News from Elder Irvine

HOLY HILLS! Our area is going to be a workout on bike for me. Super super hilly. You're either biking up or down, not really any in between. Haha.

Elder Ball and I are working hard to get me acquainted with the ward auxiliaries and members from both wards. We've been traveling about and though it's a bit overwhelming at times, it's so cool to be able to get to meet and know so many people! Both wards are very large compared to my last ward, so I have nearly quadruple people to remember and work with -- and that's only the members! We don't really have any investigators or less actives that we're actively working with, but we're doing our best to find, find, find! Pray that people's hearts will be softened and open their doors and lives to us. This gospel literally means "good news" and is nothing more than "glad tidings of great joy" to those who are receptive to our message. So help us love these people by praying for them just as we do!

This ward is really great at organizing ward missionaries they have called and we go out on splits with them every Wednesday and Thursday evening. A young RM that returned within the last year from his mission went out with me this last Wednesday and we were able to street contact into some people. Their car seemed to be steaming from the engine, and although neither of us knew anything about cars, we offered our assistance. Haha. We didn't do anything to help them with their car, but luckily they were parked at home and so we asked them if we could come back to teach them more later, to which they agreed. The RM asked if they knew anyone who desperately needed an uplifting message about Christ and one of the women raised her hand. Haha. So we scheduled an appointment for later this week. Pray that we can follow the Spirit to help them come to Christ!

Pretty nice digs.  And clean, clean, clean!

Tools of the trade in hilly Portland.

Promising "golden" contact.

A new companion and a new area

On Saturday, we found out that Elder Pelham is training a greenie and I was leaving to a bike area. I was pretty nervous, though this transfer was much less ulcer-inducing than other ones I've been in. I loved working with Elder Pelham and we did work hard for those six weeks together. I was happy to get pictures with lots of the members and people I've been working with in Moreland, and the Ward seemed happy with the work we had done while I was there. So that's good. I love them a lot and it is hard leaving them. I'm excited to go back for the few baptisms that we managed to set up before I left, so here in a few weeks I should be going back to see some of them again.

I went from South East Portland to North West Portland. I am in the Cedar Mills Zone, Five Oaks District - Oak Hills & Sunset Hills Wards with Elder Brayden Ball. It's the first time I've ever served over two wards and honestly it's a bit overwhelming. I am praying super hard so that I can acclimate well to both of the wards equally. It's a very humbling experience to get up and move to a completely foreign place with no one I know (except for one or two others in my District). I know it's right for me and it will help me grow, however. I feel like I've been prepared by the Lord to come here, so all you hills, here I come! So far of what I've seen of the area, and as the name implies, it is very hilly. It's mostly suburbs and big roads interconnecting them. Our apartment is pretty big and pretty nice compared to my previous apartments. Best of all, the Mission President is in our Ward! Unfortunately he's "less-active." Ha ha. No, just kidding. But he does move around the mission a lot, so I don't think we'll see him that much.

I'm super excited and ready to work. Pray that I can become acclimated quickly so I can help the people here! Love you all!

Elder Brayden Ball & Elder Irvine, new companions, and Elder Peterson & his new companion, Elder Pelham.

Enjoying the Spring work

Our weekly planning took great force into what we did this week. We were able to have contact with our investigators almost every other day and we went over and read with the one. We feel like if we can get him to read and pray and come to church consistently for a month, that there will be no question that he should be baptized on June 9th. Our younger investigator is so strong and prepared to be baptized on June 16th and we went with her and a member family to the Temple Visitor's Center on Saturday.

Elder Pelham and I get along well and we are continuing to work hard. He helps me to focus on the work and is a great companion and district leader. He's very obedient and persistent in our exactness in the word. I'm glad to have him here to strengthen and reinforce me.

We had a less active woman, who's not been to church since she was in her 20s (now in her 50s/60s) come to church yesterday! It was very exciting and I was happy to see her come after we've been working with her for a little over six weeks now.

Calling home was good. Not distracting in the slightest thankfully. I enjoyed talking to and hearing my younger brothers who are quickly growing up. It was nice to talk to my parents as well with my renewed respect and love I've gained for them since coming out. I love you guys!

I'm studying the Christ and His Atonement and gaining strengths here and there. I know Jesus Christ is my Redeemer and is helping me along my way. I love Him and am cleaving towards Him for a renewed strength in all aspects of my testimony of His Gospel.

 The pictures show Elder Irvine with some members and an investigator (above) and Elder Irvine and Elder Pelham who helped a gentleman out who gave them a contribution to the church (below).

Staying in Portland with a new companion

Saturday evening we were excited to get the phone call relaying the Transfer information. Elder Baxter went to a car area in Hillsboro Zone, and I am staying in Moreland, same apartment. We were actually surprised because by the time we got the call both of us had already mentally accepted that there would be no change at all. Elder Baxter luckily had informed the Ward and talked to the members throughout the week, so he seemed to leave with a good note. A sister made him a pretty cool quilt with the Oregon Portland Mission Logo on it with all the Ward's signatures written all over it. Our ward loves him, so he will be missed. I think they will like my new companion, however.

 

Yesterday we went to transfer meeting with the District Leader and a member of their ward. Thankfully the anxiety was far less strenuous to deal with this transfer, but I did lament on leaving Elder Baxter the second time much more than the first. He's been a great companion and an even better friend. I love him and I pray that he's doing well in his new area. I am now with Elder Steven Pelham (originally from Provo, UT) who came from Hillsboro (Elder Baxter and him seemed to flip flop zones) as a Zone Leader. I was relieved to find out that rather than me being the District Leader of our District -- it seemed almost likely that I would be this transfer -- my new companion, Elder Pelham is District Leader. I reminisced on my experiences with Elder Mickelson when I was with him and realized that I am now DLC (District Leader's Companion) again. I quite enjoy being DLC and I'm sure I'm going to have a great time with Elder Pelham.