Garbage Police

Hey Y'all!

This week has been a crazy week.  So many weird things have happened.  Starting off with Sunday night.  Some homeless guy stole one of the bikes from our garage and then Elder Hildebrandt woke up and went out and saw him returning it.  The homeless guy said he just needed it to go fix his bike and Elder Hildebrandt got some more clothes on and went to go help him and the guy was no where to be found.  And neither was the bike pump that came with that bike. 

 Monday night we had the police come visit our house at 10:27 PM because one of the guys in the other side of the house left their door open.  They thought it was a church and we were breaking in.  So they called our land lord and our land lord called us.  To the elder who left the door open he got the "U-tard of the week" award from the land lord (Dan).  haha Dan is a great guy.  Super funny and nice.  

Tuesday we put our recycling bin out on the curb because we didn't know when our day for that was and we came home that night to a violation warning strapped to our bin.  Apparently you are only supposed to put it out a day before.  We got a warning for putting our CITY ISSUED BIN out on the curb a couple days early while our neighbors have garbage all over their curb...Something is wrong here....Then we had our apartment discovered by a crazy lady, Mary, who called from here car "So this is where you live...Why haven't you been calling me?"  It was a couple of the other Elder's person and she was calling them over 12 times a day and wanting them to visit her every day.  They told her they needed to stop visiting her for a few weeks and then after a few weeks she started to call again and eventually found us....CRAZY!  

Anyway, Wednesday we went out to eat at a Chinese buffet.  It was....interesting....I am pretty sure that nothing was authentic.  None of the foods were labeled right and they all seemed super sketchy.  I took a bite of a piece of chicken and it was half chicken like and half like mashed potatoes.  Most disgusting piece of chicken I have ever had.  Then that night we heard a girl scream at 11:10.  It was just like the screams in the movies right before they get killed. super freaky.  Nothing too exciting happened Thursday or Friday.  haha Really weird week but a good week.  Love y'all!  Have a great week!

Elder Funk

Remember who you are and what HE stands for!

Here we have our violation notice from the garbage police.

Meeting an Apostle and Marvin Goldstein

January 17th

Hey Y'all,

Crazy week!  So on P-day we went to the store and got some food.  Some pumpkin pie was on clearance so I had to get it.  We then get home to find a ridiculous amount of soda sitting on our front porch.  It was for one of the missionaries in the compound so we gratiously took it into our apartment for them.  We then proceeded to go and get some Krispy Kreme.  Super healthy I know.  

Sunday we got to go to a Methodist Church.  That was an interesting experience.  They had a band playing and did a lot of rote prayers and had a coffee store in the front of the church.  (I don't understand how they do that kind of stuff and then think we are a cult)  

Anyway, Monday and Tuesday were pretty boring.  Wednesday we had someone come up to us and just looked star struck.  It was so awesome!  Just like we were celebrities.  She had just seen the Book of Mormon play and wanted to learn more!  (haha jokes on those guys.  They are just spreading the word more)  

Thursday we had the privilege of meeting with Elder Neil L Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles with Marvin Goldstein at the piano.  Because of this occasion we had the whole mission there and I got to see my MTC group.  Elder Frederiksen (one of my companions) so I got to sit up next to Marvin on the stand.  Both Marvin and Elder Andersen are super funny.  Elder Andersen then began to talk and came up to the three of us sitting on the stand and told us to go sit down with everyone else.  He didn't want us just looking at the back of him the whole time.  Super cool.  He brings the spirit so strongly.  His testimony is the most powerful testimony that I have ever heard.  We got to spend pretty much the whole day with him as we spent 3 hours with him for a missionary meeting and another 2 hours with him for a stake fireside.  After the Stake fireside he shook everyone's hands so we got Dusty to go shake his hand and tell him that he was getting baptized on the 31st.  Elder Andersen grabbed Dusty by the shoulders and said, "That is great!  This will be the best decision you will ever make in your life!"  Dusty was grateful that we were pushy and persistent in getting him to go talk to him.  Friday nothing really special happened. Alas we are here right now...you are reading this part of my life and my email at this exact moment.  I didn't get any pictures of the experience unfortunately.  However, I did get a picture of our score from P-Day. In the words of Elder Frederiksen, " #BooYa"  Have a great week Y'all!

Elder Funk

Remember who you are and what HE stands for!

Converting to Coca-Cola

Hey Y'all,

This week was a pretty uneventful week.  

Tuesday for District Activity we played dodge ball.  The balls were lined up in the center and we ran to get them and I pulled one back with my foot and turned to run back and ended up punching a sister right in the face.  She continued like a trooper but she had a nice red mark right near her eye.  I felt so awful after.  That night we had a lesson with Dusty and he has a BCD for January 31st.  He is a super solid guy.  He only has one flaw.  He works for and likes Pepsi.  Don't worry I am working on converting him to the truth and light that Coca-Cola brings into life.  

Wednesday all of the students were back in full force.  Kind of scary but it was a welcomed sight.  It was a bit cold down here this week.  We actually had to put a jacket on.  I know what you are thinking.  "Elder Funk!  How do you endure such harsh weather conditions in Florida?!?!?!"  I can only say that Florida is only for those who can endure the extremes of heat and cold ;) 

 Well for some exciting news we have an apostle coming to our mission this week.  Elder Niel L. Anderson!  We get to spend most of the day with him with various meetings.  Super awesome!  Well have a great week!

Elder Funk

Remember who you are and what HE stands for!

Happy NewYear...and sickness

Sup Y'all,

Well I guess starting from last P-Day.  We went to the mall and I got a sweet pair of socks with a gorilla on them.  Then we had a fire that night for investigators.  We had a total of 2 investigators come.  Don't worry though people are starting to come back.   Not a lot happened after that this week.  New Years was alright.  I ended up being sick new years eve and day.  Not the best way to start off the new year but not much can be done about it.  

Friday we had a lesson with our most solid investigator right now, Dusty.  We were going over the Plan of Salvation and he was all over it.  He was asking questions that lead to the next step and then after we talked about the spirit world he was talking about how there was a lot of paths that we need to take and then said, "Don't tell me that after the resurrection we have like 3 places we can go.  Like a good, better and best."  We all just laughed and then explained to him that he was exactly right.  I don't think anyone can be more prepared than he is.  He then took us to Steak N Shake for dinner and ordered a sweet tea and said "I need to drink as much of this as I can before I get baptized."  So yeah I will probably be sending baptism pictures in a few weeks.  

Other than that not a lot happened.  Just the ol' missionary life.  I do want to give a shout out to the Stuart family.  Caden especially.   Hilarious 2014 year in review.  Have a great week y'all!

Elder Funk

Remember who you are and what HE stands for!

Sweat, Snow, Sundry Fruit and a Weird Romance.....

Hey Y'all!

So this week was a slower week but it still went by quick.  We had a lot going on even though we had like 0 investigators here because of Christmas break.  

Well Monday we started off with a member feeding us dinner and then bringing  a friend to investigate the church.  He is super solid!  I would encourage everyone to help the missionaries out and bring a friend for them to teach.  It makes the work so much easier on the missionaries and helps bring more people to God.  

Tuesday we had a Jedi council set up for district meeting.  That was super cool.  Wednesday night we had a family in another ward feed us dinner and then take us caroling around their neighborhood.  It was nice.  The best part was the grandma was old and crazy.  Elder Milne complimented her on a bow in her hair and she turned to her son-in-law and said "he doesn't know I'm married"  hahaha so great!  We got home and cut up our sundry fruit consisting of a pineapple, mango, papaya, kiwi, coconut, apples, oranges,starbursts and bananas for the breakfast the next morning. 

That night we got all 7 of the Elders living in the compound to move their mattresses into one apartment with their presents and had a sleepover.  We watched a movie and had Elder Frederiksen read Luke 2.  The next day we opened presents, had breakfast with the district, skyped home, did our studies and then went to President and Sister Smith's house for dinner.  Super awesome Christmas day.  One of my favorite Christmas's ever!  We were in short sleeve shirts and sweating.  Bright sunny skies.  I had an outside shower to start off the day.  Loved it! Yesterday we had some instant snow so we made that and Elder Milne got on the roof and we loured an Elder out and made it snow on him!  We got snow in Florida!  haha He thought it was super funny. 

 So yeah that was my Christmas week.  I hope Y'all had a Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!

Elder Funk

Merry Christmas...oh wait, there's no one here

Hey Y'all,

This week was pretty boring considering campus is dead with classes being out due to the holidays.  

Sunday we had an investigator at church who left during SundaySchool because "devils were eating me".  Yeah we don't understand it either.  

Monday we got to play dodgeball for the conclusion of Family History week.  That was a blast.  We went all the way to the championship but lost.  Still a lot of fun.  I can proudly say I did not injure or hit anyone in the head this time.  

Tuesday we filmed a video for our campus Facebook page.  All I can say is I am sorry for our voices but you're welcome for the video of me ;)  

Wednesday we walked campus for 7 hours talking to a total of 5 people.  However we did manage to find Baskin Robbins.

  Thursday and Friday we contacted for most of the day and went caroling at night.  Not a whole lot to do when there's no one on campus.  It is nice though that we are able to go out in our short sleeve shirts and end up sweating in the middle of December.  Nothing like going somewhere where they don't participate in Winter.  Have a great week!  Merry Christmas!

Elder Funk

Remember who you are and what HE stands for!

Ladies and Gentlemen.....ELDER UNIVERSE

Hey Y'all!

This week was a super quick week.  Sunday we got Latedrick confirmed a member which was great!  Monday we went out contacting and it was like misting.  It wasn't a super bothersome rain but within minutes you were just soaked.  Weirdest thing I have ever been apart of.  That night we had a small Family Home Evening where we wrapped gifts for needy families.  Tuesday we had our half mission christmas conference.  That was a blast.  We had to do District introductions.  Ours, since we are the relief society district due to the amount of sisters compared to elders, was a pageant.  Sister America and Elder Universe.  

We each got a question and made a joke about missionary work. Mine was the perfect morning routine.  "6:30 arouse, pray, fall asleep praying and then pray again.  Work out, 7:30 breakfast consisting of hashbrowns, eggs and a lot of bacon.  8:00 begin personal study where most days you study other days you fall asleep.  9:00 companion study where we talk for 15 minutes then make lesson plans and finish off with a quick nap."  President Smith was so impressed he wanted an interview with me after! ;)  I ended up winning the competition (of course) so I am Elder Universe!  

Wednesday we did a lot of contacting.  Thursday we finally had our shower fixed!  Got to use an inside shower for the first time in a couple weeks.  I was getting tired of showering outside when I could see my breath while showering.  Friday was bittersweet.  We had to say goodbye to the greatest investigator ever!  Cait is leaving for Christmas break and then spending next semester in Rome, Italy.  That was super sad.  Then later that night we met with Latedrick and he told us that he wants to go on a mission.  Super awesome!  

Then we finished with a ward Christmas party where we got to see Santa!  So that's about the extent of my week.  Solid week but now all of the students are gone for winter break so we won't have any work for two weeks.  Fun weeks!  haha I will be staying on FSU campus for another 7 weeks though so that's exciting.  Have a great week Y'all!

Elder Funk

Remember who you are and what HE stands for!

Latedrick's Baptism!