SNOW

Dear Mom, (and others) 

So, with Christmas coming up we are allowed only these to options to call home, we either can call for 1hr -or- we can call for 30min. and skype for 30min. I will be doing the 2nd option and will call first so that way we can get ere'thing set up for skype and what not. I will need you to send me my boots, We now have a half a foot of snow on the ground and it is hard to walk in thigh deep snow with dress shoes, dress socks, wool socks, thermals, and slacks on and not be wet and cold :) haha I learned that the hard way yesterday walking around looking at this guys buffalo he has in his backyard haha it was pretty cool. I will send you all next week pictures because I forgot to bring my camera cord with me this week -.o my bad haha Also!  Not much else has happened this week.... hope you all are staying warm and have an awesome time living up to the spirit of chirstmas remembering the saviors birth. 

Love yas! Elder Zenger

MY AMIGOS!

Dear My Awesome Marshmellow Peeps!

SO I first want to start off this letter, to Bro, Kris Olson, and say, " I have not lost my man card! I really don't even remember what you were talking about for me to get rid of it cause I am so manly and you freaking know it! haha and I am glad that you got Urckle in your possesion now, he is safe haha"

Now on to the rest of you! muahahaha! so, This past week we had an awesome time walking places, and setting up for christmas! Yup that is right, my companion and I both got packages from our parents and close friends that sent us things for christmas! So, Since we have no christmas tree in our apartment (because it's so new no one has been in there for christmas yet) I drew a christmas tree on one of our mirrors with Dry erase and wet erase markers so that we had a christmas tree to put our presents under and to put my stoking next to :) (yes I did take a picture of it and will be sending it with this email haha) My companion Elder Cosman, got a package with christmas lights and orimants that his mom sent him for our christmas tree that we really don't have..haha so we hung the lights over our front window for ere'one to see and we haven't figured out yet how we are going to hang the ornimants on our mirror tree quite yet...haha 

So I also was able to buy the Les Mis Soundtrack this last week! :D It is freaking awesome...I am so glad that we are allowed to listen to most of it haha I also got a Yoda pen from my cousin who is serving in north Carolina, The other picture is of our investigators we are teaching who will be baptised soon, and their dogs sitting not only on the couch with them, but sitting on one another as well... haha I thought it was pretty funny. 

I hope you all are doing well and are staying warm! (depending on where you are I guess) Talk to you all next week!

Love Yas!

Elder Zenger

Time is Freakin' Short

Dear ere'one!

SO as you saw....I forgot AGAIN last week and my reason would be that I got done with all my emails and what not and it didn't even cross my mind... -.- I need a new brain or something haha

This week has been a good week. We had a wonderful thanksgiving dinner that was provided by a member and her husband and all the food was made from scratch! (except the turkey haha) and there was PLENTY of it haha they didn't have all the people they wanted to show up so we were blessed and was given a ton of food to take home and we have been in heaven! haha Other than that it has been pretty dang cold outside here recently, we have had some freezing rain, snow, snow flurries, and plenty of below freezing temperatures. haha But we are doing our best to stay warm! Our apartment stays pretty warm, but we now have to walk ere'where because we were cut on miles for this month so we kinda have no choice. So a lot of walking, warm hearts, cold face, fingers, and toes, but lifted spirits knowing that we are blessed to be out here doing the Lords work and helping others come closer to him.

Since my companion is our new district leader, I am pretty stoked for all the exchanges I get to be on this transfer! (which is only like 2 haha) and our first one starts tomorrow (tuesday the 3rd) with the Zone Leaders! That will be a blast!

I do have some pictures for all of you, there are a couple that are recent and some that I got from a member back in october when I first got to the area and got help out with the Halloween party! Oh yeah, I forgot, there is a picture of my companion in a home made neck brace, he pinched a nerve on wednesday so we had to make a brace since no one around here sells the one that he needs. but he is all good now so there is nothing to worry about!  I hope you are all good and staying warm! (depending on where you are at) 

Love yas!

Elder Zenger

Elder Zenger is forgetful, here's a snippet from mine.

I did not get transferred! And neither did my companion Elder Cosman. In fact, he is now our new district leader for our district since our district leader is going home concluding his mission for the lord. Funny enough, even though he is the district leader, I am still the senior compaion for our companionship. This kind of situation has never happend that I know of. So it will be a little wierd. 

Haha The knitting isnt going as well as I thought it was going to go. Haha infact I have decided that knitting isnt for me haha I am going to however start learning how to croshea (I cant spell dont judge) haha (crochet)
 

Yesterday on our way home and to church, it was 17 freakin degrees! There is little snow here like maybe a very thin layer, but it is now all ice cause of the temprature. Haha otherbthan that things are going great.
 
Love yas!
Elder Zenger

I am such a HORRIBLE person! (he's so dramatic, lol)

Dear Ere'one who reads my emails/Facebook posts/ where ever else this is posted! haha

I have to admit that I have been slacking in Emails since I got to Owego. Which is weird because we use the computers at the church building in the Family History Center instead of the Library. (which is good cause that means I am not timed on the computer haha) But I have repented and am going to write to all of the happenings that have happened here in the Land of Owego! (Newark Valley) I also have pictures this week as well! haha

This past week has been a pretty good and uplifting week! I have to tell you first off of an adventure that my companion and I went on this week as we walked home from the top of a road (hill) called Silk. We went and visited a family up at the tippy top of this hill called Silk Rd. The area we were in is literally all farm, trees, and just a whole bunch of nature looking stuff! haha On the way down the hill, we decided to take a short cut across what looked like someones ATV course (homemade) and through an empty field, and down to the main road. The reason we thought this was a good idea, was because the road was steep, but through the field, it wasn't as steep. So Elder Cosman and I took off on an adventure down to the main road. To all you Cartoon Network fans, I did indeed say to my companion, "It's ADVENTURE TIME!" He thought I was crazy and weird. haha 

On the way down through this ATV course, we got mud on our shoes, panets, and socks. I felt so epic! When we got to the field, it was a cotton field, so my jacket and parts of my pants were completely covered in little pieces of cotton. By the time, we got back to our apartment, we looked like we were homeless missionaries begging for food. (which if you think about that....that defines a missionary right there haha) We told one another that we should probably stick to the road next time unless there is dry and clear ground. haha 

In closing I want to share with ya'll the compliment I got from a member at a dinner appointment the other day, she looked at me (she is older) and told me that she noticed that I was loosing weight! :D This got me so excited! I did feel and see that I have gotten a little thinner but not to much. I jumped on the scale the next day, and to my surprise, I gained 6-10 pounds in the past 10 months of my mission. Which is actually really good, but I don't want the extra weight! haha How does it work that I am loosing body fat but yet gaining weight? This boggles my mind! haha I know what you are all going to say, " That means you are gaining muscle! Muscle weighs more!" Which is true, but I still have the same sissy muscles I had before I left haha I can promise you that. ;) 

Anyways in closing, I wanted to let you all know that I love you! and that today, Monday, the 18th of November, I am learning how to knit from a member! and yes it is a manly thing to do! xD haha Well kinda....I am still going to learn though! haha 

Love yas! 

Elder Zenger

**Side note from his mom - These pictures make him look HUGE, his shirt is way too big that he is wearing.  Since he mentions his weight in this email, I had to side note that - he has lost weight, these pictures look the opposite.  Sigh.

Short Note 11/11/13

Elder Anthony Zenger didn't have time to send his normal letter so I've done a composite between his responses to his dad and I. =]

Greetings!

Things here have been good, I feel like I am not lost in the dark in this area any more and my companion still hates the fact he left Liverpool (north of the 'cuse) and that he is here. He was trained there and has been their for 5 months, so I think its a good thing he was the one that traded places with Elder Jensen because it is super obvious, (especially for what president has been telling him) that he was way to comfortable there. I think this is funny, My companion, Elder Cosman, who is from Canada (new brunswick) says it is cold in our appartment when it is 64 degrees -.- haha he lives in colder and he acts like it is like below 0 in our apartment! haha he hasn't had a winter out here on his mission yet, so this is his first He will have to get used to it, cause ere' one says that this winter is going to be a bad one since the past couple years have been super mild. I am excited! but yet I am not at the same time haha Good thing for sweaters, long sleeves, and blankets! haha

In my area Owego (technically Newark Valley, We don't cover Owego at all, that's the sisters area) we have a ton of seasonal roads we have to travel on that get us places quicker and use less miles (until there is snow then we cannot use them) and since at about 5:45-6pm it gets literally pitch black outside.

Well much love and blessing to ya this week, and I will talk to you soon!

Love,
Elder Zenger

Week of UPS, Downs and All Arounds

Dear all who read my emails to the WORLD! (ok, not the world, just a few places here and there haha)

This past week has been the most interesting week since I got here to Owego! This past week we have had the temprature drop quite quickly! In fact, on the way home from church yesterday it snowed a little bit! 0.0 Not enough to stay on the ground though, We did also have everything frost over when we got up this morning. It was freakin cold! I hate the winter, but love the snow, its a love hate relationship. ;D haha

Now I am going to tell you a story of what happened to Elder Jensen and I last Friday. We got home early from doing missionary work, and decided that we would make some phone calls while one of us was swinging on the swing outside. So when it was my turn to swing on the swing, we get a phone call, as Elder Jensen is making phone calls. This phone call was from President Wirthlin. Now, ever since I got here, Elder Jensen and I have always joked around saying that president was going to call us and some one would get Emergency Transferred to another area. We ran up stairs into our apartment where it was warmer and were we could get a better signal. Sure enough, the phone call was for Elder Jensen, he was getting Emergency Transferred to Liverpool in Syracuse the next day.

I am now Senior Companion in an area where I don't know ere' one, and with a new companion, Elder Cosman from New Brunswark Canada. My world got flipped upside down and am now doing the same thing I did when I got to Greenwich with Elder Dalton on another Emergency Transfer, except this time, I am the one taking over the area instead of the one being transferred. 

I am going to the best I can to make the best of it and Elder Cosman and I have both agreed that we will do our best with what we have in the 3 weeks left of this transfer and with this whole situation. Other than that things have been pretty good and I will keep in touch and try and do the best I can to write these emails each week and not be lazy like I did last week xD haha 

I love you all and know that I am not upset or depressed about this whole situation. I am just still in shock that it happened (again). The Lord knows what he is doing and according to president, it helped with what he and the Lord has planned for this next upcoming transfers. So, I guess everything workes out in the end and we all live and move on! :D

Love yas! 

Elder Zenger

Hello Again

Hello Again-

My companion's name is Elder Jensen. It's only been a week and a half I have been here in this area 2 weeks on Tuesday, I am getting used to the change, we do have investigators, but I have only been able to meet 2 of them and they are a couple who have no religious backgrounds. But we have been doing a lot of walking lately because we have absolutely no miles to use this month for the car so we have no choice. The other day we walked up and down what is called "Boswell Hill" like 4 different times from top to bottom and went in 5 circles in 2 different neighborhoods. It was one heck of a walk! haha But we did get to meet a couple that invited us back and hopefully we can teach them! I am not senior companion, I am Junior companion again and Elder Jensen has been here for 4 months before I got here. We have a ward, which is kinda small but our building is the stake house and its design is called the Legacy. You should look it up, its so freakin cool! I would also like you to try an make an email, or put this one as the community email because I have no time nor pictures to do it and so yeah....I hope that things are going well and continue to do so!

Elder Zenger

Transfers!!

Dear All Family and Friends,

As you have noticed, I have did not send out an email last week. I do have a reason for it, Last week was transfers as you know and they moved back transfers from wednesday to tuesday. Since Monday was a holiday, everything was closed so I didn't get a chance to email because I did indeed get transferred. I did find out though at transfers that President did send out a text to everyone that he gave us permission to use members computers to email on monday, and we never got the text which didn't please me to much... haha oh well, all is well! 

So I am now in a place called Owego, with my new companion Elder Jensen! I have now been on every boarder of the mission except up north by Canada! Which I hope doesn't happen (if it happens) during winter. We have been so busy this past week with teaching, getting to know members and what not that I am just blown away that it is already monday! 0.0 I will make a more detailed email next week but we have stuff to do and I just got done emailing all yalls (before I wrote and sent this) which was about 20 emails.....I feel skilled haha just kidding, but I do have pictures from when I left Greenwich and will send them with this email if I can! I love you all and hope that the Lord will bless you all this up coming week! 

Love,

Elder Zenger

Peace, Comfort, and Guidance through the Lord's Servants

My Dear Family and Friends,

This week has been an incredible week for me personally and my spirit is full with love, comfort, peace, and assurance. I defiantly feel like a new person, a new man, and a new servant of the Lord.

This past weekend we had the 183rd Annual General Conference, where we got to hear from Prophets, seers, and revelators in this dispensation. What a blessing it has been to be able to hear from these men who have been called of God to speak to us the things which the Lord has need us to hear. I have been so uplifted in all the things which the speakers in General Conference have spoken about. I have been uplifted, to a point where words cannot truly describe. I hope that all of you who have either missed parts of conference, watched only a few sessions, or didn't get to hear or watch any of it, to go online and watch, listen, and read the things which the Lord have need us to hear at this time through his servants which he has truly called and ordained. For the Lord has said to the prophet Joseph Smith in a revelation in the Doctrine and Covenants,"For whether it be my voice, or the voice of my servants, it is the same." When Elder David A. Bednar came to our mission at the beginning of this year, an Elder asked him a question on what we should do when to prepare for conference, he said, (this is not a direct quotation) "Never write down anything anyone says at the pulpit. When you do so, you are making Large Plates that won't mean anything to you in month or a year from now. Instead write down what the spirit tells to you. When you do this you are making Small Plates in which you are writing down things that the spirit prompts you to write down during those talks." By taking his advice this General Conference, I have indeed felt more engaged in what the speaker had to say and I found myself looking for what the spirit had to teach me about what the person was saying, and it had more meaning to me. I know and can testify, that as you read, ponder, and apply the things which you have read, listened to, or watched this conference, and apply them into our daily lives, that we can and will become closer to our father in heaven, and it will become easier to stay on the path of righteousness we have so graciously placed our feet upon. I promise you that the Lord lives, and that he wants to do all he can to help you, to let you know that he loves you, and that he is there at anytime that you need him, even in the times you think you don't need him. 

I love you all and hope that this week will bring you all happiness, joy, and peace, as you go about  your daily lives doing the things which you do. I love you all and may be the Lord bless you and your families for ever and ever.

Love,

Elder Zenger

P.S Sorry no pictures this week, My camera died and I have been to lazy to charge it yet haha Next week might be different!

Uplifting Spirits and Good Things to Come

Dear My Brothers and Sisters, Family and Friends at home,

This week has been an awesome week! It has been filled with service, (which happens a lot for us) teaching, feeling the power of the spirit, and seeing the spirit touch the hearts of man. 

I cannot recall all that we have done this past week, I usually write them down in my planer so that I can put them in this email each week and share them with you all. But this week has been busy, and it really has not even crossed my mind until now. haha I can share with you what I told my companion last night, just before we got ready to head to bed.

Last night, (Sunday Oct.29,2013) I realized a great change that has happened in both this area, and in myself and as well as the people around me. I feel like I have a greater understanding on my Purpose as a Missionary, which is to "Invite others to come unto Christ, by helping them receive the Restored Gospel, through Faith in Jesus Christ and his Atonement, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and to Endure to the End." The way I look at my purpose now, is totally different than any other time I have looked at it and pondered about it. This does now have a new meaning to me as a missionary, a Member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints and as a son our eternal heavenly father.

This Transfer I have seen the power of building peoples faith both members and non-members in the little things we can do for them. Not only by doing service, but being there for them, loving them, as Jesus and our Heavenly Father loves them and making sure that they know it. We as Missionaries do not dedicate these 2 years to 18 months to out and see how many people we can baptize in to the church in that time period. That has never, ever been the purpose of missionary work. We INVITE others to come unto Christ, by HELPING them receive the Restored Gospel. Never in there does it say or ever will it say that we have to have x amount of people to teach a week, and x amount of people that are getting baptized this coming month. All we can ever do is give the Lord our best by INVITING people and letting them chose weather this is what they want to do or even consider doing, and if they choose this path and take this path, we are supposed to HELP continue on that path and show them that path. Each area in the world is different, each Missionary is different, each person you see, talk to, or wave at is different and each situation and circumstance for that are and person is different. It has taken me 4-6 months, in the same area on my mission so far, to realize and apply this in my life and the lives of the people I am teaching and see each and ere' day.

We dedicate our lives to the Lord for these 18 months to 2 years. We do as the Lord would have us do, and we say what the Lord will have us say. I know, that as we HELP those who want to know the truth, LOVE them as they make and take those steps to coming closer to him and 1 day possibly be baptized, and that as we DO OUR BEST for the Lord and only the Lord, then we are truly fulfilling our purpose as Missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, spreading the good news that the Lord's church has been restored to the earth, and that through a modern day prophet, Joesph Smith Jr., has restored in full his gospel to his children here on the earth once more in these last days. I can promise you, with all my heart, that I know this is true, and that I also know that the our Lord and Savior knows each and every one of you by name, and knows you personally and what you are going through, and loves you no matter what you do or say.

I love you all and hope that the Lord will bless you and your families always.

Love,

Elder Anthony Zenger

P.S. The Picture that is attached to this email is a real street name in our area...I thought is was pretty cool personally ;) haha

SERVICE and a BLESSING from Above

Dear Ere' Body who reads this,

This week has been a fantastic week full of blessings, uplifted spirits, and many many other things. This past week we were able to help a Less Active, Part Member Family finish their new home so that they can move into it this week! I got to help put in the bathroom floor, install a brand new toilet, and painted parts of the kitchen! It was awesome! haha We also got a New stake Presidency this last sunday and had Elder Carllson from the Seventy there with Elder Smith who was from the Area Seventy, and even president Wirthlin was there! It was an awesome time and it was cool to see how many people were able to show up and travel to the Albany Stake Center which for some (including us) is an hour or more away from the different places they all are living.

 We also had a very amazing lesson with one of our investigators this past week on Saturday. (This is only our second time teaching him,) He told us that he feels like everything in his life has been falling into place every time he takes a step. He also told us it all started last weekend when we started teaching him and his family.....I felt my heart fill with joy, love and compassion, and I felt like I was doing my job and my part in teaching our heavenly fathers children in this part of the vineyard which he has asked me and my companion to watch over at this time!

I want you all to always remember that where you are, where you've been, where you will be, and everything that happens to you is for a reason and that the Lord had it happen for your benefit knowing that that is the place you had to be at that time and that the specific thing had to happen in order for you to do something he needed or needs you to do. I can testify to that, for I have seen it and continue to see it here on my mission every day. 

May the lord bless you and your families this week and forever! 

Love,

Elder Zenger

P.S These photos are the ones that I mentioned in my last letter that I would send this week. 

Dear Ere' Body who reads this,

This week has been a fantastic week full of blessings, uplifted spirits, and many many other things. This past week we were able to help a Less Active, Part Member Family finish their new home so that they can move into it this week! I got to help put in the bathroom floor, install a brand new toilet, and painted parts of the kitchen! It was awesome! haha We also got a New stake Presidency this last sunday and had Elder Carllson from the Seventy there with Elder Smith who was from the Area Seventy, and even president Wirthlin was there! It was an awesome time and it was cool to see how many people were able to show up and travel to the Albany Stake Center which for some (including us) is an hour or more away from the different places they all are living.

 We also had a very amazing lesson with one of our investigators this past week on Saturday. (This is only our second time teaching him,) He told us that he feels like everything in his life has been falling into place every time he takes a step. He also told us it all started last weekend when we started teaching him and his family.....I felt my heart fill with joy, love and compassion, and I felt like I was doing my job and my part in teaching our heavenly fathers children in this part of the vineyard which he has asked me and my companion to watch over at this time!

I want you all to always remember that where you are, where you've been, where you will be, and everything that happens to you is for a reason and that the Lord had it happen for your benefit knowing that that is the place you had to be at that time and that the specific thing had to happen in order for you to do something he needed or needs you to do. I can testify to that, for I have seen it and continue to see it here on my mission every day. 

May the lord bless you and your families this week and forever! 

Love,

Elder Zenger

P.S These photos are the ones that I mentioned in my last letter that I would send this week. 

Excerpt from Email to Dean

Dear Dad,

I am sorry to hear about all the illness at home, we have had a lot of people here as well starting to get sick as well. It has gotten tremendously cold here in only 1 week! Last week was pretty warm, and then ere' day since last weekend it has gotten colder and colder! We had frost already on are car the other day! 0.0 It was pretty cold this morning when we got up. ( course it didn't help that we accidentally left the window and the fan on in the other room last night during the entire night) But, It's a good thing I have long sleeve shirts and my slippers to wear when we are in the apartment :) This week has been great! We had an awesome time at the Keegans on Saturday! We had homemade Ribs with mashed potatos, corn, and bread, with an apple crisp pizza for desert! :D It was awesome! We also went over and read the B.O.M with them as well! We were also able to help a Less Active/ Part Member Family finish their new home so that they can move into it this week! I got to help put in the bathroom floor, install a brand new toilet, and painted parts of the kitchen! It was awesome! haha We also had a very amazing lesson with one of our investigators this past week on Saturday. (This is only our second time teaching him,) He told us that he feels like everything in his life has been falling into place every time he takes a step. He also told us it all started last weekend when we started teaching him and his family.....I felt my heart fill with joy, love and compassion, and I felt like I was doing my job and my part in teaching our heavenly fathers children in this part of the vineyard which he has asked me and my companion to watch over at this time! 

May the Lord bless you and the rest of the family this week and always.

Love,

Elder Zenger

Storms, Tree's and Blessings

Dear Family and Friends,

This past week has been an amazing week for both me and my companion! We has so many wonderful things happen that it just has filled my heart with joy the things we have seen, witnessed, felt, and did to help the people we have been called here to serve and help!

This past week we had some pretty strong thunder and wind storms that brought A TON of rain! We went on splits with a member of the Branch Presidency last week on Wednesday to see a part member family on their dairy farm to see if there was anything we could do to help out. They told us since they moved into the new barn that they did milking differently and it only takes 2 people to do the milking this time. They did tell us however that we could help out at the new place they are moving into with the Pudding and painting the walls. So we went up to their new home with their son Brian to the new house. On the way, we could see all the damage the storm that was passing through was doing to some of the power lines and trees. We saw 1 power line that fell and was in the middle of the street, and several trees and tree branches that were in the street as well. As soon as we got to their new home, we made sure everything was ok and nothing was damaged. Luckily nothing was hurt but they were out of power for a little bit, so we couldn't paint that night. On the way back to the barn, we all got out and moved as many trees, and tree branches as we could out of the middle of the road so that cars could pass by with ease. It was amazing to see what kind of damage a small storm could do to a little farming village.

With that storm, we had a member invite us over to his home to help him with a few things. One of those things, was chopping down a 30-40 ft. tree he had in his back yard that made him a little nervous after the storm that if he didn't cut it down now, that it could someday fall on to his home. So we got to work and chopped down this HUGE pine tree and watched it as it fell and shook the ground! It hit the grown so hard, that some of the branches were dug so into the ground, Bro. Pearson (the Member) had to cut the branch at ground level so that we didn't hurt ourselves trying to get it out of the ground. My companion did indeed take pictures and I will get them form him later this week and will send them ASAP :) 

We also picked up a new investigator this week who is married to a member. We had our first lesson with him this last saturday and it went pretty well! We even got a member who is a family member as well to come over and sit in and help us with the lesson.

This past week has been a great week of spiritual food and of some great physical service we were able to give to a lot of people. I have to say being a missionary is one of the best things I could ever be doing right now and I am so blessed that I have that opportunity to be out here at this time doing the lords work for his children in this part of the world. 

I love you all and hope you have an amazing week this up coming week! Always keep in mind that things do happen for a reason, and the the lord loves you no matter what. 

Love,

Elder Zenger

Service Galore

Dear Everyone in the entire world and universe who read this! haha

I have to say first off, that yes, I did know about Salt Lake Comic Con, and yes I am jealous that a lot of people I know went to it this year, (including my family) and Yes I will take the first chance I get when I get home to go with all my geek buddies and we may never come home ;D haha I do also know that this week was a good week regardless of the fact comic con was this past week.

We got to help a less active member Brother Don Pearson this week with his work shop/storage area where he and his mother (whom he lives with) has put most of his fathers stuff and most of the random junk they both have. While cleaning out this storage place, we found so many cool things, treasures, and little nic naks! We found a ligit old telescope that did indeed work, 2 old school flash lights that looked like little garbage cans, or as Elder Wilson and I liked to call them the "First ever made light sabers!" haha and found a ton of sea shells, and other cool trinkets from when he and his family lived in puerto rico from the beaches and stuff. It was really cool! 

We also got the chance to go and help out with the Branch Blood Drive they had on friday this week. We were what they called the "Priesthood Body they needed" ;) haha Which ment that we basically had to be there to make sure everything in the building was ok and that no one was doing anything stupid when the blood drive was going on haha we did get to help with moving things in and checking people in as they came in to donate. 

While at the blood drive, president Gale (Branch President) came in to donate blood and while he was waiting for his turn, looked at me and said, "Elder Zenger, how long has it been since you have given a talk in sacrament meeting." I told him that the last time I did was when I boar my testimony in schoharie valley ward before I got sent here. He then told me," That doesn't count, that is just bearing your testimony." Then I told him, "well, I guess I am speaking tomorrow in church then haha" It was just a good opportunity to get up in front of people and to testify of the power of repentance while president Gale talked about the power of forgiveness. 

All in All, I have absolulty loved this week, and cannot wait to see what this week has in store for us all this week!

I love you all and hope and pray that all will be well for you and your families! 

Love,

Elder Anthony Zenger

Birthday, Service, Transfers and More

Dear 'ere body readin this!

This past week was amazing! I wanna first thank 'ere body for all the birthday wishes they sent me and all the amazing things you all do for me and my family 'ere day! 

This past week we got an awesome chance to hike up with a member to "Willard Mountain" or as people back home would call it, "Willard Hill" haha But it was a very steep and gorgeous hike! When we got to the top we could see all over our area including Glens Falls, and parts of Troy! We brought up some homemade lemonade and sat at the top of the mountain and read from the Book of Mormon with him and it was such an awesome and spiritual experience! I did indeed take pictures and will be sending a TON of pictures with this email, I hope you all get to see them all! haha

This past week on Friday, we got to go to a members home for my birthday. The Olsons are just awesome, if you knew them, you would know why! haha But anyways, we went over and had homemade Chinese food and birthday cake! ^.^ Chinese food is my all time favorite food of all time and I absolutely love it! That was some of the best Chinese food I have had in a long time! Well since I left home 7 months ago ;) haha but it was still amazing and they even got me a birthday present! They are awesome and so is my family and friends! They sent me so much food that I think by the time I get home from my mission, I might have diabetes! 0.0 haha jk, but I am so excited for all the things which I got and for the wonderful experience I had on my birthday with missionary work and working for the lord on my birthday was awesome! :) I loved it!

So as you all know, we did indeed get transfer calls this last weekend, and our Zone Leader Elder Gabbitas is going to be coming Assistant to the president! How cool is that?!?! We also are losing an elder in our district, Elder papa is going home this transfer! We will miss him and he is a grand influence for a lot of missionaries! I am actually staying in Greenwich again with Elder Wilson for another transfer! yup so things get to stay the same for another 6 weeks! 

We had an amazing district activity yesterday! (monday Labor Day) for a final good bye's and as well as a time we could celebrate Elder Papa's birthday! He is actually going to be stepping off the plane on the Thursday morning the day of his birthday to his family! In the words of Elder Papa "It's going to be the best birthday present ever!" We played some volley ball, basket ball, and pretty much just did what ever we could with the time we had haha We had lunch at subway, and then went back to the church building to have cake and cupcakes! I used the cake mix my mother sent me for his cake and Elder Wilson did the lettering on the cake with candy canes! 

This week has been awesome and I hope you all have had a wonderful week! 

BYE NOW! 

Love,

Elder Anthony Zenger