So, a few things. I didn’t write about it, but I remember the baptism at Rockaway Beach. It was the only baptism I went to at the beach. I remember there being a dozen missionaries there and the beach was loaded with hundreds of people if not more, all in their swimming attire. After the person was baptized, everyone on the beach started clapping. Yes, we did have pagers. I had one. I thought I was cool beans.
Mission
I served in the New York, New York South Mission. I’ve been transcribing my journals. I’ve tried to be sensitive to some issues and there by omitted some content.
NYNYS Mission June 12-16, 1996
Self-righteous what? Where are you? [You’re on a mission] Things [that] remind us of what we need to do to be blessed [are not self-righteous.] Some missionaries are prideful, and they call those who try to do their best self-righteous. […] I’ve noticed Nephi in my reading was so humble. He didn’t want to be that way to his brothers. But God commanded him and he followed. They thought he was self-righteous.
NYNYS Mission June 7-11, 1996
Well, this is not going to make me look very good in some people’s eyes. But it is what happened. I’m not going to make any excuses. I remember a big focus of my mission being that we felt inspired that if the church was to grow in New York […]
NYNYS Mission June 3-6, 1996
Wow, rain all day. 12 hours straight. Wow did we get wet. It’s a good thing we didn’t have an appointment today or we wouldn’t have gotten very wet. A member made us some hot chocolate. That was nice of them. Well, that’s about the extent of it all. Transfer calls came and [Elder] and I are together for one more month.
NYNYS Mission June 1-2, 1996
I had a sister missionary at the baptism last night tell me my spanish was better than my companion’s. I guess she hasn’t heard much of it. My Spanish bites. But, It was kind of flattering because my companion doens’t trust my Spanish and wont let me speak.
NYNYS Mission May 28-31, 1996
I had been out and around Manhattan all day. When I went back to meet my comp in Time Square an Elder told me a girl, a nanny from Connecticut was looking for me and she was just there. She was now up the street so I ran up the street. I went up the street I saw a little crowd of girls and Lisa, Matt Johnson’s girlfriend was there. She remembered I was in New York and looked for me. Of all the days we ended up in Manhattan on the same day. What a blessing. She was even at my farewell. Wow.
NYNYS Mission May 14-23, 1996
Nothing more counts than doing your best. What does it matter if someone is better? Will you become worse because you are focusing on them (something you are not) and not focusing on yourself (something you are)?
I am starting to respect my companion a lot. He’s actually a very good guy. He has a lot of excellent qualities. I am very much loving his companionship.
NYNYS Mission – May 10-13, 1996
The whole day has been a Deja Vu. I dreamed this day. Everywhere I went everything I did, I had dreamed it all. I don’t know it was almost like a day of revelation. It was the weirdest feeling I can’t explain. It was just nuts. We may finally have baptisms. I’m learning a lot from my new companion. It’s like I know that my heavenly father wants me to have certain attributes. I know he is trying to get me to learn them. I dreamed them.
NYNYS Mission May 1-3, 1996
Some more mission memories. Joy. Looks like I was fighting a few personal demons. The funny thing is, I’ve faced these demons over and over again. Even 30 years later at unexpected times, they show their face again and again.
NYNYS Mission April 28-30, 1996
Another round of mission stories. As I read these I remember a lot of the tension and conflict I had with my companion.
As I was new to leadership, I was the equivalent of an infant. I think he knew this and tried to take advantage of it.