03/29/2010 - Week 46

Hello!!!!

Today has been good, but crazy as usual. We did some light biking with the Deaf Elders. On the to do list, buy something that can play music in our appartment. I am thinking about getting some computer speakers and a CD player or something. yep. We have had a lot of dinner appointments, but it gets inconsistent starting today. No dinner appointment. It is all good though.

Well, the work has been kinda tough this past week. Things have really settled down, to almost nothing. I have been struggling a little bit to stay positive.  I really like Elder Scott. We get along really well. We have a very similar cultural background, you could say. He would always come up to Wisconsin to bike. I pray continually for the strength and even when I find it hard to go, out I still do. Most people see us as a nusiance. People always thinking of you in that way starts to take it's toll on you after a while. I am praying a lot. I can't wait for zone conference tomorrow and general conference this weekend. Yeah... I am really looking forward to them!!!

Spanish Study Walks on the Train Track --------------- Sometime we bike, other times we drive. (Mood dependent)

03/22/2010 - Week 45

I did feel the earthquake. I was on exchanges with the Zone Leaders in my area. I was woken up by a couple seconds of shaking. It was pretty cool, too bad I was so tired. We asked each other if it was an earthquake, decided it was, said "cool", and then went back to sleep. I know, boring, right. Yep, the weather is still nice. I wouldn't want it any other way, but still, the days get pretty monotoneus(sp?) around here. Things have been interesting this week. We have had appointments, which is good for a change. Too bad almost all cancled on us. oh well, what can you do? Well, my district remains as is, for another 6 weeks. However, Elder Lawrence will be the new district leader. He will do a good job. We were in the MTC together.
Random experiances: We cut an old ladies overgrown yard with our ward mission leader, met a gangster guy in a Target parking lot, got profanities yeld at us, today, while shopping, and kocked some doors and stuff. It's good.

I am happy to hear that it is starting to get warm for you. Spring is always good in Wisconsin. Thanks for the complements. I really try my best, but it is still really tough.

03/15/2010 - Week 44

Yeah, these past few weeks have been very hectic, including today.. So, it has been a long time since I have biked, and Elder Scott likes biking. To make a long story short, I lost control of my bike while trail riding at at the end of a big down hill and bumped my shoulder into a tree. I scraped and bruised it pretty good. After that, we continued on for another 1.5 hours of biking. Then, we went to the district meeting I planned: basketball. Yeah, my shoulder is pretty beat right now. Next time, I think I might take charge of the trails we choose to ride because I don't want to screw up my mission. Well, the work is about the same except a little more of a headache to plan. Things have seemed to have gotten a little busier, so that is good. :) We are living on Valencia and Basque. It is right next to the train tracks and our neighbors like to party, so we sleep with a fan on to make some ambient noise. But, after today, I am going to sleep like a baby.

The Hazards of Prep Day Trail Biking

Scenes from the Hood Outside a Missionary Apartment

03/08/2010 - Week 43

Wow, things have been crazy!!! Elder Pua and I got along really well. We were working hard and his experience was a great asset to this area. We found two pretty good potentials in one week! We also found a service opportunity doing a little yard work for someone. They want a Book of Mormon. We haven't taught any of them, yet, but soon. It was a good week and I really enjoyed my time with Elder Pua. Sunday night, I got another call from the Zone Leaders. Another mid-transfer transfer! They disolved the one of the 2 companionships in the Euclid ward because we are getting some "deaf" sisters in. (The sign language program is synced different then Spanish. That is why it is in the middle of the transfer). I am now with Elder Scott, who has only been out for less than 2 transfers. By the way, he is President Bonner's nephew from Chicago (our Stake President in tje Milwaukee South Stake). Anyways, he is pretty cool. We have been cleaning out our old apartment so the sisters can live there. We are living in Elder Scotts appartment now. So, that involved me packing up all my stuff. I am really tired. These have been a crazy few weeks. I have had my fill of transfers for a while. changes... changes.... changes...

Nathan and Elder Pua

03/01/2010 - Week 42

Hi family, my week was really good. Elder Lim and I are sticking to it. My birthday turned out really well. Our ward mission leader bought us Chinese food, and Elder Lim bought me a piece of pie. We put the candles in, he sang, and then, we feasted. I ate so much that night. It was good. Also, some of my district members called to wish me a happy birthday. It was kinda nice to have a nice warm birthday for a change. The hoodie is just what I wanted and the GPS is really handy. We have even got our phone bluetoothed to it, just for fun. Oh, and I got my spoon back. Good thing too; I was running out of oatmeal. And HEY, what is that little blue guy doing in there. Well, teaching opportunities... to tell you the truth, it has been about 2 months since we have gotten let in from off the street into someones home. We are still teaching that family. The husband got sick 2 days ago and is in the hospital. Our Elders quorum president and one of his councilers went be to give him a blessing. He is doing ok. He is his cheery self, but has to have some, not too fun, tests done to figure out what he has. Also, we are still kinda working with that Iranian man. Other than that, we do a lot of praying and a lot of wandering around talking to people.
Here is the real news! We are having an unexpected transfer. Elder Lim is going into the Korean Program, today. And, I will be getting a new companion. His name is Elder Pua. He is a huge tongan Elder who has 9 weeks left on the mission. He was in this area before we got here. We will see how it goes.

Nathan and Elder Lau Doing District Planning - Poor Elders, No Table

Satisfaction! - 20th Birthday Feast: Chinese Dinner, Soebe and Pie