So we have a truly aesthetic area. To the east we have brown
hills, and to the west we have a descending hill overlooking the Columbia
River, with the Cascades rising behind it. Ripe cherry orchards sprinkle the
neighborhoods.
But it is no fun being in such an area as a missionary, not
being able to stay inside an air-conditioned building, especially when we are
on bikes part-time.
Yesterday I understand it hit 107 degrees. Usually when one
bikes down a hill, a refreshingly cool breeze comes over the biker. Or, if it's
winter, it's not so refreshing. But there's a point when even high speeds
cannot cool the air, and a hot, not cool, breeze is what greets the rider.
Furthermore, it is not fun to stand talking to someone while
you can feel beads of sweat rolling down your back, which is dressed in a
garment top, a shirt, and a backpack.
It also is not fun to take your pajamas off while sleeping
on top of the covers with the fan on, and still be uncomfortable.
And I am going to be here through August.
I can stand cold. I can stand when the car thermometer reads
-3, but not 102. If someone wanted to torture me, he or she would merely have
to lock me out of a building during a July afternoon.[1]
Another factor is the sunlight. Nothing is more depressing
than a July or August afternoon sun. And those are on their way. June is bad
enough. But the sixth month of 2008 dies today. Something in my chemical makeup
triggers very negative emotions when exposed to sunlight. This confuses many
people, but it has long been the case with me. I have very clear depressing
feelings from being in sunlight in the summer of 2004. That was four years ago.[2]
Not to mention that I don't get to be pale like a vampire.[3]
A less-active member may have provided some consolation,
informing us that it is not always this hot, that it usually only hits the 100s
for a few days in a row before it cools down again--to the 90s. Then later it
rises again. But even the 80s are sure uncomfortable. I can't wait until fall.
Happy Birthday, by the way, Mom!
I started a letter last week but I didn't get to finish it.
This week our P-day today ends at noon. Then on Independence Day we do our
weekly planning in the morning and have the rest of the day for
"preparation." Holidays sure are different as a missionary. Yesterday
we had "Invite your friends to sacrament meeting" day, so it had to
be focused on the Savior, and we didn't get to sing any patriotic hymns, except
in the combined fifth Sunday class. I think the New Year has been the most
enjoyable missionary holiday so far.
And I did get your package, soon after you sent it. Thank
you very much. I will send the decorations home because I have to send some
other things home as well. Seeing Elder B. prepare to leave makes me worry
about getting everything home (not that I have to worry yet), especially since
we have to pay more for luggage now.
Yesterday we confirmed a 14-year-old. He's my second baptism
of my mission. Hopefully I can get some more here. I am concerned for some of
our investigators, for there is a lot of anti-Mormon material out there. My
thought is this--if the Church truly were bad, why would there be so many lies?
Why wouldn't they just focus on the true bad things? Because there isn't
anything bad, and what some might consider bad can be easily explained.
Sincerely,
Elder Melville
[1]
I have become more tolerant of heat and summer since then.
[2]
I still get depressed if I spend too much time in the sun.
[3]
I was still going through my awkward “I want to be a vampire” phase.
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