Hey Mom and everyone else. ;)
I'm really glad that Clark is doing so well. Just reading about your one week experience at the U has brought back so many wonderful memories. I loved being there and being apart of something so cool. Bishop Clements is amazing and the young single adults in that ward are off the charts. There were so many others who worked just as hard, if not harder than I did to bring others back to the safety of the Gospel. Me and Clark just clicked, and that's sometimes all it takes.
As for BYU. There is a member here in Florida who reminds me a lot of Grandpa Call. Brother Conger only has one kid, but he is at BYU and Brother Conger himself is from BYU. He continues to watch sports and follow the team, although not as avidly as Grandpa. He let us know the score of the game and many members who are also BYU alumi have been telling us about Jimmer and how he is off the charts. I have also been getting reports about how bad Utah is right now. haha. funny.
This last week has been hard. We have had many appointments fall through and it seems with Seth and Matt Chabot we have hit a brick wall. Matt says were forcing him and Seth wants a tattoo. Ugh. However we have big plans for them this week. We are taking Brother O'Maley with us on Tuesday and Brother Bronson on Thursday. Both are Air Force, the one being a F-35 Pilot and the other a doctor. Both are apart of the young mens and have been huge influences on the Chabot family. We are going to try and get them a couple of steps closer to baptism. Bro Bronson is really excited for the lesson because they have just purchased a replica of the Liahona. We are going to try and use that to teach an object lesson. FUN!
Spring time is coming. There have already been signs. Cars are being covered by a green layer of pollen. And I mean covered. Think of a light snow in Utah, that is green. And it doesn't melt. For the last three days my sinus' have been shot. I feel like I've been banging my forehead on the wall in the same spot for the last three days. Its only my forehead, just above the nose. Painful I tell you. However, I've been taking my medicine, and medicine on top of my medicine and a lot of orange juice as well. Just to try and keep up. I'm doing better today and have been doing a lot better over all this winter. It's been great. I have only been sick a few times, unlike last winter when I was sick from Thanksgiving to April. It's been good here.
Tomorrow is going to be exciting. We are having a multi-zone conference in Pensecola. There we will be taught by Elder Alan F Packer of the seventy. We are very excited to listen to him, and because President promised us all red ties. ;) I'll tell you how it goes.
Love Elder Call
Elder Call
Off to the MTC
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Surprise!!
Hey everyone,
I know you weren't expecting an e-mail today, neither was I. However here we are at the college e-mailing our families. President is really inconsistent with Holidays. I'm sure that because his schedule is just as crazy as ours he doesn't really notice them as much as he did then. All of the days are rolled up into one big one. The world just keeps revolving and changing and we just keep trucking along not really knowing or caring about what's going on around us. Its a pretty cool feeling to have and I'm sad that it won't last long.
There have been a lot of changes in our area. We just got Elder Mudaliar and we now have two companionships. Elder Bell and Elder Mudaliar. Elder North and me. They have the east half and we have the west. Both areas have their advantages, mine is I don't have to drive a van. haha. ;) Its great! We ride our bikes everywhere, walk and just enjoy not having the responsibility of a car. Elder Bell is now the designated driver and I can do whatever I want to in the back. It is a blast!!
With the new area our teaching pool has been hacked in half. We have been trying to find more people to teach and praying that the ones that Elder Bell and Elder Mudaliar are teaching keep progressing. Like Kenneth. I mentioned him last week, but it seems to be worse. We went to teach him on Monday and he didn't want anything to do with us. After talking to him for a while we once again were on good terms and he was ready for baptism, but he got worse over the week. When Elder Bell went to go pick him up for church he said he wasn't going. This will be the second obvious person who has been touched by the spirit and then chooses not to follow it. I know that they have their agency and that I should and do respect it, but its hard. I just want to tell him everything and allow him to see with his spiritual eyes. If he could just see what is waiting for him he wouldn't question anything, but jump right in. The same thing happens to me all the time. I don't know what's on the other side. A lot of times a trial comes in my life that just looks like a giant mountain. We see the beautiful valleys with flowing streams and the constant waterfalls, but the Lord tells us to go up the mountain. Straight up! It looks impossible and at times we may feel like we have come to the face of cliff. With nowhere to go, but up. Through it all we learn faith, diligence and a whole lot of patience. However, like Kenneth, if we don't start on the path we will never reach the top, we will never find out what it is that we are missing. Nobody could tell us about, nor could they give us a picture, because it would mean nothing to us. To truly feel the joy, we need to be where the Lord wants us, on top of the mountain. (BTW; its really hard to give a mountain analogy when you haven't seen mountains for almost 2 years)
This week is looking promising. I don't have to drive the van. I get to ride my bike in beautiful 70 degree weather. The Chabots are doing very well and close to baptism. Elder North and I are a great companionship. Its Megan's birthday and I have something to send her, sorry its late. What a week it'll be!!!
Love Elder Call
I know you weren't expecting an e-mail today, neither was I. However here we are at the college e-mailing our families. President is really inconsistent with Holidays. I'm sure that because his schedule is just as crazy as ours he doesn't really notice them as much as he did then. All of the days are rolled up into one big one. The world just keeps revolving and changing and we just keep trucking along not really knowing or caring about what's going on around us. Its a pretty cool feeling to have and I'm sad that it won't last long.
There have been a lot of changes in our area. We just got Elder Mudaliar and we now have two companionships. Elder Bell and Elder Mudaliar. Elder North and me. They have the east half and we have the west. Both areas have their advantages, mine is I don't have to drive a van. haha. ;) Its great! We ride our bikes everywhere, walk and just enjoy not having the responsibility of a car. Elder Bell is now the designated driver and I can do whatever I want to in the back. It is a blast!!
With the new area our teaching pool has been hacked in half. We have been trying to find more people to teach and praying that the ones that Elder Bell and Elder Mudaliar are teaching keep progressing. Like Kenneth. I mentioned him last week, but it seems to be worse. We went to teach him on Monday and he didn't want anything to do with us. After talking to him for a while we once again were on good terms and he was ready for baptism, but he got worse over the week. When Elder Bell went to go pick him up for church he said he wasn't going. This will be the second obvious person who has been touched by the spirit and then chooses not to follow it. I know that they have their agency and that I should and do respect it, but its hard. I just want to tell him everything and allow him to see with his spiritual eyes. If he could just see what is waiting for him he wouldn't question anything, but jump right in. The same thing happens to me all the time. I don't know what's on the other side. A lot of times a trial comes in my life that just looks like a giant mountain. We see the beautiful valleys with flowing streams and the constant waterfalls, but the Lord tells us to go up the mountain. Straight up! It looks impossible and at times we may feel like we have come to the face of cliff. With nowhere to go, but up. Through it all we learn faith, diligence and a whole lot of patience. However, like Kenneth, if we don't start on the path we will never reach the top, we will never find out what it is that we are missing. Nobody could tell us about, nor could they give us a picture, because it would mean nothing to us. To truly feel the joy, we need to be where the Lord wants us, on top of the mountain. (BTW; its really hard to give a mountain analogy when you haven't seen mountains for almost 2 years)
This week is looking promising. I don't have to drive the van. I get to ride my bike in beautiful 70 degree weather. The Chabots are doing very well and close to baptism. Elder North and I are a great companionship. Its Megan's birthday and I have something to send her, sorry its late. What a week it'll be!!!
Love Elder Call
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Late Letter
Hi,
Sorry about last weeks letter and this weeks letter. It seems that it had trouble sending last weeks and we've been super busy here this week. We had another big P-Day down in Destin with the Panama City Zone. This time we took Seth with us. He loved it. He doesn't have anyone to hang out with him. He doesn't go to school, play sports, or really have any friends. We talked to his grandfather today and he said that Seth really looks up to us as 'role models'. I don't know if its best to be taking after me, but I guess I turned out ok. We took him with us first to a park, but we got kicked out because it was a private park, so we went to the beach. The same place we went last time. It was a blast!! Seth played football with us and on the way home we shot marshmallows at the others missionaries cars. We got a couple into their windows.
I know I forgot to mention, but I got grandma's package with the med's. Yum. Thank you.
Zack Chabot is officially a member. Elder Bell dunked him and his grandfather gave him the Holy Ghost. It was great for everyone involved! There were a lot of members and his Primary Class was there too! So much support!! Now half of the Chabot family are now members. We are working on getting them ready, before March 5. Yeah that's my b-day, but thats not whats important. We found out that the ward is going to have a Ward Temple Trip that day. If Seth can get baptized he can go to the Temple with Alisha and Kelsey! They will be able to go inside this time too. That is our goal for them.
We met a new guy last week. His name is Kenneth. Every time we go over there he feels the spirit and knows that it is true, however, anytime something good in your life comes, something bad has to match it. We taught him the Plan of Salvation. It was very personal to him because he had just recently lost his wife and son. He is now living alone with what he calls his 'girl friend'. A little Dog about the size of my foot. We taught about temples and preparing him to live with his family forever. He was prepared and ready for it. Two days later we went back and brought Bro Howell with us. Kenneth was in his back yard working on his Garden. We went to say hi to him and the first thing he asked us was, "Are you guys Jehovah Witnesses?" We spent some time explaining that we were not and taught him the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After the lesson we asked if he would be baptized? He said yes. Elder Bell asked if he would be baptized on March 5. (There's that day again) Again he said yet. We asked if he would come to church with us? You get the picture right? He said he would be waiting outside at 8:30. I went with Bro Cooper to go pick him up and sure enough, we pulled up at 8:30 and there Kenneth was ready to go to chruch. It was very nice. We gave him a tour of the chruch building showing him everything and introducing him to everyone. He loved it. All he could say was, 'I feel God's presence.'
We went back today. Again Kenneth was out back working in his garden when we came. When we came up to talk to him something was different about his countance. He asked this time if we were mormons. We said yes. He said 'I don't think I can be with you anymore.' Not again, was all I was thinking. Karren Barrett said the same thing to us. After feeling the spirit, she deceided to walk away from it. We talked to Kenneth for a while and answered his questions. He had been talking to his Sister-in-law and she had told him some things about us that put doubts in his mind. After talking to him the doubts went away and he felt good again. (BTW: a squirrel fell out of a tree while we were teaching. really funny) He said that there was a lot of opposition coming and that his family wouldn't like him joining. We talked to him about it and he agreed that it was the right thing to do. To get baptized and on the path to be with his wife again. Kenneth is a perfect example of the quick responses that Satan has on someone who is about to make a big change based on what they felt from the spirit. Kenneth is not a bad person, he just sits around and does nothing, and that is his problem. The Lord's gospel and teachings require work. Lots and lots of work. There is no retiring from it. There is no rest. Just work and more work. I love it.
That has been my week. It seems like everything is moving quickly. Kristen reminded me that 4 months is all I have left. As we played football I realized how old I was to the other missionaries. The end is very near.
My Birthday is coming quick, that must mean that Megan's is quicker!! 16!!! For your birthday Megan, I'm going to buy everyone else bike helmet's!! haha. JK. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEGAN!! LOVE YA'S!!
Love Elder Call
Sorry about last weeks letter and this weeks letter. It seems that it had trouble sending last weeks and we've been super busy here this week. We had another big P-Day down in Destin with the Panama City Zone. This time we took Seth with us. He loved it. He doesn't have anyone to hang out with him. He doesn't go to school, play sports, or really have any friends. We talked to his grandfather today and he said that Seth really looks up to us as 'role models'. I don't know if its best to be taking after me, but I guess I turned out ok. We took him with us first to a park, but we got kicked out because it was a private park, so we went to the beach. The same place we went last time. It was a blast!! Seth played football with us and on the way home we shot marshmallows at the others missionaries cars. We got a couple into their windows.
I know I forgot to mention, but I got grandma's package with the med's. Yum. Thank you.
Zack Chabot is officially a member. Elder Bell dunked him and his grandfather gave him the Holy Ghost. It was great for everyone involved! There were a lot of members and his Primary Class was there too! So much support!! Now half of the Chabot family are now members. We are working on getting them ready, before March 5. Yeah that's my b-day, but thats not whats important. We found out that the ward is going to have a Ward Temple Trip that day. If Seth can get baptized he can go to the Temple with Alisha and Kelsey! They will be able to go inside this time too. That is our goal for them.
We met a new guy last week. His name is Kenneth. Every time we go over there he feels the spirit and knows that it is true, however, anytime something good in your life comes, something bad has to match it. We taught him the Plan of Salvation. It was very personal to him because he had just recently lost his wife and son. He is now living alone with what he calls his 'girl friend'. A little Dog about the size of my foot. We taught about temples and preparing him to live with his family forever. He was prepared and ready for it. Two days later we went back and brought Bro Howell with us. Kenneth was in his back yard working on his Garden. We went to say hi to him and the first thing he asked us was, "Are you guys Jehovah Witnesses?" We spent some time explaining that we were not and taught him the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After the lesson we asked if he would be baptized? He said yes. Elder Bell asked if he would be baptized on March 5. (There's that day again) Again he said yet. We asked if he would come to church with us? You get the picture right? He said he would be waiting outside at 8:30. I went with Bro Cooper to go pick him up and sure enough, we pulled up at 8:30 and there Kenneth was ready to go to chruch. It was very nice. We gave him a tour of the chruch building showing him everything and introducing him to everyone. He loved it. All he could say was, 'I feel God's presence.'
We went back today. Again Kenneth was out back working in his garden when we came. When we came up to talk to him something was different about his countance. He asked this time if we were mormons. We said yes. He said 'I don't think I can be with you anymore.' Not again, was all I was thinking. Karren Barrett said the same thing to us. After feeling the spirit, she deceided to walk away from it. We talked to Kenneth for a while and answered his questions. He had been talking to his Sister-in-law and she had told him some things about us that put doubts in his mind. After talking to him the doubts went away and he felt good again. (BTW: a squirrel fell out of a tree while we were teaching. really funny) He said that there was a lot of opposition coming and that his family wouldn't like him joining. We talked to him about it and he agreed that it was the right thing to do. To get baptized and on the path to be with his wife again. Kenneth is a perfect example of the quick responses that Satan has on someone who is about to make a big change based on what they felt from the spirit. Kenneth is not a bad person, he just sits around and does nothing, and that is his problem. The Lord's gospel and teachings require work. Lots and lots of work. There is no retiring from it. There is no rest. Just work and more work. I love it.
That has been my week. It seems like everything is moving quickly. Kristen reminded me that 4 months is all I have left. As we played football I realized how old I was to the other missionaries. The end is very near.
My Birthday is coming quick, that must mean that Megan's is quicker!! 16!!! For your birthday Megan, I'm going to buy everyone else bike helmet's!! haha. JK. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEGAN!! LOVE YA'S!!
Love Elder Call
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Baptism!!!!
Hello Everyone,
I am super tired from last week, yet I was very happy with everything that went on. Alisha Cain and Kelsey Mol were both baptized this week. Today Elder Bell and I found out that we are training together. This will be my fourth boy and the second one to cause an awkward loop in our Mission Family History. Only in the south right?
This week started out with Zone Conference. It was fantastic and I loved being with so many outstanding missionaries. We discussed many topics, but the one President Jensen hit hard was Church and Sacrament meeting. Why we get them there and how we can work hard to get them there. We read many scriptures together and discussed how best to go about it. It was a fantastic meeting and a great way to start the week.
After Zone Conference we were going to bring Elder Sawyer to do the Baptisimal interview for us, but we had some issues because Elder Chidester wanted to come down to the South part of our Zone on the same day. After some long talks we were told to go pick up Elder Chidester a couple of times. We drove to Ft Walton five times in four days. That really killed our miles and our chance to go out and work effectively, but we still got it done. Wednesday night we had the baptismal interview. Both Alisha and Kelsey were to meet us at the church to pick out their white dresses and have their interview. Alisha showed up, but Kelsey didn't. She was in the Hospital with a nasty allergy to something. We had Alisha pick out her clothes and have her interview, but we didn't know when we were going to get Kelsey in. After we talked with Sis Chabot, she agreed to take Kelsey down to Ft Walton to meet Elder Sawyer at the church to do the interview for us, because we didn't have the miles to go get him. Both interviews went well, but man was that stressful.
We filled out all the information for the baptismal records. However, Bishop has been gone for a while helping one of his children move, and we need his signature for the record before we can send it to the mission office. I think we are just going to get Bro Miller (1st Councilor) to sign it for us.
Sunday came and we were super excited for the Chabots. Until they texted us right before church saying that they weren't coming because Matt had a nasty fever. Man! If any thing could go wrong this week, it did. We had to talk to Sis Manwaring to go pick them up for us. She went and picked up Kelsey and Alisha, but the boys didn't want to come. While we were at church we got to talk to many people and send our dinner calendar around during 5th sunday. (Lots of people sign up on 5th Sunday) After church there was a pot-luck. We stayed and ate and talked with everyone. Alisha and Kelsey stayed too, but another thing decided to jump in the way. Alisha was on her phone and the table and Kelsey asked her to put it away. Alisha got mad and stormed off. I had to go find her. Oh goodie. An angry teenager!
She went on to explain how she hates it when Kelsey does that. How Kelsey did it at the Temple too. How she does it all the time. Etc, etc, etc. The thing is, every time Alisha gets close to the spirit or close to doing something that she is supposed to. Something that will make her happy. She gets put out by something that doesn't matter. I'm sure Kelsey has said similar things before, but because Alisha is so close to something good, Satan just magifies it to the point where its all Alisha can see. He did this to her when we got close to baptism the first time. He did it when they went on the temple trip with the young women. He did it the afternoon before Alisha got baptized. He is so annoying.
Sunday came and Elder Bell and I were preparing for the baptism. I was so nervous. Two reasons. One, they both asked me to be the one to baptize them. Don't want to mess that one up right? Second, because of what happened earlier that very day I was worried that they would bail out on me and not show up. It was very nerve racking. I was soon calmed when they showed up. It was a fantastic service with everyone willing to help out. Sis Hendricks and Sis Walker gave talks. Sis Manwaring sang a song that she wrote (it only took her a week to write it). Alisha's grandfather was their to confirm both of them members of the church. It was great, and they did get baptized.
My crazy week ended with Mason Hendricks' spilling Root Beer all over my suit. We were at the Hendricks for the after Baptism party. Just picture in your mind what happened. . . enough said.
That has been my week. I am still very tired. Elder Bell and I will be getting our boy on Wednesday and Zack Chabot wants to get baptized next Thursday. About ten days from now. Yay!!
Love Elder Call
I am super tired from last week, yet I was very happy with everything that went on. Alisha Cain and Kelsey Mol were both baptized this week. Today Elder Bell and I found out that we are training together. This will be my fourth boy and the second one to cause an awkward loop in our Mission Family History. Only in the south right?
This week started out with Zone Conference. It was fantastic and I loved being with so many outstanding missionaries. We discussed many topics, but the one President Jensen hit hard was Church and Sacrament meeting. Why we get them there and how we can work hard to get them there. We read many scriptures together and discussed how best to go about it. It was a fantastic meeting and a great way to start the week.
After Zone Conference we were going to bring Elder Sawyer to do the Baptisimal interview for us, but we had some issues because Elder Chidester wanted to come down to the South part of our Zone on the same day. After some long talks we were told to go pick up Elder Chidester a couple of times. We drove to Ft Walton five times in four days. That really killed our miles and our chance to go out and work effectively, but we still got it done. Wednesday night we had the baptismal interview. Both Alisha and Kelsey were to meet us at the church to pick out their white dresses and have their interview. Alisha showed up, but Kelsey didn't. She was in the Hospital with a nasty allergy to something. We had Alisha pick out her clothes and have her interview, but we didn't know when we were going to get Kelsey in. After we talked with Sis Chabot, she agreed to take Kelsey down to Ft Walton to meet Elder Sawyer at the church to do the interview for us, because we didn't have the miles to go get him. Both interviews went well, but man was that stressful.
We filled out all the information for the baptismal records. However, Bishop has been gone for a while helping one of his children move, and we need his signature for the record before we can send it to the mission office. I think we are just going to get Bro Miller (1st Councilor) to sign it for us.
Sunday came and we were super excited for the Chabots. Until they texted us right before church saying that they weren't coming because Matt had a nasty fever. Man! If any thing could go wrong this week, it did. We had to talk to Sis Manwaring to go pick them up for us. She went and picked up Kelsey and Alisha, but the boys didn't want to come. While we were at church we got to talk to many people and send our dinner calendar around during 5th sunday. (Lots of people sign up on 5th Sunday) After church there was a pot-luck. We stayed and ate and talked with everyone. Alisha and Kelsey stayed too, but another thing decided to jump in the way. Alisha was on her phone and the table and Kelsey asked her to put it away. Alisha got mad and stormed off. I had to go find her. Oh goodie. An angry teenager!
She went on to explain how she hates it when Kelsey does that. How Kelsey did it at the Temple too. How she does it all the time. Etc, etc, etc. The thing is, every time Alisha gets close to the spirit or close to doing something that she is supposed to. Something that will make her happy. She gets put out by something that doesn't matter. I'm sure Kelsey has said similar things before, but because Alisha is so close to something good, Satan just magifies it to the point where its all Alisha can see. He did this to her when we got close to baptism the first time. He did it when they went on the temple trip with the young women. He did it the afternoon before Alisha got baptized. He is so annoying.
Sunday came and Elder Bell and I were preparing for the baptism. I was so nervous. Two reasons. One, they both asked me to be the one to baptize them. Don't want to mess that one up right? Second, because of what happened earlier that very day I was worried that they would bail out on me and not show up. It was very nerve racking. I was soon calmed when they showed up. It was a fantastic service with everyone willing to help out. Sis Hendricks and Sis Walker gave talks. Sis Manwaring sang a song that she wrote (it only took her a week to write it). Alisha's grandfather was their to confirm both of them members of the church. It was great, and they did get baptized.
My crazy week ended with Mason Hendricks' spilling Root Beer all over my suit. We were at the Hendricks for the after Baptism party. Just picture in your mind what happened. . . enough said.
That has been my week. I am still very tired. Elder Bell and I will be getting our boy on Wednesday and Zack Chabot wants to get baptized next Thursday. About ten days from now. Yay!!
Love Elder Call
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Prayer is working
Hi Everyone,
Well we have some exciting news, and some boring news. The boring news is that I'm e-mailing you today. Elder Bell and I have everything all planned for Monday and Tuesday when we got a text from our District Leader that we should be taking P-Day on Tuesday instead of Monday. That would be fine, but our Tuesday is completely full. We are taking this time to e-mail, when we would have had District Meeting. Then later today we have about 5 different lessons and people we need to visit. We have become very busy in Niceville as of late. It has been fantastic.
Yesterday we got some really exciting news, but before I give it to you I'd better explain what is going on. We have been working with the Chabots for what seems like forever. Ever since I got here in October I have been teaching and working with the Chabots. Last Sunday Seth went the the Fireside with us and was taken home by a priesthood adviser. That was huge for us and for Seth. He has been having trust issues and we have been slowly helping break them down so he can trust us and others. The younger boys, Zack and Matt are fantastic and love their teachers and leaders. Alisha is the hard one. Mostly because she has no one to really talk too. I can't do it because I'm impatient and I'm a missionary. Feelings shared always results in bad experiences. So naturally as a missionary I just smile and wave. We have been trying to turn her to the scriptures, but we're as bad as her mom she says. We have been trying to turn her to the young women's leaders, but there hasn't been a connection, until now.
Sis Hendricks was called to be the new young women's president last week and everything has changed because of it. Sis Hendricks will go WAAAAAAY out of her way to make everyone feel welcomed and loved. She has all of the young women's phone numbers and text's them constantly, but appropriately too. (not during church, or school) She has come to a lesson with us at the Chabots and just dived in asking questions and getting to know them better. At first Alisha was hesitant with Sis Hendricks, but she got used to her quickly. The youth were preparing to go on a temple trip to Alabama this last weekend. Oh how I wish I could have gone, but oh well. Sis Hendricks was working with all of the youth and trying to get the girls to come. To do that Sis Hendricks had a big sleep over with all the Young women. They would be in a fantastic environment and it would be easier to get them to the church by 4:30am, or whenever they were planning on leaving. Well Friday night Alisha texted Sis Hendricks that Kelsey and her were bored. Well, Sis Hendricks invited them to come over to be with all the Young Women. As they were there Sis Hendricks had a great idea. Why don't you girls come with us to the temple? After a few phone calls to the parents and a quick drive over to get some clothes, Alisha and Kelsey were going up to Alabama to go to the temple. While at the temple something interesting happened. Alisha and Kelsey couldn't go into the temple obviously, they waited in the small visitors center. The youth and the leaders went to go do baptisms for the dead. While checking everyone's recommend, Sis Hendricks realized that her's had expired and that she couldn't get a temporary one from bishop. Bishop Walker turned to her as tears filled her eyes and said, "There are no such things and coincidences. There are two young women who can't be here right now who need your help." Sis Hendricks spent the rest of the time with Alisha and Kelsey. Talking with them and building the relationship that they needed that I couldn't provide.
After we found out about the awesome temple trip we went to visit the Chabots on Sunday. Elder Bell was distracting the boys while I talked to Alisha and then the Sis Chabot. Both promised that they would talk about being baptized with each other and Sis Chabot with the boys too. Well yesterday while we were out working we got a call from Sis Chabot. She asked to talk to me and then said that I would be really happy about what she had to say. She told me that Alisha wants to get baptized in two weeks, and that she wants me to perform the baptism. Once I heard her say that I shouted for joy. I was so happy I felt like nothing could tear me down.
I am so thankful for all the prayers that have been said in my behalf and in their's too. I felt as if my rope had ran short with the Chabots. I didn't know what else to do. However, I am grateful that other people have stepped up here in the ward and I'm so grateful for the prayers to my heavenly father. Without him there is no way that Alisha would have listened to me or to anyone else. That I know, but her heart has been softened and I have been given another chance to prepare them for the blessings of the gospel. I love it.
This church is true and peace and happiness is promised to those who find it. Stress and great anxiety is promised to those who work in the vineyard. haha. It's true, but it's worth every minute of it.
Elder Call
Well we have some exciting news, and some boring news. The boring news is that I'm e-mailing you today. Elder Bell and I have everything all planned for Monday and Tuesday when we got a text from our District Leader that we should be taking P-Day on Tuesday instead of Monday. That would be fine, but our Tuesday is completely full. We are taking this time to e-mail, when we would have had District Meeting. Then later today we have about 5 different lessons and people we need to visit. We have become very busy in Niceville as of late. It has been fantastic.
Yesterday we got some really exciting news, but before I give it to you I'd better explain what is going on. We have been working with the Chabots for what seems like forever. Ever since I got here in October I have been teaching and working with the Chabots. Last Sunday Seth went the the Fireside with us and was taken home by a priesthood adviser. That was huge for us and for Seth. He has been having trust issues and we have been slowly helping break them down so he can trust us and others. The younger boys, Zack and Matt are fantastic and love their teachers and leaders. Alisha is the hard one. Mostly because she has no one to really talk too. I can't do it because I'm impatient and I'm a missionary. Feelings shared always results in bad experiences. So naturally as a missionary I just smile and wave. We have been trying to turn her to the scriptures, but we're as bad as her mom she says. We have been trying to turn her to the young women's leaders, but there hasn't been a connection, until now.
Sis Hendricks was called to be the new young women's president last week and everything has changed because of it. Sis Hendricks will go WAAAAAAY out of her way to make everyone feel welcomed and loved. She has all of the young women's phone numbers and text's them constantly, but appropriately too. (not during church, or school) She has come to a lesson with us at the Chabots and just dived in asking questions and getting to know them better. At first Alisha was hesitant with Sis Hendricks, but she got used to her quickly. The youth were preparing to go on a temple trip to Alabama this last weekend. Oh how I wish I could have gone, but oh well. Sis Hendricks was working with all of the youth and trying to get the girls to come. To do that Sis Hendricks had a big sleep over with all the Young women. They would be in a fantastic environment and it would be easier to get them to the church by 4:30am, or whenever they were planning on leaving. Well Friday night Alisha texted Sis Hendricks that Kelsey and her were bored. Well, Sis Hendricks invited them to come over to be with all the Young Women. As they were there Sis Hendricks had a great idea. Why don't you girls come with us to the temple? After a few phone calls to the parents and a quick drive over to get some clothes, Alisha and Kelsey were going up to Alabama to go to the temple. While at the temple something interesting happened. Alisha and Kelsey couldn't go into the temple obviously, they waited in the small visitors center. The youth and the leaders went to go do baptisms for the dead. While checking everyone's recommend, Sis Hendricks realized that her's had expired and that she couldn't get a temporary one from bishop. Bishop Walker turned to her as tears filled her eyes and said, "There are no such things and coincidences. There are two young women who can't be here right now who need your help." Sis Hendricks spent the rest of the time with Alisha and Kelsey. Talking with them and building the relationship that they needed that I couldn't provide.
After we found out about the awesome temple trip we went to visit the Chabots on Sunday. Elder Bell was distracting the boys while I talked to Alisha and then the Sis Chabot. Both promised that they would talk about being baptized with each other and Sis Chabot with the boys too. Well yesterday while we were out working we got a call from Sis Chabot. She asked to talk to me and then said that I would be really happy about what she had to say. She told me that Alisha wants to get baptized in two weeks, and that she wants me to perform the baptism. Once I heard her say that I shouted for joy. I was so happy I felt like nothing could tear me down.
I am so thankful for all the prayers that have been said in my behalf and in their's too. I felt as if my rope had ran short with the Chabots. I didn't know what else to do. However, I am grateful that other people have stepped up here in the ward and I'm so grateful for the prayers to my heavenly father. Without him there is no way that Alisha would have listened to me or to anyone else. That I know, but her heart has been softened and I have been given another chance to prepare them for the blessings of the gospel. I love it.
This church is true and peace and happiness is promised to those who find it. Stress and great anxiety is promised to those who work in the vineyard. haha. It's true, but it's worth every minute of it.
Elder Call
Monday, January 10, 2011
New Goals
Hey Everyone,
I'm really glad you got my package. It took a lot of work, sweat and blood to get those. :) I need to thank all of you for your prayers. Especially you mom. Ever since you sent that e-mail saying that you were going to start praying for me to find people things have changed. Our District Leader, Elder Barlow, mentioned to us that our district found 29 new investigators last transfer and we had one baptism as a district. He also told us that the statistic that President Jensen gave us is that in every 29 new investigators found, we have one baptism. That night Elder Bell and I made a goal to find 29 new investigators by the end of this transfer. We had only four weeks left and only three weeks left now. We made this goal on Monday night and everyday since then we have been out trying to reach our goal. We have met some interesting people. One lady kept asking us why we don't believe in the same Jesus Christ she did? Another guy kept trying to convince us that we were not going to ever become god's. We have met people door after door. Most of the time we are left just talking to the door, but we have been richly blessed this week, because of your prayers.
We have found 9 new investigators this week. All of which have been prepared in some way to receive the gospel. We have also received many referrals. In the time that I have been serving here in Niceville we have found about 20 new investigators. That's about 1-2 per week, but somehow, through some miraculous way, we found ourselves at the end of the week with 9. I am still puzzled as to how we were so blessed to receive such a blessing from the Lord, but I have come to think of two ideas.
1. Your prayers in my behalf and the people I have been chosen to serve. Your love and care and worry for me has carried me more times than I could ever know. It's only now, as I look back on different parts of my mission do I see those blessings. Unique and powerful, each coming from unknown sources. I have made an unusual hypothesis. When a missionary first leaves his home he has usually found himself with rich blessings all around. This is because of ferverant prayer, both by himself and his family members. I remember some of the blessings that I received when I was on campus and in Ozark, AL. They came so powerfully and at the perfect timing. Then as the mission goes on those miracles slowly distance themselves. I think that is because when the missionary first leaves, his family has a void in it. The only thing they can do to fill the void is to pray. However, after a while, lets say six months, the void becomes common and the family adjusts themselves to it no longer relying heavily on prayer. So the missionary in the mission field is left without those blessings. Every missionary you will ever talk to goes through this time, regardless of who the missionary is. In our mission it is called the Black Hole. haha. It is a time when the blessings are not as common and when you 'feel' forgotten. This time usually lasts until about the missionary's 18th month mark, when everybody realizes that there missionary is in fact going to come home. They remember him and the remember to pray for him. That is where I am at right now. I have received some crazy blessings from unknown sources. These blessings can only compare to when I was on Campus. Don't think of this paragraph as criticism toward anyone, think of it as a funny human thing we do, because it happens to everyone.
2. Our new goal. We have a focus, a direction. If you don't have a goal, you will find yourself running around doing good things not getting anywhere. With out an end zone in football, or a goal in soccer, or a hoop in basketball, you will exhausted yourself without ever accomplishing anything. Elder Bell and I now have a goal. A big one. This is a goal that we cannot fulfill on our own. We cannot force anyone to be interested in the gospel. As much as we know, we know that everyone has there agency, the ability to choose. And if they don't choose this, there is nothing we can do. However, with every goal requires work. Elder Bell and I leave every morning with a purpose, to find as many people as we can. To talk and testify to as many people possible to give ourselves the best chance to receive our goal. As much as we try though, we cannot accomplish our goal without the Lords help. He is the gift giver and every blessing that will ever come to us will come by obedience. Its so hard to understand. No matter how hard I work, how much I study, how many times I try to convince someone that this is true, I, me myself and I, will never be able to accomplish my goal. Never. BUT, these are the only things I've been asked to do. I've been asked to work, to study, and to bear my testimony to everyone. I believe it is for two reasons. One, to build myself and my own conversion. I am pushing a rock that will never move, budge or flinch, but as I push I am getting stronger. Two, to please the Gift Giver. He is the one who will bless Elder Bell and I with people to teach. As I do the things that he asks me, he will bless me. Everything will be restored back to me.
I think that this is why we were able to find 9 new investigators. We have 20 more to go until we reach our goal, but I know we can to it.
I love all of you and thank you for your support. I got so many great letters for Christmas. Thank you.
Elder Call
I'm really glad you got my package. It took a lot of work, sweat and blood to get those. :) I need to thank all of you for your prayers. Especially you mom. Ever since you sent that e-mail saying that you were going to start praying for me to find people things have changed. Our District Leader, Elder Barlow, mentioned to us that our district found 29 new investigators last transfer and we had one baptism as a district. He also told us that the statistic that President Jensen gave us is that in every 29 new investigators found, we have one baptism. That night Elder Bell and I made a goal to find 29 new investigators by the end of this transfer. We had only four weeks left and only three weeks left now. We made this goal on Monday night and everyday since then we have been out trying to reach our goal. We have met some interesting people. One lady kept asking us why we don't believe in the same Jesus Christ she did? Another guy kept trying to convince us that we were not going to ever become god's. We have met people door after door. Most of the time we are left just talking to the door, but we have been richly blessed this week, because of your prayers.
We have found 9 new investigators this week. All of which have been prepared in some way to receive the gospel. We have also received many referrals. In the time that I have been serving here in Niceville we have found about 20 new investigators. That's about 1-2 per week, but somehow, through some miraculous way, we found ourselves at the end of the week with 9. I am still puzzled as to how we were so blessed to receive such a blessing from the Lord, but I have come to think of two ideas.
1. Your prayers in my behalf and the people I have been chosen to serve. Your love and care and worry for me has carried me more times than I could ever know. It's only now, as I look back on different parts of my mission do I see those blessings. Unique and powerful, each coming from unknown sources. I have made an unusual hypothesis. When a missionary first leaves his home he has usually found himself with rich blessings all around. This is because of ferverant prayer, both by himself and his family members. I remember some of the blessings that I received when I was on campus and in Ozark, AL. They came so powerfully and at the perfect timing. Then as the mission goes on those miracles slowly distance themselves. I think that is because when the missionary first leaves, his family has a void in it. The only thing they can do to fill the void is to pray. However, after a while, lets say six months, the void becomes common and the family adjusts themselves to it no longer relying heavily on prayer. So the missionary in the mission field is left without those blessings. Every missionary you will ever talk to goes through this time, regardless of who the missionary is. In our mission it is called the Black Hole. haha. It is a time when the blessings are not as common and when you 'feel' forgotten. This time usually lasts until about the missionary's 18th month mark, when everybody realizes that there missionary is in fact going to come home. They remember him and the remember to pray for him. That is where I am at right now. I have received some crazy blessings from unknown sources. These blessings can only compare to when I was on Campus. Don't think of this paragraph as criticism toward anyone, think of it as a funny human thing we do, because it happens to everyone.
2. Our new goal. We have a focus, a direction. If you don't have a goal, you will find yourself running around doing good things not getting anywhere. With out an end zone in football, or a goal in soccer, or a hoop in basketball, you will exhausted yourself without ever accomplishing anything. Elder Bell and I now have a goal. A big one. This is a goal that we cannot fulfill on our own. We cannot force anyone to be interested in the gospel. As much as we know, we know that everyone has there agency, the ability to choose. And if they don't choose this, there is nothing we can do. However, with every goal requires work. Elder Bell and I leave every morning with a purpose, to find as many people as we can. To talk and testify to as many people possible to give ourselves the best chance to receive our goal. As much as we try though, we cannot accomplish our goal without the Lords help. He is the gift giver and every blessing that will ever come to us will come by obedience. Its so hard to understand. No matter how hard I work, how much I study, how many times I try to convince someone that this is true, I, me myself and I, will never be able to accomplish my goal. Never. BUT, these are the only things I've been asked to do. I've been asked to work, to study, and to bear my testimony to everyone. I believe it is for two reasons. One, to build myself and my own conversion. I am pushing a rock that will never move, budge or flinch, but as I push I am getting stronger. Two, to please the Gift Giver. He is the one who will bless Elder Bell and I with people to teach. As I do the things that he asks me, he will bless me. Everything will be restored back to me.
I think that this is why we were able to find 9 new investigators. We have 20 more to go until we reach our goal, but I know we can to it.
I love all of you and thank you for your support. I got so many great letters for Christmas. Thank you.
Elder Call
Monday, January 3, 2011
Crazy Week
Hey Everyone,
This week was a crazy one. New Years came and went just like it did last year. We didn't do much last year, this year was a little bit better, but not much either. President Jensen told us to be inside our apartments by the usual time. 9-9:30. The youth were going to have a New Year's party and we wanted to take Seth Chabot with us so he could be with the youth. We took him, after a lot of convincing, and stayed for a little bit. We got there at about 8 and had to leave by 9:30. When we got to the Kokenes' home all the youth were just sitting and talking and the parents were too. We stayed for a little bit and talked with them. Seth brought a Fog Horn and set it off in the house. It was super loud. After a while Brother Kokenes announced that it was time for the Polar Bear swim. He asked us to go light the Fire, so when the youth got back they would be able to get warm. We did so, Seth stayed with us instead of going to the Polar Bear swim. We lit the fire and had it going before they came back. When all the youth were done and back Elder Bell and I gave them a short message. Then we had to go, because of our curfew. We took Seth home and went to our apartment. There we attempted to complete a puzzle before midnight. We failed, miserably. Oh well.
Nobody came to church this week. It was a rough one. We did have some great contacts this week though. We met Anne. She had lived in Montana, grew up around members, even went to early morning seminary, went to stake and ward dances and dated a Mormon boy all while she was in High School. There was however a missionary who did some inappropriate things and she turned away from the church. Now years later here in Niceville, she has had a fall out with the Methodist church and is looking for something else. Anne was a referral from her mother when we went tracting. Her mother wasn't interested, but said that we could go meet with her Daughter, Anne. When she was telling us about her Mormon past she also mentioned things like Temples, Mormons being Christians, the Word of Wisdom and boring Sacrament Meetings. She knew everything and what we expected. We gave her a Book of Mormon and She said we could come back. So that's the plan, but we have nothing for sure.
We also met with Rob. We went to meet the Parry's on Friday. While we were talking to them and getting to know them better they got a call from their friends. They were outside shooting off fireworks. We all went outside to be with them and met Rob. He asked us so many questions. Like what a mission is about and what we do. He asked little things like how we worship and why. He asked how he should start to investigate the church. He asked for a Book of Mormon. It was really cool. We were just answering his questions and he would come up with more and more. His wife is a little bit more skeptical because of her experience with Religion in the past, but Rob is really cool. We are going to work through the Parry's to help teach them more. I am really excited for Rob.
Karen is the last person we met with, but her story is sad. Remember how I told ya'll that she didn't want to meet with us until after the New Year's? Well, Saturday was the New Year and we went over to visit her. She laughed when she opened the door and saw us. We began to talk with her and she said that she had to tell us something that we wouldn't like. With a twinge in my heart we asked her what it was. She said that she couldn't get baptized. She said that she needed to stay with her Protestant roots and that she couldn't become a Mormon. She had the Book of Mormon ready to give back to us. It was really sad. However, there is hope. Karen said that we could still come over a meet with her. It's been a few days since we've talked with her, but I'm beginning to wonder if we went too fast with Karen. She also mentioned that she felt guilty when we would come over and help her or that the members were so nice to her at church. I'm not exactly sure what to do yet, but there is hope.
The Chabots aren't going anywhere right now. Which is really sad. We wanted to help them begin a family scripture study, but when we brought it up last time we were over there Sis Chabot looked at us like we slapped her. :( I don't know what's going on, but I know that little things are creeping up into their life. They haven't been to church for the last two weeks and over all only once in the last five. We are still trying to stay close, but when we asked Sis Chabot when we could have a lesson she said, "I don't know." If she doesn't know, I for sure don't know.
That's it for me in Niceville. I hope this week is going to be better than last week.
Elder Call
This week was a crazy one. New Years came and went just like it did last year. We didn't do much last year, this year was a little bit better, but not much either. President Jensen told us to be inside our apartments by the usual time. 9-9:30. The youth were going to have a New Year's party and we wanted to take Seth Chabot with us so he could be with the youth. We took him, after a lot of convincing, and stayed for a little bit. We got there at about 8 and had to leave by 9:30. When we got to the Kokenes' home all the youth were just sitting and talking and the parents were too. We stayed for a little bit and talked with them. Seth brought a Fog Horn and set it off in the house. It was super loud. After a while Brother Kokenes announced that it was time for the Polar Bear swim. He asked us to go light the Fire, so when the youth got back they would be able to get warm. We did so, Seth stayed with us instead of going to the Polar Bear swim. We lit the fire and had it going before they came back. When all the youth were done and back Elder Bell and I gave them a short message. Then we had to go, because of our curfew. We took Seth home and went to our apartment. There we attempted to complete a puzzle before midnight. We failed, miserably. Oh well.
Nobody came to church this week. It was a rough one. We did have some great contacts this week though. We met Anne. She had lived in Montana, grew up around members, even went to early morning seminary, went to stake and ward dances and dated a Mormon boy all while she was in High School. There was however a missionary who did some inappropriate things and she turned away from the church. Now years later here in Niceville, she has had a fall out with the Methodist church and is looking for something else. Anne was a referral from her mother when we went tracting. Her mother wasn't interested, but said that we could go meet with her Daughter, Anne. When she was telling us about her Mormon past she also mentioned things like Temples, Mormons being Christians, the Word of Wisdom and boring Sacrament Meetings. She knew everything and what we expected. We gave her a Book of Mormon and She said we could come back. So that's the plan, but we have nothing for sure.
We also met with Rob. We went to meet the Parry's on Friday. While we were talking to them and getting to know them better they got a call from their friends. They were outside shooting off fireworks. We all went outside to be with them and met Rob. He asked us so many questions. Like what a mission is about and what we do. He asked little things like how we worship and why. He asked how he should start to investigate the church. He asked for a Book of Mormon. It was really cool. We were just answering his questions and he would come up with more and more. His wife is a little bit more skeptical because of her experience with Religion in the past, but Rob is really cool. We are going to work through the Parry's to help teach them more. I am really excited for Rob.
Karen is the last person we met with, but her story is sad. Remember how I told ya'll that she didn't want to meet with us until after the New Year's? Well, Saturday was the New Year and we went over to visit her. She laughed when she opened the door and saw us. We began to talk with her and she said that she had to tell us something that we wouldn't like. With a twinge in my heart we asked her what it was. She said that she couldn't get baptized. She said that she needed to stay with her Protestant roots and that she couldn't become a Mormon. She had the Book of Mormon ready to give back to us. It was really sad. However, there is hope. Karen said that we could still come over a meet with her. It's been a few days since we've talked with her, but I'm beginning to wonder if we went too fast with Karen. She also mentioned that she felt guilty when we would come over and help her or that the members were so nice to her at church. I'm not exactly sure what to do yet, but there is hope.
The Chabots aren't going anywhere right now. Which is really sad. We wanted to help them begin a family scripture study, but when we brought it up last time we were over there Sis Chabot looked at us like we slapped her. :( I don't know what's going on, but I know that little things are creeping up into their life. They haven't been to church for the last two weeks and over all only once in the last five. We are still trying to stay close, but when we asked Sis Chabot when we could have a lesson she said, "I don't know." If she doesn't know, I for sure don't know.
That's it for me in Niceville. I hope this week is going to be better than last week.
Elder Call
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
