Lucas Bodine

Lucas Bodine

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Fourth of July in Red Deer

Week two in Red Deer. Its been great so far. I am still green but I am learning allot out here. My companion Elder Chappell is an awesome trainer and he knows his stuff. This week was a huge week in lots of different views. Missionary work, holidays, weird food and baptism dates.

It’s weird to think how close missionaries become friends. I am such good friends with Elder Richards and Boatright (Mesa elders) as well as other people in the district. This week we have been doing lots of finding and teaching. We made some great progress with some of our investigators.

So Thursday was a big day here in Canada. It was Canada day. Kinda a bummer that we couldn't proselyte but we had our weekly planning that took space. Also we had a really nice ward breakfast that we went to with the zl's. We also taught two awesome lessons and then could relax. So we celebrated by playing a couple games of pool in the basement of our really cool house. And we drank sparking juice. Have I told you about the mosquitoes here? Oh man they are bad haha but I got my bug spray so it’ s not as bad as earlier in the week but still its just crazy how many are here haha.

Oh yeah Friday we met our new mission president. His name is president Campbell. He, his wife and 16 year old daughter are from Ogden, Utah. He has never been called as bishop or stake president but he is a really awesome guy. Allot different then the last mission president. The old mission president was really stern and reserved but when he spoke he ment what he was saying, like apostle or the 70 kind of power he spoke with. Our new misson president feels like a dad almost. He was joking around with us and he was allot more personable. Not to say that President Rhodes wasn’t good but I am just so excited to work with President Campbell for these next two years.

On Saturday whew wow. I extended my first baptismal commitment. "will you follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by someone holding the priesthood authority of god?" Welp I guess I should say that more because he said he would. Me and my comp. in my second day picked out a day for the baptism. We didn't know who it would be but someone is willing to prepare for baptism for the 24th of July. This guy is named Gaylord he is a 30 year old man from the Philippines and he is awesome. He lives with 3 other Pilipino men that are working in Canada to send money back home. But he has come to church 3 weeks in a row so he is really progressing and I am so excited for him.

Also missionary work world wide is having a little change. Preach my gospel 2! Yeah that’s right I said it. It’s going to be a supplement to PMG 1. It’s going to focus on how missionaries can be better teachers. Also zone conference and interviews are held on a quarterly basis unlike a 6 week basis. Also there will be a new PMG dvd for us missionaries. I am so pumped to receive this material. My comp and mission leaders/trainers get to go up to Edmonton for 4 days to have trainings on how to implement this new program of PMG 2. It’s exciting to be one of the first missionaries to use it, in the field! :)

And then yesterday was 4th of July. I celebrated my independence by proclaiming the gospel and going to church. In honor of the 4th we sang the star spangled banner and on Friday I bought a Jones today. So last night we sang our patriotic songs I drank a Jones soda and ate a hot dog. A little different on how I would do it at home but all the fireworks go off on Canada day and not July 4th.
But this work is so great. I am loving it. True not every person has a open heart to the message but once you do find those people who are ready and willing to accept the gospel, that is where the happiness is. My love for this gospel is growing every day. I love the lord, I love my AMAZING family and friends, really you are! But I need to get going.

Love ya,
Elder Lucas Alan Bodine

2 comments:

  1. pmg2!? learning how to be better TEACHERS... sweet. you starting working on that in ysa! that's awesome!
    thinking of and praying for you!

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  2. Just some thoughts...President Campbell actually was a bishop, trust me I would know because I was 7 when he was called and I was so sad that I didn't get to sit with my dad in sacrament meeting anymore until I was in Young Women's. He is a great man and knows so much about the gospel and knows how to help others love the gospel. I'm excited that you will be getting the opportunity to get to know him better serving in the Edmonton Mission with him as your 'dad' figure and as your Mission President.

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