Transfers!

Richard McGuire

Dear Family,

Well it's the moment you've all been waiting for, transfers! So I am officially two transfers in to my sixteen transfers and this upcoming transfer should be exciting. I think in this transfer is when I'll be skyping home for Christmas as well. Let me just tell you all the information that you'd like to know. I will be in St. Stephen for Christmas with Elder Wolvers as the Fredericton District Leader. Mind you I am the youngest district leader in the mission and completely surprised but excited to serve in this capacity. As junior companion I thought there's no way that I could have time for leadership responsibilities, but The Lord shapes the back to fit the load. Elder Collett will be headed up to Tracadie which is in Acadia in Northern New Brunswick training a new missionary from Belgium-Elder Snicker.

Already, my district leader responsibilities have begun. Last night I called all of the companionships for their key indicators and to counsel them on what to improve on. It was weird because all of these missionaries are older than me and 

have more experience and to tell them to improve was a new thing for me. For example, last night I called up the Zone Leaders in Fredericton and asked one elder who's going home this week to improve on member involvement with their investigators. Didn't think I could do that, but nevertheless, this transfer will be an exciting one that's for sure.

Quote of the week (Not sure if you all find these hilarious, maybe these are moon jokes in which you had to be there to get them)

(Walking through walmart buying groceries)

Elder Wolvers: Hey there's a great sale on Itchy ban!

Elder Collett: Itchy ban?

Elder Wolvers: Yes itchy ban is like 50 cents!

Elder McGuire: Itchy ban sounds like an unfavorable disease

Elder Wolvers: No it's noodles! *points to Top Ramen

Ahhh adventures in Canadian language

Moving on, we met with Brother Wood a few times this week. We are focusing on preparing him to receive the Aaronic Priesthood. Unfortunately, Brother Wood is having a difficult time staying away from coffee. He has the biggest heart in the world and we're staying on him like white on rice because retention is a big part of the work out here. He loves the Book of Mormon and reads it all the time. Although he is new to the church, he is very knowledgable and is always looking to learn more about the gospel. That's what every missionary wants in a convert. We are promised in 2 Nephi 31 that if we feast upon the word of Christ we'll act on that word and then receive eternal life. I'm pleased Brother Wood is so faithful in his reading assignments.

That's a large part of the Book of Mormon. Reading it. Reading it all the way through and then praying about it as Moroni asks us to. The Book of Mormon is not a quote book. It is a book. I have learned so much from it every day and it truly is the largest conversion tool we have as missionaries.

Another large tool we have as missionaries is using the area book. We were snowed in yesterday and we couldn't go out on Friday because it was Halloween. Nevertheless, that doesn't mean we couldn't be effective missionaries! We did book work for 10 hours total and it will probably take another transfer to get that thing whipped into shape. Often at times elders will neglect the area book because it's so tedious to fill out, but we are commanded by the Saviour to keep records. It's my goal to make our member book, area book, and maps in mint condition for the next elders that come to St. Stephen. 

Not only did we fix records and clean the books (which we still aren't done with!) we used the former investigators section to find new people to teach! Seriously, there's more to do than just knock doors. President Leavitt puts it as "Do you want to knock doors or do you want to baptize?" We phoned up a former investigator-Jason-who seems pretty solid and wants to meet with us to learn about the Plan of Salvation! Book work is missionary work. We'll be doing a lot of it because this winter should snow us in quite a bit.

So on another note: Mom your son isn't the brightest light on the Christmas tree. I was getting money out of the atm at the Bank of Montreal for emergency cash (Self-reliance woohoo!) in case the power goes out because of the snow and as I was putting the money into my wallet, I forgot to grab my card. Didn't check back at the bank until a few days later and the atm had sucked the card back up and I didn't get it on time. So my personal debit card is now destroyed. If possible, would you be able to mail me a new card as soon as possible? Sorry for being forgetful. (Oh yes and another thing to send would be that missionary book that's by a Covey, you sent it to JT and I was wondering if I could get that).

I won't tell you about the walking because you all heard about that. We had dinner again with the Hansens, but this time Sister Hansen was sick with the foot, mouth disease thing so it was just with Brother Hansen. We had amazing spaghetti and garlic bread. It felt like I was back in the MTC with all of that food. Brother Hansen is the friendliest guy in the world. We got to take home two loaves of garlic bread and sauce. Man these people know how to feed missionaries. Unfortunately, my spiritual thought with Brother Hansen wasn't the best. I still have to remember I don't know exactly the situation, but that doesn't mean I can't teach and testify. Exed members are just a whole different situation. Please pray that Brother Hansen will pray. This guy could be a huge rock in the area.

A scripture that I would like to share with you all is Alma 32:14-15

14 And now, as I said unto you, that because ye were compelled to be humble ye were blessed, do ye not suppose that they are more blessed who truly humble themselves because of the word? 15 Yea, he that truly humbleth himself, and repenteth of his sins, and endureth to the end, the same shall be blessed—yea, much more blessed than they who are compelled to be humble because of their exceeding poverty
When presented with trials we are humbled and we grow closer to Christ. However, when are not presented with trials this does not mean to sit back and not live the gospel. By small and simple acts of faith, we will grow closer to Christ continually.
Thank you all so much for writing me!!
HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!
Love,
Elder McGuire