January 7, 2013

Well I have found out that I’m getting transferred and that wherever I’m going I’m going to be a junior companion so that should be nice to have a little bit of a break from the non stop traveling and training.

I’m not sure where I’m going but I will find out tomorrow where so that should be interesting wherever it is I feel as though it will be my last area in the mission so hopefully it will be good but I guess life is what you make it so I guess I’ll make er a good one.

This week was interesting I went on an exchange with a guy thats going home tomorrow elder ramirez. The exchange was good we did some good work and taught a good lesson. The one thing that did stink literally and figuratively was his companions bed. His companion isnt the most sanitary of chaps so when I got to the apartment and looked at the bed I imagine it would be like going to a hotel and finding mouse poop in the bed. The sheet that was on it was baby blue on the side but on the top where he slept it was a dull overtone of grey and yellow. We quickly striped the sheet off the bed. Underneath the sheet we have what we call a protect a bed. Basically a sheet like thing that has a plastic lining that protects the main mattress. Usually white. This one was a dull grey with yellow sweat and whatever else stains underneath. Almost made a man lose his lunch. Luckily it was true to its name it protected the main mattress which was white and comfortable. After a quick spray with alcohol I was able to sleep on it. We decided to wash the sheet and protect a bed while I was on the exchange and we decided it had been a good 9 months since this had happened. The sheets came out a little better but sadly I don’t think they will ever fully recover.

So yeah that was pretty much my week.

On the spiritual side I was able to bear my departing testimony in church sunday. I waited until almost the end with a line up of 2 people ahead of me before I made the effort. I thought I had gotten out of it when the bishop stood up to what looked like close the meeting. He thanked everyone for bearing testimony and acknowledged that there were some who wanted to but weren't able to. I was a little relieved to hear this until he said we would now like to give a few moments to elder kartchner to give some farewell remarks. busted. Well I got up there and shared Mathew 16 21

 26 For what is a man ^aprofited, if he shall ^bgain the whole ^cworld, and ^dlose his own ^esoul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

And I told the youth and older members of the congregation that there was nothing in the world that was of more value than the service of a full time mission and that nothing more would be of profit. That there were people in the world, I referred to them as friends, that were waiting for them to serve there mission. I felt as though that was the best I could leave them with as well as thanking them for the food that they fed me and cared for me.

But I hope this was a little bit of a funny slash uplifting email and I hope that everything continues to go well and I will have the kenleys send you my new address when I get there. Love you all and hope to hear from you soon.

Elder Kartchner

now a packing I go

God be with you till we meet again