So, here goes nothing. Let me try and sum up what's been happening lately and the insanity that surrounded switching from the MTC to the mission field. We awoke at 4:15 and gathered all of our luggage, then got on a five hour bus ride to the chapel in Stains, where we had our first area conference/transfer meeting. It was incredible, we were met by all of the experienced missionaries and the mission president. He is a very good man, all about obedience. He's also possibly the funniest man I've ever met. His sense of humor is just spot on :)
Anyways, before we get to where I've been sent (which you will love, by the way) let me talk about my last week in the MTC. The district that I served in just kept getting closer, and I truly believe that I have gained some
life long friends. It was sad to say goodbye to Elder David, I really loved him. And only after two weeks, too. That place was the experience of a lifetime. The spirit there is so strong because there is so much conversion happening there. It's amazing, and I'm so glad I was able to spend those two weeks.
So, back to the transfer meeting. We went into the chapel, did an interview with the president, and were assigned a trainer. Based on the trainer we received, that became our first area. I have been called to the Crowley mission, which is the piloting digital mission of London England South. Haha, I just laughed when I was called. I
drove another hour or so to Crowley, met my district, and I am now living in a four missionary flat. It's fun, and my companion, Elder Wright, is wonderful. He's really spiritual, kind of soft spoken, and also a complete nerd. But he really helps me to laugh a lot, and I know we're going to have some serious success together. He's never been to the digital district before, so we're pretty much learning together.
You can send stuff to my flat, but realize that I may only be here for 6 weeks (that's when transfers happen). Also, my P days are Monday, but seeing as I'm in the digital mission, we're quite a bit more lenient when it comes to access to the internet. But yeah, expect my emails on Mondays.
We live with the companionship that has our district leader, which is convenient :) His name is Elder Sparks, which is appropriate for the pioneer of the digital mission here in Crawley. Let me explain how the digital mission works, and how amazing it is. Elder Wright and I were able to see the chat program and how we use facebook in order to contact. It is an amazing work. I can already see the success. I can't even explain to you how big this is going to be in missionary work, and the scale of success that we will be able to see from it. I can testify that the Prophets are inspired, because this is the perfect time to begin the implementation of this plan.
Anyways, my point is, it's successful, and it's hard. You have to know your doctrine. People sometimes come on with insane questions. It's different because the people who come online already have a desire to do something, you just have to find out what it is. Sometimes it is to bash, but often we can turn these into teaching opportunities (Elder Sparks is amazing, I swear he knows the entire bible, back to back). This is a doctrinally intense mission, I think it will be wonderful to gain those skills here and be able to take them out into the
field. Elder Wright and I are starting a new area in this mission, and 50% of the work is still contacting off the web. We still go out and teach, but a lot of the less useful hours can be spent in infinitely more useful ways.
We are the new beginning of missionary work, hopefully the concepts that are being piloted here will soon be available throughout the rest of the mission. So, Mom, I would consider some stock in Apple, because I've
heard that they will be phased in within the next half year ;)
Wow, this got long. I've got to head, love you all. The work is moving quickly, and it's going to be hard, but I'm excited and the spirit has provided me with more strength than I ever thought I would have.
Love,
Elder Foster
Anyways, before we get to where I've been sent (which you will love, by the way) let me talk about my last week in the MTC. The district that I served in just kept getting closer, and I truly believe that I have gained some
life long friends. It was sad to say goodbye to Elder David, I really loved him. And only after two weeks, too. That place was the experience of a lifetime. The spirit there is so strong because there is so much conversion happening there. It's amazing, and I'm so glad I was able to spend those two weeks.
So, back to the transfer meeting. We went into the chapel, did an interview with the president, and were assigned a trainer. Based on the trainer we received, that became our first area. I have been called to the Crowley mission, which is the piloting digital mission of London England South. Haha, I just laughed when I was called. I
drove another hour or so to Crowley, met my district, and I am now living in a four missionary flat. It's fun, and my companion, Elder Wright, is wonderful. He's really spiritual, kind of soft spoken, and also a complete nerd. But he really helps me to laugh a lot, and I know we're going to have some serious success together. He's never been to the digital district before, so we're pretty much learning together.
You can send stuff to my flat, but realize that I may only be here for 6 weeks (that's when transfers happen). Also, my P days are Monday, but seeing as I'm in the digital mission, we're quite a bit more lenient when it comes to access to the internet. But yeah, expect my emails on Mondays.
We live with the companionship that has our district leader, which is convenient :) His name is Elder Sparks, which is appropriate for the pioneer of the digital mission here in Crawley. Let me explain how the digital mission works, and how amazing it is. Elder Wright and I were able to see the chat program and how we use facebook in order to contact. It is an amazing work. I can already see the success. I can't even explain to you how big this is going to be in missionary work, and the scale of success that we will be able to see from it. I can testify that the Prophets are inspired, because this is the perfect time to begin the implementation of this plan.
Anyways, my point is, it's successful, and it's hard. You have to know your doctrine. People sometimes come on with insane questions. It's different because the people who come online already have a desire to do something, you just have to find out what it is. Sometimes it is to bash, but often we can turn these into teaching opportunities (Elder Sparks is amazing, I swear he knows the entire bible, back to back). This is a doctrinally intense mission, I think it will be wonderful to gain those skills here and be able to take them out into the
field. Elder Wright and I are starting a new area in this mission, and 50% of the work is still contacting off the web. We still go out and teach, but a lot of the less useful hours can be spent in infinitely more useful ways.
We are the new beginning of missionary work, hopefully the concepts that are being piloted here will soon be available throughout the rest of the mission. So, Mom, I would consider some stock in Apple, because I've
heard that they will be phased in within the next half year ;)
Wow, this got long. I've got to head, love you all. The work is moving quickly, and it's going to be hard, but I'm excited and the spirit has provided me with more strength than I ever thought I would have.
Love,
Elder Foster