Elder Call

Elder Call
Off to the MTC

Monday, March 29, 2010

Spring Time Tallahassee - faith lesson

This has been a great week. This week was Tallahassee's big day. It’s kind of like their version of Alpine days. They call it "Spring Time Tallahassee". They have a bunch of activities and a Parade. We found out about it on Friday from a less active family. The next day we ran a 5k and walked in the Parade. It was very quick how it all happened. One moment we were finding out about all of this, the next we were waking up to go run a 5k.
I died on it. It was way too much for me; asthma, allergies and a layer of green pollen all over the place. At about mile 2 I started to walk and walked the rest of the way. It wasn't too bad, but I was a little disappointed in myself. At the end of the race they were giving away free stuff, so we jumped on board and got some water, fruit and yogurt. They were also giving away free beer. Don't worry I didn't have any, but that not the first thing on my mind after a run.
We also met the less active girl who had invited us. She reminds me a lot of Jenny. They are very, very alike. Just imagine Jenny at 23, not active and not on a mission. Kind of weird to think about Jenny being less active, but that’s what this girl is. Anyways, she said hi to us and invited us to go walk in the parade with her company. So we walked toward where her company float was located and found out that it was just a car, and we would be walking next to it throwing candy. We did it anyways, it was so much fun. There were also a lot of other cool floats and a lot of alcohol. It was a big party. There were three different High School bands and a Boys and Girls club Drumline. They were sweet. They would bang on their drums while the girls would walk around singing at the top of their lungs. "Ice Cold Kool-Aid, Fried Chicken, and Grits!!" I got some of it on my camera, it was so cool. I love the south.
We're teaching Kevin and trying to get him closer to baptism. This week we taught about Faith. We had them climb on the couch, turn around, shut their eyes and fall backwards. A leap of faith. They loved it and it made it easy to teach about faith. We talked to his mom about setting a date and she wants all of her family to be there. So we're on hold until that happens. Kevin is awesome. He came and sat by us during church.
Our week has been great. Tomorrow is ZLC. That means another long drive to Crestview. Our mission President doesn't have that much time left. Only April, May and June, then he's gone and we get a new Mission President. I was thinking about this earlier. Our mission President leaves, then my companion Elder Tew leaves a week later. I'm going to be by myself when that all happens. I hope I can get a good companion.
Anyways. I hope spring time is coming soon for you, it came three weeks ago for us. Love you all and pray for you.
Elder Call

Monday, March 22, 2010

Tithing lesson-Special Oplmpics

Hey Everyone,

Thanks you for the Birthday package. I failed to mention it last week. I loved all the ties. There were so many and so many different styles. I love it. I also liked the BYU shirt. Thanks Kristen. I wore it when we played basketball on FAMU.
This week has been great. We have had some really good lessons with our investigators. Kevin Davenport is one of them who is so close to baptism. We met with him and his family, he's only 9 yrs old, on Wednesday. We taught them about prayer and tithing. It is so fun to teach little kids. We gave Kevin our cell phone and told him to call his mom. He did and talked to her from across the room. Then we told him to call Heavenly Father. He tried, but was unsuccessful. Then we taught about prayer and how we communicate with Heavenly Father.
Next topic was Tithing. Elder Tew and I went and bought a Big Bag of M&M's. There are four little boys there, so we needed the Big Bag. I opened the bag and gave them each 10 M&M's. We taught them about tithing and how we pay 10%. I asked them to give me their tithing and each of them gave me ALL 10 of their M&M's. I guess I didn't teach it well enough. So we tried again and they each gave me one M&M. We asked why we give 10% and what we get when we do. Elder Tew read 3 Nephi where the windows of Heaven shall be opened. Then, with 8 little hands outstretched, we poured the windows of Heaven into their little hands, completely overwhelming them with M&M's. Can't you imagine their little eyes becoming Big eyes? It was great. Kevin wants to get baptized and we're going to set a BCD with him soon.
On Saturday we had a really cool experience. The Elder Chidester, Elder Rosenlund, Elder Tew and I all went to the Special Olympics for Florida. It was held in Tallahassee at Leon High School. We were volunteers and kept the times for the 50m, 25m, 15m, and 10m walk/run/roll. It was a lot of fun to be with those kids and watch them cross the finish line. We kept score, so they could have awards after, but they didn't care. They were all about the Journey, not the finish. They loved being cheered on and hearing all of the yells as they crossed the finish line. It was a great experience.
It’s been a while since we've had anyone to sacrament meeting. We don't know what else to do for our investigators. They need the blessings, but we can't force them in any way. Its really hard. Phil Baker and his family just moved into a new apartment. They are still in the ward boundaries, but it gave them an excuse to miss church. He hasn't been in a while and I hope he can go sometime soon. He is so close to baptism, he just needs to feel it once again.
I love you all and am constantly praying for you.
Love Elder Call

Monday, March 15, 2010

Zone Conference

Hello Everyone,

This week was a wonderful one. We had our Zone Conference on Thursday, we played basketball on Saturday at FAMU, and didn't have a single investigator at church, but found two new investigators who randomly walked into church.

It was my first Zone Conference as a Zone Leader. President asked Elder Tew and I to take time to teach, then the AP's would teach the other two principles. Teaching with President there is the easiest thing to do. We introduce the subject, conduct the direction we would like to take, then let the missionaries take it wherever it needs to go. President usually steps in to clarify, expound, and testify about the comments we make. Then sometimes he goes on crazy long tangents that are so perfect and beautiful. He doesn't force any teachings on us, but we all know everyone is listening when he talks. Not because we have to, like a high school or college class setting, because we want to. We know he has the keys and we want to hear what He, the Lord, would have us do. If only the world could learn to teach like this.
Saturday was a lot of fun. We went to play basketball at the church with some members, less actives etc. We went to the church and it was all set up for an Asian dinner thing. Some stake activity. Anyways, we could no longer play in the gym. We went to look for basketball courts, but couldn't really find any. Then the FAMU Elders suggested their campus to play outside. No one else had a better Idea, so off we went. 8 white boys from out west, playing basketball at a almost all black school in Florida. It was great. We had a lot of fun and got a lot of looks. FAMU used to be an All-Black school. FSU used to be an All Girl school. Just some History for you.
Sunday was cool. Elder Tew and I didn't have a single investigator come to church. It was sad, but nothing we can change. We were sitting in Elders Quorum when two random guys walked in. I introduced myself and found out that they weren't members. They were going to TCC, lived around the corner from the church and just decided to join our service. They actually walked into Relief Society first. A couple of the women realized they were way out of place. We showed them around and introduced them to the TCC Elders. They should be meeting up soon and coming to church next week.
Those were the highlights of this week. Elder Tew and I have some good investigators, its just getting them to keep their commitments that is hard.
I love you all and pray for you frequently.
Love Elder Call

Saturday, March 13, 2010

More Photos from Ozark, Alabama


Elder Call and the Seminole Indian Portrait -Fort Rucker


Members keep trying to recruit him for the Army - Fort Rucker



They look like they mean business...........Fort Rucker

Photos from Ozark, Alabama


Elder Call - and that is how all the locals feel leaving their
church parking lot. Good luck Elder Call!!


Group photo before leaving Ozark



Goofing around.............




More goofing around...........



Manly men!


Monday, March 8, 2010

Back in Tallahassee!

Hey Everyone,

I'm back in Tallahassee. I never thought that I would be back so quick. I feel like one of the brand new missionaries. It brings back so many memories that were only a couple of months ago. Its been a lot of fun.
The transition from Ozark to Tallahassee has been tough. From no Elders and nothing to do in Ozark, to a lot of Elders in a small area with a lot going on. I'm at a Dance Studio right now writing this e-mail. Its the same dance studio that Hilary works at, she's at school right now. We just got done playing hockey and I am tired. Tally 4th, Tally 2, Crawfordville, Tally Sp 1 & 2 and a few memebers are all playing with us. I'm going to get skinny again. ;)
I think I've done more driving here than any where else. We drove from Ozark to Cottondale (1.25 hrs) and stayed there for a while. Then Cottondale to Tallahassee (1.5 hrs), to my new area. Had a day break, then off to Crestview for ZLC, Zone Leader Conference. (2.5 hrs both ways!). Its been a lot of driving. The best part is that as Zone Leaders in Tally, we get to drive a Dodge Caravan. Haha. Rollin' in the 'Silver Bullet'!
Zone Conference is this Thursday and Elder Tew and I are getting ready for it. We get to set up, conduct, teach a little (not too much, that's Presidents job), help with the lunch, close and clean up. Not to mention giving all the campus Elders rides to the Tomasville church. Its a lot to do, but we're excited for it. Zone Conference is always one of my favorites. We get to listen to President teach us, eat really good food and have interviews with President. ZLC is even better than Zone Conference. No interviews, but President is REAL with us. Not that he's fake in Zone Conference, but because he says it how it is. The quality of all the Zone Leaders allows that to happen. I felt really out of place there. All the missionaries have so much more experience than me. They understood what was going on and what there role is. I was just happy to be there and happy that it was my birthday. ;)
I've been feeling a lot better here is Tallahassee. It seems that the warmth is helping. I still have a cough though. It just won't go away. Kind of like after the flu.
I'm really sorry about Megan, but it sounds like Brennan is doing great.
Love y'all
Elder Call

Monday, March 1, 2010

TRANSFERRED-DON"T SEND ANYTHING!!!!!

Hello Everyone,
I'm really sorry about last week’s letter. It was really short, my patience was not there and the computers were really slow. I've been on antibiotics for the last week. The Mission health advisors, Sis. Summerhays and Sis Higbee are great and take care of me. Because of my asthma they watch me like a hawk. I called them a couple of days before last e-mail to get help. Sis Higbee had me call Pres Bess. He's the stake president in the Dothan stake and a Doctor. I never had a fever, so he gave me some over the counter medicine. After that it felt a little better and the flu symptoms went away, but then my sinuses started to hurt. I called him again and he gave me a prescription for a sinus infection. I'm still recovering, but doing better. Mission protocol is... well I'm not too sure, but if anything happens they will take care of me. If it gets too bad they will call you. All I need from you are you prayers. It takes too long for you guys to try to heal me. I know mom will. :) I got you over-night letter, then I realized that I probably shouldn't have sent that last e-mail. Too much Drama. However, I am grateful that there are people watching out for my well being. Thank You.

I'm getting transferred!!! DON'T SEND ANY MAIL/PACKAGES UNTIL NEXT WEEK!!! I'm okay with getting mail a little late for my birthday. If it hasn't been sent yet, please don't send it. Then the other Elders won't have to worry about forwarding it.
I'm getting transferred back to Tallahassee. I'll be serving in Tallahassee 4th ward as a Zone Leader. Elder Kanis, my boy, will be serving with Elder O'Niones. Elder O'Niones served around me in the MTC and on Campus. They'll be great together. I'll be serving with Elder Tew. I don't know him very well. Other notables. My father, Elder Krieser is going Zone Leader in Mobile and Elder Perkins is going Zone Leader in Panama City Beach. Two great companions that I love.
Ozark has been great. The members here are really awesome. Each of them tries to recruit me for the army, but they all love missionary work. Ft. Rucker is a great place to serve. Helicopters flying around everywhere and member pilots. It’s been great to be here.
Junior and Luegenia are still moving along. Kim is ready for baptism. Oh! We met a guy while tracting today. You can call this my spiritual message. Actually I'll put it as the newsletter message as well.

Hey Boys,
I love to hear all of your great stories. The Spirit that comes from reading them is amazing. I love feeling the spirit and feeling the spirit in others.
Elder Kanis and I were tracting one afternoon. We had just knocked on a woman's home and had a lovely conversation. She wasn't interested, but her two sons were Mormons. She thanked us for coming and asked us to look up one of her sons. We agreed and took his contact information.
Leaving from her house we saw a man walking towards us. A perfect opportunity to contact and teach. Before we approached the man he called out to us, "Are the Lamanites comin'?" We were so confused. We had never met this man before, yet he knew about the Book of Mormon. We asked him if he had read the book. "6 times." 6 times he had read the Book of Mormon!! Golden! We asked him if he was a member, if he had gone to church, and if he believed that the book was true. "Nope," he replied, "I just think it’s a great story. Abinidi is my favorite. Oh, and also that Sam guy." We tried to talk more with him, but he walked away like he wasn't interested. I was so confused.
Here was a man who had read, no doubt, the Book of Mormon. Yet, he didn't know that it was true. There are a lot of people here in the south who know about our church. Other churches even have classes on our church, but they don't know it’s true. Most of the classes are against our church, but still they read from the Book of Mormon. I think I have realized the answer. They don't pray and can't feel the power of the Holy Ghost.
The Promise in the Book of Mormon that we all can know "by the Power of the Holy Ghost" (moroni 10:5) can only come through faith and prayer. Faith is an action. Read, ponder and ask God are the three requirements given to us by Joseph Smith in the introduction to the Book of Mormon. Through Faith, reading, pondering and asking, we can come to know that this book is a good book. By applying what we learn we can receive the blessings that he has promised us. The Book of Mormon is filled with examples of how to receive blessings and what we can do to receive them. This builds our faith and knowledge in the Book of Mormon. However, without prayer, it’s just another good book. Prayer is the way we can receive our answer to know if the Book of Mormon is true. Praying in Faith, willing to act on the answer, will help us receive that divine witness and lead us to know that the Church and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is again restored in its plain, precious and perfect state. Without prayer and Faith, we cannot know that the Book of Mormon is true. There is no possible way for a human, like ourselves, to know that anything is true without his help. This man did not know it was true, because he was not looking for the truth. He wasn't asking, seeking or knocking. He was an agent, being acted upon.
I love the Book of Mormon. Every time I read I learn something new. Something I need to work on, someone I can help, or a prompting of what I need to do. Prayer is how I know that this book is true. Faith is how I prove to myself and others that this book is true and that the blessings promised in the book are for everyone. I love the Book of Mormon. I pray that you love it as much as I do. It is the keystone of our religion, part of our unique message, and proof that God loves all of his children.
I love you all. Most of our year marks are coming quickly. I pray that the first year of your mission was the best, and that the next year will be 10 times better. I love you all.
Elder Call
Happy Birthday to Me!! ;)