Week 26

Mon, Dec 17, 2012 at 9:48 AM

Alright, down to the nitty gritty, yes, I'm being transferred.  I found out Saturday morning.  No, I don't know where I'm going.  No, I'm not going into any leadership positions (ie District leader etc).  I may be a senior companion doing follow up training with someone who came out with Elder Moses.  We'll see.  I still don't know for sure on the calls for Christmas, but I may just be calling yall from our cell phone.  We'll see... again...

There's not enough time today to get everything done I need to get done.  I got letters from mom 26, grams, dad w/ bishopric, and Rachel.  

I definitely am excited for a change.  I really think it will help re-energize me and help me escape some ruts I've inevitably fallen into.  I am however, going to miss terribly many people in this ward.  I love them...lots...but I'll see them again ;)  So, I really don't have much to say.  This letter is probably going to be super boring and short.  Part of the story of missionary life is people NEVER calling us back and appointments consistently falling through.  It makes for fun times though.  Mother, I gave the stocking to Elder Moses because he's a stud, and I'm going to miss him.  He's definitely grown a lot and is becoming a fantastic missionary.  I feel totally confident with him running the area.  Alright, in order to spice up this letter, I will. . . I don't know.  What could I do to spice up this letter.  I'm not a very spicy guy/Elder, I guess.  hmmmmm...well yesterday we had 1 investigator at church which came about because of a very dedicated member aka a miracle.  Said investigator was going to need a ride to church because his gas funds were on the lower end of the spectrum, so he was going to call his number 1 fellowshipper in the ward.  Well, I don't think connection was ever made and we tried to play middle man as we always do, but just left a bunch of messages.  Well said member came to church at 7:00 in the morning for ward council which ends at 8.  After ward council, we asked if said investigator had ever gotten ahold of him.  He hadn't so, said member called said investigator on our phone, got a hold of him, drove about 30 minutes to go pick up and the drive him back to church.  So he added an extra hour to his travel that day in order to pick up a fellow brother and child of God.  That's definitely emulating Christ.  It was great.  Regardless of whether this investigator joins the church or not, he will be a forever friend of mine.  I just hope that he'll join the church and begin the straight and narrow pathway back to our Heavenly Father.  He's such a good man.

I hope you enjoyed the story and I hope it made this letter worth the time you took out of your precious day to read it ;)  Anyways, thanks for being the best family ever.  Next week's email should be a stud since I'll have juicy details on the new locale :)  Please have a wonderful time together as a family this Christmas.  Remember, the Gospel blesses families.  

Love,

Elder Patty

Week 25

hobo bob and hobo bill

Monday, December 10, 2012 10:26 AM

Hey family. Well today is Monday.  I am here writing you.  The computer freaked out on me so I had to switch.  Let's see.  What to tell you.  The weather here often doesn't feel much like winter.  I received an un-numbered letter from mom, one from grams, one from Holly and a package from Uncle Dan and Aunt Zuleica  I'm getting better from my sickness; however, I still have a runny nose and a cough every so often and high notes are a no go right now, singing wise.  :) 

Question: ask Ricky + Chuck if they know an Elder and Sister Stroud.  I don't know them but they are serving from my stake here in NC. 

Ok.  Last week we had a Christmas party at the church.  Let's just say they aren't as big as ours back home.  It was  good though.  We had 3 investigators there and 2 potential investigators, a man and his daughter who we did service for a while back.  We called and invited them and they came.  Good stuff.  Food was good though.  It was dinner, a push for 100% home teaching by the bishop, and then Santa came. 

One area of myself that I see has improved a lot since the beginning of my mission is being able to talk with complete strangers.  I'm not saying it's easy, but I'm definitely more comfortable at doing it, which has been a huge blessing from the Lord.  I think it'll be interesting when y'all see me in a couple of years for you to see how I've changed.  I know I'm changing but it's gradual, whereas you will be looking at it as a start to finish type perspective more so, minus the part about the letters and such.  Anyways, I know it's change for the better. 

Recently, I have been studying and thinking about the Plan of Salvation and it, by far, IS THE BEST PLAN EVER!!!!!!!  Holy smokes.  The more I learn about it, the more it makes sense.  I love this gospel so much, and I know that it is the one and only true doctrine of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.  The great thing is that things that are fabricated by men, the more you delve into and look into them, the more holes and flaws you find.  Hence, farm boy Joseph Smith couldn't even have dreamt up what he restored.  The Plan of Salvation is so beautiful and so simple, yet so deep all at the same time.  And it all is there for our benefit -- for our eternal happiness and salvation.  Alma 34:32, "the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors."  What labors would he be referring to?  Our house chores and 40 hour work week.  Probably not.  These may be temporarily important, and maybe even have a spiritual effect on us, but the true labors we are to perform is found in the Doctrine of Christ and in the ultimate goal of becoming as our Savior is.  I've been reading through the conference issue of the Ensign and I'm almost done because it is so dang good.  And there are SOOO many talks about true discipleship, true conversion, being a true Christian.  Too many people, both in and out of the church, are becoming simply apathetic and insouciant when it comes to spiritual matters.  "This is eternal life!!!!" (to quote Elder Holland)  Anyways, I love this gospel and my Father in Heaven and my Savior.  What a great time of year to remember 2 of the most amazing gifts ever. A Father who gave his Son, and a Brother who gave his life so that ours could be spared. 

Thank you all for your support (any and all who read this and who support me :) and thank you family for being the best family in the whole wide world (I"m not biased or anything, of course). :)

This week will probably go by fast, and next time you hear from me, you'll know where I'm going. 

Love,

Elder Patty

ps. I don't have details on Christmas chit chat yet. :)

Week 24

“Can we go search for the holy grail again??” Tom requested :) hahahaha

Monday, December 3, 2012 10:37 AM

Hey family,

How-dee-do?  Well...what to say. Let's see.  Soon it will be 12/12/12 :) how exciting.  Tell Nana she'd better get better immediately...no excuses :)  Sounds like y'all are having some grossly warm weather.  Not good at all.  Today, we are having some grossly warm weather too...70 degrees.  Poor earth must have lost her calendar ;)  

Well, I got packages from Grandma and you, family, as well as letters from Grams and mom 24 I think as well.  Not positive on that, but pretty sure.  So, here's a tale to tell you; currently, as a mission, we are reading the Book of Mormon and highlighting/ underlining certain things.  I'm really loving this experience, and it's making me think more than I ever did about some things. Right now, I'm in 2 Nephi, and I'll tell you what...trying to differentiate between when a reference is to Jesus Christ and a reference is to Heavenly Father is less than easy.  You don't realize it when you just read through, but when you're specifically looking for references to Jesus Christ, you realize just how difficult it is at times.  Probably never thought about it now, did you?? :)

Interviews went well.  I'm always glad to receive counsel and guidance, especially from President.  This past week has been kind of difficult for us.  We had A LOT of appointments fall through and saw some investigators slide in their progression.  I know there is something we are to learn...but no one ever said missionary work was supposed to be easy.  Oh, and on top of that, I'm kind of getting sick :)  which is always fun.  Oh, and DJ was right too...true, I am getting more sleep than I ever consistently got at home, but I need a lot more energy aka...always tired. plus being sick equals more tired.  Fun stuff.  

Yesterday, we had one investigator at church but two fantastic things occurred :)  Our two most recent converts both received callings yesterday to be ward missionaries and they both received the Aaronic priesthood!!!!  It was a super great experience. :)  They are both great men.  Friends forever :) Plus, one of them went and bore his testimony in sacrament meeting yesterday which was a really powerful experience :)  So sincere.  My eyes were just glued on him while he was talking.  great stuff.  

Oh, i almost forgot!!!!!  I WAS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SUPERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR HAPPYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY AND EXXXXXCITTTTTTTTEEED WHEN I SAW THE DELICIOUS COOKIES LOCATED WITHIN MY PARCEL!!!!!  AND SO MANY OF THEM!!!!!  THANK YOU SO MUCH FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (particularly, mother :)  I've eaten....let's say....a lot of them already :)  soooooooooooooooooo good :)

Finally, we got the November Ensign magazine which is super exciting :)  Recently, due to some conversations I've had with various individuals and experiences I've had, my love and appreciation for the heavenly called leaders of our church has grown tremendously.  I know those men are chosen and called of God to help us all return to live with our Heavenly Father.  Their responsibility is so great, but they persevere in patience and love.  I promise you that Joseph Smith was and IS a prophet of God.  He was called to restore Christ's church to the earth in its fullness. Why??  Because Heavenly Father loves us soooooooo much.  His plan is perfect.  It's glorious.  And it all revolves around us many times ungrateful children receiving more than we can even imagine from a Father who cares for us so deeply.  

Sounds like dad is busy with everything as usual.  DJ and Chris are still studs, as usual.  And mother is amazing, as usual. Thanks for being the best family in the world. :)

Oh, and I don't know how the calling on Christmas thing is going to work yet.  

Oh times two, I think I never got any pictures of the new floor...

No more ohs, I think :)

Love,

Elder Patty

ps.  I'm gonna miss this ward a ton, but I think I may be ready for change soon...