So where to
begin.....
This week was crazy.
Tuesday I took Elder R to the mission office for finisher's conference and then picked up my temporary companion Elder C. He was in the MTC with me and sat next to me on the plane over and now we are both training! So crazy. I worked with him Tuesday and Wednesday.
Wed morning I had my first district meeting as district leader. It went really well I thought. We got a lot done and really had some spirit there. I talked to them about the missionary lessons, the restoration, the plan of salvation, and the gospel of Jesus Christ and how they are exactly what the people of today need. The first district meeting of every transfer is always a little awkward but it went well I thought.
Wed night we picked up Elders W and B (also in the MTC with me) and brought them to the apartment. Later two more elders who are training also came to join the trainer's hotel. It was a blast catching up with everyone and thinking back on old times. We made scones. Wayyy cool.
Thursday moring all six of us headed to golden conference and were trained a bit there by president and the APs. Then the goldens arrived!! They brought them up one by one and announced the area and trainer. Mine was the last to go up so the tension kept rising. I received Elder R from Ogden Utah! He is awesome!! We got some more teaching and then hit the road. We dropped his stuff off in the apartment and then headed out to work. We talked to people in the rain most of the evening haha. He jumped right in there stopping people even though he can't speak or understand. Good stuff.
Friday we had a lot of appointments. Only one fell out which was cool. One cool thing is we taught M again. Haven't seen or talked to him in a few months cause we dropped him but we kept seeing him in the city so decided to give it another shot. We met and he expressed that he still has the desire to change his life and get baptized. We promised he could do it if he worked with us in preparing for his baptism. He thanked us for not giving up on him and we set up a plan to help prepare him. Really cool stuff.
Saturday was also very busy. The goldens have a new 12 week training program and that requires four hours of study a day. Really cool cause we are both learning a ton of important and useful stuff but it is hard cause it is so hard to find time for it. We usually only had two hours of study if that with Elder R. Anyways we made it work by using time spent on trains.
Sunday church was really good. Elder R was really nervous about giving his testimony at the pulpit and gaining the trust of the members. He did awesome. Gave a very humble and powerful testimony. We had a great member eating appoinment after that and then had 6 appointments set up for that afternoon-evening. One went through but in the meantime we found a cool new guy and got in contact again with two people we had lost contact with. Was really good.
Today is p-day and we were both exhausted. I have had headaches and bags under my eyes and he was too tired to function so we napped then got him his first döner. Delicious. Now we are emailing. Training is awesome. It is very hard but I like it.
So I am out of time and must go now. Stoked for the week ahead. Miracles are coming people.
This week was crazy.
Tuesday I took Elder R to the mission office for finisher's conference and then picked up my temporary companion Elder C. He was in the MTC with me and sat next to me on the plane over and now we are both training! So crazy. I worked with him Tuesday and Wednesday.
Wed morning I had my first district meeting as district leader. It went really well I thought. We got a lot done and really had some spirit there. I talked to them about the missionary lessons, the restoration, the plan of salvation, and the gospel of Jesus Christ and how they are exactly what the people of today need. The first district meeting of every transfer is always a little awkward but it went well I thought.
Wed night we picked up Elders W and B (also in the MTC with me) and brought them to the apartment. Later two more elders who are training also came to join the trainer's hotel. It was a blast catching up with everyone and thinking back on old times. We made scones. Wayyy cool.
Thursday moring all six of us headed to golden conference and were trained a bit there by president and the APs. Then the goldens arrived!! They brought them up one by one and announced the area and trainer. Mine was the last to go up so the tension kept rising. I received Elder R from Ogden Utah! He is awesome!! We got some more teaching and then hit the road. We dropped his stuff off in the apartment and then headed out to work. We talked to people in the rain most of the evening haha. He jumped right in there stopping people even though he can't speak or understand. Good stuff.
Friday we had a lot of appointments. Only one fell out which was cool. One cool thing is we taught M again. Haven't seen or talked to him in a few months cause we dropped him but we kept seeing him in the city so decided to give it another shot. We met and he expressed that he still has the desire to change his life and get baptized. We promised he could do it if he worked with us in preparing for his baptism. He thanked us for not giving up on him and we set up a plan to help prepare him. Really cool stuff.
Saturday was also very busy. The goldens have a new 12 week training program and that requires four hours of study a day. Really cool cause we are both learning a ton of important and useful stuff but it is hard cause it is so hard to find time for it. We usually only had two hours of study if that with Elder R. Anyways we made it work by using time spent on trains.
Sunday church was really good. Elder R was really nervous about giving his testimony at the pulpit and gaining the trust of the members. He did awesome. Gave a very humble and powerful testimony. We had a great member eating appoinment after that and then had 6 appointments set up for that afternoon-evening. One went through but in the meantime we found a cool new guy and got in contact again with two people we had lost contact with. Was really good.
Today is p-day and we were both exhausted. I have had headaches and bags under my eyes and he was too tired to function so we napped then got him his first döner. Delicious. Now we are emailing. Training is awesome. It is very hard but I like it.
So I am out of time and must go now. Stoked for the week ahead. Miracles are coming people.
Elder
Clayton
July 16, 2012
Hi
everyone!!!
This week was really great! Lots of cool stuff happened.
We took T to the stake employment specialist guy and he gave us a couple good ideas. Some connections that might help her get a job. We will see. And an exclusive workshop she can go to to find out how to get the best job possible. Cool beans. We have finished everything now that we teach before baptism. She legitimately wants to keep the law of chastiy, tithing, and word of wisdom. Hope this situation is soon solved so she can get to church and get baptized.
V's baptism is getting postponed because she is working on big projects and has no time right now so hopefully we can get that all ready for an August baptism.
C is doing well but couldn't make it to institute. This week was exams for all of our students. We got a hold of her yesterday though and she has read in the Book of Mormon and liked it a lot. She is going to Bremen to work for 2 months so we won't get to teach her until September but we are going to hook her up with the Bremen elders so it will be ok.
Friday night we played indoor soccer as a ward again, it is weekly now, and it was sick. More people are coming each time and they are a good mix of inactive and nonmembers there too so that is cool. Some less actives have actually come to church afterwards! Cool beans. Plus I'm finally getting my touch back and I can do some more things I want to do when I'm playing now. haha They all ask me if I'm really American and I'm just like hey we can play over there as well!
Satuday was a zone service project in Eisenhüttenstadt. We had to travel like 2 hours each way was so it took all day but that was wayyy fun. Lots of cool missionaries and it is great to get together. The coolest though was the bus ride for like 1 hour I sat next to a guy named L. He was asking me who we are and stuff and I told him about missions and what we do and we had a great convo. Just about everything. Then also about faith in God. He asked me if it helps to believe. I told him yes. It is not an automatic help but when you live your beliefs you receive strength and comfort when you need it. He also asked about life after death because his grandpa died when he was young and that was hard for him and made him think. I told him a little bit about the plan of salvation and just bore testimony that God and His plan bring us comfort and joy. It was pretty legit. Such a cool guy and if I hadn't sat next to him in a bus I don't know if he would ever had the time or opportunity to talk to a member or a missionary. At the end we said goodbye, wished each other well and then he left. I didn't know what to do because it is not my area and he was just visiting but then I got a card from a sister for the area he is from and ran him down and gave it to him. It was a sweet experience to connect like that with someone so quickly. I felt some genuine charity as we talked and he felt the spirit. Love stuff like that. Hope he calls the missionaries or at least looks at the internet site. At least I know he will remember me and and how he felt when the next opportunity comes along!
So last thing is that I'm getting a golden on Thursday!! yep I'm training in this crazy area hahaha. I'm excited. It will be tough but a good learning process and I'll be able to channel his golden faith and power and it will make me a better missionary. Stoked. Plus I'm also the district leader. It will be an adventure. I'm stoked about it.
Well hope everyone has a great week. I will too.
Elder Clayton
This week was really great! Lots of cool stuff happened.
We took T to the stake employment specialist guy and he gave us a couple good ideas. Some connections that might help her get a job. We will see. And an exclusive workshop she can go to to find out how to get the best job possible. Cool beans. We have finished everything now that we teach before baptism. She legitimately wants to keep the law of chastiy, tithing, and word of wisdom. Hope this situation is soon solved so she can get to church and get baptized.
V's baptism is getting postponed because she is working on big projects and has no time right now so hopefully we can get that all ready for an August baptism.
C is doing well but couldn't make it to institute. This week was exams for all of our students. We got a hold of her yesterday though and she has read in the Book of Mormon and liked it a lot. She is going to Bremen to work for 2 months so we won't get to teach her until September but we are going to hook her up with the Bremen elders so it will be ok.
Friday night we played indoor soccer as a ward again, it is weekly now, and it was sick. More people are coming each time and they are a good mix of inactive and nonmembers there too so that is cool. Some less actives have actually come to church afterwards! Cool beans. Plus I'm finally getting my touch back and I can do some more things I want to do when I'm playing now. haha They all ask me if I'm really American and I'm just like hey we can play over there as well!
Satuday was a zone service project in Eisenhüttenstadt. We had to travel like 2 hours each way was so it took all day but that was wayyy fun. Lots of cool missionaries and it is great to get together. The coolest though was the bus ride for like 1 hour I sat next to a guy named L. He was asking me who we are and stuff and I told him about missions and what we do and we had a great convo. Just about everything. Then also about faith in God. He asked me if it helps to believe. I told him yes. It is not an automatic help but when you live your beliefs you receive strength and comfort when you need it. He also asked about life after death because his grandpa died when he was young and that was hard for him and made him think. I told him a little bit about the plan of salvation and just bore testimony that God and His plan bring us comfort and joy. It was pretty legit. Such a cool guy and if I hadn't sat next to him in a bus I don't know if he would ever had the time or opportunity to talk to a member or a missionary. At the end we said goodbye, wished each other well and then he left. I didn't know what to do because it is not my area and he was just visiting but then I got a card from a sister for the area he is from and ran him down and gave it to him. It was a sweet experience to connect like that with someone so quickly. I felt some genuine charity as we talked and he felt the spirit. Love stuff like that. Hope he calls the missionaries or at least looks at the internet site. At least I know he will remember me and and how he felt when the next opportunity comes along!
So last thing is that I'm getting a golden on Thursday!! yep I'm training in this crazy area hahaha. I'm excited. It will be tough but a good learning process and I'll be able to channel his golden faith and power and it will make me a better missionary. Stoked. Plus I'm also the district leader. It will be an adventure. I'm stoked about it.
Well hope everyone has a great week. I will too.
Elder Clayton
No comments:
Post a Comment