Sister Mom?

I had a guy in Medina tell me this week that those Mormons in Utah marry their daughters..... So.... Is mom my sister? Just tell it to me straight! Cuz I need to know!!

 We had specialized training this week at the Peter Whitmer Farm. You know, the place that the church was organized in this dispensation #NoBigDeal #JKHugeDeal. It was interesting! There were a lot of trainings that were for more of the non spiritual things. Had a training on exercising in the mornings. We had a training that was cooking food from a cookbook. Just some little things like that.

We had to do a quick 30 minute training. We quickly ran out of time. For our training we started out by having everyone sign a big #BuffNorth banner. It's pretty sick! On the back everyone is writing their name in a big list. That way it's like a history of all the missionaries that have served here. We hope it continues on. Then we found a place that makes t-shirts for $9 a pop. So we are getting zone t-shirts. They should be super awesome. We decided on which design then. Then we squeezed in a quick training on how to set appointments while contacting people. Instead of saying "when can you meet?" You say, "Can you meet Wednesday or Thursday?" Then "Afternoons or evenings?" Etc. until you get a specific appointment. Then we handed out some #BuffNorth Companionship Unity bags. They were just ziploc bags I made with get to know you question slips. For companionships to use while driving or in down time. Stuff like that.

Friday we had MLC (Mission Leadership Council). It was interesting. We did some basic Internet Proselyting training. The AP's were in charge of it and had us do a part of it. The ideas for Facebook part. It was just wanting us to read it out of the handbook. Then they talked about statistics of our mission. We average like 0.7 investigators per companionship per week. Our standards of excellence is 5 new investigators a week. We discussed changing those standards of excellence as most missionaries find it to be unobtainable. However, some of the other leadership people thought 5 was a good standard of excellence. So far it seems like they'll keep it the same. President mentioned the Boston Massachusetts mission (AJ Halling's Mission) had 75% of their Recent Converts submit temple names last year. We had 3%. We were the 2nd lowest in the America Northwest Region. It was some Interesting statistics. I've been really impressed with AJ's mission as I've read his weekly letters. It's ran really differently.

The ride back from MLC is always fun. We get the sisters to chillax a little and have normal conversation. We called Sister Stoddard, Momma Stoddard. Because she was driving the minivan with the 4 of us in the back. She looked like such a soccer mom. It was hilarious. We also got Paula's donuts for the trip. Which are super delicious. It's the donut shop I used to live next to in Kenmore (Buffalo).

Exchanges in Medina on Saturday! We blitzed it. I met a member that served his mission here. It was interesting because he confirmed some of the rumors I've heard about "Old NYRM." It was an interesting conversation. We talked to a bunch of different people and invited them to the Medina Branch meeting. They hold a branch meeting the first Sunday of the month. The other times they drive 20 minutes to the Lockport Ward. They are hoping to create a Medina Branch officially soon. Right now it's a pilot program thing. I went with Elder Gaudete. He is from Colorado and is a Recent Convert of just over a year or so. Good kid. Good kid. He is new but catching on quick. He went out with missionaries all the time back home.

Sunday was interesting! It ended up being a day packed of stuff last minute. We ended up having all these firesides that we had no idea about. Church was also for seniors in high school this week as well. So yeah. Then afterwards we had the Break the Fast. Then we had a youth fireside meeting and after that we had a worldwide YSA Broadcast. So it was just studies then at the church all day. The Youth Fireside president called us that morning asking us to come and get other missionaries to come. He said he was talking. Then he ended up not showing up and we didn't really understand why we were supposed to be there. However, it was a little FHE style lesson thing from President Pace so it was totally worth being there. He had some very good points. Then we ordained Micheal to the office of Elder and gave him the Melchizedek Priesthood so that he can submit his papers for the mission. The Worldwide YSA Broadcast didn't finish before 9 so we ditched out before it was over. It was pretty good for the part I saw. They are definitely doing more with technology as they do these broadcasts with little slides and stuff. It's pretty cool!

We are kind of bummed we didn't get a chance to talk about Pageant ideas this MLC. Because the first week of June is really pushing it. So... We might start taking some initiative and get things going. Hopefully we can do some cool things like maybe parades. Or at least just proselyte at the parades.

Super busy week. Definitely tired. Today is our monthly zone P-day that we are kind of allowed to have. We just had to find the loopholes to get everyone here within the mile limitation and a senior couple so that the sisters can be there and it's not inappropriate. Hopefully it's fun and everyone gets a good P-day of relaxing done.