As much as I enjoy being new to the mission, not having the
responsibilities expected of those District Leaders and Zone Leaders, or the
office Elders/Sisters, or the Assistants to the President, etc., it does kinda
stink to go from college senior to missionary greenie... oddly enough, that has
not really happened to any real degree. The Elders I live with are awesome. They
are all so close to being done with their two years, and they change everyday.
Sometimes they are super excited about going home, then afraid, talk about
college, then talk about how they are going to miss tracting, mention jobs they
have back home, then wish they could just stay out in the field for the rest of
their lives. Almost every one, though, talks about the increase in fat that they
have very lovingly developed over the last 18 to 23 months, and the desire they
have to separate themselves from it.
So, I set them working. We yo-yo'd between attempts at dieting, but now
they are starting to crack down a little more. We run 3 to 4 times a week, and are upping that to 5 times for this week. We are eating eggs like they are going out
of style (which they might very well be. The price of 5 dozen eggs was 5.99 two
weeks ago, and 7.98 today). We are turning down seconds (or maybe turning down
thirds and fourths and fifths in my case) and desserts. Collectively, we lost 20
pounds in a week. That is an average of 5 pounds a person. BOOM!!! Elder Leavitt
is the most serious about it, though. He came out in great shape and at 175.
Now, he is a bit flabby and was over 190 two weeks ago. I'm back under 180
consistently. My companion... he just does whatever. Elder Holmes goes home in
10 days, so he did a special work out with me this morning.
I have not been on a nice long run in over two months. I could feel myself
getting antsy, my legs ached a little bit, and I was foggy minded and
distracted. I went around the apartment last night and asked the other Elders if
they wanted to go biking this morning. Elder Holmes agreed, and after a light
amount of rice and a small taco, I laced up, and walked outside. Elder Holmes
biked alongside me as I ran, and ran. It was one of the better runs I have been
on. I felt good, I felt strong. I didn't feel 180 pounds. I felt like I was a
frosh again; 165 pounds and fast. We left the apartment just after 7, and got
back just before 9. We ran around a nature trail at Lodi Lake, and I finally saw
an Eastern Gray Squirrel, the first one I have seen in 2 months, as well as a
doe, a young 3 point buck, and a strapping 6 point buck who leapt across the
moss covered creek. I love deer. They are so graceful, so majestic.
Well, anyway, total running time; 1:39:39.56. Total distance, 13 miles
(according to my ruler measurements), 12.6 miles (according to map directions
with guesstimations for the park I ran around) or 14.2 miles (according to my
mile pace at mile 12ish spaced out for the whole run). So lets just say a half
marathon in 100 minutes. And I was still feeling pretty good! The balls of my
feet hurt a bit, my knees ached a little bit, and there was a slight tightness
in my neck, but my legs were good, my calves felt fine, my hammies were strong,
and I was talking with Elder Holmes for much of the time.
Speaking of Elder Holmes, I will miss him. He has been such fun over these
last 5 weeks. He is a good guy, fun, and I will miss his presence in our
apartment. He goes back to Utah next week, and I may not see him again on this
earthly realm. Great luck to you Elder! Hurrah for Israel!!!*
The Work in the mission field has been going great as well. We are teaching
a number of investigators, people very interested in learning, growing in the
Gospel, increasing their faith and testimony, and feeling the Spirit work within
them. It is AWESOME to share the love that I feel from Christ with these
wonderful people. I can feel my love for them growing. I love the people of
California, and waved and said hi to everyone that I saw this morning.
I read the Book of Mormon yesterday (meaning the book Mormon wrote within
the Book of Mormon, a total of 9 chapters), and I love it. It is heart wrenching
to read of the loss of faith these people had, and the sorrows and fall that
they have. I have been so richly blessed, and if I every become swallowed up in
the pride of my own heart, will any one of you please follow the example of
Katherine Heigel's friend in 27 Dresses, and just step up and slap me... not too
hard, though, if you please.
Love to all, take care, please write!
Elder Strawn
8267 Deseret Ave
Fair Oaks, CA, 95628
*Watch 'The Other Side of Heaven'. I cry every time.
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