Week 4 - Missionary Work is for the Birds

 Hello everyone,

This week has been good and has been busy, but not super productive. I will explain later.

This week we had a total of 4 dinners with members and 3 of them were with the same family. They believe we are connecting with their son who doesn't involve himself in anything church related so they want us back as much as possible to leave a good impression and a good taste of church things in his mouth. So far so good. Except we got in a wreck with the dad on Tuesday when he was driving us home. We were rear ended pretty hard and I was in the backseat but it ended up doing no damage to his car and obviously everyone is alright, so it's just a good story now.

The other dinner we went to we ate with the family's birds. They had an Amazonian parrot and a white umbrella cockatoo, and as the white one (Casper) was walking all over my arms and shoulders and bit my finger trying to stay on my hand and drew blood. It wasn't a lot and it really didn't even hurt, but it was kind of a crazy experience. The way the birds ate with us was funny because the birds had their own chairs and they would sit on the backs and would talk to us as we ate. They even had leashes for them when they wanted to control where they went. Really funny to watch.

We did service two of the days as well for one family that was recently converted. We helped them do a bunch of landscaping in their yard because they were getting ready to sell their house, and I was in charge of cutting all the vines off of their rock fence. It was a really fun service and they fed us both days. But besides that we really didn't do much this week. No proselyting and no lessons really besides our dinner appointments. We visited some families but besides that nothing. I have some concerns with it because it seems like were not doing anything because of my companion but that is more a private subject. Anyways this week has been a real experience and I'm excited to see what happens next. Thank you all for caring and listening. Love you all and hope you have an incredible week.

Elder Murray

Week 3 - 13 Miles, a New Record

 Hello all you people, 

It is me again with my weekly email! We are allowed to tract again and that is crazy.I guess it's a big thing because we are one of the few missions that can. So I knocked doors for the first time ever and it was terrifying but cool when people would actually talk to you. So obviously I need to get better at that but I think its gonna be something fun to work at. The bikes we got are crap. Not worth $100 and I'm thinking about not paying and returning it. It's rusty and the breaks suck and the seat and tire are loose and flat. So needless to say I will not be using it until it is fixed or I get a new one lol. So we walked again and we hit a new daily high of 13 miles in one day this week. Super fun, super fun.

We have had some lazy days this week where it doesn't feel like we get much done but I'm sure that's a part of most weeks. Hopefully I'm being as productive as I can. I worry sometimes but I think I'm doing good. I haven't thought about home as much this week and think it's all getting easier to just live my daily life out here. It's starting to really set in that this is the new norm for me and that's fine. I actually I like it. The ward went back to church for the first time this week and it was alright but man, Spring Gulch seemed so smooth compared to this ward. Really makes you appreciate home lol. But it was still nice to be able to go to church, that's for sure. Met some great family's as well this week in dinners and they all were super kind and very welcoming to us which makes me feel good, cause it still is scary being out here and being so new.

Not much else is new just really doing some missionary work and trying to learn as much as I can. As always I miss everyone and am looking forward to the next time we speak. Love you all

Elder Murray

Week 2 - Service and Conference

 Hello again friends and family,

Since last week quite a bit has happened and I'm excited to tell you all about it. I had my first interview with the mission president this week and it went really well. I had some concerns that we were able to address and it was really helpful to give me a new perspective on a lot of things in the mission, cause I'm really still trying to figure everything out.

We did service twice for people this week. Six of us elders helped a massive move that was just us and the family. We basically moved an entire 3 car garage full of boxes and furniture. It was hard but felt good. My favorite moment of this week was helping this old couple do some gardening work with another set of missionaries. They were the nicest old couple, and it made me so happy when they just sat and talked with us after about there lives as we ate the KFC they kindly bought us. It made me feel super welcome and loved.

As always, conference was quite incredible. I loved all the talks and I've found recently I am quite fond of Elder Holland. Very spiritual. The prophet was great as always and it was fun watching everything with some other elders. We had a roast dinner on Sunday night after the last session, and then did a member inspire which was really cool. I'm glad I'm getting to know more members and their families better. We had another member dinner this week too and that was crazy cause the family was like obviously loaded. Like basketball court, pool, pickleball court, trampoline, big open space and huge house, but they were very kind and seemed humble so that was dope. The tacos they served were also pretty dank. But it really has been a crazy week and I'm glad I've been able to serve here so far. I'm probably forgetting stuff about the week but I'm sure Its not too important. Thank you for reading and caring. Love you all.

Elder Murray.

The First Week

 Hello friends and family, 

This first week has been nothing short of crazy. I got here last Tuesday and it's been quite a week. I am currently in the Kent Stake serving in the Lake Sawyer ward of Washington. This area is massive and for some reason were the first set of missionaries to not have a car here. Not to mention we are white washing the area, so both of us are brand new and on foot. We have been walking what feels to be an exponentially growing  amount of miles each day, with a top of 12 miles in one day. No blisters for me luckily.

Our apartment is nice and we have a pretty good amount of space, even though the beds are like right next to each other, which was weird to me at first but I'm getting used to.

I didn't know how much I could miss home until I couldn't visit or call whenever I have the chance. I really do miss it but I have to remember that what I'm doing here is good. Two years may be a long time but I'm hoping time flies as I'm teaching and learning the gospel. The members so far seem super nice, and we have quite a few dinners lined up already.

Elder Murray with his first companion. 

We can't actually tract. We can only knock on doors of members or friends (investigators) that we already know, so it has been weird trying to find people to teach and we have to try and be creative, so wish me luck. Besides that I'm doing alright. I figured out how to feed myself pretty quick and it's now just getting used to this life and learning to love it. I feel the stress and sadness will leave before long and I can't wait to experience the joy of serving. I love and miss you all and I'm excited to be able to hear from you again next week.

Love, 

Elder Murray.