So this week was pretty good. So let’s see, Tuesday we found two new people. One is named Antonio and one is named Sergio. Both opened the door with a smile and listened intently. We offered some pamphlets we have on the Restoration, but both wanted the Book of Mormon instead, which we gladly gave. It was awesome, because we had yet to find anyone like this, and it happened twice in one day. With Antonio we had just knocked a door for an old potential, and it was supposed to be the last one of the night, but I heard Spanish from the door above in the apartment complex. So I said to Elder Poncio, “Hey, just one more door.” And there was Antonio. It was really awesome. Both also said that they wanted to go to church. We called them the morning of, and Sergio said that he would and Antonio had work. Unfortunately, Sergio never showed.
We taught 9 lessons at the door this week which is good but no one is really progressing or is really that interested in us coming back some other time. We had a branch sport night, which was fun. We had more people there than I had seen at church the last couple sacrament meetings. Also, Sunday we had about 17 people rather than the usual 12 so that was also good. Felt a little more like a normal ward. Other than that, not much to report. Pretty chill nothing super crazy.
We got hair cuts today so there are some before and after, and as well as when he styled my hair.
Questions-
Did you get any of your packages? If so did they work?- Yes I did. Pillow is way better. I wake up way less, and my neck doesn’t hurt in the morning. I don’t know if the Reese’s work, but I would think so, you just eat them right? And I have not used the mixer yet.
Have you gotten any recommendations for a warm rain jacket?- Mostly just get one that really keeps out the water. Cold is not the biggest problem. Just stay dry. One elder recommended leather gloves.
Are you able to get your email each day now or not? Hmm? I always can read it every day just not respond. But yeah, I get them.
Tell me about a time you felt joy this week.- Uh, at the branch activity; it was just really fun.
A moment you felt the guidance or presence of the Holy Ghost and how it blessed your day?- When we knocked Antonio’s door, because we were about to go home. I don’t know how I heard the Spanish, cause no doors were open or anything and Elder Poncio didn’t hear anything, so seems like it was the Spirit.
What is your favorite thing to eat there?- Home made tortillas with carne asada are so good. If you are asking about what I am cooking, I made Park City Cashew Chicken this week, which was so good and comforting. [A Rachel Ray Recipe that we cook at home]
What do you do for fun on your p-days?- Volleyball, chair soccer, eat, talk, just hang out with the zone.
How is teaching going???- When we do have it, I probably teach about 30% and am lost about 68% of the time. So alright I guess
What has been the most uplifting part of your mission so far? – The other missionaries, we just have a good time most of the time, and it’s a fun atmosphere when we’re all together.
What was one funny thing that happened???-
Elder Poncio has no clue what it means to be American food–See attached video, where he says that park city cashew chicken is Chinese food. He says America has no food cause we got it from everywhere else. Which, yes we did, but it becomes American when we alter it to fit our palate, and change it in some pretty big ways; he wasn’t having it.
Do you feel you are adapted to the cadence of missionary life?- Eh kinda, knocking doors sometimes makes my stomach turn because when tracting, you don’t know who is behind it. Most times, it’s not that bad but a couple times we’ve had some rude people. Like the other day one woman opened the door said, “I go to a bible believing church” and then shut the door. Like, “Hey so do we!” Or, one woman was interest and then her husband asked who we were, and she said “They want to share about Jesus” and he said “No con ellos” or “not with them.” UGH
What things have changed about your perspective on life and the gospel most?- Just seeing the amount of poverty, broken homes and how hard people are working to just sustain a living. But through that, I can see how the gospel will help those people. I just really realize how blessed I have been to be born into a family that loves me, that I have the gospel of Jesus Christ, and that I have never really had to worry about having a roof over my head or food on the table, or even close to it.
First questions from non-family members
What’s helped you grow the most this week? – My dad will send me an email every morning with insights and thoughts he has as he reads from the Book of Mormon, and it is really nice to see his perspective.
And how is Francisco doing?- Good, but he’s not really progressing. He is too busy to read; he says but he wants to. Hopefully, he will soon, but we’ll see. We met with him once this week and read about Samuel the Lamanite in the Book of Mormon with him and invited him to read 3rd Nephi 11, when Christ comes to visit the people in this hemisphere after His resurrection.
That’s all for this week. Love you all very much.
Love,
Elder Tonkinson
Elder Gideon Tonkinson, Washington Everett Mission 