Well this week is almost gone and I have learned alot about time.
This past week Elder Davis and I have been busy up until yesterday, then all of our apointments fell through. No one really wanted to talk to us because of the Inaguration address. But, we did get done as much as we could.
On Monday we went spanish tracking, (we have a goal to have at least 10 hispanic baptisms this year in Newport News) and WOW. We started out going with a RM from the Hampton Ward named Bro Taylor Redfern. (He went to Ecuador) and we met so many spanish people. I can't believe that we won't get at least one of them baptized, and they are really cool.
Last night we played soccer with them and we lost badly, but it was fun. We are going out later in the week to visit them again and I really pray for the spirit to help me talk with them.
Now do I wish I knew more Spanish and that I could translate it.
Other than that this week has come and gone. Wow, I can't believe I am already in my 3rd month out here and coming up on transfers already.
The weather here has been really cold (not like Utah, here it is really wet and cold). I use to like the cold, but here it cuts through all of your clothing and right to you. I am still trying to make it.
The start of the week was bad though, I got a little sick and was in bed most of the morning and I was sick the rest of the day. Tuesday I still felt a little sick, but I feel great today and at about 6pm we will be working again.
I really enjoy the letters that I get and hope that you send another for this month or the next. I do save them all and will reread them some times.
Thank you for the talk today, I really needed it. I will probably use it today. I hope you are all well and that Benson is working hard in school. Tell him I will miss him and that I will tell him everything he needs to know about a mission when I get back. ( if he doesn't leave early).
I love you all
- Elder Boy
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Why didn’t you tell me?” - 1-18-09
Hello William,
I was thrilled to get your email last week. The difference in your attitude was an answer to our prayers. You have grown so much over such a short time, I am so proud of you.
The picture of you in the park with Elder Davis is the one that is going in the display case at church, and your address will be on the ward website. I hope that this will give your past teachers and leaders a chance to send you some letters.
So how are things going for you this week? I hope that you are having some success with the other investigators that you talked about last week. Sister Luebke said that David is having a great time in Texas, and Doug Keyes said that Paul is really enjoying himself in Argentina.
We finished the headboard that we made for Steve and Tausha and it looks great. Mary Ann and I took the old door that was for the laundry room and added some crown molding and crackle paint. I called Steve so we could deliver it and he was taking Tausha to see her little sister, Kayla Barclay, in the Miss America Pageant. She is Miss Utah, and she had to do a reality show, and a bunch of competitions as part of the Miss America Contest.
Doug and James Keyes came by and did a home teaching visit and Doug gave us a lesson based on Br. Eyring’s 1st presidency message from the Ensign. I liked the message so I took one of the stories from it for you spiritual thought this week. It was kind of the opposite side of your Grand Stadium story. What about the people that we meet here and don’t share the gospel with. I think you will like it.
-----------------------------
Let Us Raise Our Voice of Warning
Excerpt from the talk by President Henry B. Eyring First Counselor in the First Presidency
At some moment in the world to come, everyone you met in this life will know what you know now. They will know that the only way to live forever in association with our families and in the presence of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, is to choose to enter into the gate by baptism at the hands of those with authority from God. They will know that the only way families can be together forever is to accept and keep sacred covenants offered in the temples of God on this earth. They will know that you knew. And they will remember whether you offered them what someone had offered you.
Years ago I worked for a man in California. He hired me; he was kind to me; he seemed to regard me highly. I may have been the only Latter-day Saint he ever knew well. I don’t know all the reasons I found to wait for a better moment to talk with him about the gospel. I just remember my feeling of sorrow when I learned, after he had retired and I lived far away, that he and his wife had been killed in a late-night drive to their home in Carmel, California. He loved his wife. He loved his children. He had loved his parents. He loved his grandchildren, and he will love their children and will want to be with them forever.
Now, I don’t know how the crowds will be handled in the world to come. But I suppose that I will meet him, that he will look into my eyes, and that I will see in them the question: “Hal, you knew. Why didn’t you tell me?”
I testify that we have been given the privilege and the obligation to offer the truth and the choices which lead to those blessings to our Heavenly Father’s children, who are our brothers and our sisters. Jesus is the Christ, He lives, and this is His work.
Well, we are praying for you and can’t wait to read your next letter on Wednesday. Work hard, pray harder. Return with Honor.
We Love you.
Dad, Mary Ann, and Benson.
P.S. I helped Anneke with updating your mission website so hopefully she will spend a little time on it this week.
I was thrilled to get your email last week. The difference in your attitude was an answer to our prayers. You have grown so much over such a short time, I am so proud of you.
The picture of you in the park with Elder Davis is the one that is going in the display case at church, and your address will be on the ward website. I hope that this will give your past teachers and leaders a chance to send you some letters.
So how are things going for you this week? I hope that you are having some success with the other investigators that you talked about last week. Sister Luebke said that David is having a great time in Texas, and Doug Keyes said that Paul is really enjoying himself in Argentina.
We finished the headboard that we made for Steve and Tausha and it looks great. Mary Ann and I took the old door that was for the laundry room and added some crown molding and crackle paint. I called Steve so we could deliver it and he was taking Tausha to see her little sister, Kayla Barclay, in the Miss America Pageant. She is Miss Utah, and she had to do a reality show, and a bunch of competitions as part of the Miss America Contest.Doug and James Keyes came by and did a home teaching visit and Doug gave us a lesson based on Br. Eyring’s 1st presidency message from the Ensign. I liked the message so I took one of the stories from it for you spiritual thought this week. It was kind of the opposite side of your Grand Stadium story. What about the people that we meet here and don’t share the gospel with. I think you will like it.
-----------------------------
Let Us Raise Our Voice of Warning
Excerpt from the talk by President Henry B. Eyring First Counselor in the First PresidencyAt some moment in the world to come, everyone you met in this life will know what you know now. They will know that the only way to live forever in association with our families and in the presence of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, is to choose to enter into the gate by baptism at the hands of those with authority from God. They will know that the only way families can be together forever is to accept and keep sacred covenants offered in the temples of God on this earth. They will know that you knew. And they will remember whether you offered them what someone had offered you.
Years ago I worked for a man in California. He hired me; he was kind to me; he seemed to regard me highly. I may have been the only Latter-day Saint he ever knew well. I don’t know all the reasons I found to wait for a better moment to talk with him about the gospel. I just remember my feeling of sorrow when I learned, after he had retired and I lived far away, that he and his wife had been killed in a late-night drive to their home in Carmel, California. He loved his wife. He loved his children. He had loved his parents. He loved his grandchildren, and he will love their children and will want to be with them forever.
Now, I don’t know how the crowds will be handled in the world to come. But I suppose that I will meet him, that he will look into my eyes, and that I will see in them the question: “Hal, you knew. Why didn’t you tell me?”
I testify that we have been given the privilege and the obligation to offer the truth and the choices which lead to those blessings to our Heavenly Father’s children, who are our brothers and our sisters. Jesus is the Christ, He lives, and this is His work.
Well, we are praying for you and can’t wait to read your next letter on Wednesday. Work hard, pray harder. Return with Honor.
We Love you.
Dad, Mary Ann, and Benson.
P.S. I helped Anneke with updating your mission website so hopefully she will spend a little time on it this week.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
At the Grand Stadium - 1-14-09
Thank you for the talk it is really a good one.
I have had an amazing week and wish that I could type everything that I wanted to say, but I can say this, this last week has been amazing.
Elder Davis and I when to bootcamp,(extra training) and it was a blast. I learned so much about myself and the spirit in just two days. I never would have thought I could have learned so much. This work is so incredible, it really teaches you and the people that you work with.
I love the people here and I am looking forward to the rest of my time here. I love this work and know that it is true. (if not the 19yr. old missionaries would have destroyed it long ago.)
I have seen the change in people and the crying of their souls for the want to hear the truth and live it. But the flesh will not listen, and it is hard not to just give up sometimes. I know that there are people out there waiting to hear this word and waiting for me.
I remember a story that I heard some time ago. When we were all up in heaven, standing in a grand stadium, listening to the plan of salvation. We all cheered knowing that we would all have bodies one day.
Then a list was read of those that would be born into the truth, and those that would not. My name was read and my friends name was not. After he heard that, he told me that he would wait for me to come and teach him and show him the truth, and that only I could lead him to the right path. I promised him that I would look until I found him and that we would meet down here.
That is the story that keeps me pushing on to find the friend that I promised to find and bring to the truth.
Thank you for all of your support and I am praying for you all at home.
Love,
Elder Boy
I have had an amazing week and wish that I could type everything that I wanted to say, but I can say this, this last week has been amazing.
Elder Davis and I when to bootcamp,(extra training) and it was a blast. I learned so much about myself and the spirit in just two days. I never would have thought I could have learned so much. This work is so incredible, it really teaches you and the people that you work with.
I love the people here and I am looking forward to the rest of my time here. I love this work and know that it is true. (if not the 19yr. old missionaries would have destroyed it long ago.)
I have seen the change in people and the crying of their souls for the want to hear the truth and live it. But the flesh will not listen, and it is hard not to just give up sometimes. I know that there are people out there waiting to hear this word and waiting for me.
I remember a story that I heard some time ago. When we were all up in heaven, standing in a grand stadium, listening to the plan of salvation. We all cheered knowing that we would all have bodies one day.
Then a list was read of those that would be born into the truth, and those that would not. My name was read and my friends name was not. After he heard that, he told me that he would wait for me to come and teach him and show him the truth, and that only I could lead him to the right path. I promised him that I would look until I found him and that we would meet down here.
That is the story that keeps me pushing on to find the friend that I promised to find and bring to the truth.
Thank you for all of your support and I am praying for you all at home.
Love,
Elder Boy
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Spirits in Prison - 1-13-09
Hey William,
We got to see a couple of pictures that you sent to Anneke. They are the ones of you in a park, and one of you with Elder Davis. Anneke thought that it was cool that you got Dirty Rice for Christmas. She said that you will probably start cooking, and make all sorts of good meals.
The new semester just started for Benson and Anneke. Benson found that he was signed up for a weightlifting class, a "girls" weightlighting class. He said that it wasn't so bad, but he was really uncomfortable in the locker room. Just kidding. He was told that he had to drop it and sign up for the guys class.
The weather has been beautiful, the snow is melting and the sun is out. Mary Ann made "Shrimp Etoufee" for dinner on Sunday. It was like a cajun curry and it was delicious.
On Sunday I had an assignment at the Hospital Branch. Mary Ann and I got to deliver the sacrament to women on the Maternity Floor, and I had to give a talk in 2 sacrament meetings. I gave a talk about the Pres Utdorf talk, "Lift where you Stand". I thought that it went well, but the real incredible story was given by Br. Randle. I will relay it to you as best as I can because I think that you will enjoy it.
---------------------------------
Spirits in Prison By Quint Randle
As a member of a singing group I was invited to perform our spiritual songs at the womens prison in our state. We arrived early to setup our equipment in the off white room that was used as the prison chapel. Once we were ready to start, the women were marched into the room wearing the standard prison clothing of dingy white jumpsuits. The appearance of half of the women did not surprise me, they looked hard and worn from years of drug use and hard living.
But I was not prepared for the look of the other women. Any of these women could have been my sister, my wife, my mother or grandmother. They showed no indication that they belonged in such a place as this.
As we performed our songs I thought of how blessed that I was that I had not made the mistakes that had cost these women their agency. I also thought of how close this scene looked like a session at the Temple, but not. Everyone dressed in dingy white, in a dingy white room. Contrasted by the brilliant white of the Temple decor and the beautiful clean white clothing of the temple goers.
We had a second opportunity to perform at the women prison a couple months later. As the women arrived for the performance, I was surprised to see them dressed in clean beautiful jumpsuits. The new jumpsuits had been donated by a business in the area so that the women did not have to wear the dingy white jumpsuits anymore. It was then that I realized just how alike that we all were.
Although these women have been convicted of civil crimes and wore all of the indications of being criminals. We all are quilty of spiritual crimes against our Heavenly Father, and that only through his son's atonement can we ever hope to be made white again, and be aloud to dwell with our Heavenly Father.
Our spiritual crimes, and our Heavenly Father's judgement is no less real then the civil judgement's against these women. But our Savior, Jesus Christ, has already "served time" for our crimes and has already paid for our sins.
------------------------------------------------
I hope that you are finding success as you lose yourself in the work. I know that this is exactly where your Heavenly Father needs you to be right now. I love you so much and you make me so proud as you show me how much you are growing with every letter.
Make this a mission worthly of a lifetime of good memories.
Love,
Dad, Mary Ann and Benson
We got to see a couple of pictures that you sent to Anneke. They are the ones of you in a park, and one of you with Elder Davis. Anneke thought that it was cool that you got Dirty Rice for Christmas. She said that you will probably start cooking, and make all sorts of good meals.
The new semester just started for Benson and Anneke. Benson found that he was signed up for a weightlifting class, a "girls" weightlighting class. He said that it wasn't so bad, but he was really uncomfortable in the locker room. Just kidding. He was told that he had to drop it and sign up for the guys class.
The weather has been beautiful, the snow is melting and the sun is out. Mary Ann made "Shrimp Etoufee" for dinner on Sunday. It was like a cajun curry and it was delicious.
On Sunday I had an assignment at the Hospital Branch. Mary Ann and I got to deliver the sacrament to women on the Maternity Floor, and I had to give a talk in 2 sacrament meetings. I gave a talk about the Pres Utdorf talk, "Lift where you Stand". I thought that it went well, but the real incredible story was given by Br. Randle. I will relay it to you as best as I can because I think that you will enjoy it.
---------------------------------
Spirits in Prison By Quint Randle
As a member of a singing group I was invited to perform our spiritual songs at the womens prison in our state. We arrived early to setup our equipment in the off white room that was used as the prison chapel. Once we were ready to start, the women were marched into the room wearing the standard prison clothing of dingy white jumpsuits. The appearance of half of the women did not surprise me, they looked hard and worn from years of drug use and hard living.
But I was not prepared for the look of the other women. Any of these women could have been my sister, my wife, my mother or grandmother. They showed no indication that they belonged in such a place as this.
As we performed our songs I thought of how blessed that I was that I had not made the mistakes that had cost these women their agency. I also thought of how close this scene looked like a session at the Temple, but not. Everyone dressed in dingy white, in a dingy white room. Contrasted by the brilliant white of the Temple decor and the beautiful clean white clothing of the temple goers.
We had a second opportunity to perform at the women prison a couple months later. As the women arrived for the performance, I was surprised to see them dressed in clean beautiful jumpsuits. The new jumpsuits had been donated by a business in the area so that the women did not have to wear the dingy white jumpsuits anymore. It was then that I realized just how alike that we all were.
Although these women have been convicted of civil crimes and wore all of the indications of being criminals. We all are quilty of spiritual crimes against our Heavenly Father, and that only through his son's atonement can we ever hope to be made white again, and be aloud to dwell with our Heavenly Father.
Our spiritual crimes, and our Heavenly Father's judgement is no less real then the civil judgement's against these women. But our Savior, Jesus Christ, has already "served time" for our crimes and has already paid for our sins.
------------------------------------------------
I hope that you are finding success as you lose yourself in the work. I know that this is exactly where your Heavenly Father needs you to be right now. I love you so much and you make me so proud as you show me how much you are growing with every letter.
Make this a mission worthly of a lifetime of good memories.
Love,
Dad, Mary Ann and Benson
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
A Box of Dirty Rice - 1-7-2009
Thank you for the box it really helps, and yes the spices were exactly what I needed. It was really funny as I opened each box I thought "What would Dad send me and, what would I send me... dirty rice" and a box of dirty rice was there. Thank you for the food and the New Era.
The last few days of this week have been some of the best in Newport News. I have not gotten home sick at all and am really getting into the spirit of the work. I have not gotten the pictures yet but I will soon(I hope).
The weather here is wet, it rains alot and gets cool ( colder then utah) but no snow just rain. I will be sending home my memory card soon and if you would like to get some of the pictures from it ask anneke for some copies.
I really miss you and hope that when I see you again I will have returned with the honor that you wanted me to have and I needed. I have learned alot about myself these last few days and found that my home sickness was caused by me being scared, because this is the first time I have been out on my own. (Scout Camp was alot easier). Not that I am counting but I realized today that I only have 22 more fast sundays left and then I will see you. When my memory card gets home could you take some pictures with your camera and send them back to me on it, tell anneke that I said it would be ok. I will be getting a new card so take the time needed to send some good pictures.
Thank you for your support and love.
Thank you for the times that I was being stupid and you made me learn, and thank you for the time you spent helping me get though High school.
I love you, and can't wait to talk to you again.
- William
The last few days of this week have been some of the best in Newport News. I have not gotten home sick at all and am really getting into the spirit of the work. I have not gotten the pictures yet but I will soon(I hope).
The weather here is wet, it rains alot and gets cool ( colder then utah) but no snow just rain. I will be sending home my memory card soon and if you would like to get some of the pictures from it ask anneke for some copies.
I really miss you and hope that when I see you again I will have returned with the honor that you wanted me to have and I needed. I have learned alot about myself these last few days and found that my home sickness was caused by me being scared, because this is the first time I have been out on my own. (Scout Camp was alot easier). Not that I am counting but I realized today that I only have 22 more fast sundays left and then I will see you. When my memory card gets home could you take some pictures with your camera and send them back to me on it, tell anneke that I said it would be ok. I will be getting a new card so take the time needed to send some good pictures.
Thank you for your support and love.
Thank you for the times that I was being stupid and you made me learn, and thank you for the time you spent helping me get though High school.
I love you, and can't wait to talk to you again.
- William
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