Subject: New Cell Phones
Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:01:42 +0000
Dear Family,
It is interesting that you all should be getting new cell phones, because that is just what we all received at the end of zone conference. They are half as thick as the old ones, have bigger screens and weigh a lot less. They also have cameras and voice recorders. Not quite the piece of hardware that it sounds like Wes is picking up, but definitely an upgrade. I hope that what Wes said about girls liking guys with nice shoes and nice phones does not come true too soon, because I have both of those items and I still need to be a missionary for a few more months. As for the royal palace, the armory is all I would really want you to see, since most of what is cool about the palace is in the Temple, which you would get to see for free.
We actually changed our clocks back two or three weeks ago. Some of the members had not changed their clocks and showed up 45 to 50 minutes early, wondering where everyone was. We were there that early for meetings, so we got to see the surprise on their faces. Of those living in our apartment, I slept best that night, and it felt like just what I needed. I never have trouble with schedule changes that allow one to sleep more.
Elder Knorr and his companion are staying in our apartment tonight for their zone conference tomorrow. We played soccer today and had a great time.
On Sunday we had a faith-building experience. As we had tried to make plans the previous night, we reaized that we were two appointments short of reaching twenty lessons. We also needed another baptismal invitation to reach that standard. We looked for lessons and found a less active man on Temple grounds, with whom we talked and prayed. He should be on his way back to activity. We certainly hope so. Anyway, we went to our appointments and ended up one lesson and one invitation short by the time nine o clock came. We were supposed to be inside by nine thirty, or ten if we were teaching. We were on the empty streets with no direction or prospects for doing what we knew we had been commanded to do. So we prayed. Then we started walking. We approached a bus stop and I taught a principle to two people sitting there. At this point I had been humbled dramatically and gave what I consider the humblest testimony I have given on the mission. The two people to whom I testified said they belonged to a different church and rejected my offer to pray with them. So we went on, having gotten what counted as a lesson. As we approached our apartment, one baptismal invitation short of the standards, I saw a person walking towards us. I stopped her and invited her to be baptized on December 5th. She said she wanted to hear more, but later. We set up an appointment with her and the family she lived with for Tuesday. Then we went inside, grateful for the rescue the Lord had given us. It turns out that the lady I invited to be baptized had given us a fake address and telephone number, but we got exactly what we had asked for. Now I want to ask for baptisms, not just opportunities to invite.
Zone conference was also a good experience. We saw Elder Holland testify of the Book of Mormon in the most recent Conference. I was especially grateful. This means that I have not had to miss a single one of his talks on the mission. It was a great testimony to how little time we really have and how we need to use what could be the end of our time on earth testifying to others of truths that can change their lives in this world and in eternity.
Generally, I am the most confortable I have felt on the mission. It feels good to have a native companion. At the end of the transfer, however, Elder Padrones will be leaving me. He got his flight plans and will start at the MTC on November 17th. It is sad to see him go, but he needs to be where the Lord wants him. In the meantime I am trying to pick up his accent and most used phrases. I have really enjoyed having him as a companion.
The mission will also be downsizing dramatically at transfers. Only three to six missionaries will be joining us, and twelve or so will be going home. It looks like there will only be two elders in the 6th ward then, and we will share our apartment with two of the current four elders in the 8th ward. I do not know where I will be, and since the letters you send regularly seem to reach my apartment in groups of two or three, it would probably be a good idea to start sending them to the office until further notice. I read your Halloween letter today and am glad that my costume collection was put to good use by so many people. Thanks for the pictures as well. I forgot my memory card today, but more pictures should be headed your way next week.
I love you a lot and will keep in touch.
Love,
Elder Jonathan David Ogden
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