January 5, 2010

January 5, 2011 - Week 2 of Transfer 8


Hello Hello!

I have no clue where to start. This week has been jam packed with lessons, events, activities, problems, meetings, trainings, and councils! The past three days have been the most hectic three days of my entire mission! All in a row! But hectic in a good way, I loved them. Elder Dick has been sick since Saturday night, sick with the flu. I think I got four hours of sleep that night, I laid in my bed with the horrible sound of someone hurling echoing in my head the entire night. In the past three days I have gone on six or seven mini exchanges while Elder Dick has been passed from house to house so he can rest up. He is starting to feel better though.

Each transfer there is a six hour zone leader council (all zone leaders, the assistants and mission president) and this transfer was on Monday, had to represent our zone by myself. I actually enjoyed that though. Then yesterday we had our zone interviews, so I organized that by myself. Everything ran smoothly, it was seamless! The three districts started their district meetings on time, they left when they were suppose to and even brought/did all the additional assignments that they asked of us! President Miller is great though, everyone really does like him. He has made a lot of changes since he got in but I feel he has changed the attitude of the mission. All the missionaries have a desire to do good, be obedient, to change! And its important to keep that in mind when working with people who are struggling. Almost all of them want something different, its just a little difficult to get there.

It was sad. David Hampton (30 yrs.) was baptized on sunday night. We love the guy. Just an all around great guy, good to talk to and fun to be with. Well E. Dick was sick and wasn't able to make it to the baptism. He asked me to baptize him and E. Dick to confirm him. So it turned out that that would probably work out because converts are suppose to be confirmed on the following sunday in sacrament meeting. But the Bishop (who we have troubles with, third time hes done this) told David he needs to pick a new person to confirm him because he doesn't want it done in his Sacrament meeting. So E. Dick missed out on everything, but none the less it was a great night and E. Dick is a tough guy, so he is fine.

So earlier on that Sunday we were in the University 50th ward and as you remember it was fast and testimony meeting. We were there with Ryan Cook, someone we are teaching, and I decided to go and share my testimony. Well as soon as I started this guy kept grabbing my attention and I kept looking at him. Eventually I felt like I was just staring at him and sharing my testimony with just him! Look away! Look away! I kept thinking but I was zeroed in on him and couldn't help it. Weird... I know. I sit down and a few minutes later it comes to the end of the meeting. But this guy, he stands up and ends up being the last one to share his testimony. It turns out he has never been to church in his life and I would never have guessed! I loved the way he close his testimony "And.... that's it. Thank you?" The very second the meeting ended I raced to the other side of the chapel and start to talk to him, asked if wanted to meet with us and he said, "Yes of course!" He told us that for four months he has been wanting to meet with missionaries but no one asked him! And he didn't know if he could or couldn't! Aghhh! People just invite please. Alma 5:33, the Lord inviteth all! How do you think he does that? We must be his tools, his agents and invite!

I have a list here of close to ten different stories, I wish they were all recorded in my journal but I haven't had a single minute to myself to write in it. I have three days worth of catching up to get to, that's a headache on its own.

We met this guy named Ahmed from Egypt. He has been here for a few months for school and will be heading home once his one year is up. For the past month he has been attending church and reading the Book of Mormon. He has a million questions yet no one can answer them because he is Muslim and returning to his country. We went in his house and visited for awhile and answered some real basic questions he had. How do you pray? But we didn't pray with him or anything because we can get in big do do without permission from first presidency! He wants to get baptized but knows if he does, his life is on the line. It was sad, but he was excited to hear that they had LDS churches in Egypt. You meet alot of people out here and learn from all of them, this guy had a lot of charity and respect.

So thank you to the Lamberts and Dianne for the Christmas presents! I have been spoiled way to much as a missionary. I can't believe we have had two apostles recently speak to us. Elder Perry was great. His main though was similar to Elder Hollands. Wear your name badge for the rest of your life. I am liking my mission and the time is flying. I feel like I don't have enough left, this time is precious. I want to come home and be different, to have changed. Changed for the good. When I come home I will have at least one convert and that is myself. I am grateful for the peace this gospel message brings and wish all would be open to accept it. Love your son mom and dad and share this with the world!

Love Elder Pizzey!