He answered his door with his M-16...

December 3, 2012

Dear family,

This week was transfers.  On Monday I spent the day saying goodbye to all the families that I had grown to love and finished packing.  On Tuesday we made the journey to Harrisburg where I met my new companion Elder Spohn and Elder Lozano met his companion Elder Morris.  I packed all my stuff into the car which was not easy because we had two elders with luggage; me and another Elder that was going to Gettysburg, and two more missionaries.  Once we finally stuffed all the stuff into the car we were off.  I got to my new area Hanover and my new apartment, which is quite nice.  It has two bedrooms, a nice bathroom and lots of windows so it doesn't feel like you are in a dungeon like it did in Lebanon.  I spent a little time unpacking and then we were off working in my new area.  It is always weird to get to a new area because you don't know anyone or anything about it but that is completely normal.  These last few days I have just been meeting all our investigators, getting to know Elder Spohn and getting used to this area.  So far I have been enjoying it and it is nice to be with a companion that is not brand new and actually knows what to do.  Elder Spohn has only been a Zone leader for 6 weeks so he is still pretty new to the whole zone leader thing so we will both be learning together.  

We have been having fun and we have some great investigators one being a man named Paul.  Paul is a character.  When I first met him he answered his door with his M-16 strapped to his belt and acted like he didn't want anything to do with us.  I found out later that Elder Spohn and he had been planning it.  His wife is a less active and that is how the missionaries originally got in contact with him.  He is really fun to teach because he is smart, has questions, and understands the importance of the gospel.  He also took us out to eat the other night with his family which was really awesome because normally investigators don't take us out for dinner.  

Elder Spohn came out to Pennsylvania with me on the airplane so he has been out about the same time as me.  He is from South Jordan, Utah.  He lives next to Glenmore golf course but went to Copper Hills instead of Bingham.  We have a lot in common and we even know some of the same people.  He likes to play sports, work out, eat well, and is smart in the gospel so our companionship studies go by fast because we have a lot to talk about.  

I am also back in the Zone with the Kenley's and the Kramer’s so I will get to go see the Kramer’s again!!

It’s crazy that Tess is in the MTC!  I can't believe she is gone!  I remember just like it was yesterday when I was saying goodbye to you guys on the curb at the MTC and I felt I was ready and within the first couple hours I found out how unprepared I was.  I am glad I am not going through that again but I would be nowhere without the MTC.  She is probably going to feel a little overwhelmed in the MTC at first.  She is going to do great though and I will try and send her an email or a letter. 

Last night (Sunday) we also watched the Christmas Devotional which was really nice.  I liked all the stories that they shared and how the focus was how to receive a gift, not just give but receive.  We don't always need to give a gift back when we receive a gift.  I thought it was nice and the music was phenomenal.  It was a cool experience because we had planned to watch the devotional with a less active and her son who is not a member but is investigating the church.  The less active sister wasn't feeling well so the investigator ended up inviting us over to his house.  We ended up watching the devotional on a laptop which at first didn't sound too great but the Spirit was still strong and you could tell that the music and stories had a big effect on our investigator and his girlfriend.   

I am off of z-pack and my ears are feeling better but I still kind of have a sore throat which is super annoying!  I should be back to normal this week.   

I love you guys!!!

Elder Mouritsen