Invading the Soldier's Home

 สวัสดีครับ Hello!

Another week is in the books! It was a fun one, too! We got to see some amazing views, accidentally came face to face with a tank, became a (still unpaid) professional landscaper, and actually taught an awesome lesson!

THE CARBON

We went on a walk with a recent convert this week. He showed us the coolest trail right behind his house along the Carbon River. It was so beautiful. It was exactly what I envision when I think of the Pacific Northwest. All it took was a year of living in it, right? Well, we realized at the end of the walk, we had to make it to the other end of Orting in -10 minutes to be on time for the missionary coordination meeting. So we booked it across town. We were on foot, no car, so we had to sprint it. Elder Hagler struggled a bit, but we made it before it was wayyyyy too late haha. 

INFILTRATION 

We had a planned member visit with Brother Brown on Wednesday. We didn't have his address in our area book, but member tools had it, so we plugged it into Google Maps and took off. We wound up at the Soldier's Home in town. We pulled up to the gate and there was a guard post. I rolled down the window and said, "are we good to come in?" He said, "sure!... wait do you live here?" "No, were visiting a friend." "Ok yeah sure, head on in!" As we were driving around, there were cannons and tanks all over the place and a lot of old buildings. I was hoping that the weapons weren't a security measure, because we definitely could've been taken out in a matter of seconds. Turns out, it was the wrong Brother Brown and this one was living in the care unit. We figured it would be best to not bother him and we just headed to our next member lesson. It was pretty awkward driving right back out past the guard post 5 minutes after driving in, but luckily he didn't ask any questions.

THE CUTEST SCRIPTURE 

Genesis 29:20 says, "And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her." First of all, that's pretty adorable. Jacob, what a guy. But also, it brings up a very important point. When you're working hard, it can be a grind. But when you're doing it for a good reason, something you're passionate about, it can be a quick yet rewarding experience. Serving a mission can feel like 7 years. It can also feel like just a few days. I just need to remember what I'm serving for, and it'll blow by. Same thing with any of you out there! Whenever you're out weeding the flowerbeds or up late finishing a paper that you pushed off so you could watch Loki, remember who, why, or what you're working for and it'll be a rewarding and enjoyable experience!

LAST THINGS LAST

- Ray is a cool dude, we had an awesome conversation about the Plan of Salvation. He doesn't believe in the Trinity or that it's just Heaven or Hell.

- My favorite English student is coming back to the states... in october when I'll be home already.

- I tried pho for the first time this week. Sorry, Vietnam, but Thai food has you beat easily.

- We finally have short shorts running weather! Break em out, everyone!

- Whether you're a big cereal enthusiast, or lactose intolerant, I love you!!

เอ็ลเดอร์ ตัดต้นไม้ (Elder cut down trees.)

Elder Barrett