One Month

9-17-12 Monday

P-day!  Cleaned the apartment today then went and did email, then we went to Walmart to get our food and what not.  We then had to cancel our appointments because Elder Olsen got sick.  I ended up writing letters while he was sleeping.  Then we went to CVS Pharmacy to get my prescription nasal spray.  My ears are still plugged from flying here and that is what the doctor told me I needed so he prescribed it to me.  The spray is supposed to decongest me so that my ears will pop.

9-18-12 Tuesday

Slept in until like 7:30 because we both felt terrible, then we had district meeting which was good.  Learned a bit from it, I was really tired and my eyes hurt so I couldn't pay attention very well.  Went and played chess with Walter.  He has Cerebral Palsy, but he beat us both at chess.  Then went to the Paget's for dinner and they served us a "Greeny" meal.  The food was colored green because I'm a greeny.  Cool family and the food was pretty good!

9-19-12 Wednesday

I woke up freezing cold and my shirt was soaked!  I think I am almost over this sickness though.  We went to the Ronald McDonald House to do a bit of service for them.  Then they fed us so that was kinda nice.  Then we went to a baptism for Brother Gowan.  That was an awesome experience.  He was excommunicated, but he has turned his life around and that is so awesome!  Then we had a lesson with Beverly.  She committed to pray about Joseph Smith and about the BOM.  We also met her Granddaughter and gave her a BOM as well.  Beverly has read everything in the BOM except she has a bit left in Moroni.  Then we had dinner with the Lahtinen's.  They are awesome, they are great at doing missionary work with their friends.  We then went and taught the Morgan's again and I really enjoy going there.

9-20-12 Thursday

We had our weekly planning today and it kinda seemed lengthy today.  It's necessary though, but it just seemed so long today.  Went to try to see Judy and her son James and she said she had to do something and that we could come back another time.  I hope we can actually teach them.  They don't know what they're missing!  Then we had a delicious dinner with the Bishop.  They are awesome and they were both converts to the church! Tracted for a while and I think we may have started softening a few people's hearts.  Chatted with Brother Lawson because he forgot to tell us that our appointment was moved.  He is a really cool member we are helping.  He is teaching a little girl about the gospel because her family has been less active, but they are trying to turn over a new leaf and she wants to be baptized.

9-21-12 Friday

Studied about faith this morning, it's the Christlike attribute that I am trying to improve though they all are kind of intertwined in a way.  We went to try to contact some of our referrals and to go to our landlords house because yesterday was his birthday.  He wasn't home and neither were any of the referrals.  We helped Sister Christianson move and she gave us some food so that was good.  The King family cancelled on us and that is the second time since I've been here.  We then went and saw Miguel, he is Hispanic and he is on 2 or 3 basketball teams.  He reads and prays, but doesn't feel like he has got an answer.  He said he would keep trying though.  Then we had a lesson with Rod on Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost and Enduring to the End.  Then he played Elder Olsen at chess and Rod beat him while playing "blindfolded" style.  So Rod never looked at the board but Elder Olsen just played normal and got to look at the board.  Basically, Rod memorizes every move that they both make and I moved Rod's pieces for him.

9-22-12 Saturday

Well I have been out for a month.  I guess I am finally homesick.  I just started balling in the bathroom this morning and couldn't stop.  I miss everyone back home.  I miss my Mom and brothers a lot!  My dog and all my awesome friends as well.  It's tough not ever seeing anyone that you care about.  All of the things we planned pretty much fell through, but we were able to talk to a few people that might be willing eventually.  You never know until you actually try to go to the appointment that you scheduled though.  We talked to one guy while tracting who just thought organized religion was wrong and no matter what we said didn't matter.  I started to testify, got out about half a sentence and he cut me off.  I wish they'd all listen.  We also talked to a really nice lady, she said she wanted to look into it more before we teach her.  She said she would pray about it first because she never says no until god tells her not to do it.  Had dinner with the Nibley's.  Hugh Nibley is Brother Nibley's Grandfather which is pretty sweet.

9-23-12 Sunday

Our day was busy but good.  Started with PEC meeting and Ward Council.  We had to leave early from Ward Council so we could pick up Walter to bring him to church.  He is the guy with cerebral palsy and it takes a lot to get him to church.  Brother Schank from the ward brought his truck to put his electric chair in the back.  He is awesome for doing that, he will be blessed for it.  Church was great except the microphone in sacrament was way too quiet again so I only heard the last speaker because he spoke louder and had a deeper voice than the rest of the speakers.  Rod was able to come to church also which was great.  Then we had our coordination meeting after church.  Then we tried to see Willy who is a guy we found tracting one day and he wasn't home.  So we went to the Radabaugh's with Brother Lawson, which we were supposed to do on Thursday when Brother Lawson forgot to tell us he moved the appointment.  The Radbaugh's daughter pays better attention if the missionaries are there.  This was my first time though.  I will be honest, their house had a very odd smell to it.  After that, we headed over to the Casey's for dinner.  They are very nice and the food was good, but they were chaotic which made it hard to teach them.  It took longer then it should have to get out of there.  Then we went back to the apartment to do some of my training.  Yay! P-Day tomorrow!

I'm In Tallahassee!

9-11-12 Tuesday

Woke up at 2:30 to finish packing and get ready to go to the airport.  We left the MTC around 4:10 am on a bus and got to the airport around 5:30.  We went to McDonald's and a lady bought Elder Rasmussen and me breakfast just randomly.  Our plane took off at 7:15 to the Atlanta airport.  Had a layover for about an hour.  Then we got on a plane to head to Tallahassee and were picked up by Prezy Jen (President Jensen) and Sister Jensen.  They are awesome and Sister Jensen makes yummy food.  We got to the mission home and took some pictures and then we talked about how to be a "celestial" missionary.  Then we found out what area we would be in and who our companion would be.  I am in the Tallahassee 4th Ward area.  We live in a really nice apartment and it is right next to the FSU campus and the football stadium.  My companion will be Elder Olsen.  He is apparently 6'6".  I don't think that he is that tall.  I called my Momzi and Zach from the airport and then I called my Momzi and my Dad from the mission home.  First time flying so that was pretty sick!

9-12-12 Wednesday

I met Elder Olsen today, he is pretty cool!  He has a lot of knowledge about the gospel so I hope some of it can rub off on me.  Got to go my apartment which is way new and was only built like a month or two ago.

9-13-12 Thursday

We did our weekly planning today which took like 4 hours to do, but it is way important so it’s alright.  Had dinner with some members, the Hodgson's.  We talked to them about the plan of salvation which is probably my favorite gospel topic other then Jesus Christ.  One of the Elders in the apartment next door got cinnamon rolls from his Mom and they were flippin amazing!!!!

9-14-12 Friday

Biked around a lot today!!  We were going to go see Wallace Tyson but he wasn't home so we just tried to street contact.  Met a couple ladies who actually seemed like they wanted to read the Book of Mormon.  One of them requested that I give her one.  That was cool!  I hope they read it!!  Tried to see less actives and they had all moved away then we went to a trainer, trainee training thingamajig.  Then we went to teach Rod.  He is awesome!  Right now it looks like he will be baptized on conference weekend.  But I had nothing to do with that.  He was committed before I ever got out here.  He went to Julliard to play the organ and he is amazing.  We had a member, Brother Clawson, come to the lesson and they ended up talking about music and then we all listened to Rod play on the organ in the chapel.  We didn't mind because it was such a great fellowship opportunity.  Then when he came to church everyone wanted to talk to him so it was fantastic!!!

9-15-12 Saturday

Started the day trying to see some potential investigators.  No one was home so we ate and then went to do some street contacting.  We did find a couple of people that we are going to try to teach.  Then we came back and I learned how to use the area book and how to better use my planner and what not.  Then we had dinner right before we went to teach Bill Blackburn.  He hardly even let us get a word in, but I think that he is hopeful.  He just won't read the Book of Mormon.  He said he will eventually but only on his time, so hopefully he just does it.  I gave my first priesthood blessing too.  I don't think I did very good so hopefully I will do better next time.

9-16-12 Sunday

Went to church for the first time in Tallahassee.  I couldn't hear the speakers because the microphone wasn't loud at all.  When the congregation sang it was so quiet, I just wanted to stand up and tell everyone to sing because it was not very alive.  Rod didn't make it to sacrament meeting but he did get to come to priesthood.  Today was his last day at his job.  He quit so he didn't have to work on Sunday's.  He is awesome!  Then we taught a guy named Rusty which I thought went well.  He seems to be open and said he would read and pray about the BOM.  Then we went to dinner at the Gun's house.  That is a family, not a weapon, but the food was so good and they are a really cool family.  I am having so much fun here and trying to work hard!!

LAST WEEK AT THE MTC

Sept. 3 Monday

Didn't get to go to the temple today because of the holiday which I was disappointed about. It was pretty fun though, we wrote letters and washed our clothes.  If I haven't wrote anyone that wants to be written to just write me a letter because I get busy and forget to write people that haven't wrote me.  Easy P-day, not much to say.

Sept. 4 Tuesday

Overall a good day.  Taught Junichi and actually talked about the gospel for a bit.  I learned how you can relate any story to any gospel doctrine.  I had a weird zone teaching experience.  I taught with an Elder that I had never met.  We taught two sisters and an Elder that I taught twice before.  The lesson was pretty good, we taught about the restoration and the Book of Mormon.  The devotional was sweet!  Elder and Sister Kopischke of the 70 spoke to us.  Sister Kopischke is so energetic, but they were both awesome!

Sept. 5 Wednesday

Taught our teacher as "Brother Sallywhite".  I always enjoy teaching him.  Learned about the Word of Wisdom and how to teach it.  Taught a less active member today to try to reactivate them.  She was just acting as one though and she came out of character a few times during it and we talked about politics with her and what is going on in the world.  We had an awesome lesson in our second class with Sister Christenson about Study Habits and Accountability.  Then I played volleyball and basketball to finish the day.

Sept. 6 Thursday

Played beach volleyball at 8:30 with our district this morning.  It was awesome and I freaking suck!  Taught Junichi again for the last time.  We were able to talk to him about the Plan of Salvation today.  The first thing we have ever been able to teach him about.  In class we learned about revelation through church attendance and how to invite an investigator to church so that they will be comfortable.  We then taught Sister Christenson as herself about how she could continue to serve people in the gospel.  I think it went well!

Sept. 7 Friday

We had in field orientation today and it was sick!!!!!  Learned how to do street contact and how to involve members in missionary work.  It was a lot to take in but it was so much fun!

Sept. 8 Saturday

Today was Elder Rasmussen's birthday!!  His Mom sent him a whole cake and Elder Ross and I went through the residence and gave it away, after we ate what we wanted.  Both of my classes today were awesome!!  I learned a lot about finding people to teach.  I got to play an investigator in zone teaching which was really cool!  It's always kinda hard to try to be an investigator.  I did learn a lot from it though.

Sept. 9 Sunday

Awesome day!  Fireside was so sick!  The speaker talked about our purpose, but the best part was when he called up two missionaries.  They were both from the same place in Australia.  The one converted the other before their missions and now they are in the MTC together.  The one that was converted was going on splits with the missionaries and taking missionary prep before he was ever baptized.  Then we watched the movie The Testaments.  It was a pretty good movie.  Awesome day!  I go to Florida on 9-11!  Send letters there.

OUT!

More from the MTC

Tuesday, 08-28-12

We had gym at 6:05 in the morning!  I was so tired, so I played awful. Rest of the day was fantastic, I felt the spirit so strong today.  We had a workshop based on Christ’s love then we planned our first lesson for Junichi, our first “real” investigator.  We couldn’t think of what to teach and we realized we forgot to pray.  After we prayed, things just started popping into our minds.  Unfortunately, when we went in to teach him, he just talked about other things the whole time, so we couldn’t even talk about what we wanted to.  Then our new teacher, Brother Ferren, acted as an investigator “Ron Sallywhite”, which went pretty good.  Then we went to the Tuesday devotional where Elder and Sister Perkins spoke.  Elder Perkins is a First Quorum of the Seventy.  It was so good!

Wednesday, 08-29-12

Had our first service assignment today.  We got up and had to be there at 6:15.  Elder Rasmussen and I vacuumed the stairs.  Today was one of those days that we couldn’t focus and just laughed at everything.  I was blank during all of our lessons except for one with a less active member.  I bore my testimony and told him how different my life was without the Church.

Thursday, 08-30-12

We had gym first today and we played beach volleyball.  It was way fun!  Had our second lesson with Junichi.  This time I tried to start a lesson and he got mad a little.  I had trouble feeling the spirit all day, but in my last class the sub was great and the spirit was so strong.  So I did pretty good in my “role play”.  I also got a letter from Alan and Lisa and a letter from Zachary.  Received my travel plans as well.  We leave on 9/11…wish me luck.  We have to be to the MTC travel office at 4 am.

Friday, 08-31-12

Breakfast class and zone teaching.  I don’t like zone teaching very much.  It’s just an uncomfortable class for me.  Then we studied for so long.  Sometimes that makes it hard to focus.  Then we played beach volleyball and this time it was with our district.  All but 2 sisters played and it was really fun.  I got a haircut because I was sick of my hair.  I made some improvements with teaching so hopefully that continues.

Saturday, 09-01-12

Happy Birthday Todd!!  Hope it was fantastic!  We played indoor volleyball today.  I have decided beach volleyball is 8,000 times better.  I learned a lot about faith today.  I need to trust that the spirit will be there more.  I felt the spirit so strong when we taught Brother Sallywhite today.   I bore my testimony of the Book of Mormon.  We also got to teach a referral.  That was fun because we had no plan.  I also had an ugly lesson, but learned from it.

Sunday, 09-02-12

Happy Birthday Zachary!!  Hope that it was an awesome day!  Fast and testimony meeting was awesome.  Some of these missionaries have amazing testimonies.  Then we had Mission Conference which is like a Stake Conference.  The speakers were great and the Elder and the Sister that were called to bear their testimonies and it was so awesome to listen to them.  Then we had district meeting where Sister Schnieder and Sister Joyner gave a great lesson on the Atonement.  Then we did some assessments on the computer then we went on our temple walk which is always good.  Hung out and took pictures.  I forgot my camera though.  Then we watched President Monson’s birthday celebration and a movie after that.  It was about a missionary.  So overall a great Sunday.

YEAH I'M IN THE MTC PEEPS!!

8-22-2012 Wednesday

First day in the MTC Ya'll! Awesome day but so busy. I was dropped off at the MTC at 12:45 today. My Mom, Brother Zach and Cousin Natalie came to see me take the walk into the MTC. It was a bitter sweet moment but I know I should be here. The day started by getting my cards and my badges and a bunch of books and paperwork that I am suppose to use. We all did an orientation on the computer before class started when we got here. My first companion is Elder Rasmussen. He is from American Fork, Utah and played football and baseball for American Fork High School. He plays basketball so we are going to play a lot! There were 538 new missionaries that entered the MTC today. We had to go to a welcome thing where the MTC presidency talked to us. Then we unpacked, prayed and went to bed.

8-23-2012 Thursday

I studied some Book of Mormon to start the day. Then I got a flu shot which I am pretty sure got me sick. Had a workshop and experienced my first companion "role play" they are kinda weird. We met the Presidency today and they called my companion as the District Leader. Not too much going on today, just mostly studied the rest of the day.

8-24-2012 Friday

Today we also had a ton of study time. Not much else was going on. We did teach an investigator for the first time. Had zone teaching that turned into a district meeting. Had gym for the first time today and it wasn't that great. I played like crap. It had to have been the ugliest game of basketball ever. Learned about teaching techniques and teaching plans. 

8-25-2012 Saturday

Gym was early today, I'm still rusty at basketball right now. Studied a lot again, Then we taught Will Awagu who was actually just our teacher playing an investigator. I still struggle with teaching, it just doesn't come natural to me. I know God will help me with it though. We had such an awesome experience with a couple elders that are in our zone. We just sat in a room with Elder Munos and Elder Harris and talked for 45 minutes about faith to build up each others faith. It was so cool! I loved it!

8-26-2012 Sunday

First Sunday here at the MTC! It was great, me and my companion passed the sacrament. Went to priesthood which was good but I was falling asleep. Went on Sunday walk to the temple and took some pictures with the district. Went to an awesome fireside that talked about missionaries and the work we do. Then we watched a talk by Elder Bednar from last Christmas that was awesome!

8-27-2012 Monday

Did a session at the temple and that was Awesome! Did Laundry and emailed. I was having a rough time during class, I wasn't feeling the spirit and Satan was really working on me. I did finally get the spirit back though which was much needed! I'm getting a bit better at teaching but I still get discouraged at times because I'm not doing as well as I could be. I know this church is true or I wouldn't be on this mission. I also met Elder Carling today while I was writing letters in the laundry room. He is Blaine and Faye Carling's grandson. He is pretty awesome!!