Weekly Report: Birth, Steaks, First Missionary Experiences

Hey everyone!

This marks the first week out of the MTC and into the real world for me. I have been officially born! Tuesday morning at 3 AM I went to the travel office in the MTC and departed to the airport. A transfer later I was in Philadelphia being picked up by my President, President Shaeffermeyer. We spent the first night in Philly at the Mission Home. They got us legitimate Philly Cheesesteaks for our first meal here. Seriously, I had never tasted a cheesesteak that good. We got introduced to the mission by the APs and then we had interviews with the president, followed shortly by going to sleep. The beds at the mission home were so much better than the MTC, I think that may have been the best night's sleep since leaving home.

The next morning we got up and had breakfast with President Shaeffermeyer and his wife. We got a lesson from the president and then we got to meet our trainers. My trainer is actually also a zone leader. His name is Elder Bergloff and his companion is Elder Bessey. It's great having the two ZLs as my starting companions because they are amazing at the work. Elder Bessey is hilarious in a strange kooky way. Elder Bergloff is pretty funny sometimes, but mostly he accidently says really, really gay things. Elder Bessey explained this to me yesterday by saying "at first when you're on your mission, the hot girls are attractive, then later the so-so girls become attractive, then all girls become attractive, and pretty soon, even your companion is attractive."

The first night in the area I found a Chinese lady on the street. E. Bergloff tried to contact her and she started speaking cantonese. I immediately asked if she spoke mandarin and struck up a conversation with her. I gave her the first lesson and our number and my name and everything. Unfortunately, she wouldn't straight up make a time that I could meet with her, so I have to hope that what I gave her will be enough.

We've been doing really well though. We have expanded our teaching pool a lot and we had four investigators come to church this week. There were these two investigators from Cuba who came this week whom we havne't actually taught a lesson to yet. We contacted them and then talked to them a bit and they asked to come to church. We were really excited and we gave them the address and had some spanish speaking members pick them up. Nelson, the man, has already committed to come next week as well. We have an appointment to go and teach Nelson and Niurka tomorrow night. I am so excited! They seemed really happy at church and I hope that they will continue to be interested.

It's been super great here on the East coast and I am loving the work. We've seen a lot of miracles happen lately, nothing really big, but just small miracles in finding people who are receptive. Last night we found this lady, Shanique, who I actually contacted the first day here. We helped her move some stuff into her house and left our number and some literature. (As an aside, she told me I was gorgeous the first night out). I am really excited for our investigators who have dates set and really glad as I have been able to grow so much.

I love you all,
Elder Siebert