Hello family,
My first day was a great day, Elder Smith
put me directly to work; we went and laid sod for a member like 15
minutes after I got the apartment! Haha it was good though, Calgary lots
are a lot smaller than Magrath lots so it was a breeze!
That night we had a dinner appointment with a family called the
Eastons. The husband is not a member but the wife is and she said
missionaries have been working on him for years! He knows so much about
the gospel and doctrines of the church, like he honestly is one of
the smartest guys I've met in terms of knowing doctrines of our church.
Like for example, did you know there are 3 polygamists in the quorum of
the 12? It's a bit of a trick question, he asked me this to test my
knowledge of doctrine. I got it pretty quick, faster than most
missionaries he said. The reason that statement is true is because there
are 3 members of the quorum of the 12 that have deceased spouses and
have married another spouse after their former spouse passed away. Since
we're married for time and all eternity, that means they have 2 wives! I
was shocked at first, but it is true. But with the knowledge he has, he
will not join the gospel. I know not why, but I'm gonna find out and
work on him! ;) he also reads lots of books about the church and
history of prophets, and I thought one book that would be cool to
suggest to him is the one about Joseph Smith's body guard, I don't
remember what it's called so I need dad to let me know!
Elder Smith is an awesome guy, he's from Stela, Washington and he
said he used to play lots of soccer before he graduated! He said
Stela is about the size of Taber but with a lot less members! He had a
total of 5 other LDS people in his graduating class, which to me is just
crazy. He went to BYU for a year before he left on his mission. He said
his father grew up in Fort Macleod so he is actually quite familiar
with Southern Alberta.
Sunday was good, I met a few people that know/used to live in
Magrath (Or Raymond, Cardston, etc.) I met a guy named Clyde Dudley and
he said he grew up in Magrath. I met Scott Clifton's cousin and he is
the Elders Quorum President for the Sunridge Ward in East Calgary! There
were other's too but I sadly don't remember all of their names! I got
called up during Sacrament meeting just to introduce myself and bear a
quick testimony, and that went well. We had dinner that night with the
Crapo family and the father said he served with Bill Heaven in the stake
presidency! Sister Crapo was also very good friends with Barb Stanford!
It's a small world we live in and they were freaking out when I told
them I was related to them! They have a son named Kurtis who is leaving
on his mission to Vancouver in approximately 2 weeks. He's the same age
as me and he graduated from Lester B. Pierson this year. They were a
very nice family and they gave us all of the leftovers! Which is awesome
because she is an amazing cook.
They also offered to fix our bike because the one bike when we got to
the apartment had a flat tire! So we've been walking everywhere which
has been a little exhausting. But I'm extremely grateful for them and
their desire to serve us.
Last night we actually ran into 2 members of Bishop McNally's
basketball team while tracting, I recognized them from provs and I was
like I'm going to talk to them. Elder Smith was like, alright man good
luck! He looked a little puzzled haha. Their names were Prince and
Albert, they were both black and about the same height as me (6'8 I've
grown a lot since I left...) but they were actually around 6'3 just like
me haha. But they seemed interested in the gospel and I told them the
reason little towns like Magrath, Cardston, and Raymond were generally
good at basketball was because we're all Mormons and that's all we do!
Haha we had a good laugh about that, but we gave them our phone #'s and I
have a good feeling about them!
My mission has been awesome so far, today for P Day we're going to
do some quick shopping and then we're going to play some basketball!
(YAY!!) They all said they aren't very good, but I don't believe them!
They said I'm going to show them all up, but I haven't played real ball
for a few months so I'm like wow I hope I don't suck! :p haha but it'll
be really fun! We've had dinner appointments every day I've been here so
Elder Smith believes I'm a good luck charm.
Thanks to you guys and I love all of you so much, yes even Miranda!
Haha but thank you for the support and keep me in your prayers please!
I'll be keeping you in mine
Love,
Elder Strate
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