We have been having some problems
with our computer at the church and we were unable to get out welfare or
anything like that. It came down to where we had three families without
power on Tuesday. Several hours on Sunday and Monday were spent trying to
prevent this problem. Several hours on Tuesday and Wednesday were spent trying
to solve it. Thankfully it was all solved Wednesday afternoon! It is not
over but at least we were able to get their power on and get to a point
where we are a little ahead of everything. We are still going
to have to try and solve this problem this week. These two experiences were
the bad; they were the bitter that made the rest of the week so
sweet!
We'll start on Tuesday...right in
the middle of all the problems! We had a lesson planned with Laura right after
Tuesday night's ASL class. About an hour before ASL class was to start we got a
text from Laura's friend Ashley (who has been helping us with everything and
coming to all of the lessons) that Laura's car had just been stolen so they
were not going to be able to make it that night to class or the lesson! Ya talk
about a bummer! We felt (and still feel) so bad for her! So we went to class
and not too long after it started, Laura and Ashley walked in! It was really
surprising and we were really happy to see them! What had happened, as we came
to learn, is that as they were sitting there after finishing the police report
and everything, Laura's family had yet to answer her calls and everything so
the two of them didn't know what to do. Ashley had the thought and mentioned to
Laura that they should go and see the Elders which were on the way to her
(Laura's) house. She agreed and they came. That was a really cool prompting as
we had a really fun ASL class planned which hopefully distracted her. And then
we were able to have a really good lesson about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
That is Faith in Jesus Christ and his Atonement, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving
the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End. It was a good lesson
and I felt like a good teacher during that lesson as I was able to see her
understand everything I was teaching her! ------ Funny side note- I realized
this week that Laura is only the THIRD person I have been able to have more than
one real lesson with! All of you that have served missions imagine that. In one
year there are only three investigators that go past the first lesson. And it
is not like we find a lot and they just aren't interested, I've probably only
"found" around 15 people thus far! Talk about a lesson in patience
and long-suffering! Ha-ha ------ Sorry, anyways I felt like I was able to teach
her pretty well! It was a wonderful lesson and I think a great experience for
her to have, being she just went through the problems of having your car (and
everything inside it) stolen but then being able to go to a lesson and feel the
spirit! It was a pretty cool! Of course, because of everything else that was
happening at that time, we couldn't end perfect! Ha-ha we had a comment at
the end that was a perfect example of deaf and hearing culture colliding in a
ball of flames! I just had to put my head down and shake it, No no no! Ha-ha It
wasn't that bad and it was actually really funny if it wasn't during a lesson!
All is good now but it was a very interesting thing!
Wednesday....the only things to
mention are that we were finally able to fix that problem and I had a lot of
time to read my book. I am reading "An Approach to the Book of
Mormon" by Hugh Nibly...It is an amazing book! I would encourage all you
that can to read it! There is no possible way to doubt the book of Mormon once
you get to even the middle of that book! Ha-ha
THANKSGIVING!! Definitely one of the
best days ever!! We woke up and left our apartment at 5:30 (yes I am wondering
myself how it could be one of the best days ever with a start like that also!)
to go do some service with Elder Kim and Elder Ellison for their ward mission
leader! It was a good project, I still have a few blood blisters, but we were
able to get it done really well! After it was finished they (the ward mission leader
and his wife) fed the four of us breakfast! It was super good! They had fried
bread (like scones) and eggs for us! So much food! It was wonderful! Following
that we went, picked up some other missionaries, and went to a turkey bowl!!!
Oh I love football! We played with those two wards from about 8 to 9:45 and it
was really fun! We had lines (me and another Elder that played Guard in HS
did really well on the line) and everything! I did Linebacker for most but
would also play guard/center on offense! It was so fun! Then at 9:45 we
went to the Camino Principal Ward with 6 other missionaries to
the turkey bowl there! That one was my favorite! Both were awesome and just
playing football again, like that, in contrast to everything else that had
happened that week, oh man it was heaven! But the reason I really really
enjoyed playing with CPP ward is because it was a lot more organized and
everything! It was an actual tournament and had many teams! Each team had two
missionaries, not necessarily a companionship but due to a communication issue
me and Elder Nelsen were on the same team! Ha-ha not like that is a bad thing!
He had three good completions and one touchdown by the end of the day! When I
first looked at my team, I judged too harshly and I thought we were in some
serious trouble! Mostly because we had lots and lots of kids on our team. But
those kids could actually play really well and we ended up doing really good! I
did mostly defense but I had a touchdown in each of our first two games and
three or four completions in each so I was doing really well! Each game went to
5 touchdowns. But on our second to last game (semi-finals) I did really well! I
don't know why but I just kept getting open and our quarterback was really
good! I had three of the five touchdowns myself and I setup the other two
within fifteen yards! It was awesome! We ended up winning the whole
thing! It was great! I also must mention that while these games were happening
we had many appetizers spread out for us and it was great! The reason I need to
say this is for one in particular which the best appetizer I have ever tasted
was quite possibly! It was a jalapeno pepper that was filled with cheese and
wrapped in bacon and grill perfectly! I must have had six or seven (and that
was me holding back!) So football was very fun!
After 4 and a half hours of it we
went home, changed, and drove up to Nate and Elisa's (my aunt and uncle that
live here!) That dinner was amazing! The food was amazing! But most of all it
was so good to eat with them and play games with them and everything! We played
cranium and it was way fun! Spending time with people you love is the best!
After we had dinner with them and
played some games we headed back down here and went over to the Belnaps to have
Thanksgiving with the Belnaps and Agardys! That also was great! Needless to say
by that time Elder Nelsen and I were pretty full so we didn't eat so much
there! It was more just talking with them and enjoying their company! I am so
grateful for all of the amazing people I have met while down here! It was a
wonderful day and we went home so tired and full!
On Friday we went over to the
Kerastas' and had a Thanksgiving dinner with them that was also wonderful! And
afterwards we helped them put up their Christmas tree! That tripped me out! How
is it Christmas time already! I can't believe it! That was the most I have ever
decorated a tree! There were so many ornaments on that thing it was insane!
Next time we are over there I will take a picture to send back to show it! On Saturday
we went over to the Krakowiaks for a Thanksgiving dinner with them and their
whole family! It was really good! It was an interesting experience to have some
many people there, have it so loud but yet with so much signing! All the people
there except for Elder Nelsen and Pres. and Sister Krakowiak were hearing but
all of them could sign (being that they grew up with Pres. and Sister Krakowiak
as their parents)! But it was a really good meal and a really enjoyable
experience! Ya talk about a lot of turkey and potatoes! Not to mention that all
the thanksgiving food we received from the branch activity like three weeks ago
only ran out on Monday! Needless to say, it will be a while before I crave
turkey and potatoes again! Ha-ha
Ok last (I know finally! Sorry it
was a crazy week!) Is a funny experience that happened yesterday in church with
the branch! So on Saturday at dinner President Krakowiak asked the two of us to
speak in church on Sunday. That is fine; it has actually been awhile since I
spoke in the branch so we planned to do that. I gave my talk on Spiritual gifts
and Elder Nelsen followed with the Gift of the Holy Ghost. The interesting and
funny thing that happened was something I didn't hear about until after church!
Apparently, while I was giving my talk, Sister Slade was
"interpreting" for Corina. Corina doesn't know any ASL, with her it
is mostly just facial expressions and body language so every week she sits next
to one of the members and they do their best to convey what is being signed. Anyways
apparently Corina kept asking Sister Slade what I was saying but Sister Slade
(mind you, she is one of the most influential and involved members of the deaf
community in Tucson [meaning of course that she, herself is deaf], signing all
her life and everything.) kept saying to her "I don't know, he is signing
too fast!" ha-ha This might not be funny or interesting to you but for me
it is! Apparently my signing is getting good! Now I know that I was signing
well, clearly, and better ASL and not just signing English because the other
members of the branch were able to come up and talk to me about it afterwards!
All of them were surprised how much my signing is improving! I am no longer
fumbling to get through a talk! I am finally confident with the language! Ha-ha
I don't know if you enjoyed that but I thought it was pretty funny! I didn't
think I was signing fast, I was just going normal but I guess that from now on
I am going to have to take it slow! Ha-ha
Well that was our week! Hope your
Thanksgiving was great!
Elder Banner
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