Three Forks Ward And Elder Hancock

Hey Everyone, 

Well...I'm officially in my second area and third companion since starting my mission 5 months ago. At transfers Thursday I was assigned to the Three Forks Ward in Albany, MO, and my new companion is Elder Hancock. Albany is a small, remote town of 1,700 people. Yes, you read that right, 1,700 people. I thought Spring Creek, NV was small...this is the smallest spot in the country I've ever experienced. I am in the Far West Zone and we are told it is the most remote area in the mission. We are also at the edge of the mission and state of MO boundaries and border up to Iowa.

My companion is AMAZING! Elder Hancock is pretty much a mirror of me! Haha! He has been out only one transfer longer than me. He loves being a missionary and works hard, long days. He loves music, making music and is epic on the guitar. Yes, we've already had a jam session or two...he's great!

It was awesome to meet up with so many of my friends at the Stake Center during transfers and I'll add some pictures at the end of the email of some of the best missionaries ever! I also took a picture of all of my companions so far. I loved seeing Elder Montoya again...that guy rocks. 

After we left the Independence Stake Center on Thursday and started our drive to Albany I was pretty surprised how long it took! I'm not in Kansas anymore! Ha! No more freeways and big city life. It took about an hour and 40 minutes to get back to our apartment--it's actually a duplex and I really like it. The first morning I woke up and looked out our bedroom window I was surprised to see a cemetery in the backyard. Ha ha! Interesting times for sure!

The Bishop called us late Saturday night and asked if we'd speak at Sacrament the next morning. We had little time to prepare and so I just felt inspired to speak by the Spirit and that's what I did. My talk was on the Life of the Savior Jesus Christ and I guess it went well because so many people came up to me and told me thank you. 

Our ward building is a small box of a building. In the chapel the stand is on the same level as everyone sits and there are no pews, we literally set up folding chairs for members to sit on. There is a screen that is pulled down and the words to the hymns get projected onto the screen when we sing. There are about 50 active families in the ward. I already love Bishop Peterson, he is hoot. He makes us laugh and he appreciates us. 

I've been here 5 days and we've only had two member meals so at Walmart this morning I stocked up on supplies to start making meals again. The Walmart is about 25 minutes away--similar length of drive from Spring Creek to Elko Walmart. 

I'm back to sitting in the passenger seat and have the SIM card and Elder Hancock is the driver for this transfer. 

To wrap up my last few days in the Overland Park 1st ward we went and visited several families and I'll share the pictures at the end. It was hard but also good saying goodbye to everyone. They will always be a part of my mission life. The Boomtay family was not baptized before I left. We spent a shift at the GIVING MACHINES in Kansas City. Each shift is three hours long. I was able to buy some things from the machines and we were there to help out in any way when people had questions. It was a fun evening serving there. 

This week has been a blast with Elder Hancock. We have worked hard and shared the Plan of Salvation lesson with a gal named Emily. We were so happy to get to this lesson and anyone who has served a mission knows how many times you give the Restoration lesson and sometimes don't make it to the Plan of Salvation lesson. I loved every second of it. We also are teaching the wife of a member who has interest in the Church. Her name is Shauntee. She ended up coming to Church yesterday and we were pretty excited for her. We are also working with the Payne family who are less active and they also attended Church yesterday. I am feeling uplifted and energized in my new area! 

This week we spent some service hours here in Albany helping a couple renovate a Bed and Breakfast. I'll include some pictures of the B&B at the end. 

Our District is made up of all Elders and they are a crazy bunch. We are going to the sand courts by the stake center for Pday activities today and I'm looking forward to hanging out with everyone. 

We are having a Zone Christmas party and then we will have Christmas Dinner with Sister Francom, and together we've invited Brother Howard and his wife Shauntee to eat with us. 

This week I finished the Book of Mormon again and I still can't get over the Book of Ether. 2 million people died! It's so crazy to me! I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and I am grateful to be a representative of Jesus Christ and serve at this time sharing the truth and uplifting messages of the Gospel. 

Elder Mortensen

Pictures this week: 

Service at the Bed and Breakfast 

Saying goodbye to the OP1 families:

Martin's, Bishop's, Ramirez's, Rous's, and Dubreuils's

Serving at the Kansas City Giving Machine

My cleaned out and empty desk from OP1

Last lunch with Elder Allen

Meeting up with my friends at Transfers

Every week I get to talk to my parents and I've never shared a picture before--glad we had a little reception to talk today!