Of music, transfers, and speaking Spanish

Missionary humor

Firstly, I wanted to mention that Pres. Packard has officially changed the mission's regulations on music! We're now allowed to listen to anything that goes with the rules in the missionary handbook: no romantic lyrics, no driving beat...anything that brings the Spirit, uplifts, and encourages us in the work, according to our judgement, is now approved! I'm excited to be able to listen to a LOT of the music I haven't been able to listen to. Before this, it had to be a hymn, classical/instrumental music, or from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. There's still a ton of great music under that umbrella, but I had some very inspiring and uplifting music that I wasn't able to listen to before (EFY songs, stuff by Rob Gardner, etc).

Transfers are next week...we'll find out this Saturday what will happen. I'm fairly certain I'll be transferred this time around - it makes me sad and excited at the same time.

On a side note, we had lunch at Five Guys one day this week. It was my first time there, and it was pretty good! I don't know if there are any in Arizona, but I know there's some in Colorado (according to Elder Langford) and I would assume there's probably some down the East Coast and maybe California.

This week we did exchanges with the Spanish-speaking Elders that share our apartment with us - I went to their area and one of them went to ours. It's been really interesting...growing up in Arizona I gained a simple and basic understanding of Spanish, as well as a limited vocabulary. Since I've been here in the field, I've learned a LOT more from other missionaries. I actually get compliments from Spanish members on my accent and speaking ability...apparently I'm really picking up on it! I'm just lacking the extensive vocabulary I need to converse and understand people as well as teach the gospel. We'll see what happens with my efforts here, but for now, it's something cool I'm learning on the side.

Also this week, we had a legit zone conference with Elder O. Vincent Haleck of the 70 (he gave a talk this last general conference). It was an awesome experience. The work in our area continues to explode and race forward, almost faster than we can handle it! We've been meeting with the auxiliary presidents in our ward, and the work we've been able to do for them has been really successful and fulfilling. We're really gaining their trust and working hard! No super cool stories this week, aside from the fact that our only progressing investigators, Ginnette and Roberto, are doing VERY well. =]

Being a missionary is absolutely incredible. If there are any young men or women reading this who are considering serving a mission, follow the counsel of the prophet and the whisperings of the Spirit. You'll never regret the decision to serve.

Alma 5:49

Love,
Elder DeLong

On the up and up!

Sergio's baptism in Lynn, MA

Happy birthday to a couple of my good friends from back home, Alison and Will - I would have sent you guys something but I don't have either of your current addresses. =/

Good news for Dale, the inactive man we've brought back into activity - he's coming to church every single week, he quit smoking after 40 years (with the help of the Stop Smoking Workshop we taught), AND he has a home teaching assignment now. We're really excited for him!

My companionship with Elder Langford is better than ever. We're really getting along well, and I'm so glad to have a friend in him. He's driving the car now, which We've had a lot of progress in the work recently, too. Ginnette and her son Roberto are doing SO well and have a lot of faith, which is inspiring to see. We also had dinner with a part-member family last night - both the mother (LDS) and the father (Evangelical) are firmly rooted in their faiths, and they're raising their kids in both faiths. None of the 5 kids are baptized. The father is very supportive of the Church and of us missionaries. It was really interesting to see how they've worked together in their marriage and as they raise their kids with both of them very active and very strong in their respective religions. There was an atmosphere of total respect and trust in that home, unlike any other part-member family I've ever seen. I wonder what's going to happen there.

Yesterday, we were able to attend the baptism of a 9-year-old boy named Sergio who we started teaching a couple months ago - we had to hand him off to the Spanish Elders though. His mother speaks mostly Spanish, and his dad (who's actually an inactive member) was hardly ever around when we were there. We knew that in order for Sergio to progress, he would need to have his family on board as well, and in order to get the family on board, we'd need to be able to communicate in Spanish. Plus, he lives in Lynn, and the Lynn Spanish Branch is closer to their home than the Revere Ward is. It was an all-around better fit...then lo and behold, they taught him and he was baptized yesterday! It was so great to be there, and to know that we helped to plant that seed in him. His parents were really happy to have us there as well. =]

I got to have an interview with Pres. Packard this week as well. I feel so good about everything right now! I've been having a hard time with some things recently, but his advice, encouragement, support, and prayers have really lifted me up. It was definitely a mission-defining experience for me. Pres. Packard is an incredible man, and I'm so grateful to have him as my mission president! I feel closer to our Savior than ever before, and I feel His hand working within me to change my life. I love being here, and I love what I'm doing! It's truly amazing to be a part of this great work.

Love,
Elder DeLong

Well, it's official.....

Boston temple trip Sept. 2012

Boston temple trip Sept. 2012

The Cambodian program of the Massachusetts Boston Mission has officially been closed. Actually, I'm not sure what it takes to "officially" close a language program...but we found out that the Church will no longer be sending Cambodian-speaking missionaries to this mission. Elder Cannon, the newest Cambodian Elder, was transferred to Cambodia and left a couple weeks ago. This means that Elder Langford will be the very last Cambodian Elder to ever serve here, making me the second-to-last, and his trainer. It's pretty crazy to think about. They'll keep us here in this mission, but no more will be called here. It's going to be interesting...by the end of this year, there will only be 3 of us left (add in my trainer, Elder Wayne). I'm not exactly sure what's going to happen to us...only time will tell.

The weather here has been cooling down, and it's absolutely beautiful! This is the kind of weather that I love the best - high 60s, low 70s. Summer's over, and it seemed to go by really REALLY fast! I'm getting scared for this winter...this last winter was very mild, and according to natives, this winter should be pretty intense. I'm trying not to think about it!

Ginnette and her son Roberto are our two newest progressing investigators! They're solid, and we're really excited to be working with them. Roberto is 12 and he really loves coming to church and going to Young Men's activities. He AND his mom accepted a baptismal invitation this week! Also, another one of our current investigators, Rob (not to be confused with Roberto) came to serve with us at the soup kitchen in Lynn this week! It's really cool to see how getting people to serve WITH us rather than just serving them helps them to learn more. As people serve alongside us, they are able to feel the Spirit testifying to them of their kind actions and good deeds in a unique way that they wouldn't be able to feel from anything else.

We've been doing a LOT of "detective work" for our Bishop these last 2 or 3 weeks, and it's going really well. We met with him this week and he was very impressed with our efforts. We've also been meeting with the presidents of the priesthood quorums and auxiliaries to see how we can help each of them in their missionary work and in their callings. The results from our push with the members of the ward here to do more missionary work and to have us over to teach these "Member Missionary Lessons" has been pretty incredible! I really love this ward, and Elder Langford and I are having a blast helping these members as they strive to share the gospel with others.

On Saturday, our ward had a temple trip for the youth and recent converts to do baptisms for the dead, and our zone leaders gave us permission to go. It was amazing! We had 7 recent converts there, 3 of which haven't even been members for a month yet! They all loved it, as did we. Elder Langford and I got to help out by doing confirmations. I really, really love the temple. Even though we didn't get to do an endowment session, we still felt the indescribable Spirit that is always present in the House of the Lord.

This last Friday, I hit my 9-month mark. I can't believe I've been a missionary for that long already! What's even more crazy is that if I was a sister missionary, I'd be halfway done now. Time is going by so quickly, much faster than I'd like. I hope to learn everything I'm supposed to learn and become who I need to be in the time I'm here. I love our Savior and I am so thankful to Him for the changes that He is making in me.

Godspeed, everyone!

Elder DeLong

Yes, this email is coming on a Tuesday...

The libraries were closed yesterday, and we aren't allowed to use members' computers...so we were given permission to write emails today. It'll be short, since I don't have much time, but I'm grateful that I get to have email time nonetheless!!! =D

Speaking of Labor Day, though, we had an AWESOME ward BBQ yesterday! We helped out a lot, and had a really great time! Elder Langford actually grilled all the burgers for everyone! He was right at home in front of that thing. He later got to toss a football around with a few guys, so he's a happy camper. =]

Since getting a gym membership with my apartment of missionaries a couple weeks ago, I feel like I've actually been getting good workouts in each morning! Along with that, my muscles have been really sore...but all is well! Hopefully I'll be able to make my fitness goals!

I saw a great quote on a billboard this week - "Sooner or later, we all quote our mother." It really made me smile. I thought of my own mother, and then I thought of the army of Helaman - "they did not doubt their mothers knew it." =]

Things are cooling down out here on the east coast...not chilly yet, but the heat is definitely less. The mornings and evenings are really nice now!

This last month, we had zone conference, visited Frank (a recent convert) in Bedford (a 45-minute drive), AND went to Lowell for the Water Festival...but somehow, we managed to stay under our allotted mileage for the month! Not sure how we did that...but I'd say that's an accomplishment. =D

I've been learning so much out here as I serve. I've said it before and I'll say it again - I wouldn't trade this for ANYTHING. I'm so thankful for this chance I have to learn and grow, to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord, and then to allow myself to be changed by those same hands. It's incredible to see the lives of others change, but it's just as incredible to feel the same changes taking place within yourself. There's a lot that I'm trying to work on, but with the Lord by my side, I know I'll succeed. I'm doing my best to be the righteous Melchizedek Priesthood holder, husband, father, and man that He needs me to be.

That probably wasn't all that interesting...more of a random compilation of thoughts and occurrences. Just know that all is well, and I love being a missionary!

Godspeed!

Elder Justin DeLong

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