June 27, 2011... Dear Family,
It was a good week. We were blessed to find eight new investigators. Four of them are a family. They invited us in and we had a great lesson with them! We have a return appointment next week. We would have liked to set it for an earlier time, but they have a super busy schedule this week. We were pretty busy last week. We went to district meetings in Lake City and in Macclenny. They went pretty well. Elder Failner and I gave trainings in each of the meetings. I feel like they went really well. I actually talked a lot about what I shared in my last email.
Most of the week was actually pretty slow, but on Saturday we saw a lot of great miracles. Saturday is when we found that family and then we found two more investigators. We had some really great lessons and made progress with other people. Saturday was a really good day. I definitely felt like an instrument in the hands of the Lord. It was a wonderful feeling!
This week is looking like it will be a busy week too. Tomorrow we will go to the district meeting in Lake City again. On Wednesday we have a zone leader council in Jacksonville. That will take up most of the day. I'm really excited to go to it. The last one was really incredible, and I know this one will be too. I'm looking forward to learning a lot of great things. I especially hope I can figure out how to consistently get investigators to church. I feel like I do pretty well with the other things, but the most difficult thing has always been getting people to come to church.
This Saturday we get transfer calls! The time has flown by! I don't imagine I will be transferred, but I thought the same thing last transfer. I do know that Elder Failner is staying here. He has a doctor's appointment next week, and had to ask President Barry if he was staying before he scheduled it. I think we're both surprised that he is staying. He has been here for a lot of his mission. He spent three months here last year, and at the end of the upcoming transfer it will have been six months this year. That will make it nine months in one area!
I'm pretty much out of time. I'll write again next week.
Love Always, Zach
Monday, June 27, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Congratulations Emma...
As of Wednesday, June 1, 2011 Emma has successfully completed 13 years of school. Woo hoo!
Emma entered kindergarten in 1998 at Oakdale Elementary in Mrs. Evans class. For the first half of the year Emma wouldn't talk to her teacher, she would whisper answers to her friend sitting next to her and her friend would relay Emma's reply to Mrs. Evans.
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Emma loved to wear her hair in an "Anastasia" bun, which is hiding behind the BIG bow.
Emma has grown into a beautiful young woman, as you can tell in her senior picutres. Her friend Sarah took them for her. She used the following four on her announcements.
And now she is looking forward to what the future holds for her.
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Congradulations Emma!
Emma entered kindergarten in 1998 at Oakdale Elementary in Mrs. Evans class. For the first half of the year Emma wouldn't talk to her teacher, she would whisper answers to her friend sitting next to her and her friend would relay Emma's reply to Mrs. Evans.
Emma has grown into a beautiful young woman, as you can tell in her senior picutres. Her friend Sarah took them for her. She used the following four on her announcements.
And now she is looking forward to what the future holds for her.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Chains
June 20, 2011...Dear Family,
Another week down...it was okay. We had some ups and downs.
The downs seemed to be a little more prominent compared to the ups. Unfortunately Shaun won't be getting baptized this weekend. Actually he's not going to get baptized at all the way it stands right now. He hasn't been keeping commitments lately, and is basically avoiding us. He was doing really well, but it seems the world has sucked him back into it. We would try to keep working with him, but last we heard he said he may be moving to Ft. Lauderdale (I probably spelled that wrong). It seemed like we had a rough few days in regards to our current investigators. Saturday was a crazy day too! There are a few scriptures that sum it up perfectly. They are Alma 8:10-11. Nobody would listen to us! I actually wasn't too concerned with it. The Lord blessed me with a really positive attitude that day. I felt relatively good, but people really wouldn't even let us talk. Elder Failner had a harder time with it.
On the up side we set a baptism date with a guy that is really awesome! His name is Nile and he is really legit. We have been teaching him for a few weeks now and last night we had a great lesson with him. He finally was able to recognize the Spirit, and was ready to prepare for baptism. One of his biggest hang ups right now is the WoW. However, we gave him a blessing and he said he felt really great afterwards. There was one potentially good thing that came from Saturday. It was about 8:50 and the last door we knocked on was a pretty cool lady. We didn't get to teach her because it was just Elder Failner and I, but we have a return appointment tonight. She has read the Book of Mormon in the past, but wouldn't talk much about how she came in contact with the Church. She just moved here from Gainesville, but already knew where the church was before we even mentioned it. She really has us stumped. We also got a really cool referral last week. The girl knows some stuff about the Church and says she wants to be baptized. One of her best friends is a member and was married in the temple last week. That's how she knows a little. We're going to see her tomorrow night and find out where she is.
Other than that the week was normal.
Now, for some of Mom's questions. My camera doesn't focus very well, especially when taking video. It also turns off when I zoom in past a certain point. In some of the videos it the light looks weird....it's hard to explain that part. That's all I can think of right now. Yes I got the letter from Brother Beckstead. I actually got another one last Monday. I'm surprised that he has been writing. You, him, and Aunt Cindy are the people who are writing me. I did get a letter from Danny and Tiff awhile back and Emily too. I haven't been able to write them back yet. I wish I had more time to write letters. I don't even have time to write in my journal every day. It's really sad.
My studies this last week went really well. One thing that really stood out is the importance of being obedient. In 2Ne1:13&23 it speaks of chains binding us down. I thought about how we each have "chains" binding us down and they're related to obedience. Whenever we don't obey one of God's commandments it's like we are putting on another chain. While some things may seem small they still add weight and slow our progression. It may even get to the point where our progression is stopped or we even go backwards. We all must shake off those chains. Even if it's one "small" chain at a time. After all as it in Alma 37:6-7 it talks about how great things happen through small and simple things. The way to obtain salvation it is through those small things that we do each day. As we make a little change at a time we will be able to find greater happiness and the Lord will bless us with more. He doesn't expect us to become perfect all at once. It comes line upon line, just like it says in 2Ne28:30. Our Heavenly Father is there and waiting to help us with this. I know this is true. I look back on the last few years and see that I've grown a lot! With that growth my happiness has grown too It didn't come all at once. It's been a little at a time. I invite each of you to look at your life and find a "little" chain that is weighing you down. Now remove it.
Love Always, Zach
Another week down...it was okay. We had some ups and downs.
The downs seemed to be a little more prominent compared to the ups. Unfortunately Shaun won't be getting baptized this weekend. Actually he's not going to get baptized at all the way it stands right now. He hasn't been keeping commitments lately, and is basically avoiding us. He was doing really well, but it seems the world has sucked him back into it. We would try to keep working with him, but last we heard he said he may be moving to Ft. Lauderdale (I probably spelled that wrong). It seemed like we had a rough few days in regards to our current investigators. Saturday was a crazy day too! There are a few scriptures that sum it up perfectly. They are Alma 8:10-11. Nobody would listen to us! I actually wasn't too concerned with it. The Lord blessed me with a really positive attitude that day. I felt relatively good, but people really wouldn't even let us talk. Elder Failner had a harder time with it.
On the up side we set a baptism date with a guy that is really awesome! His name is Nile and he is really legit. We have been teaching him for a few weeks now and last night we had a great lesson with him. He finally was able to recognize the Spirit, and was ready to prepare for baptism. One of his biggest hang ups right now is the WoW. However, we gave him a blessing and he said he felt really great afterwards. There was one potentially good thing that came from Saturday. It was about 8:50 and the last door we knocked on was a pretty cool lady. We didn't get to teach her because it was just Elder Failner and I, but we have a return appointment tonight. She has read the Book of Mormon in the past, but wouldn't talk much about how she came in contact with the Church. She just moved here from Gainesville, but already knew where the church was before we even mentioned it. She really has us stumped. We also got a really cool referral last week. The girl knows some stuff about the Church and says she wants to be baptized. One of her best friends is a member and was married in the temple last week. That's how she knows a little. We're going to see her tomorrow night and find out where she is.
Other than that the week was normal.
Now, for some of Mom's questions. My camera doesn't focus very well, especially when taking video. It also turns off when I zoom in past a certain point. In some of the videos it the light looks weird....it's hard to explain that part. That's all I can think of right now. Yes I got the letter from Brother Beckstead. I actually got another one last Monday. I'm surprised that he has been writing. You, him, and Aunt Cindy are the people who are writing me. I did get a letter from Danny and Tiff awhile back and Emily too. I haven't been able to write them back yet. I wish I had more time to write letters. I don't even have time to write in my journal every day. It's really sad.
My studies this last week went really well. One thing that really stood out is the importance of being obedient. In 2Ne1:13&23 it speaks of chains binding us down. I thought about how we each have "chains" binding us down and they're related to obedience. Whenever we don't obey one of God's commandments it's like we are putting on another chain. While some things may seem small they still add weight and slow our progression. It may even get to the point where our progression is stopped or we even go backwards. We all must shake off those chains. Even if it's one "small" chain at a time. After all as it in Alma 37:6-7 it talks about how great things happen through small and simple things. The way to obtain salvation it is through those small things that we do each day. As we make a little change at a time we will be able to find greater happiness and the Lord will bless us with more. He doesn't expect us to become perfect all at once. It comes line upon line, just like it says in 2Ne28:30. Our Heavenly Father is there and waiting to help us with this. I know this is true. I look back on the last few years and see that I've grown a lot! With that growth my happiness has grown too It didn't come all at once. It's been a little at a time. I invite each of you to look at your life and find a "little" chain that is weighing you down. Now remove it.
Love Always, Zach
Monday, June 13, 2011
power
June 13, 2011...Dear Family,
How are things going back home? Out here all is well. To start I'm going to answer a few questions from Mom's last letter.
First, my responsibilities as a zone leader are similar to those of a district leader except on a larger scale. As a zone leader me and my companion, Elder Failner, are both zone leaders. We are accountable for what happens within our zone. There are eight companionship's in our zone. Basically the companionship's report to their district leaders and the district leaders report to us. Then we report to the assistants to the president. We provide training when necessary, we go on tradeoffs with the district leaders, and when we get the weekly numbers we look to see what our zone needs and share with the district leaders what we feel. Those are the basics. There are a lot of little things that I could write about, but that probably wouldn't be very interesting. With that said, I have really enjoyed it so far. Last Monday the assistants came and went on a tradeoff with Elder Failner and I. It went really well. Elder Aiono went out with me and I had a great time. He is a really great missionary, and I was able to learn a lot from him.
Next, yes we do have a crock pot. I'm not sure what significance that has.
We can't wear any pink or purple ties anymore because we want the first thing people notice to be our name tags, not our ties. We are supposed to have conservative ties only, no bright colors or pink or purple ties. That's the new rule.
Lastly, my bike is not fixed. I did fix it, but it didn't last. The day before I got transferred I bought a new tube and Elder Allen put it in for me because he's really nice. It was fine, but after the transfer meeting it had gone flat. I'm not sure what is going on with it because I haven't had time to look at it. I don't need it right now anyway. The only time I'll be on a bike is if I'm on a tradeoff, and if that's the case I can use someone else's bike. I'll have to look at it when I get more time.
That's it for Mom's questions.
Last week was good. There really isn't anything exciting to write about at the moment. Every day is slightly unique in it's own way, but for the most part it's the same. We are no longer teaching Alvin. He wasn't keeping commitments. We have two other guys we might be able to baptize within the coming weeks. They are Shaun and Shawn. Yes they have the same name. The only difference is the spelling. Shaun has a baptismal date for June 26th. He has given up a lot. In order to live the law of chastity he left his girlfriend and is now staying in a hotel room. The hardest part is getting in touch with him because his phone got turned off. Shawn is doing really well. We don't have a set date for his baptism. He hopefully will be baptized soon, but we're waiting on some other things to get taken care of first. Elder Failner and I were blessed to find eight new investigators last week! It's been quite awhile since I've found that many in one week. It was really great to find that many new people. Finding new people is one of the most important things we do. If we don't find new people we will run out of people to teach. That's about all for last week.
Over the last few days I've been focusing on becoming more powerful in all that I do. I have been studying it quite a lot. One of the biggest things that has held me back is fear. I let fear and doubt creep in and they keep me from being more powerful and achieving greater things. There is a quote that President Barry sent to us in his letter that talks about this.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. ~Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles," 1992 (commonly misattributed to Nelson Mandela, 1994 inauguration speech)
I think that sums things up pretty well. When I lose my fear and doubt it will help others do the same. When that fear is replaced with courage and love it will bless and lift others so that they may achieve greater things. That is how I can do all things with greater power.
Love Always, Zach
How are things going back home? Out here all is well. To start I'm going to answer a few questions from Mom's last letter.
First, my responsibilities as a zone leader are similar to those of a district leader except on a larger scale. As a zone leader me and my companion, Elder Failner, are both zone leaders. We are accountable for what happens within our zone. There are eight companionship's in our zone. Basically the companionship's report to their district leaders and the district leaders report to us. Then we report to the assistants to the president. We provide training when necessary, we go on tradeoffs with the district leaders, and when we get the weekly numbers we look to see what our zone needs and share with the district leaders what we feel. Those are the basics. There are a lot of little things that I could write about, but that probably wouldn't be very interesting. With that said, I have really enjoyed it so far. Last Monday the assistants came and went on a tradeoff with Elder Failner and I. It went really well. Elder Aiono went out with me and I had a great time. He is a really great missionary, and I was able to learn a lot from him.
Next, yes we do have a crock pot. I'm not sure what significance that has.
We can't wear any pink or purple ties anymore because we want the first thing people notice to be our name tags, not our ties. We are supposed to have conservative ties only, no bright colors or pink or purple ties. That's the new rule.
Lastly, my bike is not fixed. I did fix it, but it didn't last. The day before I got transferred I bought a new tube and Elder Allen put it in for me because he's really nice. It was fine, but after the transfer meeting it had gone flat. I'm not sure what is going on with it because I haven't had time to look at it. I don't need it right now anyway. The only time I'll be on a bike is if I'm on a tradeoff, and if that's the case I can use someone else's bike. I'll have to look at it when I get more time.
That's it for Mom's questions.
Last week was good. There really isn't anything exciting to write about at the moment. Every day is slightly unique in it's own way, but for the most part it's the same. We are no longer teaching Alvin. He wasn't keeping commitments. We have two other guys we might be able to baptize within the coming weeks. They are Shaun and Shawn. Yes they have the same name. The only difference is the spelling. Shaun has a baptismal date for June 26th. He has given up a lot. In order to live the law of chastity he left his girlfriend and is now staying in a hotel room. The hardest part is getting in touch with him because his phone got turned off. Shawn is doing really well. We don't have a set date for his baptism. He hopefully will be baptized soon, but we're waiting on some other things to get taken care of first. Elder Failner and I were blessed to find eight new investigators last week! It's been quite awhile since I've found that many in one week. It was really great to find that many new people. Finding new people is one of the most important things we do. If we don't find new people we will run out of people to teach. That's about all for last week.
Over the last few days I've been focusing on becoming more powerful in all that I do. I have been studying it quite a lot. One of the biggest things that has held me back is fear. I let fear and doubt creep in and they keep me from being more powerful and achieving greater things. There is a quote that President Barry sent to us in his letter that talks about this.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. ~Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles," 1992 (commonly misattributed to Nelson Mandela, 1994 inauguration speech)
I think that sums things up pretty well. When I lose my fear and doubt it will help others do the same. When that fear is replaced with courage and love it will bless and lift others so that they may achieve greater things. That is how I can do all things with greater power.
Love Always, Zach
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Busy Week!!
June 6, 2011...Dear Family,
What a busy week it was!! Elder Failner and I were all over the place. Monday and Tuesday were actually pretty much normal days. However from Wednesday on it was crazy!
On Wednesday we had a Zone Leader Council in Jacksonville. We had to leave at 6:30 that morning and got back just before six that night. The meeting was incredible! I've never been in an environment like it. It was the zone leaders, twelve in all, the assistants to the president, Sister Barry, and President Barry. As we talked about the challenges that the mission is facing I really felt a great amount of guidance from the Holy Ghost. I had new ideas flowing in regard to how we, Elder Failner and I, can help the missionaries in our zone. We then received some instruction/training from President and Sister Barry. They talked about the importance of having Christlike love and charity. How this one attribute can break down walls and help us do all things with greater power. There was so much that was said and felt. I wish I could share it all with you. It was an eye opening experience. The real challenge of it all was taking those things we learned while in Jacksonville and presenting it to our zone on Thursday. Not to mention we had to teach it all in about an hour.
I'm happy to say it went really well. We brainstormed a lot of different things and were able, with an extreme amount of guidance from the Holy Ghost, to pull it off. It was the best zone meeting I've been to. There was an abundance of love in that room. I feel like we all took a huge step in the right direction.
The rest of the week was an interesting experience. Elder Failner and I went out and did all things with greater love and charity. We saw a lot more success and felt more power as we did so. People were more responsive and barriers were being broken. Then Sunday came and along with it a lot of testing. Our new found abundance of love and charity was put to the test. We had six investigators committed to coming to church and none of them showed up. That's always one of the hardest things to deal with. You can work really hard and see great things during the week, but when nobody shows up for church it feels like you've taken three steps back. It's never been easy, but yesterday it was especially hard because our investigators were all so excited to come and we had been really focusing on getting them there. We had even seen most of them on Saturday and they all were really looking forward to church. It was a tough blow. Also when that happens we have to go and see each of them to figure out why they didn't come to church. It definitely takes love to go in and not get upset. I'm happy to say that we were able to handle each situation with love. We were patient with each investigator and able to help most of them get back on track. Unfortunately we did have to drop a few, but we did it in the right way.
We have some investigators that are looking like they may be able to get baptized this month. Right now we have two investigators that are likely to get baptized this month. One has a date for the 26th and the other we actually have to wait for some stuff to clear up, but we think it will still be able to happen this month. The two right now are Alvin and Shawn. They are both doing really well. Shawn is incredible! He has a great testimony of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. When he is able to be baptized he will do a lot of great things in the Church. Alvin is the other investigator. He has a date for June 26th. He has been making pretty good progress. The biggest thing is getting him to church consistently. Please keep them in your prayers. Also if all of you wouldn't mind praying for our mission as a whole. We have a goal of 900 baptisms with 80% retention this year and your prayers can help us achieve that.
Being a zone leader has kept me very busy. We are constantly on the move and always have something going on. This week is going to be slower than last week, but we still have a lot to do. We always do. There is definitely a lot more responsibility too. The really great thing about it is that I'm not the only one trying to do it all. It's really great that Elder Failner and I can discuss all the challenges of the zone and come up with a solution together. I have really felt the Spirit guiding us in all that we do for the zone. I feel like being a district leader was a little tougher because all of the responsibility fell on me. However there is a lot more responsibility as a zone leader.
As I've been focusing more on love the last few days I have felt, and seen, a wonderful change within myself. I find myself looking for the good in people and being able to see it. I see them as children of God. As my brothers and sisters. I have felt a greater love for all. I have especially come to love my Savior and Heavenly Father more. I know that as I continue to love Them more I will be able to love everyone more.
Love Always, Zach
Lake City Zone is in the west part of the mission which is the northwest part of Florida, excluding the panhandle. Zach and the Elders below cover the Starke District.
http://floridajacksonvillemissionnews.blogspot.com/
What a busy week it was!! Elder Failner and I were all over the place. Monday and Tuesday were actually pretty much normal days. However from Wednesday on it was crazy!
On Wednesday we had a Zone Leader Council in Jacksonville. We had to leave at 6:30 that morning and got back just before six that night. The meeting was incredible! I've never been in an environment like it. It was the zone leaders, twelve in all, the assistants to the president, Sister Barry, and President Barry. As we talked about the challenges that the mission is facing I really felt a great amount of guidance from the Holy Ghost. I had new ideas flowing in regard to how we, Elder Failner and I, can help the missionaries in our zone. We then received some instruction/training from President and Sister Barry. They talked about the importance of having Christlike love and charity. How this one attribute can break down walls and help us do all things with greater power. There was so much that was said and felt. I wish I could share it all with you. It was an eye opening experience. The real challenge of it all was taking those things we learned while in Jacksonville and presenting it to our zone on Thursday. Not to mention we had to teach it all in about an hour.
I'm happy to say it went really well. We brainstormed a lot of different things and were able, with an extreme amount of guidance from the Holy Ghost, to pull it off. It was the best zone meeting I've been to. There was an abundance of love in that room. I feel like we all took a huge step in the right direction.
The rest of the week was an interesting experience. Elder Failner and I went out and did all things with greater love and charity. We saw a lot more success and felt more power as we did so. People were more responsive and barriers were being broken. Then Sunday came and along with it a lot of testing. Our new found abundance of love and charity was put to the test. We had six investigators committed to coming to church and none of them showed up. That's always one of the hardest things to deal with. You can work really hard and see great things during the week, but when nobody shows up for church it feels like you've taken three steps back. It's never been easy, but yesterday it was especially hard because our investigators were all so excited to come and we had been really focusing on getting them there. We had even seen most of them on Saturday and they all were really looking forward to church. It was a tough blow. Also when that happens we have to go and see each of them to figure out why they didn't come to church. It definitely takes love to go in and not get upset. I'm happy to say that we were able to handle each situation with love. We were patient with each investigator and able to help most of them get back on track. Unfortunately we did have to drop a few, but we did it in the right way.
We have some investigators that are looking like they may be able to get baptized this month. Right now we have two investigators that are likely to get baptized this month. One has a date for the 26th and the other we actually have to wait for some stuff to clear up, but we think it will still be able to happen this month. The two right now are Alvin and Shawn. They are both doing really well. Shawn is incredible! He has a great testimony of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. When he is able to be baptized he will do a lot of great things in the Church. Alvin is the other investigator. He has a date for June 26th. He has been making pretty good progress. The biggest thing is getting him to church consistently. Please keep them in your prayers. Also if all of you wouldn't mind praying for our mission as a whole. We have a goal of 900 baptisms with 80% retention this year and your prayers can help us achieve that.
Being a zone leader has kept me very busy. We are constantly on the move and always have something going on. This week is going to be slower than last week, but we still have a lot to do. We always do. There is definitely a lot more responsibility too. The really great thing about it is that I'm not the only one trying to do it all. It's really great that Elder Failner and I can discuss all the challenges of the zone and come up with a solution together. I have really felt the Spirit guiding us in all that we do for the zone. I feel like being a district leader was a little tougher because all of the responsibility fell on me. However there is a lot more responsibility as a zone leader.
As I've been focusing more on love the last few days I have felt, and seen, a wonderful change within myself. I find myself looking for the good in people and being able to see it. I see them as children of God. As my brothers and sisters. I have felt a greater love for all. I have especially come to love my Savior and Heavenly Father more. I know that as I continue to love Them more I will be able to love everyone more.
Love Always, Zach
Lake City Zone is in the west part of the mission which is the northwest part of Florida, excluding the panhandle. Zach and the Elders below cover the Starke District.
 |
| Back: Elder Collard, Elder Drake, Elder Hinton - District Leader Front: Elder Robinson, Elder Cox, Elder Morris, Elder Snow, Elder Failner |
 |
| The Lake City Zone gathered around their banner. The 162 is their goal for baptisms this year as a zone. 9C/80% is the mission goal - 900 baptism with 80% retention. |
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