Transfer! Sort of...

Elder Bellomy got "transferred"...sort of. He is still living in the same appartment and is working in the same ward — the Sugarland 1st Ward.

The big change is that he has been given a new assignment. He is no longer the Assistant to the President. After seven months, he is back on the bike and spending his days focusing on missionary work.

The other cool news is that he is training a new missionary!

Introducing Elder Hesterman. In Elder Bellomy's own words, here is an introduction.

So, the Elder Hesterman break down. He is 19 from Sandy, Utah. He is the oldest of 3 boys. He plays the guitar and is exceptionally talented. He played in the Jazz band in high school and actually played at private parties with a few different bands. He went to Snow College in Ephraim and there he played Rugby. He is a hard worker, is very opinionated, and isn't afraid to talk or teach or bear testimony.

Now that Eldrew is no longer an Assistant, he seems to have the time to take a "P-day". His fist letter is longer than they have been. And, he said that he even had time to plahy some basketball!

Here is Eldrew's update for the week.

This was a week of ups and downs we had some great lessons and days and some more trying days. But regardless, life goes on and we are thanking the Lord in the good and the bad...for we grow during both times! The absolute highlight of the week was a lesson with a man named Jaime, a new investigator. He has a baptismal date for June 5th. He is super humble and as we taught him he understood and felt everything. We extended the date and he said He would definitely be baptized, if he came to know the book of mormon is true, he would be baptized. After that we started talking about the Holy Ghost and how he was going to recognize his answer and as he discribed how the Holy Ghost feels he said, "Kind of how I'm feeling right now". it was awesome. We also had a part member family at church for the 2nd week in a row. The member has been inactive for like 10 years and her kids aren't baptized and her husband (who is a hard nut to crack) is starting to warm up as he reads the book of mormon and comes to church. Joe and Damien have a baptismal date for May 29th. We did a lot of biking this week which has reconfirmed my love for the bikes. There just is no substitue. You talk to more people, you feel great and you have fun. I'm going to bike everywhere when I get home.

Next up, the Mother's Day call report! Stay tuned.I can tell that Eldrew really likes Elder Hesterman. They have a lot in common. I have also had the chance to have a great conversation with his Mom, Ashley. She is a convert to Mormonism and is from the South...so she is excited that her son is serving in a Southern state. I am going to post a photo as soon as we can find it on Susan's Blackberry.

No mail. Eldrew story, instead.

No mail from Edrew this week. We think it is transfer week. That means that Eldrew will be busy assisting with the arrival of new missionaires, the departure of missionaries going home, transfers around the mission, and training.

So, in place of a weekly update, we'll share a nostalgia moment about Eldrew.

Two days ago, Eldrew's dad drove past the Centerville City Founder's Park. They were just about to kick off the annual lighting ceremony for the city's holiday celebration. The trees in the park are festooned with tens of thousands of lights along with other holiday decorations. On the first Monday of December the lights are turned on, there is a concert, Santa arrives, and there is plenty of hot chocolate to go around.

A large Santa's chair was sitting in the center of the large stage on the center pavilion. It's a beautiful chair. I know; because building the chair was Eldrew's Eagle Scout project.

The LDS Church is big...BIG...into scouting. It is a great program for teaching morals and values...and keeping idle little teenage boy's hands busy doing helpful stuff. The Eagle award is scouting's highest award. Eldrew was never that much into scouting. However, with great leaders in our congregation, Eldrew was three months shy of 18 (the cut off date) for earning his Eagle and and only had his Eagle Service Project left to do. His Mom was determined that Eldrew would get earn his award and we all got Eldrew focused on the one final mountain to climb. Eldrew chose to create a Santa Chair for the City of Centerville.


Fred and Andrew




















With the help of Fred Beesley, Eldrew refurbished an old chair into a HUGE red velvet Santa chair and presented it to the city. Fred was wonderful and guided Eldrew through the process. He is an expert upolsterer. They stripped down the chair, did the carpentry to make the chair bigger and taller, and (with a LOT of help from Fred) added the red velvet finish. The end result is quite impressive.


The official Centerville City Santa Chair





















It was great to see The Chair. It is annual reminder of the experience...and brings back a wave of nostagia for the project and thoughts of Eldrew. We miss him a lot when we see things like the chair or other things that bring him to mind. We are, however, very proud and excited about his mission.

If we do get a late letter this week...we'll report. Just 17 days until Christmas when we get to talk to him!