On exchanges!

Breakfast on July 4th as a District with the Pulu Family.

July 5, 2011!

Whats up Fam!

I've been having tons of fun lately. Had a really good week. Elder Lameta and I's time together is almost up. I have transfer on the 13th. So excited. It's kind of a bummer that I will stay here again. 4 and a half months in 2 wards.. I'm losing it. lol I feel like I know everyone. It's weird, I'm not used to it for sure. I'd like to go back to covering a whole stake or two. Not just two wards. But lots of things are going to be changing this upcoming transfer. President Winn is moving a lot of leaders around since we arent doing the best as a mission right now.(We're ONLY baptizing 50 a week...lol) I love my mission!

I am 3 weeks from htting a year. It's so weird. The mission is just life now and it's going by so fast. I'm kind of at a weird point in my mission though. I'm not trunky or anything, and I'm not green at all, so I'm just content with where im at right now and having a lot of fun. The only struggle I've been having lately is just really loving my investigators. I never thought that would be a problem. I feel like I'm baptizing people just because it's my job and to set an example for my Elders, and not because I truly love them. It's just hard right now to have a special relationship with people because you teach them for 3 weeks and then it's on to the next one. I'm almost not really pumped for baptisms anymore. It's just what we have every Saturday... I'm not being prideful. Just losing how special it is in the fact that it happens every week. I'm working on it though!

BUT I have found a new thing that I absolutley love. Being a leader is the biggest blessing right now. I have been able to help a lot of the elders in my dstrict lately. It's been the best. Idk how but whatever it is I'm saying is helping them. I talked to an Elder today only because he saw how much his companion changed after talking to me about the mission and what he needed to do to be happy. It was awesome. It's weird how everytime I talk to an Elder I think, "I just did absolutley nothing for that kid." But they start turning it around and improve. Sooo cool. :) So even though I'm struggling loving my investigators (gosh that sounds terrible!) I have never been more happy on my mission than right now helping these Elders. It's THE best.

For transfers though I'm going to be staying here in the Pioneer Stake pretty much for sure. And I'm crossing my fingers I'm a DT (District Leader/Trainer) There are lots of English kids coming in. But whatever, I just do what I'm told. I'm doing good. Happy to hopefully be done in the Samoan program soon lol Being 230lbs is not fun. I love you all and imma keep tearing it up as always.

Elder Orr

P.S. Sorry I never really talk about scripture stuff or quote things throughout my letters from the scriptures or send you tons of spiritual stuff. I'm not really into the whole sharing stuff just to share it. I mean, you guys know the scriptures so there is no need for me to expound on King Benjamin or anything. So just in case you're wondering I am learning stuff and getting a stronger testimony. Learning lots! But I'd rather just share the highlights and the big stuff. Sorry if that's what youre wanting. :/ I read other Elders blogs from my mission and think "My family and friends probably think I'm out here just having fun" haha But if you aren't having fun with the gospel and enjoy being a member, then whats the point? You know what I mean? For instance, and I quote "Adam fell that men might be and men are that they might have JOY" haha There's some scripture mastery action for ya. :)

I'm just being me and sharing the gospel. I love it. Not putting a show on for people, I just love and a simple, powerful testimony. THAT is how you baptize. I don't know what I'm trying to say other than, just because I'm out having more fun than anyone, still have a personality and joke around a lot doesn't mean I'm not spiritually on fire right now. I love this church. I love being a missionary. I love my Savior.

Now go share your testimony, it's not hard if you're just yourself and talk about it like you actually have one. Share what you know. What is there to be afraid of when you know your right, and you have the Holy Ghost backing you up?? (Mosiah 28:3) Read it and live it! Love you family. I miss you so much. Enjoy the heat. Cant wait for August and to have Shelbz out here!

Brando

June 29, 2011

Hey

This week was good. I've just been busy with the district and keeping things afloat. I had a lot of issues earlier in the transfer, but Elders are really making a lot of progress. It's amazing how I'm actually able to help these guys. It's really weird when I'm talking to a former ZL that was in my zone when I first started my mission. But it's fun. I'm enjoying it a lot, giving trainings and everything.

I'm glad you all were able to meet Elder Wiehl! Just to hear some stories and talk to him. He's a really good guy. Kept me in line. lol But I don't know where the work ethic question came from.(Elder Wiehl asked where Brandon got his good work ethic from.) When I read it I was like "What work ethic?" haha jk :) But I have gotten better. I'll always remember Dad going through my binder a long time ago and finding a paper that said I admired Derek Jeter because of his work ethic and then dad got on me me for not having one and doing bad in school. So yeah.. I'm trying to step my game up and work like a Orr. :)

Next Tansfer is July 13th.

It's not official but I'm coming home July 25th next year.

Glad to hear about Austin.(Austin's knees have been bugging him. We took him in, and everything seems to be fine. He just needs to quit growing!) I was definelty worried about him. He better not be 6' 3". I can't even imagine him being as big as me. Whatever though.. he could be 6' 4". But I still don't have red hair. :)

Oh and get yourself out with the missionaries! :)

Brandon Thomas

June 20, 2011

Hey!

Things are going great. Happy Father's Day!!

This week has been wonderful. We had our two day leadership meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday. It was so good. We have the best mission presidency you could ever ask for. The taught us all kinds of new things. I am so blessed to be in leadership. I felt pretty bad most of the time though because they kept talking about how there were 14 companions with no one on date and how that is almost impossible to do in this mission. Well.. I was one of them.... :(

So as of Wednesday night we had 2 progressing investigators, and NO ONE on date. And at the end of Sunday night. We had a miracle baptism, 3 investigators on date, and 7 progressing investigators!!! We went from the worst in the mission to one of the few to hit the standard of excellence this week! Completely Amazing. So blessed. I feel like the Lord had pity on us and gave us all this new work. lol But its so great right now. I shouldn't be saying that because my district is doing awful and my car was stolen my one of the elders in my district about an hour ago. This elder went nuts because Lameta was making fun of him. Lameta said Samoa was better than Hawaii, and the kid flipped and took my car. So everything isn't going the best, but I'm happy and that's all that matters. But I have to go and handle some stuff. haha Cant wait :)

Oh and I ran into a mom of an investigator Wiehl and I taught in West Valley City. The mom told me how her daughter didn't want to be baptized now because the new missionaries aren't taking their time with her and aren't as understanding as Wiehl and I were. Mom wants me to come and teach her daughter as soon as I can. It's a pretty sweet feeling knowing that, but I have to get the girl converted to the Church and not Wiehl and I . It is still always a blessing to hear you're doing a good job from your investigators. I miss West Valley so much. Oh and you guys too. :)

Hope everything is going good.

Brandon Thomas

"Before my first training as District Leader.. Sooo professional."

"My new Eli Young Band t-shirt! :)"

"Doing a little service."

June 6th, 2011

Hey

So being a DL is not exactly fun....But definitely a learning experience! They just kind of throw you in there with not a lot of direction on what's happening. I'm pretty much just learning as I go. My first training last Friday was pretty good. I had a lot of fun with the Elders, trying to get them involved and have some fun. Most of the trainings aren't the best because Elders are just trying to impress the Zone Leaders. I don't know if it was the right thing to do or not, but I just got up and told them I wasn't doing any of this stuff for anyone but them. I told them I would be real with them, and that I wouldn't act like an almighty District Leader. No one likes to do what someone says when they act like they are better than you. I don't know, I was kind of being chill and letting them do things their way and letting them understand the consequences. I can't make them be obedient or work hard. I just told them it was there choice if they were going to do it or not. Blessings or No Blessings, Happiness or No happiness. Then I quoted Luke 6:46. Pretty awesome.

I'm kind of learning a lot about myself. I'm not a big motivator or inspiring leader, I'm just plain, honest, and to the point. My missionaries love it because I'm just a normal guy with them, but some people see it as not taking it serious. They haven't said anything, they just give off that impression. It's almost like they think you shouldn't be having fun and still getting your stuff done. It sometimes upsets me, but it's all good. I guess it really doesn't matter as long as we hit our goals at the end of the day.

It's been way stressful though. My companion, is still pretty miserable, and I don't know what to do. If I want to be obedient and work, he's fine with it but he's just a shadow of himself. He's not there. He just doesn't care or want to say anything when we go anywhere. We don't really have the Spirit when we teach. It's just hard, because he's one of my best friends out here and I'm not really the type to jump on someone for not doing stuff, especially with Lameta. He doesn't do well with that. He will just go silent for days and won't do anything when people get mad at him; doesn't respond to it at all. There's just no motivation.

I know I could get mad and make him work, that's no problem. But I love the kid. I want him to do what makes him happy. I don't want him to be miserable out here. I just feel like my hands are tied until he decides he wants to work. Our area is just about dead, not because of him, it's just down really bad right now. But, I think I'll try to slowly, one step at a time, get him back to being effective and loving the work. I hated doing that with Sharp. I felt like I wasted a transfer, but I don't think I love another guy in the world more than Elder Sharp after that transfer. I sacrificed a lot of my mission to help him and now he is tearing it up. He's doing so good! The change I've seen in him has been worth way more than most of my baptisms to me. I'm just not sure if I can do all that again haha.. Who knows.. maybe that's why we stayed together this transfer. The Lord knew I would take the time to do it. I just don't know. Love you.

Brandon Thomas

A Few Pictures!

"Our beautiful house in Glendale, UT."

"It has a sweet basketball hoop on a tree though, I've got a nice shot from the front porch."

"Elder Lindquist and Watson - They cover the other half of the Pioneer Stake"

"Elder Lameta - Opening our packages from the Fam!"

May 31st, 2011

Sounds like everybody is having a good Memorial Day. It's rained here again for like the sixth day in a row. And its still pretty chilly. Nothing like last year around this time. It was so hot in the MTC. But hopefully I go out to Wyoming this summer and avoid the heat. Hear its absolutley beautiful out there in the summer. I want to get out there since that's where dad served for a bit. See what it's like. Sounds like it would be a lot like home.

But transfers are coming up on Wednesday again. This transfer flew by. I feel like I was just telling you bout Lameta. But I have absolutley no idea whats happening. Could stay or leave. No idea. President hasn't even announced the AP yet. Lots of changes in the mission this transfer. Pretty excited for it.

Pics coming!

Elder Orr

May 23, 2011

To be honest, there's not much going on. Things have been pretty slow lately. I think I'm finally starting to feel the trial of faith the mission has been going through these past few transfers. I just made some really big changes with my focus and commitment level with the mission and the work. I feel like I'm starting to see the trials from making those changes. Satan is trying to get me to go back to how I was, but I just know that if I continue with these changes I will be blessed. I'm so excited right now and so is President Winn.

At the same time, I'm praying I'm not called as District Leader. I've had two District Leaders in other districts tell me that he has brought me up when they were talking about stuff. I'm all about receiving blessings for the work I put in, but not this way. It's one of those things where I'd like to be one, but at the same time I don't. Many missionaries focus too much on aspiring to leadership roles instead of focusing on the role they already have been given, which is being a missionary.

All of our investigators are stuck on something that's keeping them from being baptized. I did have another baptism in my old area this past Saturday. I also have 3 baptisms scheduled for next week. I'm so happy. :) It's always good to hear that you all are proud of me. Probably the best. Love you

Brando

PICTURES!!!

Elder Burkard, Elder Orr, Elder Wiehl

May 3, 2011

Things are still going great. We had our first baptism together this Saturday and hit the Standard of Excellence. Pretty excited about that. But it's been the most fun I've had in awhile. First time I've been able to have a solid balance of working and playing hard. I think it makes some elders crazy though. Like some are hating their life because they are so obedient but they arent having the success we are. They dont get it! Supposed to enjoy your mission. People can see through the whole trying to be perfect act. They're all so uptight they can't have an actual relationship with people or have the spirit. But I'm just glad I finally got this whole mission thing figured out. Having so much fun and still hitting the standard. Its great! Interviews with President are this week. I'm really excited for them. Let him know what's up and get to talk for a little bit.

Definitely getting fed alot though. Samoans are great. Kind of weird, because when we go to their houses we just sit at the table with the dad and he talks to Lameta in Samoan the whole time. So I just chill eat and wait to say "Oklahoma". It's fun though. They hook us up all the time with food. Randomly get knocks at the door at night and they drop off food. But I still haven't gained ANY weight. Still 220. Gonna hit 200 by my year mark. That's the goal anyway. lol

Good to hear my grandmas are doing better though. Pretty crazy how quick all that stuff with Nana happened.

But a month away from hitting a year of going to the MTC. Sooo crazy! But things are great. Couldn't be happier right now. Love you Momma!

Talk to you on Sunday! :)

April 18th, 2011

Hey!

Glad to hear you enjoyed all the letters. It was really cool. Not much has happened this week. Kind of slow. We only have 3 people left to teach after all these baptisms. But for the transfer Elder Wiehl and I have had the most baptisms in a transfer this stake has ever had. The record was 7 and we had 10 in the 6 weeks. Very exciting. Real happy with how i'll be leaving the area. Transfers are in 2 days. I know I'm leaving for sure. Elder Wiehl will more than likely be staying and training again. President told me I would finally be Senior Companion. Way excited. Last two weeks have been tough. I'm ready to be running the show again. It's been hard to take a backseat to Wiehl, because we have similar teaching styles and both of us like to lead. So I've been sitting the bench most lessons. Horner and Sharp never really cared about teaching so I always did the majority of it. So I'm excited to be running the area again after being retrained and getting my stuff together. Things are going real well. I'll give you ALL the details on transfer, my new area, and my new companion next week. Im way tired and want to go chill on Pday. We got some ropes and have been roping Elders with them. Have had so much fun this transfer with Elders Burkard and Wiehl. Theyre like the only normal missionaries out here who arent aspiring to leadership or that are being disobedient. So kind of a bummer to leave when they're both staying. But it's all good. It'll all work out either way. :)

Brandon

April 11, 2011

Oh wow! Sorry fam I spoke too soon. I have a few more reasons for why the Utah Salt Lake City Mission is the best, and all the other missions can sit the bench. This was the most faith building week I've had so far on my mission. Great week.

So far on my mission I've just taught people and got them baptized. I haven't had to spritually exert myself to make things happen. They were just golden investigators and they wanted to be baptized. But, with the Standard of Excellence and the goals we have now, we are always praying and exercising our faith so that we'll have the things we need to happen. This week we had Myah get baptized. But in order to hit the Standard for the 5th week, we needed to find someone who was ready for baptism...in just a week. So on Thursday we were feeling terrible. Just ungrateful for everything we had and we really were just being ridiculous. Elder Wiehl was upset with how Wednesday had gone. (Had a baptismal Interview, 3 lessons w/ people, and added someone) I was complaining too, but i told him how if any other mission had that kind of night they would be so excited. So we needed to be grateful for those things. So we doubled our faith and started praying that we'd find someone for baptism.

We knew of a family (Kyle's) That had 4 unbaptized children that were way active. Jessica has her YW medallion already. She's 14 and not a member. Amazing family. But the dad has social anxiety real bad. Really bad. Like 4 months ago I went by their house convinced I would be the missionary to have him get it together. lol It didn't happen. Sister Kyle said that "if we were there for her kids we wouldnt get anywhere just like the other missionaries from the past 6 years" So we gave up until a week ago. We just got lucky and helped them unload some things they were moving and chilled with the fam. No gospel talk. Did that a couple more times, just dropped by and ate some cookies. Had amazing talks with the dad. Really cool guy as long as hes not in crowds. But before we left, Elder Wiehl was impressed and told him that we felt like we could help them get there kids baptized and we wanted to do that. Bro Kyle went straight white. lol We thought we messed up. The next time we saw the fam, we chatted about weather and sports and nothing really for an hour and a half. This was the same Thursday that I had said we needed to double our faith. Before we went in I said the most sincere prayer that he would be okay with baptism. As I walked to the door I felt the Spirit so strong, like in the middle of testimony meeting walking up. I knew it was gonna work out, but nothing happened while we were there. Nothing. I was so confused. But as we walked out. He followed us out the door and said he had thought about what we had said and wanted to baptize his kids before they moved in two weeks. I went nuts. So amazing. All four of them are going down next Saturday. One is 8 so we get 3 of them. We'll have 9 for the transfer. :) And SOE for 5 weeks. So blessed. Just because we hit a trial doesnt mean we moan about it. We double our faith and act. Lord will bless us. So grateful for this miracle. It was amazing.

But that's nothin. This was our stake conference weekend. Bishop Burton (Presiding Bishop) was coming. So I figured I'd shake his hand or something say hi and that'd be it. No big deal or anything. But before adult session we were shaking hands and kissing babies as everyone walked in and he walked by. He shook Wiehls hand and threw his arm around me and told me he loved my tie and for me to call him when i took it to DI (Deseret Industries) so he could pick it up. It was pretty cool. I was laughing so hard. Wiehl and I both had our new ties on and we were fighting about who had the better one. So I'm pretty sure I won. So I thought I had my cool moment with Bishop. But it wasn't over yet. The days before conference i was praying that I'd be able to say something at some point to a leader that would really get the work going. We were having trouble finding new people, and with my last miracle I really wanted to share it and tell people how there were those out there for them to touch. Maybe just tell a bishop or something. BUT after stake Pres Rosenlof spoke he said "Bishop Burton would now like to hear from Elder Orr...and liste two other people." It was awesome! I felt like they had told me a week ago and I had been preparing for it. I wasn't nervous at all. It was SICK (You're welcome :) i guess i say it a lot now.lol) I got to talk to a little over 1000 people about the miracles we had been having and I even got a lil choked up. It was great. So cool. I didn't even think about anything I would say, just shot from the hip. I think it was the best testimony I have ever born.

So once again I thought I had my cool experience with Bishop. lol But after conference I needed to drop off a progress record to the Stake Pres. We walked in the High Council room, told him about the stuff that was going on, and Bishop Burton was in there and invited us to have lunch with them in-between sessions. It was soo cool. Just us, the stake presidency, and Bishop Burton. We just talked about home and how well the work was going. I was so happy. Pres. Rosenlof was talking us up and said how there wasn't any work going on before I had been there. It was kind of unexpected, but very appreciated. President Rosenlof is a lot like Dorpa. Alot. So it was an amazing day and week. So blessed! 9 baptisms in a transfer and 16 for 16 this year as far as baptizing every week. All the Lord baby. I love prayer!

Love you guys so much. Almost through 5 transfers. Time is flying.

Elder Orr

April 4, 2011

Alright So I'll be accepting applications for the best mission in the world, because I'm pretty sure Utah Salt Lake City Mission is hands down the best. :)So check this....I spent all weekend at conference by the reflection pool and going to most of the sessions in the Conference Center. I got the Presiding Bishop to come to my stake conference and have a special meeting with my investigators. I'm baptizing a lot, and living in amazing basements with members who have homemade bread ready for us every night when we come home. Then after a weekend like that we have 3 baptisms Sunday at 6. (Solid German family) Then we went and said a prayer in the car and in 2 hours found a family of 4 to teach and put one more person on date, to hit our goals and get the Standard of Excellence for the 3rd week in a row and it's our 5th baptism in 4 weeks. So this mission is obviously the best. :) I still wonder what I did to deserve the blessings I'm receiveing. Still can't believe I'm in this mission. I walk around temple square and am just in awe of how lucky I am to be serving here. Hands down the best.

We were stranded on temple square in the rain Saturday night. Had no ride home to West Valley so we stopped this Tongan. He was headed to Provo, but he took us anyway. Gave the four of us a ride AND bought us some 5 Guys (burger place) on the way there. It was an awesome night.

Conference was amazing though. Recieved some revelation on some things I've been thinking about lately. It was awesome. During Elder Scott's talk, I believe. But it blew my mind. Holland tore it up, but I'm gonna have to say Uchtdorf's talk in Priesthood, for the second conference in a row, was my favorite. Every time that guy opens his mouth its like he's talking to me. It was great. But the most spirtually on fire I've ever been at conference, besides Priesthood Session with dad when I was 12 at the conference center. That was when Elder Holland said "One way or another the voice of the lord WILL be heard!" It was great.

But I was thinking about it and I'm pretty sure when I went to priesthood with dad and we sang We Thank Thee Oh God For A Prophet as the closing song. It was when Hinkley was sick so it was a little cooler. But im gonna put that on the board of the moment I knew the church was true.

But I love you Momma thanks for the package and the card. The stuff was perfect. I love getting the Oklahoma jerky and cookies. I miss Oklahoma a lot. But You're the best mom. I'm really thankful for you and dad the more and more I'm out. People out here do a pretty bad job raising their kids most of the time. And I am sooo blessed to be your son.

Brandon

March 14, 2011

Lots of good things are happening in my life. I think I'm really being blessed for the trials I've gone through so far on my mission. Transfers were amazing. We had 2 members of the 70 come and speak, as well as the mission presidency. I was crying the entire time. President Winn said a lot of stuff that really lit a fire in me. I can't remember much of it, but the spirit was so strong the whole meeting and I'm just so excited to go and work. Winn promised us that if every missionary was meticulously obedient and dilligent that we would have 3000 baptisms this year. The goal originally was 2600. We're so excited. Were actually the only mission that has increased in baptisms so far in Utah. President Winn said those mission presidents don't get it. lol He's awesome. I'm really developing a love for him and I'm so glad hes my mission president. We had interviews a few days before transfers and we were able to have a good talk. I didn't feel like I had everything in the work and needed to step up my game. So I am! After I found out who my new companion was and realized who my new leaders were, I went and gave President Winn a big hug and thanked him. He just said the same thing hes been telling me since I got here. "Prepare yourself Elder Orr" So I am! Just gonna do what that guy says. He's amazing. He couldn't have put me in a better situation this transfer.

Elder Wiehl is my new comp. He's been out 21 months. From Mesa, AZ. Amazing missionary. Was a Zone Leader awhile back, but trained and is now with me. I feel like I'm finally being trained lol It's great. We're getting so much stuff done. Working really hard. He's really showing me how this whole thing is done. Definitely helping me prepare and I'm learning a lot from him. This has definitely been a humbling experience.

But the best news is that all my previous friends from my first mission that I hung out with, and were disobedient are all straight now! Everybody has kind of caught the vision at the same time and are working really hard. Most of the guys I came out with are district leaders and CWood is even a zone leader now. President Winn is doing something different with his leadership that is ingenious. He's moving young guys up as soon as they are ready and making them good missionaries. It motivates them and they learn a lot faster. So as soon as he sees you do good in one position he's moving you up. But once you hit 18 months or so he has been releasing people to train or just help out elders who need more training. It's working really well.

About to have a lot of success coming up. We set a goal for 8 this transfer!

Loove ya,

Elder Orr :)

February 23, 2011

Sorry it's taking me awhile to write this week. President's Day and then I had an appointment yesterday morning so I couldn't then either. So finally on Wednesday, you can hear from me. But this week has been pretty good. We hit the Standard of Excellence for the fourth time together. Which was nice. But Elder Sharp has still had really no of late. I've just been trying my best to do my thing and help him as much as I can, but I'm not going to drag him to do the work. I'm just going to try and set an example and hope he will catch back on and refind his desire. Because, honestly, if I have to drag a companion to do something it's just worse for everyone involved. We don't teach as well because I'm upset with him, he's upset because I'm making him work, and the investigator doesn't get as much out of it. I'm not complaining, it's just another situation where I can help someone. I just hope I can help him. We kind of set some different goals for this week work wise. We are gonna let the area chill, or just only teach the people on date, and let the potential wait until next transfer or until Sharp wants to work again. I'm going to really try to help him and do what I can to get him back where he was when we were hitting the SOE (Standard of Excellence) every week last transfer. I think he's just really tired of the area after 6 months and ther leaders. I've been trying to talk to him a lot and get him motivated.

Had a pretty good talk with him last night. I asked him if he was done for the transfer or what the deal was? He said he'd have to think about it. Then he slept in till 10 this morning. I know I could get mad, start yelling and tell him what he's not doing right, but he knows what he needs to be doing. Just has to find the desire on his own. I think that's the biggest mistake leaders make out here is pushing people til the breaking point rather than just talking with them and trying their best to help them. A lot more important than a weeks worth of work. Just feel like if I can help him now it will affect the rest of his mission versus it just helping us have a better week. So hopefully it'll work out well. If not.. transfers are on March 9th. lol

But we had Joel's baptism this past Saturday. He's a 9 year old kid I talked about that was crazy and hard to teach, but he's gotten a lot better. We had been working really close with the WML, but Saturday morning we found out he didnt have a program and no one from the Bishopric was coming to his baptism. I was so mad at him but I got it figured out and Elder Sharp and I just spoke. It was really fun not having time to prepare anything and just winging my talk. I like doing that a lot more than preparing a well thought out thing. The Spirit is able to guide you a lot more. But it went really well his grandpa was able to baptize him and they had me confirm him the next morning. It was a really cool thing to do. There is definitely a different spirit about confirming someone versus a regular blessing. It was the first time I wasn't nervous about doing something like that. I love how happy the moms are after being able to do someting like that for them. LOVE IT. :)

And something that happened.. I asked Elder Sharp what he thought about my teaching style and how I was doing because I'm pretty confident in my teaching but I always want to know how I could be better. He said that I was one of the few people he knew that had a different lesson every time we met with someone. As far as totally teaching to their needs instead of having something prepared. He also said that it showed I actually wanted to help the people rather than faking my sincerity. So that made me really happy. Funny thing is that I'm only like that because when I was trained I never planned a lesson. Horner hated to plan so we just had lesson plans as we knocked on the door. But I guess it's been a blessing. Just being able to go let the spirit guide the lessons.

But the thing I'm really working on is being more humble and having more of a missionary attitude around the other elders. I'm usually joking around a lot and they get the idea that I dont care about being a missionary. But im working on it, because I definitely care about being a missionary. My favorite thing lately is that the new greenie elders think ive been out for like over a year. Its always funny. When they ask me "So how long you been out Orr? Like 13, 15 months?" Nah man I been out a month longer than you have. lol So funny. But things are going great. Just pray for my comp. I have a feeling I will have more companions with no desire to work, and I'll have to help them. But I'm up for it. Whatever President Winn wants me to do. I do it. Except giving up DP... I've kinda having a relapse lately. :(

Love you guys.

Elder Orr

February 14, 2011

Hey fam

Yeah I know. Pretty crazy im 20 now. lol Even crazier that I've been out 6 months. Kinda crazy. Stuff is going to get real, really quick when i get home. lol Still think im supposed to be a kid sometimes.

Yeah ive been doing better with the mission stuff. I have interviews this Friday with President Winn so hopefully they will go well. I have a lot I want to talk to him about. Probably be bumped up to Senior next transfer. Maybe train. Who knows. I don't really care, I just hope im blessed enough to just train and be able to baptize my whole mission.

But transfers will be on March 9th. I will definitely be getting a new companion and staying where I'm at. But yeah if you have any questions about anything just e-mail. I know I'm not the most detailed with stuff. I know I haven't told ya much bout my comp area or stuff. So if ya got questions ask me. I know mom always has them. But things are going pretty good. Not much happened this week again. Just been going to the important appointments and staying in besides that. Sharp is having some problems. I dont know what's going on. But hopefully it will get better this week. When we were first together I would just make him work but it just made him hate everything and now were actually getting along pretty well. He's just been having a lot of depression and anxiety problems and his medication makes him tired and hasnt been working I guess. Can't blame the guy for it. He wants to be working most of the time but just hasn't been able to. I am pretty excited to get a new comp. But it's been pretty good with Sharp.

Birthday was really good though. Members hooked me up really well. I got a cheescake from a family. Then had a birthday dinner and cake with the Taylors. But work is going well. Julia and Joel will get baptized this week. They both got pushed back from the 5th. So glad theyll finally get baptized. Pretty happy. Not much to tell ya about them. Sometimes we just dont have the best relationship with the people. They just kind of see us as the elders not friends like most people. So we just teach and leave usually.

I've been better with leaders though. Weekly planning the zone leaders drilled me about why I wasn't excited about the work. idk what the deal is. I'm not an emotional person about anything.lol You know this...Washington DC trip.lol Still my favorite trip. haha Didn't get mad though. Just trying to be more patient and see where they are coming from.

Loving the mision though. Time flying by. So glad. Tired of counting the days earlier in my mission. But yesterday was my 200th day! lol Love you guys. Hopefully not too much complaining or anything. Sorry I do that sometimes. I get a lil excited when I start talking about stuff.

Elder Orr