November 24,
2014
Wahoo
Buckaroo!
What a week
it has been! Over 25 hours of service, all of which were emergency situations,
and we had 8 lessons and spent a good 15 hours finding people to teach. We were
busy little bees this week. I'll start with some fun and try to make it spiritual
towards the end. So on Tuesday we went HAM looking for people to teach. The
whole day we contacted referrals and potentials. This was the first time in our
area we had a car. We are finally in a "car share" so no more walking an hour
into our area. Instead it takes about 15 minutes. Well on the days we get the
car. Ha! Then on Wednesday we had our usual service.. Working at St. Vincent's
food place. (Always a good time) But... Fun story is... We got there about and
hour late at 9 am and no one was there. No food was cooked. An old man came in
and asked if we were the chefs for the day. Literally no one was there ha! So Dyorich
and I jumped to work making bread sticks, salad and hoping someone with a
little more education than the Home Ec class in 8th grade would come along to
save us. Luckily for us about ten minutes later the cook arrived and the head
honcho. Then we were busy as all get out. Usually there is about 12 or 13
volunteers a day. Wednesday it was just the 6 of us. And four of us were
missionaries. So we worked our buns off. We had to leave early because we got
an emergency call from an LA (less active) member who told us their water main
was leaking. Why she didn't call a real plumber to the job... Well I have no
idea. Reflecting on my time with my dad I decided we would give our best effort
to find the line. Mind you it was raining like crazy too. So we dug a lot! Moved
tons of wet mud. Seriously tons.. We had big holes created. I figured the line
couldn't be any deeper than 5 feet so we dug where we thought it was... Then we
dug in another spot... Then another.. And another. We decided we should turn on
the main to see where the leak was coming from. We were finally able to see
where the water was coming from and...yep it was under the concrete. Ha just
our luck. At this point it was about 40 degrees, we were soaked and muddy. I
mean I looked like a pig that had just found a puddle of mud. Was a lot of fun.
The lady finally resulted to hiring a plumber. Yes I failed a service
project... Very humbling. With our tails in between our legs we went stripped
into our skivvies and drove home. Defeated.. Lost... And afraid we would have
nightmares of pipes and mud.
So that was
Wednesday... On Thursday we went ham again and talked to some solid
investigators. Friday was the first district meeting of the new transfer it was
fun. Also went crazy looking for people. Then Saturday. Folks.. This was
an intense day. So the ZL (zone leaders) decided it would be a good idea to a pre-turkey
bowl. Ya know to get the blood flowing. Let me tell you it was one of the most
fun games of football I have played. We got there at 9am and it was raining
"up" on the grass... So yeah intense storm. But water makes
everything way more fun, says the big guy who was wearing a white shirt. But
needless to say it was some sick flag football. And the good thing about flag
football is it give guys like me a chance to make big plays. So tons of fun there!
I did dislocate my middle finger. I wished so badly I had a camera around when
it happened. It looked so weird! Like an "L" haha. Then today in church
I was showing some members that thought it might be broken and a member in the
distance thought I was flipping him off.. (it does hurt) So had to explain from
a distance that I wasn't flipping him off in the chapel. Anywho after football
we went and helped a PM (part member ) family move into our area. Took forever
ha! And that night we went and visited some LA. Sunday great day. Went hard in
the paint (basketball term meaning HAM). So yea good week. And throughout my
week I have had my eyes opened to being thankful in any circumstance. Which
happens to be a dang good talk by Elder Uchtdorf. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/grateful-in-any-circumstances?lang=eng&cid=email-shared
Oh and thanksgiving is coming up. Good times there. And also Christmas.
AND I GET TO TALK TO MY FAMILY ! So excited ! And for this week I'll focus on
the now :) rock on.. I love YALL.
Now for the something
spiritual in my weekly email home. This week I have been privileged to feel the
presence of the Holy Ghost abundantly as I have studied from the books of Mark
and Luke. I finished Mark, and I'm almost finished with Luke. I must say my testimony of the Savior has increased so tremendously
that words cannot express the love and gratitude I feel for His ever so present
love and warmth in my life. I have deeply studied many parables. These
stand out to amaze me every time I read them.
First of three parables I would
like to start with is the parable of the lost sheep. I have felt at times in my
life, although I had not noticed at the time, I was that one out of 99 that was
lost. But I know with deep sincerity that my Savior was there besides me and always
encouraging me and helping me through my storms. Just as he did the disciples
in their times of disbelief, and loneliness. He had to transform them to the
"fishers of men" before they could be his effective disciples. Teaching
them through example and acts of service.
Second
parable is the parable of the Good Samaritan. This has always been one of my
favorite parables because I loved when I was little watching "the living
scriptures" depiction of this story. Also it serves a great message.
"Love thy neighbor as thyself" it is required of all men to love
their neighbors. To serve them and help them in times of need. That's what the
church is all about - service. But it
goes more then this. It is becoming more than neighbors. It's becoming family..
It's becoming part of the "one fold one Shepard" we are all sons and
daughters of our loving Heavenly Father. Why not show that same love for those
around you. They are your brothers and sisters! Christ tells us it is required
of us to forgive all men of their trespasses. So if you have any beef with
anyone... forgive them! This parable coupled with the new bible
video brings tears to my eyes as I think of the Savior loving and picking me
up. Let us exemplify the Savior and be that "Good Samaritan" to those
around us. Especially with thanksgiving and Christmas around the corner.
Third.. Also
an amazing parable... Is the parable in which Christ feeds the 5000. A parable
in which great faith was required of all men. A parable that truly shows the
power of Christ. And because I love food I often wonder what it would feel like
to get full off of 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes.. I try not to ponder to
much, because I cannot comprehend such amazingness. Maybe that's how food
supplies will last in heaven. :) I love in this parable how the apostle’s faith
was so small to begin. "Shall we go buy 200 penny worth?" They knew not
of the amazing powers of Christ. I'm sure I would be the same. And once again Christ
showed his love, because of their faith, to his followers.
I know with
all heart that Jesus Christ lived. That he lives today. That he loves ME. I
know and am thankful for the many miracles he has performed in my life and in
the lives of others. He is my savior and my king. I know that miracles are
brought according to our faith. And sometimes he needs us to strengthen that
faith more before he can work miracles before the children of men. I am
thankful for Him. I love Him. I worship Him. I will forever proclaim His name
to the blind, deaf, broken hearted, and lost. For theirs is the kingdom of God.
GRIZZ 👻
PS President
called to tell me that Elder Goode is heading home for surgery with a torn MCL for a few
weeks. I got to say goodbye to him. It's pretty bad. He was pretty mad at first. Also Goode told
me a lady I started teaching 5 months ago got baptized. Makes me happy to
finally see some fruits.
Thanksgiving...
Oh man I'll miss it haha ! We're going to some legit members. I am going to be taking some
pies. Then, we will be visiting some
elderly ladies.
Sister
Saunders! She came up to me in church and told me she knew daddy. Lol. How
funny right! She makes good food! **Elder Workman's dad has a best friend that is married to the Saunders daughter. During a very stressful week, we got a phone call that they would be serving our missionaries dinner. She asked what they should make. I told her a candle light cold cereal and milk dinner. (Our beautiful dinner on the previous Sunday failed and we ended up eating cold cereal and milk. When I told Elder Workman in his weekly email, he was totally jealous. He really wanted to have been a part of the candle lit cereal dinner) Sister Saunders made them a wonderful, fitting dinner then sent them home with candles and cereal. Such a small, yet tender mercy.**
I love you
XOXOXOXO
November 17,
2014
Well this past
week has been a blast! Dyorich and I get to stay together for another transfer,
and I'm pumped for this upcoming one. We're going ham. I just gotta see Goode and Taito.. It's cool to see
old comps. Kinda depressing. Transfers are depressing.
I'm super
excited for the holidays coming up. We had the opportunity this past week to do
a ton of service. My favorite thing. We helped Judy set up her Christmas stuff
in her room and she was just so excited. We listened to Christmas music and
told fun stories. Bummer how Christmas
is more than a month away. We also got to
help move a couple people, and work at St. Vincent's.
We get to go
to the temple on the 3rd of December. It’s cool because I am so close to it. We pass by it every day. I’m excited to
finally have a temple day!
I did hear
about the Oregon vs Utah game. Sounds like it was a good game. Made me happy - it
was good to have a silent victory in my heart.
I made mashed potatoes just like dad's this week! Another victory!
I love you all,
GRIZZ 👻
November 10,
2014
Hi Mommy!
So I guess
to kinda tell you about our week last week.. So had
another really awesome
miracle at the hospital. A Less active guy in
our ward had a blood clot and it
separated into two pieces and went to
both of his kindneys after bypassing his
brain. Caused some serious
harm. We went over there last Friday and talked with
him and offered
him a blessing. He said he would love one. So I gave him a
blessing. By the end of the blessing he was in
tears and over and over again
thanked me and told me how he could feel
of the power. God truly does work
miracles. I'm so thankful I get to
be a vessel in which he can testify to other
people. We also see this elderly lady who is bed ridden about twice a week. She is
suffering from
depression so it was our decision to stop by twice a week
and have an
hour visit with her to just cheer her up and bring some light
into
her day. We love to go see her. She actually
babysat
Parker from Gold Rush. Only dad will get this reference. It's funny
to
hear her stories about Parker and the Snobbel family. And all the help
she provided
them. Anywho good times with her. It's fun to sit and
listen to stories. This
upcoming weeks till December 5 we are really
workin on talking to the
members and having them invite people to our
Christmas party. Honestly it's
such a great tool to invite nonmembers
and less actives. So I challenge my
homeward and all those reading
this to invite people to their ward Christmas
activities. It'll be a
blessing to those whom receive the invitation. And you
will be blessed
for your efforts.
Also make sure you do your home teaching and
visiting teaching
honestly it makes a huge difference in active members. I've
been able
to see that out here on my mission. I'd like to apologize and
ask
forgiveness from Bro. Barlow, and Bro Rodgers, also my father, for
being
such a slacker home teaching companion. No worries your lessons
of diligence,
and obedience to the covenants that you all made to
Heavenly Father weren't
wasted on me. And I can now see the
importance behind those monthly, at
least, visits.
I love you so
much mommy :) were listening to Frank Sinatra right now :) I got my candle on
and Halloween lights on, feels like Christmas - speaking of which I'm excited
for it!
GRIZZ 👻
I miss you
Megan. I can't even imagine how hard your mission would've been.
I think of all the luxuries I have. I have an iPad, fb, a car on occasion,
bikes, a DVD player, I'm close to home, got cool members that feed us, cell
phones, top ramen ... Honestly I can't imagine how hard it was for you. And you
made it. How? You give me so much strength through out my day. Also you make me
desire to learn more. I'm a slow reader and I just finished Mark and started
Luke. Pretty good so far. Luke is very detailed. I love it. I love studying.
Makes me so excited when I get home to study with our family.
