“Welcome to Oregon Elder (week 9)

Finally, now I am actually doing missionary work!

Hi! whats up? I am currently writing this in the small town of "Myrtle Creek" Oregon. Yup! I made it to my reassignment and boy has it been fun. I have a ton of stories to share just in the first 5 days so stay tuned. But, I want to let you all know I am doing great! I am in such a beautiful area with such wonderful people. In fact when I was meeting some of the missionaries during our first day a lot of them found out what area I was assigned to and they were jealous. I can see why now. It is literally open farm land with tons of large foresty hills and random little shacks here and there. Plus, we have a car so we don't have to bike everywhere in the rain! Speaking of missionaries, I met my trainer for the next 5 or 6 weeks. His name is Elder McConnell. He’s been out in the field for about a year and a half so he’s got pretty much everything figured out by now. He is super mellow when not around anyone but as soon as we meet people or other missionaries he’s this super outgoing and loving Elder. Its kind of weird when he flips the switch. Missionary work is actually not crazy horrible. The only thing I've struggled with is the Preach My Gospel app. That app basically keeps track of literally everything. Our schedule, maps, members, friends we are teaching, and people we've set on baptismal date. In the MTC they didn't even mention that app. We have to report literally every lesson or any phone number we get into the app so its been a little tricky getting used to it just because of how in depth it can get. I think my companion forgets he is training because he will just expect me to do something on the app and I will just sit there like, "Yeah Elder I have no idea what you're talking about." Haha! 

-Story Time

     A little background and world building before I get into these stories. In Myrtle Creek about 90% of the people here are super old and poor. I mean some of the houses I've been in look like something straight out of an episode of hoarders. It's crazy but the residents are happy. One night my companion and I I I I got a phone call from someone named  Sister Stout. We answer and she just starts yapping about the world series and all kinds of sports for like 15 minutes until she then starts wondering about me and asked how much of a newbie I am. So clearly she's in the loop about transfers and stuff with Elder McConnell. I told her I got to the field about 3 days ago and she just starts laughing and calling me adorable. She's hilarious. But it gets better. I eventually got to meet her and as we are driving to her house we call her and ask if we could stop by and check in. She's like,

"Oh yeah c'mon by I'm just sittin' by mah window smokin'."

We drive over there and her home is right behind this gas station so we just decided to park the car in the lot. We get out of the car and about half way up into her yard my companion decides now would be a great time to tell me she has a crazy mean dog. Luckily the dog was out trick or treating or something because it never showed up. We knock on her door and Sister Stout, sure enough, is chilling by her window smoking a cigarette. She tells us to come in and the first thing she says to me after I walk in is,

"Ohh, Hey there short stuff!"

I then turn around and see a decently large table is what I can assume to be about 4 or 5 pounds of weed just in a huge pile. I look at my comp and he just says,

"Welcome to Oregon Elder."

Suprisingly it took 3 days for him to say that...

Another time my companion and I went to meet with a member couple named the "Krugs", Pronounced "Croog",land they were in the middle of moving to Oklahoma. At least thats what they believed. You see, they are convinced that Blake Shelton (Yes the famous country singer) is coming to pick them up and help them move to Oklahoma. Thats amazing right!? Well, it sounds too good to be true. So, my companion decides to do a little digging. He asks,

"Hey, so did Blake ask you guys for money?"

David Krug says,

"Oh, No of course not! We gotta whole lotta gift cards to various places for him though!"

Tragically, it seems even Blake Shelton the multi-millionaire seems to has fallen victim to the devastating fact that the "Hot & Spicy" sandwich at McDonald's is now 3 dollars. 

All jokes aside though its pretty sad to see this 60 year old couple getting scammed like that. To the point where whoever is stealing their money also told them to pack up everything in their house because they were going to "Help them move". We contacted the Bishop to let him know of the situation and it seems that the ward has known about this scam for a really long time now but the Krugs won’t listen. So, all we can do is just keep showing our love and hope that one day they can block contact with Mr. Fake Shelton.

-Conclusion

     Welp thats it! the first week has been great! I've loved every second of it. My Korean might take a hit for a little bit but I am still trying to keep the language fresh every day. Honestly the work here is going smooth and I think I will genuinely miss this place when I eventually leave to Korea. Thanks for reading this far. You're all in my prayers. I love reading all of your wonderful emails so keep sending them to me! I hope y'all have a wonderful rest of your week and The Spirit stays with you!

P.S. Check out my photo album!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/945JwrhMMqLbN232A

Love y'all!

-Elder Christensen

President Cornelius his Wife and Elder McConnell