Week 78 - Same Area, New Companion

  I knew that transfers were hitting this week in the CFM. Elder Schaff knew he would have a new companion, as Elder B has completed his mission, and is returning home this week. So, he told us about his new companion, and that he will remain in his current area of Chowcilla for the next 6 weeks. Here is the news directly from Elder Schaff-

  "Alright, the workings of Chowchilla:

  Yes, Elder Baconawa is departing. It's been crazy, as he's tried to prepare his travel plans. He is trying to change his Visa status, and all should be well for him to do that actually, but it's been a process.

  Transfer calls came, and I will be staying in Chowchilla. My companion will be Elder Laughlin. I have been called to be a District Leader once again. President informed me that he would hold off on me training for now. He responded to my revelation concerning the area, and said that he did actually feel in agreement of that revelation, (that it should be closed for 2-4 transfer cycles) but that he would like to delay a transfer further to execute it. So, that's the conclusion of that matter, a bit odd, but I'll take it.

  To be honest, I wasn't the happiest of campers the night when I was told I'd be staying in Chowchilla, but I accounted to the Lord for whatever anger I'd felt there the next day, and was relieved with the part 2 call that I'd receive Elder L. (Transfer calls are Saturday and Sunday here, to reduce gossip) Elder L came in when I was first in the Mission Office. He has good energy and isn't too tense or disagreeable. I've been around him a bit at various missionary meetings and he's been quite nice. I think everything will work out nicely, he'll help Chowchilla out and help me figure out what we're going to do for a whole new 6 weeks.

  But to answer your question, if I was training, I would stay with a companionship for Tues-Thursday morning and then meet my trainee on Thursday.

  We made some Melchizedek Priesthood rescue visits this week, once again. We also went out to the country and visited the members out there. Quiet again.

  Elder B and I have become good friends. These last two weeks we really bonded. I'll catch him through the web once he's gone! He was grateful for my love and friendship, reporting that he has had many rough companionships. I'm glad I could end that on a good note.

  Well, that's that. I finished Psalms this week. I found an Old Testament Seminary guide in the apartment, (this being a few weeks ago) and made my O.T. study plan of action. I read the summaries of Genesis to 2nd Chronicles, but I read Ruth, cause why not? It's 4 chapters. Then I decided I'd start in Ezra, and go forward, skipping Song of Solomon of course. So I've read Ezra-Psalms. I was never a fan of Psalms because random people would try to sell their doctrine using them, but it would be completely out of context. My appreciation of Psalms did increase though. It was still a search for quality spiritual truths, but they are in there. The best ones mainly teach us of the nature of God or Christ, (gotta pay attention to the context of what "Lord" we're talking about.) or of the righteous Saints and the house of Israel.

   I study about 20 minutes of the O.T. a day, and 40 of the Book of Mormon. I plan to reduce the O.T. time to study Preach My Gospel more though.

  Finally, some pictures of our companionship, our district,​ and muscles!!! Ha ha. We've had a good transfer.

Our District

Elder Schaff and Elder Baconawa

Our companionship

Muscles

--Elder Schaff

  

PS- I've been gaining weight! (Muscle I hope) Elder Baconawa and I have been hitting the local gym each morning for exercise, and he's been working me good! I should have taken before and after pictures of my biceps, ha ha! So now I'm 175 lbs, but I feel alright with that. I haven't developed a large gut or anything, so I feel great.

Week 77 - Final Week with Elder B

  Well, Hayden didn't have too much to say this week. It's the final week of his companion's mission, Elder B returns home next week. Then Hayden will get a new companion and most likely a new area. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has announced changes to multiple mission boundaries, you can read all of the details in the press release in Mormon Newsroom, but two California missions will be consolidated into the surrounding missions, and Hayden and I were talking about that. Seems that the Fresno mission will expand to take on part of the Modesto mission. It shouldn't effect him too much, may just expand the area to serve in. Here is the email that he sent me this week-

"Hi Mom,

  Yes, we were informed of the boundary change. It will probably be as it was in previous years. We had a part of Modesto, not too long ago, according to history. Elder Baconawa actually came out earlier, and then went home, and returned afterward. He actually served out in Modesto during that time!

  Well, I'm not on time pressure, but I feel like I am, because Elder B hardly emails, and then just sits and waits for me to finish, which makes me feel bad that he's just there waiting... hopefully he's picked up the scriptures or something.

  Transfers are indeed next week. I fasted and prayed all throughout this last week and felt impressed that Chowchilla should be closed down for 2-4 transfers due to some of the conditions here and the apparent schedule conflicts during this "winter" season. Many people we visit have things going on for whatever reason, and want us to come by in a month or two. Those we do visit, only meet once, maybe twice a week, and so I have reached the conclusion that a rest would do some good here. So I responded to the assignment President gave me; ultimately he makes the decisions, but time will tell what happens.

  I have been studying the "First 12 weeks" booklet that is used in training, in case I am called to do so. I have read my journal a bit, but will read through more of it. I have found that the major frustrations (during my training) were not feeling loved, feeling the fear of failure, and being forced to do things I didn't think I could do. I think ever since then, I've been an understanding and supportive companion, and tried to avoid those problems. Every companionship, however, has had some sort of argument because my companion didn't like something I did, but was fearful of telling me. I'll have to figure out how to make people confident they can tell me. I invite correction at any time, and in the weekly planning, but maybe because I try so hard to keep the peace, it creates an atmosphere of fear to correct.

  It's good to hear that Dad is home again and that Sydney is doing well (she emailed me). Seems like most of the family is doing pretty good, but there's a lot of sickness going around, huh? It's been a bad year for illness. It's probably worse in the cold. It's getting up to the 70's down here and we fear that summer is already on its way back. If that's the case, I'm not prepared. 75 already feels too hot to work much!

  There's not a whole lot more going on right now. The weeks are quiet and so is Elder B. He told me last weekly planning, that he has enjoyed my efforts to hold a conversation, even when he's very quiet, so that was good to hear. You never know what someone's thinking if they don't talk!

  Finally, Elder Noyes secured a Hmong tie for me, since we made friends of the new Hmong Elders at Hmong New Year's. So I've gotten some nice treasures. Well, have a nice week, I'm sure news will come in the next!

--Elder Schaff​