Hello friends, family, and all others concerned,

I just wanted to let you all know that things are going great. Oscoda, Michigan is pretty far north, and seriously right on the coast of Lake Huron, and is therefore a resort town, in and of itself. It’s February. The coldest month. Like 40 to 60% of these home are vacant…. The branch is also quite small during the winter months because many members of the branch only come to live here during the summer when it’s supposedly bright, beautiful, and warm. Yesterday was my first time here at this building, and suddenly, before the first talk, the 1st counselor who was conducting said that the new missionary was going to come up and introduce himself and bear his testimony! So, I did! There were a bunch of visitors because of a baby blessing.

We do have a few wonderful people to teach, but because our area is so spread out and those people are so spread out, our opportunities to see them are limited to what seems to be only once a week. Other than that we get to do a lot of finding. Elder Hudson and I get along well! We share a childhood love of Pokemon. Last night he schooled me at Monopoly Millionaire. It’s honestly been a pretty odd and hard transition, not knowing anyone, not having much direction from others, including my companion, but I’m just doing my best to rely on the Lord.

We’re going to try some very new things in this area. There hasn’t been a baptism here for three years at the least. So we are going to change that pattern.

God be with you all. Never forget that Christ’s Atonement was not only for our sins, but for our trials, weaknesses, and infirmities, and He can and will take away your pain if you will let him. All it takes is a simple, humble prayer.

Headed to my first tradeoff in West Branch, Michigan today. Wish me luck. (Haha, West Branch Branch. And the branch president is the West Branch Branch Branch President.)

I love you all and hope that you have a wonderful week.

Elder Breinholt