The Mia Maids and their leaders in our ward sent questions to the missionaries serving from our ward. Here are the questions they sent and the responses Cory wrote on 2/16/10.
Q: Have you ever been attacked by an animal that you've never seen in Utah?
A: No, but there are roaches all over my apartment and I mean everywhere! In fact, I grabbed by lint roller to use on my suit and there was a roach on the roller.
Q: What is your new favorite food?
A: Bluebell Ice Cream! I heard about how this ice cream was the best when I came out and I finally got to try one and it's so good! Gotta try some.
Q: What's the most interesting thing you've eaten?
A: Um, I haven't really had anything out of the ordinary yet but I did have this salsa chicken thing at a member's house that was...interesting.
Q: How are the people there different from the people in (in general)?
A: People in Texas have a lot of pride for this state. Anywhere there is an American flag, there will be a Texan one there too. In fact, they have the Texan flag on their curbs and the Goodwill logo is made into a Texas flag. Also, this is the worst place to drive in - the drivers are terrible here. I hear sirens every 10 mins.
Q: What's your favorite P-Day activity?
A: Emails. It's the only time I can email family and friends so that's my favorite even though it's only for an hour. But it's alright. Love being a missionary.
Q: How do you react when someone says NO to the gospel/shuts the door on you?
A: This is to me the hardest part of my mission. But I usually say "Oh Yeah!" really loud to my companion and tell him we have miracles ahead of us or I think of Moses 6:31, 38-39 it keeps me motivated.
Q: Is there a prominent religion within the area you serve?
A: Um, when I go tracting I have a lot of people say they are Catholic and are already saved. But there are a lot of Baptist churches too. So I say 50/50 but it's definitely the Bible belt.
Q: Who cooks your food?
A: Members do a lot of the cooking. Every night this month we have a dinner appointment with a family of the ward which is awesome.
Q: Have you been put with a "greenie"? Or are YOU the greenie?
A: I am the greenie. My companion "father" has been out for 21 months so he is almost done. Greenie is the way to go...yo.
Q: What's the weather like right now where you are?A: It's finally warm and sunny. For the longest time it was raining, cold and windy. So it's a good day for America.
Q: What makes you feel the happiest?
A: Talking with people like the Davis family who are recent converts and have them share how important the gospel is to them. It's just super cool to see how the goepel has impacted their lives. In March, they will be able to go to the temple.
Q: Is there a funny trait in the local culture that's different from Utah?
A: Southern accents are definitely funny but it's great to be around southern people again. Woot, woot.
Q: What do you hope to gain on your mission?
A: I am hoping to gain a stronger testimony of the gospel and see how much it grew compared to how I started and finished.
Q: Who cuts your hair?
A: Well, I got a haircut at the MTC before I left and I think it's students from BYU - so yeah.
Q: How do people react when you tell them you're from Utah?
A: They are not surprised. They think all missionaries are from Utah. Oh, and sometimes I am told that I am a Utard. Yuppers.
Q: What is one piece of advice you have for missionaries to-be?
A: Prepare now! Read "Preach My Gospel" or a book like the one I am reading now is "Our Search for Happiness" by M. Russell Ballard which is an amazing book! But yes prepare now - sounds too easy and simple but it's true. Practice teaching the restoration to family members or friends. Just need to start somewhere.
Anyway thank y'all so much! Seriously this package meant a lot to me because this is the first mail/package I got since being in the mission field. Plus it is like the best feeling when you get mail. It's like a Christmas present but so much better! Especially coming from the ward - I thought y'all would have forgotten about me by now! I hope each of y'all are doing well and thank you so much for the treats. I will definitely enjoy them.
Love y'all,
Elder Barton "wild man"
Moses 6:38-39
