Monday 10/22/2012 – Sunday 10/28/2012

Monday we went to Toya's and she wasn't there so we went to our usual P-Day routine of email, cleaning and shopping. Had family home evening with the Looney's. They are a really cool family and it is way fun to go over there. They have the cutest little granddaughter!

Tuesday we had District Meeting and I enjoyed it a lot! I really needed it. We ended up waiting a long time to give the TCC Elders a ride home which killed our day and set a terrible tone for the week. Then later that day FAMU Elders had to borrow our car and we ended up waiting on them also. We played chess with Walter for the first time in a while, ate at the O’Conner’s and they want us to do a family home evening with them one night, then went to Brother Flannery's with his home teacher Brother Casey. Flannery is a less active that we are trying to activate. He said he would come to church, but he didn't.

Wednesday we had to go take some Elders to the transfer spot and we picked up Elder Gordon and a greeny Elder Nelson. We ended up going tracting with them, so I got to take Elder Nelson the greeny and feel like the experienced one. It was pretty good. I actually think I did a decent job. Also, went to the Ronald McDonald House for hopefully the last time. It isn't effective for us to go there because we aren't seen by the public. We went to the chili cook off/trunk or treat as well which was fun. We talked to a lot of non-members. Great chili too!!

Thursday we ate at Piggy's BBQ with the Geiger's and it was just way too much meat, but it was good. Brought Keith with us to Halle's house to teach Whitney. It went well, we taught her about the restoration of the gospel. She said she thought what we were teaching was true and is going to pray about a baptismal date. Then we gave Keith and his siblings blessings of comfort to help them make a tough decision.

Friday went and gave Sister Walker in our ward a blessing because she has bronchitis and contacted and set up an appointment with a lady named Beverly. We went and saw Charlene and she said she read the Book of Mormon some so we asked her if she read about Brigham Young and she said yeah. So we asked what she thought and she said "loved it" hahaha she obviously didn't read. Then we met a lady named Judy and we set up an appointment and she believes in covenants! Taught Beth and her beliefs all line up with ours except for one critical aspect and that is she doesn't believe there is a God. Had dinner with the Clawson's and Rod came as well. The Clawson's are awesome, very Celestial family and we scared Rod after dinner. It was funny!

Saturday we went up to Georgia to help Ben out at his farm. He built his entire house himself. It isn't done yet, but when it is it will be sweet. Went and explored in a cotton field for a bit as well. It was a way fun time and we talked about missionaries and what not. Hopefully, we can plant a seed. He also got us lunch at Burger King which was nice of him, I was so hungry! We had to study the rest of the day because we didn't get to in the morning.

Sunday we tried to go to our appointment with Dewayne and brought Brother Tensmeyer, our ward mission leader. Dewayne and his wife weren't home, but we talked to his son Michael that we hadn't met yet and he has a friend on a mission right now. Really awesome family. The Stansel's are an inactive family that live nearby, so we went and visited them instead. Then we went to dinner at the Raudabaugh's and Brother Lawson also came with so we could plan Betty's baptism. She is their daughter that is 8. Lawson has been working with them to get them all reactivated so she can get baptized. Fun time at their house.

Monday, 10/15/2012 – Sunday, 10/21/2012

Monday we went to the car museum and it was so freakin awesome!! They have my dream car! A 1969 GTO Judge! It was so awesome and they had 3 Batmobile's and the Bat motorcycle from the 60's. They had non-car related stuff too like the world’s most expensive piano which was cool to see. Also, what was believed to be President Lincoln's horse drawn hearse.

Tuesday was district meeting and I had to give a little lesson and I thought it went pretty awful. Also, went and taught Sister Soto and we took Brother Tensmeyer and he talked most of the time while we just sat there. She is a less active Native American lady and she is really nice! Highlight of the day was teaching Whitney. She is friends with Halle Bush in our ward. The lesson seemed to go pretty well from what Halle told us so hopefully we can help her to discover the truth. Tracted and had my first door slammed in my face. I asked how the guy was doing and he yelled "no" then was kind enough to answer my question and say "good" while slamming the door. I also accidentally laughed during the prayer at dinner because their last name is Pope and when my companion said we are thankful to be at the Pope's for dinner I had the image of the catholic Pope pop in my mind and just started laughing.

Wednesday we taught Beverly for the last time before she heads to Mobile. Then we went to go contact formers and ended up finding 3 new investigators through that. We will see if they are solid. We also taught the Morgan’s and Sister Morgan was curious why men have the priesthood, so we read through the family proclamation and explained the different roles of the family.

Thursday I had a really sore back!! I could barely move so we didn't run. We had weekly planning today and it went pretty well, should have a good week. We gave Sister Geraldine Encalade a blessing also. She fell or something and broke her hip in three places. We found one of the formers that we were looking for living in a different place down the street. Set up an appointment with her and then a black guy called us over and was drunk. He started going off about the blacks not being able to be in our church and that isn't true. Blacks could always be in the church.

Friday everything fell through! We did get to teach Janean and she has a lot of questions and she broke down and started crying. We ended up just tracting most of the day. Then we went to a football game later that night because the Beyers’ said that it would be a good contacting activity. It really wasn't so we won't do that again.

Saturday we did a service project for an older couple. They are non-members and we helped them dig a path in their front yard. It should be cool when we are done and President gave us permission to go up to Georgia with them to help them up there. Hopefully, we can get a gospel conversation going with them. We also had dinner at Bishop and Sister Matkin’s house. It was way good and they are really good at being member missionaries. I was also called to speak in Sacrament at 10 so I guess I did that.

Sunday we had a focus meeting for some less actives. I also spoke as previously stated and I didn't feel like it was a very good talk by me, but everyone liked it. I guess it is the badge. I just had to talk about The Book of Mormon. Went to Dan's (our landlord) to see how he is doing and we talked about the Halloween party. We can't proselyte on Halloween so we are going to his place. After dinner we went home and tried to scream like girls. It is tough to do, but I can kinda do it.

One Month in the Mission Field

Monday, 10/8/12 – Sunday, 10/14/12

Weeks are going by faster and faster the longer I am out here. I am starting to get the hang of everything I have to do. I still don't feel comfortable teaching and all that stuff, but I can see the improvement in myself for sure!

Played basketball and wrote letters on P-day as always. I will just mention the highlights of the week. Monday we had dinner with the Shannon's and they invited their two friends that are non-members over to eat as well. We were able to teach them a little bit about what we believe and even got Brother Shannon to talk about his mission and why he loved it.

District meeting on Tuesday and it was really good and we are starting to get more comfortable with each other. Elder Olsen had to take his bike into a shop to get a tune up as well. Sister Bishop then ordered pizza for us for dinner and it was pretty good. A bit on the greasy side of life though. Also, taught a less active named Brother Flannery. We will probably end up doing the new member lessons with him to help him understand things a bit more.

Wednesday we went to the Ronald McDonald house to do service. This time we just changed some light bulbs, cleaned the parking lot and then sorted pop tabs as always. They also fed us. Met a less active after an appointment was canceled. Her name is Sister Soto, she has a few kids and she seems like she is active. Really nice lady and she loves the Church. Picked up Elder Olsen's bike and he says that they didn't even fix it so we will have to take that back in. We also talked to a less active, Brother Van Bean. He is a really really nice man. He just needs to become more comfortable with being in public. Once he gets over that he will be a great saint.

Thursday was my month date since I flew out here. Man, it is all going by so fast! Had our weekly planning today which was good! We should be able to have an awesome week this upcoming week! Went and learned more about the family history center so that we can tell people about it. Had meatball sandwiches with Brother Tensmeyer and boy were they good! Then we had to go on a split, so I went to teach Rod the first new member lesson while Elder Olsen went to teach the Morgan's. Went pretty good, but I didn't do much talking because Brother Tensmeyer thought he probably should because the new member lessons are more of the wards responsibility then they are ours.

Friday we had a lesson and lunch at Beverly's house. She got us Chic-Fil-A which was pretty good! We then went and biked to some formers and tracted while doing so. We ended up getting 2 new investigators through that. Went to see Miguel and Carlos, dropped Miguel, but we did talk to Carlos and his friend and his friend was very open. Talked to his neighbor and I forgot her name, but she was not really ready to hear our message. Also, went to get Elder Olsen's scripture bag that Brother Feathers finished up and I decided to have him make me one as well.

Saturday Paul bailed on us and we don't even know where his actual house is. Helped some people move and then went to contact some former investigators. Talked to a lady that thinks Jesus is black. That is a common occurrence down here. Her name was Dorothy and we did set up an appointment with her as well. Went to see if Dewayne was home and he was! Taught him and his family about the restoration of the gospel and the Book of Mormon. We committed them to read the Book of Mormon and to pray about it and to also pray about drinking and smoking. Also, had dinner with the Branch's and Halle the daughter is going to set us up to teach her friend that is like 19 about the gospel!

Sunday was great as always! My First Fast Sunday out here in the Field. Had PEC and Ward Council from 9 until about 11. We are getting the ward to help us more and more! Had dinner with the Lawson's and we were so excited because we love Brother Lawson. We always joke around with him and now that we got to talk to his wife more she is way awesome too! Had pot roast and that was delicious. GREAT WEEK!

A really great week!!!

Monday, October 1^st

Happy Birthday to my brother SEAN!! Today was a crazy day. We didn't have our car so we took the Spanish Elders car to go talk to President. We got back from talking with President and cleaned up the apartment, did laundry and went shopping. Then we came back to get ready to email and then play some basketball!! Prezy Jen and Sister Jensen came and watched us play for a while. Then we headed back to the apartment to write some letters. Then tried to contact a referral who wasn't even home... Came back and did some more letter writing cause there never seems to be enough time to write. Went to Keith's house for dinner with his family. They all have different last names so I don't know what to call them. He is finishing up his paperwork to go on his mission.

Tuesday, October 2^nd

No District meeting today. We still had our conference call with President Jensen. We have one every Tuesday with the President. Then we went to Brother Feathers to give him a blessing because he is going in for eye surgery. Then we went to Beverly's for lunch and then tried to teach her about the Word of Wisdom, but then she went off telling us a really long story. Then we went to the Looney's to make sure they had moved in okay. Sister Looney is way nice and we talked to her outside for a while. Then we headed home and called some formers. Then we had dinner at the Kelly's who are a new couple to the ward. We encouraged them to do missionary work and they seemed like they would. Then I packed up because we are doing an exchange tomorrow. I will be with Elder Wright tomorrow for my first exchange.

Wednesday, October 3^rd

Elder Wright is way cool, great missionary! I learned a lot about planning from him. How to plan an effective day was the best thing I learned from him. We first emailed Elder Littllefield's sister because they need a bit of cheering up. They are in the hospital and having a rough time. Then we went and taught Frankie and committed him to baptism. He is very spiritual and kinda crazy, but he is awesome. Then we taught the Daniels, the mom is a member and her son and her daughter are being taught. Then I traded back with Elder Olsen, had dinner with the Beyers and our appointment went way over. We need to fix that.

Thursday, October 4^th

Today we had District Training and it was awesome! Just what I needed. The Assistants, Zone Leaders and President and Sister Jensen all spoke. I love the Jensen's! They are so awesome!! We learned about remembering our purpose, setting good goals, medical stuff and testimonies. Sister Jensen also gave us Smores which were great! Then we had our weekly planning before heading to teach the Morgan's. The spirit was so strong while we read through the fist vision in the JSH. Then we participated in a blessing for Sister Morgan. She has been sick the past couple weeks.

Friday, October 5^th

Wow another week already gone! I am getting better at talking to people, but I don't explain enough of what I am talking about. I also need to keep the other person engaged in the conversation. We first went to see Teresa and she wasn't home, but we tried to talk to the Scottish guy again so we could tell him about our family history resources. We knew he was home but he ignored us. Then we decided to knock on a few doors because we felt like we needed to. Didn't get anyone, but when we were leaving a lady came out of her house waving at us so we talked to her and got her info to give to the sisters. We had a great day overall and got 2 potential investigators and 3 new investigators. Also talked to a lady that had a 65 mustang. We also taught Rod a bit about Prophets and about priesthood.

Saturday, October 6^th

Awesome General Conference! I can't believe the ages were changed! That’s about all we did today!

Sunday, October 7^th

Started the day off giving Beverly a blessing. She also gave us some awesome cake! Then we went to the church to go watch conference. Loved it!! Elder Holland was excellent!! So was Bednar! Wish I could write everything, but they really stood out to me. Then we visited Brother Feathers and he gave me a tie which was sweet! I had him sign the back of it for me.

First Baptism!

9-24-12 Monday

Awesome P-Day!!  We cleaned up a bit as always, did laundry also.  Then we emailed and I couldn't get to everyone on there, but I played basketball which was much needed.  I didn't get to write many letters, but I will write a couple tonight.  When we were shopping, a guy just walked up and started talking to us about our church and he seems like he could easily be a member.  We later found out that the Sisters or some Elders in a different area are going to be teaching him.  Then we taught Rod and moved his Baptism up to this weekend (September 29^th).  Then he chose me to baptize him....I don't know why, I only taught him a few times.

9-25-2012 Tuesday

Today we had Zone Training which I thought was cool.  We talked about different finding methods.  Very effective stuff that I am glad we talked about.  Then we came back to the apartment to prepare for Rod Gorby's baptism.  Then we tried to contact a lady name Teressa and she wasn't home, but we talked to her neighbor.  He was from Scotland and at first we thought he would be open to the gospel, but he told us he didn't want to talk about it.  That was after he had been talking about his religion for about 10 minutes.  Nice guy though.  Then we had dinner at POPEYES CHICKEN. Just to make my mother jealous.  Definitely better then KFC.  Then we went and taught Bill Blackburn.  I don't know if he understands the importance of asking God if what we are teaching is true.  We may have broken through, but I am not sure.  You never know with him.

9-26-12 Wednesday

We went to visit Beverly to start the day, which went too long, but she gave us pizza and we taught her granddaughter a bit. Then we went to a less active, Brother Feathers, and he makes sweet scripture cases so I might get one. Then we taught Deandre who we met tracting and he seems open.  We might be able to visit with him.  Then we went to contact Katheryn and she wasn't there, so we will drop her. Then we called Aubrey Bodesen and set up an appointment.  He is a referral from our Spanish Elders.

9-27-12 Thursday

Had to do weekly planning today.  It takes so long and I get so tired during it.  We also met with a less active named Coco or Courtney.  He seems like an awesome kid.  He is 18 and he says he wants to go on a mission in a year and I hope he does. Then we went to Sister Walker's for dinner.  It was delicious and I ate way too much.  After dinner, we went to meet with President Jensen and Rod so President could interview Rod for Baptism.  So he is all set now.  I have realized that days do go by slow and weeks go by so fast...doesn't make sense but it does!

9-28-12 Friday

Good day tracting, but kind of a bad day for me.  I don't feel confident at all about my gospel knowledge.  We drove out to a trailer park type place though and we talked to like 4 people that seemed very promising.  We had talked to 3 of those and were about to leave and Elder Olsen decided to go back and that is when we met the 4th one.  We even set up a return appointment.  Then we finished up the little talk we have to do this Sunday.  It should go well.  Then we went to the southern spread and talked to some members and a few people brought non-members, so we talked to a couple of them as well.  Good day other than me getting discouraged sometimes.  I just suck at realizing when I am being prompted.

9-29-12 Saturday

Today is Elder Olsen's birthday and Rod was baptized!!  I was lucky enough to get to baptize him.  That was so cool and a great step for him in his life.  Then we went to help a family, The Looney's, move into our ward. Then we went to the apartment to change and get our dress clothes on.  Then we went to dinner with the Martins. Brother Martin is in the bishopric and is really nice.  He is a big Florida State football fan.  After dinner, Beverly canceled on us so we found someone after we left her place that needed help pushing their car out of a ditch.  So we did that then went back to the Looney's cause they needed more help.  Then we came home and had birthday cake.

9-30-12 Sunday

Went to church and it was really good.  Everyone gave great talks and I could actually hear them speaking. After meetings, we went to try to see a guy we met named Willy and he didn't answer so we went to the dinner appointments neighborhood to tract a bit.  Only talked to one lady while tracting.  She was very active in her church and didn't want to hear it.  Then we had dinner with the Oaks and they seemed like they didn't want to do any member missionary work.  The dad seemed more willing than the rest.  After dinner, we tried to contact a referral and ended up tracting and talked to a black guy that couldn't get over the fact that the Lamanites were cursed with dark skin.  He reads way too much anti-Mormon stuff.