Another Birthday in the mission field.

Good Morning everyone!

This week has been a week of ups and downs. We were supposed to have one of our investigators baptized this Sunday, but we had to postpone because his daughter was worried about if any water got into his trike and into his lungs that he could either get pneumonia or drown. She is looking into some devices for him to wear so that his trike (tube in throat due to previous cancer to help with breathing) wont get any water in it.

Other than that, we found quite a few people and although Elder Baker and I have different views on things, we are starting to figure out how to work with each other.

My birthday is tomorrow and I am so excited to become 20 years old! I got one package from my family and one from my Nona (my dad's mom). My favorite gift is some sleepwear my family got me. I am so wearing them tonight!

Anyhow, I hope you all have a wonderful week and that our Heavenly Father will bless us all.

Elder Melanson

When the winter thaws but the wind gets colder.

Welcome to the January Thaw!

Hello everyone,

This week has been rather interesting. Transfers happened and now I am with Elder Baker who is constantly trying to do handstands. But he is a good guy. He has also helped the area get new people to start looking into the church. It may be a long transfer, but maybe I will be able to grow a bit.

Other than that, nothing much has happened. As stated in the subject box, the winter has ended the snow for now, but the wind is still freezing! Good thing I packed plenty of warm clothes for the winter. Anyhow, I wish you all the best and hope no one freezes!

Elder Melanson

Welcome to the 2017 Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 

Well, nothing too much to report this week. Just that we watched Ephraim's Rescue with some people at the church and also have been teaching a lot of people. I wish I could say more, but this week has been pretty uneventful. But to make up for that, here are some pictures!

Hope everyone has a great new year in 2017.

Elder Melanson

Everything is in Connecticut

Good morning to all and to all a frozen wake up call!

This week has been a roller-coaster of emotion and activity. The entire week we have had to help our investigators and some of our recent converts to overcome some trials and to give them comfort in their sorrows. We gave a few blessings over the course of a few weeks and they all gave peace and instruction to those we blessed.

But the best part of the week was definitely Saturday when we went to the Hartford Connecticut Temple. I was actually able to be baptized and confirmed for an ancestor I found and we were only able to go because Shirley, one of the new members here in Bennington, decided to come. It is a beautiful temple and it was such a blessing to be able to not only go in and do work for the dead, but also be a part of the dedication I mentioned a few weeks ago. After this awesome experience, we went to Chick-fil-a for lunch and then helped our branch president shop at Costco! I am convinced that Connecticut is one of the best states out in the east. Not only does it have western shops and restaurants, the members who saw us in each place welcomed us and talked briefly with us! It was incredible!

Transfer calls came yesterday and I will be staying in Bennington and will be with Elder Baker. I have been told he is a hard worker, so I hope this will be a good transfer. I am so grateful for the temple and the blessings it brings to all those who are worthy of it. I hope that you all have a great week this week and that wherever you are, you don't freeze in the winds of winter.

Elder Melanson

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Hey Everyone!

Merry Christmas! I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas with your families and also remembered the true meaning of Christmas. My mom wants me to send more pictures and so I am sending some that happened over the last week. Hope you enjoy them!

This was my first Christmas away from home and although it was very different than what I am used to, it was probably one of my more spiritual Christmas' I've had. We got to go to a member's home and one of our recent converts also came to celebrate her first "big" Christmas. She got me an awesome tie that I will wear after the mission and all the gifts I received from home and other family filled me with happiness and joy to know that no matter where I am, I will always be able to connect back to home. I got to video call my family and catch up with all of them and I really look forward to the hugs and love I will get when I come home either next December or January of 2018.

May this new year be one of happiness and joy for us all.