Well, folks. He made it to California. I didn't know he was going to get to call from the airport before he got on the plane on Tuesday Aug. 6 so I missed his call. He called at 7am his time which was 8am Missouri time just as I was getting in to work. Totally bummed me out until I got his first email the next Monday Aug 12. This is his letter to me. I didn't edit it at all. Just left it as it is. I might edit future letters but I wanted you to read his words and feel of his spirit. He seems to be doing well and finding joy in the work of the Lord.
Just a couple of notes:
I did make his address bold so you don't miss that.
Or you can write to him at the mission home. No matter where he gets transferred to, letters and packages sent to the mission home will always get to him. That address is:
Elder Calvin Hurd
California Santa Rosa Mission
5301 Badger Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95409-2789
These are the elders he talks about in his letter. And the Nicky he is referring to is my younger sister who lived in Eureka a few years back.
Mom,
I just have to tell you how much I love you guys. The mission field is such an awesome place to be but home is the best place. Now dont take that for home sickness cause it totally isn't. My MTC bracnh president, when he was talking to us about homesickness, he would tell us that "They don't want you back" he would then follow up with something along the lines of at least not yet. that always made me smile :) I didnt know I was going to get to call eithere until the day before we left so I figured I would at least try. I am in Eureka but you already know that. I need you to ask Nicky where in eureka she lived. I am really curious. I think I know the area but I am not sure. anyway, it is beautiful here. it is alwasy overcast but it always cool. we spend more time with our windows open then we do closed. I am also on a bike :) it is so awesome. we actually split the area so there are 2 sets of elders working the second ward area. we also have a set of spanish sisters based out of eureka so the second ward technically has three sets of missionaries! I cant tell you how gratefull I am for the Members. I look forward to dinner every night. Eureka 2.0 (the set that works half of our ward) has gotten yelled at for not letting members know when they dont have dinner appts. and just a quick request, if you end up with leftovers, send them home with the missionaries. I enjoy leftovers and enjoy it when the members send some home with us.
Before I forget, my apartment address is
2546 Fairfield St. #B1
Eureka CA 95501
Church is at 1pm. it is so weird not getting up and going to church right away. we spend a lot of time studying here in the field. I have an awesome trainer though so it is pretty fun. My companion/trainer is Elder Johnson. he is from sandy Utah. He has been out on his mission for 20 months. he is crazy and outgoing and loving and just the perfect trainer for me. His personality is totally opposite of mine but that I what I need right now. I need to break out of my shelf and learn to love the people. the part of eureka that we are in is pretty much the downtown area. there are a lot of homeless people, drug addicts, and alcoholics. but you know what? The people that we talk to are so humble. they are the type of people that Christ would have spent all his time with. I have always had the knowledge that Christ wasn't here for the righteous people. he was here for the people who were at the lowest points in their lives. He cared about the homeless and the sick and I get to almost directly continue that work. We go to these safe and somber houses where recovering addicts and stuff go. everyone there is willing to at least tell us hi. we dont get a lot of doors slammed (partly becasue we dont do a whole lot of knocking) and people dont really hate us here. I totally love it.
I am going to send a lot of pictures in another couple emails.I do however have a couple of requests. I still would like my other scriptures. it isnt a desperate need but I would love to have them. it is okay if dad gets me a new set too. whatever works. I also need a simplified Hymns book. if you send any packages, I dont need a whole lot of candy. snack food is awesome though.I got a coupel packages in the MTC with a ton of candy and I still have about half of it :) nice to feel loved though. and also, I need Jaren's email address. there are so many sweet cars out here and I take pictures of just about every one. I watn to send them straight to him. Definately expect letters. you and everyone. we only get an hour to email and I have a lot of them to read so I am just going to hand write letters cause I have more time for that.
I love you guys and I wish you luck with school, every single one of you :) our family is either school or missions. that is cool :) anyway, take care and don't stop being awesome.
Love,
Elder Calvin Hurd
