July 6, 2011 - Week 4 of Transfer 12
I can't believe Paige is turning 19! I thought I was still 19, but I guess I'm 20. That's just confusing... Happy birthday Paigey poo! I haven't heard from you in awhile, you should send me an email. So this past week has just been intense. Last Friday we ZLC which is a six hour meeting. It was actually a really spiritual meeting, everything just flowed. We focused on improving our scripture study and the way we conduct our exchanges. We had a video of a 45 min talk Elder Holland gave to the MTC this past January that we based most of our training for the scripture study from.
Monday afternoon we ate lunch with the Salt Lake City mission President and his AP's at Pres. Miller's home, that was interesting. Really solid Elders and we shared ideas and had a million questions for each other. It is weird to hear how other missions are ran compared to your own, they are all similar but different. That night we had a mission conference at the Taylorsville Institute (Pres. Forysth's Institute). We booked the entire place from 5 until 10 or so. Pres. Miller's brother came and spoke to us about the creation of the world and how the science of geology goes along with the scriptures. It was pretty intense stuff and he owned all the dumb things you hear from the anti-religion science buffs in the world. His brother has some great title which I forget but basically he is one of the greatest geologist in the world.
After he finished speaking to us we had three movies playing throughout the building, basketball, volleyball, air hockey, pool and ping pong with lots of food. I just played basketball the entire night and it felt good to get some serious games in. We got home at 11:30 went straight to bed and had to wake up at 6:00am the next morning to prepare for a training that very morning. We had a Leadership meeting for District Leader's and their companions from 9am to 3pm! So long, but it went really well. Between Pres. and Sister Miller, Elder Bertolino and myself we had four different workshops and just rotated every hour or so.
Just like last week, despite all this craziness the Lord still takes care of our area. Last night we started teaching a family of five from Napol! It is so exciting, I love them already. Dan England baptized both their relatives who live in the same complex! It is weird getting close to people who Dan just told me so much about. This weekend Daniel Manar will be getting baptized on Sunday and the following weekend a family from Africa we have been teaching. The father's name is Nasir Kalala, he is extremely shy but so faithful. We also started to teach a muslim family from Bosnia, the father has read the Book of Mormon 6 times! We ALSO started to teach a family from Burma who are Karenni. They have been in USA for a year now and are refugee's from a genocide in Burma. They are adorable people especially the kids! I feel like I'm serving where I always wanted to, in this area. Life is good right now. We just finished all of our trainings and now all we have is each zones interviews and we don't have to go to any of those! It is so exciting that means solid work in our area for basically two straight weeks. Then we begin transfers... and this transfer it looks scary our complement is going up once again, it makes things really difficult. Have a great week!
Love Elder Pizzey
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
June 29, 2011
June 29, 2011 - Week 3 of Transfer 12
Those were some good emails from home! I love getting the weekly update. I'm sorry I didn't comment on your attending Elder Dick's homecoming talk, it just slipped my mind. I still think it is just completely weird that he is home and you have met him! Confusing... it is coming so fast for me. Before I know it my 18 month mark is coming and then life is right around the corner. Its scary how will I balance everything? Schooling, a calling, a job, marriage, eventually a family! Baby steps, I don't even know why I'm writing about his right now. None the less I love Elder Dick, he taught me alot and we had some great experiences together.
I can't even begin to tell you the full details of this past week. It was just too intense for me. It all started five minutes after I finished writing my email last week. I was here at the mission office and a landlord called the office with a few questions on mission rules. After visiting with the missionaries who live in this man's home everything started to unfold. It took close to four days but finally we got to the bottom of things. Friday night Elder Bertolino and myself were out until 1:00am and had to wake up the following morning at 4:30am to take new missionaries downtown for there temple trip. Never in my life did I think I would be dealing with things of this nature on my mission, its quite sad. But now the situation is looking brighter and a group of eight missionaries who I dearly love are on the road to repentance. A few of them also had plane tickets home and one missionary President is dealing with his in field representative (IFR) to see what we can do to have him stay. I don't mean to share such a negative story but this has been the majority of our week and I have learned alot.
Early last week I was completely focused on chastisement and work ethic in my studies and I didn't know why but I was enjoying it. Then it turns out a few days down the road that was exactly what I needed, amazing how the Lord is always working with us. I am not going to lie it was pretty scary sitting down with a 800 pound former bouncer and rebuking him with sharpness, it was depressing, I love these Elders. The Lord is preparing me to be a father I can tell. What an important role to play, raising one of the Lord's children in this crazy society! But I'm learning and I'm grateful to President for teaching me. I'm really starting to understand the doctrine behind dealing with disobedience and rebellion.
So we found the true problem of why we the number of baptisms for the mission are hitting a extreme low, disobedience and a lack in our work ethic. The Lord is humbling-us and I hope we are learning the lesson. He brings us low before he can bring us high. So besides all this negative news there is alot of good going on as well. These past few weeks we have been extremely busy with trainings. Yesterday we had a training here at the mission office for all new missionaries and trainers (Elder Bertolino ran) and another for new District Leaders (which I held). This Friday we have our monthly 6 hour Zone Leader Council (that is mandatory in all missions, the same for all these trainings), then July 4th we have a mission activity at the Taylorsville Institute (to keep us out of trouble) and the following day we have a Leadership training for all District Leaders and Zone Leaders. Right now the stress levels are high.
Despite all this craziness and the time that was taken away from us to proselyte, the work still moved forward. I feel like the Lord understands and drops all these tender mercies into our lap. This past weekend we had the baptism of Kaden Robinson and it worked out perfectly, everything just came together for Saturday. This week is exciting so many new people we will be working with, so many lessons scheduled! We will be baptizing weekly this transfer which is such a blessing and next transfer even more. It is quite stressful having to have a "model area" for the entire mission and still have to deal with everything else! I had another wonderful moment with the Flores family. They made us some really spicy Mexican food to thank us for what we do and while we were eating dinner, Rudy was basically bearing his testimony. He was telling us that when we walk into his home the spirit enters in before us and they can feel a difference. I know its true, its nothing of myself or Elder Bertolino but simply the calling we hold at this current time. As he spoke I kept saying to myself, "Your going to miss this, enjoy it". I will, never again will I be this in tune and be blessed with so spiritual experiences. I love my mission and I'm excited to say one day that I didn't waste a minute of it. My time is precious and my mission will never be given to me again.
Much love, Elder Pizzey.
Those were some good emails from home! I love getting the weekly update. I'm sorry I didn't comment on your attending Elder Dick's homecoming talk, it just slipped my mind. I still think it is just completely weird that he is home and you have met him! Confusing... it is coming so fast for me. Before I know it my 18 month mark is coming and then life is right around the corner. Its scary how will I balance everything? Schooling, a calling, a job, marriage, eventually a family! Baby steps, I don't even know why I'm writing about his right now. None the less I love Elder Dick, he taught me alot and we had some great experiences together.
I can't even begin to tell you the full details of this past week. It was just too intense for me. It all started five minutes after I finished writing my email last week. I was here at the mission office and a landlord called the office with a few questions on mission rules. After visiting with the missionaries who live in this man's home everything started to unfold. It took close to four days but finally we got to the bottom of things. Friday night Elder Bertolino and myself were out until 1:00am and had to wake up the following morning at 4:30am to take new missionaries downtown for there temple trip. Never in my life did I think I would be dealing with things of this nature on my mission, its quite sad. But now the situation is looking brighter and a group of eight missionaries who I dearly love are on the road to repentance. A few of them also had plane tickets home and one missionary President is dealing with his in field representative (IFR) to see what we can do to have him stay. I don't mean to share such a negative story but this has been the majority of our week and I have learned alot.
Early last week I was completely focused on chastisement and work ethic in my studies and I didn't know why but I was enjoying it. Then it turns out a few days down the road that was exactly what I needed, amazing how the Lord is always working with us. I am not going to lie it was pretty scary sitting down with a 800 pound former bouncer and rebuking him with sharpness, it was depressing, I love these Elders. The Lord is preparing me to be a father I can tell. What an important role to play, raising one of the Lord's children in this crazy society! But I'm learning and I'm grateful to President for teaching me. I'm really starting to understand the doctrine behind dealing with disobedience and rebellion.
So we found the true problem of why we the number of baptisms for the mission are hitting a extreme low, disobedience and a lack in our work ethic. The Lord is humbling-us and I hope we are learning the lesson. He brings us low before he can bring us high. So besides all this negative news there is alot of good going on as well. These past few weeks we have been extremely busy with trainings. Yesterday we had a training here at the mission office for all new missionaries and trainers (Elder Bertolino ran) and another for new District Leaders (which I held). This Friday we have our monthly 6 hour Zone Leader Council (that is mandatory in all missions, the same for all these trainings), then July 4th we have a mission activity at the Taylorsville Institute (to keep us out of trouble) and the following day we have a Leadership training for all District Leaders and Zone Leaders. Right now the stress levels are high.
Despite all this craziness and the time that was taken away from us to proselyte, the work still moved forward. I feel like the Lord understands and drops all these tender mercies into our lap. This past weekend we had the baptism of Kaden Robinson and it worked out perfectly, everything just came together for Saturday. This week is exciting so many new people we will be working with, so many lessons scheduled! We will be baptizing weekly this transfer which is such a blessing and next transfer even more. It is quite stressful having to have a "model area" for the entire mission and still have to deal with everything else! I had another wonderful moment with the Flores family. They made us some really spicy Mexican food to thank us for what we do and while we were eating dinner, Rudy was basically bearing his testimony. He was telling us that when we walk into his home the spirit enters in before us and they can feel a difference. I know its true, its nothing of myself or Elder Bertolino but simply the calling we hold at this current time. As he spoke I kept saying to myself, "Your going to miss this, enjoy it". I will, never again will I be this in tune and be blessed with so spiritual experiences. I love my mission and I'm excited to say one day that I didn't waste a minute of it. My time is precious and my mission will never be given to me again.
Much love, Elder Pizzey.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
June 22, 2011
June 23, 2011 - Week 2 of Transfer 12
Before I begin I guess I should say happy birthday to the twins! I don't even know how old both of you are now. When ever people ask how old my sisters are I just say 25 for some reason, is that right? It feels like things never slow down as an assistant. The biggest challenge by far is finding time to do everything, literally every minute I am busy. Whether its with the area (my favorite) and trying to prepare people for baptism, finding new investigators, or trying to make contact with each investigator daily. Or it's the mission and preparing trainings or staying on top of things with our zone leaders, holding them accountable or doing exchanges. Time is so short as a missionary, there is always an end. The end of the day, the week, the transfer, your mission! Its painful. It will be nice to return home one day and sit in that hot tub and just relax! I'm not complaining though, I love it.
Yesterday we didn't get a Pday we were mainly in the mission office doing random task and also gave a training a few hours long to all the Sisters in the mission. It is crazy how many Sisters we have and are getting in the near future. We only have 5 sisters who are over one year and 34 who are out under a year, so a total of 39 for now. This next transfer even more are coming too... Its good but they are so new and its just a little scary. They are either the best missionaires or cause drama and make things difficult. But to help us our President recently called a coordinating Sister or we say Sap (Sister AP lol), Sister Estevez, she gets things done.
This past week we went on an exchange with the Cottonwood Zone Leaders and I went into their area. They cover a YSA stake which covers my first area in the mission. We went to a YSA activity and saw Bishop Lloyd, one of the Bishops I got very close to. It was weird going back to the ward, I knew so many people and just felt at home. It is insane how many people I have come to know in the valley here and they are all over the place! I love it.
Not to crazy but heres a little cool experience. A couple months ago now, Elder Atwood and I were going into seven eleven and OYM'd (open your mouth) a few people outisde the gas station. They were both less-active, one was very friendly and open to listening and the other not so much. Well we invited her back to church, testified and left her a mormon.org card. Then never heard from her again, this was down south in riverton by the way. Well this past week Elder Bertolino and I were in this apartment complex and I saw the same girl again, Sarah Pile is her name. Well she told me she has been attending church since that day Elder Atwood and I spoke to her outside seven eleven. Its crazy how such a small act like talking to someone and inviting them can make such a difference. She expressed to us what a difference it has made in her life.
Well I know it doesn't sound like alot and it isn't, there was alot more that went on in my week but I better be leaving real soon. The Flores are still on track and preparing for baptism. It might take a little long than we expected because we are waiting for Rudy's divorce to get a cleared up, it never went through several years ago. But they are just so solid and love the Gospel. Rudy has invited his mother in Mexico to meet with missionaries and she has agreed to do so. I forget if I've told you about the Kalala family. They are from Africa and the parents speak hardly any english but the kids do quite well. We have a translator for the lessons, they are pretty intense. In due time they will be baptized. This past weekend we had these two boys Nicholas and Brandon Dornoff get baptized, they are adorable kids. This weekend they wil be sealed to there family in the Draper Temple, we might attend.
Its to bad about the rain and all the flooding in the backyard, hopefuly everything gets fixed, maybe when you build the cement pad back there you can dig a channel between our two homes so it drains to the front. Make sure the pad is built up high enough so it never gets flooded. I'm sure you know what your doing, I just wish I was involved!
Love you both!
Elder Pizzey
Before I begin I guess I should say happy birthday to the twins! I don't even know how old both of you are now. When ever people ask how old my sisters are I just say 25 for some reason, is that right? It feels like things never slow down as an assistant. The biggest challenge by far is finding time to do everything, literally every minute I am busy. Whether its with the area (my favorite) and trying to prepare people for baptism, finding new investigators, or trying to make contact with each investigator daily. Or it's the mission and preparing trainings or staying on top of things with our zone leaders, holding them accountable or doing exchanges. Time is so short as a missionary, there is always an end. The end of the day, the week, the transfer, your mission! Its painful. It will be nice to return home one day and sit in that hot tub and just relax! I'm not complaining though, I love it.
Yesterday we didn't get a Pday we were mainly in the mission office doing random task and also gave a training a few hours long to all the Sisters in the mission. It is crazy how many Sisters we have and are getting in the near future. We only have 5 sisters who are over one year and 34 who are out under a year, so a total of 39 for now. This next transfer even more are coming too... Its good but they are so new and its just a little scary. They are either the best missionaires or cause drama and make things difficult. But to help us our President recently called a coordinating Sister or we say Sap (Sister AP lol), Sister Estevez, she gets things done.
This past week we went on an exchange with the Cottonwood Zone Leaders and I went into their area. They cover a YSA stake which covers my first area in the mission. We went to a YSA activity and saw Bishop Lloyd, one of the Bishops I got very close to. It was weird going back to the ward, I knew so many people and just felt at home. It is insane how many people I have come to know in the valley here and they are all over the place! I love it.
Not to crazy but heres a little cool experience. A couple months ago now, Elder Atwood and I were going into seven eleven and OYM'd (open your mouth) a few people outisde the gas station. They were both less-active, one was very friendly and open to listening and the other not so much. Well we invited her back to church, testified and left her a mormon.org card. Then never heard from her again, this was down south in riverton by the way. Well this past week Elder Bertolino and I were in this apartment complex and I saw the same girl again, Sarah Pile is her name. Well she told me she has been attending church since that day Elder Atwood and I spoke to her outside seven eleven. Its crazy how such a small act like talking to someone and inviting them can make such a difference. She expressed to us what a difference it has made in her life.
Well I know it doesn't sound like alot and it isn't, there was alot more that went on in my week but I better be leaving real soon. The Flores are still on track and preparing for baptism. It might take a little long than we expected because we are waiting for Rudy's divorce to get a cleared up, it never went through several years ago. But they are just so solid and love the Gospel. Rudy has invited his mother in Mexico to meet with missionaries and she has agreed to do so. I forget if I've told you about the Kalala family. They are from Africa and the parents speak hardly any english but the kids do quite well. We have a translator for the lessons, they are pretty intense. In due time they will be baptized. This past weekend we had these two boys Nicholas and Brandon Dornoff get baptized, they are adorable kids. This weekend they wil be sealed to there family in the Draper Temple, we might attend.
Its to bad about the rain and all the flooding in the backyard, hopefuly everything gets fixed, maybe when you build the cement pad back there you can dig a channel between our two homes so it drains to the front. Make sure the pad is built up high enough so it never gets flooded. I'm sure you know what your doing, I just wish I was involved!
Love you both!
Elder Pizzey
Sunday, June 19, 2011
June 15, 2011
July 16, 2011 - Week 1 of Transfer 12
It has hectic the past few days! I am worn out and ready for a nap, I think we are going to take one in a few hours here. Transfers have been intense! We had 18 missionaries come into the mission and only 7 leave, which created alot of work for us. Sunday and Monday we were up till 12:00am, Tuesday and last night up until 1am. Wednesday we got up at 5:30am and 4:00am this morning!
We recently got back to the Miller's home from taking the missioaries to the airport and yes your right, it was sad saying goodbye!
Its now 3:42pm, still haven't slept and we've been at the mission office all day tieing up loose ends. Elder Atwood just called Sister Miller and I guess his flight was delayed so he missed his flight from LA to Vancouver! He was about to cry and told me, "I already miss my mission. Bye" It was funny.
Yesterday was a way good day though. We split the 18 new missionaries (there are 2 Canadian sisters by the way), one group for Elder Bertolino and the other for myself. While Elder Bertolino's missionaries were being interviewed I threw the crew into the big old van and we drove out to Draper Temple. The Draper Temple basically overlooks our whole mission. We had a good chat full of scriptures and testimony about the sacredness of the valley! Then we headed back to the mission office and during their interviews I gave training about talking with everyone and getting fear out of us. Elder Bertolino did the same and after we gave a powerful training on the importance of obedience. The trainers and new missionaries then got their new companions and headed off to work. We finished cleaning up around the mission office at 5:00pm and booked it over to Presidents house for the Dinner with the departing missionaries. We had a great night with them.
I know this isn't the best email but I am just pooped right now and can't really think. We spoke twice on Sunday and my thoughts were directing towards our callings/service and how we can't comprehend this great work, if that makes sense... Next Pday sister Miller is getting all the Sisters together most of the day, and shes doing it for a few reasons. Some are struggling with missionary work so Elder Bertolino and I will be giving training on just the basics. So next week my email might be a little later in the day.
I love you mom and dad! Have a good week and please share the gospel.
Elder Pizzey
It has hectic the past few days! I am worn out and ready for a nap, I think we are going to take one in a few hours here. Transfers have been intense! We had 18 missionaries come into the mission and only 7 leave, which created alot of work for us. Sunday and Monday we were up till 12:00am, Tuesday and last night up until 1am. Wednesday we got up at 5:30am and 4:00am this morning!
We recently got back to the Miller's home from taking the missioaries to the airport and yes your right, it was sad saying goodbye!
Its now 3:42pm, still haven't slept and we've been at the mission office all day tieing up loose ends. Elder Atwood just called Sister Miller and I guess his flight was delayed so he missed his flight from LA to Vancouver! He was about to cry and told me, "I already miss my mission. Bye" It was funny.
Yesterday was a way good day though. We split the 18 new missionaries (there are 2 Canadian sisters by the way), one group for Elder Bertolino and the other for myself. While Elder Bertolino's missionaries were being interviewed I threw the crew into the big old van and we drove out to Draper Temple. The Draper Temple basically overlooks our whole mission. We had a good chat full of scriptures and testimony about the sacredness of the valley! Then we headed back to the mission office and during their interviews I gave training about talking with everyone and getting fear out of us. Elder Bertolino did the same and after we gave a powerful training on the importance of obedience. The trainers and new missionaries then got their new companions and headed off to work. We finished cleaning up around the mission office at 5:00pm and booked it over to Presidents house for the Dinner with the departing missionaries. We had a great night with them.
I know this isn't the best email but I am just pooped right now and can't really think. We spoke twice on Sunday and my thoughts were directing towards our callings/service and how we can't comprehend this great work, if that makes sense... Next Pday sister Miller is getting all the Sisters together most of the day, and shes doing it for a few reasons. Some are struggling with missionary work so Elder Bertolino and I will be giving training on just the basics. So next week my email might be a little later in the day.
I love you mom and dad! Have a good week and please share the gospel.
Elder Pizzey
Friday, June 10, 2011
June 8, 2011
June 8, 2011 - Week 6 of Transfer 11
This past week we haven't been able to spend as much time in our area and you could tell from our numbers. The Family... is doing great, we met with them last night. On Sunday they met with the Bishop about having him marry them and discussed the current situation with his job. They are still on track for June 25th! I love the questions they ask, they are both thinkers. One of them asks a question then the other answers it by using a scripture, its just the best. Coming up here on June 17th Daniel Manor, a 14 year old boy we are teaching, will be getting baptized. He is brilliant and listens really well, his mom isn't a member yet wants him to go on a mission after he is baptized. We will be working with her in the near future I'm sure.
"Messiah in America" was intense! Pres. Miller's son in law is quite the professional. All the missionaries loved it and everyone travelled safely. I like driving downtown in a car while they all take trax. We had to get there way early to book off our section in the tabernacle so we had some spare time. Well I took Elder Bertolino to the Lion House. Man... I love bread bowls, I haven't had one since we were all there together! It brought back good memories.
Going to Camp Williams for ZLC was perfect. It was a pretty intense ZLC since we baptized a mission low of 102 last month. What we have concluded after ZLC is that the mission has become to "soft and social". There is hardly any accountability and leadership is getting run over. Really what I think the problem is missionaries don't know how to work. They think a 6 hour shift before the mission was deadly and not to mention Wii and Xbox and what that has doing for future missionaries. My kids will never play video games. Missionaries cry daily in there prayers, "Lord, Lord where art thou?" but they do not do the things He tells us! Missionaries don't open their mouth and talk to people! Don't get out at 10am and work! I'm just ranting now... I'll end.
We had Sargent Wilkerson (friend of my recent convert, Andrew Riddle) teach us a few commands and get up in our face for an hour. We were all about to die, we are definetely out of shape. But we surprised this Sergeant with our respect and obedience, that's what happens when you have 18 of the best missionaries in the entire SLCS mission. Then we went to the LRC, leadership reaction course, to see who steps up. I will have to send you some pictures of these courses and the obstacles! It was so fun and I am proud to say that I have gone swimming on my mission! Half these courses had 3 feet of water laying underneath it and if you fell you were dropping a few feet into water. It was cold and windy (we are grateful for that, everyone would have been baking if it was hot) so no one wanted to go in but three of us fell in, while trying to make it to the other side. It was hilarious. You are probably really confused but pictures will help explain, I will get them from President. But after we were done we sang "Onward Christian Soldiers" and the spirit was so strong as we stood on the top of this hill overlooking the valley. The Zone Leader Council is really unified right now and there is a strong feeling of love. Everyone loved it.
Its a short update today. It is Elder Atwood's last Pday today and we are going on a hike with him. Then at 4:00pm we have a dinner at the Smarts home (my first landlord). They are wrapping up their service with housing missionaries and have invited all the missionaries who have lived there for dinner, they also invited President. Next week I probably won't be able to write a letter on Pday, but still write me one in case I get too! We have 18 missionaries coming in and like only 7 leaving! It is making it really difficult for us with transfers. We are creating a new zone and "white washing" (two new missionaries) several areas to make it work. We've spent a few hours at Presidents house getting it together and in between now and next Tuesday we will be over there alot! I love the Miller's, they are hilarious. Can't wait for you to meet them. They remind me of you constantly. It's great. Love you Mom and Dad! Have a good week.
Love Elder Pizzey.
This past week we haven't been able to spend as much time in our area and you could tell from our numbers. The Family... is doing great, we met with them last night. On Sunday they met with the Bishop about having him marry them and discussed the current situation with his job. They are still on track for June 25th! I love the questions they ask, they are both thinkers. One of them asks a question then the other answers it by using a scripture, its just the best. Coming up here on June 17th Daniel Manor, a 14 year old boy we are teaching, will be getting baptized. He is brilliant and listens really well, his mom isn't a member yet wants him to go on a mission after he is baptized. We will be working with her in the near future I'm sure.
"Messiah in America" was intense! Pres. Miller's son in law is quite the professional. All the missionaries loved it and everyone travelled safely. I like driving downtown in a car while they all take trax. We had to get there way early to book off our section in the tabernacle so we had some spare time. Well I took Elder Bertolino to the Lion House. Man... I love bread bowls, I haven't had one since we were all there together! It brought back good memories.
Going to Camp Williams for ZLC was perfect. It was a pretty intense ZLC since we baptized a mission low of 102 last month. What we have concluded after ZLC is that the mission has become to "soft and social". There is hardly any accountability and leadership is getting run over. Really what I think the problem is missionaries don't know how to work. They think a 6 hour shift before the mission was deadly and not to mention Wii and Xbox and what that has doing for future missionaries. My kids will never play video games. Missionaries cry daily in there prayers, "Lord, Lord where art thou?" but they do not do the things He tells us! Missionaries don't open their mouth and talk to people! Don't get out at 10am and work! I'm just ranting now... I'll end.
We had Sargent Wilkerson (friend of my recent convert, Andrew Riddle) teach us a few commands and get up in our face for an hour. We were all about to die, we are definetely out of shape. But we surprised this Sergeant with our respect and obedience, that's what happens when you have 18 of the best missionaries in the entire SLCS mission. Then we went to the LRC, leadership reaction course, to see who steps up. I will have to send you some pictures of these courses and the obstacles! It was so fun and I am proud to say that I have gone swimming on my mission! Half these courses had 3 feet of water laying underneath it and if you fell you were dropping a few feet into water. It was cold and windy (we are grateful for that, everyone would have been baking if it was hot) so no one wanted to go in but three of us fell in, while trying to make it to the other side. It was hilarious. You are probably really confused but pictures will help explain, I will get them from President. But after we were done we sang "Onward Christian Soldiers" and the spirit was so strong as we stood on the top of this hill overlooking the valley. The Zone Leader Council is really unified right now and there is a strong feeling of love. Everyone loved it.
Its a short update today. It is Elder Atwood's last Pday today and we are going on a hike with him. Then at 4:00pm we have a dinner at the Smarts home (my first landlord). They are wrapping up their service with housing missionaries and have invited all the missionaries who have lived there for dinner, they also invited President. Next week I probably won't be able to write a letter on Pday, but still write me one in case I get too! We have 18 missionaries coming in and like only 7 leaving! It is making it really difficult for us with transfers. We are creating a new zone and "white washing" (two new missionaries) several areas to make it work. We've spent a few hours at Presidents house getting it together and in between now and next Tuesday we will be over there alot! I love the Miller's, they are hilarious. Can't wait for you to meet them. They remind me of you constantly. It's great. Love you Mom and Dad! Have a good week.
Love Elder Pizzey.
Friday, June 3, 2011
June 1, 2011
June 1, 2011 - Week 5 of Transfer 11
This week has gone to fast, and now look this transfer is almost done! In a couple weeks we will be sleeping at Presidents house then driving the departing missionaries to the airport the next morning, it will be sad saying goodbye to Elder Atwood... truly my best friend out here. We have some good plans for this upcoming week (I forget if I've already told you some of this). This Friday the entire mission will be jumping on TRAX (like our LRT) to leave the mission and go downtown for an oratorio at the tabernacle on temple square. The Miller's son in law is the one who composed it (if thats the right wording) so we got free tickets. It is called "Messiah in America" and all based on 3 Nephi, I am excited. It is going to be a little scary taking 194 missionaries out of the mission but Elder Bertolino and I have organized it so each zone meets at different TRAX stations and no more than two zones will be on the same train. Hopefully all works out when coming home. Then this coming Monday we have Zone Leader Council and we have some exciting things planned. We will have the usual council and discuss some matters, then trainings by President, Elder Bertolino and I but after all of that we will be heading down to Bluffdale (south end of mission) to go to Camp Williams. Camp Williams is a military base and we will be there for a couple hours while a Sargent gets up in our face, training us about exact obedience. Then we will go to this outdoor obstacle course which is used to build unity and leadership. The course is full of obstacles that you must complete together and it calls for some brains to accomplish. Its actually pretty difficult, Elder Bertolino, Elder Atwood, Elder Garcia and I went a few Pdays ago to test it out. Andrew Riddle, one of my recent converts, works there and is hooking us up for free.
I don't have much time this week to fill you in on all our investigators but I must share this one story. Its about "Mr. Porn man" as dad referred to him as. So on an exchange I tracted into this man last week and after a few minutes of discussing at the door we got down to the bottom of it. He is looking for a religion and feels it is important to be baptized but felt he wasn't worthy to do so. This is last week remember, well he invited us in and we quickly realized he is a pornographic photographer, not outrageous terrible stuff but nude images and definitely porn... So we sit down and I put my back to the wall of all his work and put keep my eyes on this fellow! As you can probably image it was hard to bring the spirit into the lesson. So we taught for a few minutes, wrapped up with a prayer and scheduled a time to come back. Elder Bertolino and I came back and this time his wife, (or significant other) was with him and shes in the exact same situation as him! Wanting to learn. We asked if we could have the lesson outside on one of the picnic tables, although a little confused they agreed and we had a spiritual lesson outside! During this lesson we also taught the Law of Chastity and told them they would have to marry as well change their career. After this lesson we felt they had a real desire to change their life and prepare for baptism. I can't even begin to tell you how much I love them.
Now we come back for our third lesson with them and Bob (name change) swings open the door to his apartment and welcomes us in but once again we asked if we could take the lesson somewhere else, this time to neighbors home. He had tried to hide this disappointed look on his face but said, "OK lets go" after some hesitation. So with his wife once again we have a great lesson and invited them to come to church. They came to church and stayed for all three hours! And loved it. Then yesterday we went with Bro. Pinnock (a man I got close to in the University Stake while he served on the High Council but is now released and just happens to live in this ward!) to their home for the fourth lesson... I was really nervous as I walked into their home, but to my surprise every nude picture was taken down! My heart dropped and I almost cried, they feel remorse and are making the changes before we even ask them to! It was a new home, still a few pieces of his work but nothing revealing, just girls modeling. Yesterday I had one of my all time favorite lessons, they love the Gospel. He told us about his reading and the revelation he had while reading 2 Nephi 31, he shared with us the lessons he learned at church about hypocrisy and how he constantly keeps it on his mind. They both told us they want to change, they asked if the Bishop could marry them and asked what more could they do to prepare for baptism! The Lord is guiding his servants who are willing and ready. Missionary work brings joy into your life and it is motivating, I wish you could experience this with me. As we were leaving Bro. Pinnock asked if he would see them at church and Rudy replied "every week from now on". This is a miracle and I'm grateful to be involved.
Things are looking bright four our area. Last night we are starting to teaching this fellow in his early 20's who is going threw a divorce. A Muslim family of five who has been attending church we will also begin teaching real soon here. One story for you this week but I hope it filled you up, it has for me and I'm still shocked. Mick's baptism this past Saturday was one of the best! Elder Brand, one of the former assistants, is serving in my former area in Draper. Well he came to the baptism and brought one of his investigators and one of my recent converts! Adrianna Salazar, it was nice to see her. After a few people (including Elder Bertolino and I) shared our testimony at this baptism we felt prompted to call on Adrianna to share hers. She gladly accepted and bore down in pure testimony, many people in tears. I must be going! Elder Bertolino and I are going to buy the Flores (Rudy and Esmeralda) some pictures of Christ and temples from Desseret Book for their home. I love you Mom and Dad, have a good week and talk to you next Wednesday!
Love your boy, Elder Pizzey.
This week has gone to fast, and now look this transfer is almost done! In a couple weeks we will be sleeping at Presidents house then driving the departing missionaries to the airport the next morning, it will be sad saying goodbye to Elder Atwood... truly my best friend out here. We have some good plans for this upcoming week (I forget if I've already told you some of this). This Friday the entire mission will be jumping on TRAX (like our LRT) to leave the mission and go downtown for an oratorio at the tabernacle on temple square. The Miller's son in law is the one who composed it (if thats the right wording) so we got free tickets. It is called "Messiah in America" and all based on 3 Nephi, I am excited. It is going to be a little scary taking 194 missionaries out of the mission but Elder Bertolino and I have organized it so each zone meets at different TRAX stations and no more than two zones will be on the same train. Hopefully all works out when coming home. Then this coming Monday we have Zone Leader Council and we have some exciting things planned. We will have the usual council and discuss some matters, then trainings by President, Elder Bertolino and I but after all of that we will be heading down to Bluffdale (south end of mission) to go to Camp Williams. Camp Williams is a military base and we will be there for a couple hours while a Sargent gets up in our face, training us about exact obedience. Then we will go to this outdoor obstacle course which is used to build unity and leadership. The course is full of obstacles that you must complete together and it calls for some brains to accomplish. Its actually pretty difficult, Elder Bertolino, Elder Atwood, Elder Garcia and I went a few Pdays ago to test it out. Andrew Riddle, one of my recent converts, works there and is hooking us up for free.
I don't have much time this week to fill you in on all our investigators but I must share this one story. Its about "Mr. Porn man" as dad referred to him as. So on an exchange I tracted into this man last week and after a few minutes of discussing at the door we got down to the bottom of it. He is looking for a religion and feels it is important to be baptized but felt he wasn't worthy to do so. This is last week remember, well he invited us in and we quickly realized he is a pornographic photographer, not outrageous terrible stuff but nude images and definitely porn... So we sit down and I put my back to the wall of all his work and put keep my eyes on this fellow! As you can probably image it was hard to bring the spirit into the lesson. So we taught for a few minutes, wrapped up with a prayer and scheduled a time to come back. Elder Bertolino and I came back and this time his wife, (or significant other) was with him and shes in the exact same situation as him! Wanting to learn. We asked if we could have the lesson outside on one of the picnic tables, although a little confused they agreed and we had a spiritual lesson outside! During this lesson we also taught the Law of Chastity and told them they would have to marry as well change their career. After this lesson we felt they had a real desire to change their life and prepare for baptism. I can't even begin to tell you how much I love them.
Now we come back for our third lesson with them and Bob (name change) swings open the door to his apartment and welcomes us in but once again we asked if we could take the lesson somewhere else, this time to neighbors home. He had tried to hide this disappointed look on his face but said, "OK lets go" after some hesitation. So with his wife once again we have a great lesson and invited them to come to church. They came to church and stayed for all three hours! And loved it. Then yesterday we went with Bro. Pinnock (a man I got close to in the University Stake while he served on the High Council but is now released and just happens to live in this ward!) to their home for the fourth lesson... I was really nervous as I walked into their home, but to my surprise every nude picture was taken down! My heart dropped and I almost cried, they feel remorse and are making the changes before we even ask them to! It was a new home, still a few pieces of his work but nothing revealing, just girls modeling. Yesterday I had one of my all time favorite lessons, they love the Gospel. He told us about his reading and the revelation he had while reading 2 Nephi 31, he shared with us the lessons he learned at church about hypocrisy and how he constantly keeps it on his mind. They both told us they want to change, they asked if the Bishop could marry them and asked what more could they do to prepare for baptism! The Lord is guiding his servants who are willing and ready. Missionary work brings joy into your life and it is motivating, I wish you could experience this with me. As we were leaving Bro. Pinnock asked if he would see them at church and Rudy replied "every week from now on". This is a miracle and I'm grateful to be involved.
Things are looking bright four our area. Last night we are starting to teaching this fellow in his early 20's who is going threw a divorce. A Muslim family of five who has been attending church we will also begin teaching real soon here. One story for you this week but I hope it filled you up, it has for me and I'm still shocked. Mick's baptism this past Saturday was one of the best! Elder Brand, one of the former assistants, is serving in my former area in Draper. Well he came to the baptism and brought one of his investigators and one of my recent converts! Adrianna Salazar, it was nice to see her. After a few people (including Elder Bertolino and I) shared our testimony at this baptism we felt prompted to call on Adrianna to share hers. She gladly accepted and bore down in pure testimony, many people in tears. I must be going! Elder Bertolino and I are going to buy the Flores (Rudy and Esmeralda) some pictures of Christ and temples from Desseret Book for their home. I love you Mom and Dad, have a good week and talk to you next Wednesday!
Love your boy, Elder Pizzey.
Friday, May 27, 2011
May 25, 2011
May 25, 2011 - Week 4 of Transfer 11
This week has gone by extremely fast, busy busy busy. And your right it is so nice to have zone conference over! That was basically an entire week of zero studies and waking up early. Everything went really well though and the Zone Leaders did a great job and took care of things. We were extremely blessed to have President Miller's brother come to each Zone Conference and give us a training on following the spirit. He served in the second quorum of the seventy and as a mission president and recently recovered from cancer, I learned alot from him.
Before becoming an Assistant I thought I loved President and Sister Miller but now it is at a new level. I feel like they are my grandparents. They are identical to you two (mom and dad) in many ways, can't wait for you to meet them. Usually whenever I'm over there I'm busting up in tears laughing. We were over at there house last night until 11:30 and finally President goes I can't believe what time it is! I treat you guys terrible, get out of here and get some rest. The other day we were calendaring and ended up going until the new year January 2012! I got a sick feeling my stomach and I'm starting to realize this is going to go faster than I think.
We have almost had a solid week of proselyting in our area and it is paying off! Things are picking up. We have found quite a few new investigators and have had many spiritual experiences recently. This Saturday Mick Carrig (early 40s) is getting baptized, I wish you could meet these people. Thirteen years ago Mick received a blessing and felt something very strong and since then the Lord has been working him with. Up until 3 weeks ago Mick was quite the drinker and addicted to chew and now he is free from those vices which held him bound! He has had a complete change of character, he really is a new man. This is an exciting event for his family and bringing close together.
We serve in the Salt Lake Big Cottonwood and South Cottonwood Stakes. They are the poorest areas I've ever served in and it is very humbling to see what some of these people go through. We are working with many people from foreign countries including Burma and Nepal. If you could pass the message to Daniel England that the Biswa's (family he baptized) are doing great and we will be teaching their parents in a few months. We taught them this week as they were visiting and they will be moving in about three months, I'm excited.
This past week we did an exchange with the Jordan Temple Zone Leaders who serve in a Spanish speaking unit. I stayed in the area and had Elder Torres come with me. On my mission I experience miracles almost every exchange and now I just have this attitude of expecting them. I can't even begin to tell you the amazing stories that took place this past Monday on this exchange, a few of them are hilarious as well. I am writing one of them in a letter to Lindsay this week you will have to have her share it with you. Its about tracting into a man who wants to be baptized but he is a professional pornographic photographer and well... I will just say I wasn't expecting it! But Monday was the best! The night before I was planning and wrote down an address of a former investigator at 3:00pm and planned to go by them. Exactly at 3:00 Elder Torres and I role up to the apartment building and park. We get out of the car and pop the trunk to grab a Book of Mormon and while doing so I say hello to a mam some 20 feet away, she smiled and waved. Then God told me, "talk to her you fool". So I turned around and immediately walked towards her yelling, excuse me mam! Do you have a minute?
Well it turns out this woman, Susan, and her son moved here from south Florida to live in a city with better morals. She is Catholic but not liking what she is learning as she studies the church. She is confused by the doctrine they teach and had many questions about LDS people and why and how their leaders are able to get them to live by the standards taught! I helped her understand its because it is true doctrine that is taught and that is what changes behavior. We are meeting with her this Saturday after Mick's baptism, now that is a miracle. The Lord never places one of his missionaries without a purpose.
It has been a good week and it looks like it should just keep getting better. This was just a few stories and I hope to be able to remember the others to share with you in February 2012! Thanks for your emails and love, I love my family and am excited for the future.
Love your boy, Elder Pizzey.
This week has gone by extremely fast, busy busy busy. And your right it is so nice to have zone conference over! That was basically an entire week of zero studies and waking up early. Everything went really well though and the Zone Leaders did a great job and took care of things. We were extremely blessed to have President Miller's brother come to each Zone Conference and give us a training on following the spirit. He served in the second quorum of the seventy and as a mission president and recently recovered from cancer, I learned alot from him.
Before becoming an Assistant I thought I loved President and Sister Miller but now it is at a new level. I feel like they are my grandparents. They are identical to you two (mom and dad) in many ways, can't wait for you to meet them. Usually whenever I'm over there I'm busting up in tears laughing. We were over at there house last night until 11:30 and finally President goes I can't believe what time it is! I treat you guys terrible, get out of here and get some rest. The other day we were calendaring and ended up going until the new year January 2012! I got a sick feeling my stomach and I'm starting to realize this is going to go faster than I think.
We have almost had a solid week of proselyting in our area and it is paying off! Things are picking up. We have found quite a few new investigators and have had many spiritual experiences recently. This Saturday Mick Carrig (early 40s) is getting baptized, I wish you could meet these people. Thirteen years ago Mick received a blessing and felt something very strong and since then the Lord has been working him with. Up until 3 weeks ago Mick was quite the drinker and addicted to chew and now he is free from those vices which held him bound! He has had a complete change of character, he really is a new man. This is an exciting event for his family and bringing close together.
We serve in the Salt Lake Big Cottonwood and South Cottonwood Stakes. They are the poorest areas I've ever served in and it is very humbling to see what some of these people go through. We are working with many people from foreign countries including Burma and Nepal. If you could pass the message to Daniel England that the Biswa's (family he baptized) are doing great and we will be teaching their parents in a few months. We taught them this week as they were visiting and they will be moving in about three months, I'm excited.
This past week we did an exchange with the Jordan Temple Zone Leaders who serve in a Spanish speaking unit. I stayed in the area and had Elder Torres come with me. On my mission I experience miracles almost every exchange and now I just have this attitude of expecting them. I can't even begin to tell you the amazing stories that took place this past Monday on this exchange, a few of them are hilarious as well. I am writing one of them in a letter to Lindsay this week you will have to have her share it with you. Its about tracting into a man who wants to be baptized but he is a professional pornographic photographer and well... I will just say I wasn't expecting it! But Monday was the best! The night before I was planning and wrote down an address of a former investigator at 3:00pm and planned to go by them. Exactly at 3:00 Elder Torres and I role up to the apartment building and park. We get out of the car and pop the trunk to grab a Book of Mormon and while doing so I say hello to a mam some 20 feet away, she smiled and waved. Then God told me, "talk to her you fool". So I turned around and immediately walked towards her yelling, excuse me mam! Do you have a minute?
Well it turns out this woman, Susan, and her son moved here from south Florida to live in a city with better morals. She is Catholic but not liking what she is learning as she studies the church. She is confused by the doctrine they teach and had many questions about LDS people and why and how their leaders are able to get them to live by the standards taught! I helped her understand its because it is true doctrine that is taught and that is what changes behavior. We are meeting with her this Saturday after Mick's baptism, now that is a miracle. The Lord never places one of his missionaries without a purpose.
It has been a good week and it looks like it should just keep getting better. This was just a few stories and I hope to be able to remember the others to share with you in February 2012! Thanks for your emails and love, I love my family and am excited for the future.
Love your boy, Elder Pizzey.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
May 19, 2011
May 18, 2011 - Week 3 of Transfer 11
The other day we were visiting a fellow in his home and the TV was playing in the background and all of a sudden I hear "Alberta, Canada! Forest fires are out of control and destroying towns!" It was weird to hear the US news talk about Canada, so it must be pretty intense! Got a little scared at first, thought the house might be toast.
This week has calmed down a little since the last but still pretty busy around the mission office. We try to stay out of the mission office (I'm here right now), we actually call it the black hole because it just sucks you in once your here! You can never get out, just always little things to do. There are eight zones in the mission right now and this week we are having zone conferences here at the misson office, check the mission blog for an update of pictures. They are split up among four days, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, just two more to go! This is the first time zone conference has basically been put into the hands of the zone leaders. We really aren't even suppose to be at them except for our own zone. The zone leaders have done a really good job of doing their trainings but after the first day President asked us to be at the rest of them. Just to keep things going and organized.
I'm excited for the Riverton zone conference (Elder Atwood's) he is a powerful trainer and speaker, he will also be giving his departing testimony. That area (my old area) is on fire! I am so jealous, a few of the baptisms I was able to go back for this past weekend and will be able to go back in the future. But it would just be fun to be teaching as much as they are, they are looking at 10 baptisms for this transfer. We are hoping to baptize weekly in our area (6 in transfer). But Elder Atwood is doing good with his new companion, and I get to see him quite a bit. I still love him, but Elder Bertolino fills the gap quite well.
Earlier this week Elder Bertolino and I left zone conference as quick as we could to go work in our area. The night before we planned to tract this apartment complex at 2:00pm, actually this one specific building, we both just felt it. So we skipped out on the end of zone conference and went to tract. Showed up at the building right on time and start to knock from the bottom down. First few doors nothing... then this less-active lady answered. Now recently for some reason Elder Bertolino has been pretty bold while OYMing (open your mouth) to less active people. Now with this lady we didn't feel that we should be bold at all, we just talked with her and we ended up talking for 10 minutes or so. Then we started to try and leave because this lady made no sense and was just talking in circles! BUT we couldn't! Now 15 minutes into the conversation we saw, in the corner of our eye, a lady and her child come home and walk into her apartment below us. We quickly wrapped up the conversation and continued knocking. Then we came to the door of the lady who just recently got home and she opened the door and her countenance was as if she was shinying. We bare testimony and it went good, then we invited her to meet with us. No... Bare testimony again and asked again but no. Then we tried a third time and asked a few questions that we felt inspired and asked again. This time she said yes and opened up. She told us she recently had twins and one of them died at 7 months and the other is now 15 months old and healthy. Her husband is on the other side of the country working and she has been attending several different faiths, just searching. What an experience that was, from the very second she opened the door I knew she was part of the "elect" who is prepared. The flesh was saying no, but her spirit was screaming yes and please talk to me.
The Lord works with us as you can tell by the timing, and even the questions that came to us. I love this work, I love my mission! I think I get to used to these spiritual experiences and feeling these promptings where I start to take them for granted and don't cherish them. I got to be grateful and keep them sacred, sadly the journal hasn't been given much love recently but it will real soon here. I hope that story made sense, there are alot of Elders going in and out here at the mission office and can be a little hard to get the flow going. Time is flying, I'll be home before we know it. Thanks for the emails they were good updates!
Love your son, Elder Pizzey.
The other day we were visiting a fellow in his home and the TV was playing in the background and all of a sudden I hear "Alberta, Canada! Forest fires are out of control and destroying towns!" It was weird to hear the US news talk about Canada, so it must be pretty intense! Got a little scared at first, thought the house might be toast.
This week has calmed down a little since the last but still pretty busy around the mission office. We try to stay out of the mission office (I'm here right now), we actually call it the black hole because it just sucks you in once your here! You can never get out, just always little things to do. There are eight zones in the mission right now and this week we are having zone conferences here at the misson office, check the mission blog for an update of pictures. They are split up among four days, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, just two more to go! This is the first time zone conference has basically been put into the hands of the zone leaders. We really aren't even suppose to be at them except for our own zone. The zone leaders have done a really good job of doing their trainings but after the first day President asked us to be at the rest of them. Just to keep things going and organized.
I'm excited for the Riverton zone conference (Elder Atwood's) he is a powerful trainer and speaker, he will also be giving his departing testimony. That area (my old area) is on fire! I am so jealous, a few of the baptisms I was able to go back for this past weekend and will be able to go back in the future. But it would just be fun to be teaching as much as they are, they are looking at 10 baptisms for this transfer. We are hoping to baptize weekly in our area (6 in transfer). But Elder Atwood is doing good with his new companion, and I get to see him quite a bit. I still love him, but Elder Bertolino fills the gap quite well.
Earlier this week Elder Bertolino and I left zone conference as quick as we could to go work in our area. The night before we planned to tract this apartment complex at 2:00pm, actually this one specific building, we both just felt it. So we skipped out on the end of zone conference and went to tract. Showed up at the building right on time and start to knock from the bottom down. First few doors nothing... then this less-active lady answered. Now recently for some reason Elder Bertolino has been pretty bold while OYMing (open your mouth) to less active people. Now with this lady we didn't feel that we should be bold at all, we just talked with her and we ended up talking for 10 minutes or so. Then we started to try and leave because this lady made no sense and was just talking in circles! BUT we couldn't! Now 15 minutes into the conversation we saw, in the corner of our eye, a lady and her child come home and walk into her apartment below us. We quickly wrapped up the conversation and continued knocking. Then we came to the door of the lady who just recently got home and she opened the door and her countenance was as if she was shinying. We bare testimony and it went good, then we invited her to meet with us. No... Bare testimony again and asked again but no. Then we tried a third time and asked a few questions that we felt inspired and asked again. This time she said yes and opened up. She told us she recently had twins and one of them died at 7 months and the other is now 15 months old and healthy. Her husband is on the other side of the country working and she has been attending several different faiths, just searching. What an experience that was, from the very second she opened the door I knew she was part of the "elect" who is prepared. The flesh was saying no, but her spirit was screaming yes and please talk to me.
The Lord works with us as you can tell by the timing, and even the questions that came to us. I love this work, I love my mission! I think I get to used to these spiritual experiences and feeling these promptings where I start to take them for granted and don't cherish them. I got to be grateful and keep them sacred, sadly the journal hasn't been given much love recently but it will real soon here. I hope that story made sense, there are alot of Elders going in and out here at the mission office and can be a little hard to get the flow going. Time is flying, I'll be home before we know it. Thanks for the emails they were good updates!
Love your son, Elder Pizzey.
Friday, May 13, 2011
May 12, 2011
May 12, 2011 – Week 2 of Transfer 11
Thanks for those great emails and Dad thanks for the thought, I appreciate it. I don’t know if you noticed over the phone but I say that a lot here, “I appreciate it” it drives me nuts! It is a big time Utah saying, hopefully I can rid myself of it when I get home. I thought of a few scriptures to support your email. Alma 62: 41 and 3 Nephi 6: 12-13, we all have our own moral agency which empowers us to act and especially react when we suffer adversity. We can choose to be happy this day, we really are who we are because of ourselves and our decisions.
I apologize for not writing yesterday, it’s now Thursday morning and I will just make this one a brief letter since we spent all day on the phone this past Sunday, what a treat that was. Even since then things have already slowed down and we are just catching up with little yet timely to do’s. On Monday and Tuesday we had those two trainings I was all worried about on Sunday. They went really good and we are excited for this new program we introduced. It is called “In-field training for new missionaries” and I sure wish I had it when I was training Elder Ng. The biggest difference is they have two hours of companion study in the morning and an outline of study activities and specific things to apply in the field. As you know they have “raised the bar” to serve missions and you can see it as new missionaries come in. The group of new missionaries who came this past transfer are unreal and all of them look like they will be mighty missionaries. Training is the most important role in the mission in my eyes, it lays the foundation of the mission for the future.
That is mainly it for the week. Yesterday we did a huge deep clean at the house and threw out piles of junk missionaries have just continued to pile up from transfer to transfer. The spirit can now reside in our house! Also this Friday Elder Bertolino and I will be taking the 2nd transfer new missionaries downtown to tour temple square and attend the Salt Lake Temple! I have never attended before, this is something new they have done since I came out, there are little perks that come along with being an Assistant to the President. Thank for being the best parents out there! I love you guys and loved talking to you and the family on Sunday. We have started the big downhill slope and before we know it I will be home watching Seinfeld with you. The one show I miss.
Love your son, Elder Pizzey.
Thanks for those great emails and Dad thanks for the thought, I appreciate it. I don’t know if you noticed over the phone but I say that a lot here, “I appreciate it” it drives me nuts! It is a big time Utah saying, hopefully I can rid myself of it when I get home. I thought of a few scriptures to support your email. Alma 62: 41 and 3 Nephi 6: 12-13, we all have our own moral agency which empowers us to act and especially react when we suffer adversity. We can choose to be happy this day, we really are who we are because of ourselves and our decisions.
I apologize for not writing yesterday, it’s now Thursday morning and I will just make this one a brief letter since we spent all day on the phone this past Sunday, what a treat that was. Even since then things have already slowed down and we are just catching up with little yet timely to do’s. On Monday and Tuesday we had those two trainings I was all worried about on Sunday. They went really good and we are excited for this new program we introduced. It is called “In-field training for new missionaries” and I sure wish I had it when I was training Elder Ng. The biggest difference is they have two hours of companion study in the morning and an outline of study activities and specific things to apply in the field. As you know they have “raised the bar” to serve missions and you can see it as new missionaries come in. The group of new missionaries who came this past transfer are unreal and all of them look like they will be mighty missionaries. Training is the most important role in the mission in my eyes, it lays the foundation of the mission for the future.
That is mainly it for the week. Yesterday we did a huge deep clean at the house and threw out piles of junk missionaries have just continued to pile up from transfer to transfer. The spirit can now reside in our house! Also this Friday Elder Bertolino and I will be taking the 2nd transfer new missionaries downtown to tour temple square and attend the Salt Lake Temple! I have never attended before, this is something new they have done since I came out, there are little perks that come along with being an Assistant to the President. Thank for being the best parents out there! I love you guys and loved talking to you and the family on Sunday. We have started the big downhill slope and before we know it I will be home watching Seinfeld with you. The one show I miss.
Love your son, Elder Pizzey.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
May 4, 2011
Week 1 of Transfer 11 - May 4, 2011
Where to start... Well let me start with this past week, It was the perfect way to end a transfer. Mike Weber was baptized on Saturday and asked me to confirm him on Sunday. It was the smallest baptism I've ever had yet it was one of the best. Just his girlfriends family, his family and a few of his friends that he invited. One of his friends, Josiah, who came hasn't been to church in several years and for him just coming to the baptism was a big step. The following the day, Sunday, he was confirmed in sacrament meeting and Josiah came again! It was fast and testimony meeting as you know and I have never been to such a perfect testimony meeting. The testimonies were short, and powerful! Well Josiah ended up walking up to the front and sharing his testimony! I wish I could share with you my feelings, it was motivating. He spoke of the power of forgiveness and the love of God, he spoke words I think he truly didn't understand. Such a small moment like this meant much to me. Good thing we follow the handbook and ensure people are confirmed during sacrament meeting! Not at the waters edge, Josiah would never have come to church.
Also this past weekend I had two other baptism's in previous areas. Zach Hatch and Jacob Titus... both in different areas. I worked with Zach for a long time in the Draper Utah Stake and it was nice to see him be baptized. His baptismal service was held in the chapel because of the amount of people who attended. We taught Zach so well to always pray on his knees, that at the end of the baptismal service he got done on his knees (while in the chapel on the stage) for the closing prayer, it was hilarious. Zach is a good guy, been through alot. This past winter he lived in a 300 square foot house with zero power! They would open the door in the cold winter morning to let the sun warm up the house. He has trimmed his long 70's hair and cleaned up himself up, it was fun.
So last week President talked to Elder Atwood and I on the phone about the new YSA stake we were opening up, at the end of the conversation he asked us a question. "Do you two love birds want to stay together this next transfer?" We already thought we were staying together but it was nice to have it confirmed! So after that phone call we celebrated while driving in our big van the highway by dancing to our new CD! By the way, the CD is amazing and it has already flooded the mission. I sent a copy home to you guys last week, look forward to it.
So every Tuesday morning in the first week of the transfer after studies (10am) Zone Leaders get the transfer roster emailed to them, then they make the calls in the zone to inform missionaries of where they are being transferred. Well right before that I was having a pleasant study and the phone rang, President Miller... He told Elder Atwood. "You are not going to be happy with me, I'm taking away your companion. Can I speak with Elder Pizzey." Long story short President said the Lord has called me to be his Assistant with Elder Bertilino. Life has been hectic since then. Yesterday I didn't eat until 5:00 and had zero Pday. Gave training to all the new missionaries and their trainers. I am super nervous and feel very inadequate. I am praying alot but I feel the Lord comforting me. I have always loved Elder Bertilino and always dreamed of being his companion. If there are two people in this mission who are the closest to me in personality and interest it would be Elder Atwood and Bertilino. I have been blessed to have such great companions. Elder Bertilino is a famous street artist and has designed many products! From shoes to the bottom of skateboards. I love him, he skates, snowboards, bikes but doesn't lol, if that makes sense. Kind of like me, do it all but just for fun. I am writing this right now on our laptop in Presidents office at his home. We are about to plan for ZLC tomorrow and two 6 hour leadership trainings for this next week. I will talk to you Sunday and I will try to call after 4:30 and I will get in touch with Sis. Park to figure out what number to call. Love you mom, dad and family. Love your scared, nervous and timid son.
Elder Pizzey
Where to start... Well let me start with this past week, It was the perfect way to end a transfer. Mike Weber was baptized on Saturday and asked me to confirm him on Sunday. It was the smallest baptism I've ever had yet it was one of the best. Just his girlfriends family, his family and a few of his friends that he invited. One of his friends, Josiah, who came hasn't been to church in several years and for him just coming to the baptism was a big step. The following the day, Sunday, he was confirmed in sacrament meeting and Josiah came again! It was fast and testimony meeting as you know and I have never been to such a perfect testimony meeting. The testimonies were short, and powerful! Well Josiah ended up walking up to the front and sharing his testimony! I wish I could share with you my feelings, it was motivating. He spoke of the power of forgiveness and the love of God, he spoke words I think he truly didn't understand. Such a small moment like this meant much to me. Good thing we follow the handbook and ensure people are confirmed during sacrament meeting! Not at the waters edge, Josiah would never have come to church.
Also this past weekend I had two other baptism's in previous areas. Zach Hatch and Jacob Titus... both in different areas. I worked with Zach for a long time in the Draper Utah Stake and it was nice to see him be baptized. His baptismal service was held in the chapel because of the amount of people who attended. We taught Zach so well to always pray on his knees, that at the end of the baptismal service he got done on his knees (while in the chapel on the stage) for the closing prayer, it was hilarious. Zach is a good guy, been through alot. This past winter he lived in a 300 square foot house with zero power! They would open the door in the cold winter morning to let the sun warm up the house. He has trimmed his long 70's hair and cleaned up himself up, it was fun.
So last week President talked to Elder Atwood and I on the phone about the new YSA stake we were opening up, at the end of the conversation he asked us a question. "Do you two love birds want to stay together this next transfer?" We already thought we were staying together but it was nice to have it confirmed! So after that phone call we celebrated while driving in our big van the highway by dancing to our new CD! By the way, the CD is amazing and it has already flooded the mission. I sent a copy home to you guys last week, look forward to it.
So every Tuesday morning in the first week of the transfer after studies (10am) Zone Leaders get the transfer roster emailed to them, then they make the calls in the zone to inform missionaries of where they are being transferred. Well right before that I was having a pleasant study and the phone rang, President Miller... He told Elder Atwood. "You are not going to be happy with me, I'm taking away your companion. Can I speak with Elder Pizzey." Long story short President said the Lord has called me to be his Assistant with Elder Bertilino. Life has been hectic since then. Yesterday I didn't eat until 5:00 and had zero Pday. Gave training to all the new missionaries and their trainers. I am super nervous and feel very inadequate. I am praying alot but I feel the Lord comforting me. I have always loved Elder Bertilino and always dreamed of being his companion. If there are two people in this mission who are the closest to me in personality and interest it would be Elder Atwood and Bertilino. I have been blessed to have such great companions. Elder Bertilino is a famous street artist and has designed many products! From shoes to the bottom of skateboards. I love him, he skates, snowboards, bikes but doesn't lol, if that makes sense. Kind of like me, do it all but just for fun. I am writing this right now on our laptop in Presidents office at his home. We are about to plan for ZLC tomorrow and two 6 hour leadership trainings for this next week. I will talk to you Sunday and I will try to call after 4:30 and I will get in touch with Sis. Park to figure out what number to call. Love you mom, dad and family. Love your scared, nervous and timid son.
Elder Pizzey
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