Christmas Phone Call

Christmas morning started off GREAT with "Elder Partridge" calling and waking us up at 8:00. It was so fun to hear his voice and remember how deep it is! He is LOVING life as a missionary! On December 19, he was able to baptize a boy that's 11 years old named Julio and speak at the baptism, also. He said it was an amazing experience. (Thanks for the pic, Chris.)

His companion in this pic, Elder Dyson, went home on the 23rd, so he has a new companion, Elder Rohbock, but he stayed in the same area. They were going to spend their Christmas at a member's home in Elder Rohbock's old area where they were eating breakfast, opening presents, watching movies, talking to us!!!! and then going to meet with the zone to watch another movie! We were able to talk to him for quite awhile and just enjoy the visit. We miss him terribly, but wouldn't want him anywhere else this Christmas!

He sent us a cute Christmas present...it's one of his name badges that has a magnet on the back of it, so it's now on our fridge with all of our other special magnets! He also sent us the fun pictures below.

His first baptism, Teresa.


Definitely not in Arizona anymore!


The Arizona Boys!

Merry Christmas!!!

Unexpected Surprise

I am the ward mission leader in the Northpoint 3rd Ward in Salt Lake. Your son started his mission in our stake. I have been with him from the beginning and I have certainly been proud of him. You certainly can. I have been with him on many lessons that he has taught. They are spiritual and he does a wonderful job. He is a good missionary. He and his companion, Elder Dyson, get along very well and are a great companionship. I was telling his companion last week, that he doesn’t need a trainer any more. You would think that he was a senior companion. When we do exchanges, companions separating and working with members, some times the new missionary needs a lot of help. Your son never needs help. He is very prepared and bears his testimony with force. His companion is going home next week and we really do not need a real experienced missionary to take his place because your son can lead out and show the way. Your son never complains about anything, instead builds people up and supports them. We are proud of him and the investigators love him. Yesterday in a meeting, the investigator was saying good bye to Elder Dyson and then asking your son to please continue teaching her after Christmas. He is her missionary now. (This is a grown woman)
I am not too sure how much he is enjoying the snow. I was telling him this afternoon as we were going to a lesson to walk with his hands out of his pockets in case he steps on ice and slips. Other missionaries, when they see their car parked, always pile snow on the windshield if there is not snow on it already. Your son is very good at cleaning snow off of windshields. This is a joke with the missionaries. Your son takes everything very good natured. He is enjoyable to be around. He is always prepared, organized and spiritual. We enjoy having him here. Thank you for sending him to us. We will take care of him.

PS: The joking around happens to all missionaries. They are all very close.

December 16 Email

Dear Friends and Family! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Not a whole lot has happened this past week so there isn't a lot to write about! The snow has turned into ice and it's very fun! NOT!!!!! However, there is quite a funny story about my companion and I slipping on ice! last week HE slipped and fell and I didn't so he was like "what the heck! I thought you were the one with bad balance!" (b/c of my surgery and what not). so the rest of the day he was constantly trying to get me to fall by "tripping" me! However, despite his best efforts, I never fell; but in the process of trying to trip me, he slipped and fell twice! haha a couple days later, we switched roles and guess what happened? He never fell but I fell twice! haha I guess what goes around comes around!
Anyway, I know how to say awkward in sign language now b/c almost everything that comes out of my mouth when I start a conversation with someone is really really awkward! It's very frustrating yet at the same time hillarious! So after we contact people, most of the time, we walk away and do the awkward sign! If you'd like to know more about how to say awkward in sign language, please contact your local deaf person! or write me!
Note to family: There's a shortcut we take to get to the other side of our area, and in order to get there we have to go over the Jordan River on a bridge. So guess what game I taught to Elder Dyson the first time we went that way? Pooh sticks! and now we play it every time we take that path! and guess who always wins!?! Not me! haha it definitely reminds me of the cabin!
Oh, BTW, a new rule is out from Pres Sonne that I am only to email family so friends will have to mail their letters to me! either hand written, or typed and printed out and mailed! it kinda stinks but rules are rules and they're there for a reason!
This week I talked to my very first drunk person! yay! He was acting very very wierd and I didn't understand why until we walked away and my comp asked me if I noticed anything unusual about that man! I said it was obvious that he was acting unusual, but being the innocent person I am from growing up in my Mesa, Mountain View bubble, I'd never encountered anyone who was very very drunk before! So Elder Dyson told me and everything suddenly made sense!
We're having a baptism this Saturday at 7:00 pm at the Rose Park North Stake Center on 12th and 12th in the South east font room! We've been teaching a boy named Julio who is 11 years old and he's getting baptized with his little sister who's 8! We found him by checking our list of children who haven't been baptized and his mom thought he'd been baptized! they're an active family who have been coming to church regularly for the past 6 months! so we basically just set up his baptism the first time we stopped by. We've been teaching him for the past 2 weeks and he has asked if I can baptize him! Heck yes I can! So I'm really really pumped if you couldn't tell! It's a big deal! Not just kinda a big deal! It is a really big deal! I'm soooooooo excited for Saturday! He's a way smart kid and he's got a pretty cool Mohawk, but he can totally get away with that look! I would never be able to get away with a Mohawk! Just remember, the church is true! everyone have a very Merry Christmas and remember why we celebrate this wonderful holiday!
Love Elder Partridge!

December 10 Email!

Hi everybody! The snow is here in Salt Lake, and this time it's going to stay! I got my first experience snow shoveling on my mission this week and all I have to show for it is a blister on my hand! yay! There were a ton of really cool experiences this week but I'm just gonna share one! One of the things we need to do each day is "hard commit." so we'd gone the whole day w/out hard commiting anyone and I was trying to think of how we were going to accomplish this! So we looked at our plans and we had written down to go by one of the bishops in the stake. So we walked to his house to fill him in on what was goinig on in his ward (b/c he had been out of town the last 3 weeks). So we got there and let him know about everything and then we thought of something. He's really good friends with one of our investigators mother! and every time we set a date for him to be baptized, she has something going on that won't allow the baptism to go through! So when we were with the bishop, we asked him if he'd be able to help us out by asking them if Dec. 19 would work for a baptism! So he called them right then and hard committed them for Dec. 19 and they accepted! So not only were we able to fulfill our requirement to hard commit somone that night, but we also realized that we had received direct revelation to go to his house and ask him if he could help us by commiting them. I know that nothing happens by coincidence, but everything happens for one reason or another, even when we don't know what that reason is! Thanks for everything you all do for me! I love you all and appreciate you!
Love Elder Partridge

*Yesterday was Zone Conference, so he didn't get to email. Glad he's not sick! :)

December 9 Email

No email today! I'm assuming that he or his companion are sick. :(

December 3 Email!

So we had Thanksgiving this week! Yay! I love eating tons of food; twice, b/c we had 2 dinners! instead of having a normal day of work, we deep cleaned our apartment! it was so fun! NOT! but we had to do it some time anyway, so it was ok!

We also had transfers just yesterday! Elder Dyson and I are staying together until he goes home, so I get to kill him! (that's mission lingo for being his last comp). We went to the transfers though b/c we had to get a new gas card since we have a car and all! yesssss!!!! I'm soooo lucky!

So just to boast in the power of the Lord to fulfill his promises to his children: Our mission baptized 79 people this weekend and 246 in the month of November! That's 246 people who have accepted the gospel and entered into a covenant with our Heavenly Father and can now return to live with Him again! It's truely incredible!

We also went to the Samoan Ward Relief Society closing social! There were 7 of those buffet tables full of food; just one pan after the other! After we piled a mountain of food on our plates and sat down they said "Good, leave this here and get another one." so we piled another mountain of food on a plate and sat down and started eating. And for the next 30 min, one person after another just kept bringing plates and plates of food to our table! we have to be in by 9:00 pm so we told them we had to go, so they piled all the food onto 7 plates and sent them home with us! They're so funny too; one of the brothers in the ward is on the high council and we went in line with him and he kept telling us what everything was! haha he's like "Elders, we don't eat horse: This is pork cooked in the samoan style, so it's good! This is sausage, but it's cooked in the Samoan style so it's better! Oh and elders, this is shrimp!" hahahaha that was the best one b/c It's shrimp, it looks the same every way it's cooked! hahaha Oh and the bishop assured us we could eat as much as we can and we won't get sick b/c the food's already been blessed! hahaha

Another cool thing that happened this week was...BYU WON!!!!!! Yes! Congratulations!

The spiritual story from the Elders in Rose Park North area this week is about someone we met 2 days ago! His name is David Solomon! He's 15 years old and lives with his mom, dad, sister and cousin/brother. His mom and cousin are the only members of the church in the family and we had been trying to contact David for 5 weeks! We were about to stop trying b/c they never answered the door once in the whole time we were trying, no matter what time of day it was! So this last time we were trying, they were home! the dad answered the door and we sat down and talked with him and David (the son) about meeting with us and working towards baptism! They were both excited and told us to come back tommorrow. So we showed up to the lesson, and one of the rules we have as missionaries is we need 3 men over 18 in the house to be able to teach, and there wasn't a third male. So we asked if we could get someone and come back in an hour to teach them. So for the next half hour we stood outside in the 16 degree weather and called over 12 people and noone could help us! We were trying everything to get someone and noone could so we were starting to get worried. So we both said a prayer in our hearts that someone would be able to go with us! Finally the WML talked to someone and convinced them to help us out! Then when we got there to teach, about 5 min later, the father walked in so we didn't even end up needing the member to be there! But I know that Heavenly Father hears our prayers, and we can always have prayer in our heart! So last night we met with David, and his mom and cousin sat in on the lessons, and we taught him about the restoration of the gospel! We also committed him to be baptized on Dec 19 and he accepted! So that's another prayer the Lord answered for us last night! I know that The Lord has everything happen for a reason and that nothing just happens by coincidence! I know that the message I am sharing to everyone is true and that this is what I need to be doing in my life! I also know that we will be blessed for trying our best to keep all of God's commandments! I love you all and appreciate the influence each of you have had in my life to strengthen me!

Love,
Elder Partridge!

December 2 Letter

Dear Fam!

Love you tons! Here's a little more about what went on this week!

Nov. 12--I gave a blessing today! We had interviews with Pres. Sonne, too! While people are being interviewed, we have training from Sis. Sonne and the AP's (Assistants to the President). All that stuff's in my study journal! Tonight we went on exchanges with the AP's. I went with Elder Bunker and Elder D went with Elder Strobatski! That was cool and I did good with everything I did. Then we taught Lanae! I ended up being the one who spoke most of the time! But it was my first experience where I spoke, but don't remember what I said! It was amazing. Sis Lee-the Ward Mission Leader for the ward is at almost every lesson with us! She bears a strong testimony and is a great asset to have when we teach to help invite the Spirit!

Nov. 13--We went in early today because Elder D. is getting sick! So we came in at 8:40 pm and he crashed! We had our first lesson with Kathy Tallbrother and her daughter, Langi! They're Navajo! She's read the Book of Mormon a lot-3 times through and has a testimony of it, but doesn't understand a lot of the things it says because of the language in the Book of Mormon! So we read in Mormon with her about what things mean! We took turns reading, then stopped after each verse and broke it down and answered questions she had! Then Elder D felt like death so we called it an early night so he could get better!

Nov. 14-So missionaries don't eat as much as I thought! I ate 2 cans of Chef Boyardi Ravioli for lunch and Elder Dyson thought I was crazy! Two cans is nothing to me!

Nov. 16-When I ate the grande meal last week, I made a name for myself as the one who eats a lot, so if anyone has food they're not going to eat-like at lunch today at Carl's after Zone Meeting-they give it to me! I got a calling today! I'm 2nd counselor in the P-day committee counsel coordinating quorum! With Elder Jackson-Pres, DL Elder Hancock-1st counselor, Me, and Elder Kutell-Sec! :) By the way, here are the Elders in the Pioneer Zone this transfer: Elder Williams & Elder Gillmore, Elder Sanchez & Elder Lewis-ZL's, Elder Brimicombe & Elder Orme, Elder Hancock-DL & Elder Houk, Elder Domingez & Elder Cuelston, Elder Blanco_DL and Elder Gonzalez, Elder Jackson & Elder Whiteman, Elder Kutell & Elder Rooney, and Elder Dyson & Elder Partridge-Me! I got some coupons for Carl's Jr. because the owner saw us and gave us some because we were eating there.

Nov. 17-We had our last New Missionary Training today! Tonight we had that sweet lesson with Patti McDonald! Oh Ya! and Elder Dyson just knocked over a glass of water on my desk and soaked some stuff! Not to mention me!

Love you guys!
Elder P.

*Transfers were today and I didn't receive an email from B, so I'm assuming it may come tomorrow...???

Some Weeks...

...it seems like Wednesday will NEVER come!

Elder B's Mom

November 25 Email

Dear todos las personas importantes!
So we've come up with a scale to see how funny I think things are! if I chuckle, it's a 1; if I laugh, it's a 2; if I repeat what they said and laugh, it's a 3; and if I just laugh, it's a 4,5,6,7,8,9,10 depending on how funny I really think it is! so every time I say something that they said and I thought was funny they say, "You thought that was funny!" haha
So I've been having a bunch of weird dreams with people from back home in them! crazy!
I had my first baptism on Sat.! yay! kinda! she got baptized but we did nothing to teach her or anything! she was taught by the last elders and got swine flu and then got over the flu and we were here! so we baptized her! but also it's not a full baptism yet b/c she hasn't been confirmed yet! so IDK what's going on really! I'm kinda trippin'!
We also went to a welcome home of a Tongan missionary who just got back from the Phillipines 2 days ago! His sister isn't a member of the church and so we went to meet her but she didn't come; so of course we had to eat because they were having a fatty feast! so Elder Dyson and I were led to a table and literally after we sat down, 5 min later there were 8-yes 8-girls our age sitting at the table with us flirting with us! I felt so awkward b/c we're not supposed to flirt with girls #1 and I Haven't flirted with a girl for a long time!
I also received my first cut on my knuckles from tracting! they told me I wouldn't need to tract that much in Salt Lake! But apperently they've never been to Rose Park! They lied to me!
Time for the Spiritual event of the week! YAY!!!We're teaching a 16 year old girl named Lanea who is a Jr. in High School! We've been meeting with her for about 4-5 weeks now, and she's been praying and reading like we've asked her to! and in our most recent lesson with her she prayed with us to know if she should be baptized on Dec. 5 - b/c that's the day Elder Dyson and I both thought of after praying about it - and she recieved a witness from the Holy Ghost that she should be baptized that day! And she talked to her aunt about it and her aunt is very supportive of her being baptized even though her aunt isn't a member of the church either!
The End (for this week)! Have a blast of a week and remember, the Church is true!Love you all and you're kindof a big deal! remember that!
Love Elder Partridge!

November 18 Email

Hello everyone! so this week on Saturday, all the new missionaries and the trainers did what's called "extreme street contacting". We get the greenies and trainers and do some switchin so everyone has a different comp for the street contacting! I was with Elder Kristola from Finland! (he's elder Jorgensen's trainer)! The fun twist is...We did it in a BLIZZARD!!!!!!!!! It was very very cold! And I got snow in my hair! we were on 400 W from 300 S - 200 N downtown! (right by the Gateway mall and Energy Solutions arena-where the Utah Jazz play). There was hardly anyone outside! it was kinda rediculous! like the third person we talked to flipped us off and swore at us! She was up in our grill and everything and I was way confused b/c that's the first anti I've run into. but Elder Kristola just smiled at her and said "have a good day!" We did this up and down 400 W for 4 hours! and it was set up as a competition! Each companionship got a certain number of supplies to give out, and there was a points system with different points for each of the supplies and commitments such as a hard commitment (baptismal commitment) and lessons taught, etc. so really we could only win by relying on doing things other than just handing out supplies! The big pointers were a "yes" to a hard commitment, a full referal card and teaching lessons! so we focused on those! and we ended up in 2nd place! we only lost by 10 points! but it's ok b/c the prize was pretty lame anyway!
Elder Dyson makes fun of me H-core for using a shoehorn! but he's wrong! a shoehorn is boss! There's no dissing on the shoehorn!
At one of our dinners, the little girl tried to give elder Dyson and me family kisses! haha it was very funny!
On a more spiritual note! Last night may have been the most spiritual lesson I've experienced! We met with Patti McDonald for our fourth lesson with her! She's going through a ton of rough times right now in life! we talked about how she can recognize the spirit in her life and showed her the ways in which she's already experienced the power of the Holy Ghost in her life! Then the Spirit flooded the room as Elder Dyson was speaking to her! We committed her to be baptized on Dec. 12 and she wasn't sure if she'd feel ready to be baptized that soon! So we committed her to pray specifically that night to pray to get an answer from Heavenly Father that she should be baptized on the 12 of Dec! and then sit pondering about it afterward and look for the feeling of the Spirit to testify to her that she does need to be baptized on that day! and we promised her as servants of Jesus Christ that she will recieve an answer! And I know She recieved that answer last night and will want to be baptized on the 12.
I love you guys a ton!!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much for all your thoughts and prayers!!! It's sweet to hear about everyone getting their calls and stuff!

Love Elder Partridge!



*I happened to be in UT for the Saturday blizzard he talks about and as the snow was blowing sideways all I could think about was how I was sure he wouldn't have to be out in such bad weather! HA! Was I wrong!!!
Cyn

November 17 Letter

Dear Fam!
A little about the week!
Nov. 4-Wed. I don't know if I said this before, but today we got a breakfast and training from Pre. & Sis. Sonne as a reward for our zone putting 20 new people on date for baptism. The training was about mercy, justice, the atonement, and parenting! I also went to Deseret Industries at welfare square today. There's a family we're teaching that I'm going to write Kayla about and ask her to let you know when she gets it! It's really cool though! Be excited!
Nov. 5-Thurs. Tonight we went on exchanges with the DL! I went into their area with Elder Houk (The DL's comp) while DL Elder Hancock came to our area with Elder Dyson. Elder Houk is an insane driver! I've driven 10 times better than how he did with my double vision! I was scared for my life!
Nov. 6-Fri Today we met with a family that I'm writing Kayla about also! A different one! By-the-way, I'm not writing her about them and not you because I love her more, but because she'll think it's way cool and can relate! I'll hint! The man's name is Ali Muhammad! So ya, ask her about him when she gets the letter in about a week. Tonight was really hard! All our appointments dogged us so we ended up walking about 15-20 blocks in a big circle because we parked and walked to save miles! But no one was home! A dog totally slobbered on my head! It was disgusting!
Nov. 7-Sat. Today I drove!...A lawn mower! Don't think that's allowed though? oops! Only thought of that afterwards! We ended up doing a ton of service today instead of teaching the people like we'd planned! We totally lost our phone, so we checked everywhere we'd been, said a prayer and were prompted again to go look in this one spot in front of one of our investigator's homes and we were kicking through the leaves and feeling around because it was night and a man next door came out and asked if we were looking for our phone! He had it and gave it to us and we talked with him and he's not a member! That was such a faith building experience!
Ok, I'm just going to talk about this family that I'm going to write Kayla about cause I can't stand it! They're from Tonga! Her name is Ofa and her brother's name is Nua and they're from Cali and just moved here a month ago and actually, they were born in Mesa! Cool! Their grandfather is the minister for the Free Church of Tonga! Our appointment fell through with them today, but half an hour later, like 2 blocks away from where they live, they pulled over and gave us hot chocolate because they felt bad and wanted to let us know the original time we set up for the next lesson wouldn't work and we rescheduled! It showed a lot of integrity!
Nov. 8-Sun-We spoke in church today! Yay! and we went to the Samoan Ward! Not gonna lie, it was sweet! But only one of our investigators came to church today! :( and she's not even on date!
Nov. 9-Mon. Zone meeting was really good today! I learned/realized we can ask God as missionaries to give our investigators a witness right there! We went on exchanges again with the DL and this time, I was with Elder Hancock in our area! We taught Emmanuel, which went well, but Suzanne was gone! :( Then we went to Ofa and Nua's and their other sister and her son to teach them a little! Actually, we learned that the sister is already a member and her mom's family is very active, but her dad's side is the Church of Tonga! They're sweet! I'm sad though because we gave them to the Tongan Elders to teach! But I know it'll be better because the Tongan Elders know more about the culture and the Tongan Ward will be amazing to fellowship them! Then we-all 4 of us-went to a lesson with Theresa who's getting baptized on the 2! Yay!!!

Nov. 10-Tues. Tonight we ate with some members at a Chinese buffet! I tried octopus! We also taught Patty McDonald tonight and had Stake Correlation with the Ward Mission Leaders!
Love y'all!
Love,
Elder Partridge

November 11 Email

Dear everyone that's cool and reads my letters!
This will probably be a shorter letter but cool none the less! So the other day I ate the taco bell grande meal and everyone was confused and impressed! my comp called me a freak for being able to do that! (in a good way). and my zl says I'm amazing and not just b/c i can eat a grande meal and not even be phased! The work status is! kinda stagnant and about to elevate to extremely busy and good! It's really hard for me to remember what happened in this week so IDK!
We go on exchanges 3 times a week with ward members and with the dl and zls every so often! I'm still trying to get used to it! It's weird though b/c I seem to be more bold when I'm on exchanges! I got to speak in church on Sunday! I did good considering we got the call on Sat. and I didn't do anything to prepare! The opening speaker talked on God's love for us! then i spoke on our love for God! then my comp. spoke on love for our neighbor! yay! I spoke for a total of 7 whole min! so it was short and sweet! IDK? everyone said they enjoyed it and I was a natural! but I prefer not getting a big head and always finding things I can improve on!
Last night I tried octopus for my first time! it was good! it was like chewing on a well seasoned twisted piece of rubber! mmm...
Our investigators are great and we have a couple baptisms lined up for the 21 and then a bunch lined up for the 28 which we'll see how it goes cuz that's the day of the BYU Utah game! :)
Love you guys! thanks for your thoughts and prayers! oh btw! the Zion mission theme song is hymn 248! "Up Awake..." check it out! it rocks my socks! Peace! out!
Love,!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Partridge!!!!!!!

November 9, Amazingly Great Letter!

Dear Family!
We just found a CD player in the closet and are listening to an EFY CD right now because it's P-day and we get EFY CD listening abilities on P-day instead of just Mo-Tab! Actually, when Elder D was first out, Pres. Sonne just had the rule "anything that brings you closer to the Spirit" and he listened to Jack Johnson a lot, but people abused it, of course, and it got changed to Mo-Tab and talks!
Lauren! How are you doing?! I hope better! Take it easy! I'm glad to hear your harp concert was amazing! That thing (the harp) is a pain! But you sound awesome on it!
My apartment's way nice except for the 3 Black Widows we've killed and 1 we didn't! Scary! The members living above us are cool! Bro. Wanburg is in charge of growing and placing the flowers/plants on all of Temple Square! We have our own washer/dryer, own kitchen, study tables, couches/living room, bathroom, bedroom and closets! It's one of the better ones Elder D has ever been in!
Renee didn't get baptized on the 31st and she's moving so we're just finding out what she wants to do! She's still coming to church, but won't really meet with us regularly like she needs to before baptism, so we're just gonna figure out what she wants, commit her to do it, and meet with us or we'll move on! Because there's so much for us to do and if she's not committed, we will use our time to teach and find those that are committed! Thank you so much for the continual prayers for me and my comps and my investigators!
We did Temple service on Monday and besides vacuuming in the changing areas/women's lockers, we straightened the rows of chairs in the Solemn Assembly Room for them to shoot footage to use in the Visitor's Center! So if you go and see it, I arranged those right before they filmed that!
Honestly, I am feeling amazing! The normal things that I didn't like or bothered me back home don't bother me any more! I just have a deeper understanding and love, mainly from being totally immersed in the Gospel and just out of respect for everyone around me! My health is great! Unstable at times, but great!
Lauren, your room is incredible! I hope you realize how sweet it is and are grateful for it! My pumpkin's pretty sweet! not gonna lie! What did you guys do with it? SMASH IT?!?! haha
Filltridge's! 6 members!!! OH MY! How it's shrunk! Mom & Dad! You look rad! I like the white shirt and socks with the shorts! and the peace sign! As long as you guys are comfortable with yourselves, then whatever! haha I don't have to worry about you embarrassing me for 2 years! haha (This was in response to pics we sent him.)
Oct. 29--Zone Conference-We talked about Faith and Hope! We hope for something in life! Then we have a trial in all things! Then we do action to show our faith and every time we press through the trial-no matter how large or small-we will receive the blessing or thing hoped for! Tonight we got the Samoan Ward from our ZL's! YES!!!!
Oct. 30--I ate a whole burrito of tongue for lunch because Elder Orme thought I liked it that much! To imagine what it's like, imagine the rubber bumps on the back of the tooth brushes we use that are really cool! Now make it 4 times that big, but the same texture! That's the chunks of taste bud covered tongue in my burrito! :/! NO BIEN!!! We've promised Emmanuel and Suzanne that their bills will be paid and Emmanuel will get a job if they keep the commandment to come to church! Last week Suzanne had to work, but Emmanuel came with his daughter, Beyonce! And their bills have been paid!
Oct. 31--Halloween! Tonight we had a Zone party at the North Point church building! We played this tennis game with a kick ball and 2 people on each side and a net made of chairs! I was way good because of my volleyball skillz! We also watched "The Best Two Years"! It was even funnier now because I understand a lot more now and was watching it with 17 other missionaries!
Nov. 1--We traveled to the North boundary of the mission to check a referral with our Ward Mission Leader and right to the east of us is the airport, so we went out there on a road right before the runways start and the planes fly right over! So one P-day, we're gonna go out there and get some pics of planes right over us! Speaking of planes! There's a stunt pilot that flies right over our house some times! He's insane! Barrel rolls, flips, nose dives! He does it all! Insane! Our Zone goal for baptisms is 45 in November. Each companionship needs to get 2 people on date this week! Oh...in Psalms 46, count 46 words in and read the word! Now read 46 words from the back, not including the last word-the name Selah! Put the first and second words together! Who wrote the book of Psalms?! haha
Nov. 2--Elder Dyson was messing with the emergency brake while making phone calls and it got stuck! It got so bad, we said a prayer for help! We opened the trunk and the only thing we had was a cookie sheet we used on Halloween to bake pumpkin seeds! So I grabbed that and smacked it against the emergency brake button! And it released! :) Then we said a prayer of thanks! Very funny moment! I had my first Samoan dinner tonight! I love these people! God knows me so well to place me in this mission! Because He knows how much I love the Polynesian people and there are so many Polynesian people! I get to interact with them a lot! But He knows this is where I belong! It's very cool! We taught Lanae again tonight and cleaned up any questions in her mind about baptism and authority. The Spirit was so strong in that lesson and it was really obvious that she felt it!
Nov. 3--We had New Missionary Training today at the mission office! It was the first time I've seen my MTC District in 2 weeks! It was great to see them again and hear about some of their experiences! I bore my testimony about the power we've been given and our faith! I told how on exchanges the other day, DL Elder Hancock and I went to Emmanuel's and just stopped by to say his so Elder Hancock could meet him. Turns out he'd already seen him a week ago-this is Sat. the 31 and he was really drunk and stuff, so on Sunday, I fasted that today when we taught the Word of Wisdom, they would have no problems quitting that stuff! I bore my testimony that I knew they would because of my fast for them and my obedience, and the Lord was bound to do this! I told them that it hasn't happened yet, but I can already tell you what will happen. Later today, we had the lesson and guess what? They committed to keep the Word of Wisdom from now on and are still going to be baptized on Nov. 21 as a family!
That's about it! Love you all!
Love,
Elder Partridge

Latest Pics

Role playing with Jerry (foam ball) and Harry (Pumpkin).

Elder Partridge & Elder Chase Roberts @ MTC

Elder Partridge & Elder Tanner Hatch

Elder Dyson & Elder Partridge

First Snow!

Elder Scheifer & Elder Partridge @ MTC

The place where he ate his first head/tongue taco.

"Rose Park"...his area.

November 6 Letter

Hey Family!

Here's a little of what happened this week! (besides what I wrote in the email).

Friday- Oct. 23--I'm out of shape! We drove an Elder to the hospital for an appointment because we have a car and he and his comp don't! He's a Spanish speaking missionary in our area from Canada. We tried to read scriptures in the waiting room for study, but it was hard because the health channel was on in the corner right by us and there were some fun things it would talk about sometimes that we couldn't help but watch! It was annoying, yet funny!

For dinner we had a good orange chicken at a member's house. He went to Japan on his mission. We had a bundt-chocolaty chocolate goodness and mint chocolate chip ice cream for dessert! Renee got a job at Sizzler! We went to the Bishop's house and talked to him, then back out to work again. We work so hard!

Saturday-Oct. 24--"We slept in!!!"-Home Alone! Really we totally did on accident! We got out in time (sacrificing breakfast and our workout to start studying in time) and we stopped by a boy named Miguel who just got a job on Sundays! Dang! It doesn't seem like it will go anywhere, but I'm hoping it will! We taught our first lesson with a kid named Michael who's 19 and doesn't seem too excited to be learning about what we're teaching! He's not very committed. We stopped by Emmanuel's and he wasn't home, but a ton of kids came to the door! We taught a girl named Lanae! She's Samoan and from Window Rock, AZ. She's like 17! She's living with some friends of the family! Later that night, we stopped by the Dickerson's. A very nice family who's LDS except the father! (This is where I saw BYU vs. TCU). They'll be at the trunk or treat on Wednesday!

Sunday-October 25--We role played to Jerry and Harry Today! I went to 3 Sacrament Meetings which weren't long at all like I thought they'd seem! In one Ward, it was their Primary Program! For dinner, I had my first roast dinner! mmmm...it was a good one! It was a way cold night! My nose, ears, and fingers stung so bad from how cold it was! It was a very discouraging night because it was so cold! All I could think about was going back to my nice warm bed!...Sob story! Suck it up!

Monday-Oct. 26--It was a short night's sleep! :/ Today we had our Zone meeting! The goal is 20 new people on date by this weekend and 38 baptisms in the area for November. What we were taught/what we learned, was that as we prove ourselves this month(throughout my mission) the Lord will trust us and place people in our path! I need to learn how to tell people what I need to the way I think it because it sounds really bad when I talk to people! (That's why you just have the Spirit with you all the time and He'll tell you what you need to say! Tonight was the really discouraging night when all our appts. dogged us!

Tuesday-Oct 27--First snow fall in the mission field and we went contacting in it! I actually enjoyed it a lot when the big part of the storm came through and it snowed a ton with huge flakes! I like it more because during that time, it actually feels warmer than when it's not snowing. Then came the amazing experience with Emmanuel! Also, that night, we taught a Sis. McDonald whose son is on a mission in Columbia, but she's not a member! She's ready and willing to be baptized as soon as she gains a testimony for herself of the Book of Mormon.

Cool! Well, I hope to hear from you next week so I can talk more with what you're all up to! Keep me posted!
Love you tons!
Love,
Elder Partridge

November 4 Email

So the work progressed amazingly this week and I'll tell you why! O*B*E*D*I*E*N*C*E! WE ARE PROMISED AS SET APART SERVANTS OF THE LORD THAT BLESSINGS WILL ALWAYS COME ACCORDING TO OUR OBEDIENCE! Especially as a Zion Missionary! Qualifications include: Is meticulously obedient every day! Sacrifices the things of the world for the things of God! Teaches and testifies of the restored gospel to EVERYONE! Baptizes EVERY week! (6/transfer)! Serves God with all his/her heart might mind and strength! Knows and thoroughly understands the principles and doctrines of PMG ch. 3! Works Smart and focuses on key indicators! That's a Zion Missionary! That's what I am (or am working to become)!I have a ton of pride in this mission and the work we do! Especially how we do it! We do what's called a hard commit every day! We challenge at least one person a day to be baptized on a specific day! and I've only been denied a few times so far! so it's a huge key to the success of this mission! Being bold is vital to the work we do in this mission!
So we just got started to be fed by the Samoan Ward this week! and they make you eat and eat and eat! if you're done they'll say Elder, You're just resting? and you have to say yes! haha and there's a trend out here that all Polynesians follow! If they forget to feed you they say "Elders, we are so sorry! Here, Here's $40! go and get something to eat! That's what happened last night! I love it! but I'm also disappointed because I love eating with Polynesian people!
Love yall! The Church is true!
Love Elder Partridge!

*Because he has referred to being a "Zion Mission" a few times in the past, I asked him what that meant, so this is the explanation. :)

October 28 Email

So a lot has happened so I'll tell you about it! I had a "fun" week. We taught and found and every teaching appt. was dogged! aka it din't go through. The members do an awesome job! mainly the Ward mission leaders, but some members too! There are people from all over the world that come here! It's really cool! so the ZL's delivered mail yesterday and I only got one letter from the whole week! IDK if anyone is writing or if they just didn't get through or what, but please write me!!! I'm finally starting to figure everything out over here! like the grid and how to use the area book and all that good stuff. Something cool that happened on Mon.- we had a zone meeting and set our goal for the month of Nov! I'm way excited for the challenge and promises laid before us as a zone! Speaking of challenges and blessings, On Mon, all four of our apts. dogged us and we did everything we (Elder Dyson and I; but mostly Elder Dyson) could think of to fill in for the time we now had that we should be teaching in the three hours left in the day! Elder D said it's one of the most frustrating times in his mission! An Elder told him that when training, you'll either get an excess of blessings or a trial of your faith! He's already trained 2 missionaries and seen the excess of blessings, so I get to be the "trial of your faith" trainee! :) "But every cloud has a silver lining"-Tiki room, Disneyland! Yesterday, we went on exchanges with the ZL's! I got to go with Elder Sanchez! He's an amazing missionary! His English isn't the best, but that doesn't stop him from talking to everyone! He won't take no for an answer until he makes sure they know what they are saying no to! We got to teach one of the investigators Elder D and I were working with! His name is Emmanuel and he's from Sudan! It's pretty cool I guess! Actually it's amazing! The Spirit taught through me about the Atonement of Christ and I did my purpose as a missionary telling him to repent of his sins and be baptized on the 14 of Nov! And he said that he would!!! Elder D was flaberghasted when we reunited after exchanges! It's almost unheard of for a missionary to ask someone to be baptized and have them accept in thier first week out in the field! Also, "Baby it's cold outside," Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow," I never eat December snowflakes; I always wait until January"-Lucy, Merry Christmas Charlie Brown, "I hate Christmas! I hate it!"-The grinch-(The one with real people!) "It's snowing!!!"-Hook! Well, it is snowing now and is very cold! YAY! I better enjoy it while I can because I'm sure I'll be sick of it by the end of the transfer(Dec. 2).We have a lot more work to be done than I ever imagined we'd have in Salt Lake!
Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Send me letters! I''d really appreciate knowing what's goin down in the hood!
I love you family! Your amazing! Mom, I miss your cooking! Oh but I got to try a head and tongue taco on Monday! It was pretty good but wierd cuz I could see the taste buds on the tongue! so ya I still get to eat wierd foods even though I'm in Salt Lake! How's L's room looking!?! I'm kinda jealous, not gonna lie! It sounds sick!!! Send me a pic when you're done! Dad! I got to see BYU get stomped on!!! :( not fun! (We tracted into a part member family and They were watching it so I saw the last 2 min.) 38-7 isn't very good! I'm glad they got home field "advantage" for this game and Florida St. K! Hope school's going well let me know what you're up to!
Anyway, I'd write more according to what People asked me but I didn't get any letters! Oh accept for Will's; and sorry Will I haven't read it yet!
Love to all my brothers and sisters!
Love,
Elder Partridge!

*In our defense, he told us last time that his P-day which=emails was Thursday, so I had a bunch of stuff to tell him Thurs. But it turns out it's really Wed.! We've repented and are making up for our mistake.

Letter From Pres. Sonne

In a letter we received from Pres. Sonne telling us B got there safely, he said, "What a pleasure it was for Sister Sonne and me to welcome your son, Elder Partridge, into the Utah Salt Lake City Mission."

"I am impressed by your son's desire to serve. He is in high spirits as he anticipates the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Please be assured that Sister Sonne and I will be watching over him while he is here."

"Thank you for raising such an outstanding son, worthy and willing to serve the Lord full time in our mission."

October 21, 2009

Dear Family!

I'm here! Holla! We ate breakfast (sausage and pancakes). I ate a lot! My personality is shining through! They had to lift the board behind us because I'm so tall! We got to go to Temple Square and see the resources we have to use on a constant basis! It's so cool! The Sisters there can set up a tour based on the investigator's needs! I'll be going to the Temple every week if I'm in Salt Lake! I'm so excited! I'm going to be extremely bold! The goal is a "Zion Mission"! Becoming like Nephi (Helaman 10:4), and not being Martin Harris (Doctrine and Covenants 3:12-13)! Pres. Sonne said he has high expectations from me! I felt really cool that Bro. and Sis. Wilson already knew me! I'm sad they're leaving today! :( Anyway, I'll write more on P-day!

Love you a ton!

Love,

Elder Partridge

Last Pics From The MTC

Samuel Smith statue

Elder B--I'm sure the perfectly made bed is his! :)

Studying in class.

His district with Sis. Stroud, one of his teachers.

District by the map

With Elder Gardner

BYU Football. Go Cougars!

Elder Jorgensen

Three-some companionship,

Elder Partridge, Elder Jorgensen, and Elder Gardner plus Elder Smith.

Elder Partridge, Elder Smith, Elder Lomax, and Elder Jorgensen

I thought this was one of the photoshop/Matrix pics, then I saw how red his face is and realized he's actually on a small table doing it himself! Goofy boy, makes me smile!
Sorry the pics are blurry. I had to take pics of the pics and it didn't work so well this time.

Dear Family...

Hey Family!
Just real quick, I love you all a ton! I miss you but not that much! If you know what I mean!
Love!
eLDER pARTRIDGE!

First Email from SLC

So I got out into the field and it's hard! yet extremely amazing! I must say, I love the Trax! Yesterday me and my new comp Elder Dyson (like the vacuum) met and ate lunch together at the mission office! I'm sad the Wilsons left yesterday! :( but it's ok! We did a lot of orientation stuff with the staff and had our interviews with Pres and Sis Sonne! I don't need my Hep A shot till I get home! yes! So baisically I learned that Pres. Monson lives right across the street from the mission home! it's kinda a big deal! Anyway, we get a car! but yesterday we only used it to get from the office to our appartment (a basement in a member's home). It's cool! Something IMPORTANT to remember!!!!! I love getting mail! I'm way too busy to write baisically at all except for P-Day! and even then the day is packed full of stuff to do! keep writing me but don't be too mad at me if it takes weeks or months to reply! I will do my best with the little free time I'm given! anyway, more about my comp! He just reached master finder, the highest of four levels in the mission; and he's only been out 3 months!!!! jk, He's been out 21-22 months! but at least I'm not killing him off! (HOLDEN). He's from Mesa too! He went to Dobson and graduated in 2005! He's old! He really knows his stuff! So last night we went out and worked There was a family really wanting to get baptized but haven't been to church enough and are moving to Sandy in a few days so we can't baptize them! Shucks! We have the ward trunk or treat coming up though and used that to contact a family of four! we're teaching them the first lesson on Friday! Pray for us and them to feel the Spirit! We also used it to contact a man named Loren and his daughter, out walking the dog! He's Catholic and isn't too interested in the church but is really excited for the trunk or treat! But I know the power of the Lord; and if the Lord has prepared him, He won't be able to deny baptism! We've been taught to build this mission into a Zion mission! Therefore we are rather bold and blunt about our purpose, but we're still respectfull of others! there is a definite result of this! Last night, we got a miracle phone call! A woman named Rene has been going to church since March and was going to be baptized in July but didn't feel ready yet! She's moving in 9 days and wants to be baptized before she has to leave! We are baptizing her on Oct. 31! Please pray for her to keep this commitment! I know that the Lord has planned all this out and we were told this would happen a lot in this mission! We will show up in church one Sunday and the Bishop will tell us somone wants to be baptized! The member help is amazing! We get a ton of referals! I'm serving in the Temple Zone and got to go to the Temple today! I've been born in the Rose Park North Area which is the north most part of the mission! It's known for being the most ghetto area! So I guess everywhere else in the mission is pretty amazing cuz it's not even ghetto! We also walked into this guy from New Guinne, Africa named Abu! He is a member and is living with some friends who aren't members in an apartment! Alas, they are just out of our area! Drat! but we are in an area where we will be able to do a lot of tracting; which Elder Dyson has had a ton of success by doing this in other areas! It's a less wealthy community with a lot of refugees from all over the world! They are an extremely humble people! I love downtown Salt Lake! It's sweet to be in! I guess I have a much better memory than Elder Dyson's other "Sons" he's trained! But I feel retarded because I get way lost and the grid is so easy in Utah! Everything just moves out from 0 N. 0E. which is baisically Temple Square! I haven't ran into any protestors hatin on the church yet! oh but we parked by this outdoor mall and took the trax at the planetarium stop! Is Clarks Planetarium the same one we've gone to a couple times!?! cuz that place is sweet! I found out we're allowed to watch basically any G rated movie on our mission! and stuff like Forever Strong! We're at the Library doing our E-mails! Elder Aguilar'a right in front of us with his comp! Anyway, I'm basically done! a lot has happened in one day between E-mails! haha! I don't know how I'll tell you everything! I'll just have to tell you about the big things that happen in the week! Please Please Please pray for our investigators to feel the Spirit and desire to change! I love you all!

Love,
Elder Partridge!

P.S. Thursday is our P-Day!

October 18

It's Sunday and Elder Gardner leaves tomorrow along with most other Elders on our floor! It's pretty hard because we don't leave til Wed so we'll be doing a lot of the same stuff without people we usually do these with! But it'll be cool! Just a little weird til we leave and change! Love you!
Love,
Elder Partridge

October 14-17

10-14
We taught a lesson to some volunteers. I did great looking up scriptures because I got some tabs. We finished going through the 2 lessons and taught. For gym I did 500 jump ropes, ran 3 laps, sprinted 1, and walked 1. Then did 3 sets of 10 on leg press at 320 lbs. I've lost a pound since coming here. I've seen Aubrie, Jackson Lane, Nathan Fogth, Schiefer, MJ Roberts, and Chase Roberts. I've gotten 6 total packages. Back at the residence hall, I went to walk out the bedroom door and Elder Jorgensen scared me to death. I screamed and jumped into a karate kid stance and kicked him.

10-15
We cleaned the bathrooms today for service and I was the hose man! At lunch we had a fun argument laugh session mostly from making fun of me! We got a chat at the RC and I'm pretty sure this girl is going to be baptized.

10-16
We "taught" Sis. Stroud the Word of Wisdom. Then we took a district pic w/her. We did arms today for gym and I've gained 3 lbs. of muscle, I'm sure. I'm now 160 lbs. For Bro. W's class we taught him as himself! It was hard but was more like a discussion than a lesson. Then we learned how to address Bible bashing. I taught Elder Jorgensen and vise versa about faith! Later we did memorization.

10-17
So, Sis. Pratt subbed for Sis. Stroud today and guess what? Sis. Pratt's little sister, Lizzie Jensen, did Musical Theatre and I totally remember her! Then I did the teaching stuff w/Jorgensen again only we taught chastity, tithing, and baptism. We had a teaching appt. w/Hailey and Kelly, 2 volunteers, and we thought we were teaching them the law of tithing and 5 seconds before we knocked on the door we found out we had to teach the Word of Wisdom! So we had to wing it! Thank goodness we know how to invite the Spirit in and let Him teach through us! Cuz it actually went way good! Except they complemented us on our example and in response I said, "Sometimes we don't realize how great we are," trying to thank them, and everyone started laughing. After that, for class, we took a district pic w/Bro Wilding! And guess who I saw? (Actually, she saw me first.) Candace Shields! We shook hands and it was just way weird to see someone I knew that wasn't in the MTC.

Just thought I'd share some key points from my days for you to read! Elder Jorgensen's first name is Ben, not Adam. Sorry. I can totally see Blake in Texas! And Josh in Switzerland for that matter. My goose egg is going way down! I have soooo much food! I've gotten 8 packages and just got a slip for another one I have to pick up on Monday. I got the one from my friends!I'm excited to hear what Dad has to say about J. Golden and wish I could see the videos! I can't wait to get my pics and I know I won't get homesick! I got one from Ashlyn of me, her, Caleb, and Kimberly after we took down the volleyball stuff when I was up w/them. I won't get sick! Bummer about Libby, though! Swine flu can't be fun. How is Carson doing w/ it?

Love,
Elder Partridge

New Address

Today B left the MTC so his new address is:
(His name)
Utah Salt Lake City Mission
3487 S. 1300 E. West Entrance
Salt Lake City, UT 84106

(It's at the top of the blog, too!)

Thanks to all of you who have written and sent packages to him. He's beyond grateful! (And so are we!)

Loves!

Leaving The MTC!

October 20, 2009

So this week went by way fast! Elder Gardner left yesterday! :( I'll miss him and I know he'll do great in Portland! Thanks to everyone for the letters! and especially the packages! I did get the package from Sirrines; and it was great! Mom, I thought the Halloween gifts were great! I started hiding stretchy skeletons and mice all over the residence hall! and they are the hit of the district!haha, if only you know what you started! we whip each other and shoot them at each other! This has probably been one of the chillest weeks! nothing outrageous really happened; except that I'm leaving tommorrow!!!!! It's kinda a big deal! ha. We taught our teacher bro. Wilding! as himself with his life! We totally taught with the spirit and he told us he definately learned something from the way we taught! Yesterday, Elder Jorgensen and I taught for the first time without Elder Gardner with us! :/ and it went amazing! :) we really had the spirit with us! If you haven't realized yet, the Spirit is a HUGE part of teaching and everything else for that matter! Without the Holy Ghost, nothing would get done right! I'm so ready to leave for SLC tomorrow! I am at the peak of my MTC learning experience and am itching to use what I've learned and influence the lives of others! so, Elder Jorgensen happens to be a 3 time state champion and has 3 state titles! so Elder Gardner taught me how to land a leg kick! so I tried it on Elder Jorgensen and got him perfect! He grabbed me in a guillotine and threw me to the ground! It was funny! but next time I'll go for Elder Kiem! I love you all and love hearing from you! Next time I write, it will be from SALT LAKE!!! (or Wyoming haha)!
Love, Elder Partridge!

Fourth Letter

Dear Family,
It takes a rather long time for these letters to arrive so you'll be confused for awhile until you get this.
Everyone in my district is going to SLC except Elders Boyce, Johnson, and Gardner, so I'm in good company, and there are even more going that I don't know/haven't met.
So yesterday, an Elder next door went home. Not sure why, but didn't ask. His 2 room mates left to go to their mission areas, so Elder Gardner and I moved to the room next door and added Elder Jorgenson to our companionship so he wouldn't be alone. (He is going to SLC). Anyway, we left Elders Boyce and Johnson as room mates and they now have some fresh newbies! One of which definitely needs to work on his humility (He talked back to me!) Can you believe that?! He doesn't know who he's dealing with! :) We always keep the AC cranked to the lowest temp. and it feels amazing, except when we wake up and it's still dark and the moon is shining bright.
Today we moved on to the 2nd lesson! I'm excited ! There's a place called the RC where we call people to see if they get what they ordered and share a message with them. Today I talked on a call with a man and he cried while I bore my testimony to him over the phone. It was really cool. Oh! and off the subject, I prayed 17 times yesterday, and I missed a couple of times! I saw Elder Scheifer! yesterday and today! We also went to the TRC where we practice-taught the first lesson to a volunteer posing as an investigator. We ended up kinda teaching backwards because we focused on only answering her questions. But then we evaluated ourselves and went back in! The first visit with her we committed her to read and pray about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith and we got a return appointment. Then after the 10 minuted break we went back and kept answering questions and she asked how people join our church. I explained how Jesus set the example and by immersion. Then she was really interested and I asked her if she wanted to be baptized. We also did TEC where we did tracting with a teacher and was evaluated! We did that again later and worked on a return discussion.
Anyway, I love you!
Elder Partridge!

Message For Facebook and Blog

Dear Friends and Family of all ages!
The Gospel is true!
Send me letters! :)

Third Letter

October 6, 2009

Just an update. Today's P-day! We only wear P-day clothes for about 4 hours! It doesn't seem to make up for wearing the other clothes over 12 hours every day! I'm doing my laundry with Elder Gardner right now. Yesterday we kinda slacked and didn't have The Spirit as strong and we ended up getting pretty discouraged teaching an "8 year old" (practice). We were tired and on overload from the day and this came as a huge curve ball! But this morning we got to go to the Temple and it is amazing how much the Temple can help rejuvenate us and set us back on the path we were on; to work hard and work smart. It's hardest because the influence of others played a big role on how effective we were, but being able to think about the covenants we made at the Temple will help us be stronger willed. Elder Gardner said he couldn't ever picture me annoyed or mad. :) But it's all good up here! I'm waiting for some pics to send to you so you'll get more than 1 letter in the envelope.

Love ya,

Elder Partridge

Elder Johnson and Elder Boyce--his room mates

Elder Partridge and Elder Gardner--his Companion

Second Letter

October 4, 2009

Dear Family,
I'm excited for Hudson! Conference was great! How about Elder Holland's talk!!!? Pretty great stuff! Me and my comp. are still working hard! By-the-way, his first name is Chisum, as in from the John Wayne movie; and he told me that it was either going to be that or Rooster, also from John Wayne, and his mother would not let his father do that to him. (Thank goodness!) But he's great! Still! He says I'm pushing him hard, but that's giving me too much credit, meaning we both don't have to push each other hardly at all to do what we're supposed to because we both know what we need to do to prepare and we've both been taught how to work hard. He is a lot like dad and has a ton of stories about life growing up working and also about J. Golden Kimball. Do you know who that is? And if so, what are your feelings about him? Anyway, just an update. It's raining today, but yesterday and today we're not outside enough to know if a tornado swept through. Our schedule yesterday: Breakfast, Conference, Lunch, Conference, Dinner, Conference, Comp. study (reviewing notes), planning, bed. Seriously! But ya. Love you all. I get my email on Tuesday and get to send one out. I'll talk to ya then.
Love,
Elder Partridge

*Please send pics of my friends. :)

First Letter

September 30, 2009

Hey Family!
The first day at the MTC was great! I'm gonna love it here. And they tell me it gets even better. I dropped off my bags and headed straight to class. Then left for the new missionary orientation. I saw Aubrie (his cousin) when Cali people stood up. She was the aisle next to me 2 rows in front. Then we went to dinner! After that we had a teaching simulation. Then we met our zone leaders at the classroom. They're going to Bulgaria! They gave us a tour, but I still don't know where anything is. My companion is Elder Gardner; he is going to Portland, Oregon along with my other 2 room mates, Elder Johnson and Elder Boyce. But they are the only ones out of the 6 or 7 companionships. Everyone else is going to Salt Lake. My companion is really great. He's from a town called Wallsberg by Heber City up Provo Canyon. He lived on a farm and says he's kind of a hick! He is really excited to work! work! work! We'll get a lot done these 3 weeks. After dinner we got all turned around and went out "the doors of no return" after dinner. They call it that cause the only missionaries that go through those doors are leaving. I'll have a lot of time to write and read letters when we go back to the residence at night, but won't be able to mail until Prep. Day on Tuesday! So write me!!! The Gospel's still true. Love you all! Tell everyone hi.

What A Week!

So to start the week off, I got my first "transfer." one of the Elders left and so my comp and I moved next door and have a threesome now with Elder Jorgenson! It's sweet, we have the room all to ourselves and it's always really cold! I love it! This week I've been the reason for laughs! Besides my naturally comical personality, these are some of the things that have happened. so there was a really awkward moment when our teacher leaned across me to get something off the self and was like 3 inches away from me; then she looked at me and was like; "this is kinda awkward," and then kept trying to find whatever she was looking for! Next I was eating cinnamon rolls from sister Moore! (thank you), and I had to go wash up. (this is at night after lights out!) so I washed the frosting off my hands and face and when I came out of the bathroom I decided I was thirsty! So i side stepped over to the drinking fountain and totally tripped and ate it! I had to lie there for a while to ask myself if that really just happened! and ya! It did! Next, I went to put my wal-mart watch away and it slipped out of my hands and fell on the floor and the band broke! SERIOUSLY!!!!??? I kinda threw a fit not b/c it was expenive or anything, and I wasn't mad at all; but seriously?!! (btw my roommates cracked up in all these stories and I thought they were going to die laughing! Next, actually last night and last of all/the climax! last night we were going back to the residence after a long day! We were with Elder Garcia R. who had just aqrrived from Mexico! I was tired and zoned out just blank staring thinking (you know, day dreaming or whatever). so I had my head turning left looking at the buildings going by, and btw there are poles all over the mtc grounds holding up the aunings over the sidewalk. So like I said, I'm just walking at a brisk pace and all of a sudden, you guessed it, wham! actually it was more of a ping! I had walked into a dang pole! It knocked me on my back and as concerned as my companions were, they couldn't help themselves from cracking up! Poor Elder Garcia looked like he was about to die he was laughing so hard. to make a long story short, too late, I have a great sized goose egg on my head. the end! I promise mom, I'll be more carefull this week! Love you all and thanks for the prayers! as you see I'll need them! Love Elder Partridge

First Email

Dear Everyone,
This is my first email as a missionary. It's kind of a big deal. First week has been very busy. The first two days we didn't get a lot of time to do anything besides study, study, and devotionals. The new schedule is crazy!! It's hard to imagine I'm going to sleep at only 10:30 every night and waking up at 6:30 everyday. My MTC experience has given me many mosts in my life: Most spiritual i have felt, Most reponsible I have been, Most physically active I have been, Most full meals eaten in one day, Most fun I have had...psych! haha My district is great and they have a lot of energy; except at night. My companion is Elder Gardner and he is great. He is from Wallsburg, Utah which is a small town just up Provo Canyon and he is a COWBOY! He has a great love for this gospel and knows why he is out here. He lives on the farm and has a great work ethic. He is a lot like you Dad. He has a lot of good stories to tell and always finds a way to apply them to what we are teaching. Too bad he is going to Portland...sinner. Haha I have to make sure to put "Haha" so you know when to laugh. Haha I feel so grown up but I'm not alone so it is easier. I see the people I know all the time and finally made up a hand shake with Aubrey. We are not allowed to even think about girls, which is a struggle for me. Haha I get all I can eat, but not enough sleep. My companion works me hard in gym so I don't come back fat. haha since that is a real struggle for me. Haha We like to have a good time, but know when to be serious. Tomorrow should be fun with a new shipment of elders coming into the MTC. Got to go to the temple this morning, and it was an amazing experience. It was great to be able to remember the covenants we made at the start of this new week. We get a lot of time for MDT which is basically study time. We also get Companion Study and Personal Study everyday. Needless to say we still need a lot. Yesterday at the end of the day we had a practice teaching appointment with an eight year old girl named Kaitlyn. Our teacher played as Kaitlyn and it was a big curve ball to the way we have been teaching. We were on information overload and had a hard time going down to an eight year old level. We were pretty discouraged after struggling to teach but we are continually improving. My companion always knows how to fill in the blanks when I don't know what to say and vice versus...except for last night. Haha On page 126 in Preach My Gospel there is a list of virtues that we can rate ourselves on. My companion and I have decided to work together to help each other on which virtue we need to work on the most. We have great ideas and know a lot about the gospel we just need to find away to apply it to our lessons. Tomorrow we have an appointment to teach and recieve feedback from a teacher at the MTC. Another thing we do is nightly planning to set goals and plan the day. It is essential to missionary life. I'd like to thank the academy...Hahaha and I'd like to thank everyone for the support, prayers, and letters. Recieving letters is one thing I look forward to the most everyday. It was great to be able to cross the street and get out of prison jk haha the prisoners have it better. Haha but seriously I love everyone and Love the Gospel. I'm serving the Lord with all I have because that is what the Lord expects of me. The End Love Elder Partridge.

The Call

August 6, 2009

August 8, 2009

Make a Smilebox slideshow

*Sorry, I couldn't get the video of him opening the call to download. :(

Called To Serve

This blog is going to be used to keep you all informed of B's mission experiences. He has now been in the MTC in Provo for 36 hours. I won't give any juicy details right now because I want to have pictures to go with the post and they're not available to me right now, so stay tuned for lots of updates!

Elder D. Brantley Partridge
MTC Mailbox #153
UT-SLC 1021
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, UT 84606-1793

He'll be at this address until October 21 and then the address will be the one at the heading of this blog.

Welcome and enjoy!!!