SO....Story Time

Its been another great week in Chesterfield!
So...story time.

Elder Payne gets here on the evening of Nov. 28th. That night we only have a little time to stop by some people. Then the next day, sunday, our days are always busy, filled with church and appointments. Then Monday the 30th was P-Day, so we only got a few lessons in. On Tues, the 1st, we had a special zone conference at the temple. there were two zones there with the Turleys (the last time we would see them before they left on the 5th). It was awesome to be there with them! Then we come home and I run to the bathroom real quick before we head out again. I come out and Elder Payne is really pale and is taking off his tie. He looks at me and says "Elder, Im done." He then goes to sleep. I study and do whatever to keep me busy the rest of the day. He doesn't wake up for about 25 hours! So we know that he's pretty sick now. Luckily, Sis. McCord is an RN, so we had her keep her eye on him. Then on Sat it wasnt getting any better so we call a man in one of our wards who is a doc. He comes over and takes a look at him. Turns out he had the Swine Flu. Fun Stuff. So, thats where I've been for the past two weeks, in a basement with a sick comp. I was able to get by with out catching it. Elder Payne said that it felt like death. It knocked him out hard. So for the past two weeks we taught no more than 3 lessons. It felt great to be back out working the other day. The effects of the illness are still present though. Elder Payne still has a hard time breathing and tires easily, but we're out now.

Since I got so much study time I was able to read a bunch of the Book of Mormon, from Mosiah 1 to 3 Nephi 23. You learn so much more when you read it quickly, especially those parts. It reinforced to me the great love and mercy that the Lord has for us, even when we make mistakes.

Transfer calls came last night. I will be staying here and training again. I feel much more prepared this time about training a new missionary. I'm still really nervous and scared but not nearly as much as last time. I just know how much Elder Reese taught me and I want to give this Elder the same. I just have to keep remembering that whom the Lord calls He qualifies. It will be a huge first day in the field if everything goes according to plan. We will finally be seeing MacKenzie that night and setting a baptismal date! What a way to spend your first night! Im really excited for it. We've done alot of praying and she is ready.

Mom-I got one of the packages (the one with the little tree. Its great!) and if the other one is at the office I'll get it on Wed at transfers. The McCords let us put a fake tree up down stairs with lights. So we've got the big one in the corner by the door and the little one on my desk. It looks good.

Dad-there was a missionary that had extended his mission. Extentions are only for a month and once its up they kick you out. It just so happens that our transfers are a month and a half, so he was leaving mid transfer. Elder Ferrin went up there to be with his companion and so I got Elder Payne. This is Elder Paynes 3rd area this transfer!! He just keeps getting moved around. He didnt even unpack when he got here, good thing too. Thats really neat about Pres. Turleys cousin.

It snowed the other day. Nothing big just some flakes. People are saying its going to be a rough winter. We'll see.

Love you lots. Elder Egan