Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing well. I know today's not Monday but because we went to the temple today, we had to switch our preparation day. So you won't be hearing from me this coming Monday. That's ok though. I'll jump into my week now.
Monday was preparation day. Good times. We had dinner at the Felch's but it was family home evening so they had a lesson prepared so we didn't share any message. Then we went on exchanges with the Wolfeboro Elders. I went to Wolfeboro with Elder Redford. Elder Johnson was with Elder Nelson in Plymouth.
Tuesday was alright, Elder Redford was sick so we pretty much stayed in the apartment. I just studied like all day. I've been studying a book called Jesus the Christ which is kind of a biography of Christ's life. It explains a lot and goes pretty deep into some things. I am really enjoying it. I read like 100 pages of it Tuesday.
Wednesday was pretty good. We had district meeting and exchanged back with our companions. We spent the day in Meredith. We tracted into a guy named Noah who was really interested. We taught him the restoration. We're going to meet with him again on Monday. We had dinner with the Tremblays and tried to help them figure out how to do family history for temple work with little success.
Thursday we had exchanges with the missionaries who are the assistants to the mission president. Their names are Elder Aldous and Elder Chilton. Elder Chilton was Elder Johnson's trainer so they went together. I was with Elder Aldous. We just split up in Plymouth. We went and did service at the community meal. Then we mostly tracted a lot. Most of the people we planned to see fell through. We met with Brother Mitchell, the former member. We were talking with him about the "spark" he felt when first joined the church. He said it was strong and he shared an experience of when he was preparing to be baptized he had to quit drinking and smoking and he was really struggling. One day he said a prayer and just like that he no longer had that desire to do those things it had just disappeared. Pretty cool and crazy. The assistants stayed the night that night. We stayed up till like 1:30 just laying in bed all talking.
Friday was fairly uneventful. We did service at the thrift shop. We did a bunch of tracting. We had dinner at the Cases. And afterwards we went to see the Tremblays and try to help them with their family history again. We got them each one name to take the temple.
Today we woke up at 05:00. We went to the Boston temple with Brother and Sister Tremblay. We met some other branch members there. We went and did baptisms. We did confirmations because that's all we're allowed to do. It was way cool though. It's a pretty temple. We had a good time and the spirit was really strong. It was Sister Tremblay's first time and brother Tremblay's first in a long time.
Anyways that's my week so far. I hope everyone is doing well. I love and miss you all.
Love,
Elder Alarid
Monday, August 17, 2015
Friday, August 7, 2015
Email 8-3-2015
Happy Prep-Day friends and family! How are you all doing? Everything's going well here. Had a pretty cool week. Today I won't have as much time to watch email because we are going to the polar caves which are I guess caves that are icey all year long. I'll try and send some pics if I get back early enough. I miss you all and hope you are doing well. I'll jump into my week now.
Monday was P-Day. I had some real good email time. I got an awesome package in the mail. Packages are the best. Mail in general really. We were out of miles for the month so we were walking. And it's way hot and humid so not fun. Gotta get some short sleeve shirts. Good day though.
Tuesday was good. Just walked like crazy. We met a real nice guy named Steve whose son is LDS and lives in San Diego. We had a dinner appointment with Brother Mitchell and he had requested that we review and discuss the articles of faith so he can teach them to his daughter in law. The articles of faith are the 13 core beliefs that make up our church.
They are:
1 We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul--We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
If you have any questions about any of these, feel free to ask me in an email. After dinner we had the Book of Mormon class and then ice cream after with the class attendees.
Wednesday was solid. We had district meeting in the morning and the two missionary assistants to the mission president were there. One of them is Elder Chilton, Elder Johnson's trainer. They're pretty cool. We went to visit our good friend brother MacPherson and got to teach him AND his wife for the first time since I've been here so that was cool.
Thursday was decent. We did service at the community meal. Then we tracted in Rumney FOREVER. And it poured the entire time. We had a dinner appointment at the Cases and committed them and another sister that was there to give out a Book of Mormon to someone so that was cool.
Friday was pretty cool. We had a really good lesson with potential investigator named Alexander and his friend Clarity. We taught about the restoration of the church of Jesus Christ. It went awesome. He prayed at the end and we gave both of them copies of the Book of Mormon. We had service at the thrift shop. We had dinner with the Tremblays, they're always tons of fun.
Saturday we just basically did service. For like 10 hours. First we helped the Branch a Presidents son with his Eagle Scout project. Just digging holes mostly for us. Which is more complicated than it sounds here because the soil is like 90% giant rocks. After that we helped some people move which didn't really go well. We got there at 10 and that's when they said they would have the truck there. They weren't organized or ready and the truck didn't get there til like 12:30. They live in a trailer with 14 cats...
Sunday was awesome. 15 minutes before church I felt like we should go see brother Mitchell and check on him and wake him up if necessary. We did wake him up but he said he was too tired and he wasn't coming. You could see that he felt bad because we went out of our way to come see him. 10 minutes into church he walked in. So that was awesome. I didn't think he was going to come. Then BOTH Tremblays bore their testimony. Brother Tremblay got the Melchizedek Priesthood today, or the higher priesthood, (let me know if you have any questions about the priesthood) and in his testimony he said he was psyched because he would be able to cast out demons and he was pretty sure there was one in his 2 year old son. I don't think I've ever heard so much laughter in church before. His son is way crazy and rowdy in church so everybody totally felt that joke. We got to participate in giving him the priesthood too which was way cool. We taught the young women in the 3rd hour about missionary work which was pretty awesome. We had them do role plays about how they could proclaim they are Christian to people without it being weird. We do role plays a lot as missionaries. They are awkward but they help. We had lunch at the Lopez house. They had Hawaiian haystacks which were hecka good. It way reminded me of my ward back home because that's the only place I had ever had them. After we went and saw our potential Gary. He is atheist and studies religion as a hobby so he knows a ton about the bible and religions. Not so much about our religion. He has a ton of issues with the bible and it's crazy how a lot of the things he believes fit with what we believe and/or they answer his concerns. He's in no way convinced but it was cool to see. He asked a million questions while we taught the restoration so we had to touch on like every topic in the church but I think it really went well. Except a 30 minute lesson turned into 1 hour and 45 minutes. But it was fun and he's really nice about it. He just has genuine concerns about things but he is willing to listen and hear other views.
So yeah pretty awesome week, especially Sunday. I miss you all and will try to get to emailing everyone that has emailed me but we have a lot less time today. So don't be mad if I don't. Anyways have a great week and keep up being awesome.
Love,
Elder Alarid
Monday was P-Day. I had some real good email time. I got an awesome package in the mail. Packages are the best. Mail in general really. We were out of miles for the month so we were walking. And it's way hot and humid so not fun. Gotta get some short sleeve shirts. Good day though.
Tuesday was good. Just walked like crazy. We met a real nice guy named Steve whose son is LDS and lives in San Diego. We had a dinner appointment with Brother Mitchell and he had requested that we review and discuss the articles of faith so he can teach them to his daughter in law. The articles of faith are the 13 core beliefs that make up our church.
They are:
1 We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul--We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
If you have any questions about any of these, feel free to ask me in an email. After dinner we had the Book of Mormon class and then ice cream after with the class attendees.
Wednesday was solid. We had district meeting in the morning and the two missionary assistants to the mission president were there. One of them is Elder Chilton, Elder Johnson's trainer. They're pretty cool. We went to visit our good friend brother MacPherson and got to teach him AND his wife for the first time since I've been here so that was cool.
Thursday was decent. We did service at the community meal. Then we tracted in Rumney FOREVER. And it poured the entire time. We had a dinner appointment at the Cases and committed them and another sister that was there to give out a Book of Mormon to someone so that was cool.
Friday was pretty cool. We had a really good lesson with potential investigator named Alexander and his friend Clarity. We taught about the restoration of the church of Jesus Christ. It went awesome. He prayed at the end and we gave both of them copies of the Book of Mormon. We had service at the thrift shop. We had dinner with the Tremblays, they're always tons of fun.
Saturday we just basically did service. For like 10 hours. First we helped the Branch a Presidents son with his Eagle Scout project. Just digging holes mostly for us. Which is more complicated than it sounds here because the soil is like 90% giant rocks. After that we helped some people move which didn't really go well. We got there at 10 and that's when they said they would have the truck there. They weren't organized or ready and the truck didn't get there til like 12:30. They live in a trailer with 14 cats...
Sunday was awesome. 15 minutes before church I felt like we should go see brother Mitchell and check on him and wake him up if necessary. We did wake him up but he said he was too tired and he wasn't coming. You could see that he felt bad because we went out of our way to come see him. 10 minutes into church he walked in. So that was awesome. I didn't think he was going to come. Then BOTH Tremblays bore their testimony. Brother Tremblay got the Melchizedek Priesthood today, or the higher priesthood, (let me know if you have any questions about the priesthood) and in his testimony he said he was psyched because he would be able to cast out demons and he was pretty sure there was one in his 2 year old son. I don't think I've ever heard so much laughter in church before. His son is way crazy and rowdy in church so everybody totally felt that joke. We got to participate in giving him the priesthood too which was way cool. We taught the young women in the 3rd hour about missionary work which was pretty awesome. We had them do role plays about how they could proclaim they are Christian to people without it being weird. We do role plays a lot as missionaries. They are awkward but they help. We had lunch at the Lopez house. They had Hawaiian haystacks which were hecka good. It way reminded me of my ward back home because that's the only place I had ever had them. After we went and saw our potential Gary. He is atheist and studies religion as a hobby so he knows a ton about the bible and religions. Not so much about our religion. He has a ton of issues with the bible and it's crazy how a lot of the things he believes fit with what we believe and/or they answer his concerns. He's in no way convinced but it was cool to see. He asked a million questions while we taught the restoration so we had to touch on like every topic in the church but I think it really went well. Except a 30 minute lesson turned into 1 hour and 45 minutes. But it was fun and he's really nice about it. He just has genuine concerns about things but he is willing to listen and hear other views.
So yeah pretty awesome week, especially Sunday. I miss you all and will try to get to emailing everyone that has emailed me but we have a lot less time today. So don't be mad if I don't. Anyways have a great week and keep up being awesome.
Love,
Elder Alarid
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)