3.17.13

Well this week was pretty average. We had a lot of meetings with the leadership of the branch. Its pretty exciting to hear all sorts of new ideas and thoughts on how to help the branch improve and then even better to see some of those ideas turn into actions. I'm looking forward to see what else changes and how we can use it to build a stronger branch not just for the members but for all those that will come visiting or investigating the church. 

Other than all that, not too much has changed. The weather had gotten hot over the last few days. Up into the 80s. Geez, what happened to spring? Im not looking forward to the summer and the blazing heat. After one of our lessons yesterday, we went out to our car, opened the door and got hit with a familiar but not missed blast of hot air. Oh boy. Hopefully it cools down bit now before we head into the real summer.

Glad to hear you all are doing well! Make it a great week!

Love

Elder Phong Manhardt

3.11.13

Well, this week went fast and slow like many weeks do. By the time that Sunday came, I could hardly believe it was already time to go to church again. But at the same time, if felt like last Sunday was forever ago.

We had an extra meeting this week. A special zone meeting with President Ashton there. We had some good trainings and I definitely learned a lot. We also got burritos for lunch, so that was spectacular.

Yesterday was a pretty fun day. After church and lunch and some more study time, we went to visit a member of the branch. We had a good lesson. At the end, we asked if there was anything we could do to help her and she said, yeah you can stay longer and eat my food. Ha. It was great. We had spring rolls. Then we went to teach a less active member and got to help them move around some furniture. Some good ole work. 

Another change that happened this week is that the missionary department had changed the policy for emailing. We are now allowed to email friends and such as well. So, if you could get that out to people, I'm sure I would be able to keep contact with more people. 

Thanks everybody and have a great week!

Love

Elder Phong Manhardt

3.4.12

Well, its been another week. We did get to go to the transfer meeting. The only problem is that it wasnt really that exciting. Because there were so many new missionaries coming in (34) there wanst too much movement among the missionaries. Also the number we heard before about 13 areas opening was wrong. It was only 8. Of course, that is still a ton, but its not 13. What ended up happening is that the mission received several visa-waiter missionaries and so a lot of training companionships are actually trios (my guess being that then they can leaved immediately when they get their visas without there needing to be emergency transfers). Its a pretty crazy thought of training two new missionaries at the same time. But, whatever, things will work out. They always do. Its also definitely a good thing that we were at the meeting because with so many trios, there were a lot of problems with how people would get home from the meeting. It was pretty chaotic as people tried to figure out how to get bodies and luggage to their assigned areas. But it all worked out. Like always.

The other big news of the week is that President Morgenegg was released as the branch president. So we had the stake presidency at our sacrament meeting as well. We (as in the whole branch) are pretty sad to see Pres Morgenegg go, but once again, things will work out. They always do. The new branch president is President Berhmann (I honestly dont know how to spell that, but I think thats right). As for changes outside the branch presidency, we will have to wait to see what/if anything happens.

 

Thats all I've got for now! Make it a great week!

 

Love

Elder Phong Manhardt

2.25.13

Last week, again, was pretty average. Not too much changed and I'm not really sure what to write. 

This week is the start of another transfer. There is a ton of missionaries coming in this week. In fact, we heard that there will be 13 new areas opened up. Many of the new ones are sisters. Actually, this last transfer we had a new sister in our district. She had to do the whole 12 week training program in this shortened 5 week transfer so that she can train a new sister now. Its pretty crazy. Nothing is changing as far as our companionship goes, but we are hoping to be allowed to go to the transfer meeting anyways (to drive other missionaries or something) because it will be a very exciting one. We'll see what happens.

Make it a great week!

Love

Elder Phong Manhardt