Monday, 10/21/13 - Sunday 10/27/13

Monday – Today was our P-day which was really fun.  We went back to doing our P-day volleyball at the park on the sand court. I played way bad but it was still way fun. I won one game with Elder Elmer on my team. I wrote some letters and some emails and we shopped. Then we had dinner with the Thatcher’s which was really awesome. We had great food and got to teach the kids about baptism and priesthood authority. That was fun. Did an object lesson where you put pepper in water and then put dish liquid on your finger and when you dip in your finger the pepper goes to the edge of the bowl. No idea how it works. Also saw Brother Burbidge at the park when playing volleyball. Saw the Woodring’s and taught about the temple. Brother Woodring really wants to go to the temple now! That was sweet to see. Then went home to figure out the new weekly zone goals.

Tuesday – Today was District Meeting and we went to the Fort Walton 1^st Ward. Elder Schwartz is the District Leader and he invited the spirit in really good. We then went on an exchange with him and Elder Anderson. I stayed in Fort Walton with Elder Schwartz and Elder Anderson went to Crestview with Elder Winter. Elder Schwartz and I had some lunch and then headed out to teach Billy and Reed who are two less active guys. Interesting guys that are into World of Warcraft and seem to play way too much. Then we taught a solid plan of salvation with a guy named Rick. He has so much truth! Set a baptismal date of November 30^th with him. Then we went to the Bodine’s for dinner with them and the Spanish Elders, Elder Bravo and MacClay. Good homemade Mexican food. Then we headed over to the Irwin’s and listened to them complain about “Utah Mormons”. They are a part member family. I don’t really see much of a different between LDS members in Utah or down here. Members come in every variety everywhere. Then we hustled to the church to do a baptismal interview. Elder Schwartz interviewed the Sister’s gator, Mark Harroway. Cool guy!  14 MONTHS!

Wednesday – After trading back we went to see Jamie and taught a little lesson on forgiveness. Unfortunately she was not in a very good mood so that made it less effective. Then had a two-second lunch before heading to do some service for Donna. We got there and ended up having to empty the drain rock and drain pipe out of the ditch because it had to be a bit deeper of a ditch. We did that and then had to re-work everything. Then we had an appointment with a really cool young man named Austin. Read from the Book of Mormon with him and he seems to like it. Then we headed to the Boyd’s for dinner and coordination. Brother Boyd is doing a pretty good job thus far as Ward Mission Leader. We need some ward missionaries now so we can get some members out to lessons. Then while we were heading to see Ryan we saw Angie outside of the Crestview Manor and realized it was our turn to go see her so we stopped and went and read with her. She is so excited to learn and hopefully she keeps on learning. She is going through a tough time and so a set of missionaries visits her almost every day.

Thursday – Today we started our day by going to see Marisol who is Brian’s mom. We stopped by to drop off some tape for boxes that she needed to pack up, then we went to the church to teach James. Reviewed the Restoration with him. He is really awesome and solid. Going to be fasting for him tonight and tomorrow. Jamie fell through so we headed home to do our weekly planning. Brother Fisher came and dropped off some food for us. The Fisher’s are pretty awesome. We talked to him and Brian (guy in our complex…likes to drink) for a minute before continuing weekly planning. Then we headed out to see Austin, a young 15 year old guy that we are teaching now, same one we saw yesterday. Really good kid. We talked about scary movies and stories for a bit then we had to leave right as we started sharing our message. Then we went up to see the Roger’s, but saw Sister Parker, the Bishop’s wife, out cleaning her yard so we helped and then met Matt, their daughter’s boyfriend. He isn’t a member, but Sister Parker was telling us that his parents give him way strict rules, so that makes her pretty happy. Then we ate a quick dinner and then went to the church to meet up with Johnny and show him around. He didn’t show up. So we got some treats from the event at the church, a communication devotional.

Friday – Went over to teach Brian and Alisha and to also get our duct tape from Marisol, which neither worked. We did get to teach Anna, Marisol’s sister-in-law, about how the gospel will help to bless her and bring her the things she needs. Then we tried to see a lady named Tiffany that fell through. So we went to see the old stake president, President Hill. He is less active now and we don’t know why. After that we met Sister Ohku at Jamie’s and that is exactly what Jamie needed. Sister Ohku bore some strong testimony. Folded Jamie’s laundry while teaching and also raked leaves with Connor and Lance, two of the Barbecho boys. Then we contacted an HQ referral named David and taught him. He has come a long way! Then we headed over to a part member family, the Smith’s. Then we had dinner and a lesson with the Nimmo’s who are awesome investigators. Their kids are really cool too! They play soccer which is sweet. Gots to love soccer!

 

Saturday – Today we went to breakfast with President Miller at Ryan’s. After breakfast we studied in the car in the Ryan’s parking lot. Then we headed to the Barbecho’s to see Ben and Jamie. Taught them a really good lesson and got to answer some great questions that Ben had. After that we headed home to have lunch and studies and to also finish up some of our weekly planning. Just needed to make a progress record because we didn’t have time yesterday or Thursday. Then we headed out to try to see Brian but he was nowhere to be found so we walked around to find Anna or Marisol or someone. No luck so we went and read with Angie Davis. Talked to her about her conversion and about her surgery coming up. She has two hernias. Then we went to a Halloween thing downtown but decided it wasn’t a great idea so we left. Not a great atmosphere to talk about the gospel. Then had the Ward dinner/trunk-or-treat. Success! Andy was there and so were the Nimmo’s which was awesome. After, we had a lesson with Johnny. Brother Climer came and Brother Lawrence wanted to tag along too. Both of them were involved and it was such a powerful lesson.

Sunday – Great Sabbath day today! Church was really good. In Sacrament, the Kirby’s spoke and so did Elder Winter all about missionary work. Spirit was really strong and even was during the other classes. Had our studies and lunch and then went to see if Ryan or Taressa were home, but they weren’t. So we headed over and were able to catch Brian and Alisha out washing a car. Anna was out there as well so we taught her a bit. Then we were called over by a group of people to come talk to them. Pretty sketchy people and weird experience. Then we went to the Parker’s to eat with Bishop and his family. Had a steak the size of my head and a baked potato the size of both of my fists! Also had a delicious brownie! Then got pictures with Angie before heading to the Bissen’s with Bishop to teach Andy. Lesson went well. Our new thing is to get a ton of members to Andy and hope that will help him. I really love that guy and hope he can figure it out and know this is true.

Monday 10/14/13 - Sunday 10/20/13

Monday – Today was a great P-day!  We started off the day with our Spec-Ops secret trip that other people would call fishing. President allowed us to go because we were going with Elder Bailey who is one of the senior missionaries. Fun trip! I had never really fished before and didn’t realize how easy it is to do. We also went with the 2^nd Ward Elders and Elder Elmer caught the biggest one! They were just garbage fish that we threw back, but it was still a really fun trip. We all caught some too, which made it even more fun. Came back to email quickly and then ate at the Thomas’ which is always good. Brother Thomas watched some of Conference too, which was fantastic. He did say he watched a heck of a lot more football. Stopped by the Nimmo’s and got to teach them a lesson about prayer and one of their kids said the prayer for us and that was awesome! Then we taught Johnny a review of the restoration lesson. Then we came home to plan.

Tuesday – Today we went to the Niceville District Meeting. Elder Hawker did a pretty good job. He is a really awesome missionary. Then we went on an exchange and Elder Brewington came to Crestview with me and Elder Winter stayed in Niceville with Elder Hawker. Elder Brewington and I had a good day. We got a call from Billy Ray and he wanted us to come by and teach him. He told us some interesting stories that I can’t even repeat. Went to the Taylor’s because Brother Taylor wasn’t feeling well, so we went to give him a blessing. Talked about Miss April a bit. She watched President Monson’s talk from Conference. That is sweet! Then we went to see a referral who wasn’t home so we talked to and gave a BoM and a prayer to a really nice lady. She said she would read it and asked us to say a prayer for her. Then saw a referral, the Boening’s, who basically told us not to come back. Ate with the Bissen’s and found out Andy wants his old Branch President from Japan to baptize him, which might push things back. He is doing great. Then finished the night with coordination. Brother Boyd will be a good Ward Mission Leader.

Wednesday – Traded back after our exchange and had some lunch. Then we went out to try to find Brian and Alisha. Ran into his mom, Marisol, and his aunt, Anna. He is apparently in pretty big trouble. Taught Angie Davis, the recent convert, and man I was tired. Read with her a bit. Tried to contact a guy name Andy and met a ton of awesome people that said we could come back. Met Zay and JC that want to come to volleyball. Went and had a great dinner with the Lawrence’s. Went way too long. I hate being disobedient. Hopefully, we can get our appointment time down. Had a great lesson with Andy. He wants to be baptized by his old branch president so that will push the baptism back. Then had a little lesson with Johnny. Brother Lawrence came out with us to both of those, which was awesome.

Thursday – Today we taught James Purcell a good lesson. Went over the baptismal interview questions. Also taught about service. He is so prepared so I hope his mom will let him get baptized! Then we went through our weekly planning. That went pretty well. Had to go and get some supplies from the office Elders. Met them at a gas station to do that. Taught Becca Sanchez, Manny was on the phone so we just got to teach Becca, but that was great. Got some boxes from the Climer’s for our move. They are a celestial family. We also taught Brother Thomas a lesson. A quick one before we headed to Danny and Lewis’ for a lesson and Danny fed us pizza! They are so solid! We also drew some pictures with Danny’s daughters. That finished our awesome night. Also, while talking with Sister Thomas, I realized how blessed we really are in the USA. Her grandson is on a mission in Ghana. Has no running water, no beds, not very many cars…that would be a challenging mission.

Friday – Today we started off the day going to see Donna with Austin Boyd for some service. Got a lot done for her French drain. After we left, we did realize that we forgot to put the protective sock over the PVC pipe. Went and saw Johnny to set up with him for tomorrow. Taught Jamie while playing some soccer with her son Lance. Then we went to see Billy Ray and while driving there saw Brian and Alisha, so we hopped out and set up church with them. Saw Billy Ray and he wants to come to church too! So that is exciting! Billy Ray says some crazy things! Ate with sister Okum who is Sister Thomas’ daughter and she told us her and her son Devan’s conversion stories. Devan is the one in Ghana and cool thing is that he was actually converted first. Then we headed to the church for some volleyball for fellowship night. We all played pretty well.

Saturday – It’s always a good day when you start off with a baptism. It was the Olive Sisters that got a baptism, we went to support. It was for a young guy name Josh King. After the baptism, we went over to Elder and Sister Bailey’s place to do a little bit of coordination with the Sisters and the Bailey’s. We felt like it could have been done over a phone call, but gotta just do it. Had some lunch over there as well, which was pretty good. Then we went out to see Brian and Alisha, but we didn’t find them so we went to Chuck’s, but they were gone, so we talked to a couple random people about family history work while we were walking home. Also talked to Anna for a moment. Went and contacted the Scholtz who the Burbidge’s told us to go see. Their wife/mom was sick so we didn’t get to teach them, but they did say to come back. Taught Brother Steele and one of his kids named Alie who is 7 years old. Wish they would come to church, they don’t seem to have issues with it. Ate with the Hansen’s and Sister Stapleton, which was a very quiet dinner. After dinner we headed off to see Johnny and he was drinking coffee. We reminded him he shouldn’t and he dumped it. Taught him about scripture study a lot! Just reviewed some old lessons with him. After Johnny, we headed over to see the Barbecho’s and taught Ben. Jamie didn’t sit in, but she said she would come to church tomorrow. We ended up just reading the Book of Mormon with Ben and that finished the day for us.

Sunday – Today is my dad’s birthday and I forgot to send him a letter or card last week. We had church but none of our gators were able to make it. Billy Ray got sick, Brian and Alisha weren’t there when Elder Bailey and I went to pick them up and Johnny just didn’t come. Church was good but kind of empty. Everyone was gone for some reason. There were only four Elders in Elders Quorum. After our church and studies, we went to contact Ryan Bielel who was referred to us by the 2nd Ward Elders. Ryan wasn’t home but his neighbor came out and told us to knock on a different one. She was crazy but we knocked and met a nice lady named Teresa. We were able to give her a Book of Mormon and put away a lot of false things she had heard. Tried to contact David but ended up talking to some people on the street because he wasn’t home. Ate with the Wirt’s and talked about horses for like 45 minutes. We just wanted a subject change so bad. Then we taught Andy and told him to stop worrying about what his family thinks. I shared Frederick William Hurst’s story and vision with him. Told him that his family will eventually accept his decision even if it is in the next life. I hope that will all help because I love Andy and Sister Bissen!

Monday 10/7/2013 - Sunday 10/13/2013

Monday I sucked it up at volleyball but it was still really fun! Ate at the Taylor's house and had some delicious tacos. Johnny fell through and we even got Brother Wyatt out to the lesson with us. So we went to see a bunch of people and no one let us in, but we had good conversations with Chase Drysdale (less active), Sister Parsons (less active) and her husband Tim (non-member) actually talked with us. Had to run to the store because we forgot to get some toilet paper.

Tuesday we went down to Fort Walton to the Fort Walton 2 District Meeting. Elder DeGroff taught a really good lesson. Then we did our exchange with them. I went with Elder DeGroff in Fort Walton 2 and Elder Malmberg went to Crestview. Had a good day with Elder DeGroff. We biked all day and talked to people and also tracted a bit. Talked to some random and interesting people. One guy was trying to tell us what we believe. I was also jumping off curbs and ended up wrecking. It was pretty funny. I tore up my shirt pretty good. Elder DeGroff got me a Powerade and bought us a pizza. Washed my shirt during dinner and then went out and saw a couple people with the Elder’s Quorum President.

Wednesday I woke up thinking it felt late and looked at the clock which said 6:55 and I was all confused. Elder DeGroff looked at the phone and was like, "we're good, it's 6:06". So I went back to bed and looked at the clock at around 7:21 and was thinking that it must be time to get up. Elder DeGroff then looked at the phone and it said 7:21 as well. So we got up and got ready and Elder DeGroff was telling me that he should have put on his glasses to look at the clock. He said that it probably said 6:56 not 6:06. Had our studies and then traded back. Elder Winter and I had some service with Donna. We didn't get as much done as we could have, but we did get the drain where it needs to be so next time should be a breeze. We also got to talk to her about why we have faith in Christ and why she does. After that we changed and tried to see a new gator who goes by "T". Wasn't home so we swung by the Woodring's and watched President Monson's talk with them. They didn't get to see it because Sister Woodring was having the baby. He was born at over 9 pounds! They didn't even do a C section...big baby!

Thursday we had and exchange with the assistants. I went with Elder Rhoades and Elder Winter went with Elder Wright. We blitzed our area which was really fun. Elder Rhoades and I had a good day. First we went to see some people and ran into a guy named Sean Stewart and did some service for him. Brought some boxes and dressers into his house. Got lost and went on an adventure through the woods and found our way. Also taught the Jimmo's about family history and Sister Jimmo has done it but not on family search. Then we headed to Brother Spears to teach him and that was an awesome lesson. He brought up some concerns. I think he really likes us! Also got an HQ referral which was sick! Then the Assistants left and we ate with the Cochran's. Then had a way spiritual lesson with Andy Bissen. We really feel this is it! It will be sick!

Friday we had our weekly planning and ended up going to see Billy Ray because he wanted us to come by and we hadn't seen him for so long! The guy is hard to read and is pretty quirky. Went to see Jamie and she bailed and told us to come back in a bit so we had seen Brian and Alisha on the way there. We went back and found them and pushed our appointment back to 4 which he wasn't at. We then also met two ladies named Debbie and Sarah who are awesome. They seem to be so sincere and ready for the gospel. Then we taught Jamie and Ben about the "why" behind family history. Jamie was in and out but her and Ben agreed to come to church, the whole family! Ate with Brother Moore as well and that was pretty good. He is a good cook for, as he put it, "not paying enough attention to his wife's cooking". Then we had volleyball and that was fun. There were tons of people there! Then we planned and called all the companionships in the zone.

Saturday we had our usual breakfast with President Miller. Did some weekly planning and had interviews with President Smith. He is a really funny guy, played some jokes on us. Tried to find Brian and Alisha but couldn't. Went to see Lewis and Danny but they were busy with something. Went to see Johnny but he was out of town. So we tried to see some potentials and ended up seeing Brother Wroten who we talked about conference with and that was really good.

Sunday we had our ward council which was pretty productive. Had church and Sister Taylor and her daughter both spoke and did a really good job! Had studies and got to meet the Rogers. They are really awesome and nice. Also got to meet Glen Ashby (less active) who seems to be a really cool guy. Ate with Brother Harter who is awesome and his Mom and kids too. He has been through a ton. It is so hard to get out of his house on time though. Went and taught Andy and he is definitely going to get baptized! He should get baptized this weekend coming up unless his family decides they want to be there. Taught the Barbecho's and got to know them a little better than I did.

Monday 9/30/2013 - Sunday 10/6/2013

Monday we had to go out to Fort Walton first thing in the morning to go and get me some new shoes. Brother Moore took us down there to JC Penney and I got a comfortable, lightweight pair for 60 bucks. Got a good deal on them, 25 dollars off. Brother Moore also took us to lunch at a little place called Stewie's. It was a seafood place and the fish tacos I had were real good! Came back to Crestview to email and what not. Then we went and played some sand volleyball. The temperature was perfect so it was way fun! Ate at the Wanner's which was delicious. Brother Wanner does competitive arm wrestling and he taught us the technique of how to do it without breaking your arm. Had a lesson at the Bissen's and they made brownies for Elder Winter because it was his birthday. They were freaking good!

Tuesday we went to our district’s district meeting. That was good! Taught Donna a bit while doing some service with her. Finished the trench and now we are getting the weed cloth laid. Taught Manny a lesson which went well. He is an awesome guy! Talked to Johnny's girlfriend Staci for a bit and then headed over and talked to Jamie outside. Her friend Angel came and talked too. Then Ben came home so we read with him in D&C 84 a bit.

Wednesday we had to plan what we are going to talk about in our zone conference call. Got our apartment situation figured out. We will be moving to a smaller one at the first of next month. Taught Billy Ray and he is pushing us away slowly. Then we tried to see Brian and then Joanna which both fell through. Ate at the Boyd's and did coordination. Really good food there. Then we went and saw Brother Wroten and talked to him for a bit. He is a really awesome guy. Taught him about conference and prophets.

Thursday we had our zone conference call. It was really weird to teach over the phone so hopefully they got something out of it. Taught James and his Mom still doesn't want him to get baptized. He wants to though. Hopefully her heart will be softened so that he can be baptized on the 12th. Went home to eat and do some weekly planning. After weekly planning we went to eat at the Nelson's. That's when we found out that we had called the wrong Nelson's that were in 2nd Ward because the Nelson's in our ward weren't home. Brother Nelson from our ward called and asked if we were coming by still and the other one did the same. So we ended up going to see Brother Thomas and taught him a bit and then headed back over to the Nelson's in our ward to eat. They are an awesome family! The other Brother Nelson ended up feeding the 2nd Ward Elders so they got something out of our mistake. Then we ended up setting up an appointment with Lewis and taught Johnny. We taught him about Jesus and him being the literal Son of God. It was a way powerful lesson. Then we traded off with 2nd Ward.

Friday I was in the 2nd Ward with Elder Elmer. Every single person we tried today fell through. I'm not even kidding! Elder Elmer and I had fun though. He is really cool, reminds me of Shawn from back home. The 2nd Ward had a cardboard cut-out of Mitt Romney that was life-size and it scared the pee out of me 3 times. They stuck it in the bathroom and when I walked in I saw a huge guy out of the corner of my eye. We also ate at the Newell's with Brother and Sister Hart there as well. Brother Hart looked a lot like my Uncle Tom and that was kind of weird. We also met a lady who knew some people that lived in Dugway, Utah! So crazy but they lived there in the 70's so it wasn't at the same time. Also played volleyball in our dress clothes which was actually really fun. I had like 3 spikes. Well it was a spike for a guy like me that can't spike very well.

Saturday we had breakfast with President Miller as usual. Then we went to the church to study before Conference. We did get in a study but also ended up helping the members clean the building. We also had to get the satellite broadcast of conference working. Conference was powerful and way awesome! The hurricane that was supposed to hit ended up dispersing and we got a lot of rain. Not really any wind or anything.

Sunday we hurried and headed to see the Barbecho's and also Johnny in the morning to remind them about conference. The Barbecho's watched yesterday and seemed to have liked it. Johnny didn't come to any sessions!! It was way disappointing. Conference was great and the Prophet was powerful. Everyone was but him in particular. Had a great lunch in between provided by the Bailey's. After Conference we ate with the Peterson's and the Lawrence's. Then we taught Andy and the Spirit was so strong. Then we went and saw Johnny and the Barbecho's. Johnny has been having a struggle with getting his daughter to bed. She should be put on some sort of sleep medication soon after they run some tests on her. She has a bit of autism. Johnny is awesome though and he still wants to be baptized.