Midwest Missionary

Justin has transferred now, from the "south" to the "midwest" part of his mission. Perhaps now we'll see a few less "y'all" references in his e-mails?

Last week, by the way, we received a package that he had shipped to us, just prior to his transfer. In that package were some pictures he printed from his companion's camera. I scanned those pictures; here's one of them to the left, taken with his companion Elder Johnson, on Christmas morning. The one to the right here is one where he says his hair is way too long, and that this picture was taken just before he got a haircut. Speaking of hair, how do you like Justin with a part in his hair?! This is the first time we've ever seen that! You can see all 27 scanned pics here on Flickr, or here on Facebook. Be warned, they gutted a cow in Clarksville, and there are pics from that in here.

Anyway... enough of me blabbering; here is his e-mail from today.
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Hey everybody! Greetings from Miami (pronounced My-am-uh) Oklahoma! Before I forget, here is my new address:

Elder Justin Goodale (that part hasn't changed)
504 I St. NE
Miami, OK 74354

Elder Conrad and Elder Goodale

I love my new area! I'm in the very northeast corner of Oklahoma, we actually go to the border of Missouri (we're in the Joplin, Missouri stake) and our area covers a tiny bit of Kansas, as well. Actually that part is really cool. We cover the town of Baxter Springs in Southeast Kansas, and it's cool because Radiator Springs (from the movie Cars) was actually based off of Baxter Springs. I haven't been there yet, but apparently it's a pretty cool little historic town. We have a kind of cool historic district in Miami, too, because Route 66 goes right through it. Also another little claim to fame is that Mickey Mantle was born here... It's a sweet place. It's about the same number of people as Clarksville, but it seems like alot more because the town is more centralized and compact, as opposed to Clarksville which was really spread out and half the people didn't technically live "in town". I'm now in the Midwest (central Arkansas is really the only part of my mission that's actually considered "South") so I don't see all of the confederate flags and everything any more, but it's still pretty redneck here. There are a ton of Native Americans in Miami too. Another cool thing that you probably already figured out by now is that Jennifer Dillon's dad is serving in this ward! It's pretty fun hanging out with Elder and Sister Wilson. As for my new companion, he's AMAZING! He's from Richland, Washington (I think he said it's out by Spokane) and he's an awesome missionary. I've really been in heaven the last couple days, we get along so well! And we teach really well together too. We've got some big plans for Miami this transfer! I'm way pumped!

You know how once a year they do the regional stake conference broadcasts? I think I told you about the one we had a couple months ago in Arkansas that was for "the Gulf Coast area" when Elder Holland, President Uchtdorf, and Sister Beck spoke. Well now that I'm in a different region, I got to have another one of those this Sunday! It was kind of weird the first Sunday after General Conference, especially with it being Easter Sunday, but it was really good. Elder Steven E. Snow from the Presidency of the 70 spoke, along with Sister Lifferth from the Primary Presidency, Elder Oaks, and President Monson. It was way good, especially Elder Oaks. It wasn't my favorite talk President Monson's ever given, but it's still always awesome to listen to a prophet of God speak to us.

I don't know too much about Miami yet as far as specific

investigators and stuff as I've only had 2 full days here, but I definitely will have more to report on next week. I'm loving everything so far! I love you all! Have a great week!