August 30, 2010

A quick update before Blake's e-mail

Hi everyone,

It was mentioned in a past letter that Blake was having a little health issue! All is well and He is FINE!!! Blake told "Bonnie" who has become a dear friend to send a note to me (his mom) and in his words he said, "Tell her I'm fine, I'm good. It was pretty fun, actually." (hmm, not sure I'd ever call that procedure fun!) He said there is nothing wrong. He just has "a small anal fissure just inside, near the outside, and that is causing the bleeding." Sorry for the details, but since you already new that he was having issues, I just wanted you to know that he is well! And now I can stop worrying!

Thanks for all your prayers!

Kelly (Blake's mom)

Dear family and friends!

I have so much to say. I think this letter could be the longest there has ever been, but I don't have time to. So here we go! FIRST! I got transferred for the first time in my life! What a shocker. I was in the same area for six months and I loved it, still miss it but change is good. Time to grow. I am in the Oquirrh Temple zone and serving in the West Jordan Park and Prairie Stakes. My companion is Elder Lundwall from Houston Texas. Elder Lundwall has been out for ten months. He is 6'6" and looks way taller. He is a giant. His voice is so deep it shakes the floor when he speaks. This is also my first time serving without a vehicle! How spoiled, I know. So we are on bikes. E. Lundwall has been here for only one transfer and him and his previous companion did not bike, didn't have them. So that was the first change we made. Second day in we got mine all tuned up, got myself a helmet and got his back from the shop. We are going to work effectively.

So I am a district leader and in my district there are five other full time Elders, two full time Sisters and two senior couples. It's a big district! I am way excited. There is so much more work involved than I thought there was. Just the call ins at night is a alot of work by itself. They want me to chat with them for like five minutes every night and see how was there day. What they could have done better, give them suggestions any way I can. Then call in at 9:30 to my zone leaders and give them an update of my day and the districts. I am going to crack some of these Elders into shape, I can't handle disobedience, the sisters are pretty good though. So there is the call ins, the weekly training for two hours I'm in charge of! Exchanges with every missionary in the district twice a transfer. An exchange is a over night the whole deal. Personal study, companion study, finding, teaching, planning at night then talk about the exchange and the good and the bad, how we can improve. I have had one exchange in my life so far! My last DL didn't do them that much. So yes even with the sisters! Haha just kidding, don't worry Linds. Then there are the baptismal interviews! The greatest part I think. I have already had three all last Friday. A 60 year old man who has been attending church for four years, a 19 year old girl and a 11 year old boy. So I've had all ages already and man they can be really spiritual. It's all about making it comfortable so they WANT to share their testimony with you. So that's the main things of District Leader, other small things like reporting numbers weekly. I get to go to a DL and ZL training on Sept 9th! Can't wait!

On Saturday I had a baptism in my old area! I loved going back, like a little vacation from the stress here. It was Jack Owen and his younger sister Claire (9 and 8 years old). We were teaching them forever! Since my first couple weeks in the mission. I baptized them both and then confirmed them both! It was quite the experience. I was a little nervous of doing the confirmation for the first time but I decided to just go in there and do them both with nothing in my mind as to what to say. It was cool to see the things that just flow out of your mouth! Man I love serving! They are some cute kids though, sadly the pictures won't be on the big batch you get from Ryan Ackroyd. He has alot though, basically everyone I was close to in my old area.

So here's the part I could go on for hours but I must wrap this up in a few minutes here. This area has NO TRUST. Zero trust with the members. I looked in the area book and it has a long line of Elders who have been way disobedient. I'm not saying I don't like them, some of them I'm sure will be good friends of mine even after the mission but I believe some Elders don't understand what their disobedience does to future missionaries. A couple of the main things that have happened here recently. Elder got in a vocal fight with a Stake President. Another Elder got in a fist fight with a 14 year old kid who was taking the lessons from them! I mean just simple things like us not being given keys to the building. The WML could care less about us, I feel. The members don't like scheduling dinners because the Elders never showed up. I mean these are the things that are.... visible? But there are some many other consequences that you cant... see? For example all the relationships with what they call "investigators" are completely the wrong kind of relationship. Like a bro relationship, like come over here and "hang out". I don't get what the point of this is. Are we going to convince people the church is a cool thing to join, so get baptized. Nope. It's not even between us and them, between them and God.

Ahh I could go on forever and give examples of several situations where we have already started to patch things up. I mean we went to a LA (less active) couples house who we had scheduled for lunch on Saturday. They were used to the Elders coming over, making food with them then watching there weekly episode of "Glee". I was ticked when I found out. The sister was putting in the DVD when I asked her not to and had to explain to her why we can't. Eventually they saw it through my eyes so instead we had a 20 minute conversation about the gospel, shared scriptures and started a plan to get them sealed in the temple. We got out of the house in a hour and so we were able to keep our lunch to the time given and continue on with our work! We left there with the proper relationship and house filled with the spirit.

This is just one situation. There are alot similar stories some worse. I mean the area books were completely empty! No record of anyone they are teaching or who they could potentially be teaching. We took 6 hours on Friday to fix that problem and get us organized. The best thing is Elder Lundwall is completely down with being 100% obedient. Why not! He has been before but man I'm so glad I was trained being obedient, it would have been so much harder to change. I don't know if I can get the point across of how important it is. Simple things like waking up at 6:30! Doing the studies, going to bed on time. So it will take some time but patch things up but they will be done and I'm excited for the challenge.

I'm pretty excited to serve with E. Lundwall. He has had alot of companions and quite a few who were pretty rude. There was a point this week where we were biking and I just had this feeling I'm going to love him. Each day I continue to grow closer to him. We are going to have some good experiences together. But I must go, please take care and keep the faith!

Elder Pizzey.

August 23, 2010

Good Day Family and Friends!

Elder Pizzey here. Man I'm in good spirits today, not to sure why. It sounds like you guys had a good week. So many dinners and get together's, I'm a little jealous. Little Avery is adorable! I'm teaching someone who has a little girl named Lesley who's basically her twin. You will see in the next batch of pictures I send home. Dad good pictures, you happy. I almost killed myself laughing seeing Berns in the bungee! Then Nana on the swing. I love all of my Grandparents and think about each of you alot, just thought I'd let you know. Different memories with all of them from the trailer to following Gramps around the yard. Don't forget I think of you guys as well.

Man that's a little rough about Jason working over there for three weeks. Ouch, well I guess you got to do what you got to do right. Hmm what else... I can't believe Austin is going to Las Vegas! Man I was hoping he would join me here, I thought SLCS would be a good place for him. So is Blaine in the West as well? Is there two missions over there? East and West or something. Well Good stuff, I love my family and friends. Let me move on.

During one of the four sacrament meetings E. McClung and myself attended yesterday I had a different experience. A returned missionary was giving his.... talk? (They don't want them to be called homecoming talks anymore, lame.) Well I guess I could say I had my own spiritual moment, personal spiritual moment. I'm having difficulties trying to describe this, I've rewritten this sentence about 6 times now, hold on... I guess I was hit with this impression of how grateful I am for many many things at his specific moment. Like it all came to me at once, overloaded with a realization of all the many blessings I've had in my life to this point. I could go on forever telling you everything that went through my big head. Family of course, the simple things like the basic needs, friends, certain experiences which brought me to a mission. A couple big ones young men's leaders (you know who you are! About 5 key guys) and Bishops. The list goes on!

I started to think about my homecoming talk. It's not what you expected. Up until this point I've always thought man one day, I can't wait, it will be so nice to be home and back to life, carry on. But nope. This time I was scared and sad. I don't ever want this to end. Life is so good right now, why go home! Seriously everything is taken care of and I am completely focused on the only thing that matters. Even though there are really sad and hard moments here, there couldn't be a better two years for my life. I can feel myself growing. I mean when I'm suppose to be awake I'm sleepy and when I'm suppose to be sleeping I'm wide awake thinking. But you just don't stop, keep pushing. The gospel is true and it's this continuous cycle I continue to live. Am I making sense? I just don't want to have to go home, I'm serious though. I get to study two hours everyday and then go live it, I mean I want to do the same when I'm home as well but will I? It's hard I know. Well that's the first time it really hit me, I love it here. Although there is alot to look forward to after the mission ;) don't get me wrong.

So alot happened this week. Zone conference and my six month mark, actually on the same day. I went over to the Isom's that night to have a short lesson and a tie burning party! Sis. Mays dropped off pies for us and Sis. Isom had smores and everything going on, I love the people, I've come to love here! Don't think that made sense. But we got some good pictures and videos, just wait for the next batch.

Zone conference was way different than with Pres. Laney but that's not a bad thing at all. I loved it. I don't have much time left so left me go briefly over my next few points. In all missions world wide they have been introducing this new curriculum. It's really not to much of a change but they are making it sound like it. Still using Preach My Gospel manual but they are making a huge emphasis on teaching people on lessons. So really what we should be doing, but helping us out so more. Which is great but really a difficult thing to teach. I mean how do we teach people to teach by the spirit. It definitely doesn't mean no lesson plans. I would say the biggest thing I learned was to just LISTEN. Truly listen and it's hard sometimes. Always thinking what should I say next? What scripture? Or question should I ask? But I tried extra hard this week and had a few interesting experiences where it worked.

I'm going to have to share them briefly. Maybe I'll stop saying that and just do it. During a lesson Elder Ng was sharing his testimony and this time I was completely focused on his words and listening. I don't think I have ever felt the Holy Ghost so strong from a companion's testimony. I wasn't thinking, "Ohhh man I would have said this or that" or what should I say next". But just listened and waited for a prompting on the certain question to ask after.

I'll skip the other ones and share a couple sad stories. Like I said there are always hard times in the week. This week and more than normal. First I attended a funeral on Saturday. A lady who I taught few times with Elder England and a few after, she took her life last Tuesday. She was a less active member of the church but just in the past year she worked towards becoming temple worthy and was able to go through several times before she passed. She was taking alot of drugs for medical purposes (she had less than a year to live) and I think it got a hold of here. It was a little difficult, brought up some feelings but once again I'm thankful for the knowledge I have of our plan and this life. How there is more to life than just this. I don't know how people go through it without that comfort.

Another time. Bro. Aslami. I have been teaching him for six months and I can't get into complete details because this will on the internet and alot is personal for him. But is diligent and trying to receive an answer from a God. He wants to be baptized tomorrow but won't until he has a answer from God. He is almost angry with God for not reaching out to him. But what we are trying to do is help him recognize his answers, let him know he won't be "cured" or at least he won't be until he takes the first step. I love Bro. Aslami and have become great friends with him but here's the reason our lesson this week was so sad. I had one of the more spiritual moments on my mission while he said the closing prayer this week. Some of his depression rubbed off on me after this because he couldn't feel what I felt! I can't recognize it. Bro. Query (the greatest WML), E. McClung and myself just all looked at each other after the prayer and were in shock. But Bro. Aslami didn't grasp it. I really don't know, if he is denying it. It was hard I just felt like life isn't fair after that lesson. Why do I get to have these moments and not him? This paragraph is a little scatter brained but it was a hard moment.

Well that's basically my week! Transfers are this Wednesday and it's the first time I don't know whats happening! It's a weird feeling. I think E. McClung and E. Gray are going Spanish speaking in our mission for sure and if they don't that's just not fair for them. But me and E. Ng we got no clue! I really don't care either. Change is good but I like it here as well. We could be together or he stay or I stay. We will find out. Can't wait!

So I am taking advantage of this privilege of serving the Lord 24/7, really when else can I? When you share your testimony it grows and when you don't you loose it. Once we have a testimony it will leave us if we don't share it daily. Our testimony is either increasing or decreasing. It NEVER plateau's. So as we share our testimonies it can continue to increase? That's my goal share my testimony everyday for the rest of my LIFE! and I know that's going to be hard at home but we have the opportunity to every night. To someone who really does care and wants to hear it. LOVE YOU ALL!

Elder Pizzey.

August 16, 2010

Hello family and friends!

Before I forget. August 24 th 1:15 is the scope and August 23th I'll be pooping my brains out all day. Not to sure how I'll write email or when but I'll figure it out. Love your guys emails and appreciate the time you put into them. Some Elders and Sisters get a little paragraph from their families sad sad. Man so sad about Mitch, I continue to pray for him. I'm excited to hear who is the new stake presidency, keep me updated. In one of our wards we got a new Bishop, that's a pretty cool experience. Bishop Thomsen (his wife contacted you mom) was released, he was a good guy but the new one will fill his boots. Bro. Farmer.

So transfers are coming up, time flies! In President Miller's response today he said "You and Elder Ng are to good to stay together", ha now thats scary. I really, really don't want to move. I'd be happy to be here for the next 18 months (isn't it crazy I can say 18 months instead of two years, YIKES). But really I feel like I'm part of this area, especially the Wasatch Stake. I just rome these streets, people know me, they love me and I love them. DON"T MOVE ME! But since I have said this, especially publically, I am bound to be moved. So when I can catch some of the people I'm close to home, I've been grabbing pictures of us or else I would forget them. It will be tons of fun coming back with the family and introducing you to everyone I know and have met. Six months in one area. This area was dead prior to Elder England and myself and now it's poppin. So any hard times I just think of that and how one of my goals is to leave my area better than I found it.

Man the hike today was unreal. Hiked up 2100 feet on a trail called Broad's Fork. It's just a few minutes up Big Cottonwood Canyon (the canyon that goes up to Brighton), dad you should google maps it. Bro. Sansom from the fourth ward of Wasatch took us up there, he's the YM president right now but has had his fair share of callings. We got some real good pictures and possibly a funny video or two. Holy I felt like a little fat boy hiking though, I've never been so beat. My legs were killing and just huffing and puffy for air NOT GOOD. But I've started to work out in the mornings again and man I feel alot better each day. I've worked out for three months on my mission and have not for three months and I find the day just goes better with a little exercise. We will have to do the hike sometime.

So we had a baptism one saturday that was definetly a highlight this week! I only taught her the first and last lesson though, Elder Ng and Gray took care of this one. She was pretty golden from the first lesson, but it was still cool to see the difference that was and has been made in her life. So in this process she had to give up smoking and she has been doing excellent for along time. She continues to work on this area.

I don't really have anytime left and need to wrap things up! Sorry not much to say this week and plus we are a little busy. But tomorrow we have zone conference! Can't wait. Well this week we didn't find anyone new but we do have two lessons scheduled with new people this week so theres some good news. On August 28th we should have a couple baptisms! Can't wait, a couple people who have taken a quite awhile but thats all good! This week our sacrement attendance was a little sad but quite disappointing. We thought we did everything we could to get them there, had people from the ward come by and invite, daily contact and the whole deal but they no showed us. Next week I'm going half hour before and walking to church with them.

Well I don't have to much more to say other than I am enjoying every minute. This foursome is awesome, we joke around quite abit. Hopefully next week I'll have some good experiences to share and some more time to type. We had to fill out this huge survery today. Well it should be a good week, I can't believe Pday is basically over. Man they are short but whatever the rest of the week is good as well. Alright take care family and friends.

Love Elder Pizzey

August 9, 2010

Hello Brothers and Sisters!

That was an unreal letter, mom and dad. I think the first time I've ever got a little emotional while reading one of your guys emails. I love family, a mission really makes you appreciate your family and learn what you would like yours to be like.

Usually each week I have made notes in my planner on the upcoming Monday, so I have a few key things I'd like to talk about. But this week I don't, just completely forgot so I'm just going to wing it. Although I feel like I could reply to your emails for hours. I can't believe what happened to Mitch James, that's really sad. Please keep me updated and I keep him in prayers of course. I love him and he has treated me good as a friend and a boss! I already talked about Paigee poops and I love her. Wish I could talk to her for a few hours. Before I forget! Nana happy birthday and I love you as well! Question for you. Do you know a Elder Hanson who served in Capetown from 95-97? Because he knows you and Grandpa, he lives in one of my wards. He said you and Elder Pizzey were a cool senior couple.

My week was splendid! I like serving a mission. I have the same problem at night with my journals that I do here in these emails. I meet so many people and have so many stories I can't write them all down. There just isn't time! Of course my journals probably get a better part of the stories but there is just so much going on it's hard to record. So today is the first day of the fifth week in this transfer. I hope I stay in this area this upcoming transfer. We will be having a baptism this upcoming week (had a little dry spell) and there should a few more at the end of the month. Our area is exploding! Last couple weeks with Elder England it died down and when he left it was alot of working trying to pick it up again but it's starting to pay off. We have found EIGHT people in the fast four weeks and should, hopefully, find three this week. We are killing the mission averages in finding. A few of those are really moving along, some fast, some real slow and others almost to the point were we have to leave them behind. That's a difficult thing for me. When do I drop someone? Stop teaching them? How can I make that call? I don't want to be held accountable!? That's why I do everything I can to help them progress but ultimately it's up to them. They have their agency and it's really between them and God, I'm just here to hold their hand down this narrow path. If they keep commitments, keep teaching. If a few lessons goes by and they have no desire to keep them, move on. There are people the Lord is preparing and our time is precious and we need to find them.

I would say one of this biggest things I'm working on is just having confidence or faith that the Lord has power to change life's. That the prayers of the people I am teaching will be answered and they will feel God's love for us by the POWER of the Holy Ghost. Those who diligently seek his help, and express their faith by keeping commitments and putting things to the test. I can promise anyone that if they dedicate three weeks to us, to figuring out if God does exist, still loves us, still reaches out to us, still calls prophets, still speaks to his children, IF THE HEAVENS ARE STILL OPEN! Sorry but it they will dedicate JUST three weeks meeting two-three times a week they will have the exact same knowledge that I have, that Jesus is the Christ! And it works, one condition! Open that heart! I find... hmm how can I say this. There are hard and soft people, and we can tell whos hard and whos soft real fast. Soft people are 10x easier to work with but hard people just take a little more effort I'd say. These are alot of random thoughts but I have 1000's of thoughts I think of at night and these are just a few.

So I love President Miller. We have our weekly letter to him and Sis. Miller we write each week, by email. BUT he responds! Insane that is like 230 emails to respond to each week. Don't get how he does it? But he does, something Pres. Laney didn't do. I'll share with you his last response.
"First, know that you are fast becoming a wonderful missionary. That being said I worry about your health. I know you will be having a test I just had before coming out here. It sounds awful but isn't too bad. Meanwhile, for me, stay off of red meat and eat fish. Also, keep spending at least 30 to 60 minutes in aerobic exercising such as jogging. You have my permission to arise at 6am. I love you Elder Pizzey and you will have an exchange this week. With appreciation, President Miller"
I like that first line there, but mom your probably freaking out... My health? Well I'll just give it to you plain and simple I have to have a colonoscopy on August 28th. They are checking for colin cancer.... haha no don't worry but I'm not to sure what I have? You might not want to include this little section on the blog, but I really don't care if you choose. I'll try to say it in medical terms, I have blood in my stools for the past few weeks? So Sis. Miller sent me out to the hospital this week and yup got to get it checked out. Nothing hurts and I feel fine so they think it's something in there. But the 28th is a Pday and I'll be at home all day, in bed/toilet pooping so you might not get a email home. I'm sure Pres. Miller will let me do it like sunday or something. Oh and next week we are going on a hike from 10-2/3 so don't worry if you don't get a email till later. Well yeah... Thats that and I'll keep you updated. And please don't send me pages and pages of things I could have or what I should do, they are taking care of me. Love yeah mom ;)

Back to my week. So here's a weird experience that happened this week, I'll try to make it real short because its way long. They tried to take away my cous! And that doesn't fly with me. Elder McClung got a call from the assistants saying he was being moved... We thought Ok this stinks, maybe spanish assingment of the mission so thats good for him. But we were upset. We talk to the assistants later again, and they said no english assingment still... OK hold up why? Ok long story short they were trying to get rid of foursomes and make more threesomes, they think its more productive. NO it's not. Two by two right? Against all doctrine, plus it's awkward tracting and teaching lessons. So I called them back and I shared with them my opinion, not being a punk or anything just did. They said, hmm well whats your numbers like. I told them. We are leading mission in finding. They said hmmm well even though your double booked we are still doing it. I got E. McClungs new companion's phone number and talked to him. He was in 100% agreement with me and said call Mission President the assistants are suppose to listen to our concerns. So I did, that was way scary. BUT he was right behind me. Well Elder McClung is still here and all is good! Not really a spiritual experience but I was a little nervous the whole time.

Shoot I've wasted to much time, I have a couple stories I would like to share about people we are now teaching but... hmm I'll do better next time. Last night we finally made some progress with this girl named Tori. We have been teaching her for a couple weeks and she has had a difficult time believing some of the stories in the Bible and so on. Well she has been being a good girl and keep her commitments. But last night we had the best lesson we've had with her yet, she expressed some feelings she has had at church and when meeting with us we helped her realize just what that is! It's all about having the right fellowshipper, this RM Maryn is helping us out alot. I mean Tori has been to church three weeks in a row and it's all due to Maryn's help. This is all in the Wasatch YSA ward, it's a good ward.

So we are also teaching two other guys in this YSA ward. Kenny and Terry. Elder England and myself tracted into them a few months ago and lets just say the timing is right in their life. They have real questions, something us missionaries never get. They also have real answers, sometimes we dig deep with questions and it's scary because alot of people throw out lame one word answers but not these boys. They share their feelings. We had a good first lesson with them this week and will have some more this week.

I'm sorry to run out on this email but I must. Once again I hope you enjoyed it. Couple things I really learned this week. Have confidence in the Lord's promises and that everything happens in the Lord's time. He's preparing the people we just need to find them. By ourselves we can do nothing.

Love all of you and keep the faith! Elder Pizzey

Photo Update!

This is the view from where Blake lives, beautiful!

Elder Gray, Elder Ng, Elder Pizzey, and Elder McClung

The Isom Family gave him this build a bear to Blake after their children were baptized.

Blake using his cooking skills!  He was given a heart shape cooking cutter!  From who I wonder?

Traditional Pizza!

I think these are ferrets!

Elder Pizzey and Elder England went with the Roosendall Family to the

Family History Conference at the tabernacle.  He said it was fabulous!

One of Blake's favorite families, the Roosendaal and their mother

Pat Christensen.  Sister Christensen was baptized in May.

Blake loves his ties and can't get enough!

Last we heard Blake is regularly working out!

Sister Pat Christensen at her baptism, with her family! 

A very special lady!

One of church buildings in the mountain.  It reminded Blake of the church in

Banff!  Blake could not believe it was right on the ski hill, what a view!

Elder Ng and Elder Pizzey

August 2, 2010

Dear family and friends!

Yikes so much to say, I think. The other day Sis. May's told me don't waste time in emails replying to what your guys have said. I guess you guys don't care about that, which makes sense. I'll just share with you about my week! OK! Well before I go on, dad keep husseling on the yard. There are a few people with amazing yards here, one thing I really like is moss. If you ever have time I would suggest sweeping the chips away from the flat rock paths. Putting some edging down the sides of the path. And planting moss inbetween all the rocks and on the sides. Looks beautiful, stays clean, no weeds and it feels like carpet. The pros do it here. ANYWAYS!

Ok my week. So yes I was getting really excited to go to leadership training, way to excited! I mean after five months I've never gone on a exchange and I was excited to learn something new. Then that night before, after helping my companionship plan for 45 minutes, zone leaders send out a voicemail. "We have a correction the leadership training is for zone leaders, distract leaders and 1st transfer trainers ONLY" and technically I'm a 2nd transfer trainer (it's E. Ng's 2nd transfer) and "visa waiters" don't count! Really lame I know because really with them I am training first transfer again! Agh got to stop thinking about it. So I think that was the only time on my mission I have ever been truly upset.. no angry I would say. I was TICKED! But I kept my cool. Just like so much build up and excitement then nope. Well I prayed for help and that I asked for forgiveness for getting so caught up in something I was probably getting excited about for selfish reasons and the next day I got over it. Woke up and it was just another day back to work. So that was fun, but prayer defiantley helps.

Where to start with the rest of the week? Hardly anytime left to write. Ok do any of you remember Adam? If not go catch up/refesh from a last months emails. Adam was golden (20 years old), he said the first lesson to me, "I will be the easiest person you teach". Second lesson he started to think about a mission. He was reading chapters everyday! So spiritual. Well he cancelled a lesson on us a few weeks ago and just left a voicemail. Something along the lines he just needs time to think and said he wont ignore our calls, don't worry I'm not blowing you guys off. Well it's been more than two weeks. I called him once everyday for quite awhile and he would never answer. His mom hates the church and he has told us, she has tried to get him to read anti stuff. It has been difficult for E. Ng and myself. We loved him and theres nothing we can do. We aren't welcome at his house, we had lessons at his neighbours. I could go on forever and explain in extream detail everything but no time. I'm going to write him a letter this week and drop it off at his house and hope he gets it. Like we are talking he invited 30 of his friends to his baptism which was for the July 31, then it just got called off. We hear his mom has a big role in it. Alma 17:5 stuck out to me this week. "Now these are the circumstances which attended them in their journeying's, for they had many afflictions; they did suffer much, both in body and in mind, such as hunger, thirst and fatigue, and also much in the labor in the spirit." Sometimes we will teach people, we feel the spirit, they feel the spirit. They know God has answered their prayers but they just can't act. And we can't do anything, they have their agency and it's tough.

Man up to this point your probably thinking my week was terrible! Not true! I loved it! E. McClung and myself had a witness this week of the power of fast. Of course we (us 4) started our fast together with a prayer. But we decided to meet together at 4:00 to break our fast and try something knew, bless our area. Weird? Nope it was great. We went to a place in our area that overlooks our entire area. We got down on our knees in a semi overlooking our area. I started with a prayer to break our fast and bless our area. One of those prayers you have know clue what you were saying but you remember certain things from it and learn from what you said. The Holy Ghost can defiantely teach us things. Then once I closed, E. McClung offered a prayer, E. Gray and E. Ng finished us off. Can't describe it better than saying it was a spiritual experience and a highlight thus far in the mission. One thing I want to note. E. McClung prayed for Tori (21 year old female we are teaching) and Dallas (her LA boyfriend she's living with) that they will be able to figure out what they need to do in order for her to be baptized. He didn't mention anything specific, no marriage or nothing. Now later that night, just prior to our lesson with them, we recieved a call from Maryn (Tori's friend from the YSA ward in Wasatch) and she was with Tori and they needed to cancel. Tori and Dallas broke up that night.... they dated for three years. Not was we were expecting. We thought marriage. But Tori made the call and she wants to continue the lessons. We were in shock. Prayer answered? I guess so, whatever it takes. Power of fast. I mean check out what Alma's testimony is based on in Alma 5. Not the visitation he had from a angel but.... go find out!

It's to bad we don't get a phone call each week, I've got about 5 more stories I would like to tell. Tracting stories. Real quick we were at second appointment with this couple we found while tracting. Their was way to much contention from him. I mean we would answer questions, he would ask another, we answer and he gets more mad and we were answering calmy and humbly. It got the the point where I shared my testimony and said we need to leave. Left him with some chapters and things to ponder/pray. He was a little shocked we just peaced. We came back few days later and it went alot better. Not near as much contention I think he got the point I was trying to get across. We answered his big question of how grace and works fit together using the bible. But after we were bringing it back to the Book of Mormom and Joseph Smith and while I was explaining some history to Joseph Smith he cut me off more a minute and cracked a little joke, nothing big but it was rude. I stopped him and stared him the eyes and said with all the engery in my heart Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, please don't mock him again. And he shut up. I continued on with my testimony and we left on that note. I believe it's never bad to defend the prophet and share your testimony of Joseph Smith.

Yup, but even more prayers answered by fast. Sis. Isom shared her testimony at church again! Yes, it will happen. The Isom family and myself are going to be in the temple together a year from now. Just need to get her baptized! I am really enjoying the foursome companionshop though. I love my companions. We all have a desire to learn by study, learn by eachother, we are willing to take advice from oneanother and we all have the desire to be obiendent. Other than that we love to have fun, the funnest time of my mission so far. The nights and mornings are hilarious. Each day E. McClung get's more hilarious with his comments.

Time is up folks. Plus I think I want to go play ball, Stake Presidents son is coming to play with us, he's a baller. I love these two years I just always need to remember to use every minute of them. Love all of you as well and miss all of your, plus certain individuals! Love you mom, your the best mom, I want a kiss mom!

Keep the faith, Elder Pizzey.

Side Note: Our mom would pin us down and make us say those three things and then we would get a kiss! Strange, but she is strange!