SNOW!

Ok so this was a very long week. I'll start from the beginning. Tuesday is where it all started. Because of the oncoming storm that the weather predicted, Pres. Barrett wanted all the missionaries to come to Milwaukee that night instead of the next morning. Only problem was the predicted storm came early and completley blanketed WI before we started leaving. The normal 2 hour trip took 3 1/2 hours to make (were it not for angels we would have died like 5 times). So we get to Milwaukee at 10:30 at night and the office elders (Elder Allred is one) tell us we're going to be staying in a hotel. So we all head to the hotel and get some sleep. Wake up Wednesday morning, still tons of snow on the ground (14 inches) and still snowing a little. We all head to the chapel for trainer's training, which starts at 9. Pres Barrett starts talking to us about our responsibility as trainers and the trust that goes into it, etc. About an hour later the greenies get there. Having been there only 6 monthes before I can remember what it feels like. I must say it was pretty funny to watch, they looked really nervous. So after a brief speech one of the assistants starts to call off names of trainers and trainees. I got paired with Elder Huffman. I give him a big hug then we sit down and start talking. When everyone had been assigned a companion, we moved down the hall and took the classic 'point to the area where you're serving' pictures, then to a room where Pres. started talking about some missionary stuff for about 2 hours. During this time I told my greenie he would have the pleasure of driving us back up to the great white north. He kind of chuckled then said he didn't have a driver's license........then it was my turn to be nervous. I talked to Pres. and he said he would get back to me. Turns out both he and the office elders forgot to put a red dot (means I can't drive) next to my name when deciding who should be matched up. So Pres. decided I would switch companions with Elder Lyons (yes my roomate from the MTC and now my new district leader). So now Elder Lyons is training again and I have Elder Stevens (he's been out one transfer less then me) as a companion. He's from Salt Lake, and served in an area right next to Milwaukee until he got to Oneida. I think we're going to make a good companionship. I didn't actually meet him till Thursday at around 3. So anyways its still Wednesday and we still have to make the trip back to Oneida, but because neither of us can drive me and another Elder in our district who was training had to switch companions to drive up. The drive up wasn't nearly as bad as the one down, the plows actually had time to clean the roads. So by the time we get to the Appleton Elders' apartment it's about 6, so Elder Ferris our current DL at the time decides it would be better for us all to just stay the night down there. At that point we had about 3 hours to do nothing, so me and the other trainer decided to take our greenies tracting. Went for about an hour, which at that point our faces were kinda too cold to be able to talk, and decided to call it a night. I think it was like 10 degrees; I actually had to put on a scarf. O ya Jasmine's baptism is cancelled because of bad weather conditions (obviously). So transfers is the next day, Thursday. All six of us (both training companionships and DLs companionship) drive to the Appleton chapel to trade off companions with the incoming Elders. I meet Elder Lyons (much rejoicing) and my new, new companion Elder Stevens. He's cool, seems pretty down to earth. At least I trained for a day, right? After about an hour of organizing and exchanging bags, we finally head up to Oneida and start doing missionary work. The end. We did however have Jamine's baptism yesterday. It went really well. Her non-member dad even came along with a couple of her friends. All of the youth were there to support her, too. She even asked if she could bear her testimony after she was baptized, which was a bit of a surprise. So after all, it was a good end to a hectic week. As for Jeremy and Tiffany, they're having some issues. Elder Stevens and I taught them a word of Wisdom lesson that went really well. They commited to live it and to continue to pray and read. Turns out they are having some problems with keeping that commitment, so lots of prayers would be appreciated. Junior got the Aaronic priesthood yesterday, which was awesome. He and Scott are going to be passing the sacrament on Sunday and then preparing or blessing the next one. They are both really excited to do it. ...............      Love