I'M OFFICIALLY ON THE MISSION Y'ALL. It's been two weeks since I last got to write to everyone and man it's been eventful. Last Monday, at the MTC was super sad because I left all my amazing friends and teachers. (#blessed) I know they are all doing great things, but I miss them all. Kentucky is awesome!
New Missionaries in Kentucky!
I got my new dad. His name is Elder Godfrey. He is from Syracuse, Utah. I'm very blessed to have Elder Godfrey as a companion. He is a real expert on the Bible and knows a lot. He is also a very logical man. I've never been that way, so we are learning from each other in the areas we lack which is awesome.
President and Sister Hughes, Elder Greenlaw, and Elder Godfrey
(First companion)
Elder Godfrey and Elder Greenlaw
Playing Pokemon
My comp, oh my comp. He is so interesting. He taught me how to play Pokemon cards and we are building a deck for myself. He said he will teach me how to play guitar, so I'm getting a guitar Haha. He's hilarious! He knows memes like the back of his hand and spongebob quotes. We talked about video games for about 3 hours one night because we both loved TMNT and we played all the same games like dance dance revolution and stuff. Good childhood memories. I love him so much already. We are alike in a lot of ways and we get along great. At the same time, he so different. I'm older than him which is weird because I do not feel older than him at all.
I am living in Lexington. It's in the South Eastern part that of the state and covers a very large area. We are in the Beaumont ward. The church is all the way down in Nicholasville. We drive a lot.
Living in Kentucky
Driving with the Spanish Elders
The members are really nice and for some reason we have two ward mission leaders in our ward. Haha I don't know how that works exactly. The people here are very poor and most have very crazy stories. I made some friends this past week, including Crazy Dave. He is a large Bible guy. I've learned that the Bible Belt is real Haha. I had no idea what to expect here, and my mind is blown with how many people talk about them Bibles I've gotten. Scripture after scripture have been thrown at me that I didn't know very much about. I'm learning so much!! Haha Probably not in a good way. So in my studies I'm definitely getting more familiar with the Bible.
My comp and I do role plays, I call them real plays because its nothing like the lessons I learned at the MTC. Nothing like the lessons at all. It's like I have to learn how to teach people all over again. People either agree with everything you say and then you ask them if they will be baptized, and they will say nah, I have my own church. It's a real face palm to the forehead.
Some people are interesting out here. Their lives our so interesting. They have some very awful things going on. I could never imagine this sort of thing happened to people. I guess everyone just has there own trials in life to humble them. It is truly amazing to see but terrifying at the same time.
We have been working really hard and have been trying to meet with all the less active and part member families in the ward. It's so hard though because some days we will have like 10 appointments and they all fall through. We have been denied 100% of the time. Every lesson we have had has fallen through which sucks. Elder Godfrey says it's really not this bad. I guess this week has just been a rough one. We've been finding a lot of people who are interested, but the meetings we set up, fall through. I don't know why.
There was a guy we found who was interested, but his sister died of a Heroine overdose. His wife is in jail. Crazy stuff going on that I'm not used too. One other lady we tried to meet with, is pregnant and the father just got arrested for murder. She's having a hard time making money and her job won't let her work because of how pregnant she is. She can't pay her bill's and is struggling to want to meet with us. We have story after story like that. Some of our areas are scary because there is so much drug use and violence going on. The area above us is super wealthy. Haha We don't go there because it is assigned to another set of missionaries. We have Spanish missionaries that live close to us and we chill over there quite a bit because they have WiFi and laundry machines. Our apartment has cock roaches and stuff, we are really trying to keep it clean. Some people are supposed to come and spray.
Spanish Elder's Apartment
Nevertheless, I'm working hard and have no reason to be discouraged. I just keep on going and have faith that we will find someone to teach.
One of our investigators got a threatening note at church and she booked it. We've been trying to figure that out. Everyone is sick the flu and no one wants to meet with us. Everyone goes to bed at like 6pm or eats dinner really late so that makes it hard. Every Sunday, we do Bingo with the elderly. Haha it's a good time. I got a Bingo once. We visit a lady there who is member and her name is Pocahontas. She is so funny and cool. She is native American and does a special handshake with us, so that is sweet. She is our favorite for sure.
Elder Gong came and taught us on Monday that is why we had PDay today instead of Monday. It was awesome. I got to talk to him for a second and get to know him a little bit. We are practically best friends now! Haha But really, it was an amazing meeting and I've learned so much from him.
Elder and Sister Gong come to visit the mission
I love the mission so far. My understanding of how the gospel of Jesus Christ really works on the earth today has grown. I see so many churches and confusion in the world. It makes me thankful for what I have been given. I am so fortunate to grow up in the church. I definitely took it for granted. I love this gospel! It has changed my life and continues to change my life every day. If you don't know that this is the one true church on this earth today, I urge you to find out right now. Read the Book of Mormon and pray to know that it is TRUE! Work daily to understand what the gospel teaches us, because it is seriously so powerful.
You is kind, you is smart, you is important.
Much love,
Elder Greenlaw
BTW: My email changed. It is andrew.greenlaw@missionary.org
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