Dear Mom, I built a house today

ALOOHA from the island

Going on 2 weeks here on Martha's Vineyard.

9 Months

equals a baby. Whenever I hear "9 months" no matter what it's referring to (how long someone has been working/living/serving/speaking a language/drinking  lemonade) all I think of is BABY! 9 months equals a baby! Is that weird?

21 times

I flew over the darn sea to Hawaii. I was counting it out the other day because I couldn't believe it. For real. 21 flights. And all of them flyin' solo. Just a little tid-bit for ya. Because I know you weren't wondering.

THIS WEEK I...

-gardened some ladies petunias

-swept a woman's porch

-went to a barn

-biked a 9 mile stretch that we could have sworn was only 5 on the map

-shingled a house

-taught 3 lessons and none of them to investigators

-carted folks around in their wheelchairs and watched a movie about chimpanzees with them. Then the next day we jammed out to some 40's piano tunes! 

-taught English classes

Bet you weren't expecting missionary work to look like that, huh? Me either. My companion is waiting on her VISA to go serve her mission in Peru and this assignment has thrown her a curve ball, for sure. I'm grateful to have her! She's a real trooper. We live in an odd little apartment above a Bike Shop with make-shift beds and a leaky sink. It feels just like home to me, but unlike this dirty hippie (that's for you, Jorey) she has standards like the rest of human society. She is putting up with everything with an awesome attitude!

The work here on the Vineyard is not like most missions. First of all, the Boston Massachusetts Mission in generalis making a lot of changes that no other mission has begun to put into action. We don't knock doors, we report different stats to Salt Lake, we use different study material, and us sisters work hand-in-hand with the elders. (Ok, not literally hand-in-hand) Other missions in the world right now still knock doors, have separate areas for elders and sisters, have heavy-laid restrictions, and wish they could be as cool as the BMM! It's not that our mission is better than the rest by any means. However, we are adapting the work to be more productive in today's society. The doctrine is the same but the strategy is different. (Hey, Moroni used stratagem. It's totally allowed!)

The island is about 24 by 17 feet (or so someone told me on the bus). Every door has most definitely been knocked. Every person has been confronted by the missionaries. Every store has seen 'em, every tourist has met 'em, and aint nobody wants nothin' to do with 'em. However we are the little engine that could and we think think think till we CAN. So our mission president, President Packard, sent us on the "Ammon Project". I think I mentioned this before in previous emails, but now I have a bit more time to explain. Ammon was a missionary in the Book of Mormon. He was commanded to "go forth among [thy brethren] and establish my word." and that's exactly what missionaries are called to do! To teach! To spread the Word of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ! Just like Ammon I have a message to share! So Ammon sets out, says bye to his brothers, family, and friends, and makes his way to a place called Ishmael. When he got there he met the King over the land and told him, "I desire to dwell among this people for a time; yea, and perhaps until the day I die." Spoiler alert, he really did stay till he died! Now I don't intend on staying here till I die, goodness no. (Although it's not the worst place to die. It is BEAUTIFUL here.) He gets there and immediately sets out to serve. His brothers go off to other cities and begin preaching the word right away. They teach and preach and baptize like it's nobody's business. They baptize thousands at a time! Sometimes they don't have success, but even then they are sent back to try again!  --- this is me--- we are the "try again" tactic. Before anything else we are here to teach, but since that wasn't working, we are here to serve! Anybody anywhere that needs anything... call the missionaries. You need help gardening... call the missionaries. Your short a few volunteers for the school play... call the missionaries. You need to learn english... call the missionaries and bring all your english-seeking friends!

When Ammon has been there for awhile he draws the attention of the King. King Lamoni recognizes something different about him but can't quite pin it. At first he's lost for words as he stares at Ammon and for a whole HOUR he doesn't say anything. Finally he speaks up and asks "Who art thou? Art thou that Great spirit, who knows all things?" and Ammon teaches him the gospel right then and there.

PREACHY PREACHY
I know. I'm sorry. I just covered 6 pages of the Book of Mormon and you're all saying either "Heard it already" or "What the heeeck is she saying?" Condensed version? Ok.

We are here to serve with our hands and feet. It is so fun and I can't say I'm not grateful to be able to cruise over hills and fields on my bike, and get my knees dirty with some mad gardening, or build a freaking HOUSE! Come on, that stuff is awesome!

Sometimes I question my whole purpose here. It seems so strange to wear a name tag but not teach anyone about the church whose name is printed on it. I miss the excitement of taking on people's questions and doubts and bringing them joy and reassurance through the scriptures! I miss being able to talk about my Savior all day long. But I know that I am here for a reason. The days fill up more and more as we meet new people every day. Big things are happening here! The members are SO Strong and it has been incredible working under President Brown (Brent) and side by side with my companion, Sister Shannon. We have an all-star team here. The work is growing a little every day!

DADDIOOOO

Happy fathers day, buddy!

Things you will NEVER hear my dad say

"Don't worry about going to bed early, you should finish that movie!"

"Don't buy that, it's probably exactly the same as the old one."

"Less frosting, please."

"I don't trust you. You should just do what I say."

"No thanks, I don't want to help."

"I didn't laugh because it wasn't funny."

"No no, please, keep talking and talking and talking and talking"

"It's broken; let's throw it away."

"I don't have a container for that."

You're a real go-getter and a stand-up guy. You're the best dad I've ever had!

And to all you not-really-my-dad but Dad's that have been there for me through my life, the biggest warmest thank you! I love you all and think about you and your example every day!

I'm using the EXPRESS GUEST computer and I've definitely over-extended my welcome. I better go.

Have a great week!

MY MISSION IS MY LIFE

but your LIFE IS A MISSION!

Hermana Hileman