Monday 7/22/2013 – Sunday 7/28/2013

Monday was my 11 month mark! I am so old!! Monday was really good though. We got to teach Eileen about the Doctrine of Christ. She also told us that she was so happy we came because it really puts her at peace in her hectic life. She is so awesome! I love teaching her. Had Brother Eubanks come and help us teach as well and that was really good. We then had dinner with Brother Stewart. He is such a kind hearted man. I really enjoy being around him. He gets down on himself, but I hope that we can help lighten his day.

Tuesday we had Zone Training. Learned a lot about getting people to pray. Also learned about area books. So it was good. Then we had training, dinner with the Lindberg's and then had our plans fall through so we worked on the area book to improve that. That was about it.

Wednesday was Pioneer Day! Kind of an up and down day. Did some service for Mike again. Felt that he just thinks we are free labor or something. I don't mind helping, but when it is things like what he asks over and over again then it just becomes kinda a waste of the Lord's time. Ended up teaching Sharon a lesson at the Curry's house after that. Tried to beat into her head that reading the scriptures and praying are commandments. Not optional! Went to see a referral, Didn't answer but then came out when they thought we were gone to call in her dog. Saw the Jennings and talked to them about Sharon. Sister Jennings is going to be her visiting teacher. Had some Filipino food with Lulu and Adam. Then had coordination and discussed some good stuff. Planned the Pioneer party that's on Saturday. Then we did training.

Thursday we had a weekly planning session. Then we went out and saw TJ. Talked to him for a bit and planned to see him tomorrow for a lesson. Talked to some really nice people today. None of them wanted to learn more about the gospel. Had dinner with the Fowler's which was fun and the food was good. Sister Fowler invited a friend to our ward party on Saturday. So a lot of the ward is catching on and beginning to do missionary work. Had basketball which wasn't as good as normal. Brother Booren shared a very good spiritual message. Then we headed to the Pine Forest Elders place for our trade-off. Elder Simmons came to Fox Run with me. Should be fun!!

Friday was a really tough day for me which sucked because it was our trade off day with Elder Simmons. He is awesome though and I had fun with him even though it was rough. We did teach Sharon at the Curry's again and had 4 members lined up to go out to lessons. This ward is awesome at that! Brother Booren went to Eric’s with us and he tried to bash with us. He had to go somewhere and... So we dropped him to make the long story short. Then we ate at Sonny's with the Pine Forest Elders before trading back. Having good totals of lessons was a real blessing even though I had a hard day. I wasn't very motivated… Do even better tomorrow.

Saturday was awesome! We met a guy at the gas station named Jeremy. When we realized we needed gas, I was going to just go get some, but something told me to go on the way to our ward party. That was cool to see the Spirit direct us to be able to meet him. The ward Pioneer Day party was awesome! Watermelon eating contest! Had a rep from each auxiliary. Sister McArthur went at it! It was so awesome and funny! President Z. Smith ended up winning with Brother Hardman in second repping the ward mission! Also had Tug of war, stick pull, horse shoes and egg run thing for the kids. Sad thing today was that we had to drop Steve and "Stone Cold".

Sunday we didn't have good #'s but we went out and worked hard. Talked to some really nice people who took copies of the BoM. One of them being a guy named Mike. He was awesome and we talked to him for like 20 minutes about the church. Then to a really nice black guy and then a really nice black lady. Can't remember their names. Then we went to see Marcus with Brother Hardman and that fell through so we went home teaching with him which also fell through. He is going to hook me up with a ton of hymns. I am stoked!!

Monday 7/15/2013 – Sunday 7/21/2013

Monday was crazy but fun! Did the usual P-day stuff. I ended up getting a hair cut from Sister Schiewe. Much better than the barbers 'round here. The top just needs to get a bit longer. Had dinner with the McArthur's. Good food. Always lots of fruit there. Had a good day in the end. I really need a day like today. Played volleyball and some basketball.

Tuesday we had District Meeting and it was fun. President Smith did his first conference call. It was different and took a bit longer then President Jensen's did. Still good though. Had a really good day planned, but had our appointments fall through. We did our best to find and talk to people. Biked all day long, which makes for a really long day. It was fun though and we had dinner with Bishop. We had a good talk with him and figured out how we can work better with the ward and find more people hopefully. Good day and I was beat and ready to sleep. Even with the slammed doors it was still a good day.

Wednesday we had a bunch of service. Helped Mike Gunn with moving around 600 bottles of the glass Coca-Cola's from the 90's. He is planning on selling them. Also, had an appointment fall through, so we went back to the apartment to get it inspected by the Knudtson's. Had dinner with the Fowler's, which was fun and delicious. Then had Coordination with Brother Seale. Got to teach our investigator "Stone Cold". He has read like half of the BoM thus far. He said he really likes it. Then we did training to finish off the day.

Thursday we had interviews with President Smith. He is really cool and is definitely an inspired man. I was disappointed that we didn't get to talk to Sister Smith 1 on 1 like Sister Jensen used to always do, but she still seems very nice. Then we had weekly planning. That was good and we got it done way fast. We also taught Lulu and her husband Adam. He is a non-member and she is a member. She is Pilipino which is very cool. She really needs more fellowship. Basketball was good, but there was a lot of trash talking. That was unfortunate. We also had dinner with the Eubanks and that is always fun.

Friday we went to the McGuire's to give Brother McGuire a blessing. It was good to see him because it has been a while. He had a hernia and had surgery on it. Something really awesome happened today. We went by to see a potential and met these 2 really awesome ladies who were asking all the right questions. We taught them a ton! It was so sweet. They want to come to our church and see what it is like. It was a really cool experience. God's hand was definitely in that. Had dinner with the Schoonover's and that was really fun. Then we taught Ricky and are going to try and take him out with us all day one day. It will be sweet! Got a text from and old investigator. She said in one of them, "I MISS YOU!!!!" That was weird for sure. I replied with, would you still like to learn about the gospel.

Saturday was very eventful. Taught TJ a lesson about chastity. Then had to go help the Sister at Sister Ainsley's. We moved a fridge so they could clean it and WOW!! it was an awful smell. Then taught Nathan Edwards (less active). He will get back to church. Had dinner with the Graham's, new family in the ward. Brother Graham was a Marine and Sister Graham still is. Then we taught the Gordon's and Brother Gordon gave me a habanera. When leaving there, we met Eric and taught him. Way cool guy and we are going to teach him next week. After planning, I ate that habanera. Holy cow! Hottest thing ever! I fell that I could go a bit hotter. Got a video of it too!

Sunday was great at church. Had really good lessons. The Jones that were newlyweds from the Tally 4th Ward happened to be in town and came to our church. It was cool to see them! Had our lesson with TJ fall through, but we still had a really good dinner at the Hardman's. The Booren's, Eubanks and Sister Sims were there which made it fun. Then taught Marcus and he said that when he first met me there was something different about me. He said it in a good way and that really meant a lot. Really good day!

Monday 7/8/2013 – Sunday 7/14/2013

Monday I got my new garments! The reason I needed new ones was because I did a stupid. 2 P-days ago I washed my garments with a sheet that I had used when I cut my hair. It was to catch the hair so that I didn't make a mess. So long story short, I got hair all over my garments. I texted Sister Jensen and she said you can't get the hair out and ordered me new ones. She said it was "my treat to you". I love her! Hope I find a wife as awesome as her. Had a good quick P-day as well. Ate some deliciousness at the Hardman's. They are awesome! Also saw James finally and set up an appointment. That day I was really thinking about the Plan of Salvation, God, Christ and their love. I was "zoned out". It doesn't matter what we do wrong and God will continue to love us. We won't live with Him if we disobey, but he does still love us and is fair to all. If we do our best, He makes up the rest. That is love. All he does is for us. Because of, once again, Love. If you don't know...God loves you very much. That should do for that rant.

Tuesday we had a trade-off. Elder Lane came here to Fox Run. Had a good District Meeting as well. Ate at the Watkin's which was good. Also had a lesson with Eileen which went way well! Good day overall, found Devlin Way. Like in the movie - Just Go with it. This District that I am leading is so awesome and I am learning a lot from them. It is a blessing to work with them.

Wednesday was weird. It rained a lot. Luckily we did our service before it rained. We had to level some ground. Holy cow I sweated a lot! Biked today and met a few people that seemed a bit interested. Had dinner with the Juarez's. Delicious! Then had Coordination. It went pretty well. It has been kind of a rocky transition with the Sisters thus far. We keep seeing the same people. I don't know what it is but I really feel as though I have lost my missionary "swag" you could say. So I am trying to just work through it.

Thursday was great! We met President and Sister Smith. They are really awesome! They are laid back, funny people. I was worried. Shouldn't have been. President Smith was inactive like me when he was younger, so I feel like he will relate well with me. They also told us that all the missions in the USA will have iPads and iPhones by December. President told us Elder Bednar said the Internet was invented for the preaching of the gospel and everything else is a luxury. This is how all the nations will receive the gospel! We could be teaching to China through the interwebs! Had dinner with the Schoonover's. Good food! Then basketball! Nate wants to learn more!! Brother Booren talked to him and he said he would like to. So we set up an appointment. Great day! This area is exploding! The whole day was a tender mercy!

Friday we had weekly planning. Went well! Saw a less active named Terry. Nice lady, didn't seem very interested in our message though. Tried to see some potentials and less actives which didn't work out. Had dinner with the younger Schoonover's which was delicious. Got yelled at by a lady to get out of her driveway, so I offered her salvation in the form of a Mormon.org card. Saw the Mullican's who gave us Krispy Kreme, a referral and are going to give out 2 Plan of Salvation pamphlets. They also put our bikes in their little hybrid’s trunk and took us home. Crazy that it worked! They were our tender mercy today.

Saturday was a good day. Went to the priesthood breakfast with TJ. He is awesome! Taught Sharon and decided she seems pretty serious about what she is doing. She asked when her baptism would be, so she is excited I think. Taught Robert. He doesn't want us to come back. He is good with the Bible and doesn't want more scripture. Taught Brother Edwards. Went well and then had dinner with the Booren's. That pretty much finished the day. Tender Mercy was having an awesome personal study! Learned a lot about how to be better from Enos.

Sunday I was in deep thought all day. I just need to be a better missionary. I feel I am lacking in so much. Our investigators, 3 of the 4 that were supposed to come to church didn't. So that was a bummer. Sharon did make it though so that was a plus for sure. This ward is good. Really taking care of us and making sure we always have food. I wish I was better at working with the ward though. That's one of the many things I need to be better at. Had to do my first real correcting with Elder Welch. He didn't take it too well. Hopefully, he won't be mad at me for too long. Trainers do end up being disliked a lot of the time. I am grateful to train though. We also had dinner with the Hardman's and after they went out with us. Brother Hardman came and taught Marcus with us and Sister Hardman went out with the Sisters. Pretty good day overall.

Monday 7/1/2013 – Sunday 7/7/2013

Monday was different doing P-day with Sisters. Not used to that at all. It ended up being fun, but also really busy. Didn't have much free-time at all. Couldn't write everyone back that I have heard from the past couple months, but I plan to. So my tender mercy was last night while I was going to bed I was able to go through the entire Restoration lesson, so I am starting to get them down. We also got 2 HQ Referrals. That was way awesome and a huge blessing. Ate dinner with the Long's which was way good! Contacted 2 referrals and that finished the day for us.

Tuesday was rough for me. I just could not teach. I felt that District Meeting was not very good and same with our lesson with Eileen. I just felt like I didn't know what to say and I honestly felt like a new missionary all over again and I don't know why. We biked and worked pretty hard though. I have been seeing my love for others grow and that was the blessing that I saw in my life.

Wednesday was a pretty slow day. Had to go to the Sisters apartment because they had a guy there fixing their sink so we had to be there. Didn't get as much work done as we wanted to. Had a good lesson with Sharon and a good dinner with the Schoonover's. Dinner was really funny. Tellin' jokes about loosed tongues. The Schoonover's know how to turn a spiritual message into something funny haha. First day in the field that President and Sister Jensen are gone. They flew home yesterday. I will miss them! I Love them and they were definitely what I needed to start my mission. I will be thankful to them forever. President and Sister Smith will be awesome though. I look forward to meeting them.

Thursday 4th of July! Had lunch with Brother Eubanks and Brother Booren and their non-member friend David. Pretty good conversation, but went a bit too in depth. He needs some more milk before meat. Had weekly planning and also had dinner with the Walke's. Had way too much dessert, but it was a holiday. Basketball didn't work out. Probably because it was the 4th. We did go see the Ryder's and talked a bit about the gospel. Didn't want to step on any toes so we did as much as possible. As we were talking to David, I felt really blessed to be able to see how logical this gospel is and it made me feel very thankful for the life I have been given.

Friday the highlight of the day was finding and teaching Brad. He has been through a ton. We went and talked to a referral, Cailey, and as we were leaving we met Brad. We were talking to him when Cailey and her friend came out and her friend told Brad that she was sorry for what happened to him. She said her brothers were the 2 that did it. Turns out Brad was stabbed and should have died. He said that he forgave her brothers. We were able to teach a bit and planned to teach again Saturday. That was awesome! Tender Mercy of the day. Also had dinner with Sister Hall and Lester at King Buffet, taught Ricky, gave Sister Cheng a blessing and taught the McGuire's. It also rained all day!! We ran in it and were soaked for our morning workout.

Saturday was really good! Had a lesson with Bridgett and also with TJ! Both were member presents! Bridgett said she would want to be baptized but isn't sure when. TJ said the same type of thing. Biked a lot! I was way tired! Had a ton of members out with us today, Brother Booren, Brother Roos and Brother Long all came out. Had dinner with the Long's as well. It was so good! Strawberry Pie! The Ward coming out and the excitement for missionary work that they are showing is a real blessing. This Ward is ready and willing to help us out and it is sweet! Had a lesson with a less active, Brother Edwards. He does his own sacrament. Really weird and not allowed. I am definitely in the south. Also met a guy named Stephen that is willing to meet with us. Awesome blessing meeting him!

Sunday was busy. Had meetings and church. Had a lesson with Sharon after church. Taught well, but we aren't sure if she is taking our meetings very seriously. Gave Sister Hall and Lester blessings. They got beat up last night. Saddening! I felt for them. Hope they get feelin' better. Also taught Marcus and really felt that lesson was directed by the Spirit. Talked to the Zone Leaders and they expressed love and thanks for me as a District Leader and the way they did it really meant a lot. That and many other ways I saw God's hand in my life.

I also wanted to write my testimony this week. I have really been thinking deeply about this gospel lately and I have grown over the past 10½ months to love it more every single day. It is the only gospel that possesses the fullness of the gospel. It is true and I know it because of the Holy Ghost which has answered my prayers. Joseph Smith truly was a prophet called to restore and bring Jesus Christ's gospel back. Jesus Christ is the center of everything. He is the Cornerstone of this gospel because without him we cannot inherit the kingdom of God. I know Christ lives and that his atonement is real. For us he was born and for us he died and was resurrected. He loves us and lives today and stands by God the Father and they do in fact direct this work that all missionaries and member missionaries are participating in. A marvelous work and a wonder is not about to come forth. it is coming forth among the children of men. This work is true! I encourage all to read The Book of Mormon. It is a true book, it is a good book and it will bring you closer to Jesus Christ. It has all answers to the questions of life. This is the only gospel in which the "immortality and eternal life of man" can be reached. The Plan of Salvation is so fair! All people will have an equal opportunity to accept this gospel whether in this life or in the next. I know these things by the Spirit and all men can pray to get the same confirmations and God will give them to you! I urge all to do the same. I say these things in love. These things I leave in the sacred name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Have a great week!

Monday 6/24/2013 – Sunday 6/30/2013

Monday was P-day and we also found out what is happening at transfers. I am staying in Fox Run and will be training. It is awesome that God is putting his trust in me to train. Fox Run will also be getting Sisters. I will still be District Leader, but it is being split in half so I will be over the Fox Run District instead of the Perdido District. I am going to miss Elder Smith. We had some disagreements, but I love that Elder! We also helped Brother Iosefa move his stuff in to a storage unit. He is moving in with some people that are renting a room to him. His wife is going to Arizona. They just had a baby and Brother Iosefa can't help out too much because of a health condition. He is in the military and has to stay down here for that, but her family is living in Arizona so she is going up there so they can help. Complicated... Great family and great day! Crazy day too!

Tuesday was mine and Elder Smith's last full day together. He heads to Mobile Alabama tomorrow. We taught Eileen and she is really awesome! She makes me laugh as I have said before. The Lord is really working in her life. She is reading a ton in the BOM! Brother Eubanks came and taught with us and he helped out a lot. Also, had dinner with the Jaurez family. Way delicious! I saw God's hand today while teaching Eileen. I was able to apply a couple memorized scriptures to her and it was awesome. Had a fun District Meeting today and District activity. Played "floor ball" which was fun, but I played too hard and made myself feel a bit sick.

Wednesday was transfers. Said goodbye to Elder Smith :( but I met Elder Welch who is a really cool and ready to learn about missionary work. Also, met the Fox Run Sisters. Sister King and Sister James (King James!) and they seem like great missionaries. Had dinner with the Bishop Smith family which was cool. Sisters were there and that will take a bit of getting used to. Tender mercy today was seeing how well I really do know the area. It was awesome. God helps you learn when you're doing his work.

Thursday we had weekly planning which went pretty well. It was hard though because I wanted to involve Elder Welch and still do it in a good amount of time. Elder Welch is eager to learn and asks a lot of questions. He is an awesome missionary! Today we went and tried to see less actives and potentials. Dinner with the Jordan's. Played some basketball and a lot of the guys left early again. Brother Booren pointed out that at least some stay for the message, but even if they don't they're still in a good environment. I feel/see that God trusts me with this area. Sister James said that all 3 of them are following me. That is crazy, but somewhat true. I have to be able to help them to know where to go. That's how I saw God.

Friday I lost weight from biking. I didn't think that was possible. We worked way hard though and that probably why. Biked a ton! Didn't have a ton of success, but it was good. Before that we taught Sharon with Brother Priggemeier. Had dinner with the Watkins and then taught Ricky (less active). Friday seemed like a big test to see if we would keep working hard. That’s really what it seemed like and that’s good. I feel that it was a blessing and that was God molding me.

Saturday was great! Friday’s efforts paid off in fruits for today. We taught 5 total lessons and got 3 new investigators. It was really awesome! We picked Bridget back up and her daughter, Grace. They are solid! Talked to a really nice guy that wants his name removed from the records. Sad day. Ate at the Schoonover's with all the Schoonover's there as well as Brother Kern. Really good day! All the fruits were how I saw God working with me and Elder Welch today.

Sunday we had a great Ward Conference at church. Eileen came to church and Sharon did too! So that was awesome. We also were able to get Sister Hall (less active) to church. It is really exciting to see the fruits of our efforts. Today during Gospel Principles I was really able to realize and see how my relationship with God has changed and grown. I can really say that I have felt God's love many times and I know He is there. That was the tender mercy of the day.