First Week Training

Dear family and friends,

It's been a fun week here. Elder Rasmussen had to say goodbye to his friends and converts (photo is us and Steven). I got a new companion on Wednesday named Elder Grant and he is from SLC. He's a hard worker so I'm grateful for that. He's been enjoying the dinner appointments we get. It's definitely been an adjustment being the one who knows the area better. It's been stressful but good. I'm learning fast. We had a lot of good lessons. We taught Zoe, our 15 year old investigator twice this week. We brought one of the young women from the ward. We talked about mutual activities, and I think she's excited to come. We also taught Myrium, our Haitian investigator. It was a good lesson. We were able to invite the spirit pretty well and I think it hit home with her.

We fixed up a guy's trailer this week. He's not a member but he lives with members so he knows the missionaries. It was a pretty dirty job and he left us there to go the store twice, but he took us out to a steakhouse after. It was an interesting day to say the least.

I've been hearing of a lot of girls who are leaving on missions soon. I'm sure there are a lot more I haven't heard about. I've also heard some pretty crazy statistics about the number of missionary applications going through. Well I'm learning lots and working hard. Hope all is well in the US of A!

Elder Oxborrow

Transfer Calls! (and this weeks letter too)

Hello family and friends,

Due to a busy P-day I have 2 minutes to send this e-mail haha. Well we got transfer calls on Saturday and...... I'm staying haha. So is my companion so nothing new. I found out, however, that my two MTC companions, Elder Pehrson, and Elder Hansen, who have been out as long as I have, will be training this transfer! And they are both in a French speaking zone! So crazy haha. Well this week was better, things are starting to pick up. All is well. I'll send more details next week.

Love you all!

Love,

Elder Oxborrow

Dear family and friends,

This week has been a big relief. We finally saw some of the results we've been working for. We concentrated a lot this week on getting member present lessons since that's what we've been struggling on for the past few weeks. So this week we made sure we were bringing members to almost every lesson we had. We were getting some here and there although many were still falling through. We decided we'd fast on Sunday to see if that would help us meet our goals. When we got to church, James (a convert about a year ago, preparing to go on his mission) told us he wanted to come out with us for the whole day. We started off visiting less actives and went tracting before dinner. While tracting, we got one lesson, then headed to our dinner appointment. After dinner he texted two friends and asked if they wanted to learn about his church and they both said yes! So we got three member present lessons that we didn't have planned in one day! That was an awesome day. We've got a lot of so so investigators so we're working on solidifying them. Having a ball out in Ottawa! Love you all!

Elder Oxborrow

P.S. the photos are:

1. Snake a lady had who we found knocking

2. Different languages of BoM we have in our apartment

3. Our new pet

4. Steve's (our recent convert) ring from when he was with the Maple Leafs and they won their conference

Week 3: "Sometimes I close my eyes and picture myself in a fireside when I want to sleep"

Dear Family and friends,

Three weeks down and only six more to go... It's going so fast yet so slow. It's been a fast week since last Tuesday. The days are starting to go faster and faster. It's also been a pretty eventful week. About last Wednesday, my companion Elder Rice had started having some appointments with a doctor here. Just a few days later on Friday, he found out he was being sent home so he could get taken care of. We were both pretty shocked. He had been such a blessing for me since I arrived here. He had great study habits which were exemplary for me and exactly what I needed. He flew back out to Oregon Saturday morning. The district misses him. As for me I got put into a triple companionship for a couple days, and this morning I was paired up with a new companion, Elder Garcia. He's a cool guy and I think we'll get along pretty well. He's from St. George (Desert Hills HS), and did a semester at Dixie before coming on his mission. He has been here three weeks longer than I have, but his old district got here three weeks before he did, so they all just left for the field. He will be serving in New Caladonia, and from pictures I've seen, I'm pretty jealous. His only concern is the spiders there which grow larger than a person's hand haha. I've been continuing to teach discussions in French about six times a week. Our two "Amis en progres" (progressing investigators) are played by our teachers, Brother Sybrowski, and Sister Lindsey. They both served in Montreal. The roles they play are from investigators they taught from their missions. The other lessons we teach are to volunteers who happen to know french (usually RM's). I haven't taught with my new companion yet since he's been my companion since this morning and it's P-day. I'm not yet sure what level his french is at but hopefully we'll work well together. It's been pretty hot this week. I kinda wish it would rain, but it does feel good in the morning and at night (for the 30 seconds it takes us to walk from our classroom to our residence hall). I'm realizing that for me the biggest sacrifice of coming on a mission is music. I miss music haha. We're not allowed to even listen to Motab or anything like that until we get to the field. Still enjoying it and taking it all in. Feel free to write!

Elder Brenden Oxborrow

Week 2: Another Day in Paradise

Hey friends and family,
It's been a good week here in Provo. Getting more used to the schedule and the days are really starting to blend together in my mind. I've had a lot of cool experiences even in the little time I've been here. It really is a place where the spirit is strong and blessings come through obedience and hard work. Thanks for the letters and dear elders I've received. Mail is always a good way to end the day so thanks for that. I love hearing about what's going on with everyone. Although there is one thing I'd like to request; somebody keep me updated on the playoffs! Haha.
Well I've seen a lot of friends since I arrived two weeks ago. Elder Jacob Rees, Elder Hunter Payne, Elder Landon Hobbs, Elder Steven Christensen, Elder Alex Munns. I see Elder Munns at least once a day since we're in the same zone and his class room is right next door to mine. It's always cool to see old friends. Yesterday when I was on my way to pick up the mail, I ran into Elder Jones who is from Ketchikan and I got to know while I was up there. It was the first time I'd seen him since I was up there so that was way cool. He leaves the MTC in two weeks for Argentina. I was thinking, if I was one of the missionaries called to an english speaking mission, I'd be out of here in one week. I'm kinda glad I'm not going that quick though. Especially since I learn more and more new things every day so I want to try to take in as much as I can from the MTC while I have the opportunity. Seven more weeks.

I mentioned last time that I got called to district leader, and I've come to realize it's only because it's such an easy district to lead. These elders are seriously awesome. We all get along so well and they all have a desire to follow the rules. Every time I need to pass something along to them, they are receptive and supportive. I've been blessed by them. There are eight of us in good ol' district 46C My companion is Elder Rice. Elder Christensen is from Salt Lake and then a year at UofU. His companion is Elder Whatcott and he's from Boston. He's 6'5" and is a super nice guy. He went to BYU before the mission. Elder Brady is from everywhere since his dad works for the government. He's lived in Switzerland, Virginia, Oregon, and various other places. He also went to BYU. His companion is Elder Foote. He has got to be one of the funniest people I've met. At first he seemed kinda weird cause no one really understood his humor but now we basically can't have a conversation without him cracking us all up. He also did a year at BYU. Elder Hansen is from Alberta, Canada and he is the definition of firm and steadfast. Not only physically but spiritually as well. He's pretty muscular too though. He kinda reminds me of the Hulk show back in the day with the big strong guy who they painted green and he just grunted. His companion is Elder Pehrson who I really like. He's from Kaysville and went to Davis. He's a really good ball player and has a really nice shot. He made ten half court shots in a minute! He claims it's the world record but I don't know... haha. He also did a year at BYU. Elder Pehrson and Elder Hansen will be serving in Montreal and the rest will be serving in France.
I wish I had more time to tell all the experiences I've had but I don't so hopefully next time. One thing that I thought of the other day at a fireside was that in Moses 1:39 it states that God's work and glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Then I realized that in serving a mission, I'm helping to accomplish exactly that. By sharing this gospel, I will be improving the lives of others, and that's really what it's all about.
Love you!
Elder Oxborrow