March 2, 2011

March 2, 2011 - Week 4 of Transfer 9

So much happens in one week, at home and down here! Jace looks like a good kid, I think all babies look the same but I'm sure hes a cutey. He sounds like a big boy, probably will be the best baller in the family. Speaking of infants I had the greatest study this morning! Moroni 8, I dissected that chapter. Dad I'm glad your slowly becoming converted to the true way of life, Apple. I knew you would finally be able to see through the fog and find the right way. So I think Paige and Dad are the big sushi fans of the family, well add me on that list now. Elder Dick loves it and I've always been neutral but I'm sold now. All you can eat Sushi... so good.

For the first time ever I hit 21 lessons in one week! That's just lessons with members present too, not other lessons or RC/LA lessons (24 in total). Its not about the numbers of course but its nice to hit your goals. Thursday night we got a call from the Assistants telling us that someone from the MTC will shadowing us the next day, which was Friday. It was a good thing we had six lessons scheduled and a few new people we were planning on teaching that day. We were expecting some old guy and thought it would be really awkward but to our surprise Bro. Clay Johnson is 24 years old and only been home for three years. Hes now married and in charge of the teachers at the MTC. His purpose in coming to shadow us for the day wasn't to judge or give us correction but to learn for himself. So see how the new "simplified curriculum" is working in the field (he was involved in editing it). It was a little weird at first as we did our weekly planning, especially as we got the last step "companionship inventory". He just sat and observed, and same thing with our lessons. The entire day it was killing him because he isn't allowed to participate in the lesson just observe! He kept telling us he just wanted to be involved so bad! It was only his second time being a shadow for a day and the day prior the Elders had zero lessons so it was a long one. Anyways enough but it was an amazing day! Really spiritual and I learned alot.

Just as I thought I had the greatest day in my mission (I think this almost everyday) the next day gets better. Saturday I was able to go back to my old area for a baptism of a little guy I taught for awhile, his name is Justen Jordan. After that we taught for the first time ever a guy named Quang from Vietnam! There is a slight language barrier but the spirit some how takes it away. He is a really smart guy and one of the better math tutors here at SLCC, so he thinks everything out really hard. You can tell he is really listening to you when you speak... I have been sitting here for 2 minutes now trying to think of how I can describe Quang. How to describe the other people we are teaching and just how I feel about my mission right now. I can't. Its too hard. I have never seen so many people prepared by God to accept the restored Gospel. Everyone we are teaching is reading everyday! Pray constantly! Our investigators read the Book of Mormon more than we get to! They are flying through 2 Nephi, they want to come to church, they want to be baptized! I just don't get it... and I'm not just talking about one or two people, we are teaching nine people with baptismal dates! And a few others who are getting close. Sometimes I don't understand why we are so blessed and be the ones who are able to be teaching these people? I love these people, they are from all over the world and they teach me everyday.

Saturday was great. Michelle Totten's baptism went perfect, she had tons of people their to support. I'm grateful for the members of Utah and what they do to help us in this work. It couldn't get better. I honestly feel like this might be the peak of my mission. I get scared because it really can't get any better. I mean this Saturday I am going to the Draper Temple to see the Standing family be sealed! They are a young family (late 20s) with two kids. Bro. Standing never attended church since he was 9 and Sis. Standing never attended since she 17. She got caught up in the world but has recently returned and is loving her new life. I met them at their child's baby blessing and asked them if we could meet with them. I was able to teach them for a few months in my first area and had dinner with them last night. The Lords work feels good.

Our first week in the University 7th Stake I met this guy named Eric at the institute and have been able to get to know him. Every Friday at noon he goes to the weekly devotional and I always see him chilling at the institute, usually playing basketball. I have asked him probably five times to meet with us, several times to read the Book of Mormon and every time I see him I ask him to go onto momron.org. This past week he accepted my invitation to schedule a time to sit down and talk with us. It was actually on Friday with the Clay Johnson, the MTC guy. Imagine someone living in a pitch black room their entire life and one day someone flicks on a spot light and shines it at the person! Almost killing them its so bright! They can't look at it but the person is so curious so he finally starts to move towards it slowly. Well this was our first lesson with Eric. No joke, the spirit was so strong I think he almost passed out. He never felt anything like it before. We invited him to say the closing prayer and he accepted. I love when I am able to be with someone for the first time they ever pray! Usually, its so sincere and heart felt. Eric got pretty emotional during his prayer and I'm glad Elder Dick is comfortable with silence because the spirit taught him a few things during his first vocal prayer. I found a scripture that described this lesson later that day. Alma 5: 7, "they were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting word" I love it! Eric's eyes are starting to adopt to the light (he is recognizing the spirit, this strange light).

I have several stories from this past week. A few with investigators had the similar experience. They come to our lesson with a scripture they found in their studies that was "their" answer to their prayers. Its amazing the power of the word, it does so much more than what we can do. My favorite was Adriana's this past week. 2 Nephi 9:40, that scripture converted her basically. She is now being baptized on March 18th due to the experience she had with that scripture. I love these people we are teaching!

Last story. We started teaching Katelyn Schertz yesterday. I actually met her while I was with Kensey at church. It just happens to be that I sat down beside her in class and she was actually hoping to find the missionaries that day! Never have I seen anyone so prepared. She got a Book of Mormon on Friday and is in 1 Nephi 17. All I will say, to keep this short, the lesson was excellent. We asked her to say the closing prayer and in her prayer she said, "thank you for allowing me to meet with YOUR missionaries." Did you catch that? Your missionaries... I've had members say similar things but someone your teaching! It almost brought me to tears. I love serving as a representative of Jesus Christ.

Love your son, Elder Pizzey.