Week 55 Transfers and Other Excitement

Hey-O, 

This week was a grind and different from all previous weeks as a missionary. We spent a lot of time in the office which is hard for me sometimes! Nevertheless, this is my assignment right now and I'm going to do my best! We were also fed like Kings this week so that was cool. 

Tuesday 

We met with President to go over transfers! This is a big one and there's a lot going on! It's such a process. Week 6 of the transfer is just a long one and you have to buckle down! Brother Ferguson fed us that night and we had a little correlation meeting. He's such an awesome ward mission leader! 

Wednesday 

Last district meeting of the transfer and it was a good one! We talked a lot about Christ like attributes and I loved it! We hit a lot on the difference between belief in Christ and believing Christ. I think it's easy to believe in Christ but we sometimes struggle to believe His promises and trust that He will make up the difference for things we lack. It was a cool thing to realize and something I want to work on! Alright, I normally don't like to talk too much about food but you have to know something. Burgatory is amazing. Since I got to Pittsburgh I have heard of the legend of the Piggy butter and jelly burger. I was skeptical but now I'm cured.  It's exactly like it sounds. An amazing burger with peanut butter and habañero jelly. It was worth every penny and a member who happened to be eating at the same time secretly paid 5$ for each of us. Bless his heart. 

Thursday 

More logistics work. We spent a full day doing it and we did some damage! Not too much left! A member took us out to eat at Red Robin so that was nice! It was a nice break to the day! She's an older lady in the ward and super nice! I'm starting to realize maybe I need to explain what logistics are a little better... We are in charge of making sure missionaries get moved all around the mission so it's a process. Some missionaries have to travel over 400 miles round trip so we have to make sure everything rolls smoothly! It's just a process and you want to make sure everything makes sense and is effective. It's like a test! 

Friday

Finished up with the logistic madness which was awesome! We were also spoiled rotten... There are pros and cons to having a companion that's going home. The Johnsons wanted to take us out for lunch to thank Elder Liston for his service so we did that and then his recent convert took us to Cheesecake Factory for dinner! Sooo much food.  

Saturday 

Had a good talk with Enzo! He's super agnostic but still loves when we come over! I feel like there is something that can soften that man's heart! He loves talking about Christ and he knows a toooon! It's amazing. I think we've built a good relationship with him so we just have to keep working at it!

Sunday 

Had an awesome family night with the Hoke family! For all you sports people this is Chris Hoke who played football for the Steelers a few years back! He's a bishop here in a ward around Pittsburgh and he had us over for Elder Liston's last meal! They're an awesome family!! Super humble and nice! Bishop Hoke gathered us around his family and got super emotional! Super crazy to see a huge NFL football player get emotional! But he said something super powerful. He looked at all of his kids and said something like: "Think of all the role models in the world; Steph Curry, and all of the famous athletes. I can tell you right now you want to be like these two guys right here." It was an amazing moment and a powerful witness to me of the importance of representing the Savior. This is the best thing I can do right now! 

Random thoughts 

• I hated doing puzzles back home and I feel like I just helped put together a big one. My mom better be proud. 
• When President Johnson really gets laughing he has a little cackle. Funniest thing to witness. 
• We've been working out in the morning and night preparing for Elder Liston to go home. Return with honor and less love handles right? 

So yeah, lots of office work, food,and good spiritual insight! Elder Liston heads home on Wednesday morning and my new comp will get here today! His name is Elder Parke and he's from Montana! He's been out one more transfer than me and I'm pumped to work with him! Should be a good transfer. 

Stay classy,

Elder Halls

Picture: Patriarch Crossley and crew