Well, my dear loved ones, this here, is it, my last big email, this is my last real Pday, next weeks pday is transfer day, and I will be to busy being... moved, that day.
SO! Let us reminisce a bit, I am going to tell you of my last two years, in a nut shell! Well, actually in a library, but, you know what I meant...
Then came the mission field, I left the comfort of the MTC to go to the most miserable weather this earth has to offer! I was sure I would die, right off the plane!
I was then shipped off to the wonder... land of Philadelphia Mississippi! And I spent my first 3 months there and in the mission with my trainer, Elder Ashby, Whom, though I did not always see eye to eye with, did teach me a LOT! And will always be, to me, a good missionary.
After he left, I found my long lost brother, Elder Anderson, he was my second companion, and is now, my best friend! I was only his companion for 1 transfer, but we served around each other for another 3, and will be friends forever! He taught me A LOT OF PATIENCE!! As I'm sure he did all his companions :)
Philly was the PERFECT place for me to start my mission, a small branch, that I love with all my heart, and by far the most success I have seen through out my entire mission, I loved my time there, and will cherish it forever.
After my time in Philly was done, I was sent away to my second area... Jonesboro Louisiana! This would end up being my biggest trail, all 4 and a half months there, were the hardest of my mission, I could blame my comp, but it really was not his fault, Elder Hartwig was not an easy comp, but I gave him way to much of a hard time, and could have worked really well with him if I just let him be my pal. He had a big heart and taught me how to love everyone, I am grateful for those 3 months.
After he left I got another comp I feel sorry for, he came to a dead missionary, poor guy, I probably sucked! Elder Ely helped me get over myself and prepared me for my next area.
Joneboro was tough, but the members of that small branch took care of me, and are just the best! Also had some of the best southern cooking you will ever find in that area! GOOD TIMES!
Shreveport came next.. And Elder Marcum, who, got a long with me.. but that's about it, in fact, he got so much along with the other Elders that he ended up with a big black eye for most of the transfer, so that was a tough one..
Then I got Elder Adams, and we had a some success together, we just worked well together, I learned a lot from him, the way he tracted was different to me, and something I took with me for the rest of my mission, he is a good friend.
Shreveport was not my favorite area, and my least favorite ward, but it was a nice change from middle of no where to big city.
After Shreveport I was sent to my home! Bay St Louis Mississippi! In the Waveland ward. LOVE THAT PLACE!
I started off there with one Elder Christofferson, Another one of my very best friends! We had almost NO success, but that's just how things go in Waveland, it was tough, but I love that place! Christoff taught me SO MUCH! He will always be one of my best friends.
Then Elder Mobley came to me, I don't know if I have worked better along side any companion, we just agreed on how to do the work! He is one of my favorite comps, even though he is not a huge fan of me... Its cause I'm white!
I was with Elder Mobley for only one transfer, then came training! Kinda... Pres told me he wanted me to TRAIN!? He... was out of his mind, clearly.. But he made up for it by making the normal 12 weeks of training only last 6 weeks, I guess I helped by apparently being to flirty with one sister missionary... Blast me and my charm!
Elder Creger is my mission son, (And now my district leader...) My 6 (shoulda been 12) weeks with him were some of the best of my mission! We worked hard, and never stopped, he to this day thinks I'm a no good missionary, but that's ok, I love him anyways!
Pres told me I was going to be leaving like week 3 of the transfer, so he gave me a lot of time to decide what I wanted to do, I told him I was DONE being a District leader, (Not a fan of mission leadership, never have been) And that I wanted to get off my knees with all that biking, so he gave me a car area!
STONEWALL!! Which is really just Shreveport again..
MY first comp there was Elder Rose, my DL was Elder Anderson! Whom I love, and elder Anderson was training! Making Elder Meyer my nephew! I love him too, that was our district, remember this, cause it comes in to play later, it was pretty much the best district ever!
Elder Rose was a great comp, we had a lot of success together as well, good times, good times!
Stonewall was a good place for work, but never really felt like home.
Then... Well, I wont even talk about the next transfer...
AFTER THE TRANSFER OF UNSPOKEN! I was transferred (best transfer call of my life!) To the LAND OF WEST MONROE! You may know it as the place they film Duck Dynasty!
I was with Elder Clements, I think that's how you spell it... My first time back on the bikes! DAY ONE KILLED ME!! I couldn't even sleep that night it hurt so bad, a few days latter Pres came to town and gave me a blessing, (In which he pretty much told me to suck it up..) But the biking become MUCH more doable, SO WE BIKED ALL OVER THE PLACE!! IT WAS THE BEST!
I used this transfer to teach Elder Clements what NOT to do when someone tries to tear you down... I just was a little less patient with rude people at that point in my mission.
I used this transfer to teach Elder Clements what NOT to do when someone tries to tear you down... I just was a little less patient with rude people at that point in my mission.
I spent a grand total of 6 weeks in West Monroe, but in those 6 weeks, it became one of my favorite areas, I love that place, and that ward, I will always remember my time there fondly.
SOMEHOW! I managed to get sent to the place in the mission that is WIDELY known as the best place to finish your mission, and I joined Elder Anderson, and Elder Rose in the Hattiesburg district, and Elder Meyer was not far away as he was in our zone, and we saw him weekly, SO THE BAND WAS BACK TOGETHER!!!
My last Companion has been Elder FIsher, I could not have asked for a better person to end my mission with, he has helped me make my last 3 months the best I could make them!
Hattiesburg really is a great place to die, (that's mission lingo for end!) Small, but great ward, good people, good work, LOVE IT HERE!
My mission has been a roller coaster to say the least, I have been fed well! (TO WELL!) I have been shot at! I have seen miracles! I have been attacked my BIG DOGS! I have been told that I should not go down a road cause that's where people go to die!! (I want anyways..) AND THAT WAS ALL JUST IN MY FIRST AREA!!!
I know everyone says the mission is the best two years of their life... I'm not going to say that, I have never been one for being fake, but I will say with out a doubt that this has been by far, the best two years FOR my life, I have grown more in this these two years then probably the last 10 years... And not just cause I got fat...
I could not have done it with out all the people I had on BOTH sides of the vale (mission lingo for home and the field) taking care of me! THANK YOU!!!!
I love the south! I LOVE THIS MISSION! Just a bunch of misfits! I LOVE YOU!!!
I have one more week to prove that I can do anything! PRAY FOR ME!
Always remember to smile! And keep your Camcamian levels high!
MUCH LOVE! For the last time,
Elder Cameron Aaron Martin.
