December 29, 2010 - Week 1 of Transfer 8
Dear my Ma and Pa!
Well hello once again, I feel the same way. We caught up on the phone so there is not much to chat about today. I say that now and by the end this will be over 15 paragraphs long of me rambling on. So Christmas is over and its the start of a new transfer! You know what that means for me, a new planner! I have described that wonderful feeling of starting fresh and getting all organized for the next transfer.
Christmas was a little different being a missionary but none the less it was great. Far better than what I expected. After speaking to you guys Christmas night I was able to finish the night off with several games of pool at the family of Elder Dick's that we visited, it made my holiday. But really what made Christmas was the letter I was able to open up Christmas Eve night from you guys. That cracked me up and really brought a strong feeling of gratitude to me. I am grateful for my family, I love you guys. I couldn't ask for it any better. But not only from you guys did I get gifts, there were tons who made my Christmas. Let me say thank you to Grandpa, Grandma, Nana, the Low's, the Hirsche's, the Heavenor's, Paige, Lamberts, Lindsay pie, and last but not least Mr. Anderson! Really though thanks for the gifts and the letters of encouragement, I appreciate all of your support and I will try to get better with writing. But no promises just quite yet but I will get on it!
So as you can probably tell I did not get transferred and I am sure glad I didn't. This area is way to much fun for nonsense like that! There were some small changes for our zone though. Elder Ng is now gone, and we got a new District Leader. The sisters got changed up and there were a few in zone transfers made (basically just switches). The changes look good though and we are excited to see what happens. The worked slowed down slightly this past week but that was expected but I can feel it picking up once again!
I have told you about this young married couple we are teaching right now, the Curley's. He served a mission five years ago and quickly fell away when he got home. He recently had a serious accident that he considers was his wake up call since then life has changed! For the past month he has been attending church and reading scriptures everyday with his wife who is not a member of the LDS faith. He is a teacher in the Elders Quorum and this past Sunday spoke in church. There were two lines I just loved from his talk, he was speaking of his previous lifestyle. "never did I feel so alone in a group full of friends and never felt so heart broken while having fun with those friends" I just loved what he said there. It's so true. 'Wickedness never was happiness" I think for those people who have once felt pure, true happiness or real joy that comes from keeping the commandments will have a time in their life when they want it back, as did my friend here. This temporary pleasure or joy he was speaking of does not LAST, hence the word temporary. Friends are so key. Looking back on the last few years before I left I realize that's what made the difference. I thought of the Lord's words to Joesph Smith as he sat in Liberty jail when Bro. Curley was speaking of his friends.
"Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands.Thou art not yet as Job; thy friends do not contend against thee, neither charge thee with transgression, as they did Job. And they who do charge thee with transgression, their hope shall be blasted, and their prospects shall melt away as the hoar frost melteth before the burning rays of the rising sun" (Doctrine and Covenants 121: 9-11)
So moving on and wrapping this up let me share one more story. In my first (with Elder England) we taught a lady by the name of Lourdes Tea, she is from Peru. Well we taught her one lesson nine months ago. It was a spiritual lesson and when we feel the spirit, we know they do to! We invite people to be baptized! Well it scared her a little as it does with most people. We never were able to get back in there and teach her again, she was good at dodging us. Well on Sunday Elder Dick and I were able to go back and do her baptismal interview! She started to read the Book of Mormon we left with her and shortly after started to attend church. The Bishop hooked her up with the missionaries and she was on her way to taking the first step, baptism! It was amazing to see the fruit of some of my earlier labors! You never know when your planting seeds, I just had the biggest smile ever while I was over there. She kept apologizing to me and wishing she would have continued on but I have realized once again it happens in the Lord's time. There is a timing to everything and it all comes together.
I love both of you, I love the Lord and love this work.
Your son, Elder Pizzey
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
December 22, 2010
December 22, 2010 - Week 6, Transfer of 7
There is way to much to say today! I don't think I have ever emailed this late. Today we went with a few of the companionships to the "family fun zone". Its a roller skating rink, laser tag and like a bunch of massive astro jumps in one buillding. It was a lot of fun and a good work out. So I always say "sorry this weeks email is going to be really short due to time" but they end up being really long... Well I believe I'm serious this week. I think this weeks email will be short due to time. Plus we talk in three days! And I will be able to update you then! Can't wait.
So as you know we had a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles come speak to us this past week. ELDER HOLLAND. It was so intense, you don't even know and words can't describe. All I can say I am glad I follow misison rules and do my studies, I don't think I could have looked him in the eyes as he spoke. I will say though there was a lot of pounding the pulpit but in his way, a way full of love, if that makes sense. He talked about the blessing of having Preach My Gospel and compared it to his day while serving a mission. He talked about missionaries going less active after returning home. Touched on disobedience, if you are your doing it your own way, claiming this is your church. ITS NOT! You do it HIS way and this is HIS church. It was funny near the end he talked about people home sick during these holidays. He said, "I am sympathetic for you BUT I HAVE NO PATIENCE FOR YOU! If your keeping the rules, waking up on time and doing your studies then I promise you won't be home sick but excited!" It was something along those lines. I loved how he put things, it all makes sense. He said if you woke up on time I can tell you how your studies were. You tell me if you studied for two hours and I'll tell you how your day went. Tell me how your day went and I'll tell you how your week will go, the next month and you entire mission. Then he said, YOUR LIFE! And it just hit home. He is a motivating speaker.
I was able to go on two exchanges this past week. With E. Ng (my son) and E. Torres two of our District Leaders. Both of them were great and there are spiritual stories I would like to share from the lessons we had. It was nice to catch up with E. Ng, he has improved big time. His teaching skills have increased, we were able to teach in unity just feeding off each other. It was nice to get to know E. Torres and gain some trust there. We are lucky to have him as a District Leader, mainly because he's from Brazil. We have alot of non-Americans in our zone I love it! It's like a going battle in the mission, to overrun the Americans.
So I was in sacrament this week with four of the people we are teaching and I look up and Claudio R. M. Costa is sitting in the stands presiding. I guess he lives in our area. It's nice to have a member of the Presidency of the Seventy living in your ward, keeps you on your toes. We are teaching a young couple Chad and Courtney Curley. Chad served a mission four years ago but stopped attending the minute he got home and Courtney, his wife, is not a member of the church. Chad recently had a big wake up call in his life and has been attending church and reading scriptures with his wife daily for a month now. He is a teacher in Elders Quorum and everything! Well we have taught them (both time E. Dick was gone on exchanges) twice now. First lesson Courtney was way open but didn't really feel if this was her path. We go to church and she shows up by herself, Chad is at home throwing up. She is not the kind of person to come by herself, she even went to relief society! Next lesson she said she had the hardest week in a long time yet it was great? Doesn't make sense but she said she prayed each day and read. She said she felt so good and this extra stength even though it was so hard. She prayed sunday morning and just felt she had to go! It was amazing to see a complete change in her over a week, not even a week. This gosepl is so TRUE!
That is just one of the many stories. Elder Dick and I had a lesson with a new person that was by far the greatest lesson we have ever had together. We were seemless with each other, complete unity, our hearts knit as one! I can't describe how much I love this life. Elder Holland said this is the real life. Capital R! Capital L! I love the scriptures, I love the Book of Mormon. Any spare minute I have, I read it. Lunch time I don't fall asleep I study. I don't ever want to loose this.
This week E. Dick and I were leaving the stake offices as a returned Elder was coming in to be released. He saw us and he looked devistated, a deer in the head lights. He even started to shed some tears. How will I go home! Phhh what am I saying I'll be fine, adapt perfectly! But I will miss this! Good thing I have at least a full year left. Its just gone by so fast. I enjoy this.
Love Elder Pizzey!
There is way to much to say today! I don't think I have ever emailed this late. Today we went with a few of the companionships to the "family fun zone". Its a roller skating rink, laser tag and like a bunch of massive astro jumps in one buillding. It was a lot of fun and a good work out. So I always say "sorry this weeks email is going to be really short due to time" but they end up being really long... Well I believe I'm serious this week. I think this weeks email will be short due to time. Plus we talk in three days! And I will be able to update you then! Can't wait.
So as you know we had a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles come speak to us this past week. ELDER HOLLAND. It was so intense, you don't even know and words can't describe. All I can say I am glad I follow misison rules and do my studies, I don't think I could have looked him in the eyes as he spoke. I will say though there was a lot of pounding the pulpit but in his way, a way full of love, if that makes sense. He talked about the blessing of having Preach My Gospel and compared it to his day while serving a mission. He talked about missionaries going less active after returning home. Touched on disobedience, if you are your doing it your own way, claiming this is your church. ITS NOT! You do it HIS way and this is HIS church. It was funny near the end he talked about people home sick during these holidays. He said, "I am sympathetic for you BUT I HAVE NO PATIENCE FOR YOU! If your keeping the rules, waking up on time and doing your studies then I promise you won't be home sick but excited!" It was something along those lines. I loved how he put things, it all makes sense. He said if you woke up on time I can tell you how your studies were. You tell me if you studied for two hours and I'll tell you how your day went. Tell me how your day went and I'll tell you how your week will go, the next month and you entire mission. Then he said, YOUR LIFE! And it just hit home. He is a motivating speaker.
I was able to go on two exchanges this past week. With E. Ng (my son) and E. Torres two of our District Leaders. Both of them were great and there are spiritual stories I would like to share from the lessons we had. It was nice to catch up with E. Ng, he has improved big time. His teaching skills have increased, we were able to teach in unity just feeding off each other. It was nice to get to know E. Torres and gain some trust there. We are lucky to have him as a District Leader, mainly because he's from Brazil. We have alot of non-Americans in our zone I love it! It's like a going battle in the mission, to overrun the Americans.
So I was in sacrament this week with four of the people we are teaching and I look up and Claudio R. M. Costa is sitting in the stands presiding. I guess he lives in our area. It's nice to have a member of the Presidency of the Seventy living in your ward, keeps you on your toes. We are teaching a young couple Chad and Courtney Curley. Chad served a mission four years ago but stopped attending the minute he got home and Courtney, his wife, is not a member of the church. Chad recently had a big wake up call in his life and has been attending church and reading scriptures with his wife daily for a month now. He is a teacher in Elders Quorum and everything! Well we have taught them (both time E. Dick was gone on exchanges) twice now. First lesson Courtney was way open but didn't really feel if this was her path. We go to church and she shows up by herself, Chad is at home throwing up. She is not the kind of person to come by herself, she even went to relief society! Next lesson she said she had the hardest week in a long time yet it was great? Doesn't make sense but she said she prayed each day and read. She said she felt so good and this extra stength even though it was so hard. She prayed sunday morning and just felt she had to go! It was amazing to see a complete change in her over a week, not even a week. This gosepl is so TRUE!
That is just one of the many stories. Elder Dick and I had a lesson with a new person that was by far the greatest lesson we have ever had together. We were seemless with each other, complete unity, our hearts knit as one! I can't describe how much I love this life. Elder Holland said this is the real life. Capital R! Capital L! I love the scriptures, I love the Book of Mormon. Any spare minute I have, I read it. Lunch time I don't fall asleep I study. I don't ever want to loose this.
This week E. Dick and I were leaving the stake offices as a returned Elder was coming in to be released. He saw us and he looked devistated, a deer in the head lights. He even started to shed some tears. How will I go home! Phhh what am I saying I'll be fine, adapt perfectly! But I will miss this! Good thing I have at least a full year left. Its just gone by so fast. I enjoy this.
Love Elder Pizzey!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
December 15, 2010
December 15, 2010 - Week 5 of Transfer 7
Hello my family in Christ!
Christmas is coming so fast, the weeks fly by! I love serving in this University stake! People my age! People I can relate to! This past week was unreal as far as the work goes! At this moment we have twelve people working towards baptismal dates, in the last four weeks this area has gone crazy, we can hardly keep up to the work. In the University Stake we started teaching three new people and I love them ALL!
Before I share a few quick stories. We had the longest ZLC of my life! From like 11 to 4 last Saturday. Bro. Hill and Bro. Christenson came to that ZLC to train us, it was fairly interesting. They work with the Brethren and the MTC on the way missions are run. They touched on some good things, my favorite was "mission culture". For the good and the bad. Thing I love about this Church, is that there is doctrine for everything! Well lots learned but not to interesting for you guys. This morning we had a quick meeting (during our PDay!) at the mission office. New rule. You are not alot to delete text messages and your companion has to see everything you send. I think its smart. Enough of the boring things.
So along time ago E. Dick was on a exchange and they were at the College. They met a guy named Francis and set up a lesson with him. It ended up and we weren't able to make the lesson that was scheduled (ZLC that was mandatory) but we had no way to contact him! He is from Ghana Africa and only here for a year and has no cell phone... Well when we were at the institute I saw this guy from far away and just KNEW I had to talk to him. E. Dick was busy talking to someone and this guy was 20 feet way, I went for it! I tracked him down and started to chat. His name was Francis and from Ghana! Elder Dick told me all about him and I found him! It ended up that he actually showed up and we weren't there... how sad?! and terrible. So after a week or two of no contact we found him. Scheduled a lesson and all is good know. He is Methodist yet really interested, he has a mentor family who takes him to church every week and he is really afraid to offend them but he wants to come to church. Everything started to make sense to him when we described the Great Apostasy. It always drove him crazy how he was baptized twice, earlier in a different denomination. He has such a strong belief in Christ and knows exactly what he wants in life. I love him, we have had some unreal lessons with him.
Then on Sunday we attended one of the University ward's Ward council. They are willing to do anything to help us out. Well they told us about this girl who was baptized in Taiwan a few months ago and she is now attending there ward. They (the WML) were teaching her the new member lessons and she started to bring her boyfriend to those lessons and then to church. His name is Dung Le and not a member of the LDS church, never been religious. So we decided to cancel some of the plans we had that day and attend their ward to see if we could meet him. It worked out, we met him. Then went to the Gospel essentials class with them. There was only a few of us in there and the lesson turned out to become tailored to them. Near the end of the lesson we started to talk about baptism and it started to get real spiritual, just five of us gathered in a circle of desks. I then asked Gung (pronounced young mixed with yom) what he thought about baptism. He sat there for awhile in silence then asked, "WHEN CAN I DO IT?" Right then in the lesson I told him we are holding a baptismal service on January 8th and invited him to prepare to be baptized on that date. It was crazy, never invited someone to be baptized with a specific date in a Sunday school lesson! This guy is hilarious to, a big time break dancer with crazy wild hair. It should be fun getting to know him.
We also started to teach Ryan Cook this week, he is my favorite right now! You shouldn't have favorites but he is so REAL! He is a big time skater and just in this past year one of his friends died. It made him really think about life and the purpose of it. Where we go after? What must we do? Well he started to attend a baptist church and got baptized not too long ago. Our first lesson with him was on Monday and just way to spiritual/sad for me! I never cry when I feel the spirit but in this lesson I came the CLOSEST I have in a long time to crying. Not because of the spirit but just emotion, I felt so bad for Ryan. He has gone through alot and right now to top it off his parents are going through a divorce. Well he was amazed when we told him about Joseph Smith, he couldn't handle it. The first vision blew him away! He always wondered why we don't have prophets today, or why God doesn't speak to man anymore. When asked to be baptized though he was devastated, in the thought of being baptized again. You should have seen the look on his face, it almost killed me, so sad. He told us how his baptism was the scariest thing he has ever done. I am having troubles trying to describe this moment in the lesson... Hmmm. Well I loved it. We were able to explain the restored priesthood authority some more and help him understand the importance of what we share.
Well this week I keep learning one thing. God loves ALL of his children. Christ died for all of us and many of us just don't know it. The infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice is extended to all. I am starting to see people and situations through different eyes. Why people do certain things, say certain things. I am starting to have a love for everyone I meet. The time I have with this sacred first name, ELDER is short. Real short, and I am going to make the best of while I can. No regret.
Love your son, Elder Pizzey.
Hello my family in Christ!
Christmas is coming so fast, the weeks fly by! I love serving in this University stake! People my age! People I can relate to! This past week was unreal as far as the work goes! At this moment we have twelve people working towards baptismal dates, in the last four weeks this area has gone crazy, we can hardly keep up to the work. In the University Stake we started teaching three new people and I love them ALL!
Before I share a few quick stories. We had the longest ZLC of my life! From like 11 to 4 last Saturday. Bro. Hill and Bro. Christenson came to that ZLC to train us, it was fairly interesting. They work with the Brethren and the MTC on the way missions are run. They touched on some good things, my favorite was "mission culture". For the good and the bad. Thing I love about this Church, is that there is doctrine for everything! Well lots learned but not to interesting for you guys. This morning we had a quick meeting (during our PDay!) at the mission office. New rule. You are not alot to delete text messages and your companion has to see everything you send. I think its smart. Enough of the boring things.
So along time ago E. Dick was on a exchange and they were at the College. They met a guy named Francis and set up a lesson with him. It ended up and we weren't able to make the lesson that was scheduled (ZLC that was mandatory) but we had no way to contact him! He is from Ghana Africa and only here for a year and has no cell phone... Well when we were at the institute I saw this guy from far away and just KNEW I had to talk to him. E. Dick was busy talking to someone and this guy was 20 feet way, I went for it! I tracked him down and started to chat. His name was Francis and from Ghana! Elder Dick told me all about him and I found him! It ended up that he actually showed up and we weren't there... how sad?! and terrible. So after a week or two of no contact we found him. Scheduled a lesson and all is good know. He is Methodist yet really interested, he has a mentor family who takes him to church every week and he is really afraid to offend them but he wants to come to church. Everything started to make sense to him when we described the Great Apostasy. It always drove him crazy how he was baptized twice, earlier in a different denomination. He has such a strong belief in Christ and knows exactly what he wants in life. I love him, we have had some unreal lessons with him.
Then on Sunday we attended one of the University ward's Ward council. They are willing to do anything to help us out. Well they told us about this girl who was baptized in Taiwan a few months ago and she is now attending there ward. They (the WML) were teaching her the new member lessons and she started to bring her boyfriend to those lessons and then to church. His name is Dung Le and not a member of the LDS church, never been religious. So we decided to cancel some of the plans we had that day and attend their ward to see if we could meet him. It worked out, we met him. Then went to the Gospel essentials class with them. There was only a few of us in there and the lesson turned out to become tailored to them. Near the end of the lesson we started to talk about baptism and it started to get real spiritual, just five of us gathered in a circle of desks. I then asked Gung (pronounced young mixed with yom) what he thought about baptism. He sat there for awhile in silence then asked, "WHEN CAN I DO IT?" Right then in the lesson I told him we are holding a baptismal service on January 8th and invited him to prepare to be baptized on that date. It was crazy, never invited someone to be baptized with a specific date in a Sunday school lesson! This guy is hilarious to, a big time break dancer with crazy wild hair. It should be fun getting to know him.
We also started to teach Ryan Cook this week, he is my favorite right now! You shouldn't have favorites but he is so REAL! He is a big time skater and just in this past year one of his friends died. It made him really think about life and the purpose of it. Where we go after? What must we do? Well he started to attend a baptist church and got baptized not too long ago. Our first lesson with him was on Monday and just way to spiritual/sad for me! I never cry when I feel the spirit but in this lesson I came the CLOSEST I have in a long time to crying. Not because of the spirit but just emotion, I felt so bad for Ryan. He has gone through alot and right now to top it off his parents are going through a divorce. Well he was amazed when we told him about Joseph Smith, he couldn't handle it. The first vision blew him away! He always wondered why we don't have prophets today, or why God doesn't speak to man anymore. When asked to be baptized though he was devastated, in the thought of being baptized again. You should have seen the look on his face, it almost killed me, so sad. He told us how his baptism was the scariest thing he has ever done. I am having troubles trying to describe this moment in the lesson... Hmmm. Well I loved it. We were able to explain the restored priesthood authority some more and help him understand the importance of what we share.
Well this week I keep learning one thing. God loves ALL of his children. Christ died for all of us and many of us just don't know it. The infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice is extended to all. I am starting to see people and situations through different eyes. Why people do certain things, say certain things. I am starting to have a love for everyone I meet. The time I have with this sacred first name, ELDER is short. Real short, and I am going to make the best of while I can. No regret.
Love your son, Elder Pizzey.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
December 8, 2010
December 8, 2010 - Week 4 of Transfer 7
Hello Mother and Father!
This transfer is flying by, I don't get it. Before we know it it will be 2011! Weird. Weird. This week has been a blast and completely hectic! So due to a long letter to President this week this letter might be a little shorter, I apologize! But I want to get everything in so it might be more of just a list and short descriptions, sorry no long detailed spiritual stories but there were alot of them. They happen everyday! I love serving as a representative of Christ!
So last friday I had my first real ZLC (zone leader council) and ohh man was it intense. From 11AM to 4PM. So there are 9 zones so the council consists of all the zoneleaders, the assistants and President and Sister Miller. We discuss any concerns, issues, goals for the mission, future plans and trains etc. etc. It is fun to be involved and to be able to voice your opinion on matters, but man its is lengthy. Near the end I was ready to run out of there! I just want to go work work work. It's really cool, this transfer there is no more thing as "slow hours"! I love all the hours, the days just fly by and I love all that we do. So the biggest change that was just made is one, the criteria for District Meetings. There has always been a standered training given to all the District Leaders a few weeks in advance and they would give it. Now in our DLC's (District Leader Council) within our zone it is up to us (DL + ZL) to make the trainings for the zone based on the needs of the missionaries within the zone. And each District Leader can tailor it to his district of course. It's more work but I think this is what we needed. It will work.
Maybe a tad bit more information that dad would like. One of the Assistants, E. Brand, is huge on spread sheets and stuff, he works it like pretty good during ZLC. Laptop and projector. Well our mission has 450 investigators being taught who do not have a baptismal date set as a goal to work towards. We are called to teach people who are ready for baptism. Know this number is way to high and the mission goal is to reduce that to half, 225. Our zone has only 33 investigators without a baptismal date but that is probably because our zone is hardly teaching ANYONE! Its not good. Our area has picked up like no other in the past couple weeks. Right now we have eight people working towards a baptismal date and one who does not, we aren't activiely teaching him too. So we are busy busy busy and I love it! It is a great area now to bring DL into for an exchange.
Enough about that stuff! So later that night (Friday) Pres. Miller came out with E. Dick and I to teach. He came to two of our lessons then had to leave at eight because of a training he was giving with Elder Bednar the next day he hadn't prepared for at all! But our two lessons with him were unreal! Elder Dick and I had never taught so unified. We were completely on the same page every minute. The investigators were talking more than us, such a blessing. But that night we had a first lesson with Bro. King. When we set up the lesson earlier he said he doesn't want to be pushed and he didn't want to think about baptism for a year. He accepted a date for January 8 it was a spiritual discussion. We will see what happens.
I had an exchange with Elder Gome's in our zone, a really shy Elder but once you get to know him he opens up big time! So funny! He is the one in the banana suit in the pictures I send home at Christmas. He is from Cape Verda (sp?) Africa and has just learned English in the past six months. He is doing great.
We are teaching a 17 boy named Rocco, he is so cool. He will totally serve a mission. The best thing is that he is a sponsored "free runner" He can backflip/frontflip on ground, run up a wall with 5 steps and backfkip. Jump of a 25' building white backfilpping! So intense, I love him. We met him on saturday and he has a date of December 19th!
Ohh this was the biggest downer of the night. We are out in Taylorsville checking up on a referal with the university stake. First our phone dies while we are way out there. We park the car (in an illegal spot, that we didn't know) and go in a house for 15 mins. Come back out and our car is gone! It was in the ghetto so we thought it was stolen but turns out it was towed! In 15 min, no lie! We were so ticked, so I know have to pay a $225 ticket but we got the car back a couple days later. Sorry about the ticket, please love me and realize I didn't mean to. President felt terrible and was ticked at the company, they wouldn't drop it anymore, it was like $275 I think. Some anti-mormon chick called in the second we parked I guess, really not cool...
So much to say! NO TIME! This weekend Daniel Bay got married on saturday then he was baptized on Sunday! He is the coolest guy. He used to sell every drug you can think of and within the past 10 years made some big big changes. I learn something new from him everyday we go to his house. Such a humble man, he recongizes his weaknesses and where he can improve. Love him. I only have pictures of the wedding because my camera was in the car that night, but I am working on getting some from people.
I love this area. I love teaching. Things just keep getting better and better for us. With the University 7th stake they trust us, referral after referral. Yesterday Elder Dick and I set up a table/booth at the SLCC in Taylorsville! This was what I always dreamed of doing on a mission, well kind of. Just a busy place, lots of people and having the opportunity to talk to everyone! Not a single person got past me. Within the two hours we were there, three new lessons set up and seven referals! We are going to do this once every week or two.
This week I have been doing alot of pondering and recognizing where I am weak. I was reading in Helaman, reading alot about pride. It's a hard thing to really think about where you lack and once you do it hurts. I am a perfectionist in all that I do as I know you know. Sometimes its good and sometimes it bad. I can get into a mode where its got to be done my way or the highway and this turns me into a control freak! I know it's funny but in a companionship it doesn't always work. Although I may think I'm right, I'm not. Now me and E. Dick are getting along just fine but I could always do better. Be unified is key and not always so easy. The difference between what you think is obedience and the other does or doesn't. When do you compromise and when do you lay down the law. Sorry I went on a rant but thanks listening! I am really focusing on goals, I've never really had a testimony of this or been to good at it. Since we are having a GA to speak to us about goals I thought it might be a good idea to get going. It feels good accomplishing goals though. Ok I must go! This was long. Hmm... I must be getting faster at typing!
Love you tons, Elder Pizzey!
Hello Mother and Father!
This transfer is flying by, I don't get it. Before we know it it will be 2011! Weird. Weird. This week has been a blast and completely hectic! So due to a long letter to President this week this letter might be a little shorter, I apologize! But I want to get everything in so it might be more of just a list and short descriptions, sorry no long detailed spiritual stories but there were alot of them. They happen everyday! I love serving as a representative of Christ!
So last friday I had my first real ZLC (zone leader council) and ohh man was it intense. From 11AM to 4PM. So there are 9 zones so the council consists of all the zoneleaders, the assistants and President and Sister Miller. We discuss any concerns, issues, goals for the mission, future plans and trains etc. etc. It is fun to be involved and to be able to voice your opinion on matters, but man its is lengthy. Near the end I was ready to run out of there! I just want to go work work work. It's really cool, this transfer there is no more thing as "slow hours"! I love all the hours, the days just fly by and I love all that we do. So the biggest change that was just made is one, the criteria for District Meetings. There has always been a standered training given to all the District Leaders a few weeks in advance and they would give it. Now in our DLC's (District Leader Council) within our zone it is up to us (DL + ZL) to make the trainings for the zone based on the needs of the missionaries within the zone. And each District Leader can tailor it to his district of course. It's more work but I think this is what we needed. It will work.
Maybe a tad bit more information that dad would like. One of the Assistants, E. Brand, is huge on spread sheets and stuff, he works it like pretty good during ZLC. Laptop and projector. Well our mission has 450 investigators being taught who do not have a baptismal date set as a goal to work towards. We are called to teach people who are ready for baptism. Know this number is way to high and the mission goal is to reduce that to half, 225. Our zone has only 33 investigators without a baptismal date but that is probably because our zone is hardly teaching ANYONE! Its not good. Our area has picked up like no other in the past couple weeks. Right now we have eight people working towards a baptismal date and one who does not, we aren't activiely teaching him too. So we are busy busy busy and I love it! It is a great area now to bring DL into for an exchange.
Enough about that stuff! So later that night (Friday) Pres. Miller came out with E. Dick and I to teach. He came to two of our lessons then had to leave at eight because of a training he was giving with Elder Bednar the next day he hadn't prepared for at all! But our two lessons with him were unreal! Elder Dick and I had never taught so unified. We were completely on the same page every minute. The investigators were talking more than us, such a blessing. But that night we had a first lesson with Bro. King. When we set up the lesson earlier he said he doesn't want to be pushed and he didn't want to think about baptism for a year. He accepted a date for January 8 it was a spiritual discussion. We will see what happens.
I had an exchange with Elder Gome's in our zone, a really shy Elder but once you get to know him he opens up big time! So funny! He is the one in the banana suit in the pictures I send home at Christmas. He is from Cape Verda (sp?) Africa and has just learned English in the past six months. He is doing great.
We are teaching a 17 boy named Rocco, he is so cool. He will totally serve a mission. The best thing is that he is a sponsored "free runner" He can backflip/frontflip on ground, run up a wall with 5 steps and backfkip. Jump of a 25' building white backfilpping! So intense, I love him. We met him on saturday and he has a date of December 19th!
Ohh this was the biggest downer of the night. We are out in Taylorsville checking up on a referal with the university stake. First our phone dies while we are way out there. We park the car (in an illegal spot, that we didn't know) and go in a house for 15 mins. Come back out and our car is gone! It was in the ghetto so we thought it was stolen but turns out it was towed! In 15 min, no lie! We were so ticked, so I know have to pay a $225 ticket but we got the car back a couple days later. Sorry about the ticket, please love me and realize I didn't mean to. President felt terrible and was ticked at the company, they wouldn't drop it anymore, it was like $275 I think. Some anti-mormon chick called in the second we parked I guess, really not cool...
So much to say! NO TIME! This weekend Daniel Bay got married on saturday then he was baptized on Sunday! He is the coolest guy. He used to sell every drug you can think of and within the past 10 years made some big big changes. I learn something new from him everyday we go to his house. Such a humble man, he recongizes his weaknesses and where he can improve. Love him. I only have pictures of the wedding because my camera was in the car that night, but I am working on getting some from people.
I love this area. I love teaching. Things just keep getting better and better for us. With the University 7th stake they trust us, referral after referral. Yesterday Elder Dick and I set up a table/booth at the SLCC in Taylorsville! This was what I always dreamed of doing on a mission, well kind of. Just a busy place, lots of people and having the opportunity to talk to everyone! Not a single person got past me. Within the two hours we were there, three new lessons set up and seven referals! We are going to do this once every week or two.
This week I have been doing alot of pondering and recognizing where I am weak. I was reading in Helaman, reading alot about pride. It's a hard thing to really think about where you lack and once you do it hurts. I am a perfectionist in all that I do as I know you know. Sometimes its good and sometimes it bad. I can get into a mode where its got to be done my way or the highway and this turns me into a control freak! I know it's funny but in a companionship it doesn't always work. Although I may think I'm right, I'm not. Now me and E. Dick are getting along just fine but I could always do better. Be unified is key and not always so easy. The difference between what you think is obedience and the other does or doesn't. When do you compromise and when do you lay down the law. Sorry I went on a rant but thanks listening! I am really focusing on goals, I've never really had a testimony of this or been to good at it. Since we are having a GA to speak to us about goals I thought it might be a good idea to get going. It feels good accomplishing goals though. Ok I must go! This was long. Hmm... I must be getting faster at typing!
Love you tons, Elder Pizzey!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
December 1, 2010
December 1, 2010 - Week 3 of Transfer 7
Hi Ma and Pa!
Sounds like you guys had a good trip, I completely forgot you were in Florida this past week. I met quite a few people this past week with ties to Florida, weird. Mom! You killed it golfing, an 83! How? That is nuts, I'm proud... How intense is Thanksgiving here!? Ohh man people wouldn't let us go unless we ate! We had a huge stake breakfast then four dinners throughout the rest of the day. It hurt. I gained 10 lbs that day and lost in the next day. Its grouse I know but people get so offended you don't eat. Please don't force missionaries to eat. I was able to go visit the Roosendaals and the Ulrich's. Felt like going home. I will probably go to Roosendaals on Christmas for a little bit.
So my exchange last Wednesday night with Elder Brand (assistant) was unreal. He is a missionary I respect and look up to in the mission. We taught a couple lessons that night and man do I love teaching with someone who has the same style as I. I hate when Elders say OK you teach this principle, I teach this one. NO! Every minute there should be a transition between missionaries, a question asked, a scriptures shared or a testimony born! When you yield to your companion and both add in you don't hinder the spirit and allow the inspired thoughts/scriptures/questions to be shared. Elder Brand and I had a good conversation about teaching. The only reason I teach people is to get them to feel something. That feeling awakens a desire and that desire builds to action! This past week I studied David M. McConkie's talk from this past General Conference. This paragraph spoke to me and I wrote it down in the front of my Book of Mormon.
"The role of the teacher is “to help individuals take responsibility for learning the gospel—to awaken in them the desire to study, understand, and live the gospel.” This means that as teachers we should not focus so much on our performance as on how we help others learn and live the gospel."
When teaching I think what do THEY need right now to feel the spirit. Not how am I going to transition into our lesson plan. The key is to LISTEN and to truly listen. Its hard and something always to work on. Not thinking of whats next, what question, what scripture. But just listening then allowing the spirit to tell you what to do, once they are done. My thought for the week!
So we cover the University 7th Stake and man is it unreal! We spoke in one of the wards this past week, it's so nice being able to be with/teach people you can relate too. We go to the Taylorsville Institute building alot to find. Play some pool/ping pong with some guys not of our faith then set up a lesson! lol it works though. There are some many people attending Institute classes who aren't LDS its prime. Exams are this upcoming week for all of them so it's a little hard but we just need some time and we will be doing unreal. We are setting up a table near the food courts of the SLCC in Taylorsville this coming Tuesday, we will see what happens. Ohh! Also! So I'm at the Institute on Friday and I see a picture of Bro. and Sis. Forysth, totally forgot about them! Well it turns out he is the in the Stake Presidency of our stake! So cool, Sunday was the first time seeing him and that was at the Stake High council meeting. I have seen him quite a few times since, we are going to set up a dinner soon. So he is one of the main teachers over there and I guess we have permission to attend some of the institute classes if we can find the ones with the people attending who aren't of our faith. So Sisters had this stake prior and they just weren't doing anything with it because they were to shy but we are ready to go. It's such a blessing to cover this Stake. (young single adult stake)
So on Sunday we got a referral for this guy named Sid. He has been here for three months and came here for school from South Korea. Well during Sacrament meetings we left the Institute to go follow up on this referral. Sid comes to the door and peeks through the glass, waves and walks away with look on his face, "I'm not interested, go away." We sat there for a few seconds just thinking... this sucks. We were about to walk away then I decided to give it my last shot and knocked with some attitude. The knock said, "you come back here". Well he did and starred through the glass again then cracked open the door and asked us what we wanted. We were able to explain who we were and eventually get inside! We shared a short message and asked him to say a prayer before he left. His prayer was unreal and so sincere. He was speaking directly to God. I love the prayer of a child or a investigator. So simple and brief, the way it should be. He told us the reason he came to school in Utah is because of the LDS standards and view on family. He's 19 years old! I love being a missionary, you really learn alot about people and learn to understand how they feel and where they are. We are all raised differently and are in completely different places in life.
That is the main part of my week. We have some fun things coming up in December for the mission. A couple general authorities coming. One on December 17th and another on January 1st. I know who they are too! But can't say sorry. This week Dan Bay one of our investigators is getting married on Saturday and baptized on Sunday. Also Donavin Thompson from my old area is getting baptized on Saturday, way excited. He is the 6'8" Jamaican. On friday we have a 6 hour Zone Council! Aghhh! Basically like a ward council but for the affairs of the mission. Should be fun. Later that night President Miller is coming out for the night with Elder Dick and I to basically see how we teach. A little scary but should be a good experience.
Love you guys,
Your son Elder Pizzey!
Hi Ma and Pa!
Sounds like you guys had a good trip, I completely forgot you were in Florida this past week. I met quite a few people this past week with ties to Florida, weird. Mom! You killed it golfing, an 83! How? That is nuts, I'm proud... How intense is Thanksgiving here!? Ohh man people wouldn't let us go unless we ate! We had a huge stake breakfast then four dinners throughout the rest of the day. It hurt. I gained 10 lbs that day and lost in the next day. Its grouse I know but people get so offended you don't eat. Please don't force missionaries to eat. I was able to go visit the Roosendaals and the Ulrich's. Felt like going home. I will probably go to Roosendaals on Christmas for a little bit.
So my exchange last Wednesday night with Elder Brand (assistant) was unreal. He is a missionary I respect and look up to in the mission. We taught a couple lessons that night and man do I love teaching with someone who has the same style as I. I hate when Elders say OK you teach this principle, I teach this one. NO! Every minute there should be a transition between missionaries, a question asked, a scriptures shared or a testimony born! When you yield to your companion and both add in you don't hinder the spirit and allow the inspired thoughts/scriptures/questions to be shared. Elder Brand and I had a good conversation about teaching. The only reason I teach people is to get them to feel something. That feeling awakens a desire and that desire builds to action! This past week I studied David M. McConkie's talk from this past General Conference. This paragraph spoke to me and I wrote it down in the front of my Book of Mormon.
"The role of the teacher is “to help individuals take responsibility for learning the gospel—to awaken in them the desire to study, understand, and live the gospel.” This means that as teachers we should not focus so much on our performance as on how we help others learn and live the gospel."
When teaching I think what do THEY need right now to feel the spirit. Not how am I going to transition into our lesson plan. The key is to LISTEN and to truly listen. Its hard and something always to work on. Not thinking of whats next, what question, what scripture. But just listening then allowing the spirit to tell you what to do, once they are done. My thought for the week!
So we cover the University 7th Stake and man is it unreal! We spoke in one of the wards this past week, it's so nice being able to be with/teach people you can relate too. We go to the Taylorsville Institute building alot to find. Play some pool/ping pong with some guys not of our faith then set up a lesson! lol it works though. There are some many people attending Institute classes who aren't LDS its prime. Exams are this upcoming week for all of them so it's a little hard but we just need some time and we will be doing unreal. We are setting up a table near the food courts of the SLCC in Taylorsville this coming Tuesday, we will see what happens. Ohh! Also! So I'm at the Institute on Friday and I see a picture of Bro. and Sis. Forysth, totally forgot about them! Well it turns out he is the in the Stake Presidency of our stake! So cool, Sunday was the first time seeing him and that was at the Stake High council meeting. I have seen him quite a few times since, we are going to set up a dinner soon. So he is one of the main teachers over there and I guess we have permission to attend some of the institute classes if we can find the ones with the people attending who aren't of our faith. So Sisters had this stake prior and they just weren't doing anything with it because they were to shy but we are ready to go. It's such a blessing to cover this Stake. (young single adult stake)
So on Sunday we got a referral for this guy named Sid. He has been here for three months and came here for school from South Korea. Well during Sacrament meetings we left the Institute to go follow up on this referral. Sid comes to the door and peeks through the glass, waves and walks away with look on his face, "I'm not interested, go away." We sat there for a few seconds just thinking... this sucks. We were about to walk away then I decided to give it my last shot and knocked with some attitude. The knock said, "you come back here". Well he did and starred through the glass again then cracked open the door and asked us what we wanted. We were able to explain who we were and eventually get inside! We shared a short message and asked him to say a prayer before he left. His prayer was unreal and so sincere. He was speaking directly to God. I love the prayer of a child or a investigator. So simple and brief, the way it should be. He told us the reason he came to school in Utah is because of the LDS standards and view on family. He's 19 years old! I love being a missionary, you really learn alot about people and learn to understand how they feel and where they are. We are all raised differently and are in completely different places in life.
That is the main part of my week. We have some fun things coming up in December for the mission. A couple general authorities coming. One on December 17th and another on January 1st. I know who they are too! But can't say sorry. This week Dan Bay one of our investigators is getting married on Saturday and baptized on Sunday. Also Donavin Thompson from my old area is getting baptized on Saturday, way excited. He is the 6'8" Jamaican. On friday we have a 6 hour Zone Council! Aghhh! Basically like a ward council but for the affairs of the mission. Should be fun. Later that night President Miller is coming out for the night with Elder Dick and I to basically see how we teach. A little scary but should be a good experience.
Love you guys,
Your son Elder Pizzey!
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