New Boots

Well, this week was pretty good, I think you guys should watch the easter video Because He Lives. It was put out by the church, and is pretty inspiring.

I have no idea if I got any mail this week really. I've been on exchanges in St. John with Elder Kelley a lot this week because Elder Cox needed to check  how Elder Batley's training has been going. So i've been in St. John since Friday, and I didn't get any mail before that, and there's no post on saturday or sunday here, so hopefully the packages will be here, as well as the receipt from Grandma. I suppose that i'll find out though when I go back to Hampton today. I got boots finally, and they're pretty good work boots. They should hold up for the entire mission and beyond hopefully. If they don't, then no boot will hold up. I almost bought a pair of Kodiak boots, but they didn't have any that I could wear and still look somewhat dignified with a suit.

General conference was great. Before It started, I went and bought around 5 pounds of various candies at a bulk barn ( which is a store where you buy food according to weight), and hopefully the 3 pounds left over will last the rest of the transfer. We watched General Conference at the church, and I have no idea which talk is my favorite. They were all awesome, but one thought that keeps coming through for conference is that we are all tools in the Lord's Hand. We need to prepare ourselves for work, and if we aren't strong enough to hold up against the tensions, then what use are we? We need to always prepare ourselves to stand up to whatever comes our way, and to always do whatever work the Lord has for us. I recognized Elder Pearson, and I think i've met him once before, but I don't remember really if I have.

We didn't really have an easter dinner. A member gave us some Chicken pot pies which were delicious, then while we were at a less active member's house, he gave us some potatoes, mixed veggies, a bit of ham, and some seared Pineapple. It was pretty good.

We have had a little luck with investigators, but not much. We haven't really been able to get any out to Church unfortunately, but hopefully they'll come out soon. We have not done hardly any service this past week, but I did set up our ward's new computer this week, and got rid of a virus on the church's laptop as well. I suppose that probably counts as some service.

I haven't really done any family history work this week, but I did discover a few links through Family search that enable you to link to better sources and broader sources for free. The link is https://familysearch.org/partneraccess. Through this you can sign up for free to other family history sites, which i'll be trying to do coming up here. I do need stories though for a booklet that the mission is doing, which goes to my great-great grandparents, so if you have any, then please feel free to send them.

Story of the week: We walked into an indoor open air market, and this kid stopped us and asked us if we wanted some beef jerky, then he gave us a sample. Then this guy came up (the kids dad) and tried to scam us into buying. Then he noticed our name tags, and asked us about them. When we told him all about what we chose to do and come on our missions for 2 years and leave our homes he asked us where we were from. I told him I was from Hawaii, and to prove it showed him my license, and he was absolutely dumbfounded. It was really funny especially because he was going to expect us to be asking for money and not paying our way with funds that our family gives, or that we saved up. We gave him an easter pass along card then we had to leave. The entire time though, after he accidentally said that he was the kid's dad, he still tried to act as if he didn't really know him. That just shows that some people only focus on money in life though. That's the story for the week.

That's all I have, I hope everyone is doing well, and is staying warm and safe!

Love, Elder Dooley

Dinner Appointment

The member family that invited Elder Dooley and his companion to their home texted this photo home today.

Hopefully Staying in Hampton

Well, It's been another exciting week, here in the maritimes. We are moving apartments soon, so send the Package off as quickly as possible. There are only a few things I want other than the GPS. I need Nori, and lots of it for Musubi, as well as maybe a musubi roller. Other than that, I think I could find a cord here somewhere that willl work to update the GPS. Even the brand new GPS that a few missionaries have aren't currently updated. Maybe a camera cord will work? Oh well, I'll make do with it. I cannot really disclose the reason behind us moving, other than it had to do with some problems with the Landlord, and his son, and some fighting that occurred while I was on exchanges between the landlord and his son. We'll hopefully stay in Hampton though. Also, The new investigator we got seems like he's a pretty solid guy. We haven't been able to meet with him again, but hopefully we'll be able to, and get him baptized!! Also, those cheap boots that I bought, not only did the side rip out, but the soles are staring to come off now as well. I'll definitely need new ones, that aren't quite as cheap, so please mom can you put money on my card for boots?I've been on exchanges a lot this week, so i've been tired from jumping from one area to another. Although, It should work out well enough. Other than that this week, I have nothing to report on. I hope everyone is safe, and is staying warm, and its good to hear that nothing happened with the brake line rusting through. I've seen some crashes here that have been caused by not being able to stop, and they are pretty bad at times. Thankfully I haven't been involved in any though.

Love,
Elder Dooley

P.s. Cora, I have not eaten any snow with or without maple syrup yet. though I might try it sometime.

Kirkham, Don't you know that you're the one that's supposed to be stabbing people in the back? and why not do research into what you're supporting first. at least it wasn't real life though

Afton, If I find moose jerky, i'll try to send some home. No promises though! I might eat it first!!

Crazy Stuff Going On

Well, I have some good news for you! I finally got the pictures! turns out, they were actually with the St. John missionaries in a box of stuff that president Leavitt left there. Also, The new mission president is James Ray Pratt, and Debra Susan Moss Pratt, They're from Florida, and you can probably look up more on them than I can. Cora, I would never jump into Lava, even if I was freezing, rather, i'd sit near enough to feel the heat and warm up, but then again, i'd have to deal with toxic fumes. Afton, I will not lose any toes, nor will I get even close to it, even though the cheap boots I bought have already broken on the side, so i'll be getting some better, not quite as cheap boots soon. Kirkham, Have fun at Model UN, and don't forget to make alliances with other countries for support of your bill, And don't do anything to crazy. Mom, I would say that you should definitely go ahead and get more schooling if that's what you want to do, I would just advise to do what you think and what you feel you should do. We are commanded to gain as much knowledge as we can in this world, because other than family, that is the only thing that you can take with you. If you feel impressed that it is the right thing to do, then go for it. Just remember, that I want to come back to Hawaii, so don't go moving anytime soon. And if you do, at least find out some way for me to get the truck when I go back to continue College.

You asked why I wanted to go to Newfoundland. Well, It's an amazing place, with moose, cod, seal, and icebergs. It is a land of mystery and wonder, and the food is mostly moose, cod, and seal from what i've heard. They drive Chevy Sierras up there, and i'm already sick of Driving our tiny little helpless chevy Cruze. Elder Cox has not been there, but he wants to go. Apparently, they've had about double the amount of snow that we've had, and it just seems like a place that I want to go.

Everything has been going great so far this week. It has been kind of crazy though. We've been  traveling a lot because my companion needed to go to a training meeting, we took our car into the shop because my last companion damage the bumper, and we expected to get it back the next day, only to find out that it was going to be in the shop for a few days, which caused us to miss a dinner appointment, and made us walk everywhere in Hampton. Then, we had to go to a Stake Conference in Fredericton where we listened to Elder Larry Y. Wilson speak who is a member of the quorum of the seventy. It was a nice meeting, and it was nice to hear a general authority speak. Also, while in fredericton, there were 10 elders staying in an apartment that is about 1/2 the size of our house. Kind of crazy, but somehow, we were all asleep before 10:30. Also, yesterday, while I was backing my companion out of a drive way, this lady stopped, and thought that my name was Sam, then talked about how she was taking her daughter to a friends house, and how her daughter is about my age, and how when we were little, her daughter and I apparently played in the ball pit at McDonalds together, and she introduced me to her daughter, then she drove off, saying she had to go. It was weird, and just plain out confusing. I'm sure it didn't help that the car smelled like stale liquor and cigarettes. Hopefully, I don't have anything weirder than that happen, although i'm sure it will. Also, earlier this week, we texted some lady, just asking how she was doing and she went on this rant (over text) about how she is herself, we're the LDS, our teachings are flawed and do not represent her who is the mother of all. For some reason, she thinks that she is mother Earth! I guess this week was really crazy now that I look at it. Also, we got a new investigator this week. He wanted a Book of Mormon, felt like he needed to turn his life around. We have a meeting set up with him this next week at Tim Horton's ( Canada's equivalent of Starbuck's, except it's cheaper). One last thing is that I ate moose this week, and it is absolutely delicious.

well, that's all that I have for now!

Love you all, and stay warm!

Elder Dooley

Also, for some reason all pictures are to big to send in email. i'll get them to you somehow though

And expect a package with at least some maple syrup in it sometime soon.

Stuff I Forgot About

So, there are a few requests that I have. First is to know what the status is on a costco card. There is a Costco here, and it would be nice to get cheap food if i can. second is that I need a new pair of boots because mine ripped out on the side. I have already found some that should last a long time, but I just need money to buy them. If you could put 200 on my personal card, that would be amazing. I bought some ties, and a few other essentials, but Other than boots, I won't be buying anything else for a while. Also, don't forget to pull the trumpet out and make sure the valves aren't frozen. Finally, I need a GPS. I've almost gotten lost several times, and if you guys don't need it in Hawaii, then you could send it out. If you don't then I could buy one, but that's only if you allow me too. these are my only requests for now, and I hope that you are doing great.

Love you,
Elder Dooley

New Comp

Dear family, I will start by addressing those who emailed me.

Dear Grandma Jewel,

I had no idea that I am the first great-grandchild to go on a mission. I hope that you are doing well, and that you have the spirit of youth with you! I love you  and I have a question for you. Are there any stories that you have or that your parents had that I can write down? In the mission we are doing family history booklets, and a part of them is to keep track of stories from your ancestors. Whatever you have will be great! I love you Grandma!

Dear Afton,

Tell everyone that I am cold at times, and freezing, but I am trying to fully immerse myself in the work of Heavenly Father, and that brings comfort to me, and It will bring blessings. In other words, I am working for the Lord, and when you're working for the Lord, how can you not be doing good? I like my new companion, he is not annoying whatsoever, and is easy to get along with! Also, we had a new investigator earlier this week, but then she dropped us :( I appreciate your Scriptures!

Dear Kirkham,

The only bit of advice I have for you regarding Prom is to mak sure that you are having a good time. I expect pictures, especially because you almost would never wear suits before. Also, If mom and dad allow, I dare you to grow out your hair the entire time I am gone. (except facial hair, keep that down). Also, right now you must always be mission minded. In a few years you could be out here, and remember to not do anything that you'll regret later.

Dear Cora,

It's not too cold here to lock the car. We almost always lock the car to stay safe. Also, if it's -40 outside, then we'd have to worry about our car freezing, otherwise it should be fine. Keep on learning, and I miss you sssssssssssssssssSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooo Much, but you'll have to keeping missing me for 22 more months :)

Dear everyone,

The mission has been good to me. My first companion went home, I got my next companion Elder Cox, and I stayed in the same area. Elder Cox is from Mapleton, Utah which is about 15 minutes away from the MTC. I am not the designated driver anymore, but that's just because my companion can drive.

It hasn't been too cold, and we've been working as hard as we can. We had another storm yesterday, and because of it, church was cancelled. We got a new investigator this week, but then we lost her :( She says she's not quite ready for the commitment, but we'll keep trying to work on her. Other than that I don't have much news. I'm trying my best to stop gaining weight, and the mission has an exercise program where if i'm really determined, I should lose weight, and maybe gain muscle, but probably not.

I still haven't gotten those pictures you sent, but I will for sure let you know when I do. The maritimes are a fun place to be, and I definitely am loving my mission so far. I really want to go to Newfoundland, but maybe I'll end up there someday. Well, that's all I have for now. Congratulations on the play mom, and I hope everyone is doing amazing! Gotta go and do missionary work!(well, after food and a few other things, it is p-day after all).


Love you all,
Elder Dooley

Warming up

Well, this week has been normal I guess, nothing really exciting to report on. The weather has thankfully started to warm up a bit, and for the first time in a while got over freezing for once. We've still had quite a bit of shoveling, but not as much as we usually do. There hasn't been a whole lot of snow this week, and that's about it.

We haven't been able to meet with any of the new investigators this past week. They just haven't been there when we go by, or they never answer their phones. Hopefully we can get in contact with them soon though. We fear that one of the investigators may have talked to an Anti-mormon this past week, and that's why we haven't been able to get a hold of her. The reason we worry is because she lives across the street from a crazy anti lady, but thankfully her neighbours are active members that can help her out with anything that she needs.

We found out from some members yesterday who the new mission president will be, but I can't remember his name. I do know however that he is an accountant from Orlando, Florida that has been running a firm there, and is now coming out here in July.

This week, we didn't do a whole lot, we had a lot of dinner appointments, (one every night), and i think this area is too good for me. I've been eating a lot due to the appointments, and have started gaining some weight. I am going to try to cut down though. My new companion that i'll get on thursday is apparently trying to lose weight as well, so I guess that'll help me out.

Daylight savings really threw me off yesterday. Our phone was supposed to change automatically, but it didn't and therefore didn't go off at the right time. we didn't miss any meetings thankfully, but we missed breakfast so all through church my stomach was growling.

Spiritual thought for the day comes from my personal studies this morning in Abraham chapter 3. It's talking about the different times of different planets, and how the inhabitants know time as it is according to their planet. The time of Kolob is similar to God's time which is about 1 day for every 1000 years we go through. When the earth is exalted, and we become like God, the celestial kingdom will be with God so our time will be like his, where 1 day is 1000 days for us. The Terrestrial kingdom will be half way between Kolob's time, and Present earth time, and then the Telestial world, will be the same time as we know it today. Pretty interesting don't you think?

Well, that's all I have for now, but I'll let you know how this week goes. It's probably going to be crazy though due to transfers.

Stay warm and stay safe, Don't forget to pray to have the spirit in your lives,

love you all,
Elder Dooley