Week 19

Monday, October 29, 2012 9:42 AM

Re: Hurricane Sandy, you're right about us not really getting a direct hit.  We did have rain for about 2 days straight, and I'm pretty dang serious about it being continuous.  We biked in the hurricane on Saturday for 2 1/2 hours.  That was fun.  We were soaked, but hey, that's life.  The work must go on ;) 

SO NO BALLOT YET!!!!!  I'M NOT HAPPY!!!!! (note unhappy face).  Did you send it in a manila envelope or what?  I'm running out of time.  Okay, hopefully this all gets resolved.  I guess we just do our best and trust in the Lord.  That's the story of life in general :) 

So, for the hurricane, we stayed in Morehead, but they cancelled church for the entire stake aka no investigators at church.  When the winds get bad, they close down the bridges...

Elder Moses is doing well.  That's pretty intense about 2 more missionaries heading out from 5th ward.  It's amazing they are super active while their families are not as much. 

Right now we have a baptism scheduled for the 9th of November, which is super exciting.  He's a solid kid and has a very strong testimony of this church already.  I received 2 letters from Grandma and 1 from Kayla Nelson (O'Dwyer).  And no ballot.  See above :(

We also are having another baptism in November; we just don't know the exact date yet, but we'll know soon.  It's super exciting.  Another solid investigator, who has made a lot of changes to follow Christ more fully.  I'm glad Grandma is feeling better.  :) 

So I heard that the Hurricane was heading up to hit New Jersey and Manhattan pretty dead on, bummer for Manhattan.  It's crazy to think it's already November basically, and that we’re almost through with another transfer.  Christmas is right around the corner.  :)

We are seeing a lot of miracles here.  There is a lot of potential that hopefully soon will bear fruit.  The Lord has blessed us greatly; I just hope we can do what the Lord needs us to do without failing too miserably.  Just as an FYI, for Christmas, they said something about all packages need to be sent by December 1 to my actual address.  This will be the only time you send things to my actual address, which I will get for you since I don't know the zip code off hand.  Also, don't send liquids (probably relatively obvious) and I think you send things priority mail.  Well, hope you enjoyed the FYI and the rest of the letter today.  Feel free to copy it and tape it next the word Random in the dictionary for it is a perfect visual for the definition of that word :)

I love you all so much.  Stay safe.

Love,

Elder Patty

Week 18

Life is Good LG

Monday, October 22, 2012 9:43 AM

Hey Family,

First off, You're the best.  I luves you lots. :)  Next order of business, Father, we get a car every other week, which does help getting to farther places.  Elder Moses is doing quite well.  He's growing tremendously and is taking more and more initiative every day which is amazing.  He went to a year of school before his mission.  Right now, if everything continues to go well, we will have 2 baptisms in November, which will be truly amazing for those individuals as they make those covenants to follow Jesus Christ.  

I got letters from Dylan Barney, Hayden White, mom #18, Kati Kamas, and a beautiful package from Kayla Nelson O'Dwyer and Family.  It had much deliciousness in it including but not limited to a scrumptious cookie mix and yummy granola bars.  

Apparently, I hear the polls are pointing toward Romney, eh?? As a missionary, I refuse to make a comment, "*no comment*".  :)  I kind of twisted my foot the other day on a step that just jumped out of no where...actually, Deej, it was a yeti.  I started asking people if they had seen that Yeti that just beat me up, but no one did ;) Just kidding, but seriously ;)  Luckily, good ol' arnie gel saved the day and it feels pretty dang good.  At first, I thought I sprained it, but thankfully no.  

Well, I have a funny story for you :)  We talked to this guy on the street the other day, but he basically talked to us and came up to us.  He started talking about how he had come to a LDS service, but didn't like it because there were too many babies crying.  Mind you, this guy's voice is kind of that Italian sounding sing song voice, so no matter what he's saying he sounds Satirical.  Anyways, so it kind of sounds like he's joking so I'm kind of joking with him about how maybe they were speaking tongues etc, and he's all like then there has to be an interpretation of tongues etc. and how there is something wrong if you can't hear the word of God.  So that was the beginning.  Then he starts going off on the spiel about Noah and his sons.  One of the funniest lines he said that made it into my journal was that God cursed Nimrod because he was killing all of God's dinosaurs.  Then, he started to kind of walk away, but I felt that I should at least give him a card, so I tried and he straight up rejected it when he saw that it had pictures of people of different races on the back.  I mean straight up rejected it and went on this other tangent about how integration is bad for our country and on and on.  Wow.  This guy was crazy.  Finally, we got away.  But, it made for a funny story. Oh, I forgot, he also mentioned how we are the stewards of the earth or something, so we have to make sure that every animal is here when it's all over, including the dragon, yes the dragon, which according to him, is one of God's favorite animals :)  tee hee

I hope you liked the story :)

Back to business, things are going well here.  I absolutely love the members in this ward.  There are just so many fantastic ones; it's amazing :)  We had 2 investigators in church yesterday, which was excellent.  We have also seen the Lord's hand at work here as He directs His work.  Things fall through, but the Lord always has other plans in mind as we exercise faith in him and prayerfully set goals and make plans.  On Saturday, an appointment fell through which allowed us to go out to Atlantic Beach earlier than we would have, which in turn allowed us time to visit a family that is less active that invited us right in.  We had a good get to know you talk, and then we were able to set up a dinner appointment with them next week, and they have a kid they're raising that is unbaptized and is 11 and they want him to progress toward baptism! Miracles, miracles, miracles.  They're out there, the miracles, you just have to look for them :)

Last thing, we did some service, unloading some hard wood flooring and my pants that I brought decided to get a divorce and become a pant and a pant :)  Life's good though.  I just wish I were a better missionary.  I often feel pretty inadequate and that I have an insurmountable amount to learn and change.  I guess I'll just keep trying :)

Love,

Elder Patty

ps.  I hope the ballot comes soon.

pps. the weather here is quite beautiful. I like it :)  

Week 17

Cheesy Chicken Toes…

Monday, October 15, 2012 9:49 AM

Hope you liked the subject line...I picked it out myself. :) All growed up :)

Anyways, family, sounds like life is going beautifully for ya'll.  Things are going great down south.  Shrimp actually tastes good.  And last night I had a new fish which was delicious, blue fish or something like that...freshly caught :)  Well, things are going great for Elder Moses and me.  We are getting along super well, and we are working very hard.  He's just a super guy all around.  Time is going by pretty dang fast still, and I'm perpetually tired, but hey, that's missionary life :)  I understand what DJ was saying before I left about how I may be getting more sleep than I ever have in the past, but I also am constantly working, which was not true of the past :)  Letters wise, I'm not positive.  I forgot to write down which ones I received this week, so I'm going off memory.  I got one from the Lymans, and from Mom # something; I'm pretty sure I got one from Grandma.  And I also received one, that I sent out like 2 weeks ago, back as undeliverable...I think it was a zip code issue, so I resent it to Kayla Nelson.  

This ward is still fantastic.  It's going to be sad to leave all of these people, some of which have become really good friends.  Yesterday, the brother of Shara, the girl we baptized a few months back, came to church with the family out of the blue.  We had worked for like 2 months to help him come to church, and he never did, and they had worked for months before that, so when I saw him walk in I was like "no way" (good use of quotes :) ).  We'll see what it means, but it was exciting nonetheless.  Yesterday, we did have a healthy showing of people we are working with.  3 less actives and 1 investigator.  It was a good Sunday overall, minus some issues :)  

I'll try to remember to send you a picture of the house.  Sorry about that.  Guess I just forgot, or got caught up in the moment of the trees. :)  

It's definitely hard to believe October is half over.  Soon it will be Christmas...who knew.  Honestly, I really don't know what else to say in this email...I'm at a loss.  We're working with a couple of investigators who are progressing nicely and should be able to make the covenants with our Father at baptism in November.  One of them is a 17 year old who turns 18 November 4th.  He would have been baptized 2 years ago if his mom hadn't pulled the permission.  So, he's solid :)  Good kid all the way.  

With our other investigators, we're in limbo right now a little bit with them.  It's like...do they want to progress or no.  Anyways...overall life's going well out here.  I feel like this letter is especially short today, but I can't think of much else to say.  

Sounds like Dad is super busy all the time.  Training is a lot of responsibility, but I'm enjoying it.  Sometimes it's tough since I'm still pretty new myself, but we're moving along alright...the Lord always knows what He's doing :)

Please enjoy this week. Try not to explode.  Trust in God, always...Make Christ your foundation and you will never fall...ever.  I love you all so much.  Eternal families are the best.  

Love always and forever,

Elder Patty

ps.  Can't wait for the conference issue

Week 16

Monday, October 8, 2012 11:14 AM

Well...family...how's everything going.  Good?? WELL, THAT'S JUST FANTASTIC!!!!  :)

Life's going pretty well here for us.  Today is a little chillier than it has been but it's nice.  This past weekend was the seafood festival which is a pretty big thing here in little ol' Morehead City...the roads definitely are not designed for lots of people.  I'm not positive, but I think dad may have a heart attack if he were to try to long term plan for MHC. :)

Conference was absolutely fantastic.  I loved it!!!!!!!!!  Themes, anyone??  Holy Bologna.  How many of them talked about family relations??? or...courage and being valiant??? or being a true disciple of Christ ie. becoming converted ie. becoming something!!!!????  It was intense, to say the least.  And Holy cow on the mission age reduction! Influx, anyone.  Now we know how the Lord was planning on getting enough missionaries to open up missions in more places.  Not only will that add a huge influx of individuals who are already in those new age ranges, but more people will continue to serve.  Guys won't have that limbo year between high school and mission, which might dissuade some people from serving and girls will have a less likely chance of getting married in a year versus 3 years ;)  I really liked the story from I think the presiding Bishop about the one choice to stay valiant in Japan that completely altered the course of not only his life, but the life of his friend as well.  And this story actually had a counterpart individual that foiled the protagonist, so we got a glimpse at where they would have gone if they had not remained valiant.  Talk about gratitude on the friend's part!!  There were a ton of other good talks as well.  A++.  

We had no investigators come...again...but we did have the girl friend of this really nice guy we talk to a lot come to a session.  We invited him, but he's not super religious and so he invited her.  We talked with her at conference a little, and she wants to kind of ease into things a little bit, but she invited us over for dinner tonight!!!!  I really hope it all goes well...which it will as long as we follow the spirit.  The guy is really great :)  super nice.  Reminds me a lot of Bro. Varley.  He really likes us too.  

Oh,  it's also suit season now, but President Bernhisel is a little more lenient than others before which is nice.  If we are on bikes, we don't have to wear suits.  That's nice of him :)

Anyways, my new companion......his name is Elder Aldon Moses.  He's from Madera, California.  He's the youngest of 5 boys.  He's super nice and is going to be a great missionary.  :)  We are getting along really well, and things are looking really good for the next couple of transfers.  ps. I email from the family history library at the church, and a member of the ward drove us to and from Raleigh.  Elder Moses really wants to learn and he's not afraid of trying new things (Missionary work related of course, food may be a different story ;) ).  I can already see growth in him, and it hasn't even been a week.  

So, was there anything else you wanted to know about Elder Moses???

I received letters from Stephanie Hiltscher, Rachel Sherman, Whitney Weda(o)m (MTC teacher), 16 mom, and grandma.  

Anyways, life's going pretty dang good right now, not that I don't feel inadequate like all the time ;), but for the most part, things are going well.  This next week should pretty good.  We have a lot of good plans.  Now, if we can only prevent them all from falling through.  Oh, agency....sometimes...... ;)

Not much else to say,  I'll send a picture or two.

Love,

Elder Patty

Week 15

Monday, October 1, 2012 9:34 AM

Ok family.  So do I got some news for ya'll today :)

First off, let me answer Dad's questions.  Yes, I'll try to send a picture of the outside of the house.  Tourist traffic has definitely slowed; however, this weekend is the seafood festival, which is pretty big here.  We will watch General Conference (which I am very excited for) at the church building.  Bicycling is pretty good most of the time; some roads are far better than others with actual bike lanes and sidewalks, but we get along just fine.  People are generally nice to us; however, sometimes you do get the individual who can't even be polite.  They don't have to agree with our beliefs, but they can be pleasant...whatever.  Do most people know who we are??? hmmmm...kind of maybe.  I don't know.  I hope you liked that answer.  And yes, people bring up Romney, but don't really ask a lot of questions about him.  The most often comment about him is that they are voting for him.  haha ;)

Who is this hill character??  Concerning stamps/envelopes, I have enough right now.  I bought some stamps last week, so I should last for a while.  But you guys don't need to worry too much about supplying me with those things.  You already do enough to support me on my mission; I'll use my monthly allowance to purchase those.  This past week I received letters from Kati Kamas, Mom number 14 or 15??, Dad I think, and one from Robert Paxton, my roommate.  

So, tomorrow I get to wake up dark and early, like at 4:00 to head up to Raleigh since we have to be there by 8:45 for a training meeting............yep........have you guessed??????? I'm training :)  Exciting, eh?  But also a HUGE responsibility.  I will have an impact on this person's life that will affect the rest of his mission as well as his life in general.  I'm grateful that God trusts me enough to train one of his sons to do the work of the Lord.  I just hope that I can train the way the Lord would have me train...needless to say, lots of prayers ;)

Also, that means, that I will be here in Morehead City for another 3 months until a week before Christmas.  Elder Jensen is heading up to Wake Forest to be a District Leader.  Yesterday, we had a pretty good fast and testimony meeting.  We had 4 less actives that we are working with attend as well as one investigator.  It was really good. exciting :)  

It's hard to believe it's already October.  I've been here since July 10.  Crazy ;)  

A couple of days ago, we were destroyed by a torrential downpour.  I don't think I've ever been so wet from a rainstorm.  My pants were instantly saturated.  Luckily I had my fantastic rain jacket with me, so my upper body stayed mostly dry.  It also was a really cold rain.  However, my shoes did not escape the storm's wrath.  I had puddles in the bottoms of them.  There was no escape.  Poor things didn't stand a chance.  

This next week is super crazy busy.  We are losing Tuesday because we have to be in Raleigh, and we are also losing a big chunk of proselyting time, but gaining an amazing time with General Conference.  It just makes it difficult to try and squeeze appointments in.  There are going to be some changes made within the mission, I think, so we'll see how that goes :)  This email is really random...as usual.  Right now, mail is on hold till after transfers so...  We are seeing some great progression with our investigators though, so that is good.  Hopefully, we can help someone make those powerful and important covenants with our Heavenly Father soon through baptism.  It's a possibility.  I don't have any pictures today, but I will next week.  PS.  Did you ever get the pictures that the mission office/president was going to send at the very beginning...via email??

Don't know what else to say.  I'm glad all ya'll are doing well.  I'm glad Velvet is doing well.  How's that lady doing that just was baptized??  Hopefully amazing.  There are so many wonderful members of this ward; I am truly grateful and blessed to be serving here in Morehead City.  Actually, I'm grateful that I am able to serve a mission for our Savior, representing Him and being His instrument in this part of His vineyard.  I know that Jesus Christ suffered and died for us so that we would have the chance to choose liberty and eternal life or captivity and death.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ, as restored through Joseph Smith, makes complete sense and is marvelous in its simplicity.  

I love you all so much.

Love,

Elder Patty