Spring! Yes! No? Okay...maybe not.

The weather is a tease. It was warm the week before. But this week it went back to colder. Not too bad. Like 35 degrees. But it's just tempting me. Because the snow is starting to melt. The pile in our parking lot is only like 7ft tall now and isn't as wide. But the warm weather will come!

I finally ate at Friendly's. Pretty popular place around here. It's big on it's ice cream. It's technically a sit down restaurant  but not too fancy. Matt took us there and we had a lesson with him. Talked about #LDSConf that is coming up and all those fun things. Helping him to prepare.

I forgot to mention last week that one of the Recent Converts rode his bike to church. Might not seem like a big deal. Except our church is in Amherst and he lives in downtown Buffalo. So like 20 miles one way or something ridiculous like that. He is a stud! This week? He slept in late. Couldn't ride his bike. So he paid some guy $20 to drive him to church!!! I haven't seen that devotion my whole mission.

They got us the new ipads. Soo glad I don't have to buy one. Not worth it to me. But anyway, it's an iPad mini 2. We had the original iPad mini before. Not much of a difference. It isn't as big of a deal here because we are just switching. It's probably a lot bigger deal in the 50+ missions that are just starting the iPad/Internet Proselyting for the first time. We have to do this online training with the most cheesy videos. Well, not as bad as church videos can be. But pretty bad. Much better filming though, so I approve of that. The new iPads are a little faster so it doesn't take 2 minutes for our Area Book to load which is super nice so we don't have to wait for things to load to plan appointments when we are talking to people.

We have about 531 Young Single Adults in the Buffalo Stake who we have address for. We got a list of all of them and we spent a minute putting them into lists on LDSTools to map them out. I got them organized into each individual unit so whenever we are out and about we can stop by any random Less Active YSA aged in the area. We also might spend time doing a clean sweep of the stake and stopping by all of them. To make the visits/trips/miles most efficient, I'm making a little "Flyer" to leave by that has more information than just a mormon.org card with our number. Hopefully that will generate more of a response from people who aren't home when we stop by. Ideally, it might be a good way to find out who has moved as well. I'm hoping that a personalized flyer would make people more keen on calling and saying "Sorry, so-and-so doesn't live here anymore." Maybe it'll even help us find some investigators.

Street Contacting this week was pretty funny. Elder Whatcott managed to give someone a pass-along card that was riding his bike past us. He just held it out and said "Can we give you a picture of Jesus?" And he snagged it as he rode by. It was pretty great! ha! I also gave one to a taxi cab driver that was sitting in his cab with all these advertisements for some night club. I figured he could definitely use the gospel. ha! It's funny to see which approaches work best for people. A lot of African Americans respond well to simply "Could we give you a picture of Jesus today?" Some that are super uninterested will still take the card for the picture. It's great!

Met with a kid named Micheal. He is also African American. He is sooo funny! He was adopted and grew up in AZ with a Mormon family. So he has this west coast hipster look to him. Plus he is tall and skinnier. But he came back to Buffalo to live with his birth brother or something like that? It's pretty funny because he is just so west coast hipster in downtown Buffalo. He's a member and wants to prepare for a mission. Super goof though.

We went to lunch with a lady in the Niagara Falls ward, Sister Coleman. Neither of us have served there. We both met her once because she was taking our companions to lunch that had served there that she liked. But apparently we both made a good impression because she was just soo pumped to take us to lunch. It was super funny. She is great though! Super nice lady. Convert of a couple years ago. When the missionaries finally came to her house, she had already read the Book of Mormon and was telling them her plans on tithing because she wanted to make sure she was temple worthy. That was the first lesson. If that was my first lesson I would seriously pass out from astonishment.

Church this week was branch conference. So sick! I'm glad to be back in the Buffalo Stake. Their stake presidency is amazing. President Pace is a spiritual giant. And a physical giant as well. Like 6'7". He was going around talking to everyone by name. He knew everyone. It was super impressive. Then he gave an awesome talk where he told about his 5th great grandfather. Today. 183 years ago. His 5th great grandfather participated in the mob that dragged out Joseph Smith from his bed, ripped his clothes, and tarred and feathered him. His 5th great grandfather went to church the next day to laugh at Joseph Smith trying to teach. He was touched by the Spirit and was asked Joseph to be baptized the next day. Incredible story and testimony. He led the lesson in Sunday school and talked about faith. Great quote was "I have a desire to have a desire to have a desire to feel close to God." Talking about how you just need to have even the tiniest of desire. It was a great Branch Conference. They have a great Stake Presidency. Everyone was pretty pumped from it. We had dinner and cake to celebrate the 4th year of the Buff YSA's existence. I'm a huge President Pace fan.

So I emailed LDSTools asking about the app. Turns out the customer service person worked with dad. Small world when you're a Mormon.

Assorted photos:

YSA

Home sweet home! I love Buffalo. Definitely my more favorite part of the mission. Plus, I love the city. So many people! It's fantastic! I've basically been in a state of nostalgia for the last week. We keep driving through my old areas or be on a street that I used to be on. Or drive by the first Burger King I ate out at in NY (Which was my first Burger King in.... 12 years?). Like our first counselor in the branch presidency lives like 2 streets down from Frank Dorsey from Cheektowaga. Crazy stuff!

So I lied about Wellsville. When I talked about it I forgot about the YSA branch. Wellsville is not the largest area in the mission. While it is an extremely large area, it's actually the 2nd largest in the mission. The YSA is larger. Mostly because it overlaps a bunch of units which makes it understandable that it would be larger. It's about 100 miles tall and 30 miles across. Give or take. Basically, we do a TON of driving. The YSA elders when I first got out here had an unlimited mile truck. But they switched that to the mission van for whatever reason. The mission is allowed 3 cars that are unlimited miles. Currently it's the President's car, the Mission Van (They use that to pick up elders from the airport) and the AP's truck. Anyway, we go through a ton of miles and spend a lot of time driving.

So our district is pretty big again. Which is sweet. No senior couples though. We've got Elder Whatcott and I, Sister McLaren & Sister Stoddard, Elder Jones & Alt, Elder Cramer & Fieseler.

Elder Whatcott is from San Diego California. If I keep getting these Californian companions, I'm really going to want to move there. Geeze! He is super solid. Good guy. Wants to work hard. Everyone in the YSA loves him. #WhatcottProbs is an often used hashtag in the YSA.

Sister McLaren and Sister Stoddard are actually the Clarence Sisters and the YSA sisters. Their main focus is the Amherst Ward (Clarence area) but they also assist in YSA. Lucky for them. They get to have like 8 hours of church on Sunday. But they are solid. Sister McLaren is a genius with the scriptures and an amazing pianist. Sister Stoddard loves shopping and shoes. She is also an amazing pianist and singer.

Elder Jones, Alt, Cramer and Fieseler are in Amherst. I don't know a whole lot about them yet. Cramer is a stud though. I like him. We've talked a lot before.

So Wednesday we got to go to UB (University of Buffalo) and set up a booth in their commons area. Super sick. I walk in and there is like 100's of people getting food and going from class to class. Music was blasting (It wasn't Mo-Tab. Oh well. Tender Mercies). We set up a booth and got to hand out cards. We can ask them if they want a card and we can answer questions if they start talking to us. But we can't proselyte. But I went to town handing out cards. It was fun. The sisters were with us too. When I first walked in and the music was blasting, Elder Whatcott turned to me and said "Welcome to Babylon." I didn't hesitate in replying, "I love Babylon!"

So we had lunch with a member of the YSA branch. His name is Jordan. He actually is cousins to Josh Boardman a kid I know from school. It's a small world when you're a mormon. Jordan is awesome. He also came on a teaching appointment with us. He is studying nutrition and stuff.  Getting his masters. Solid guy. He helps a lot in the YSA.

So we are out street contacting outside of UB south campus. We are on public property so we are good! But we are talking to a ton of YSA aged peeps. I walk up to this one girl and her boyfriend. Start talking to them. Briefly explain. Give them our phone number. Think nothing of it and just keep contacting. An hour later she calls: "How do I join your church?" I think my jaw hit the ground. We talked to her for a bit and tried to convince her to go to Mormon.org because she  googled mormon and got the usual polygamy stuff. She called *67 (which is reasonable) so we don't have her number. Hopefully she calls back and/or comes to church!

Institute!! YSA just always has activities. It's fantastic! Of course they have their weekly institute class. Right now they are going over the Presidents of the Church. It starts with a dinner. Then class. Then dessert. Then we play soccer/some sorta activity. Super fun! We did like this 3 on 3 soccer that Leo was running. Because he's from South America and loves soccer.

Speaking of Leo, he is awesome! He is a Recent Convert. He is also just such a go-getter which is awesome. We went over to teach him some more about church history because he felt like he didn't know much and wanted to know. It was an AMAZING lesson. It was more of a tutoring session than a lesson. We just went over some of the information, he asked questions, we explained them. He even pulled out his phone and was googling the info himself. Taking notes!! We just guided him through the basics of the church. PLUS, he fed us sushi. Which was awesome. He loves sushi. And I love sushi. Which is great! Whatcott had only had it like once before but he seemed to enjoy it. AND He has a pug. I freakin' love pugs. His name is Cocoa-Lee (I don't know how to spell it). But freakin' adorable!

We also got a referral for the spanish elders from street contacting. It's been nice because it warmed up to 45 degrees so people were actually out and about!

Matt is our progressing investigator. The guy is such a stud. Basically he looks exactly like Matt Boonmee from back home. And his name is Matt too! He is ready for baptism, just has to clear up a few things first. But knows the Church is true. Is almost finished with the Book of Mormon. Comes every week! Just a stud.

Niall is our other progressing investigator. He's a little bit older. Like 24  or something. He is a genius. He is like the think tank for his company that does stuff for the military. Right now they are designing thermo regulating vests for helicopter pilots. To keep them warm or cool. Pretty much a genius. He has lots of questions. He has finished the Book of Mormon. He came to church. Has tons of potential. Just got to get him more comfortable with the doctrine. But he was like helping explain things during Gospel Principles. It was fantastic!

On Saturday we went to a little St. Patrick's Day parade party. Had breakfast. Chilled. Then went to the parade. The parade was basically just a ton of people using the excuse to get drunk ha! Every single float seemed to be pointless and just had 5 - 10 people on it completely wasted. Then everyone in the crowd was wasted. BUT it is the 3rd largest St. Patrick's Day Parade in the nation. Pretty fun. Pretty funny! Peter in the branch got kissed by a random drunk girl.ha!

Funny quote from District Meeting: "I can take you!" Sister Stoddard talking to Elder Jones.

So the Amherst ward (same building) was having this fund raiser for scouts. They were selling pies and it was a pizza dinner. So the Bishop had all 8 of us come and eat. Which was dope. Then the Scout leader had us bid on pies on his tab. Which was super sweet. I didn't want to spend too much so we lucked out and only bought a pie for $35. Which was one of the lower end ones. But he also had the other 3 sets buy a pie each. Basically we just kept bidding to run up prices on the pies. It was all a fund raiser and everyone was rich so it wasn't a bad thing. Everyone thought it was fun :)

As far as church on Sunday, both Matt and Niall came. Super dope. It's about the size of Wellsville but each is their own individual family units. So it seems bigger. Rather than the branch being 3 families. It's weird being in the Stake Center for a small branch  though. But it's fun!

I Love Buffalo

We went back over to the crazy less active members that has 39 cats and tons of service they need done. We tried to cut down a tree the other week? I can't remember if I told you that. It didn't work because he couldn't find his wedges. BUT he got it down and needed help cutting it up. I kid you not that we seriously just dug out a huge path up to the tree in the snow. Then had to cut through the wild wilderness to get the tree. The less active guy also smokes so he has to stop to breath like every 10 yards. Anyway, he insists on using the chainsaw. I use a handsaw. I was getting much more done than him much faster. It was fun. And it was 33 degrees so it was pretty much a heatwave!

ON that note, It's 40 degrees today. It feels like summer! Ha :)

We got an investigator! He is a brother of a member that is reactivated. He apparently was talkative and like a solid social guy. But he got put on some medicine. Which made him go almost mute. He stopped and is starting to talk again. So it's hard to figure out what he understands. But he's got a support group.

SO... Transfers... Daugs is going to Brockport. With Elder Gubler. They are flushing into Brockport. Gubler is really good and will work with him. I'm going to Buffalo YSA! Yep. Wellsville is getting flushed. Which is probably good. The poor Millers (the senior Couple) are going to have to work hard to get them adjusted. Elder Richins (from Greece/MTC) is flush training Wellsville.

I love Buffalo. I'm super excited for the YSA. Should help me adjust to being normal around my peers for when I come home.

Not much to say. It's warming up. The future is bright! YSA, here I come! :)

45 S Cayuga
Apt E3
Williamsville, NY 14221

Week of Rambling

This week was just a week full of random things so it might seem like I'm rambling... But I am :)

One of the nice things about Wellsville is it's pretty far from the Great Lakes. Because of that it has a really New York cool winter phenomenon that happens every once in a while. It happened this week. I believe you westerners call it "The Sun."

Let's see... Exchanges this week. I went to Bath with Elder Houghton. It was a nice break! Got to meet some fun people. Turns out that the teachers in Bath make over $80,000. Like average teacher. This small house in Bath had to pay like $500 a month in taxes towards property/town tax and stuff like that for the school. I feel like that's a lot of money in just that tax. Those 500 doesn't include income tax or anything. Just to live where they are. I thought mom would enjoy that statistic. Bath is the best school in the county (doesn't say much because of the county...).

We had 16 people at church this week. It was a super small crowd.

Elder Daugs and Elder Gibby while on the exchanges handed out extra brownies from Institute to random college students. Being college students, they all asked them what was in the brownies before the accepted the kind offer. ha!

Talking to a Less Active Member about Olean. This town outside of our mission but pretty close to Wellsville. They apparently have a ton of Squirrel statues. Yes, giant squirrel statues. They have an extra big one in front of the town hall. So he made the comment: "We could either fix the potholes or buy a giant squirrel! So naturally..." It was pretty funny if you knew the guy. He is usually quiet but he jumped in to say that.

Well two area 70's came for our fancy meeting on Tuesday. Whole mission came together. They are changing up a lot with ipads/Internet Proselyting. So here is the quick rundown. I don't have to buy an iPad (SOOOO happy). Because anyone 6 months or less left on their mission doesn't have to buy one. They are going to have missionaries buy them before they enter the MTC soon. You have to buy an iPad (Apple monopoly). But you get to keep it after your mission. This is the point that I am excited that I don't have to buy an ipad for 1) It's an iPad and useless. 2) It will be extremely restricted for the whole mission which extremely reduces it's value. But you get to keep it when you get home. Which over the course of the mission it decreases significantly in value. SO Basically, I'm excited I don't have to buy one. Yay! But I get a loaner for the next 6 months. They are switching all of our iPads up to the new ones.

So with that, there are some other changes. Lots of little things in iPads that are too confusing to explain. They are also very strict on our guidelines. Including what we can put into our areabook as info on people. For example we cannot say "Bob is from Germany." Because that's racist. We have to say "Bob moved from Germany." And if they have any Word of Wisdom problems we have to say "Bob has concerns with the Word of Wisdom." Instead of saying "Bob has been smoking for 10 years." Basically we have to be super vague so the church won't get sued if anyone found out. Also, in our email homes we basically have to avoid all use of names.

We are "restarting" Internet Proselyting. Since we are moving out of the guinea pig stage (us) we are restarting it as they add more missions for a grand total of 80-something. So now they have strict rules regarding that. Mainly they just had a huge long conversation about Pornography which they were very straight forward about. Which I liked. I hate beating around the bush. SO part of the restart is 2 months of "training" on it. SO we are getting kicked off of Internet Proselyting!!! Wooo!!! In 2 weeks I'll no longer have Facebook enabled on my ipad for 2 months. Then Pres Francis gets to decide if we are ready to move on. Which most missionaries are assuming that we'll be out of Facebook for about 3-4 months. WHICH means I am off of Facebook for probably the rest of my mission. Which I'm SUPER excited about. I get to be a real missionary not knowing the outside world! ;) Pretty great! Plus it removes all those struggles of companions on Facebook while we are trying to weekly plan and stuff.... Yay!

So yeah. Some crazy changes with iPads and Internet Proselyting. We also can't teach people from back home without specific permission from our Mission President. Which kind of blows because all of my Facebook success has been from people from back home. Almost all. But, I don't have to worry about that (see above paragraph).

I started the Book of Mormon on Friday night. I'm already almost 200 pages in. I've noticed a lot this time how much my knowledge has grown and how much more I notice things. It's been nice. Even at a quicker pace.

We also hung out with Alfred kids (nonmembers) after a visit with our Less Active Member there. We made friendship bracelets. They were pretty chill with us considering we were wearing proselyting clothes and it usually makes people awkwarded out. That's why I love college kids/my peer group. So much chiller. Everyone is much more accepting of different people.

So we get a call from a telemarketer. I'm bored so I take it. Answer the questions. Win a free cruise. Pretty legit, Eh? So I'm like what's the catch... Turns out there wasn't a catch because they just expect me to come and blow tons of money on gambling and alcohol. Jokes on you, I don't do either! Plus they want you to write a positive review of it and tell your friends. Sadly, however, I had to pay the port tax right there. It was $59 per ticket. And I won two. So it was $118. I couldn't justify spending the impulse by. Plus it didn't include the plane ticket to Florida. And I still wasn't 100% sure it wasn't a scam. So missed out on my free cruise I could have taken for my birthday. Oh well. Ha! I'll just have to win another one. #BahamasCruise