Sunday, 8/17/14 - Sunday, 8/24/14

Sunday 

·         How did I help others today?

Today we had a great lesson with Eric Hetzel. He is less-active but we were able to answer some of his questions and he said he would read from the Book of Mormon each day. That was the best lesson we had.

·         What did I learn?

Today I learned that Brother Vasquez is the bomb. He told us about a time that he was talking to a guy and said something about thanking God. The guy he was talking with said, “I thank Budda”. He then replied with, “I’d punch your Buddha in the belly.” Cracked me up!

·         How did someone help me?

Had dinner with the Schloemer’s. They made some Korean food for us and it was so good! Tony was also there. He is the Hubbard’s grandson. Him and the Schloemer (Slaymer) kids, Kenny and Jessica, go to ROTC and get yoked after school each day. It’s actually just the prep for P.T. not the actual ROTC. Anyway what really helped me was that the Schloemer’s got here when the ward was really small. Sister Schloemer said it has grown a lot. So that gave me some extra excitement to go work!

Monday 

·         How did I help someone today?

We knocked on some doors around a referral that didn’t answer. Tried to share a message with them. Didn’t work. Tried to see some less actives who also didn’t answer.

·         What did I learn today?

Justice helps us express/use faith. Without law there would be no reason to try. So God has given us laws to help us grow in faith. Well he has to give us laws anyway but yeah! It was something I knew but a great reminder. Thanks Elder Holland.

·         How did someone help me?

Elder Bochenek got me some BK after a not so successful day. It was good!

Tuesday 

·         How did I help someone today?

Today we stopped by Sherry Gibson’s place in Grand Bay. She is a less active and her and her husband have been fixing up a neighbor’s home in preparation to sell it. We volunteered to go help after dinner with the Gignilliat’s. That was a fun dinner and it tasted good. We had some delicious pasta stuff that had crawfish and shrimp in it. It was a good time. Went back over to the Gibson’s and changed out the wall outlets in one room but we had to head out so we are planning on going by tomorrow again.

·         What did I learn?

I learned that I need to be less like Laman and Lemuel. I have just been murmuring, discouraged, lacking faith and just not being grateful. Gotta do better!

·         How did someone help me?

Had district meeting and district activity. The other missionaries in the district just help me so much. It was just a fun day and they build my faith.

Wednesday

·         How did I help others today?

Taught Kelsey again today for the last time before she moves. Lesson started off as prayer and was side tracked to everything else. It was kind of an interesting lesson. I hope Kelsey grew closer to Christ in some way. After that we helped the Gibson’s and had lunch with them. They are so cool! We got all the power outlets and light switches replaced with new ones. It was fun and I learned how to change outlets and light switches. We also taught Eric Hetzel today. We got side tracked but it was okay. I learned from him that if they (the government) would lower “malpractice insurance” for doctors that medical wouldn’t be so expensive. I also learned that I should stand or kneel always when I pray. The Bible dictionary has great prayer insights.

Thursday

·         How did I help others today?

Today was a slow day so I don’t feel like I did a whole lot. I tried to help our new companion, Elder Payne, bring his bags and bike to the car and apartment though.

·         What did I learn today?

I have learned that I am going to have to focus a lot on patience. Hopefully I find some.

·         How did someone help me?

The Blackburn’s fed us. It was great! Best family ever! Alex played the guitar for us. He played “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Crazy Train” for us. He is like 11 years old and is way good already.

Friday 

·         How did I help others today?

Saw Sister Batton today. She just needs people to talk to. It was funny though because she came out and stuck in a Navy aircraft carrier movie for us to watch. Her husband was on a carrier so she wanted to show us boats like his. So we kept trying to come up with ways to get it turned off. Finally she left the room so I got up and shut it off.

·         What did I learn?

Today we have started a new thing where we “snap” each other with a rubber band if we say anything that is inappropriate. We do it for any sort of substitute of a swear word or anything slightly vulgar. It’s really fun but I have realized that we say so much slightly inappropriate stuff. It’s usually so overlooked. That is also what has helped me and it was Elder Bochenek and Elder Payne that helped by causing me physical pain.

I also got a sick Kobe shirt from my Mom as a 24 month out gift. Fitting since he is #24.

Saturday

·         How did I help others today?

Today we went over and uplifted Brother Brown then we went to a couple places with him. We went and saw Brother Crittenden and got to know him for a minute. He is a good guy and I hope we can get him active. Then we went to see a guy named Richard. Highlight of that was Elder Bochenek just giving him a great blessing for his sad feet. He has something wrong with his feet but he still walks to work every day. Dedicated I’d say.

·         What did I learn?

I learned that “Messiah” is Aramaic and “Christ” is Greek. They both mean “anointed one”.

·         How did someone help me?

I feel as though the way Elder Bochenek went about giving Richard a blessing was very faith filled and inspiring. We should never be afraid to minister to those in need!

Sunday 

·         How did I help someone today?

Today we met a really nice guy in the Lahtinen’s neighborhood right after dinner with them. We walked with him for a bit and taught a bit and gave him a Book of Mormon. Then met a guy named Mac. He seemed a bit unsure about us but that might have been because he is blind. We taught him a bit though and then he called us to set up an appointment. Really cool!

·         What did I learn?

I learned from Brother Lahtinen that Twitter affects the stock market. He did some research on it and it’s pretty fascinating.

·         How did someone help me?

Met a guy name Paul Kinnell. Tracted into him and he said so many great things about the work we are doing. He took our number but no appointments. It was good to hear that someone likes what we do.

Saturday, 8/9/14 - Saturday, 8/16/14

Saturday

·         How did I help others today?

Today we didn’t find our referral home but we met a lady named Lee who is friends with the Dees’ in our ward and also Sister Webster. We were able to teach her a bit and give her a Book of Mormon. We also gave away 3 other copies of the Book of Mormon in that neighborhood. Didn’t have much else happen the rest of the day. We did also have basketball so that was good. It’s always good getting all those kids into a good environment.

·         What did I learn?

We actually went to a Catholic mass today which was very interesting to see. I knew they believe the bread and wine are actually Christ’s body and blood but it was interesting to see that they bow to the bread and wine every time they go up onto the stage or leave the stage

·         How did someone help me?

At the Catholic church they were very friendly and I am always comfortable but they helped me see how I need to treat visitors of our church.

Sunday
·         How did I help others today?

Today Brother Brown wasn’t feeling too well so we went and visited him to see how we could help him. We ended up just having a really good talk but maybe that’s what he needed. We also went to visit a recent convert that just moved to the ward. Welcomed him to Theodore. Unfortunately he will be moving out in a couple weeks. His name is Damarcus.

Monday 

·         How did I help others today?

We were able to have a dinner with the Willet’s then after we had a great message with them about prayer. Unfortunately everything else fell through.

·         What did I learn today?

I learned that the Book of Enos alone can answer just about any question of your soul.

·         How did someone help me?

Tonight Brother Evans took us out to our appointment and that fell through. So he ended up driving us to a couple other places. Those didn’t work out either but it was good to have a member with us.

Tuesday

·         How did I help others today?

Today I was in Pascagoula on an exchange with Elder Danner. We had a great dinner with the Killgo’s. They are a part member family and I had an extensive conversation about the Gospel. He has some extraterrestrial beliefs about God but it was an uplifting conversation. Then we watched #BecauseOfHm and that really brought the spirit.

·         What did Iearn?

We went to a Book of Mormon study class tonight. First off I want to do that when I get home more often. I learned that back then in the Book of Mormon times things weren’t too different. Of course there was less technology but they still had a lot of the same troubles we do. We read Mosiah 26 by the way. It is very good.

·         How did someone help me?

Elder Danner helped me get my mind off of the hard things in missionary work and we had a ton of good laughs. Broke a credit card reader at Sonic, talked in southern accents for a long time, tried to improve our rapping skills, and had a great night talk. Great exchange!

Wednesday

·         How did I help others today?

Today we had a great lesson with the Crouthamel’s! They are such a great family. They are both converts. Brother Crouthamel was baptized a little over a year ago. I knew Elder Lane who was one of the missionaries who taught him. We called him “The Lamanite” because he is Native American. Flint and Lilly were as energetic as always. Anyway we taught about Christ’s atonement and worthiness. It was great. I really hope it helped.

·         What did I learn?

I learned that 1 Corinthians 15 explains resurrection so clearly! If you understand the chapter it helps to understand baptisms for the dead as well.

·         How did someone help me?

Elder Bochenek took charge of the member MTC we are doing and that was nice. It helped me to not be overwhelmed.

Thursday 

·         How did I help others today?

Today we met a lady named Shartoscha. I can’t even remember how to pronounce it. Great lady! She seemed open to learn about the Gospel. We set up a time to go back as well. Then we talked with Nedgie. She is completely active but neither of us had even met her. She is Sister Hunter’s daughter. We are going to go over there and try to get her husband going strong again.

·         What did I learn?

I learned that I am so lucky. Recently we have had a lot of people requesting their names off the Church records, 6 to be exact. I see that most of them fell away in younger years and grew bitter. So I say I am lucky because that could have been what happened to me.

·         How did someone help me?

The Constantine’s helped me a lot today. They helped me to relax and gather myself. Brother Constantine said something really funny too. We were talking about a super hero, don’t remember which, and he said, “He was formed by a chemical explosion”. Then I jokingly said, “That’s what happened to me.” Then he replied with, “Yeah, a chemical explosion called conception.” Ha ha so funny!

Friday 

·         How did I help others today?

Today we had a great lesson with Kelsey. She was a bit quiet but it went pretty well. After the lesson we texted her a bit and she actually is thinking about the possibility of baptism now. I always felt that she would decide to find out if that is what she should do. We also helped the Grantham’s clean up their yard a bit because Brother Grantham is getting older and has a hard time with all that.

Saturday

·         How did I help others today?

We went and saw Micah today and taught him about missionary work. We more so just talked to him about what he has considered and encouraged him to keep seeking. We also went with Brother Wells (less active) to the Coast Guard base. We were able to have some great conversation with him and see what is going on and how he feels about the Church. He is a great guy!

·         What did I learn?

Today I learned that tons of us feel guilty all the time about every little thing, even when it is completely unnecessary. I do it a ton. I realized today that this is one of Satan’s tools to push us down. We do not need to be discouraged or feel guilty about dumb things. Gotta just put the little things behind you and keep moving forward. When we do that and don’t quit we conquer Satan. He wants us to quit.

·         How did someone help me?

Elder Bochenek had a gift card so we went to Bonefish Grill. I got a Kobe Beef Burger. Delicious! Best beef ever! We also made a sweet video. Elder Bochenek pretended to be a Baptist and I was a Mormon talk show host. It was funny.

Sunday, 8/3/14 - Friday, 8/8/14

Sunday

·         How did I help someone today?

Today we were able to go over to see Brother Logan and share a message with him about temples. Read a bit from D&C with him about the early days of the church when the Lord commanded to build temples. He also asked if we could help him put a dart on his Corvette sometime this week. I also learned how to crack a bull whip at his place. It only took a couple tries to learn and then he ended up giving us each a bull whip.  Pretty sick!

Monday

·         How did I help someone today?

Went over to see a couple potentials, Sandra and another lady named Brandy. Conversation with Brandy was really short but we still were able to follow up to see if we could come back by. Conversation with Sandra was good though. We talked to her for about 15 minutes about different things and she still wants to sit down with us so that was awesome.

·         What did I learn?

Follow up!

Tuesday

·         How did I help someone today?

I hope I helped the district as I taught about being a successful missionary and what that really means. Went to Fairhope on an exchange with Elder Miller. Taught Mickey about temples, family history, priesthood and auxillary, and missionary work. She is getting baptized this weekend so it was great to get to teach her. We also taught Dawnell and Carnivais. Tried to teach about  the Plan of Salvation but it turned into purpose of the Book of Mormon. Carnivais told me I can marry any of his three daughters. That was interesting. Never had had that happen.

·         What did I learn?

I learned from Enos that when I have kids I need to make sure to speak of the plan of salvation a lot.

·         How did someone help me?

Elder Miller helped me to see what I can improve on and get back to being faith filled.

Had an awesome dinner tonight as well.  Bishop Parker from Crestview was coming through and came down to Fairhope and fed us. It was awesome to catch up. That was such an awesome ward so it was great to hear how things are going.

Wednesday

Uneventful so I didn’t write anything.

Thursday

·         How did I help someone today?

Today we saw Brother Holladay and just talked with him. He has prostate cancer I believe. So we just went to talk and help him feel love. Then we saw Eric Hetzel, a less-active. He is an awesome guy and I hope he will come back. We shared a message about Christ’s grace/mercy and how nothing else on this earth can save us. He is a great guy and it was really fun.

·         What did I learn?

That I need to stop being so hard on myself because Christ died for me and he knows my desires.

·         How did someone help me?

Today started off as a struggle but Elder Buchenek was talking to me about grace and that really helped. Sometimes as a missionary I trick myself to believing that I have to be perfect to do this work but I don’t. God knows what I want and the direction I am going. I just need to keep trying but recognize that Christ will make up everything.

Friday

·         How did I help someone today?

Today we had a great lesson with Kelsey Stone.

·         What did I learn today?

Today I think I learned that I should ask more questions to help people think because we had a sad experience with an 18 year old that recently fell away. He told us “I hate the church” and then said about the Book of Mormon “I read it every day and hated it”. I feel I should have asked him why but I felt so blown away that he sounded that bitter. I was speechless.

·         How did someone help me?

Brother Hubbard fed us. It’s small but it was very nice of him to do so. He is really awesome. He told us a lot about what Green Beret selection is like. Sounds like the hardest thing ever! 

We also had volleyball at the church. It was really fun! Constantine’s came and Luis and Michael. Oh, and can’t forget Christian.

Tuesday, 7/22/1/4 - Saturday, 8/3/14

Tuesday - Sunday – This week was really slow so I decided to sum it all up in one entry. On Tuesday, Elder Shoemaker was taken by the Mobile North Zone Leaders to start his journey home. Also had our first District Meeting this transfer. Elder Stroupe from New Mexico is new in the district and also Sister Maxwell from Draper. She also went to Hillcrest. Started calling different members that we hadn’t met yet so we could set up some appointments with them and hopefully get some less actives back. Had dinner with the Safford’s and set up a time to share a message with them. Some other highlights we had this week was seeing Brother Smart with Brother Brown. We taught him about temples and family history. Hopefully we can get him to the temple so he can receive those blessings. Had an awesome dinner with the Constantine’s on Friday. Played some football with them while waiting on dinner to finish. That was great! Had volleyball Friday and it was awesome. Basketball was also pretty good. We also helped the Dee’s tear down some of their barn they are rebuilding. That was sweet! They also fed us at Sonny’s. Sunday was great as well! Brother Lahtinen gave a great talk in Sacrament. We also got to teach Chase and I think he is feeling more comfortable with us.

Monday – Today was good! Played some P-day pool. I suck at pool though. I am getting better…I think. I am now going to start answering 3 questions at the end of each day.

·         How did I help someone today?

We went and saw Brother Speed today and listened and tried to help him resolve some concerns. He is a great guy and I hope he felt the spirit.

·         What did I learn?

I learned that I am to judgmental and need to not judge in the way that I do sometimes. I feel I need to judge in a positive way so I can still discern but not be judgmental.

·         How was I bettered by someone else?

Elder Bochenek helped me to see how I can be more understanding toward others. I am very grateful for that.

Tuesday –

·         How did I help someone today?

I feel we helped the Grantham’s to feel more love because I am sure they are a bit stressed right now. I hope that Elder Stroupe feels as though I helped him in some way while he was here on an exchange with me.

·         What did I learn?

To be more bold in letting people know what our purpose/expectations are right from the beginning. I have got away from that.

·         How did someone help me?

We went to the Crouthamel’s home and their kids, Flint and ??? really uplifted my spirits. We taught them and Sister Crouthamel. Unfortunately Brother Crouthamel didn’t join us. Hope we can help them come back to church.

Wednesday –

·         How did I help someone today?

Saw James Gage (less active). He wants his name remove from the Church but we talked to him a bit and gave him some scriptures to read and he said he would think about it and get back to us. We also saw Tiarra and she was having a rough day. Her mom threw away her Book of Mormon a while back so we gave her a new one. Hope we uplifted her a bit. Met Shery-Lynn today as well. Really nice lady. We pulled weeds with her and shared a bit. She accepted a Book of Mormon and told us to come by. Also met another lady that we are going to go mow her lawn and then teach her.

·         What did I learn today?

It is okay to struggle through life and I don’t have to have anxiety or worry too much. Just keep trying.

·         How did someone better me?

Elder Bochenek had the great idea to set some great goals. They should help us keep our minds on our missions.

Thursday –

·         How did I help someone today?

Today we had a great time over at Cassie’s. She is the lady that I said we were going to mow her lawn. So we ended up doing that for her and her family. Borrowed Brother Brown’s lawn mower and got it done. Crazy how we met her. We knocked on a less active’s house and she told us to come in so we did thinking it was him and his wife living there and she told us he moved so we set up a return appointment with her.

·         What did I learn today?

That we need to do more service in our area because the work is slow so maybe we can make a difference that way.

·         How did someone help me?

I feel as though today and everyday Elder Bochener teaches me how to be open with people because he is a very open guy. He is always himself no matter who he is around that is something I need to get better at.

Friday –

·         How did I help someone today?

Went to Grand Bay and taught Kelsey a great lesson. We ended up teaching her about the Word of Wisdom and the Law of Tithing. She is way prepared and doesn’t even know it right now. We challenged her to come to church and also to be baptized. She is going to pray about it and let us know.

·         What did I learn today?

I learned that when the Spirit tells you to do something that it will work no matter what the idea is. If it is good and helps someone come closer to God then it is of the Spirit.

·         How did someone help me?

Sister Jolley is so kind and she gave us some shampoo after we shared a message with her. It is good stuff too.

Saturday –

·         How did I help someone today?

Ate at IHOP because Elder Bochenek had a gift card. While we were waiting on our food Elder Bochenek noticed an older lady behind me and she was eating alone. So he asked if we should say something. So I kinda glanced back and our eyes met and I asked how her day was. We were all able to have a great conversation after that and hopefully that made her day a bit better. We also helped the Martin’s out with their daughter Chloe’s baptism. We filled the font for it and it was a good time.

·         What did I learn?

That the Lord helps/impresses us all to speak to so many different people each day. Even in IHOP.

·         How did someone help me?

Seems small but Sister Cox came and told us the font was getting close to being full.