferred and so the position is open. People are going to end up cursing me because they keep saying I'm going to get it. I don't want it. I much prefer being able to sleep haha.

Things are going well here. Elder Fowles is still awesome. He is learning so much. He's so good at applying the things he learns. I just wish we could get his confidence up. He's always so worried he's going to offend someone. Haha he is as innocent as a little kid.

Well, not much else in the way of news. I did get to teach a lesson to a guy that thought he was a prophet. It was pretty crazy. We were co-teaching with a set of sister missionaries and we were all trying so hard not to crack up while we were talking to him because we didn't want to offend him. He was a pretty normal guy other than the fact that he thought he'd had visions and that he was called to be a prophet of God. It was super hilarious. When we left I let out all the laughter I had been saving up and so I laughed for a LONG time. It was journal worthy.

I hope you all have a great week. I know I will! I love you all. Take care!

Love,

Elder Mullenax

3-15-10

Hi family!

How is everything for you? What?! It's snowing still? We are having like 65 degree weather. It has been so nice recently. It will be sunny for a couple days and then rain for a couple, then be sunny again and then rainy again. It's a nice cycle haha.

I'm glad my letter was helpful. I think it's probably the best one I've written in a while. I hope you are keeping all of my emails because I'm not doing so good on keeping up with my journal. I try, but when we come in at night there are so many other things to do that before I know it, it's 10:15 and time for bed! I've also had rick's family in my prayers. I hope they are doing alright.

I heard that President sent letters home, but I wasn't sure he would. Haha, you can't believe everything you read, mom. There are way better missionaries than me and ones that are much more qualified to train. Elder Fowles (my new companion) is definitely an answer to prayer, though. He is so humble and diligent. I just love being around him. He has the right attitude about missionary work. He also isn't afraid to talk to people. He is so obedient that he'll do anything I say, even if it's a really awkward situation. Like one time I was trying to stuff my coat in my bag and a guy started walking in our direction but on the other side of the street and I knew I wouldn't make it in time to talk to him so I told Elder Fowles to go and he crosses two lanes of traffic and talks with the guy without even hesitating. I was so proud of him haha. He is from Delta, Utah. He comes from a long line of mormons. He has two older brothers, an older sister, and a younger sister. He is a big sports buff. I was sad to see Elder Parkin go, but he had to. He has been out 18 months so he only has 6 months left. I'm going to be so sad when he goes home!

It sounds like the assisted living center is really nice. I think that once grandpa gets in there he will come to like it. It'll be the best for them anyway. I'm excited to get to see pictures of Alyse's little girl. She will be so cute. How does Hadyn like it?

I'm glad you got the pictures. I will definitely explain the pictures when I get home.

Ah, the tag. I love that tag! It was so cool. The guy messed up in a few places, but I wasn't too worried about. I fixed what I could with a sewing needle and what I couldn't, I left. I wish I could do the pinewood derby. It would be so much fun. I think you are right about him always being in scouts though. I just realized I never wrote your class back. I feel so bad! I had it on my list of things to do and completely forgot about it! I'm sorry mom. I'll make sure to reply this time.

I don't have any other news right now. We have a baptism for sure scheduled on the 27th. A guy who's been meeting with missionaries for 7 years and finally decided to get baptized. Anyway, I love you all and miss you. Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Mullenax

Photos

Sorry there have not been any posts for awhile, Zacks last few letters were very personal so we thought it would be better not to share them with the entire world! But we did get some new pictures from him this week and thought we would share those! Hope you enjoy.

Coleman just couldn't figure out how they had taken this one!

I think Zack has a serious problem with goofy hats!

Hope you enjoy!

2-8-10

HI family!

My birthday was great. We had the baptism and everything went amazingly well. It was a very spiritual baptism. I got choked up when I was speaking, and that hasn't happened for a long time. His name is Mike Pelkey and his wife is a member and they have 4 little girls. He is a state trooper without any religious background. It's amazing to see him go from no belief to wanting to be sealed to his wife for eternity in the temple. I'm so excited because they've already set the goal to go. The cake was really good. You'd be pretty impressed, that cake fed 26 missionaries haha. Sister Idiart brought it to combined district meeting and we had a lot of fun. I really like being in Eugene because you get to make friends with a lot of different missionaries. When we got in for the night, on saturday, we had more birthday cake with the Morgans (the couple we live with) and some friends that were staying in the house from out of town. It was almost like being home with the family. I've gotten so many letters and cards! I'll just give one big thank-you to all of you!

I'm so excited that you found some stuff on Talmage. My interest has been growing in him since I started reading Jesus The Christ in November. I finished it this week and as I read it, I feel like I know him (Talmage that is). People probably think I'm crazy when I say that I feel like I know him, but I really do. I felt like he was personally mentoring me and teaching me about Jesus Christ. It was phenomenal. My testimony of this gospel, and my testimony of this church has become deeply rooted because of that book. I'm really happy that you sent me another copy because the one that I have now is pretty beat up. It came with my "Missionary Reference Library" but it was a cheap paper back that fell apart. The binding busted on it. If you haven't read it mom, I think you should. But, I suggest a dictionary for the first little while haha, Talmage did have a doctorate.

I really liked the pictures. Erin looks so happy. She sent me a letter telling me how much she loves the temple and all I could do was smile. I did send a letter to Grandma. I enjoyed the letters from your class, and I'll work on sending a reply today. We should have some extra time.

I love Sister Idiart! She is so funny. When we're in Eugene I find any excuse to go into the mission office so I can talk to her haha. She always makes me laugh. I don't know why she's fond of me, but I won't complain. Elder Giles is a pretty cool Old guy. I talked to him about New Mexico because on one of his trips to Texas he drove through Bloomfield. They are definitely right, we have a good group of missionaries here.

Everything here is going good. It's kind of funny, but I have to argue myself out of being upset. If I argue with myself long enough, I forget why I was upset to begin with haha. Elder Wright is still Elder Wright. We get along just fine. It's not like we argue or fight, It's just his attitude chips at your ability to stay happy. He tells other missionaries that he likes me so I won't complain. I hope everything goes well with the interview. I'll pray as soon as I'm done here.

I don't really have a lot of other news to report. Have a good week! I love you all!

Love,

Elder Mullenax

1-10-09

Hello family! First I'll tell you about my week so that I make sure you get that before I run out of time. On tuesday we decided to go tracting and we were looking for a spot and we drove by 33rd street and then I shouted "Miracle on 34th Street!" and turned down 34th. The first 2 doors we knocked on became new investigators haha! Pretty crazy. Well, the first door is interesting. Her name is Teresa and she has 2 kids, Dale and Angel. She got in a car wreck a couple years ago and has lost a lot of the use of the right side of her body. She also lost her job because of it. As we talked with her, we asked if there was anything we could do to help. She replied, "Well, yes actually." I was a little stunned but continued to listen. She went on to explain that some of the disability funding she was getting to supplement her income was taken away, as well as some other sources of income. She told us that she was going to be kicked out of her house on Sunday because she could no longer afford the house they were renting. She had rented a storage unit and planned to move everything in there and live in a pop-up camper until they could get things figured out. However, since she was told on such short notice, she had no way to get all her stuff moved by herself. Long story short, Elder Wright and I spent 8 hours over the next 2 days helping her pack up her house and move it all to the storage unit. We know where she has set up her camper, but it's outside of our area so we turned her over to some other missionaries until she moves back into ours. She was so grateful for the help and she seemed as though she was ready and willing to hear the gospel. I'm excited to see where she goes. The next part of my week is no less miraculous. We went up to Blue River (the branch we cover that is an hour drive away) on friday night. Instead of staying with members up there, they put us up in a hotel. Pretty weird experience to be in a hotel on your mission haha. Anyway, while we were up there the branch members had a lot of people lined up for us. We taught an 8-year-old all the lessons so she could be baptized. We taught a lot of lessons to less-actives and challenged them to come back to church, and we even taught a few active members. Well, one of the members that was gone from the branch on vacation called one of our drivers. (We had members drive us everywhere because the branch spans a distance of 70 miles. Did I mention we took a bus to Blue River?) The man told us of someone he wanted us to go visit. His name is Jason and he is a non-member who is married to a less-active and they have 4 kids that come to church every sunday. We met with Jason and discovered that he and his wife are having a lot of marital problems. She moved out of the house. Well, when we met with Jason we talked with him about how the gospel blesses families. He said that he felt like God was humbling him so he'd be willing to listen. He was extremely open and receptive and we ended up teaching him two lessons, both of which he accepted and felt they were true. I couldn't believe how inspired the whole event was. Church on sunday was good. It was awesome to be around President and Sister Macdonald on a personal level. On the drive back, he let us ask him any questions he wanted. I was asking question after question and my little greenie companion just sat quietly haha. President Macdonald is a pretty funny guy. He says that he doesn't drive if he doesn't have to and so he made me drive back from Blue River. He made me drive his brand-new Chevy Traverse. They seriously just got it a couple weeks ago. I was pretty nervous, but I got us back in one piece. Speaking of new cars, we get a new one on wednesday. I'm pretty excited haha. Well, I'm running low on time. Please tell Erin and James that I'm very happy and excited for them. I hope you all have a safe trip. Oh, let me answer your questions really quick. I see Elder Parkin every Monday and Wednesday. He is a regular missionary that has to do office work, but also has to be a District Leader. He has a lot on his plate right now haha. Our apartment is the bottom floor of their house. It's connected. Our apartment is simply some rooms off of the main living room in the downstairs of their house. I love you all. Have a great week! Love, Elder Mullenax