The One With Molten Glass

On my bucket list is Venice, Italy.
I have always wanted to see this city for obvious reasons, but also to go out to the island of Murano- where they have world famous glass artisans.
So.
Who would have guessed that Elder Wadley's current area in Indiana- Kokomo, is another famous place for artisan glass?
Elder Brendan visited the glass factory last week. He sent photos and a couple of video clips. This factory has been in operation since the 1800's.
So I guess I no longer need Venice. I just need Indiana! Or something.
Here are his words this week (thank goodness he sent video and photos, because the words are, as always, limited.)

its been a pretty typical week we found a family that we can start teaching hopefully so thats pretty exciting um this morning we toured the kokomo glass factory so that was sweet its the oldest glass factory built in like the 1800s and stuff so that was dope um and yeah we had zone conference this week but other then that same old stuff

He also learned how to make dream catchers from his companion, Elder Stallings. From the look on his face- he's pretty proud of his new talent. I also took notice of his chin hair stubble? This is a strange observation as I have been a missionary mom. I send my kids out as babies, who barely need a razor, and they come back all 5:00 shadow-y. It's weird.
I am hoping this doesn't happen to Shianne, my daughter. ;)

The glass factory, Kokomo Opalescent Glass makes sheet glass:

as well as traditional glass sculpture and blowing.

Here is one of the video clips he sent. I was a tad concerned about the little worker guys dripping molten glass all over the floor? They told Brendan that it just sweeps up at the end of the day. I would be the person to dribble it all over my feet.
A good week in Kokomo.

The One With a Muslim, Mirror, and 'Murica

This week in Kokomo:

well this week was lame again jk lol we had interviews this week which was cool they went pretty normal but here is something dope that happened this week we were finding (<--not sure what this means? Another spirit walk?) and we were walking and this guy waves at us so we walk over and  talk with him turns out he is a Muslim and we talked for him for about an hour about his faith and we asked if we could come to his church and he said yes so on friday we went it was really cool they talked about all their beliefs and they were some of the nicest people ever like awesome people and they are really close to the gospel too so it was pretty sweet!

I wanted to point out here, that our family had the opportunity to spend some time in Dubai. During that time, we interacted with a lot of Muslim people. I spent an afternoon with a sweet Muslim woman, who graciously answered all of the questions I threw at her.
Our whole family spent a day in a Muslim mosque, where again, we were educated about the beliefs and customs of this faith; that is painted is such a negative and unsavory light today.
I drew the same conclusion as Elder Wadley. The Muslim people I have had the privilege of knowing are kind and peaceable people who love their families.
I am glad Elder Brendan is developing more tolerance, and embracing differences while on his mission.

It looks like he is still fishing in the pond behind their apartment building.

The $5 Walmart shirt I sent as a joke.

I asked him what he did with the fish. He said "catch and release." Suspiciously that fish looks just like the one he caught last week. Maybe it is the only fish in that pond? Poor guy.

Some of the "Murica" swag I mailed him.

This bathroom selfie killed me. How disgusting is that mirror? I guess this is what happens when two teenage boys room together. Periodically they have apartment inspections. Looks like its been a while! I was intrigued by the scripture that is written on the mirror. It is Romans 5:3-5

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

I thought it was a good one.

Kokomo, Indiana

The One With Few Words

I missed blogging on this thing last week, but there was little to say. I am back to a word drought with Elder Wadley. I am going to combine the greatest hits from the past two p-days including a very Brendan video clip.

Fishing in the pond behind his apartment building. (???)

• When we asked if his area (Kokomo) was a member referral area or proselyting he responded that they mostly go on "spirit walks" where they just walk around and go where the spirit tells them. 
• Two weeks ago I asked him what he was planning to do to celebrate his one year mark. He said it is tradition to burn a shirt. I asked him this week if he burned the shirt. He told me "I will, chill" 

• He sent two pictures of him with guns. One is a Vector and one is a muzzle-loader. I don't know what either means, so maybe someone will find that interesting. I was trying to figure out why he insists on wearing his tag on his collar.

• Why is there a banana in that plant? Fertilizer, duh.
• But I guess those Hoosiers know what they are doing because:

Last but not least, he sent me this video clip of this cantankerous curmudgeon (<--very underused words) out feeding the local squirrels until the freaking ducks got all up in his business.

Another week down.