October 30,2008

Dear Family,
Greetings from Philadelphia "Home of the world series champion the Philadelphia Phillies." Last night at about ten o’clock, I was writing in my journal when I heard screams from every which way. For a few moments I was confused about what was happening, but I then came to my senses. Elder Ulrich and I heard the roar of loud fireworks confirming our assumption that the Phillies had won. For a few moments, Elder Ulrich and I sat inside and wrote the momentous occasion down in our journals. However, when the fireworks did not subside, our curiosity got the best of us and we decided that we would go outside to watch the celebration. We walked up the stairs and out the door. When we arrived outside, however, we saw no fireworks. Yet we heard loud explosions. Puzzled we stood looking at the sky wondering where these fireworks were. Perhaps they were invisible fireworks, or ones that were not working properly. For another few seconds we stood in confusion. I then realized that the fireworks we heard were not fireworks at all but rather firearms that were shooting off rounds. Immediately, elder Ulrich and I looked at each other and ran back into our home. "And the gunshots red glare. The bombs bursting everywhere, gave proof through the night that the Phillies were there."
Yes, it appears that the curse of the William Penn tower has been broken. In 1982 a tower was erected that surpassed the Penn tower in height. Since that point in time, no major Philadelphia team had won a championship. However, this year, about two months ago, the Comcast Tower was finished. On the very top of the tower, there lies a small statue of William Penn, thus allowing the curse of William Penn not to be broken but rather to have William Penn once again be the tallest man in Philadelphia.
Well, times up I love you all.
Sincerely
Elder Evans

September 18, 2008

Dear Family,
Greetings from Northeast Philadelphia "where the blue collared man still exists." It is quite interesting to see how true this statement is. People up here are the way they were in the fifties--namely extremely hard workers who have a high school level education.
This week has been an interesting one indeed. One of the Elders in our district had an appendicitis and had to be rushed to the hospital on Sunday night. As a result, this put a great burden on our shoulders, for we were now forced to work two out of the three areas in our district. Elder Covington, Parkin, and I took turns staying in with Elder Thompson while the other two went out and worked.
On Tuesday we got a call from one a less active woman in Elder Thompson’s area by the name of Joan Kloss. She is an odd individual who is just a tad bit off, and her apartment reminds me of a disheveled dog kennel. When Elder Parkin answered the phone, he immediately stated, "Hey, Joan, how are you doing?" in a monotone and somber voice Joan replied, "Not too good. My husband Charles died in the night and the police men are here, and they told me that you could come and remove his body."

Now as a nineteen year old who has never had to deal with anyone dying, I found myself in a predicament. However, after a few moments, Elder Parkin responded, “O.K. we are coming right over.”
As we ventured to the house, I was terrified by of removing a man’s body from the house. I then thought of ways that I could remove the body from her house. Perhaps I could wrap it up in some sheets and then carry it down the stairs into our car and drive it to the morgue. My mind continued to race with such ideas until we made our way to the home.
After the five minute drive, we made our way to the home. I will never forget the next few moments. I knocked on the door, and Joan appeared and invited us in. Elder Covington then asked if anyone else was home. She replied no, and then tears came to her eyes and she proceeded to break down and cry. No one was there. There was no family. No friends. No coworkers. One policeman had responded to her call, and after a brief visit, he pronounced the body dead and told her to have her church take care of the rest and then left hastily. She was left; she was abandoned in the time of desperate needl. The only friend that she had had died, and she was left to sit in a room as the corpse of her husband lay upstairs waiting to be buried.
What a terrible sight I saw. After a few moments of pondering, I called Bishop Hilton and the Relief Society president. Within five minutes the bishop his wife and the first councilor were there to comfort her. We were also there. Moments later everything was arranged for Joan and all she needed to do was mourn. I then thought to myself, this is why you spread the gospel. I truly believe that Joan would have remained there not having a friend in the world to help her had it not been for the Church. Joan had us to lean on in the time of her need but more importantly because she had the knowledge of the plan of salvation that the missionaries had brought her, she now had Christ and hope to lean on.
Mom, it is for reasons like these you are a relief society president. Dad it is reasons like these you are a home teacher. It is reasons like these we are members of the true church. Our purpose in this life is to help other people at all times. Our callings allow us to do so. I pray that I may be able to fulfill my future callings to the best of my ability, and I challenge myself and you to rise to a new level--to do something that is very foreign and uncomfortable for all of us. I challenge both everyone and myself to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. Invite your friends to learn more. Perhaps they do not need us in the time of their trials but I know that they need God. I know that they need the atonement.
I love you all and happy birthday Bradford. I hope that you all have a wonderful week. So until next time you stay classy, Evans family.

September 11, 2008

Dear family,
Greetings from Northeast Philadelphia "where the family still exists." Truly there is a great divide between those that I taught in Wilmington and those who I now teach. Where I was stationed in Wilmington the likelyhood of finding a family was about as likely as finding a leprechaun or a unicorn. However, here in the Northeast, we run into families every day. I am quite certain that 95% of Wilimington lived on Welfare. In the Northeast everyone has a job.
This week has really picked up teaching wise. It started off very slow and I was quite discoraged. Me and my companion were going through a hard time but you know as Joseph Smith always said "when life gives you tar and feathers... make a pillow and pave a road," and that is exactly what we did. In the past week we have found eleven or twelve new investigators. We are finally teaching families which is something that I have wanted to do since I came on this mission. It really is amazing to see how the gospel of Jesus Christ blesses all walks of life. None of the investigators have made it to church yet, but we plan on having at least four investigators at church (which will be an amazing feat for our newly opened area).
I was also fortunate enough to go on an exchange with one of my favorite missionaries in the mission field, Elder Moorehead (who is also the missionary in the picture that Dana [one of elder mooreheads investigators] sent you). He really is a great guy and if I head to BYU I plan on rooming with him and Andy Romney. Our exchange was quite wonderful.
Elder Covington, however, seems to be going through a difficult time. He seems very stressed out. In fact President Murray payed him a visit yesterday. Since that point in time he has been doing much better. Still pray for him though.
I really haven't had any funny or spiritual experiences in the past few weeks so I apologize. If this continues don't be surprissed if I start making up crazy experiences just to entertain you. The last time I had boring weeks I prayed to God and asked him to bless me with exciting experiences that I could write home about, he then blessed me with Perry Davis. I hope that I can write a better email next week.
Mom You never told me about Bradfords shoe size.

September 4, 2008

Dear Family,
Greetings from Northeast Philadelphia "where the door bells actually ring and the people sing." Surprsingly in the area where I now am in the door bells actually work. Its great. it makes me very happy.
This week has been a very good week. I am grateful for all of your prayers on all my behalf. They do sustain me. I know that they do. I believe it with all of my heart.
Throughout this world there are numerous trials that all individuals have to suffer through and throughout my life, especially during my mission, it has unfotunately been my responsibilty to witness these individuals and the trials they go through. For the past transfer, I have been working with two young children by the name of Kenny and Mike Macindo. From birth the boys have been reared up on a fathers harsh tongue and a mothers drinking addiction, spoonfed the bitter dish of neglect from craddle to the present moment. Since their youngest days on earth the boys were forced to grow up fast. Their childhood had been sacrificed because of their parents selfish decision to go after their own interests rather than hearkining to their responisibilities as a mother and father. The carefree life of a yongen has been unfamiliar to the boys. They were forced to fend for themselves and they continue to do so.
Last transfer the bishop requested us to pay a visit to the children and see if we could convince their father Kenny Sr. to have his kids baptized into their church. At the present moments the courts had ordered Kenny to live with his mother (who happens to be an active member of the church) in order to assure the childrens protection. Sister Macindo is a wonderful individual yet she is old. Her bones are feable and she cannot prevent Kenny from ruling over his family unrighteously.
Tuesday we went over to the macindo house hold and tried to once again persuade kenny to allow his children to be baptized. When we arrived Kenny was already in a rage. Screaming at the top of his lungs at his children. When he saw that we were in his home he stopped for a moment and greeted us with a calm hello. As our conversation continued with him he began to yell at the children again. this time with threatingings of abandoment and harsh discipline.

I have to go right now but there is more to the story my time is almost up. I will write the rest to you. Love you guys.

August 28, 2008

Dear Family and Friends,
Greetings from Northeast Philadelphia "where the blue color man still exists and the residents still speak with an accent." Prior to comming to this area I had thought that the Philadelphian accent was a myth. Simply something that you had told to me to entertain. However, since I have been in this new area I cannot tell you how many times I have heard the phrases, "yous guys" and "wuter." The accent of the natives can really be heard when they get mad. For instance when a six foot four blond haired missionary and his companion knock on their door they usually reply "yous guys get the heck off of my porch." Occassionally, kinder individuals ask if we would like some "wuter"
This week has been one of success. We have the rare priviledge of working with individuals who have been inactive for many many years. One of these families are named the Mccrorys. They like many of the individuals of our church were converts. However, after their baptism they began to flourish. Within two years they were sealed in the temple. Brother Mccrory was activily participating in Elders quorom and fulfilling his responsibility as a priestholder. While sister Mccrory was called as a relief society.
But, alass, the years went by and with it came the burdens of parenthood and church callings. The trials began to build upon each other and the Mccrorys slowly slipped back into their old habits. Time progressed and the visits from the bishopric and other members of the ward began to fade as well and the Mccrorys well. Inactivity had claimed the salvation and progression of the family.
About four weeks ago the Relief society president gave us five families to work with and one of them were the Mccrorys. For the first two weeks Elder Covington and I tried to repor with them and eventually we did. However, neither one of us had the gumption or the strength to be bold and ask them why they had not come to church in eight years. Then, at zone training there was a lecture on being bold and the importance of doing so.
We decided that we would be bold with the truth. We decided that we would not beat around the bush, but rather find out their concern and testify boldly about how they needed to come back to church. At the end of our next lesson we did so and immediately the family responded with their concern we then addressed that concern and testified boldly about how they needed to come back to church. After the lesson it was unsure whether they would return to church or not.
Last Sunday we arrived at church and the Mccrorys were nowhere to be found. We waited and waited but to no avail. Finally we decided that we would take our seats. We had lost. Midway into the sacrament meeting, I noticed a door open and to my surprise and to my liking there stood the Mccrorys dressed in a sunday atire that had been yearning to be worn for eight years. This was quite exciting.
Since this experience has happened both Elder Covington and I have been bold with every individual that we meet. We cut to the chase and it has gone surpisingly well. It really has saved us a great deal of time and energy. Either the people are interested or not. If you ask "why havent you been to church," tell you why and they are not at all offended. When you ask "do you want to come back" they tell you either yes or no. Its quite interesting. So family if you ever have any trouble with less actives just be striahgt up with them and testify to them and it will all be alright.
While this week has been one of great success, it has also been one of hardships. I feel as though I am constantly angry and upset. I am quite homesick as well. Please pray for me. I need your prayers.
Bradford great job on doing your homework. Keep it up big guy. I remember I started doing my homework my junior year and my grades shot up. It was great. Try not to hastle mom about going to seminary. Just go, be mad, and dont tell anyone. Thats what I did for four years. It really isn't worth anything to be upset. Mom won't let you ditch out on seminary. Its just not going to happen. Dad I found out that Hindu's believe in one god in many forms. Also the Behai are the most meek yet frustrating people I have ever encountered. Mom I have given a couple of PH blessings. I am sending you pictures via snail mail. I well thats all I have. I am out.

August 21, 2008

Dear Family,
Greetings from Northeast Philadelphia "where the Russians reject and the hindu's give hope." This week we have encountered nearly every imaginable culture from the european and asian continent. It really is quite ridiculous. I nor anyone else in the mission has ever seen anything like this. I believe that we are the most unique area in the entire mission.
Me and my old pal elder Moorehead were on an exchange this week. It was great fun to be reunited with him. It has been seven months since I taught with him. Our exchange was a blast. If I ever went to BYU he would definately be my roomate.
After a few active member lessons there was time for Elder Moorehead and I to go tracting. We both prayed and felt that we should go to an apartment complex right accross the street. We began to knock and much to our liking there was someone behind each door who opened and welcomed us in. There was one problem. They were all immigrants from Hindu immigrants from India or Trinidad. Their culture is so very different from ours and we really had no idea how to talk to them. We really had no clue how to invite them to come unto christ. Whenever we brought up Jesus Christ they said that they believed in him and that he was a face of God. They also believed in Muhammed, Chrischna and many other religious icons. It was quite difficult to teach them anything so if any one has an idea of how to talk to Hindus please let me know so I can figure out how to invite them to come unto christ.
Despite all of this we do have quite a few Hindu investigators that we are working with and they have also been gracious enough to feed us. The Hindu's from Trinadad are alot less strict to their code of eating and the belief of reincarnation. One family gave us chicken Gizzard. I enjoyed it. Chicken gizzard really has become one of my favorite things to eat. Its slightly dirtlike taste and its chewy texture allows and individual to truly enjoy their meal. If you put some habanero hot sauce on it this delicicasy it hightens the taste and deepens the enjoyment.
That is about all that happened to me this week. It really wasn't a week of excitement. I have come to the conclusion, after much prayer and revelation, that I want to and feel prompted to become a writer. So when i get home I will try my hardest at RCC and see if I can go to one of the top writing schools in the Nation. Northwestern, Penn, Brown, or UCLA would be my top choices. I dont even know if UCLA has a writing school, but I really love that place. I am also struggling with the idea of getting married when I get home. Part of me wants to but another part of me wants to have fun with my friends for at least four years. I suppose I will know what to do when I get home. If I want to get married when I get home my guess is that I will end up at BYU.
I am glad to hear that Jeff and Cara are together. I really hope they get hitched and then Mom and I can go on a double dates with them. It will be oodles of fun. However, I am not happy to hear that Austin has gone back to that siren, that heartbreaking trick, that individual who has a beautiful blond haired blue eyed outside shell but behind that facade lies an ogre a monster of sorts. Mom I hope that you don't give write that to Austin until she drops him again. But when that time comes be sure to do so. I don't have my camera on me right now but I will be sure to send you some pictures next week.

August 14, 2008

Dear Family
Greetings from Northeast Philadelphia "where rowhomes and inner cities are replaced with flowers and single condominiums and apartments." This week has been a very good week indeed. The reason why Elder Covington and I are opening up the Bensalem area is to get the active members and the leaders of the church more involved in missionary work. For the first three weeks we never met with any of the members and all we did was hunt for less active members of the church. It was quite boring and frustrating. But this week we made a conscious effort to get into active members houses.
Our efforts to get into the active members homes paid off quite well. On Sunday we visited an loud, outspoken, outgoing african american individual by the name of Perry Davis Jr. When we asked if there was anyone that we could go and teach he gave us four refferals. In fact he even replied that he would introduce us to one of the families he suggested for us to go and see.
Plans were then made for Perry Davis to take us over to the families house the very next day. As you can imagine Elder Covington and I were feeling increadibly excited when Perry was so very willing to allow us to visit his friends. We approached the door with all the confidence and excitement in the world. Perry Knocked on the door, but much to our dissappointment no one came to the door. However, this did not detter Perry Davis from giving us those refferals. After a few more moments Bro. Davis checked to see if the door was locked and when he found that it was not, he entered with great haste. he then made his way to the refridgerator took out a box of choclate ecclairs began to eat them and then proceeded to make his way to the television.
Brother Davis then invited us to follow him. Sheepishly I replied that this might not be a good idea but he beckoned me to follow. Finally I gave into his cries and we entered into the home. We then made our way to the sofa where we akwardly sat and waited for someone to come either come down the stairs or enter the house. After several long and akward moments we saw a middle aged man comming down the stair case. When the man turned and made eye contact with the three strangers he looked quite shocked. He looked at us and looked at Perry again and then said "P p p Perry? I haven't seen you in seven years" Looking cool and collected, Perry responded to the mans shocked look and statement with a "hey Pete long time no see. These are two of my church friends and I invited them over to have a lesson with you."
We then began our lesson, all individuals with the exception of Perry Davis trying to recover from the shock and awe of what had happened. In all of my days of being a missionary I have never been so scared of teaching a lesson in my life. Elder Covington and I went on and began teaching about the importance of the family, occassionaly being interrupted by Perry Davis asking if we needed something to drink or eat and reassuring us that if we ever needed anything we didn't have to ask all we had to do was just go into the cupboards or the refrigerator and take.

July 24, 2008

Dear Family 
Greating from Northeast Philadelphia "where the Catholics and Muslims collide. Sunday night was transfer calls and I anxiously awaited to hear from my district leader. However, as the night progressed I realized that I would not be getting a call and I went to bed. Then at twelve o'clock on sunday I got a call from Elder Herbert my district leader informing me that my bags needed to be packed by nine o clock tommorow night. I asked where I was going and he said he had no clue. On Tuesday morning I arrived at transfers and was told by president Murray that I would be headed up to Northeast Philadelphia to open up a new area called Bensalem in the Pennypack ward and that my companion would be Elder Todd Covington.  
  Yes it is true your dear boy Romulus Jones the magnificent mormon has been transferred out of Wilmington and into the outskirts of Philadelphia. I will miss Wilmington. I saw that place change from the bad lands to the most sought after place in the entire mission. I saw a ward that once avoided missionaries at all costs turn into a ward that was willing and able to help. I saw Sister Eubanks rise from a lowly crack head to an individual who truly sought for the betterment of mankind. I saw Shakira and Nina martinez both gain a testimony. I saw the faith of Jason Williams to be baptized despite losing his home and his friends. I saw Brother Clement shift from a huge burden to one of the greatest helps in the ward. I will forever be indepted to the area that I served in. I will forever love those that I knew. And I will be forever greatful for the trials and lessons that God gave me while I served with my heart, might, mind, and strength in that City. 
The ride into my new area was tough. I missed Wilmington. As we pulled up to our apartment (which is currently on Frankfor street next to the Blue line elevated rail.) I saw what appeared to be a brigade of female Ninjas walking down Folkroc street. Now I knew that Philadelphia was famous for many things but I never had heard Female ninjas to be one of them. Being so very puzzled i asked Elder Covington "what are Ninjas doing in the streets of Philadelphia." He responded with a chuckle and then an "Elder Evans those aren't ninjas they are muslims. Since that day I have seen nothing but muslims on our streets. 
A great deal of these individuals have no idea why they are muslims. Because Islam is a very poplar religion to convert to in jail it has become a tiny bit of a trend. Sadly a great deal of individuals simply convert to islam for protection in jail not knowing any of the excellent teachings of their own religion. When I ask anyone on our block if they want to here about the message of the restoration they simply respond with a "naw man im Mussssssslim." Yesterday I asked a man "what are some of the teachings of the Prophet Muhammed." The man looked puzzled and the glared at me and replied "Muhammed? No we believe in Jesus!"  
While Islam is prevelent around the southern quadrent of our area, catholicism is quite popular around the northern section of my area. anyone who is catholic is very old. This area is awesome though I love it so much. We've found alot of investigators since I've been here and we are working with a ton of less actives. Its my desire to find a convert or less active who will one day be as strong as president murray (who is also a convert.) 
Thank you friends for your thoughts on my behalf. I hope that you all enjoyed Batman the dark knight and know that I was with you in spirit. I hope someone took a picture. Well I have to be going 
Love elder Evans.    

July 17, 2008

Dear Family, 
  Greetings from Wilmington, "Where the skies are blue, the trees are green, and the people smoke rocks." On saturday night we ate dinner over at the Raymond's (an eighty year old couple from the deep south whose still hold strong to their  racist conferederate views of society. We ate an excellent home cooked meal of pot roast and potatoes. We then shared a lesson with them about how they can invite others to come to christ. They then said that they once invited a black family to church and had told them not to worry because the mormon church wasn't racist and that there were many of their kind there. Surprisingly the family never showed up to church. I thought it was quite funny and told them to keep on proclaiming the gospel. 
  After the meal and a few more racist comments the Raymonds dropped us back off at our home. We noticed that all the lights in our apartment were on which was a surprise to us because we had made sure that we turned all of the lights off. When we opened the door we saw that our house had been turned upside down. We went into our room and our air conditioning unit had been stolen. After further investigation we noticed that our bikes were missing. Luckly our IPODS and cameras were still intact. its my hypothisis that the three nephites protected our important belongings. It appears that brother Gregg has gotten the last laugh after all. I guess I should have given him some water and a sandwich after all. 
The rest of my week was pretty uneventfull so thats all I have to share. Happy six month mark to me by the way. Thank you family for all your letters. That picture of Katlyn Nelson is awesome. Unfortunately I might have to throw it away because it gets me distracted. I cannot believe the change that has occured within me. Six months ago all I thought about was how was I going to be able to endure these next two years. I thought to myself how much I was going to miss out on. Now I think to myself I would have missed out on so much if I would have not gone on a mission. I probably would be doing the same exact thing that I had been doing all of my life. I am pretty distraught about missing Batman the Dark Knight though. Vincent and Garret you are going to have to do something in memory of me before you watch the movie.    
Dad I never got the note but I am glad to hear that all is going well. Keep trying to send me stuff from the black berry. I am going to have to get one when I get home. I would like to hear about the Palmers also. I am very interested. Mom I am praying for you and everyone that is in the ward. Brad invite your friends to YM activities. It will make it a little bit more enjoyable and you can be doing missionary work at the same time.

July 9, 2008

Dear Family, Greetings from Wilmington "where the fourth of July is just another day to get high." Wilmington cities residence are perhaps the most unpatriotic individuals I have ever seen. I don't think I saw anyone that morning dressed in red, white, or blue. Most of the people we saw were wearing their standard outfit of six year old shoes, torn up jeans, and a shirt from the Goodwill that says "Jesus fest 2002 Do you have the faith?" Throughout the whole day I reflected many times about what freedom really meant. I was on this mission which by all means and standards of the world took away ones freedom. I could not watch TV, talk to my family, or even take a break. Yet I felt the most free that I have ever been. I looked around at all of the people that I served and saw the vices of all those I saw. Their choice to use drugs or their decision to have a child out of wed lock all resulted in constraint. Their choices their agency had constrained them to a life time of poverty. While I was free to sore, free to excel, and free to live life the way that I want to all because of a simple choice to serve a mission. Later that day I attended a true soul BBQ at Ophelia Waters, a well educated convert of about a year and a half. her family was filled with a bunch of characters and I could not understand the jokes that they told. I really wished that i would have seen the nutty professor or Madies family reunion before my mission so I could understand black humor. However, Elder Witt and I did manage to get some very good referrals from the BBQ. I want you to know that I never "just chill" any dinner appointment that I am at. We always teach a lesson or ask for refferals. If you guys ever have the missionaries over make them teach you a lesson. Members have an obligation to striaghten out apostate missionaries. The next day we hopped out of bed and headed to ward correlation. There our ward mission leader Brother Horn asked us and brother clement (who is now a ward missionary) to go and teach a less active by the name of Lamonica Robinson. Sister Horn then warned us that she had four autistic children and to watch out especially for the one that was named Butchy. As we approached the house of Lamonica Robinson we heard some rucuss but did not think that it would be to bad of an experience. We Knocked on the door and Lamonica opened and graciously allowed us to enter. we entered the hall way and there was nothing too peculiar. The room looked a tad bit disheveled but it was endurable. Then suddenly three children entered the room and began to punch each other in the head. They smelt of burnt hair and body oder and soon their fight began to be more and more intense and boiled over. Soon enough we were in the midst of this battle in an attempt to break it up. However, it was done in vain. Eventually the fight was broken up by Lamonica and the three boys went there seperate ways. We continued through to the back room. As I went I thought to myself "didn't sister Horn say that there were four children." At the moment that I thought that surely sister Horn was mistaken we reached the stair well. at the corner pedestall of the stair well there was a child curled up like a gargoyle. as soon as we made eye contacted the gargoyle sprang from his pedestool. For a few moments time stopped. and then the next thing I know I was down on the ground getting destroyed by Butchy. Tune in next week for more stories from Wilmington and Elder Evans.

June 30, 2008

Dear Family, Greetings from Wilmington "Where the summers a hot and humid and the people are naked and sweety." It is amazing to see how many naked people open their doors here in Wilmington. They usually realize that they are naked after the open the door and quickly jump behind the door for cover. Not alot of people have airconditioning here so I can't blame them for being in their birthday attire. This week was an interesting one to say the least. On Tuesday we had an amazing day. For the first time on my mission everything went according to schedule. We taught eight lessons. Everyone held their appointment. Once I got into the apartment we quickly planned, brush our teeth, got ready for bed and turned off the lights. For about an hour I marveled at how perfect my day was. I was so grateful for all that I had been blessed with. I slowly began to fall asleep. At the very moment that I fell asleep I was awoken to the sound of some shouting and wrestling. I heard a loud crash. I quickly ran and turned on the light. Once the light turned on I noticed something very different about the room. There was an ornament sticking out from the side of the window that we had never seen before. After I came to my senses a little bit more I realized that what I saw was a large arm that had punched through the side part of our airconditioner. It was swaying back and forth attempting to grasp unto elder witts feet. The arm retreated from the window back to the outside of the apartment. A few seconds later I heard a knock at the front door. I ran to the front door and looked into the peep hole. I looked outside to see a larger than average black fellow standing outside. I asked who it was. the strange fellow standing outside replied "brother Gregg" with a slurred and intoxicated voice. Quickly I asked "what do you want." The man replied, "I was wondering if you had any water or maybe some bread." Not knowing what to say I replied "what time is it?" He said "about ten o'clock." I looked at the nearest alarm clock and saw that it was now elveen thirty at night. I then stated "No we dont have anywater." the man then apologized for breaking the side of our airconditioner and then wandered off never to be heard from again. Well that is about all that hapened this week. I hope you all have a wonderfull week and I can't wait to recieve your emails next week. I am glad to hear that the trip to albaquere new mexico went well. I hope that brad will go with you next time. P day is changing from a Monday to a Thursday and as a result you will not hear from me until next Thursday. I am quite excited about the change. Bye the way hows my dog Lucky? I miss that well behave animal. I suppose that I took him for grantide. Everytime I walk into a house with an animal present there is urine stains on the couch and carpet and hair everywhere. Thankfully Lucky lacks those two unlikeable qualities. Reid the last email you sent me about KG looking like the missing link and Paul Pierce looking like a cracked out hobo made me laugh for a week straight. "Finding Faith in Jack Sparrow" was one of the funniest things I have ever heard in my life. Maybe Joe will come out with another movie five years from now called "Jack Sparrow, prophet of the Black Pearl." I am really getting sick of all of the church movies especially finding faith in christ and the testaments. My companion is in love with those movies so everytime he can he incorporates them into the lesson. They are really bad. I was thinking about that wager of a lifetime supply of chicken tacos and I have decided that I will take it once I get back from the mission. That my friend is financial stability for the rest of my life. I am glad to hear that the singles ward is doing the same. Vincent my friend. I really hope that you are enjoying life. I am so glad that you get to yell at the first year caddets. It seemed like just yesterday I got a letter from you saying how much you hated life. I am also glad that you enjoyed Spain. I wish you would have come home with a Spanish Chica, however. If only you spoke Spanish as well as I did. I have decided that my mission and your military experience are almost the same things. They are hard. They take alot of your time. They make you obey rules that honastly are arbitrary. But you learn so many important lessons. Mia Thank Jamison for the package he sent me. I'd like to know how he's doing each week. Mom if you could foreward his message to me each week I would be much abliged. Has Johnny left yet? You should get a chain email of all the missionary boys from Redlands together. -----

June 23, 2008

Dear Family Greetings from WIlmington "where the sweet smell of marijauna and garbage permeit through every crack and crevass in the city." Garabage day is always a day to look foreward to here in Wilmington. the smell during that time is thousands of times worse than any other day. all of the juice that has built up in the garbage can for the past six days is spilled out on the side walk, bringing forth a potent aroma that singes the nostrills and renders an individual paralized. Well I had two more baptisms yesterday. Was was for a nine year old by the name of Michael emmanual samuel anthony campbell leigh. Luckily I was not the one performing the baptism, but it was a very hard choir for Elder Witt. Michaels mother, Emrica, is an immigrant from seirra leon. Her family no longer speaks to her because she has joined the church.The other baptism was Jason Williams an 18 year old boy who we've been working with for the past two months. He was acually a member refferal from one of the members of the Wilmington first ward. He is awesome and I love him to death. His father died of AIDS several years ago. He has had a tough life. His uncle also just kicked him out of the house for being baptized into our church. As a result he is moving to alabama this week. I love him.Well thats about all that I have to tell you. I really don't feel like writing well today. I am really disappointed in all of you. the letter you wrote to me had three paragraphs. Did it take you guys like two minutes for you to write it? Catherine your excussed because you write to me almost every weekend and send me a package every month. I don't think you know how much it means to me. Brad you haven't wrote to me in two months. Dad whats going on in your life? Mom I haven't heard anything about yours. And what the hecks up with Austin? Reid thank you for writing me.I also sent a picture of me out in front of Rodney square I hope you enjoy it.

June 16, 2008

Dear Family, Greetings from Wilmington, "where fathers day is the most painful and depressing day of the year." It is on this day throughout the city that the cries of children and the sorrows of women can be heard and seen whever one is located. I cannot imagine what it is like to not know my father. In some homes fathers day is the only time that children ever get to see their dads. It is the only day of the year where the Jails are filled with children all of which are there visiting the patriachs of the family, speaking to them through a phone and viewing them through a three inch slate of plexi glass. While mothers day was one of the most sought after days throughout all of my mission, fathers day was one of great depression. The joy that I experienced talking to my family has been matched with the sorrow I felt being away from my dad on fathers day. The sorrow of the day for me reached its pinicle in sacrament meeting when all of the children of the primary got up and stood on the stage. Some gazed over the crowd in amazement, others ran around, and a selective few sang. It was at that point that I realized that this was my first year away from my father. I was alone. Others all around me experienced the that is a given during fathers day. Families were united and yet there was a continent that was dividing me from my father. Oh how I missed the joys that were inherently related with fathers day. Oh how missed my dear old dad. I knew that he was missing me and I had missed him. There was nothing I could do. I needed to be on this mission. It was the thing that I was suppossed to be doing. As I sat depressed watching the primary fathers day presentation a feeling came over me that I will never forget. My mind hearkened back to the story of christs last hours on earth. It was there during the Garden of Gethsamne that his fathers spirit departed from him. He had been aquantainted with grief and sorrow for the majority of his life. He was mocked by pharisses and saduccees throughout his ministry. He lived in meager circumstances from the time he was a child. Born in a stable to a impovirished family. The lowest of the lows hated him. Yet throughout his life and up until his last few hours on earth he always had the comfort of his father in heaven. He was indeed the closest human being ever to his father in heaven. He had never departed from his father. Regardless of this fact, however, he was forced to leave his dads prescence. It was neccessary. He was forced to endure the trials and hardships of everyone. He was forced to experience the sorrows of me missing my father. He was forced to experience the depression of children who lacked fathers. It was neccessary for him to experience all things. His fathers spirit had to leave him. God surely missied his son and his son surely missed him. More than a continent divided him from his son. The sins of all mankind divided he and his father. It was after this moment I was once again grateful to be on a mission. I was once again grateful to see the hand of god in all things. I love this mission. it has changed me and I know it can change all who allow it to.

June 9, 2008

Dear Family, Greetings from Wilmington "where the summer days make you feel like you are taking a bath in hot molases." It really is very hot in every place of the mission and it is especially hot in our area of the mission. We have only one airconditioner in our apartment and we have placed that in our room. However, our study room lacks such cooling. Every we open up our bedroom door and walk into an oven and sit there and frivolously attempt to study the scriptures in such a extreme temperature. Elder Witt informs me that it will only get worse. It was about 95 degrees with 80% humidty all last week and I wanted to die. This week has been one of service as well as success. On Saturday we hiked two miles to visit a less active woman by the name of Janice Jolly. By the time we reached the house our clothing was dripping with swet. Immediately sister Jolly saw us and let us in. We sat down and began our study, but immediatey sister Jolly told us to get up and move one of her toilets out to the dumpster. We happily accepted and I began to carry her old and rusted porcelen thrown down the stairs and to the garbage. We I reached about half way down the stairs her water started leeking through the toilet and ont my pants. I was not to excited. The rest of the day we went tracting and at nearly every door people said that I smelled like dog crap. At one door I said "correction I smell like human crap." we had a very interesting lesson about the Ten Commandments with Jamal. When we got to the 6th or seventh commandment (whichever one thou shalt not steal is) we stopped and looked at Jamal. Unfortunately our hopes to have Jamal confess to stealing celluar phones, Ipods, and chalk were dashed when he said nothing. We then proceeded onward with the rest of our lessons. This week we have been working with two investigators from the same apartment complex. Last saturday we decided that we would go visit tasha. When she opened her door we noticed that she had a bruised eye and scratches all over her face. We asked what happened and we found out that our other investigator Tereasa had beaten the crap out of her because she didn't like how she was talking to one of her baby daddy. O the wonderful Babymama drama of Wilmington. Well thats about all that has occured in my life throughout the past week.

June 2, 2008

Dear Family, Greetings from wilmington "home of the Howard high school Stealers (its really spelt Steelers, but that is not a fitting name for the individuals who attend that high school)." I apologize ahead of time but I am experiencing something that I have not experienced in a long time. I am right now in the midst of a writers block and I cannot seem to write my words the way that I want them. Last Tuesday morning I walked out of my apartment and immediately I was hit with a very horrible and uncomfortable feeling. It felt as though I had just walked into a cross between a sauna and a cheap Las Vegas hotel room with a broken down air conditioner. I turned to my companion Elder Witt and asked him what this strange sinsation was and he stated "welcome to a Philly summer." Humidity is the devil, especially when you are outside all day. This week we have been working extensively with a less active teenager by the name of Jamal Lyons. Jamal is an individual who is underprivledged to say the least. He lives in the heart of one of Wilmington's worst borrows. His mother Quintana works two jobs. Therefore the young boy is left to fend for himself. He is forced to take upon him the role of a mother and watch after his two sisters. the fact is, however, that he remains a thirteen year old and he is free to run his life the way that he wants it to be run. As you can imagine he takes full advantage of the fact that there is never any parental supervision. Throughout the week we had been making increadible progress with the young boy. He had really uponed up to us. He was also very interested in comming to church. As the week went by we began to teach both he and his friends. We enjoyed it and I came up with the bright idea to invite all of them to come to church. Sunday arrived and we got Jamal and his three friends up to go to church. We arranged a ride with one of the ward members. To say the least we were quite excited. The trip up to church went great. We had a wonderful time with Jamal and the driver. The car then was parked by our driver and we got out and walked up to the door. When Jamal and his friends reached the doors of the church all Hell broke loose. Jamal immediately ran up to the piano and began banging on the keys. HIs friends started taking a bath in the sink of the restroom. We managed to round all of them up before the sacrmament processions took place. For a few moments they all sat quitely together. Occasionally making a joke. During the opening prayer I opened my eyes to see Jamal standing up on his chair and doing the YMCA. For about five minutes after that they once again sat quitely. Then Jamal decided that he needed to use the bathroom. After a few more minutes one of his friends decided that he needed to go look for Jamal because he was concerned for his welbeing. The next friend followed suit. Then the next friend. I went out and looked in the restroom and low and behold there was no Jamal nor any of his friends. I proceeded to make my circles around the church trying to find the children of the damned. My serach was in vain. The other Elder began to join me in my search. We then looked in the library and found that it had been ransaked and destroyed. Rows of books were knocked down, chairs were broken and markers were every where. Eventually we found them. But low and behold they once again escaped our grasp. A few minutes later the bishop announced in Elders quorom that cars had been broken into and many peoples valuables such as Ipods and Cell phones had been stolen. We then found Jamal and the destroyers in the parking lot. There pockets were bulging with valuables which they swore that they had brought from home. Jamal then decided that he was offended and he and his three buddies agreed to walk home. I just didn't have it in me to follow him. Afterwards the bishops first counsellor went up to us and told us that he has done this everytime he has been here. So thats what happened to me this week. I am still trying to recover.

May 26, 2008

Greetings from Wilmington "Zion". So the Pax factor is home and it sounds like he has been thoroughly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am trying my hardest to get there but its a little bit more difficult than I had previously imagined. I really want to learn the idea of selfless service, but my prayers for the most part, remain selfish. Maybe in two years I will have the charity that Jeff has and cry at my homecomming. Well it has been a pretty standard week in the mission field. We talked to a bunch of drunk people, saw a few drug dealers, said hello to Chantel Newman and tried to solve her baby momma drama, and then eat some delicious food at sister Eubanks home (the recovering addict who has replaced drugs with the gospel and good cooking). This week Sister Eubanks cooked us some pasta. While preparing It I noticed that every can of tomato soup was expired and bulging. However, it was indeed the greatest pasta I have ever tasted. We also had an active member lesson with Aja Redmond, a single mother who faithfully attends church. It was a very spiritual lesson, however, Aja's three children Justice, Sypher, and Reality were consistantly disturbing our lesson. I think that I will have Aja name my children I love her style. People name there children after the weirdest things here. I think the weirdest name i've heard out hear was "Queen Nigerria." Today was the annual ward picnic at Fox point, which is a park right on the delaware river. Its a beautiful park surrounded by the scenic Dupont chemical plant. The water was a increadible merky emeral color from all of the chemicals that are dumped in the river. Well I have to go we are eating at the Olive Garden today before district meeting and I don't want to be late. Tell Ian that I will reply to him if he gives me his address so I can send a letter. Also ask if the Gimps can do a religious CD so I can hear how my boy is doing. I dont have many CD's and the ones that I have I have listened to a thousand times so if anyone wants to donate CD's to me I would be more than happy.

Please Write Comments!

Hi to everyone who reads Romney's blog. I hope you are enjoying all of his many stories. I enjoy being able to post the highlights from the family e-mail he writes each week. He wants to hear from you and so I am writing this post to tell you all that if you make comments on the letters they will get to him. I paste the comments you write into an e-mail I send him each week, so if you think something is particularly funny or just want to write him about what is going on in your life you can do that and I promise it will get to him.
-Catherine (Romney's sister)

May 19, 2008

Greetings from WIlmington, "Where the only mountains you will see are Baptist churches (i.e. Mt. Zion Holy Epsicople Trinity Church/ Mount Faith Hill of the Apostles)." In all of my days I have never seen so many churches. Big churches, small churches, round churches, square churches, churches that meet in amphitheaters, churches that meet in basements; I have seen them all in Wilmington.
This last week Elder Witt and I were walking in downtown WIlmington and we spotted what appeared to be a club. When we looked closer, we discovered that the club was actually a church adorned with black lights and neon pictures from the New Testament. We decided that we would go in to explore the church. The moment I set foot in the building my nostrils detected the familiar and potent smell of a cracked out hobo (which smells like a mixture of BO, dirt, sulfuric acid, and alcohol). When I looked in the room, my eyes confirmed what my nostrils smelled. There were a group of homeless men dancing around in a prayer circle. To the side of them was a band of raggedy- looking musicians providing a disjointed melody for the hobos to dance to. Scattered throughout the group of homeless men were a few well- dressed teenagers. Elder Witt and I looked at each other with a confused grin. Immediately a well dressed teenager asked us to join in the praise dance. We declined and went off on our merry way without any explanation of what the heck that church was. I doubt that I will ever see such a weird thing again.
Church corruption exists everywhere. In fact if I were not Mormon I would go into this most profitable profession. Right next to our home is a large church called the tabernacle full gospel. The pastor there is a very rich man. He drives a Bently and probably lives in a very nice house. His congregation, however, are among the poorest people in Wilmington. I talk to people who live in projects and on the streets. His house was built by the blood sweat and tears of these poor individuals. It is pathetic.
Reid, Los Angeles is legit. I am so glad that I am on a mission because it is the reason why the Lakers are winning. The Lord has seen my sacrifice and is blessing the Lakers with a championship ring. Tivo the games so I can watch them when I get back.

May 12, 2008

Greetings from WIlmington "where theres a store on every corner and a graveyard on every street." I appreciate your response to last letter and I am happy to say that me and Elder Witt are getting along great. He reminds me of my favorite cousin. We have alot of fun as well as accomplish a great amount of good. I also enjoyed your article in the Sickle thruster this week. I remember comming on the mission and seeing all these missionaries who were exactly alike. who all spoke the same way and believed the same thing and obeyed the same rules. I promised myself that I would never "drink the Koolaid." As I have matured as both a man and a missionary I have come to the conclusion that every individual subscribes to a doctrine that others believe in. In some way we all drink someone elses koolaide. In some form we are all acted upon. However, it is our choice of whose koolaide we will drink. I have come to the conclusion that I want to live my life in accordance to what the gospel of Jesus Christ teaches. I have made the choice to drink the Kool Aid of missionary work.

Reply to Comments

Dear Sean,I have come to a conclusion. This mission has made me more black than you. I am down with all the knew lingo and phrases that you haven't even heard about yet. I also know how to do the DMACK, the Spongebob, the Run-forest, and the Spider man, but you've probably never heard about those dances because your not black enough. You also may be thinking that these dances dont exist, but they do. Youtube them you will see. Chitlins are the most legit things in America. Have you ever had sweet potato pie?Eric man I love you. I think about you, will, and the rest of the gang all the time. This mission is awesome. I am so excited for the rest of it. When we get home were gonna hang out and then were going to go into the peace core and head out to Africa. Its going to be so tight. Will can come along as well.
-Romney