A day in the life of an Elder

Monday, July 28, 2008

I'm in Roseville!

Family guess what?!
I'm in roseville. haha. So the story goes that Elder Dalton (one of the elders i came out with) was going to train this transfer and when he got to "meet your trainer" The kid went all depressed and bailed on him. So tuesday night I received a call at 5 o'clock from Elder Bozung saying, "Hey elder Baumgartner. Can you be packed in 2 hours?" Yeah it was nuts. President wanted me to come down so Elder Dalton and I could work with this kid but by thursday he had made his mind up and went home. Poor little dude. He will never understand what he missed out on. So naturally Dalton and I were reminissing about our missions and expressed how much we loved them. And so naturally that day everything went wrong. We rode out a good hour to look for this house and couldn't find it. Dalton got a flat and had to fix it at a gas station. The very next day I fell on the way to a baptism and scuffed up one of my suit pants. Like scuffed up. My shirt was all dirty. I'll send you pics. I got a good raspberry on my arm. And the whole time all of this went on we could not stop Laughing and smiling. It is so incredible to me how no matter what happens out here you can't feel down. I mean i've felt down but never for long periods of time or anything. Anywho Dalton is tight. We get along really well. His nickname is doug funny. When i send you pics you'll know why. He's a utahn in circleville down by brice canyon. He's sweet. Hey parents i need some help. I had planned out my budget perfectly for gridley so i bought my groceries and then got the transfer call. also I need some new slacks. So i'm gonna need to use some bones today. I also need to know the addresses of my cousins so I can see if they're in my area. I can't remember what my ring size is. Just get matt's ring size and maybe downsize by one. He's a pudge. I'll get another CD of pics out asap. Most of the Good ones i think i've sent you but i'll definitely do that.
So feel free to send me a gift card or somethin. haha just kidding. They've got everything here in roseville. and there is so many people. Gosh it's nothing like i'm use to. I've now been in the north and the mid and the south. Sweet. Oh I need everyone to pull through for me on this favor. So Dalton and I are having a "Chick mail" contest for the entire transfer and whomever wins gets a free lunch. I need you to contact some friends. I know we can pull out the -W- if we work together. This isn't about the lunch mind you it's about pride. haha. Well I love you all and always know how much i appreciate you.
Love sweet love
Elder Baumgartner.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Fam-a-lam-a-ding-dong, What's crackin'...

Fam-a-lam-a-ding-dong
Whats crackin'. It is hecka hot out here man. But it has cooled off a little. I played tennis this morning with a 4.0 playa and won in a third set tie break. It was tough. my strokes need fixin' but i fared alright. I didn't help sis mcdowell with her tennis team because she had plenty of help but her husband was the one i played this morning. We'll have to come visit them when you guys come out to pick me up. They are sweet. It's transfer day today and i'm getting another companion in addition to elder glad. His name is Nelson i believe. I'm staying here for another. That will make 6 months in gridley after this transfer. Wow. The work is going quite well. I asked heavenly father to keep me here for another because there is alot of work to do. Thats the first time he's left me in an area after i've asked that. There are three people that we are progressing towards baptism right now and we picked up another investigator yesterday. He's 83 and wants to get baptised. Do you know how miraculous that is! Old people are so stubborn. They get set in their ways and dont care one lick of what you have to say. Even after they've felt the spirit. I can't tell you how much i love the work. I know that each trial that is placed before us missionaries is another chance to succeed and make God proud of us. I often think about what it is going to be like on the other side when you stand there before Christ and Heavenly Father (being clean) and having Them say good work. I knew i could count on you. I also often think of the amazing capabilities we have as little tiny people on a little tiny planet. Only through the grace of God can we become grand and mighty. Think of children. How much of a blessing it is to bring one or two or twenty of God's children into the world. Of course with the exception of Ky and i, you all know how that feels. Speaking of Ky good work buddy. Freak you're a natural born star thug. Keep working. It is satisfying when you start to experience you're potential. Keep close to God buddy. Don't forget your prayers. You get the Priesthood soon buddy. Always live up to the potential that God has given you. I love you man with all my heart. Keep rockin'. Matt you fatty. 15! Body for life homie. Or get the Navy Seal workout off the internet. JK i'm sure you're a Jolly man. I can't wait to compare missionary journals and experiences with you and Dad when i get back. It'll be sweet. Alivia is cute man. I like the missionary Blog haha. it's sweet. Thanks for the baby pics i can't wait to hold her and watch her walk and stuff. Mom that is a sweet talk. I can't believe that i'm helping those people that have seen the goodness of the church. It's an incredible blessing for sure. I love when we are teaching a lesson and you know that the spirit is just pounding against the persons heart and you can feel the exact moment when they know for themselves that it is true. Those are probably my favorite. Oh fam! I need a favor. I lost the ring man. I was so mad when i couldn't find it. But if you don't mind could you send me another one? You all know the ring i'm talking about right? The return with honor ring. I feel naked without it. Dad hows work and all treating you? The comp is doing well. I love it because he's a little socially awkward and when we are teaching lessons he'll bring up every analogy that he knows. haha It is funny. Don't get me wrong i love him but he is so funny when we are talkin to people. P-days are fun. I've been playing tennis in the morning and playing ball at lunch and we usually get a good turn out. The other missionaries are hecka far away though so it's hard to get together with them all. Well I love you all. I'm happy to hear from you and sounds like you're doing well.
Forever yours,
Elder B

Monday, July 14, 2008

Heavenly father is building juggarnauts out of all of us young men out here.

Family!
It is good to hear from you all. Ky buddy keep up the good work ya playa. Richard sent me an email a while back and i'll send it to you all with a couple pics of the baptism. So the baptism went amazingly. It was by far the biggest one that i've been to. The chapel filled up. This Kid knows everyone. For real. We are playing Basketball with him today. You know sometimes i think about the emails that i have sent you all and i think of how much that you all don't here about. I try my best to include the major points but there just isn't enough time to tell you everything. It's going to be sweet to get home and be able to tell you all so much more. Also i've been thinking about how sacred the events are that i get to participate in. It's rather awe-inspiring. I'm blessed beyond belief to have this oppurtunity and i have all of you to thank for giving it to me. The gratitude goes unmeasured for sure. I can't believe how long i've been out for real. Seth emailed me and told me about all that he's doing. We need to get him out on a mission. I feel so bad for him that he doesn't get this oppurtunity. Heavenly father is building juggarnauts out of all of us young men out here. I'm honored to know that i'm enlisted in His army. OUr new president is really nice. I'm still anxious to see the changes he's going to0 make. We've heard a few of them. All bishops are invited to Zone Conferences. We have to teach two lessons a night wether to members or not. That one is going to be difficult in Gridley but acheivable i believe. He's a good guy. We had Zone conference this last week and Sis Pendleton is sooooo funny. She's like way petite and shy and nervous and everything. She's hilarious. It may just be the Greenness in her but it was hilarious. The fires are harsh down here. The smoke has slowed us a little because they warn us to take it easy when we're outside. It's pretty intense but it's all good. The work rolls forth. I love you all and am so grateful for the person that you've made me today. You all rock.
We are enlisted till the conflict is o'er
Elder Baumgartner

Monday, July 7, 2008

Elder B off the heezee...

Family
Sounds like everyone is doing awesome. Turns out our relief society pres is a big fan of tennis so when we go to eat over there i'm sure she'll give me a very detailed description of the greatest final in the history of tennis. She's from england. So the fourth was good. We had a half day pday so after dinner we just hung out with a family in the ward who you have to meet when you come here. It's the Mc Dowells. They're sweet. They made some dry ice bombs and threw them in the pool. And their dad is a rocket scientist so he had to explain every little detail about the bomb to the kids. It was pretty funny. The work is going well. We get to watch someone enter the waters on friday and he couldn't be more stoked. And neither can i for that matter. Kinda sucked bein' away from home for the forth but we'll have plenty of holidays together so it wasn't too bad. Ky man keep up the good work. You better be able to beat me when i get back. If not i'll whip you into shape real fast. For some service this month i'm helping sister mc dowell coach tennis a few times. She's a high school coach. Their team is alright. I'm pretty excited. I'm doing well as far as my needs go. Thank you so much for the package. I also love showing off my little neice to everyone. She's so freakin cute man. Don't forget about the lifesize posterboard alright? Or the pillow case action with my face on it. haha that would be hecka tight. Dad thank you for the wibledon updates. Man it sucks not bein able to watch that with you. And the BYU season is going to be hard too haha. We'll have some good times when I get back though for sure. Make sure you keep me updated on the happenins of BYU and the Rockies and such alright. I need some intel. Well my time is running thin. I do need a few things at the store today. I'm thinkin about getting some white strips and my allotment wont really cover them so i might need some mulah there. Family i cannot express how thankful i am for you all. I'm so incredibly grateful and I hope you all know how much i love you. Have an amazing week homies.
Elder B off the heezee