November 3, 2010

Hello from the valley of the Prophets!


Alright before I forget, the shout outs! Grandma Berns! Jalene! and Dianne! For the letters! And also happy birthday to Jason and Jordan, you guys are good brothers. I'm going to say the same thing about my week. I'm not keeping you out of the loop but it was just a little quite, so it might be short. Actually... the more I think about it alot happened! Just no intense stories to share.

So my history I guess, you guys were asking. I spent four transfers (24 weeks) in my last area which was WA and WC stakes. Two of those transfers with E. England and two with E. Ng. I am close to finishing up my second transfer in my second area, PK and PR stakes and of course both with E. Lundwall. So you guys are correct a transfer is coming up November 17 (first week of my seventh transfer). I predict, not prophecy, that I will be leaving and going somewhere else. President has spoken to me a few times about having Elder Lundwall train. There is a very good chance he will train this next transfer but who knows right! Anything could happen.

When I put some more thought into it way too much happened this week to even write about it! Last Wednesday Justin and Trevor Jones were baptized, an unreal baptism. It was the first baptism on my mission that we had to move it to the chapel, like Lindsay's baptism. Then on Sunday we had their confirmation. I love confirmations! We actually got to speak that sacrament meeting as well. Since they are both young men I spoke to the young men, it was great. I basically spoke on preparing for a mission but not the typical go on a mission talk. I touched on four basic things that they need to keep their mind on throughout highschool. I told some hilarious/intense/scary stories from my mission and things that I have learned. I love speaking and it's getting better and better. In the past two weeks we have spoken four times, a couple of them being 20 minute talks.

I forgot to mention that this past week we had our quarterly interviews with President Miller. So we had our district meeting and during our district meeting President would pull the an Elder out and interview him. The Assistants to the President, Zone Leaders and Sis. Miller were there part of my district meeting. So they told me to plan for an hour and half but when I got there E. Bourelson told me it's going to take two and half hours! And that I have to keep the district meeting going the entire time. I was like FREAK. But I said a little prayer and all was good. That was the greatest district meeting I've ever had. It was on revelation through prayer. I don't really know how to describe the meeting other than it was very interactive, alot of practice, then evaluate and re-practice. A spiritual meeting for all of us. My district is excellent this transfer, I love each and everyone of them. I will have to get a picture of all of us before the transfer is over and send it home.

I had to exchanges within my district this past week. One I stayed and the other I left. I always learn something new from other missionaries. Being district leader there are benefits like being able to go on so many exchanges (7 a transfer) and work with so many different missionaries. Prepare the district meeting each week and of course you grow when sharing with others what you learn. BUT MAN! I'm already sick of the calling. Sounds bad but hopefully you know what I mean. Leadership in the mission is a difficult thing. There are so many things President and the Zone Leaders want you to do and I try to do them as best as I can. But when you do what they want it is usually not what the Elders in your district want. So my point in saying this it's hard to keep the relationships strong with all the Elders especially if they are being disobedient. But I always just think it's better to be trusted than to be a friend in the mission field. Second thing I try to keep in mind is acting with no hypocrisy (Nephi 31:13). Being a leadership position is difficult at times but its great at the same time. It keeps you in line, you can only lift someone up if your on higher ground right! So you better be on that higher ground. In life you are either a leader or a follower and if you know me I don't like to follow! Alma 38:10-12 speak to me right now and I felt that was the message Pres. Miller shared with me in my interview.

Well as far as that... the Gospel is true. It's amazing to see the change it brings to peoples lives. Peoples views and morals often completely change over the time they meet with us. As people pray their original concerns go away because their will is brought in line with the will of the Father. They see through different eyes and accept the standards of the restored Gospell! I love it! Keep the faith everyone and talk to you soon on Christmas!

Love Elder Pizzey!