May 20, 2010 Email

What's up?

Not much is new with me besides transfers and the Lord continuing to bless the area! I am in the same area for at least 5 more weeks! (I say 5 b/c this transfer is only 5 weeks long due to the Mission President change)! It's sad to see President Sonne go, but I'm excited for President Wynn to come in! You're right about our mission getting the power house people! I feel special! haha Elder Atchley went to Magna where the cloudy water is! So my new comp is Elder Hunt and he's pretty much awesome! It's kinda a big deal! This transfer is gonna be ballin! aka amazing! He played golf at BYU Hawaii! He's from Cali, Bakersfield! I'm excited to have some fun this transfer!

I'm sad that I missed the Broadway Review, but I bet things were awesome! I'm sure that L did amazing with her damaged foot! It reminds me of last year when I was trying to dance and things after surgery and that was fun!

I went to the Temple today for the first time in a month and it felt so good to be back! I missed it a lot! I put L's name on the prayer roll along with Uncle Steve and some others.

haha Kayla's funny! I bet she's loving it in Fiji except for the mosquitoes! and the roaches. and a few more things! I wish I could read her updates, too! You should copy/paste them and send them to me!

Congrats to Jennie and Robert for the 2 new additions that will soon be joining their family!

Thanks for letting me know about Tara Schlappi. I'll be praying for her and her family!

I hope work continues to be exciting and fun, Mom! I especially like how you know who is going on their missions and getting married and stuff b/c they come to you!

Congrats to David, Keaton, and Chaz on their mission calls! They'll love being missionaries. It's the best!

So today we played the license plate game driving around where you punch someone if it's a double letter or number or a sandwich letter or number like 4k4 or an out of state license plate!

Mike's baptism is planned for June 20 at 6:00! Fun stuff! And we are also baptizing someone named Aiko on June 5! She's 10 and is finally able to be baptized now! She's been going to church her whole life and is just able to be baptized now! so plan on that one, too!

Love you!
Elder Partridge!

May 12, 2010 Email

He LOVES this stuff!

Six month mark tie burning

Elder Perry and Elder Partridge
(Sorry it's blurry. He liked B's pink tie!)

Not a normal sight in SLC

Elder Partridge and Elder Oaks

B being B

Hey, it's me again!

It was fun and weird to talk to you guys on Mother's Day! Mostly weird because it was just a little chunk out of the day when we talked, and everything else that day was just normal, unlike the Christmas call home where it's not a normal day of doing missionary work! I hoped you'd like the Lion House Cook Book, Mom! There's nothing specific that stood out to me, EVERYTHING looked amazing! So you guys can try some stuff and let me know what your favorite things are! I knew you'd like the pics I sent, too!

I thought it was funny when you answered the phone in Relief Society and didn't recognize my voice! and then it got better when you started crying!

Congrats to Rhett and Mandy on the new baby boy! That's pretty sweet that it's on the same day as Brad's birthday! Sounds like Steve's doing better! I'll keep praying for him! It definitely works!

I can't go swimming (Not like the Great Salt Lake is even tempting to get near). But still! That's pretty legit that K went to the beach in Fiji the day she got there!

Dad sounds like "the man" going to all these different cities for conferences and what not! Have a blast in NY papasito!

PE was fun! L will enjoy that for summer school! Unless her foot gets in the way! But that's good that she'll stay busy!

So about Mike's baptism this weekend; it's a funny story and it's pretty awesome! So I've learned from experience to be very very clear when I give commitments, because Mike thought that we asked him to go and watch a baptism, not be the one getting baptized! So he won't be getting baptized this weekend. But the really cool news is that the only reason why he won't be getting baptized this weekend is b/c it's coming up too quick to invite all the family and set everything up for the program. Besides that, he has a testimony already that the church is true, and is very excited to get baptized! We just want to make sure everything is as perfect as it can be and so does he!

Another cool story! We added a girl named Megan yesterday! We went to visit a family and talked to them about who they know that would want to meet with us! (Like we've done with a lot of other families)! But Something cool I just put together is that we did a special lesson when we talked to the family that we had just been trained on that day by our Zone Leaders. The lesson idea came from President Atkinson in the mission presidency! We were promised a blessing for using our trainings the day we receive them and because we were willing to apply it that day, the promise was fulfilled! And we are planning on adding someone tomorrow and Saturday as well! Which is ridiculously phenomenal for this area! The Lord is definitely preparing the hearts of many, blessing the area, and giving an unquenchable fiery attitude of missionary work to the members in the area! It's also incredible to see that as the members show their faith and invite others, they are able to see the miracles also!

The dinner with Elder and Sister Clayton went really well! We just talked about missionary work the whole time as well as the normal questions: Where are you from, how big are your families, etc. The spiritual thought went really well at the end as well! They said we prepared well!

Time is going so so fast! I'm glad I'm doing well here in this area, too, because it is extremely hard! Something interesting I learned about the area last night is that in one ward, there are over 30 returned mission presidents! OVER 30! That's a lot!! Crazy!

I'm excited to hear about Holden and Willie! And it was great to hear about the rest of the guys! I can't believe how long I've been out! I'm not even really considered a young missionary anymore! That's crazy! I still feel newish! Fortunately I don't show many of the rookie habits any more either. But don't get me wrong, there's still a ton that I have to work on!

That's kinda funny that you're running my Facebook a little! ha

Yay St. Joe's Rehab! Fun/not so fun memories there! Good to hear you saw some of my old friends there!

It's a little trippy to hear about all the boys in the ward getting ready for their missions!

"Don't wink at the cute girls! :)" haha you know I can't help it! haha inside joke; kinda. Not really cuz it's my face!

I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elder Partridge!

Mother's Day Phone Call

What a great Mother's Day I had!!!

We had no idea what time Elder B was going to call. All I knew was that we'd told him when NOT to call because of church. For the first time EVER I took my phone to church with me to get updates on my brother who is in ICU at the hospital. We were in Relief Society and I'd just finished texting my niece about the status of her dad when I received a phone call from an 801 area code. I panicked thinking something had happened to my brother. I pushed the button to answer the phone, then answered when I got into the hall. It was a male voice that I thought may be my nephew, but as we talked for a few more seconds, I realized it was Elder B!!!!!!! I can't believe I didn't recognize his voice...it was lower. I didn't know that was even possible! I didn't scream really loud, but I definitely let out a little squeal! It was almost time for church to end and there were people in the hall, so I held up the phone and they all said hi to B. :) I got a phone number where we could call him back, grabbed L out of R.S., found W in the other foyer, and we headed home to call him back.

We were able to talk to him for quite awhile and heard all about his area. He's really enjoying where he's at, even though it's a lot different from where he spent his first six months. He's meeting many new people and still learning a lot. He and his companion are over 12 different wards! That seems almost impossible to me! He said Sundays aren't bad because they just go from one Sacrament Meeting to the next and go to as many as they can.

He's planning on getting a cactus garden in the next little while so he can have a bit of home with him there. His health is good and he and his companion, Elder Atchley, go running about every-other morning to try and stay in shape. I didn't think it was possible, but he has gained about 10 pounds, which he needed to do.

He's not homesick at all, which I'm grateful for. He loves the area, the people he serves and teaches, and loves serving our Heavenly Father. It was a GREAT Mother's Day present! Only 7 more months until the next phone call!!!

May 5, 2010 Email

Hey, Happy Cinco de Mayo!! Ay Ay!!!

I bet K's really excited for Fiji! I'm really excited for her! I know she'll enjoy it (I know I would). But I get to enjoy my mish right now instead! Sounds busy getting her ready to go. Reminds me of getting me ready for the mish! Crazy times!

I can't wait to go to the Temples in AZ after the mission. I'm especially excited to be able to see the chandelier in the Gila Valley Temple.

That's sweet to hear Eric's going through the temple on Saturday! I remember my first time going through! Sad that I can't be there, but one day. Congrats Big E!

Good to hear about all the guys taking off! Sounds like things are gonna be busy with farewells and everything else that's happening! Good luck to Pete! When you say this Sunday-as in Mother's Day? And for Joe and Lucas the 30th of which month? May? Where is Daniel going? Good to hear Willie made it to Russia! He's gonna do amazing! Good to get an update on Holden, too! I bet he's baptizing like crazy!

We talk to Cy sometimes at the Top Stop where he works and we saw Elder and Sister Oaks driving down the street yesterday. Mike is still solid! We're going to go to the Joseph Smith movie with him tomorrow night! I'm psyched! We found Mike through the members of the ward! Just another witness that working with members is the best way to do missionary work NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE!!! We had an amazing companionship study that morning (the first of many to come b/c of the amazing training we got at zone conference). We were walking to an appointment when we got a random call from the Fenton's in one of the wards. She said one of their friends is married to a member and their friend is Catholic and is interested in learning more about the church. So we set up an appointment for about a week later! Then the morning of the appointment we came up with an inspired lesson plan and the lesson was very powerful and we put him on date for baptism!

You and Sister Kerr are funny! I do have a pretty cool story about my surgery and recovery, not gonna lie. You probably tell the story better than I do though. You remember more about it! I am definitely blessed to be on a mission though!

This is a pretty long letter, but that's ok! haha

That's too bad that L can't perform in the Broadway Concert, but cool that she'll be able to run her own light show! That's cool! I'll be excited to see it in a couple years! b/c I know you'll film it. haha!

I had a fun experience yesterday with a young man about to leave on his mission! He went around with us all day to live the life of a missionary and pretty much everything he did reminded me of Elder Gardner! It brought back some crazy, fun memories!

Thanks for everything!

Love you guys!

Elder Partridge!

April 28, 2010 Email

Dear Everyone,

In response to my Mom's question, ya it is Elder Oaks as in Dallin Oaks! The first lesson fell through with Cy b/c his aunt had to go to the hospital and he had to babysit her kids! So we just ate dinner with Elder and Sister Oaks instead that night! Then, instead of the normal spiritual thought at the end of dinner, we role played to Elder Oaks! He gave us a scenario and we had to teach to his needs. and we had to teach in 15 min. It was pretty intimidating when he told us about it, but as we started and Elder Atchley offered the opening prayer I got the most peaceful, calming feeling and was totally relaxed! It was an amazing feeling! Then we listened to the promptings of the Spirit and had an amazing role play! We rescheduled to have another lesson with Cy 2 days ago, Monday, and he didn't show up to that lesson either, but this time he didn't call and let us know he wouldn't be able to make it! So yesterday we went by the gas station where he works and talked to him and the reason he didn't come was b/c he talked to his aunt and she told him who Elder Oaks was (an apostle) and he is WAY scared now. So we will be putting the lessons on hold and keep stopping by every once in a while to talk to him and what not! But on Monday we had a great conversation with Elder and Sister Oaks. And we had ice cream and cookies and brownies with them! Guess what kind of ice cream Elder Oaks really likes: Orange cream! It was extremely good!

I bet Kayla's graduation was amazing! I totally shook Elder Christopherson's hand at conference! I bet his talk was amazing! They usually are! You should get that on my i pod if possible! Another one that popped into my head the other day is called "Profile of a Prophet " by Hugh B. Brown. You guys should listen to these talks you're getting me, too!

I saw Sister Goff on Monday afternoon! She saw us getting out of the car at the Wendy's in Sugarhouse and she said, "I saw a tall, lanky missionary get out of the car and I thought 'that has to be Elder Partridge,'" and sure enough it was me! She also knew where I'm serving b/c she reads my emails! yay

Prom- what a good time of the year! Congrats to Val and Will!

That's too bad that L's back in the boot! She had a good run! haha All I can say is I know how frustrated she must be! just have a fun positive attitude about it all and it will be better than you can imagine! It's all about the attitude!

That's sweet to hear about the Gila Valley Temple! It looks good on lds.org! It's pretty cool that I'll be able to go to the new temples when I get back!

I'll tell ya what I'm excited for! MOTHERS DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's pretty cool! I love getting mail every weekish, too!

The teaching pool is still growing! We are definitely seeing the blessings and miracles!

Yesterday we had a sweet lesson with Mike Kennedy who is going to be baptized May 15. And a funny thing happened; while I was reading a scripture in the Book of Mormon, I totally said one of the words with a Utah accent! I unfortunately can't remember the scripture off the top of my head, but it was pretty much the equivalent of saying krik instead of creek! ha

We were on 24 hr exchanges with our Zone Leaders yesterday! I stayed in the area with Elder Clem! My zone Leaders are studs! Their area is the U of U, the singles wards! We walked A LOT yesterday! Something else cool about yesterday was that we went to eat at L & L Hawaiian BBQ! It was really good and of course I got the Hawaiian sun drink! The best; Passo-Guava! There was a lot of dust in the air yesterday from all the wind, and every time there's a lot of wind, there's a storm the next day. And sure enough, it's snowing today; on April 28! Craziest weather I've ever seen! But it kinda reminded me of dust storms in AZ, but not nearly as cool! Cuz here the dust was just all in the air at once, but back home it moved in a huge dust wall-like the movie Hidalgo!

That's sweet to hear that Brandon saw my Zone Leader! He would have either talked to Elder Clem or Elder Norton. Those are my Zone Leaders and I've taught with both of them and they're great!

I'm issuing a challenge to the fam! One day of your choice-do the missionary schedule! Wake up at 6:25, study your scrips (you only have to as long as you want, not for 2 hours like us), share your testimony with someone (it can be anyone-dad, some one random on the street, whom ever) and be in bed by 10:30. You don't have to do all the rules though! You can still watch TV, listen to music, etc. just live the basic schedule! I think that would be sweet!

Now for the coolest part of the email...the story about my eye! First of all- it really hurt yesterday with the wind and dust and I got some mulch stuck in it from a stupid little dirt devil that went right in our path, but all of that is beside the point! So, 2 days ago I was having a pretty tough and trying day and I was really frustrated! So anyway, end of suspense: I cried out of both my eyes! LAGIT! Ya, missionaries can cry too! Point is, my right eye (the bad one) formed a tear that I actually had to wipe away! MIRACLE! Just thought y'all would want to know that!

Looking forward to another great week! Enjoy yours, too!

Love,
Elder B

April 21, 2010 Email

Hey Everybody!

Just a couple of Sweet things I thought Everyone might want to know. First of all, last night I ate dinner with Brother Dibble! He served in Austria with President Wright! So President Wright, Brother Dibble says hello! I've seen someone from home the past two days in a row! Two days ago we were having a "pancakes for referrals" breakfast/lunch at the institute at the U of U. As I was going with another missionary through the lobbies to round people up and tell them about it I saw Cozette Jenkins from MVT at the U visiting her boyfriend! It's always really awkward whenever I see people I know! Then yesterday Elder Atchley (my comp) and I were walking down the street to check a referral we'd gotten and we stopped and talked to some girls that were outside that offered us some water. So we started talking to them and introduced ourselves like we usually do when we talk to people, and I kept thinking, "she looks like someone I know," but I wasn't going to say anything b/c I've done that before already and that was really embarrassing! haha Anyway, turns out I did know her! It was Julie Tukuafu! So that was pretty cool too! Then as we were saying goodbye I had to remind her that missionaries don't hug! haha

Our teaching pool is getting gradually larger! which is really awesome! Especially for the area that I'm in right now! Something else that is amazing, we're teaching a guy named Cy tonight in Elder and Sister Oaks home! It's a pretty amazing story if I say so myself! Sister Oaks goes to the gas station a lot to get her Diet coke and she always talks to Cy (who works the cash register there). And she invited him to have dinner and a lesson with us-the missionaries! She is a perfect example of a missionary minded person! We can share the gospel with anyone! Even the people at the local gas station where we go to get our Diet Coke!

Have a safe trip up here fam! Don't make fun of dad's driving too much! haha

Love you all!

Elder Partridge!

April 14, 2010 Email

Hi Everyone!
I'm glad you guys had a good laugh about me leaving all my stuff in Rose Park! I did too! My comp didn't know what to think! but now he knows me a lot better now! I didn't get to go to Rose Park again though! The Zone Leaders, Elders Norton and Clem, went and got everything! btw, my ZLs are the missionaries that Brandon had over for dinner the other month! We had Zone Conference yesterday and it was our zone, (Temple Zone), and the other zone was Rose Park Zone, (my last zone). Everyone I saw was so happy to see me! They ALL said that they needed me back in Rose Park! Especially Elder Peer! haha He misses me soo much! In his words, "Man I miss your clumsiness so bad!"
That's cool to hear that some people live/grew up in this area! Speaking of which, I was on member exchanges last night and I went to teach a family and help them become more motivated to be member missionaries! It turns out that they are the grandparents of Joseph Kjar (pronounced car), someone I know from MVT. It gets even better. It also turns out that we visited the Christensen's. Bro. Christensen grew up in Spanish Fork! You'll never guess who his math teacher was! GRANDPA!!! When he heard his name he literally ran up the stairs, grabbed his year books and flew back down the stairs! He showed me the pics in the year books of grandpa and what he wrote in them! Then he told some stories like when he would be talking and what grandpa would do to get him to be quiet! haha And of course he commented on what a great teacher he was!
Things are really slow, but progressing! We are definitely building the area up for success! It's probably going to take all transfer to turn it into a strong area and start baptizing, but it's well on its way to getting that way!
I'll tell you what, I LOVE being in a walking area! I'm just sad I can't ride a bike! We get a ride from Elder Wiel and Aguilar when we go to the temple, but we don't go as often as I'd like!
We're really being cracked down on for our amount of time for emailing, so I don't have as much time to type as I used to!
Love you tons!
Loves, Elder B