Email Update: November 21, 2011

Ok so this week was full and full of service. We ripped up people's carpets and put on paint stripper to remove paint. Got some firewood for others. Put a table and 2 chairs together for a part member so we got to do a lot of physical labor which is good. 

So yesterday we had Stake Conference for the Klein zone. President and Sister Pingree spoke along with a youth, a recent convert, a reactivated member, and the stake presidency. It was really awesome President spoke about how we can get closer to Christ. Sister Pingree spoke about L. Tom Perry's talk about sharing the gospel. The youth talked about For The Strength Of Youth. The recent convert talked about her conversion process. Then the reactivated member talked about how he fell away, how missionary work got him back to the church, and how fellowship got him back as well. The Stake Presidency talked about how we can be better missionaries.

After Stake Conference we went to Jason and Amanda's house. Jason was playing the new Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 that just came out and I was so jealous, it looked pretty cool (that was just for you Kyle). Then Jason wanted to have his son learn how to ride a dirt bike. And Amanda went with her mother-in-law to go some where. Oh for background info, Jason and Amanda and their kids live with Jason's parents now, along with another couple, Josh and Kala. I think Josh is Jason's cousin. Ok so Josh was kinda trippin out because first off Josh and Kala are "common law married" and they have a 9 month old baby and Josh thinks Kala might be pregnant again. He is super stressed about that because he is working crazy hours to provide for his family and this baby would be the boiling point for him. So we taught him a lesson and he was really calm as we talked about missionary work and eternal marriages in the temple. He told us he really respects us and wishes he could have been a missionary like us instead of doing the stupid things he did when he was 20. Then Jason asked while he was gone riding the dirt bike with his son if we could teach Josh and Kala a lesson because they are having a rough time. So we did we taught them the Plan of Salvation and they really liked that a lot and thanked us over and over for that. After that Jason and Amanda showed up (oh also while all of this was going on Jason was barbecuing some burgers - it was sooooo good! They have a barbecue every Sunday and they have us over) So after everyone got their food we put in "Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration" and during the film they were just amazed about what Joseph did and what he went through. They also were in awe when Joseph rebukes the guards in the film. That is my favorite scene. After the film was over Jason went off for 10 minutes talking about this is the church for him and his family and they can't wait to be Mormons. He also said the prayer before we left and he prayed for the prophet! That was really neat in my book. 

So yeah there is the scoop! Pray for them please!

Email Update: November 14, 2011

Well this week was good. The biggest highlight was Elder Rasband for sure. The three Houston missions went and for a good portion of his talk he talked about the two Elders that were killed on their bikes - saying their names and what they are probably doing right now on the other side - it was really neat. The spirit was so strong just talking about the subject of the fallen missionaries. I panicked at first when I heard on Wednesday, I think it was, because a member said it was in the surrounding mission area. So I thought it might have been someone from our mission, but luckily it wasn't, but still a tragedy to hear and deal with. He also talked about the divine call of a missionary and open it up to a question and answer session.

On Sunday we were hoping to have 4 of our investigators (Jason and Amanda S. with their 2 children) come to church but after the sacrament was passed, we didn't see them so I told Elder Hill "We have no reason to be here if we don't have investigators here so let's go get them" So we left right then and drove to their house. Turns out that they couldn't pay their rent so the landlord told them they only had hours to get out so we showed up and helped them move out and into their parent's house. It was kinda early when we went over and we woke Amanda up because they went drinking till 4 in the morning so she was hung over. But a couple hours later they kinda brought up the word of wisdom which we plan on teaching them this week and we said no alcohol and Amanda grabbed their 2 whiskey bottles and dumped them in the sink right then and there. So I have good hopes for them - they have a baptismal date for December 10th. And we have a lot of solid potentials, so the work here seems promising.

TELL JJ HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!! HOLLA!

Email Update: November 7, 2011

I finally got transferred! I am now in Magnolia 2 which is super country! There are so many trees, trailers, and dogs! I love it a lot! The people here are super chill and funny! Our investigator here ditched us to go to a Taylor Swift concert haha. My area is huge! At least 5 times bigger than Wheatstone easily. Good thing I am in a car area. I am in a 4 man apartment so it's fun. My companion is Elder Hill he is from Rexburg, ID he has been out for 2 months now. I am his greeny breaker. I am also living with Elders Reidhead and Troester.

Oh and I am pretty sure Rebecca will kick my butt at the Ukulele because I gave mine to Elder Ulugia when we parted ways. He is a lot better at it than I am.

Oh so I met a guy in the ward named Bro Bailey so apparently his son lives in Collierville ward because his son married Erica Stambaugh! How crazy is that! So he is having us over for dinner.

Well we have a tri-mission conference this week with Elder Rasband so that will be fun.