Friday, April 30, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
April 26th, 2010
Hey family!
I love these emails, the best updates every! Sounds like dad's working hard on the yard and same with you mom. I did some service for one of our investigators John Aslomi (60's Muslim) and it was the best thing ever, got to do some edging, prune some shrubs and cut the lawn. Great day of service that's for sure, I miss being in the yard. Thanks for the advice about the talks dad and I totally agree, all about making them interested otherwise people just fall asleep and you can see the difference.
So were to start with my week. So the first week of your second transfer (a transfer is every 6 weeks) you get to go downtown and tour the museum and the conference center with all the other Elders who are in the same boat (wild MTC group). That was a highlight of this week for sure, I got to leave my cage and do some exploring. All of us hop on the tracks (LRT) and buzz down to temple square with the assistants. Now this was a sad feeling for the most part because we walked the exact paths as our family walked. It was so weird to think I was here with my mom before, I couldn't believe it. I would stare where we sat on the grass listening to conference and just picture all of us it was a super strange feeling. But I loved it and that conference building is unreal so many cool things about it, we couldn't go on the roof because it was raining but we looked at it through windows. The fountain on the roof is directly about the pulpit because it represents like fountains of living water, hard to explain but I'm sure you all get it. So loved that tour and I can't wait to get home and study the life of each prophet in detail since Joseph Smith. I'm sure I'll collect a mini library of books or something.
Before I move on and forget I am also wearing my retainer every night, I wore it for a full week all day and it's working good. So I won't have messed up teeth when I come home!
Let's see I'm going to have to cut a few stories because I don't have time, but I'll fill you in on this real quick. My landlord, Bro. Smart, had surgery on his rotator cuff about 3 weeks ago, and has been in rough shape. We gave him a blessing prior to the surgery. But just this week he stopped breathing or had a shortage of breath! So he called some people and they said GO TO THE HOSPITAL! He asked for a blessing from us right before he left, well we did and it was great. He was in the hospital for 2 days and they figured out he had 5 blood clots in each of the lobes of his lungs! I guess it's a 50% chance of living with his case, if that's true but he did. It was a little scary and weird, no one home in the house and both of us just worried for Sis. Smart. But man he is so faithful and he arrived home two days later and is all good, we love them and they sure do teach us a lot!
OK man the Elders here are going to want to go any minute!!! NO we are at the Library. Alright so Sis. Christenson this women we are teaching is just the greatest. She is in her 70's and she is getting baptized on May 8Th for sure! It was May 1st but she felt she needed some more time so bumped it back a bit. It's the day before mothers day so when she talks to her grandson on mothers day who is serving a mission in Chile she can totally surprise him! Sis. Christenson lives in the basement of her daughter and son in laws house, the Rossendolls. They are unbelievable people, and they just love us. I look forward to every lesson there because it is so spiritual. Mom Sis. Rossendoll reminds me of you big time! It's so funny and there son Chase is the one on the mission, SHOOT! There is so much more I want to tell you, I could go on forever about Sis. Christenson and how she reminds me of Grandma Lynne. Other missionaries have attempted but never came close and Sis. Christenson said it has made the biggest difference in here life.
Poop Scoop I wanted to share so much more! I wanted to talk about Jim Kerr and Emily (his gf) and how great its going! Man Justin's dad just popped up behind us, the pigeon man! He's solid guy!
He's going to give us a ride! So I got a few more minutes! OH I totally forget to mention, we have been truckless for 6 days! It's no fun at all. Not going to lie our work has slowed down a lot in the last week, number of lessons went down from 14 to 8, no new investigators ALL because half the work we do is so pointless. It takes us hours to walk from one end to the other end of our area and it's all on a hill. So we try get as many rides organized as possible but its hard, no one is retired, of course a male has to be present. The check engine light kept going on so we took it in and they found something wrong with the transmission, they just got the part they needed so we should get it back real soon. But that has definitely been a challenge this week. My two talks yesterday went unreal, one of our investigators heard about how great my talk was through his friend and could actually tell me what I spoke about! I love public speaking but there's always room for improvement. And holy cakes my scripture study has got so much better, and they are getting pretty marked up but you know me, super organized not messy at all.
Alright well times up I better go. Although I always think about home and how great it was there, I love it out here. We are still working hard, it's going to be really weird "killing" Elder England but these last few weeks with him will be great. I can't wait to mothers day to talk to you and I love all of you. Bye bye.
I love these emails, the best updates every! Sounds like dad's working hard on the yard and same with you mom. I did some service for one of our investigators John Aslomi (60's Muslim) and it was the best thing ever, got to do some edging, prune some shrubs and cut the lawn. Great day of service that's for sure, I miss being in the yard. Thanks for the advice about the talks dad and I totally agree, all about making them interested otherwise people just fall asleep and you can see the difference.
So were to start with my week. So the first week of your second transfer (a transfer is every 6 weeks) you get to go downtown and tour the museum and the conference center with all the other Elders who are in the same boat (wild MTC group). That was a highlight of this week for sure, I got to leave my cage and do some exploring. All of us hop on the tracks (LRT) and buzz down to temple square with the assistants. Now this was a sad feeling for the most part because we walked the exact paths as our family walked. It was so weird to think I was here with my mom before, I couldn't believe it. I would stare where we sat on the grass listening to conference and just picture all of us it was a super strange feeling. But I loved it and that conference building is unreal so many cool things about it, we couldn't go on the roof because it was raining but we looked at it through windows. The fountain on the roof is directly about the pulpit because it represents like fountains of living water, hard to explain but I'm sure you all get it. So loved that tour and I can't wait to get home and study the life of each prophet in detail since Joseph Smith. I'm sure I'll collect a mini library of books or something.
Before I move on and forget I am also wearing my retainer every night, I wore it for a full week all day and it's working good. So I won't have messed up teeth when I come home!
Let's see I'm going to have to cut a few stories because I don't have time, but I'll fill you in on this real quick. My landlord, Bro. Smart, had surgery on his rotator cuff about 3 weeks ago, and has been in rough shape. We gave him a blessing prior to the surgery. But just this week he stopped breathing or had a shortage of breath! So he called some people and they said GO TO THE HOSPITAL! He asked for a blessing from us right before he left, well we did and it was great. He was in the hospital for 2 days and they figured out he had 5 blood clots in each of the lobes of his lungs! I guess it's a 50% chance of living with his case, if that's true but he did. It was a little scary and weird, no one home in the house and both of us just worried for Sis. Smart. But man he is so faithful and he arrived home two days later and is all good, we love them and they sure do teach us a lot!
OK man the Elders here are going to want to go any minute!!! NO we are at the Library. Alright so Sis. Christenson this women we are teaching is just the greatest. She is in her 70's and she is getting baptized on May 8Th for sure! It was May 1st but she felt she needed some more time so bumped it back a bit. It's the day before mothers day so when she talks to her grandson on mothers day who is serving a mission in Chile she can totally surprise him! Sis. Christenson lives in the basement of her daughter and son in laws house, the Rossendolls. They are unbelievable people, and they just love us. I look forward to every lesson there because it is so spiritual. Mom Sis. Rossendoll reminds me of you big time! It's so funny and there son Chase is the one on the mission, SHOOT! There is so much more I want to tell you, I could go on forever about Sis. Christenson and how she reminds me of Grandma Lynne. Other missionaries have attempted but never came close and Sis. Christenson said it has made the biggest difference in here life.
Poop Scoop I wanted to share so much more! I wanted to talk about Jim Kerr and Emily (his gf) and how great its going! Man Justin's dad just popped up behind us, the pigeon man! He's solid guy!
He's going to give us a ride! So I got a few more minutes! OH I totally forget to mention, we have been truckless for 6 days! It's no fun at all. Not going to lie our work has slowed down a lot in the last week, number of lessons went down from 14 to 8, no new investigators ALL because half the work we do is so pointless. It takes us hours to walk from one end to the other end of our area and it's all on a hill. So we try get as many rides organized as possible but its hard, no one is retired, of course a male has to be present. The check engine light kept going on so we took it in and they found something wrong with the transmission, they just got the part they needed so we should get it back real soon. But that has definitely been a challenge this week. My two talks yesterday went unreal, one of our investigators heard about how great my talk was through his friend and could actually tell me what I spoke about! I love public speaking but there's always room for improvement. And holy cakes my scripture study has got so much better, and they are getting pretty marked up but you know me, super organized not messy at all.
Alright well times up I better go. Although I always think about home and how great it was there, I love it out here. We are still working hard, it's going to be really weird "killing" Elder England but these last few weeks with him will be great. I can't wait to mothers day to talk to you and I love all of you. Bye bye.
Monday, April 19, 2010
April 19, 2010
Hey everyone another week, went by so fast! This week was great, but I answer some questions first! Mom the beef jerky was unreal! It lasted us a week or so and it was a tad bit harder than normal but still unreal, Elder England loves it. This was the first week I've worked out every day for 30-40 minutes, and it helped. You are wide awake for studies and just have a better day. And its an intense workout, skipping for 10, sprints up 17% grade, boxing for 5 minutes so hard (it's ballin), more sprints then end off with some ab work outs and push ups. Let's just say if I can keep this up I'm going to be jacked at the end my mission, well maybe just more toned lol. Anyways watch out Lindsay! Man that sucks about sprinkler system, I am positive all the sprinkler heads are cut out, please fix it I already have a headache. And I got a new project for you dad. Moms garden, I'm going to send home a package of useless things, moms mothers day present, and pictures on a jump drive! Should be good. But on there I got really good pictures of a garden idea, you could even hook it up with the irrigation system!
GUESS WHAT DAD! The guys who are the brains behind control 4 I have met! And talk to every week. They are all MORMON! They play basketball together every Tuesday at 10 AM at the building where we have our district meeting! It's so cool, I thought I had list of things I would change if I ran control 4 but I can't think of anything. If you have any suggestions tell me and I'll tell them on Tuesday! It's cool, like meeting Micheal Jordan for me.
OH by the way, Lindsay sent a unreal package and her dad sent me the nicest letter ever. Love them, everyone. Thanks.
So for this week! Well Sunday is game day and its the best day of the week. I gave THREE talks yesterday! Each one about 15 minutes long. And I am getting better and better at giving talks. I was talking to the sister of one of the brothers from the seventy and she told me you know what missionaries always do, just go up there and quote scriptures forever and talk about missionary work. She said you have to find a personal story, that lets people know who you really are and tie it into your topic. She said people will love you if you do and actually pay attention and want to help you. That was Saturday night, and my talks weren't even prepared then! I thought forever and forever but I couldn't think of a single story that related well. I kept thinking "experiences". Hm hard to explain but I was looking for the wrong kind of personal experience. Well I went to pray before I fell asleep and I asked for help to find a personal experience that relates to my topic and the very second I hopped in my little single bed (very comfortable may I add) it came to me. I was looking for the wrong type of story, I need to find something that related to my topic and wasn't a experience on how I changed due to my topic. Confusing? But it came to me and it fit perfectly, it will take forever to explain it or explain my talk, but the story was about basketball. How Omar was terrible in grade 9 and at the end of grade 12 he was unreal and how and why and such. But it went GREAT! People loved it and everyone came up to us after and talked forever! So I have two solid 15 minutes made now, I have to make another for next week about forgiveness and missionary work?? HOW does that relate, we will see. So I gave three this week and two more next week. Elder England was asked by the Wastach Stake President to talk for 7 minutes in Stake Conference! He said I could do something really short but I sad nahhhh lol. His topic is "If I could leave you with one thing..." I'ts going to be rad, I hope I get the opportunity by the end of my mission to speak in stake conference, like general authorities are usually there!
I'm going to have to make this one a quick one today, we are late to get to our zone activity. I think we are doing volleyball should be good. So I'll wrap up the rest of the week. We were supposed to have a baptism yesterday but he couldn't get baptized! He's on probation and he's 12! He's been on it for 2 years also! I can't believe we have three people who want to get baptized and come to church weekly but can't get baptized because they are on probation! It's not fair!. We picked up this guy yesterday night Jim, he's 21 and dating this member girl Emily he seems pretty solid. Feels like the lessons I went through with Lindsay it's fun and brings up some good memories. So things are going good, we had 13 lessons this week, and a totally of 49 lessons this transfer. Oh and we only count lessons with a member present, if we counted just other lessons as well like to less actives and without a member its probably around 60. So things are rolling here, we find out tomorrow if we stay together for another transfer but it would be stupid if they changed us. So this next transfer should be great, we have a big teaching pool and quite a few people on date.
But I feel like I'm growing daily, I love teaching and I feel more comfortable everyday, I just want to study study study though! Getting better with the scriptures. Thanks for letters and words of encouragement, I love your emails they lift me up each week. Take care everyone and read and pray daily or that testimony will walk away, I can guarantee that anyone who has fallen away from the church was first not keeping the commandments, and reading scriptures and praying daily. So if your searching for the truth make a promise with the Lord that you will be strictly obedient and with some prayer and study I promise you will find it.
GUESS WHAT DAD! The guys who are the brains behind control 4 I have met! And talk to every week. They are all MORMON! They play basketball together every Tuesday at 10 AM at the building where we have our district meeting! It's so cool, I thought I had list of things I would change if I ran control 4 but I can't think of anything. If you have any suggestions tell me and I'll tell them on Tuesday! It's cool, like meeting Micheal Jordan for me.
OH by the way, Lindsay sent a unreal package and her dad sent me the nicest letter ever. Love them, everyone. Thanks.
So for this week! Well Sunday is game day and its the best day of the week. I gave THREE talks yesterday! Each one about 15 minutes long. And I am getting better and better at giving talks. I was talking to the sister of one of the brothers from the seventy and she told me you know what missionaries always do, just go up there and quote scriptures forever and talk about missionary work. She said you have to find a personal story, that lets people know who you really are and tie it into your topic. She said people will love you if you do and actually pay attention and want to help you. That was Saturday night, and my talks weren't even prepared then! I thought forever and forever but I couldn't think of a single story that related well. I kept thinking "experiences". Hm hard to explain but I was looking for the wrong kind of personal experience. Well I went to pray before I fell asleep and I asked for help to find a personal experience that relates to my topic and the very second I hopped in my little single bed (very comfortable may I add) it came to me. I was looking for the wrong type of story, I need to find something that related to my topic and wasn't a experience on how I changed due to my topic. Confusing? But it came to me and it fit perfectly, it will take forever to explain it or explain my talk, but the story was about basketball. How Omar was terrible in grade 9 and at the end of grade 12 he was unreal and how and why and such. But it went GREAT! People loved it and everyone came up to us after and talked forever! So I have two solid 15 minutes made now, I have to make another for next week about forgiveness and missionary work?? HOW does that relate, we will see. So I gave three this week and two more next week. Elder England was asked by the Wastach Stake President to talk for 7 minutes in Stake Conference! He said I could do something really short but I sad nahhhh lol. His topic is "If I could leave you with one thing..." I'ts going to be rad, I hope I get the opportunity by the end of my mission to speak in stake conference, like general authorities are usually there!
I'm going to have to make this one a quick one today, we are late to get to our zone activity. I think we are doing volleyball should be good. So I'll wrap up the rest of the week. We were supposed to have a baptism yesterday but he couldn't get baptized! He's on probation and he's 12! He's been on it for 2 years also! I can't believe we have three people who want to get baptized and come to church weekly but can't get baptized because they are on probation! It's not fair!. We picked up this guy yesterday night Jim, he's 21 and dating this member girl Emily he seems pretty solid. Feels like the lessons I went through with Lindsay it's fun and brings up some good memories. So things are going good, we had 13 lessons this week, and a totally of 49 lessons this transfer. Oh and we only count lessons with a member present, if we counted just other lessons as well like to less actives and without a member its probably around 60. So things are rolling here, we find out tomorrow if we stay together for another transfer but it would be stupid if they changed us. So this next transfer should be great, we have a big teaching pool and quite a few people on date.
But I feel like I'm growing daily, I love teaching and I feel more comfortable everyday, I just want to study study study though! Getting better with the scriptures. Thanks for letters and words of encouragement, I love your emails they lift me up each week. Take care everyone and read and pray daily or that testimony will walk away, I can guarantee that anyone who has fallen away from the church was first not keeping the commandments, and reading scriptures and praying daily. So if your searching for the truth make a promise with the Lord that you will be strictly obedient and with some prayer and study I promise you will find it.
Monday, April 12, 2010
April 12, 2010
Hey everyone! Miss you guys! It's so hard to read all the emails then remember the questions!
Well for the shoes I'll send them back for sure along with a few other things. Sadly I have to send some skinny ties home because I can't wear them. But there is that medium width that we can were, like almost skinny but not and not super wide! So if anyone gets me a tie theres an idea, could always use more. Pdays are great but way to much work! I just want to wake up do some studies, come check email, play bball for few hours and write letters to alot of people. Instead I get to do none of those except email.
I had a huge long sweet personal letter for Darren to read before the MTC but no one has gave me his address so I will just sum it up here in a few sentences. Be the example in the MTC. If we are going to serve for 2 years we might as well give everything we have to the Lord. Be exactly obiendent and help out the others in your district who are struggling. The MTC is a very spiritual place so take advantage of it and add to it. Once you get out in the field you get people who can destroy that spirit in a matter of seconds so love the MTC and learn as much as your can. If I could go back there again I would try way harder. I'll leave out a few things that were just for Darren but I will say try not to think about the women to much or you will go insane. Love yeah Darren enjoy boston, I've met a few RM's here who went there. They loved it.
Well for my week! Things went pretty good, we picked up five new investigators! Thats right! Man this place had solid zeros for three months straight. That means no nonmemeber lessons! And we had 13 non member lessons this week! And put five on date in one week! And its not because "we are so good" its just strictly due to obedience. We are just doing things differently than the previous missionaries.
My two talks were went pretty good. I talked about charity and how we can express it.... missionary work of course. Went well.
Mom I miss you! For some reason just reading that last email you sent me touched me and realized how much I love you. When you were talking about being scared to do things because I feel the exact same way every day with everything I do. Always think I'm going to look like an idiot and not know what I'm talking about. But I just go for it. One of our new investigators is this adorable grandma. Sis. Christenson. She's about 70 and she lives in the basement of her daughters house. AND I just love her daughter because she is 100% mom! It's so weird, although her husband is abit different than dad but similair (travels for work). So there name is the Rosandolls, and they are a solid family. They have a son on a mission (out for 4 months) and one married I believe. So they sit in with every lesson with there mom or Sis.Christenson. Sis. Rosandoll was baptized when she was 9, had the lessons with the missionaries and everything her mom (sis.Christenson) has wanted all her children to marry in the temple yet shes not even a member! They could never get her to take the lessons but when we watched conference with her, we softly got her to say yes to the lessons. First lesson we put her on date for May 1st (someones birthday thats why we did it) and so far she's sticking to it. We have our third lesson with her tomorrow, we are going to get her sealed to her family. Baptize to seal.
Ohh when Elder England goes home I'll send home a jump drive with pictures.But I forgot what time it is and I am so rushed! Ok love all your guys take care!!!
Monday, April 5, 2010
April 5, 2010
Ahhhhhhhh I love Pdays! They are great. I just love hearing from you guys, I really think I would go crazy without email. Sounds like the trip went great, I can't believe your home already, a week here seems like two days. I am always confused on where to start with these emails, I got to get better at them, hopefully they are getting better. So much happense each day here as the days are 10x longer than my days used to be back at home. You don't understand how much I appreciate the easter packages and all the letters. I come close to crying with every letter, not because I'm sad but I just feel so loved. Some missionaries are so strong out here, I couldn't believe serving for two years without the support of family and friends... well friend lol ;). I don't think I should say this, I really don't, but a missionairy in my district packed up and left in the middle of the night. His family disowned him when he joined the church and his girlfriend lives here in the valley, and he's gone for good. It's really sad he was such a solid Elder. But let's leave that at that and maybe not talk about it. I don't think I'm suppose to share that stuff over emails at least.
So much chocalte! From all of you and then Sis. Smart (landlord) gave us two huge baskets of chocalte and toys and a poster! I got one of Nephi as I talked about him in my talk and Elder England got Moroni because he talked about him in his! She's so thoughtful and we really do have the greatest place and landlords in the mission. It wont last for every so I guess take advantage of it. She also gave me some ear plugs because once a week Elder England decides to snoar REALLY loud. I loved the tape you guys sent me, it was pretty funny! The letters from Lindsay, her parents, my sisters, brother in laws and nana are great I love all of you and hope to write back as soon as I can. I got one from Nana today I can't wait to go read! Dad thanks for the GPS, helps so much and I already got it so organized. Every bishop, ward mission leader, relief society, young womens, young mens leader in all 16 wards on it! We are all about getting the members to love and trust us, thats how we get refferrels, try to stop by them all and commit them to things etc. I love all the pictures from everyone Talia and Avery are to cute it hurts! And thanks for the frames mom, sadly one of them broke in the mail, but the big one with the family picture is all good and sits by my bed.
Well conference is over, its like a vacation for missionaires! Plus we get to wear short sleeve dress shirts now, thats how it works here. Conference to conference suits then short sleeves or whatever you want in the summer. I bought four short sleeve's today from Mr. Mac for pretty good price. Conference is sooooo good! Elder Bednar's talk was basically the exact same of what he spoke to us about, it was funny felt like I tested it out on us! And how intense was the smack down from Edler Holland on pornography! He's great I love how bold he is! But it killed me how basically the whole conference weekend was on family! Like torture me some more, made me think of how perfect our family is though and really its all due to the gospel. Main point was bare testimony frequently and often and spontaneously, thats what we do in lessons as well. It's so weird you just get used to sharing you love for the gospel with everyone and it becomes natural. Preisthood session was a little weird/sad though. First time in my life I think that I wasn't with dad during it, I really missed that. Going to DQ after with Jordan and george usually, but mainly just being there with dad. I love you dad and I'm so thankful for all that you have given me and helped me do in life.
We got a baptism coming up this weekend with Luke Fairmen, our most solid and golden investigator. He's an awesome kid, 14 years old and does every reading assingment we give him and has such a desire to learn and become better. I think for the next four weeks we have two talks to give every sunday! It's really quite scary, but I will have to get over it and just man up. Helps me grow and the members know us better. So we got dropped my Lourdes Tea lol! It was a shocker, I'm not sure what happened we both felt so good after that lesson. Maybe just a little to bold but we planted a seed and her husband is working on her, hopefully we can pick her up sometime in the future. BUT we have four new investiagor lessons this week! And they all seem ready. One for sure. Justin Isom he's 14 and his dad is less active but he has been trying to become more active lately. They've only lived here for two years so they haven't been abused my missionaries yet. We met them tracting, Justin was ripping on his new 125 dirt bike up and down the street and we talked to them. Gave them two conference tickets (we get about 6 to give to investigators) for saturday morning session and they both went. We have a lesson for tomorrow I beleive. And I talked to his bishop on saturday and he told me a month ago Justin bore his testimony and said at the end, don't be surprised if I get baptisd soon! So looks like we caught him at the right time, things always happen for a reason here.
I could go on describing each investigator but let me find some other things to talk about. So you don't ever get to go to conference until its your very last opportunity then you get to pick one session to go to. So Elder England picked preisthood session to go to therefore on saturday night I was on exchanges with Elder Bertilino from Cali. He's been out six months and we just got along great, so much in common. Both wear vans, BMX, snowboard, and baptized our girlfriends before coming on our mission. There's something to learn from every Elder here. He is such a soft spoken guy and you really feel is love for you in every conversation. I've never met somone that has so much love for everyone he come's in contact with. Elder England admits it and works on it everyday but he runs short of patience sometimes, not with me at all we get along great. But with members and door contacts mainly lol but he tries not to show it, although it slips out every once in awhile. It's pretty funny if a member doesn't care about missionairy work (you can tell who do and don't easy, hope you are) when we walk away he flips out and says "they will be judged" or something. I'll sum a quick story up real fast to give an example. We were doing unbaptized list and knocked on this one door. Parents are LA but think they are members and they have to UNB daughters who are 14 and 16. We ask if they want to take lessons and the mom goes "Ohh well we don't do lessons but we love the missionaires. We usually just hang out, why don't we schedule to eat lunch and play basketball on friday." We were just like what!? Anyways we explained that thats not our role as missionaries and we are here to bring people closer to Christ and eventually get baptized etc. Well they said well the missionaires before used to always come over and hang out, these girls aren't interested they are just look for a cute mormon boy! We were like this is outrageous anyways Elder England got a little mad and offended by this lady and ended up with DON'T EVER COME BACK HERE AGAIN and Elder England saying something a little snippy. OK point of that story was to show you an example of Elder England being quick to his words, anyways we have had a few crazy things like this before. But what I learned from Elder Bertilino is love everyone, and whatever you want to say bite your tongue and wait for the spirit to guide you. Sorry that story ruined the spirit in this short email but it makes my point, be the better person and never get offened.
So many spiritual experiences here, from lessons to moments with your companion. We've gotten on our knees in a time of serious need and prayed for it. During that prayer of faith the phone rang and we quickly closed in the name of Christ and bang our problem answered. The Lord really does take care of his servants, he does. During a lesson this week I was bearing my testimony on the Holy Ghost and it brought a slight tear to both me and Evan's eyes and I know he could feel Heavenly Father's love for him.
Now people I know without a doubt in my mind I know this is the Lord's work and Christ lives. Through prayer we can all come to know this, as missionaires we pray atleast 30 times a day and I can testify that the Lord cares and loves for each and everyone of his children. We will all be brought forth to be judged one day and depending on how we use the Savior and his atonement we will live together. I love all of you and think of you daily. I ask all of you to repent daily for the little things, become better each day and strive to be like the perfect Son of God. I pray all of you individually and thank you all for your prayers and letters of love. Be safe and read the scriptures daily.
Love, Elder Pizzey.
So much chocalte! From all of you and then Sis. Smart (landlord) gave us two huge baskets of chocalte and toys and a poster! I got one of Nephi as I talked about him in my talk and Elder England got Moroni because he talked about him in his! She's so thoughtful and we really do have the greatest place and landlords in the mission. It wont last for every so I guess take advantage of it. She also gave me some ear plugs because once a week Elder England decides to snoar REALLY loud. I loved the tape you guys sent me, it was pretty funny! The letters from Lindsay, her parents, my sisters, brother in laws and nana are great I love all of you and hope to write back as soon as I can. I got one from Nana today I can't wait to go read! Dad thanks for the GPS, helps so much and I already got it so organized. Every bishop, ward mission leader, relief society, young womens, young mens leader in all 16 wards on it! We are all about getting the members to love and trust us, thats how we get refferrels, try to stop by them all and commit them to things etc. I love all the pictures from everyone Talia and Avery are to cute it hurts! And thanks for the frames mom, sadly one of them broke in the mail, but the big one with the family picture is all good and sits by my bed.
Well conference is over, its like a vacation for missionaires! Plus we get to wear short sleeve dress shirts now, thats how it works here. Conference to conference suits then short sleeves or whatever you want in the summer. I bought four short sleeve's today from Mr. Mac for pretty good price. Conference is sooooo good! Elder Bednar's talk was basically the exact same of what he spoke to us about, it was funny felt like I tested it out on us! And how intense was the smack down from Edler Holland on pornography! He's great I love how bold he is! But it killed me how basically the whole conference weekend was on family! Like torture me some more, made me think of how perfect our family is though and really its all due to the gospel. Main point was bare testimony frequently and often and spontaneously, thats what we do in lessons as well. It's so weird you just get used to sharing you love for the gospel with everyone and it becomes natural. Preisthood session was a little weird/sad though. First time in my life I think that I wasn't with dad during it, I really missed that. Going to DQ after with Jordan and george usually, but mainly just being there with dad. I love you dad and I'm so thankful for all that you have given me and helped me do in life.
We got a baptism coming up this weekend with Luke Fairmen, our most solid and golden investigator. He's an awesome kid, 14 years old and does every reading assingment we give him and has such a desire to learn and become better. I think for the next four weeks we have two talks to give every sunday! It's really quite scary, but I will have to get over it and just man up. Helps me grow and the members know us better. So we got dropped my Lourdes Tea lol! It was a shocker, I'm not sure what happened we both felt so good after that lesson. Maybe just a little to bold but we planted a seed and her husband is working on her, hopefully we can pick her up sometime in the future. BUT we have four new investiagor lessons this week! And they all seem ready. One for sure. Justin Isom he's 14 and his dad is less active but he has been trying to become more active lately. They've only lived here for two years so they haven't been abused my missionaries yet. We met them tracting, Justin was ripping on his new 125 dirt bike up and down the street and we talked to them. Gave them two conference tickets (we get about 6 to give to investigators) for saturday morning session and they both went. We have a lesson for tomorrow I beleive. And I talked to his bishop on saturday and he told me a month ago Justin bore his testimony and said at the end, don't be surprised if I get baptisd soon! So looks like we caught him at the right time, things always happen for a reason here.
I could go on describing each investigator but let me find some other things to talk about. So you don't ever get to go to conference until its your very last opportunity then you get to pick one session to go to. So Elder England picked preisthood session to go to therefore on saturday night I was on exchanges with Elder Bertilino from Cali. He's been out six months and we just got along great, so much in common. Both wear vans, BMX, snowboard, and baptized our girlfriends before coming on our mission. There's something to learn from every Elder here. He is such a soft spoken guy and you really feel is love for you in every conversation. I've never met somone that has so much love for everyone he come's in contact with. Elder England admits it and works on it everyday but he runs short of patience sometimes, not with me at all we get along great. But with members and door contacts mainly lol but he tries not to show it, although it slips out every once in awhile. It's pretty funny if a member doesn't care about missionairy work (you can tell who do and don't easy, hope you are) when we walk away he flips out and says "they will be judged" or something. I'll sum a quick story up real fast to give an example. We were doing unbaptized list and knocked on this one door. Parents are LA but think they are members and they have to UNB daughters who are 14 and 16. We ask if they want to take lessons and the mom goes "Ohh well we don't do lessons but we love the missionaires. We usually just hang out, why don't we schedule to eat lunch and play basketball on friday." We were just like what!? Anyways we explained that thats not our role as missionaries and we are here to bring people closer to Christ and eventually get baptized etc. Well they said well the missionaires before used to always come over and hang out, these girls aren't interested they are just look for a cute mormon boy! We were like this is outrageous anyways Elder England got a little mad and offended by this lady and ended up with DON'T EVER COME BACK HERE AGAIN and Elder England saying something a little snippy. OK point of that story was to show you an example of Elder England being quick to his words, anyways we have had a few crazy things like this before. But what I learned from Elder Bertilino is love everyone, and whatever you want to say bite your tongue and wait for the spirit to guide you. Sorry that story ruined the spirit in this short email but it makes my point, be the better person and never get offened.
So many spiritual experiences here, from lessons to moments with your companion. We've gotten on our knees in a time of serious need and prayed for it. During that prayer of faith the phone rang and we quickly closed in the name of Christ and bang our problem answered. The Lord really does take care of his servants, he does. During a lesson this week I was bearing my testimony on the Holy Ghost and it brought a slight tear to both me and Evan's eyes and I know he could feel Heavenly Father's love for him.
Now people I know without a doubt in my mind I know this is the Lord's work and Christ lives. Through prayer we can all come to know this, as missionaires we pray atleast 30 times a day and I can testify that the Lord cares and loves for each and everyone of his children. We will all be brought forth to be judged one day and depending on how we use the Savior and his atonement we will live together. I love all of you and think of you daily. I ask all of you to repent daily for the little things, become better each day and strive to be like the perfect Son of God. I pray all of you individually and thank you all for your prayers and letters of love. Be safe and read the scriptures daily.
Love, Elder Pizzey.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Missionary Family to Family
Brother and Sister Pizzey,
Your son just left my home a little while ago! What a great missionary he is! I've attached a picture of him and Elder England standing in my front yard in the midst of our Salt Lake spring snow storm! They are trying to teach a woman in our ward boundaries. They have had one lesson with her and she has cancelled two. My husband and I are going to go with them. The Relief Society President and I will visit her tomorrow and see if we can get them back in there!
I have heard that your son and his companion are great teachers of the Gospel, and that they explain things very well. Your son is in good hands with Elder England. When he was assigned to our ward, we heard that he was one of the best missionaries in the mission. What a great missionary to have as your son's trainer!
We have been very impressed with both of these Elders. They were out tracting our streets today in the snow (wet, spring snow!) They work very hard and present themselves very well.
You can be very proud of your son!!
We also have a son who is serving. He is in the Guatemala City North mission. He has been out for 4 months. What an incredible experience for these boys!
I just wanted you to see a picture of your son that was taken today! He seems happy!
Bonnie Mays
Wasatch 9th Ward
Cottonwood Heights, UT
Your son just left my home a little while ago! What a great missionary he is! I've attached a picture of him and Elder England standing in my front yard in the midst of our Salt Lake spring snow storm! They are trying to teach a woman in our ward boundaries. They have had one lesson with her and she has cancelled two. My husband and I are going to go with them. The Relief Society President and I will visit her tomorrow and see if we can get them back in there!
I have heard that your son and his companion are great teachers of the Gospel, and that they explain things very well. Your son is in good hands with Elder England. When he was assigned to our ward, we heard that he was one of the best missionaries in the mission. What a great missionary to have as your son's trainer!
We have been very impressed with both of these Elders. They were out tracting our streets today in the snow (wet, spring snow!) They work very hard and present themselves very well.
You can be very proud of your son!!
We also have a son who is serving. He is in the Guatemala City North mission. He has been out for 4 months. What an incredible experience for these boys!
I just wanted you to see a picture of your son that was taken today! He seems happy!
Bonnie Mays
Wasatch 9th Ward
Cottonwood Heights, UT
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