The Training Machine

Yeah, so transfers were a big surprise. I’m staying in CS1/3 (College Station, TX), and I’m training AGAIN. I’ll also finish this training with 2 transfers left, so I wouldn’t be surprised if I trained a 4th time before going home. That would be legendary.

Elder Pinster got bumped over to the YSA program, so he didn’t go very far - he actually lives in the same apartment complex as us.

My new trainee is Elder Palmer, from a little town in Idaho. He’s a great trainee - I’m excited to see where he goes. I think that this first week has been hard on him (as it is with most missionaries!) but this week has been SUPER hot, which hasn’t helped - as hot as 96 degrees, and very humid. This week isn’t much better. Thursday will rain and then Friday will supposedly be 93 and rainy :’( I didn’t even know that it was possible to be that hot and wet. Sunday is predicted to be 99 with 40% humidity. Misery.

I’m convinced that while there are other places that are hotter and colder, nowhere has weather more uncomfortable than TX.

Our area is looking pretty empty. Elder Pinster and I tore through the investigators we had to try and get a baptism in our whitewash, and then poured all of our prime proselyting time into helping Rudy get baptized last week. It worked, but came at the expense of the rest of our teaching pool. Now we’re rebuilding.

Elder Derek Troy

Elder Troy and his new trainee, Elder Palmer.

Elder Pinster’s bday at a member’s home.

Houston, Texas, temple is finally open after being closed since last year due to the Hurricane Harvey floods.

Rudy’s baptism.

They have spent quite a bit of time helping Sis Kuttler with her yard.  She’s a sweet, 87 year old widow in their ward. We received the sweetest letter from her the other day about how much she loves and appreciates our son.  Lovely!!! 

Mother's Day video chat and awkward group hug for the WIN!

Hello Elder Troy followers!

We had a GREAT video chat with Elder Troy yesterday for Mother’s Day.  As you know, we are able to email him each week, but it’s the only day, except Christmas day, that we get to video chat, so it was pretty special!  We noticed his distinctive Texas “twang” this time and of course had to tease him about it.  He tells us nothing compares to his wonderful bishop and his accent.  

He filled us in on all that was happening with him, his companion, their investigators as well as things in the local area and mission.  For those of you following his letters closely, you know that they have had quite a few problems with their crazy, violent neighbors.  We are happy to report that the neighbors are now gone (possibly in jail) and the missionaries have been moved to another area of the complex.  Hurray!  

Elder Troy says it is VERY hot with high humidity right now and that makes for sweaty, sticky days.  He does NOT love this.  Although the people are wonderful, he is not a fan of the big city and pollution.  He really hopes to get back to the small towns and farms at some point.  He bore a beautiful testimony to us about the Book of Mormon and even taught us before we were able to have family prayer together and an awkward but necessary group hug with the computer screen and rest of the family (mom always insists on this).  

Below is the short message we got for you today.  From today’s pictures, it looks like he visited some kind of an animal refuge recently.

We are so grateful for the tender mercy of seeing our son and how happy he is to be a missionary for Jesus Christ right now.  Please continue to pray for him.  He feels your love and prayers.

We appreciate and love you all!

JD & Terri

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Howdy Y’All!

Finally moving today, so not much time to write. We did get to go to the Safari in Franklin, which was cool, and the first big p-day activity of this area.

Love Y’all!

Elder Derek Troy

6 Months to (First name, Home, Sexy)

Well, today I have precisely 6 months left on my mission. I’ve been reflecting on that.

Those six months will bring some big changes. I won’t hold the title of Elder anymore. I’ll be Derek again.

I’ll be going ‘home’ then too. But what does that mean? I haven’t lived in Longview in almost four years by then.

It also means I have six months left to really get in shape to go home! I‘ve not gained a lot of weight or anything, but I’d like to go home in excellent fitness. In mission jargon, this period is called “six months to sexy.”

I’m sure that these six months will continue to roll faster and faster. It kinda feels like time is getting away from me in a way! I still have a lot I would like to achieve and accomplish.

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Investigators:

Rudy is still doing awesome. His family fed him some weak anti but it didn’t seem to rattle him at all. He’s excited for his baptism and invited the stake president to come this week haha. His main fellowshipper will apparently be flying down from UT to baptize him.

The three other dates we had have faded out :/ but we’re still trying.

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Hope y’all have a great week!

Elder Derek Troy