Remember that song? How bizarre, ooo baby, you're making me crazy, every time i look around.....well that was playing this morning in the Hair Masters salon place. Well, im grateful for all the emails i got, and all the things you all told me. I could go on and on and on about this week. This town is just....there is no other place like Sanford, Florida. I dont think i could ever live here if i wasnt a missionary, but the fact that i am living here as a missionary.....so many funy people and stories. It would take me all day to write about this last week. From lessons in which a man stood up and shouted, "I WILL KILL THAT MAN!" and then he exclaims, "I'm doing 3/4 of the work. Thats right!. 85% of the work, i'm doing" to a lesson in which one lady complains about all of the "invaders" in our country. She wouldn't stop calling people invaders. Finally i got tired of it and told her to stop calling people invaders. Well, let me get on with more stories i guess.
Well, Wednesday was a very interesting day. I told you a few weeks ago of when a man asked us to pray with him and i volunteered my comapnion to say it, and then it got really akward....well two drunk guys asked us to pray with them, and he asked me to do it....and it got really akward.....so that came back to bite me. The funny part is that just that morning i told Elder Dunn that story. Then, just a few hours later, i had to say the same type of prayer, and Elder Dunn started laughing during the prayer when the drunk guy started going crazy. The man then asked if he could see my teeth, and i thought of that rap song, "I wanna see your grill". So i showed him my teeth, or my grill, and he said "too many acids..." I didn't even ask what that meant.
We were on our bikes that day, and it started pouring with lots of lightning. We had nowhere to go, and after a few minutes we realized that standing under a tree wasn't the best place to go. (duh) So we looked for places to go, and couldnt really find any. We ended up taking cover under a staircase, which also wasnt the best place to be. Well, there is a ton of lightning in Florida and it was within a mile or so. Oh well, still alive. Our bikes were still under the tree and we ended up teaching a man. Now, we are only 20 feet away or so. While we were teaching, someone stole......my companion's bike! But not mine......it was actually kind of funny, the way the day had gone, it really didnt bother him. So we made the long walk back in the rain....so i still have my bike. Don't worry. Someone gave him a free one, so we both have bikes once again. There was a lot of rain this week.
A member gave us a watermelon. We cut it in half and i cut my half in pieces. Elder Dunn just ate it like a bowl. But....my brilliant mind was looking at that half of a watermelon and i thought....wow, clean that thing out, and you have a perfect bike helmet. So we did it....and i've got pictures alright.
A few things from your e-mails now......so mother, you aren't cutting your hair till i come home? I wish i could do the same, and not cut mine for a year.....you said you were under a pact to do so...who is that pact with? Was it me? cause i dont remember
I don't remember off the top of my head what elders are over in St. Cloud. But i'll find out. I sure am glad they said i was a cool guy.....
That's a shame about Dr. Chiaponni (She's-a-pony) I guess that's all i have to say about that one.....i guess he was a good orthodontist.
I do have one reaquest. In that video mike made of dad's 50'th birthday, during one of the picture segments, there is a picture i would like. It was from last summer, when we were up in Utah for i think Nate's wedding, but also it was when Mike blessed Annie. We were all at Grandma Barton's and we took a family picture out in the backyard. I would like that picture.
All i will say, is that this week was just one of those weeks that i look back and think....what just happened.
In terms of missionary work, it was an average week. We've been going around and giving presentations to the members, to get them to share the gospel with those they meet, so that we can get more member referalls. 1 out of 10 people taught comes from a member referall, but 70% of our baptisms come from that 1/10. So its much more effective. The work goes forth. The guy whose wife wouldnt let him get baptized, we're kinda just laying off for a bit. Its hard to get hold of him since he work 6 days a week from 6 am to 10 30 pm. Another lady who was going to get baptized is actually on a scholarship to go to school and the scholarship is being paid by the baptist church, so she cant change membership while that is going. Well, she can, and we're gonna talk with her this week and just tell her what she has to do and see if she'll do it.
We were very tired by the end of the week. Another week of hard work gone by. I think when im done with my two years im gonna take a 5 day nap....tough on the body. Well, i'm gonna send you some pictures of some funny moments this week. Thanks for your letters. Ah yes, i got your package. And i did get the "bashing" bible from aaron. I think i'm just going to make my own version of it, and then send yours back home, so that i dont lose it or ruin it. Its got some good stuff in it for sure. Did you do that all on your own?
Well, i got to be going. I hope you enjoyed the stories from the week. There are many more where that came from. Love ya. Be safe.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Act a Foo--July 16, 2007
I'll get to the story behind the subject in a second....but today marks 6 months in Sanford. I arrived here on January 16, 2007 and have since come to know this strange little place so very well.
First things first.....to answer the issues about this plane crash that happened this past Tuesday. It wasn't at the Sanford airport. The plane crash a few miles before it, into a house. You may not beleive me, but i viewed the aftermath from across the street of the house it hit. We have some members of the ward that live in the neighborhood that it happened in, and so we went over there at night to see how they were doing. Well, the cops had it closed off, but they let me in since i am "clergy." He did write down some info from my drivers license.....so i dont know what they are going to do with that. But, mother, to answer your mind, i am okay. I heard all the ambulances going, but didnt know what for. We found out a few hours later.
In dad's letter, he reminded me that we are amidst the greatest time of the year, the tour de france. I must have forgotten to mark these important days on my calendar. Oh well, i guess i'll have to wait a few years till i can watch it....I did however just watch the 50'th birthday dvd this morning. I apparently missed the memo on dressing up like a bicyclist, although those clothes that i was wearing are also my bike clothes....so in a sense i was. It was a very good dvd, i enjoyed it, especially all the wonderful pictures of mother smiling. :) I found a good photo-op this past week in honor of your birthday, which i will send in an e-mail to mom.
Mom, did you say in your e-mail that Aaron is working at the Safeway in Pleasanton??? I thought he was doing his internship....or is it both? I'm just slightly confused. Oh well.
So yesterday i was talking to a lady, whose name apparently is Shanetta. Whether she was given that name at birth or it evolved from Sharon or something, i don't know. But we were teaching her at her doorway, and i just asked her a simple question, in the form of an analogy. In a class of 3'rd graders, what happens when the teacher, the authority figure, leaves the room? Her response was, "They gonna act a foo" I managed not to laugh, but was about to reaffirm her answer and say, "yes, the best be acting a foo" but i decided against it and just went on with the lesson. Remember what i said about loving Sanford?
Not a whole lot happened this week. My companion and i are getting along well. We didn't have a baptism this past weekend. The man's wife is really against it and so he decided he didn't want to cause a conflict right now. We're still working with him and hopefully we can talk with her and calm her down.
We had an ivestigator "drop" us this past week in an interesting way, kind of amusing. We hadn't been able to get hold of her for a few days, so we were kind of expecting something to be wrong. Well, we pulled into the church one morning to make a phone call, and there was a Book of Mormon at the door, which i thought was weird. well, i walked up to it and looked at it, and there was a note inside of it. "Hey, this is Jamie. I changed my mind. Thanks." At least we got our stuff back.
Well thats about all i can remember. Talked to a lot of interesting characters this week. Oh, we had a zone meeting and President Darrington's kids made a dvd about him and his wife, so we could get to know them better.....well, i have to say, it didnt compare to our family video of "getting to know the dad." Mom and dad, you raised some interesting children.
It's been hot of late, not a whole lot of rain. Yesterday we got some rain, but everyones wondering where all the rain is. Today we're going to play some softball and soccer, so its gonna be a hot one. Good to see that everyone is doing well. Only a few more months till we get a new one in the family.
Keep on keeping on. Read your scriptures. - "Twords" (Swords)
First things first.....to answer the issues about this plane crash that happened this past Tuesday. It wasn't at the Sanford airport. The plane crash a few miles before it, into a house. You may not beleive me, but i viewed the aftermath from across the street of the house it hit. We have some members of the ward that live in the neighborhood that it happened in, and so we went over there at night to see how they were doing. Well, the cops had it closed off, but they let me in since i am "clergy." He did write down some info from my drivers license.....so i dont know what they are going to do with that. But, mother, to answer your mind, i am okay. I heard all the ambulances going, but didnt know what for. We found out a few hours later.
In dad's letter, he reminded me that we are amidst the greatest time of the year, the tour de france. I must have forgotten to mark these important days on my calendar. Oh well, i guess i'll have to wait a few years till i can watch it....I did however just watch the 50'th birthday dvd this morning. I apparently missed the memo on dressing up like a bicyclist, although those clothes that i was wearing are also my bike clothes....so in a sense i was. It was a very good dvd, i enjoyed it, especially all the wonderful pictures of mother smiling. :) I found a good photo-op this past week in honor of your birthday, which i will send in an e-mail to mom.
Mom, did you say in your e-mail that Aaron is working at the Safeway in Pleasanton??? I thought he was doing his internship....or is it both? I'm just slightly confused. Oh well.
So yesterday i was talking to a lady, whose name apparently is Shanetta. Whether she was given that name at birth or it evolved from Sharon or something, i don't know. But we were teaching her at her doorway, and i just asked her a simple question, in the form of an analogy. In a class of 3'rd graders, what happens when the teacher, the authority figure, leaves the room? Her response was, "They gonna act a foo" I managed not to laugh, but was about to reaffirm her answer and say, "yes, the best be acting a foo" but i decided against it and just went on with the lesson. Remember what i said about loving Sanford?
Not a whole lot happened this week. My companion and i are getting along well. We didn't have a baptism this past weekend. The man's wife is really against it and so he decided he didn't want to cause a conflict right now. We're still working with him and hopefully we can talk with her and calm her down.
We had an ivestigator "drop" us this past week in an interesting way, kind of amusing. We hadn't been able to get hold of her for a few days, so we were kind of expecting something to be wrong. Well, we pulled into the church one morning to make a phone call, and there was a Book of Mormon at the door, which i thought was weird. well, i walked up to it and looked at it, and there was a note inside of it. "Hey, this is Jamie. I changed my mind. Thanks." At least we got our stuff back.
Well thats about all i can remember. Talked to a lot of interesting characters this week. Oh, we had a zone meeting and President Darrington's kids made a dvd about him and his wife, so we could get to know them better.....well, i have to say, it didnt compare to our family video of "getting to know the dad." Mom and dad, you raised some interesting children.
It's been hot of late, not a whole lot of rain. Yesterday we got some rain, but everyones wondering where all the rain is. Today we're going to play some softball and soccer, so its gonna be a hot one. Good to see that everyone is doing well. Only a few more months till we get a new one in the family.
Keep on keeping on. Read your scriptures. - "Twords" (Swords)
Friday, July 13, 2007
The Bi-Centennial--July 9
I am under the impression that bi-centennial will mean 50 years....if
i am wrong, then i apologize. But, i thought i would need to begin
this letter with a warm greeting to an officially old man. Happy
birthday dad. i bought a card to send you months ago, and this week i
just got lost with training and doing everything else, so i'll send it
tomorrow most likely. I hope you enjoyed the video, and i would love
a copy of the dvd. I can find a way to see it.
Well this week, somewhat suprisingly, went very well. On Tuesday i
went to pick up Elder Dunn, my trainee. One of his first questions
was, "So when do we get to work?" I was a bit taken back by the
question...."i guess as soon as possible." So we got out to working
around 3 o'clock. The first house i took him to were some potentials
i met at Wal-Mart the night before. They let us come in, we taught
them, and we had a good lesson. When we walked out, i made sure he
knew, "That generally doesn't happen...." Talk about a good first
lesson to be in on. Right after that lesson we went to Wal-Mart to
get some food and stuff. I told him, ok, go talk to people. :) And
he did it. I was very surprised and impressed. I hardly have to do
any "training." Compared to last transfer when i was basically doing
90% of everything with someone who had been out 6 months, i now find
myself not having to do as much, with someone who has been out less
than a week. There were a couple of lessons we'd go to, and generally
i'll start it out and lead it, and he would just start talking. Of
course, i'll still gain control of it and use some experience to
direct the lesson- by the way, some old guy,....maybe like 50 years
old, or something old like that, cough (dad) cough, his cell phone
just went off and it was snow by the peppers.- anyways, back to the
letter...
One of the most joyous moments happened this week....remember 6 weeks
ago or so....a man by the name of Alexander Martinez. He was going to
get baptized and just a few days before, he called and said he was on
probation, and then i lost track of him and couldn't find him. Over
the weeks i came to suspect that his mother-in-law didnt like me, and
was lying to me. So i had a Spanish person call their house, and only
speak Spanish.....well this Spanish person squeezed a phone number out
of the lady. Then they called the number, and guess who they talked
to...one Alexander Martinez. They talked for a bit and he said to
have me come by, and gave this person his new address, still near by.
So Friday night i showed up and knocked on his door and he opened up.
Well over the weekend we talked and we have plans for him to be
baptized this upcoming Sunday. Now, he works from like 6 am to 10 pm
all throughout the week, except for Sunday....so it will be tough to
keep good contact with him during the week, but we'll do our best to
get him baptized. He still wants to be, and he is off of probation,
as of a few days ago. Perfect timing, eh?
We did have a baptism this last weekend. It was a long awaited one.
It went very well, nothing came up that would cause a problem.
It was just a really good week. We taught a lot of lessons, got some
good new investigators. My greenie is having a hard time realizing
and understanding that things wont always go this well. I've been
trying to tell him that this was a VERY good week. Hopefully things
will continue like this. Alexander is comitted for baptism this week,
and another lady is comitted two weeks later. We met her on
WEdnesday, taught her on Thursday, and i comitted her to baptism right
there after 30 minutes. Then i had a flashback of back home when i
heard that sometimes missionaries challenege them the first time they
teach, and i thought that wasn't very smart. Oh how things have
changed. :) That wasn't the first time we've done it, but that memory
came back to my mind.
On Tuesday i got to meet President Darrington. He's a funny guy, i
doubt that many of the rules will change though, but thats okay.
Things went well. Training this transfer wont be a problem at all.
I've got a missionary who will follow rules....what a change.
Sounds like everyone had some good times this last weekend with the
surprise. I'll hope to see some of those pictures and that dvd. Have
a good and safe week. Love ya.
i am wrong, then i apologize. But, i thought i would need to begin
this letter with a warm greeting to an officially old man. Happy
birthday dad. i bought a card to send you months ago, and this week i
just got lost with training and doing everything else, so i'll send it
tomorrow most likely. I hope you enjoyed the video, and i would love
a copy of the dvd. I can find a way to see it.
Well this week, somewhat suprisingly, went very well. On Tuesday i
went to pick up Elder Dunn, my trainee. One of his first questions
was, "So when do we get to work?" I was a bit taken back by the
question...."i guess as soon as possible." So we got out to working
around 3 o'clock. The first house i took him to were some potentials
i met at Wal-Mart the night before. They let us come in, we taught
them, and we had a good lesson. When we walked out, i made sure he
knew, "That generally doesn't happen...." Talk about a good first
lesson to be in on. Right after that lesson we went to Wal-Mart to
get some food and stuff. I told him, ok, go talk to people. :) And
he did it. I was very surprised and impressed. I hardly have to do
any "training." Compared to last transfer when i was basically doing
90% of everything with someone who had been out 6 months, i now find
myself not having to do as much, with someone who has been out less
than a week. There were a couple of lessons we'd go to, and generally
i'll start it out and lead it, and he would just start talking. Of
course, i'll still gain control of it and use some experience to
direct the lesson- by the way, some old guy,....maybe like 50 years
old, or something old like that, cough (dad) cough, his cell phone
just went off and it was snow by the peppers.- anyways, back to the
letter...
One of the most joyous moments happened this week....remember 6 weeks
ago or so....a man by the name of Alexander Martinez. He was going to
get baptized and just a few days before, he called and said he was on
probation, and then i lost track of him and couldn't find him. Over
the weeks i came to suspect that his mother-in-law didnt like me, and
was lying to me. So i had a Spanish person call their house, and only
speak Spanish.....well this Spanish person squeezed a phone number out
of the lady. Then they called the number, and guess who they talked
to...one Alexander Martinez. They talked for a bit and he said to
have me come by, and gave this person his new address, still near by.
So Friday night i showed up and knocked on his door and he opened up.
Well over the weekend we talked and we have plans for him to be
baptized this upcoming Sunday. Now, he works from like 6 am to 10 pm
all throughout the week, except for Sunday....so it will be tough to
keep good contact with him during the week, but we'll do our best to
get him baptized. He still wants to be, and he is off of probation,
as of a few days ago. Perfect timing, eh?
We did have a baptism this last weekend. It was a long awaited one.
It went very well, nothing came up that would cause a problem.
It was just a really good week. We taught a lot of lessons, got some
good new investigators. My greenie is having a hard time realizing
and understanding that things wont always go this well. I've been
trying to tell him that this was a VERY good week. Hopefully things
will continue like this. Alexander is comitted for baptism this week,
and another lady is comitted two weeks later. We met her on
WEdnesday, taught her on Thursday, and i comitted her to baptism right
there after 30 minutes. Then i had a flashback of back home when i
heard that sometimes missionaries challenege them the first time they
teach, and i thought that wasn't very smart. Oh how things have
changed. :) That wasn't the first time we've done it, but that memory
came back to my mind.
On Tuesday i got to meet President Darrington. He's a funny guy, i
doubt that many of the rules will change though, but thats okay.
Things went well. Training this transfer wont be a problem at all.
I've got a missionary who will follow rules....what a change.
Sounds like everyone had some good times this last weekend with the
surprise. I'll hope to see some of those pictures and that dvd. Have
a good and safe week. Love ya.
Let's Triangulate---Isoscoles or Equilateral?
Well its good to hear from everyone today. Just this week i hit 9 full months out here in the field. Time sure flies by. I'm approaching 6 full months in this little town of Sanford. By the way, i'm staying. I also have other good news.....not only am i staying, but i'm gonna be the proud new parent of a boy. I'm getting a brand new, fresh out of the MTC missionary, my first son. Our new President called Saturday morning, President Darrington. He seems to be a funny guy. He said, "Elder, where are you calling from?" "Up here in Sanford." "Oh, Sanford?......ya, i dont really know where that is...i just know Orlando." So he tells me that i'm going to train, so i accepted with glee, and then i asked, "So will i be staying here in Sanford or going somewhere else?" His reply, "........one second...." then he asks someone else, and is told that i am staying. Then he says, "Ya know, people are just asking me all these questions that i just dont know, you're staying." So he seems like he's got a good sense of humor. President Farnsworth did the transfers before he left, so President Darrington just made the phone calls. Tomorrow i'll go down to the mission office to pick up the greenie, and so i'll get to meet the mission president then.
I'm pretty excited, because i think there are 9 missionaries being trained, and all of the trainers i am really good friends with, so we all get to see eachother on Tuesday at the office. Our ward leaders and i were thinking about things to do to him the first day. One of the sisters asked me, "So what are you going to do to help him get comfortable?" And i replied, "Well, actually, all i've been thinking about are things to do to make him uncomfortable." I dont know anything about who i train, i'll find that all out tomorrow. But i'm glad to be staying here.
We had a great teaching week. I think we taught the most lessons this week i've taught in awhile. I had some cool experiences this week.
One day, maybe Wednesday, not much was really happening. I stopped by the Holt's house, we baptized Sean Holt back in January. He is now 12 years old. Anyways, his mom came up to me and said, "Sean told us that he wants to go on a mission now, so he's starting to get ready." Then she thanked us for all that we did for him and our examples. So that day i learned the lesson that the young kids really do pay attention to us. It was just one of those moments where i felt, "No matter what happens this week, or this day, i did something good."
On Thursday night, we had two members come out with us, so me and i companion could split up. Now, these past 6 weeks, whenever that has happened and we have a teaching appointment, i'd take the lesson, and Elder Duane wouldnt want it anyways. But this night i decided it was about time he made some progress. So i told him, "You're taking the appointment tonight." "Are you sure?" "Yes, i am sure." "Are you really sure?" "I'm sure." And he ended up doing a good job. He taught the lesson, and set up an appointment to come by tonight, so i was happy for him.
On Saturday night we taught a lady named Linda and i told her she needed to come to church the next day. She had earlier said, "People make too many excuses for not going to church." well, her answer was "I need to do some yardwork tomorrow." So Elder Duane said told her that was okay, and we weren't trying to pressure her into doing something. Then i said, much to the contrary of his remarks, "Actually, just as you mentioned earlier, people need to put church ahead of other tasks." Then i read Matthew 6:33 about seeking after the kingdom of God first. She then goes, "You're right, i'm coming to church." Well that was a pretty cool experience. Eventually, she didn't come to church, which was a bummer, but it was a good experience while teaching her.
Now to answer some things from your e-mails:
Mom: That line came from the movie Mystery Men. For the 4'th of July we're gonna go to someone's house for fireworks. Also, we'll probably go to the Lake and see some fireworks from there. About the moving of my suits; I am fairly confident that as long as i have 7 thrift store suits in my closet, i will not be transferred. It would just be too much work. And i am proud of the skills you are learning on a computer, from being able to turn it on to sending pictures in e-mails. Baby steps, right?
Mike: Good choice with the "challenge to become" talk. I actually just talked about that one in a lesson with someone the other day. It sure is a classic. I'll work on shipping a suit out to you.
Her: I enjoyed your comment, "I hope you haven't been too hot, but of course you have." Thank you for your honesty. Good choice with the talk, and yes, it is true.
James: If you want your guitar string fixed anytime soon, i'd pay the money and take it to someone. But, if you want it done with care, wait 14 months or so and i'll make sure it is done right. And also hold out on the chicken meal deals from Safeway. Save your money for when we can both eat of that delicious meal.
Yesertday, i ate soooooo much food. I was about to explode. I am 99% sure that was the most i've eaten in a looooonnnnggg time. We went over to the Bendoski's for a lunch. Oh my goodness did i eat. Then a few hours later, we went over to someone else's for a dinner. I just had one plate, and i struglled to finish, then found room for dessert. Then i taught a lesson, even though i was rolling over on my belly the whole time.
This upcoming Saturday we're having a baptism. I'm pretty sure this one will go through. I've had a nice string of those suckers falling through in the last week of late :). But not this one. He's another young kid. Or as we call them, nino baptisms. (Nino should have that curvy little line on it, but i'm not sure how to make that, and i forgot to bring my bilingual keyboard today :) The kid's name is Moses. Lately i've been reading through the Old Testament. Not suring study time, but like at night or whenever we have a few minutes. I came across something that will apply to mom.
Your patriarchal blessing talks about your sons and daughters that you will have. And we always thought that was interesting, because you only had three sons. Then we decided that your granddaughters were what it refers to. Anyways, i've always thought about that, and i think i found an answer while reading in Genesis. Jacob, or Israel, had his twelve sons. One of those was Joseph. So Jospeh would be Jacob's grandson. Just before Jacob dies, he takes Josephs sons (Ephraim and Mannaseh) and gives them a blessing. So we have grandather blessing his grandchildren. In that blessing, he says an interesting thing. He says, and i';m paraphrasing, "Just as Joseph is my son, you two are also my sons." He kind of takes them as his sons. Well i thought when i read that, hey....that's like mom. her granddaughters are her daughters. Well, maybe i'm the only one that thinks this. But next week i'll find the scripure passages where that whole event happens and you can read it. I thought maybe you would enjoy that. :)
Well thats about all i got this week. Staying here, same address. 7204 Stonebrook Drive, Sanford FL, 32773. Or the mission office, 10502 Satellite Blvd. Suite E, Orlando, FL 32837.
Wish me luck with my brand new companion :). I'm pretty sure Mike told me a story of when he trained someone. Well, i'll write everyone next week. And yes, to answer everybody's question, it is very hot. This morning i went to get my haircut, and she said, "Oh,the curls sure take over in the summer." Love you all. Bye bye
I'm pretty excited, because i think there are 9 missionaries being trained, and all of the trainers i am really good friends with, so we all get to see eachother on Tuesday at the office. Our ward leaders and i were thinking about things to do to him the first day. One of the sisters asked me, "So what are you going to do to help him get comfortable?" And i replied, "Well, actually, all i've been thinking about are things to do to make him uncomfortable." I dont know anything about who i train, i'll find that all out tomorrow. But i'm glad to be staying here.
We had a great teaching week. I think we taught the most lessons this week i've taught in awhile. I had some cool experiences this week.
One day, maybe Wednesday, not much was really happening. I stopped by the Holt's house, we baptized Sean Holt back in January. He is now 12 years old. Anyways, his mom came up to me and said, "Sean told us that he wants to go on a mission now, so he's starting to get ready." Then she thanked us for all that we did for him and our examples. So that day i learned the lesson that the young kids really do pay attention to us. It was just one of those moments where i felt, "No matter what happens this week, or this day, i did something good."
On Thursday night, we had two members come out with us, so me and i companion could split up. Now, these past 6 weeks, whenever that has happened and we have a teaching appointment, i'd take the lesson, and Elder Duane wouldnt want it anyways. But this night i decided it was about time he made some progress. So i told him, "You're taking the appointment tonight." "Are you sure?" "Yes, i am sure." "Are you really sure?" "I'm sure." And he ended up doing a good job. He taught the lesson, and set up an appointment to come by tonight, so i was happy for him.
On Saturday night we taught a lady named Linda and i told her she needed to come to church the next day. She had earlier said, "People make too many excuses for not going to church." well, her answer was "I need to do some yardwork tomorrow." So Elder Duane said told her that was okay, and we weren't trying to pressure her into doing something. Then i said, much to the contrary of his remarks, "Actually, just as you mentioned earlier, people need to put church ahead of other tasks." Then i read Matthew 6:33 about seeking after the kingdom of God first. She then goes, "You're right, i'm coming to church." Well that was a pretty cool experience. Eventually, she didn't come to church, which was a bummer, but it was a good experience while teaching her.
Now to answer some things from your e-mails:
Mom: That line came from the movie Mystery Men. For the 4'th of July we're gonna go to someone's house for fireworks. Also, we'll probably go to the Lake and see some fireworks from there. About the moving of my suits; I am fairly confident that as long as i have 7 thrift store suits in my closet, i will not be transferred. It would just be too much work. And i am proud of the skills you are learning on a computer, from being able to turn it on to sending pictures in e-mails. Baby steps, right?
Mike: Good choice with the "challenge to become" talk. I actually just talked about that one in a lesson with someone the other day. It sure is a classic. I'll work on shipping a suit out to you.
Her: I enjoyed your comment, "I hope you haven't been too hot, but of course you have." Thank you for your honesty. Good choice with the talk, and yes, it is true.
James: If you want your guitar string fixed anytime soon, i'd pay the money and take it to someone. But, if you want it done with care, wait 14 months or so and i'll make sure it is done right. And also hold out on the chicken meal deals from Safeway. Save your money for when we can both eat of that delicious meal.
Yesertday, i ate soooooo much food. I was about to explode. I am 99% sure that was the most i've eaten in a looooonnnnggg time. We went over to the Bendoski's for a lunch. Oh my goodness did i eat. Then a few hours later, we went over to someone else's for a dinner. I just had one plate, and i struglled to finish, then found room for dessert. Then i taught a lesson, even though i was rolling over on my belly the whole time.
This upcoming Saturday we're having a baptism. I'm pretty sure this one will go through. I've had a nice string of those suckers falling through in the last week of late :). But not this one. He's another young kid. Or as we call them, nino baptisms. (Nino should have that curvy little line on it, but i'm not sure how to make that, and i forgot to bring my bilingual keyboard today :) The kid's name is Moses. Lately i've been reading through the Old Testament. Not suring study time, but like at night or whenever we have a few minutes. I came across something that will apply to mom.
Your patriarchal blessing talks about your sons and daughters that you will have. And we always thought that was interesting, because you only had three sons. Then we decided that your granddaughters were what it refers to. Anyways, i've always thought about that, and i think i found an answer while reading in Genesis. Jacob, or Israel, had his twelve sons. One of those was Joseph. So Jospeh would be Jacob's grandson. Just before Jacob dies, he takes Josephs sons (Ephraim and Mannaseh) and gives them a blessing. So we have grandather blessing his grandchildren. In that blessing, he says an interesting thing. He says, and i';m paraphrasing, "Just as Joseph is my son, you two are also my sons." He kind of takes them as his sons. Well i thought when i read that, hey....that's like mom. her granddaughters are her daughters. Well, maybe i'm the only one that thinks this. But next week i'll find the scripure passages where that whole event happens and you can read it. I thought maybe you would enjoy that. :)
Well thats about all i got this week. Staying here, same address. 7204 Stonebrook Drive, Sanford FL, 32773. Or the mission office, 10502 Satellite Blvd. Suite E, Orlando, FL 32837.
Wish me luck with my brand new companion :). I'm pretty sure Mike told me a story of when he trained someone. Well, i'll write everyone next week. And yes, to answer everybody's question, it is very hot. This morning i went to get my haircut, and she said, "Oh,the curls sure take over in the summer." Love you all. Bye bye
I did something for the first time ever--June 25
Now, before i tell you all what i did, i must throw out a disclaimer, that this act was not done on purpose. I happened to be driving, last Monday. Out of nowhere, a squirrel came flying out of the road. I didn't even have time to try to let it live, and i ran it over. My thoughts immediately turned to none other than Seinfeld. The episode where George keeps running over ducks or something on accident....until finally he proclaimed, "I thought we had a deal!!!!" Well, my little squirrel friend, i thought we had a deal.
Anyways, i soon got over it. This week was another week of momentous ups and crushing downs. :) I wouldn't say they were "crushing" but it sounds more dramatic. I'll explain....
This week, on Tuesday we went over to a 17 yr. old member's house to teach his 12 year old BEST friend, yes, their age difference apparently doesn't matter. Well, there was a 19. year old friend there as well. We taught the 12 year old and at the end, i asked the 19 year old if we could come back and teach him more. So he said, "Sure, it doesn't matter." Not the most pleasing of results, but nonetheless better than nothing. So we went back a few days later, this time i was with my zone leader. We had a good first lesson and he was surprisingly very interested and agreed. Well, then we went back on Saturday to meet with him again, and he says he knows its true and wants to be baptized. Once again, not something i was totally expecting. So we set up a plan to have him baptized on July 7'th......so then comes the "crushing" part. You may recall a similar experience a few weeks ago, where someone wanted to be baptized but we couldnt because he was on probation....and now i dont know where he is exactly....well, this situation doesnt involve probation, luckily. He goes home and tells his mom....and she tells him that as long as he is living in that home, he will be Baptist, even though no one in the family goes......Talk about a change of events! We'll keep working with the situation this week and i'll keep you posted.
This last saturday i was given a toy shovel by one of the Sisters. I asked what it was for, and she replied, "So you can keep planting all those seeds." So i'll take a picture with my seed planting shovel this week and you can check it out.
Also on Sunday one of the kids gave his farewell for his mission over to Monterey Mexico.
On Friday we got taken out to a Polish restaurant by an ancient Polish lady in the ward. She was actually a survivor of the concentration camps. She took us there with her daughter and we had a good time. I haven't been to a real restaurant in a few months. Denny's doesn't count. But i sure did enjoy that Polish food. I don't understand the names of anything i ate. I had no idea what was what on the menu, but whatever i had, it was good.
A moment of humor this week: We knocked on someone's door, and he invited us in to "pray with him" so that he would have a good job interview. Feeling the soon to be akwardness of this situation, i gladly invited Elder Duane to go ahead and say the prayer for us. So, this man, Brother Eckles, takes our hands and we bow our heads to pray for his job interview. While Elder Duane was praying, it was as if Brother Eckles was just echoing everything he said. It was an interesting experience and i'm just glad i had Elder Duane say the prayer, because i would probably have started chuckling. Oh well.
Also, we tried visiting a less active member of the ward. While we were talking to whoever opened the door, we heard a very audible and clear voice from the background, "Tell them you cant talk to them!"
Also, last night my companion was asked by someone, "who are you?" but with several profanities laced through it. He was just kinda like.....uhhhhhhh....but we lived.
The weather had been pretty hot this week. Mid 90's, and HUMIDITY. Not as much rain as last week. The rain really helps cool things down.
Missionary life goes well. We will be getting the new Presidente this week. He comes in on Friday i believe. On Saturday we'll find out what we are doing for transfers. We are getting 14 new elders this transfer. A lot of people are going home this transfer and the one after it, so there will be a lot of changes around the mission. It is going to get a lot younger by the time the summer is over.
I realized yesterday that i turn a good 9 months old on Wednesday, which also happens to be the Prophet's 97'th birthday. Many reasons to celebrate.
This morning we went out for a zone activity and played soccer, football and kickball. It was raining a little bit, which made it funner. Hopefully this rule of "one activity a month on p-days" will go with the new president, because it makes things a lot funner. Just getting out and getting some good excericise.
We've had some pretty cool lightning and thunder storms of late.
I enjoyed the e-mails. I thought the other day to myself, ok...we are out from 10 to 9....thats almost 12 hours of work.....now dad is going to be swimming, biking, and running for at least 13 hours or so......hmmm...... I must say, that is impressive, even for an old man, oh i mean even for a man like yourself.
Question: I told the Bishop here we were getting Pebble Tec back home. He does the installing of it here in the Orlando area. So, he asked me who is doing it. He said he thinks he knows the man who does it up in our area. Is it Adams? Maybe that is his last name. If so, ask him if he knows a Kim Liljenquist. That is pronounced without the j. (Lilyenquist) But hey, if he does know him, talk about a perfect opportunity to bring up the church....so do you know Kim Liljenquist? Oh you do? Well my son knows him very well.....he is in Orlando....you know how it goes.
Well i think thats about all i can remember about the week. I read a lot of Conference talks and such things. I enjoy you sending me the church news. President Farnsworth told us, "The best convert you should ever make as a missionary in your 2 years is yourself." Some of my favorite talks of late are from the april 2007 conference, Elder Uchtdorf's and President Hinckley's, when he retol the vision Joseph F. Smith had, the "You're late...." "Yes, but i'm clean" talk. Today i read in 3 Nephi, somewhere in Chapter 5, where when the people began to believe in Christ, it says they immediatley began to forsake all their wrongdoings, to serve God with ALL diligence both day and night. They took their belief, and they transformed it into faith, by living what they believed. President Farnsworth would ask, "Are you a missionary who beleives, or a missionary who excercises faith?" So we all have to answer to that same question, "Do i believe, or do i have faith?". Love ya. - Elder marcus.
Anyways, i soon got over it. This week was another week of momentous ups and crushing downs. :) I wouldn't say they were "crushing" but it sounds more dramatic. I'll explain....
This week, on Tuesday we went over to a 17 yr. old member's house to teach his 12 year old BEST friend, yes, their age difference apparently doesn't matter. Well, there was a 19. year old friend there as well. We taught the 12 year old and at the end, i asked the 19 year old if we could come back and teach him more. So he said, "Sure, it doesn't matter." Not the most pleasing of results, but nonetheless better than nothing. So we went back a few days later, this time i was with my zone leader. We had a good first lesson and he was surprisingly very interested and agreed. Well, then we went back on Saturday to meet with him again, and he says he knows its true and wants to be baptized. Once again, not something i was totally expecting. So we set up a plan to have him baptized on July 7'th......so then comes the "crushing" part. You may recall a similar experience a few weeks ago, where someone wanted to be baptized but we couldnt because he was on probation....and now i dont know where he is exactly....well, this situation doesnt involve probation, luckily. He goes home and tells his mom....and she tells him that as long as he is living in that home, he will be Baptist, even though no one in the family goes......Talk about a change of events! We'll keep working with the situation this week and i'll keep you posted.
This last saturday i was given a toy shovel by one of the Sisters. I asked what it was for, and she replied, "So you can keep planting all those seeds." So i'll take a picture with my seed planting shovel this week and you can check it out.
Also on Sunday one of the kids gave his farewell for his mission over to Monterey Mexico.
On Friday we got taken out to a Polish restaurant by an ancient Polish lady in the ward. She was actually a survivor of the concentration camps. She took us there with her daughter and we had a good time. I haven't been to a real restaurant in a few months. Denny's doesn't count. But i sure did enjoy that Polish food. I don't understand the names of anything i ate. I had no idea what was what on the menu, but whatever i had, it was good.
A moment of humor this week: We knocked on someone's door, and he invited us in to "pray with him" so that he would have a good job interview. Feeling the soon to be akwardness of this situation, i gladly invited Elder Duane to go ahead and say the prayer for us. So, this man, Brother Eckles, takes our hands and we bow our heads to pray for his job interview. While Elder Duane was praying, it was as if Brother Eckles was just echoing everything he said. It was an interesting experience and i'm just glad i had Elder Duane say the prayer, because i would probably have started chuckling. Oh well.
Also, we tried visiting a less active member of the ward. While we were talking to whoever opened the door, we heard a very audible and clear voice from the background, "Tell them you cant talk to them!"
Also, last night my companion was asked by someone, "who are you?" but with several profanities laced through it. He was just kinda like.....uhhhhhhh....but we lived.
The weather had been pretty hot this week. Mid 90's, and HUMIDITY. Not as much rain as last week. The rain really helps cool things down.
Missionary life goes well. We will be getting the new Presidente this week. He comes in on Friday i believe. On Saturday we'll find out what we are doing for transfers. We are getting 14 new elders this transfer. A lot of people are going home this transfer and the one after it, so there will be a lot of changes around the mission. It is going to get a lot younger by the time the summer is over.
I realized yesterday that i turn a good 9 months old on Wednesday, which also happens to be the Prophet's 97'th birthday. Many reasons to celebrate.
This morning we went out for a zone activity and played soccer, football and kickball. It was raining a little bit, which made it funner. Hopefully this rule of "one activity a month on p-days" will go with the new president, because it makes things a lot funner. Just getting out and getting some good excericise.
We've had some pretty cool lightning and thunder storms of late.
I enjoyed the e-mails. I thought the other day to myself, ok...we are out from 10 to 9....thats almost 12 hours of work.....now dad is going to be swimming, biking, and running for at least 13 hours or so......hmmm...... I must say, that is impressive, even for an old man, oh i mean even for a man like yourself.
Question: I told the Bishop here we were getting Pebble Tec back home. He does the installing of it here in the Orlando area. So, he asked me who is doing it. He said he thinks he knows the man who does it up in our area. Is it Adams? Maybe that is his last name. If so, ask him if he knows a Kim Liljenquist. That is pronounced without the j. (Lilyenquist) But hey, if he does know him, talk about a perfect opportunity to bring up the church....so do you know Kim Liljenquist? Oh you do? Well my son knows him very well.....he is in Orlando....you know how it goes.
Well i think thats about all i can remember about the week. I read a lot of Conference talks and such things. I enjoy you sending me the church news. President Farnsworth told us, "The best convert you should ever make as a missionary in your 2 years is yourself." Some of my favorite talks of late are from the april 2007 conference, Elder Uchtdorf's and President Hinckley's, when he retol the vision Joseph F. Smith had, the "You're late...." "Yes, but i'm clean" talk. Today i read in 3 Nephi, somewhere in Chapter 5, where when the people began to believe in Christ, it says they immediatley began to forsake all their wrongdoings, to serve God with ALL diligence both day and night. They took their belief, and they transformed it into faith, by living what they believed. President Farnsworth would ask, "Are you a missionary who beleives, or a missionary who excercises faith?" So we all have to answer to that same question, "Do i believe, or do i have faith?". Love ya. - Elder marcus.
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