References 2‏

References 2‏: May 18th, 2015

Dearest Family and Friends,

The weather here has been interesting. Our phone blows up every night with flash flood warnings and tornado alerts due to the insane amount of rain and lightning, but I’m still sleeping like a champion[1].

At the start of the week, our Elders Quorum President called us and asked us if we could help a family out by just "moving some furniture and packing some clothing". We didn’t tell us why[2], but we went anyways. So a couple days later we show up to the apartment building and when we explained to the receptionist who we were helping she went pale and then waved us on through without any questions[3]. So suspicion began to creep into my mind as we ascended the elevator and went to this certain family’s apartment. Being good Elders we put ourselves to work and immediately helped with the clothing and bed, but when we lifted the mattress up we were greeted by a little surprise that this family was infested with bed bugs[4]. EVERYWHERE. Oh cheese and rice, it was horrendous. So we busted out the service, exited the building--nobody would get near us because they knew we had the plague--and ran home. I'm not going to lie, I was super panicked because suddenly my body was itchy everywhere because my mind was playing tricks on me. We stripped[5] down in the hallway of our apartment, threw our clothing and shoes in a garbage bag, and showered about three times just in case those demons were anywhere on us. New rule: never do service without finding out why.

This week we also had an interesting lesson in Spanish Elders Quorum and learned about anointing and blessing the sick and afflicted. Things got a little heated and had some confusion to how it went, but in the end everything got settled[6]. They also debated why "gringos" use oil for every blessing no matter how small the illness and how "latinos" only use it for serious matters. It was interesting because everyone started to look at me[7], thinking I had the answer. It's so much fun to see other cultures on the mission.

Oh, and on Sunday, my friend Julian[8] came to visit and go to sacrament with me because he's out here in Olathe doing summer sales. It was so much fun to see him and catch up on times.

We've been having a lot of final meals[9] as the trio with so many beloved families here in the ward--The Jurado's, Gaona's, Gonzalez's, and Toraya's. Transfers are this week. Maybe I'll stay here in the Great Kaw River Ward or maybe I'll be heading to my final resting place in another part of the Missouri Independence Mission. Wish me luck.

MUCHO AMOR,

Elder Beau Hart

[1] Thanks for training me with all of your snoring, Dad!

[2] Red Flag #1

[3] Red Flag #2

[4] SURPRISE! They climbed up our arms when we lifted the mattress….

[5] Elder Hart’s Non-Mission Approved Talents Vol. 2

[6] As in, everyone decided to stop arguing because the hour was up and Mexico was playing at 4 so they needed to get home STAT.

[7] Because I was literally the only white person in the room. How does that happen in Kansas?

[8] AKA Tuna

[9] So much mole…. My companions must hate it by now, but it’s my favorite.