"Least experienced 8th month missionary ever"

 

Laurel Montana

Surprise surprise!!! Elder Barlow is indeed still alive! I did not get kidnapped by gangs in Mexico or stuck at home watching NBA basketball, I've actually made it to my mission after around 7 months of surgery and quarantine! I have been assigned to the tropical paradise that is Laurel, Montana! Laurel is a pretty fun place, there is the Yellowstone river here, a really cool refinery, a handful of casinos, and a Trump store on Main street. There is also a grand total of ~3,000 residents (and literally 1 cow) that get to enjoy everything this town has got to offer.

When it comes to missionary work here, it's really a mixed bag. We have been doing a lot of service, we cut down thistles for around 4 hours Saturday at a bird sanctuary(got to hold a marmot at the end so I'd say it was worth it) Lots of yardwork to be done out here which I personally love, I sweat more in a single phone call honestly. We also meet with a lot of members and nonmembers, which is weird because the mission is quite strict about corona(and we follow those rules the best we can) but a lot of people don't wear masks, which makes it just a weird time. But the people here are so cool and nice, they more than make up for the lack of mountains here.

It's weird being both older than your trainer and also technically almost out as long on da mish as well. My new companion is Elder Upper and he is a really cool dude. He is from a small town called Los Angeles, and he has spent 5 months in Brazil and around the same here in Laurel. He's a really swell and swole dude, just overall a great trainer that somehow has not quit after training me for 6 days.

Overall, that's kinda it honestly. Missionary work is changing rapidly, we're moving more and more over to Facebook as it is surprisingly really successful. We're kinda just all turning into YouTubers out here, so follow the Churches Facebook page in Billings and you'll see some fire vids and hopefully me on there one day! Hope everyone is having a great time wherever y'all are at! Love y'all!

- Elder Barlow

Quote of the week "You're the least experienced 8th month out missionary I have ever met" - President Larsen