Medina, Ohio - May 23, 2018

 

This week has been so good, but it feels like it has gone on forever! But it's always good being here in Ohio. Transfers happened last week and like I said last week my new companion is Elder Luckett. He is from Grand Junction, Colorado and has four younger sisters, been out 16 months now. He is a super funny guy so we have been having a lot of laughs. He also plays the piano and was in the marching bad in his school, so he's played a few instruments in his time. It's also been good because his first area was Tiffin so we spent quite some time talking about that area and all the people that are there. Brought back a lot of good memories, still wishing that I got to finish off there, but Medina is good. 

 

As soon as everyone got figured out what was happening with the mission splitting, they decided they were going to change it all up. So instead of the Toledo stake going to the Cincinnati mission and Youngstown going to Pittsburgh, now the Toledo and Cleveland Stake will join with the Michigan Detorit Mission and the Akron, Kirtland, and Youngstown Stakes are going to join with the Columbus mission. Not what was expected a little while ago, but that's what it's going to be now.

 

We had our mission conference on Monday with Elder Snow that I mentioned last week, and it was really good. He talked about a lot of different things, and it was all really good and insightful. Also saw a lot of other missionaries that it will be the last time I see them out here, so it was kind if sad at the same time. 

 

The good news for this last week though is that we found 3 new investigators! One of them was a referral we got a couple of weeks ago that we called and texted and knocked on her door and left a card but apparently she didn't get any of the messages, so she said she was kind of giving up on us. But we were able to catch her at home one day and we talked with her for a little bit about the Book of Mormon. Then there was a former investigator that we went to see and he is really open and wants to come to church, but we also taught his new roommate who just moved on 4 days before we went to their house. He's a younger guy that said he wants to find a church and was really open to what we said. So things got a little bit better this last week. 

 

Life is good, random storms come out of nowhere and soak us and then disappear, but that's how Ohio is! Such a good place. Doing some service for some people, having a good time, loving life. Interviews tomorrow and exchanges, then life like normal for another week! Gonna be good and gonna be warm! That's about it for this week, talk to you next week!

 

Love,

Elder Woodward

 

Medina, Ohio - May 15, 2018

Well another week has come and gone and it's the week of transfers. So I'll start off with the news for you. For my last transfer, Elder Sargent is going to be leaving and I'm going to be getting a new companion. Elder Sargent is heading out to Toledo and my new companion is Elder Luckett. Don't know much about him, but I do know that he came out last February, the same time that Elder Weekes did when I trained for the first time. So he's been out for a few months past a year. And he will be my last companion, so it's pretty crazy. I'll be staying here in Medina for that time unless something crazy comes up and I move for a short time.

I can't remember if I told you about us going to play tennis last week, but for a district activity we went and had a good time out in the sun playing tennis and got sunburned, but it was good. This week just went by really fast and it doesn't even feel like it's been a week, and this transfer has honestly felt more like just an exchange with Elder Sargent. It's been crazy. We had a few things to do and exchanges with our district leader on Friday, so that also might be a reason why the week went by quick. We had a big service project come up for us that is going to take quite some time. There were some members that decided to cut down all the trees in their backyard and needed some help cleaning up, so we helped them a little bit. It seemed like we did a lot, but then every time we turned around and saw how much more we had to do, it felt like we had done nothing. So there's a lot of work to do. 

There's a district picture of us from yesterday for ya. Also, we are having a mission conference this next Monday and Elder Snow of the Seventy and his wife will be coming to visit us out here. So that's happening on Monday up at the mission office, and then on Thursday next week we are having interviews with President Brown, and since this is the last transfer of them being here, they are doing all the interviews at the mission home. This is going to be most missionaries last interview with them, but I'm in the lucky group that gets to have two more interviews with them. Something kind of special they are doing so everyone can have one last interview at the mission home I think. That's really about all I got for you guys, so ya. Have a good week! 

Love,

Elder Woodward

 

Medina, Ohio - May 9, 2018

Well this week was good, just like every other week it seems. Went by quick and doesn't feel like it's Wednesday already. For this Sunday, we are planning on calling at or around 5:30 or 6pm. Hopefully that works out for you guys. So 3:30 to 4 ish your time. I'm guessing you can get it all figured out with the other children elsewhere in the United States so it's easy to call, right? Ok, that'd be fantastic. 

 

So on to this week, last week we had zone conference on Thursday which was really good. It was kind of a spiritual smack in the face with some of the stuff that was talked about, but just like always it's good to see President and Sister Brown. Even though it's close to the end, there was still a lot of good things that we learned. We got back a little late in the evening, so we didn't have much time before we were driving out to our zone leaders to go on exchanges which was good. They had some ghetto areas that we were in and it reminded me of Youngstown so much. Such a good place out there. It was a little weird though because I've got use to Medina and I felt really out of place there, but got use to it. 

 

Saturday we got to do a little service project for a member here and we were able to do some landscaping for her. Covered up some grass and then dug some holes which I've decided I've become pretty good at because we do it so much, then planted some bushes and put mulch around it all. The member took some pictures so I'm gonna send them to you too. And some pictures from exchanges and a good looking sunset. Did more service for some other members weeding and mowing their lawn yesterday. It's been a week of service, and we got some more calls yesterday for more service opportunities coming up in the future. 

 

We're still talking with Frank who we took to Kirtland three times a week and he is doing well, living the Word of Wisdom, so he's awesome. I've had some allergies the last few days since Saturday so it's been interesting and I always feel sick, but I think it's getting better? Not quite sure though. Sore throat, stuffed nose, all that good allergies stuff. Or it's a cold cuz I also have a cough, but I don't know. We'll see if I get better or not. Also, next week is transfers and Elder Sargent is probably going to be leaving. Going to be emailing on Tuesday with the transfer news, so keep that in mind! 6 more weeks. 

 

Love, 

Elder Woodward 

 

 

Medina, Ohio - May 2, 2018

Well it has been a great week for us out here this last week. It's finally warmed up for sure after one last cold day (not sure if it's going to last), we had exchanges, and we got to go up to Kirtland with Frank! Since we emailed on Thursday, I guess I'll start with Friday and fill you in on what happened since then.

So we had exchanges on Friday with our district leader and it was a good time. It was nice outside and there was a lady that was moving out of our ward that we got to go and help in the morning, and then we treated ourselves to 5 guys afterwards. There weren't a ton of people there to help her move, but she just had a small apartment so there was the perfect number of people there with her and the four of us and her two sons that came from Utah and a member in the ward. Didn't take a super long time, and we got loaded up with food at the end of it from her freezer. Afterwards, we went to a nursing home and helped to scoop ice cream for the people living there. Every Friday, they give everyone ice cream, so we walk around throughout the halls and scoop it for them and old people are so great! I love them haha. Then in the evening, we started a Book of Mormon Study class at the church for anyone to come to and it had a slow start, but we're doing it every week so hopefully it gets rolling! There were a few people there and we were able to read the Book of Mormon and talk about it and ask questions and all learn from one another. It was a pretty good day.

But it was nothing compared to Saturday! It was supposed to be raining on Saturday and many prayers were said so that it didn't rain, and it didn't rain! It was just a bit chilly, but we took it over the rain. We also got to meet Frank for the first time (normally we just call him on the phone to have our lessons because he drives semi truck all over the place) and he is sooooo funny! We got to spend a day with him and he is full if so many good stories. We drove up to the Johnson Farm first for the spring festival, but it wasn't very spring like weather so not a ton of people were there. But we were there and that's what mattered! Since it was a spring festival, they did something a little different for the tour of the Johnson Farm. Instead of the sisters taking us through and describing the events that happened there, they had people dressed up as John and Elsa Johnson and some of their kids as well as Joseph Smith and they were telling their stories and the experiences that occurred there. It was an experience that not many people get, and the people we were there with really enjoyed it. We even went on the hay ride they had and almost froze, but got to go around on some the land they have out there. From there we hopped on up to Kirtland and almost made it to the temple for a tour, but they closed 5 minutes before we got there, so we went down to the visitor center and got a tour there. We were the only people there at the time, so our tour was not rushed at all. Normally there's a little rushing to it because there's another group not far behind you, but we had a lot more time than normal. My favorite part of the whole day was when we were in the School of the Prophets in the upstairs of the Newell K Whitney Store and since there was no one behind us, we just got to sit there. I don't know how long we were in there but, it wasn't long enough. We were talking about so many different things in there and the spirit there was so strong. Knowing of the significance in that room and then sitting there really was amazing. We were up in Kirtland for quite some time, but once again, it was a great time and good experience. Then we ended the night at Buffalo Wild wings, so a great way to end the day off, followed by church the next day.

Other than that, it's missionary work as usual. We just had a really really good weekend. We didn't have district meeting on Monday because it's already time for zone conference again, and that's tomorrow. Then we have exchanges with our zone leaders on Friday, so it's gonna be another good weekend. 

The birthday was good. Thanks for all the birthday wishes! We just had a normal day of missionary work ahead of us, helped do some service at a members house, enjoyed the warm weather and got a little bit of sun. It was a good day, and we had bean burritos at a members house. But ya, it was a good day. Thanks again! Here's some pictures of our trip to Kirtland.

Love,

Elder Woodward

 

 

 

 

Medina, Ohio - April 26, 2018

Another week has come and gone and time is going by way to quick out here. Life is going good, it's starting to warm up, flowers are appearing out of nowhere, the trees are starting to get leaves, life is good. So far it's been a pretty good week, but gonna start out with the news for this week. On Sunday night, we got a call from President Brown which was random because he normally doesn't call unless we've done something wrong or someone died, but I knew we didn't do anything wrong and I was hoping that nobody died. But it wasn't either of those. Due to all the changes that are going on with the missions out here, he was calling to tell me that they are having to move transfers around to make it easier for everyone, so instead of my release date being June 28th like originally planned, it is being pushed a week earlier so I'll be coming home on June 21st instead. So out of nowhere, an extra week was gone. That's what the letter that is being sent to you is about, not sure if you have it or not yet, but that's what it's talking about. So hopefully you didn't have plans for that day or else your gonna have to cancel them or leave me sitting at the airport. Hopefully it doesn't mess too many things up.

 

Our investigator Harold dropped us last week so that was kind of a bummer, but we are for sure going to Kirtland this weekend and it's going to be so good! I'll save more details for next week so I have some stuff to write about, but we have been looking forward to it for a while. Oh, we are going with someone else we are teaching, Frank. I don't know if I told you about him or not, but it's going to be good. He drives semi truck so we call him and have lessons with him, but we actually get to meet him this weekend and go to the Johnson Farm and Kirtland. Gonna be a good weekend. 

 

And we just got done with visiting the temple, something we get to do every April and October. Not sure what will happen when the missions change, but that's how it is for us. We can do that for personal worship every 6 months, and if we go with people we are teaching then we can go once a quarter, and that's for the entire mission. Makes it nice to be able to go every once in a while. 

 

We've also been doing a bit of service either for members or the Salvation Army here in town and that's always fun. Raking leaves, starting to mow lawns, and the whatever the Salvation Army needs us to do. Gives us a nice change of pace when we do that, and it's a good way to find people to teach and bless others lives. We've been knocking on people's doors, having lots of dinners with members, talking with lots of people, and just doing missionary work! Life is fantastic out here! In case you forgot, here's my address again: 504 N State Rd #7, Medina Ohio 44256. Always looking for mail :)

 

I'll send pictures next week

Love, 

Elder Woodward 

Medina, Ohio - April 18, 2018

It's been another good week out here in Ohio and the work is moving along! The weather has been all over the place, but from what it sounds like it's been that way everywhere, so not too surprising. But the few good days we had out here gave everyone hope that we aren't going to be eternally in winter! We had a nice couple of days and were able to do some service for a member out here that needed some help cleaning up her yard, so since it was 70 degrees at 10 in the morning we got to rake up leaves and sticks and enjoyed the sun. 

And then the weekend hit. Saturday it wasn't super nice but not super bad and then Sunday it was raining. All. Day. Long. Not a ton of fun, but it was still good because being a missionary is always good. Needless to say, we were soaked by the end of the day, and when it finally stopped raining we got to visit with someone. We also found this super cool park that we went to and talked with some people there on Saturday before the rain started, and got some pictures there too. 

We've been doing a lot of finding, but haven't found much. But we are doing it anyway and having a good time talking with lots of people and hearing different peoples stories. We've been having a few lessons here and there, but not like before. It's good though! I love this area and all the people here. 

We get to go to the temple next week, so we won't be emailing until Thursday because that's the day we are going to the temple, so don't be alarmed if you don't get an email next week on Wednesday. Also, we are planning a trip to Kirtland with one of our investigators and that's going to be happening next Saturday the 28th, and that's something Elder Sargent and I really wanted to get to this transfer, and it's happening! Such a good place. There's really not much to report on besides that. Working on getting the area going and it's not going to be a short turn around, so bear with me on the shorter emails for the time being.

Love,

Elder Woodward 

 

PS just threw a cool little picture I found on Lds.org that show my mission is the coolest 

 

 

Medina, Ohio - April 11, 2018

Greetings from my last area in Ohio! Life is good out here, just like always. Got everything packed up my last days in Youngstown and all was good for transfers, except the 40 mile an hour winds all day! It was a crazy day and the wind almost blew me over a couple of times. Don't know where it came from, but it lasted most of the day so it felt about 18 degrees when we were out at night. Always a ton of fun. But hey, later this week it's supposed to be up to 75 degrees! We won't talk about what's going to happen after that, but the weather in Ohio is crazy. I'll leave it at that.

So on to my new companion. His name is Elder Sargent (Like I said last week) and he is from Tooele, Utah. He is the oldest of 4 kids, one younger brother and two younger sisters. He definitely wants to be in the Columbus mission, but he will probably leaving after this transfer because he has already been in the area for two transfers, so he could go anywhere and be in any mission, or he could stay for a while. This transfers gonna go by fast. This area is so much different from Youngstown in every single way. You got tons of pictures of abandoned houses when I was there, and in the week I've been here, I haven't seen a single abandoned house. It's a much nicer area with nicer neighborhoods all around, so it makes missionary work a little more difficult. The ward is pretty big. It's the biggest ward I've been in, and in the words of Elder Sargent and some of the members here, it's the most Utah-like ward out here. It was kind of weird going from Youngstown to here just because it is so different. I loved Youngstown and miss it, but this is a good area too. Getting me ready for Utah again because this area reminds me a lot of Utah. There's one other set of elders in the ward and we both have our own car, so that makes things nice. They used to have to share a car but since areas are getting closed down, cars are becoming available for other areas so they gave both sets their own car. There is a ward organist, so I don't have to play the piano or organ at all, and then there is a young man who can play. They don't know that I know how to play get, but eventually I'm sure they'll find out. We get fed here pretty much every night, so hopefully I don't gain too much weight before I go home. It's a nice area here, but a lot tougher than Youngstown.

We have a few people that we are working with that are moving forward. One guys who we are working with is Harold and he met with missionaries in Canton when he lived there and wanted to be baptized but had some problems with smoking and couldn't kick it. Then he had a heart attack, had to have triple bypass open heart surgery and realized that smoking was killing him, so he has quit and hasn't smoked since. He is in a nursing home right next to our apartment, so we are able to go and see him often and help him out. He is actually leaving the nursing home this weekend and will be living with his sister until he can find his own place to live. And then there's another guy that was excommunicated but is working on coming back and is close to getting baptized again that is super awesome. 

Medina is a slower area, but we are working hard. We've been doing a lot of tracting and found some potentials, but nothing yet. The area is slowly picking up and it's gonna be good. Gonna have a good time here and lots of work to do. We had interviews and a special training meeting with President and Sister Brown yesterday and they are soo good. Pretty much everything I thought I knew about planning needs to be thrown out the window and gotta relearn everything. It's going to be good and really move the work forward, but going to take some more adjusting to. They have a lot on their plates with everything going on, even more than normal, but they are the best people ever! Gotta love them.

Things are good. Life is great. Love it all.

Love, Elder Woodward

 

Oh almost forgot, my new address is 504 N State Rd Apt. 7, Medina Ohio 44256

So if you want to send me anything, now you can 😁