Elder Terre K Short Nashville 2012-2014: 2013

Dec 20, 2013

December 19, 2013

So I had a visit with Deb Short. No near occurrences/ similarities in the family tree. If we are related, its minimal of 15 generations back. Still, who knows if related, would be cool if she is.

Christmas Zone Conference happened. Participated in a tie swap where I happened to pick Elder McLeans bright pink tie randomly. No bad looking wearing the pink tie I must say. As a gift, I received an inflatable Christmas tree which has been within the mission for nearly 2 years.

This week we had dinner at a local Italian Restaurant with all the food outreach volunteers. Had a very enjoyable night. Looking back in the journal, ONE YEAR AGO I was transferred out of Hoptown into Russellville. Doesn't seem to like it.

Food outreach was very slow. Barely 200 showed. Next week, expecting 400, it will be busy.

Transfer calls came. Sad to report Sparta is being white washed. Elder Ellerbecks is heading to Goodlettsville with Elder Hill (my previous companion) while I'm heading to PRINCETON, KENTUCKY. Princeton is located 40 miles NW of Hopkinsville, YEAH!!! I'm happy I'm returning to "Gods Country", but am sad to leave Sparta. Saying bye to people is the difficult part about it. All "adopted" into my family and will be gone unable to connect till home.

On a more positive note, due to T minus 6 months till home, there is a possibility I may "die" in Princeton. That will be an amazing memory: finish mission 40 miles away from where it started: Challenge accepted.

Looking back, the first half of mission seemed easy, now, trials, setbacks, and challenges have arised making the work difficult. But I know these trials are for our own benefit. Due to current challenges. I can tell I'm a better of person than before. If I don't baptize anymore people, my mission is a success due to converting me.

Till next time

Elder Terre K. Short

December 9, 2013

First things first, heard stories of the snow back at home. Sounds like it will be a cold one everywhere, even here in Tennessee. Due to the weather almanac, the "woolly worms" are the source to know if it will be cold, if all black, be a cold winter, nearly everyone I've seen is all black, not looking forward to it. Sometimes I wish this winter would be like last winter: non-existent, oh well, just hope I don't get homesick due to seeing snow fall

So...Rock Island State Park is a simple hydro-electric dam on a major river here. The interesting part of it is the waterfalls are falling straight out of the rock. No idea how it naturally occurs, but still breathtaking and amazing. Reminded me of my geocaching adventures...only 6 months till I'm back at it.

The reunion with Summer Lomeli was really fun as well. Seeing and talking with someone from a previous area nearly one year TO THE DAY of meeting and we meet again is really weird. I guess God has me visiting with her frequently for some reason. Now the difficult part will be getting them from Spencer to Sparta for church services due to both driving with suspended licenses (Spencer is a cop-infested city) well find a way for it to occur.

OK interviews are next. Before interviews started, a random Spanish Sister inquired if I knew Jenny Brown of Hopkinsville...of course I know her, I'm one of the original two to convert her. She was jealous I found her, taught, baptized and everything. She was "born" in Hopkinsville right after I was transferred out. MAN I'm running into a lot of people who know who I know, its a weird feeling when thinking about it, it proves that I'm old as a missionary.

Interviews were decent. Due to being the last one of the session, I felt rushed. Inquired of why I'm not accepted on Facebook yet, he said there were some prerequisites needed to be accomplished before approval, I HAD NO IDEA, nobody tells me these things, they just don't even respond saying why I'm not approved. Once I get the paperwork to know whats required of me, then I will know what I need to improve in to get online, hope it comes in soon.

Exchanges in Pikeville for the last few days were interesting. With E Stradling who was my District Leader in Gallatin. (went to White House where he was serving) Pikeville is very interesting due to no building yet and few active members within the county. Pres Crawford (stake president) has a vision of Pikeville to have its own branch, so work is slowly progressing here for it to become a reality.

Food outreach numbers dwindled again, didn't even break 200, but were still expecting nearly 500 for Christmas. Hope ill be here for it.

Sunday was so fun and fulfilling. Had a homecoming (second one witnessed as missionary) who was Spanish Speaking in San Diego, administered sacrament to someone who is a converted Jew, such a spiritual person. She was one of the original temple workers in the at-the-time newly dedicated Houston Temple...its on my bucket list, so it was fun talking about it again.

OHHH the Christmas Devotional, such spirit within it. Simply amazing. Hearing the accounts of how certain songs were created resonated within me. I had no idea Amazing Grace was written due to his actual life. As always, looked forward to seeing Sis Boynton doing the bells, unfortunately didn't occur. Last Christmas Devotional to watch as a missionary and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Had a conversation with members we watched it with. Apparently Silent Night was originally written by a German person in Austria and originally played for the Guitar as well as sung in German...goose bumps came talking about it. I desire to hear it, but it may not happen.

Well, transfer calls will be received on Saturday, so who knows if im staying or going.

Attached are photos of the Rock Island Falls as well as some drawings of some temples ive done, can you tell which ones they are?

That's a wrap, till next time

Elder Terre Kieffer Short

Tennessee Nashville Mission

Greatest Mission on Earth!!!

December 9, 3013

First things first, heard stories of the snow back at home. Sounds like it will be a cold one everywhere, even here in Tennessee. Due to the weather almanac, the "wooly worms" are the source to know if it will be cold, if all black, be a cold winter, nearly everyone I've seen is all black, not looking forward to it. Sometimes I wish this winter would be like last winter: non-existent, oh well, just hope I don't get homesick due to seeing snow fall

Interviews were decent. Due to being the last one of the session, I felt rushed. Inquired of why im not accepted on Facebook yet, he said there were some prerequisites needed to be accomplished before approval, I HAD NO IDEA, nobody tells me these things, they just don't even respond saying why im not approved. Once I get the paperwork to know whats required of me, then I will know what I need to improve in to get online, hope it comes in soon.

Food outreach numbers dwindled again, didn't even break 200, but were still expecting nearly 500 for Christmas. Hope ill be here for it.

Sunday was so fun and fulfilling. Had a homecoming (second one witnessed as missionary) who was Spanish Speaking in San Diego, administered sacrament to someone who is a converted jew, such a spiritual person. She was one of the original temple workers in the at-the-time newly dedicated Houston Temple...its on my bucket list, so it was fun talking about it again.

Well, transfer calls will be received on Saturday, so who knows if I'm staying or going.

Attached are photos of the Rock Island Falls as well as some drawings of some temples I've done, can you tell which ones they are?

That's a wrap, till next time

Elder Terre Kieffer Short

Tennessee Nashville Mission

Greatest Mission on Earth!!!

Dec 8, 2013

December 2, 2013

Had a fairly entertaining week this week

Before I forget, Happy delayed birthday pops!!! Realized it yesterday night, sorry my bad, happy early birthday mother

Attempted to visit more people whom we've attempted to contact frequently with no success. Visited a few more member families, as well as got fat (or feel fatter) due to Thanksgiving. Not to call me trunkie, but the next one I WILL BE HOME for.

The entertaining thing this week was a real surprise. Had lunch at Taco Bell and a random person started the conversation with saying he has family serving missions in Oregon and Russia. He then inquired where we have served, listed the cities off and he inquired "Hopkinsville eh, you remember a Summer Lomeli?, She is my niece and has moved to Spencer (within area)" I was flabbergasted (yes I feel accomplished in using that word) we were visiting her as well as her non-member husband (at the time, now divorced) a few weeks before I was transferred out of Hopkinsville. He then called her up, put me on the phone and located her as well as set up a reunion appointment for Tuesday. Its a small world out there. First Sister Riches serving in my home stake (now home and lives just north of me) and now TWO people have moved to the Sparta area who were originally in the Hopkinsville area. Lets say I feel happy right now due to finding and contacting them people of past areas now.

Food outreach was slow this week, but due to Christmas holiday coming up, expecting nearly 400 to show

Sunday was great. Surprisingly Justin bore his testimony!!! We cannot do anything yet due to still looking for a job as well as fixing car and every other prerequisite needed to be achieved.

This week will be a fairly interesting one. Have to relinquish the vehicle Tuesday night only to drive to interviews Wednesday (without vehicle, no approved miles), then going on exchanges with Pikeville (AKA Pickleville) so it will be an interesting adventure

Till next time

Photos will be sent next week, visiting Rock Island State Park today

--

Elder Terre Kieffer Short

Tennessee Nashville Mission

Greatest Mission on Earth!!!

November 25, 2013

So this week went fairly well.

Had a bible/BoM study with Sherri Lawson. She sent a text to us the day of transfers inquiring where the bible study went, so we are continuing it for now, however, due to her living so far away and have car every other week, were making it a other-week event, but it went fairly well. Bible studies are a simple and effective way to teach

Participated in District Meeting then assisted the missionaries in Pikeville in cutting down a tree. Feeling like a lumberjack is always fun. Did it the safer way by pulling the tree down with rope rather than chain saw and spike-boots climbing up it. Just chainsawed an angle into it and pulled. Haven't ever done that before.

Received a referral from one of the strongest active families in the branch. They went to a funeral of a family members and the distant "cousins" were there and inquired what we believed in. Invited us for a lesson and went really well. Have to wait it out and see if fruit will bear soon.

OK the food outreach was intense this week. We knew it would be busy due to it being Saturday before Thanksgiving, so we inquired of bringing in assistance from the branch. Few youth and leaders arrived and were needed. We gave food to 360 FAMILIES in 40 MINUTES!!! That is a new record for the food outreach. Last CHRISTMAS they had 280, I'm now a little nervous for this coming Christmas.

Went out to stake conference, its been a long time since I've been in one of those. The stake president here really has a vision for the area and it shows. Sparta's building officially has a contractor decided, waiting on the money from Salt Lake then will begin building. Could start building anywhere from Christmas to Valentines Day, and it should be completed in 9 months...YEAY...unfortunately i will not be serving mission by then, may need to do a reunion tour ;)

Figuring out time and place to meet with Deb Short. I've been allowed to do a little bit of family history online, so we can more likely see if we are related. A 5 generation chart only does so much. With her family from England as well, we need one that goes farther back, without trying I'm back to 1750's, good enough for me

Lets say this week I've been a little home sick. Everybody knows that I'm a movie-theater/movie buff, so they inform me of and have seen Catching Fire and thoroughly enjoyed it kind of makes me miss home. None the less, i will be home for the next 2 in series and may even work at theater during them both.

Thanksgiving traditions at home I'm missing. Curious which football game will be seen this year due to Holy War being relocated in season. Enjoy the heat, its supposed to get a little cold out here for the holidays, who knows, maybe a White Christmas is in the forecast, that would be nice and make me even more homesick

Till next time

--

Elder Terre Kieffer Short

Tennessee Nashville Mission

Greatest Mission on Earth!!!

November 18, 2013

ok, this week has been very productive to say the least, only due to us having the vehicle this week.

Visited a sub-shop store downtown and were greeted with "about time you guys show up!" Elder Casey (who was born here, came out same time as me) was one of the missionaries that frequently visited them. But about 6 months ago, they "fell through the cracks" in missionary work. Who knows, we may be the ones to convert them. That was a fun way of finding someone to teach: visiting a famous place in town.

Wednesday we had a meeting all day with a member of the FIRST QUORUM OF THE 70. Elder Pino visited the mission as well as was in town for stake conferences. He and his wife are converts from Venezuela, he was even a previous mission president for a Peru mission. They arrived in Nashville after being in Mexico, so their English was a little rusty. Luckily the mission has Spanish speakers who were able to translate for him. Though the translation made the meeting last a lot longer than normal, it was a very spiritual meeting. The shocking thing was the estimated number of missionaries to be serving due to the age change. October 2013 had 80,000 serving, November 2014 PROJECTED is 91,000, talk about the work of the Lord being hastened.

Thursday was one of them days that was not effective at all. Had 2 appointments and all fell through as well as none of the nearby investigators and less actives were available. Haven't had a near-fail day in a while, it happens, but I'm not loosing the faith and dedication.

Participated again in the food service, deciding to offer free missionary service here with pass-along cards. Went out of the 35 we had within 15 minutes of the doors opening. Hopefully people will call, it is another way to get our names out there for offering free service.

OK now for Sunday. Received texts from the zone leaders to be cautious because part of mission was under tornado warnings. GREAT...that's one way to start the day, by being cautious about plans. Rain and wind was all we had. We visited someone in a hospital with the weather channel on, heard 5 confirmed tornadoes touched down, all north of the mission boundaries. According to it as well, round two is coming, so who knows, my mission bucket list item may be accomplished: take photo of tornado in distance.

That's a wrap for the week, sounds like home will be different after the remodel, Thanksgiving and Christmas will be different as well as for the better it sounds like.

Elder Terre Kieffer Short

Tennessee Nashville Mission

Greatest Mission on Earth!!!

November 12, 2013

OK Where to begin, Transfers

This last transfer meeting was very large. Nearly 20 went home with another 30 coming in, but talk about a spiritual power house of a meeting. A few on the list of who went home were Hermana Smith (started mission same time as I) E Bassett, E Worthen, E Steinekert (Perrons first trainee, my oldest brother), and E Clark (from Herriman Utah) to name a few

Received E Ellerbeck who is from Everett Washington, which is north of Seattle. Second companion from Washington, sorry Hermana Worlton, I don't think you cover that area, but one of my previous comps was from Richland in the Tri-Cities area, you may have driven by his home. Ellerbecks been out a year.

Due to me being in charge, things are running a little bit different. Still striving to get online because it would be effective here as well as for past areas and recent converts. E Hill was online and using FB to contact and set appointments was nice, however since neither of us are online, its a little more difficult to do the appointment stuff. It is just giving me more motivation to get online.

Few people we revisited with only briefly. Tennessee has had a flu-bug go around and everyone we are visiting and revisiting has it, I think it may have spread to me. I'm workin on getting rid of it, currently its just an aging cough, but nothing really bad yet, I hope.

Visited with Justin a few more times this week. Hes really wanting to get his life back in order. Prior dominoes need to fall before the ultimate domino of baptism can occur. He needs a job to fix his car to get a house. Hes workin hard, without reaping the rewards of it, this only takes time before the fruits of the labors are visible.

Participated again in the food outreach. We assisted in giving food to nearly 230 people. Afterward we visited with Paul and Linda during their item auction. The house recently got broken into and stole money for the ministry. They read a verse in the bible "...treasure not the things that will rust...", so they decided to sell all that that will rust. NASCAR memorabilia to clothing to furniture. Never really been to an auction, can barely understand the auctioneer, but fun none the less. Afterward we performed moving service for a less active. Due to bad back and health, we assisted and made it a little bit easier for them.

Been doing a little bit of family history out here due to recently contacting Deb Short. Apparently the Short name goes back to 1793 in Hartburn England. That ain't bad for not really trying, however, now we need to sit down with her and see if in fact are we distant cousins. ill be sure to also use this as a teaching tool, this is a first for me so I'm somewhat at a learning curve here.

Veterans day forbade us to email due to the library being closed. Sorry for the late response. This upcoming week will be fun, were having an area authority come and speak to us.

Till next time

--

Elder Terre Kieffer Short

Tennessee Nashville Mission

Greatest Mission on Earth!!!

November 4, 2013

OK where to begin, ah yes. E Hill had a flat tire on his bike so we
needed to purchase the prepare pieces, $100 later, were biking again

One of them random missionary moments. Sitting in District Mtg with
one companionship not present for the meeting, 1 hour into the
meeting, they arrive sweating. They biked 30 MILES UPHILL and 5 hours
later to get to the meeting, the car they had had no more miles for
the month. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Honestly, I
don't think I could be able to do it

Participated in a branch youth night of asking missionaries questions.
Sisters came in from McMinnville and we had a Q and A session. I call
it a success due to the increased motivation the youth now have of
serving a personal mission.

Due to Halloween, had to be inside by 6, watchin the Mountain of the
Lord, i must say, i miss the salt lake temple and its beauty. Yeah the
Nashville temple is a temple, but its a "Polly Pocket", i miss the
sheer size of the salt lake.

Justin's chuggin along. Still attempting to find a job, so he can move
out, so he can be baptized...ugh...some times logistics get in the way
of things, but have to follow the rules, that's why they are there.

OK...now for the fun part of the week. A member has invited someone he
knows for a while to church, and she finally arrived with her 2
children, her name is...wait for it...DEB SHORT!!! First words out of
my and her mouth are how are we related. Shes about to leave for
vacation and wont be back for a few weeks, however, she said her
family history has been done until nearly 1100 AD, no idea what were
at. She also said her family roots are from England, however her
family resided in Virginia, N Carolina and she was born in Glendale
Arizona before moving to Tennessee. Are we related? Who knows, but the
fact of meeting someone with the same last name has somewhat sparked
my curiosity in regards to if we are indeed distant cousins or
something.

TRANSFER CALLS

E Hill is leaving to Goodletsville (near Gallatin) and I'm receiving E
ELLERBECK. According to the mission newsletter, hes been out roughly a
year, no idea who he is, but we will know on Tuesday.

Scary to think that I'm nearing T MINUS 6 MONTHS, next time I think
about it, ill be heading home or landed home

Till next time

--

Elder Terre Kieffer Short
Tennessee Nashville Mission
Greatest Mission on Earth!!!

October 28, 2013

OK where to begin, oh yes, last Monday.

So as part of the McMinnville Zone for a P-day we decided to visit one of the numerous caves in the Sparta area. As we were waiting for the caravan to arrive, i said out loud with the Zone Leaders present "Heard anything about Sister Riches?" They say, "who do you mean her behind you?" Yes it was THE SISTER RICHES DIRECTLY BEHIND ME that was transferred to Herriman the day I opened my mission call. Talk about an interesting reunion nearly 17 months later after the first one. I go up to her and inquire of her how Herriman was, she loved it, then made the connection of who i am. Honestly the fact of seeing and being near her is kind of cool and weird at the same time. But at the same time, that was one of my TNM Bucket List items: Visit her after she returns from her mission: ACHIEVED

So the caves were descent. Unfortunately I didn't bring a bright enough flashlight to enjoy the beauty of the dark abyss that went on for nearly forever. Still had a fun time, especially due to the fact of Sister Riches enjoying the moment as well even though shes only been home for 1 month-ish.

So we visited with the Minister again. I never made the realization until now how much the southern people love NASCAR, these people are prime examples of it, SO MUCH NASCAR MEMORABILIA, they've even been to Bristol (fastest .75-ish mile NASCAR racetrack) multiple times, due to it being in East Tennessee. Somehow I'm able to have a conversation about it with them, good thing for channel surfing and not skipping some NASCAR races.

OK, now for a fun story time. Began the bike ride to the library, and we hear a POP, E Hills bike got a flat tire, needless to say due to being NO BIKE STORE, we've been forced to walk for the last few days, and OHH MY ITS STARTING TO GET COLD. I thought Utah cold was cold...not even close. The humidity here cuts right through you. So needless to say walking anywhere (including to Justin's) I felt nearly like the sled dog racers for the Iditarod, uncomfortable and cold.

Something else fun, were cooking lunch in the apartment when the power goes out for 30 minutes. E Hill wasn't happy due to him having the oven, microwave and stove running at the same time, but it eventually came back. For some reason the entire city seemed to black out, I didn't do it, with E Hill as my witness.

Sunday i met a new friend. The members been out of town for a while, he inquired the normal things for not knowing the new missionary. Informed him I started the mission in Hopkinsville, then he says my nephew moved from there who was less active, his name was Vinny Elder. No idea if I've mentioned him before but he was severely less active in Hoptown and now that hes with kin folk, hopefully he will become active again soon. Hes another person on the visit list.

That's a wrap, hopefully it'll start to warm up soon, but due to the time of year, it may not. Due to the "black caterpillars", the winter this year will be bad, only one way to find out.

Elder Terre Kieffer Short

Tennessee Nashville Mission

Greatest Mission on Earth!!!

October 21, 2013

Unfortunately I'm on another crazy computer, hope this works

So...where to begin

OK so the exchange with my one and only MTC Companion Piccolo was
great. Had a walk down memory lane while biking up the miles. We
nearly biked 2 miles in under 15 minutes, no idea of the mathematical
equation of the speed we were moving, but we were moving like
lightning. Plus with it being pitch dark, (are not supposed to bike
after nightfall) it motivated me to move more quickly because I don't
want to end up like Frogger...squished and run over.

OK, had a definite power of the priesthood moment. A member was
supposed to go in for foot surgery the next day, so she needed a
blessing before it occurs. I performed it, wow, is all i can say about
it. She commented immediately afterwards that the Spirit was felt from
head to foot, including the injured foot going into surgery.
Definitely had a testimony builder due to this experience.

So check on them again the next day, come to find out she has a heart
murmur which prevented the surgery from occurring, blessing in
disguise from the power of the priesthood, it saved her life, not in
the way she was expecting.

Had an interesting realization this week, the FIRST baptism i had
occurred one year ago, now waitin, hopin, and prayin for the day that
he will enter the temple, missionaries can do that in the TNM,
hopefully it will occur while I'm serving still.

Justin's chuggin along. He made it to church PERIOD for the first time
in nearly 5 years. So its somewhat a refresher course, but he made it
none the less. Were somewhat at a stand still with him until he moves
out, which may be a while. But for now, all we can at least do is
fellowship and continue to keep in contact with him, we definitely
don't want to loose him, hes basically golden, but with a few scratched
and dinged up parts, that's where we come in, to polish him up.

Assisted with a local food bank. The Christian Faith Ministries
(minister met last week) has one program where they give food out to
those in need. Nearly 110 families came to receive food. Haven't done
something like this since on an exchange in Leitchfield. It always
feels good to assist the needy, it is also a nice and friendly way to
get our names out there, as well as visit some of the people we visit
and teach.

OK Sunday was fun. Justin came, unfortunately was the only one that
arrived. After the services, we went over to the Popes for
lunch...more like a Sunday Dinner. But during the dinner service, due
to the Jack Daniels Distillery being relatively close, that was the
topic. Then they pull out a bottle of Moonshine. Us westerners don't
know this stuff (maybe, I didn't) but it is a more potent form of
whisky, I'm not positive but it is labeled illegal in some places, and
they had a bottle of it.

Well, more photos will be en route next week, were goin cavin with part
of the zone today, as well as the first week of November were heading
to Cumberland Caverns, oh the life of caving, makes me miss
geocaching, only 8 months to go before I pursue it "full time"

Till next time

--

Elder Terre Kieffer Short
Tennessee Nashville Mission
Greatest Mission on Earth!!!

October 14, 2013

This week is somewhat of an interesting one, sorry for not sharing
some of the contacting details, I will attempt to do better with that.

So...last Monday we went to Burgess Falls, GOOGLE IT, I felt right at
home due to being with nature and enjoying the waterfall scenery. The
last falls' water speed was so great it made a mini wind current as
well as with the water hitting the rocks it made a natural mist
effect, ohhhh, I could have stood there all day.

Continuing to visit the referrals. We received about 90 from the fair
nearly one month ago, with nearly 60 being contacted while the other
30 we've attempted but are not home. Few of them are golden, but Satan
gets in the way and prevents them from visiting with us due to house
errors, that darn Devil, he always makes the missionary life a little
more hectic.

Had a zone meeting in McMinnville, wow what a change. Nobody is the
same in the zone since i was last here (April 2013) , and it has
nearly doubled in size. For all of you curious about the mission
numbers, the TNM has 146 ELDERS with 72 SISTERS and around 20 SENIOR
COUPLES, talk about large.

So...after the zone meeting, something similar occurred to me as what
occurred in Gallatin...no the ward isn't ticked at me yet...we went on
an exchange with President Andersen AGAIN...another journal write to
remember and something else that's been accomplished that nobody else
can say has occurred to them.

Were visiting somebody named Justin, hes somewhat similar to the
Belson's, (who have moved to West Virginia, being a little Athiest) he
didn't really believe in a God or know who God was. He watched the
first 2 sessions of conference, now he knows there is a God. Now we
have to pursue it, but a few minor difficulties lie before him and the
baptismal font, hopefully though and with a lot of faith, it will
occur.

OK, now that I'm officially 21, a joke few people have mentioned in
past areas is when i turn 21 is to start drinking...two dilemmas (1)
White County is a DRY COUNTY, and (2) a missionary drinking...not
happening

During my happy day, were biking (as always) through town and realize
that there is a lot of commotion through Main Street, it was the
Million Dollar Mile. That is when nearly everyone in Sparta and nearby
communities have a yard sale on MAIN STREET!!! Nearly one mile on both
sides of the road of people selling house-hold junk, wont necessarily
see that in Utah

OK, Sunday, visited one person that ill admit i was a little nervous
about before i met him. He is the pastor of a local nondenominational
church/service group. His mentality is that we all should serve the
Lord, no matter which sect we belong to, which i absolutely agree
with. In a since that's what all the churches are doing, but its mans

representation about it, not Gods, hence multiple churches on the
street in the Bible Belt

Unfortunately that's a wrap, now the party is about to begin

About to go on exchange with none other than my MTC Comp Piccollo, itwill be a fun few days to remember

Elder Terre Kieffer Short

Tennessee Nashville Mission

Greatest Mission on Earth!!!

October 7, 2013

First things first, hearing the news of a loved one passing is really difficult. This one was a lot more difficult than the previous one. (which occurred last October) I was sitting back contemplating all the questions of what I didn't know, then a hard thought came to mind, "be still and know that i am God", sometimes things go wrong and hit the fan and get scattered, but this life is a time to learn and prepare to meet God, this is one of His ways of preparing us for who he wants us to become. There has only been 3 deaths in my life that have been difficult, this one is very, but i will manage.

Had a zone p-day last week. Most of the zone is new (within last 6 months) ad none of them I've been around. Afterward we went on a BLITZ (zone assisting in mission work) in McMinnville contacting more referrals. Only able to contact one of the eight, but she has potential.

District Meetings will now get enjoyable. Come to find out, Piccolo is my District Leader with Dudly in the district as well, also something interesting, ALL 6 of us elders are from Utah...that's a small world moment.

Conference was great. One of only 4 times as a missionary when the days don't get quite as hectic. However, the conference tradition looked like to end. It didn't rain the April or snow the October sessions of Conference...dang it. Also only one of 4 times I'm able to watch the Spoken Word...yes i watched it and i enjoyed it, wish i had a blanket like how i would at home though...

During the second Sunday session of conference, i made the realization, 16 months out.

Went driving around town and found a few sites and sounds of the city, first time seeing a billboard of Christ, had to take the photo.

The church building is located next to an insurance place on the main street of town. Within two months, ground will be broken for the actual Sparta building.

Then we found a southern form of weather channel...southerners don't know how to spell
--

Elder Terre Kieffer Short

Tennessee Nashville Mission

Greatest Mission on Earth!!!

September 30, 2013

Well, this week has been a fairly interesting one. Two more days in Gallatin continuing the Farewell Tour, the attached photos are of the two families i bonded with. The large family is the Kings. Only 2 are biological while the rest are adopted/foster children. The other photo is of the other Kings in the ward. They are waitin on previous marriages to finalize, but she is born and raised in Scottland, so the accent that i had partially confused her until i informed her of my ancestral roots. They will be missed.

Transfer Meeting...where to begin...oh that's what, each mission is rumored to have a cap of nearly 300 missionaries, when P McKee was here, he accepted tons of visa waiters which frequently put us over the cap, this transfer meeting, 33 NEW MISSIONARIES CAME IN with nearly 80% being sisters. Haven't had that large of a transfer since April. One incoming elder was from Tooele, hopefully ill be able to have a conversation with him.

Currently I'm companioned with Elder Jacob Hill of Orem Utah, and hes been out nearly 6 months. Surprisingly its only the second companion I've had from Utah including Haslam. Also the interesting thing about this area I'm in, I'm in the same district as two others who came out with me as well as my MTC comp is now my District Leader, i was sad leaving Gallatin but now this will be a fun place.

Seriously contemplating of branching out the missionary work by joining the force on Facebook. Hopefully it will occur soon since I'm now officially on the "downward slide" of the mission.

OK now for an interesting bit of news. HOME remember Sister Riches who got transferred into the stake when i opened my call? SHE IS NOW OFFICIALLY HOME. The weirder thing about it is she lives LESS THAN 25 MILES north of Sparta. Talking with her dad at transfers, the possibility is there that she may join in on a few zone meetings and such, cant wait to say hi and take photos to remember this interesting and one in a million shot of missionaries serving where each other is from.

OK...Sparta time...first few days were slow due to biking everywhere (were part time car but due to district switching, we don't have the car this week (when we should have) oh well) WE HAD A BAPTISM of someone who always wanted to but never found the time as well as had a funeral to attend. The funeral was for someone E Hill gave the sacrament to weekly, so we partially needed to go, as well as it was a perfect opportunity to introduce myself to the branch. Yes Sparta is a branch with an average attendance of 100-125, however, with the building being a refurbished mini-mall next to an Allstate Insurance place. But have no fear, within the next 2 months, ground will be broken for the brand new Sparta Chapel...YEAY

Other photo is of something found within the apartment, it is definitely true

That's a wrap, till next time

Elder Terre Kieffer Short

Tennessee Nashville Mission

Greatest Mission on Earth!!!