Elder James Bartholomew

WEEK 2(ish?)

Part of the reason I didn't send out the email last week is that I wasn't quite sure if I was allowed to include some of you in my emailing at all. The Missionary Handbook states that missionaries are not allowed to receive or send communication from members of the opposite sex who live within, or near mission boundaries. So I had to have a meeting with President Fenn (my mission president, who is one of the coolest people of all time. SUPER spiritual, SUPER great), to ask him if it would be all right if I could. He said that that rule was one that I could ignore, because of the odd circumstance that I have found myself in.

I got my first actual assignment and zone!!!! I am in the Family History Library working in what is called Help Services. I will be helping people get started using FamilySearch, and everything good like that. My Training companion is Elder Allison. He is from Florida, and I couldn't have asked for a better trainer. We are very similar with tons of similar interests and background. He also danced Ballet for years, although he is from Florida.

I am having a much better time already, and can feel Heavenly Father's hand in my service here, and in the work I have been called to do.

God is real and is aware of every single one of us. He is looking out for us, and knows exactly what we need to grow, and where we need to be to have that growth.

I am sorry if I am not able to get back to you this week, I will try my best to get it done next week.

Love,

Elder Bartholomew

Hi Everyone!!!!

Holy Cow is it hot in Salt Lake!!! Crazy!!! I’m sure glad I only have to spend two years here instead of being here for like 20 or something ridiculous like that.

This email will include last week's email, with not much from this week, because transfers were today, and my new P-day is Tuesday, so I don't get the full time to email that I normally would.

WEEK 1

This week has been really interesting. I have done tons of family history work this week already, even though it has only been training. I have found two people who up to this point haven’t existed on Family Search, and are part of my family!

So that everyone knows, my emails will probably not be like other missionaries’ emails. I am going to be pretty honest with you about how I am feeling, because if I were to do otherwise, I would be presenting you with a false reality. This week has really tried my patience. I have had to learn how to be treated as a child again, and for those of you that know me when I was a child, I wasn’t really good at being treated that way then. But in learning more patience, I have been able to give thanks to Heavenly Father for blessing me with a quick mind, and a sound body.

My temporary companion for this week is another new elder in the mission named Elder Slack. Elder Slack has muscular dystrophy, along with a number of other health issues, yet he is one of the most faithful men I have ever met. He is here because he knows the Gospel, and is so grateful to Heavenly Father that he is willing to spend two years in service for Him. He is incredible. If not for his body, and the challenges he has because of it, he would surely be out on a normal mission. His mind is so quick and sharp, and he has an excellent sense of humor. He and I are probably the most “normal” missionaries in the mission brain function wise.

So on Tuesday this week for Pioneer Day, the young elders all went and hiked Ensign Peak. The leadership asked Elder Slack if he wanted to skip the hike and just go to President Fenn’s house and wait there for everyone else. Elder Slack said no way, and hiked the whole thing by himself. He didn’t let anyone help him at all. All that he asked me to do was to carry his water bottle for him. He has never once asked for physical help, other than having me carry his bag for him so he can walk a bit faster. He is truly amazing. I’m sad that we won’t be companions after transfer conference on Tuesday.

Other than just general frustration at being here, and confusion as to why I am here (so like a normal day for Elder Bartholomew prior to mission haha), this week hasn’t been bad. Other than being in a suit in the heat. That does suck. But that’s something that can’t be avoided or changed, so I guess it has really been all right.

I love you all, and would love to hear from you! Tell me about what is going on in your life! I love and care about you and pray daily for you.