November 9, 2021

 Hey everyone!

It's been a minute since I've written an email but things have been going great here. 

Michael, who I was teaching in Casper, got baptized! I, unfortunately, didn't get to see it because I got transferred down to Loveland, Colorado. 

Colorado is pretty cool. If I'm being honest, I prefer Wyoming but that isn't to say Colorado isn't great too. Also, my last district was awesome so it's been an adjustment. 

I'm training again too. His name is Elder Bateman. He's pretty cool.

Here in Loveland things are kind of slow teaching wise but it's picking up. We've been working hard and have seen success because of it. 

Some notable things: we talked to a flat earther. We had an awesome new missionary orientation meeting (President Palmer is awesome). The weather has been great. Taught a guy named Eli a first lesson on his porch. He really appreciated being given the Book of Mormon. Got to go through the temple last week and clean it this week. That was super cool. 

Yep, things are going well here. Thanks for all your support! 

From, Elder Pack

PS: A couple of side notes:

If missionaries are within 15 minutes of the temple, they are given a temple cleaning assignment by the Zone Leaders.  Ethan's district had the assignment yesterday.  They got to explore around the temple, which he said was cool. He got a little annoyed because they only had a certain amount of time to clean and the little old ladies kept taking them on "tours" so Ethan was afraid they wouldn't get done in time.  He said at one point he wanted to tell them, "Leave me alone so I can finish mopping."  😉  But they got it all done in time and they got to see the basement, attic, roof, and all the other rooms.  He said it was a cool experience.

Ethan and his companion are helping in a soup kitchen on Thursday.  The missionaries who were there before them left a number to call to set it up so they did.  

Elder Bateman is a bit homesick.  Ethan isn't quite sure how to handle it because his other greenies didn't really get homesick (or they didn't show it much).  Ethan was homesick for the first 3 months but then when he finished the training time (2 transfers in his mission) he suddenly didn't feel homesick anymore.  He is hoping that is the case with Elder Bateman.  They have gotten along really well and Ethan was impressed that Elder Bateman came to the mission knowing how to make small talk.  He can have a conversation with members and Ethan doesn't have to keep it going.  So that was nice.

Ethan told me he has met some interesting people in Loveland.  I asked if legal marijuana made it hard to teach people or made it hard for people to let you in.  He said it makes it hard to distinguish if someone is using it medicinally or recreationally.  They taught a man the other day who they think may be a drug dealer.  Ethan said they taught him a lesson then quickly left.  He said they aren't going back there again but the guy was nice.  They are exposed to all kinds of people.

Ethan's district isn't as social or crazy as his new district. He misses playing "Slaughter Ball" and has been playing a lot of "Unstable Unicorns."  It's a card game.  They can play games as long as they keep the missionary standards (no war games, no Risk, nothing that doesn't keep the spirit).  He misses when it was all elders.  But he will adjust.

They are teaching a special needs girl who has permission from the bishop and stake president to be baptized.  They just need to make sure she understands everything she needs to.  Ethan said she has some family challenges too.  So we will pray for her and see what happens.

I think that was all.  Thanks to everyone who prays for Ethan and writes to him.  I know he feels the love.