Week 3 of Transfer 15
These weeks are getting faster and faster, it has been a blur since last Monday. Let me think of all that has happened. Well last Thursday we were able to attend the Salt Lake Temple. That is one of the great perks of being an assistant, going downtown once a transfer to take the new missionaries on a tour of temple square and attend the Salt Lake Temple. There is so much to learn at the temple and I love attending, I think I will probably work in the temple when first come home. I like the analogy of the onion, every time you peal a layer off there is another one to discover, its a really wonderful experience.
When I first came into the mission you were able to attend the temple once a week and it has changed several times since. President has come to a decision of what he likes and it seems like it will be kept as it is currently for awhile. You are able to attend once a transfer (every 6 weeks) on an assigned day to an assigned temple with your district (6-8 missionaries). Well since we make that schedule its pretty flexible as to when we are able to attend. President gave us permission to attend the Jordan River Temple this past Saturday as Daniel England's recent converts from Nepal received their endowments and were sealed together as a family of ten! As we baptized their relatives who have recently moved to Utah we were able to get extremely close to this family, I love them. I can't wait for the Gajmer's (their relatives) to be sealed next year, I hope to attend. You can image it was quite the experience and process as they received their endowments since a few of them have poor English. I am excited for you to meet them.
Sunday we had the privilege of speaking in one of our favorite wards and we were given the full meeting, I enjoyed it. I love preparing for talks and I love sharing my testimony.
This letter so far is really general, its because my mind is on other things to be honest! I'm sorry. We have lots do to and tonight we are having Elder Stephen B. Allen come speak to our mission at the Taylorsville Institute. He is the director of the missionary department of the church and I can't wait. He has been asked to speak on teaching with power and authority, I will eat up all of his words! What else has happened this week... We had four baptisms! On Saturday Ashleigh and Shyanne Kunder were baptized. You may remember their names from the story I shared recently about singing a hymn before we began a lesson. Last night we had the baptism of Alec and Katja Tolo! They have been extremely fun to teach, I love their family. We met them by just opening our mouth while walking out of one of our lessons a few weeks back and I am so glad we invited them to come unto Christ that day.
I think that wraps up the week!? In one of our stakes a missionary just returned home from the Vancouver, British Columbia mission. He knew Elder Kearl and said he is great and serving as a very strong zone leader. That made me extremely happy! He also knew or heard of Daniel England and said he is known as the Ward Mission Leader who just gets things done, even takes his ward missionaries out tracting! I love it and hope I can remain as faithful as him. Returning home and leaving this lovely life is a scary thought but I don't let it enter my mind often, staying focused to the end for sure. May I add to this letter I am loving my scripture study, things just keep clicking and I am learning more and more of the Savior's example. The more I learn of Him the more I realize how much I have to change.
Thanks for reading! Love Elder Pizzey
Monday, October 31, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
October 24, 2011
October 24, 2011 - Week 2 of Transfer 15
We have almost wrapped up all the loose ends of transfer week, almost that is. This morning we actually were able to go for a nice jog and get a brief study in. It has been a good pday, President Miller took Elder Speigner and I golfing for 9 holes. I played OK for my level but I really got to do some work on my short game. I had the opportunity for two birdies and even one eagle! But I blew them and had to take some pars, but on the other holes usually was a bogey or double bogey every time. That eagle possibility was sweet though! I hit the green on a par 4, even from the blue teas! It was a 260yrd hole. I think I'll pick up the old mans sport when my body can't handle the adrenalin rushes.
My birthday was a splendid day! I woke up at 5:30am got ready and arrived at the mission office at 6:30am. Ten new missionaries arrived shortly after we arrived. After President and Sister Miler introduced themselves and welcomed them President then began to interview them one by one for about 15 minutes each. While they are getting interviewed Elder Speigner and I split them up and one group at a time we drive them to the Draper Temple to check out the entire mission, talk about baptism and help them set some goals for their mission. While I was training the new missionaries Sister Miller had Sister Miller 2 come into the room with a bunch of balloons and a lovely card, then they all sang happy birthday. It was embarrassing for sure. Once President Miller finished we had the trainers come join, transfer calls were given and another training was given just before they headed off to proselyte for their first time ever!
Once things were done at the office we left to the Millers home to be with the departing missionaries for the night. The assistants always stay the night with the departing missionaries then wake up early to drive them to the airport. That day is getting closer and closer to me... scary. Wednesday night was great the greatest birthday present in the world! We were able to be with many of our close mission friends on their last night here, including Elder Lundwall. I even met his parents, I loved that. We played some driveway basketball, shared hilarious stories from our mission and had a testimony meeting, then stayed up real late discussing the mission. Sister Miller even got me a little surprise birthday cake and once again they all sang to me. I never thought I would have a birthday like this on my mission, last year I didn't even remember it was my birthday. The Miller's are too kind. Thank you mom and dad for the birthday gifts! I received so many cards of love and little gifts from friends and family at home, I wish I could name them all one by one just so many. Breanne your card is way cool and it sits on my dresser each day. Others sent money to help out and to all of you I thank you, I really am grateful. I love all of you (special thanks to Grandma, excited to see you).
We just gave one of the missionaries I came out with, a brand new 2012 car four hours ago, a brand new car! It his first car he has ever had on the mission too! Well... breaking news! We just got a phone call he has crashed it, not only crashed it but crashed it into a police car and it's his fault. From what he said it sounds like 3000 to 4000 dollars of damage. Looks like his driving privileges are gone, so sad. On another note President and Sister Miller are identical to Brother and Sister Pizzey! They are mirror images of the both of you, I love it. I read Sister Miller some of dads email and she cried out and said, "YUP! That is President alright".
The week has been mainly packed with mission stuff and we are just getting back into our area which is real nice. I just really want to baptize and it's hard to do it when you can't work your area. To be honest I hope I get released this transfer to go train! Yesterday we were calendaring (all the way up until next August... I told them I will be married haha) and when it came to November 30th President said he isn't to sure about letting me go. Six transfers as an assistant is a really long time, its hard work. I would love to be able to train a new missionary, just work him to death!
This weekend should be a packed one for us. We are having at least 5 baptisms and one of our investigators are getting married. One of Daniel England's converts (a family of 9 from Nepal) are being sealed in this weekend and Elder Bertolino is coming back for it, President has given us permission to attend. I can't wait to see Toni Bertolino! I miss him. This past week there was a multi stake conference (94 stakes) for the southern part of the salt lake valley (mainly our mission) which was broadcasted from the conference center to each stake center. Elder Bednar presided and President and Sister Miller were asked to sit on the stand. Well this conference was just as good as general conference if not better. President Beck (GYMP), Sister Dalton (GYWP), Elder Christenson and David A. Bednar spoke! They killed it. David A. Bednar gave my all time favorite talk, no lie. I have never heard such a talk and it drilled home the one thing I've learned over and over in my mission. I loved it. I know someone over the translation department in the church and he records all the talks given by the GA's he told me he could get a copy but Elder Bednar decided not to release it! I was so upset but I took good notes.
That is basically my week in a nut shell! I can't wait to get caught up on sleep, back to exercising, normal studies and 24/7 proselyting! No more business man style, I just want to be a normal missionary. This was the first pday in 3 weeks we had though! I need to buy some new white shirts though, mine are all stayed brown around the neck and worn hard on the cuffs. Good thing I got some birthday money! Thank you and Love you all!
Elder Pizzey
We have almost wrapped up all the loose ends of transfer week, almost that is. This morning we actually were able to go for a nice jog and get a brief study in. It has been a good pday, President Miller took Elder Speigner and I golfing for 9 holes. I played OK for my level but I really got to do some work on my short game. I had the opportunity for two birdies and even one eagle! But I blew them and had to take some pars, but on the other holes usually was a bogey or double bogey every time. That eagle possibility was sweet though! I hit the green on a par 4, even from the blue teas! It was a 260yrd hole. I think I'll pick up the old mans sport when my body can't handle the adrenalin rushes.
My birthday was a splendid day! I woke up at 5:30am got ready and arrived at the mission office at 6:30am. Ten new missionaries arrived shortly after we arrived. After President and Sister Miler introduced themselves and welcomed them President then began to interview them one by one for about 15 minutes each. While they are getting interviewed Elder Speigner and I split them up and one group at a time we drive them to the Draper Temple to check out the entire mission, talk about baptism and help them set some goals for their mission. While I was training the new missionaries Sister Miller had Sister Miller 2 come into the room with a bunch of balloons and a lovely card, then they all sang happy birthday. It was embarrassing for sure. Once President Miller finished we had the trainers come join, transfer calls were given and another training was given just before they headed off to proselyte for their first time ever!
Once things were done at the office we left to the Millers home to be with the departing missionaries for the night. The assistants always stay the night with the departing missionaries then wake up early to drive them to the airport. That day is getting closer and closer to me... scary. Wednesday night was great the greatest birthday present in the world! We were able to be with many of our close mission friends on their last night here, including Elder Lundwall. I even met his parents, I loved that. We played some driveway basketball, shared hilarious stories from our mission and had a testimony meeting, then stayed up real late discussing the mission. Sister Miller even got me a little surprise birthday cake and once again they all sang to me. I never thought I would have a birthday like this on my mission, last year I didn't even remember it was my birthday. The Miller's are too kind. Thank you mom and dad for the birthday gifts! I received so many cards of love and little gifts from friends and family at home, I wish I could name them all one by one just so many. Breanne your card is way cool and it sits on my dresser each day. Others sent money to help out and to all of you I thank you, I really am grateful. I love all of you (special thanks to Grandma, excited to see you).
We just gave one of the missionaries I came out with, a brand new 2012 car four hours ago, a brand new car! It his first car he has ever had on the mission too! Well... breaking news! We just got a phone call he has crashed it, not only crashed it but crashed it into a police car and it's his fault. From what he said it sounds like 3000 to 4000 dollars of damage. Looks like his driving privileges are gone, so sad. On another note President and Sister Miller are identical to Brother and Sister Pizzey! They are mirror images of the both of you, I love it. I read Sister Miller some of dads email and she cried out and said, "YUP! That is President alright".
The week has been mainly packed with mission stuff and we are just getting back into our area which is real nice. I just really want to baptize and it's hard to do it when you can't work your area. To be honest I hope I get released this transfer to go train! Yesterday we were calendaring (all the way up until next August... I told them I will be married haha) and when it came to November 30th President said he isn't to sure about letting me go. Six transfers as an assistant is a really long time, its hard work. I would love to be able to train a new missionary, just work him to death!
This weekend should be a packed one for us. We are having at least 5 baptisms and one of our investigators are getting married. One of Daniel England's converts (a family of 9 from Nepal) are being sealed in this weekend and Elder Bertolino is coming back for it, President has given us permission to attend. I can't wait to see Toni Bertolino! I miss him. This past week there was a multi stake conference (94 stakes) for the southern part of the salt lake valley (mainly our mission) which was broadcasted from the conference center to each stake center. Elder Bednar presided and President and Sister Miller were asked to sit on the stand. Well this conference was just as good as general conference if not better. President Beck (GYMP), Sister Dalton (GYWP), Elder Christenson and David A. Bednar spoke! They killed it. David A. Bednar gave my all time favorite talk, no lie. I have never heard such a talk and it drilled home the one thing I've learned over and over in my mission. I loved it. I know someone over the translation department in the church and he records all the talks given by the GA's he told me he could get a copy but Elder Bednar decided not to release it! I was so upset but I took good notes.
That is basically my week in a nut shell! I can't wait to get caught up on sleep, back to exercising, normal studies and 24/7 proselyting! No more business man style, I just want to be a normal missionary. This was the first pday in 3 weeks we had though! I need to buy some new white shirts though, mine are all stayed brown around the neck and worn hard on the cuffs. Good thing I got some birthday money! Thank you and Love you all!
Elder Pizzey
Monday, October 17, 2011
October 17, 2011
Hello mom, dad and family!
Today has been a day filled of stuff at the office, I'm sorry I did not write earlier but we just couldn't find time. Thank you for the gifts and kind letters, I love you guys. The beef jerky and eatmoors where perfect and reminded me of our family ski trips. Lindsay's cute little idea with the jones soda bottles was adorable. President Miller grabbed one from my hands and said, "who is this little girly on here?" then he gobbled it down. This week Sister Miller walked into Presidents office and said, "Elders before I forget I need to tell you something... You are both far to good looking to get free hair cuts." We didn't even tell her it was free! So next time I am not going to let the hair students butcher me.
This week has been intense. It doesn't compare to any week I have ever had as an assistant or any transfer this mission has had for ever! The entire mission is now reorganized. In a few minutes the transfer scenario on the "Internet Mission Office System" will finalize and tonight we have to go into each area to assign cars, phone numbers and most importantly ecclesiastical. Then tomorrow we send the email to each zone leader which includes the new organization roster.
It has been quite the process to get all of this going. It began with pulling all the zone leaders in one day for a few hours to present the reasons why reorganizing the mission was being considered. Together we made a decision it was worth it and would benefit us in the long run, so right then we started looking at solutions. It was really quite a revelatory council as we were all gathered around a projector while I had an image of our mission open in photo shop. In photo shop we had many different layers including one for homes, English areas, Spanish areas, YSA stakes, YSA wards, coordinating councils, previous zone boundaries and so on. But together with the zone leaders we brainstormed many great ideas and then President, Elder Speigner and myself took it all together and decided on what was best. It sounds so easy. Draw some lines and say we are good to go but there is alot behind it.
President Miller had interviews this entire week during the day and we taught at night so the only time we could work on it together was after 9pm. But after an entire week of staying at Presidents home at until 12am (a couple nights went to 1 or 3am and we just slept over then) we finished Sunday morning and decided to hold a meeting to present the new plans and zone leader transfers to the zone leaders. To present it clearly I threw together a power point Saturday night and included it as an attachment so you could get a feel of what happened.
This week was hard, really hard and it took much sacrifice. Our area has suffered, we have hardly studied the scriptures and haven't exercised at all. I am excited for Thursday to pass and to be back to a normal schedule. It was difficult to feel this but despite all it took out of us, we were still in the service of God therefore the Lord blessed us, especially in the lessons we did have. One quick story I wish to share with you. There is a family we have been teaching and the lessons have been going no where. The mother will hardly acknowledge us and help her kids in their progression. We have been teaching them for several weeks and have often thought of dropping them. Well this past week we entered their home for just another "lesson". The mother wouldn't allow us to go into their living room because it was a disaster so she told us to use the kitchen which is near the front door. There were three chairs which the brother from the ward and us used, while the kids grabbed a blanket to sit on the dirty, sticky floor. I remember sitting there looking at Elder Speigner with an expression that said, "I didn't study the scriptures today. I don't feel the spirit. These kids are crazy loud and irreverent and what should we do?" Before we began the lesson I said a prayer in my heart and asked for help. Immediately the thought came to sing a hymn. Quickly we whipped out Elder Speigner's mini hymn book and the brother used his phone to turn to "I know that my Redeemer lives". With all these girls we sang all the verses in this hymn and the spirit just occupied this kitchen. As we were singing I noticed out of the corner of my eye the mother was standing there with a tear falling down her cheek. A prayer was offered to begin the lesson and the mother slowly made her way to sit ever so humbly right in front of us on the ground with her daughters. Near the end of the lesson I could tell she wanted to speak and I asked her to share what she was feeling. She expressed she lost her job and knew it was God humbling her and helping her turn back to Him.
After 15 years this lady who has been caught up in the world and tossed to and fro is finally returning and repenting. The lessons have taken a 180 degree turn ever since she has been involved and leading her little family on this Gospel path. I am thankful for the inspiration of the Lord and I know following those little promptings makes the world of difference. I must be going now! We actually have a lesson with this family right now! So have great week and we will chat next week once everything slows down. That will be nice. Thank you for all the gifts and I will use the money wisely. Thank you and love you so much!
Elder Pizzey
Today has been a day filled of stuff at the office, I'm sorry I did not write earlier but we just couldn't find time. Thank you for the gifts and kind letters, I love you guys. The beef jerky and eatmoors where perfect and reminded me of our family ski trips. Lindsay's cute little idea with the jones soda bottles was adorable. President Miller grabbed one from my hands and said, "who is this little girly on here?" then he gobbled it down. This week Sister Miller walked into Presidents office and said, "Elders before I forget I need to tell you something... You are both far to good looking to get free hair cuts." We didn't even tell her it was free! So next time I am not going to let the hair students butcher me.
This week has been intense. It doesn't compare to any week I have ever had as an assistant or any transfer this mission has had for ever! The entire mission is now reorganized. In a few minutes the transfer scenario on the "Internet Mission Office System" will finalize and tonight we have to go into each area to assign cars, phone numbers and most importantly ecclesiastical. Then tomorrow we send the email to each zone leader which includes the new organization roster.
It has been quite the process to get all of this going. It began with pulling all the zone leaders in one day for a few hours to present the reasons why reorganizing the mission was being considered. Together we made a decision it was worth it and would benefit us in the long run, so right then we started looking at solutions. It was really quite a revelatory council as we were all gathered around a projector while I had an image of our mission open in photo shop. In photo shop we had many different layers including one for homes, English areas, Spanish areas, YSA stakes, YSA wards, coordinating councils, previous zone boundaries and so on. But together with the zone leaders we brainstormed many great ideas and then President, Elder Speigner and myself took it all together and decided on what was best. It sounds so easy. Draw some lines and say we are good to go but there is alot behind it.
President Miller had interviews this entire week during the day and we taught at night so the only time we could work on it together was after 9pm. But after an entire week of staying at Presidents home at until 12am (a couple nights went to 1 or 3am and we just slept over then) we finished Sunday morning and decided to hold a meeting to present the new plans and zone leader transfers to the zone leaders. To present it clearly I threw together a power point Saturday night and included it as an attachment so you could get a feel of what happened.
This week was hard, really hard and it took much sacrifice. Our area has suffered, we have hardly studied the scriptures and haven't exercised at all. I am excited for Thursday to pass and to be back to a normal schedule. It was difficult to feel this but despite all it took out of us, we were still in the service of God therefore the Lord blessed us, especially in the lessons we did have. One quick story I wish to share with you. There is a family we have been teaching and the lessons have been going no where. The mother will hardly acknowledge us and help her kids in their progression. We have been teaching them for several weeks and have often thought of dropping them. Well this past week we entered their home for just another "lesson". The mother wouldn't allow us to go into their living room because it was a disaster so she told us to use the kitchen which is near the front door. There were three chairs which the brother from the ward and us used, while the kids grabbed a blanket to sit on the dirty, sticky floor. I remember sitting there looking at Elder Speigner with an expression that said, "I didn't study the scriptures today. I don't feel the spirit. These kids are crazy loud and irreverent and what should we do?" Before we began the lesson I said a prayer in my heart and asked for help. Immediately the thought came to sing a hymn. Quickly we whipped out Elder Speigner's mini hymn book and the brother used his phone to turn to "I know that my Redeemer lives". With all these girls we sang all the verses in this hymn and the spirit just occupied this kitchen. As we were singing I noticed out of the corner of my eye the mother was standing there with a tear falling down her cheek. A prayer was offered to begin the lesson and the mother slowly made her way to sit ever so humbly right in front of us on the ground with her daughters. Near the end of the lesson I could tell she wanted to speak and I asked her to share what she was feeling. She expressed she lost her job and knew it was God humbling her and helping her turn back to Him.
After 15 years this lady who has been caught up in the world and tossed to and fro is finally returning and repenting. The lessons have taken a 180 degree turn ever since she has been involved and leading her little family on this Gospel path. I am thankful for the inspiration of the Lord and I know following those little promptings makes the world of difference. I must be going now! We actually have a lesson with this family right now! So have great week and we will chat next week once everything slows down. That will be nice. Thank you for all the gifts and I will use the money wisely. Thank you and love you so much!
Elder Pizzey
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
October 10, 2011
October 10, 2011 - Week 6 of Transfer 14
I feel like I can't breath... We are in over our head with work in our area and with the mission. For the past week I haven't had a spare minute to do a single thing. Zone leader council went great and was very productive. Transfers are next Wednesday and it looks like we will be reorganizing the mission this transfer. Over time small changes have been made to areas and zones making the geography of the mission hectic. It's really to much to explain but the bottom line is it is a lot of work. Something I've never done before. I couldn't handle the old school way of having a bunch of old maps and drawing lines all over them for new possibilities so I found a free version of photoshop online, its called Gimp. We are going to town with these maps and drawing up all possibilities with the current zone, coordinating council, YSA stake, English Stake and Spanish unit boundaries. It is a head ache, so many factors to take in. Not to mention trying to make all zones equal in ratings for baptism, keep the number of companionship's equal in each zone and have zone leader areas in each zone. There are many more little things but while doing all of this we try not to white wash any area. I guess I'm not complaining, you know me I love projects like this but the problem is its on my mind 24/7 and I just want to finish it! If we had a few weeks to do it all would be good but this decision was made Saturday night and it has to be ready to present to the zone leaders in a special meeting tomorrow morning. This is the second day with a preparation day and I need a haircut! I'm learning how to prioritize that's for sure, STUDIES and EXERCISE are the most important for me!
So that's that, but what was so lovely about this morning was coming to the mission office. First I find a big pile of birthday presents for me! I opened the one with food and threw it in the fridge here, I can't wait to chow on those snackers! Hopefully it doesn't make me gain the six pounds I lost in the past two weeks (that's pretty good eh). But I'm holding off on opening the other boxes until I'm down with this email, don't know why. After seeing those I logged on, read your wonderful emails then saw the GNARLY pictures dad sent! (ariel pictures of our home/yard) Those made my week! I literally stared at those pictures for about half an hour, it felt so good. I am pretty excited to check out the yard, and that sucks about the edging. Go ahead and quick curb it but make sure you save that black edging, that stuff is way nice I must have installed it the wrong way.
I mentioned earlier our area is out of control, the Lord is blessing us! So many epic stories and miracles happened this week. First we have Karina and her daughter Italia. Karina is at the top of my list of recent converts who are truly converted. Studies every day and can't wait till church each Sunday. She was able to go to conference and she received so much revelation there. Her daughter, Italia, attends a Catholic school and has been torn on the decision of being baptized. She loves church, reads her Book of Mormon stories daily and feels she needs to be baptized but she just couldn't. Italia isn't like any other nine year old, she has the respect, manners and social skills of a righteous 16 year old young women. For the entire week she decided no for baptism but she would continue coming to church. Saturday night we read Enos with her and invited her to "Cry unto the Lord" and give her the courage to be baptized. Well she did. We came back Sunday afternoon for her mothers baptismal interview and we followed up. She said God told her she needs to be baptized but she wanted to wait. Then the zone leaders came and while her mom was being interviewed she said well... I might as well get an interview in case I decide tonight! She had an interview and came back and said I've decided I need to listen to God. Last night was the highlight of the week! Spirit was very strong and the baptism was so well attended by the ward.
What else should I include.... That little story took quite abit of time. Hmm. Well we found another family to teach! That is my favorite, finding families. We were leaving one of Karina's lesson and the family below her was moving in so we asked if we could help but they were just wrapping up. We then asked if we could teach them but they denied. A few days later we ran into them again but this time their kids were there. We asked once again and this time they said yes. We taught them and invited them to be baptized on October 30th and they gladly accepted. The very next morning we walked with them to church and they loved it! Their last name is Tolo, they are a way cool family and the parents are from Fiji but have really lived in Utah forever.
The last little story I will share with you. I met this guy named Jeff Montel my very first day in the area. Elder Bertolino told me that he had a feeling that we were going to baptize him. Well we taught him one lesson and it didn't go to well, he wasn't to receptive. Now six months late we were able to arrange a lesson in the Bishops home. This was yesterday and the only way to describe it was a power house lesson! As much as we can, we try to teach in Bishops homes because once they see us teach, feel the spirit and see these people progress they are sold on missionary work and the whole ward flips! At the beginning of the lesson Jeff had a feeling of yes baptism is essential but I could never make up my mind because there are just way to many churches out there. At the end of the lesson we invited him to be baptized on November 6th and he wanted to move it up! He wants to be baptized before then. He now recognizes the promptings of the spirit and how the Lord has been working with him. Line by line, here a little, there a little. He has attended church 4 times in the past couple months and he knows that the Lord has prepared him to be baptized at this time. It was the best lesson Elder Speigner and I have ever taught.
This has been a nice little break from wrapping my mind around a map of 117 Stakes and 90 some areas in our mission! Time to get back to work and thank you so much for the wonderful gifts! I am about to go open them.
Love Elder Pizzey.
I feel like I can't breath... We are in over our head with work in our area and with the mission. For the past week I haven't had a spare minute to do a single thing. Zone leader council went great and was very productive. Transfers are next Wednesday and it looks like we will be reorganizing the mission this transfer. Over time small changes have been made to areas and zones making the geography of the mission hectic. It's really to much to explain but the bottom line is it is a lot of work. Something I've never done before. I couldn't handle the old school way of having a bunch of old maps and drawing lines all over them for new possibilities so I found a free version of photoshop online, its called Gimp. We are going to town with these maps and drawing up all possibilities with the current zone, coordinating council, YSA stake, English Stake and Spanish unit boundaries. It is a head ache, so many factors to take in. Not to mention trying to make all zones equal in ratings for baptism, keep the number of companionship's equal in each zone and have zone leader areas in each zone. There are many more little things but while doing all of this we try not to white wash any area. I guess I'm not complaining, you know me I love projects like this but the problem is its on my mind 24/7 and I just want to finish it! If we had a few weeks to do it all would be good but this decision was made Saturday night and it has to be ready to present to the zone leaders in a special meeting tomorrow morning. This is the second day with a preparation day and I need a haircut! I'm learning how to prioritize that's for sure, STUDIES and EXERCISE are the most important for me!
So that's that, but what was so lovely about this morning was coming to the mission office. First I find a big pile of birthday presents for me! I opened the one with food and threw it in the fridge here, I can't wait to chow on those snackers! Hopefully it doesn't make me gain the six pounds I lost in the past two weeks (that's pretty good eh). But I'm holding off on opening the other boxes until I'm down with this email, don't know why. After seeing those I logged on, read your wonderful emails then saw the GNARLY pictures dad sent! (ariel pictures of our home/yard) Those made my week! I literally stared at those pictures for about half an hour, it felt so good. I am pretty excited to check out the yard, and that sucks about the edging. Go ahead and quick curb it but make sure you save that black edging, that stuff is way nice I must have installed it the wrong way.
I mentioned earlier our area is out of control, the Lord is blessing us! So many epic stories and miracles happened this week. First we have Karina and her daughter Italia. Karina is at the top of my list of recent converts who are truly converted. Studies every day and can't wait till church each Sunday. She was able to go to conference and she received so much revelation there. Her daughter, Italia, attends a Catholic school and has been torn on the decision of being baptized. She loves church, reads her Book of Mormon stories daily and feels she needs to be baptized but she just couldn't. Italia isn't like any other nine year old, she has the respect, manners and social skills of a righteous 16 year old young women. For the entire week she decided no for baptism but she would continue coming to church. Saturday night we read Enos with her and invited her to "Cry unto the Lord" and give her the courage to be baptized. Well she did. We came back Sunday afternoon for her mothers baptismal interview and we followed up. She said God told her she needs to be baptized but she wanted to wait. Then the zone leaders came and while her mom was being interviewed she said well... I might as well get an interview in case I decide tonight! She had an interview and came back and said I've decided I need to listen to God. Last night was the highlight of the week! Spirit was very strong and the baptism was so well attended by the ward.
What else should I include.... That little story took quite abit of time. Hmm. Well we found another family to teach! That is my favorite, finding families. We were leaving one of Karina's lesson and the family below her was moving in so we asked if we could help but they were just wrapping up. We then asked if we could teach them but they denied. A few days later we ran into them again but this time their kids were there. We asked once again and this time they said yes. We taught them and invited them to be baptized on October 30th and they gladly accepted. The very next morning we walked with them to church and they loved it! Their last name is Tolo, they are a way cool family and the parents are from Fiji but have really lived in Utah forever.
The last little story I will share with you. I met this guy named Jeff Montel my very first day in the area. Elder Bertolino told me that he had a feeling that we were going to baptize him. Well we taught him one lesson and it didn't go to well, he wasn't to receptive. Now six months late we were able to arrange a lesson in the Bishops home. This was yesterday and the only way to describe it was a power house lesson! As much as we can, we try to teach in Bishops homes because once they see us teach, feel the spirit and see these people progress they are sold on missionary work and the whole ward flips! At the beginning of the lesson Jeff had a feeling of yes baptism is essential but I could never make up my mind because there are just way to many churches out there. At the end of the lesson we invited him to be baptized on November 6th and he wanted to move it up! He wants to be baptized before then. He now recognizes the promptings of the spirit and how the Lord has been working with him. Line by line, here a little, there a little. He has attended church 4 times in the past couple months and he knows that the Lord has prepared him to be baptized at this time. It was the best lesson Elder Speigner and I have ever taught.
This has been a nice little break from wrapping my mind around a map of 117 Stakes and 90 some areas in our mission! Time to get back to work and thank you so much for the wonderful gifts! I am about to go open them.
Love Elder Pizzey.
Monday, October 3, 2011
October 3, 2011
October 3, 2011 - Week 5 Transfer 14
Wow, I feel it has only been a few days. I don't have much to update you on. Thanks for the emails I really enjoy reading them. I love you guys. Conference weekend was really good, I wish it wasn't over. Downtown I saw Kensey and Alex which was really weird, seeing family while your a set apart missionary just doesn't seem right. I still can't believe Kensey is engaged, it is awesome she is on her way to the temple. I also saw the entire Bonnie Doone Stake Presidency and their wives, that caught me off guard. Once again it was weird but this time seeing my future Priesthood leaders. They looked really good and I'm excited to report to them when I come home. While I saw them I was trying to meet up with all my recent converts and investigators who attended so I wasn't able to talk very long with them. To be honest it's exciting thinking of being home and having a calling I can magnify. I will always have subject to my leaders and great respect for them.
Lets see I will try to go over a few of my favorite talks with out spending to much time on them. Elder L. Whitney Clayton's talk was excellent, he is in the presidency of the seventy. He focused on prophecies about the Lord's work which are being fulfilled in these days. I think I enjoyed it because I am directly involved with His work, it felt great. It was full of doctrine and blew me out of the water! Boyd K. Packer's was bold like you said. He sent a strong message to the youth that they are being raised in enemy territories. I loved Neil L. Anderson's talk! I really feel like I need to head his council and there is only one way to do that! Haha, I'm too funny. Its hard not to list off a massive list of talks I liked so let me take a minute to find my favorites........ OK. Elaine S. Dalton, that just got me way excited to have raise a daughter one day. M. Russell Ballard's is probably at the top on my list this past conference. You will probably remember his, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints versus the Mormon church, he killed it on that one. My favorite session was Sunday PM I think the 70's did real well. Russel M. Nelson's and Dallin H. Oaks will be fun ones to study! They just packed their talks with doctrine and taught it with such simplicity. That is my crammed over view of conference. One thing that stuck out to me was President Monson's behavior of "can do and will do", I want to have that same attitude for the rest of my life, especially towards my leaders.
Time is going faster and faster! We have so much on our schedule. In November we have a general authority coming to do a mission tour, that will be quite the opportunity to learn and grow. As for this week we have Zone Leader Council (monthly meeting with all ZL's (18 Elders), the coordinating Sisters (like Sister AP's) and the Miller's. We haven't even started to plan that yet and its this Wednesday, a solid 5 hour meeting... Ughhh, can't wait to train one day! As for the area it has stayed strong. We had Jeremy's baptism last night which was just perfect and tomorrow we have Sis. Long's baptism, she is 84 years old. That sets the record for the oldest person I have ever baptized! OK, enjoy the week. Dad finish the yard and both of you don't forget to read the scriptures each day.
Love Elder Pizzey
Wow, I feel it has only been a few days. I don't have much to update you on. Thanks for the emails I really enjoy reading them. I love you guys. Conference weekend was really good, I wish it wasn't over. Downtown I saw Kensey and Alex which was really weird, seeing family while your a set apart missionary just doesn't seem right. I still can't believe Kensey is engaged, it is awesome she is on her way to the temple. I also saw the entire Bonnie Doone Stake Presidency and their wives, that caught me off guard. Once again it was weird but this time seeing my future Priesthood leaders. They looked really good and I'm excited to report to them when I come home. While I saw them I was trying to meet up with all my recent converts and investigators who attended so I wasn't able to talk very long with them. To be honest it's exciting thinking of being home and having a calling I can magnify. I will always have subject to my leaders and great respect for them.
Lets see I will try to go over a few of my favorite talks with out spending to much time on them. Elder L. Whitney Clayton's talk was excellent, he is in the presidency of the seventy. He focused on prophecies about the Lord's work which are being fulfilled in these days. I think I enjoyed it because I am directly involved with His work, it felt great. It was full of doctrine and blew me out of the water! Boyd K. Packer's was bold like you said. He sent a strong message to the youth that they are being raised in enemy territories. I loved Neil L. Anderson's talk! I really feel like I need to head his council and there is only one way to do that! Haha, I'm too funny. Its hard not to list off a massive list of talks I liked so let me take a minute to find my favorites........ OK. Elaine S. Dalton, that just got me way excited to have raise a daughter one day. M. Russell Ballard's is probably at the top on my list this past conference. You will probably remember his, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints versus the Mormon church, he killed it on that one. My favorite session was Sunday PM I think the 70's did real well. Russel M. Nelson's and Dallin H. Oaks will be fun ones to study! They just packed their talks with doctrine and taught it with such simplicity. That is my crammed over view of conference. One thing that stuck out to me was President Monson's behavior of "can do and will do", I want to have that same attitude for the rest of my life, especially towards my leaders.
Time is going faster and faster! We have so much on our schedule. In November we have a general authority coming to do a mission tour, that will be quite the opportunity to learn and grow. As for this week we have Zone Leader Council (monthly meeting with all ZL's (18 Elders), the coordinating Sisters (like Sister AP's) and the Miller's. We haven't even started to plan that yet and its this Wednesday, a solid 5 hour meeting... Ughhh, can't wait to train one day! As for the area it has stayed strong. We had Jeremy's baptism last night which was just perfect and tomorrow we have Sis. Long's baptism, she is 84 years old. That sets the record for the oldest person I have ever baptized! OK, enjoy the week. Dad finish the yard and both of you don't forget to read the scriptures each day.
Love Elder Pizzey
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