Teaching, Splitting and Dunking!

February 23, 2015

Hi :) so some quick highlights about this week. It's been crazy being a ZL. So much work. Holy moly, there is no time to stop and consider the lilies. We taught about 20 lessons this week and had 5 people at sacrament. We also got 2 investigators on hard date. For the 14 of March. They are awesome. We had a solid lesson with them on Thursday. And we planted a tree for them. We have another baptism coming up on the 8th of March. He's quit smoking and coffee in three weeks he's been able to do this. Keep him in your prayers. He's a single dad. Changing for his son. It's cool to see his change. Also we have 1 potential on date. And we talked to a la old man tonight who helped with the Apollo 13 mission. He has part of the ship at his house. And he's really old. But he told us cool aeronautical stories and about astronauts. Was wicked awesome. He signed a photo for me and gave it to me. I went on exchanges to Ashland. A college city in the which you don't have to wear any clothing. None at all. So that was really weird. I'm healing from my crash. My hands have healed. Fast really. And my knee is healing haha. Body feels great. I've lost 4 lbs since being out. It was actually sweet because we played football last p day I caught a sick one handed catch while I was being tackled, more like pass interference, but I caught it while falling with my legs. It was cool. And it was a 4th down conversion for 35 yards. Anywho I agree all missionaries should have a good crash story. I have to prepare a talk on the 8th for a stake youth fireside. 15 minutes. We had an ice cream social that I was in charge Friday night with about 30 youth present. I talked about charity and showed the Good Samaritan. We have talks in our up coming mission conference. Notice I said mission. That’s right the whole mission will be there. That's this Tuesday. Than I have a talk at our zone conference in 3 weeks that'll be 10 minutes long. And I have to also prepare a 30 minute talk on the atonement. So I'm a twitch overloaded:) good stuff :) also I finished the Acts. Paul is a stud of a man. We had a really fun chili cook off on Saturday night. Was a blast! Members invited non-members and friends and it was great. I tried the hottest chili. It was hot. But not to bad. It was great to get to know the ward through this event. This ward is a missionary ward. Everything they do they invite people to come with them. It's awesome! On Saturday morning all morning long I chopped and split wood. Massive logs. And little stumps. This guy had a huge wood splitter that we used. It would take a log about 3 feet wide.  Huge! But I got super sore from it. Moving all that wood. Plus I split a lot by hand and they called me the mini Goliath. Lol made me feel good. :) Over all great week! I got a sweet letter from my grandma. And got to remember my amazing little brother on his birthday. Anywho I love you all so much! GRIZZ

Dude!! My brother! Man I love you so much! Seriously I love you man! I can't believe

you are already turning 18. 💀💥 mind blown! I left home when you were 16 and now your 18. Can you grow a sick beard yet? Haha. Man I remember when I turned 18. Feels like 3 years ago. Hehehe. Dude you’re my hero. Happy Birthday!

Love GRIZZ

Ps. Dad is your hair fully grey now? Hahaha kidding. I love you man. Love GRIZZ 👻

Valentines Day Masacre

February 16, 2015

Howdy family and friends !

As most of you know I have been transferred back down to Medford.

After 6 really short weeks in Cottage Grove I've been moved to Medford

2nd ward. The odds... Not high. Honestly the Lord has blessed me so

much. I had been praying most of my mission to go to Cottage Grove and

Heavenly Father granted me long enough to enjoy it.

The work here in Medford is fantastic. Especially here in 2nd ward. I

have already had an amazing experience. I went from teaching 6-8

lessons a week to teaching 20+. It's wonderful to be a missionary. We

had a lot of spiritual experiences and miracles. I think I thoroughly

enjoy teaching ex convicts. We are teaching one right now, who is

hilarious, humble, and has an awesome testimony. Unfortunately he has

to wait another year to get baptized. But he is definitely solid.

We've done a lot of tracting and contacting less actives. Honestly

this past week I have contacted at least 300 people. It's crazy. Work

is good.

Elder McDowell and I get along great. I'm happy to have a companion

that finally talks and participates in the lessons. We have great

companionship unity. Everything just kinda flows great in lessons. We

are definitely a force not to reckon with. He's from Arizona. Gilbert.

Our apartment is huge. It has a washer and dryer. Fairly new carpet.

Has two bathrooms. Which is really unusual. I found a sweet rain

jacket that fits! Something that fits! That never happens.

I guess a fun experience I had was wrecking going about 15 MPH. This

week we were riding bikes, yes I have finally built my bike for only

the second time on my mission. We were riding down a hill and

somehow.. Which is really a mystery, my bikes chain fell off. We

turned around a corner and I went to pedal standing up and my momentum

carried me forward and I wrecked wicked bad. It was an adrenaline Rush

for sure. I rolled, and jumped to my feet, analyzed the damage done,

and fixed me stinkin bike with the help of elder McDowell. It reminded

me of a time I was with my buddy Shawn and I wrecked the same way.

Oh I'm fine. My knees got bruised bad, and my palms are torn up.. But it's all good. I caught myself with my hands and knees. Then I rolled and jumped to my feet. It was kinda cool. I wrecked my lock holder tho.  That was on v day. It was crazy haha. I actually forgot it was valentines.  I got something from Aszia. She sent me some chocolate. Was super super nice of them and made my day!  (Thank you Wilde Family!!)

The members here are super supportive! Great member missionaries.

Always finding us work to do. And they also participate in the work

and home teaching. Which honestly makes the ward a family. The bishop

here.. Bishop Warr, is a master of member missionary work. He has a

sincere care for laboring in the lord vineyard. Members are always

feeding us. And they appreciate the work we do. Which makes a

difference in the relationship we develop with them. They are also

very supportive of their missionaries out in the field. The Elder’s

Quorum  president announced how they needed to continue to share

spiritual experiences with the missionaries out in the field from

their ward. It was cool to see the support and love they have for

those from their home. Makes me miss my home ward. Which sincerely is

the best.

I don't really know what else to say. So I hope everyone has an awesome week!

GRIZZ 👻.

Hi mommy !

I love you more! Sounds like Valentine's Day was a blast.  That's awesome about your experience in the temple. I get to go this month, or next.  We're going to the temple on March 11th.

When does Kenneth come home? Or James? They are almost done aren't they? Anywho I love you! Great email btw!

How's the family? Tell dad he's a stud for studying! :) You’re the best mom! :) I love you!  Sweet ! :) Mom I love you more.. I hope your week is fantastic ! :) 😘

Dinner at a members that ends with a photo to mom! LUCKY~

GRIZZ 👻

Transferred back to Medford!

February 9, 2015

Hi family, I love you! My week has been fast and good. I'm doing great. Got a little bit of a head cold today, but I'll manage. I'm a little nervous about this upcoming transfer. And am worried I won't be able to step up to the plate. I've known for about 3 weeks that I'd be called to be a ZL. So this call was no shock to me. It's amazing how HF works and how he tells us things through the Holy Ghost. Thanks for the support. Imma need all I can get. Shoot transfers always make me miss my family! It's crazy! It is definitely going to be a new journey for me. What's funny is it's the area right next to where I was in Medford before. I was in Medford 3 now I'm in 2nd ward. They said it's been a weird winter here too. We didn't get much rain till lately.

So being a zone leader means I just teach missionaries and district leaders how to do the work. I directly answer to the mission president and his assistants. We’re over about 15 missionaries rather than 6. I have a ZL companion, Elder McDowell.  We do exchanges with our zone. So I'm over all of Medford zone. There are three districts in our mission. We also have to lead this mission in finding, baptizing, and helping the less actives. We have 230 missionaries in our mission so there are 22 zone leaders.

To use the Apostle Paul’s phraseology, we expect you to be a “Workman” that needeth not to be ashamed” (2 Timothy 2:15). Make sure you always pray to help you discern, and retain the things you read and ponder. I promise these things will help you build upon your rock. Prayer works. Every time. Everytime I read the BOM for the first time... EVERYTIME I pray that I'll retain the knowledge I learned.

You gotta show me a picture of Megan’s dress. Oh I'm glad you had a little blessing of winning the $250 for flowers. That's worth it right there.  That's cool you saw my coaches. I didn't know Coach Miller was stepping down. I want some clips of Ryley and his wisdom teeth! That'd be funny! I'm so proud of Connor for rocking it in basketball. What a stud! Hey we were going to do a missionary month too but, I got transferred… :( I had lots planned. Sucks! Don’t worry about sending me stuff for valentines. :) I'll be good. I love you so much! I want you all to know this Valentines that you are my best friends and I wouldn't trade any of you for anyone in this world. I love you so much ! :)  Happy Valentine's Day.

Love

GRIZZ 👻

Happy Birthday & Hump Day!

February 8, 2015

I realize I am nearly month behind in the emails from Elder Workman. Skipped right over his hump day and birthday.  I have compiled some of the great moments that are happening in his life as a Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He has had so much happiness, success, service, sorrow and even the flu. Rarely, if ever, have we heard him complain. There are a few of those in here too.  I’m including his testimony of the work and what he has learned.   We appreciate, love and care for you all! XOXO Terry and Diane Workman 

February 2, 2105

What a good week! I'm finally considered an adult by age. Thank goodness it's not recorded by maturity. I would like to thank everyone who made my birthday special and helped me as I was away from my family. Also I would also like to thank my wonderful family for all they do for me. Seriously y’all I have the best family in the world. I got the pizzas at noon :) it all worked out great! On my birthday I got to do yard work and help some people prepare to move. It was fantastic. Also yesterday I got to bear my testimony! I told the story about when I saw the seal pup washed up on the beach. I had everyone laughing so hard not once, or twice, but several times. It was great. Afterwards I got so many compliments. The relief society pres came up to me and said I change the mood of the testimony meeting. Then two other people who bore there testimonies after me, mentioned and quoted what I said in mine. On lady said she couldn't get baby seals off her mind and was fascinated with what I said to the whole church! Made me feel good. We also had a freaking awesome lesson in elder’s quorum about rescuing our brothers who are lost in faith. Was excellent. Man what a spiritual boost that was. Honestly it's been a good week.  I want everyone in the world to know that I am out on my mission to move closer to Jesus Christ. Part of moving closer to him is serving others and sharing what I know with them.  If any man serve me, let him follow me; John 12:26. Sincerely I have gained this idea into my mind. I am following him. I am teaching people through my example and through Christ's teachings. I want to point out a chapter of scripture that has had extraordinary change on my life, mission, and has become my motto for the remainder of my life. John 15. If you haven't read it in a while I suggest you become familiar with it, because you will have no success in helping others on their life journey. I want to point out a couple verses of scripture if not he whole chapter.. So be prepared to read. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

John 15:4-6

We literally can do nothing unless we have Christ's help. Unless we are living as he lived daily we are essentially cutting our nutrients off and withering away. Let me remind you of something Moroni said.

45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Moroni 7:45

Christ truly had charity. Which is what we must have towards our fellow man. We must exemplify our savior in all our actions. 

I know this is the true Church of Jesus Christ. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I just finished reading it again. Joseph Smith takes no credit for its content. He merely translated it by the gift and power of God from ancient records. But not only did he translate it, he died for it. Leaving his family; 4 kids and a wife and over 5000 followers.  He only had 4 years of schooling by age of 23. Then by the time he was 24 he finished the translation. He finished the translation in less than 80 days, telling to scribes what he was translating. They never went over any of the translation. Each word was only translated once. When they started to translate the next day they would start on the next word. Never would he repeat the last word he said. Ever since it was finished no human has ever fixed or corrected, or retranslated the book. It remains the same as when Joseph himself translated it. I could give Y’ALL thousands upon thousands of other evidences to prove my point, but my only advice is to read it, even when it's tough to read or hard to understand. Continue reading. Then EVERY night, once your done reading, ask God with your most sincere heart if it's true. Like it says in Moroni 10:4-5. Read those verses then do what it says. (its on page 529)

GRIZZ 

I get super frustrated with the ZL’s look at people as numbers not souls.  They are forgetting the love and that's why our mission is struggling. Transfers.. I believe I will be transferred. I keep feeling changes coming… I feel like because I’m so frustrated with the Zone Leaders, I’ll be made one.  I'll let you know... And Elder Bilmire is ok.

Well folks, I'm called to repentance.. I've been called back to Medford as the new ZL. I feel ok about it. Of course under qualified but it is what it is. The lord will qualify me. I won't know my address till next week.

I just figure out that Stand By Me the movie was filmed in Cottage Grove! Also Overboard was filmed in Newport. That's in my mission! Good times. Hope y’all had a good day. Love u

January 26, 2015  

Hi mommy!  I love you more!

Being a missionary is great! Work is going fine. Had some stumbling blocks this week with some investigators. I have the feeling I'm getting transferred again. Which stinks because I love Cottage Grove. The family we are teaching is going bad. They had some serious problems this past week that we had to take care of. Cottage Grove is sweet there is lots of service here. 

Sister Bowles is in the Creswell ward and we saw her at Walmart the other day during our dinner. Said she'd send you a photo. That was nice of her. Dang y’all are busy! I can't believe Megan’s getting married. I'm so happy for her wish I could be there. You will have to film what you can. So I can be there in heart. I'll be praying for you guys. 

The Jensen’s bought me new shoes! I repeatedly refused and He would not take no for an answer.  I will get them on the 30th. They had to special order them because of the size. I feel super bad. They are nice people. I've only met them once and they are an older couple. His mom is about to pass away. So it genuinely is an act of kindness and selflessness.   

I think I'm having meatloaf on my b day which I've actually grown to love. We are going over to the Knights, maybe we will play board games. They are an awesome RC family. So that should be good. I love grand ma so much!  Thanks Grandma. 

I love you mom. Thanks for all you do. Let me know if there is anyway I can ease the burdens upon your back. :)

Love, Elder Workman

Dinner at a members home

(January 28, 2015 – Brayden’s 21^st Birthday)

THANK YOU SO MUCH! Seriously I have the best family Ever! I love you so much mom. Thank you! :) So spoiled! I seriously have the best family in the world! I love you guys so much! Honestly y’all just knew what I wanted for my birthday. Nothing will ever beat hot wheels, which I'll have u know I've gotten every year of my existence, summer sausage which is absolutely my favorite treat, and pens. Pens are my addiction. Always collecting pens! Especially G2 my favorite! Honestly family, thank you so much. I can feel y'all's love from here! Nothing means more to me than my family. And the notes I received from each of separately put tears in my eyes. Especially ones from mom and dad as each took me down a road of memory lane, and dad mentioned my son one day. What a glorious day that'll be.  Again I am proud to call all of you my family for eternity. How lucky are we to spend the rest of forever together. Now we add Jacob to this wonderful bond. Hope he likes to party and camp, cause I'll tell you what …That's what Workman’s do! :) I love you guys more than words can express. Thanks for this beautiful feeling in my heart and soul this morning. I couldn't be happier! Thanks for all u do mom! Sincerely you have made my day once again! Wahoo 21! Love you mommy! So much!

**Day of the flu**  Brayden sent some videos of he and his companion. They felt they got some food poisoning from a dinner.  We explained the BRAT diet… “I have no bananas, applesauce, or toast. I should be fine tomorrow. We were poisoned lol. On accident. I’ve been drinking tons.”

Jan 15, 2015 (HUMP DAY!! Half way there) 

Mommy! I love you! Thank you so much for sending me such a treat today! The chicken, and pizza and cool brownies! YOUR THE BEST! Thanks mom! I loved it and it was so good! Also I love the gifts in the box! Alice is pretty cute looking! And the handkerchief is dope! Bout made me cry, than I thought of all the boogies, but than I read your letter and I cried again ha! :) I love you so Much! I have the best family seriously ever!

Jacob emailed me and asked for permission! Do you think he will propose this weekend? Ha-ha, Oh that's funny! That would be so hard to be with just both parents to ask for their daughter… man I'd be nervous. I give him props. I told Jacob heck yea he could marry her. Told him I've been waiting since July for this. Lol! He seems legit. Can't deny the guy that makes my sister happy :)