Well, I have some news for you. I am now the assigned driver in the companionship. Turns out my companion got in a minor accident that didn't do anything to the car he was driving but totaled another car. Church headquarters got back,and told him just the other day right before a big ol' storm. I've been sliding a bit in the car and am getting used to the driving in the snow, but it's different. We are almost always out and about, otherwise we've been inside working on potential investigators and the likes. We are almost always able to get out of the house though.
Just the other day, I got your package, which the m&m's container blew up in, but there was no damage to anything, and I also got a letter from the Kajiyamas, and Carter's Family. I got your package a day after Valentines, so it worked well enough. The packages and letters from the MTC should have been forwarded, but it may take a while. I should have those by transfers in 3 weeks, but I will let you know.
When we shovel walks with snow over our heads, we put the snow on top, otherwise we would get no where. We did also shovel off a roof the other day. Unfortunately we found out that some part of the roof have rotted out, but we didn't fall through. My companion and I both have experience with construction, so we made sure not to jab the shovels through, being that it probably won't be able to get replaced for a few months until it warms up.
Also, this week we only had Sacrament meeting rather than the 3 hours that we would normally have. Also, I had to give a talk, and I had enough stuff prepared for 10 minutes, but it only went for 5, which didn't turn out well because my companion and I were covering for people who couldn't make it because of the weather.
For P-Day, we're usually in St.John with the Elders there. We go to a local library, on the University of New Brunswick campus. It work well, and is a very public place, so theres a lot of people usually. We aren't allowed to have computers such as laptops in the apartments. If we did, we'd be Apostate, and thats not good.
I have spent money, I have no idea how much, but if I were you, i'd just check to see how far below I am from 200.
There are a few fun words that some missionaries use such as apostate, meaning, disobedient, and not really following the rules.We also use the term "pooched" for when we've messed up on something, or someone has messed up on something.
My area cover three different little towns called Quispamsis, Hampton, and Sussex. It's a good sized area but not the biggest. You could probably look the area up on a map if you wanted to.
I enjoy all the different people we get to meet, and the different members we get to talk to.
Well, I hope you all stay safe, and have a good spiritual week!
Love you all!
Elder Dooley
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Monday, February 16, 2015
One Month Mark
Our daily routine : wake up at 6:30, exercise, eat breakfast, and get ready. 8:00 individual study, 9:00 companionship study. 10:00 out the door 12:00 lunch time, 5:00 dinner 9:00 be back at apartment, and daily planning (planning for the next day), and then bed right after that, lights out at 10:30.
I don't really know how the driving is, because my companion does all of it. When it's snowing a lot, it can be challenging because we're in a little front-wheel drive 2014 Chevy Cruze, One of 3 in the mission...The roads are generally cleared off within a few hours of it snowing, but even then, the plows are pretty good on the main roads. The side roads can be challenging at times though, because those often won't get plowed out for a few days.
Not really any difficulties living on my own. I know how to cook, and clean, and do my laundry, and we are usually over at members houses for meals which makes that part a bit easier.
Something I ate recently is called Pouterrie, which is pretty much fries with cheese curds and gravy. It's pretty good, but after a few bites it's no longer satisfying. Also, apple pie with sliced cheddar Cheese is really good, and I think that's something that will stick with me.
For exercise, we have a program similar to insanity, but it's called 5 bx. it's a program that takes 11 minutes to do with 5 different exercises. It was developed for the canadian air force, and it actually works.
I don't know what the best part of the week was this week. It went by fast, and I hit my month mark. Other than that, It would probably be playing volleyball on friday night.
I have not go your valentines package yet, or the last one you sent me in the MTC yet. I'll let you know when I get them.
Also, there was like 2 feet of snow on top of the 6 that we already had. so it is fairly interesting because when we went shovel contacting last night, I shoveled a walkway for this guy, and the snow bank on either side of me was over my head. That was pretty crazy.
We still don't have any new investigators. We did have one lady that we knocked into that we have a lesson planned with later this week, but other than that, we have nothing. Anyways, thats pretty much it for now. I'll let you know next week if anything crazy happens, and that's all.
I don't really know how the driving is, because my companion does all of it. When it's snowing a lot, it can be challenging because we're in a little front-wheel drive 2014 Chevy Cruze, One of 3 in the mission...The roads are generally cleared off within a few hours of it snowing, but even then, the plows are pretty good on the main roads. The side roads can be challenging at times though, because those often won't get plowed out for a few days.
Not really any difficulties living on my own. I know how to cook, and clean, and do my laundry, and we are usually over at members houses for meals which makes that part a bit easier.
Something I ate recently is called Pouterrie, which is pretty much fries with cheese curds and gravy. It's pretty good, but after a few bites it's no longer satisfying. Also, apple pie with sliced cheddar Cheese is really good, and I think that's something that will stick with me.
For exercise, we have a program similar to insanity, but it's called 5 bx. it's a program that takes 11 minutes to do with 5 different exercises. It was developed for the canadian air force, and it actually works.
I don't know what the best part of the week was this week. It went by fast, and I hit my month mark. Other than that, It would probably be playing volleyball on friday night.
I have not go your valentines package yet, or the last one you sent me in the MTC yet. I'll let you know when I get them.
Also, there was like 2 feet of snow on top of the 6 that we already had. so it is fairly interesting because when we went shovel contacting last night, I shoveled a walkway for this guy, and the snow bank on either side of me was over my head. That was pretty crazy.
We still don't have any new investigators. We did have one lady that we knocked into that we have a lesson planned with later this week, but other than that, we have nothing. Anyways, thats pretty much it for now. I'll let you know next week if anything crazy happens, and that's all.
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Snow Storm
Dear Brother Dooley,
As you have probably heard there is a snow storm currently affecting most areas of our mission. It has been going on all day in various forms, with high winds, snow, rain and cold weather. All of our missionaries are accounted for and taken care of.
We are not aware of any that are without power or otherwise affected by the weather. We will keep you informed as conditons improve.
The safety and security of the missionaries is our highest priority.
Best regards,
President Brian D. Leavitt
As you have probably heard there is a snow storm currently affecting most areas of our mission. It has been going on all day in various forms, with high winds, snow, rain and cold weather. All of our missionaries are accounted for and taken care of.
We are not aware of any that are without power or otherwise affected by the weather. We will keep you informed as conditons improve.
The safety and security of the missionaries is our highest priority.
Best regards,
President Brian D. Leavitt
Monday, February 9, 2015
Record Snowfall
Answers to your questions:
1. My companion's name is Elder Bodine and he's from Yuma Arizona. This is his last transfer in the field then he's going home at the end of it.
2. Our apartment is good sized, and it's just my companion and I. The apartment is just a bit smaller than the Naniloa Loop house.
3.I'd have to say that the area I'm serving in currently is a suburban urban mix, but it mostly depends on the city we're in for the day. Some people have accents but not too harsh, and usually fairly easy to understand. I have no idea how close I am to the ocean, because of the hilly terrain and all that, but supposedly it's around 50 miles away. The lakes and rivers are all frozen solid with at least a foot and a half of snow in places.
4. My clothes are holding up pretty well so far. I got a nice coat, and am still looking for boots. Just to let you know, One of the suit pants came undone at the some in the MTC. after closer inspection i discovered that only on the one pair, the thread had been replaced halfway through the seam, and hadn't been tied off. My companion in the MTC noticed, and the repair wasn't too hard, so I did it by hand. Also, Cuffed pants were a mistake. I've had to walk through deeper snow with them on, and they just collect it like non other. I think i'm going to try to find a seamstress to switch them to straight on the bottom.
5. All day, we do what we can to find new investigators. We go through old former records, and tract, and give service. We just do what we can to get people to talk to us.
So, just to let you know, the snowbanks at the church are around 8 feet in height, pretty sick really. Supposedly in the past 3 weeks, the maritimes have had around 173 centimeters of snow, which is a record for canada apparently. From St. John, (the next area closest to us), they've had to declare a state of emergency, and have shipped out about 14,000 loads of snow, and I don't mean small trucks, I mean semis loaded up as high as they can with snow (it's just water). We've only taught a few lessons this week, but most that have been set up have fallen through, but I know that as long as we're trying our hardest, we'll find some investigators. Well that's all I have for now. I have no big questions for you, so just keep them coming.
Here's some pictures:
1. My companion's name is Elder Bodine and he's from Yuma Arizona. This is his last transfer in the field then he's going home at the end of it.
2. Our apartment is good sized, and it's just my companion and I. The apartment is just a bit smaller than the Naniloa Loop house.
3.I'd have to say that the area I'm serving in currently is a suburban urban mix, but it mostly depends on the city we're in for the day. Some people have accents but not too harsh, and usually fairly easy to understand. I have no idea how close I am to the ocean, because of the hilly terrain and all that, but supposedly it's around 50 miles away. The lakes and rivers are all frozen solid with at least a foot and a half of snow in places.
4. My clothes are holding up pretty well so far. I got a nice coat, and am still looking for boots. Just to let you know, One of the suit pants came undone at the some in the MTC. after closer inspection i discovered that only on the one pair, the thread had been replaced halfway through the seam, and hadn't been tied off. My companion in the MTC noticed, and the repair wasn't too hard, so I did it by hand. Also, Cuffed pants were a mistake. I've had to walk through deeper snow with them on, and they just collect it like non other. I think i'm going to try to find a seamstress to switch them to straight on the bottom.
5. All day, we do what we can to find new investigators. We go through old former records, and tract, and give service. We just do what we can to get people to talk to us.
So, just to let you know, the snowbanks at the church are around 8 feet in height, pretty sick really. Supposedly in the past 3 weeks, the maritimes have had around 173 centimeters of snow, which is a record for canada apparently. From St. John, (the next area closest to us), they've had to declare a state of emergency, and have shipped out about 14,000 loads of snow, and I don't mean small trucks, I mean semis loaded up as high as they can with snow (it's just water). We've only taught a few lessons this week, but most that have been set up have fallen through, but I know that as long as we're trying our hardest, we'll find some investigators. Well that's all I have for now. I have no big questions for you, so just keep them coming.
Here's some pictures:
Saturday, February 7, 2015
First Zone Conference
Picture from the just completed series of Zone Conferences. Five zone conferences in 5 days...Fredericton, Moncton, Dartmouth, Halifax and Newfoundland. Great spirit in the meetings, lots of learning and fun. The week was full of winter storms: winds (100km/ph), blizzards (20 inches of snow) and very cold weather -30 with the wind) Rain and freezing rain but these valiant souls could not be stopped. The two companionships that could not make it joined us via Skype for the whole day.
Monday, February 2, 2015
Everything is Awesome
All has been good in the Maritime! I'm in Hampton, New Brunswick and everything is awesome. The ward is great, and the weather is a blazing - 24 degrees celsius, below - 10, and it doesn't really matter-- it all feels the same. I'm getting plenty of food, with a diner appointment almost every day. We currently don't have any investigators, but we've been trying to get some. First door I knocked on we got in though and that was pretty cool. I'm loving it here and just to let you all know: the snow is at least 4 feet deep in places! One of the people in the ward here is actually in Hawaii right now and I think they're going to try to swing by Dad's office and let him know what it's like here. It's either the Greens, or the Pattisons. One of the 2. Anyways, I'm going to post pictures to facebook so that you all can see them. Our address currently is:112 St. Paul St.,
Hampton, New Brunswick
E5N 5R1,Canada
It might get confusing so only send stuff as a last resort through mail.
Love you all,
Elder Dooley
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