Monday, August 6th

[Mom's note: When we get emails from Calvin, I edit them for privacy. Names of missionaries; names of people he meets; information about missionaries and about people he meets are all edited out. If anyone is named in these posts besides Calvin or other family members I have asked for their permission to post their names. If anyone else appears in photographs with Calvin I have asked their permission to publish their photographs here.]

Hello from the Mission field!

I'm in Ottowa! In a place called "Chapel Hill" which is in Orleans... I think. Anyways I'm in Ottowa, so everyone knows where I'm from because of the Binghamton Senators. Thank you Senators. I love it out here. My companion is really nice. He is friends with everyone. Yes mom, the members are feeding us A LOT. I really need to exercise EVERY DAY. Luckily we have a bench press in the apartment. It is SUPER hot out here, but the Lord answered the fasts and prayers of the members yesterday with a DOWNPOUR. We were very happy with that. The ward is REALLY nice. Everyone is super awesome, and nice. I'm finding out just how bad I am with door contacting, but I'll hopefully learn quick. Oh, yeah, my area is English speaking. So I'm mostly going to be speaking English this first transfer.

[I asked Calvin if the sandwich he got at the Mission President's house was with a baguette and meat and cheese]

Yes, it was a French sandwich, which was made out of a baugette, with meat cheese and fried peppers and onions. Then there was au jus sauce. I have pictures of the mission home, so don't worry. There is some French here, especially among the Hatian people, who are AWESOME!!

So, I've heard some about the Olympics, but fill me in on the swimming please! I heard that Michael Phelps did really well this year, but apparently he lost to the french swimmer. Which country is in the lead?

I'm missing home, but I don't let it get in the way. It's not that bad not having letters every day, it's just different. It's different being actually on a mission. This is really weird, and not at all what I expected, but it's not that bad. I'm actually enjoying myself immensly. (P.S. If any of what I'm saying isn't making sense please tell me. I might try to explain my feelings, but it will probably sound like I'm going crazy.) I like the area. We live in an area less dangerous than around Roberson, but more dangerous than Rich kids road. Let's see.. what else can I tell you.. I'm missing art a lot. We have an illustrated bible book full of all sorts of beautiful prints, which I'm very happy to have! I spent last night looking at that book, and getting ideas. I'm almost out of ideas for what to write about. Oh! The day I arrived in the mission was a super hectic one. We got up, did transfers, then went off to the bus station. We missed the first bus to Ottowa, so we had to wait there for an hour, which time was spent mostly trying to get extra luggage tickets since we had too many bags. Then the bus arrives, and we find out that we all need to get one more extra ticket. The line to get those tickets was super long, so we almost miss the bus AGAIN. While I was on the bus, I was sitting next to someone and decided to talk with him about the Book of Mormon. After I offered him the only copy I had I thought by what he said that he might be a member. Turns out, he's a member of the church. I contacted and placed a Book of Mormon to a MEMBER! I was really...... not mad but...... I don't know, I felt like those people on candid camera. You're not really mad, but you are. So, Mom, your French Book of Mormon you got me [which is a nice, bonded leather copy of the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price] is now in the hands of a member in Ottawa. Days are filled with tons of these little miracles now.

Anyways, I love you all! I demand a letter from Dylan explaning if this (what were doing right now) is what missionaries really do. It's so surreal. I feel like I should look over at my suit coat and see a melted clock on it with a nose. And maybe an apple floating right in front of my companion's face. I miss art. Dad, when I get back, and after I wake up from the coma I'll probably be in from lack of sleep, we are talking for HOURS about art. We are going to ALL the art galeries! Don't worry about me, because I worry about you all. I love you all, and I will try to write more letters! I keep thinking that hopefully if I write letters in different places, the information in those places will help me remember everything, and then I can write all of it down.

Love you all!

Get sleep!

sleep is your friend!

I want sleep!

I love sleep !

I love you!

Bye
Calvin Messinger