November 28, 2011...My Family,
This is going to be very short because of time constraints.
With that being said it was an okay week. Elder Mecham and I were very busy. We drove a lot. We had a lot of different meetings to go to. This week we have a few, but thankfully it won't be as bad.
For Thanksgiving we had three different meals to go to. The first one started at noon and the last one started at five...we were really stuffed! I did pretty well with managing my portions so I didn't get too full, but by time we got to the last meal I needed a break from eating. Overall it was an okay day. Not much really happened.
The best news from the past week is that Rachel and her son Zachary were baptized yesterday! It was a really wonderful baptism. A lot of people from the ward showed up.
Well, that's all I've got this week.
Sorry it's so short.
Love Always, Zach
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Tender Mercies
November 21, 2011...Dear Family,
Wow! What a busy week it was! Elder Mecham and I had a lot of things going on. I would love to be able to write about all the miracles the Lord provided for us, but it would take a long time. Needless to say we were very blessed. The week started off really well. We were able to set a date for the 27th with a mom and her son. It's really exciting because the mom is engaged to a member. Their names are Rachel and Zachary. They're both really wonderful. Rachel has been incredible! She originally was going to wait until February to get baptized, but during the lesson on Monday night the Spirit really worked on her and she set a date for the 27th of this month. I would love to share it all, but it's so hard to describe the Spirit that was there. We did share some scriptures about procrastinating repentance. I shared Alma 34:33 and shared my testimony about that scripture and what it meant to me. Then we watched her as the Spirit helped her decide to get baptized. It was such a powerful lesson!
We also had a miracle baptism. We have been teaching a part-member family and the wife had a date for the 20th, but as of Tuesday we didn't think it would be happening because they got some really hard news as a family. They cancelled their appointment with us and it looked like she wouldn't be able to be baptized until December. However, we taught them on Friday and the Spirit had once again been working on her and right at the beginning of the lesson she told us she had made up her mind and was going to be baptized on the 20th. Her name is Shelly and she had to overcome a lot. She has an extreme fear of going under water. However she was able to overcome that fear and was baptized yesterday!
The other baptism we had was also wonderful. It was another part-member family. They originally were going to get married in April, but over the last few weeks they have been moving the date closer and closer. Well, they decided to do it on Saturday. When we found out they were getting married a few weeks ago we invited Chris, the now husband, to be baptized on the 20th. I'm happy to say that all went wonderfully. They were married Saturday night and he was baptized yesterday.
The rest of the week was really busy! On Wednesday we went to a leadership meeting and that took from 9-4. It was a long day. One thing that was really emphasized is using mormon.org more often. There are so many wonderful ways to learn about our beliefs on there. It is a great tool to share the gospel with EVERYONE! I really like all the videos. One video that I like talks about the Book of Mormon. This is the link http://bcove.me/92yzr7u4 there are many other good videos. Also on Tuesday and Thursday we went to some district meetings. It felt like we were running all over the place for most of the week. The Lord really did provide many miracles though.
http://floridajacksonvillemissionnews.blogspot.com/
That's our week in a nutshell.
I really can't think of anything else to share. My mind needs a rest from writing emails...
Love Always, Zach
Wow! What a busy week it was! Elder Mecham and I had a lot of things going on. I would love to be able to write about all the miracles the Lord provided for us, but it would take a long time. Needless to say we were very blessed. The week started off really well. We were able to set a date for the 27th with a mom and her son. It's really exciting because the mom is engaged to a member. Their names are Rachel and Zachary. They're both really wonderful. Rachel has been incredible! She originally was going to wait until February to get baptized, but during the lesson on Monday night the Spirit really worked on her and she set a date for the 27th of this month. I would love to share it all, but it's so hard to describe the Spirit that was there. We did share some scriptures about procrastinating repentance. I shared Alma 34:33 and shared my testimony about that scripture and what it meant to me. Then we watched her as the Spirit helped her decide to get baptized. It was such a powerful lesson!
We also had a miracle baptism. We have been teaching a part-member family and the wife had a date for the 20th, but as of Tuesday we didn't think it would be happening because they got some really hard news as a family. They cancelled their appointment with us and it looked like she wouldn't be able to be baptized until December. However, we taught them on Friday and the Spirit had once again been working on her and right at the beginning of the lesson she told us she had made up her mind and was going to be baptized on the 20th. Her name is Shelly and she had to overcome a lot. She has an extreme fear of going under water. However she was able to overcome that fear and was baptized yesterday!
The other baptism we had was also wonderful. It was another part-member family. They originally were going to get married in April, but over the last few weeks they have been moving the date closer and closer. Well, they decided to do it on Saturday. When we found out they were getting married a few weeks ago we invited Chris, the now husband, to be baptized on the 20th. I'm happy to say that all went wonderfully. They were married Saturday night and he was baptized yesterday.
The rest of the week was really busy! On Wednesday we went to a leadership meeting and that took from 9-4. It was a long day. One thing that was really emphasized is using mormon.org more often. There are so many wonderful ways to learn about our beliefs on there. It is a great tool to share the gospel with EVERYONE! I really like all the videos. One video that I like talks about the Book of Mormon. This is the link http://bcove.me/92yzr7u4 there are many other good videos. Also on Tuesday and Thursday we went to some district meetings. It felt like we were running all over the place for most of the week. The Lord really did provide many miracles though.
http://floridajacksonvillemissionnews.blogspot.com/
That's our week in a nutshell.
I really can't think of anything else to share. My mind needs a rest from writing emails...
Love Always, Zach
Monday, November 14, 2011
Oldest town in the United States...?
November 14, 2011...Dear Family,
I'm officially out of Lake City! Wednesday was transfer meeting and I am now in St. Augustine, Florida. If I remember correctly it is the oldest town in the United States. It was founded around 1585...I'm probably a little off though. I'm still a zone leader, but now I am a zone leader for the Jax South Zone. It has a few more companionships than the Lake City Zone. My new companion is Elder Mecham and he is from Folsom, California. He has been out for about 14 months.
I really have enjoyed it here so far. The people are nice. This place has a much faster pace than Lake City. The last few days have been packed with things to do, and this week is filling up fast. The members have been really great.
The Ward didn't waste any time putting me to work. They had Elder Mecham and I talk in sacrament meeting yesterday. There are also Sister missionaries in our ward and one of them spoke too. I talked about the gift of the Holy Ghost. It was a short talk because of time, but it went really well. Elder Mecham talked about enduring to the end and he did really well too.
We had a few interesting experiences last week. On Thursday night we went to teach a potential investigator that a member referred us to. Elder Mecham had met her before. The lady used to be homeless, but now has a single wide trailer. That was a really interesting experience. We went in and it was just us, her, and another guy. We started talking to her and next thing we know there are two other guys there with us. I'm pretty sure they were all homeless. They were really friendly, but it was clear that they weren't all there mentally. They kept asking us questions and we shared some things with them. It didn't really go anywhere so we were working on leaving and offered to have a prayer with them. So we all knelt on the floor, held hands, and I said the prayer. Just as we were walking out the door another lady showed up. She mentioned that she was having a really difficult time right now and needed us to pray with her. So, we gathered around, held hands, and she said the prayer. She started her prayer, but said she wasn't sure what to pray for. So, the other lady started praying. She had said a few things, then one of the men started praying. By time we were done it was Elder Mecham and I standing in a circle with four of five homeless people holding hands. It's one of those moments where I wish I could have recorded all I saw and heard and sent it home. It has been a pretty long time since I've had anything like that happen.
On a more normal note, we're having a baptism this Sunday. We're baptizing a man named Chris. He has been taught for awhile, but when we went and saw him and his family on Saturday we set a date with him. We just pulled out a baptism record and asked him if he was ready to fill it out and be baptized. It went really well! He is going to be a really solid member!
That's all I can think of now.
Love Always, Zach
Introduction to St. AugustineAmerica's oldest permanent European settlement, St. Augustine draws history buffs and romantics to its Colonial Spanish Quarter and 18th-century buildings. It's a city that's been on travelers' itineraries for ages. Unlike other tourist hotspots, St. Augustine actually lives up to its romantic hype. With its coquina buildings and sprawling, moss-draped live oaks, visitors can do more than just museum hop. St. Augustine encourages guests to sit down for a while, and to drink in scenes from the past.
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/staugustine/0409010001.html
I'm officially out of Lake City! Wednesday was transfer meeting and I am now in St. Augustine, Florida. If I remember correctly it is the oldest town in the United States. It was founded around 1585...I'm probably a little off though. I'm still a zone leader, but now I am a zone leader for the Jax South Zone. It has a few more companionships than the Lake City Zone. My new companion is Elder Mecham and he is from Folsom, California. He has been out for about 14 months.
I really have enjoyed it here so far. The people are nice. This place has a much faster pace than Lake City. The last few days have been packed with things to do, and this week is filling up fast. The members have been really great.
The Ward didn't waste any time putting me to work. They had Elder Mecham and I talk in sacrament meeting yesterday. There are also Sister missionaries in our ward and one of them spoke too. I talked about the gift of the Holy Ghost. It was a short talk because of time, but it went really well. Elder Mecham talked about enduring to the end and he did really well too.
We had a few interesting experiences last week. On Thursday night we went to teach a potential investigator that a member referred us to. Elder Mecham had met her before. The lady used to be homeless, but now has a single wide trailer. That was a really interesting experience. We went in and it was just us, her, and another guy. We started talking to her and next thing we know there are two other guys there with us. I'm pretty sure they were all homeless. They were really friendly, but it was clear that they weren't all there mentally. They kept asking us questions and we shared some things with them. It didn't really go anywhere so we were working on leaving and offered to have a prayer with them. So we all knelt on the floor, held hands, and I said the prayer. Just as we were walking out the door another lady showed up. She mentioned that she was having a really difficult time right now and needed us to pray with her. So, we gathered around, held hands, and she said the prayer. She started her prayer, but said she wasn't sure what to pray for. So, the other lady started praying. She had said a few things, then one of the men started praying. By time we were done it was Elder Mecham and I standing in a circle with four of five homeless people holding hands. It's one of those moments where I wish I could have recorded all I saw and heard and sent it home. It has been a pretty long time since I've had anything like that happen.
On a more normal note, we're having a baptism this Sunday. We're baptizing a man named Chris. He has been taught for awhile, but when we went and saw him and his family on Saturday we set a date with him. We just pulled out a baptism record and asked him if he was ready to fill it out and be baptized. It went really well! He is going to be a really solid member!
That's all I can think of now.
Love Always, Zach
Introduction to St. AugustineAmerica's oldest permanent European settlement, St. Augustine draws history buffs and romantics to its Colonial Spanish Quarter and 18th-century buildings. It's a city that's been on travelers' itineraries for ages. Unlike other tourist hotspots, St. Augustine actually lives up to its romantic hype. With its coquina buildings and sprawling, moss-draped live oaks, visitors can do more than just museum hop. St. Augustine encourages guests to sit down for a while, and to drink in scenes from the past.
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/staugustine/0409010001.html
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
On the road again...
November 7, 2011... Dear Family,
Transfer calls came on Saturday night and I am being transferred. The actual transfer meeting is this Wednesday. I will find out where I am going at the meeting. I'm excited to find out where I'll be living for at least the next six weeks and who I will be living with.
I do have to say though, that I have really loved it here in Lake City. There are so many wonderful people and I have learned a lot! I definitely feel like I have become a better missionary and person. I am very thankful for the time I have been able to serve here.
My last week in the Cannon Creek Ward went well. For the most part it was normal. Unfortunately we weren't able to find any new investigators. It's been getting increasingly harder to find people the last few weeks. However, we have some great prospects.
We were able to teach quite a few of the members and help them out with their missionary efforts. I really enjoy teaching members...come to think of it I just enjoy teaching and helping people. It's fun to teach individuals, and families, that want to learn and do things.
The highlight of the week was yesterday. Weston was baptized and confirmed!! It was the least stressful baptism I have ever had! His grandma set up the program and the ward took care of the rest. There were a lot of people there yesterday. We almost didn't all fit in the room. Some people were Weston's family from out of town, but most of the people were members from the ward. Teaching Weston and his family over the last few weeks has been like a dream. It has been so smooth and easy. They were all really well prepared and had a ton of member support. It made it all so easy. That's the ideal situation. Now when I go, and when Elder Maxfield eventually goes, Weston and his family will have great friends and be an integral part of the ward.
We taught Lin again today. It was the first time we've taught him in the last two weeks. He is still doing really well. We were able to give him a copy of the Book of Mormon in Chinese a few weeks ago and it has helped him a lot. Today he was as humble and happy as ever. He is wonderful. He has a lot of hope and has gained a belief in God. Today when we got there he said we should have a prayer as soon as we sat down. I was so happy when he said that. He is going to take longer to teach, due to how little he understands, but it is going to be wonderful to see his understanding grow and his life change. Obviously I won't be here for the rest of it, but I'm excited for Elder Maxfield and his new companion.
Yesterday Elder Maxfield and I had an eye opening experience. We taught a recent convert and he really opened up to us. To make a long story short, he has been struggling with his testimony over the last few months. He comes to church occasionally but that's all. As we talked to him it became very clear that he doesn't have a testimony of the Book of Mormon. He has read it all the way through once and hasn't read it much since. He said he can't deny it's changed him because before he read it he wasn't even sure there was a God. However, because he hasn't been reading it since that first time it has been a very challenging road. It made it so clear that everyone, whether they're a convert or raised in the Church, needs to be reading the Book of Mormon DAILY! When we read daily it blesses our lives in so many wonderful ways. I really want to focus on reading it everyday for the rest of my life. Even if it's just a little bit, I know it will greatly help me and all those people I interact with. I'm definitely going to study other scriptures and things, but reading the Book of Mormon daily is going to be a part of who I am. I also want to make sure when I teach people they are doing their reading and have a good testimony of the Book of Mormon.
That's about all for this week. I love you all and will let you know where I am next week when I write.
Love Always, Zach
Transfer calls came on Saturday night and I am being transferred. The actual transfer meeting is this Wednesday. I will find out where I am going at the meeting. I'm excited to find out where I'll be living for at least the next six weeks and who I will be living with.
I do have to say though, that I have really loved it here in Lake City. There are so many wonderful people and I have learned a lot! I definitely feel like I have become a better missionary and person. I am very thankful for the time I have been able to serve here.
My last week in the Cannon Creek Ward went well. For the most part it was normal. Unfortunately we weren't able to find any new investigators. It's been getting increasingly harder to find people the last few weeks. However, we have some great prospects.
We were able to teach quite a few of the members and help them out with their missionary efforts. I really enjoy teaching members...come to think of it I just enjoy teaching and helping people. It's fun to teach individuals, and families, that want to learn and do things.
The highlight of the week was yesterday. Weston was baptized and confirmed!! It was the least stressful baptism I have ever had! His grandma set up the program and the ward took care of the rest. There were a lot of people there yesterday. We almost didn't all fit in the room. Some people were Weston's family from out of town, but most of the people were members from the ward. Teaching Weston and his family over the last few weeks has been like a dream. It has been so smooth and easy. They were all really well prepared and had a ton of member support. It made it all so easy. That's the ideal situation. Now when I go, and when Elder Maxfield eventually goes, Weston and his family will have great friends and be an integral part of the ward.
We taught Lin again today. It was the first time we've taught him in the last two weeks. He is still doing really well. We were able to give him a copy of the Book of Mormon in Chinese a few weeks ago and it has helped him a lot. Today he was as humble and happy as ever. He is wonderful. He has a lot of hope and has gained a belief in God. Today when we got there he said we should have a prayer as soon as we sat down. I was so happy when he said that. He is going to take longer to teach, due to how little he understands, but it is going to be wonderful to see his understanding grow and his life change. Obviously I won't be here for the rest of it, but I'm excited for Elder Maxfield and his new companion.
Yesterday Elder Maxfield and I had an eye opening experience. We taught a recent convert and he really opened up to us. To make a long story short, he has been struggling with his testimony over the last few months. He comes to church occasionally but that's all. As we talked to him it became very clear that he doesn't have a testimony of the Book of Mormon. He has read it all the way through once and hasn't read it much since. He said he can't deny it's changed him because before he read it he wasn't even sure there was a God. However, because he hasn't been reading it since that first time it has been a very challenging road. It made it so clear that everyone, whether they're a convert or raised in the Church, needs to be reading the Book of Mormon DAILY! When we read daily it blesses our lives in so many wonderful ways. I really want to focus on reading it everyday for the rest of my life. Even if it's just a little bit, I know it will greatly help me and all those people I interact with. I'm definitely going to study other scriptures and things, but reading the Book of Mormon daily is going to be a part of who I am. I also want to make sure when I teach people they are doing their reading and have a good testimony of the Book of Mormon.
That's about all for this week. I love you all and will let you know where I am next week when I write.
Love Always, Zach
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
On the edge of my seat!!
October 31, 2011…Hello Family,
Another 1% of my mission gone by. It was a relatively good 1% at that.
We're still teaching Weston and his family. I really love teaching them. They're a relatively sarcastic bunch, so I feel right at home. I always feel so great when we teach them. They're one of those families you pray to find. Even though his mom and sister are members I know the lessons have really helped them out a lot. Their testimonies have really been strengthened in the last few weeks. This week we taught them at another member’s home. They've been able to build a great friendship. Having that friendship will really help them stay active once Elder Maxfield and I are gone. Weston is going to be baptized this Sunday. I'm really excited for him.
We haven't taught Lin lately. He went out of town because his brother is getting married. We were able to give him a Chinese copy of the Book of Mormon before he left though. His reading should be more productive now that he has that.
That's about all the news as far as investigators go. The rest have been really hard to get in contact with. David, the man we taught on the porch, has been completely off the radar. It's always strange when that kind of thing happens. It's pretty much the story of my time here in Lake City. We find investigators and have really powerful lessons with them, then they disappear. We're going to keep trying to get in touch with him again for a little while longer. On a good note, we have some pretty good potentials in the mix. We'll see how it goes.
On Saturday our ward had their trunk-or-treat. I enjoyed it. We were there for a little while. They had deep fried hot dogs! In all honesty they weren't as good as the barbecued hot dogs.
Wednesday was a pretty intense day. We went to Jacksonville for a Zone Leader Council. I really loved it. We talked a lot about the Book of Mormon. We got back to Lake City at about 5:15. We worked for awhile then had our monthly meeting with the stake president. It all went really well.
Mom told me that you all had a family Halloween party last week. That's wonderful!! I heard it went really well. I look forward to being there next year....wow that's strange to say.
Thursday morning we went and did service for a less-active man. He is 85! We worked in his yard and he was right with us the whole time. It's incredible that he's so active and able to do all he does. When we left he thanked us for helping him and the look in his eyes was priceless. He had a lot of love and gratitude in his eyes.
While working with him we somehow got talking about butter. By the end of the conversation Elder Maxfield had decided that he wanted to make his own butter today. I think that's what we'll be attempting later today. Either that or go to the driving range.
So, transfer calls come this Saturday. That's the reason for the title of the email. I've been here almost six months so I'm really wondering if I will stay. I think it's unlikely, but you never know. I've learned a lot out here. I really love it here. There are so many wonderful people and it's a great little town.
Since I've been out here I have really developed a desire to have a garden. So many people grow their own stuff! I want to as well. It's all about being self sufficient. I also think that's a big reason the less-active man we helped is still so healthy. He grows a lot of his own stuff and stays active. So, I'm going to have a garden when I get home...maybe I'll be a farmer.
I've especially seen my testimony grow stronger in my time here. I have become a much more powerful teacher too.
Well, as I mentioned earlier we talked a lot about the Book of Mormon in Zone Leader Council. I really love the Book of Mormon. It has played such a vital role in my life. It has been the catalyst of my conversion. I love being able to sit down and read it each day. It opens up the lines of revelation. I pray that I can read it everyday for the rest of my life. That's the goal. I know if I were to stop reading daily then my testimony would weaken and I would not be as happy. Please make it a point to read your Book of Mormon daily.
Love Always, Zach
Another 1% of my mission gone by. It was a relatively good 1% at that.
We're still teaching Weston and his family. I really love teaching them. They're a relatively sarcastic bunch, so I feel right at home. I always feel so great when we teach them. They're one of those families you pray to find. Even though his mom and sister are members I know the lessons have really helped them out a lot. Their testimonies have really been strengthened in the last few weeks. This week we taught them at another member’s home. They've been able to build a great friendship. Having that friendship will really help them stay active once Elder Maxfield and I are gone. Weston is going to be baptized this Sunday. I'm really excited for him.
We haven't taught Lin lately. He went out of town because his brother is getting married. We were able to give him a Chinese copy of the Book of Mormon before he left though. His reading should be more productive now that he has that.
That's about all the news as far as investigators go. The rest have been really hard to get in contact with. David, the man we taught on the porch, has been completely off the radar. It's always strange when that kind of thing happens. It's pretty much the story of my time here in Lake City. We find investigators and have really powerful lessons with them, then they disappear. We're going to keep trying to get in touch with him again for a little while longer. On a good note, we have some pretty good potentials in the mix. We'll see how it goes.
On Saturday our ward had their trunk-or-treat. I enjoyed it. We were there for a little while. They had deep fried hot dogs! In all honesty they weren't as good as the barbecued hot dogs.
Wednesday was a pretty intense day. We went to Jacksonville for a Zone Leader Council. I really loved it. We talked a lot about the Book of Mormon. We got back to Lake City at about 5:15. We worked for awhile then had our monthly meeting with the stake president. It all went really well.
Mom told me that you all had a family Halloween party last week. That's wonderful!! I heard it went really well. I look forward to being there next year....wow that's strange to say.
Thursday morning we went and did service for a less-active man. He is 85! We worked in his yard and he was right with us the whole time. It's incredible that he's so active and able to do all he does. When we left he thanked us for helping him and the look in his eyes was priceless. He had a lot of love and gratitude in his eyes.
While working with him we somehow got talking about butter. By the end of the conversation Elder Maxfield had decided that he wanted to make his own butter today. I think that's what we'll be attempting later today. Either that or go to the driving range.
So, transfer calls come this Saturday. That's the reason for the title of the email. I've been here almost six months so I'm really wondering if I will stay. I think it's unlikely, but you never know. I've learned a lot out here. I really love it here. There are so many wonderful people and it's a great little town.
Since I've been out here I have really developed a desire to have a garden. So many people grow their own stuff! I want to as well. It's all about being self sufficient. I also think that's a big reason the less-active man we helped is still so healthy. He grows a lot of his own stuff and stays active. So, I'm going to have a garden when I get home...maybe I'll be a farmer.
I've especially seen my testimony grow stronger in my time here. I have become a much more powerful teacher too.
Well, as I mentioned earlier we talked a lot about the Book of Mormon in Zone Leader Council. I really love the Book of Mormon. It has played such a vital role in my life. It has been the catalyst of my conversion. I love being able to sit down and read it each day. It opens up the lines of revelation. I pray that I can read it everyday for the rest of my life. That's the goal. I know if I were to stop reading daily then my testimony would weaken and I would not be as happy. Please make it a point to read your Book of Mormon daily.
Love Always, Zach
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
