5/26/09 email

Hey family,
We are trying to make time effective. Usually, I just go with the zone leaders in their van and work in their area, but today, they are on exchange with the Lemoyne Elders so they can't drive us around. I can't wait for my Dr's appt tomorrow so I know what's going on.
Mon-it was my 11 month mark!! Crazy! and we had the HBG olympics. So the whole Harrisburg Zone had basketball, soccer, volleyball and football events. We started off with basketball and me and Elder Wallis just dominated and got a ton of points. Then we had soccer, and during the team soccer, the game was about over and I went after the ball against another Elder and my knee locked up and I couldn't extend it. I thought at first that it would pop back, so I iced it down and everything until the olympics were over. And even though I didn't even play volleyball or football, Elder Wallis and I still got first place in the first ever Harrisburg Olympics. I was happy about that. I went with Elder Ricaldi to the ER at 6:30 and we didn't get outta there till like 11:30. All they could do is refer me to a specialist.
Tue-I hung out with Elder Bakker and we ran some errands and stuff all morning while Elder Ricardi and Elder Wallis went and worked. That night we went to the BYU Ballrooom dance show. It was sooooooooo good!
Wed-I had my orthopedic appt, and pretty much all they did was make sure my ACL wasn't torn and set me up to have an MRI on friday. Then I went straight to my interview with Pres. and Sister Pugh. Pres. just told me he wants to wait and see what the Dr wants to do before he moves me temporarily or permanently, and we had a good interview. It was sad though cuz it was my last interview with him. We had an appt with Nancy and talked to her about following the Prophet and it went well. Then we went to get Sushi with Sister Acri. She is a recent convert who is getting ready to go to the temple. My first sushi experience was pretty good, it just doesn't fill you up at all.
Thur-Elder Bakker and I hung around the apartment all morning and did area book work....BORING!!!
Fri-Elder Wallis and I took the Zone Leaders van and we stopped by some members. Then that night I had my MRI, I hope it will be a once in a lifetime experience.
Sat-I went with Elder Ricaldi in the am and we stopped by some of their investigators. For lunch Bro. Novitzke took us to this place called the Eagle Hotel, and he bought us each one chicken wing called the Sudden Death Wing. You have to sign a waiver for it cuz it is sooo hot. So we all had one wing, and Elder Ricaldi actually had 2 ( he thought he could handle it cuz he is from Brazil). I went first and just ate it super fast, but after a few seconds my mouth was on fire!! It was the hottest thing I have ever tasted!! I chugged a glass of milk and a glass of water and ate celery and all this stuff. It didn't help too much. It took a good 30 minutes for my mouth to settle down. Elder Ricaldi got 1 1/2 wings down and couldn't take it anymore. Elder Bakker and Elder Wallis both struggled pretty bad and were both teary eyed. We celebrated by getting wings that weren't too hot- and they were way good.
Sun- Church was annoying because everyone asked what happened. I went with Elder Bakker and we saw a less active member and stopped by other people's house.
I hope this week will be better for all of us. But, our faith only grows stronger through trials as it says in Ether 12:6, so they are what is best for us. I love you all. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!! Talk to you next week.
Love
Elder Kyle Black