A transfer, a transfer...to Pine Bluff!

NOTE FROM THE MOMMA:  I had heard that the area he was being transferred to was a rougher area and so, of course, being the neurotic Momma that I am, I was concerned...this was his email this afternoon to me:

Hey Momma! So before I start we need to get some things straight...

1) When I was told I was leaving I felt extreme peace and actual happiness. I loved Lonoke but it was time to go. Why not end it while things are still good??

2) I'm stoked to be down here. I know that the Lord needs me in the places he sends me therefore it would be pointless to be discouraged. I mean, I didn't want to go to Lonoke but everything went good when I got there. So I'm optimistic here.

3) While, yes, technically, I'm in the Pine Bluff ward, I'm serving in the White Hall area. So much nicer and safer. We got cool missionaries serving in Pine Bluff and they are helping us out in every way. This is a brand new area so-- no preconceived notions. It's awesome! I love it and super stoked to be here!

All is well, Mom :)  Note from Mom: Yes, he knows me well ;)

2) As for my comp... He's Elder Gottipati. He's just gonna be here til next Monday, finishing up his training before he goes to India for his actual mission. Really cool kid. We're getting along great... He was just baptized a year ago. So cool huh? It's fun having to teach him the ins and outs of not just missionary work but Mormonism too. He's so enthusiastic and it helps motivate me to get out and do work and not let him down but to make his mission experience even better.

SO... all is well. We are having great success in finding. It's hard because it is a new area and all you can do is knock doors, and you know how effective that can be, and it's colder than ever it seems, but I'm optimistic and happy happy happy.

LOVE YOU MORE!

-Elder Wheatley

Last words from Lonoke :(

We just had lunch with Jillian (Craig's wife, our Branch Mission Leader) at Pizza Hut. All you can eat! (Can you say, Bubba?) Yeah i'm fat.

I'm sad that i'm gonna have to leave that family. I love em.

I'm so grateful for the time I've served in Lonoke. I've had the opportunity to serve with many great people, learn what true charity is, and find and teach the truly elect. I know the Lord wanted me here. I've grown. I've had the opportunity to help others grow and I know that the Lord now needs me somewhere else. I've grown very attached to the area and the folks here. I can truly say that I love them and I love the Lord and that is why I worked so hard here. I'm thankful for the blessing I had to serve with Elder Wohlgemuth. He's an extraordinary missionary. He just puts his head down and goes to work without complaints. Even though sometimes it's physically too much for him, he still does it. I learned a lot from him.

Lonoke has the best Branch Mission Leader in the world. He does anything and everything for us. He loves us like a father. Same with the Branch President. They are so missionary minded. They, and the rest of the people here, will do anything for the missionaries and missionary work. They will give their shirt off their back even if it's the only shirt they have. And they'll do it with a smile because they know their duty and love the Lord. And I love them for it.

I will do all I can to better myself and become a better instrument in the Lord's hands in my next area. I'm excited because I know something great is about to take place.

-Elder Wheatley

I'm Happy Happy Happy!

Hey Momma!

I had a fantastic week! It was hard. Yes. Long? Kind of. But we worked hard at each moment we could and that is where the joy comes from. We are teaching two solid folks who I firmly believe will be baptized. One this month and the other hopefully this year. I love watching the Spirit working with people and I love the look on their face when they "get it." We have also had much success talking to EVERYBODY. Some missionaries think it's a chore but you know me, cuz i'm like you and Dad. I love to talk.

Not much happened that I can think of off the top of my head but i'm happy happy happy!

My companion and I are working together really well and we both hope we can stay together for another one. We are both scared of getting lame companions and i'm scared of leaving this area. I've grown attached. I know this area better than the back of my hand and I love the people we're teaching. He doesn't want to take over this area and I don't want it white washed cause I wanna stay so we'll see what the Lord blesses us with. He knows what is best. Gotta trust Him. We're just gonna work hard until that time comes.

Glad to hear all is well back home.

I LOVE YOU MORE!

-Elder Wheatley

p.s. FE-HE-HE-HEENY!

Tell everyone that I love them, please!!!!!!!

What works for one team may not work for the other

I have learned on my mission that if you HAVE to do something, you might as well make it fun. Even if you don't wanna be there. So, I hope you had a blast spending some quality one-on-one time with Rach.

This week was slower but it was still very good and fulfilling. I wish it was exciting 24/7 but sometimes you just gotta put your head down and work. I enjoyed every moment.

I love how the Lord gives us things that, in the moment, seem to impede our progress but is actually for our benefit. The other day I got sick to my stomach suddenly and had to go in and rest for 30 minutes. I was upset because I thought it was just my mind telling me that I really didn't want to go work. Turns out that as soon as we were able to leave again we met someone that was JUST pulling up to their house for a split second to grab something and then to leave again. We were able to meet with them and you could tell that they really needed it. I've learned a lot this week about keeping a positive attitude and looking for the silver lining. Another instance, on Wednesday, when we went to go contact a guy that we met on the streets down in England last week, he doesn't live at the address he gave us but we asked the lady if we could teach her and she readily agreed. That's why we met that guy on the streets. Cause where she lives... I would've never walked through that neighborhood otherwise. She lives in a cul-de-sac of nice houses deep in a very underprivileged neigbhorhood. It's funny.

Oh. Also, I felt extremely compelled to go check on this lady right before we headed out of town and it was exactly what she needed. She was in an extreme slump because she's getting old and had to put her husband in the nursing home for a month while he recovered from foot surgery cause she can't take care of him herself. The event just gave her a very bleak hope and premonition for the future when they do get too old to take care of each other.

I know this gospel can raise spirits and bring people to their full potential. Sometimes I hate agency because I know some people know that what we're teaching them is true but they are too scared of what the world thinks.

I love missionary work because it is like a basketball game. The concept is always the same-- In basketball it's get the ball, score, and stop the other team. In missionary work it's find, teach, and baptize. But just like basketball you can't use the same plays every time. You gotta mix it up. What works for one team may not work for the other. That is why I love missionary work. You gotta read the defense and find the play that's gonna work. Each game is different and you gotta practice everyday if you want to have any shot at the constantly improving opponent.

Just rambling on.

Well, I love you MORE!

-Elder Wheatley