I AM SOOOO OLD!!!!

Hey everyone! *read it with the sound of me with a stuffy nose*

Yep sick again...I got a really nasty head cold this time. Trying to survive and not die out here on the mission but some days it is a struggle. Haha just kidding but I hope this passes soon because I am sick of blowing my nose all the time. But enough about me, how are all of you doing? I hope everything is going well and that you are not sick like me. Not too much to write about this week but let us jump right into it!!

Monday was P Day and we went into London to play some sports with other missionaries. It was a really good time. We played basketball and a little bit of kill ball. Of course as always I just straight up dominated in those two games, well not exactly but I wasn't terrible either so somewhere above average would be a good description. After that we went to a members place and had some steaks! Absolutely delicious so grateful for the celestial family that they are.

Tuesday we went over to the Salvation Army and volunteered over there a bit. Then we went to Tilsonburg because we actually cover that whole area now. We met with some people and introduced ourselves and we will be going over there at least once a week to help with things. We also went to a place called Mill Tales Inn for dinner that night and it was divine! Really good fish there and they make this chocolate cake that is to die for! So glad we went there to experience it.

Wednesday was a pretty ordinary day except for the fact that it was MY BIRTHDAY!!!! It started off with us going to a member’s home at 9 in the morning to help her blow up balloons for her kid’s birthday party that they were having. We blew up pretty close to 50 balloons while we were there. After that we went to a district meeting and talked about how we can do better at finding people to teach. Then we went to another member’s home for lunch. We had turkey burgers with Doritos, it was pretty freaking delicious if I do say so myself. Then Elder Shaffer had a chiropractor appointment in London so we went to that and I sat in the waiting room for a bit, reading the Guinness Book of World Records. It was pretty interesting. There was a guy that held the record for being on fire the longest and also the record for being dragged behind an ATV the farthest while on fire. Some pretty weird records to hold but hey I am in no place to judge. After that we went and helped a member in the ward move some stuff out of his basement. That was pretty fun. We got to see cool stuff that he had down there like paintball guns, photos of his trip to Italy and all of the lawn statues that he makes. After that we went to Bill’s place and he did a special dinner for my birthday. We also played some darts and I won as always because nobody can stop me!!!! Overall it was a pretty good day for a birthday.

On Thursday we went back to the millionaire’s house so we could help him with some things. I ended up trimming his yard for another two hours again so I was pretty exhausted for the rest of the day. Then we just did the regular missionary thang, did some planning and went to drop by some homes. That night we also had a bible study that went pretty well.

Friday and Saturday nothing too exciting happened, just the regular stuff that missionaries do. Meeting with people and giving some service.

Sunday was pretty good. In church some really good talks were given and there were really good lessons as well. After that we went around visiting families because it was Elder Shaffer's last day in the mission. We are taking him to Brampton today and he will be flying out tomorrow morning. I’m sad to see him leave but he is a really awesome guy and deserves to go home to see his family and enjoy his vacation to Hawaii. Freaking guy I am so jealous but I love being out here on the mission and continue experiencing so many things.

That is about it for this week I love and miss you all!!

--

Elder Murray

THE THREE MUSKETEERS!!!!!

HEEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!

Hope everyone’s week is going good and that you are surviving life! My week was pretty good and full of excitement since there are three of us now. So let us jump right on into the week!

Monday was really good. We went to London and had a Zone talent show!! It was super fun. A group of us sang a parody of “What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction except ours was “What Makes You Celestial”. I am not that great of a singer but I had a really good time. There were some great talents that were shown. Somebody did a piano and guitar duet that was absolutely amazing and there was more singing and funny skits. We also had pizza there with some ice cream so as always super good food but I was still suffering from the food poisoning so I didn't have much to eat. Really good day though all around. We went to Woodstock that night so we could get up in the morning and get to transfers. Elder Kohl is actually in Woodstock and he is going home soon so I got to see him one last time before he takes off! It was great to talk to him again and share a couple of laughs.

Tuesday we went to Brampton for transfers and that was super fun. I got to see a bunch of missionaries that I know and have served with. I saw my last companion Elder Roundy there and I asked him if he could give me a haircut. He said sure so we found the nearest janitors closet and he gave me a quick trim. After that I found my new companion Elder Holden. We got a ride with the Woodstock elders and went back to their area and spent the day there. Elder Holden actually came out to the mission the same time that I did so that is super cool. He is from Arizona and has six other siblings. He played tennis and baseball growing up and has been in the church his entire life. He is a super funny guy and I can't wait to serve with him more! Tuesday night we came back to St Thomas and got ready for the week to come.

Wednesday we were showing Elder Holden around the area and introducing him to the people so he can get familiarized with everything and we also worked at the Salvation Army again.

Thursday was a lot of planning and getting more of Elder Holden's stuff situated in the apartment. We also had a Bible study that night and it was pretty interesting the different things that I learned during that.

Friday we went over to that guy with the giant house and yard again and of course as always he wanted me to trim his yard for him. So I spent the next 2 hours trimming his yard and yet again I didn't get all of it done so I will have to go back and finish the rest of it. I swear I am going to be a pro at trimming by the time I leave this area.

Saturday we went to the Salvation Army again and did some service over there. After that we grabbed a bite to eat at a Mexican place called Bella Jack's and it was freaking delicious!! Definitely going to go back in the near future and grab some chimichangas!!

Sunday I gave a talk in church and it actually went pretty well. Everyone was telling me that I am a great speaker and I speak with such power. I spoke on the importance of Daily Scripture study and the blessings received from doing it. After church we just went around and visited some people to see how they are doing and if there was anything we could do to help them.

Other than that I think that is about it for this week. It is crazy to think that I am going to be turning 19 this week on Wednesday!!  🎂  HOLY CRAP I AM GETTING OLD!!! Time is just flying by, it is going to be weird not being surrounded by family but I know that they will be there with me in spirit.

I hope you have a good rest of you week!! I love and miss you all!! 

--

Elder  Murray

TRANSFER NEWS!!!!!

HEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYY!!!!

So glad I get to talk to all of y'alls again and hear how your week has been. Not a whole lot happened this week so I apologize in advanced if the email is a little short. But let us just jump right on into it!

Monday was pretty fun. We went and played sports as a zone and of course as always I just dominated everyone! Just kidding, not this time. We played chair soccer and I suck at soccer soooo bad so I never stood a chance against them. After that we got back to our area and visited a couple of people and started getting Elder Shaffer packed since he is going home in a couple of weeks. He is getting pretty stressed about it so I am trying to keep him calm the best that I can. He is just super excited to get back home and see his family and I can't blame him for that.

Tuesday I was on exchanges with Elder Martinez from Brazil and he is a super cool guy! We spent the day mowing a lawn, volunteering at the Salvation Army and going out and visiting a couple of people. At the end of the night we went over to Bill's to play a couple games of darts. As always I won the games because nobody can beat the dart king!! I shall not be dethroned!! He put up a heck of a fight though I was getting worried that he would actually beat me for a second. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed the exchange with him.

Wednesday we had district meeting in the morning and we talked about how to prepare ourselves in the morning so we are ready for the day ahead. It was really interesting. Elder Shaffer has done the best district meetings I have ever been a part of. He has a ton of really good insights and ideas. After that we just did the regular missionary thing for the rest of the day.

Thursday we took a trip to London because Elder Shaffer had an appointment with a chiropractor to see if they could try and fix his back. They made some progress with him but we have another appointment this week to go back and try to see how much more they can help him with it.

Friday and Saturday were pretty regular days. Cool thing on Saturday is that we went to a BBQ at a members place and had some really good chicken!! 

On Sunday I was actually sick all day because of something that I ate at the BBQ😂 We actually ended up missing church because I was so sick. I am feeling better today but my stomach is still quite a bit sore. I am sure that I will be able to make it out today okay.

Finally the transfer news is… Both my comp and I will be staying in St Thomas but we will have another guy coming in. There will be three of us for a couple of weeks until Elder Shaffer goes home and then it will just be Elder Holden and I. Should be tons of fun!!!

That's all I got this week hope you all have a great rest of your week, and remember...

ADVENTURE IS OUT THERE!!!

--

Elder Murray

coleton.murray@myldsmail.net

IT'S THE 4TH OF JULY (sing to the Circle of Life tune)

HEEEEYYYYOOOOO!!!!

Hey everyone hope your 4th of July was great and that you had a ton of fun just blowing stuff up!! My week wasn't too eventful just a standard issue kind of week so I apologize if this email is a little short. But without further delay let us jump right into it!

Tuesday was actually our P day last week and it landed right on the 4th of July! How awesome is that! That day we hung out with some missionaries and went on a walk through the woods and got to this little swamp area and took some pictures. For dinner that night we had a BBQ with some members to celebrate and it was freaking delicious as always. After we got back to our apartment everyone started lighting off their fireworks so we stayed up and watched them for a bit. Super cool to be able to see all of them being lit off but it made me want to go out and buy some of my own so badly! But oh well, I guess good things come to those who wait so I will just continue waiting. 🎆

Wednesday we went and did some service in the morning for a lady who needed some weeding done in her garden. Then we met with one of our new investigators down in Port Stanley. She is 81 and is the sweetest lady I have ever met and she can talk...I mean like really talk. We sat there for 2 hours listening to her life story and hearing about all of her crazy experiences. She has also done a ton of genealogy and just has massive amounts of records and paper work stored in her place. We are trying to get her into the family history center so she can do even more work!! Twil be good Twil be good indeed.

Thursday we had district meeting and it was pretty good. After the meeting my comp and I went to a Shawarma place for lunch and as always super delicious. We got back to our area and did some planning for stuff that we have coming up in the week and then we went to a Bible study that night.

The rest of the week was pretty normal, just meeting with people and doing more service. Oh and to update you on my dart game, I am currently unbeatable here in the ward so the king has yet to be dethroned!! 👑

Well I hope you all have a good rest of your week, Love and miss you all!!

--

Elder Murray

MOST FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE!!!!!

HELLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Hey everyone so glad I get to speak to all of you again and tell you about my adventures here in Ontario. Not a whole lot of crazy things this week but a super awesome exchange in London! So let us just jump right to it!

Monday and Tuesday weren't too exciting just some service and visiting with people. Cool thing that happened on Tuesday was that we were able to go and bless a member’s home that they recently purchased. It was a super sweet experience and they were super grateful for our willingness to come over and do that for them. OH! The Dad had this super sweet remote control truck that is gas powered and can get up to speeds around 50 mph!! The thing was freaking wild I couldn't believe it!

Wednesday we had District Meeting and interviews with the Mission President. I am so glad I get the opportunity to talk to him because he gives some really good advice and always has an answer to some of my questions.

After that the legendary exchange took place. I went to London with one of the Zone Leaders Elder McBride and let’s just say crazier things have happened. When we got there we needed to go out and visit some people so we were walking around town and this guy started yelling at us about how we have been brainwashed and that we have no right to talk to people about something we know nothing about. Well there was nothing I could do except tell him to have a nice day and to just keep on walking. I think it is absolutely hilarious when things like that happen because it just shows that at least people know what church I am from even if they got all the facts wrong. 😂😂 

That night was super awesome!! We had an activity lined up with the Young Men and we were going to play kill ball. Basically kill ball is just a game of dodge ball but on steroids. The deal was that if Elder McBride and I could beat them than they had to come and be a missionary with us for an evening and if they won than we had to bake them cookies. The stakes were definitely high because I suck at baking. So to give you an idea of how difficult this was it was just Elder McBride and I against 25 Young men and the leaders. The odds were definitely not in our favor, however God was definitely on our side because WE WON EVERY GAME THAT WE PLAYED!!! I was just dodging and weaving and pegging people with the ball! We even played a free for all at the end just for fun and I won again!! Guess those years of baseball weren’t for nothing. So this coming week the Zone Leaders have scheduled a night for the Young Men to go out with them and I can't wait to hear how it goes!!

The next day we had to go to an apartment that the missionaries are no longer living in to patch it up so that it looks really nice and clean for the next people that come in. That didn't take too long, only a couple of hours. Then we went to KFC for lunch and had some delicious chicken. Then we went and met with a couple of people.

Now comes the horror story of the century so everyone hold on tight and don't let go because we are about to go on a wild ride!! We went to go visit this less active member who lives in a group home because he is not all the way there in the head. We got there and this guy was just creeping me out. He started showing us this death book that he had. Basically it was everyone who he has ever known and their records of their deaths just laminated and put into this binder. Now that wouldn't have been an issue but the problem was I could never tell if this guy was being serious with the things he was saying to us. So after about 30 minutes of random and uncomfortable conversation we decided to get going. The door that leads out of his place doesn't actually go outside, it goes into an enclosed cement walkway that leads to the actual outside door. So we get into this walkway and we were talking about how we had KFC for lunch that day and he closes the door behind us and everything gets dark and he says and I quote "You didn't bring me any KFC, now I can never let you leave!" And this guy has a laugh that is straight outta of a horror movie. Just imagine a vacuum trying to suck up a soggy piece of pizza, yeah creepy right! So as soon as he said that you best believe that I was outside in about a millisecond because I aint putting up with that crap. So after we left the house of horrors we went back to doing regular missionary work.

That is about all that went on this week. Thank you for all the love and support that you show me I truly appreciate it. Hope you all have a good rest of the week and an awesome 4th of July!!!!

--

Elder Murray

coleton.murray@myldsmail.net