Week 36

This week we have been all over. We have done quite a bit of traveling in the office to help the mission. We got to take a field trip to Maryland again to pick up some more Chevy Malibus. I let elder Moran drive this time. There is no tiwi monitor and I drove last time. It was pretty fun to cross the Potomac and look into Virginia and into Maryland. There were a few things we brought to missionaries that they didn't really need. So the senior couples visit all the apartments and do apartment checks and they sometimes request things that they don't really need. There were some elders that had reported they needed a dresser, so we brought it to them, but they just told us when we were there that it was the senior couples who requested it, and they didn't really need it. We are preparing for our mission tour this week. Elder Arnold needs a bunch of stuff for his visit. I have to get a hold of some wireless microphones and a lapel Mic. We also need two projectors and need 2 churches worth of tables. We have to call some seminary teachers to ask if we can take their tables for 2 days. 

This week we had elder Neil L. Andersen visit the mission along with Elder Gifford Nielsen and presiding bishop Cuassé. We got to take a picture as a mission with them and got to hear each of them speak. I got to shake each of their hands as we entered the Chapel to listen to their talks. Elder Anderson talked a lot about memorizing scriptures that resonate with us. As we read and study we should keep those scriptures that stand out to us and mean something to us close to us. We can recite them in hard times and we can keep them with us in the eternities. He told us that we should be getting to know the youth and teaching their friends. He talked a lot about how many youth there are and how each of them has friends who could be taught. My only problem is that when I think back to when I was 16-19 I wanted nothing to do with the missionaries. I think it is difficult for kids in high school to have faith in an unseen being or higher power, especially with the antireligious views of society. In our parents youth 80%of youth believed in God but now only about 60% accept a higher deity or God. I thought of how hard it will be to get to become friends with the youth and gain their trust. I remember how I thought missionaries were just robots or cookie cutter people who all just taught lessons and invited people to hand out book of mormons (which didn't spark my interest in the slightest). How can I reach out to the youth in the ward and not have them feel like it's an extra burden or task to add to their busy lives. In my youth I could only think of sports, girls, and what protein I wanted to use after lifting the gym, with no time or space for religion, how can I get into the lives of these young people and get them to introduce me to their friends... that's the task I am trying to figure out. 

Elder Gifford Nielsen, in stake conference, talked about how we can light the world. We all have a light that shines, how can I share that light with others and help others share their light. He talked a lot about prayer and how there is profound power in prayer. When we ask sincerely and with faith+patience we will receive an answer.

So far I'm just trying to keep focused on my mission. Keeping focused on giving all of myself to moving the Lord's work forward. Trying to seek answers to my personal prayers and his plan for me. If you've got extra time this week shoot me an email even if it's quick. I only get emails from about 2-3 people.

Calvin

Week 35

This week was awesome, even though this area has struggled the past few years due to having office elders we have really seen progress. I've found that noticing the small things that happen every week that are miracles is crucial to missionary work. It's so important to notice the tender mercies of the Lord every day, otherwise it can be very discouraging. I haven't taught a real lesson in probably 7-8 weeks, but this weekend we were able to set up a few appointments and teach a lesson or two. Normally Silvia and her brother Sergio aren't home or available so we stopped by and helped them pick up their leaves. As we were picking up leaves we answered their questions about missionary work and their concerns about prophets and the church. It was a while since I've been able to teach someone and testify of truth, but it was like a jumpstart for me to have the chance to teach someone. We invited them to a church tour and to go to church, but Sergio was determined he would be watching the game by the time the Redskins started playing. We tried to tell him church ends at 12:45 and he could be back by 1 for the game, but no dice. Silvia and her BF said they would come, but when we knocked on the door in the morning they were out at breakfast and wouldn't be back until 4pm..... I'm not sure what's up with that.

Later that night we got to meet with a recent convert that moved into the ward, she is an awesome lady with tons of faith. She just moved here from Tallahassee and was baptized April 15th. She was previously Jewish, but the sister missionaries met her on campus and she said when she let her guard down they taught her. She went to a baptism to support someone else and as she was listening to the music and praying during the intermission she felt the holy ghost speak to her. Her story was so inspiring and the spirit in the room was so strong as she told her conversion story. We are going to start meeting her regularly to teach the new member lessons. She had a cat that was playing with us the whole time, elder Moran always has to get a selfie with the cats he meets so he got a good selfie.

Corey gave us some boar jerky, it's super good. The package says wild swine, therefore it must be good right? These little pepperoni sticks are bomb. Last night we recorded numbers with President and the AP's like usual but since today is presidents birthday we brought a cake and some ice cream and his family came into the office right after we ended the conference call. We hung out a bit and threw a tennis ball around the office, good times with P and the family. 

Brother Bold let us in one night to prepare for some splits and he brought in his cats. One is named Artemis but he calls him moose because he is sooo big. This cat weighs 30 lbs it is ridiculous. This is biggest cat I've ever seen. Brother Bold cut his hair in the back and on the tail because it can barely move so now it looks like a black lion.