Friday, February 27, 2009
One Year Ago, Today . . .
February 27th, 2008Happy "Hump Day" Elder Maughan!
It's hard to believe that this picture was taken one year ago. They say the first year passes slowly and then the second year flies by. In our case, the first year seemed to zoom past us. Looking back, the MTC experience was so hard, but I'm so happy that Elder Maughan is out there, immersed in the work and so happy to be a missionary.
In the past year, he's had so many unique experiences. He's grown in ways that he couldn't have anywhere else. There have been days, I'm guessing, that's it's been hard being a missionary and days that it's been rewarding being a missionary. I keep telling myself, "It's all part of the growing process." It's all worth it though. All the tears, worry and frustration have been worth knowing that Elder Maughan is happy and loving life in the mission field and that he knows what he is doing is important and necessary.
Before Justin left, someone gave us one of those "count down charts." You know, the one with 730 little, teeny, tiny cirles on it. I looked at it a year ago and thought, "No Way!" I just filed it right away. I pulled it out this week and looked what was "behind" us and what's "ahead" of us. It doesn't seem so overwhelming, now! Don't get me wrong, I love having a missionary. I'll just love it more when I have a return missionary!
Friday, January 23, 2009
A long time coming!
It's been almost two months since I've posted. We bought a new computer in December and are waiting for our new high speed internet to be connected. Until then, I refuse to blog. It just takes too long with my current computer and internet.
Just a quick catch up~Elder Maughan is in his second area on Long Island, Bay Shore. He was in Plainview before that, but only for one transfer. Since I posted last, he's had two companions! Elder Godwin and Elder Alder, his current companion. We got to talk to Justin at Christmas and he's doing great. He's changed and grown so much.
Hopefully next week I'll be a blogging fool and you won't be able to keep up with me. Until then, here's a current picture. (Notice his new address to the right.)
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Plainview, Long Island, New York
"Well, I'm out of the City. I think I might be a city boy. I'm in Plainview now with Elder Tenuun (Teh-noon). He's from Mongolia. He didn't learn English til he came out here, so he has an extra hour of language study and I get another hour of personal study. Both of us are brand new to the area, so we had to start a whole new teaching pool. Each of my areas I've had to start a new pool. Tenuun is the most humble guy I've ever met. I feel bad because the language barrier makes it hard for him to express himself to us. This transfer or next could be his last. His visa expires early. He's supposed to have another six months."
"We have a nice apartment. I think its the nicest in the mission. It's the basemant of an Italian lady that always buys us pizza. We have a sofa, electric stove, and a washer and dryer. The washer and dryer are nice."
"We've been going through the records of the elders that were here before us and trying to meet some of their former investigators. Everybody we've visited, either they or one of their neighbors, have invited us back. The beginning of this week is pretty packed with appointments."
"Thanks for everything! I love you so much. I'm glad you had a good Thanksgiving. By the way, Tenuun and I ate with the Weavers and then went out to the Bishops for dessert. Have a Merry Christmas season and happy holidays."
~Elder Maughan
Some of the things I've learned when you are serving in the New York New York South Mission . . . You are either "in the city" which consists of Queens and Brooklyn, "on the Island" which is Long Island, (Physically, Brooklyn and Queens are on Long Island, but are part of "the city" or, you're "on the Rock," which is Staten Island, which is part of "the city", but called "the Rock" by the missionaries. Follow? Good! Get out a map and you'll understand better. New York City consists of Manhattan, Bronx, Staten Island, Brooklyn and Queens. Manhattan and Bronx are not part of this mission. Seriously, get out a map.
http://www.aaccessmaps.com/images/maps/us/ny/nyc_area_hwy/nyc_area_hwy.gif
~Jamie
Monday, November 24, 2008
He's getting off the Rock
"Well, I'm getting of this rock. I don't know where I'm goin'. I'll find out tomorrow. I'm a bit bummed to leave. I love it here. We're teaching some amazing people, the ward has so many people for us to teach, and I had a great relationship with the ward. I'm gonna go get some pics tonight. I really hope that I can come back to Staten Island and serve."
"I just realized today that I'm not really a new guy anymore. Two transfers and I hit my year mark. It's going so fast. I need to change some things. I'm just gonna put myself out there and testify to everyone. I'll never see these New Yorkers again anyway."
"I love it out here so much! I'm excited about getting to meet some new members and find some new investigators. "
~Elder Maughan
When we hear where Justin is going, we'll let you know. In the meantime, just send all mail to the mission office, address is to the right.
A Post Script to this entry:
At about 6:30 tonight, 8:30 New York time, our phone rang. Steve answered and the gentleman on the other end, introduced himself as Bishop Rasmussen from New York. Justin had just been at their home to tell them goodbye! As soon as he left, Bishop Rasmussen called us to tell us what a great missionary Justin is, what a strong testimony he has and how much he enjoyed working with him. (His small children got on the other line and said, "We love Elder Maughan!) It was so nice of this man to call us and to share with us how well Justin is doing. It's little acts such as this, that get this missionary mom from one month to the next! Thank you Bishop.
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