Sooooooooooo......
I love life! It's great! And I don't really know why... Maybe because I am a full time servant of the Lord sent here to the Gulf Coast to help bless the lives of the great people of the south and to help show them the way to gain eternal life and get them started on the path back to Him, which is through the waters of baptism? Or maybe it is great because the Lord has given me an opportunity to learn charity and patience in a 6-12 week span and that I am learning it, though it may be hard sometimes? Or maybe life is so amazing is because I not only have the most amazing family ever and tons of awesome friends back home cheering me on and praying daily for my success, but I also have legions of angels on my side, helping me fight my daily battles and giving me a boost up and a push in the right direction? I really don't know why life is great...... Maybe it's because every day is a miracle if we see it that way. Life really is all about our attitudes. I have learned that lesson well the last few weeks. This life and the way we view it is largely based on our attitudes. Take Laman and Nephi for example. They went through the same wilderness for 8 years, and Nephi praised the Lord and loved life, and Laman cursed the day he was born... well not quite, but still. More like the day Lehi and Nephi were born... Anyway.... Basically I am learning life lessons that make me a better person. It's not easy though. Focus on the positives...
I am excited for dinner this week. Dinner appointments every night except Saturday. Oh, and we are now having a "zone breakfast" every other p-day. We all get together, have breakfast and have a spiritual thought, an unsuccess and success story, a joke of the week, and of course, prayers. We had it this morning with biscuits and gravy, eggs and sausage, bacon, muffins and juice. It was delicious! All in all, it's about 3 dollars per missionary to feed all 14 of us. It's great!
Phillip Karen, who was a missionary here about a year ago, was back in town the past few days. I got to meet him. It was weird to think about possibly coming back as a non missionary. Weird...
Soooooo.... The Lord is great and amazing. Always remember that.
With Love From The South,
-Elder Dwight Mendenhall
PS... yes, it's short this week. Tough. :)
Monday, May 16, 2011
May 9, 2011 Happy Mother's Day
Hey All Y'all!
So..... I love Mother's Day! As many of you know, I was able to Skype home yesterday. It was awesome! And surprisingly enough, it didn't make me trunky. It was just....normal. To me, it was almost like I never left. Interesting, huh? It was awesome! I do miss home, but I am out here for a reason, and my work is not yet finished.
So, Elder Woolf is an interesting character. Let's just say that we are going to have to see what these next 5 weeks will bring. It's already been one. Crazy! This week we are going on exchanges with the zone leaders, next week is zone conference in Hattiesburg, and the following week is exchanges with the Spanish Elders. So.... all in all, pretty crazy stuff. It is pretty stressful taking over an area. Not the easiest thing to do. But it is sure a learning experience. I love the gospel and I love the people and the work. I may not have any baptisms yet, but I know that I am helping people anyway. I am super grateful to be here.
Well. I guess I don't have too much to say.... Things are going to be different this transfer, that is for sure. I am learning to love my companion.... and as I have heard him say concerning people he knew back home, "love the person, not the sin". Sooooo.... yup. Hahahahahaha. It's what I am doing. Kia Kaha is my motto. Forever Strong. The Lord is with me, and wants me to succeed. And with God on my side, who can prevail against me? We may not win every battle, but we will "fo sure" win the war.
With lots of love and peace from the South,
Elder Dwight Douglas "Hal" Mendenhall, The First, Esquire. :)
So..... I love Mother's Day! As many of you know, I was able to Skype home yesterday. It was awesome! And surprisingly enough, it didn't make me trunky. It was just....normal. To me, it was almost like I never left. Interesting, huh? It was awesome! I do miss home, but I am out here for a reason, and my work is not yet finished.
So, Elder Woolf is an interesting character. Let's just say that we are going to have to see what these next 5 weeks will bring. It's already been one. Crazy! This week we are going on exchanges with the zone leaders, next week is zone conference in Hattiesburg, and the following week is exchanges with the Spanish Elders. So.... all in all, pretty crazy stuff. It is pretty stressful taking over an area. Not the easiest thing to do. But it is sure a learning experience. I love the gospel and I love the people and the work. I may not have any baptisms yet, but I know that I am helping people anyway. I am super grateful to be here.
Well. I guess I don't have too much to say.... Things are going to be different this transfer, that is for sure. I am learning to love my companion.... and as I have heard him say concerning people he knew back home, "love the person, not the sin". Sooooo.... yup. Hahahahahaha. It's what I am doing. Kia Kaha is my motto. Forever Strong. The Lord is with me, and wants me to succeed. And with God on my side, who can prevail against me? We may not win every battle, but we will "fo sure" win the war.
With lots of love and peace from the South,
Elder Dwight Douglas "Hal" Mendenhall, The First, Esquire. :)
A Lone Wolf In A Pack.... until I get another Woolf....
Dear Everyone....
Guess what! I don't have a companion! I shipped Elder Todd off this morning! Woot! Back to good ol' MP. Now I wait on my new companion, but since transfers are behind today (way behind) and we are one of the last stops, I wont get him until 9:00-9:30 probably, So until then, I get to hang with my español amigos. Should be fun. Anyway.... so my new companion is.... Elder Woolf! (did you see that one coming? Maybe up there... ↑) I know nothing about him, other than that he just got done serving with Elder Redmon (my trainer) in the North Monroe area (in LA). I am super excited though! The spanish Elders are staying together, so I get another transfer around Elders Price, Belt and Thurgood. I love those Elders. They are all great.
Sooooooo.... this week. We... ummm... we did.... ummmm. Stuff. Hahahahaha. We actually were productive. I was trying to go strong with Elder Todd until the end. We taught a new investigator named Dane Ellis. Cool guy. He has potential (well everyone does, but still....).
OH!!!!!!!!! Guess what we did Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We went to a wedding. On the beach. It was legit! Hahahahaha, a member and a non-member were getting married. We had actually never met anyone there before (except for the Bishop and Brother Saucier). It was fun. And oh so beautiful. They looked so happy. *sniff* Hahahahaha it's quite the story about how it came about, so remind me about it in two years. I'm too lazy to type it out. We went to the reception, stayed there, helped clean up, and we brought a ton of food home with us (not the intention for helping or staying, it just happened). It was super fun to talk to the members that were there.
So, we had some good food this week. Meatloaf, pork chops, Golden Corral, steak, taco salad, etc! I love the south. I really do. I already know I am going to miss it in two years. Not that I wont mind leaving it, but there are things that you just have to love about it. Like the people.... because there is not much else to do with them. :D
Now the moment you have all been waiting for!!! It is May 4th, and I am not expecting anymore entries for the music contest. Not saying one couldn't come in today or tomorrow, but I doubt it. So I will announce the winners. Now remember, I am NOT biased in this, I promise! And I wasn't the only judge. And I really love the CDs I did get, all two of them.................. >_< (←grumpy face at the rest of you) and it was actually a hard decision... anywho. The winners!!!
3rd Place goes to: Mom and Dad!!! Who sent me my John Bytheway talks out. Technically not music, hence 3rd place, but still very much loved. Congrats!
2nd place goes to...... Naüdia Dowland! With "Dwight's Super Awesomenova Mission CD!" (or something like that). I love this CD! (19 Tracks) It has a lot of songs on it that I know and love, and some others I hadn't heard before. Honestly, a little too much Mo-Tab for me, but the selection of Mo-Tab on there were really good choices. All in all, I love the CD and listened to it two times last nigth while Elder Todd packed.
1st place goes to....... Jeanette Davis! Congratulaions! With her CD "Light Up The Sky" she scored huge points with me. I love the music on there. I only had heard 4 of the 19 tracks before, but it is just the kind of music I like. I already can sing along with several of the songs.
Prizes will be sent out eventually. Once I decide what they are. Which might be awhile. Okay. Well, all y'all take care, and beware back in Utah, as 4 southern missionaries are headin' your way.
Love,
Elder Mendenhall
Guess what! I don't have a companion! I shipped Elder Todd off this morning! Woot! Back to good ol' MP. Now I wait on my new companion, but since transfers are behind today (way behind) and we are one of the last stops, I wont get him until 9:00-9:30 probably, So until then, I get to hang with my español amigos. Should be fun. Anyway.... so my new companion is.... Elder Woolf! (did you see that one coming? Maybe up there... ↑) I know nothing about him, other than that he just got done serving with Elder Redmon (my trainer) in the North Monroe area (in LA). I am super excited though! The spanish Elders are staying together, so I get another transfer around Elders Price, Belt and Thurgood. I love those Elders. They are all great.
Sooooooo.... this week. We... ummm... we did.... ummmm. Stuff. Hahahahaha. We actually were productive. I was trying to go strong with Elder Todd until the end. We taught a new investigator named Dane Ellis. Cool guy. He has potential (well everyone does, but still....).
OH!!!!!!!!! Guess what we did Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We went to a wedding. On the beach. It was legit! Hahahahaha, a member and a non-member were getting married. We had actually never met anyone there before (except for the Bishop and Brother Saucier). It was fun. And oh so beautiful. They looked so happy. *sniff* Hahahahaha it's quite the story about how it came about, so remind me about it in two years. I'm too lazy to type it out. We went to the reception, stayed there, helped clean up, and we brought a ton of food home with us (not the intention for helping or staying, it just happened). It was super fun to talk to the members that were there.
So, we had some good food this week. Meatloaf, pork chops, Golden Corral, steak, taco salad, etc! I love the south. I really do. I already know I am going to miss it in two years. Not that I wont mind leaving it, but there are things that you just have to love about it. Like the people.... because there is not much else to do with them. :D
Now the moment you have all been waiting for!!! It is May 4th, and I am not expecting anymore entries for the music contest. Not saying one couldn't come in today or tomorrow, but I doubt it. So I will announce the winners. Now remember, I am NOT biased in this, I promise! And I wasn't the only judge. And I really love the CDs I did get, all two of them.................. >_< (←grumpy face at the rest of you) and it was actually a hard decision... anywho. The winners!!!
3rd Place goes to: Mom and Dad!!! Who sent me my John Bytheway talks out. Technically not music, hence 3rd place, but still very much loved. Congrats!
2nd place goes to...... Naüdia Dowland! With "Dwight's Super Awesomenova Mission CD!" (or something like that). I love this CD! (19 Tracks) It has a lot of songs on it that I know and love, and some others I hadn't heard before. Honestly, a little too much Mo-Tab for me, but the selection of Mo-Tab on there were really good choices. All in all, I love the CD and listened to it two times last nigth while Elder Todd packed.
1st place goes to....... Jeanette Davis! Congratulaions! With her CD "Light Up The Sky" she scored huge points with me. I love the music on there. I only had heard 4 of the 19 tracks before, but it is just the kind of music I like. I already can sing along with several of the songs.
Prizes will be sent out eventually. Once I decide what they are. Which might be awhile. Okay. Well, all y'all take care, and beware back in Utah, as 4 southern missionaries are headin' your way.
Love,
Elder Mendenhall
April 18, 2011
To Whom It May Concern....
I am HAPPY!!!!! I just got a ton of awesome and happy news!!!! First off.... my absolute favorite piece of news that I have been waiting for for weeks!
My best friend and brother, Elder McKay Jones, received his mission call!!!!! He will have the honor and priviledge of serving the Lord for two years in the.... HONDURAS COMAYAGUELA MISSION!!!! Spanish speaking of course. All of us over here were hoping for him to be called to the Mississippi Jackson Mission, spanish speaking, but I guess the south isn't that cool.... though it's pretty awesome. I am super excited for him!!!! Words can't express! We often talked about missions and mission calls, and I think he was ALMOST (not quite) more excited than me when I got my mission call. He is going to be one of the Lord's best and finest. He joins me in the field on August 10th. Happy day!
Another happy piece of news is that I have a package on the way! Happy Bunny Holiday! It has some much anticipated items in it too! And I was also told by a certain someone that they are in the process of writing me a letter! Which I am super pumped and happy for. And on of my dearest sisters has finally advanced further into the realm of games, as she is using things I taught and showed her. And Elder Todd will be on his way to Utah at this time in 16 days! His plane will land before 1 pm. I was also reminded a get to call home in a month or so. A week from Saturday I find out who my new companion is.... and last but not least, one of the very happy things that is helping me choose to be estatic is....
EASTER!!!! This is the week of Easter, and my first as a missionary. I am super excited to share the message of my Savior during this Easter season and to be able to bear testimony the Atonement and it's awesome healing and strengthening power.
All of this has made me forget anything I was going to say about this past week. Oh. My bike is... falling to pieces. I am hopefully taking it into the shop today or tomorrow to see how much it will be for a new set of pedals/cranks and for a whole new back tire. It really needs it. If it is not too expensive, I will probably have them order the parts for me. I will also probably call the mission office and see if they have any bikes just floating around up there or any spare pieces. Even broken bikes I can probably grab a piece or two from. I ghetto rigged one of my pedals the other day. Yes. ghetto rigged. I have embraced the south. I can't wait until I go home and can let you all hear my new language which I can speak.
Ummmmmmmmmm.... Samantha was the only investigator we had in church yesterday, and we no longer have her set with a date. Her progression is slow, but hopefully she will continue to progress.
I attended two funerals this past week and visited David McGee in jail again.... he'll be out in November.
The work is progressing. I love the mission and doing the Lord's work. It's tough, but if it wasn't, it wouldn't be as worth it. I wrote new lyrics last night to the song "I Can Only Imagine". It give me hope as a missionary. :D I might have them next week.
Well, I hope all is well. If I can do anything for any of you, just let me know.
Love,
Elder Dwight
Mendenhall
I am HAPPY!!!!! I just got a ton of awesome and happy news!!!! First off.... my absolute favorite piece of news that I have been waiting for for weeks!
My best friend and brother, Elder McKay Jones, received his mission call!!!!! He will have the honor and priviledge of serving the Lord for two years in the.... HONDURAS COMAYAGUELA MISSION!!!! Spanish speaking of course. All of us over here were hoping for him to be called to the Mississippi Jackson Mission, spanish speaking, but I guess the south isn't that cool.... though it's pretty awesome. I am super excited for him!!!! Words can't express! We often talked about missions and mission calls, and I think he was ALMOST (not quite) more excited than me when I got my mission call. He is going to be one of the Lord's best and finest. He joins me in the field on August 10th. Happy day!
Another happy piece of news is that I have a package on the way! Happy Bunny Holiday! It has some much anticipated items in it too! And I was also told by a certain someone that they are in the process of writing me a letter! Which I am super pumped and happy for. And on of my dearest sisters has finally advanced further into the realm of games, as she is using things I taught and showed her. And Elder Todd will be on his way to Utah at this time in 16 days! His plane will land before 1 pm. I was also reminded a get to call home in a month or so. A week from Saturday I find out who my new companion is.... and last but not least, one of the very happy things that is helping me choose to be estatic is....
EASTER!!!! This is the week of Easter, and my first as a missionary. I am super excited to share the message of my Savior during this Easter season and to be able to bear testimony the Atonement and it's awesome healing and strengthening power.
All of this has made me forget anything I was going to say about this past week. Oh. My bike is... falling to pieces. I am hopefully taking it into the shop today or tomorrow to see how much it will be for a new set of pedals/cranks and for a whole new back tire. It really needs it. If it is not too expensive, I will probably have them order the parts for me. I will also probably call the mission office and see if they have any bikes just floating around up there or any spare pieces. Even broken bikes I can probably grab a piece or two from. I ghetto rigged one of my pedals the other day. Yes. ghetto rigged. I have embraced the south. I can't wait until I go home and can let you all hear my new language which I can speak.
Ummmmmmmmmm.... Samantha was the only investigator we had in church yesterday, and we no longer have her set with a date. Her progression is slow, but hopefully she will continue to progress.
I attended two funerals this past week and visited David McGee in jail again.... he'll be out in November.
The work is progressing. I love the mission and doing the Lord's work. It's tough, but if it wasn't, it wouldn't be as worth it. I wrote new lyrics last night to the song "I Can Only Imagine". It give me hope as a missionary. :D I might have them next week.
Well, I hope all is well. If I can do anything for any of you, just let me know.
Love,
Elder Dwight
Mendenhall
Snow....? What's That Again? April 11, 2011
Dear Everyone,
Last night it was 79 degrees... at 9:30 PM.
Love,
Me
Seriously though. It was nice knowing you all. Hahahahahaha, I am going to melt away into nothingness! Or just sweat. A lot.
I love my mission. And Life. And Family. And Friends. And My Savior! Yay!
Okay, I am in a strange mood right now. This past week was really good for the work... number wise this week. We had three investigators in church. We are starting to teach two brothers (ages 13 and 16).... hopefully it will go well. They went to church, so that was good.
This next week should be even better! I hope. I know I am not really saying much, but you know, I somehow have used a lot of time already and don't have much to say this week. At least not that I really want to type out anymore. I love you all. Keep the faith.
Love,
Elder Mendenhall
Last night it was 79 degrees... at 9:30 PM.
Love,
Me
Seriously though. It was nice knowing you all. Hahahahahaha, I am going to melt away into nothingness! Or just sweat. A lot.
I love my mission. And Life. And Family. And Friends. And My Savior! Yay!
Okay, I am in a strange mood right now. This past week was really good for the work... number wise this week. We had three investigators in church. We are starting to teach two brothers (ages 13 and 16).... hopefully it will go well. They went to church, so that was good.
This next week should be even better! I hope. I know I am not really saying much, but you know, I somehow have used a lot of time already and don't have much to say this week. At least not that I really want to type out anymore. I love you all. Keep the faith.
Love,
Elder Mendenhall
March 28, 2011
Dear Everyone!
Life is just absolutely amazing! I am the very proud uncle of now eight nieces and nephews! Abby will be almost 2 by the time I see her, but I am still proud. Hmmmm... that would be tough having a job (like being in the military) where you are away from your own kids when they are growing up and missing parts of their lives... hearing them talk for the first time, walking, etc. I don't know how some of these Navy families here in G-port do it. Speaking of the Navy families, I talked to one of them for the first time yesterday.... Brother and Sister Farmer. Mainly Sister Farmer, as she was in the foyer after church and her husband was in a meeting. Anywho, she has two little girls. And I asked her where she was from.... she said Salt Lake. Knowing people just say that because they don't know if you know specifics, I asked where at by Salt Lake....any guesses where?! That's right! Good ol' Taylorsville, Utah! She graduated in 2005 from Taylorsville High School.... making her a sophmore when Debi was a senior? Correct? Either way she is going to look through her high school yearbook and see if she can find her. It will be legit if I can see a picture of my sister that someone else has here in G-port. Hahahahahaha, I already know what picture it is... at least I think I do. Anyways, Sister Farmer lived over by SLCC area. She wasn't positive, but she THINKS Bro. Farmer might have been in T-Ville 13th ward. I am going to talk to him more about it this weekend, hopefully! How cool? Small world after all!
Speaking of this weekend.... CONFERENCE!!!! Alright! I am totally pumped! It will be my first one as a missionary. I cannot wait! I am super excited! And Elder Todd and I have thought up a plan (with a little inspired help of course).... we are going to hold "cottage meetings" at member's houses who plan on watching conference there. Meaning, bring investigators over to member's homes to watch general conference and then to teach them about the gospel more as well! How amazing is that!? Hopefully the Farmers will let us go there. They have a lady that lives kiddy corner to them that is going to come to church next time, but we want to have her watch conference and to start teaching her. She is also a Navy family (the Farmers live on the Navy Base). And this weekend we plan to have a less active member or two at the Connor's house (also a base family). Then hopefully Samantha at another member's house, and we THINK we are going to a member's house that invited us over for a session on Sunday. We at least know they are feeding us. So that is our four sessions. I'm pumped!
Okay. So Elder Todd accidentally broke our phone last week and our car will be going in the shop tomorrow to finally get fixed from it being driven into a ditch a few weeks back. We are supposed to be getting a phone sometime this week, but we will most likely be phoneless and carless for a while. (Though we have a Fed-Ex package waiting for us at our apartment office, but it wont be there until 5. We missed the Fed-Ex guy. It could be our phone... or it might not be. Who knows. Elder Todd and I are both expecting packages from people, but I don't know anyone that would send something Fed-Ex... we'll see)
We both got sunburned last week from p-day on the beach. Mainly my face and neck and part of my arms. My neck is peeling pretty bad today. Elder Todd got a pretty nasty burn on his feet and legs. His ankles were swollen for a couple of days from walking and biking on them when they were burned that bad. We're both good though! And I am basically over my cold. Just blowing my nose a ton, which is also partly from the fact that there is pollen everywhere.
So Thursday, we had a church tour with Samantha! We got Brother Hillman to come and get us, go get Samantha and then we all went to the church. We then proceeded to show her the building and to teach her about the gospel of Jesus Christ! It was awesome (we thought). And she also came to church yesterday! Woot! It only took 6 weeks before we got an investigator in church here in G-port. Hey, we're working on it.
I FINALLY (well basically) caught up on letters that I needed to reply to! I have now been able to write a few that I have wanted to. I still have a long list of people I need to write though that are expecting a letter. I'm working on it. Though I am almost out of stamps. Precious commodity, stamps.
So..............I found out yesterday (and today) that BYU lost in overtime to Florida. We had a few members in the G-Port ward who were at the game (New Orleans is only a couple of hours away). Extremely sad day. But oh well. You win some and you lose some. We just need to learn to pick ourselves up again and keep on moving on. Learn from our experiences and mistakes, and those of others, and become a better person from them. Become closer to our Savior and better develop our relationship with him.
Gosh darnit! Life is just so amazing! Jesus is the Christ and the only one who can give us REAL happiness. In our personal lives, our family lives, and in our relationship with everyone we meet. Men are that they might have joy, and that joy is possible through Jesus Christ and his Atonement. The Atonement is NOT just for sinners or for sins. It is for EVERYTHING. Pain, sickness, sadness, hurt, jealousy, heart ache, being lovesick, being homesick, self doubt, and everything else! Christ is AMAZING!
So, the work goes on here, and everything else. OH!!!! Another thing to be happy about! My brother from another mother, my best friend, McKay, has his mission papers in!!!! He should get his call either this week or the next. How freaking amazing!!! Especially when he is called to the MJM Spanish Speaking! MWUAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! That would be so freaking amazing! Since Elder Todd is about to leave me, the bum! It is his last transfer in the mission. He has 37(?) days left! CRAZY!
I hope all is well with everyone! Keep the faith and be strong! Jesus loves you!
Love,
Elder
Dwight
Mendenhall
Life is just absolutely amazing! I am the very proud uncle of now eight nieces and nephews! Abby will be almost 2 by the time I see her, but I am still proud. Hmmmm... that would be tough having a job (like being in the military) where you are away from your own kids when they are growing up and missing parts of their lives... hearing them talk for the first time, walking, etc. I don't know how some of these Navy families here in G-port do it. Speaking of the Navy families, I talked to one of them for the first time yesterday.... Brother and Sister Farmer. Mainly Sister Farmer, as she was in the foyer after church and her husband was in a meeting. Anywho, she has two little girls. And I asked her where she was from.... she said Salt Lake. Knowing people just say that because they don't know if you know specifics, I asked where at by Salt Lake....any guesses where?! That's right! Good ol' Taylorsville, Utah! She graduated in 2005 from Taylorsville High School.... making her a sophmore when Debi was a senior? Correct? Either way she is going to look through her high school yearbook and see if she can find her. It will be legit if I can see a picture of my sister that someone else has here in G-port. Hahahahahaha, I already know what picture it is... at least I think I do. Anyways, Sister Farmer lived over by SLCC area. She wasn't positive, but she THINKS Bro. Farmer might have been in T-Ville 13th ward. I am going to talk to him more about it this weekend, hopefully! How cool? Small world after all!
Speaking of this weekend.... CONFERENCE!!!! Alright! I am totally pumped! It will be my first one as a missionary. I cannot wait! I am super excited! And Elder Todd and I have thought up a plan (with a little inspired help of course).... we are going to hold "cottage meetings" at member's houses who plan on watching conference there. Meaning, bring investigators over to member's homes to watch general conference and then to teach them about the gospel more as well! How amazing is that!? Hopefully the Farmers will let us go there. They have a lady that lives kiddy corner to them that is going to come to church next time, but we want to have her watch conference and to start teaching her. She is also a Navy family (the Farmers live on the Navy Base). And this weekend we plan to have a less active member or two at the Connor's house (also a base family). Then hopefully Samantha at another member's house, and we THINK we are going to a member's house that invited us over for a session on Sunday. We at least know they are feeding us. So that is our four sessions. I'm pumped!
Okay. So Elder Todd accidentally broke our phone last week and our car will be going in the shop tomorrow to finally get fixed from it being driven into a ditch a few weeks back. We are supposed to be getting a phone sometime this week, but we will most likely be phoneless and carless for a while. (Though we have a Fed-Ex package waiting for us at our apartment office, but it wont be there until 5. We missed the Fed-Ex guy. It could be our phone... or it might not be. Who knows. Elder Todd and I are both expecting packages from people, but I don't know anyone that would send something Fed-Ex... we'll see)
We both got sunburned last week from p-day on the beach. Mainly my face and neck and part of my arms. My neck is peeling pretty bad today. Elder Todd got a pretty nasty burn on his feet and legs. His ankles were swollen for a couple of days from walking and biking on them when they were burned that bad. We're both good though! And I am basically over my cold. Just blowing my nose a ton, which is also partly from the fact that there is pollen everywhere.
So Thursday, we had a church tour with Samantha! We got Brother Hillman to come and get us, go get Samantha and then we all went to the church. We then proceeded to show her the building and to teach her about the gospel of Jesus Christ! It was awesome (we thought). And she also came to church yesterday! Woot! It only took 6 weeks before we got an investigator in church here in G-port. Hey, we're working on it.
I FINALLY (well basically) caught up on letters that I needed to reply to! I have now been able to write a few that I have wanted to. I still have a long list of people I need to write though that are expecting a letter. I'm working on it. Though I am almost out of stamps. Precious commodity, stamps.
So..............I found out yesterday (and today) that BYU lost in overtime to Florida. We had a few members in the G-Port ward who were at the game (New Orleans is only a couple of hours away). Extremely sad day. But oh well. You win some and you lose some. We just need to learn to pick ourselves up again and keep on moving on. Learn from our experiences and mistakes, and those of others, and become a better person from them. Become closer to our Savior and better develop our relationship with him.
Gosh darnit! Life is just so amazing! Jesus is the Christ and the only one who can give us REAL happiness. In our personal lives, our family lives, and in our relationship with everyone we meet. Men are that they might have joy, and that joy is possible through Jesus Christ and his Atonement. The Atonement is NOT just for sinners or for sins. It is for EVERYTHING. Pain, sickness, sadness, hurt, jealousy, heart ache, being lovesick, being homesick, self doubt, and everything else! Christ is AMAZING!
So, the work goes on here, and everything else. OH!!!! Another thing to be happy about! My brother from another mother, my best friend, McKay, has his mission papers in!!!! He should get his call either this week or the next. How freaking amazing!!! Especially when he is called to the MJM Spanish Speaking! MWUAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! That would be so freaking amazing! Since Elder Todd is about to leave me, the bum! It is his last transfer in the mission. He has 37(?) days left! CRAZY!
I hope all is well with everyone! Keep the faith and be strong! Jesus loves you!
Love,
Elder
Dwight
Mendenhall
March 22, 2011
Hey Y'all!
It's transfer day here in the mission! Which means another 6 weeks have gone by which means.... I have two years left! Two years for two years! Elder Todd and I are staying together, which means he "dies" in Gulfport! 43 days! And I am here for at least another 3 months. 99% sure of that. Actually, all of the Elders in the Gulfport ward are staying. Fun stuff!
Soooo... since transfers are today, that means p-day is today as well. Hence the email today! And we spent about three hours on the beach today with 15 missionaries! It was a party. We had lunch, played some football and volleyball. I got a little sun, meaning my arms are red.
Now that Gulfport Spanish is living in Gulfport, starting today, we are officially sharing our car with them. We are supposed to switch off every week with them. We'll see how well it works. We get it the rest of this week.
This Thursday, we are having a church tour with Samantha! Hopefully all goes well. Our local leaders need to be on board with this. Samantha has had issues with church leaders in the past. Here is praying all goes well. Also, she wasn't at church Sunday because she was in Alabama, but she is coming this week. We just need to arrange a ride for her.
We met a lady yesterday. Her name is Ecco. She was baptized when she was 16 in Colorado. She has 4 children. Anyway, a member friend in Utah that she was talking to on Facebook, sent the missionaries over to her apartment (us) to give her a blessing, as she is going through a hard time. Hopefully we can get her back to church. She's been in Gulfport 6 months (same with Elder Todd!).
There is just not enough time in one day. Elder Todd and I are trying, but we need to pick up the pace. Keep the ball moving!
Not too many dinner appointments this week, but a lot next week. The members here are pretty legit! Especially Brother and Sister Sowers. She takes care of our meal calenders. Because we had so few this week (Spanish had one and we had two) they are taking the four of us out to lunch on Thursday.
Oh! I have a cold. On the beach. In 80 degree weather. Don't ask me how that works. I'm just talented. I'm almost over it.
Just so everyone knows, the best things to every send me are.... stamps and gift cards to food places. Hahahaha
Not much else to report on. I love you all. Keep the peace!
Love,
Elder Mendenhall
It's transfer day here in the mission! Which means another 6 weeks have gone by which means.... I have two years left! Two years for two years! Elder Todd and I are staying together, which means he "dies" in Gulfport! 43 days! And I am here for at least another 3 months. 99% sure of that. Actually, all of the Elders in the Gulfport ward are staying. Fun stuff!
Soooo... since transfers are today, that means p-day is today as well. Hence the email today! And we spent about three hours on the beach today with 15 missionaries! It was a party. We had lunch, played some football and volleyball. I got a little sun, meaning my arms are red.
Now that Gulfport Spanish is living in Gulfport, starting today, we are officially sharing our car with them. We are supposed to switch off every week with them. We'll see how well it works. We get it the rest of this week.
This Thursday, we are having a church tour with Samantha! Hopefully all goes well. Our local leaders need to be on board with this. Samantha has had issues with church leaders in the past. Here is praying all goes well. Also, she wasn't at church Sunday because she was in Alabama, but she is coming this week. We just need to arrange a ride for her.
We met a lady yesterday. Her name is Ecco. She was baptized when she was 16 in Colorado. She has 4 children. Anyway, a member friend in Utah that she was talking to on Facebook, sent the missionaries over to her apartment (us) to give her a blessing, as she is going through a hard time. Hopefully we can get her back to church. She's been in Gulfport 6 months (same with Elder Todd!).
There is just not enough time in one day. Elder Todd and I are trying, but we need to pick up the pace. Keep the ball moving!
Not too many dinner appointments this week, but a lot next week. The members here are pretty legit! Especially Brother and Sister Sowers. She takes care of our meal calenders. Because we had so few this week (Spanish had one and we had two) they are taking the four of us out to lunch on Thursday.
Oh! I have a cold. On the beach. In 80 degree weather. Don't ask me how that works. I'm just talented. I'm almost over it.
Just so everyone knows, the best things to every send me are.... stamps and gift cards to food places. Hahahaha
Not much else to report on. I love you all. Keep the peace!
Love,
Elder Mendenhall
March 14, 2011
To Whom It May Concern,
Oh boy oh boy.... what a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong week! Amazing, but long. Elder Todd and I got up at 4:30 AM Tuesday morning. We left at 5:30, went to Wal Mart, McDonalds, and filled up with gas. We then went to Ocean Springs, picked up two Elders, went back to Biloxi, dropped an Elder off and picked one up, drove to Waveland and swapped Elder Todd for Elder Nuenswander (Mendenhall isn't so strange after all!) and then got to Hattiesburg by 9:15 AM. Then we had an awesome day of training! It went until about 4 PM. I will mention more on the training in a minute. Anyway, after that day of training, I stayed with the Hattiesburg English Elders. Some missionaries stayed with members, some with other missionaries around the area. I went on exchanges that day with Elder Wadsworth. After dinner, we went out with the new 1st counsler in the Bishopric and went and visited three families. Kind of uneventful. I lent the other Elders, Elders Killian and Nebeker use the car to go and contact a referral they received that lived 13 miles away (they are a bike area...). It was POURING down rain! Like crazy. It was late at night probably 8:30 or so. They missed the turn, and were pulling around..... and they ended up sliding into a ditch full of water. The front end was in it. The car was fine, not to worry! Oh... the missionaries were fine too. Anyway, they got pulled out and everything is fantastic! Well, we do need to take the car in for some touch up, and get a few pins added so the bumper will stay on better, but you get the idea. They got back between 10 and 10:30 that night. And Elder Nebeker wouldn't stop talking, so I didn't get to sleep until about midnight.
Anywho, back up the next day for training at 9:00. Went until 4, and then I went on exchanges with Elder Killian (this is Wednesday). We ended up going on splits so I was with a member. We went and visited a few families and then we took us out to eat after we met up with Elder Killian again. I got more sleep that night. Then training at 9:00 again but only until 2PM. Then we cleaned up and went back. Elder Todd and I got back to our area at about 5 PM. The Gulfport Spanish Elders (Elder Belt and Elder Price) were finally moving out of the Biloxi apartment into their new apartment in Gulfport. So we helped them move in. Then Elder Todd and I went and contacted 3 referrals and ate dinner... and went to sleep! :)
Friday was a good day. We did stuff... and taught one lesson to a new investigator. Samantha. She has been taught by missionaries before in Texas and has been around mormons and missionaries most of her life. She has had a hard life too by the sounds of it. Anywho, we invited her to be baptized and she accepted and is working towards April 2nd. Pray for her! :)
The training! Woot! So, a while back, the MTC had a Mission President in California select 8 missionaries. They then sent 8 MTC trainers out to work one on one with these missionaries. They recorded lessons taught, and everything. Anywho, after a long while, they came up with these videos (I watched some before I left) and also 8 simplified lessons fron Preach My Gospel. It is really neat! Starting in May, this is all they will teach in the MTC. They wont even realyl teach you how to teach. Just these 8 lessons about how to be a better missionary. I have the papers at my apartment in my new PMG (Preach My Gospel...) Binder!!!! I undid my PMG and went a long and taped the edges on eevry page so I could then hole punch them. They are in a binder (a 1 1/2 inch one) and it works well. Mine was getting all beat up and I wanted to protect it. So I had this idea! I taped the edges because the pages already had holes because of the spiral binding, and it wouldn't quite work with a hole punch. It's pretty neat!
The time change didn't mess with us TOO much. Made me a little crazy and hyper.... the not enough sleep hyper. Hahahahahaha! Fun stuff. We had a meeting at the church at 7 AM and 7:30 , so we were up early. The work must go on!! Come rain or snow or sleet or hail or dogs or lack of sleep or demons or devils! The Gospel can't be stopped. God is too awesome.
So I don't know quite what else to say. Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..... I am going to catch up on replying to letters today! I am!!! YES! Hahahahahaha, hopefully. We'll see. I am hungry though. We might go buy pizza for lunch. I can get free crazy bread with a pizza purchase.
So..... I hope all is well with everyone! Party on! Remember that Jesus loves you! And so do I. The work is continually pressign forward. Keep the faith.
Kia Kaha!
Love,
Elder Dwight Douglas Mendenhall
Oh boy oh boy.... what a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong week! Amazing, but long. Elder Todd and I got up at 4:30 AM Tuesday morning. We left at 5:30, went to Wal Mart, McDonalds, and filled up with gas. We then went to Ocean Springs, picked up two Elders, went back to Biloxi, dropped an Elder off and picked one up, drove to Waveland and swapped Elder Todd for Elder Nuenswander (Mendenhall isn't so strange after all!) and then got to Hattiesburg by 9:15 AM. Then we had an awesome day of training! It went until about 4 PM. I will mention more on the training in a minute. Anyway, after that day of training, I stayed with the Hattiesburg English Elders. Some missionaries stayed with members, some with other missionaries around the area. I went on exchanges that day with Elder Wadsworth. After dinner, we went out with the new 1st counsler in the Bishopric and went and visited three families. Kind of uneventful. I lent the other Elders, Elders Killian and Nebeker use the car to go and contact a referral they received that lived 13 miles away (they are a bike area...). It was POURING down rain! Like crazy. It was late at night probably 8:30 or so. They missed the turn, and were pulling around..... and they ended up sliding into a ditch full of water. The front end was in it. The car was fine, not to worry! Oh... the missionaries were fine too. Anyway, they got pulled out and everything is fantastic! Well, we do need to take the car in for some touch up, and get a few pins added so the bumper will stay on better, but you get the idea. They got back between 10 and 10:30 that night. And Elder Nebeker wouldn't stop talking, so I didn't get to sleep until about midnight.
Anywho, back up the next day for training at 9:00. Went until 4, and then I went on exchanges with Elder Killian (this is Wednesday). We ended up going on splits so I was with a member. We went and visited a few families and then we took us out to eat after we met up with Elder Killian again. I got more sleep that night. Then training at 9:00 again but only until 2PM. Then we cleaned up and went back. Elder Todd and I got back to our area at about 5 PM. The Gulfport Spanish Elders (Elder Belt and Elder Price) were finally moving out of the Biloxi apartment into their new apartment in Gulfport. So we helped them move in. Then Elder Todd and I went and contacted 3 referrals and ate dinner... and went to sleep! :)
Friday was a good day. We did stuff... and taught one lesson to a new investigator. Samantha. She has been taught by missionaries before in Texas and has been around mormons and missionaries most of her life. She has had a hard life too by the sounds of it. Anywho, we invited her to be baptized and she accepted and is working towards April 2nd. Pray for her! :)
The training! Woot! So, a while back, the MTC had a Mission President in California select 8 missionaries. They then sent 8 MTC trainers out to work one on one with these missionaries. They recorded lessons taught, and everything. Anywho, after a long while, they came up with these videos (I watched some before I left) and also 8 simplified lessons fron Preach My Gospel. It is really neat! Starting in May, this is all they will teach in the MTC. They wont even realyl teach you how to teach. Just these 8 lessons about how to be a better missionary. I have the papers at my apartment in my new PMG (Preach My Gospel...) Binder!!!! I undid my PMG and went a long and taped the edges on eevry page so I could then hole punch them. They are in a binder (a 1 1/2 inch one) and it works well. Mine was getting all beat up and I wanted to protect it. So I had this idea! I taped the edges because the pages already had holes because of the spiral binding, and it wouldn't quite work with a hole punch. It's pretty neat!
The time change didn't mess with us TOO much. Made me a little crazy and hyper.... the not enough sleep hyper. Hahahahahaha! Fun stuff. We had a meeting at the church at 7 AM and 7:30 , so we were up early. The work must go on!! Come rain or snow or sleet or hail or dogs or lack of sleep or demons or devils! The Gospel can't be stopped. God is too awesome.
So I don't know quite what else to say. Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..... I am going to catch up on replying to letters today! I am!!! YES! Hahahahahaha, hopefully. We'll see. I am hungry though. We might go buy pizza for lunch. I can get free crazy bread with a pizza purchase.
So..... I hope all is well with everyone! Party on! Remember that Jesus loves you! And so do I. The work is continually pressign forward. Keep the faith.
Kia Kaha!
Love,
Elder Dwight Douglas Mendenhall
March 7, 2011
Dear Everyone,
Happy Fat Tuesday Eve!!! Tomorrow is Mardi Gras!!! Alright! Fat Tuesday! The day where you are allowed to get all your sinning out before Ash Wednesday where you repent and give something up for the 40 days of Lent, followed by Easter. I haven't been to a parade yet, though I know some Elders have. Elder Todd and I want to go and hand out some pass along cards, and of course have people throw us beads. Which I really don't get. Beads are just plastic necklaces... oh well. The parades and celebrations here are really really mild compared to New Orleans. Cool holiday I guess. I agree with someone here that told us the floats are gaudy. I can imagine with the colors. Yellow, green, and purple. Maybe someday those will be my wedding colors. I wonder how many people in Utah would understand that.....not many probably. So.... moral of this paragraph, get all your sinning for the year in tomorrow!!!!
Be the good missionary that I am (hahahahahahahha) I was NEVER planning on breaking rules tomorrow.... at least not seriously. It appears that I wouldn't really ever get that chance though. I am going to Hattiesburg (AGAIN)! This time for a "leadership training", aka, training in general. MTC stuff that they don't teach you in the MTC. So I will be with President and Sister Tucker as well as the Assistants all day. No chance to not behave. I will also be there Wednesday and Thursday. Three days of training! Alright! Elder Todd and I are leaving tomorrow morning at about 6:00 AM and going to Ocean Springs to pick up Elder Djainy (Johnny....is how you pronounce it... not sure if I spelled it right.) and Elder Rowley. Then going to the Biloxi apartment, dropping Elder Djainy off and picking up Elder Sherriff. Then we are going to Waveland and dropping Elder Todd off and picking up another Elder. Then driving to Hattiesburg. Elder Todd will be working in Waveland with Elder Manning for three days while I go to the training meeting. Fun stuff. I am actually really looking forward to it.
This past week, I went and worked in D'Iberville for about a day. I went on exchanges and worked with Elder Westbrook. It was a fun experience, seeing as how it was good for him and me as well. I have been out 6 weeks longer than him. Greeny power! This is his fourth week in the mission. Fun stuff! We tracted for awhile.... and I got to tract on Wizards Cove! And Unicorn something or another. Cool little neighborhood. No one talked to us there, which is really sad. Souls are at stake and no one realizes it, but the work goes on. We just need to look for those people who are ready! Those people who have had their hearts and minds prepared to receive the fullness of Christ's gospel.
It just so happens that I brought a list of quotes with me on my mission.... and I was reading through them the other day and I found a new favorite. Allow me to share it. It is on my wall now, because it is AWESOME!!!! It is by Theodore Roosevelt:
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
Isn't it awesome? I love it. We must ACT! And try our hardest! Whether we fail and come short, at least we tried and gave it our all.
We had rain Friday night and all day Saturday. I was actually out standing in the parking lot at our apartment complex on Friday at about 10:00 PM in shorts, a t-shirt, with no shoes most of the time, just standing in the rain. It was marvelous, beautiful, and fantasmagorical! It was that amazing. It then stopped raining and I really wanted it to rain more, and asked God to have it rain more and to just open the Heavens and have it pour down!!!! And.... He did! Just the next day. Lesson learned? Be specific! Hahahahaha. But standing there in the rain really was a marvelous and awesome experience. A very personal and spiritual time for me as well. I loved it. And they say that when it rains it either gets colder or hotter, well.... it got colder!!! YAY!
I think I am in a really talkative mood today! And then also not. Which is potentially good or bad... as I have 8 letters I still need to reply to. Something interesting... I just overheard one of the librarians say they will be closed next Monday.... maybe no email.... hmmmmm.... one of the other libraries might be open. Hopefully.
So... in the south they eat a lot of... chicken! Elder Todd had chicken Wednesday night (I was supposed to but went to D'Iberville), then we had it Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. Saturday we were fasting, so nothing then. And someone gave us $20 to go try this place called Cajuns. I imagine it's like KFC, only different slightly. They have a buffet, so I think we will be eating there for dinner. So far I haven't really gained any weight, which is good. At least I haven't gained fat. I have succeed in doing one fingertip pull up (a pull up done by just holding on with your fingertips.... it KILLS your forearms. At least mine). I haven't been working out lately. Not like I should. I need to get on that. I've been too lazy in the mornings. Not good.
General conference is coming up quick! I am excited!!!! AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! March is awesome!
So I mentioned that tomorrow is Fat Tuesday. It is also the 8th... meaning... BIRTHDAYS! Happy birthday, Dad! Don't worry, I wont tell the world how old you are. Also, my really good friend, Alyssa, (who no one but me will ever really fully understand how much she has done for me, if I even fully comprehend that) turns 18! Woot! And.... it is my three month mark! Meaning I still have 2 years left! Alright! I get to serve 2 more years for 2 years. That never changes. Remember that. I think Elder Piggott mentioned yesterday that him and Elder Todd have 60 days left, meaning 59 today. Wow. Crazy!
Ummmmmmm.... I don't have much else to say. Have fun! Keep the peace! Be strong! And.... eat lots of cake! King cake! It's a Mardi Gras thing... it is DELICIOUS! I shall come home indoctrinated in all the ways of Mardi Gras... a Catholic holiday originally.
I love you all. Keep the people of the south in your prayers. And me! Lots of love!
--
Love,
Elder Dwight Douglas Mendenhall
980 Courthouse Road #407
Gulfport, Mississippi 39507
Happy Fat Tuesday Eve!!! Tomorrow is Mardi Gras!!! Alright! Fat Tuesday! The day where you are allowed to get all your sinning out before Ash Wednesday where you repent and give something up for the 40 days of Lent, followed by Easter. I haven't been to a parade yet, though I know some Elders have. Elder Todd and I want to go and hand out some pass along cards, and of course have people throw us beads. Which I really don't get. Beads are just plastic necklaces... oh well. The parades and celebrations here are really really mild compared to New Orleans. Cool holiday I guess. I agree with someone here that told us the floats are gaudy. I can imagine with the colors. Yellow, green, and purple. Maybe someday those will be my wedding colors. I wonder how many people in Utah would understand that.....not many probably. So.... moral of this paragraph, get all your sinning for the year in tomorrow!!!!
Be the good missionary that I am (hahahahahahahha) I was NEVER planning on breaking rules tomorrow.... at least not seriously. It appears that I wouldn't really ever get that chance though. I am going to Hattiesburg (AGAIN)! This time for a "leadership training", aka, training in general. MTC stuff that they don't teach you in the MTC. So I will be with President and Sister Tucker as well as the Assistants all day. No chance to not behave. I will also be there Wednesday and Thursday. Three days of training! Alright! Elder Todd and I are leaving tomorrow morning at about 6:00 AM and going to Ocean Springs to pick up Elder Djainy (Johnny....is how you pronounce it... not sure if I spelled it right.) and Elder Rowley. Then going to the Biloxi apartment, dropping Elder Djainy off and picking up Elder Sherriff. Then we are going to Waveland and dropping Elder Todd off and picking up another Elder. Then driving to Hattiesburg. Elder Todd will be working in Waveland with Elder Manning for three days while I go to the training meeting. Fun stuff. I am actually really looking forward to it.
This past week, I went and worked in D'Iberville for about a day. I went on exchanges and worked with Elder Westbrook. It was a fun experience, seeing as how it was good for him and me as well. I have been out 6 weeks longer than him. Greeny power! This is his fourth week in the mission. Fun stuff! We tracted for awhile.... and I got to tract on Wizards Cove! And Unicorn something or another. Cool little neighborhood. No one talked to us there, which is really sad. Souls are at stake and no one realizes it, but the work goes on. We just need to look for those people who are ready! Those people who have had their hearts and minds prepared to receive the fullness of Christ's gospel.
It just so happens that I brought a list of quotes with me on my mission.... and I was reading through them the other day and I found a new favorite. Allow me to share it. It is on my wall now, because it is AWESOME!!!! It is by Theodore Roosevelt:
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
Isn't it awesome? I love it. We must ACT! And try our hardest! Whether we fail and come short, at least we tried and gave it our all.
We had rain Friday night and all day Saturday. I was actually out standing in the parking lot at our apartment complex on Friday at about 10:00 PM in shorts, a t-shirt, with no shoes most of the time, just standing in the rain. It was marvelous, beautiful, and fantasmagorical! It was that amazing. It then stopped raining and I really wanted it to rain more, and asked God to have it rain more and to just open the Heavens and have it pour down!!!! And.... He did! Just the next day. Lesson learned? Be specific! Hahahahaha. But standing there in the rain really was a marvelous and awesome experience. A very personal and spiritual time for me as well. I loved it. And they say that when it rains it either gets colder or hotter, well.... it got colder!!! YAY!
I think I am in a really talkative mood today! And then also not. Which is potentially good or bad... as I have 8 letters I still need to reply to. Something interesting... I just overheard one of the librarians say they will be closed next Monday.... maybe no email.... hmmmmm.... one of the other libraries might be open. Hopefully.
So... in the south they eat a lot of... chicken! Elder Todd had chicken Wednesday night (I was supposed to but went to D'Iberville), then we had it Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. Saturday we were fasting, so nothing then. And someone gave us $20 to go try this place called Cajuns. I imagine it's like KFC, only different slightly. They have a buffet, so I think we will be eating there for dinner. So far I haven't really gained any weight, which is good. At least I haven't gained fat. I have succeed in doing one fingertip pull up (a pull up done by just holding on with your fingertips.... it KILLS your forearms. At least mine). I haven't been working out lately. Not like I should. I need to get on that. I've been too lazy in the mornings. Not good.
General conference is coming up quick! I am excited!!!! AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! March is awesome!
So I mentioned that tomorrow is Fat Tuesday. It is also the 8th... meaning... BIRTHDAYS! Happy birthday, Dad! Don't worry, I wont tell the world how old you are. Also, my really good friend, Alyssa, (who no one but me will ever really fully understand how much she has done for me, if I even fully comprehend that) turns 18! Woot! And.... it is my three month mark! Meaning I still have 2 years left! Alright! I get to serve 2 more years for 2 years. That never changes. Remember that. I think Elder Piggott mentioned yesterday that him and Elder Todd have 60 days left, meaning 59 today. Wow. Crazy!
Ummmmmmm.... I don't have much else to say. Have fun! Keep the peace! Be strong! And.... eat lots of cake! King cake! It's a Mardi Gras thing... it is DELICIOUS! I shall come home indoctrinated in all the ways of Mardi Gras... a Catholic holiday originally.
I love you all. Keep the people of the south in your prayers. And me! Lots of love!
--
Love,
Elder Dwight Douglas Mendenhall
980 Courthouse Road #407
Gulfport, Mississippi 39507
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