Monday, July 25, 2011
Kudos to Q...
Greetings from Lake City…
July 25, 2011...My Family,
Hello again from Lake City Florida! It was another good week. We taught a lot of lessons and some of our investigators are coming along really well. For the most part the week was pretty normal. Which means we were constantly busy and had some strange experiences. However, I don't really remember any of them. They just blur together. Along with those strange experiences we had some really amazing experiences!
Yesterday Shawn was confirmed! He was so happy and has just been full of joy ever since his baptism. I'm excited to see how he does in the Church. Also it's cool because he can go to lessons with us. He has a really powerful testimony and will be great!
Lisa is also doing well. She's been coming along and is consistently willing to do what we ask of her. She came to church for the third week in a row now. It's really great to see how she has progressed. As of right now her baptism is scheduled for August 28th, but we're hoping we can move that forward a week or two.
One of the really cool experiences we had was yesterday. We have an investigator named Melissa. It has been nearly impossible to get her to church since we found her about a month ago. Every time she seems really solid, but something crazy comes up. So on Saturday we saw her and had a really powerful lesson. At one point she broke into tears and said how much she wants to change and come to church! It was a special moment. The lesson went really well, and she was set to come to church. Well, she didn't make it. She was all ready to go, but had some car trouble and wasn't able to be there. We were really shocked. After church we went to see her and we weren't able to have a lesson at her house so we took her to the church to have a tour. She came and again it was incredible. We showed her most of the church then went into the chapel to show her it and talk to her. The Spirit was really strong there. It was so peaceful! We talked about the Church and how we're a family and a lot of really good things. We then showed her the baptismal font and set a date with her. She is set to get baptized on August 14th. We're really excited. She is really sincere. We need to make sure she comes to church now.
On Friday the Assistants to the President came out on a tradeoff with us. It went really well. Elder Jacobs went with me and Elder Wise. I really enjoyed it. In the past that would have been nerve racking, but I've really seen my confidence grow over the last few months.
Over the last week I studied about baptism a little each day. I learned so much! Each day I would find myself studying about the sacrament. It really is such a sacred ordinance.
Gotta go.
Love Always, Zach
Hello again from Lake City Florida! It was another good week. We taught a lot of lessons and some of our investigators are coming along really well. For the most part the week was pretty normal. Which means we were constantly busy and had some strange experiences. However, I don't really remember any of them. They just blur together. Along with those strange experiences we had some really amazing experiences!
Yesterday Shawn was confirmed! He was so happy and has just been full of joy ever since his baptism. I'm excited to see how he does in the Church. Also it's cool because he can go to lessons with us. He has a really powerful testimony and will be great!
Lisa is also doing well. She's been coming along and is consistently willing to do what we ask of her. She came to church for the third week in a row now. It's really great to see how she has progressed. As of right now her baptism is scheduled for August 28th, but we're hoping we can move that forward a week or two.
One of the really cool experiences we had was yesterday. We have an investigator named Melissa. It has been nearly impossible to get her to church since we found her about a month ago. Every time she seems really solid, but something crazy comes up. So on Saturday we saw her and had a really powerful lesson. At one point she broke into tears and said how much she wants to change and come to church! It was a special moment. The lesson went really well, and she was set to come to church. Well, she didn't make it. She was all ready to go, but had some car trouble and wasn't able to be there. We were really shocked. After church we went to see her and we weren't able to have a lesson at her house so we took her to the church to have a tour. She came and again it was incredible. We showed her most of the church then went into the chapel to show her it and talk to her. The Spirit was really strong there. It was so peaceful! We talked about the Church and how we're a family and a lot of really good things. We then showed her the baptismal font and set a date with her. She is set to get baptized on August 14th. We're really excited. She is really sincere. We need to make sure she comes to church now.
On Friday the Assistants to the President came out on a tradeoff with us. It went really well. Elder Jacobs went with me and Elder Wise. I really enjoyed it. In the past that would have been nerve racking, but I've really seen my confidence grow over the last few months.
Over the last week I studied about baptism a little each day. I learned so much! Each day I would find myself studying about the sacrament. It really is such a sacred ordinance.
Gotta go.
Love Always, Zach
Monday, July 18, 2011
busy week…
July 18, 2011 ...Dear Family,
This last week was really busy and good! We worked hard and saw more success than I have in a long time. To top it all off Shawn was baptized on Saturday! It was a fantastic service. He was really happy and had a bounce in his step all day. There was a great spirit there. The unfortunate part about this is that he wasn't able to make it to church yesterday, so he wasn't able to be confirmed. The reason he didn't make it is because he went to work. We were devastated when we found out! We were all in shock! We were able to talk to him briefly later, but we're going to go back during the week and clear things up. Everything should work out. I really hope this new job he has isn't going to interfere with him staying active and progressing.
On Wednesday we had a Leadership Training Meeting and it went really well. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and was able to learn a lot of great new stuff. That's one of the best things about being a leader. I get to go to more meetings and receive instruction directly from President Barry. It's a great blessing. I also enjoy being able to pass it along to the other missionaries.![]()
http://floridajacksonvillemissionnews.blogspot.com/
We taught quite a few lessons this last week and met some great new people. We were also able to get things moving in a good direction for this week. We have one investigator named Lisa and she is progressing well. She has come to church twice now and is scheduled to be baptized in August. We were going to do it this week, but moved it back for now. She has been through a lot and it will be for her best.
Now, here are the answers to Mom's questions. Elder Wise is from Camas, Washington. I thought I wrote this last week, but I may have forgotten. Shaun is still not in the picture. We haven't been actively looking for him or anything, but we've talked to a few members who said they saw him around. We're not really sure if he is still here or if he moved to Ft. Lauderdale. Last we talked to him that's where he was going to go. Bridgett is the girl who had a friend get married in the temple a few weeks ago, and we're not teaching her right now. She was really hard to get a hold of and had so much going on that she kept cancelling appointments. Last we talked to her she said to try back in August. We're disappointed, but will give her some time and try back. That's about all we can do at this point. We aren't teaching Nile anymore either. He was progressing really well, then one day he had a total change of heart. He was struggling with some things and just went cold REALLY fast. Every time we tried talking to, or contacting, him he was less interested and less friendly. We were shocked about that too. He was doing so well and made a lot of progress. That's something Elder Failner and I have noticed a lot lately. We have found a lot of people, but we have also dropped a lot of people....not to mention the people who have dropped us. We have found some people that have incredible potential to do great things within the Church, but they don't pan out. It's unfortunate, but it's a part of missionary work. At times I wonder what the Lord is trying to teach me with these kinds of things. I'm sure there is a great reason. Perhaps He is just teaching me to be patient and how to be happy regardless of what decisions people around me make. Also to continue to work hard even when things aren't going my way.
I have learned a lot while out here. I'm really happy about it too. I really have seen great growth within myself and my testimony is so much stronger. I'm so thankful I am out here doing this great work. I truly believe everyone who can, should serve a mission. It's the most challenging thing I have ever done, but by far the most rewarding. Before I came out everyone told me how hard it would be. I knew it would, but now I have an even greater understanding of what they meant. It challenges me, and every other missionary, in every way. I have to deal with things I never thought I would be dealing with. On the same token everyone told me how great it would be. I've come to understand this more too. In the past working hard would mostly bring about temporal things, but now when I work hard it brings about eternal life for those around me. There is no greater thing. In D&C18:15-16 it sums it all up perfectly.
I've gotta go now.
Love Always, Zach
This last week was really busy and good! We worked hard and saw more success than I have in a long time. To top it all off Shawn was baptized on Saturday! It was a fantastic service. He was really happy and had a bounce in his step all day. There was a great spirit there. The unfortunate part about this is that he wasn't able to make it to church yesterday, so he wasn't able to be confirmed. The reason he didn't make it is because he went to work. We were devastated when we found out! We were all in shock! We were able to talk to him briefly later, but we're going to go back during the week and clear things up. Everything should work out. I really hope this new job he has isn't going to interfere with him staying active and progressing.
On Wednesday we had a Leadership Training Meeting and it went really well. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and was able to learn a lot of great new stuff. That's one of the best things about being a leader. I get to go to more meetings and receive instruction directly from President Barry. It's a great blessing. I also enjoy being able to pass it along to the other missionaries.
http://floridajacksonvillemissionnews.blogspot.com/
We taught quite a few lessons this last week and met some great new people. We were also able to get things moving in a good direction for this week. We have one investigator named Lisa and she is progressing well. She has come to church twice now and is scheduled to be baptized in August. We were going to do it this week, but moved it back for now. She has been through a lot and it will be for her best.
Now, here are the answers to Mom's questions. Elder Wise is from Camas, Washington. I thought I wrote this last week, but I may have forgotten. Shaun is still not in the picture. We haven't been actively looking for him or anything, but we've talked to a few members who said they saw him around. We're not really sure if he is still here or if he moved to Ft. Lauderdale. Last we talked to him that's where he was going to go. Bridgett is the girl who had a friend get married in the temple a few weeks ago, and we're not teaching her right now. She was really hard to get a hold of and had so much going on that she kept cancelling appointments. Last we talked to her she said to try back in August. We're disappointed, but will give her some time and try back. That's about all we can do at this point. We aren't teaching Nile anymore either. He was progressing really well, then one day he had a total change of heart. He was struggling with some things and just went cold REALLY fast. Every time we tried talking to, or contacting, him he was less interested and less friendly. We were shocked about that too. He was doing so well and made a lot of progress. That's something Elder Failner and I have noticed a lot lately. We have found a lot of people, but we have also dropped a lot of people....not to mention the people who have dropped us. We have found some people that have incredible potential to do great things within the Church, but they don't pan out. It's unfortunate, but it's a part of missionary work. At times I wonder what the Lord is trying to teach me with these kinds of things. I'm sure there is a great reason. Perhaps He is just teaching me to be patient and how to be happy regardless of what decisions people around me make. Also to continue to work hard even when things aren't going my way.
I have learned a lot while out here. I'm really happy about it too. I really have seen great growth within myself and my testimony is so much stronger. I'm so thankful I am out here doing this great work. I truly believe everyone who can, should serve a mission. It's the most challenging thing I have ever done, but by far the most rewarding. Before I came out everyone told me how hard it would be. I knew it would, but now I have an even greater understanding of what they meant. It challenges me, and every other missionary, in every way. I have to deal with things I never thought I would be dealing with. On the same token everyone told me how great it would be. I've come to understand this more too. In the past working hard would mostly bring about temporal things, but now when I work hard it brings about eternal life for those around me. There is no greater thing. In D&C18:15-16 it sums it all up perfectly.
I've gotta go now.
Love Always, Zach
Monday, July 11, 2011
We have signed up with Saving Dinner to have an on going fundraiser for Rachel and the TSAlliance. Please go to the link below to check out this wonderful program and sign up with us. They are very generous and 60% of the money will go to the TSAlliance. Please pass this onto your friends and post the link below on facebook and your blogs. Let's support the work for a cure. Be sure to go to bug's bandwagon and view her page and check back often for new fundraisers.
http://www.savingdinner.com/348.html
Momma Snow-flake is MAD... sorta
Apparently the U.S mail system has failed me and some of you. I sent a package to Zachery on the 28th of June and as of today he has yet to receive it. So much for priority mail. Brady and Christy sent him some pictures they took of their cute kids around the end of May and you guessed it, it's lost somewhere in Florida.
So sorry if any of your letter's or package's are lost too! Lets hope that they get to him soon, somehow!
So sorry if any of your letter's or package's are lost too! Lets hope that they get to him soon, somehow!
Short and Sweet...
July 11, 2011...Dear Family,
How are each of you doing? I hope all is well. Things here are getting better. We had some great miracles the last week. On Tuesday Elder Failner and I got our new missionary. He is Elder Wise and he is from Vancouver, Washington. He is a great missionary. He has been learning quickly and has a great attitude. It's definitely different being in a three man companionship. I have really enjoyed it so far. It has been a great blessing when there is a difference of opinion...it's actually been a great blessing in many ways. The biggest challenge we've seen is getting so we can all teach during the lessons. It's especially hard for Elder Wise because Elder Failner and I talk so much. It's something we're still figuring out, but we're moving in the right direction.
Oh, to answer mom's question the fourth of July was just a normal day for me. We didn't see fireworks or anything like that. I had actually forgotten it was the fourth of July for the most part. Later that night it was nearly impossible to get into anyone's home. I figured it would be, but we did find a really cool lady. We didn't teach her Monday because she was leaving to fireworks, but we went back on Tuesday and had a lesson with her. It went really well. Her name is Mary and she's a great lady. We saw her a few times last week and she has a lot of potential. We actually found quite a few investigators who have a lot of potential. Also Shawn got back in town on Friday!! We are so stoked! He is scheduled to be baptized this Saturday. We're really praying that all will go well for him. He is getting interviewed tonight and if that ends well he should be good. We also have another investigator who is scheduled to be baptized on the 24th of July. Her name is Lisa and she's really great too! She was at church yesterday and the ward did a really great job of fellowshipping her. This last week was really good. We definitely took a step in the right direction. Now we just need to keep heading that way.
Brady and Christy, Mom told me that you sent some pictures. I haven't gotten them yet, but thank you for sending them. I really look forward to getting them! I'm sure they will be wonderful!
This last week I studied a lot more about faith. It's such an essential thing to have, and the greater faith we have the better our lives will be. I feel like I grew over the last week. I trust the Lord more than I have ever trusted Him, and it feels wonderful! Before studying it I knew what faith was, but I still felt like I didn't have a very good understanding of it. Now I do, and I've already seen more blessings. I recognize and believe that all things are possible when we have faith, and when it's the will of God. I can't really explain it all, but I feel more confident in what I do because I know I'm doing it for the Lord.
Over the last week I've also been able to reflect more on my mission. It's mostly because Elder Wise is here and I'm trying to remember what it is like to be in his shoes. That is a difficult thing to do at times. I realize how much I have really grown during both the good and bad times. I see that it truly has been a little at a time. There were moments where I saw quick growth, but for the most part it's been a little at a time. Last night I was reading in my journal and I was reading some entries from a time when I was really struggling. I look back now and find happiness in those memories because without them I wouldn't be who I am today. During the time it was really hard. I felt so lost and confused, but through those trials I became a better person. I'm looking forward to continuing to improve and grow.
Well, that's all for now.
Love Always, Zach
How are each of you doing? I hope all is well. Things here are getting better. We had some great miracles the last week. On Tuesday Elder Failner and I got our new missionary. He is Elder Wise and he is from Vancouver, Washington. He is a great missionary. He has been learning quickly and has a great attitude. It's definitely different being in a three man companionship. I have really enjoyed it so far. It has been a great blessing when there is a difference of opinion...it's actually been a great blessing in many ways. The biggest challenge we've seen is getting so we can all teach during the lessons. It's especially hard for Elder Wise because Elder Failner and I talk so much. It's something we're still figuring out, but we're moving in the right direction.
Oh, to answer mom's question the fourth of July was just a normal day for me. We didn't see fireworks or anything like that. I had actually forgotten it was the fourth of July for the most part. Later that night it was nearly impossible to get into anyone's home. I figured it would be, but we did find a really cool lady. We didn't teach her Monday because she was leaving to fireworks, but we went back on Tuesday and had a lesson with her. It went really well. Her name is Mary and she's a great lady. We saw her a few times last week and she has a lot of potential. We actually found quite a few investigators who have a lot of potential. Also Shawn got back in town on Friday!! We are so stoked! He is scheduled to be baptized this Saturday. We're really praying that all will go well for him. He is getting interviewed tonight and if that ends well he should be good. We also have another investigator who is scheduled to be baptized on the 24th of July. Her name is Lisa and she's really great too! She was at church yesterday and the ward did a really great job of fellowshipping her. This last week was really good. We definitely took a step in the right direction. Now we just need to keep heading that way.
Brady and Christy, Mom told me that you sent some pictures. I haven't gotten them yet, but thank you for sending them. I really look forward to getting them! I'm sure they will be wonderful!
This last week I studied a lot more about faith. It's such an essential thing to have, and the greater faith we have the better our lives will be. I feel like I grew over the last week. I trust the Lord more than I have ever trusted Him, and it feels wonderful! Before studying it I knew what faith was, but I still felt like I didn't have a very good understanding of it. Now I do, and I've already seen more blessings. I recognize and believe that all things are possible when we have faith, and when it's the will of God. I can't really explain it all, but I feel more confident in what I do because I know I'm doing it for the Lord.
Over the last week I've also been able to reflect more on my mission. It's mostly because Elder Wise is here and I'm trying to remember what it is like to be in his shoes. That is a difficult thing to do at times. I realize how much I have really grown during both the good and bad times. I see that it truly has been a little at a time. There were moments where I saw quick growth, but for the most part it's been a little at a time. Last night I was reading in my journal and I was reading some entries from a time when I was really struggling. I look back now and find happiness in those memories because without them I wouldn't be who I am today. During the time it was really hard. I felt so lost and confused, but through those trials I became a better person. I'm looking forward to continuing to improve and grow.
Well, that's all for now.
Love Always, Zach
Monday, July 4, 2011
Staying Put...But Getting A New Baby Boy
July 4, 2011…Hello Family,
It was a CRAZY week!! Elder Failner and I had very little time to work in our own area. On Tuesday we went to a district meeting for the morning hours. Then after that we spent basically the rest of the day in the ER. Elder Failner was in a lot of pain...so we went to the ER and it took forever for them to do anything. Turns out it's nothing too serious, but that pretty much killed our day. Wednesday we went to Jacksonville for our Zone Leader Council. It was really great. My favorite part is when we actually have do the council. We all discuss challenges our zones are seeing and also areas where we have seen success. It's a really great experience. Thursday we finally had a full day to work in our area and it went really well. It was the most productive day of the week. Friday was another lost day. We had weekly planning for the morning. Then we had to drive to each area in our zone and deliver some stuff. It took a lot of time. Saturday was another day where we got to work in our area all day. It went well too. Sunday was okay. It was just a hectic week. We were all over the place. This week should be better.
Transfer calls came and went Saturday night. Elder Failner and I are staying here. We also got a call from President Barry this morning. We are going to be training a new missionary. I'm really excited to train again! I enjoyed it last time and imagine I will this time too. It should be easier too because Elder Failner and I are doing it together. So we're going to be in a three man companionship for the next six weeks.
As for investigators we are up and down. We have a few that are doing well. We also had to drop a few more last week. It's never fun dropping people. Some of them are so close too!
Yesterday Elder Failner and I were talking about trials. We were talking about how after trials there are blessings. The thought came to me that while there are blessings they come in very different ways. For example, we haven't been able to get very many people to church lately. We've really been focusing on it, but for some reason our investigators always have really crazy things happen in their lives when they're supposed to be there. We figure that this is a trial and that the Lord will bless us if we are patient and continue on working hard. The blessings we imagine is that we'll get a bunch of people who are super elect and get them to church. However, I thought about it yesterday and I think that the blessings don't really work that way. Maybe the blessing we will receive is added patience and faith in the face of trial. It could be something that simple. It was an interesting thought....sorry if this doesn't make sense. It's harder to write it our than it is to speak it....
Anyway, I've got to go now.
Love Always, Zach
It was a CRAZY week!! Elder Failner and I had very little time to work in our own area. On Tuesday we went to a district meeting for the morning hours. Then after that we spent basically the rest of the day in the ER. Elder Failner was in a lot of pain...so we went to the ER and it took forever for them to do anything. Turns out it's nothing too serious, but that pretty much killed our day. Wednesday we went to Jacksonville for our Zone Leader Council. It was really great. My favorite part is when we actually have do the council. We all discuss challenges our zones are seeing and also areas where we have seen success. It's a really great experience. Thursday we finally had a full day to work in our area and it went really well. It was the most productive day of the week. Friday was another lost day. We had weekly planning for the morning. Then we had to drive to each area in our zone and deliver some stuff. It took a lot of time. Saturday was another day where we got to work in our area all day. It went well too. Sunday was okay. It was just a hectic week. We were all over the place. This week should be better.
Transfer calls came and went Saturday night. Elder Failner and I are staying here. We also got a call from President Barry this morning. We are going to be training a new missionary. I'm really excited to train again! I enjoyed it last time and imagine I will this time too. It should be easier too because Elder Failner and I are doing it together. So we're going to be in a three man companionship for the next six weeks.
As for investigators we are up and down. We have a few that are doing well. We also had to drop a few more last week. It's never fun dropping people. Some of them are so close too!
Yesterday Elder Failner and I were talking about trials. We were talking about how after trials there are blessings. The thought came to me that while there are blessings they come in very different ways. For example, we haven't been able to get very many people to church lately. We've really been focusing on it, but for some reason our investigators always have really crazy things happen in their lives when they're supposed to be there. We figure that this is a trial and that the Lord will bless us if we are patient and continue on working hard. The blessings we imagine is that we'll get a bunch of people who are super elect and get them to church. However, I thought about it yesterday and I think that the blessings don't really work that way. Maybe the blessing we will receive is added patience and faith in the face of trial. It could be something that simple. It was an interesting thought....sorry if this doesn't make sense. It's harder to write it our than it is to speak it....
Anyway, I've got to go now.
Love Always, Zach
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