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
Elder Call
Off to the MTC
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
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
Monday, December 27, 2010
After Party...
Hello Everyone,
This week was great. I think between Christmas eve, and the day after Christmas Elder Bell and I had 6 Christmas Dinners!!! I am so over Turkey for the next 6 months. We started out going to the Pearce's for Christmas Eve Dinner. We got to play games and talk to lots of people. We ended with the Nativity. Sis Pearce asked me to be the narrator. So I put on my best voice and made sure everyone could hear me. We sang songs in between each set of scriptures. All of the kids were dressed up in their costumes for the Nativity. Just like we do at Grandma's. (Or try to do, we had a few wandering shepherds) It was a lovely performance by all. Christmas morning began with Elder Bell and me opening presents. After we were done, we left for the Hendricks home. Sis Hendricks is the one who emailed you guys. They have three kids and all of their toys. We went and flew helicopters, rode a rip-stick, played with air-planes and many other toys. Sis Hendricks made us breakfast too. It was delicious. We left around 12 and went home to have our personal study. At 1 was the Maldonado's. They are Hispanic, but speak English, and we ate pulled Brisket, Mexican rice, and a few other dishes. When dinner was finished we played Phase 10 with them. Sis Maldonado kept getting angry at Bro Maldonado, he kept skipping her. We finished up there and took off for the Cook's. We had a Christmas ham with potatoes and green been casserole. There three kids were a hoot. We went with the Cook's to the Grigg's home. With both families there were 8 kids, well 10 if you include us, over at there home. We watched a few of their home videos and played some games. Then it was time to call home. What a fabulous conversation I had with my family. I love and adore them so much.
Yesterday was church. The Chabots didn't make it, but Nina Cox did. She was unable to make it last week because she was sick, but she came this week and said we could come back again this week. Yay! After church we went to the Kelly's home. The Kelly's have two boys just older than me. Oh man are they a pair!! One is married and both served missions. They just pick on each other, pick on their mom, and anyone else who makes a stupid comment. Haha. It was very funny. We ate a whole bunch of food and then just listened to them talk and tell stories. True stories are far better than any jokes. That's for sure. Mostly because after the Kelly's home, we went to the O'Brian's. They fed us their Christmas dinner. ( I don't remember why they did it on Sunday, but they did) While we were eating a few of the O'Brian boys want to tell jokes. Once you hear a 10 year old's first joke, you know how the rest of them are going to be, but it was fun either way. After we finished up dinner number 6, we read scriptures with the O'Brians. They were going to do their family Scripture study and we hadn't done our Comp study yet. We stayed and read a few chapters in Alma. It's so cool to see their young minds as they read from the scriptures. They always ask the right questions to get the most profound answers. Or just to confuse their mom. Either way it was good.
My Christmas was fantastic and one that I'll remember for a while, a long while. Christmas's on the mission are always ones to remember.
I love you guys so much. Thanks for your support.
Elder Call
This week was great. I think between Christmas eve, and the day after Christmas Elder Bell and I had 6 Christmas Dinners!!! I am so over Turkey for the next 6 months. We started out going to the Pearce's for Christmas Eve Dinner. We got to play games and talk to lots of people. We ended with the Nativity. Sis Pearce asked me to be the narrator. So I put on my best voice and made sure everyone could hear me. We sang songs in between each set of scriptures. All of the kids were dressed up in their costumes for the Nativity. Just like we do at Grandma's. (Or try to do, we had a few wandering shepherds) It was a lovely performance by all. Christmas morning began with Elder Bell and me opening presents. After we were done, we left for the Hendricks home. Sis Hendricks is the one who emailed you guys. They have three kids and all of their toys. We went and flew helicopters, rode a rip-stick, played with air-planes and many other toys. Sis Hendricks made us breakfast too. It was delicious. We left around 12 and went home to have our personal study. At 1 was the Maldonado's. They are Hispanic, but speak English, and we ate pulled Brisket, Mexican rice, and a few other dishes. When dinner was finished we played Phase 10 with them. Sis Maldonado kept getting angry at Bro Maldonado, he kept skipping her. We finished up there and took off for the Cook's. We had a Christmas ham with potatoes and green been casserole. There three kids were a hoot. We went with the Cook's to the Grigg's home. With both families there were 8 kids, well 10 if you include us, over at there home. We watched a few of their home videos and played some games. Then it was time to call home. What a fabulous conversation I had with my family. I love and adore them so much.
Yesterday was church. The Chabots didn't make it, but Nina Cox did. She was unable to make it last week because she was sick, but she came this week and said we could come back again this week. Yay! After church we went to the Kelly's home. The Kelly's have two boys just older than me. Oh man are they a pair!! One is married and both served missions. They just pick on each other, pick on their mom, and anyone else who makes a stupid comment. Haha. It was very funny. We ate a whole bunch of food and then just listened to them talk and tell stories. True stories are far better than any jokes. That's for sure. Mostly because after the Kelly's home, we went to the O'Brian's. They fed us their Christmas dinner. ( I don't remember why they did it on Sunday, but they did) While we were eating a few of the O'Brian boys want to tell jokes. Once you hear a 10 year old's first joke, you know how the rest of them are going to be, but it was fun either way. After we finished up dinner number 6, we read scriptures with the O'Brians. They were going to do their family Scripture study and we hadn't done our Comp study yet. We stayed and read a few chapters in Alma. It's so cool to see their young minds as they read from the scriptures. They always ask the right questions to get the most profound answers. Or just to confuse their mom. Either way it was good.
My Christmas was fantastic and one that I'll remember for a while, a long while. Christmas's on the mission are always ones to remember.
I love you guys so much. Thanks for your support.
Elder Call
Monday, December 13, 2010
Christmas time
Hey Everyone,
I can't believe that Tim is coimg home so soon. I seems like yesterday we were at his house taking pictures of everyone and having a blast. I remember going to the TCU - Utah game with him. What a trip that was!! Tim is the first one back. Erik will be there in no time, and six weeks later it'll be Erik, Tazz, T and me. Time is flying fast.
This Christmas season is a lot harder than last Christmas. I think it's because I'm so close to going home. Last Christmas I was close to when I came out and I didn't have a problem with it, but now it's hard. I just want to sit down in a warm blanket and watch the Polar Express. (sigh) I guess I should just keep working. We met with Karren Barrett this week. We took her over to the Legge's home to have a lesson. Brother and Sister Legge were kind enough to let us use their home. We taught Karren about the Plan of Salvation and everything that it implied. The Blessings, the Commitments, everything. After we asked her what she thought about being Baptized. She said she has nothing against it, she just needs to know for herself. She keeps telling us that it'll be hard because she is a New York'er. Haha. We told her it was possible and She agreed. After the lesson we were going out to our van and Karren came up to us. She asked us not to be mad with her, but that she has something to ask of us. How could we be mad at her, we would do anything she asks us!? Right!? Well...she asked us if she could take a break from church and the lessons. She doesn't want us to come over until after the Holidays. I had to bite my tongue. I wanted to say, "NO! We won't leave you." However, I'm way to nice and I said, "Of course." This is the second Christmas that Karren has had without her husband. He died about a year ago and it's still hard for her. Especially around the Holidays. So we haven't seen Karren since Wednesday. We didn't see her at church either, but we are going to try and keep tabs on her. She said we could. She also told us not to give up on her. That she loves what we are teaching and wants so much to believe that its true, she just needs a little bit of time around the Holidays. I hope she reads the Book of Mormon.
The Chabots are doing great! Kind of. They are ready for baptism. Well everyone except for Seth, but I'm sure he'll be ready soon. We are only waiting on one thing, Sister Chabot to give us a day. We talked to her last week about giving us a day for their Baptism and she said that she will think of a day. Well its been a week and a half and she hasn't given us one yet! She keeps saying that she is waiting for her mother to get back to her with a day, but there may be something else, we don't know yet. We went over to the Chabots home last night to give them a little lesson and a treat. We are going to be busy for the first part of this week and we wanted to see them. We showed up a little bit late because we had to give a blessing earlier, so we just gave them the treat. ;) TIM-TAM-SLAM's!! Yum. I'm sure some of you know what that is, but for those of you who do not know yet here are some basic steps:
1: Go to Target and buy 2 packages of Tim-Tams. (One for you and one for Elder Call)
2: If you don't already have hot chocolate, get some while you are getting the Tim-Tam's for your family, friends and Elder Call.
3: Make hot chocolate as directed with its packaging.
4: Open package of Tim-Tam's and grab one cookie for yourself, you can share later.
5: Bite one corner off, turn the cookie over and bite the opposite corner. You have now created the straw for your hot chocolate.
6: Dip on corner into the hot chocolate, making sure that the entire corner (one that you bit off) is in the yummy liquid.
7: Begin sucking like you would a straw and continue until you feel the hot chocolate coming through the cookie.
8: Hopefully you have read these directions before trying it out, because as you start to suck the hot chocolate through the Tim-Tam the hot chocolate begins to melt the Tim-Tam. After the hot chocolate begins to enter your mouth you slurp up the Tim-Tam. The hot chocolate should have melted the Tim-Tam and you will end up with a mouth full of Glorious Chocolate!
Hint: If these directions are too much for you too bad. The only way you will ever get that much chocolate into your system quicker is through an IV. I promise.
Any ways, that was our wonderful experience with the Chabot family. They loved it. Then they tried to get me to try it with a Twinkie. Maybe my skills weren't that good, but it failed miserably. Only Tim-Tam's (and possibly some similar cookie) will work as well. It was fun. I talked to Sister Chabot about a date last night, she still doesn't know. I don't think that she realizes that she is holding them back from the greatest blessing on the earth. The Holy Ghost. We'll try to help her see.
We took some more beach pictures last P-Day. It was awesome. The sun set at 4:30, so we went to the beach and had fun. I will send you a package with a few other things as well. I need to finish it up today. Tomorrow is going to be awesome. We are having a Mission Wide Christmas Party! My first ever. President Summerhays didn't do that. It will be fun to see all the other missionaries from the Mission that I miss.
I think that's all for this week. If I remember I'll send it to you soon. OH!!! I'm on Mormon.org!! You can create you're own profile and our mission president encouraged us to. It's not like facebook, but its pretty cool.
Love ya'll,
Elder Call
I can't believe that Tim is coimg home so soon. I seems like yesterday we were at his house taking pictures of everyone and having a blast. I remember going to the TCU - Utah game with him. What a trip that was!! Tim is the first one back. Erik will be there in no time, and six weeks later it'll be Erik, Tazz, T and me. Time is flying fast.
This Christmas season is a lot harder than last Christmas. I think it's because I'm so close to going home. Last Christmas I was close to when I came out and I didn't have a problem with it, but now it's hard. I just want to sit down in a warm blanket and watch the Polar Express. (sigh) I guess I should just keep working. We met with Karren Barrett this week. We took her over to the Legge's home to have a lesson. Brother and Sister Legge were kind enough to let us use their home. We taught Karren about the Plan of Salvation and everything that it implied. The Blessings, the Commitments, everything. After we asked her what she thought about being Baptized. She said she has nothing against it, she just needs to know for herself. She keeps telling us that it'll be hard because she is a New York'er. Haha. We told her it was possible and She agreed. After the lesson we were going out to our van and Karren came up to us. She asked us not to be mad with her, but that she has something to ask of us. How could we be mad at her, we would do anything she asks us!? Right!? Well...she asked us if she could take a break from church and the lessons. She doesn't want us to come over until after the Holidays. I had to bite my tongue. I wanted to say, "NO! We won't leave you." However, I'm way to nice and I said, "Of course." This is the second Christmas that Karren has had without her husband. He died about a year ago and it's still hard for her. Especially around the Holidays. So we haven't seen Karren since Wednesday. We didn't see her at church either, but we are going to try and keep tabs on her. She said we could. She also told us not to give up on her. That she loves what we are teaching and wants so much to believe that its true, she just needs a little bit of time around the Holidays. I hope she reads the Book of Mormon.
The Chabots are doing great! Kind of. They are ready for baptism. Well everyone except for Seth, but I'm sure he'll be ready soon. We are only waiting on one thing, Sister Chabot to give us a day. We talked to her last week about giving us a day for their Baptism and she said that she will think of a day. Well its been a week and a half and she hasn't given us one yet! She keeps saying that she is waiting for her mother to get back to her with a day, but there may be something else, we don't know yet. We went over to the Chabots home last night to give them a little lesson and a treat. We are going to be busy for the first part of this week and we wanted to see them. We showed up a little bit late because we had to give a blessing earlier, so we just gave them the treat. ;) TIM-TAM-SLAM's!! Yum. I'm sure some of you know what that is, but for those of you who do not know yet here are some basic steps:
1: Go to Target and buy 2 packages of Tim-Tams. (One for you and one for Elder Call)
2: If you don't already have hot chocolate, get some while you are getting the Tim-Tam's for your family, friends and Elder Call.
3: Make hot chocolate as directed with its packaging.
4: Open package of Tim-Tam's and grab one cookie for yourself, you can share later.
5: Bite one corner off, turn the cookie over and bite the opposite corner. You have now created the straw for your hot chocolate.
6: Dip on corner into the hot chocolate, making sure that the entire corner (one that you bit off) is in the yummy liquid.
7: Begin sucking like you would a straw and continue until you feel the hot chocolate coming through the cookie.
8: Hopefully you have read these directions before trying it out, because as you start to suck the hot chocolate through the Tim-Tam the hot chocolate begins to melt the Tim-Tam. After the hot chocolate begins to enter your mouth you slurp up the Tim-Tam. The hot chocolate should have melted the Tim-Tam and you will end up with a mouth full of Glorious Chocolate!
Hint: If these directions are too much for you too bad. The only way you will ever get that much chocolate into your system quicker is through an IV. I promise.
Any ways, that was our wonderful experience with the Chabot family. They loved it. Then they tried to get me to try it with a Twinkie. Maybe my skills weren't that good, but it failed miserably. Only Tim-Tam's (and possibly some similar cookie) will work as well. It was fun. I talked to Sister Chabot about a date last night, she still doesn't know. I don't think that she realizes that she is holding them back from the greatest blessing on the earth. The Holy Ghost. We'll try to help her see.
We took some more beach pictures last P-Day. It was awesome. The sun set at 4:30, so we went to the beach and had fun. I will send you a package with a few other things as well. I need to finish it up today. Tomorrow is going to be awesome. We are having a Mission Wide Christmas Party! My first ever. President Summerhays didn't do that. It will be fun to see all the other missionaries from the Mission that I miss.
I think that's all for this week. If I remember I'll send it to you soon. OH!!! I'm on Mormon.org!! You can create you're own profile and our mission president encouraged us to. It's not like facebook, but its pretty cool.
Love ya'll,
Elder Call
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Man the time flies........
Hello Everyone,
Another week is gone. Man the time flys. On Friday I celebrated my 18th month mark!! That means only 6 to go. It also means that Tim is pretty much home already. Wow. Time flys when you're having fun right? Niceville is doing great and we just got into the spirit of Christmas (We had to wait until after Thanksgiving).
This week Elder Bell and I put up our Christmas tree. It is a lot bigger than the one I had last year. (2 feet) This one is 6 feet, but we have no lights or ornaments. But that is ok, because we spend most of our time in other homes and they do have a Christmas tree. With lots of lights and crazy ornaments too. We also had a parade in Niceville for Christmas. That was a first for me. Usually its too cold during December, but here in Florida we had a big parade. That night they did the Tree Lighting for the City. We weren't able to go to that, but we heard all about it. Last night was the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. It was great. President Uchtdorf, President Eyring and President Monson all spoke to us. All of them talked about having a Christ centered Christmas and how each of us can focus on him by focusing on others. President Eyring shared with us that we all like to give Food to those who do not have it or who are in need of it, then he went on to describe how the greatest gift we can give anybody is the 'Bread of Life'. Christ. We can give Christ to someone's life. I liked that one, mostly because that's all I do. It makes me feel good that I'm doing what I'm supposed to.
Our investigators are doing well. We talked to Sister Chabot about providing a date for her Children to get baptized. They are all preparing well and ready for it, we just need Sister Chabot's permission and a few more lessons. We are hoping to set a date with them this Tuesday. They didn't come to church yesterday because Sister Chabot was sick. Lame.
Karren Barrett is also doing really well. We were able to teach her again on Wednesday. We brought Brother Howell with us. Brother Howell is an older member, but his testimony is like a rock. He lost his wife about a year ago and has no other desires than to return to be with her. Its killing him being apart from her. This makes him perfect for the lesson with Karren. Karren lost her husband about a year ago and was very upset about his loss. She blames many things, but we think the gospel will help her see the true light. She came to church with us yesterday, but could only stay for the first two hours. She wasn't comfortable staying for Relief Society, mostly because Sister Walker wasn't there. She had been Karren's buddy last week, but because Sister Walker was sick yesterday, she wasn't able to be there for Karren. And Karren didn't feel comfortable with anyone else yet. We kind of have to pull her leg, gently of course, to come with us to church. She's not completely comfortable yet, but we are working on that.
It seems like sickness has taken its toll in Niceville. There have been cancellation after cancellation. Its hard to teach when everyone is sick. I, however, have not been sick yet. :) It may have something to do with my random crave for Orange Juice lately. I think I've had 3 gallons in the last 2 weeks. Yum!
Any ways, the mission is awesome. Those who say otherwise just haven't lost themselves in the greatest work on the Earth yet. The spirit will come to them soon though. It comes to everyone in their own way and in their own time. We just have to be happy, ready and willing to take those people in when they are ready. Not judgingly, but rejoicingly. Grateful that they are once again back in our presence. Yay!!
Love Elder Call
Another week is gone. Man the time flys. On Friday I celebrated my 18th month mark!! That means only 6 to go. It also means that Tim is pretty much home already. Wow. Time flys when you're having fun right? Niceville is doing great and we just got into the spirit of Christmas (We had to wait until after Thanksgiving).
This week Elder Bell and I put up our Christmas tree. It is a lot bigger than the one I had last year. (2 feet) This one is 6 feet, but we have no lights or ornaments. But that is ok, because we spend most of our time in other homes and they do have a Christmas tree. With lots of lights and crazy ornaments too. We also had a parade in Niceville for Christmas. That was a first for me. Usually its too cold during December, but here in Florida we had a big parade. That night they did the Tree Lighting for the City. We weren't able to go to that, but we heard all about it. Last night was the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. It was great. President Uchtdorf, President Eyring and President Monson all spoke to us. All of them talked about having a Christ centered Christmas and how each of us can focus on him by focusing on others. President Eyring shared with us that we all like to give Food to those who do not have it or who are in need of it, then he went on to describe how the greatest gift we can give anybody is the 'Bread of Life'. Christ. We can give Christ to someone's life. I liked that one, mostly because that's all I do. It makes me feel good that I'm doing what I'm supposed to.
Our investigators are doing well. We talked to Sister Chabot about providing a date for her Children to get baptized. They are all preparing well and ready for it, we just need Sister Chabot's permission and a few more lessons. We are hoping to set a date with them this Tuesday. They didn't come to church yesterday because Sister Chabot was sick. Lame.
Karren Barrett is also doing really well. We were able to teach her again on Wednesday. We brought Brother Howell with us. Brother Howell is an older member, but his testimony is like a rock. He lost his wife about a year ago and has no other desires than to return to be with her. Its killing him being apart from her. This makes him perfect for the lesson with Karren. Karren lost her husband about a year ago and was very upset about his loss. She blames many things, but we think the gospel will help her see the true light. She came to church with us yesterday, but could only stay for the first two hours. She wasn't comfortable staying for Relief Society, mostly because Sister Walker wasn't there. She had been Karren's buddy last week, but because Sister Walker was sick yesterday, she wasn't able to be there for Karren. And Karren didn't feel comfortable with anyone else yet. We kind of have to pull her leg, gently of course, to come with us to church. She's not completely comfortable yet, but we are working on that.
It seems like sickness has taken its toll in Niceville. There have been cancellation after cancellation. Its hard to teach when everyone is sick. I, however, have not been sick yet. :) It may have something to do with my random crave for Orange Juice lately. I think I've had 3 gallons in the last 2 weeks. Yum!
Any ways, the mission is awesome. Those who say otherwise just haven't lost themselves in the greatest work on the Earth yet. The spirit will come to them soon though. It comes to everyone in their own way and in their own time. We just have to be happy, ready and willing to take those people in when they are ready. Not judgingly, but rejoicingly. Grateful that they are once again back in our presence. Yay!!
Love Elder Call
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
