Time to play catch-up! (...Tiffany's bad)

Nov. 15^th

Yesterday (14^th) there was a half-mission conference and not only did I get to see 7 of my MTC District (Elders Dees, Metz, Thomas, Packham, Moon, Periera, and Gwynn (which doesn't count as much because he's already in my zone)), but just seeing them was amazing. Oh, did I mention that 3 of my MTC District are training new missionaries this transfer?! Elders Kendrick, Packham, and Thomas are training a new missionary, that is something that doesn't happen often, but it is the goal with the new training program (which is to train in new missionaries in such a way so that by the end of the 12 weeks they could train a new missionary). But, even more cool than that was to meet and listen to Elder Christensen of the 1st Quorum of the 70! Man, that was amazing. He had such amazing insight about prayer and so many ways that we could improve that it probably got everyone pumped and feeling the spirit of missionary work again. Then after the conference we got the November Ensigns and so then I got to look at the talks given at General Conference and feel the spirit of those messages. It was a very good Monday.

Oh, by the way there's a street in Longview with the name "Jimmer Place." How cool is that?

Nov. 8^th

Yeah, it's been good here and guess what happened this Sunday? We were heading for church and I looked at the sky and guess what I saw? I saw the sun, and I mean I looked straight at it as if it was the moon because that was how foggy it was, it didn't even hurt me to look at the sun for a few seconds. Now, that was a strange experience.

So, first off this area can be described in two words; wet and hills. It's either fog, or rain, or heavy rain, or light rain, or mist, but there is a lot of moisture and then there are a lot of hills, or ups and downs and I guess that is true in an area like this.

About the people, they seem to be a little meaner than they were in Milton-Freewater, not that they aren't nice, just that they don't seem to be as nice and cordial out here.

I will be here (Kelso) for Thanksgiving (unless I get emergency transfer) and the transfer ends Nov 30, so there is a chance that I might leave and be in a new area for Christmas. And I do not know where I will be sent to next, that's part of the revelation that President Greer has. Also, transfers are six weeks; this is the 4th week, so you can start keeping track of when I might be leaving.

Nov. 1^st

Elder Baca. A head shorter than me, wears glasses, dark hair, from Mesa AZ, and he doesn't know what he wants to do in school. There's nothing that annoys me really, we don't have a lot in common (except being skinny), his favorite colors are red and gold, he plays guitar, and he’s writing a funny story about Kelsoites and Longviewites.

Oct. 25^th

So my new area is "Longview," technically Kelso and Castle Rock. First off, I'll say that Kelso is to Longview as Orem is to Provo (aka they border each other) the only difference is that apparently they have a fierce rivalry between the two. Castle Rock is a small "town" (I use that word loosely in this context) and it has over 10 churches (they have a sign of all the churches in the town coming in and out of the town.

There are actual mountains here! (In Milton-Freewater they claimed they had "mountains" called the blue mountains, but they were glorified hills). This area has mountains, and trees and rain. Oh, I forgot to mention that earlier. This area is known for two things 1) being the "black hole of all happiness" (not my words) and 2) raining constantly (I first thought the two were connected but I'll explain those common misconceptions)

First, it is known for being depressing because it is almost always overcast, so you don't see the sun that often and I guess after a while that could be depressing. The second error was that it does "rain" almost always, but this rain is not like rain back home. It kind of squirts small amounts (almost that you can't feel it) and it does that and then it sometimes gets worse where it's has a lot of these tiny droplets, but there hasn't been anything yet so bad that it reminds me of some of the bad storms back in Provo.

Mount St. Helen's is in my area so that's nearby and there's a certain spot that you can see that and Mt Hood and some other mountain nearby all from one spot (but it has to be on a clear day).

(He’s around 55 miles to Mt. St. Helens that someone said.)

Oct. 18^th

I'm getting transferred to Kelso-Castle Rock ward over in the Longview stake so this is my last Tuesday here in Milton-Freewater.

Oct 4^th

Yeah, the temp's been steadily going down, and Elder Fowlke, who is from Wyoming, has been enjoying the weather.

[About the new Provo Temple] I know!!!!! When I heard that it was awesome!! I felt the Spirit and it was amazing to hear that. You have to keep me updated on how that is going along because I want to visit the temple there when I get back

Most of the missionaries are good people and I'm getting along with most of them. The work seems to be slowing down, but we have some really promising people that we are working on teaching. Milton-Freewater depends on where we go. In most areas people are "you're doing a good work spreading the word, but I'm not interested (or I have my own church)" but in this one area we visited people were a lot more hostile, I guess would be the word.

September 26th, Scripture Experience

It was personal study and I was reading the Book of Mormon in Mosiah and I came to chapter 10 and I read verses 11-18 which says:

"Now, the Lamanites knew nothing concerning the Lord, nor the strength of the Lord, therefore they depended upon their own strength. Yet they were a strong people, as to the strength of men.
They were a wild, and ferocious, and a blood-thirsty people, believing in the tradition of their fathers, which is this—Believing that they were driven out of the land of Jerusalem because of the iniquities of their fathers, and that they were wronged in the wilderness by their brethren, and they were also wronged while crossing the sea;
And again, that they were wronged while in the land of their first inheritance, after they had crossed the sea, and all this because that Nephi was more faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord—therefore he was favored of the Lord, for the Lord heard his prayers and answered them, and he took the lead of their journey in the wilderness.
And his brethren were wroth with him because they understood not the dealings of the Lord; they were also wroth with him upon the waters because they hardened their hearts against the Lord. And again, they were wroth with him when they had arrived in the promised land, because they said that he had taken the ruling of the people out of their hands; and they sought to kill him.
And again, they were wroth with him because he departed into the wilderness as the Lord had commanded him, and took the records which were engraven on the plates of brass, for they said that he robbed them.
And thus they have taught their children that they should hate them, and that they should murder them, and that they should rob and plunder them, and do all they could to destroy them; therefore they have an eternal hatred towards the children of Nephi.
For this very cause has king Laman, by his cunning, and lying craftiness, and his fair promises, deceived me, that I have brought this my people up into this land, that they may destroy them; yea, and we have suffered these many years in the land."

When I finished reading that I just stopped and I felt/got the thought that there was something in those verses that I was supposed to learn and figure out so I spend the rest of my time (this was already 3/4 of the way through) thinking about what I was supposed to take out of those verses and guess what? In district meeting about an hour later we talk about those verses. There are no such things as coincidences with God! Just thought I'd share that.

Play: Lance and the Strangeness of a Q&A Session

By: Lance Mullen
Slight Revisions by: Tiffany Lloyd

Lance is talking with Tiffany and JD in some kind of room.

Tiffany: So I want you to write to me about something exciting or fun that happened to you.

Lance: Well, it's hard to think of something to write about, that's such a broad topic that I need something specific so I can spend my time about that otherwise it's like me writing about everything.

JD: Well, what's the weather like over there?

Lance: There's no mountains so the sun is already up at 6:30 in the morning and it has been hot but it hasn't reached triple digits and that's odd for this area but it's cooling down now and it's getting dark at 7ish so it's hard to find people to visit when it's so dark out.

Dad: Well, what's your car like does it have a nice transmission?

Lance: When did you get here? Anyways, I only get to drive the car when Elder Fowlke is gone on exchanges and you know that I'm not good with car terminology. I think it's a 2011 Corrolla and it was brand new just before we got here so there aren't problems with it and I think it works pretty well but it's still hard to get used to driving for one day and then go another 6 weeks sitting in the passenger seat.

Mom: Are you eating healthy and staying safe?

Lance: I guess this is some type of family gathering or something. Well, I'm eating a lot healthier than when I was at home. I don't even get to eat ramen or macaroni very often because the member's feed us so much and give us a ton of food. That and my companion loves food from other countries and so we go to Chinese, Mongolian, Mexican restaurants and so it's a new experience for me to see and eat all of these new foods.

Jordan: Are you adjusting well from a nerd to a servant of the Lord?

Lance: Jordan? What are you doing here? Is this some type of open invitation question and answer segment or something? And don't forget that you're a nerd too, just saying. And it wasn't as hard of a transition as I thought it would be. The part I was most scared about was getting up at 6:30 every morning because of my sleeping habits back a home but everything has been going smooth for me and the time has been flying by and things like teaching and testifying to people are easier for me.

Kohor: You are a specter from the gods.

Lance: Kohor?! Who let you in? (*proceeds to beat Kohor through the door and locks the door behind him*) This place really needs to improve the security.

TJ: Well, maybe it's all this talk of food that's drawing everyone here. What are you liking most about being in Milton-Freewater?

Lance: Well, this place has really nice, members and nonmembers, and I think that's both good and bad because that means that people are willing to listen to our message and to what we say and not kick us off their lawns but it's bad because some people are apathetic (I think that's the word) and they are happy with their lives and what their doing and some people are encouraging us even though they don't want anything to do with us, now that's something that I wasn't expecting.

JD: What is something that you look forward to the most?

Lance: Hmm... Two things, one spiritual and one more temporal. The spiritual thing I look forward to is the change that I see in the investigators and how they change to a better person and are happier in every aspect in their lives. The temporal thing that I look forward to is letters. I know that sounds kind of lame but I like hearing from everyone back at home about how life is and for me it's reassuring to know that everything is okay and a letter really helps.

Danny: You need better security in here. The door wasn't even locked when I came in.

Lance: What? Okay, whoever is in charge over here needs to make some improvements, if not there's going to be people showing up that not everyone knows and who knows what will happen then.

Bishop Steward: Hey everyone! I'm Elder Mullen's bishop back in Provo. How is your ward?

Lance: Well, it's a nice ward, the members that show up are really funny and are great people. A less desirable feature to our ward is we have a lot of less active and so we never are without work from the Bishop in helping out members and teaching less active members.

Edler Lythgoe: Hey! (something in Russian that no one in the room understands) I'm Elder Mullen's roommate from his freshman year at BYU. So what are the people and the area like in Milton-Freewater?

Lance: (looks at Elder Lythgoe) How did you get over here from Russia? (shrugs it off) Anyway, like I said earlier when you weren't here the people are all really nice and the place is mostly farm land and there are a lot of wineries too (unfortunately). The missionary work is going well and we are able to get a lot of referrals for the Spanish Elders that live in Walla Walla and they are all pretty nice.

Bro. Christensen: Nice to meet everyone! I'm one Elder Mullen's teachers from the MTC. Speaking of other Elders what is you zone and district like?

Lance: In our district there's Elder Fowlke and I, two sister missionaries and two senior missionaries. Our zone has three districts and they are all Elders, two Spanish and 6 English.

Lance: Well, not that I don't want more people to pop up out of nowhere but I got to get going but we'll do this again some other time.

Kohor: Do not disappoint me.

Lance: I give up. (leaves the room)

Just a reminder:
Elder Lance Mullen
8656 West Gage Blvd. Suite 205
Kennewick, WA 99336

or email him through Tiffany at tiffanyalloyd@gmail.com

I've been working on the Barn

All right. There was an experience I wanted to share last week but because of time restraints I wasn't able to write it so I'll do it now.

We were putting metal sheets on the roof of a barn that was high up (around 10 feet) and we were supposed to screw screws on there to keep them in place. Near the very top the roof increased in height and slope (it got more slanted; it went from a slope of -1 to -4 (on a graph)) and the sheets we were placing were heavily rusted and so there were some parts that the rust had created a hole in the sheet and when you put pressure on it you could see the ground and how high up we were.

Anyways, my job was to screw screws at the very top of the roof and in my path to get close enough there were several rust spots that didn't look in any way safe enough for my to put my weight. So, I was looking at this task and thinking how impossible it seemed when I thought of the advice that we were given when we first climbed on the roof by the member.

It was: "Always look where the screws are; Those screws let you know where the pearls are underneath and those are the spots that will support your weight."

So, I looked forward and I saw the pearls (wooden support beams going across the length of the roof) and when I then moved my leg to a spot where the pearl ran under, it held my weight. Then I was able to get to the top and finish my task.

Oh, we had Stake Conference this last week and Elder Holland and President Packer spoke (it was broadcasted from SLC, just so you're aware) (did you know they did that?) It was nice to hear them talk in person and not just a CD from 2008 General Conference (that's the CD my companion has that we've been listening to).

Today I bought a Mormon Tabernacle Choir anniversary collection (4 different albums) for $9 and a fancy Disney watch on clearance from $60 to $15) (it has Goofy on the front) (I feel like I'm the customer that stores love and are drawn into the merchandise and just have that urge to buy it.)

Anyways, my day to day life goes like this. Wake up at 6:25. Excercise for 30 minutes during either flexibility or strength excercises switching off. I then take a shower and eat breakfast. I have an hour of study time that I use sitting down on the floor (becasue I don't like the desk in the apartment) and read from the Book of Mormon for 30 min and the second half I study whatever I feel like I need most of. We then have 2 hours of companionship study consisting of: hymn, mottos, missionary handbook study, planning lessons, and doing the new missionary training program that tells us what to study. We then have lunch (since it's 11) and then we go out and do stuff (sometimes we have appointments with less-active or investigators, but most of the time we either try to get a hold of people on our potential investigator list or go out finding). We then have dinner at 5-6 normally at a member's home and we share a thought with them and then at 7 we have our exchange. This exchange is a member coming to our apartment and we go to appointments with them. We go back to our apartment at 9-9:30 and we plan for tommorrow for 30 min and then we have 1 hour (or less depending on how late we get back) to write in journals and so forth. Then we go to bed at 10:30 and that's our day. Any questions?

Love,

Elder Mullen

Becoming familiar with Milton-Freewater

My flight was awesome. I didn’t get a window seat, but I got to look outside the plane and we were above the clouds.

About first thing I was asked in the field off of the airplane was “do you know the Mullen’s that live in Walla Walla?” and “Are you related to Spencer Mullen?” So everyone but me knew about Spencer Mullen and they also knew (some did at least) that we were cousins. [In case you don’t know, Spencer is Wayne’s son, Wayne and Harley are brothers. (Harley is Lance’s dad)]

Area where I’ll be until October 30ish is farm-land (mostly wheat & wineries). Story of Milton-Freewater; There were two towns (settlements) one was Milton & the other was Freewater. They were bordering each other and water was free in Freewater, but in Milton they’d have to pay for water from Freewater. So they combined the cities (At least that’s what I’ve been told.) Not a lot of trees. A few (baby) mountains (compared to Utah mountains.) Like I said their mountains are hills. There are rocks. I only see them when the road goes through a hill. There are like five waterfalls in the mission, just none here. People here are nice (I was hoping for some door slams, and drunk people yelling at us, but it hasn’t happened yet.) No BK’s, only one McD’s & one Safeway.

I've eaten all of these foods and haven't thrown up or disliked them yet: Ravioli, Rice (cooked), strawberries, cantaloupe, pineapple, blueberries, blackberries, burrito with peppers and sauce, casserole, watermelon with black seeds, and there might be a bit more. I've met some cool elders but I've only really gotten to know Elder Fowlke. He's from Gillette, Wyoming and he thinks that country towns are where you find the best members (I disagree with him on this point). He's a good guy. Before his mission he was in his words a pc gamer nerd. He likes to cook. He's not an overbearing guy. He seems nice. Likes to have fun, but likes to work too.

[Answer to ‘How is the work going?’] We just need to get the investigators to church and we can get people baptized. We need to meet with one investigator and his mom so she can approve of the baptism and so we can set a date.

Oh, and a 6 yr. old girl, Rachel, drew a picture of me & Jesus.

[Advice to Tiffany] Try getting some sleep every now and then, don’t tell anybody but 8 hrs of sleep actually is good amount of sleep so you aren’t tired the next day. (I think it’s a church secret for missionaries. Shhh!)

Tell everyone I love them. (again, please)

….One Week Later….

August 16, 2011

I'm really enjoying my mission and it's almost easier to wake up and study for 3 hours than I thought it was going to be. I live in a nice area and everyone (even those not interested) are nice to us. Me and my companion are assigned to a ward (the Milton-Freewater Ward), other missionaries may be assigned to more than one ward or branch, but we only have one ward so we only have one 3 hour block on Sunday. I'm doing great and I'm going to be listening to Elder L. Tom Perry on the 17th so I'm being spiritually fed while I am here.

We do have a car in our mission with 600 miles per month. I won't be driving as long as I'm still getting trained (so 12 weeks from July 27th). The ward is nice (at least 75% inactive/less-active) and we get fed dinner almost every night, there are times when we have to cook it ourselves though. We go to the grocery store every P-day and we get food that we think we'll need. There's a walmart in Walla Walla (about a 5 minute drive away) and a Safeway a few blocks down from our house. At the start of each month each missionary receives $130 (sister missionaries receive $135).

Our purpose is to "invite others to come unto Christ" and to follow direction of the ward and stake leaders. So, along with investigators the bishop has asked us to also focus on the less-active members by teaching them the discussions and try to rekindle that flame of the Spirit back into their lives. I don't think that we will be able to do everything ourselves. We need the support of the members with us.

On Sundays we drive in our car and when we need to track we get out of the car and start door knocking, afterwards we get back in the car and drive. We also get rides from members on exchanges which happen every day. These exchanges are when a member goes with us to appointments and helps us fellowship someone we're teaching so they can have someone to rely on besides us.

When we started it looked like we'd have 3 baptisms within the next few weeks and now none of them are going to get baptized in our area any time soon. One moved to Walla Walla and is on date for Sept. 3, one is moving to either Boise or Tri-Cities and will get baptized there and the last is having problems getting permission from his parents. So, I need to accept the Lord's hand in this work and not expect things to happen my way.

Oh yeah that reminds me, I'm serving in a town that worships frogs. At least every block there is one wooden frog statue next to a building. These frogs aren't little. They're human-sized, and it's weird seeing them everywhere. There's a reaper, a gas station employee, a weight loss frog, lumberjack, a frog on a ladder. They are everywhere. I just haven't seen any actual frogs yet, but next week is the annual "Muddy Frogwater" days that are advertised all year on the sign entering the town. (Compare Muddy Frogwater to Milton-Freewater, do you see a resemblance? Do you see how much they worship frogs?

Lots of Love,

Elder Lance Mullen