Hi
everybody!!!
This week was a blur, like most of them are, but really good. I don't think we got home on time one night this week (not disobedient, we can stay out if we have an appoinment and call the zls) so ya we are busy and tired and busy and working. It is awesome.
Tuesday was really great. Zone conference! 3 members of my district gave their farewell testimonies at the end and that was really spiriitual! I respect those missionaries a lot. And president gave a talk about living in crescendo that was really really cool. The whole zoco was prolly the most spiritual I've been to. The zls talked about loving the work. Just everything that happened at zoco was inspriring and helpful.
That night we got to meet with the bishop!! We were really wanting to do this for a long time and finally got to. I think the ward, bishop now included, knows what we are doing and that we are here to see success. It was a good meeting with him and we got to figure some stuff out on how to help the ward.
The rest of the week was appointment after another. Some really good ones with M. He is really progressing and we are just seeing a change in him and that has been one of the most rewarding things of my mission, to see such a big change. He has got so much more faith now and is more positive. He is stoked to be baptized and prayed that he can have God's help becoming a good member and staying true the rest of his life.
We had good, but not landmark appointments with Frau B, U, K, and Br B. A couple appointments that actually didn't go so well. I mean the spirit was there at times and we taught to the best of our abilities but you just can't reach a closed heart. But all in all this week's appointments were positive and we are moving forward.
I am not sure what else to say about the week so that must suffice.
Today I got to say goodbye to Elder Baker (my two time ZL and good friend) Elder Sowards (old mission friend, stud of a missionary), Elder Ott! (obvi my good bud from home and great mission friend as well) and my father (trainer) Elder Johnson. They all fly home tomorrow. It seems like everyone I know on the mission is home now haha. It gives you an interesting perspective thinking about how you can live up to your mission role models. Sad to see em go and kind of strange too but you just wanna do work too. Love these guys.
This week was a blur, like most of them are, but really good. I don't think we got home on time one night this week (not disobedient, we can stay out if we have an appoinment and call the zls) so ya we are busy and tired and busy and working. It is awesome.
Tuesday was really great. Zone conference! 3 members of my district gave their farewell testimonies at the end and that was really spiriitual! I respect those missionaries a lot. And president gave a talk about living in crescendo that was really really cool. The whole zoco was prolly the most spiritual I've been to. The zls talked about loving the work. Just everything that happened at zoco was inspriring and helpful.
That night we got to meet with the bishop!! We were really wanting to do this for a long time and finally got to. I think the ward, bishop now included, knows what we are doing and that we are here to see success. It was a good meeting with him and we got to figure some stuff out on how to help the ward.
The rest of the week was appointment after another. Some really good ones with M. He is really progressing and we are just seeing a change in him and that has been one of the most rewarding things of my mission, to see such a big change. He has got so much more faith now and is more positive. He is stoked to be baptized and prayed that he can have God's help becoming a good member and staying true the rest of his life.
We had good, but not landmark appointments with Frau B, U, K, and Br B. A couple appointments that actually didn't go so well. I mean the spirit was there at times and we taught to the best of our abilities but you just can't reach a closed heart. But all in all this week's appointments were positive and we are moving forward.
I am not sure what else to say about the week so that must suffice.
Today I got to say goodbye to Elder Baker (my two time ZL and good friend) Elder Sowards (old mission friend, stud of a missionary), Elder Ott! (obvi my good bud from home and great mission friend as well) and my father (trainer) Elder Johnson. They all fly home tomorrow. It seems like everyone I know on the mission is home now haha. It gives you an interesting perspective thinking about how you can live up to your mission role models. Sad to see em go and kind of strange too but you just wanna do work too. Love these guys.
My favorite
thing lately is the scriptures. They are just so cool. Everyday I kind of find
new awesome ones I never knew before. Doctrine is another thing I love. The
doctrines in the restored church of Jesus Christ are such a blessing. The things
that we have bring such clarity and perspective to life that you can't find
anywhere else. Every day it is more apparent to me how easy it is to get
confused in this world. Every day I'm more grateful for the restored gospel. The
world is just getting more extreme and we must hold that much closer each day to
the things of God if we want the joy of God, the Holy spirit with us. I'm
convinced.
Love you all and wish you a great week!
Love you all and wish you a great week!
Elder
Clayton
August 13, 2012
Sooooo I must
try and fit 2 weeks in one email now. Sorry it didn't work last
week....
Highlights:
Monday we met U! He is really cool and open to learn and that was a little miracle that we caught him at home.
Tuesday we had really good lessons with M and T and they are both doing awesome.
Wednesday we had a first lesson with Frau B and had a joint teach too. She wasn't raised with a belief in God but found that later in life and is a super faithful christian now. She was super hospitable and listened intently and it was a really good appointment. We have high hopes for her!
Thursday we had a first meeting with L, he is a friend of another investigator who heard about us from his friend and called us up. He is Chinese and hilarious and open to learn. We also met with A again and discussed the plan of salvation. He is accepting the message and as soon as he has more time he wants to work towards baptism!
Friday we had a good appointment with J. Very good spirit there. He is amazing. I love Africans. That night we also met with a member family from Africa and they had friends over that are from Morocco that we got to teach and that was awesome. We taught two families at the same time about prophets and the friends were very interested and accepting. They are moving to Berlin soon and we hope to teach them when they get here. That was one of the cooler lessons I've taught on my mission. Like 10 people at once!
Saturday we had a good appointment with K, a new convert. She is doing so well. It is great to see how she has grown in the gospel so fast.
Sunday we had Frau B and M and a less active and her non member boyfriend at church! Wayyyy good day at church. The ward just took them right in. Then we had an eating appointment with one of my favorite families and the part member couple. Wayyy fun and uplifting and we got to know the couple better and feel where they are at. She is wanting to become active again and he is pretty open about learning.
So I had my comp plan our day for Monday on Sunday night because I was busy with district leader stuff and he planned it out and a cool tender mercy happened. We went by the contact that he picked and the man was not home. As we were sitting there someone else walked up and tried to get into the same building. He said something about there being new mormons again and then I started a conversation and it turns out he had met with missionaries before and we set up an appointment right there! God knew where we were and even though the man we wanted to visit wasn't there there was still a reason why we were there. My comp is just in tune like that.
Tuesday we had a cool appointment with J. He is really wanting to change things up and start living his religion again. He hasn't been in a church since he has been in Germany and he knows he has to change. We talked about the decision to be baptized being one that could be his fresh start. He promised to read each day in the Book of Mormon and to pray about being baptized. Really good spirit. He is humble and believing and is totally going to get baptized!
Wednesday we had an exchange with the zone leaders who just happen to be some of my favorite missionaries and good friends. I was with Elder S and we had a blast. He was in my district back in Görlitz and it was awesome to work with him. We had a sweet appointment with T that night and it was cool to see how well she has internalized what we have taught. she just answered all the questions super well.
Thursday we went to a new appointment and the address was false. Bummer. Then we decided to pray to decide what to do next. I felt to go to the student dorms we work at and try a certain girl. We taught her once, a long time ago and haven't been able to catch her since but the thought came to me so I told my comp and we did it. Right after I told him what we were going to do a car drove past with the song, "we are, we are, the youth of the nation", and I was like bam. Students are the youth of the nation. Prayer answered twice lets do this. She was home. She wants to meet. We are meeting next week. AWESOME.
After we talked to her we met with Z. He is a very humble, awesome, very busy, Chinese investigator. We hadn't met with him in ages but we got to watch the restoration with him in Chinese and the spirit was so strong. We helped him to recognize the spirit and he said he felt it. He promised to read the Book of Mormon and to pray about it. Such a strong spirit was there because he was just so willing to hear. Unfortunately he is moving home to China next week so it was kinda a heart breaker but I'll never forget it, neither will he. He said he hopes to see us again and I like almost cried as we prayed for him and said goodbye. Such a special experience. I hope I can hook him up with a way to meet members there.
Friday we had some good appointments with inactives that want to work on coming back to church. We also got to play soccer with the ward.
Saturday we did a service project in that we organized and led a parade! We all wore the "helping hands" vests and I was totally in the parade too. I carried a sign for a flower store hahaha. I couldn't help but laugh at the weirdest service I've ever done.
Sunday was also really good. M came to church and really enjoyed it. We got to teach V finally again and got her back on track to be baptized in September. She is awesome and her husband is the coolest. We had a spiritual lesson about the plan of salvation and that was great.
I also was invited to stand in on the setting apart of K, a new member, in her first calling! She is amazing. Less than six months a member and she is so strong. It has been way cool to teach her the follow up lessons. She has had some major family problems too in the last week but she is just pushing along, living the gospel, doing her best. and she is happy.
After church we had a fun eating appoinment and then met with the WML and then that night taught U and O. They are the coolest guys. U doesn't believe there is a God but says it would be cool if there was and O is christian but not really practicing. We talked about the Book of Mormon and I read aloud Alma 32: 21, 27-28 and the spirit was super strong as they listened. We could tell that it touched them. They are basically hilarious cool guys and are open to meet more and read in the Book of Mormon. It was sweet!
So that is the last two weeks. It is the short version and just the most exciting parts but basically we have had a great two weeks. I'm learning and growing and my comp is adjusting and his abilities are growing all the time. His diligence and obedience keep me in line. Things are basically going awesome right now. This coming week should be just as good.
Anyways I'm totally out of time. So have a great day everyone!!
Elder Clayton
Highlights:
Monday we met U! He is really cool and open to learn and that was a little miracle that we caught him at home.
Tuesday we had really good lessons with M and T and they are both doing awesome.
Wednesday we had a first lesson with Frau B and had a joint teach too. She wasn't raised with a belief in God but found that later in life and is a super faithful christian now. She was super hospitable and listened intently and it was a really good appointment. We have high hopes for her!
Thursday we had a first meeting with L, he is a friend of another investigator who heard about us from his friend and called us up. He is Chinese and hilarious and open to learn. We also met with A again and discussed the plan of salvation. He is accepting the message and as soon as he has more time he wants to work towards baptism!
Friday we had a good appointment with J. Very good spirit there. He is amazing. I love Africans. That night we also met with a member family from Africa and they had friends over that are from Morocco that we got to teach and that was awesome. We taught two families at the same time about prophets and the friends were very interested and accepting. They are moving to Berlin soon and we hope to teach them when they get here. That was one of the cooler lessons I've taught on my mission. Like 10 people at once!
Saturday we had a good appointment with K, a new convert. She is doing so well. It is great to see how she has grown in the gospel so fast.
Sunday we had Frau B and M and a less active and her non member boyfriend at church! Wayyyy good day at church. The ward just took them right in. Then we had an eating appointment with one of my favorite families and the part member couple. Wayyy fun and uplifting and we got to know the couple better and feel where they are at. She is wanting to become active again and he is pretty open about learning.
So I had my comp plan our day for Monday on Sunday night because I was busy with district leader stuff and he planned it out and a cool tender mercy happened. We went by the contact that he picked and the man was not home. As we were sitting there someone else walked up and tried to get into the same building. He said something about there being new mormons again and then I started a conversation and it turns out he had met with missionaries before and we set up an appointment right there! God knew where we were and even though the man we wanted to visit wasn't there there was still a reason why we were there. My comp is just in tune like that.
Tuesday we had a cool appointment with J. He is really wanting to change things up and start living his religion again. He hasn't been in a church since he has been in Germany and he knows he has to change. We talked about the decision to be baptized being one that could be his fresh start. He promised to read each day in the Book of Mormon and to pray about being baptized. Really good spirit. He is humble and believing and is totally going to get baptized!
Wednesday we had an exchange with the zone leaders who just happen to be some of my favorite missionaries and good friends. I was with Elder S and we had a blast. He was in my district back in Görlitz and it was awesome to work with him. We had a sweet appointment with T that night and it was cool to see how well she has internalized what we have taught. she just answered all the questions super well.
Thursday we went to a new appointment and the address was false. Bummer. Then we decided to pray to decide what to do next. I felt to go to the student dorms we work at and try a certain girl. We taught her once, a long time ago and haven't been able to catch her since but the thought came to me so I told my comp and we did it. Right after I told him what we were going to do a car drove past with the song, "we are, we are, the youth of the nation", and I was like bam. Students are the youth of the nation. Prayer answered twice lets do this. She was home. She wants to meet. We are meeting next week. AWESOME.
After we talked to her we met with Z. He is a very humble, awesome, very busy, Chinese investigator. We hadn't met with him in ages but we got to watch the restoration with him in Chinese and the spirit was so strong. We helped him to recognize the spirit and he said he felt it. He promised to read the Book of Mormon and to pray about it. Such a strong spirit was there because he was just so willing to hear. Unfortunately he is moving home to China next week so it was kinda a heart breaker but I'll never forget it, neither will he. He said he hopes to see us again and I like almost cried as we prayed for him and said goodbye. Such a special experience. I hope I can hook him up with a way to meet members there.
Friday we had some good appointments with inactives that want to work on coming back to church. We also got to play soccer with the ward.
Saturday we did a service project in that we organized and led a parade! We all wore the "helping hands" vests and I was totally in the parade too. I carried a sign for a flower store hahaha. I couldn't help but laugh at the weirdest service I've ever done.
Sunday was also really good. M came to church and really enjoyed it. We got to teach V finally again and got her back on track to be baptized in September. She is awesome and her husband is the coolest. We had a spiritual lesson about the plan of salvation and that was great.
I also was invited to stand in on the setting apart of K, a new member, in her first calling! She is amazing. Less than six months a member and she is so strong. It has been way cool to teach her the follow up lessons. She has had some major family problems too in the last week but she is just pushing along, living the gospel, doing her best. and she is happy.
After church we had a fun eating appoinment and then met with the WML and then that night taught U and O. They are the coolest guys. U doesn't believe there is a God but says it would be cool if there was and O is christian but not really practicing. We talked about the Book of Mormon and I read aloud Alma 32: 21, 27-28 and the spirit was super strong as they listened. We could tell that it touched them. They are basically hilarious cool guys and are open to meet more and read in the Book of Mormon. It was sweet!
So that is the last two weeks. It is the short version and just the most exciting parts but basically we have had a great two weeks. I'm learning and growing and my comp is adjusting and his abilities are growing all the time. His diligence and obedience keep me in line. Things are basically going awesome right now. This coming week should be just as good.
Anyways I'm totally out of time. So have a great day everyone!!
Elder Clayton
PS We are going to hard rock cafe today!! Stoked!
No comments:
Post a Comment