June 26 2006

Dear Mom, family, friends ,countrymen, etc...

How was Serra's reception? i got an invitation from her, and was disapointed that i wasnt able to go... but you know, i kinda had previously scheduled plans. lol. How are the Cianflones? is Zak going on a mission or what? he should, he would be a stellar missionary for sure. he should come to the MBM!!! thatd be sick.

So i about shouted for joy when i heard Toone's mission call! im so stoked for him! There are some missionaries here in my mission who are from that area! ill ask them about it. He is going to be such a good missionary. i need his address again, i lost it :/ i want to write him and tell him congrats!

Nick is still sick? man, just have him take his tonsils out! i would do it for him if i were there. which reminds me, Veronika fell and shattered her hip, so we went to the hopstial with the Pabsts and gave her a blessing, and she showed up the instruction "manuel", although it looked more like a pamphlette, of how to do the surgery and such. kinda interesting i think.

Jury duty... fun. what ever happend to my jury duty summons? im i going to have like SWAT guys kick in my door some morning and arrest me? bring your iPod, just dont listen when they call your name!

Im not going to lie, this week has sucked. Its been long, tiresome, and just depressing. Yes, i know im murmuring.... So we had like half of our appointments cancel on us. We had to drive to Boston twice in three days, and Garder (2/3 the way to boston) in between those trips. Im sick and tired of driving!

We had stake conference this weeked, which was cool, but then no investigators, and barely any members showed up :/ understandable since the stake center is 1.75 hours away from N.Adams. we slept at the Zonies appartment on saturday. there were 14 missionaries at thier appartment htat night... crazy lol.

I met Hal and his wife. very funn, very nice, and it was good to just visit with californians lol. We ate at Flo's and just chatted. it was fun sharing storys and stuff.

Elder Egbert is still having a hard time. he was essentialy "checked-out" its sad. he refuses to anything he doesnt have to do. spends 2 hours getting ready to avoid personal study. wont wear his jackets to meetings. wont take down the pictures of his girlfriend. finds excuses to sleep and such. its frustrating. his parents are making him stay out 1 month before they will let him come him. its frustrating. i wish he would just let himself get caught in the work, and he would be fine! argh!! we have a joint force working on him, to help him want to stay. Pres Thomspon, the Pabsts, the Zonies, the Assistants, Elder Lang the DL, and now the rest of the zone. if this doesnt work, then nothing will.

pray.

It was sad saying goodbye to the Thompsons. i love them, and itll be sad to not them around anymore. At least we had one final Zone Conference with them, and the temple afterwards.

We call pres england coach because of this: we call President Thompson . 'P.T', because he is (P)resident (T)hompson. So we were like , 'P.E' ,for president England, but then we thought hrm, P.E like physical education... i call my p.e teacher coach... oh there we go. Coach! hahaha whatever.

The weather has been ansty and rainy with flash flood warnings for the berkshires. not worried though.

We have had to do so much driving lately, that our gas card stopped working. we were supposed to get a new car, but the driving coordinator didnt show up where he said we would meet. we ran out of Gas and had to use 60$ of our own money to get us to mandatory meetings, and appointments etc. i had to start using my debit card for food lately, so do be supprised if there are some small charges on that card.

i can play come come ye saints, and i need thee every hour, and poor wayfaring man of greif on my harmonica! im pretyt musch a professional!

to put it plainly, this week sucked. but thats okay. Every week cant be good. its to be expected, especially on the mission, to have ups-downs and opposition. In spite of the discouragment, frustration, and accompanying stress, im clinging to the good times. The mission is the best thing ever, and im greatful to be able to serve. The church is true, and i know it. i love the people i serve, and serve with. Love you all, and talk to you soon!

Elder Onken

P.S -

birthday?

money...

i want to get a portable DVD player which was approved by Pres Thompson, but i dont know if pres Engalnd will approve of it...

I geuss you could call him at the mission office and ask for me, but im not going to so soon.

i dont know, talks from FAIR? sure. whatever, ill think about it.