McBride's!!!
How the heck are you? I'm doing great! My first companion out here is Elder Perkins. He's lived all over the U.S. but calls Bountiful, Utah home. He's a lot like Elder Watts, fun loving, goofball of a guy. He's also obsessed with Basketball, so this time of year is killing him with march madness. But he's staying focused. He's a great trainer. Only been out 7 months.
Ah Coatesville. It's the ghetto of the ghetto's. We're about 20, 30 miles outside of philly. It's really funny. We're the only 2 white people out here.... i think. Huge culture shock. everyone smokes. everyone swears, everyone's black or latino. But i LOVE IT!!! During the day people are really nice. But you want to be sure to be in on time. you never know what could happen. We live in the heart of Coatesville. 6th ave, Belmont street. Just across the street is Harmony street which is basically Pennsylvania's "Camden street". Everything happens there.
To answer a few of your questions:
I got my comforter
My companion is THE BEST EVER! He's so funny. Always making sure i'm having a good time.
We have a car. Toyota Corolla
Our living quarters..... not great but could be worse. 1 bath, kitchen, living room and bedroom. it's small but i like it. our neighbors are pretty bad. they smoke and are always yelling. i'm glad we only eat and sleep there.
I love President and Sister Schafermyer! I couldn't ask for anyone better. They're so supportive and really nice. President Schafermyer pulled me aside the first night and said, "Elder McBride. We're so glad to have you here. I can tell by just looking at you, you're gonna be a hard worker. I'm going to send you to one of our tougher areas. Good luck and Godspeed Elder."
I got lucky. This is a tough area but the members are supportive and the people are usually nice.
Our area is pretty "dry". We haven't had a baptism for a few months they said. but we do have a few potentials. My favorite investigator has got to be a woman named Dawn. Dawn is a hard-working mother of 5. knows the church is true but can't be baptized because she lives with her deadbeat boyfriend. She can't leave him because she's not able to work and he supports the family, but he won't marry her because she "cheated" on him a few years ago. But we're hoping she's baptized this transfer.
We have also been teaching an awesome part-member family, the Walcotts. Jenny and Matt with two boys (ages 4 and 2). Jenny is a member, but she was less active for a while. Matt calls himself a "mormon-catholic". he knows the church is true but doesn't see a need for baptism. We're hoping he realizes how important it is when he sees Jenny enjoying church.
We have a few more investigators. but Those two families are my favorite.
Holy cow. My one month "anniversary" is coming up. March 27 baby!! I can't believe it's already been a month. It feels like only a week.. not even a week.
Ah. Church yesterday was awesome! Bishop Heimmis (or something like that) is really cool. Got up in sacrament meeting and said, "we've got some new blood brothers and sisters, let's try not to scare this one off." everyone was laughing. He then had me stand up and introduce myself. I got a warm welcome to the ward. (couple of dinner appointments. YES!!!) Awesome ward.
Well, I love you. Remember, The church is true. Oh, good luck dad! you'll do awesome! And J'nell, don't sweat it. school's not that important anyways. I'm kidding i'm kidding. If you have any letters or anything to send me, send it to the mission home because i'll be moving sometime next week. Love you and Godspeed!
Elder McBride <------- That's still weird.
