July 25, 2011 - Week 1 of Transfer 13
The past couple weeks have been full of administrative days and not so much ministering or proselyting. As you can tell when things are business my emails are not as good, yet my weeks are still full of miracles and uplifting moments. It is hard for me to communicate them when my mind is focused on transfers and trying to solve some of the problems we have. None the less, let me attempt to put some thoughts together and write you a lovely email!
This past week we had three baptisms! And for this next week we are shooting for ten baptisms! It is outrageous all the work. Six of the ten baptisms are completely solid and the other four we are going to work our buns off to help them feel ready. There are too many people you have to meet from my mission, they are my best friends. It will be so weird introducing you to everyone but no matter how awkward it will be you need to meet these people I love so much! This morning we had a lesson with the Gazmer (prounced Gozmer) family and afterwards place soccer outside the shady apartments on the street with Bijay and is younger sister Anjali. Bijay looks up to his uncle Bon Biswa who lives next door to them so much, it is adorable. It reminds me of how I used to bug Jeff Gilmore to play with me 24/7.
Like I explained last week, we are continuing to find new people to teach. I have told you about Daniel Manar who was recently baptized in our area (a few weeks ago). Well let me briefly share the story of how we found Daniel. A few days before started teaching him we asked his best friend Danny "who do you know that you could invite to meet with us?" And he had no one in mind. Well the next week at church Danny came up to us and Elders I have someone for you to teach. He invited us over to his home and I don't even think Daniel had an idea that he was meeting with us! haha, well we taught him on the spot and at the end of the lesson he was touched by the spirit and had tears in his eyes. Long story short (this may be review for you) Daniel got baptized and received the Aaronic Priesthood. Now we are teaching his mother! She wants Daniel to serve a mission and wants to be baptized. In the first lesson we taught her this past week she opened up and told us she wants to be baptized. She grew up Jehovah's Witness her entire life and expressed to us she has never felt the spirit like she felt last week at church. She told us nothing has ever felt this good to her and she knows it is true. She is preparing for baptism on August 20th.
Almost a month ago we ran into a man by the name of Walt while walking through one of the apartment complexes and just this past week we were able to meet with him for the first time. We scheduled a lesson with him which didn't end up working out and few days after that he gave us a call asking us to come back. Walt is the man. He is a humble man in his mid 30's who is very much intune with God and our lesson with him was just great. At the end of the lesson he said, "it felt familiar and right". At first his main reason for meeting with us was to clarify all the crazy things he has heard and never been told the truth of what we believe from the source (the missionaries). But now he is interested and preparing for baptism on August 20th. Elder Bertolino and myself taugh so well together that lesson, it was seemless! It is amazing what asking for a referral or talking to someone in your path can do!
I hope you have a feel of my week and how my area is doing. The mission is doing well. A few last minute problems arised right before transfers here but we are working those out. Transfers will be finalized tomorrow at noon and Elder Bertolino and myself will be together! I am so grateful that he is my companion. I have learned so much from him, he's great. He has such a love for the scriptures and teaches me many things. I love him. Have a good week!
Love you mom and dad! Elder Pizzey.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
July 20, 2011
July 20 2011 - Week 6 of Transfer 12
Once again a good week! This email will most likely be short, I don't have much time! Today we are going to do baptisms for the dead at the Draper Temple with some of Elder Bertolino's recent converts and another companionship serving in my old Draper area. I'm looking forward to it, it has been a long time since I have done baptisms for the dead. We had the Kalala's baptism this past weekend and this weekend the other half of their family are getting baptized! We also have the Minor family who will be getting baptized this weekend. Yesterday we had a training for all trainers and their new missionaries at the mission office, it went well. This past Sunday was a little different than last Sunday, still hectic and crazy but this time a little frustrating. We were pretty upset with some of the efforts from members of a certain ward but we didn't show it. In our area we just keep finding new people to teach the gospel to, life is great. Transfers is starting to weigh down on us and its becoming difficult keep the area strong whiling trying to assist President. The Lord always takes care though and I'm excited for the new transfer.
I'm sorry this email is so short and crummy! I'm sure you were looking forward to some great stories and spiritual experiences but nothing is sticking out from this past week. I mean I don't want to sound ungrateful at all because thats not true! We did have some great baptisms and lessons. I am just in love with these families we are teaching, it is interesting using translators! I just hope that when I look them in the eyes they know that Jesus Christ loves them. Have a great week and I will report back next week!
Love Elder Pizzey
Once again a good week! This email will most likely be short, I don't have much time! Today we are going to do baptisms for the dead at the Draper Temple with some of Elder Bertolino's recent converts and another companionship serving in my old Draper area. I'm looking forward to it, it has been a long time since I have done baptisms for the dead. We had the Kalala's baptism this past weekend and this weekend the other half of their family are getting baptized! We also have the Minor family who will be getting baptized this weekend. Yesterday we had a training for all trainers and their new missionaries at the mission office, it went well. This past Sunday was a little different than last Sunday, still hectic and crazy but this time a little frustrating. We were pretty upset with some of the efforts from members of a certain ward but we didn't show it. In our area we just keep finding new people to teach the gospel to, life is great. Transfers is starting to weigh down on us and its becoming difficult keep the area strong whiling trying to assist President. The Lord always takes care though and I'm excited for the new transfer.
I'm sorry this email is so short and crummy! I'm sure you were looking forward to some great stories and spiritual experiences but nothing is sticking out from this past week. I mean I don't want to sound ungrateful at all because thats not true! We did have some great baptisms and lessons. I am just in love with these families we are teaching, it is interesting using translators! I just hope that when I look them in the eyes they know that Jesus Christ loves them. Have a great week and I will report back next week!
Love Elder Pizzey
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
July 13, 2011 (there are three new posts of pictures - following)
July 13, 2011 - Week 5 of Transfer 12
The Utah Salt Lake City South Mission is the greatest mission in the world! This week has been one of the greatest weeks of my mission. It doesn't get much better than it is right now. Like you noticed last week in my email it was difficult for me to unfold the events that have taken place! Well this week will be a little more difficult. If I could describe our area right now I would say its like an escalator, meaning it just keeps going up. Often in missions you will find areas that are more life elevators, they go up then down, up then down. For the month of July we are projecting 15 baptisms and at the current time have 19 people scheduled with baptismal dates. In the past two weeks we have found 19 new investigators and it just keeps going. We will begin teaching a family of four tomorrow as well! I have never had it quite like this, we will be baptizing more than weekly. This past week we have doubled our efforts and been begging the Lord to guide us. Constantly people are placed in our path and we are finding them. I wish you could witness this great work with me.
Let me fly through some of the key events from this past week. Before that though. I love the family I am teaching from Napol, you will have to meet them. There is nine people squished in one tiny apartment yet they are so happy. While we were leaving our appointment on Saturday morning Bijay, the son, said in broken English, "Elder Pizzey... Elder Bertolino... Guess what? Today is my 15th birthday". He said it with a huge smile going across his face yet he had very little presents. We knew his favorite American food was pepperoni pizza from Big Daddy's and that he loved soccer but had no soccer ball. So later that night we bought him his pizza and a soccer ball from wal-mart, and dropped it off at his house. He was extremely grateful. I hope I learn what God is trying to help me learn from these people. They are as humble as can be.
Sunday morning at 7:00am President Miller came to our South Cottonwood Stake and gave a training to the ward councils of the stake. The Mission Presidency, President Bishop, President Pineda and President Miller, spoke to them for an hour. President just had to announce to everyone that we are his Assistants then made us go up on the stand and had Elder Bertolino teach the principle "Heavenly Father Reveals His Gospel in Every Dispensation" from PMG p.32 and myself teach "The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Joseph Smith" from PMG p.36 on the spot. That was quite fun but honestly helped us gain the trust of the Stake real quick. Everyone loved what President had to say and just didn't want him to stop speaking.
Later that day we went with one of our WML's to pick up a few of our investigators for church. I will never forget what I saw as we turned around the corner of this apartment building, it almost brought tears to my eyes. The head of household of the family from Napol, Bro. Biswa, was turning the corner to pick up the second load of his family to drive them to the church building. They were all dressed up ready for church and waiting outside the building with beaming smiles lighting their faces. Then we had the Flores family who we so dearly love rushing out of the apartment and into their car. Elder Bertolino's recent converts came filing down the stairs of another apartment building. Behind us we had Behreh who was going to get his little sister and mom for church. On the other side of the parking lot we had Bro. Lazarus who recently moved from Ukraine with his family, we have gotten close to him as well. Its hard to describe but it was something I will never forget. As we turned that corner Elder Bertolino, the WML and myself just stopped and froze. We stood their speechless until the WML said, "wow... this is quite amazing." It was like a dream come true, it was a picture moment, early in the morning with the sun beaming down. It is a missionaries dream to have the people you teach attend church.
Daniel's baptism was amazing! He is quite the little character. His mother attended and was touched by the spirit. We should be starting to teach her tonight, I hope it works with her busy work schedule. Daniel will soon be receiving the Priesthood. We also started to teach two Canadian kids this past week! Alex and Miranda! I have never met smarter kids. They are 10 and 13, both just in tune with it. They are visiting for the summer and want to be baptized here. We pick on Elder Bertolino because he always picks on me, the Canadian. They pulled out a loonie and I haven't seen one of those for quite some time, it was actually quite funny. I forgot those even existed.
There are numbers of stories I wish I could share. Sad thing I haven't even had time to write them in my journal, its awful. Things with the mission are intense as well, lots of changes happening. Pday will be changing to Monday week 1 of this next transfer. There are many reasons why but not worth writing about. So that is July 25th will be the first Monday Pday, thought you might like to know. I won't even begin telling you about transfers, its outrageous. From the beginning of the year until now our complement was suppose to be slowly crawling up, well something messed up and in the last two transfers it has increase 35+ missionaries making transfers a complete headache and causing some serious damage to the mission.
We had a teary eyed lesson with the Flores. Testimonies were being shared back and forth. They have brought me closer to Christ, it is amazing what the people who we teach, do for us. There was something he said during this lesson that just kept ringing over and over in my head. I will share it with you when I get home! Don't forget to ask, haha. But what a sacred moment it was for me. He wants to serve a mission with his wife after his baptism, he is truly converted. I wish you could see it, he is sharing the Gospel with all his family. Just remember it is never to late to serve, to change or to begin.
It saddens me that Grandma Bernice has passed away, I know she has been taken home to that God who loves her. I hope Grandma, Grandpa and Yvonne are OK and holding in there.
Love your son, Elder Pizzey
The Utah Salt Lake City South Mission is the greatest mission in the world! This week has been one of the greatest weeks of my mission. It doesn't get much better than it is right now. Like you noticed last week in my email it was difficult for me to unfold the events that have taken place! Well this week will be a little more difficult. If I could describe our area right now I would say its like an escalator, meaning it just keeps going up. Often in missions you will find areas that are more life elevators, they go up then down, up then down. For the month of July we are projecting 15 baptisms and at the current time have 19 people scheduled with baptismal dates. In the past two weeks we have found 19 new investigators and it just keeps going. We will begin teaching a family of four tomorrow as well! I have never had it quite like this, we will be baptizing more than weekly. This past week we have doubled our efforts and been begging the Lord to guide us. Constantly people are placed in our path and we are finding them. I wish you could witness this great work with me.
Let me fly through some of the key events from this past week. Before that though. I love the family I am teaching from Napol, you will have to meet them. There is nine people squished in one tiny apartment yet they are so happy. While we were leaving our appointment on Saturday morning Bijay, the son, said in broken English, "Elder Pizzey... Elder Bertolino... Guess what? Today is my 15th birthday". He said it with a huge smile going across his face yet he had very little presents. We knew his favorite American food was pepperoni pizza from Big Daddy's and that he loved soccer but had no soccer ball. So later that night we bought him his pizza and a soccer ball from wal-mart, and dropped it off at his house. He was extremely grateful. I hope I learn what God is trying to help me learn from these people. They are as humble as can be.
Sunday morning at 7:00am President Miller came to our South Cottonwood Stake and gave a training to the ward councils of the stake. The Mission Presidency, President Bishop, President Pineda and President Miller, spoke to them for an hour. President just had to announce to everyone that we are his Assistants then made us go up on the stand and had Elder Bertolino teach the principle "Heavenly Father Reveals His Gospel in Every Dispensation" from PMG p.32 and myself teach "The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Joseph Smith" from PMG p.36 on the spot. That was quite fun but honestly helped us gain the trust of the Stake real quick. Everyone loved what President had to say and just didn't want him to stop speaking.
Later that day we went with one of our WML's to pick up a few of our investigators for church. I will never forget what I saw as we turned around the corner of this apartment building, it almost brought tears to my eyes. The head of household of the family from Napol, Bro. Biswa, was turning the corner to pick up the second load of his family to drive them to the church building. They were all dressed up ready for church and waiting outside the building with beaming smiles lighting their faces. Then we had the Flores family who we so dearly love rushing out of the apartment and into their car. Elder Bertolino's recent converts came filing down the stairs of another apartment building. Behind us we had Behreh who was going to get his little sister and mom for church. On the other side of the parking lot we had Bro. Lazarus who recently moved from Ukraine with his family, we have gotten close to him as well. Its hard to describe but it was something I will never forget. As we turned that corner Elder Bertolino, the WML and myself just stopped and froze. We stood their speechless until the WML said, "wow... this is quite amazing." It was like a dream come true, it was a picture moment, early in the morning with the sun beaming down. It is a missionaries dream to have the people you teach attend church.
Daniel's baptism was amazing! He is quite the little character. His mother attended and was touched by the spirit. We should be starting to teach her tonight, I hope it works with her busy work schedule. Daniel will soon be receiving the Priesthood. We also started to teach two Canadian kids this past week! Alex and Miranda! I have never met smarter kids. They are 10 and 13, both just in tune with it. They are visiting for the summer and want to be baptized here. We pick on Elder Bertolino because he always picks on me, the Canadian. They pulled out a loonie and I haven't seen one of those for quite some time, it was actually quite funny. I forgot those even existed.
There are numbers of stories I wish I could share. Sad thing I haven't even had time to write them in my journal, its awful. Things with the mission are intense as well, lots of changes happening. Pday will be changing to Monday week 1 of this next transfer. There are many reasons why but not worth writing about. So that is July 25th will be the first Monday Pday, thought you might like to know. I won't even begin telling you about transfers, its outrageous. From the beginning of the year until now our complement was suppose to be slowly crawling up, well something messed up and in the last two transfers it has increase 35+ missionaries making transfers a complete headache and causing some serious damage to the mission.
We had a teary eyed lesson with the Flores. Testimonies were being shared back and forth. They have brought me closer to Christ, it is amazing what the people who we teach, do for us. There was something he said during this lesson that just kept ringing over and over in my head. I will share it with you when I get home! Don't forget to ask, haha. But what a sacred moment it was for me. He wants to serve a mission with his wife after his baptism, he is truly converted. I wish you could see it, he is sharing the Gospel with all his family. Just remember it is never to late to serve, to change or to begin.
It saddens me that Grandma Bernice has passed away, I know she has been taken home to that God who loves her. I hope Grandma, Grandpa and Yvonne are OK and holding in there.
Love your son, Elder Pizzey
Blake's Cute Shack (in his words) - photos
The cute shack and cute ride, with Elder Bertolino posing!
Days in the life of Elder Pizzey (photos)
Elder Pizzey and Elder Atwood had to be checked out
after they were rear ended. They seem to be enjoying themselves.
Recording a CD, that supposedly became very popular in the mission.
Busy at work!
Some of the wonderful people Blake has got to know and love.
Some serious off-roading!
A very dear family - Park Family
One of those sweet ladies that take care of those missionaries, One of Blake's missionary moms!
Lots of companionships to keep organized.
Photos - May and June - 2011
THIS WAS ZONE LEADER COUNCIL -
CAMP WILLIAMS MILITARY BASE
(some in your face training - for obedience and obstacle course - team building)
(20 missionaries-zone leaders)
I love how hard Blake is laughing!
Looks who's laughing now, doesn't look like Blake got too far!
I'm not sure where this was, looks fun.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
July 6, 2011
July 6, 2011 - Week 4 of Transfer 12
I can't believe Paige is turning 19! I thought I was still 19, but I guess I'm 20. That's just confusing... Happy birthday Paigey poo! I haven't heard from you in awhile, you should send me an email. So this past week has just been intense. Last Friday we ZLC which is a six hour meeting. It was actually a really spiritual meeting, everything just flowed. We focused on improving our scripture study and the way we conduct our exchanges. We had a video of a 45 min talk Elder Holland gave to the MTC this past January that we based most of our training for the scripture study from.
Monday afternoon we ate lunch with the Salt Lake City mission President and his AP's at Pres. Miller's home, that was interesting. Really solid Elders and we shared ideas and had a million questions for each other. It is weird to hear how other missions are ran compared to your own, they are all similar but different. That night we had a mission conference at the Taylorsville Institute (Pres. Forysth's Institute). We booked the entire place from 5 until 10 or so. Pres. Miller's brother came and spoke to us about the creation of the world and how the science of geology goes along with the scriptures. It was pretty intense stuff and he owned all the dumb things you hear from the anti-religion science buffs in the world. His brother has some great title which I forget but basically he is one of the greatest geologist in the world.
After he finished speaking to us we had three movies playing throughout the building, basketball, volleyball, air hockey, pool and ping pong with lots of food. I just played basketball the entire night and it felt good to get some serious games in. We got home at 11:30 went straight to bed and had to wake up at 6:00am the next morning to prepare for a training that very morning. We had a Leadership meeting for District Leader's and their companions from 9am to 3pm! So long, but it went really well. Between Pres. and Sister Miller, Elder Bertolino and myself we had four different workshops and just rotated every hour or so.
Just like last week, despite all this craziness the Lord still takes care of our area. Last night we started teaching a family of five from Napol! It is so exciting, I love them already. Dan England baptized both their relatives who live in the same complex! It is weird getting close to people who Dan just told me so much about. This weekend Daniel Manar will be getting baptized on Sunday and the following weekend a family from Africa we have been teaching. The father's name is Nasir Kalala, he is extremely shy but so faithful. We also started to teach a muslim family from Bosnia, the father has read the Book of Mormon 6 times! We ALSO started to teach a family from Burma who are Karenni. They have been in USA for a year now and are refugee's from a genocide in Burma. They are adorable people especially the kids! I feel like I'm serving where I always wanted to, in this area. Life is good right now. We just finished all of our trainings and now all we have is each zones interviews and we don't have to go to any of those! It is so exciting that means solid work in our area for basically two straight weeks. Then we begin transfers... and this transfer it looks scary our complement is going up once again, it makes things really difficult. Have a great week!
Love Elder Pizzey
I can't believe Paige is turning 19! I thought I was still 19, but I guess I'm 20. That's just confusing... Happy birthday Paigey poo! I haven't heard from you in awhile, you should send me an email. So this past week has just been intense. Last Friday we ZLC which is a six hour meeting. It was actually a really spiritual meeting, everything just flowed. We focused on improving our scripture study and the way we conduct our exchanges. We had a video of a 45 min talk Elder Holland gave to the MTC this past January that we based most of our training for the scripture study from.
Monday afternoon we ate lunch with the Salt Lake City mission President and his AP's at Pres. Miller's home, that was interesting. Really solid Elders and we shared ideas and had a million questions for each other. It is weird to hear how other missions are ran compared to your own, they are all similar but different. That night we had a mission conference at the Taylorsville Institute (Pres. Forysth's Institute). We booked the entire place from 5 until 10 or so. Pres. Miller's brother came and spoke to us about the creation of the world and how the science of geology goes along with the scriptures. It was pretty intense stuff and he owned all the dumb things you hear from the anti-religion science buffs in the world. His brother has some great title which I forget but basically he is one of the greatest geologist in the world.
After he finished speaking to us we had three movies playing throughout the building, basketball, volleyball, air hockey, pool and ping pong with lots of food. I just played basketball the entire night and it felt good to get some serious games in. We got home at 11:30 went straight to bed and had to wake up at 6:00am the next morning to prepare for a training that very morning. We had a Leadership meeting for District Leader's and their companions from 9am to 3pm! So long, but it went really well. Between Pres. and Sister Miller, Elder Bertolino and myself we had four different workshops and just rotated every hour or so.
Just like last week, despite all this craziness the Lord still takes care of our area. Last night we started teaching a family of five from Napol! It is so exciting, I love them already. Dan England baptized both their relatives who live in the same complex! It is weird getting close to people who Dan just told me so much about. This weekend Daniel Manar will be getting baptized on Sunday and the following weekend a family from Africa we have been teaching. The father's name is Nasir Kalala, he is extremely shy but so faithful. We also started to teach a muslim family from Bosnia, the father has read the Book of Mormon 6 times! We ALSO started to teach a family from Burma who are Karenni. They have been in USA for a year now and are refugee's from a genocide in Burma. They are adorable people especially the kids! I feel like I'm serving where I always wanted to, in this area. Life is good right now. We just finished all of our trainings and now all we have is each zones interviews and we don't have to go to any of those! It is so exciting that means solid work in our area for basically two straight weeks. Then we begin transfers... and this transfer it looks scary our complement is going up once again, it makes things really difficult. Have a great week!
Love Elder Pizzey
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