September 13, 2010

Hello Family and Friends!

It's Elder Pizzey once again! I wish I could just recorded this because I feel like talking and not writing but here we go once again! First mom. I had basically the exact same dream just last night. I woke up this morning and I felt so disappointed and sad, like something was wrong. I kept thinking why? What did I dream about? Finally remembered. I dreamt that I slept in and missed all Pday so I didn't get to write you guys a email or anything. Hearing from you guys being the biggest thing I look forward to on Pday I was fairly upset. But just a dream. Well I really liked your emails today. Have you guys seen Denzel Washington? (we were staying in a hotel in NY that he lives parttime) I love him. Mom your email was great as well, I was completely following along and understanding what you meant and felt.

 

So this week... how do I wrap it up in a few words. "Happy Are We!" I love serving the Lord. Even though it's a roller coaster I love it. I don't think people get it when missionaries say that. Not just the transfer or the week but everyday! And these are BIG ups and downs. Not things like "Dad won't let me go to the lake this weekend". We are talking about peoples SALVATION being on the line. People you learn to love, care for and think about everyday all day. These are crucial moments in their life!

 

Sorry if that made no sense. Let me describe to you the success which we have had. This week we found FOUR new "investigators" and at one point had five people with a baptismal date, four of them being really solid. But now we only have three people working towards a baptismal date. We had something like twelve lessons this week, that's only counting legit real lessons. Many of these being extremely spiritual experiences! This upcoming week we should at least have three more people on date and continue to find as well. Just you wait! This area is literally exploding! We are trying to reschedule with the people we are teaching and we hardly can find a place with in four days, like its nuts. The Bishops, WML and members are starting to not just love us but TRUST us! We are scheduling alot of speaking opportunities starting next week. It just shows what some obiedence and hard/smart work can do.

 

Let me quickly tell you about Ray. Ray we taught for the first time at the beginning of this last week. He is mid 40's and has a family. Two kids in their mid-teens who attend a Catholic school. Ray goes to a Catholic Church with his family every Saturday night, his wife is a very strong Catholic. He attended a Catholic school in his youth as well and always had questions but they never has answers for him. It has drove him crazy his whole life, he said he would get in trouble for asking questions. Here's a little detail on Ray. He is Asian and hilarious! He calls us his Elders! "Hey it's my Elders, come here, come here." He tries to use all this young lingo with us in the way that Dad tries to. Well the first lesson we had with him was powerful! I was with Elder De La Garza (one of my ZL, on exchange). Some of the first words out of Rays mouth are about his baptism. He shares with us how he knows this is the path God wants him to take. He has been studying the LDS faith for a year now and is confident in his decision. We invited him to be baptized  on September 24th and he accepted without hesitation. 

 

On our second lesson with Ray. We were teaching the Fall of Adam and Eve to him. As we were reading from 2 Nephi 2 with him, he stopped reading and went quite. A few seconds went by, then 10 seconds and eventually a minute of silence. Not being afraid of silence I said nothing. Everything was coming together for him. Those questions he has had and has gotten in trouble for asking were being answered by God himself. The dots were being connected. With a few inspired questions that were given to me as I LISTENED to the Holy Ghost the situation was turned into one that he could teach us. He was able to share with us his testimony of Book of Mormon. Its importance and from that the importance of the Fall. Shortly after we ended on that high spiritual note. He offered the closing prayer, asking God for help in every way he could and offering thanks for all that he had.

 

Something I have learned is to LISTEN. Listen to your companion teaching, the investigator speaking, the testimony of the fellowshipper. Don't think what to say next, what scripture or question to ask next. Just pay attention and listen and it will we given to you. Listen to people's prayers. It has been made known to me exactly what to teach next lesson just by the prayer of the investigator. Listen to what they say, what they ask for, how they struggle and then discern and teach!

 

Well here is one of the lows of the roller coaster. This morning as I am eating my breakfast I get a call from Ray. I can tell he is a little emotional. I told me that September 24th wouldn't work, that the next lesson he has to cancel and that we better stop coming by. He tried to sit his wife down last night and tell her about the 24th. She threatened to file a divorce and there was a huge fight. But he loves his family, his wife and children and feels he needs to hold off for awhile, which I understand. But it is sad, she won't let him explain his feelings and why but instead just puts up a brick wall. So this is half the story of ONE of the people we are teaching. No lie there are five or so stories this week that I similar to this. But with happy endings!

 

Now I could go on about the mission tour we had this week as well. Elder Grow came from the Presidency of the Seventy.  He changed alot of things in the mission. Some I like and some not fond of. No more zone activities unless the Mission President is present. That means no more gathering on Pday and playing basketball with all the good ballers in the zone. You can only gather as a district. So all districts have there own building for district meeting and mail pickup on Pday's. Not to sure why but I guess it's inspired, rule comes from the brethren. No more call in's at night, only on Sunday for numbers, which I love! Actually have time to write in the journal. We talked alot about setting goals and following the spirit. It was a very interactive atmosphere, I was able to talk back forth with a general authority! Cool feeling. He is so quick and snappy, like a young attitude. There was one point while he was changing the structure the mission is run when he asked all the District Leaders to stand up. I was in the front row. And he just lectured us on how our role and responsibility has just upped big time. He started me right in the eyes from five feet away as he told us how important it is for us to lead by example by being obedient and have our areas as a model. It felt so good to be able to stare him back in the eyes with full confidence in the Lord, knowing that I have worked my hardest to bring others unto Christ.

 

He taught us alot of cool things which I wish I had time to share. He told us that we are the arms of the Apostles. He told us to question our Stake Presidents on their knowledge of the missionary flow chart, way to SCARY! But it is cool we are the only ones who are able to dedicate 100% of our time to the Lords work. Man this time is crucial! So much to take in, must be like a sponge. So much to learn and to change. So many attributes to work on. I hope this email gave you a taste of my week. I miss you all and look forward to being with my family at some time! Love you all.

 

"The will to win is the will to prepare." -- I like.

 

Elder Pizzey.