A Helmut With a Face Cage Should Do Nicely

Hey everyone, how's life?

So this week has been slow again, though we did pick up some potential investigators. We'll see how things turn out.

The weather has been pretty cold still and pretty icy. This morning I slipped on the steps leading to our door and banged myself up pretty nicely. I also managed to slam my head in the car door yesterday, which caused some mild bleeding and it didn't help my headache I had that day either. Things haven't gone well for me this past week. Oh, and I also got slapped the other day. That wasn't too fun.

Other news? Today we got an email from the mission president telling us that at the end of June, they will be combining the Toronto East and West missions together again to make the Toronto mission. So now I'll have an opportunity to go to Eastern Ontario, or just stay here in West Ontario for the last 11 months of my mission. We'll see how it goes and what will happen.

Other than that, there's really nothing to tell. The ward here is still doing well and life is still continuing on as normal. We'll see what happens next.

Elder Stubbs

Still Searching For Investigators.

What's up?

So this week has been slow, like usual, but hey, that's life. Things have been getting colder lately though. The other day, it got to about -16! It's not Alberta cold, but it was still cold enough, especially for my Arizonia friend Elder Bindrup. He hated it. I didn't think it was too bad, except for the blasted wind that they have here! Sometimes it feels like Lethbridge, the wind gets so terrible. Other than that, the weather has been pretty cold. Driving with Bindrup is a little scary, but that's because he used to be a racer and he's used to going fast. He hates snow driving because it means he has to slow down to the speed limit and he's not the greatest snow driver (Don't tell him I said that. He'll literally kill me!).

So what else has been going on here? Not much. Still no new investigators. None progressing either. We have a few potentials, but that's currently it. Oh, we are teaching a child of record whose baptism is this Saturday, but that doesn't really count. So it's still a dry spell.

This week we haven't been abused in any way (besides by God and his weather), so that's good. We finally got a new microwave after a few weeks of not having one, so now we just need a new oven. Other than that, there's not too much to tell. Pretty boring life huh? We didn't even meet any interesting characters this week. That's pretty boring. Oh well.

Anyway, good luck on exams everyone who has them! And for those who already had them, good job and enjoy the second semester of school!

Elder Stubbs

Anyone Want To Dig Out a Car ?

Hey everyone, what's up?

So how was everyone's week? Good, I hope. Not much has been happening here in Welland. It's been pretty cold for the past few days and more snow keeps piling up. The other day it snowed quite a bit, but a snow plow came along and cleared the streets so that we could park along one side, or so we thought. Turns out, the spot we parked in was cleared by someone who lives on our street, but we didn't know that, so we parked there. The next morning, we found our car buried in snow, with a note on it that said something along the lines of "It took me 3 hours to shovel the snow that the plow put there so I'd have a place to park when I got home. Thanks for being so inconsiderate. Enjoy shoveling!" It was written in a girl's handwriting and because of it, we were late for an appointment we had that day. We decided not to retaliate, but we were pretty upset by it.

I got to go to St. Catherines for a day a few days ago with Elder Omer and it was fun. We just did a lot of walking, but we talked to a lot of people and we got St. Cats a few new potentials. We actually got them a few white people to teach (St. Cats is a chinese area now, so they've only had chinese investigators for awhile)! We (Welland) almost got a new investigator, but he didn't show to the appointment and we have no way to contact him because he has no phone. So that one is pretty much done, unfortunately. Oh well, his loss.

Yesterday I had to give a talk in church, which I would have been cool with if, IF, they had given us more then a hour notice for it. Fortunately, I gave a rousing talk on Faith and the Atonement with very, very little notes and barely any prep time. I didn't think it turned out too well, but everyone else enjoyed it. Elder Bindrup even said it was good and he's the guy who is brutally honest. I guess it turned out well, but that's not an experience I care to repeat anytime soon.

Other than that, there's still not too much to report. Heard about the Golden Globes. I can't believe a movie about Facebook won so many awards! Ridiculous, huh? Oh! Transfer calls were last night. I'm staying in Welland, and my companion is... Elder Bindrup! Again! This is now our third transfer together which he, and a few others, can't believe. Missionaries together for that long is quite rare as I understand. And now, he gets to spend a quarter of his mission in Welland! Fun huh? Hopefully, this transfer will be a lot better in the investigator category. We'll see how it pans out. Wish us luck!

Elder Stubbs

Missing Alberta Weather???

Hey everyone!

So how's it going? I just heard about the weather and road conditions in Alberta. Surprisingly, it makes me miss Alberta all that much more, especially since nothing interesting or eventful has really happened over here. Shame, huh?

So this past week went slowly, like usual. We don't seem to be getting much luck here in Welland. Hopefully that turns around soon and we'll get some people who we'll teach more than once. We'll see how it goes. School's back in, so I'm hoping we'll have some new college kids we can meet and teach. They're usually they most open minded ones I've notice. They listen and provide great conversation. I find that college kids are my favorite to talk to.

So, as you can see, not much has been happening. Our legs are getting more muscular from all of the walking and we are staying pretty fit, despite my diet. We get to meet new people everyday and we sometimes get some good conversations. And it's warming up! Yes!

Anyways, there's not much else to tell. Have a great week!

Elder Stubbs

Happy New Year!

Hey, what's up?

So it is now 2011. Doesn't feel too different, does it? The days are steadily getting longer, the sun seems to be shining more over here, and we have some positive degree weather! All-in-all, not too much is happening.

So not much has been going on here in Welland. There's literally nothing to report. No interesting characters, no new investigators, and no progressing investigators. It's been kind of boring actually. At least it's warming up. It rained a bit, so we didn't have to go walking in the freezing cold. Instead, we got to walk in the wet cold! Alright... I think I prefer the snow. But hey! You can't win them all.

Ya... Basically, there's not much to tell, especially since I told all the interesting stuff that happened last post because it was in the middle of last week. Hopefully, I'll have something more interesting for you next week. Until then, have a great week!

Elder Stubbs

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Hey everyone! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Sorry about the lateness of this post! Everything was closed Monday. Tuesday we weren't allowed to email. So we came today, on Wednesday, and if it's not up today, it's because my family is in Montana doing some skiing, those lucky... ducks (I'm not allowed to swear here. My mom may get mad or edit it).

So this past week has been slow in investigators. No one really wanted to listen, so we didn't teach much. Luckily we had many dinners with members so as not to starve. We also had Zone Conference, which was actually pretty good and not boring this time. That was because it was the Christmas one. Next one I probably won't be so lucky.

On a brighter note, I haven't died from the cold yet. There's still plenty of time though. But I think I'd rather die in the cold than the heat because then my body will be preserved and who knows? Maybe they'll be able to revive me like a caveman or Walt Disney or something... That would be cool. I don't know. We'll see what happens when we get to that point.

So how was everyone's Christmas? Mine was pretty good. A family fed us breakfast, we openned presents, then we got to go tobogganing (sledding for all you Americans) for a bit. We didn't know if it was against the rules or not, but we went anyway and had fun, and no one suffered any serious or permanent injuries. Elder Bindrup wouldn't let me stand on the sled and go down the hill though, so I was a little sad at that. Oh well.

Yesterday and today we had some fun/interesting experiences. First, we had a lady open her door when we knocked on it. We sang 'Go Tell It On The Mountain' and she then close it. We had some man yell at us and start threating us. I had a few retorts for the dude, but I didn't use them, which Elder Wilson (my temporary companion) thanked me for. Then this morning we had to run a few errands in St. Catherines, but ELder Bindrup (driver) wouldn't listen to me giving directions, so we somehow ended up outside of Niagara before he asked me for directions. We drove around for over a hour. That's what you get for not listening to Carson.

Anyway, that was my week. Next time I hear from you, and vice versa, it'll be a New Year! Party! I hope you all had a great Christmas, and have a happy New Year!

Elder Stubbs

PS Thanks for all of the birthday wishes!