Ninja Wars

Okay, so I have been a little afraid to post this story, but I'm going to post it and hope that I don't get in too much trouble.

Over the past year and a half, I have been trying to make the elders feel as comfortable as I can in my home.  They have their own apartment with a separate entrance and separate driveway, so if they want to come and go with out being bothered, they can.  There are some missionaries who interact more than others.  Now I think I have finally broken down some small barriers and that's a good thing.  Here's what's been happening.  Remember back with Elder U and Elder B2?  They came charging into the apartment one night when I was doing some touch-up work on the wall (see post on 9/11/2011).  That opened the door for me and I took the chance.  I have randomly taken the opportunity to leave little reminders in the apartment. It will usually be something little like a glow in the dark alien or ninja figure (no bigger than an inch).  The ninjas go in the refrigerator -of course, because they are cool. ha ha ha. 

Anyway, on occasion, I have seen odd little things hanging on pictures or lamps etc.  It's the elders way of returning my little reminders.  The Easter Bunny even left Nerf guns in their baskets on Easter so we had a battle with my nephews one day. 

I guess somewhere along the way it came to be known as the Ninja Wars. I guess you could say there was a big battle last week. Remember, last week was Mother's Day and that's one of the rare days when the missionaries get to call their families.  So while one elder was talking with his family, the other elder had a little free time.  They had a dinner appointment at 5pm and we had family dinner about the same time, so we left for my sister's house and left the missionaries to lock up the house.  That's fine, but when we got home there were ninjas, flamingos and aliens all over the house.  Those elders move fast!  But the coolest was the picture of my nephews (notice the picture at the top of this blog) had post-it notes with the elders' names on them.  I loved it.  Anyone in a leadership role or otherwise who takes offense to this story, please understand that I totally encouraged this behavior and it doesn't take away from time that could be spent on missionary work. 

Transfers were Wednesday and, as expected, Elder B has been transferred.  He will be district leader in his new area.  I know he will be awesome.  The hard part is that he is assigned to an area that starting in July will be part of a brand new mission.  Yup, you got it, he is no longer in our mission.  That makes me kind of sad, you get to know these guys and then they get transferred and don't come up to report on their week.  Welcome to Elder U from Pennsylvania.  Elder U has been out about 9 months, in fact he was companions with Elder W while at the MTC.  Pretty cool huh?

So, this was not a very spiritually motivating post this week, but I thought you might like to read about the human side of our elders.

As always, remember to be awesome this week.  I will try to do the same, though some weeks are harder than others.  Share the gospel with someone this month, they will be blessed for your efforts and so will you.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's day.  Today Elder B got to skype with his family and I hope Elder T gets to tonight.  I told him that if he didn't get a chance to during the day, he could use my skype account to call.  I hope all you missionary moms got a chance to have a great visit with your missionary.

This Wednesday is transfer day.  I love almost everything about having the missionaries live in my home, but there is one thing that I don't like so much.  I always hate transfer day.  You spend all this energy getting the elders comfortable enough to think that this is really their home, then they go and get themselves transferred.  Not fun!  I keep praying that both Elder T and Elder B get to stay here for another transfer, but it's not my call to make and so, if the Lord wants one of these guys transferred, then I have to respect that call because someone needs them more than I do.

I am amazed at the growth that occurs in these young men is such a short time.  It was about a year ago that Elder B was here and he was great then, but now he tells us of the things he is studying and it's great.  He just finished the Book of Revelation in the New Testament and talked a little about what he learned there and it's so cool to hear what he has learned.  Now he is starting the Old Testament - I didn't even get to the Old Testament until AFTER serving a mission.  I love to hear his insights because it's just a little glimpse of what it might be to sit in on one of their companion study sessions.  What a blessing that would be to be a regular part of that spiritual feast.

That's it for this week.  Happy Mother's day to all.  Remember to be awesome this week.  God Loves You.