Hey Ya'll,
Ok. BYU is playing FSU on September 18. BYU is doing a fireside on September 17 @ 7:00. It will be at the Stake Center in Tallahassee. 312 Stadium Dr. is the address. The church is right next to the stadium, hence Stadium Dr. Members can park their cars at the church for free for the game, but don't spread that around too much. They charge 20.00 per car during home game days. If they have to fill it up with members who don't have to pay anything then the youth, singles ward and other activities can't happen for their Stake. That's how they raise money for their events.
Second thing. BYU is also having an Alumni tailgate party at the Civic Center in Tallahassee. Its $15 per person. That includes food and a bunch of games. For those people who have not been to Florida for a game, tailgating is huge. Everyone in Utah just shows up right before game time. These guys get their at 7:00am and stay until late in the night. Because BYU is an early game, they shouldn't be out too long. The other tailgate parties include a lot of Beer, college kids, older people who act like college kids and of course a grill. BYU won't have any alcohol, but they will have food and games.
Third. President Jensen has allowed us to go to the game. So some may see me there, at the football game. Bro and Sis Martin have gotten us some tickets. It was their house that we re-roofed. Sis Martin is the one who called home. :) We really like them. If you see any missionaries on TV. I know them. They are in my mission.
If you have any other questions you will have one more week to ask them, then its game time!! Bro Martin is providing an FSU tie.
This week has been great. Yesterday was supposed to be our Preparation day. It was the opposite. Ward members needed help moving, investigators were free to have lessons, and all the libraries were closed in Tallahassee. That's why I'm e-mailing today.
Yesterday was one of the greatest days in a while. We had a lesson with Wallace Brown. Elder Faalogo and I had tracted into him a while ago and began to teach him. Wallace knew and worked with Bro Poole in our ward, so we took him to a lesson with us. We also have been taking Keith with us. He is 16 and loves to teach. Last week I told you that it was Stake Conference. Wallace was their and Sis Walker spoke as one of the speakers. She used to be a die hard Catholic, but found the truth and couldn't deny it. Wallace really liked her testimony and felt something as he was listening. This Sunday Wallace came to church and we took him with us to the High Priest group. They ended up breaking into their groups. Redeeming the Dead, Missionary, and one other. We were in the missionary group and we brought Wallace with us. Bro Jones was there and just started talking with Wallace. It was like they had known each other for ever. We were supposed to be talking about missionary work and how we could help the High Priest, but instead we just had our own lesson in class. Bro Jones bore testimony about, well everything. He was 20 when he found the truth and has stuck with it ever since. Wallace really liked that. We went to Wallace's house yesterday with Keith. We talked to him about Temples and why we have them. Afterward we asked if he knew the Book of Mormon was true. He said yes. Then we asked him if he knew Joseph Smith was a true Prophet. He said yes again. We asked him what he thought about baptism by the proper authority. He said yes, but there was one problem. He is on the Deacon board at his church. That means that he has to do everything there. I mean everything. We works hard so the Preacher doesn't have to do it. Its like if dad, just the way he is, had to do the deacons job, teachers job, priest job, Sunday school, primary, sacrament and fast offerings and anything else I missed. All because no one else would do it or help. Wallace does it all and has been there for 25 years. He feels like he would be abandoning them by leaving. He knows our church is true and he wants to be a part of it, but he feels so much responsibility has been placed on him at his other church that he would be abandoning them. I told Wallace that I loved him and that we would be here for him as he prays for strength to make a decision. At the end of the lesson we all said a prayer. Elder Thurston, Me, Keith and Wallace. Wallace said the most heartfelt prayer I've ever heard. Asking for strength, knowing that this church is true because of how he feels, but then letting the Lord know how he feels about leaving his other church. It was like he was having a conversation with God. It was incredible. Wallace knows its true and will be getting baptized soon.
That's really all that happened this week. We have a few appointments that we hope to be having with less actives and part member families in the ward. We also just got 4 new ward missionaries to help us out.
I love you all and I'm grateful you are all at home supporting me.
Love Elder Call
Elder Call
Off to the MTC
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Roofed a House....
Hello Everyone,
It was a fantastic week. We taught a lot, found a lot, got to rip apart a roof and then build a new one, and Alan Espinoza got the Melchizedek Priesthood. It was great.
Tuesday we drove to Crestview for ZLC. We didn't have any problems on the way or coming back. Good thing because you probably remember me telling you about how we didn't get the van fixed. It was a good day. I got to see my father and grandfather (mission family) at ZLC. I also got to talk to Elder Bond and Elder Merkley. They told me that they had the pleasure of meeting Bro Manwearing!!! Clarks brother is in Niceville and when he went out to see them the missionaries were there. They said you're doing fine and looking good Clark! President Jensen mentioned in our meeting about Elder Pearson coming to our mission. He will be here Sept 12, just before the BYU game. We will be going over a lot of things while we're there. We just got a huge list from President about what were supposed to prepare for.
Elder Thurston and I had a really good week finding people and teaching them. We were out working on Wednesday trying to find some potentials and new investigators. We were walking when a girl called out to us. She asked us if we were teaching Bible lessons. We were, kind of, and she invited us over to her home. It was a couple of blocks away, so we talked with her. She was in social services with a focus on Christianity. She things that only through God can you overcome certain things. I think she's on to something. We talked with her and when we got to her home we pulled out our Book of Mormon's. She got excited and said, "I'll go get mine." She had taken it from a Hotel, but she didn't know much about it. We talked with her for a while and set up another time to come back. She called us later in the week asking to reschedule, but she should be coming to church next week. It was a great lesson and we will bring the FSU sisters with us to the next lesson. While walking to our car from her apartment we ran into another girl, Kristen. She asked us if we go to church next to FSU and what time they started. We told her that it was us and we took her info down. Again, we gave her to the Sister missionaries. Two investigators for the Sisters, oh well, schools back in.
Friday was the ward's annual Southern Spread. "A Potluck on Steroids," as Bro Barabash would say. There were so many new faces there. We have a big hand full of newly weds moving into our ward. Its really weird when the girls are younger than the missionaries, but married with a kid. Its also very weird when you're the missionary serving and teaching them on campus, then they come to your family ward, because they got married. Its weird being a missionary here. Anyway, the southern spread was good and we met with a few new families who were less active. Bro Nathan has invited us to his home. He is the only member in his family, so we're excited to be working with him.
Saturday was long. We went to the Martin's for service. Sis Martin was the one who called home asking for my favorite meal. We ripped apart Bro Martin's roof and re-roofed it. We started at 7:00am. There were 8 missionaries. South, FSU, Spanish and us. We started to rip the roof apart. There was so much mold and rotted wood. We were surprised that the roof held our weight. Well almost. Elder Smith kind of fell through, and Elder Newin did fall through. We had to replace three of the existing beams and rip out all of the add-on's. It was a big project. Elder Smith and I decided to go work on the floor to clean it up a bit. There was so much stuff that had water damage. We through all of it out of the door. It was a nasty job, we found a rat skeleton. We continued to work and put up the new ribs for the roof. I took a lot of pictures. It looks really good. Elder Thurston and I had to leave early to go to a lesson, so I didn't get to see the end where they put all of the plywood down. Next week we're going to put on the metal roofing. More pictures!
Sunday was my favorite day. Our van key died. Not the van, just the key. We have one of those fancy electric ones, but it broke and our van wouldn't accept it. So we called Sister Harber and she gave us a brand new one! It feels like I just got a new car. It feels so good. :) Sunday was our Stake Conference. Since we didn't have to be there until 2 we went to see Sister Simmons and Glen. I'm not sure what to do with them. Sis Simmons really really wants Glen to get baptized and become a member. Glen wants to move to Gaddsen County and work with the Episcopal Church doing Evangelist stuff. I don't know who's going to bend. I really think that Glen should come to church, but at the place he's living he can't and he still has his ankle bracelet on. Its a tough situation, but we like Sis Simmons. Something good will come as long as she stays close to the Gospel. Guess what!! Next week is Fast and Testimony meeting. That means a testimony from Sis Simmons. Maybe I should bear mine too. Just to match it. :)
After our lesson we went to Stake conference. I've been to both Stake conferences in Tallahassee while I've been here. That was most than some! I felt at home being there. I knew almost everyone there and they knew me. I don't know what I'm going to do when I leave Tallahassee. During Stake conference they announced those who would be receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood. Three were from the Singles ward. Alan Espinoza was one of them. It was so cool to be there and watch Alan take the next step. Elder Perkins and I watched as Jared Anderson gave him the Priesthood. After we were talking and realized something. This time last year, at Stake Conference we met Jared and Alan. It was our first meeting and we gave him a Book of Mormon, a month later Alan was baptized and now, yesterday, he received the Melchizedek Priesthood one year later. And Elder Perkins and I were there with him for all of it. Alan is a true friend and will be forever. He is by far one of the greatest people I've ever met. He has the biggest heart, and the desire to serve. I love Alan so much.
That's it for my life on the Mission. I think its so cool that we can transition quickly from one priesthood leader to the next. It was a little rough for me in the beginning with President Jensen, but he has really taken the reins and is ready to go. Me too.
I love you all,
Elder Call
It was a fantastic week. We taught a lot, found a lot, got to rip apart a roof and then build a new one, and Alan Espinoza got the Melchizedek Priesthood. It was great.
Tuesday we drove to Crestview for ZLC. We didn't have any problems on the way or coming back. Good thing because you probably remember me telling you about how we didn't get the van fixed. It was a good day. I got to see my father and grandfather (mission family) at ZLC. I also got to talk to Elder Bond and Elder Merkley. They told me that they had the pleasure of meeting Bro Manwearing!!! Clarks brother is in Niceville and when he went out to see them the missionaries were there. They said you're doing fine and looking good Clark! President Jensen mentioned in our meeting about Elder Pearson coming to our mission. He will be here Sept 12, just before the BYU game. We will be going over a lot of things while we're there. We just got a huge list from President about what were supposed to prepare for.
Elder Thurston and I had a really good week finding people and teaching them. We were out working on Wednesday trying to find some potentials and new investigators. We were walking when a girl called out to us. She asked us if we were teaching Bible lessons. We were, kind of, and she invited us over to her home. It was a couple of blocks away, so we talked with her. She was in social services with a focus on Christianity. She things that only through God can you overcome certain things. I think she's on to something. We talked with her and when we got to her home we pulled out our Book of Mormon's. She got excited and said, "I'll go get mine." She had taken it from a Hotel, but she didn't know much about it. We talked with her for a while and set up another time to come back. She called us later in the week asking to reschedule, but she should be coming to church next week. It was a great lesson and we will bring the FSU sisters with us to the next lesson. While walking to our car from her apartment we ran into another girl, Kristen. She asked us if we go to church next to FSU and what time they started. We told her that it was us and we took her info down. Again, we gave her to the Sister missionaries. Two investigators for the Sisters, oh well, schools back in.
Friday was the ward's annual Southern Spread. "A Potluck on Steroids," as Bro Barabash would say. There were so many new faces there. We have a big hand full of newly weds moving into our ward. Its really weird when the girls are younger than the missionaries, but married with a kid. Its also very weird when you're the missionary serving and teaching them on campus, then they come to your family ward, because they got married. Its weird being a missionary here. Anyway, the southern spread was good and we met with a few new families who were less active. Bro Nathan has invited us to his home. He is the only member in his family, so we're excited to be working with him.
Saturday was long. We went to the Martin's for service. Sis Martin was the one who called home asking for my favorite meal. We ripped apart Bro Martin's roof and re-roofed it. We started at 7:00am. There were 8 missionaries. South, FSU, Spanish and us. We started to rip the roof apart. There was so much mold and rotted wood. We were surprised that the roof held our weight. Well almost. Elder Smith kind of fell through, and Elder Newin did fall through. We had to replace three of the existing beams and rip out all of the add-on's. It was a big project. Elder Smith and I decided to go work on the floor to clean it up a bit. There was so much stuff that had water damage. We through all of it out of the door. It was a nasty job, we found a rat skeleton. We continued to work and put up the new ribs for the roof. I took a lot of pictures. It looks really good. Elder Thurston and I had to leave early to go to a lesson, so I didn't get to see the end where they put all of the plywood down. Next week we're going to put on the metal roofing. More pictures!
Sunday was my favorite day. Our van key died. Not the van, just the key. We have one of those fancy electric ones, but it broke and our van wouldn't accept it. So we called Sister Harber and she gave us a brand new one! It feels like I just got a new car. It feels so good. :) Sunday was our Stake Conference. Since we didn't have to be there until 2 we went to see Sister Simmons and Glen. I'm not sure what to do with them. Sis Simmons really really wants Glen to get baptized and become a member. Glen wants to move to Gaddsen County and work with the Episcopal Church doing Evangelist stuff. I don't know who's going to bend. I really think that Glen should come to church, but at the place he's living he can't and he still has his ankle bracelet on. Its a tough situation, but we like Sis Simmons. Something good will come as long as she stays close to the Gospel. Guess what!! Next week is Fast and Testimony meeting. That means a testimony from Sis Simmons. Maybe I should bear mine too. Just to match it. :)
After our lesson we went to Stake conference. I've been to both Stake conferences in Tallahassee while I've been here. That was most than some! I felt at home being there. I knew almost everyone there and they knew me. I don't know what I'm going to do when I leave Tallahassee. During Stake conference they announced those who would be receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood. Three were from the Singles ward. Alan Espinoza was one of them. It was so cool to be there and watch Alan take the next step. Elder Perkins and I watched as Jared Anderson gave him the Priesthood. After we were talking and realized something. This time last year, at Stake Conference we met Jared and Alan. It was our first meeting and we gave him a Book of Mormon, a month later Alan was baptized and now, yesterday, he received the Melchizedek Priesthood one year later. And Elder Perkins and I were there with him for all of it. Alan is a true friend and will be forever. He is by far one of the greatest people I've ever met. He has the biggest heart, and the desire to serve. I love Alan so much.
That's it for my life on the Mission. I think its so cool that we can transition quickly from one priesthood leader to the next. It was a little rough for me in the beginning with President Jensen, but he has really taken the reins and is ready to go. Me too.
I love you all,
Elder Call
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Transfers Again!!
Hey Everyone,
Sounds like a party for Grandpa. haha. Hopefully it will sink in soon that he no longer has to do anything. Just what he wants. We just lost a senior couple in our mission. They had to go home early due to family complications. Tell Grandpa there is a vacancy up in Thomasville Georgia that needs to be filled. ;)
I got the package. Thank you. The medicine came right on time and the picture couldn't be any better. I was
sad that I couldn't go to the San Diego Temple. The Pictures were beautiful. Kristen, I thought you said you were cutting your hair? Any ways, it sucks that there is no Temple in our mission. Waiting two years is hard. It will be such a relief to go back and relearn everything again. Did you know that there are pineapple flavored popsicles in the package you sent me? They are very tasty.
Its transfer week again. I'm staying in Tallahassee for another transfer. My companion is leaving though. He is going to Tallahassee 3rd ward. My new companion is Elder Thurston. We were in the same MTC district. He is coming from Troy, AL. That means I get to train yet another one about the area. It does however make the transfer go by so much faster. These last six weeks was a blurr. Its going by so fast. I can't believe that school is starting soon. Everyone is moving back in to Tallahassee and I'm here yet again for the population growth. This transfer is going to be exciting though. BYU will be here this transfer, but that same weekend a member from the Seventy will be here. I'm not sure which one, but I'm pretty sure that its going to be awesome.
This week has been crazy. We have done so much driving I'm sick of the 'Man Van' and of course, Sis Simmons has blessed us with another story.
It seems like this week was the week for everyone to get sick. We spent all of Thursday and Friday morning driving the campus missionaries to their Doctors appointments, then we sat and waited for each of them to finish. Repercussions for when ya'll had to sit and wait on me? Maybe. Any ways, it was a long time to wait for each Missionary. I got through the Gospel of John during those days.
Sis Simmons has had some drama these last couple of days. Well, a lot of drama. Last Saturday was her birthday. We went and had a great time as you remember. Well we got a call the next day saying that her and Glen had broken up, she was no longer getting married and she through her ring across the field. Great, there goes our investigator! Sunday she didn't come to church, but we got a call that night saying that Terry will be studying with us on Tuesday. Terry? Yeah, he was the previous boyfriend who got sent to jail about 8 weeks ago. So Tuesday came and we went to Sis Simmons house and met with Terry and her. It wasn't too bad, we talked about what jail was like and what he thought about the Book of Mormon. We had tried to visit Terry while he was in Jail, but it takes six weeks to go through the process. Instead we left a Book of Mormon hoping that he would read. He did and he attended a bible study at the Jail while he was there. It was a good lesson and we committed him to come to church. Sis Simmons committed him to a little more. She committed him to baptism and into getting married on November 15th. Wow.
We were expecting Terry to come to church on Sunday, but things changed around on Friday. I got a call from Sis Simmons. She told me about how Terry did something wrong, he got kicked out of Sis Simmons home, and that Glen was back in her life. It was a lot of information to handle for me. In less than a week Sis Simmons has had two marriage dates with two different men. She flipped faster than Brother Beyer flipped the hamburgers last night. BTW, we went to a 1-year-olds birthday party yesterday, Brother Beyer was the chef. Sunday came and Terry wasn't there, but Sis Simmons was. She had a big Baptist hat on with feathers and ruffles and stuff. It was a grand event to see her there. Tomorrow we will be expecting Glen at Sis Simmons. Its going to be a rough road with Elder Faalogo leaving. Glen doesn't accept our message as easily without him.
I have some pictures to send to you, and something else. Elder Faalogo and I went to a play at the Moon. John Madden is a member in our ward who has a handicap
. We love him to death and he invited us to come. His band and him were opening for the show and He wanted us there really bad. So we went to support him. John was wearing a Tux and did great. At the play's intermission we went to go be with him. He showed us around and showed us some earrings that he made. They were huge! He used wire and beads to make some red earrings that are about 8 inches long. There was a lady there that had a son in the play. She came and bought Johns earrings. (I would have, but she beat me to it) As she was in line she made a funny comment. "I'm going to frame these, so they don't get ruined." haha. She knows how to be nice without putting any pressure on herself to wear them. John kept showing us around and we saw some shirts for his band. Of course I had to buy one. I'm wearing it right now. We are going to meet with John later today, so I have to represent. :)
Its been a fun week and I'm learning so much. I have so much more to learn and do. I feel really immature when I realize how far I need to go. Its great.
I love you all very much. School is starting soon. Have fun. ;)
Elder Call
Sounds like a party for Grandpa. haha. Hopefully it will sink in soon that he no longer has to do anything. Just what he wants. We just lost a senior couple in our mission. They had to go home early due to family complications. Tell Grandpa there is a vacancy up in Thomasville Georgia that needs to be filled. ;)
I got the package. Thank you. The medicine came right on time and the picture couldn't be any better. I was
sad that I couldn't go to the San Diego Temple. The Pictures were beautiful. Kristen, I thought you said you were cutting your hair? Any ways, it sucks that there is no Temple in our mission. Waiting two years is hard. It will be such a relief to go back and relearn everything again. Did you know that there are pineapple flavored popsicles in the package you sent me? They are very tasty.
Its transfer week again. I'm staying in Tallahassee for another transfer. My companion is leaving though. He is going to Tallahassee 3rd ward. My new companion is Elder Thurston. We were in the same MTC district. He is coming from Troy, AL. That means I get to train yet another one about the area. It does however make the transfer go by so much faster. These last six weeks was a blurr. Its going by so fast. I can't believe that school is starting soon. Everyone is moving back in to Tallahassee and I'm here yet again for the population growth. This transfer is going to be exciting though. BYU will be here this transfer, but that same weekend a member from the Seventy will be here. I'm not sure which one, but I'm pretty sure that its going to be awesome.
This week has been crazy. We have done so much driving I'm sick of the 'Man Van' and of course, Sis Simmons has blessed us with another story.
It seems like this week was the week for everyone to get sick. We spent all of Thursday and Friday morning driving the campus missionaries to their Doctors appointments, then we sat and waited for each of them to finish. Repercussions for when ya'll had to sit and wait on me? Maybe. Any ways, it was a long time to wait for each Missionary. I got through the Gospel of John during those days.
Sis Simmons has had some drama these last couple of days. Well, a lot of drama. Last Saturday was her birthday. We went and had a great time as you remember. Well we got a call the next day saying that her and Glen had broken up, she was no longer getting married and she through her ring across the field. Great, there goes our investigator! Sunday she didn't come to church, but we got a call that night saying that Terry will be studying with us on Tuesday. Terry? Yeah, he was the previous boyfriend who got sent to jail about 8 weeks ago. So Tuesday came and we went to Sis Simmons house and met with Terry and her. It wasn't too bad, we talked about what jail was like and what he thought about the Book of Mormon. We had tried to visit Terry while he was in Jail, but it takes six weeks to go through the process. Instead we left a Book of Mormon hoping that he would read. He did and he attended a bible study at the Jail while he was there. It was a good lesson and we committed him to come to church. Sis Simmons committed him to a little more. She committed him to baptism and into getting married on November 15th. Wow.
We were expecting Terry to come to church on Sunday, but things changed around on Friday. I got a call from Sis Simmons. She told me about how Terry did something wrong, he got kicked out of Sis Simmons home, and that Glen was back in her life. It was a lot of information to handle for me. In less than a week Sis Simmons has had two marriage dates with two different men. She flipped faster than Brother Beyer flipped the hamburgers last night. BTW, we went to a 1-year-olds birthday party yesterday, Brother Beyer was the chef. Sunday came and Terry wasn't there, but Sis Simmons was. She had a big Baptist hat on with feathers and ruffles and stuff. It was a grand event to see her there. Tomorrow we will be expecting Glen at Sis Simmons. Its going to be a rough road with Elder Faalogo leaving. Glen doesn't accept our message as easily without him.
I have some pictures to send to you, and something else. Elder Faalogo and I went to a play at the Moon. John Madden is a member in our ward who has a handicap
. We love him to death and he invited us to come. His band and him were opening for the show and He wanted us there really bad. So we went to support him. John was wearing a Tux and did great. At the play's intermission we went to go be with him. He showed us around and showed us some earrings that he made. They were huge! He used wire and beads to make some red earrings that are about 8 inches long. There was a lady there that had a son in the play. She came and bought Johns earrings. (I would have, but she beat me to it) As she was in line she made a funny comment. "I'm going to frame these, so they don't get ruined." haha. She knows how to be nice without putting any pressure on herself to wear them. John kept showing us around and we saw some shirts for his band. Of course I had to buy one. I'm wearing it right now. We are going to meet with John later today, so I have to represent. :)
Its been a fun week and I'm learning so much. I have so much more to learn and do. I feel really immature when I realize how far I need to go. Its great.
I love you all very much. School is starting soon. Have fun. ;)
Elder Call
Monday, August 9, 2010
Wild Week
Hey Everyone,
This week has been crazy. Most of the stories comes from Sis Simmons. So much to tell, so little time. JK ;)
I went on a trade-off with Elder Wardle this week. He has only been in the field for 3 weeks. Naturally he had a lot of questions. We went to their District meeting on campus, then we took off for Sis Simmons. Glen was there and we had a great discussion with them. Afterwards we watch the Restoration. We thought that it would give Glen a perspective on the beginnings of the church. Well, it did the opposite. Glen didn't like the movie because of all the white people. "Why can't there be any black people?" He would ask. Since Elder Faalogo was gone, nothing we could say would help the issue, because we are white. He also told us that he doesn't like to watch any videos about Jesus Christ because they are all Jews. "Why can't they throw in a Chinese person or someone?" It was really sad, because Glen is such a smart guy, but he couldn't get over the fact that there were no blacks in the movie. It was really sad.
We took off to go see the Hoods, who are doing great, then went back an hour later to eat dinner at Sis Simmons. I can now say that I have had true southern food. No more of this spaghetti and pizza and other Mormon foods. We had mac'n'cheese, collard greens, baked beans, chicken and corn bread. My plate was full of stuff as Sis Simmons handed it to me. Wow. The mac'n'cheese was alright. The collard greens were more sour than a pickle in lemon juice. The baked beans had something in it that I couldn't recognize. I think the chicken was undercooked. Last of all, the corn bread. It was actually the best corn bread I've ever tasted! I'm serious! It was delicious and I would not mind eating that again. However it was a night that I wouldn't mind not re-living again.
The next day Elder Wardle and I went to the Ronald McDonald house for service, then we drove out to President Campbell's house for more service. We gave Sis Campbell some cookies to thank her for driving Sis Simmons to church each week. After shoveling some bark for President Campbell we went to see Rachel Crowley. Do you guys remember Rachel? She was the first baptism I was able to participate in. She lives just around the block from President Campbell, so we went by to say hi. She is doing great. She has had a rough year, but is doing and looking much better. Elder Wardle and I then went to find and teach a few people. We were planning on trading back that night at the church to play ultimate Frisbee with the singles ward. We got there and only Marcus Jones was there. (BTW: Marcus' brother is the guy on the New Spice commercial that BYU put out. The one about going to the Library. Haha, very funny)
Thursday and Friday went by fast. On Friday we helped a family move. We got a call from Crestview saying that a family needed help. They weren't members, but they had family who was. So we accepted the call to help them. We showed up at their apartment to find that it was two college girls and their mother. Oh goodie (said/written very sarcastically). We had to move all of their stuff into a truck, then come back 4 hours later to move it from the truck into their new apartment. We invited them to come to the BYU Fireside on the 17th of Sept. They said they might come with their cousin, who is a big BYU fan. As we were leaving one of the girls mentioned that Sorority Week was coming soon. I remember last years, and I can't believe that I'll be here for another one.
Saturday, the best day of the week. First we helped Bro Bingham move out of his house in Tallahassee to his new home in Quincy. Well before we knew it we were past Quincy and in Greensboro at his In-Laws house 45 min away from Tallahassee. Yeah, long morning. Afternoon came fast though, mostly in anticipation for Sis Simmons birthday party. She turned 50 years old on Saturday! Hooray! We had a nice little testimony meeting. Everyone was given a chance to share. Then we ate. Yes, that meant that Tuesday was repeating itself. I was eating at Sis Simmons yet again. I did get a chance to talk with Sis Williams, Sis Simmons mother. She said that she would like to meet with us and that she hasn't been able to put the Book of Mormon down. Reading until 2 and 3 in the morning. I love the Book of Mormon, but I don't think I've ever loved it that much. We are going to keep in close contact with Sis Simmons and her mother, Sis Williams.
Well that was my week. I got a letter from Grandpa Call saying that they are selling the California Beach House. Sad, but I know that won't stop us from going to California, right?
I love you all and I pray that the summer will end soon. School is starting soon, transfers are next week, and BYU is on their way to Florida.
Love Elder Call
This week has been crazy. Most of the stories comes from Sis Simmons. So much to tell, so little time. JK ;)
I went on a trade-off with Elder Wardle this week. He has only been in the field for 3 weeks. Naturally he had a lot of questions. We went to their District meeting on campus, then we took off for Sis Simmons. Glen was there and we had a great discussion with them. Afterwards we watch the Restoration. We thought that it would give Glen a perspective on the beginnings of the church. Well, it did the opposite. Glen didn't like the movie because of all the white people. "Why can't there be any black people?" He would ask. Since Elder Faalogo was gone, nothing we could say would help the issue, because we are white. He also told us that he doesn't like to watch any videos about Jesus Christ because they are all Jews. "Why can't they throw in a Chinese person or someone?" It was really sad, because Glen is such a smart guy, but he couldn't get over the fact that there were no blacks in the movie. It was really sad.
We took off to go see the Hoods, who are doing great, then went back an hour later to eat dinner at Sis Simmons. I can now say that I have had true southern food. No more of this spaghetti and pizza and other Mormon foods. We had mac'n'cheese, collard greens, baked beans, chicken and corn bread. My plate was full of stuff as Sis Simmons handed it to me. Wow. The mac'n'cheese was alright. The collard greens were more sour than a pickle in lemon juice. The baked beans had something in it that I couldn't recognize. I think the chicken was undercooked. Last of all, the corn bread. It was actually the best corn bread I've ever tasted! I'm serious! It was delicious and I would not mind eating that again. However it was a night that I wouldn't mind not re-living again.
The next day Elder Wardle and I went to the Ronald McDonald house for service, then we drove out to President Campbell's house for more service. We gave Sis Campbell some cookies to thank her for driving Sis Simmons to church each week. After shoveling some bark for President Campbell we went to see Rachel Crowley. Do you guys remember Rachel? She was the first baptism I was able to participate in. She lives just around the block from President Campbell, so we went by to say hi. She is doing great. She has had a rough year, but is doing and looking much better. Elder Wardle and I then went to find and teach a few people. We were planning on trading back that night at the church to play ultimate Frisbee with the singles ward. We got there and only Marcus Jones was there. (BTW: Marcus' brother is the guy on the New Spice commercial that BYU put out. The one about going to the Library. Haha, very funny)
Thursday and Friday went by fast. On Friday we helped a family move. We got a call from Crestview saying that a family needed help. They weren't members, but they had family who was. So we accepted the call to help them. We showed up at their apartment to find that it was two college girls and their mother. Oh goodie (said/written very sarcastically). We had to move all of their stuff into a truck, then come back 4 hours later to move it from the truck into their new apartment. We invited them to come to the BYU Fireside on the 17th of Sept. They said they might come with their cousin, who is a big BYU fan. As we were leaving one of the girls mentioned that Sorority Week was coming soon. I remember last years, and I can't believe that I'll be here for another one.
Saturday, the best day of the week. First we helped Bro Bingham move out of his house in Tallahassee to his new home in Quincy. Well before we knew it we were past Quincy and in Greensboro at his In-Laws house 45 min away from Tallahassee. Yeah, long morning. Afternoon came fast though, mostly in anticipation for Sis Simmons birthday party. She turned 50 years old on Saturday! Hooray! We had a nice little testimony meeting. Everyone was given a chance to share. Then we ate. Yes, that meant that Tuesday was repeating itself. I was eating at Sis Simmons yet again. I did get a chance to talk with Sis Williams, Sis Simmons mother. She said that she would like to meet with us and that she hasn't been able to put the Book of Mormon down. Reading until 2 and 3 in the morning. I love the Book of Mormon, but I don't think I've ever loved it that much. We are going to keep in close contact with Sis Simmons and her mother, Sis Williams.
Well that was my week. I got a letter from Grandpa Call saying that they are selling the California Beach House. Sad, but I know that won't stop us from going to California, right?
I love you all and I pray that the summer will end soon. School is starting soon, transfers are next week, and BYU is on their way to Florida.
Love Elder Call
Monday, August 2, 2010
New Photos of Elder Call
Carnival came to town - Investigator John Madden
Sword play with investigator John Madden
Finding a Gator at Wakalla.
Volunteering at the Special Olympics
Kevin Ketcham's Baptism
Hiking in Wakalla looking for Gators....
It's August...
Hey Ya'll,
I can't believe that its August already. This is the last August I will have on the mission. I'm done with June and July too, yipee!! I didn't know that President Jensen called, but I will let him know that his message was greatly appreciated. I'm glad that people think I'm doing a good job, especially if its President.
Tallahassee is hotter than ever. Its reached 104 multiple times this last week. It makes getting out and talking to people dificult. Standing in their doorway, with sweat dripping off my face is not exactly the way we want to present ourselves to the people. However, we keep working and the sweat keeps dripping. Its been abnormally dry lately. That makes the heat rise because there is no rain to cool it off. Its like we're caught between a rock and a hard place though. Without the rain it gets supper hot cause there's nothing to cool it off. With the rain the humidity shoots right up making it hard to breathe and easy to sweat. Either way it sucks. We've been drinking so much fluids. I've never seen so many empty Gatorade bottles since I was home (no one can beat our house in Gatorade bottles). Its been a good week with the heat anyway.
We weren't able to get Angel to church this week. That means her baptismal date is going to be pushed back until later in August. Sis Simmons joined us for church though. During the week she told us that she wasn't going to be able to make it. We met with them on Thursday and Sis Simmons said that she has some important business that she needed to take care of on Sunday. We told her that we would miss her, we told her that Angel needs to come if she wants to get baptized, we told her that Sis Campbell would come pick her up. None of these helped the issue. "I'll miss you too, I want to be there," was all she would say. So we played the trump card. Any idea what that would be? Probably not, since none of you know Sis Simmons, but the trump card is 'Fast and Testimony Meeting'. Sis Simmons LOVES to bear her testimony. We told her that because its the first of the month its Testimony meeting on Sunday and that we would love to hear her testimony. Well that won her heart faster than she could say "Hallelujah, praise Jesus!" Sis Simmons called us the next day saying that she was going to be at church, "God willing," of course. Well Sis Simmons did show up to church. Angel couldn't make it, but Sis Simmons was there in all white ready to bear her testimony. Before Brother Thomas finished announcing that the meeting was open to everyone to share, Sis Simmons was half way up the stand. She got up and bore an awesome testimony. One only Sis Simmons could share. And as always, the phrase, "I've been off of Crack and Cocaine for 11 years," did come up. We love Sis Simmons to death. I don't know if I shared with you, but the other week she shared with us how she stabbed a guy ten times for laying hands on her. Yeesh, I'm not doing that blessing.
Zone Conference was great. As I predicted, President Jensen learned so much from the previous zone conferences and was ready to go. President Campbell, from the Stake Presidency, was there and shared with us the goals for the Stake and how we can help the Ward Leaders and members. It was great and we've been trying to implement them into our ward. So far so good. President Jensen taught us about the authority and who is in charge of missionary work; Stake Presidents and Bishops. President Campbell confirmed that when he got up and spoke to us. Sis Jensen taught us too. She was a first grade teacher before, so we had little handouts, a few game type activities and then an object lesson. It wasn't bad, but I felt like a first grader. Zone Conference overall was great. Afterward we were talking one with another. BYU is coming soon. On the 17th, or 16th, BYU is doing a fireside at the stake center and a tailgate party on Game day. Elder Brinkerhoff's dad is in charge of the Fireside and tailgate party, he said that we as missionaries may get the chance to feed and serve everyone during the tailgate. Either way, its going to be awesome and I'm going to request to stay in Tallahassee, for sure!!
I love you all and I"m so grateful for the support that you give me. For all the things I've learned from you and continue to learn from you. Thank you.
Love Elder Call
Ties that Bind:
Hey Brother's!!
I can't believe that its August already. This is the last August I will have on the mission. I'm done with June and July too, yipee!! I didn't know that President Jensen called, but I will let him know that his message was greatly appreciated. I'm glad that people think I'm doing a good job, especially if its President.
Tallahassee is hotter than ever. Its reached 104 multiple times this last week. It makes getting out and talking to people dificult. Standing in their doorway, with sweat dripping off my face is not exactly the way we want to present ourselves to the people. However, we keep working and the sweat keeps dripping. Its been abnormally dry lately. That makes the heat rise because there is no rain to cool it off. Its like we're caught between a rock and a hard place though. Without the rain it gets supper hot cause there's nothing to cool it off. With the rain the humidity shoots right up making it hard to breathe and easy to sweat. Either way it sucks. We've been drinking so much fluids. I've never seen so many empty Gatorade bottles since I was home (no one can beat our house in Gatorade bottles). Its been a good week with the heat anyway.
We weren't able to get Angel to church this week. That means her baptismal date is going to be pushed back until later in August. Sis Simmons joined us for church though. During the week she told us that she wasn't going to be able to make it. We met with them on Thursday and Sis Simmons said that she has some important business that she needed to take care of on Sunday. We told her that we would miss her, we told her that Angel needs to come if she wants to get baptized, we told her that Sis Campbell would come pick her up. None of these helped the issue. "I'll miss you too, I want to be there," was all she would say. So we played the trump card. Any idea what that would be? Probably not, since none of you know Sis Simmons, but the trump card is 'Fast and Testimony Meeting'. Sis Simmons LOVES to bear her testimony. We told her that because its the first of the month its Testimony meeting on Sunday and that we would love to hear her testimony. Well that won her heart faster than she could say "Hallelujah, praise Jesus!" Sis Simmons called us the next day saying that she was going to be at church, "God willing," of course. Well Sis Simmons did show up to church. Angel couldn't make it, but Sis Simmons was there in all white ready to bear her testimony. Before Brother Thomas finished announcing that the meeting was open to everyone to share, Sis Simmons was half way up the stand. She got up and bore an awesome testimony. One only Sis Simmons could share. And as always, the phrase, "I've been off of Crack and Cocaine for 11 years," did come up. We love Sis Simmons to death. I don't know if I shared with you, but the other week she shared with us how she stabbed a guy ten times for laying hands on her. Yeesh, I'm not doing that blessing.
Zone Conference was great. As I predicted, President Jensen learned so much from the previous zone conferences and was ready to go. President Campbell, from the Stake Presidency, was there and shared with us the goals for the Stake and how we can help the Ward Leaders and members. It was great and we've been trying to implement them into our ward. So far so good. President Jensen taught us about the authority and who is in charge of missionary work; Stake Presidents and Bishops. President Campbell confirmed that when he got up and spoke to us. Sis Jensen taught us too. She was a first grade teacher before, so we had little handouts, a few game type activities and then an object lesson. It wasn't bad, but I felt like a first grader. Zone Conference overall was great. Afterward we were talking one with another. BYU is coming soon. On the 17th, or 16th, BYU is doing a fireside at the stake center and a tailgate party on Game day. Elder Brinkerhoff's dad is in charge of the Fireside and tailgate party, he said that we as missionaries may get the chance to feed and serve everyone during the tailgate. Either way, its going to be awesome and I'm going to request to stay in Tallahassee, for sure!!
I love you all and I"m so grateful for the support that you give me. For all the things I've learned from you and continue to learn from you. Thank you.
Love Elder Call
Ties that Bind:
Hey Brother's!!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Transfers; again!
Hello Everyone,
Another week has gone by, another transfer is done, and Kristen is now 19!! Congrats!!
Elder Tew goes home on Wednesday. My new companion is Elder Faalogo (Fa-a-long-o). He is Polynesian and from Utah. When I was on TCC he was on FAMU for a little bit. He is a great Elder who can dance, jump and work hard. He wants to play volleyball for BYU. That should give you a little taste of how high he can jump. Its been a tough transfer working with Elder Tew. He has been ready to go home since I got here in Tallahassee. He has kind of given up on the working. He says he's now in "Overtime Work". Haha, but I'm going to miss him anyway. He goes home to Reno, Nevada.
This week was filled with crazy events. One included a video of me, in first person shooter mode, with a can of silly string (thanks to Shannon), attacking the other Elders in the Apartment. By the way, that silly string smelled so bad!! It was rancid. I'll send you the video and other pictures soon, but I haven't gotten the second memory card. Do you guys still have it?
The other moment that made this week epic, was Sister Simmons. This woman is out of control, but we love her to death. We met with her on Tuesday. Angel was there and we talked about faith and action. It was a great lesson. Afterwards Sis Simmons invited us to her Testimony meeting on Saturday night. How could we pass up that opportunity. The occasion - Sis Simmons has been off of drugs for 11 years, and I think she's been a member for 11 years too. Anyways, we made sure we were there. Saturday came, we played basketball in the park, helped brother Ohlen move into his new apartment and made our way over to Sis Simmons. Everyone was there. Her daughters, her mother, her ex-sister-in-law and her ex-mother-in-law, her boyfriend Glen and his friend, Sis Simmons best friend Rosey and her husband, and a few others I didn't know. The place was packed. Bro Glen led the fine service. It was a Baptist event if I've ever seen one. Clapping, praising, yelling, shouting, repeating "Thank you Lord Jesus" and "Praise you Lord Jesus" all the time. It was intense. Then, to our lovely surprise, Bro Glen asked the four of us missionaries to take a turn to speak about Sis Simmons. I was asked to go first and had no idea what to say. So I pulled the missionary card, and testified about the Book of Mormon. Told everyone there that it was the reason Sis Simmons was there today. Then I ran out of things to say and sat down. Elder Tew got up and shared something similar. He got a little bit more into the Baptist moment. Elder Shummway was next. Elder Chidester was last. Now, you won't really get the same effect because you don't know Elder Chidester, but he really got into the moment and was clappin' and shoutin' and other things. He could start his own church if he wanted to, he was that good. :) Bro Glen got up once more. He told us about how he had been in jail for 20 years, just got out a couple months ago, found God while in their, and wanted to change his life around. (Don't worry mom, he didn't look like an ex-con, just a poor business man)Sounded pretty sincere to us. Then he did the most crazy thing of all. He proposed to Sis Simmons right there on the spot. . . . . . . . . uh . . . yeah, we had know idea what to do. There is some good in that proposal though, Sis Simmons made a commitment not to have any man living with her, unless they were married. So Glen needs to get married to Sis Simmons before she'll let him move in. Go Sis Simmons!!
After the Wonderful service, we handed out several copies of the Book of Mormon. We even got Glen to commit to come to church, but Sis Simmons called us Sunday morning to tell us she wasn't going to make it. Oh, well. We now have a good size teaching pool, all because of Sis Simmons. Who Knew!?!
This week has been great. I feel so happy. Reading about the fathers and sons is awesome. I see so much of what I was, what I should have been, what I shouldn't have been, what Dad is, what I want to be as a father. Its awesome and really easy to relate to the members and investigators. I love it. The Book of Mormon really has a power that will change behavior. If you're feeling down, read the Book of Mormon. Its the best prescribed medicine that the Lord can give you. Truly!!
I love you all. You probably won't get this until you're done with Trek. Good luck and have a fun time!!
Love Elder Call
Another week has gone by, another transfer is done, and Kristen is now 19!! Congrats!!
Elder Tew goes home on Wednesday. My new companion is Elder Faalogo (Fa-a-long-o). He is Polynesian and from Utah. When I was on TCC he was on FAMU for a little bit. He is a great Elder who can dance, jump and work hard. He wants to play volleyball for BYU. That should give you a little taste of how high he can jump. Its been a tough transfer working with Elder Tew. He has been ready to go home since I got here in Tallahassee. He has kind of given up on the working. He says he's now in "Overtime Work". Haha, but I'm going to miss him anyway. He goes home to Reno, Nevada.
This week was filled with crazy events. One included a video of me, in first person shooter mode, with a can of silly string (thanks to Shannon), attacking the other Elders in the Apartment. By the way, that silly string smelled so bad!! It was rancid. I'll send you the video and other pictures soon, but I haven't gotten the second memory card. Do you guys still have it?
The other moment that made this week epic, was Sister Simmons. This woman is out of control, but we love her to death. We met with her on Tuesday. Angel was there and we talked about faith and action. It was a great lesson. Afterwards Sis Simmons invited us to her Testimony meeting on Saturday night. How could we pass up that opportunity. The occasion - Sis Simmons has been off of drugs for 11 years, and I think she's been a member for 11 years too. Anyways, we made sure we were there. Saturday came, we played basketball in the park, helped brother Ohlen move into his new apartment and made our way over to Sis Simmons. Everyone was there. Her daughters, her mother, her ex-sister-in-law and her ex-mother-in-law, her boyfriend Glen and his friend, Sis Simmons best friend Rosey and her husband, and a few others I didn't know. The place was packed. Bro Glen led the fine service. It was a Baptist event if I've ever seen one. Clapping, praising, yelling, shouting, repeating "Thank you Lord Jesus" and "Praise you Lord Jesus" all the time. It was intense. Then, to our lovely surprise, Bro Glen asked the four of us missionaries to take a turn to speak about Sis Simmons. I was asked to go first and had no idea what to say. So I pulled the missionary card, and testified about the Book of Mormon. Told everyone there that it was the reason Sis Simmons was there today. Then I ran out of things to say and sat down. Elder Tew got up and shared something similar. He got a little bit more into the Baptist moment. Elder Shummway was next. Elder Chidester was last. Now, you won't really get the same effect because you don't know Elder Chidester, but he really got into the moment and was clappin' and shoutin' and other things. He could start his own church if he wanted to, he was that good. :) Bro Glen got up once more. He told us about how he had been in jail for 20 years, just got out a couple months ago, found God while in their, and wanted to change his life around. (Don't worry mom, he didn't look like an ex-con, just a poor business man)Sounded pretty sincere to us. Then he did the most crazy thing of all. He proposed to Sis Simmons right there on the spot. . . . . . . . . uh . . . yeah, we had know idea what to do. There is some good in that proposal though, Sis Simmons made a commitment not to have any man living with her, unless they were married. So Glen needs to get married to Sis Simmons before she'll let him move in. Go Sis Simmons!!
After the Wonderful service, we handed out several copies of the Book of Mormon. We even got Glen to commit to come to church, but Sis Simmons called us Sunday morning to tell us she wasn't going to make it. Oh, well. We now have a good size teaching pool, all because of Sis Simmons. Who Knew!?!
This week has been great. I feel so happy. Reading about the fathers and sons is awesome. I see so much of what I was, what I should have been, what I shouldn't have been, what Dad is, what I want to be as a father. Its awesome and really easy to relate to the members and investigators. I love it. The Book of Mormon really has a power that will change behavior. If you're feeling down, read the Book of Mormon. Its the best prescribed medicine that the Lord can give you. Truly!!
I love you all. You probably won't get this until you're done with Trek. Good luck and have a fun time!!
Love Elder Call
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