Mission Update 5/27/09 -- Some great news!

Here's Elder McMullin's update for the week. Sounds like things are going very well in Frankfort!


Hello family! It sounds like you've had an eventful week! Sounds like girls camp was fun. I've been doing well out here in Illinois, and I think we just may have you all beat for eventfulness of the week! Let's just say we've got a baptism coming up next week, and should be planning a couple more soon!
Last P-Day was good. We played frisbee golf. I shot 9 under, and Elder Hunt shot 8 under... So it was a pretty good round. After that, we went over to the Fredin's house for a dinner / lesson with JoAnne. The lesson went well. She didn't know whether to get baptized here, or get baptized when she goes back to school in 3 months now, but she decided to pray about it. That was it for the day.
Thursday was great. We drove down to Manhattan for lunch and a lesson with the less active Sister DeLaney. She's someone President Hunsaker referred us too, and she's really appreciative of our visits. She's got a lot of questions and concerns, and has been attending church. She even gave Sharon a ride the other week! After being down there for a while, we came up and tried to get some appointments, but couldn't get much until the evening. We went over to Lisa's, and ended up eating dinner there. They're one of the nicest families ever. After that, we went over to the Lovelaces with President Carlson (Stake President's councilor), and had a great visit. I've got to call them today to make sure they read Alma 32 actually! After that, we were going to split... I would have gone over to commit Sis Portwood to baptism, and Elder Hunt would have gone to Branch council, but that fell through. They're moving now too, which is unfortunate. They're trying to find a place to live in the Branch boundaries... Please say a prayer that they can find one! Branch Council was good though. This Branch is so awesome. I wouldn't mind being here a couple more transfers.
Friday was Zone Conference day! We had a great conference that focused on nothing but BAPTISM. What's your purpose Elders? TO BAPTIZE. It was really good, but at the same time kind of frustrating since we've got so many people that are so close, but have one little thing holding them back. After Zone conference, we came back, stopped by the Cravens, then went out to dinner with Nick Grey. We went to some place that was supposed to have a huge pizza eating challenge that we were going to do, but it was only on Monday nights... So we just ate pizza and gellato, then came home.
Saturday was one of the eventful days. We went to softball in the morning, which was really fun. We were playing Bourbonnais, but we split up teams (completely unfairly... it was something like 9 on 6). We ended up playing for a really long time, but it was good since JoAnne was there and got along well with everyone. After that, everyone went over to the smoothie shop, which was great. I've kind of grown accustomed to people just buying me stuff. I caught myself "thinking about what I wanted" until someone offered to pay for Elder Hunt and I. Hahahaha... That must be what it's like serving a mission in Utah. Ok, now to the good part. After getting ready for the rest of the day, we went over to the Hunsaker's home for a lesson with JoAnne. She told us she wants to be baptized here. We made plans, and set a date. It's going to be on June 4th! The day before Dad's Birthday. That's how I remember it at least. We had a good lesson with her too, and are excited for her to make this covenant with our Heavenly Father. She's really excited and happy about her decision. After that, we went over for dinner at the Hansen's, which went really well.
Sunday was great too. We took Joaquin to church. I can't remember if I told you, but we've developed a nifty nigh-Pharisaical satisfaction of the law for that, until we can get someone else to take him... We're allowed to take members in our car to teaching appointments, so we teach him a lesson on the way. I think it's pretty clever, but we can't keep doing it, and are trying to get someone else for the job. Church went well though. We sat next to JoAnne and Joaquin, and had a good time. JoAnne asked me to baptize her when we were there too, so that will be pretty neat. After church and MCM, we left for the Erickson's home. We had a good lunch there, and a good lesson. They're a really good missionary family, and are pretty easy to give commitments. After that, Elder Hunt was feeling ill, and I had a headache (for probably the first time this year), so we came home and slept for a while. We woke up for dinner though, and headed over to the Grey's home for some BBQ. When we were over there, Sister Erickson called and told us we left our coats at her house. She was going somewhere already, so she took our coats over to the Grey's. Then she also realized that we had left some frozen pizzas someone gave us at church in her freezer too. Oh crap. I think those pizzas are just sitting in our car still. Uggghhhh. Well, after dinner we had a lesson and that was it for the week.
Monday was great. We had a service project for the Branch in the morning. We all went over to this Civil War graveyard and cleared it of undergrowth. It was pretty wild how much we accomplished. We also taught JoAnne about the Word of Wisdom, and she was pretty shocked to find out iced tea is bad. We showed her Section 89, and she likes the blessings, so she won't have too much of a problem. After that, we had a really late district meeting. It went well. Right as it was finishing, a party started in the church. We got some great food and stuff there. After that, the day was mostly shot, but we got the news that the old AP was in town, so we went over for dinner at the house where he was. That was pretty neat too.
Tuesday was great! In the morning, I went over to Brother Spencer's dentist office to get my teeth cleaned and checked. He cleaned them, and said I don't need any fillings! YESSS! I went up to the counter to pay, and they said it's all been taken care of. Thanks Brother Spencer! If Elder Carpenter (Brother Spencer's nephew) ever comes to our Ward, you better be really nice to him! After that, we went out to Pizza Hut with JoAnne, and actually had quite the discussion about the commandment Dad talked about in his email. Her family isn't the greatest of supports, so it's hard for her not to judge them. JoAnne is great though, and has made such great progress. After lunch, we went over to the Hansen's home to help them develop a family mission plan. It went really well. They're a pretty young couple from Arizona! They got married at the Mesa Temple while in an ASU student ward. After that, we went over to the Erickson's home for another lesson with JoAnne. It went pretty well, and we also came up with most of the baptism program. After that, we went over with Brother Erickson to the Brown's home. We discussed baptism for Amber, and what it means. They want her baptized, so we explained what had to happen before then. They're going to come to church on Sunday, and after that, we'll set a date and come up with a more thorough plan. It's pretty great, because Sister Brown's issue about attending church is Amber HAS to have her in Primary with her. We came up with the idea that we'd get Sister Grey (less active, but missionary minded) to come be Amber's buddy in Primary. This will not only pave the way for the Browns to become active members, but will get Toni to church! It'll be awesome. Anyways, after the lesson with the Browns, we went over to the Spencers for dinner. It went great. We did a follow up for their family mission plan, and had a funny discussion that lead up to their committing to having a family home evening and remaking their plan. After that, we went over to visit the Youngs, and had a great visit. They had had a pretty stressful and momentous day, and were pretty appreciative of the visit (they forgot we had an appointment, and were like, wow, I'm so glad to see you!).
Well, that leads us into today. We want to go frisbee golfing with a couple less actives and JoAnne, but it may be too nasty out. It rained a ton yesterday, so it's probably muddy. Tonight, President Fredin is taking us to an appointment to go teach a super less active lady that has been incredibly elusive for like 15 years. That should be really good.
We've got a great week coming up too. Tomorrow is going to be really busy, which is great. The Craven kids should get a baptismal date on Friday, when James has an interview with President Hunsaker.Saturday will be great, because we're going to go down to Bourbonnais with JoAnne, and whoever can drive us, to see a baptism. You'll never guess whose baptism it is.... ARTIE KIRKPATRICK! [Brad taught Artie when he was in Watseka last summer.] He's been set for the past month, but told the missionaries they couldn't tell anyone until he talked to his Mom. He did last week, and it's all clear for him to be baptized! That's one of the other pretty big events that made this week one of the most eventful weeks ever. Hopefully next week is even more eventful!
Well, you all take care! Know that I love you! I'm enjoying my service of the Lord and the people here in Bourbonnais [he meant Frankfort -- a brain cramp I guess!], and am appreciative of your support.
Love,
Elder Bradley E McMullin