Hola,
It's been a busy week! We started out with a zone conference and afterwards had a split. I went with E. Ninataype for a good day and a half, it was an interesting experience. All our appointments were in spanish. I learned a lot. I need to learn french, and then probably spanish. A LOT of people speak spanish here, a lot of columbians immigrate here. But I had quite the miracle happen while on splits. It's amazing how you must encounter trials or darkness before you see the light. We were knocking doors, and had no success, until we hit the basement door. We knocked, this guy opened up while our hands were on the door knocking. It was pitch black inside, the only light came from the smoldering end of the cigarette hanging out of his mouth. Due to the lack of light his eyes were enourmous, almost too big and dark, and his eyebrows were crazy all over the place. He had a huge agitated smile, almos panicky looking, on his face, while he held back his rather large bulldog. Some low, rythmic music was pulsating in the darkness.
The first thought that came to mind was a direct response to the feelings I had for this guy.
"woah, well you're the devil." He slammed the door after we tried to introduce ourselves, and E. Ninataype asked me "did you feel the evil-ness man?" It was a disturbing feeling, to be sure. But after such an encounter you always find the light.
We were walking back to the car when we stopped on a street corner, so E. Nina could take a phone call. I saw a short, middle aged woman walking towards us, with her ipod on, and thought "why not." Then I thought "how you would feel if someone interrupted your music listening experience?" Then I thought, "oh wait, it's the GOSPEL." so with reason enough to interrupt her, I gave it a shot.
In shattered french.
"Hi. I come from the States, I am learning french. Is it okay if I walk with you and we practice french?" (I find that people are usually more friendly when you instantly state your inferiority from the get go. No joke)
-Okay- was all I understood out of her next sentence, so we began to walk. She was very nice. Eventually conversation turned to church (the nametag helps) and I asked her what religion she is
-Christian!-
"What is it the church that you wait at?" I asked her.
-I am Christian but I don't go to church-
"why?"
-Because I don't know which one to go to-
I almost laughed out loud, it sounded like a roleplay from the MTC. so I told her
"why not come to church with my friend and I?"
She said sure! and afterwards E. Ninataype came and saved the conversation. We found a park nearby, taught her, and committed her to baptism on the 6th. Hopefully it works out. She seems very excited.
That was crazy. Now think. If I wasn't here. No split. the missionaries wouldn't have had need to practice their french, they would have continued to walk or contacted her in a way that might not have been optimal, she would not have found the gospel. Being here is already worth it.
I've got a whole lot more stories, but I'm out of time. I can't believe mom got in a three car pile up! Crazy stuff, what vehicle was it in? That probably didn't help the sickness. That stinks, I'll keep her in my prayers. For everyone else, it sounds like everyone is having a good time, Good! Keep up the good work, send me some pictures, Pictures pictures pictures!!
Oh and somebody Better be using that camera, if it's not being used PLEASE send it up here, I'm dying with this little point-shoot.
It's starting to frost outside. It's below freezing all the time now. Sigh...gonna be a long winter.
Peace be the Journey!
E. Holm
P.S.
We have a couple new members in our english class, every single person is from a different country. (E. Perry is from canada, alberta, so we are all from different countries.) It is verily insane, but the Highlight of my week! Also, I got to play a hunting horn this week, I forgot how much I miss the trumpet!
October 25, 2010
October 18, 2010
October 18th, 2010
Bonjour-luh.
So this week has gone by pretty fast, I have to pull out my journal here, everything in the mission field becomes a blur after a while. So I'll pull out some crazy stories. Here we go.
We visited a less active member who is a professional artist. Apparantly he is the most well known artist in Quèbec. He is into abstract art and such, it's cool. He told us the story of how he decided to come on a mission. Or, rather, how it was decided for him. He wanted to go on a mission, but his father would not let him go. So the member called up his stake president and told him the news. Some twenty minutes later, Ezra Taft Benson walks in and begins to talk to his father. Benson sees a chess board, sitting on the coffee table. Turns out the boys' father is the region champion. Ezra Taft Benson says -how about we play a little game of chess. If I win, your son goes on a mission, if you win, he stays. - Benson won.
We have had a lot of dinner appointments this week. And a couple with some spanish families. I now know what Dad was talking about when he told us he used to throw up after dinners on his mission. Spanish people will never. stop. feeding you. I find that a majority of my prayers nowadays include the sentence -Lord, please help me eat all of this food.-
For some reason, people around here love Cream of Carrot soup. Which is possibly the most disgusting thing I've ever tasted. It has the texture and consistency of baby food, and tastes like Carrot, honey, salt and garlic, with a tang of soy. Man, that was difficult.
So big news! The last week of this transfer E. Perry and I are heading up to Quèbec city, for a whole week! I guess there is a big "symposium" going down, and every year the city selects a religion to showcase, this year it's our turn. So they are pulling in the Quèbec city missionaries and the nearby surrounding missionaries to help at this big...thing, to present material, teach lessons, all sorts of stuff I guess. I hope I can speak french by then.
The quèbecois accent is close to being unlocked. Here are a couple things that have thrown me off the most when talking to people. "Luh." Similar to the article "le" which can mean he, it, the. They stick is on every sentence they spit out. Sometimes multiple times. It's like saying like in english like all the time.
Bien oui luh, je vuex luh, luh très grand voiture luh. At first out here I tried to direct translate everything. so.... good yes the, I see his, the, very big car it.
By the time I even figured it out, the conversation was over. Sometimes they even just say "Luh Luh LUH luh!" kinda sing song like. It means various different things. And instead of saying "tu" which means "you" they say "toy" which, to them, means you. ou est-ce que toy viens? WHAT.
But in general, I like quèbecois much better than regular french, it's much more fun. Correction, it will be much more fun when I finally get it down.
English class was crazy this week, because The two chinese ladies, the regulars, asked us if we could tell them a story out of the bible, they thought they were very intriguing. So I asked them 'have you heard the story of Adam and Eve?' 'Oh yes, it is very popular in china'
So we ended up teaching two chinese ladies and the iranian muslim man the plan of salvation. They had some very difficult questions. Like "What is Devil?" "What is God?" Why just put two people on earth, why not many people? "Your God is all powerful, why does he not stop wars?"
And the hardest ones came from the muslim "After that, for eternity, we do what?" or. "Where did God come from?"
The Chinese ladies just thought it was a hoot. They would giggle at certain parts and were just fascinated. The Muslim was very nice, "that was very interesting." That was it. But holy cow, it is so difficult explaining to people who have never heard of God or Satan or Jesus Christ. It takes careful teaching and lots of thought.
No more tripod! E. Oropeza headed home yesterday to catch his brother's wedding! He's a great missionary, but things are so much nicer with just two missionaries, now it doesn't look like a gang is beating down your down everytime we go knocking!
Church is getting better, I'm able to understand more, so that's good!
That is about it for this week, more to come I'm sure. That's too bad about mom being sick, or about Noah losing the race there. E. Perry is sick as well, I hope I don't catch it. But I will.
Peace be the Journey!
E. Holm
So this week has gone by pretty fast, I have to pull out my journal here, everything in the mission field becomes a blur after a while. So I'll pull out some crazy stories. Here we go.
We visited a less active member who is a professional artist. Apparantly he is the most well known artist in Quèbec. He is into abstract art and such, it's cool. He told us the story of how he decided to come on a mission. Or, rather, how it was decided for him. He wanted to go on a mission, but his father would not let him go. So the member called up his stake president and told him the news. Some twenty minutes later, Ezra Taft Benson walks in and begins to talk to his father. Benson sees a chess board, sitting on the coffee table. Turns out the boys' father is the region champion. Ezra Taft Benson says -how about we play a little game of chess. If I win, your son goes on a mission, if you win, he stays. - Benson won.
We have had a lot of dinner appointments this week. And a couple with some spanish families. I now know what Dad was talking about when he told us he used to throw up after dinners on his mission. Spanish people will never. stop. feeding you. I find that a majority of my prayers nowadays include the sentence -Lord, please help me eat all of this food.-
For some reason, people around here love Cream of Carrot soup. Which is possibly the most disgusting thing I've ever tasted. It has the texture and consistency of baby food, and tastes like Carrot, honey, salt and garlic, with a tang of soy. Man, that was difficult.
So big news! The last week of this transfer E. Perry and I are heading up to Quèbec city, for a whole week! I guess there is a big "symposium" going down, and every year the city selects a religion to showcase, this year it's our turn. So they are pulling in the Quèbec city missionaries and the nearby surrounding missionaries to help at this big...thing, to present material, teach lessons, all sorts of stuff I guess. I hope I can speak french by then.
The quèbecois accent is close to being unlocked. Here are a couple things that have thrown me off the most when talking to people. "Luh." Similar to the article "le" which can mean he, it, the. They stick is on every sentence they spit out. Sometimes multiple times. It's like saying like in english like all the time.
Bien oui luh, je vuex luh, luh très grand voiture luh. At first out here I tried to direct translate everything. so.... good yes the, I see his, the, very big car it.
By the time I even figured it out, the conversation was over. Sometimes they even just say "Luh Luh LUH luh!" kinda sing song like. It means various different things. And instead of saying "tu" which means "you" they say "toy" which, to them, means you. ou est-ce que toy viens? WHAT.
But in general, I like quèbecois much better than regular french, it's much more fun. Correction, it will be much more fun when I finally get it down.
English class was crazy this week, because The two chinese ladies, the regulars, asked us if we could tell them a story out of the bible, they thought they were very intriguing. So I asked them 'have you heard the story of Adam and Eve?' 'Oh yes, it is very popular in china'
So we ended up teaching two chinese ladies and the iranian muslim man the plan of salvation. They had some very difficult questions. Like "What is Devil?" "What is God?" Why just put two people on earth, why not many people? "Your God is all powerful, why does he not stop wars?"
And the hardest ones came from the muslim "After that, for eternity, we do what?" or. "Where did God come from?"
The Chinese ladies just thought it was a hoot. They would giggle at certain parts and were just fascinated. The Muslim was very nice, "that was very interesting." That was it. But holy cow, it is so difficult explaining to people who have never heard of God or Satan or Jesus Christ. It takes careful teaching and lots of thought.
No more tripod! E. Oropeza headed home yesterday to catch his brother's wedding! He's a great missionary, but things are so much nicer with just two missionaries, now it doesn't look like a gang is beating down your down everytime we go knocking!
Church is getting better, I'm able to understand more, so that's good!
That is about it for this week, more to come I'm sure. That's too bad about mom being sick, or about Noah losing the race there. E. Perry is sick as well, I hope I don't catch it. But I will.
Peace be the Journey!
E. Holm
Made it to Canada!
Last picture from the MTC
Flood
Walking with the companions
Sideways street lights
Yuck
Apartment
Companion!
October 12, 2010
October 11, 2010
Salut!
Sounds like you guys have had a busy week! I guess that answers my question about Emery getting married, sounds like that has been the event to prepare for! That's cool that the president sent you guys a letter, he's a cool president. It's good to hear you guys rented out the condominium! Sweet! Not a fan of the smoking but nowadays a blessing is a blessing! Carlie only worked for Dr. Grant for a day?! Understandable. I'm glad we're finally finishing up with the whole applehead witch things. I hate those heads, blech. But everything sounds like it's going good there! By the way thank you for the coat money! I got a good North Face double layer coat with a lifetime warranty. The outer layer is completely water and wind proof--it's like a super tarp. the inner layer is Packed with insulation. So, in this rainy weather, all you have to do is take the inner layer out, viola! Raincoat. But I'm freezing, so I just keep the inner layer in anyways. They have a monopoly on coats here, since the average winter gets to about 30 below. not including windchill, off the river and lake. I am going to die. So I might need some money for boots later on, but I should be set for gloves because I got a 50 dollar gift card with my coat. SET.
It's been a crazy week so far. I'll probably say every week out here is crazy--that's because it is a crazy place, Sherbrooke. Really though.
But on the other hand, we ran into a lot of Muslims this week. There are two types of muslims in this world, nice ones, and mean ones. We met a lot of mean ones, who are just dying to tell you how wrong you are and what you are doing is a waste of life. These ones make us laugh. FOOLS.
I worry for Humanity sometimes.
We met a nice one though, he answered the door saying -we are all good people here, there is nothing bad between us, there is no problem here.- he sounded very nervous. We then told him we were missionaries, and that we taught a free english class- he let us in and looked very relieved. He showed us all the stuff he made whilst in prison in Iraq, he and his family are Iraqi refugees. Then they gave us some awesome Iraqi delicacy-not unlike pizza pockets filled with coconut.- He was a nice muslim.
A full sunday church meeting in french was a headache and a half. After a while I just read my scriptures. It was interesting. To say the least. I don't get many chances to speak french, everyone here is bilingual. While contacting I have to ask people to speak french to me so I can practice. Which has turned out to be a pretty good icebreaker. *Hey, I need to practice french, will you talk to me?* They usually are glad to help. Then I say *Let's talk about God, or about the family, or about the Gospel of Jesus Christ* It's fun.
We have 3 progressing investigators and hopefully a baptism coming up soon, as soon as she quits smoking. So we're having success! But soon there will be so much more, it will be fantastic. Taught a couple lessons this week, it was really good. Hopefully next week will be even better.
Also, if you guys ever want to send mail, send it through the US postal service, that way it won't get destroyed through customs and cost the mission more. Cool! and also, I need some help, I need someone to send my driving record to the mission office, in case I need to drive next transfer. Next transfer half the mission will be under 3 transfers old! Crazy!
Peace be the journey
E. Holm
Sounds like you guys have had a busy week! I guess that answers my question about Emery getting married, sounds like that has been the event to prepare for! That's cool that the president sent you guys a letter, he's a cool president. It's good to hear you guys rented out the condominium! Sweet! Not a fan of the smoking but nowadays a blessing is a blessing! Carlie only worked for Dr. Grant for a day?! Understandable. I'm glad we're finally finishing up with the whole applehead witch things. I hate those heads, blech. But everything sounds like it's going good there! By the way thank you for the coat money! I got a good North Face double layer coat with a lifetime warranty. The outer layer is completely water and wind proof--it's like a super tarp. the inner layer is Packed with insulation. So, in this rainy weather, all you have to do is take the inner layer out, viola! Raincoat. But I'm freezing, so I just keep the inner layer in anyways. They have a monopoly on coats here, since the average winter gets to about 30 below. not including windchill, off the river and lake. I am going to die. So I might need some money for boots later on, but I should be set for gloves because I got a 50 dollar gift card with my coat. SET.
It's been a crazy week so far. I'll probably say every week out here is crazy--that's because it is a crazy place, Sherbrooke. Really though.
But on the other hand, we ran into a lot of Muslims this week. There are two types of muslims in this world, nice ones, and mean ones. We met a lot of mean ones, who are just dying to tell you how wrong you are and what you are doing is a waste of life. These ones make us laugh. FOOLS.
I worry for Humanity sometimes.
We met a nice one though, he answered the door saying -we are all good people here, there is nothing bad between us, there is no problem here.- he sounded very nervous. We then told him we were missionaries, and that we taught a free english class- he let us in and looked very relieved. He showed us all the stuff he made whilst in prison in Iraq, he and his family are Iraqi refugees. Then they gave us some awesome Iraqi delicacy-not unlike pizza pockets filled with coconut.- He was a nice muslim.
A full sunday church meeting in french was a headache and a half. After a while I just read my scriptures. It was interesting. To say the least. I don't get many chances to speak french, everyone here is bilingual. While contacting I have to ask people to speak french to me so I can practice. Which has turned out to be a pretty good icebreaker. *Hey, I need to practice french, will you talk to me?* They usually are glad to help. Then I say *Let's talk about God, or about the family, or about the Gospel of Jesus Christ* It's fun.
We have 3 progressing investigators and hopefully a baptism coming up soon, as soon as she quits smoking. So we're having success! But soon there will be so much more, it will be fantastic. Taught a couple lessons this week, it was really good. Hopefully next week will be even better.
Also, if you guys ever want to send mail, send it through the US postal service, that way it won't get destroyed through customs and cost the mission more. Cool! and also, I need some help, I need someone to send my driving record to the mission office, in case I need to drive next transfer. Next transfer half the mission will be under 3 transfers old! Crazy!
Peace be the journey
E. Holm
October 4, 2010
October 4th, 2010
I MADE IT!! Holy cow. Im in Sherbrooke now, the farthest south the mission goes I think. It is a trilingual area, French, English, and Spanish, and its insane here. CRAZY. I wish I could write with correct punctuation but this is a French keyboard and I cannot find the apostrophe. rats. Anyhow. Im in a tripod right now, I get two dads! (Nevermind what they say about our church being narrowminded). Elder Perry and Elder Oropeza. Everything, absolutely everything is in French. Its mind blowing. And the French they speak here, not the same at all. gah. Its cool, it will all come...eventually...
This place is a huge melting pot. We had dinner my first day with a liberian woman, and in our english class there is a couple chinese women and an Iranian man, more to come, crazy eh' FOUND THE APOSTROPHE. Can't find the question mark. Hmmm....I had poutine for the first time on the first day, at Mont Royal Hotdog, a HUGE plate of double fried french fries, soggily drenched in triple thick gravy, cheese curds literally floating, stacked on top were about 7 strips of bacon, shredded and torn. It just destroyed me the first time I had it... yuck. So, much, goodness. Cannot be taken in all at once.
Knocked doors first day. Was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Rejection is a lot easier when it comes to you in another language you do not understand- especially a pretty language like French. There are always these old men shouting such fluffy little comments of hate, it is like being slapped in the face with a feather. At least they try.
Nobody here likes religion. There are a couple nunneries, but everyone is either a non-practicing catholic or they believe in science. The catholic Church used to run everything around here, like, EVERYthing, until about...maybe..a generation ago everyone just walked away from religion, they had had enough of the catholic church taking control of stuff and telling them what to do. Look up the Silent Revolution, thats what we as missionaries are trying to fight. There is hope within the rising generation, the college kids. That is where we will most likely find success.
The first door I knocked on, I introduced myself in French, the lady spoke english. Ah ha. A lot of people here speak english. In fact, all my teaching appointments so far have been in english. Thank Heavens!
Apparantly there are a lot of gays and lesbians here in ol Kaybec. Gross. Hopefully wont run into too many.
Im sure Im going to be here for a while, we are an hour and a half from any other missionaries, so Im going to be setting up here for some long term stuff.
By the way, I really need money for my winter coat, its starting to get cold here, high 30s and such. As soon as possible, si'l vous plait. All the trees here are on fire! Such brilliant colors, the leaves are changing.
This last sunday was the first day I actually saw the sun here in quebec, its been raining nonstop since I got here. The river flooded over and shut down the bridge while we were teaching a lesson. It was a long lesson. and when we came out the apartment building had a moat. I have pictures, I am sending an SD card to Miss Bell today, hopefully it will get there soon.
Conference was AWESOME. especially in English, thank goodness. I could have used some cinnamon rolls, and it sounds like you guys had an awesome time, which is good! Due to the time change, we watched conference at 12-2 and 4-6 and then priesthood was 8-10. A crazy change for sure, but a good one. It sounds like chandler is loving the drums! does he have a practice set at home, and if so, has it driven mom insane yet? Found the Question mark! Good luck Noah in Ballroom dance, that's a sure fire way to get all the ladies!
HAHAHAHAH I cannot believe Carlie is working at Dr. Grants! Oh that is good! Has she gone insane yet? I bet she is not liking it at all. Carter is going to study abroad in China? Sweet! Sounds way cool, nothing like complete immersion in something you have no idea about to make you feel alive. I miss the good old days of DTV, sounds like Hayden is rocking the scene there. thats good, how is the old job for Hayden? Are the Allen's still alive?
I will let you know more as it comes, the mission field is a million times better than the MTC!!
Peace be the Journey,
E. Holm
This place is a huge melting pot. We had dinner my first day with a liberian woman, and in our english class there is a couple chinese women and an Iranian man, more to come, crazy eh' FOUND THE APOSTROPHE. Can't find the question mark. Hmmm....I had poutine for the first time on the first day, at Mont Royal Hotdog, a HUGE plate of double fried french fries, soggily drenched in triple thick gravy, cheese curds literally floating, stacked on top were about 7 strips of bacon, shredded and torn. It just destroyed me the first time I had it... yuck. So, much, goodness. Cannot be taken in all at once.
Knocked doors first day. Was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Rejection is a lot easier when it comes to you in another language you do not understand- especially a pretty language like French. There are always these old men shouting such fluffy little comments of hate, it is like being slapped in the face with a feather. At least they try.
Nobody here likes religion. There are a couple nunneries, but everyone is either a non-practicing catholic or they believe in science. The catholic Church used to run everything around here, like, EVERYthing, until about...maybe..a generation ago everyone just walked away from religion, they had had enough of the catholic church taking control of stuff and telling them what to do. Look up the Silent Revolution, thats what we as missionaries are trying to fight. There is hope within the rising generation, the college kids. That is where we will most likely find success.
The first door I knocked on, I introduced myself in French, the lady spoke english. Ah ha. A lot of people here speak english. In fact, all my teaching appointments so far have been in english. Thank Heavens!
Apparantly there are a lot of gays and lesbians here in ol Kaybec. Gross. Hopefully wont run into too many.
Im sure Im going to be here for a while, we are an hour and a half from any other missionaries, so Im going to be setting up here for some long term stuff.
By the way, I really need money for my winter coat, its starting to get cold here, high 30s and such. As soon as possible, si'l vous plait. All the trees here are on fire! Such brilliant colors, the leaves are changing.
This last sunday was the first day I actually saw the sun here in quebec, its been raining nonstop since I got here. The river flooded over and shut down the bridge while we were teaching a lesson. It was a long lesson. and when we came out the apartment building had a moat. I have pictures, I am sending an SD card to Miss Bell today, hopefully it will get there soon.
Conference was AWESOME. especially in English, thank goodness. I could have used some cinnamon rolls, and it sounds like you guys had an awesome time, which is good! Due to the time change, we watched conference at 12-2 and 4-6 and then priesthood was 8-10. A crazy change for sure, but a good one. It sounds like chandler is loving the drums! does he have a practice set at home, and if so, has it driven mom insane yet? Found the Question mark! Good luck Noah in Ballroom dance, that's a sure fire way to get all the ladies!
HAHAHAHAH I cannot believe Carlie is working at Dr. Grants! Oh that is good! Has she gone insane yet? I bet she is not liking it at all. Carter is going to study abroad in China? Sweet! Sounds way cool, nothing like complete immersion in something you have no idea about to make you feel alive. I miss the good old days of DTV, sounds like Hayden is rocking the scene there. thats good, how is the old job for Hayden? Are the Allen's still alive?
I will let you know more as it comes, the mission field is a million times better than the MTC!!
Peace be the Journey,
E. Holm
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