Dear Mama, Daddy-o, Sis, Jamie-Jams, and everyone else reading,
Things are great in Ohio! I'm loving it here so much. We had 14 on our flight, and 15 total coming to Ohio (All coming to the Cleveland Mission). My first area is called Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio Area and my trainer is Elder Helton. He's great! Our mission is testing out a new training plan and we are the first to do it. We now have a trainer for 3 months, but by the end of the 3 months we as missionaries should be prepared to train other new missionaries. Crazy huh?
As far as singing goes I had to opportunity to sing at the MTC farewell devotional last Monday for all the missionaries leaving in the next week, and Elder Pontius and I put together "God Be With You Til' We Meet Again," with our District which we sung for our Farewell Sacrament Meeting. Elder Helton plays piano so yesterday we performed, "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing," for my first Sunday here, which was also Ward Conference. It went swell.:) I have been told that we will have many more opportunities to use our musical talents in the near future.
We have 3 new investigators since I got here and 1 other that was being taught before I got here. Their names are Sister Kathy, Sister Jones (Jabrina), Sister Jones (Janae), and Sister Cummings. All are set to prepare for baptism by the 30th of July (hopefully we'll be able to move the dates up.) The only exception is Sister Cummings who's is planned for the 23rd of July, she's the one who was committed before I got here. I'm loving the work, and love being able to share the Gospel to those in need of it. Not everyone is at a point where they are ready to receive it, but when we find those who do...it's an incredible feeling. I have now seen how the Gospel truly changes lives and uplifts people in a way unlike any other. I wouldn't trade this experience of witnessing the Gospel help others for anything in the world.
Mondays are my preparation days, so this is when I will be emailing and writing letters. Family (immediate and extended) can email me. I think I will do a bit of both (email and written letters) back. You can do the same, my address for writing now is:
1383 Buckingham Gate Apt. 14, Cuyahoga Falls OH, 44221
...and please feel free to put that up on facebook and the blog. I have really enjoyed your letters and testimonies that you have written to me. I love reading how everyone's doing and especially enjoyed hearing how you feel about the Gospel.
I have a great bike, brand spankin new TREK bike that is wonderful. We also have a car, but we have used bikes a couple times this week when we go contacting. We had a bit of an accident yesterday as we were riding though...Some of the sidewalks here are pushed up in sections quite a bit from tree roots and stuff. Elder Helton happened to hit one yesterday that blew out both of his tires, so today we will be fixing his bike. Good times. A member was kind enough to come get us and take us back to our apartment since we were on the other side of our area. Thank you Brother Burt!
Brother and Sister Lawyer...you were absolutely right! People here in Ohio are a horse of a different color, but I sure love them! I'm loving it here and loving serving the people here. For the most part they are all very welcoming and kind people with the funniest personalities. There are a few exceptions...but they make for good stories after.:)
I have some friends that said they would be writting...I haven't heard from them yet, and I am very surprised...maybe they just don't know my address?? Anyways, hopefully I'll hear from them soon too.:)
Well I sure love you all very much, and miss you all. But I'd very much rather be here right now.:) It sounds like all of you are havin lots of fun and enjoying summer...summer has been ok here, I haven't died of heat yet (it does get warm though.) I look forward to hearing from you all this next week!!
Love,
Elder Christopher Weaver
